of Orleans Elijah du Bois Esq Lord of Senelieres Elder of the Church of Chasteaudun and John du Four Counsellor to the King and his Judge in the Sessions of Blois and Elder of the Church there For the Province of Anjou Mr. John Vigneux Pastor of the Church of Mans Isaac le Pelletier Pastor of the Church of Vandome George Rabboteau Advocate and Elder in the Church of Pruilly and Samuel Pruchieur Lord de la Mesnerie and of the Waters and Forests in the Sheriffdom of Anjou Elder of the Church of Bange For the Province of the Higher and Lower Poictou Mr. Isaac Caville Pastor of the Church of Cove James Cottiby Pastor of the Church of Poitiers Claudius Gourjault Esq Lord of Venoars Elder in the Church of â—usignun and Michael des Roulins Esq Lord of Bois St. Martyn Elder in the Church of Mouschamp For the Province of Xaintonge Mr. William Rivett Lord of Chauvernown Pastor of the Church of Taillebourg Theodore de â—ignon Judge Assistant in the Town of Rochefoucaut and Elder of the Church there and John Thomas Judge of Mirambeau Elder of the Church there as for Michael le Blanc Pastor of the Church of Rochell and deputed at the same time together with the said Lord of Chauvernown he fell sick just as he came to Paris and departed this Life on Wednesday the Thirteenth of this instant September and was buried the next day in the Church-yard of Charenton aforesaid For the Province of the Lower Guyenne Mr. John Alba Pastor of the Church of Tonneins James Berdolin Pastor of the Church of Duras Seigneron Buffoon formerly Lieutenant in the Seneschally of Castlejaloux Elder of the Church there and Mathias Capduroy Advocate in the Parliament of Bourdeaux and Elder of that Church For the Province of Lower Languedoc Solomon Crubelier Pastor of the Church of Vauvert and John Faucheur Pastor of the Church of Nismes and Professor of Divinity in that University James â—esquet Doctor of the Civil Law and Advocate Elder in the Church of Montpellier and du Mas Doctor of the Civil Law and Advocate Elder in the Church of Lunel absent never came unto the Synod For the Province of Higher Languedoc and Guyenne Mr. Peter Beraud Pastor and Professor of Divinity in the Church and University of Montauban Peter Savoys Pastor of the Church of Castres John Mauzy the Kings Attorney in the Judicature of Ville â—ongue Elder in the Church of Puylaurens and James Herauldy Doctor of the Civil Law and Advocate Elder in the Church of Figeac For the Province of Burgundy Mr. Isaiah Bayly Pastor of the Church of â—ions James Clerk Pastor of the Church of Sessy Peter de L' Oriol Esq Lord of Zarlac Elder in the Church of Bourg and Albert de Mars Esq Lord of Balenes Elder in the Church of Maringues absent and did not come unto this Synod For the Province of Dolphiny Mr. James de Chambrun Pastor of the Church of Orange Adrian Chamier Pastor of the Church of Montlimart Moses du Port Esq Captain and Constable of the Castle of Lamure Elder of the Church there and Daniel Bois Advocate in the Parliament of Grenoble and Elder of the Church in that City For the Province of Sevennes Mr. James Berlie Pastor of the Church of Quissac Paul Paulett Pastor of the Church at Vazenobre Andrew du Crois Esq Lord of Vazenobre and Elder of the Church of St. German and Calbergue and Anthony Despeces Doctor of the Civil Law and Advocate Elder in the Church of Alez For the Province of the Isle of France Mr. Samuel Durant and Mr. John Mestrezat Pastors of the Church of Paris Peter de Launay Counsellor and Secretary to the King Elder of the said Church and James de Herouard Esq Lord of â—osseuse Elder in the Church of Baillolett The Lord of Montmartyn Deputy General for the Reformed Churches in this Kingdom to His Majesty took his Place and sate personally in this Synod according to the Canon of our Churches in this case provided Eight Dayes after the opening of the Synod there came and craved admission into it The Sieurs Bertrand d' Avignon Lord of Souvigne Pastor of the Church of Rennes and John de Gennes Lord of la Baste Elder in the Church of Vitre Deputies for the Province of Britain and being demanded the reasons of their delay and late coming they answered that it arose hence that their Provincial Synod could not be held early enough because that His Majesty having given Order to some particular Persons to send an Officer who might assist in Person in it they put off his Nomination and Commission so long that they have lost all this time which Excuses of theirs were accepted by the Assembly Twelve dayes after the Synod had sate there came into it Mr. John D' Isserotte Pastor of the Church of Moneings Deputy for the Principality of Bearn who declared that the Letters of Convocation unto this present Synod came not into their Province but very lately so that they could not assemble their own Synod timely enough for the Deputies to meet at the opening of this Assembly and that Mr. Samuel Campaigne Elder in the Church of Olleroon who was deputed together with him fell sick just as they were beginning their Journey so that he had not time to acquaint the other Person with it who was ordered in case of such an Accident to succeed him in this Office and therefore he humbly requested this Synod to accept of these his Excuses which it also did and gave him his priviledge of sitting and voteing in it But forasmuch as in his Letters of Commission the clause of submission was couched in those very self-same terms and under those conditions wherewith the Deputies of the said Principality had been hitherto admitted into these Assemblies and that the Synod of Alez had suffered those Conditions because of the juncture of Affairs then and by provision only until this present Synod therefore this Assembly doth ordain in pursuance of the limitations and restrictions made in the foregoing National Synods the Provinces shall have full liberty to require that the said Sieur D' Isserotte may not in some cases concerning the Churches of this Kingdom not be permitted either his deliberative or decisive Vote and that before the breaking up of this Synod he do produce the reasons why the Churches in the Principality of Bearne have so long deferred their full and intire subjection to the Discipline of the Churches in France and of which this Assembly will consider and give judgment The Sixteenth day after the Synod had sate there came unto it for the Province of Vivaretz Mr. Joseph Villou Pastor of the Church of Chambon Solomon Faure Pastor of the Church of Privas Anthony Perrottin Advocate Elder in the Church of Villeneusve de Berg and John Faure Lord of Champlas Elder in the Church of Tournon near Privas who related that through the delays and difficulties caused by the Governours and
of Lower Guyenne The Sieurs John Mizaubin Pastor of the Church of Sainte Foy and James du Fort Pastor of La Bastide in Armagnac together with Mr. John Joan Lord of Loullan Advocate in the Parliament of Bourdeaux Elder in the Church of Duras and Mr. Isaack Grenouelleau Advocate also in the same Parliament and Elder of the Church of Castelsmoron in Albrett For the Province of Xaintonge the Sieurs John Constans Pastor of the Church of Pons and David Belot Pastor of the Church de la Rochechalais together with John Besne Esq Lord of Angoulins Elder in the Church of Rochell and Elijah Marlat Advocate in the Parliament of Bourdeaux and Elder of the Church of Mirambeau For the Province of Poictou The Sieur Peter de la Vallade Pastor of the Church of Fontenay la Conte and Isaac du Soul Pastor of the Church of Lusignan accompanied with Gilles Begaud Esq Lord of La Begaudiere Elder in the Church of Montague and James Coxdel Lord of Soignon Elder in the Church of St. Maixant For the Province of Anjou the Sieurs Daniel Couppe Pastor of Loudun and Stephen le Bloy Pastor of the Church of Anger 's without any Elders because those who were Commissionated fell sick on their Journey which Excuse was admitted For the Province of Orleans and Berry The Sieurs John Guerrin Pastor of the Church of Baugency and John Taby Pastor of the Church of La Charite accompanied with James Pasquier Counsellor and Comptroller for the King in the Town of Baugency and Elder of the Church there and Peter Longuet Advocate in the Parliament of Paris and Elder in the Church of Issoudun For the Province of Normandy The Sieur John Baunier Lord of La Fresnage Pastor in the Church of Caen and Peter Erondelle Pastor in the Church of Roan Accompanied with Peter du Pertuis Esq Lord of Eragny Elder in the Church of Gisors and Mr. Francis Quillel Lord of La Briere Counsellor and Assessor in the Vi-County of Alenson and Elder of the Church gathered in that City For the Province of the Isle of France The Sieurs John Mestrezat Pastor of the Church of Paris and David Blondell Pastor of the Church of Houdan Accompanied with John de Gravelle Esq Lord of Beauterne Elder in the said Church of Houdan and Isaack d' Huisseau Elder in the Church of Paris For the Province of Bearn The Sieurs Peter Rivall Pastor of the Church of Nay and John de Pommarede Advocate in the Parliament of Navarre Elder in the Church of Mourlans who not having inserted in their Letters of Deputation that clause of submission required by the former National Synods were told that for this time they were born withal on those Conditions expresly mentioned in the Canons of the last National Synod but for the future they should not be admitted into these Assemblies nor have a consultive Vote in them excepting only when as the Confession of our Faith should be read in which indeed and nothing else they retain Union with our Churches The Second of October the Lord of Montmartyn General-Deputy for the Churches of this Kingdom unto His Majesty came into this Synod and took his place and voted in it according to the Canons of our Churches and the usual practise of former National Synods After Invocation of the Holy Name of God in Prayer Monsieur Chauve was chosen Moderator and Monsieur Bouteroue Assessor and Messieurs Blondel and Petit Scribes CHAP. II. The Kings Writt for the Calling of the Synod and ordering of Matters in it AS soon as the Synod was formed and the Election of its Officers past the Lord Galland presented His Majesties Letters Patents which being read they were transcribed and the Copy inserted into the Acts of this Synod the Tenour whereof was as followeth The Kings Letters Patents Louis by the Grace of God King of France and Navarre to our Beloved and Trusty Counsellor in our Councils of State and Privy Council and Attorney General for our Dominion of Navarre the Lord Galland Greeting We having permitted according to our Edicts our Subjects professing the P. Reformed Religion to convocate and keep a National Council in our City of Castres in the Province of Languedoc this next September that they may as usual take care about matters of Discipline appertaining unto their Religion wherefore it being needful that there should be present in the said Council a Commissioner from us who might watch over our said Subjects that they do not treat of any other Affairs but such as are allowed them by our Edicts and knowing by past Experience that we could not pitch upon a more Worthy Person than your self of whose Fidelity and Affection to our Service Sufficiency and Abilities we are very well satisfied and remembring your singular care and vigilancy manifested in the last National Synod held at Charenton by our said Subjects in the Moneth of September and Year of Our Lord One Thousand Six Hundred and Twenty Three to the general contentment both of us and them also For which causes we have Commissionated Deputed and Ordained and do Commissionate Depute and Ordain you by these presents to go unto our said City of Castres and to sit in the said National Council in our stead and as our Representative and personally to be present at all their Consultations and Resolutions and to see use and exercise our Authority that nothing be proposed or debated but what doth truly concern the Discipline of the Religion aforesaid according to the Tenour of our Edicts and Declarations and particularly of those made and published by us in September Sixteen Hundred Twenty Three about their holding of Colloquies and Synods and you shall look to it also that none of our Subjects do keep any private Conventicles in that our said City You shall also have a special care that nothing be moved or debated in the said Council but what may contribute to the benefit of our Service and the upholding of our Authority and preservation of the Peace of our Kingdom And in case there should be any actings contrary hereunto we command you immediately to suppress them and in our Name and Authority to Act or to make such interdictions and prohibitions as you shall judge needful of which as generally of all Matters transacted in the said Council you shall form a good and ample verbal process That it being brought unto us upon your return we may advise of what shall be most expedient for our Service and the Tranquillity of our Subjects And for the doing hereof we impower you with full Authority and give you our Commission and especial Warrant by these presents For such is our Will and Pleasure Given at Nants Another Copy has the Tenth day this Twentieth day of July in the Year of Grace One Thousand Six Hundred and Twenty Six and of Our Reign the Seventeenth Signed Louis And a little lower By the King Philippeaux And Sealed with Yellow Wax CHAP. III.
the Lords William Rivet Lord of Champrernown Pastor of the Church of Taillebourg and Peter Richer Lord of Vaudelincourt Pastor of the Church of Marennes accompanied with the Lords Denys Pasquett Esq Lord of Large Baston Elder in the Church of Angoulesme and Charles Constant Comptroller for his Majesty in the Election of St. John d'Angely and Elder of the Church in that City 8. For the Province of Brittain the Sieurs Josua de la Place Pastor of the Church of Nantes assembling for Religious Worship at Suffé without an Elder for the Lords Daniel de la Tousche Lord of la Ravardiere Elder in the Church of Ploer and Daniel Chastaigner Lord of la Grolliere Elder in the Church of Vielle vigne who was substituted in his Place did both send their Letters of Request that they might be dispensed with for their non-Attendance at the Synod and their Excuses were admitted and accepted 9. For the Province of Lower Guyenne the Sieurs James de Berdoline Pastor of the Church of Duras and Charles d'Aubus Pastor of the Church of Nerac accompanied with the Lords John de Mazilieres Advocate in the High Court of Parliament of Bourdeaux Lord of Grave and Elder in the Church of Nerac the Lord John Aymé de Friginet Advocate also in the same Parliament and Elder of the Church of Bergerac was chosen but fell sick and therefore was excused and in his stead there appeared Isaac de Geneste Lord of la Tour Advocate in the same Parliament and Elder in the Church of la Sauvetat who was substituted by the Suffrages of the Provincial Synod in his stead 10. For the Province of Vivaretz the Sieur Daniel Richard Pastor of the Church of Cheilar and Louis Santel Advocate and Elder of the same Church The Province excused it self for sending but two Deputies and their Excuses were admitted for this time and they were injoined for the future never to omit the Clause of Submission which was not sound in their Letters of Deputation tendred by them unto the Council 11. For the Province of Sevennes the Sieurs Moses Blasehon Pastor of the Church of St. Andrew de Valborgne and Antony Vincent Pastor of the Church of Merneys together with Stephen de Billanges Lord of Blanqfort and Elder in the Church of Vigan and Claudius d'Airebeldoze Esq Lord of Clairan Elder in the Church of Canoblet 12. For the Province of Anjou the Sieurs Matthew Cottiere Pastor of the Church of Tours and Moses Amyraud Pastor of the Church of Sanmur and Professor of Divinity in that University together with the Sieurs Philip Niett Counsellor of the King and Warden of his Majesty's Salt-garners in the said City of Saumur and Elder of the Church there and Josiah Poize Advocate in Parliament Elder of the Church at Previlly 13. For the Province of Dolphiny the Sieur Peter Pittard Pastor of the Church of Alben with the Sieur Francis de Montauban de Rambault Esq Lord of Villars Elder in the Church of Gap and the Sieur Stephen Gilbert Advocate Elder in the Church of Die the Sieur Denis de Bouteroue Pastor of the Church of Greenoble though chosen â—id not appear because of his Majesty's Prohibition yet afterwards he obtained leave to assist in this Council as will appear by its Acts and Records 14. For the Province of Lower Languedoc the Sieurs Michael le Faucheur Pastor of the Cuurch of Montpellier and John de Croy Pastor of the Church of Bezieres together with the Sieurs Peter Cheyron Advocate and Elder in the Church of Nismes and Andrew Bruneau Advocate and Elder in the Church of Bagnols 15. For the Province of Higher Languedoc the Sieur Timothy Delon Pastor of the Church of Montauban with the Sieurs Peter de Villette Lord de la Jongniere Elder in the Church of St. Antonine and Paul Constans Counsellor for the King and Elder in the Church of Montaubon Master Peter Beraud Pastor of the aforesaid Church of Montauban and Professor of Divinity in that University did not appear at first because of his Majesty's Prohibition but afterward when it was taken off he did accordingly take his Place in this Council 16. For the Province and Principality of Bearn there appeared the Sieurs Peter Labadie Pastor of the Church of Pau and John de Pommerade Advocate in the Parliament of Navarre Elder of the Church in Morlas 17. For the Province of Normandy the Sieurs Abdias de Mondenis Pastor in the Church of Dieppe together with Laurence le Fevre Advocate in the Parliament of Normandy and Elder in the Church of Rouan and John Cardell Lord of Marettes Counsellor of the King and his Comptroller in the Election of Alencon and Elder of the Church in the same Place and the Sieur Benjamin Basnage Pastor of the Church of Quarentin though chosen yet did not at first appear because of his Majesty's Prohibition but as soon as it was taken off he came and took his Place in the Synod as will appear in the following Acts. 18. For the Province of the Isle of France the Sieurs John Mestrezat Pastor of the Church of Paris and David Blondell Pastor of the Church of Roussy together with the Sieurs John de Gravelles Esq Lord of Banterne Elder in the Church of Houdan and Charles Mayland Advocate Elder in the Church of Montdidier 19. The fifteenth Day of September the Lord Marquess of Clermont General Deputy for the Churches of this Kingdom unto his Majesty came according to the usual Order of these National Synods and took his Place in it having Precedency given him according to his Degree and Quality and as it was afterward decreed in the eleventh Article of General Matters 20. Prayers having been offered up unto God Monsieur Mestrezat Pastor of the Church of Paris was by Plurality of Votes chosen Moderator and Monsieur Jamet Assessor and Monsieur Blondel Pastor and Monsieur Armet an Elder Scribes of the Synod CHAP. II. The King's Letters Patents 21. AS soon as the Officers of the Synod were chosen his Majesty's Letters Patents were read a true Copy whereof is here inserted 22. Louis by the Grace of God King of France and Navarre to our beloved and trusty Counsellor in our Privy Council and Council of State and Attorney General for our House of Navarre the Lord Galland Greeting We having given leave unto our Subjects professing the pret Reformed Religion to hold a National Synod at Charenton near our City of Paris the first Day of September next in which the Deputies of all the Provinces in this our Kingdom shall meet and consult about Matters concerning their Religion and we being to choose a Person sufficiently qualified and of approved Loyalty who may be present in the said Council as our Representative and Commissioner and calling to Mind the many Services you have done us in sundry and very weighty Imployments with which we have intrusted you both at home and abroad within and without the Kingdom all which
Church of Beaulieu and Abraham Homel Elder of the Church of Soyon Article 10. For the Province of Berry the Sieurs John Taby Pastor of the Church of la Charité Daniel Jurieu Pastor of the Church of Mer Henry de Chartres Esq Lord of Clebes Elder in the Church of Marchenoir and Simon Milhommeau Lord of Barandieres Bayliff of Chastillon upon the Loin and Elder of the Church in that Town Article 11. For the Province of Poictou the Sieurs James Cottiby Pastor of the Church of Poictiers John Chabrol Pastor of the Church of Touars Sir Charies Gourjaut Knight Lord of Panieure Elder in the Church of Mougon and Peter Pesseurs Attorney Fiscal of the Dutchy of Touars and Elder of the Church in that City Article 12. For the Province of Bretaign the Sieurs John Boucherean Lord of La Masche Pastor of the Church in Nantes and Samuel de Goullaines Esq Lord of the Landoviniere Elder in the Church of Viellevigne Article 13. For the Province of Higher Guyenne and Higher Languedoc the Sieurs Anthony Garrissoles Pastor of the Church of Montauban and Professor of Divinity in that University Peter Ollier Pastor of the said Church Substituted in the place of Monsieur John Grasset Pastor of the Church of Viane who was hindered by reason of Sickness Anthony Ligonuiere Councellor and Secretary to the King Elder in the Church of Castres and John Darassus Councellor for the King in the presidial Court of Montauban and Elder of the said Church Article 14. For the Province of Lower Languedoc the Sieurs John de Croy Pastor of the Church of Beziers Abraham de Lare Pastor of the Church of Cauvisson the Noble Mark Dardouin Lord of la Caumette Elder of the Church of Nismes and the Noble James de Brueis Lord of Bourdie Elder in the Church of Blanzac Article 15. For the Province of Burgundy the Sieurs Peter Bollenat Pastor of the Church Assembling at Vau Salomon Roy Advocate in the Parliament of Dijon and Elder of the Church of Bussy and Francis Armet Advocate in Parliament and Elder of the Church of Loches the Sieur John Viridet was hindered by a very sore Sickness from coming unto the Synod Article 16. For the Province of Provence the Sieurs Francis Vallanson Pastor of the Church de la Coste and the Noble John de Castellane Lord of Caillez and Rigan Elder in the Church of Manosques 3. The Sieurs Drelincourt Pastor and le Coq Elder of the Church of Paris were chosen together with the Sieur Caillard Elder of the Church of Alanson and the Lord Deputy-General to gather the Suffrages of the Deputies in this Assembly which were taken in written Billets by each of them for Electing the Moderator Assessor and Scribes which was done Successively those Officers being Chosen one after another and by plurality of Billets Monsieur Garrissoles was chosen Moderator Monsieur Basnage Assessor and Monsieur Blondel and Monsieur le Coq Scribes and took their Seats in Order as they were Chosen CHAP. II. As soon as these Officers of the Synod were chosen the Lord of Cumont Councellor for the King in His Council of State and Parliament of Paris Deputed by His Majesty presented Letters Patents which did Commissionate him to Represent His Majesty in this Synod These being read were inserted into the Register of the Acts of this Synod The Tenor and Form of which is as followeth 4. A Copy of the King's Letters Patents containing His Majesty's Commission to Monsieur de Cúmont Lord of Boisgrollier LOUIS BY the Grace of God King of France and Navarré To Our Beloved and Trusty Councellor in Our Councel of State and Court of Parliament at Paris the Lord of Cúmont Greeting We having Granted our Subjects of the pretended Reformed Religion to hold a National Synod in the Town of Charenton near Paris on the Six and Twentieth day of December next coming Composed of all the Deputies of the Provinces of Our Kingdom to Treat of Affairs concerning their Religion and being to make choice of a meet Person and of approved Fidelity to Vs who may preside in the said Assembly as Our Commissioner and Represent Vs in it We knowing the Services you have rendered Vs in sundry Honourable Imployments with which We had intrusted you which you have most Worthily and Faithfully discharged We thought We could not choose a fitter Person than your self being well assured that you will continue the Testimonies of your Affection unto Vs and Our Service as aforesaid Wherefore by Advice of the Queen-Regent Our most Honoured Lady and Mother We have Commissionated and Deputed you and We do Commissionate and Depute you by these Presents Signed with Our Hand to go unto the Town of Charenton and to sit in the said Synod there Assembled and to Represent Our Royal Person in it and to Propose and Determine whatever matters We shall give you in Command according to those Memoirs and Instructions We have now delivered unto you and you are to take heed that none other Affairs be there debated but such as ought to be in those Assemblies and which are permitted by Our Edicts And in case the Members of the said Synod should attempt to do any thing contrary thereunto you shall hinder them and interpose therein with Our Authority and give Vs speedy and timely notice of it that such course may be taken to prevent those inconveniencies which would arise as We shall Judge to be most convenient For the doing whereof We give you Power Commission and special Commandment by these presents Given at Paris the 28th of November in the year of Grace One Thousand Six Hundred and Forty Four and of Our Reign the Second Signed in the Original LOUIS And a little lower Phelippeaux The Speech of the Lord Commissioner unto the Synod together with his Propositions and Complaints made in Their Majesties Name against divers Churches Messieurs AS it is a very great Honour to me to be Commissionated by His Majesty to assist in your Synod and to acquaint you with His Will and Pleasure so also have I a great deal of Joy and Satisfaction to behold this Illustrious Assembly chosen out of all the Provinces of this Kingdom and that I can tell you by word of Mouth what was expresly Charged and Commanded me by the King and the Queen His Mother which is to assure you of Their Good Will unto you and Protection of you and of all your Churches and of the intire Execution of the Edicts of Pacification so long as you continue your selves within those bounds of Duty Subjection and Fidelity which you owe unto Their Majesties they being the Higher Powers set over you by God intrusted with the Supream Authority and your Lot and Portion being the Honour of Obedience to Them whereunto you stand Obliged by your Birth the Dictates of your own Conscience and the Favours you continually receive from Their Majesties and by all kinds of Considerations both General and
Higher Guyenne Master Michael Beraut Minister of Montauban Master John Baptist Botan Minister of Castres Master Gabriel Turonier Doctor of the Civil Law and Master John Lisandre Doctor of the Civil Law both Elders For the Lower Languedoc Master Christopher Barjac Lord of Gasquetz Minister of Vigan Master John Gigord Minister of Montpellier together with Daniel Darnand Lord de la Cassagne and John de Boyere Lord of Camion Elders For Vivaretz Master Anthony Mercier Minister of Chasteuneuf and of Chalencon and Master John Valeton without Elders For the Lower Guyenne Master Moyses de Ricotier Minister of Clerac Master Signeron du Fon His Majesties Advocate in the Court of Casteljaloux For Xaintonge Aunix and Augoumois Master Fresnon du Vigier alias du Vergier Lord of Moustier Minister of St. John d' Angely and Master Michael Texier Elder For Poictou Master Jonas Chesneau Minister of St. Maixant and John Renoy Esq Lord of Braconnier Elder in the Church of Poiré and Belleville For Anjou Tourain and Maine Master Francis Grelier Lord of Macefer Minister of Saumur without an Elder For Provence Balthazar de Villeneuve Esq Lord of Tortonne Syndick of the Churches in the said Province No person appeared at this Synod for Burgundy Lyonnois and Forrest The Synod being opened by solemn Invocation of the Name of God Monsieur Berault was chosen President and Monsieur de Montigny Assessor and Monsieur Macifer and Monsieur Cartaub Scribes Monsieur Du Moulin Deputy for Orleans being sick divers Churches of that Province together with the Deputies of Normandy and the Isle of France substituted in his stead Monsieur le Noir which was well approved by the Synod and a Decree passed in it that the Provinces should nominate three or four Persons for the future to represent them in these National Assemblies that in case of sickness or any other accident which might hinder their attendance there might be some others to supply that default The Provinces of Normandy Anjou and Vivaretz were censured for not sending Elders together with their Ministers Because of the great Desolations and Dispersions of the Churches in Provence the Synod granteth unto their Deputy his Vote in all Debates controverted Cases between the Provinces only excepted and this for that he wanted his Letters of Deputation CHAP. II. Observations upon the Confession of Faith OUR Confession of Faith being read was universally approved in all its Articles by the whole Assembly Printers are admonished to prefix no other Title than what is usual unto this Confession and for time to come they shall not add these words Revised and Approved in such and such a Synod CHAP. III. Observations upon the Church-Discipline I. THE Second Article in the First Chapter concerning Ministers being read That instead of these words In a Provincial Synod these shall be inserted By and with Advice of the Provincial or National Synods II. The Churches shall be exhorted to observe exactly the 4 5 11 and 13 Articles of this First Chapter together with that Ceremony of Imposing Hands in Ordination and the Refractory shall be censured III. The last clause of the Article concerning Printers shall be struck out because it is comprised in the fifteenth Article of Particular Orders IV. The Churches of the Isle of France desiring an Explanation of the 38th Article of the first Chapter of the Discipline the Synod adviseth That difference be made between Ingratitude and Inability and that where the Ingratitude on the Churches part is visible the Article shall be observed but not otherwise V. And that the 45th Article of the first Chapter and the eleventh Article in that of Provincial Synods may be more carefully observed this Assembly injoyneth the Provincial Synods to bring with them unto the National an Attestation of their Duty performed unto their Pastors who through Sickness are disabled from Exercising their Ministry as also of what hath been done by them for the Widows and Orphans of such as are deceased that in case a Church-Colloquy or Province have not wherewithal to relieve them Provision may be made for them by the National Synod VI. After these words in the * * * It is now the 44th 43d Article Great and small there shall be these subjoyned Of whatsoever Condition or Quality they may be VII For the better keeping of the fourth Article in the second Chapter and that all Obstructions may be removed the Synod enjoyneth all Deacons to bring unto their Colloquy or Provincial Synod the Accounts given by them of the Poors Money that we may know whether the Fifth Penny hath been defaulked and laid by for tho maintenance of our Proposans VIII Instead of these words in the fourth Article of the second Chapter It were good shall be inserted It is necessary IX To prevent those Disorders which daily happen from Attestations given unto the Poor the Synod decreeth That all Churches do their endeavour to maintain their own Poor and in case any one through necessity be obliged to travel from home the Ministers shall carefully examine the grounds thereof whether just and valid and so shall give them Letters Recommendatory unto the next Church leading directly unto that place whether their Affairs call them specifying the Name Age Stature and Hair of the Dearer and the Place whereunto they be going and the Cause of their Travel and the Relief that hath been given them which said Certificate the Ministers to whom they apply themselves shall keep by them and give them another directed also unto the next Church and whatever Attestations have been given formerly or may be in time to come any otherwise than as now prescribed shall be null and torn in pieces X. To those words in the 16th Article of the fifth Chapter And which giveth great scandal to the whole Church there shall be subjoyned And those also who contrary to the godly Counsels given them do marry according to the Popish manner and Parents who consent unto such Marriages of their Children and they likewise who carry their Children unto Popish Priests to be baptized by them or become Sureties for those Children so baptized XI The Church of Castres moved this Case Whether an Extract of some few or more Articles of our Discipline might lawfully be communicated unto the Magistrates of both Religions for their better Conduct in the Exercise of Justice This Synod resolveth affirmatively yea and that the whole Body of our Discipline may be presented them there being nothing in it but what ministreth unto edifying XII Because of the present Distress and Poverty of bur Churches and till such times as the Lord shall have blessed us with greater abilities it is ordained by this present Synod That the National Synods shall be convened only once in three Years unless it be in case of very great necessity as of Heresie and Schism whereof the Province charged to convene it shall take special Cognisance and on this Condition that every Province do send their full number of
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
COUNCILS Z VOL. II. By JOHN QVICK Minister of the Gospel LONDON Printed by J. Richardson for Thomas Parkhurst at the Three Bibles and Crown in Cheapside and for Jonathan Robinson at the Golden Lyon in St. Pauls Church-Yard MDCXCII THE CONTENTS OF THE National Synod OF ALEZ Chap. I. DEputies to the Synod Synodical Officers chosen Chap. II. Letters from the Duke of Rohan The Pastors of Alez sit in the Synod Oaths taken by the Deputies that they had not procured themselves to be Elected 3. Monsieur Turretin no Deputy yet hath the priviledge of a Deputy in this Synod Letters from the D. of Lesdiguieres and from the Lord of Chastillon Chap. III. Oaths of Union Chap. IV. Observations upon the Confession of Faith Confession sworn Chap. V. Observations upon the Discipline A Case about a Solemn Fast on Dayes of Ordination 2. About Proposans fit for the Ministry 3. Catechising enjoyned 5. A Cannon about Habits and Fashions especially of Ministers and their Families 6 7. About Deposed Ministers 9. A Case about the Readers in Churches 12. A Cannon of the N. S. of Privas inserted into the Discipline 16. Whether the Banes of Strangers may be published 17 18. The Discipline approved and sworne Chap. VI. Observtions on the National Synod of Vitre Elders without the Pastor cannot suspend a Person from the Lords Table 2. The Case of Mr. Beauchamps Pastor to the D. of Rohan 3. A Select number of Pastors to be chosen out of the Churches to be made Professors upon a Vacancy in the Universities 4. The prudent care of the Synod against pragmatical Ministers 6. Non-Residents declared Rebels against the Discipline 8. Samuel de Fresnay incouraged by the Synod 9. The Case of Mr. Chauveton 10. Of Mr. D' Anglade 11. Of Mr. Guerin 12. Of the Booksellers of Geneva 14. Chap VII Mr. Chauve reports why neither himself nor the Sieurs Du Moulin Chamier and Rivet went not to the Synod of Dort 16. The Case of Mr. Bennet 17. Chap. VIII Of Appeals Of Mr. Gaussens 3. Of Mr. La Coste 4. Of Mrs. De Sales 5. Of Mr. Rossens 6. Of Mr. De la Fage 11. Of Mr. de la Garie 12. Of Mr. de Rieu 13. Of the Church of Privas 17. Of the Baron of Ganges 19. Of Mr. Gallpin 20. Of Discipline severely but justly exercised upon Two Scandalous Ministers 24 25. The Case of Mr. Des Maretz 29. A Cannon made against filling of Consistories with Relations 31. The Case of Mr. De Monsanglard 36. Cottelier a Scandalous Minister Deposed 50. Of Mr. Mahaut 56. Discipline exercised upon a Scandalous Minister 65. Chap. IX Of General Matters Ministers may not intermeddle with any Political Affairs 1. Palot's Business 4. Act for the National Fast 5. About Proposans 6. Huberus cometh to this Synod again with his Petition 10. Care for Ministers Maintenance 17. Advice to the Pastors of Geneva 20. Chap. X. Form of Excommunication Chap. XI The Cannons of the Synod of Dort incorporated with those of the Churches of France Chap. XII The Oath taken by the Deputies against Arminianisme An Order to the Lord of Candals Deputy Chap. XIII Particular Matters Mr. Martin's Relation of his Book Le Capuchin Reformed 1. A Minister Emeritus cared for 2. The sad case of the Church of Privas 7. A Spanish Protestant cared for 11. The sad State of the Church of Issoire 20. Chap. XIV Of Canons for the Province of Provence Chap. XV. Of Colledges and Universities Chap. XVI Of Accompts Chap. XVI Of Laws for the Universities of the Reformed Churches in France Chap. XVIII Of Dividends of Moneys amongst the Provinces Chap. XIX Of the Lord of Candal's Accompts Chap. XX. Of Moneys which the Synod ordered the Lord of Candal to pay to Provinces and particular Persons Chap. XXI Of the Catalogue of Apostates and Deposed Ministers The Synod of Alez 1620. The 23th Synod SYNOD XXIII 1620. In the Name of God Amen Acts of the National Synod of the Reformed Churches in France and Principality of Bearne held at Alez in Sevennes the First Day of October and the Dayes following in the Year of Our Lord One Thousand Six Hundred and Twenty CHAP. I. Deputies and Officers of the SYNOD 1 IN which there met for the Province of the Isle of France Monsieur Peter du Moulin Pastor of the Church of Paris Isaac de Juigne Pastor of the Church of Vassy and Thomas Papillon Advocate in the Parliament of Paris and Elder of the Church there gathered Monsieur de Marolles Elder in the Church of Vitry was nominated in the Letters of Commission but absent however he did by Letters written under his own hand excuse his absence which Letters were remanded back unto his Provincial Synod to judge of them 2. For the Province of Normandy Monsieur Samuel de L' Escherpiere Lord of Riviere Pastor in the Church of Rouen Daniel Massys Pastor in the Church of Caen Antony Bridon Esq Lord of Boisleroy Elder in the Church of Fescamp and James de Montbray Esq Advocate in the Court of Vires and Elder in the Church of Conde 3. For the Province of Brittain Monsieur Ezechiel Marmet Pastor of the Church gathered in the House of My Lord Duke of Rohan and Philip de Vassaut Esq Lord of Pennonstet Elder of the Church of Roche Bernard 4. For the Province of Orleans and Berry Monsieur Daniel Jammet Pastor in the Church of St. Amand Nicolas Vigner Pastor in the Church of Blois John de Bennis Advocate Elder in the Church of Gien and Galliot de Gambris Esq Lord of Soussesse Elder in the Church of Romorantin 5. For the Province of Tourain and Anjou Monsieur Samuel Bouchereau Pastor in the Church of Saumur Matthew Cottieres Pastor in the Church of Tours George Rabboteau Advocate Elder in the Church of Pruilly and Monsieur de la Plante Elder of the Church of Saumur being absent and excusing himself by Letters his excuses were admitted 6. For the higher and lower Poictou Monsieur John Chauffepied Pastor of the Church at Niort John Carre Pastor of the Church at Castelheraud Giles Begand Lord of la Begaudiere Elder in the Church of Mountagu and Esajah du Mas Esq Lord of Montmartyn excusing his absence because he fell sick upon the way unto this Synod his Excuse was admitted 7. For Xaintonge Mr. Daniel Chanet Pastor of the Church or Ars in the Isle of Re John Constans Pastor of the Church of Pons Peter Packquet Elder of the Church of Rochefoucault Peter Fromentin Elder of the Church of St. John D' Angaly 8. For the lower Guyenne Mr. James du Luc Pastor of the Church of Castlejatoux James Privat Pastor of the Church of Chastillon Francis Joly Counsellor and Secretary to the King and his Auditor in the Chancery of Bourdeaux and Elder of the Churchthere and John Guillim de Boutieres Esq Lord of Artigues Elder in the Church of Grateloup 9. For Vivaret Mr. David Agard Pastor in the Church of Valence Daniel
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
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
should be of indispensable necessity but they shall send their Accounts fairly written and cleared up with their Acquittances unto the places where they be summoned And they shall take special care that they be not Sollicitors of any Process unless upon very urgent occasion 8. And whereas there is not a sufficient Number of Pastors in that Province to form Three Colloquies and 't will be very inconvenient there should be but Two in case a Controversie should arise betwixt both the Colloquies they shall therefore all meet in one Synod joyntly together until such time as the good providence of God shall have augmented their Numbers 9. And that these Canons may be observed in the said Province of Provence Monsieur Brunier Pastor of the Church of Vsez shall sit in Person in the next Synod of the said Province and it shall alwayes as often as their Synods be called give timely Notice thereof unto the Provinces of Lower Languedoc and Dolphiny that they may depute some of their Pastors unto the said Synod as iâ— is usually practised in the other Provinces for the upholding and better conservation of a mutual Correspondence 24. Whereas a proposal was made of Incorporating the Churches of Provence either with the Province of Lower Languedoc or with that of Dolphiny and the many difficulties arising about it have perswaded us to lay it by for the present yet because of the great multitude of Churches and Ministers which are in Dolphiny and because that the Borders of many of them are contiguous with the said Province of Provence which if united to it would constitute a convenient Synod The Province of Dolphiny is therefore exhorted to consider which of their Churches may be adjoyned unto Provence and to make report thereof unto the next National Synod 25. A Petition from the Church of Senerac was presented by Monsieur de Cahuzac craving Advice and Counsel how to govern themselves under that Interdiction of the Holy Ministry and Exercise of the Reformed Religion thrown out against them and some Relief for their Pastor Their case was recommended to the Province of Higher Languedoc to take care of them according to their necessities and the Lords our General-Deputies at Court are desired also to use their utmost endeavours for the taking off that wicked Prohibition laid upon them of Worshipping God according to his Appointment 26. Mr. Paul Daude formerly Pastor in the Church of St. John de Gardon neque but deposed from Ministry by the Province of Sevennes presented his Petition to be restored again unto it according to those hopes given him by the Synod held at la Salle But when as the Crimes for which he was deposed had been related in this Assembly It confirmed his Sentence with this addition and aggravation That he should be for ever Deposed and never meddle any more with any of the Acts and Functions of the Sacred Ministry exhorting him withal to betake himself to some other Calling for he must not flatter himself with false hopes of being readmitted unto this Sacred Office 27. The Church of Paris complained that whereas they had out of mere bounty quitted to the poorer Churches of the Isle of France Picardy and Champagne the Four Portion assigned unto their Pastors the said Province would now have them absolutely and peremptorily to be at their disposal and not suffer the Church of Paris to finger One Farthing of that Money This Assembly judgeth that according to the distribution made in our National Synods those aforesaid Portions do properly belong unto the Church of Paris and they shall be wholly and solely at their disposal But yet we intreat the said Church to extend their usual Charity unto that Province and generously and christianly to refresh the bowels of its poorer Churches 28. Monsieur Piloly brought Letters from the Assembly of Loudun 2. Vitre p. m. 20. craving that the Portions granted him by the National Synod of Vitre might be continued to him This Assembly consulting the Judgment of the said Synod of Vitre professeth that the whole Representative Body of our Churches is not obliged unto any such Recompenses nor may the Moneys assigned for the Relief of our poor Ministers be diverted unto such uses considering the miserable condition whereunto the greatest part of them be now reduced But yet the said Monsieur Piloly shall have paid him his Four aforesaid Portions unto the First day of January next coming in the year 1621. 29. Monsieur Lubac being summon'd to give an account why he laid down his Ministry in the Church of Privas and doth not care to exercise it though he was called thereunto This Assembly having heard the Report of the whole proceedings upon which the Colloquy of Privas grounded their Sentence of Suspension against him and which was since confirmed in the Synod of Vivaretz and the said Monsieur de Lubac speaking in his own defence and clearing himself from the Crimes whereof he was accused and not understanding plainly and sufficiently the proofs of the said Accusations on the one hand nor of his Justification on the other doth nevertheless confirm his Sentence of Suspension and dismisseth this whole Affair over unto the Colloquy of Valentinois in the Province of Dolphiny And the Sieurs de la Croze and du Port Deputies of Dolphiny and the Sieur Richard of Vivaretz shall personally assist in it and revise again all former passages and take new Informations and particularly hear what Monsieur de Couches Minister of Tournon can either alleadge for or against him and all this at the sole Costs and Charges of the Province of Vivaretz which shall be rated by the Colloquy of Valentinois to make payment unto the said Deputies that so Monsieur de Lubac may be absolved if innocent or condemned if guilty by the Authority of this present Synod for the matters already brought in against him or which may be now afresh offered by the Consistory of Privas who shall make a careful and faithful Report of all Ecclesiastical Acts that have past on this occasion that so the Sacred Ministry may be purged and acquitted of all Reproach and Jnjust Reflections And although the said Monsieur Lubac should be justified yet shall he not serve in the Province of Vivaretz any more 30. Whereas the Lords Governour Magistrates Consuls and Consistory of the City of Orange petitioned that Monsieur Chambrun might be presented to the Pastoral Office in their Church The Lords Magistrates Consuls and Consistory of Nismes were heard speaking of their Right and Interest both in the Person and Ministry of the said Monsieur Chambrun moreover the Provincial Deputies of Dolphiny and of the Lower Languedoc do contend to retain him and Monsieur de Chambrun desiring to be discharged and to be at liberty for his Healths sake which was mightily impaired and broken within these Two last years and had diverted him very much from the Duties of his Calling This Assembly having very great Respect
years old heretofore Pastor in the Church of St. Stephens in Forest tall of Stature Chestnut-colour'd Hair Head lifted up he was deposed for Adultery by the Province of Vivaretz 3. John Pressac alias Martin born at Montauban formerly Minister in the Church of Brieteste in Albigeois an Apostate of mean Stature about thirty years old he hath little eyes sunk deep into his Head and purblind brown Chestnut Hair pale Visag'd great Nose rash and haughty in speaking 4. N. Laurens an Apostate born at Montpellier a little dwarfish Fellow about thirty years old bald headed black Beard little Eyes great Lips pale-Visag'd formerly Pastor in the Church of Aymargues in Lower Languedoc publickly accused of Adultery 5. Hector Joly formerly Pastor in the Church of Montauban in the Higher Languedoc about Nine and forty years old pretty tall of Stature black Hair'd was deposed by this Synod for the hainous Crime of Fornication 6. Stephen Giraud heretofore Pastor of the Church of Gemauzac in Xaintonge about two and thirty years old high enough of Stature black Hair red Fac'd his Eyes sunk into his Head was deposed by the Synod of Xaintonge with hopes given him and a promise of being restored but he was totally deprived and deposed by this Synod for Drunkenness Adultery and Theft 7. John Cottelier sometimes Minister in the Church of Nismes in the Lower Languedoc about Five and thirty years little of Stature but a well compacted Fellow bald headed black Hair scarce any Beard high Forehead he was deposed for Fornication and other Crimes 8. Paul Daude formerly Minister in the Church of St. John of Gardonenque Deposed by the Sentence of the Provincial Synod of Sevennes and his Deposition was confirmed in this for divers notorious Crimes he is a Fellow about two and thirty years of Age of a flaxen colour'd Hair red Beard a long and ghastly Visage great Nose Ferrets Eyes sunk deep into his Head and yet poreing upon the Earth and short of Stature 9. N. Philippin born at Newcastle in Switzerland tall enough and great necked red Beard a bald uplifted Head wide open Nostrils lame of his right hand he was sometimes Pastor of the Church of Chasteau Dauphin but interdicted the Ministry for divers Natural Infirmities by the Synod of Dolphin and now a Vagabond Done and Decreed in the National Synod of Alez which sate from the First day of October till the Second of December 1620. Signed in the Original by du Moulin Moderator Brunier Assessor Vignier Scribe Papillon Scribe and by all the rest of the Deputies The Synod of Alez began on a Thursday and ended on a Wednesday The Original was lodged in the Archives of Rochell THE Acts Canons Decisions and Decrees OF THE XXIV NATIONAL SYNOD OF The Reformed Churches OF FRANCE AND OF BEARNE HELD IN The Town of Charenton St. Maurice near Paris the First day of September and ended the First of October in the Year of Our Lord 1623. By the Authority and Permission of Lewis XIII King of France and Navarr being the Sixty Fourth King of this Realm in the Fourteenth Year of his Reign In which Sate the First Commissioner for His Majesty the Lord Augustus Galland a Member of the said Communion according to His Majesties Letters Patents of the 17th of April 1623 verified in Parliament the Second of May following it being His Majesties Pleasure that alwayes in all Colloquies and Synods for the future there shall be present an Officer of the King professing the Reformed Religion to represent his Person and see that nothing but Ecclesiastical matters were Treated and Debated in them as had been Decreed by the Edict The CONTENTS of the Synod of CHARENTON Chap. I. THE first Commissioner from the King in a National Synod the Lord Augustus Galland Deputies to the Synod Election of Officers Chap. II. The Kings Commission to the Lord Galland Chap. III. A great Debate about this Commission Chap. IV. Approbation of the Confession of Faith Chap. V. Observations upon the Discipline Chap. VI. Observations upon the Synod of Alez Chap. VII Reflections upon those Observations made by the Synod of Alez on two Acts of the National Synod of Vitre Chap. VIII Reflections upon their Appeals Chap. IX Reflections upon their Chapter of General Matters Chap. X. Reflections upon that of particular Matters Chap. XI Reflections upon their Colledges and Vniversities Chap. XII One Observation on their General Laws for the Vniversities Chap. XIII Appeals unto this National Synod Chap. XIV Of General Matters Chap. XV. A Remarkable passage about Monsieur Primrose Pastor of the Reformed Church of Bourdeaux and Arnoux the Jesuit See G. M. 16. Chap. XVI A Canon passed in Obedience to the Kings Letter that no Ministers should be Deputies unto Political Assemblies See G. M. 17. Chap. XVII The Causes of the French Kings unwillingness to suffer Monsieur du Moulin to be Minister in the Church of Paris or elsewhere in the Kingdom A Catalogue of du Moulins Works Dr. Twisses Testimony of him and them Chap. XVIII Particular Matters Chap. XIX An Expedient to preserve the Churches Peace P. M. 11. Chap. XX. An Account of Curcellaeus another Ecebolius P. M. 17. Chap. XXI Mr Camerons Address unto the Synod P. M. 33. Chap. XXII Of Vniversities and Colledges Chap. XXIII The Lord of Candals Accompts Chap. XXIV A Dividend of Moneys among the Provinces Chap. XXV The Roll of Apostates Chap. XXVI The Decision of the Arminian Controversies Canons about Predestination Election and Reprobation Errors rejected Chap. I. Of Christs Death and Mans Redemption by it Errors rejected Chap. II. Of Mans Natural Depravedness Conversion and Gods Method in it Errors rejected Chap. III. The Saints perseverance Errors rejected Chap. IV. all subscribed by the Moderator and Deputies XXVII Remarks upon some of the Members of this Synod THE FIRST Synod of Charenton 1623. The 24th Synod SYNOD XXIV 1623. In the Name of God Amen The Acts of the National Synod of the Reformed Churches of France held at Charenton near Paris the First of September and divers Dayes after in the Year of Our Lord One Thousand Six Hundred Twenty and Three CHAP. I. The Kings First Commissioner Deputies and Synodical Officers THE Lord Augustus Galland Councellor of the King in His Council of Estate and Attorney-General of the Kingdom of Navarre was Commissionated by His Majesty to open this Synod by his Royal Authority and to be present in all its Sessions as shall be afterwards Declared There appeared as Deputies for the Province of Normandy Mr. Benjamin Basnage Pastor of the Church of Charenton John Maximilian de Baux Lord de L' Angle Pastor in the Church of Roan John Lewis Mustel Esq Lord of Boisroger Elder in the Church of Ponteau de Mer and James de la Loys Elder of the Church of St. l o. As for the Province of Orleans and Berry Mr. Simon Jurieux Pastor of the Church of Chastillon on the Loir James Imbert Durant Pastor of the Church
born again not of corruptible Seed but of that which is incorruptible CANON IX Who teach That our Lord Jesus Christ did no where pray for the infallible perseverance of Believers in the Faith for they contradict our Lord himself Luke 22.32 I have prayed Simon Peter that thy Faith may not fail And the very Letter of St. John's Gospel chap. 17.11 where Christ saith that he did not pray for his Apostles only but also for all them who should believe by their Word Holy Father keep them in thy Name and ver 15. I pray not that thou shouldest take them out of the World but that thou shouldest keep them from evil CANON X. We Pastors and Elders whose Names are hereunder-written Deputies for the Reformed Churches of France unto the National Synod of Charenton St. Maurice near Paris in the Moneth of September 1623. do declare with all possible sincerity the Articles and Canons above-mentioned to be grounded on the Word of God and agreeable to the Confession of Faith owned and received in the Reformed Churches of this Kingdom from which in the presence of God we do protest that through his Grace we will never depart In confirmation whereof we have hereunto affixt our Names at Charenton aforesaid this 30th day of September 1623. Signed by the Pastors and Elders of the said Synod Durand Moderator De Baille Assessor Faucheur and Scribes De Launay Scribes Berbie Pastor of the Church of Quaissac J. Clerc de Chambrun Chamier Pastor of Montlimart J. le Pelletier Pastor in the Church of Vandome Savoys Pastor in the Church of Castres Sir John Embelier Jurieu Pastor of Chastillon on the Loir Villon Faures J. M. de Langle Pastor of Rouen P. Paulet Pastor of Vezenobre Avignon Pastor of Rennes P. Beraud Pastor and Professor in the Church of Montauban Lottiby Pastor at Poitiers William Rivett Pastor of Taillebourg in Xaintonge CHAP. XXVII Remarks upon some of the Deputies Commissionated unto this Synod 1 MOnsieur Durant the Moderator was first Minister to the Landgrave of Hesse and after to that Excellent Princess Katharine Dutchess of Barr only Sister of Henry the Fourth and at last Pastor of the Church of Paris He was a very Holy Man of God a most Eloquent and Zealous Preacher he was like Lightning and Thunder in the Pulpit There be Three Excellent Sermons of his in print upon the Nineteenth Verse of the Fifth Chapter and First Epistle to the Thessalonians He grew sickly after his return from this Synod and dyed in the Year 1626. 2. Peter de Launay who was the Lay-Scribe in this Synod was a very Learned Gentleman and of great Reputation in the Churches of France He hath written Commentaries upon all the Epistles of Paul in French which are printed in Two Volumes in Quarto He Commented also but under another Name upon the Prophesie of Daniel and the Apocalypse of St. John 3. Adrian Chamier was the Worthy Son of the Great Chamier the Third Minister successively from his Grandfather a Pious Minister in Dolphiny I knew five of his Grandsons all Learned and Godly Ministers and Exiles for Christ The Ministry hath been in this Family for Six Generations Monsieur Leger that was a Pastor in the Churches of the Valleys of Piedmont writes that the Ministry had been in his Family for above Four Hundred years and that his Grandfather preached when he was above an Hundred Years Old See Legers Histoire General des Vaudols Livre 2. pag. 360. Adrian Chamier was for his great Prudence and Ability to manage Synodical businesses chosen Deputy to several of their National Synods He succeeded his Father in the Pastoral Office in the Church of Montlimart Of whom God lending me Life I shall say more in my Icones 4. Jurieu he was the Father of Monsieur Jurieu the Learned Pastor and Professor of Divinity in the French Church and Illustrious School of Rotterdam 5. Beraud he succeeded his Father in both Functions as Pastor of the Church and Professor of Divinity in the University of Montauban 6. Monsieur William Rivet he was Brother to Andrew Rivet Professor of Divinity at Leyden distinguisht from him by the Title of Lord of Champvernon He would never remove from his Church of Taillebourg He was very dear unto the House of Tremouille Deputy to several National Synods a Man of singular prudence and dexterity in the management and dispatch of the Synodical Affairs insomuch that when he died there was a great lamentation for him because of that great loss the whole Province sustained in his Death But God made it up in Two years time by raising up Twenty Ministers capable of doing all Services in their Provincial Synod as I have been credibly informed by some Ancient and Eminent Pastors of Poictou He was a Man of great Learning He hath writt de Justificatione and another Book de Invocatione Adoratione Sanctorum defunctorum I have seen another piece of his in French of the Authority of the Scriptures in Quarto and there is a Fourth in Octavo Des droicts de Dieu Sir Augustus Galland was the first Commissioner for the King in any of their National Synods He represented the King in this I suppose he was born in Bearn or Navar. He was a great Lawyer and Antiquary his Works are printed in one Folio viz. Memoirs pour L' Histoire de Navarre de Flandre par Guillemot Paris 1648. 8. Monsieur de Baux Lord of L' Angle Pastor of the Church of Caen The Reverend Dr. L' Angle Prebend of Westminster is his Son 9. Monsieur Mestrezat Of him see the Second Synod of Charenton in which he presided THE Acts Canons Decisions and Decrees OF THE XXIV NATIONAL SYNOD OF The Reformed Churches OF FRANCE AND BEARNE Assembled in The City of Castres in the Country of Albigeois In the Year of Our Lord 1626. The CONTENTS of the Synod of CASTRES 1 Chap. THE Lord Galland produced his Commission from the King to sit and represent His Majesty in this Synod The Commission it self Deputies to the Synod Election of the Synodical Officers Chap. II. The Kings writ for calling of the Synod and ordering of Matters in it Chap. III. The Commissioners Speech to the Synod Chap. IV. The Synods Answer to it Chap. V. The Kings Writ for Election of a new General Deputy upon the Death of the former Chap. VI. The Debate about that Writt Chap. VII The Synods Letter to the King about this Election Chap. VIII Their Deputies return with His Majesties Answer verbal and written The Kings Letter Monsieur Herbaut Miwister of State his Letter to the Synod Chap. IX The Lord Commissioners more ample Declaration of His Majesties Will and several points demanded by their Deputies Chap. X. The Kings Warrant and Order unto the Synod for the Nomination of their General Deputies without any Previous Political Assembly Chap. XI A Conference between the Synod and the Lord Commissioner Chap. XII A Remonstrance of the Lord of Angoulins on
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
well as in the Pres des Clerks by the Ladies Princes yea and by Henry the Second himself This one Ordinance only contributed mightily to the downfal of Popery and the propagation of the Gospel It took so much with the genius of the Nation That all ranks and degrees of Men practised it in the Temples and in their Families No Gentleman professing the Reformed Religion would sit down at his Table without praising God by singing Yea it was a special part of their Morning and Evening Worship in their several Houses to sing God's Praises The Popish Clergy raged and to prevent the growth and spreading of the Gospel by it that mischievous Cardinal of Lorrain another Elymas the Sorcerer got the Odes of Horace and the filthy obscene Poems of Tibullus and Catullus to be turn'd into French and sung in the Court Ribaldry was his Piety and the means used by him to expel and banish the singing of divine Psalms out of the prophane Court of France The Holy Word of God is duly truly and powerfully Preached in Churches and Fields in Ships and Houses in Vaults and Cellars in all places where the Gospel-Ministers can have admission and conveniency and with singular success Multitudes are Convinced and Converted established and edified Christ rideth out upon the white Horse of the Ministry with the Sword and Bow of the Gospel Preached Conquering and to Conquer His Enemies fall under him and submit themselves unto him O! the unparallell'd success of the plain and zealous Sermons of the first Reformers Multitudes flock in like Doves into the Windows of God's Ark. As innumerable drops of dew fall from the Womb of the Morning so hath the Lord Christ the dew of his Youth The Popish Churches are drained the Protestant Temples are filled The Priests complain that their Altars are neglected their Masses are now indeed solitary Dagon cannot stand before God's Ark. Children and Persons of riper years are Catechised in the Rudiments and Principles of Christian Religion and can give a comfortable account of their Faith a reason of that hope that is in them By this Ordinance do their pious Pastors prepare them for Communion with the Lord at his holy Table Here they communicate in both kinds according to the Primitive Institution of this Sacrament by Jesus Christ himself Sect. 7. Though the Churches of God walked in the Comforts of the Holy-Ghost and were multiplied throughout the whole Kingdom yet were they exercised with Fiery Tryals and underwent most cruel and inhumane Sufferings Satan stormed that his Kingdom was assaulted weakned and subverted this boileth up his Revenge and causeth him to throw out Floods of Wrath against the Church travelling under the pangs of Reformation Hence the Saints of God are imprisoned arraigned for their Lives and condemned by merciless unrighteous Judges for their Profession of the Truth unto the Flames Others are murdered in cold Blood and massacred without any legal forms of Justice in the least And yet in the sight of those cruel Deaths and most barbarous Executions the first National Synod is called and celebrated in the Metropolis of the Kingdom at the very Doors of the Court God inspiring with Zeal and Courage the Pastors of several Churches to meet and consult together about the arduous and most important Businesses of the Reformed Religion Sect. 8. Two things among others were dispatch'd in this Council 1. They publish the Confession of their Faith and tell the King and Kingdom what they believe and practise This was put into the Hands of their Young King lately come to the Crown upon the Death of his Father who though he had sworn to see that famous Martyr of Christ Annas du Bourg Counsellour in the Parliament of Paris burnt yet was at a Tilt by Count de Montgomery a Protestant wounded with a Launce in the Eye and died before he could perform his Oath How Francis the Second entertained this Confession when it was tender'd him is not my Business to relate I shall only give my Reader the Confession itself and I do the rather lay it before him because it is a brief System of the Protestant Religion constantly read at the opening of all their Synods and because of the frequent References unto it in and by all those National Synods which I now publish Sect. 9. The Confession of Faith held and professed by the Reformed Churches of France received and enacted by their first National Synod Celebrated in the City of Paris and Year of our Lord 1559. ARTICLE I. WE believe and confess That there is but one God only whose Being only is simple spiritual eternal invisible immutable infinite incomprehensible ineffable who can do all things who is all-wise all-good most just and most merciful ARTICLE II. This one God hath revealed himself to be such a one unto Men first in the Creation preservation and governing of his works secondly far more plainly in his word which from the beginning he revealed to the Fathers by certain Visions and Oracles and then caused it to be put in writing in those Books which we call the Holy Scripture ARTICLE III. All this holy Scipture is contained in the Canonical Books of the Old and New Testament the Catalogue whereof followeth The five Books of Moses namely Genesis Exodus Leviticus Numbers and Deuteronomy Item Joshua Judges Ruth the first and second Book of Samuel the first and second Book of Kings the first and second Book of Chronicles otherwise called the Paralipomena one Book of Esdras Nehemiah Hester Job the Psalms Solomon's Proverbs or Sentences Ecclesiastes the Song of Songs Esaiah Jeremiah with the Lamentations Ezekiel Daniel Hosea Joel Amos Obadiah Jonas Micah Nahum Habakkuk Zephaniah Haggai Zachariah Malachi Item the Holy Gospel according to St. Matthew according to St. Mark according to St. Luke and according to St. John as also the second Book of St. Luke otherwise called The Acts of the Apostles Item the Epistles of St. Paul the Apostle to the Romans one to the Corinthians two to the Galatians one to the Ephesians one to the Philippians one to the Colossians one to the Thessalonians two to Timothy two to Titus one to Philemon one Item the Epistle to the Hebrews the Epistle of St. James the first and second Epistle of St. Peter the first second and third Epistle of St. John the Epistle of St. Jude and the Apocalypse or Revelations of St. John ARTICLE IV. We acknowledge these Books to be Canonical that is we account them as the most certain Rule of our Faith and that not so much because of the common consent of the Church but because of the Testimony and Perswasion of the Holy Ghost by which we are taught to distinguish betwixt them and other Ecclesiastical Books upon which although they may be useful yet we cannot ground any Article of Faith ARTICLE V. We believe That the Doctrine contained in these Books is proceeded from God from whom only and not from men it deriveth
always to the said Possessors that they may have recourse at Law against the Proprietors And in those places in which the said Ecclesiasticks shall compel the said Possessors to buy the Land the Moneys accruing from the said purchace shall not be paid into their hands but the said Possessors shall be accountable for them and shall pay interest for them at the rate of five per Cent. until such time as the Principal may be better disposed for the profit of the Church All which shall be done within the term and space of one year And when as that time shall be laps'd if the said Purchaser shall refuse to pay any longer the said rent of Interest he shall be acquitted by delivering up the purchace-moneys into the hands of a sufficient responsible Person by the authority of a Judg. And as for places Consecrated there shall be an especial care taken by those Commissioners who shall be appointed to put this present Edict in Execution according to particular Orders and Instructions which they shall receive from us V. However no grounds nor places occupied in the repairing and fortifying of the Cities and Garrisons of our Kingdom nor any of the materials employed therein shall be claimed or redemanded by those Ecclesiasticks nor by any other publick or private Persons unless the said Reparations and Fortifications shall be demolished by express Orders from us VI. And that we may leave no occasion of troubles and differences among our Subjects we have permitted and do permit all those who profess the said pretended Reformed Religion to live and dwell in all Towns Cities and places whatsoever of this our Kingdom without ever being sued vexed molested or constrained to do any thing upon the account of their Religion against their Conscience nor shall they by reason thereof be examined or searched for in those Houses and places in which they would inhabit they always behaving themselves in all things according to the import of this present Edict VII We have also permitted unto all Lords Gentlemen and other Persons as well Natives of the Kingdom as others who make profession of the said Reformed Religion and have in this our Kingdom and the Land of our Obedience the priviledge of High Justice i. e. Authority to judge and determine in Criminal and Capital matters or a whole Fief of Haubert i. e. to serve us compleatly armed in our Wars as there be many such in our Dukedom of Normandy whether they hold it as Proprietors or as Usufructuaries in the whole or by the moiety or by a third part to have in any one of their Houses of High Justice aforesaid or Fiefs aforesaid which they shall be bound to nominate before every one of our Bayliffs and Seneschals in his or their respective districts for their principal dwelling House the exercise of the said Religion as long as they shall reside in it and in their absence whilst their Wives or their Family or else any part of it is there And although the right of Justice or the Fief of Haubert should be controverted yet nevertheless the exercise of the said Religion may be there performed provided that those persons aforesaid who profess the said Religion be in actual possession of the said High Justice yea and although our Attorney-General himself were the Party against them We do also permit them to have the said exercise in all their other Houses of High Justice or Fiefs of Haubert aforesaid at all times when as they are present in them but not otherwise The whole as well for themselves their Family their Tenants and all other persons whatsoever who shall please to go unto the said Houses for Religious Worship VIII But in those Houses of Fiefs where those of the said Religion have not the priviledge of high Justice or Fief of Haubert they shall injoy the exercise of their Religion for their Families only Yet nevertheless if other persons even to the number of thirty over and above the Family should come thither whether it be upon the occasion of Baptisms or Friendly Visits or otherwise 't is not our intention that they shall be sought after for this provided always those Houses aforesaid be not in any Cities Towns or Villages belonging unto Catholick Lords who have the right and priviledge of high Justice as we our self have and in which the said Catholick Lords have their Houses In which case those of the said Religion may not exercise it in the said Cities Towns or Villages unless it be by Permission and Licence from the said Lords High Justicers and not otherwise IX We do also permit unto those of the said Religion to have and continue the exercise thereof in all Cities and Places under our Obedience in which it had been established and publickly solemnized for sundry and divers times in the year one thousand five hundred ninety and six and in the year one thousand five hundred ninety and seven until the end of August last notwithstanding any Decrees or Judgments to the contrary X. Moreover the exercise of the said Religion may be established and restored in all Cities and places in which it was established or ought to have been established by the Edict of Pacification made in the year 1577. and according to the secret Articles and Conferences made and held at Nerac and Fleix nor shall the said establishment be in the least hindred in the Lands of those Towns and places given by the said Edict Articles and Conferences for the places of Bailywicks or which may be hereafter although they may have been since alienated unto Persons of the Roman Catholick Religion or may be hereafter alienated unto such But yet nevertheless 't is not our mind nor meaning that the exercise of the Religion aforesaid should be restored in those places and dwellings of the said Demeans which were formerly possessed by those of the pretended Reformed Religion in which it had been set up out of pure respect unto their persons or because of the priviledges of those Fiefs if now those Fiefs aforesaid be at present possessed by persons professing the said Catholick Apostolick and Roman Religion XI Moreover in every one of those ancient Bailywicks Seneschallies and Governments and reputed Bailywicks clearly and immediately depending upon our Courts of Parliament We do Ordain That in the Suburbs of one Town over and besides those other Towns which have been accorded to them by the said Edict secret Articles and Conferences and in such Bailywicks where there be no Towns there shall be a certain determined place in a Burrough or Village of the said Bailywicks in which the exercise of the said pretended Reformed Religion shall be publickly performed by all persons whatsoever who will go unto it although that in the said Bailywicks Seneschallies and Governments there be already several other places in which the exercise of the said Religion is established excepting always by the said place of Bailywick newly granted by this present Edict those
any or supplied them by vertue of their Orders shall be hereafter or at present sued for and they shall be acquitted both they and their Agents from all management and administration of the said moneys they producing for their discharge within four Months after the publication of this present Edict made in our Court of Parliament in Paris Acquittances duly expedited by the Chief Commanders in the said Religion or of those who were Commissionated by them to audit and finish those Accompts or of those who bore Office and Command in those said Corporations and Towns during the said troubles Moreover they shall be acquitted and discharged of all Acts of Hostility raising and leading of Souldiers coining and valuing of money done in Obedience to the Orders of the said Chief Commanders melting up and taking of Artillery and Ammunition making of Gun-powder and Salt-Peter Surprizals of Fortifications Dismantlings and demolishing of Towns Castles Boroughs and Villages Attempts upon them burnings and demolishments of Churches and Houses Establishment of Justice Judgments and their Executions whether in matters Civil or Criminal Policy and Reglements made about them Voyages and Intelligences Negotiations Treaties and Contracts made with all Foreign Princes and Communalties and Introduction of the said Strangers into the Cities and other parts of our Kingdom and generally of all that hath been done acted and negotiated during the said troubles since the Death of the late King Henry the Second our most Honoured Lord and Father-in-Law by them of the said Religion and others who have followed their Party as if it had been particularly exprest and specified LXXVII Those also of the said Religion shall be discharged of all general and provincial Assemblies made and held by them whether at Mantes or since that time at any other place until now as also of Councils by them Ordained and established for the Provinces of Ordinances and Reglements made in the said Assemblies and Councils placing and increase of Garison Assemblies of Men of War levy and raking of moneys whether in the hands of general or particular Receivers Collectors of the Parishes or otherwise in whatsoever way and manner it might be done Decrees about Salt Continuance or new erection of Tolls Customs and their receits at Royall and upon the Rivers of Charante Garonne the Rhone and Dordonne Armings and Fights at Sea and all accidents and excesses fallen out about paying the said Tolls and Customs and other moneys Fortifying of Towns Castles and Places Impositions of moneys and services receits of those moneys rejection of our Receivers and Farmers and other Officers setting up of others in their Places and of all Unions Dispatches and Negotiations made both within and without the Kingdom And generally of all that hath been done deliberated written and ordained by the said Assemblies and Council without suffering those who have given their advice Signed Executed caused to be Signed and Executed the said Orders Reglements and Deliberations to be sued nor their Widows Heirs and Successors neither now nor for the future although the particularities be not here amply declared And our General-Attorneys and their Substitutes and all those who may claim any Interests in whatsoever fashion or manner it might be shall for ever forbear all Prosecutions notwithstanding all Decrees Sentences Judgments Informations and Proceedings done to the contrary LXXVIII Moreover we do approve strengthen and authorize those Accounts which have been heard examined and shut up by the Deputies in the said Assembly We will that they and their Acquittances which were brought in by those Accountants shall go and be carried into our Chamber of Accounts in Paris three Months after the Publication of this Edict and shall be put into the hands of our Attorney-General to be delivered in and kept in the Books and Registers of our Chamber that upon all needful occasions there may be recourse had unto them nor shall those Accompts be ever revised nor those Accomptants be bound to appear nor shall there be any Correction of them unless in Case of omitting the receit or of false Acquittances And our Attorney-General shall not at all act or proceed although there be very many defects and the formalities have not been duly kept nor observed And we forbid our Officers in the Chamber of Accompts in Paris and in all the other Provinces in which they be established to take any manner of Cognisance whatsoever of them LXXIX And as for those Accompts which have not been yet brought in we will that they be Audited Examined and shut up by our Commissioners who shall be deputed by us who shall without any difficulty pass and allow all the parts payed by the said Accomptants by vertue of the Orders made by the said Assembly or others that were in Power LXXX All Collectors Receivers Farmers and all others shall be duly and legally discharged of all summs of money which they have paid in to the said Agents of the said Assembly of whatsoever nature they may be until the last day of this Month. And 't is our Will and Pleasure that all their Accompts which shall be brought into our Chamber of Accompts shall be passed and allowed purely and simply by vertue of the Acquittances which shall be produced by them And if any shall be hereafter expedited and delivered they shall be all null and those who shall accept or deliver them shall be condemned in a Mulct and Fine for mis-employment of them And if in some Accompts already rendred there shall be found rasures and charges we have upon this respect removed and taken them away we have restored and do restore the said parts intirely by vertue of these Presents without any need for all abovementioned of particular Letters or other matters except the Extracts of this present Article LXXXI The Governours Captains Consuls and Persons Commissionated to recover moneys to pay the Garisons of the places held by those of the said Religion to whom our Receivers and Collectors of the Parishes may have lent moneys upon their Bills and Obligations whether it were by Compulsion or out of obedience to the Commands which were given them by the General Treasurers of all these necessary summs for the maintenance of the said Garrisons until that time when we agreed about the state of that Accompt which we dispatched in the beginning of the year 1596. and the augmentation we have since granted they shall be acquitted and discharged and for what is already paid to the purpose above mentioned although and for what is already paid to the purpose above mentioned although that the said Schedules and Obligations do not expresly mention them which shall be yielded up unto them as if they had been null And that they may be satisfied the General-Treasurers in every Generality shall furnish the said Collectors by their particular Receivors of our Taxes with Acquittances and by the Receivers-General their Acquittances for the Receivers particular and for the discharge of the said General-Receivers
order now his Majesty willeth and intendeth that notwithstanding it his said Edict of Nantes shall take place in all the Towns and Jurisdictions brought under his obedience by the said Lord Admiral as for all other places of his Kingdom ARTICLE XXII In pursuance of the Edict for reducing the Lord Duke of Joyeuse the said Religion may not be at all exercised in the City of Tholouse nor in the Suburbs thereof nor within four Leagues round nor nearer to it than the Towns of Villemur Carmain and the Isle of Jordain ARTICLE XXIII Nor may it be restored and set up again in the Towns of Alet Fiac Auriac and Montesquiou but yet and if any of the said Religion should petition for a place where it might be exercised the Commissioners which shall be deputed by his Majesty to execute his Edict or other Officers shall out of the places assigned for every one of those Towns assign a commodious place and of safe access to them and which shall not be in distance removed from the said Towns above one League ARTICLE XXIV The Exercise of the said Religion may be restored even as it was granted by the Edict of Nantes within the Jurisdiction of the Court of Parliament of Tholouse excepting always in the Bailywicks Seneschalsies and their Precincts whose principal Seat was reduced under his Majesty's obedience by the said Lord Duke of Joyeuse for which the Edict of 1577. shall stand good and be observed Yet notwithstanding 't is his Majesty's intention and purpose that the said Exercise shall be continued in the borders of the said Bailywicks and Seneschalsies where it was in the time of the said reduction and that the priviledge of Fiefs shall take place in the said Bailywicks and Seneschalsies according to the intendment and import of the said Edict ARTICLE XXV The Edict made for the Reduction of Dijon shall be observed and according to it there shall be no other Exercise of Religion than that of the Catholick Apostolick and Roman Church in the City and Suburbs thereof nor in four Leagues round ARTICLE XXVI The Edict likewise for Reduction of the Lord Duke of Mayenne shall be observed according unto which the said pretended Reformed Religion may be exercised in the Towns of Chaalon Seure and Soissons in the Bailywick of the said Chaalons and in two Leagues of the borders of Soissons for the term of six Years to begin from the first day of January 1596 which being expired the Edict of Nantes shall be observed as in all other parts of the Kingdom ARTICLE XXVII Those of the said Religion of whatsoever quality shall be permitted to come and go freely unto and from the City of Lions and unto the other Cities and places of the Government of Lyonnois notwithstanding any Prohibitions to the contrary made by the Syndicks and Sheriffs of the said City of Lion and confirmed by his Majesty ARTICLE XXVIII There shall be but one place of Bailywick ordained for the Exercise of the said Religion in the whole Seneschalsie of Poictiers over and besides those which are at present established and as for the Fiefs the Edict of Nantes shall be followed The said Exercise also shall be continued in the Town of Chauvigny But the said Exercise may not be restored in the Towns of Agen and Perigueux although that by the Edict of 1577. it might have been ARTICLE XXIX There shall be but two places of Bailywicks for the Exercise of the said Religion in the whole Government of Picardy as it hath been before declared and the said two places may not be given within the Bailywicks and Governments reserved by the Edicts made for the Reduction of Amiens Peronne and Abbeville Yet notwithstanding the said Religion may be exercised in the Houses of Fiefs throughout the whole Government of Picardy according as it was decreed in and by the Edict of Nantes ARTICLE XXX There shall be no Exercise at all of the said Religion in the City and Suburbs of Sens and there shall be ordained but one place of Bailywick for the said Exercise in the whole Circuit of the said Bailywick however this shall not in the least prejudice the priviledge of Houses of Fiefs which shall hold good according to the Edict of Nantes ARTICLE XXXI In like manner the said Exercise may not be in the City nor Suburbs of Nantes nor shall there be any one place of Bailywick ordained for the exercise of the said Religion within three Leagues round of the said City yet notwithstanding it may be done in the Houses of Fiefs according to the Edict of Nantes ARTICLE XXXII 'T is his Majesty's Will and Pleasure that his said Edict of Nantes shall be observed from this very instant as to what concerns the Exercise of the said Religion in those places where by the Edicts and Grants made for the reduction of some Princes Lords Gentlemen and Catholick Cities it was prohibited only for a time and till further order And as for those places where the said Prohibition was limited to a fixed certain time the said time being passed the Prohibition shall cease and be of no force ARTICLE XXXIII There shall be given unto those of the said Religion a place for the City Provostship and Viscounty of Paris within five Leagues at farthest of the said City in which they may enjoy the publick exercise thereof ARTICLE XXXIV In all those places where the said Religion shall be exercised publickly the People may be assembled and called together even by found of Bells and they may do all Acts and Duties of the said Religion as the exercise of Discipline the holding of Consistories Colloquies National and Provincial Synods by his Majesty's permission ARTICLE XXXV Ministers Elders and Deacons of the said Religion shall not be constrained to answer before a Court of Justice in quality of Witnesses about matters which were revealed to them in their Consistories when as Censures were to be inflicted unless it were for any matter concerning the King's Person or the preservation of the State and Government ARTICLE XXXVI The Professors of the said Religion who live in the Country may lawfully go unto the exercise thereof in the Cities and Suburbs and other places where it shall be publickly established ARTICLE XXXVII Those of the said Religion may not keep any Publick Schools unless in those Cities and places in which the publick exercise thereof is permitted them and those provisions which were formerly granted them for the erection and maintaining of Colleges shall if need so require be verified and obtain their full and entire effect ARTICLE XXXVIII It shall be lawful for Parents professing the said Religion to provide for their Childrens Education in such a manner as best pleaseth them and to substitute one or more Tutors and Guardians to them by their last Will and Testament or by a Codicil or any other Declaration passed before a Notary or written and signed with their own Hands the Laws Ordinances and Customs
a third which we have termed Infractions of the Edict of Nantes under pretence of Explication Those who would know their Number and Quality need only cast their eyes upon the Books written and published on this occasion by Father Meisnier the Jesuit an Author famous for his Illusions and by one Baanard a pitiful Officer in the Presidial Court of Beziers in Languedoc There you will meet with all the Windings and Turnings the Shifts and Evasions which the silliest and most unworthy Sophisters could invent whereby to elude the clearest Text of the Edict and to corrupt and pervert its very heart sence and sincerest meaning And that I may avoid prolixity I shall only produce a brief Account of some few particular Instances of their Troubles As for example Was there any thing more clear evident and unquestionable in the Edict than this viz. That it was given with an intention to maintain those of the Reformed Religion in all the Rights that Nature and Civil Society give to Men Yet in 1681. there came out an Edict that Children might at the age of seven Years abjure the Reformed Religion and embrace the Catholick under pretence forsooth That the Edict did not precisely mark that at this age they should continue at their Parents disposal Who sees not but that this was a meer Trick seeing that at one hand the Edict forbad to take away Children by force from their Parents or by Flatteries and on the other hand the Edict supposed and confirmed all the natural Rights of which without controversie this is one of the most inviolable Was there ever a more notorious Infraction of the Edict than that which forbad those of the Reformed Religion who had passed over to the Romish to return unto that which they had quitted because forsooth That the Edict did not in express formal terms give them this Liberty For when the Edict permitteth generally all the King's Subjects Liberty of Conscience and forbiddeth to perplex and trouble them or to act and offer any thing contrary to this Liberty who seeth not this exception touching the Pretended Relapsers is so far from being an explication of the Edict that it is a most notable Violation of it Unto this we may add the Charge given unto the Roman Catholicks not to change their Religion and embrace the Reformed For when the Edict giveth Liberty of Conscience it doth in plain terms grant it unto all Persons whatsoever who are or shall be of the said Religion Yet if we believe the Clergy this was not Harry the Fourth's meaning for he intended that Grant only to those who then at that time when the Edict was made professed the said Religion SECT XXXII This Edict of Nantes also gave unto the Reformed the Priviledge of keeping small Schools in all places where they had the Exercise of their Religion and by common acceptation those were always understood Lesser Schools in which Children were taught Latin and Humanity This was the known received sense of these words throughout the Kingdom and it is thus taken when it doth concern the Roman Catholicks Yet by a new Interpretation this permission was restrained to the bare liberty of Teaching to read and write as if the Reformed were unworthy to learn any more And this on purpose to tire out the Parents and drive them to this extremity either not to know what to do with their Children or be forced to send them to the Roman Catholicks for Education The Edict gave them Liberty in all places where they had Churches to instruct publickly their Children and others in what concerns Religion and this did visibly establish them in the right of teaching them Philosophy and Theology especially Theology because this is nothing else but Religion Moreover the Edict of Harry the Fourth had promised unto the Protestants Letters Patents to be expedited in due form of Law for the Erection of Colleges in which their Youth might be educated and instructed in the Liberal Sciences For whence should their Churches be supplied with Ministers if they had no Seminaries nor Colleges And yet the Clergy supposed that the Edict gave no right to the Reformed to instruct them in Philosophy or Theology nor were they upon this supposition to have any Colleges Hence their Universities and Colleges were all condemned and suppressed that so the Ministery might be destroyed This was the very self same course that Julian the Apostate took of old to extirpate Christianity They had Colleges almost in every Province All these are supprest They had six Academies one at Die in Dolphiny another at Nismes in Languedoc a third at Pau ill Bearne a fourth at Montauban in Quercy a fifth at Saumur in Anjou and a sixth at Sedan This last though grounded on a particular Edict was suppressed as well as all the others yea and had the Honour to be first ruinated It led the Van to the other Universities and preached to them in its Rubbish what kindnesses they must expect from the Jesuitical Councils at Court They had been very fuitful Nurseries of many excellent Scholars furnished the Churches with some thousands of able godly and painful Ministers This was the great eye-sore of the Jesuits and cause enough for their bigotted Disciples at Court to procure their Ruine The Professors in these Academies were Men of most eminent Learning and Piety exceeding studious and laborious in their Calling They read four Lectures every Week publickly besides the private Colleges they had in their own Houses daily for a number of young Students would combine together to prosecute one body of Controversies and the Professor reads to them at home and they draw up their Theses and dispute upon it We have a world of these Exercises in the Foreign Universities Their Professors exercise their Scholars with publick Disputations and strictly examin their Proficiency once a quarter Their stipends were but mean never amounted to Seventy pound a year yet they were generally Men as of great parts so of great reputation and highly esteemed by their Churches Synods and the Nobility I shall insert here a Catalogue of the Prefessors in Divinity in the University of Montauban from its first foundation in the sixteenth Century unto the year 84. of the seventeenth when the University was suppress'd and all the Professors clapt up in the Prisons of Tholouse by a Decree of that Parliament where they were kept in duress till the month of October in the year 1685. and were then banished the Realm with all the other Ministers 1. Dr. Michael Berault was the Founder of and first Professor in the University of Montalban in the year 1590. 2. Monsieur Peter Sohuis was his Collegue in the same Office and at the same time 3. Monsieur Daniel Chamier that great Man and invincible Champion of the Truth The Jesuits could never stand before him He was killed upon the Lord's day when the City was besieged with a Cannon Bullet in the year 1621. 4. Monsieur John Cameron
that most pious Bishop of Norwich Dr. Joseph Hall gave this Character of him That he was one of the most learned Men that Scotland ever bred He had been formerly Minister of Bourdeaux thence translated to the Professor's Chair of Divinity at Saumur and lastly unto Montauban where he died in the year 1625. But more of him in my Icones 5. Peter Berault the Son of Michael a Son not unworthy his Father who founded the University 6. Anthony Garrissoles who died in the Lord Anno 1651. 7. Paul Charles though he was called to the Professorship in Divinity after Monsieur Garrissoles yet entered he into his rest two years before his Reverend Collegue viz. 1649. 8. John Verdier he died in the year 1668. 9. Andrew Martell he went into exile with his Brethren in the year 1685 and was called to be Professor of Divinity in the University of Berne in Switzerland where he is yet living In his time the University was removed from Montauban to Puy-Laurens in Languedoc in the year 1660. 10. Anthony Peres was called in to succeed Monsieur Verdier immediately upon his death This very learned and godly Divine died in my Neighbourhood in the year 1686. here in King-street near Bunhil fields London This University of Montauban the first and eldest Protestant University of France had subsisted the just age of a Man and then purely out of a design to facilitate its Ruine it was removed in the year 1660. to Puy-Laurens The University of Saumur had its foundations shaken in the year 1675. though it had a quiet and uninterrupted possession of threescore and ten years and was grounded upon the Edict of Nantes and confirmed by other Edicts of Henry the Fourth and of his Son and Successor Lewis the Thirteenth Henry the Fourth comprehended them both in the Gift he made them Anno 1599. And in the Articles of Peace granted by Lewis the Thirteenth to the City of Montauban they were again ratified and he formally promised to continue his Bounty which in truth was no bounty but a Debt for the Reformed compounded with his Father to pay their Tithes to the Popish Parish Priests which they did honestly and justly provided the King would allow such a summ of 135000 l. in good money unto them for their Ministers Schools Colleges and Universities And in his Answer to their Bill of Grievances in the second year of his Reign and of our Lord 1611. Article 19. He granted to the Universities of Saumur and Montauban the same Priviledges Immunities and Prerogatives as the other Universities in the Kingdom enjoyed according to the will and intention of King Henry the Fourth expressed in his Answer to the Bill of Grievances presented him by the Reformed Article the Fourth Yet all these Engagements and Obligations both of Honour and Conscience could not contain the present King nor his Council within any Bounds But that all the Schools Colleges and Universities of the Reformed must be dissolved dissipated and they be utterly ruined SECT XXXIII But we shall proceed one step farther and discover in this short Abridgment how the Faith and Patience of God's Saints was farther tryed and exercised in France before the last deluge of Popish Fury was poured out upon them There were new Laws and Orders as so many new Engines and Racks invented to torment them This is the fourth method devised by them The first of these Orders which appeared was touching the manner of Burial and Interring the dead In those places where the exercise of our Religion was actually established the number of Attendants was reduced to thirty Persons and to ten where it was not Orders were also issued out to hinder the Communication of one Province with another by Circular Letters or any other way whatsoever though it were about matters of Alms and the distributions of Charity There were likewise Prohibitions made of holding Colloquies in the Interval of Synods excepting in two Cases viz. to provide Ministers for Churches destitute upon the Death of their Pastors and the censuring of greater Scandals They despoiled also those places which they called Exercises de Fief of all the Characters and Priviledges of a Temple as the Bell Pulpit and other things of that nature They forbad also the Reception and Ordination of Ministers in any Synods or to have their Decisive Vote in them or to Register them in the Catalogue of those Churches to which they appertained One Decree forbiddeth the singing of Psalms in their private Houses yea and another to forbear singing in their Temples when as their Consecrated Host was carried by in Procession One Decree forbids all Marriages at such times as they be prohibited by the Church of Rome viz. Lent and the Ember Weeks c. By another Decree their Ministers are not suffered to Preach at any considerable distance from their Residence lest they should have the sorry priviledge of an annexed Congregation a poor plurality For one Church being of it self utterly unable to maintain a Minister sometimes two or three would join together to make up a Competency for his subsistence Other Decrees forbid their setling in any places unless sent unto them by their Synod though the Consistories had given them a solemn Call according to their usual Forms Another Decree comes forth to hinder Synods from sending to any Churches more Ministers than were there in the preceding Synod Another Decree prohibits all Proposans Students in Divinity to study in Foreign Universities Other Decrees banish all Foreign Ministers not born in the Kingdom though they had been Ordained in France and spent the greatest part of their Lives in it out of it Another Decree forbad all Ministers and Candidates for the Ministry to reside in those places where Preaching was forbidden or nearer to them than six Miles Another Decree forbad the People to assemble in the Temples under pretence of praying reading or singing of Psalms except in the presence of a Minister placed there by the Synod There was one Decree and that a most ridiculous one Enacted That all the backs of the Seats in their Temples must be removed that so they might be reduced to most accurate and decent Uniformity Another Decree to hinder richer Churches from assisting the weaker in maintaining of their Ministers and other necessities Another Decree obligeth Parents to give their Children who had changed their Religion great Pensions Another forbiddeth Marriages betwixt Persons of different Religions notwithstanding their Scandalous Cohabitation Another prohibiteth those of the Reformed Religion from that time to entertain in their Houses any Domestick Servants who were Roman Catholicks Another maketh them uncapable of being Tutors or Guardians and consequently did put all Minors whose Fathers died in the Profession of the Protestant Religion under the Power and Education of Roman Catholicks Another forbiddeth Ministers and Elders to hinder any of their Flock either directly or indirectly to embrace the Roman Religion or to disswade them from it Another forbiddeth Jews and
LVIII There were nine and twenty National Synods celebrated by these Churches within the space of one hundred Years they met in this order and at the times and places mentioned in this ensuing Catalogue 1. At Paris May 25. 1559. 2. At Poictiers March 20. 1560. 3. At Orleans April 25. 1562. 4. At Lyons Aug. 10. 1563. 5. The 2d at Paris Octob. 21. 1565. 6. At Vertuil Septemb. 1. 1567. 7. At Rochel April 2. 1571. 8. At Nismes May 8. 1572. 9. At St. Foy Feb. 2. 1578. 10. At Figeac Aug. 2. 1579. 11. The 2d at Rochel June 28. 1581. 12. At Vitré May 26. 1583. 13. At Montauban June 15. 1594. 14. At Saumur May 13. 1596. 15. At Montpellier May 26. 1598. 16. At Gergeau May 9. 1601. 17. At Gap May 18. 1603. 18. The 3d of Rochel March 1. 1607. 19. At St. Maixant May 26. 1609. 20. At Privas May 23. 1612. 21. At Tonneins May 2. 1614. 22. The 2d of Vitré May 18. 1617. 23. At Alez Octob. 1. 1620. 24. At Charenton Septemb. 1. 1623. 25. At Castres Septemb. 15. 1626. 26. The 2d of Charenton 1631. 27. At Alanson May 27. 1637. 28. The 3d of Charenton 1654. 29. At Loudun Novemb. 10. 1659. The next National Synod was appointed to be held in the City of Nismes but when that will be Peloni Palmoni the wonderful Numberer can only and most certainly inform us THE ACTS DECISIONS and DECREES OF THE First National Synod OF THE Reformed Churches of Christ IN The KINGDOM of FRANCE HELD At PARIS in the Year of our LORD 1559. The Contents of the Acts in this Synod Chap. I. The Lord of Callonges Minister in the Church of Paris Moderator Eleven Churches send their Deputies to the Synod Chap. II. General Matters The first Draught of the Church-Discipline in Forty Canons Chap. III. Particular Matters Twenty Five Cases of Conscience resolved 1559. First Synod THE First National Synod Henry the Second died the tenth of July 1559. SYNOD I. In the Name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Ghost The Decrees of the National Synod celebrated in Paris the Five and Twentieth Day of May in the Year of our Lord One thousand five hundred fifty and nine and in the Sixteenth Year of Henry the Second King of France CHAP. I. Monsieur De Morell Lord of Callonges was at that time Minister of the Church of Paris Publick Matters FRancis de Morell otherwise called De Callonges presided and there assisted at it on behalf of the Reformed Churches of France the Pastors of Diep and St. Lo in Normandy of Paris of Angiers of Orleans of Tours of Chastelherand of Poitiers of Xaintes of St. John d' Angeli and Marennes CHAP. II. The First CANON I. NO Church Discipline Cap. 6. Art 1. nor Church-Officer be he Minister Elder or Deacon shall Claim or Exercise any Jurisdiction or Authority over another In every Synod there must be a President chosen His Office in the Synods II. A Moderator shall be chosen by general Consent in every Synod who shall give Notice of the Days and Places of Meeting and of the Sessions of the Synod And he shall gather the Suffrages and declare which is the greater Number and pronounce the Synodical Decisions Moreover he shall see that Order be observed in Speaking without confusion and impose Silence on such as are eager and contentious and in case of Disobedience he shall cause them to withdraw that Advice may be taken how to Censure them Moreover he shall preside at the Censure of every Person and make the Remonstrances As also to give Answers in case of Counsel demanded or unto Letters sent unto the Synod yet therein always observing the Advice of the Assembly And he himself also shall be subject unto Censures The Office of the Moderator shall expire with the Synod and the next Synod is at liberty to chuse him or any other A Pastor may bring with him an Elder unto the Synod III. Ministers that are sent unto the National Synod may bring with them one or two Elders or Deacons but not more and those chosen by the Body of their Consistory who also shall have their Votes in the Synod As for the Elders and Deacons of that Church where the Synod shall be assembled they may be present also and speak in their Order yet to avoid confusion two of them only shall have Power of Voting in it And no Person shall depart from the Assembly without leave first had and obtained IV. National Synods shall meet according to the Necessities of the Churches and in them there shall be an amicable and brotherly Censure of all its Members The Lord's Supper to be administred at the end of every National Synod and at the closing up of the Synod the Lord's Supper shall be celebrated to testifie their Union not only by the Ministers and Elders of the Synod but in general with that whole Church V. The Ministers with one Elder and Deacon at the least from every Church in all the Provinces of this Kingdom shall meet together once a Year and choose such a Time and Place as shall be most convenient for their Synodical Assembly The manner of Receiving a Minister VI. No Minister for the present shall be chosen by one only Minister or by his Consistory but by two or three Ministers and their Consistories or by the Provincial Synod or by the Colloquy which in those Places where they be already established shall be if possible called together for this purpose And the Elect-Minister shall be presented unto the People for their Approbation but in case there be opposition the Consistory shall judge thereof and if neither part do consent the whole shall be Reported to the Provincial Synod which shall take Cognisance thereof as well for Justifying of the Minister as for his Reception provided the major part of the Consistory and People do consent thereunto No Minister may be sent unto the Synod wâ—â—hout sufficient â—owers VII Ministers shall not be sent from the Churches without Authentick Letters or some other sufficient Testimonials from those Places whence they come and if having no such Commission they should offer themselves to be Received they shall not be Admitted unless their Conversation be fully known and upon what Account they have quitted their Church And in case of opposition they shall be dealt with as was before determined The Elect Deputy must subscribe the Confession of Faith VIII The Deputies Elect shall subscribe our Confession of Faith both in their own Churches in which they were chosen as in those also from which they be sent and their Election shall be confirmed by Prayers and Imposition of Hands by the Ministers yet without Superstition or Opinion of Necessity How Intruders into the Ministry are to be proceeded against IX Such as shall intrude themselves into the Ministry in those Places where the Ministry of the Word of
or to maintain Monks who were appointed to no other Service But to Farm a Field Rents or Lordship and to pay the Profits accrewing from them unto those Ecclesiasticks for as much as they be Temporal Lords of them the Faithful are left unto their liberty therein to do as they please Civil Jurisdiction may be â—xâ—â—â—â—â—d under Popish Church-men Whether an insufficient Elder may be deposed and a Banker chosen X. It was also determined That the exercising of Civil Jurisdictions or Procurations under the aforesaid Ecclesiasticks is not in itself unlawful provided it he not in Spiritual Matters as they call them XI Moreover whereas our said Brother of St. John d' Angely hath demanded Whether Elders uncapable of discharging their Office who had â—een admitted when the Church was first gathered might lawfully be deposed that other better qualified may be elected into their Places And whether a Banker might be chosen into the Eldership As to the First Article we answer That if those Elders be utterly incapable of discharging their Duties they shall be deposed according to what hath been determined already in the Articles of our Discipline But if they can tollerably perform them they ought not without their Consent to be laid by And touching Bankers in case they meddle with those Diabolical Dispatches of Pardon and Dispensations and other such-like Popish Abominations they shall be so far from being received into Office in the Churches that if after Admonition given them to desist from such Actions they do not refrain them they shall be forthwith Excommunicated XII Our Brother of Orleans propounded the case of a Woman who was resolved to serve God with a pure Continence but could not agree with her Husband a Time-server to commit Idolatry and whereas fearing trouble that may betide him and his Wife he gives leave yea sollicites his Wife to withdraw into a Place of Liberty Is it lawful for her to follow this Counsel We answer That as long as this Woman can possibly subsist with her Husband she ought to live with him that so many Inconveniencies may be avoided which would otherwise fall out through her absence But in case she cannot without imminent Danger to herself abide with him let her embrace our Lord's Counsel If they persecute you in one city flie ye unto another Yet always earnestly importuning her Husband as in Conscience he is bound to come unto her Whether Pyrates ought to be received unto the Lord's Supper XIII Our Brother of Marennes having craved our Advice concerning Pyrates and Tradesmen who before they were admitted into the Communion of our Churches had ill-gotten their Estates Whether they ought to be received unto the Lord's Supper We answer That not only these but all other Persons who shall unjustly detain the Goods of other Men however that Injustice may be modified are yet bound in Conscience to make Restitution of those Goods if they be able unto their right Owners And Ministers and Consistories shall take especially care herein and in case they find them eminently penitent and mourning for their Sin having exhorted them unto Charity they may admit them unto the Lord's Table XIV He also proposing this Case Whether Goods sold by Pyrates might be bought We answer That those Merchandizes are either sold publickly by the Permission and Approbation of the Magistrate or not If the Magistrate consent unto their Sale they may with a safe Conscience but if the Sale be Clandestine they ought not because they in buying should be Parties with the Pyrates Such as serve themselves of Papal Excommunications pollute their Consciences Tythes must be paid in Obedience to the King's Laws Children of excommunicate Persons are not to be paptized but conditionally XV. As to the Proposition of our Brother of Xaintes we answer That such as use Papal Excommunications do defile their Consciences XVI As to what was proposed by our Brother of St. Lo we answer That notwithstanding the Popish Priests do unjustly claim a Right to Tithes upon the account of their Ministry yet they must be payed because of the King's Commandment as a matter in itself indifferent and that Sedition and Scandal may be avoided XVII To another Proposal of our Brother was given this answer That where both Father and Mother were Excommunicate their Children should not be received unto Baptism until such time as the aforesaid Parents or one of them had reconciled himself unto the Church unless the Grand-father or Grand-mother of the said Child should present it in which case it might be baptized it being their Blood and descended from them One may be present at Popish Marriage-Feasts without wounding Conscience XVIII He also propounded this Matter of Fact The Church of St. Lo had been informed and thereupon maintained that to be present at Marriage Feasts celebrated by Popish Priests although there was no Idolatry in it at least none consented to by those Guests yet upon this account only that the Marriage was contracted and performed after the Popish Way they were defiled For which cause before the Lord's Supper was administred to them they swear that they were not present at those Feasts as aforesaid Yet afterwards having come to a right understanding of the Truth in this matter they demand Whether they be absolved of their Oath made by them thro' false Information that had been given them It was answer'd They were discharged from the Bond of such an Oath XIX Another Fact was also propounded by the same Brother A Man of S. Lo being ignorant of the evil Conversation of a Woman marrieth her about five Months after she is delivered of Child whereupon he would forsake her but the Parents of his Wife telling him That a Child might be born and that honestly too in that time for twelve Months this Year his Wife carried herself exceeding chastly or at least he had no occasion to suspect her But afterward the Husband possibly being weary of his Wife separates himself from her and publisheth how much he was abused by her Parents though he declares with his own mouth that he had accompanied with her as an Husband with his Wife It is demanded After what manner he is to be dealt with since he will neither take his said Wife nor hearken to the Remonstrances of the Consistory This Assembly adviseth That repeated Admonitions be Ministered to him in which if he do not acquiesce he shall be rejected by the Church XX. That Woman who refuseth or delays to joyn herself unto her Husband infected with some contagious Disease may not however be suspended the Lord's Table yet shall she be admonished conscienciously to perform that Duty which a Wife owes unto her Husband And at the same time the Husband shall be acquainted with the Danger to which he doth expose his Wife XXI And in answer to the Question of the Minister of Tours it was said That the Wives of infected Persons should not be rejected by the
Consistories there was this Question How may we carry ourselves towards those Delinquents who are guilty of Crimes deserving Civil or Corporal Punishments for if you call them into the Consistory their Crime will be published for the Magistrate is usually present in the Consistory The Brethren of Geneva's ANSWER Article I. IT 's very difficult in this case to shut the Doors against those Persons who delight in Sin for one Inconveniency draws on another It is a most mischievous things that the King's Officers being of another Religion are brought by an absolute Power into the Consistory but so it is and there is no Remedy They have more power than could be wished them so that sith we cannot hinder it if they have just cause of punishing Delinquents even let them do it Article II. If it be alledged That this will hinder poor Sinners from a free Confession and Acknowledgment of their Offences and that we shall be utterly disabled to bring them unto Repentance and that there will be a world of Hypocrisie and Ostentation and Dissembling in our Churches But what can't be helpt must be endured till such time as God shall have blessed us with a better Remedy However there may be some course found out whereby poor Wretches who are fallen into scandalous Offences may be saved from Peril Let two or three Members of the Consistory remonstrate to them in private their Miscarriages and though they may palliate and dissemble the matter yet we may be contented to have dealt thus with them In short we must use our best Endeavours to divert the bad Affections of the Church's Enemies from it and to keep them from hurting and doing that mischief to it they would But in case the Crimes be scandalous rather then nourish them let Discipline be exercised In those Towns where the Magistrates are godly Persons and Professors of our Religion there may be means of communicating the matter to them that so they may punish and chastise these Offenders gently and after a Christian-manner who deserve to be punished by Law And so the Consistory shall be exempted of blame and the Confession shall not be made to it but to the Civil Magistrate ANSWER III. Concerning Baptism this is the Contents and Answer of a Letter to certain Arguments urged for the Validity of Baptism administred by private Persons Article I. WE Ministers and Doctors in the Church of Geneva accompanied with our Brethren come from the National Synod of Lions being met together in the Name of God after that we had heard that Case of Conscience propounded to us Whether Baptism administred by private Persons without Office in the Church of God ought to be reiterated or not did unanimously declare this our Judgment That such a Baptism did not in any wise agree with the Institution of our Lord Jesus Christ and therefore consequently is of no force power validity or effect and that the Child ought to be brought into the Church of God there to be baptized For to separate the Ministration of the Sacraments from the Pastor's Office 't is as if one should tear out a Seal to make use of it without the Commission or Letters Pattents to which it was affixed And in this case we must practise that Rule of our Lord What God hath joyned together let no man put asunder This for and in the Name of all the Assembly JOHN CALVIN Article II. And whereas in that Letter there were Reasons to the contrary and that we were desired by the Synod to answer them in Writing we shall do it though we found them very feeble and Impertinent Article III. The first Argument of that Scribler was We must distinguish betwixt the Vertue of the Sacrament which belongeth only unto God to vouchsafe and the outward Sign of which Man is the Minister But this confirms our Assertion because God hath told us by his Son 's own Word who the Persons are that shall administer Baptism Article IV. His second Reason which depends upon the former and to speak properly is but an Accessory to it is nothing to the purpose For tho' Christ only do baptize with his Spirit yet it will not follow that he will not have the Sign and Figure to be annexed unto his Grace Article V. And this self-same Answer will suffice to refute his third Argument For when we reform what hath been done amiss in this Ordinance we do not confine God's Vertue unto the Water for we hold that this is a Counterfeit Baptism a meer Mockery a Prophanation of the Sacrament to whose first Institution we must keep strictly Besides such Language as this is very improper we do not reiterate Baptism for the pretended Baptism is utterly unlawful yea wholly null As for Example If you give a Child a Draught of salt or puddled Water you do not give him again Drink immediately upon it But if you give him an empty Bottle and he suck nothing out of it but Wind you will repair this Fault by giving him Drink in earnest Moreover those Expressions of his Of throwing Water or Plunging are affected and made use of by him to degrade the Usage and Utility of Baptism And we could wish that in handling of such Questions Men were more serious and sober In short either Baptism is unprofitable and appointed to no purpose or else it must be observed according to its Primitive Institution to be a Seal of the Remission of our Sins Article VI. His fourth Argument is altogether frivolous We know God be-thanked that our Spiritual Washing is in the Blood of Jesus and not from the Baptismal Water And he might have spared his pains in mustring up such a number of Texts of Scripture to prove that which none of us ever doubted of for Water in Baptism signifies the Bloud of Christ and the Effects and Fruits thereof accomplished in us by the Holy Ghost And tho' the Lord Jesus is no Respecter of Persons nor doth the Validity of Baptism depend upon the Worthiness or Unworthiness of the Minister yet it will not thence follow that we must not keep to that Order which he hath instituted yea and this also is alledged out of Ignorance For inasmuch as all our Dependance is upon the Word of God the Rule and Standard of our Duty given us by Christ himself if you neglect and slight it in Baptism and let one administer it who hath no Call from God to do it 't is all one as if an Ape as he that hath no Commission to preach the Gospel did administer it Article VII His fifth Argument takes that for granted which will never be yeilded to him viz. That even Baptism administred by an Heretick who hath no Office in the Church is yet held for true Baptism For were this so Baptism would not belong unto the Church but also to Turks and Pagans So that whilst he labours by such sorry trifling Arguments as these to build up Baptism 't is certain that he turns
the sprinkling of Water into a Charm or Inchantment Article VIII The Principle in his sixth Reason is ill applied for although the Vertue and Verity of Baptism be not always conjoyned with the Sign yet we may not therefore say that Baptism may be quitted and totally forborn We do sincerely confess that a Man may be Partaker of the Grace promised in Baptism who did never partake of the Water of Baptism but must we thence infer that Baptism may be lawfully omitted God forbid What he adds about the evil Administration of Baptism especially as to the Gospel Form and Manner of it containeth a double Errour for we never did confess that the bare sprinkling of Water by one without a Call or Office in the Church of God was Baptism or that it had its Evangelical Form there where there was no Evangelical Minister Article IX He hath couched his seventh Argument somewhat rudely and discovers a bitter Spirit But let him make the most of it we absolutely deny that the recalling of Men to the observation of the Primitive Rule of Baptism is Rebaptising We repute as null and void this spurious Baptism by private and uncommissionated Persons And altho' we do not tie up the Grace of God to the hand of a poor Man yet notwithstanding that Baptism administred by Man must be annexed unto his Quality or else the Authority of Jesus Christ must be trampled under foot Article X. He corrupts by his eight Argument that Text of St. John marreth and perverts the sence thereof for the Question is not about the External Sign but the Internal Vertue the true spiritual Washing Article XI The Similitude urged by him in his ninth Reason is null for the Lord Jesus hath not rejected this Sacrament nor wholly abandoned it to be dispensed by all sort of Persons whatsoever but he hath deposited a Commision with his Ministers who are to to dispense it Article XII The Comparison of Circumcision with Baptism in his tenth Reason might be admitted provided that Circumcision had been only administred by Priests but whenas a private Person poureth Water we deny that this is that formal Baptism which was by our Lord Jesus Moreover let this be noted by the way that when the Israelites and Edomites cut themselves off from the Church though they retained Circumcision yet they did but prophane it and 't was none other than a piece of Juggling for God accounted those Nations as Uncircumcised Article XIII His eleventh Reason is far wide of the Mark For tho' we confess that we be but once regenerated but once spiritually new-born yet we must needs say that this imaginary Baptism doth not in the least signifie or seal our new Birth Article XIV As to his twelfth Reason we very well know that was the Opinion of St Augustine upon this Point but he is not to be assented and consented in all his Assertions We ourselves do own that he who was ill baptized ought not to be again rebaptized and we add this also That if a private Person who hath no Call from God shall of his own will and fancy usurp that Office which doth not belong unto him his Baptism is but a meer Piece of Farcery and therefore null And this Answer may also suffice for his thirteenth Argument Article XV. In his fourteenth Argument he hath made Mr. Calvin in the Passage quoted from him to speak contrary to his known and printed Judgment and perverted the very sence of his Words for he does not in that place treat of the Ministry but of the Vertues and Merits of the Ministry for 't is as if he had said That all the Vices of the most debauched Minister could not derogate at all from the Vertue of Baptism Article XVI We deny his fifteenth Argument which is That the Hand and Sign of our Lord Jesus Christ will be owned in the sprinkling of Water by a Person uncalled and uncommissioned by him Article XVII What Calvin had said as to his sixteenth Argument was enough to prove the Nullity of such a Baptism But if any one should be dissatisfied he declareth that this was his meaning and that it was an absurd simple and foolish action to go and perswade any one that he would not have Baptism by Women to be reiterated Article XVIII His sevententh Argument is a meer Paralogism for he wants the Judgment to distinguish betwixt the â—orgiveness of Sins given by Jesus Christ and the Token thereof which he committed unto his Apostles Article XIX To his eighteenth Argument we say That Popish Baptism is grounded upon the Institution of Chrâ—st because the Priests as perverse as they are and totally corrupt are yet the ordinary Ministers of that Church in which they so tyrannically demean themselves Article XX. His nineteeth Argument needs no answer unless it be That the word Rebaptize is â—â—isappâ—â—ed â—â—th iâ— was never questioned but that such an Apish Trick as this Mock-baptism might be reformed Article XXI His twentieth Argument proveth just nothing and therefore we let it pass And if it be said that we have handled this Brother too roughly who moved this Question let him but bethink himself how Magisterial he was in his Dictates as if it was his Province only to oppose Superstitions and Abuses and especially for his audacious condeming of St. Cyprian with the whole Council of Carthage And had he but better considered the whole he would have been more moderate And because we love and honour him we wish that he would exercise his Parts and Wits upon Questions more profitable and less curious Concerning the LORD's SVPPER THe Brethren of Geneva being demanded Whether Pastors at the Lord's Table should only distribute the Bread and Wine unto the People do give this Answer That it were certainly best if it might be conveniently done at all times but it seems for the present impossible and for the future wholly impracticable For in case God should multiply the number of his People of Believers and Churches and there being so great a scarcity of Pastors we see no Inconveniency in it that Deacons and Elders being the Arms and Hands of the Pastor after that he hath consecrated the Sacramental Elements and distributed the Bread and Cup to them that are nearest to him may come into his relief and assistance and distribute them also unto those who are more remote from him An End of these Answers and of this National Synod of Lions Signed in the Original P. VIRETT President of the Council THE ACTS DECISIONS and DECREES OF THE V. National Synod OF THE Reformed Churches of Christ IN The KINGDOM of FRANCE HELD The second time in the City of Paris and Year of our Lord 1565. THE CONTENTS of this SYNOD CHap. I. Election of Moderator and Scribes Chap. II. General Matters Morellius his Works Examined Chap. III. Manner of Proceeding in Ecclesiastical Censures Chap. IV. A Case of Conscience Whether beneficed Persons may be admitted to the Lord's Table
Monsieur de Beza acquainted the Assembly of those Heresies disperst abroad in Poland and Transylvania by divers Persons against the Unity Divinity and humane Nature of our Lord Jesus Christ receiving the Errors of ancient Hereticks particularly of Samosatenus Arrius Photinus Nestorius Eutyches and many others yea and of Mahomet himself also Whereupon the Synod unanimously voted their Detestation of all those abominable Errors and Heresies and adviseth all Pastors Elders and Deacons and generally all the Faithful vigourosly to oppose their Admission into the Churches of France IV. Information was also given concerning the Errors of Cozain by the Minister of Normandy and Monsieur de Chandieu and Monsieur de L'estang were ordered to examine the Table of the said Cozain and to bring in a Report of it and finally it was condemned rejected and detested And the English Bishops shall be desired to suppress the Books of the said Hereticks which began to be in vogue among them V. The Nine and twenty Articles of the Confession of our Faith and the others concerning Church-discipline being read and propounded by the Minister of Bourdeaux notice was given concerning a certain Physitian who maintained the Supremacy of the Magistrate as Head of the Church and had published certain Writings under his own Hand and Name containing the Reasons of his Opinion Whereupon the whole Assembly ratified the said Articles of it's Confession and rejected the Error of the said Physitian and of all others who would abolish Church-discipline confounding it with the Civil Government of the Magistrate It condemns also those Errors proceeding from the afore-mentioned Tenent VI. Moreover the Synod ordered Monsieur de Beza to answer them who impugned the aforesaid Articles of our Faith and the Discipline of our Church and in special the above-mentioned Physitian and our Brother the Minister of Bourdeaux shall deliver unto Monsieur de Beza the Points Collected by him that must be answer'd and the whole shall be communicated to the Brethren of Geneva Union must be placed instead of Unity in the Art concerning these two words in the 26. Art see Synod of Nismes g. m. Art 20. And the 3d. Synod of Rochel Art 8. concerning divers Obsenric in the Confession of Faith VII Instead of Vnity there shall be replaced the Word Vnion in the six and thirtieth Article of our Confession of Faith And whereas the Deputies of the Isle of France and Brie do conceive it needful that the said Article be explain'd in that Clause of it which treats of the Participation of Christ's Substance in the Sacrament of his Supper After a long Conference it was at last resolved That the Synod approving the said Article rejecteth their Opinion who will not receive the Word Substance By which word the Synod doth not understand any Confusion Commixture or Conjunction after a carnal Manner nor in any wise Natural but a most true and intimate Conjunction after a spiritual Manner by which Jesus Christ is so far made ours and we his that there is no Conjunction of Bodies either Natural or Artificial which can be so close and intimate nor is this our fence and meaning as if by the Conjunction of Christ's Person and Substance with ours there did result a kind of third Person and Substance No but this only That by his Vertue all that is in him needful for our Salvation is hereby most freely and intimately given and communicated to us Nor do we consent with them who say that we communicate in his Merits Gifts and Spirit without his being at all made ours But with the Apostle in his Epistle to the Ephesians admiring this Supernatural and to our reason incomprehensible Mystery we do believe that we are made Partakers of his Body delivered to the death for us and of his Blood shed for us so that we are Bone of his bones and Flesh of his flesh and that we receive him together with all his Gifts by faith wrought in us through the incomprehensible Vertue and Efficacy of his Holy Spirit and thus do we in this Sence understand these Words of our Lord speaking Who so eateth the Flesh and drinketh the Blood of the Son of Man hath everlasting Life Item I am the Vine you art the Branches and we must abide in him that we may bring forth much Fruit and that we are Members of his Body and of his Flesh and of his Bones And as we derive our death from the first Adam because we participate of his Substance so must we as truly partake of the second Adam Christ Jesus that we may derive life from him And therefore all Pastors and the Faithful in general are required not to yield unto the contrary Opinions because what is now asseretd by us hath firm footing in the express Word of God Three Original Copies of the Confess 〈◊〉 of Faith the 〈◊〉 at Rochel 〈◊〉 2d 〈…〉 and the 〈…〉 VIII Finally when as the Confession of Faith was read and ended the whole Synod decreed that without any Additions there should be three Copies fairly written in Parchmin whereof one should be kept in this City of Rochel another in Bearn and the third at Geneva and all three should be subscribed by the Ministers and Elders Deputies of the Provinces of this Kingdom in the Name of all the Churches Moreover her Majesty the Queen of Navarre and my Lords the Princes of Navarre and Conde and the other Lords here present in this Synod are also requested to subscribe it with their own hands CHAP. III. Observations upon the Church-discipline Tuesday the Third of the same Month. I. THE Discipline being read it was judged needful that under the Head of Ministers there should be made this following Addition viz. The most diligently that may be II. Under the fourth Head to these words It shall be granted because of our present Circumstances shall be added the Ninth Article of the Synod of Vertueil III. Under the Eight shall be added Although the Vsage of Imposition of Hands be good and holy yet it shall not be reputed necessary as if it were of the Substance of Ordination The Form of Ordination IV. The Form of Ordination was drawn up by Monsieur de Chandieu in these following Words The Minister who presenteth to the People the Person to be Ordained shall briefly treat of the Institution and Excellency of the Ministery alledging for this purpose these or the like Texts of Holy Scripture viz. 4. Eph. 11. Luke 10.16 John 20.22 2 Cor. 5.19 120. 1 Cor. 4.1 Exhorting every one to take special heed that both Minister and People discharge their proper Duties The Minister shall acquit himself with the greater care and diligence in his Calling because he knows of what high price and excellent account it is with God And the People shall with all Reverence receive the Message of God brought unto them by this his Embassador The Form of Prayer at Ordination was first framed in the Synod
Churches But in case of lesser miscarriages after publick Satisfaction given by them unto the Congregation they may be restored by the Provincial Synod but to serve in another Province and not otherwise There were present at this Synod of Rochel Joane by the Grace of God Queen of Navar the high and mighty Prince Henry Prince of Navar the high and mighty Prince Henry de Bourbon Prince of Conde and the most illustrious Prince Lewis Count of Nassau and Sir Gaspar Count de Colligny Admiral of France and divers other Lords and Gentlemen besides the Deputies who were Members of the Church of God At Rochel in the Month of April 1571. in the 12th Year of the Reign of Charles the 9th King of France Subscribed thus Theodore de Beza Moderator of the Synod Nicholas de Galars and Scribes Elected John de la Rogeraye Scribes Elected The End of the Synod of Rochel Mr. Beza's Life is written by Melchior Adamus where you have a Catalogue of his Works THE ACTS DECISIONS and DECREES OF THE VIII National Synod OF THE Reformed Churches of Christ IN The KINGDOM of FRANCE HELD IN The City of Nismes in Languedock the Sixth Day of May and in the Year of our Lord 1572. THE CONTENTS of this SYNOD CHap. I. Monsieur de la Place Moderator and Scribe Chap. II. Observations upon the Discipline Confession of Faith and last Synod of Rochel Chap. III. A Case about Apostates turn'd Persecutors More Observations upon the Disciplines and Canons made Chap. IV. Method of dealing with Contentious Persons quarrelling with Doctrine Discipline Worship Catechising and Marriage Chap. V. Manner of Electing Ministers Chap. VI. General Matters Various Cases of Conscience about Elders Colloquies Rights to a Minister Marriages restoring of Apostates Magistrates c. to the Churches Peace Of Marriage-Promises a great Case Art 8. Incest Creating of Doctors of Divinity Banes opposed by those of the Romish Religion A Father's Composition with the Murderers of his Son Whether Dignities and Knight-hoods may be counted among Beneficed Persons and such admitted to the Lord's Supper Chap. VII Particular Matters about the Province of Normandy Cozain's Books Ramus du Rozier Bergeron and Morellius History of the Albigenses to be translated by Monsieur D'Alier Chap. VIII Catalogue of Vagrants THE Synod of NISMES 1572. Synod VIII SYNOD VIII CHAP. I. Canons Ordained in the National Synod held at Nismes the Sixth of May One thousand five hundred seventy two in the Twelfth Year of the Reign of Charles IX John de la Place President and Scribe AFter Invocation of the Name of GOD John de la Place was elected President and Scribe CHAP. II. Observations upon the Discipline the Confession of Faith and the last National Synod of Rochel I. IT 's unanimously resolved That the Seventh Article of the Discipline shall abide in its full Power II. Instead of those words extracted from the Acts of the National Synod of Rochel in the Year 1571. We reject their Opinion who will not receive the word Substance See Synod of Rochel Gen. Mat. art 6. shall be put Without prejudicing those Forreign Churches who for reasons best known to themselves do not use the word Substance we retain the word Substance in that sence expressed in the Article And then towards the close in lieu of those words That we may derive Life from him shall be inserted That by Mystical and Spiritual Communication with him we may derive that true eternal life And the Lord's Supper is principally ordained for the Communication of it althô the same Lord Jesus be offered to us both in his Substance and Gifts in the Ministry of his Word and Baptism and received by Believers 'T is the Fourteenth Article in the Chapter of Baptism and Book of Discipline III. It was resolved that the Ninth Article concerning Baptism shall abide in its full power And the Ministers of Province shall be admonished to carry themselves with more condescension and not to raise so many Difficulties about Names IV. It 's also resolved That the Fourth Article concerning the Lord's Supper shall remain unchanged CHAP. III. See the First Synod of Rochel Particular Matters Art 1. V. THE Churches of Poictou upon reading the Canon concerning Delinquents demanded What course should be taken with those who in times of Persecution having revolted had been censured by the Church but could never be regained yea and were become Enemies and Persecutors so that if they should be mentioned by Name in the Publick Congregation in order to Excommunication How we are to use Excommunication See the Second Synod of Paris Art 2. of Particular Matters they would certainly grow worse and would rage more bitterly against the Church and do her more and greater mischief as was manifest by woful experience The Synod upon Advice answered That Excommunication was ordained for them who are Members of the Church and not for those who are not and that its natural design and tendency is for her edification and not for her destruction that so the Flock of Christ may not be infested by scabbed Sheep and that the Person thus cut off being humbled and confounded for his sin may be finally recovered and received and that others terrified by his example may be preserved And that when Apostates are mentioned by Name in the Church 't is not properly an Excommunication of them for they have already abandoned her Communion but 't is to declare their Rebellion and Apostasie that so the whole Church may beware of them as of incorrigible Offenders yet nevertheless the best endeavours shall be used for their reduction and reformation and God shall be intreated whilst there is any hope to give them Repentance unto Life And if any such are found who instead of humbling and repenting do harden themselves in their sins and growing worse and more furious do plot and conspire the destruction of the Church or of its Pastors especially understanding that they are to be mentioned by their Names in the Publick Congregation it were far better to forbear all Naming of them it being but a meer formality and our End may as well be obtained by some other means which is by Notifying unto the People those desperate Apostates that every one may shun and avoid their Conversation And this may be done with ease and safety by the Elders and Deacons who shall inform their several Quarters of it that so none may pretend ignorance And whoso converse familiarly with these contumacious Rebels shall be censured according to the Canons of our Discipline Moreover this may be confirmed by the General Doctrine of the Ministers who without naming any Person may give sufficient Notice of them and those prudent Intimations may be advantagiously improved And Ministers and Consistories are warned in Proceedurs of this nature to use all moderation and prudence because that Church-Censures and Canons of Discipline are only used for edification and not for destruction remembring often that
from the King and without any mixture of Superstition or Idolatry they may do it lawfully enough But and if they hold them with Idolatry or Superstition be it either from the King's Gift or the Pope they cannot do it there is sin and guilt in the case nor shall they be admitted to Communion with us at the Lord's Table For this would be a professed owning of the Pope's Tyranny who hath no rightful Dominion nor Authority in these matters but Kings and Princes only who are robbed by the Pope's Usurpation of their just Rights Power Priviledges and Authority CHAP. VII Particular MATTERS Art I. IT is now concluded that the Province of Normandy may be divided into two Provinces in case they cannot conveniently meet in one and all the Ministers shall come unto them accompanied with their Elders according to the Canon of our Discipline and not by deputies from the Colloquies Art II. As for Cozain upon reading those Letters sent us from our Brethren the English Ministers it was ordered That the two Books written by the said Cozain and dedicated to some particular Members in the Church of Bourdeaux and brought unto this present Synod by Monsieur de la Sauls should be put into Monsieur Beza's hands for his perusal and who should make report of their Contents unto us and an Answer shall be returned to our Brethren of England Art III. The Deputies of the Isle of France craved our Advice about those Points of Church-Discipline now controverted by Monsieur Ramus du Rosier Bergeron and some others Whereupon an Order was made That Monsieur de Chambrun should read in this Assembly that Abridgement made by our Brethren of the Isle of France and extracted out of Morellius's Answer to that Book De la Confirmation de la Discipline and sent by them unto this Synod together with the Book of the said Morellius in answer to it and for decision of those Points and Arguments therein contained as also Ramus and De Rosier's Books which shall be delivered unto Monsieur Cappel to be examined by him And in case there be any other Arguments found in them besides those formerly urged by Morellius these shall be also answered And Messieurs de Beza De Roche Chandieu and De Beaulieu are chosen to reply unto them And as for the Decisions and Decrees they shall be made only by the Provinces Yet liberty is given unto the By standers in case they think good to make opposition and to this purpose the Doors of the Synod shall be leâ—t wide open and silence shall not be imposed upon any Man in this matter for this time Only it shall not be made a Precedent Art IV. But this Affair having been since considered examined disputed debated and put to the Vote as it was ordered in the last mentioned Canon a Decree passed That our Church-Discipline as it hath been all along to this very day observed end practised among us so also shall it be for the future without any change or innovation in it as being grounded upon God's Word And as for those Positions asserted by Monsieur Ramus Morellius Bergeron and others 1. About the Decision of Points of Doctrine 2. About the Election and Deposal of Ministers 3. About Excommunication out of the Church and Reconciliation with and Re-admission into it 4. And lastly about Prophesying None of these shall be received among us because they have no Foundation in the Word of God and are of very dangerous consequence unto the Church as the whole hath been verified and made appear in the presence of this Synod in which all the Arguments of those Books of Ramus Morellius and Du Rozier were most narrowly sifted and discussed and this was unanimously assented to by the Declaration of all the Provincial Deputies who affirmed That they had maturely and duly considered of those Points of Discipline controverted by those Gentlemen before-mentioned And Monsieur De la Roche Chandieu was ordered to reduce and set down in writing all the Answers and Resolutions made by this Assembly unto the said Treatises and Arguments and to communicate them with the Colloquy of Lionnois that they may be printed and published Only the Relation of these Synodâ—cal Answers and Resolutions shall be writ with the greatest moderation and without mentioning the Names of any Person Art V. The Colloquy of Limmigny shall be advised to get the Memoirs of their Synod to be razed nor may they make any particular Canons of their own but shall be governed by those of our Discipline Art VI. Monsieur Berauld and his Colleagues in the Church of Montauban are charged to recover from Monsieur Comerard of Tholouse the History of the Albigenses written in their Langùage and Monsieur D' Acier shall translate it into French and having done it shall communicate it unto their Colloquy according to the Canons of our Church-Discipline and then cause it to be printed And Letters shall be written to this purpose unto the said Sieurs de Comerard and D' Acier from this Assembly Art VII The County of Messin and City of Metz shall be joyned to the Province of Champagne according to the particular Canon of our Discipline and Letters concerning it shall be sent unto them from this Synod Art VIII The Lord Admiral de Chastillon having writ a Letter unto this Synod the Churches were all admonished of their Duty to his Majesty and an Answer should be returned to this effect unto his Lordship Art IX A Vote passed but without any prejudice to the liberty of Monsieur de Saules and without debating the Merits of his Cause that a Letter should be written unto the Magistrates of Geneva thanking them for their Love and Good-will and they shall be desired to continue it unto all the Churches of France in general and particularly to those of Bearn and we do grant Monsieur de Saules tor one Year more unto the Queen of Navarre and Letters also shall be written unto her Majesty and to his Highness the Prince her Son Art X. The Churches shall be excited to assist with their Charity the poor Members of the County and Church of Orange who are in extream poverty there being no less than Twelve hundred Families of these Refugees in the single Province of Dolphiny Art XI Before that Mr. John le Gagneur shall be admitted Pastor into any one of our Churches he shall give good Evidence of his Repentance and of his Reconciliation with the Church of Geneva and we will have some considerable space of time for proving the truth of his Repentance Art XII Upon the Censure of Ramus Morellius and their Companions it was voted That Letters should be writ in the Name and Authority of this Assembly unto the said Ramus Morelly Du Rozier and Bergeron and to give them all severally to understand what was concluded by this Assembly against their Books and to re-mind them of their Duty according to God's Holy Word and a Letter
Countries approved XXXVII The Confession of Faith presented by the Churches of both Languages Dutch and French in the Low Countries hath been approved by this Synod and the Provincial Deputies have promised in the Name of their Churches to subscribe it if need be And it was consulted on by this Assembly A Project of Universal Confession of Faith for all the Protestant Churches what means would be most proper to re-unite the several Confessions of all those Nations which agree in Doctrine into one common Confession and which may be hereafter approved by all these Nations And this pursuant to the Project laid down in the late Conference at Neustadt September 1577. XXXVIII The next National Synod shall be called by the Province of Anjou about one year hence and the said Province shall give Notice thereof unto the Counties of Maine Loudunois and Touraine they being all incorporated into one with itself as also to all other the Provinces three Months before the Day and Place of Meeting Done at Figeac this 8th of August 1579. The End of the Synod of FIGEAC CHAP. IV. Remarks upon the DEPVTIES 1. MR. James Covet he in the Civil Wars retired into Switzerland and there writ against Socinus one of the first Books that was writ against his Heresie He was sometime Minister of the Church of Paris 2. Cayer he afterwards apostatized 3. Monsieur de la Faye the Moderator There was one of his Name but whether it were he I am not certain that was Pastor in the Church of Geneva a very learned Man THE ACTS DECISIONS and DECREES OF THE XI National Synod OF THE Reformed Churches of Christ IN The KINGDOM of FRANCE HELD For the second time in the City of ROCHEL and Year of our Lord 1581. This Synod should have been Assembled at Loudun in the Province of Anjou but for some other Reasons was transferred unto Rochel The CONTENTS of this SYNOD CHap. 1. Names of the Deputies Synodical Officers chosen Chap. 2. Of General Matters The Deputies promise perseverance in the Vnity of Faith One Minister enough to ordain another Roll of Apostate Ministers Ministers practising Physick condemned Great Lords to observe the Discipline Canons about Ministers 7. to 11. Elders may read Prayers in the Church Parity of Elders and Deacons Of Certificates 16. The King of Navar Prince of Conde and all Lords desired to contribute to the Educating of Youth for the Ministery Acts Sufferings and memorable Events about the Churches to be Collected and Registred Gadding Professors censured Chap. 3. A Case about Censuring of Apostates resolved The Case of Lapsed Members inhabiting in another Church Publick Penance for Fornication how to be inflicted 25. Subordination of Synodical Meetings 28. A Book called the History of France censured 29. Brocard's Book upon Geness condemned Canons about the just Number of Deputies unto Synods 30.31 Dancings and other Dissolutions condemn'd Holding of Benefices by Bulls from Rome censured Impropriaters censured Care about Ministers Maintenance 36. Ministers out of the Kingdom to be called home 39. Psalm Books to be brought by all unto the Temples that all may Sing An Explication of the Canon about Habits The 14th Canon of Marriages explained 42. Vsuries condemn'd Printers to take care what Books they sell A Case resolved about Marrying the Widow of his Wife's Brother Licenses to Marry may be taken from the King tho' not from the Pope Baptism not to be deferr'd 47. Protestants must not be present at Apostates Marriages 48. Call of the next National Synod 1581. Synod XI THE II. Synod of Rochel SYNOD XI The Eleventh National Synod of the Reformed Churches of France held at Rochel the second time instead of the City of Loudun in Anjou on Wednesday the 21th of June and ended the 10th of July in the Year 1581. In the 8th Year of the Reign of Henry the Third King of France and Poland CHAP. I. The Catalogue and Names of the Deputies THere appeared as Deputies of the Provinces unto this Synod the Pastors and Elders whose Names are hereafter registred Videlicet I. For the Province of Anjou Touraine the Maine Perche Vandômois and Loudumois Monsieur de la Plante Minister of the blessed Gospel of our Lord Jesus in the Church of Pringay and Mathurin Peju his Elder in company with him II. For the Province of Poictou Monsieur Alexander de L'estang-Godion Minister of God's holy Word in the Church of Coue or Codue and Monsieur de Faux Minister of the Gospel at Chastel-herauld accompanied with Monsieur Colin Doctor of Physick and Elder of the Church in Fontenay III. For the Isle of France Monsieur de Beaulieu Minister of the Gospel in the Church of N. B. neither of my four Copies do note his Church yet there was a Gentleman of this Name Pastor of the Church of Senlis in this very Province in the Year 1603. which I suppose to be the same without an Elder IV. For the Province of Normandy Monsieur de la Four Minister of the Gospel and Pastor of the Church of Christ in the City of Rouan He came unto the Synod alone without an Elder Mr. Beraud was also the first Professor of Divinity in that University according to my Catalogue of its Professors V. For Xaintonge Monsieur dec Monstier Minister of God's Holy Word in the Town of St. John de Angely in company with the Sieur Paboul Elder of the Church of Pons VI. For the Province of Higher Languedoc and Higher Guienne Monsieur Michael Beraud Minister of the Gospel in the Church and City of Montauban accompanied with Monsieur Bais Elder in the said Church VII For the Province of Perigord Gascony and Limousin Monsieur Berjat or Debordat Minister of God's Holy Word in the Church of Bergerac and Janicon Dedon Elder of the Church of Duras VIII For the Province of Britain Monsieur Nicholas Bernier Minister of the blessed Gospel of Christ Jesus in the Church of Vitre accompanied with Monsieur de Roussiere Elder of the Church in Vielle Vigne IX For the Province of Augolmois Monsieur La Croix Minister of the Word of God in the Church of Jarnac without an Elder X. For the Province of Champagne Monsieur Capell Minister of God's Holy Word in the Church of Sedan and Monsieur Pasquier Elder of the Church at Troys in Champagne XI The Province of Burgundy and Berry were absent but excused their absence by Letters XII For the Lower Languedoc Monsieur Brunier Minister in the Church of Vsez accompanied with Monsieur Fortin an Elder XIII The Provinces of Dolphiny Provence Forest and Auvergne were all of them absent and which was very much admired they had not the Civility to excuse their absence by any Letters written and sent from their respective Synods unto this National Assembly XIV Prayer being ended Monsieur de Nort Minister of the Gospel in the Church of Rochel was voted Moderator and Monsieur de la Place Minister of Pringey Assessor and
Emendations Chap. IV. General Matters One chosen in every Province to answer the Adversaries of the Truth 1. Care taken about Poor Schollars destined to the Ministry 2. The last Translation of the Bible to be used 3. Mr. Calvin's Catechism to be used in the Churches 4. No particular Set-Form of Prayer necessary to Ordination 5. The Complaints of Pastor and People one against another not to be regarded 7 8. Ministers must be resident on their Churches 10. Apocrypha not to be read in the Churches 11. Deacons may put the Poor's Stock out to Interest 12. A Canon about publishing of Apoâ—â—ates Naâ—es 14. Prayers for the King 's Contâ—eâ—sioâ—â— 15. Madam's Perseverance congratulated by the Synod 16. A Case of Conscience about Publick Penance 17. No Consistory shall be compelled to witness in Criminal Matters before the Judge 18. No alteration shall be made in the Liturgy 19. The Provinces to bring in their Quota's to which they were assessed for the Assemblies of â—â—aâ—tes and Sâ— Foy â—2 The 〈◊〉 of Maâ—tes to be sâ—orâ— â—3 Advice about Circular Letters 24. Ministers not coming to Colloquies and Synods censured 26. Infants tho' brought late unto the Church yet to be baptized 28. Vnscriptural Names may be given in Baptism 31. The Revenue of a Sine Curâ to be given to Pious Vses 32. Elders communicate with the Pastors 34. Children may marry if they have the Magistrates thô they have not their Parents Consent 35. The Case of Nicodemites 36. The Rise and Remedy of Marriage-Impotency 38. Publick Notaries to sanctifie the Lord's Day 41. A Case about taking Leases from Popish Landlords 43. The Case of Patronage 44. Painting and Naked Breasts'censured 45. The Names of all Church-Members to be Registred 46. A Case about Proposans diverting from the Ministry 48. The Ministers nominated for a general publick Disputation 49. Canon about deposed Ministers 50. Holy-days 51. Orders about Mr. Daneau and De Serre's Works 51 52. About Moneys collected 53. Case of publick Penance 55. Chap. V. Of Appeals A full Year of Vacation granted to Monsieur Beraud 5. Chap. VI. Particular Matters The Isle of France censured for proposing a politick Vnion with the Romanists 4. Two Delinquent Ministers censured 6. Corneille an Heretical Minister deposed 12. The Ministry interdicted by this Synod in the whole Colloquy of Rovargne 14. The Case of Duellers 16. Chap. 7. The Roll of Vagrants and deposed Ministers An Act for calling the two next National Synods THE Synod of Montauban 1594. Synod XIII SYNOD XIII Acts of the National Synod held at Montauban the Fifteenth Day of June in the Year of our Lord One thousand five hundred ninety and four in the Fifth Year of the Reign of Henry IV. King of France and Navarre Master Michael Berault chosen Moderator Master John Baptiste Rotan Assessor Scribes Master John Gardesy and James Thomas CHAP. I Of the DEPVTIES High Languedoc and Guyenne THere appeared for the Higher Languedoc and the Higher Guyenne Master Michael Berault Minister of the Church of Montauban and Master John Gardesy Minister in the Church of St. Antonin and Master Bernard Lovis Minister of Lectoure and Master Anthony D'Arroles Elder of the Church of Figedo James Thomas Elder of the Church of Montauban and John Bertrand Elder in the Church of Renel and Lauragais Xaintonge Aunis and Augoumois For Xaintonges Aulnis Augoulmois Master John Baptiste Rotan Pastor and Doctor in the Church of Rochel Master German Chauvetan Lord of Beauvais Minister in the Church of St. Martin's in the Isle of Reé chosen extraordinarily by the Colloquy of Aunis and approved by the Synod and Elijah Festineau Elder in the Church of St. John D'Angely Lower Guyenne For Lower Guyenne Gascony Perigord and Limousin Master James Lamqert Minister of St. Foy and Amanien de Beaupuy Elder in the Church of Toneins Poictou and Brittany For Poictou Master Francis Lóyseau Minister of Thouars and the Lord De la Cheuratiere Elder in the Church of Lusson who also by Procuration appeared for the Province of Brittany Berry Orleans Dunois and Nivernois For Berry Orleans Dunois and Nivernois Master John Berger Minister of Chasteaudun without an Elder for which they excused themselves and their Excuses were admitted though they were exhorted to come better assisted next Lower Languedoc For Lower Languedoc Master William Andrew de Villette Minister of Vallerague and John Chalais Elder in the Church of Nismes Anjou Touraine Maine and Vendomois For Anjou Touraine Le Maine Vendosmois M Felix du Tronchay Minister of Beaufort in Valeé and Monsieur Peter Coigneé de la Plante Elder of the Church in Saumur For Provence there appeared no one Provence And the exiled Members of the Churches there which had refug'd themselves in the Lower Languedoc excusing themselves by the Deputies of that Province 1594. Synod XIII the Synod resolved that Letters of Consolation from it should be written to them Forasmuch as the Deputies of Vivaretz and Vellay were absent and without excuse on their part Vivaretz and Vellay the Synod ordained Censures against them as also that they be advertised by the same hand to send their Messengers unto the General Assembly convened at St. Foy Notwithstanding their Excuses Dauphiné the Deputies of Dolphiny shall be most severely censured because of their absence as also of the Isle of France Those of Normandy did not appear Normandy but only excused their absence by Letters for which they shall be grievously censured Lyonnois and Auvergne Those of Lyonnois and Lower Auvergne did earnestly crave excuse by their Letters and their Excuses were received and approved The Deputies of Burgundy being absent Burgundy and no Letters of Excuse on their behalf shall be severely censured After Prayers Master Michael Berault was chosen Moderator and Master John Baptist Rotan Assessor and Mr. John Gardesy and James Thomas Scribes to Collect and Register the Acts of this Synod It was also decreed That the Lord's Supper should be celebrated in this Church before the breaking up of the Synod to testifie our Union in Doctrine and Church-Discipline CHAR II. OBSERVATIONS made upon reading the Confession of Faith of our Churches 1. THE Printers shall be informed that instead of Invincible they do place Invisible in the first Article because the Text of Scripture from whence 't is quoted doth require it 2. In the 18th Article the word peaceably shall be changed into that of Peaceable according to the Original and because the Adjective is more full and significant than the Adverb 3. In the 24th Article instead of this That there is there shall be altered according to the Original these words Whereby Men are turn'd out of the true way of calling on God 4. The word Vnity in the 26th Article shall be left out and that of Vnion placed in its stead as better explaining the Antithesis which is Those that keep themselves secret and worship God alone by
Rochel The Provinces of Higher and Lower Vivaretz and their Synod shall be censured for neglecting to send their Deputies unto this Assembly and Masters Brunier and Chamier are appointed to declare in their next Synodical Meeting this very Censure by word of mouth unto them Bourbonnois Auvergne and the Province of Burgundy having at present but one constituted Church in it are excused for this time and Monsieur de Serres is ordered to write unto the scattered Churches of those Dukedoms that they rally and re-unite again together and encourage the Faithful which are among them to re-assemble Monsieur de la Touche was chosen by common Suffrages Moderator and Monsieur Pacart Assessor and Master Vincent and Chalmot Scribes to Collect and Register the Acts of this Synod The Assembly ordered That the Sacrament of the Lord's Supper should be celebrated in this Church on the Lord's Day June the 16th of this present Year 1596. CHAP. II. Observations upon the Confession of Faith THE Confession of Faith was Read Approved and Sworn to by all the Deputies of this present Synod Once again the Printers shall be required to put the word Vnion instead of that of Vnity in the 26th Article As also Synod of Montauban Observat upon the Confess art 4. 〈◊〉 6. That in the close of the Eight and thirtieth Article these words of Institution in the Lord's Supper Take eat and drink ye all of it shall be added according as it had been decreed by the last National Synod of Montauban CHAP. III. Observations upon the Church-Discipline The Discipline of our Church was read and all the Deputies approved it and sware to see it carefully observed I. THE Provinces are advised to see that the Sixth Eleventh and Twelfth Articles of the first Chapter especially the Twelfth be punctually observed according to the Decree of the Synod of Montauban II. The One and twentieth Article in the Second Chapter beginning with these words Forasmuch as shall be wholly removed from the Body of our Discipline III. The First Article in the Third Chapter of Elders shall be strictly observed And the word Especially in the Sixth Article of this same Chapter shall remain IV. The Provinces are exhorted to maintain as great a number of Proposans as possibly they can and Princes Lords Gentlemen Corporations and such as to whom God hath given fair Estates in the World and especially such as enjoy Impropriations are bound in Conscience to employ a considerable part of their Revenues in so pious a work V. In reading the Chapter of Schools it was decreed That the Provinces should be advised to do their utmost that a Colledge be erected in each of them and that by them all joyntly at least two Academies the places of the Colledges and Academies shall be named by the Provinces And the present Synod judgeth this City of Saumur a most convenient place for a Colledge and whenever God shall bless us with ability for an Academy also and entreateth the Lord du Plessis Governour of this place to continue the Tokens of his good-will and kindness to this Noble and most Godly Design which he hath so much affected and the Deputies of this Assembly are intreated to excite their respective Provinces to promote it vigorously VI. The 8th Article in the Chapter of Elders and Deacons shall remain as it is leaving the Consistories at liberty to make what changes they in their prudence may judge to be most expedient VII The 8th Article in the Chapter of Consistories recommending the reading of the Discipline shall be better observed VIII On the 22d Article of the same Chapter it was decreed That in Publick Confessions made by Penitents before the whole Church those Crimes which would expose them unto Death or brand them with Infamy shall not be specified IX The Provinces are advised to see that the last Article of the same Chapter be most exactly observed X. The Fifth and Last Article of the Sixth Chapter The Provincial Deputies of Guyenne Xaintonge and Normandy craved That this Article might be moderated because of its very great rigour Whereupon it was advised that after those words Continued and maintained there shall be these added And in case any Churches or particular Persons refuse to contribute to the defraying of their Expences who are to meet in those Ecclesiastical Assemblies they shall be severely censur'd as Deserters of that holy Vnion which ought to be upheld among us for our mutual preservation And Ministers neglecting this Ordinance shall be liable unto the sharpest Censures XI On reading the first Article of the Eighth Chapter those Churches which have divers Pastors are advised to send as many of them as they can alternatively unto their Provincial Synods XII The Second Article of the same Chapter shall be most strictly observed In the last Article of the said Chapter the Deputy of Champagne declared unto the Synod That the Church of Chaloons is the only one in that Province Wherefore it was decreed That the Church of Chaloons for the present shall be annexed unto the Isle of France and there being left in the Province of Brittany none other than the Church of Vitré that also shall be joyned unto Normandy XIII The Deputy of Higher Languedoc demanding That other Ministers present in our National Synods though not deputed might have their Votes in Consultations unless in those Matters wherein they were personally concerned it was decreed that the third Article of this eighth Chapter should not be changed in the least tittle XIV The fifth Article of the tenth Chapter The Deputy of Normandy read the Memoirs of the Colloquy of Constantine moving that Exhortations might be permitted at the Interring of the Dead The Synod past this Decree That there should be nothing innovated in that Article XV. On reading the fifth Article of the eleventh Chapter about baptizing of Gypsies Children it was decreed That the said Article should remain in its full force only with the addition of these words That the Surety do bind himself to maintain and educate the said Child in the fear of God XVI It was decreed That the sixth Article of the same Chapter shall abide unaltered to wit That no Baptisms shall be performed but in those places and at those hours when and where the Churches do ordinarily meet together for God's Publick Worship However in Churches where there is no Sermon this Sacrament may be administred according to their conveniency but yet not without some kind of Exhortation And in case a Parent should through infirmity urge the baptizing of his Child before Sermon the Pastors shall advise what will make most for the edification of the People and inform the Parent of it And where Churches have their Meetings only on the Lord's Day they are exhorted also to appoint some other Day of the Week for Publick Christenings On the eighth Article of the same Chapter Parents shall be advised to choose such Sureties for their Children as are Persons
and diligently perused by it they were found to contain divers erroneous Points of Doctrine contrary to the analogy of Faith yea and contrary to the point of Justisication Whereupon the said de L'Escale was interrogated Whether he would receive Instruction in those Points which are contrary to the Confession of Faith of the Reformed Churches in this Kingdom but he answered in the Negative and that he would not submit himself to the Judgment of this Synod nor be instructed by it but boldly demanded that we would either approve or reject his Theses And although our Brother Mr Rotan who was first deputed to confer with him before the Lord du Plessis Governour of this City and two Elders of the Church had non-plust and silenced him so that he knew not what to answer yet nevertheless he did obstinately persist in his Errors and Self-conceitedness Whereupon this Assembty having remonstrated to him his gross spiritual Pride and wicked pernicious Errors doth now ordain That this Act shall be inserted into the Articles of the present Synod that so the Reformed Churches of France may be cautioned against his false Doctrine which hath been condemned by the Churches of Suitzerland and Intelligence of this shall be given unto Monsieur Beza in Geneva and to the French Church of Basil II. The Deputies of the Isle of France and Normandy declaring That they had only prosecuted the Verification of the Edict in 1577 for themselves this Assembly was satisfied therewith III. Whereas Monsieur de Serres hath informed this Synod See Synod of Montauban G. M. art 52. concerning the Printing of his Harmony and how impossible it is for him to transcribe three Copies as he was ordered by the last National Synod held at Montauban This Assembly hath therefore thought fitting that this present Work be Printed either at Geneva or Rochel or any other place where they may be conveniently communicated unto the Pastors deputed by the Synod of that Province in which it shall be printed IV. The Censure denounced in the second Article of the National Synod of Montauban against Monsieur Bargemont shall be revoked See the Synod of Montaub Appeals art 2. and struck off the File because he hath given satisfaction unto his Province V. The Fact of Monsieur de Croix heretofore Minister in the Church of Perigneux shall be examined by the Provincial Synod of Dolphiny VI. Monsieur de * * * Two other Copies call him Villenave Vielbancque complaining by Letters unto this Assembly that he was deposed from the Ministry by the Colloquy of Berry who were impowered to it by Authority of the last National Synod held at Montauban and requiring that a Committee might be appointed to hear what he had to say in his own defence a Vote passed that his Cause should be dismissed over to the Provincial Synod of Gascoigny VII The French Church in London by their Letters to this Synod earnestly requested That Monsieur de la Fontaine might be continued among them and the said Minister moved also by his own Letters to the same purpose Whereupon Monsieur D'Orival Deputy from the Province of Orleans intreated That in case Monsieur de la Fontaine were yielded up unto the Walloon Church of London that then Monsieur du Moulin might be given during life unto the Church of Orleans and his Mission to it ratified by the Authority of this Assembly The Deputy of the Isle of France also did consent that on those Terms Monsieur du Moulin should be perpetually affixed to the Church of Orleans This Assembly decreeth That Monsieur de la Fontaine may remain in the Service of the Church of London always that Right reserved which our Churches of France have unto him and that Monsieur du Moulin be given for ever unto the Church of Orleans VIII Our Brethren Pastors in the Church of Metz excusing themselves for not sending a Deputy unto this Synod by reason of their present Circumstances and craving Advice about the dissoluteness of Habits Monsieur de Serres is ordered from this Assembly to write unto them That they do their endeavour to come unto the Synods of this Kingdom and that they conform themselves unto that Article of the Discipline concerning Habits without any the least difficulty And this self-same Order shall serve also for the Provinces of Gascogny and Orleans which demanded a larger liberty as to that Article IX Letters were read from the Pastors of Sedan excusing their inability of deputing one from their Body unto this Synod and craving Advice about the Marriages of such as were lately received into Fellowship with our Churches whether their Nuptials might be solemnly blessed in our Assemblies before they had communicated at the Lord's Table and claiming Monsieur Capel Lord of Tilloy and some others as their own Ministers requesting also that they might be assisted by a Collection in this their extream necessity After mature deliberation it was resolved That they should conform exactly as to their first demand unto the Articles of our Discipline without any the least repugnancy and for the Second they were dismissed over to the Synod of Champagne and for the Third we will endeavour to gratifie their desires and the Provinces shall be exhorted liberally to contribute to them and the Monies of the said Collection shall be remitted unto Monsieur de Menilles and de la Gourmandiere Elders in the Church of Paris X. The Lord du Plessis Governour of this City desiring that the Lords going into the Army might be exhorted to take with them a Minister demanding also from this Assembly that Monsieur de la Noue might be provided of a Pastor by our Authority It was resolved That the Lords now going and those who are already gone into the Army should be advised so to do and Letters shall be written unto the Church of Sedan that they would be pleased to lend one of their Pastors unto Monsieur de la Noue who may be sit for such an Employment and in case of failure herein on their part then the Colloquies of the Isle of France shall endeavour to get him one XII Monsieur Manthois according to the desire of Monsieur de la Banseric is granted unto the Church of Pont-dorson XII The Lord Baron of Courtomer demanding by Monsieur de la Banseric a Pastor for his Church of Courtomer the Church of Paris was appointed to use all possible means to procure him one XIII Master Gabriel Raoul formerly a Minister requesting by his Letters to be restored unto his Office this Assembly judgeth That the Deposition of the saiâ— Raoul ought to be continued whereof Notice shall be given him by Monsieur de St. Hilary De Sâ—â—res was suspected to be an Accommodater with the Papists but prevented by Death XIV Monsieur de Serres complaining of that Order past against him in the last National Synod of Montauban This Assembly having with much patience for a long time together
him who hath the Grant and in case the said Assembly shall meet it shall give Notice thereof unto the Colloquy wherein the Vacancy is and also inform the said Colloquy of the vacant place and place of abode of him that hath the said Grant And when they give their Attestation they shall cause the Union of Mantes to be signed by him who brings the King's Grant for the vacant Government according as it hath been ordained in all such Cases The Form of Attestation agreed upon in the General Assembly to be given by Colloquies or Synods unto them whom His Majesty shall recommend unto vacant Governments in our Cautionary Towns WE Ministers and Elders met together in Colloquy in the Province of N. do certifie unto His Majesty That Monsieur N. de N. applied himself unto us desiring our Attestation of his sincere Profession of the Reformed Religion he being chosen by His Majesty unto the Command of such a Place N. lately vacant by the Death of N. We therefore do attest and certifie That the said Monsieur N. doth actually profess the Reformed Religion communicates with us in the Sacraments living Religiously as a Man fearing God and discharging the Duties of his said Profession with a good Conscience For which reasons we give him this our Certificate by these Presents which we hope will be of use and advantage to him according to his desire Dated c. The Province of Normandy is graced with the Priviledge of calling the next National Synod which shall be held within Three Years in the beginning of June And the succeeding National Synod shall be held in the Province of Dolphiny These Acts and Articles were thus subscribed De Montigny Assessor Moyses Cartaut Scribe The End of the Synod of Montpellier THE ACTS DECISIONS and DECREES OF THE XVI National Synod OF THE Reformed Churches of Christ IN The KINGDOM of FRANCE HELD At Gergeau the 9th Day of May in the Year of our Lord 1601. THE CONTENTS of this SYNOD CHap. I. The Deputies of the Provinces We Officers of the Synod Chap. II. 3. Observations on the Confession of Faith Chap. III. Observations on the Discipline The fifth Penny of the Poors Money to be laid by for our Proposans 18. Rules for Disputes with our Adversaries 23. The Churches of Sedan incorporated with the Synod of the Isle of France 31. The Discipline approved and sworn Chap. IV. Appeals Affairs of Monsieur D'amours a very eminent Minister 1 2 3. Severity of Discipline upon Monsieur Gerard a Minister 22. A censured Minister restored 24. The Case of Farmers of Tythes 29. Chap. V. General Matters No recompence to them who write without the Authority of the National Synod 1. Attestation from their Churches when they remove their Law-suit s into the Courts of the Edict 2. Vnordained Preachers not allowed 4. The Sacramental Elements to be given by the Pastor only 7. The Court of Madarn to be supplied with able Ministers 10. Letters to the Professors of Leyden 14. Four Books to be perused Elenchus Novae Doctrinae Apparatus ad Fidem Catholicum Avis pour la paix de L'Eglise and Veu par le Roy. Chap. VI. Particular Matters A Case of Conscience Whether Lords of Benefices may repair the Fabricks of the Popish Temples in which Mass is said 11. The Names of Romish Ecclesiasticks who were inverted to be conserved 12. Advice given unto the Consuls of Montpellier 20. An answer to Monsieur Casaubon 21. A Letter to the Lord du Plessis 23. Care taken of a worthy Minister 25. An Answer to the Dukes of Bouillon and Tremouille 27. A Case about an Incestuous Marriage 28. Passages between the King and the Synod 31 32. The Synod ordereth Letters to the King about Geneva 36. Schools and Colledges to be erected 37. A Dividend of Moneys 40. Palot Receiver-General of the Churches Money dodgeth with them 42. Chap. VII The Roll of Vagrants and Deposed Ministers An Act for calling the next National Synod Palot sends 3000 Crowns to the Synod 1601. Synod XVI THE Synod of Gergeau SYNOD XVI Acts of the National Synod of the Reformed Churches of France held at Gergeau the Ninth Day of May in the Year of our Lord One Thousand six hundred and one CHAP. I. Of the DEPVTIES Monsieur Pacard was chosen Moderator Monsieur Lieuin Lord of Beaulieu Assessor Monsieur Chamier and Scribes Monsieur Mercier Scribes There assembled in it the Pastors and Elders hereafter named FOR the Isle of France Picardy and Champagne Monsieur Antony de la Fay Minister and Pastor of the Church of Paris Monsieur John Lieuin Lord of Beaulieu Minister of the Church of Auverne in Vexin le Francois and Monsieur Josia Mercier Lord of Bordes Elder of the Church of Paris and Peter de * * * Alias De Naudet Neuelet Lord of Doscher Elder in the Church of Vitry For the Province of Orleans Berry Blefoiis and Nivernois Monsieur Adam D'Orival Minister of the Church of Sancerre and Joachim Du Moulin Minister of Orleans together with Monsieur Samuel de Chambaran Elder of the Church of Romorantin and Claudius Mesland Elder of the Church at Orleans For the Province of Normandy Monsieur Rene Bouchard Pastor of the Church of Rouau and John Eude Pastor of Bayeux together with Monsieur James du Hamel Lord of Parke Elder of Alencon and William de Maintu Elder of Boislebecque For the Province of Brittany at present united with that of Normandy there came the Tenth of May Monsieur John Parent Pastor of the Church of Vitre For the Province of Dolphiny and Principality of Orange Monsieur Daniel Chamier Pastor of Mountlimart and John Perryn Pastor of St. Bonnet with Monsieur Mark D'Vre Elder of Courtaison and Francis de la Combe Elder of St. Marcelin For the Province of Lower Languedoc Monsieur John Gigard Pastor of Montpellier and Simeon Codur Pastor of Vsez together with Monsieur Isaac Chairon Elder of Nismes For Lower Guyenne Monsieur John Nodon Lord of Montbaron Pastor of Issejac and Jeremiah Bauconis Pastor of Tonius with Monsieur Christopher Forton Elder in the Church of Bourdeaux For Poictou Monsieur James Clemeneau Pastor of Poictiers and Andrew Rivet Pastor of Touars with Monsieur Isaac Vettors Elder of the Church of Poictiers For the Higher and Lower Vivaretz Monsieur John Valeton Pastor of Privas and Daniel Mison Elder of Salenac For Xaintonge Augoumois and Aunix Master George Pacard Pastor of Rochefoucald and Monsieur Laurence Polette Pastor of Ironsac with Monsieur Peter Bernard Lord of Janserac Elder of the Church of Cognac For Anjou Touraine and Mayne c. Master Francis Greliere Lord of Macifer Pastor of Saumur and M. Abel Bede Pastor of Loudun together with Monsieur John Doucher Elder of the Church of Anger 's For Provence Master Peter Chalier Pastor of Seines and Monsieur Honore Brignoles Elder of Brignoles For Burgundy Forest Beaujolois c. Master Peter Colinet Pastor of Paray le Moyneau and Anthony
Brittany Orleans and Berry For Orleans and Berry Monsieur Nicholas Vignier Minister of the Church of Blois and Samuel de Chambaran Minister of the Church of Baugency Lorges and Marchenoir Tourain Anjou Maine For Touraine Anjou and the Maine Monsieur John Eleury Minister of the Church of Bougay and Peter de la Primaudaye Lord de la Bareé Elder of the Church of Chasteau du Loir For the upper and nether Poictou Monsieur John Bonnavet Minister of the Church of Lusson Poictou and John Chauffepied Minister of the Church of Niort and René de Lumont Lord of Fiefbrun Elder in the Church of Sansay Xaintonge Aunix c. For Xaintonge Aunix c. Monsieur Samuel L'Hommeau Minister in the Church of Rochell and Arthur de Partenay Lord of Genouillé and Querray Elder in the Church of Tonné Boutonné and Daniel Roy Elder in the Church of Xaintes Gascony Perigord and Limousin For Gascony Perigord and Limousin Monsieur Antony Renaud Minister of Bourdeaux Peter Esperian Minister of the Church at St. Foy James du Brueil Lord de la Garde Elder of Tonneins and Peter du Bazats Elder in the Church of Bourdeaux For Vivaretz and Vellay For the upper and nether Vivaretz and Vellay Monsieur Peter Labat Minister in the Church of Vabon la Gorce and Salvais John de la Faye Minister of the Church D'Aubenac and James Oliver Elder in the Church of Villeneufve de Berg. For the Lower Languedoc Monsieur Jeremiah Ferrier Minister and Professor of Divinity in the Church of Nismes Isaiah Bailly Minister in the Church of St. Martin d' Anduze and John de Barjac Lord of Gasque Elder in the Church of St. Martin Lower Languedoc and John d' Aguerre Elder in the Church of Sauve Higher Languedoc and higher Guyenne For the Higher Languedoc and Guyenne Monsieur Bernard Sónis Minister and Professor of Divinity in the Church of Montaubon John Josion Minister in the Church of Castres and the Lord Du Bovry Governor of the Isle of Jourdan and Elder of the Church there and Daniel de Belujon Elder of the Church in Villemure Burgundy Lyonnois c. For Burgundy Lyonnois c. Monsieur Peter Collinet Minister of the Church of Parrey Samuel de Trucis Elder of the Church of Bourg in Bresse and Job James Bonnet Elder in the Church of Chaalons upon Saone For Provence Provence Monsieur Anthony the Croase Minister of the Church in Cabiers and Peter de Villineufve Lord d' Espineuse Elder of the Church Dolphiny and the Principality of Orange For Dolphiny and the Principality of Orange Monsieur Claude Perron Minister in the Church of Pragelet Daniel Chamier Minister of the Church of â—ontlimart and Jacob Archmart Elder of the same and Jacob Videl Elder in the Church of Brianson For Normandy there was no Deputy but Monsieur du Moulin was entrusted with their Memoirs by the Brethren of that Province The Lords of St. Germain and des Bordes General Deputies for our Churches at Court and Mr. Joseph des Fountaines commissionated by Monsieur Palott to give in his Accounts of the King's Moneys granted our Churches were personally present in this Synod The Lords of St. Germain and des Bordes appeared in their Quality of General Deputies according to the Office conferred upon them by the General Assembly of St. Foy and Mr. Joseph des Fontaines was deputed by the same Assembly of St. Foy and to audit the Accounts of Monsieur Palott Prayers being ended Monsieur Chamier was chosen Moderator and Monsieur Ferrier Assessor and the Sieurs Vignier and Roy Scribes The Provinces which have not sent their full number of Pastors and Elders ordained by our Discipline are excused for this time but for the future they shall all oâ— them conform unto the Canon of the Synod of Montpellier otherwise they shall forfeit their right of Sitting and Voting in our National Synods The Powers given before Publick Notaries unto the Deputies of Brittany and attested by secular persons is tolerated for the present but that Province is required to abstain from them for time to come and are ordered to get their Letters of Commission signed by the Moderator and Scribes of their Provincial Synod Monsieur * * * In another Copy he is written Givoult Gueran Minister of the Church of Dindeveuf Deputed by the Province oâ— Normandy excused his absence from this Synod which was accepted but that Province shall be censured by Letters from us for their neglect in not sending other Deputies CHAP. II. Observations upon the Confession of Faith 1. THE Province charged to call our National Synod is charged also to bring with it the Original Confession of Faith which shall to this purpose be subscribed by this Assembly and sent unto that Province 2. The Synod reading over the Confession of Faith and explaining the 18th 20th and 22d Articles of the said Confession concerning our Justification before God expresseth its detestation of those Errors which are now-a-days broached to the contrary and in particular their Errors who deny the Imputation of Christ's Active and Passive Obedience by which he hath most perfectly fulfilled the whole Law unto us for Righteousness Our Righteousness by the Imputation of Christs active and passive Obedience And therefore Provincial Synods Colloquies and Consistories shall have a careful Eye on those persons who be tainted with that Error be they Ministers or private Christians and by the Authority of this Assembly shall silence them and in case of a wilful stubborn persistency in their Errors to depose them if they have a Pastoral Charge in the Church from the Ministry And Letters shall be writ unto Master Piscator to intreat him not to trouble the Churches with his new-fangled Opinions as also from this Assembly to the Universities of England Scotland Leyden Geneva Heydelberg Basil and * * * In another Copy Ziguen Herborne in which Piscator is Professor requesting them to joyn with us also in this Censure And in case the said Piscator shall pertinaciously adhere unto his Opinions Master Sohnius and Ferrier are to prepare an Answer to his Books and that it be ready against the Meeting of the next National Synod And this Article shall be read and in all points most exactly observed by the Provincial Synods 3. The Provinces are exhorted seriously to debate in their Synods how to word the five and twentieth Article of our Confession and to bring with them their maturest thoughts about it unto the next National Synod because in expressing our Faith about the Catholick Church mentioned in the Creed we have nothing in our Confession concerning the Church Militant and Visible As also they are intreated to consider whether it would not be fit to subjoyn ths word Pure unto those of the True Church which is in the nine and twentieth Article The Call of our first Pastors and Reformers was
extraordinary not from the Church of Rome 4. The question being moved whether in Treating of the Call of our first Pastors and Reformers it were expedient that we should lay the stress of their Authority for Preaching and Reforming upon that Call and Ordination they had in the Church of Rome or no. This Synod doth judge that we ought according to the one and thirtieth Article to found it principally upon their extraordinary Vocation whereby they were by an inward powerful impulse from God raised up and commanded to exercise their Ministry rather than to charge it upon the sorry Relicks of a corrupted Call and Ordination in the Romish Church 5. That Article treating of Antichrist shall be the one and thirtieth in order in our Confession of Faith and shall be thus worded Whereas the Bishop of Rome hath erected for himself a temporal Monarchy in the Christian World and Usurping a Soveraign Authority and Lordship over all Churches and Pastors doth exalt himself to that degree of Insolency as to be called God and will be adored arrogating unto himself All Power in Heaven and in Earth and to dispose of all Ecclesiastical matters to define Articles of Faith to authorise and expound at his pleasure the sacred Scriptures and to buy and sell the Souls of men to dispense with Vows Oaths and Covenants and to institute new Ordinances of Religious Worship And in the Civil State he tramples under foot all Lawful Authority of Magistrates setting up and pulling down Kings disposing of Kings and of their Kingdoms at his pleasure We therefore believe and maintain that he is truly and properly The Antichrist the Son of Perdition predicted by the Holy Prophets that great Whore cloathed with Scarlet sitting upon seven Mountains in that great City which had dominion over the Kings of the Earth and we hope and wait that the Lord according to his promise and as he hath already begun will confound him by the Spirit of his Mouth and destroy him finally by the brightness of his coming 6. The word Superintendant in the two and thirtieth Article is not to be understood of any superiority of one Pastor above another but only in general of such as have office and charge in the Church 7. The words substance and nourish shall remain unchanged in the six and thirtieth Article according as it hath been decreed by the Synods of Rochel in the year 1571. and of Nismes in the year 1572. 8. The Confession of Faith being read was sworn and subscribed by all the Deputies in the names of their respective Provinces and they did farther most solemnly ingage by their promise never to depart from it and protested that this was that very doctrine which was taught in all their Churches 9. The Provinces are exhorted for the future at the opening of their Synods to read this Confession of Faith and our Book of Discipline And Monsieur Chamier is appointed to draw up an Apology for this our Confession and to bring it with him unto the next National Assembly CHAP. III. Observations upon reading of the Discipline No private Ordination 1. THE Province of the Isle of France shall be exhorted to be more careful in and about the Election and Ordination of their Pastors and that Imposition of hands be given them not privately in a clandestine manner by a Consistory or Colloquy but solemnly and publickly in the face of the whole Church and that the fourth Article in the first Chapter of our Discipline be more religiously observed by them and all the Provinces Uniformity in Ordination 2. According to the Tenor of the seventh Article in the same chapter it is Decreed that all the Churches shall observe one and the same form in Ordination of Pastors by which the Person to be Ordained shall during that action be humbly on his knees and this ordination shall be administred on the Lord's day or on some certain day of the week in which there is held a solemn Assembly And these evil customs practised in some Churches of suffering the Person ordained to get into the Pulpit and of permitting another besides the Preacher to give Imposition of hands are justly condemned by this Synod 3. The eighth Article shall be most carefully observed and to this purpose there shall be deposited a Copy of our Confession and Discipline in every Provincial Synod Colloquy and Consistory See the 5th Observation upon the Discipline in the Synod of Rochell 4. All Provincial Synods Colloquies and Consistories are injoyned as they would avoid the greatest Censures to have a strict Eye over such who act contrary to the eleventh Article of the first Chapter of our Discipline and to suspend them from the Ministry and they also shall be liable to the same censures who leaving the true and genuine fence of Scripture expounded by it self do rather pitch upon the glosses of Fathers and Schoolmen and launch out into Allegories Larding their Sermons with Philosophical Discourses quoting the Fathers and bringing their Books with them into the Pulpit and they also who in time of Lent or on such noted seasons do chuse the self same Texts with the Popish Preachers 5. The twelfth Article of the same Chapter The form of Catechising according as now used in most of our Churches shall not be changed And whereas some choose a particular Text and accommodate it to that particular section of the Catechism they would treat of we desire they would not alter our establisht Order but conform themselves as the rest do unto it 6. Upon the same twelfth Article Ministers and Consistories are left to their own discretions whether in those general Catechisings which are usually had both publickly and privately before the Sacrament of the Lord's Supper they will further examine every individual person or not and therein to consult what will most contribute to the Spiritual benefit of their Catechumens 7. The third Article of the second Chapter shall be couched in these words Provincial Synods in which are our Universities shall choose their own Doctors Pastors and Professors of Divinity whose ability shall be proved by publick Lectures on some special Text out of the Original Hebrew and Greek Bible given to them for that purpose and by disputations in one or two days following as may be most adviseable And being approved in case they were never in the Ministry the right hand of fellowship shall be given them they having first of all promised to discharge their Office with faithfulness and diligence and to handle the sacred Scriptures with all sincerity according to the analogy of Faith and the confession of our Churches which shall be subscribed by them 8. On the fourth Article of the second chapter The fifth penny in all collections for the poor shall be laid up for the maintenance of Proposans And this shall be an Universal order throughout the Provinces 9. On the first Article of the third chapter That custom observed in some
Provinces according to the Accompt before-appointed by three equal portions at the Terms prefixed allowing him a Sous in the Liver What shall become due unto the Provinces of the Isle of France Normandy Orleans Anjou Poitou Higher and Lower Guienne shall be paid into the Consistories of Paris Rouen Orleans and Poitiers and for the Higher Languedoc and Guienne unto Mr. J. Bardon and what shall be due unto the Province of Burgundy unto Mr. J. Le Gras Merchant in the City of Lions And in case it should so fall out that our Lords the General Deputies should not receive either the whole or part of their Assigned Stipend from the Lesser Accompt according to agreement It is now resolved that what may be wanting to make it good one half of it shall be taken out of the Total Sum of 135000. Livers which were to be paid in unto the Provinces in the three Quarters and shall be deducted from every one of the Provinces with the allowance of a Sous in the Liver unto the Lord of Candal and the other half shall be deducted out of the Moneys appointed by His Majesty for payment of the Garrisons and to this purpose an Order shall be given unto the said Lord of Candal and our General Deputies shall be paid before all other persons And this same course shall be taken for all payâ—ents in the year 1605. And this Rule shall be in force till the Meeting of the next National Synod CHAP. XI A Roll and Catalogue of all the Reformed Churches of France as well those which are actually supplied with Pastors as of those which shall be before the Meeting of the next National Synod to be held at Rochell in the Year 1607. otherwise the Provinces will be enforced to make Restitution of those Moneys ordained for them out of the Stock given us by His Majesties Royal Bounty There was tackt unto this Roll the Names of those Pastors and Proposans who are to be maintained by the Provinces The First Roll of Pastors and Proposans in the Isle of France Picardy Beausse and Champagne Isle of France Churches Ministers Paris Monsieur de Montigni Francois de Lauberan Mr. de la Faye Mr. du Moulin the eldest Son Mr. Couett Mr. Durand 2. Le Plessis Mr. du Bois the elder 3. Claye Mr. d'Aronde 4. Mantes Mr. Chaurim 5. St. Averne Mr. de Beaulieu 6. Fontainbleau Mr. Voulas 7. Tequin Mr. du Val. 8. Meaux Mr. Choquett 9. Peju Mr. Conouailles 10. La Fere Artenay Mr. Marlette 11. Senlis Mr. Beaulieu Lord of le Blanc Picardy Churches Ministers Clermont Mr. de Losses the younger Lord of La Touche Le Villy Mr. Richard Laon. Mr. Morell Guise Mr. de Vaines Compiegne Mr. de Losses the elder Lord of La Touche St. Quentin Mr. Richier Oistimont Mr. Blanchard Estaples Mr. le Baulne junior Boulognes Mr. Calais Mr. Teslier La Ferte au Vidame Mr. du Bois La Beausse Churches Ministers Houdan Mr. Biolott Blainville Mr. Gravelle Ampon au Perche Mr. Couronne Moulons Mr. Rougihaut Ay. Mr. Brisbard Colloquy of Champagne Churches Ministers Von Mr. de Gastine Chaalons Mr. Viriot Virtry le Francois Mr. Yoland Helmauric Mr. Cousin Vassy Mr. Chevilette Nefancour Mr. Candemiere Espances Mr. de Beauvois senior St. Marc. Mr. Carre Sedan Mr. Fornelle Mr. du Tilly. Mr. Gantois Mr. Mr. Canelle There were threescore and two Portions ordered unto all these Pastors being six and forty in actual service and ten Churches destitute of Ministers three of which belong to the Colloquy of Champagne and six Proposans one of which shall be appropriated to the said Colloquy The whole Sum for those sixty and two Portions amounted to 3748 Livers seven Sous and six Deniers The Second Roll of the Pastors and Proposans in the Province of Brittany Churches Ministers Viellevigne Mr. Ferguson Nantes Mr. Oyseau Croisie Mr. le la Prote Sion Mr. de la Place Blain Mr. David Richier and Mr. René de Losses Lord of La Touche Arche-bernard Mr. Andrew le Noir Ld. of Beauchamps Rennes Mr. Fautrat Vitré Mr. Merlin senior and Mr. Pazault Dinan Mr. Pallori Yet when the Synod of Gap sate there were no more than seven Pastors in actual service and four Churches and four Proposans to be provided for and maintained ad fifteen Portions were allotted them out of the Kings Moneys but since God increased the number of their Ministers and this Province had assigned it 906 Crowns 48 Sous 4 d. The Third Roll of the Churches Pastors and Proposans in the Province of Orleans Berry Blaisois and Nivernois Orleans and Berry Churches Ministers Orleans Mr. du Moulin the Father Sancerre Mr. Dorival Gian Mr. Fontaines Gian Mr. Pinette Blois Mr. Vignier Chastillon sur Loin Mr. Melett Chastillon sur Loire Mr. Le Noir Boisgency Lorges Marchenoit Mr. Samuel de Chambaran Espenille Mr. Giraud Aubusson Mr. Vermer Argenton Mr. de Rieux Mer Mr. Bourguignon Chasteausdun Mr. Simpson Gergeau Mr. Boucher Pisons Seneu Mr. Charretier Romorantiâ— Mr. Brun La Chustre Mr. Granier Ginvelles Luneau Mr. de la Roche disione St. Leonard Mr. de Monsanglar Chirac Mr. Jurieu St. Amont Mr. Jamet Issondun Mr. de Beauval Mr. Berger was Emeritus and had four Portions assigned for his subsistence Mr. Granier liveth at Sancerre There be six Churches and six Proposans to be provided for The Fourth Roll of the Churches Pastors and Proposans in the Province of Anjou Tourain and Maine Tourain Churches Ministers Tours Mr. des Aigues Mr. Coupe Loches Chastillon Mr. Grevon Previlly Mr. Rogier Chinon l'Islebouchard Mr. Pevillaud Vandôme Mr. Salomeau Montoire Mr. Didier Anjou Churches Ministers Saumur Mr. Bouchereau Anger 's Mr. de Blois Beaugé Mr. John Fleury Loudun Mr. de Clairville he died in the year 1608. Loudun Mr. Bede died 1607. Choupes Mr. Goudry Gaon Vandelles Mr. Besnard Le Mans Mr. Vigneu Belesme Mr. Notman La Haye Mr. de la Combe Chasteau du Loir Mr. du Fresne Mont Gobert Mr. de la Noue Monsieur de Lessard is Emeritus In all twenty Pastors four Churches destitute and three Proposans so there was assigned to this Province of Tourain and Anjou twenty seven Portions which amounted to 1632 Crowns fourteen Sous and nine Deniers The Fifth Roll of the Churches Pastors and Proposans in the Province of the Upper and Nether Poictou Colloquy of the Vpper Poictou Churches Ministers Poictiers Mr. Clemenceau Chastetheraud Mr. d'Amours he died lately Mr. Picard suspended Touars Mr. Andrew Rivett senior Parteney Mr. Ricourt lately deceased Mr. Manceau Lusignan Mr. Mazieres he died at Talmond Mr. Mestayer succeeded him Sansay Mr. Monnestier Cové Mr. L'Estang Mr. Cuville Civray Mr. de la Roche Croizé Le Vigan Mr. Favre La Trimoville Mr. Brun Chauvigny Mr. Florand Roche Choart Mr. Roche and since Mr. Forgeau Le Boucheron Mr. Joubert Colloquy of Niort and St. Maixant Churches Ministers Niort Mr. de la Blaschiere senior Mr. Chauffepied St. Maixant Mr. Chesneau
Chamdenis Mr. Guillermett Mougon Mr. la Blascheire old Son St. Gelais Mr. la Blascheire the youngest Son Melle Mr. Manceau who died at Partenay and since him Mr. René Forest Aulnay Mr. de L'Estang Issoudun Mr. de la Valleé Chefboutonneé Mr. Olliver he lately revolted since Mr. John Chalmot of Niort Colloquy of the Nether Poictou Churches Ministers Fontenay Mr. de la Vallade Luson Mr. Bomaud St. Benoist Mr. Textor who died lately Mr. Daniel Guermeau a Rocheller Mr. de la Place who is since dead Talmont upon the Jard Mr. Masseres deposed Mr. James Prunier was received in the mixt Assembly held at Fontenay before St. Johns Fair. 1614. Monne Mr. Vatablé St. Giles upon Vic Mr. Prascisault Le Poiré Mr. de Bonvouloir since sent unto St. d'Angely Mouschamps Mr. de Losses Lord of la Tousche the elder but since dead Chantonneé Mr. Tirenu Marevil Mr. Marchand St. Ermine Mr. Papin a Rocheller Mouilleron Mr. Berny Pausanges Mr. Moreau Vaudoré Mr. Champanois La Chastagneraye Mr. Texier and since Mr. George Tompson a Scotch-man Colonges les Reau Mr. Dantonnet In all thirty nine Pastors eight Churches to be provided for and three Proposans which made up fifty Portions for the whole Province of Poitou amounting to 3022 Crowns 40 Sous and 10 Deniers The Sixth Roll of the Churches Pastors and Propasans in the Province of Xaintonge Aulnix and Augoulmois 1 Colloquy of St. John d'Angely Churches Ministers St. John d'Angely Mr. Fremond de Vigier Lord of Moustier now dead to him succeeded Mr. Japhet de Vigier Lord of Bessay his Son Mr. du Bon Vouloir Taillebourg Mr. William Rivett the younger Brother Lord of Chanvernon St. Savinian Mr. Alix Tonna Charante Mr. Jouanneau and since Mr. Ferry Tonnay Boutonneé Mr. de la Viennerie Matta Mr. Rousseau 2 Colloquy of the Islands Churches Ministers St. Peters of Olleron Mr. de la Croix he died in the year 1610 since St. Peters of Olleron Mr. Guilielmi Castell of Olleron Mr. Petit the younger Royan Mr. Deschareves dead but since Mr. Heraud Mornac Mr. le Coq Aruert la Tremblade Jonin is since separated from them Monsieur Rossignol La Tremblade Mr. Papin Marennes Mr. Jeremy Boisseul he died 1609. since Mr. Zachary Crispin Lord of Chabosselay an Anjouin and Mr. Richier Lord of Vandelin Cour a Britton Saujon Mr. Paul Bonnet junior St. John Dangles Mr. Berger deceased since Mr. de la Forest Soubize Mr. Chevalier Moize Mr. Beauja sent to St. Mesmes since Mr. Thomas Guyot Lord of Chappeauvert St. Just Mr. Tolouse a Rocheller Third Colloquy of Aunix Churches Ministers Rochel Mr. Du Mont. deceased Mr. James Merlin Mr. Samuel L' hommeau Mr. Jerome Coulommies Born in Bearn Mr. Louis Le Ceueler Lord of la Chappeliere an Angevin Mr. Daniel Goiré a Rocheller Mr. Gideon de Montmartyn Lord of La Turpiniere he died 1609. Mr. John Peter Salebert a Rocheller received into the Ministery in the Colloquy of Aulnix held at Nieul on Thursday the 6th of Feb. 1613. but he was Ordained at Rochell by Mr. James Merlin on the Lord's Day in the Afternoon March 3. 1613. in the Great Temple with most solemn and extraordinary Prayers St. Martins in the Istle of Rhé Mr. German Chauveton Lord of Beauvois he died in the latter end of year 1604. Mr. Fautrard and Englishman I suppose he was Born in the Island of Guernzey for one of his Name was Minister there in the year 1647. but he died of the Plague a Fortnight after Mr. de Beauvois Since Mr. Lewes Aubyneau a Rocheller Ars in the Isle of Ré Mr. Daniel Chanett La Flotte in the Isle of Ré Mr. Daniel Gorré who was after sent unto Rochell La Flotte in the Isle of Ré Mr. John le Chatre a Rocheller Marans Mr. Pillard Marans Mr. La Violette Bourneuf and Dampierre Mr. Febrve Surgeres Mr. Tagaut Nieul Mr. James Guibert a Rocheller sent to Archiac and Jonsac he afterward turn'd Apostate Nieul Mr. Peter Menanceau a Rocheller Mauzé Mr. Andrew de Mazieres Lord of La Cave Laleu l'Ommeau and Lozieres Mr. Samuel Veupillet a German Sales Toré and Mortagne Mr. Toussainet a German The Fourth Colloquy of Xaintes Churches Ministers Xainctes Mr. Bonnet senior dead since Mr. Petit senior Pons Mr. Londe removed to Mortagne Mr. Heraud of Rochell sent to Royan Mr. Peris Archiac and Jonsac Mr. Menanceau sent to Nieul in Aulnix Plassac and Clan Mr. Calbert and since Mr. Choquet Mortagne Mr. Chastaigner dead since Mr. Londe Gemouzat Mr. Gabart Rieax Mr. Marcon Mr. du Perche and since Cozes Mr. James Chalmot of Rochell The Fifth Colloquy of Augoalmois Churches Ministers Stelaud de Lindoire Mr. George Pacard the Elder sent unto Rochefoucald he died in the year 1610. La Rochefoucaud Mr. Hog sent to Angoulesme and since Mr. Pacard senior La Rochebeaucourt Mr. Pitard Jarnac Mr. Pacard the Eldest Son Cognac Mr. Barjemont removed Mr. Bizett removed Mr. John Perreau of Rochell Vertueil Mr. Colladon since deceased Mr. Trochereg a Baron of Scotland but removed to Saumur Mr. Peres sent to Pons Vertueil Mr. Comareg The Sixth Colloquy of Jonzac Churches Ministers Jonzac Mr. Pollot dead since James Guibert who revolted after him holy Mr. Welch a Scotch Minister who spent eight hours every day in Prayer Barbezieux Mr. Petit the Elder sent to Xaintes Mr. Theophilus Rossell of Nantes St. Mesmes Mr. Beaujan Baigné and Chaux Mr. Boyannat La Roche Chalais Mr. Bellot There be forty eight Pastors in the whole Province of Xaintonge six Churches destitute and six Proposans without including Mr. Herauld lent unto the Church of Marsillac so that it had sixty Portions amounting to 3627 Crowns and 13 Sous The Seventh Roll of the Churches Pastors and Proposans in the Province of Lower Guienne The First Colloquy of Higher Agenois Churches Ministers Tonneins Mr. de Monjone Mr. de Beaucons Clerac Mr. Ricotier the Father Mr. Ricotier the Son the Grandson was I think Minister also in the Church of Tonneins and exiled with the other Ministers 1685. Castelmoron Mr. Bausty Pathe Mr. Mermet the Son Monflanquin Mr. Freron the Father Tournon Mr. Freron the Son Monheur Mr. Scillade Leyrac Mr. Sylvius the Son La Parade Mr. Fevran Grateloup Mr. Vidouse an Apostate Puymirol Mr. de La Fayole The Second Colloquy of Lower Agenois Churches Ministers Bordeaux Mr. Renaud he died 1610. Mr. Primrose a Scotchman Libourne Mr. de la Vallade Castillon Mr. Baduell Ste. Foy Mr. Hesperian Ste. Foy Mr. de Bessoly Aniche Mr. D'Anglade Jouzac Mr. Majence Parole Mr. Lamy Morancour Mr. Zamett Bazas Mr. Goudon Velines Mr. Vassar Duras Mr. Peniot The Third Colloquy of Condomois Churches Ministers Nerac Mr. Mermet the Father Mr. Masparrault Mr. de La Nusse Mozin Mr. Luillier Casteljaloux Mr. du Luc Caumont Mr. Villebon La Bastide Mr. Sylvius the Father Le Mont de Moisin Mr. de Palloque Gouse Mr. Melet Bifesensac Mr. Guynier Tartas Mr. Pourrat Sos Mr. du Mier The Fourth
Pastors for the Colloquy of Gex six Churches destitute of Ministers and three Proposans Which 26 Portions do amount in the full and whole unto the sum of 1571 Crowns 47 Livers and 8 Deniers The Twelfth Roll of the Churches Pastors and Proposans in the Province of Provence Provence Churches Ministers Lormarin Mr. de la Planche La Crolle Mr. de Chamforan Merindol Mr. Ricard Cabrieres Mr. de la Crosse Seyne Mr. Chaslier Manosques Mr. Codur Le Lui Mr. Toussaincts There were sixteen Portions granted to the Province of Provence for seven Pastors and two Proposans which made in all 967 Crowns 17 Sous and six Deniers The Thirteenth Roll of the Churches and Pastors and Proposans in the Province of Dolphiny Dolphiny The First Colloquy of Vanduson Churches Ministers Puigilat Mr. Perron Vieaux Mr. Perrot Fenestrelles Mr. Lanselne Jordan Montoules Mr. Guerin Vilaret Mr. Anastase Meaux Mr. Daniel Nonin Les Cardonnes Mr. Joshua Ripert The Second Colloquy of Ambrun Churches Ministers Ambrun Mr. Matthiew Fessinieers Mr. Andrew Rebert Guillestau Mr. Pascal Arieu and Chaesteny Mr. Jourdain Queirac Mr. Moulines Mr. Giles The Third Colloquy of Gappensois Churches Ministers Gap Mr. Barbier Veisnes Mr. Faugier Serres Mr. Martinet Orpier Mr. Javel Corp Mr. Estienne Vandiomene Mr. Abrau The Fourth Colloquy of Grenoble Churches Ministers Grenoble Mr. Caille Mr. Cresson La Meure Mr. Vulson Mine Mr. Fabry St. Jean D'ambornes Mr. Gubrier Grenin Mr. Magnett Oyan Mr. Espagnet Aumonesteir Mr. Estriem Delbermont Mr. Gap The Fifth Colloquy of Die Churches Ministers Nione Mr. Perria Vinsabre Mr. Persol Le Bins Mr. Petit Talignan Mr. Maugies St. Saveur Mr. du Gaeye Orange Mr. Roussell Mr. Maurice Courtoison Mr. de La Vesne St. Pantheon Chasteau Mr. Felix and Mr. Ollivier The Seventh Colloquy of Valentinois Churches Ministers Montlimart The great Chamier Mr. Canter Lurion and Conol Mr. Vinay Valence Mr. Mercure Crest and Hure Mr. Sagues Bourdeaux Mr. Gillier Dieu Le Fitt Mr. Girard Chasteau neuf du Mazene Mr. Dauphin Beze and Bonnieres Mr. Jay The Eighth Colloquy of Viennois Churches Ministers St. Marcellin Mr. Bouguin Romans Mr. Agur Pont de Royans Mr. Denis Eyrier Beaurepaire Mr. Durant There be two Pastors Emeriti in the Province of Dolphiny viz. 1. Mr Mallet 2 Mr. Dinson In the whole Province there be 59 Pastors 4 Churches destitute and 8 Proposans to be maintained There be 3 for the City and Principallity of Orange so that the said Province had 71 Portions which amounted to 4292 Crowns 12 Sous and 9 Deniers The total Sum of the Pastors Proposans and Churches of the said 13 Provinces is 440. The Province of Normandy was not cast into this Accompt There be 54 Churches destitute of Pastors There be Ministers in actual service 478. There be Ministers Emeriti 11. There be 46 Proposans Although the Province of Normandy did not send any Deputies unto this National Synod so that there was no Catalogue taken of its Churches Pastors and Proposans as there was of all the other Provinces Yet this National Synod of Gap did adjudge unto the said Province 46 Portions which amounted to 2420 Crowns 23 Sous and 10 Deniers out of which Moneys that Province is to assist it's Churches maintain its Proposans according to the number of its Colloqies All these Articles Decrees and Canons before-mentioned were resolved voted and passed in the Seventeenth National Synod of Gap which ended the 23d day of October 1603. And thus Signed in the Original Chamier Moderator Ferrier Assessor Scribes Vignier and Roy CHAP. XII Remarks upon the Deputies of this Synod 1. MR. Daniel Chamier was the Son of a worthy Minister in Dolphiny who riding to a Provincial Synod was drowned His Son Daniel is in common discourse among the French Ministers styled the Great Chamier A man of vast Learning great Prudence and indefatigable Industry very dear unto and highly esteemed by their National Synods to which he was frequently deputed chosen Scribe in that of Gergeau and Moderator in two National Synods of Gap and Privas He was killed at the Siege of Montauban where he was Pastor and Professor of Divinity with a Canon Bullet having a C on it being the Hundredth that was shot against the Town upon the Lord's Day the day as he said of his rest and indeed God took him into his Eternal rest as he did Elijah by Horses of Fire and Chariots of Fire He hath so Learnedly confuted the Papists in his Panstratiâ Catholica that none among them ever undertook to Answer it There be also printed his Epistolae Jesuiticae and his Corpus Theologiae and in French La Confusion des disputes Papists There is also an Answer of his to some Questions of Cotton the Jesuite But of him more in my Icones 2. Ferrier who was Assessor in this Synod was an Infamous Apostate He Writ Hypotyposes Theologicae 3. Monsieur Vignier who was one of the Scribes was the very Learned Son of a most Learned Father His Theatre de l'Antichrist was a grievous tormenting Boyl unto the Papists He Writ a Dissertation in Latine about the Venetians Excommunication by Paul V. against Cardinal Baronius And Theses de Satisfactione Christi THE Acts Decisions and Decrees OF THE XVIIIth National Synod OF The Reformed Churches OF FRANCE Held the Third time in The City of Rochel on the 1st day of March In the Year of out Lord 1607. The CONTENTS Of the third Synod of ROCHEL 1607. The 18th Synod Chap. I. The Deputies and Synodical Officers a great debate about the Deputies of the City of Rochel who claimed to themselves the priviledge of a Province The promise of submission wanting in several letters of Deputation censured A Canon against Pastors Non-deputed assisting in this Synod No Appeals to be heard till the seventh day after the opening of the National Synod Letters from the Prince Elector Palatine the common wealths of the Netherlands Switzerland and Geneva read The Synods sence of them The Case of Monsieur Regnault Chap. II. Observations on the Confession Piscators opinion of our Justification by Christs passive Obedience only censured 4. Huguets answer to Piscator supprest 5. Mr. Sohnis answers Piscator by order of the Churches 6. The Count of Nassaws Letter about Piscator 7. The Confession approved and sworn Chap. III. Observations on the Discipline A Colloquy may lend a Minister 3. A Synod 6. Months out of the Province 8. Persons Married by the Mass shall do publick Pennance 16. Particular Churches may celebrate a Fast without asking leave of the Colloquy on extraordinary occasions 21. The Discipline approved and sworn Chap. IV. Observations on the National Synod of Gap Scholars unordained may not administer the Sacraments 6. Four Universities censured for not bringing in their Accounts 10. No private persons nor Consistories can dissolve Marriage Promises 11. Chap. V. General Matters Charities for the poor Exiles of Salluces 3. Proposans admitted at silent Learners into National Synods 5. The case of Competitors for
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
Burgundy Lionnois Forrest Bresse Beaujolois and Gex Monsieur Esaiah Bayly Pastor of the Church of Lion and Daniel de Piotay Pastor of the Church of Gex together with John de Jaucourt Lord of Villarnoul Elder of the Church of Avalon and Master Claudius Cotereau Elder of the Church of Dijon and Counsellor in the Parliament of Burgundy For the Province of Normandy Mr. John Gueroult Pastor of the Church of D'Indebeuf and John Boudrier Lord de la Buissonniere Pastor of the Church of Alencon and Samuel de L'Escherpiere Lord de la Riviere Pastor of the Church of Rouan together with Nicholas Le Febvre Elder of the Church of Caen with their Letters of Commission The Synod of the said Province and the Colloquies of the Higher Normandy were all censured for leaving the Nomination of their Deputies unto the Colloquy and for not sending an equal number of Pastors and Elders according to the Canons of our Discipline however the four fore-mentioned Deputies were admitted For the Province of Brittany Master Rene de Losse Lord de la Touche Pastor of the Church of Blain and Master Peter de la Place Pastor of the Church of Sion together with Lewes d'Avangour Lord of Bois de Cargrois Elder of the Church of Nantes and Elias de Goulaines Lord de Loudoniere Elder in the Church of Vielle Vigne There came also with Letters of Commission from the Countrey of Bearn Master Isaac Balldraind Pastor of the Church of l'Escar and principal of the Colledge of the same place craving admission and priviledge of Voting in this Assembly which was granted him But the said Churches were exhorted for the future to join an Elder in Commission with that Pastor whom they shall depute unto our National Synods Master James Capel called otherwise du Tilloy Pastor of the Church of Sedan and the Lord Peter de Bury Elder of the same presented themselves as Deputies from the Churches of the Sovereignty of Sedan in this Assembly but were not admitted as representing a particular Province because they were Members of the Colloquy of Champagne yet it was granted them to assist in this Assembly when as matters concerning Doctrine and Discipline in general were debated and that they might in their turn propound what did particularly concern their Churches and University Prayers being ended and the Assembly proceeding to the choice of their Moderator Assessor and Scribe there came into the Synod the Deputies of the Commonalty and City of Rochell demanding to be admitted and to give their Vote in that Election as constituting a Province together with the other Provinces of the Kingdom especially when as any Affairs not relating to the Doctrine or Discipline of the Churches but for our common preservation should be treated This caused a very great debate and at last it being judged that this Assembly was purely Ecclesiastical and it being utterly uncertain whether any matters of another nature might be handled in it it was finally determined that the Moderator Assessor and Scribe should not be chosen but by such persons as were purely Ecclesiastical However those Deputies were admitted into the Synod and had their priviledge of Voting in it according to the Decree at Chastelleraut in case other matters fell under consideration Monsieur Beraut was Elected Moderator and Monsieur Merlin Assessor and to Gather and Record the Acts of this Synod Monsieur Rivet and Roy. In the Letters of Deputation that Clause of Approbation and Submission unto the Decrees of the Synod in no wise to be left out In reading the Letters of Deputation it was observed that those of certain Provinces wanted that clause which promised Approbation and Submission unto the Decrees and Resolutions of the Synod Whereupon they were all admonished In no wise for the future to omit it as being very necessary for the ratifying the Decrees of these Assemblies and of this our Brethren of Bearn are particularly to be informed Whereas the Pastors and Elders of divers Churches not deputed unto this Synod were yet very importunate to be admitted to the seeing and hearing of all matters transacted in it This Assembly considering that their number did daily and excessively increase which might at last cause confusion and other evil consequences in case every one should be indifferently received it was resolved that entrance should not be granted to any other besides the Deputies unless when as the General matters of Doctrine and Discipline should be debated And this Order shall hold good for the future nor shall they be suffered to be present at these debates who have no business calling them unto these Synods unless they produce a Certificate of Leave had from their Churches together with the time limited for their tarrying No Appeals shall be consider'd till the 7th day after the meeting and sitting of the Synod For as much as divers persons at the opening of the Synods are very importunate and thereby disturb the Order of Affairs pressing impatiently the dispatch of their own particular concerns because of the Expences they are inforc'd to make by a long Attendance Notice shall be given to the Churches that for time coming no Appeals shall be medled withal till the seventh day after the sitting of the Synod that so the parties concerned in them may not be over-hasty and that they may have fit time for their Appearance The Answers of his Highness the Prince Elector Palatine return'd unto the Letters of the Synod of Gap by which he had been intreated to endeavour the Uniting of the Protestant Churches being read as also those others from the Ecclesiastical Senate of the Palatinate from the University of Heidelberg from the Provincial Synods of Holland and Zeland from the County of Hannaw and the Classis of Lauzanna Morges Iverdon from the Canton of Bearn and Church of Geneva This Assembly having found evident Testimonials in them of their sincere affection to the seeking and procuring the Common Good How the Lutherans may be re-united see the Synod of Vitré part mat 27. and of Gap Gen. matt 11. and in special an intire Approbation of the Confession of Faith owned and received in the Churches of this Kingdom doth render most hearty thanks unto God for vouchsafing us so great a benefit well-hoping that by their persisting in it the Lord will be pleased graciously to touch the Hearts of them who as yet dissent from us and disagree with us to imbrace it also And all persons are exhorted to be mighty Wrestlers with God in humble and ardent Prayers that it may be effected The Letters also of Monsieur Regnault Pastor of the Church of Bourdeaux were read who was charged with those of the Synod of Gap when he went into Germany about his own private Affairs to be delivered unto those to whom they had been directed And because that such a Negotiation was not a little Incommodious to him and that upon his return he was summon'd personally and at his own charges
to appear at Court and that he was at the Expence of printing the Confession of our Faith This Assembly gives him the Sum of seventy Crowns to reimburse his Charges and thanketh him for his care and faithfulness in the delivery of those Letters and for having communicated with Monsieur Piscator and brought back with him his answers But order is given unto the Synod of Lower Guyenne to examine him upon some certain points mentioned in the aforesaid answers as for styling himself the Messenger or Ambassador of the Churches and for submitting the Confession of Faith of the Churches of this Kingdom to the Censures of Forreign Universities and in case these can be proved upon him he shall be censured And forasmuch as the Letters of Monsieur Piscator have been communicated to others before they were tendered to this Assembly the said Synod shall make a strict inquiry into this matter and know whether Monsieur Regnault were guilty of it or no. CHAP. II. Observations on reading the Confession of Faith 1. ON the tenth Article in which it 's said that the whole off-spring of Adam are infected with Original Sin The Pastors of Lauzanna by their Letters request that our Lord Jesus Christ may be excepted But it was not found needful to accord it to them because that it 's expresly mentioned in another Article of the same Confession and for that in this place it is to be understood of other persons as also for that the Scripture expresseth this in plain terms 2. Whereas the Synod of Gap had charged the Provinces to consider in what terms the twenty fifth Article of the Confession of Faith should be couched and to come prepared for it unto the present Synod and to judge whether any mention should be made of the Catholick Church spoken of in the Apostles Creed as also whether it would not be expedient to add the word pure to that of true Church in the twenty ninth Article and that all in general should come ready to debate that Question of the Church The Provinces having been heard speak by their Deputies it was finally resolved by common unanimous consent that nothing should be added to or taken from these Articles and there should be no more discourse had about that point of the Church 3. It was Decreed that nothing should be added unto the eighth Article of our confession which treats of Justification because it 's couched in the very express words of Scripture and in its own common phrase Those Explications and Amplifications desired by some may be received either from Doctors in our Universities or Pastors of our Churches 4. Whereas Doctor John Piscator Professor in the University of Herborn by his Letters of answer to those sent him from the Synod of Gap doth give us an account of his Doctrine in the point of Justification Concerning Man's Justification in the Opinion of Piscator as that it 's only wrought out by Christ's Death and Passion and not by his Life and Active Obedience This Synod in no wise approving the dividing causes so nearly conjoined in this great effect of Divine Grace and judging those arguments produced by him for the defence of his cause weak and invalid doth order that all the Pastors in the respective Churches of this Kingdom do wholly conform themselves in their Teaching to that form of sound words which hath been hitherto taught among us and is contained in the Holy Scriptures to wit That the whole Obedience of Christ both in his Life and Death is imputed to us for the full remission of our Sins and acceptance unto Eternal Life and in short that this being but one and the self-same Obedience is our entire and perfect Justification And the Synod farther ordains that answer shall be made unto the Letters of the said Doctor Piscator propounding to him this Holy Doctrine together with its principal foundations yet without any vain jangling and with that devotion as becomes the singular modesty expressed by him in his Letters to us wherein there is not the least bitterness or provoking expression leaving it unto God who can when he pleaseth reveal unto him the defects which are in the Doctrine of the said Piscator as also to assure him that he hath exceedingly satisfied this Assembly in his Explications on that Topick of Repentance The suppression of the Book of Felix Huguet on the point of Justification for being written without the Warrant tho' in the name of all our Churches against Piscator 5. Letters were sent by Mr. Felix Huguet Minister of the Gospel together with two Copies of a Book writ by him in Latine concerning Justification which said book he had for some time past caused to be Printed at Geneva without the knowledge of the Pastors of that City or the Approbation of the Pastors of the Province of Dolphiny where he resides Upon report made of it by several Brethren Pastors of Churches ordered to peruse the said Book both as to its style and matter The Synod judgeth the said Huguet to have incurred a most grievous censure first for writing in the name of the Synod in a matter of General concern without any warrant from it for so doing and secondly for giving a publick answer to a Book which was never published and lastly for having Printed his Book contrary to the Canons of our Church-discipline And therefore it ordaineth that the said Book be suppressed and that thanks be returned to the Magistrates of Geneva for their preventing of its publick sale and to intreat them that for the future they would totally suppress it And farther the Synod hath thought good that in the Letter which shall be written unto Dr. Piscator he shall be acquainted that Huguets Book was writ without the order knowledge and consent of our Churches and only attempted by him upon a private caprice of his own without any publick Warrant or Authority for so doing Monsieur Sohnis answers orthodoxly and in the name and by order of the Churches unto Piscator 6. Whereas Monsieur Sohnis Pastor and Professor of the Church and University of Montauban hath at the desire and in the name of this Assembly written Letters and an Answer unto those of Piscator which upon perusal are found very orthodox It 's ordered that thanks be returned unto the said Sohnius for his labour and diligence but yet for peace and concord 's sake it 's thought good to detain them by us for a while and Monsieur Sohnis is intreated to suspend the publication of his Treatise about Justification for some short time till we see what fruits the sweet and gentle procedures may produce and the next National Synod shall then license it 7. Monsieur Regnault Pastor of the Church of Bourdeaux having sent us the Copy of Letters written to him by the most Illustrious Lord John Earl of Nassau in which he expresseth his desire of maintaining the Peace and Union of the Church and
Civil Magistrate and in case any refuse obedience hereunto they shall be prosecuted by all Church-censures 45. Some moved how expedient it would be that our Academies were regulated according to the number of our Provinces and that the summs now demanded for augmentation of the Regents and Professors Sallaries was too great and particularly for that of Saumur But this Synod not having time enough at present to debate this matter doth require all the Provinces to consider of it against the meeting of the next National Synod And that our weaker and poorer Churches may be more comfortably relieved and supplied Those Churches who are better able to maintain a Colledge without any assistance from others or the publick are desired to bring in an Account of what can be done by them That so we may make the best estimate we can how to compleat and perfect our Universities And the Provinces next adjoining to our Universities are requested to have a most careful eye over them and to be responsable for them unto the next National Synod and of the diligence or neglects of duty by its Officers and Professors And till that time we do not judge meet to grant any augmentation to that of Saumur 46. The Deputies of divers Provinces moving that there might be particular Colledges erected in their respective Provinces for the educating of Youth in Humanity before they were sent unto our Universities This Assembly granteth them their request and that the eleven Provinces which have no Academy shall have each of them the summ of 100 Crowns for this very purpose And these Provinces are charged to bring in an Account unto the next National Synod how they have employed the said Moneys 47. Monsieur Vignier is intreated to study well that controversie about the great Antichrist and to bring in his work unto the next National Synod CHAP. VI. An Account of the Dividend of one hundred five and thirty thousand Livers given by his Majesty every year unto the Reformed Churches of this Kingdom Out of which great summ the Lord of Candal and his Commissary Monsieur de Visouze shall make payment of these lesser summs here under mentioned in manner and form following and at the times appointed and this according to those Articles of Agreement made betwixt him and the Lords General Deputies of our Churches in the National Synod of Gap 1603. To the Universities  L. S. D. To the University of Montauban 3333 6 8 To that of Saumur 3333 6 8 To that of Montpellier 1500 0 0 To that of Nismes 1833 0 0 To that of Sedan 2400 0 0 To the L. L. General Deputies To the Lords General Deputies officiating at Court for us 1650 Livers being one half of 3300 Livers which added to 10200 Livers taken out of the lesser Accompt do make up 13500 Livers which is their allotted yearly Sallery The remaining moitay of the said 3300 Livers the Lord of Candal is to receive out of the Moneys ordered for the payment of our Garisons and by him to be paid into the said L. L General Deputies To Ministers To the Province of Provence there shall be paid in the summ of 2181 l. 12 s for 17 Churches including in it 300 l. overpluss assigned to them To the Province of Brittany the summ of 2403 l. for 19 Churches including in it 300 l. overpluss assigned to them To the Province of Burgundy the summ of 4727 l. 4. s for 40 Churches including in it the sum of 300 l. overpluss To the Province of Vivaretz the summ of 3399 l. 2 s for 28 Churches including in it also 300 l. overplus To the Lower Guienne the summ of 8269 l. 4 s for 72 Churches including in it the like summ of 300 l. To the Lower Languedock the summ of 11842 l. 10 s for 107 Churches To the Province of Poictou the summ of 5613 l. for 48 Churches taking in the 300 l. overpluss To the Isle of France Picardy Champagne and Beausse the summ of 7827 l. 10 s for 68 Churches including the 300 overpluss To the Province of Xaintonge the summ of 7937 l. 6 s for 69 Churches taking in the 300 l. overpluss To the Province of Anjou for 29 Churches the summ of 3209 l. 16. s To the province of Higher Languedoc and Higher Guienne for 94 Churches the summ of 10404 l. 10 s To the Province of Orleans and Berry for 36 Churches the summ of 4284 l. 10 s including the 300 l. over pluss To the Province of Dolphiny the summ of 8933 l. 10 s for 78 Churches taking in the 300 l. overpluss To the Province of Normandy the summ of 6166 l. 6 s for 53 Churches taking in the 300 l. overpluss And this whole summ shall be paid in by three equal portions unto the Universities the Lords General Deputies and to the Receivers of the Provinces at the time and manner following Viz. The portions of the Isle of France Picardy Brie Champagne Beausse Normandy Anjou Orleans Poitiers Lower Guyenne Higher Languedoc and Higher Guienne the Universities in the said Provinces being included into the hands of their Receivers who shall be appointed by them The first payment to be made the first of July next coming the second on the second day of October following and the third on the last of January in the year 1608. And for the Isle of France Picardy Brie and Champagne in the City of Paris For Normandy in the City of Rouan For Orleans and Berry at Orleans for Poictou at Poictiers for the Lower Guienne at Bourdeaux for Higher Guienne and Higher Languedoc at Montauban and for Anjou in the City of Tours including in it the University of Saumur And the portions due unto the Provinces of Provence Lower Languedoc Brittany and Xaintonge into the hands of the Receivers who shall be appointed by them at three equal payments the first at the end of July the second at the end of October and the third at the end of February in the year 1608. viz. for Lower Languedoc and the Universities of Montpellier and Nismes in the City of Montpellier for Brittain at Nants for Xaintonge at Rochel for the Provinces of Burgundy and Dolphiny and Vivaretz in the City of Lions The two first payments shall be maid at the Fairs in August and Allhollantide of this present year and the last upon twelfth day immediately after And the said Provinces shall be obliged to appoint and name in every one of those before mentioned Cities a particular House whereunto the said Lord of Candal may come and make payment of the said Moneys October Quarter for Ministers shall be paid out of the Moneys of the said Quarter by the said Lord of Candal  L. S. D. To the Province of Provence for 17 Churches 0756 18 6 To the Province of Brittany for 19 Churches 0846 00 0 To the Province of Burgundy for 40 Churches 1781 00 0 To the Province of Vivaretz for 28 Churches 1246 14 0 To Lower Guienne
for 63 Churches 3205 16 5 To the Lower Languedoc for 73 Churches 4764 5 6 To Poictou for 48 Churches 2137 4 0 To the Isle of France c. for 68 Churches 3027 14 0 To Xaintonge for 169 Churches 3071 4 6 To the Province of Anjou for 29 Churches 1291 4 6 To the Higher Languedoc and Higher Guienne for 94 Churches 4185 7 0 To Orleans and Berry for 36 Churches 1602 18 0 To Dolphiny for 78 Churches 3472 19 0 To Normandy for 53 Churches 2359 17 0 And whereas there will be wanting 33750 Livers to compleat the last Quarter of the said summ of 135000 Livers or whatsoever part of it he may receive shall be actually paid in by him the fifteenth day of August the next year unto every one of the Provinces defalking only one Sous in the Liver and unto such persons as shall be constituted by the said Provinces to receive it for them And if any more Moneys shall be recovered after the said fifteenth day of August the next year he shall pay it in by Bills unto every one of the Provinces according to the Dividend which shall be made by our General Deputies residing with his Majesty provided they will accept of it And this order for the Dividend shall hold good not only for this present year 1607. but also for the year ensuing 1608. yea and till the holding of the next National Synod Dividend There shall be sixty and nine portions paid into the Province of Xaintonge for 54â— Pastors in actual service six Proposans and nine Churches destitute of Ministers There shall be 107 portions paid into the Province of Lower Languedoc for 90 Pastors 5. Churches vacant six Proposans and one Minister Emeritus by reason of his age only five of these portions must go to the Lower Auvergâ—e There shall be 36 portions paid into the Province of Orleans and Berry for 21 Pastors 9 vacant Churches and six Proposans There shall be 68 portions paid into the Province of the Isle of France for 48 Pastors seven vacant Churches two Ministers Emeriti by reason of age and five of those portions are supernumerary There shall 72 portions be paid into the Province or Lower Guienne the Churches of Soullais and Bigorre for 62 Pastors in actual service four vacant Churches five Proposans and one portion granted as an Honorarium to Monsieur Baduel There shall be 29 portions paid into the Province of Anjou for 19 Pastors in actual service for six vacant Churches three Proposans and one Minister Emeritus by reason of his age There shall be paid ninety and four portions into the Province of Higher Languedoc and Guienne for seventy Pastors in actual service six vacant Churches seven Proposans four Pastors Emeriti thirteen of these portions were super-numerary and four of them for the Higher Auvergne There shall be paid in fourty eight portions to the Province of Poictou for thirty nine Pastors in actual service for five Churches vacant three Proposans and one Pastor Emeritus There shall be paid in thirty eight portions to the Province of Vivaretz for eighteen Pastors in actual service five Churches vacant three Proposans and two portions added as an Honorarium to Monsieur de la Faye Pastor of the Church of Aubenas There shall be paid in seventeen portions to the Province of Provence for seven Pastors in actual service seven Churches vacant and three Proposans There shall be paid in seventy eight portions to the Province of Dolphiny for sixty one Pastors in actual service seven Churches vacant eight Proposans and two Ministers Emeriti There shall be paid in fourty portions to the Province of Burgundy Gex and Lionnois for twenty nine Pastors in actual service seven vacant Churches and four Proposans There shall be paid in fifty three portions to the Province of Normandy for thirty eight Pastors in actual service seven Churches to be provided for six Proposans and two Ministers Emeriti There shall be paid in nineteen portions to the Province of Brittany for seven Pastors in actual service seven vacant Churches four Proposans and one Pastor Emeritus CHAP. VII An Account of those summs which the National Synod hath Decreed to be paid out by the Lord of Candal Receiver General of the Moneys given by his Majesty unto the Reformed Churches of this Kingdom IMprimis He shall reimburse the Sieurs de la Noue and du Cross the sum of fourscore and twelve Livers payed down by them for verifying of those Letters Patents discharging all the Ministers of the Reformed Churches in France from payment of any Taxes whatsoever and for the Seal afâ—ixed to those Letters of our Bill of Grievances presented to his Majesty He shall pay unto Mr. Reynault Minister of the Church of Bourdeaâ—x the sum of two hundred and ten Livers for those Reasons expressed in the Synodical Decree He shall pay unto Messieurs du Bois Cargrois and Gigord Professors in the University of Montpellier the sum of 400 l. which were given them by the Synod He shall pay to Mr. Theophilus Bleuet Lord of La Combe the sum of 120 l. for those causes expressed in the Synodical Order He shall pay unto Corneille the Printer in this City six Livers for printing the general Laws of our Universities composed by this Synod There is the sum of eight hundred twenty eight Livers which the said Lord of Candall is to keep in his hands deducting but of it for himself one Sous in the Liver and to pay it in by equal portions unto the Provinces for the first Quarter of this present year 1607. and the said sum shall be allowed him in his Account of Disbursments he producing the fore-mentioned Orders and the Acquittances from the parties to whom he payed it CHAP. VIII Memorials and Instructions given to the Lords of Villarnoul and de Mirande the General Deputies of the Reformed Churches of this Kingdom attending upon His Majesty how to bring Monsieur Palot to Account for the Moneys dispensed by by him which His Gracious Majesty was pleased so bestow upon our Reformed Churches FIRST You must take the Oaths of Messieurs de la Nouve and du Cros and then prosecute the said Palot before the Lords of Pontcarre and of Beaumarchais who are the Judges constituted by his Majesty to hear and determine the said Accounts And whereas the said Palot may persist in what he hath formerly urged to avoid all Accounting that the Receivers General upon whom he hath Moneys assigned have not as yet brought in their Accounts or Copies of them that they might be examined and verified and it might be known whether the Moneys of their Accounts have been diverted to other uses to there prejudice of those Assignments you must then inform our Lords the Judges that this is a meer fiction and evasion For if the said Palot had a desire to see those Accounts he might with a wet finger be satisfied Let him but present his Petition unto the Court of Exchequer in
had obliged the said Church to give twelve Sermons every year unto the Parish of Medis and to celebrate once in the year the Lord's Supper in it the said Parish paying the sum of an hundred Livers towards the maintenance of their Pastor the Church of Saujon declaring that through the goodness of God they were well able to maintain their own Minister without any assistance from the said Parish This Assembly ordained That those of Medis should ordinarily attend upon Divine Service in the Church of Saujon but that Mr. Bonnett should sometimes visit them as his conveniencies and occasions may suffer him without obliging him to time But and if the said Parish of Medis should rather like to incorporate it self with Meschiers or any other Church or would have a Pastor of its own which is left wholly to their own choice and liberty then the Church of Saujon shall be acquitted and discharged of all relation to them and Medis unto them respectively nor shall the one lay claim or pretend unto any thing of or from the other 5. Monsieur Vaissé Pastor of the Church of Campagnac appealed from a Decree of the Synod of Higher Languedoc and Higher Guyenne held at Realmont by which the said Church of Campagnac was joyned unto the Colloquy of Lower Quercy in case it provided it self of another Pastor or if it would keep the said Vaissè then the said Church was joyned unto the Colloquy of Albigeois yet not hindering the said Church to contest its rights and priviledges before this Assembly Monsieur Benoist Deputy for the Colloquy of Lower Quercy in which quality his Commission was approved without obliging him to demand leave of his Church of Montauban was heard speak on behalf of that Colloquy Whereupon this National Synod confirmed the Judgment of the Provincial Synod judging that it was in no wise expedient that the said Vaissé should be turned over to the Colloquy of Lower Quercy and ordained that he should continue in his Pastoral Office and Relation unto the Church of Campagnac which should be joyned to the Colloquy of Albigeois which is ordered to bear with the said Mr. Vaissé although he cannot come so often as he would unto the said Colloquy especially if the places be far distant one from the other 6. Monsieur Tenans Pastor of the Church of Montauban and Rector of that University appealed from an Ordinance of the Synod of the Higher Languedoc and Guyenne which having deputed extraordinarily some Pastors to examine two Candidates for the Profession of the Greek Tongue had devolved the Expences of their Journey and abode upon the Stock of the said University and had deprived him the said Rector of his Vote in judging of the Capacities of the two Competitors This Assembly judged that the Rector had done very well in thus appealing For as to the first point it is but just that the Costs should be defrayed by them who through their contentious temper do draw persons before extraordinary Judges And as for the other Article the Rector could not be deprived of his Vote unless they had just causes to except against him whereof the rest should take cognisance 7. The Church of Benet and St. Maixiere appealed from a Decree of the Synod of St. Maixant confirmed by the Provincial Synod of Poictou for returning back again unto the Church of Champdenys those Members which had left them since the gathering and setling of the Church of St. Maixant This Affair was remanded unto the Provincial Synod to be revised by it and when as they have well considered all circumstances of the conveniencies and inconveniencies relating to those Churches the said Synod shall pass a final Judgment thereupon and provide for one without any ways in the least prejudicing or damnifying the other 8. The Colloquy of Lower Poictou appealed from an Ordinance of their Provincial Synod which had incorporated the Church of Maillezay with the Church of Benet for a time But this Appeal was rejected and the Order of the Synod was confirmed as long as it made good for the Edification of both Churches 9. An Elder of the Church of Marans appealed from the Synod of Xaintonge held at Saujon for lending the Sieur de la Violette one of the Pastors of the Church of Marans unto the Church of St. John d'Angely for one whole year after which term he might return again to Marans which made Monsieur Pillard hereupon to leave them Several of the Inhabitants of Marans were called in yea and those of the best quality and account among them who offered unto this National Synod that they would maintain two Pastors without ever in the least taxing or burdening those persons who desired the departure of Monsieur Pillard from them above what they were ordinarily rated and assessed or what they would freely give and contribute of their own accord This Assembly approving and applauding their Zeal and finding their offers to be very just and equitable and contrariwise blaming and condemning the Ingratitude of that other party who would force away their Antient Pastor doth ordain that both those Ministers shall be and continue to be the ordinary and standing Pastors of that Church which shall pay unto each of them a like equal stipend without leaving one behind in Arrears when and whilst the other is paid totally and entirely And in case they do not obey this Decree and that one of these Ministers should come to be lent or removed it shall be the Sieur de la Violette who shall tarry yet three months longer at the Church of St. John d'Angely over and besides that year which the Provincial Synod had determined and that term being expired he shall return unto the Church of Marans 10. Monsieur de Bontoux Minister of the Church of St. Africk appealed from the Provincial Synod of Higher Languedoc Guyenne for that they had suspended him the exercise of his Ministry a whole month because he went out of their Assembly against their positive prohibition This Appeal was vacated and the Colloquy which abetted him in this his groundless Appeal was also censured 11. Whereas Monsieur Raffin hath executed an Order of the Provincial Synod of Higher Languedoc and Guyenne in the City of Milhaud that the Elders of the Church there should communicate at the Lord's Table before the Judges and Consuls and this conformably to the Decisions and Decrees of our former National Synods this Act of his was approved and ratified and the Appeal of the said Magistrates disannulled nor indeed did they insist much upon it but gave up their Cause 12. Whereas the Provincial Synod of Lower Guyenne had restored Monsieur Reynauld unto his Pastoral Office in the Church of Bourdeaux this their Judicial Decree is confirmed by the Authority of this present Assembly and the rather because that those persons who had appealed from it have dropt their Appeal and seem to be well satisfied 13. Monsieur des Fontaines appealed from the
Provincial Synod of Poictou held at Chastelheraud for that they had judged he was sufficiently reimburst by the Churches of that Province all the Charges expended by him in his Journey unto the General Assembly of Saumur held in the year 1596. And whereas he pretended other summs to be owing to him for several other journeys they sent him unto the Governours of our Cautionary Towns to be recompensed by them because he was their Deputy unto that Assembly and that they received two thirds of the Moneys granted us by his Majesty Upon hearing this whole affair this Assembly did also judge that he was sufficiently satisfied by those Churches of Poictou who yet were exhorted to intreat those Governors to perform their duties and pay their just debt unto the said Mr. des Fontaines 14. The Appeal of the Church of Nage and it's Annexes about what is owing unto their late Pastor Monsieur Terrond was dismissed over to the Provincial Synod of Lower Languedoc who by their judicial sentence shall put a final period unto that controversie 15. Theophilus Bluett Lord of la Combe formerly Pastor of the Churches at Lassay in the Province of Mayne and of Rouelle in Normandy having certified under his own hand that he acquiesced in that judicial sentence past upon him by the Deputies of the Synod of Anjou Touraine and Maine who had deposed him from the Ministerial Office and all acts and exercises thereof tho now he brought his Appeal from them This Assembly doth confirm that sentence of the Deputies and deelareth the said Bluett to be totally deposed from the holy Ministry of the Gospel and that notice hereof shall be given unto all the Churches 16. The Synod of Dolphiny having past another Vote that Monsieur Chamier should be once more importunately sollicited to accept of the Professors Chair in Divinity in their University of Die The Church of Montlimart brought their Appeal from if unto this Assembly which did thereupon revive and ratify the former Decrees of those two National Synods of Gergeau and Gap which had left unto the Churches their Pastors and the Pastors unto their Churches and that they should and be divided one from the other but by their joint and mutual consent and the said Provincial Synod was censured to have insisted again upon this affair after that it had been determined by two National Synods 17. The Church of Lions appealed from the Synod of Burgundy which would constrain them to pay the fifth penny of all Charities received by them to the maintenance of Proposans notwithstanding those many reasons arguments and exceptions they had urged and brought against it This Assembly having heard both parties doth leave the said Church in full liberty freely to dispose of their own Poor's Money but yet it adviseth them seriously to consider what is expedient to be disbursed by them in charities and whither they can keep a good Conscience in neglecting a work of so great necessity 18. The Lord of Rochefort and the Inhabitants of that Town professing the Reformed Religion appealed from the Synod of Xaintonge held at St. John D'Angely for adjudging Mr. Chevalier to the Pastoral Office in the Church of Soubize Upon heating of both parties and perusal of all Articles of Agreement made first and last between them This Assembly confirms Monsieur Chevalier in his Ministry to the said Church of Soubize whereof he is now the fixed Pastor and the Members of the Church of Rochefort have full liberty to compound the matter with the Church of Soubize upon those terms imported in their second Agreement made with that Consistory or else they may Incorporate themselves with the Church of Tonnay-charante and both the said Chevalier and that Consistory are Censured for using them of Rochefort so rigorously as to refuse Communion with them at the Lords Table and to hinder the Baptizing of their Infants in their Church Assembly 19. The Churches of Barbezieux and Xaintes contended about the Ministry of Monsieur Petit who pretending that the Colloquy of Janzac held at Pons had discharged him from the Church of Barbezieux because of their great ingratitude to him and in case they did not satisfie him all Arrerages of Sallary due unto him for his service among them in two months time and for that the judgment of the said Colloquy had been confirmed by the Synod and the said Petit not having been intirely payed what was owing him he had therefore left Barbezieux and settled at Xaintes to which he was lent by the Synod for a month and now he had contracted with the Church there And the Church of Barbezieux complaining of this matter unto the mixt Assembly held at St. John d' Angely a Decree was there made that Monsieur Petit should return unto the said Church of Barbezieux and that the Church should come to accompt with him before the Colloquy And Monsieur Roy Elder of the Church of Xaintes did hereupon bring in his Appeal because the said Synod declared to him that according to the Canons of our Discipline it had full power finally to determine this matter and that the said Petit did not in the least repugne or oppose it Who being after summoned unto that Colloquy which was ordered to examine his Accompts did yet nevertheless make no appearance for which cause the said Colloquy had enjoined him to return unto his Church on pain of being suspended from which he now appealed and hath ever since continued his Ministry in the Church of Xaintes notwithstanding all Counsels and exhortations given him by the Colloquy of Xaintonge to be advised and ruled by them And in this state hath this affair stood till the last Synod of the Province held at Saujon unto which it had been remanded and by that Synod it was dismissed over unto this Assembly Now altho the ingratitude of the Church of Barbezieux be very notorious and well known unto this Assembly yet because the pretended Liberty was only conditional and threatned the said Monsieur Petit could not make use of it as he hath done yea tho it had been absolute he ought not to have usurpt that power so as to ally himself unto another Church without having first consulted the Colloquy and till he had first obtained Letters Testimonial from it and the Church in which he last served and therefore the said Mr. Petit was most sharply censured and he was told to his face that if ever he fell into the like offence a second time he should be deposed from the sacred Ministry And the Church of Xaintes also was judged worthy of a severe Censure for practising by unlawful means to deprive the Church of Barbezieux of its Pastor and the said Church of Barbezieux was justly condemned for their ill treatment of and unworthy carriage to the said Mr. Petit. Upon which account and because both those Churches are faulty and blame-worthy the said Mr. Petit was removed from both and neither of them should enjoy him
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
part and not totally and entirely observed nor was that Reparation given his Wifes honour who had been affronted when as God-mother she presented a Child to Baptism as was ordained by the Provincial Synod of Xaintonge This Assembly judgeth that for the first of these the Consistory of the said Church is justly consurable having but in part performed what was enjoyned them and they be once again commanded to fulfil the whole Article and in case of their not doing it the Synod is charged to proceed against the said Consistory by all Church Censures And for the second point complained of by him this Assembly by and with Consent of the Deputies of that Province and of the said du Roy doth send it back unto the Synod or to the Delegates of the Colloquies of Xaintonge who shall by Authority from us judge finally of it 8. The Sieur Rochers at present Minister of the Church de la Chese in Poictou representing his very great wants and complaining both of the Church of Gardonne and the other Congregations in Perigord annexed to it for being indebted to him all the Moneys granted us by His Majesties Liberality for part of which he gave an Acquittance the same day that he had his Licence of departure by the Colloquy of Perigord and yet that very part is detained from him by the Province of Lower Guyenne This Assembly having heard the Deputies of that Province and the Sieur Charron offering satisfaction should be given him by those particular persons who were behind-hand in Arrearages to him or else in present ready Money or in that which was equivalent it did advise him to accept of the offers made him and by way of advantage the Lord du Candal was ordered to pay him an hundred Livers which shall be abated in Account from the Province of Lower Guyenne and shall be deducted by the said Sieur Rochers if so be that the Province of Xaintonge unto which he is dismissed do find that there be two years of the King's Bounty owing to him And whereas the Church of Saueilles is also indebted to him the Province of Poictou is ordered to examine the matter and to see that he be fully satisfied 9. The Church of Marennes petitioning that the Sieur Richer the younger who was now freed from that Church wherein he Ministred in the Province of Champagne and Brie might be presented to them for their Pastor This Assembly grants that the said Richer may preach among them until such time as Monsieur de Chabosselay their Pastor shall return unto them And the Colloquy of the Isles shall judge of what may be best expedient for the said Church and whether the said Richer may be confirmed in it and in case he be not employed there he shall be at full liberty to dispose of himself elsewhere 10. The Church of Paris petitioning by the Sieurs Durand and du Pradel that Monsieur Ferrier might be either sent or absolutely given them for their Pastor This Assembly weighing the reasons urged by the Church of Paris for it and those of the Deputies of Nismes and Languedoc against it Judgeth that they cannot equitably dispose of the Ministry of the said Ferrier Yet on the other hand considering the great importance and needs of the Church of Paris it intreats the Church of Nismes to lend their said Minister Monsieur Ferrier for one year or to resign him up wholly to them for life when as they shall be particularly requested to it by the Church of Paris An Order concerning Ministers born in Geneva but settled in the Churches of France that neither the Lords nor Ministers of that City can pretend any right unto them 11. The Lords and Pastors of the City and Church of Geneva sent their Letters unto this Assembly demanding that the Sieurs Chauve and le Faucheur whom they claimed as their own might be returned to them to exercise their Ministry among them After hearing the Provincial Deputies of the Lower Languedoc and Vivaretz and understanding they had none other Title to them than that of their Birth which also the Churches of France hath unto divers Pastors that have and now do actually serve the Church of Geneva This Assembly judged that their right unto them was not considerable and therefore intreats the Lords and Ministers of the City of Geneva that they would not for the future lay any claim or pretend any right unto them they being lawfully established Pastors in this Kingdom according to the Discipline of our Churches by which the Pastors are fixed and appropriated unto their Flocks immediately upon their Ordination All which shall be notified unto the Seignory and Ministry of the said Church and City of Geneva 12. The Church of Chastelheraut petitioned this Assembly to provide them a worthy Pastor they being utterly unable to procure one It was ordered that they be assisted for six months by the Neighbour Ministers and by the Colloquy of Higher Poictou and particularly by Monsieur Clemenceau Pastor of the Church of Poictiers for the first month beginning with the first of July and the second by Monsieur Monestier Pastor of the Church of Saujon by Monsieur Forent Pastor of Chauvigny the third by Monsieur Mestayer Pastor of Lusignan the fourth by Monsieur Cuville Pastor of Couche the fifth and by Monsieur Favre Pastor of Vigean the sixth 13. Remonstrances were made on the one hand by the Churches of Maringues and Paillac and on the other by the Church of Issoire this last complaining that whereas two portions of four had been formerly assigned to them now in the last National Synod they were taken from them without their knowledge or ever being heard speak for themselves and given unto those of Maringues and Paillac as also that they could never get a Minister setled among them by the Synod of Lower Languedoc but only the lone of one and him too at excessive Rates and Charges After hearing the Deputies of Lower Languedoc the Assembly ordained that for time to come the Churches of Maringues and Paillac should be joyned to the Province of Burgundy and in the distribution of its moneys four portions shall be assigned unto the said Churches according to the decree of the National Synod of Rochel And as for the Church of Issoire it shall remain incorporated with the Province of Lower Languedoc untill the next National Synod In which three portions of the Kings Moneys shall be allotted to it And the two Provinces into which the said Churches are dismissed shall provide Pastors for them as soon as possibly they can 14. The affair of the Sieur Drouet Pastor in the Church of Pont le Evesque in Normandy is remitted over to the same Province he having produced no Appeal from it 15. The Petition of the Inhabitants of Vertueil craving Relief from the Judgment given against them in this Assembly for their conjunction with those of Villefaignan and equally to injoy the Ministry of Monsieur Comar is
and Universities Cap. 15. Roll of Vagrants and Apostates Cap. 16. Lord of Candal's Accounts Cap. 17. A Dividend of Moneys among the Provinces Cap. 18. A Dividend of Moneys among the Universities and General Deputies THE Synod of PRIVAS 1612. The 20th Synod In the Name of God Acts of the National Synod held at Privas in Vivaretz in the Year of our Lord One thousand six hundred and twelve begun the 14th of May and continued for several days after even until Wednesday the fourth of July CHAP. I. Of the Deputies to the Synod There appeared as Deputies FOR the Province of Vivaretz Master John de la Faye Vivaretz Pastor of the Church of Aubenas Mr. Michael le Faucheur Pastor of the Church of Annonay Paul de Chambaud Lord of St. Quintin Elder of the Church at St. Fortunate and Isaac Gautier Advocate Elder of the Church of Annonay For the Churches of the Principality of Bearn Mr. John d'Abadie Bearn Pastor of the Church of Nay and Mr. Raymond Thoulouze Pastor of the Church of St. Gladie and the Lord David de Brassalay Elder of the Church of Maslay and Master David de Saliens Lord of Hairdultant Advocate for the King in Navarre Elder of the Church of Baigter or Baiglé For Provence Monsieur James de la Planche Provence Pastor of the Church of Lormarin and Mr. Peter Huron Pastor of the Church of Riez Peter de Villeneufve Lord of Espinouze Elder in the Church of Riez and John Feurandy Elder of the Church of Manosque For Dolphiny Mr. Daniel Chamier Pastor of the Church of Montlimard Dolphiny and Mr. John Paul Perrin Pastor of the Church of Nions and Mr. John Julian Advocate Elder in the Church of Grenoble and Francis de la Combe Elder in the Church of St. Marcellin For Burgundy Mr. David du Piotay Pastor of the Church of Gex Burgundy and Mr. Anthony le Blanc Pastor of the Church of Lyons Mr. Job Bonnett Advocate Elder in the Church of Chaalons and Humbert Perreau Advocate Elder in the Church of Bussy For Berry Orleans Blesois Dunois and Nivernois Berry Mr. Stephen de Montsanglard Pastor of the Church of Corbigny lez St. Leonard and Mr. Simeon Jurieu Pastor of the Church of Chastillion upon Loir and Jerom Groslott Lord de l'Isle Elder in the Church of Orleans and Elias du Bois Lord of Seinerreves Elder in the Church of Chasleaudun Lower Languedoc For the Lower Languedoc Mr. Andrew de la Faye Pastor of the Church of St. Germain and Mr. Peter Rossel Pastor of the Church of Bedarieux and Peter de Malmont Advocate Elder in the Church of Nismes and John Breny Lord of Hommes-Sargues Elder in the Church of Albiez Higher Languedoc For the Upper Languedoc Mr. Bernard de Sonis Pastor and Professor of Divinity in the University of Montauban and Mr. Hector Joly Pastor of the same Church and Levy de Barjac Lord of Biraul Elder in the Church of Brueil and James du Croix Advocate Elder in the Church of Castres For the Lower Guyenne Mr. Moyses Ricotier Pastor of the Church of Clerac and Mr. Moyses Ferrand Pastor of the Church de la Parade and John de Verteil Lord of Maleret Elder in the Church of Bourdeaux and Stephen Maniald Advocate Lower Guyenne Xaintonge Elder also of the same Church For the Province of Xaintonge Aulnix and Augoulmois Mr. Paul Bonnet Pastor in the Church of Saujon and Mr. Samuel Petit Pastor of the Church of Xaintes and Samuel de Campet Baron of Saujon Elder in the Church of Saujon and Elias de Glatignon Advocate Elder in the Church of Angoulesme For Poictou Poictou Mr. Isaac de Camille Pastor of the Church of Cobe and Mr. George Tompson Pastor of the Church de la Chastaignoraye and Moyses Suzannes Lord de la Forest Breduliere Elder in the Church of Marevil and Peter de Cognac Advocate Elder in the Church of Fontenay For Anjou Anjou Tourain le Mayne c. Mr. Peter Perillan Pastor of the Church de l'Isle Bouchard and Mr. John Vigner Pastor of the Church of Mans and James de Laufernat Lord of Villiers Elder in the Church of Audenay and Daniel Fevron Advocate Elder in the Church of Loudun For Brittany Brittany Mr. John Parant Lord of Preau Pastor of the Church of Vitré and Mr. Bertrand d' Avignon Lord of Souvigné Pastor of the Church of Rennes and Stephen le Maistre Lord de la Reignelaye Elder in the Church de la Roche-Bernard and Gaspard Ezille Lord of Coign Doctor of Physick Elder in the Church of de la Moussay For Normandy Normandy Mr. Moyses Cartaud Pastor in the Church of Dieppe Mr. John Bonvier Lord de la Fresnaye Pastor in the Church of Caen and John de Bradefer Lord de la Maneville Elder in the Church of Fontaine Grougny and Paul du Vivier Elder in the Church of Bajeux but absent by reason of his sickness which excuse was accepted The Isle of France For the Isle of France Picardy and Champagne Mr. Peter du Moulin Pastor of the Church of Paris and Mr. John Carre Pastor of the Church Despense and Anthony de Cormons Lord of Villeneufve Elder in the Church of Sezanne and Elias Biggott Advocate Elder in the Church of Paris Deputy General The second day after the opening of this Synod there came also unto it James de Jacourt Lord of Rouvray Deputy General for the Reformed Churches of France residing with their Majesties who had his priviledge of Voting in this Assembly After Prayers offered up to God the whole Assembly elected Mr. Daniel Chamier Moderator and Mr. du Moulin Assessor and the Sieurs de Monsanglard and Maniald Scribes CHAP. II. Orders about the Election of Moderator and Deputies A Deputy censured for bringing his Election 1. LEST in chusing the Moderator any one should give his vote who had by undue ways and crafty designs gotten his Deputation unto these National Synods it was unanimously resolved by this whole Assembly that the first thing which shall be done in it before ever the Moderator be chosen shall be the reading of the Letters of Commission granted by the Provinces unto their Deputies to represent and act for them and the Pastors of that place in which the Synod shall be Assembled shall administer the Oath unto the respective Deputies who shall swear by the Eternal God that they have not themselves in their own persons nor do they know that any other for them or that any of their Colleagues hath Craftily or by any undue means and under-hand dealings procured his or their Deputations 2. The Deputies of Lower Languedoc moved that before we passed unto any other business Inquiry might be made whether any of the Provincial Deputies since their Election had not Committed such Acts as merited Exclusion from this Assembly The motion was accepted and order Given for the Examen that the unworthy
of July The second before the last of this next October And the third before the last of February sixteen hundred and thirteen To wit for Provence Lower Languedoc and Vivaretz in the City of Montpellier For Brittany at Nants For Xaintonge at the City of Rochel And for the Provinces of Burgundy Dolphiny and Vivaretz to the Commissioners which are or shall be named by the said Province at the City of Lions To wit the two first payments at the Fairs in August and All-hallontide of this present year and the third at the Fair of the three Kings in the year 1613. And the above-mentioned Provinces shall be obliged to appoint in each of those before named Towns one certain house unto which the Lord du Candal may come and make payment of those Moneys And the said Lord du Candal shall pay in quarterly unto the said Churches whatsoever he can actually recover of that Quarter unto each of the Provinces equally they concurring to the abatement of a Sous in the Liver within the fifteenth of August of the year 1613. at the places and unto the persons named by the said Provinces And touching the overplus which remaineth to be recovered after the fifteenth of August in the year 1613 he shall give in his notes in writing unto every particular Province who shall come and take them according to the Accompt and Dividend which shall be made by our General Deputies at Court. Of all which summs thus actually payed down by the said Lord of Candal he shall take and keep unto himself a Sous in the Liver which was freely granted him excepting for the Universities from whom he may detain only four Deniers a farthing in the Liver which in truth is not his but the right and due of the Lord de Visouze And as for these Rescriptions of the last Quarter he shall only take three Deniers and the whole shall be managed and dispatched in a full and exact conformity to that agreement past between him and the Deputies of our Churches at the National Synod of Gap and the Regulations made in the following years Moreover the said Lord du Candal is required not to divert unto any other uses the Moneys of our Churches and Universities whatever orders he may receive from other hands without an express order from a National Synod otherwise it shall not be allowed him in the yielding up of his Accompts Done at Privas in Vivaretz the 4th of July 1612. Subscribed by Chamier Moderator Monsanglard Scribes Du Moulin Assessor and Maniald Scribes THE Acts Canons Decisions and Decrees OF THE XXIth National Synod OF The Reformed Churches OF FRANCE Held in the City of Lower Tonneins in the Province of Lower Guyenne Begun on Friday the second day of May and ending on Tuesday the third of June in the Year 1614. under the Authority and by the Permission of Louis XIII King of France and Navarre THE CONTENTS OF THE Synodical Acts. 1614. The 21th Synod Chap. I. CAtalogue of Deputies Synodical Officers chosen Chap. II. An Order about Letters of Deputation Chap. III. Urgent matters Important advice by the Deputies of the Council of Lower Guyenne given unto the Synod Art 6. Chap. IV. Observations upon the Confession of Faith Chap. V. Observations upon the Discipline Chap. VI. Observations upon the Synod of Privas The eighteenth Article of the Confession explained Observat 19. Chap. VII Appeals Chap. VIII General matters Chap. IX Of Particular matters Chap. X. Of Colledges and Universities Chap. XI Accompts of Universities and Colledges Chap. XII Lord of Candals Accompts Chap. XIII Dividends of Moneys among the Provinces and Universities Chap. XIV Roll of Deposed and Apostate Ministers Chap. XV. An Act of the Oath of Union Chap. XVI An Act about the meeting of the next General mixt Assembly Chap. XVII The Synods Bill of Grievances Chap. XVIII A Project for uniting all the Protestant Churches which have shook off the Papal yoke◠Chap. XIX Letters from James 1. K. of Great Britain unto the Synod with the Synods Answer and several other Letters Chap. XX. The Excommunication of Jeremy Ferrier an Apostate Minister THE Synod of Tonneins In the Name of God Amen Acts of the National Synod of the Reformed Churches in France held at Tonneins within the Province of Lower Guyenne on Friday the first of May and continued till Thursday the third of June in the Year of our Lord 1614. CHAP. I. Deputies Names Officers chosen 1. AFTER Invocation of the Name of God the Letters of Deputation were read that so the Call of every person assisting in it might be known and the Oath taken by them that they had not by any secret under-hand or undue practices gotten themselves Elected Deputies and that they knew not any of this Assembly to have so done after which they chose the Sieur Gigord Moderator and Monsieur Gardesy Assessor and Monsieur Rivett a Pastor and Monsieur Maltret an Elder to be Scribes 2. The Assembly proceeding in their Examination of the Letters of Commission begun with the Province of Higher Languedoc and Higher Guyenne for which there appeared Monsieur John Gardesy Pastor in the Church of Mauvesin and Bennet Balarand Pastor in the Church of Castres with Peter du Puy Lord of Sabournac Elder in the Church of St. Paul la Miate and Denys Maltret Advocate in the Court of Castres Elder of the Church in that City 3. For the Province of Poictou Monsieur Andrew Rivet Pastor of the Church at Touars and Peter de la Vallade Pastor of the Church in Fontenay Compte with Jonas de Bessay Lord of Bessay Elder in the Church of Marueil and Giles Begaud Lord of la Begaudiere Elder in the Church of St. Fulgentius 4. For the Province of Brittany Monsieur de la Place Pastor of Sion and Andrew le Noir Lord of Beauchamp Pastor of the Church gathered in the House of my Lord the Duke of Rohan with Stephen Groyer Lord of Kerbouchart Councillor of the King and Alloué de Guerrande Elder in the Church of Croisis and James de Beaulieu Elder in the Church of Rennes 5. For the Province of the Isle of France Picardy Champagne and the Land of Chartres Mr. James Imbert Durant Pastor in the Church of la Ferté of the Vidame and Abraham de la Cloche Pastor of the Church of Chaltray together with Elijah Bigot Advocate in the Parliament of Paris and Elder in the said Church who tendered Letters of Excuse from the Sieur Vauquet Elder of the Church of Laon declaring the Reasons of his absence from this National Synod of which his Province shall take cognisance and they be exhorted to take care that for the future there may be none of their Deputies wanting 5. For the Province of Vivaretz Vellay and Forrest Monsieur Daniel Chanforan Pastor of the Church of Poussin and Monsieur John du Croy Pastor in the Church of Villeneuve de Berg together with James Olivier Advocate in the Court
of that place and Elder in the same Church and James Garnier Elder in the Church of Privas 7. For the Province of the Lower Guyenne Monsieur Jeremy Bancons Pastor in this Church of Tonneins and Ezechiel Marmett Pastor in the Church of Nerac together with Francis de Lusignan Baron of Lusignan Governour for the King in his Town and Castle of Puymirol and Elder of the Church there gathered and John de la Nouaille Elder in the Church of Gensac 8. For the Province of Xaintonge Aulnix and Augoulmois Monsieur Louis le Chevelier Lord of la Cappelliere and Jerom Colomiers both Pastors in the Church of Rochel together with Leon de St. Maure Baron of Montosier Elder in the Church of Bene and Peter de Breuil Lord of Fontenelles Elder in the Church of Barbezieux 9. For the Churches in the Principality of Bearn Monsieur John de Dizerotte Pastor in the Church of Olleron and Peter de Nauguey Doctor of Physick Elder in the Church of Lescar 10. For the Province of Anjou Touraln le Maine Condomnois Vendomois and the Lower Parche Monsieur Samuel Bouchereau Pastor in the Church of Saumur together with Eleazar de la Primauday Lord of la Barree Elder in the Church of Bourgueil and Abes dit Val Lord of Villiers the King's Attorney in the Election and Granary of Salt at Chasteaugontier and Elder of the Church there who related unto this Assembly that Monsieur Daniel Coupe Pastor in the Church of Tours their Fellow-Deputy was absent through the opposition of his Consistory which also was confirmed by the Brethren that passed through that Town Whereupon the Synod judged the Authors of his absence highly censurable and cannot approve of the said Coupés compliance with their will to the prejudice of what had been decreed in the Provincial Synod And that a meet Censure according to the merits of the Cause may be duly inflicted on them express order is given to the Pastors and Elders of the Isle of France and Anjou that in their return from hence homeward they shall pass unto Tours and particularly inquire into this fact and by Authority of this Assembly shall pass Sentence on them and all their Charges shall be defrayed by that said Church and they shall make report of their duty herein either in Person or by Letters unto the next National Synod 11. For the Province of Higher Languedoc Monsieur John Gigord Pastor and Professor of Divinity in the Church and University of Montpellier and John Bansillon Pastor of the Church in Aiguemortes together with Peter de Massanes Councillor for the King and General in the Court of Assistants at Montpellier and Elder of that Church and Henry de Farrell Lord of St. Privat Elder in the Church of Usez 12. For the Province of Sevennes and Gevaudan Monsieur John Bony Pastor in the Church of Sauve together with James de Combier Lord Baron of Fonds and of Serignac Elder in the Church of Juissac and Peter de Sduorin Lord of Pomaret and of St. Andrew de Valborgne Elder in the Church of the same place who presented Letters from Monsieur John Fitz Pastor in the Church of St. John of Gardenengue excusing his absence by reason of sickness befallen him in his Journey which excuse being warrantable was accepted by this Assembly Since there arrived Monsieur Esaiah du Marez Pastor of the Church of Alez who being substituted in his stead and tendering the Act of Substitution unto this Synod he was immediately admitted 12. For the Province of Provence Monsieur Samuel Toussain Pastor in the Church of Luc with Balthazar Geronte Lord of Verages Elder in the Church of Aiguieres 13. For the Province of Dolphiny Mr. Paul Guyon Pastor in the Church of Dieu le Fit and Denys Bouteroue Pastor in the Church of Grenoble together with James de Veze Lord of la Lo Elder in the Church of Montlimart and Francis de la Combe Elder in the Church of St. Marcellin 14. For the Province of Burgundy Lyonnois Beaâ—jolois Brosse and Gex Monsieur Peter Colinet Pastor of the Church of Paray in Charolois and Peter Eliot Pastor of the Church of Arnay le Duc together with John de Jaucour Lord of Villarnou Elder in the Church of Avalon and John Grace Elder in the Church of Lion 15. For the Province of Normandy Monsieur Benjamin Banage Pastor of the Church at Karentan and Samuel de l'Escherpiere Lord of la Riviere Pastor in the Church of Rouen together with Paul du Vivier Lord of Beaumont Elder in the Church of Bayeux and James le Noble Lord of la Leau Elder in the Church of Dies 16. For the Province of Orleans Berry Blezois c. Monsieur Daniel Jamett Pastor of the Church of St Amand in Bourbonnois and Samuel de Chambaran Pastor of the Church of l'Orges and Marchenoir together with Lewes de Courcillon Lord of d'Angeau Elder in the said Church and James de Brissay Lord of Jenonville Elder in the Church of Gergeau 17. There appeared also in this Assembly Stephen Chesneverd Lord of la Millitiere General Deputy of the Reformed Churches in this Kingdom who was admitted and had both his deliberative and decisive Votes granted him CHAP. II. An Order about Letters of Deputation See the third Synod of Rochel Art 1. after the choice of the Moderator 2. Vitré Art 1. after the Roll. 1. ALL the Provinces for the future are enjoyned to express the proper names and surnames of the Pastors and Elders deputed by them unto these National Synods and to specifie that particular place wherein they exercise their respective Offices And whereas that failure observed by former National Synods about Submission and Obedience is still found wanting in several Letters of Deputation from divers Provinces it is ordained that it shall be promised in express terms without any condition or modification whatsoever unto all things which shall be determined and decreed by these National Synods CHAP. III. Vrgent Matters 2. THE Church of Paris excused its Consistory and Monsieur du Moulin one of their Pastors about his absence from this Assembly tho' nominated thereunto by the Synod of the Isle of France and offered that if he might have speedy notice of it and this Assembly judged it needful he should yet come unto them But upon debate it was found utterly inconvenient for the said Monsieur du Moulin to appear in person among us or that the cause of his trouble should be examined and judged by this Assembly this being no proper place for its tryal for by such an Anticipation we should imbroil our selves with the Civil Magistrates wherefore the excuses both of the Consistory of that Church and of the said Sieur du Moulin were accepted 3. The Letters of the Lords Dukes of Rohan and Sully and from the Lord du Plessis Marli were received and read in this Assembly all tending to assure the Churches of this Kingdom of their holy Resolution immovably to
to batter it down with force of Arguments and to defend at the same time conjoyntly together the Rights of God and those of the Higher Powers ordained by him CHAP. IX Particular Matters 1. THERE was read an Act of the Colloquy of Higher Agenois in which the Council of Lower Guyenne complained against the Lord of Pujole and against a certain Judgment of the said Colloquy past in his favour because that the said Lord had seriously protested of his sincere intentions to persist in the profession of our Religion they could not imagine that he would admit into his heart such a disloyal thought as to abandon the Sacred Communion of our Churches and to bring the worst of evils upon his Soul in good earnest 1614. The 21th Synod yet nevertheless they did judge the said Lord worthy of the heaviest Censures for his great miscarriages in all his publick actings particularly that instead of demanding in a lawful Assembly the Reformation of those Defaults and Abuses he pretended to have observed in the Council he had as much as in him lay exposed it to the highest contempt and infamy and followed a course notoriously contrary to all Orders which have been until now uniformly obeyed and practised among us with good acceptance and success a matter of very dangerous consequence and which might cause an irreparable breach in our Union Which fault of his he did confess and acknowledge and promised for the future to conform himself to the Canons which are now or hereafter may be established by these Assemblies And Monsieur Ferrand a Pastor was ordered to acquaint this Assembly of it All things duly considered this Assembly approveth of the Judgment of that Colloquy and of the said Lord du Pujol's submission and having once more reiterated the same Remonstrances it drew from him those promises by means of which he was reconciled unto the Provincial Council and to all those who were known to have shared in the scandal that he had given And all the Churches Parties in those disturbances were exhorted to live in Peace and Union for the future which was mutually promised on all sides 2. The Deputies of the Churches of Auvergne remonstrated their deplorable estate and condition earnestly desiring the favour and assistance of this Assembly to help them in their prosecutions at Court that they might be inabled to uphold and continue the exercise of the true Religion at Issoyre and that they may be provided of a Pastor meet for so weighty a work this Assembly ordered the Lords General Deputies to have a most especial care of their concern and to allow them the two hundred Livers which they have received on accompt from the Lord du Candall and they do farther grant them one hundred Livers more and continue unto them their four portions which had been formerly appointed to be paid in unto them free of all taxations and defalcations by the Province of Sevennes and Gevaudan upon the score of any charges ordinary or extraordinary whatsoever and it ordaineth that the Churches of Issoyre shall be incorporated with the said Province from which according to order they shall receive their aforesaid portions and dispose of them towards the maintenance of their Pastors and the remainders thereof shall be expended in defraying their charges before mentioned until the next National Synod 3. The same Deputies for that Province of Higher and Lower Auvergne having petitioned this Assembly to provide them a Pastor for the afore-mentioned Church of Issoyre had granted them Monsieur Babat who was now at full liberty to serve the Church of Issoyre and it s annexed Congregations and to be their own peculiar Pastor who shall be brought over to them with his houshold goods and Library at their charges and they shall furnish him with Moneys and the assistance of an Elder to be present at the Provincial Synods of Sevennes as often as they should be summoned to them 4. The Lord Vicount of Leyran demanding by his Letter sent unto this Assembly 2. Vitré g. m. 11. Two Copies read Dan. and Din. some additions from us unto two hundred Livers which he promiseth for himself shall be paid to the gathering and constituting of a Church at Legran l'Imbrassat and d'Ur there was granted him one ordinary portion and another half extraordinary both free of all charges ordinary and extraordinary from that Province just as it comes from the Dividend made by the National Synod and that said Province shall be accountable for the disposal of those portions unto the next National Synod And Letters also shall be written unto the said Lord of Leyran praising and commending his Zeal and Affection towards the advancement of the Kingdom of God 5. John de Luna and Laurens Fernandez both Spaniards presented themselves Montauban declaring their Abjuration of Monkery and Popery and approving of their Conversation ever since their Conversion as also Stephen Conversett of the Franche Comté who had quitted the Order of the Dominicans and Peter Mercurin a Provincial who had also abandoned Popery This Assembly granted unto the said Fernandez Conversett and Mercurin an hundred and forty Crowns a-piece and farther ordaineth that the said Mercurin shall be put into the Catalogue of Proposans and be first of all employed in the Ministry in Provence And as for John de Luna who desires leave to retire for some time into Holland there be sixty Livers granted him for his Voyage And whereas one called Buisson born in the Lower Guyenne is lately converted from the Popish Religion unto the Reformed thirty Livers are given him towards his relief until the next Provincial Synod wherein he shall be particularly cared for All which shall be paid without making it a Prefident for the future and the Provinces and Pastors are expresly charged and forbidden never to present more unto these Assemblies any such Converts 6. The Sieur Constantin declaring his most miserable estate and craving our charitable Relief in his deep Poverty this Assembly ordained that there should be paid him yearly the sum of an hundred Livers which shall be put to the account of the Moneys distributed to the Province of the Higher Guyenne and immediately 300 Livers were given him to defray his charges in coming unto this Assembly and the Corporation of Bergerac shall be exhorted to augment his Salary as Regent of that Classis in which he serveth 7. The Deputies of the Church of Pons did in the name of its Elders and Heads of Families present their Petition that they might be provided of a Pastor This Assembly ordained that Monsieur Constant who is now freed from the Church of Mazgravier be given unto the said Church of Pons in case that they like of him and he of them And that they may treat hereof the aforesaid Deputies are advised to go to Montauban in which City they may hear and discourse with him about it who having been there they did bring with them the said Constant
Synod on pain of losing their right unto a Colledge 14 The Province of Xaintonge having brought in no Accompt of their Colledge they were injoined to bring it in to the next Provincial Synod of Poictou who shall examine it and make report thereof unto the next National Synod 15. The Sieurs Bigot and la Combe made report unto this Assembly that they had received the sum of three thousand Livers being their Salary for executing a Commission given them by the Synod of Privas which having performed they were now discharged and the said sum so paid was approved on all hands both by the Synod and the said Bigot and la Combe CHAP. XII A Collection of the Accompts of the Lord du Candal Commissionated to receive and distribute the Moneys granted by the King unto the Reformed Churches of France for the maintenance of their Ministers and a Dividend of the said Moneys THE Commissioners deputed by the National Synod held in the City of Tonneins in the month of May in the year 1614. And chosen out of every Province to receive the Accounts of the Lord du Candal and to make a Dividend of the Moneys given our Churches by the King did report unto the said Synod that in their examination and auditing of those Accounts they have found the said Lord du Candal by an Account taken in the National Synod of Privas to be indebted for Arrears of the years 1604 1605 and 1606. the sum of two thousand two hundred and eighty seven Livers and ten Sous thrown upon the Account of our Garrisons and again the sum of 22575 Livers 7 Sous and 1 Denier due from the Receivers of Poictiers and Limoges the said sums amounting to 24862 Livers 17 Sous and 1â— Denier for the recovering of which he was intreated to become our Sollicitor and as a proof of his care and diligence herein he brought in by his Deputy Sulpitius Cuper a Bill comprising the remainders of the said years and of the year 1609. according to a Decree of the Synod of St. Maixant by which it does appear that the said Lord du Candal had received the sum of 24862. Livers 17. Sous and 1. Denier the sum of 4193. Livers 10. Sous and more 10. Livers and 8. Deniers remainders of the years 1609. and 1610. Whereof he brings in for expences the sum of 1300. Livers paid by an order of the Synod of Privas to wit unto Monsieur Vignier 500. Livers unto Monsieur Sonis 300. Livers unto Monsieur Thompson 300. Livers to the Sieur Cuper the Deputy of the said Lord du Candal 200 Livers and to Taxes and Charges in clearing the Account yielded by him for the said Arrears before the Lords Commissioners ordained by the King to audit his Accounts 150 Livers and he couched in Reprisals the summ of 22669 Livers nine Sous in two Articles to wit 20318 Livers 16 Sous which he could never get out of the hands of the Receivers of Poictiers and Limoges and that they may be recovered there must be made a special Article to be presented by the Deputies in the General Assembly that so our Lords the General Deputies and they may Joyn together in their demands to have the said Moneys re-assigned them as also the sum of 350 Livers 13 Sous which he could never recover from the Garrisons which ought to be remonstrated in the said Assembly the whole disbursment in expences and reprisals amounting to the sum of 22119 Livers nine Sous which deducted from the said sum of 24873 Livers 18 Sous and nine Deniers there remains a clear debt owing by him of 2753 Livers eight Sous and nine Deniers and 97 Livers six Sous and four Deniers which could not be comprised in the Dividend made by that said Synod of Privas of the Arrears aforesaid which comes in all to 2850 Livers 15 Sous 2 Deniers out of which beside the sum of 150 Livers couched as above in expences he requires farther to be allowed him the reimbursment of his Charges in the year 1604 in his prosecution and solliciting of the said Arrears which he proved by the Bills lying before us and according to the Reference dismissed over unto the said Commissioners 2. More they reported that he made good payment of the 4766 Livers 17 Sous arising from the said Remainders according to the Dividend made by the said Synod of Privas as also the Payment of the sum of 4570 Livers 15 Sous according to another Dividend made by the same Synod for the remainders of the years 1607 and 1608. As was evident by the certificate of the Lord de Rouvray one of our General Deputies who had seen the Acquittances of the said payments 3. Moreover they saw the Certificate of the said Lord de Rouvray of the Acquittances presented to him for the sum of 24955 Livers 19 Sous and 11 Deniers for born by the said Synod of Privas Upon which score also the Act of the said respit of payment was read 4. They also saw examined and cast up the Account of the Sieur Sulpitius Cuper Deputy of the said Lord du Candal for the last quarter of the year 16111. for the whole year 1612. for the three first quarters of the year 1613. whereof the receipt amounted unto 348750 Livers to wit for the said quarter of the year 1611. 33750 Livers for the year 1612. 180000 for the three quarters of 1613. 135000 l. 5. They also saw and examined the disbursment of 328937 Livers three Sous one Denier to wit for the last quarter of 1611. 33750 for the year 1612. 174295 l. one s five d. and for the three quarters of 1613. 130882 l. 18 s eight d. whereof there is a Respit of payment on five Articles of the year 1612. the sum of 5931 l. 11 s nine d. through want of Acquittances which he will produce before the Lords General Deputies and bringing their Certificates the said Act of Respit shall be removed CHAP. XIII THere remaineth due for the year 1612. and three quarters of the year 1613. the summ of 9812 l 16 s and 11 d. which debt ariseth from the Moneys detained in his hands out of the portions of the Provinces of Higher Languedoc Lower Languedoc in obedience to an Order of the Synod of Privas for the said year 1612. and for three quarters of the following 1613. whereof he hath disbursed in payments since according to the order of the aforesaid Synod Unto the University of Die 3000 l. to Monsieur Chamier 2000 l. to Monsieur Perrin 300 l. So there remaineth clear in his hands 4512 l. 16 s 11 d. Over and above the said summ of 4512 l. 16 s 11 d. for the said years 1612. and three quarters of the year 1613. The said Lord du Candal is yet to pay of the Arrears of 1604 1605 and 1606. the summ of 2839 l. 13 s 3 d. including in it the 97 l. 6 s 4 d. which was included in the Dividend of Privas as
12 Pastors 3 Proposans 5 portions supernumerary taking in those ordained for Issoire and Maruejolles in all 60 portions and the Colledge the sum of 12184 10 0 14. For Higher Languedoc and Guyenne for 78 Pastors seven Proposans one portion and a half for Leyran 16596 10 0 in all 86 portions and a half the sum of 16989 08 0 15. Lower Guyenne for 78 Pastors 5 Proposans one portion for Soules in all 84 portions 16596 10 0 16. Each 196 03 2 To the Sieurs Suffran and Heeme each a portion 00139 16 4 The total Sum 169973 10 0 All which sums the said Lord du Candal shall pay Quarterly both to the Universities and Commissioners of the provinces and at the terms and manner following To wit that part which belongs to the Provinces of the Isle of France Anjou Normandy Poictou Lower Guyenne Berry and Higher Languedoc taking in the Universities which are in those Provinces into the Commissioners hands whose names have been already or shall be given in unto him by those Provinces And the first payment shall be made the first of July the second on the 15th of October following and the third the last day of January next ensuing for the Isle of France in the City of Paris for Normandy at Roan for Berry at Orleans for Poictou at Poitiers for the Lower Guyenne at Bourdeaux for the Higher Languedoc at Montauban for Anjou at Tours As for the Lower Languedoc Sevennes Brittany Provence and Xaintonge the first payment shall be made at the latter end of July next and the second on the fifth of October following and the third in the end of February next ensuing For Provence Lower Languedoc and Sevennes in the City of Montpellier for Brittany at Nants for Xaintonge at Rochel For the Provinces of Burgundy Dolphiny and Vivaretz at the City of Lions viz. the two first payments at the Fairs in the next August and November and the third at the Fair of Twelfth-Tide which will be in January 1615. And the said Provinces shall be obliged to nominate and chuse some one certain house in each of these Cities whereunto the said Lord of Candal may be directed to make payment of those Moneys And the said Lord of Candal also shall pay in to the said Churches the last quarter of the year 1613 which he shall deliver in unto every one of the Provinces equally they abating the Sous in the Liver before the 15th of August 1615. And he shall give in to all the Provinces desiring it an Answer in writing of the Accompt and Dividend that shall be made by our General Deputies residing at Court Privas of Colledges Art 26. And out of all those sums which shall be actually paid by him the said Lord of Candal he shall detain in his hands a Sous in the Liver which was accorded to him excepting for the Universities of whose Moneys he shall only detain four Deniers in the Liver which is the right of the Sieur Vissouze And as for the Accompts of the last quarter three Deniers only This being according to the Contract and Articles of Agreement past between him and the Deputies of our Churches at the National Synod of Gap Moreover Gâ—gtaâ— p. 11.46 this Assembly enjoyneth the said Lord du Candal not to divert the Moneys of our Churches and Universities which shall be received by him unto any other uses whatever Orders he may receive from other hands but only by an Express Order of a National Synod otherwise it shall not be allowed him in his Accompts CHAP. XIV The Roll of the Deposed and Apostate Ministers 1. IN the Isle of France George Suisse alias Soulais formerly Minister at Fountainbleau suspended from his Office for his vicious and ungodly Life he is since revolted A fellow of a low stature black hair about forty years of age 2. Item one going by the name of Merlette born at Reims in Champagne deposed for his Insufficiency he hath since revolted a fellow tall of stature Chess-nut colour'd hair somewhat brown little or no Beard He was of the same Province 3. Esme de Beauvalet otherwise d'Aix and de Beauval formerly Pastor of the Church at Lavall in Picardy suspended from the Sacred Ministry for his vicious life and wicked conversation he is since revolted a fellow low of stature Chess-nut colour'd hair and bald about 45 years old 4. In Anjou John de Vassan low of stature Eagle-nos'd wide mouth'd little or no Beard deposed for his infamous Uncleannesses he is since revolted aged about 34 years 5. In the Lower Languedoc Jeremy Ferrier a tall fellow black and curled hair of an Olive-greenish Complexion wide open nostrils great lips censured and suspended for his leud carriage and wicked manner of living he hath since deserted the Ministry and was excommunicated out of the Church from which also he hath since apostatized aged about 38 years He was Pastor and Professor at Nismes 6. In Dolphiny Josias Montagne a middle siz'd fellow having a black and tufted Beard mixt hair open and roving Eyes about 40 year old sometimes Minister at Orpierre but since an Apostate The Churches in the Principality of Bearn shall have the priviledge of calling the next National Synod upon condition that they observe the resolutions and decrees of the National Synods of France and bring in their Appeals unto them as also that if any difficulty should arise about the Meeting of the said Synod in the said Principality that they shall within the space of an year give notice thereof unto the Province of Brittany that they may injoy the right of Calling the Synod unto the City of Vitre and no where else and this at the end of two years and about May. Saving always that it may be hastned or deferred as our General Deputies and the Neighbouring Provinces do think fit And in case the Synod be held in Bearn leave is continued unto the Province of Brittany to send but one Pastor and one Elder and the like Priviledge is granted unto Provence unto whatsoever place the Synod shall be convocated All what has been above mentioned was debated resolved and decreed since the second of May unto the third of June inclusively in the year of our Lord 1614. To whom be Honour Praise and Glory for ever more Amen Subscribed by Gigord Moderator Gardesy Assessor Andrew Rivet Scribes Denis Maltrett Scribes CHAP. XV. An Act of the Oath of Vnion Taken Sworn and Subscribed by all the Deputies of the Reformed Churches of France Assembled in their National Synod at Tonneins in the Province of Lower Guyenne in May 1614. WE whose Names are hereunder Written Deputies of the Reformed Churches of France Assembled in a National Synod held at Tonneins in the Province of Lower Guyenne knowing by past experience that there is nothing more needful for the preservation of the peace and wellfare of our Churches than an holy Union and inviolable Concord both in Doctrine and Discipline and
their dependencies and that the said Churches cannot long Subsist without a Good a Strict and Mutual Union and conjunction of one with the other and this better kept and maintained than formerly Therefore being desirous what in us lyeth for the future to remove all seeds of division and occasion of partialities between the said Churches and to obviate all Impostures Plots Calumnies and Practices whatsoever by means whereof divers Persons ill affected to our Religion do indeavour its utter Ruine and destruction For which reason we are more bound than ever by an unanimous consent and agreement to use those means which will most and best contribute to our just lawful and necessary preservation in the Union aforesaid under the authority of our Soveraign Lord the King and the Queen Regent his Mother we have in the Name of all those Churches and for their Weal and Happiness and for the service of their Majesties Sworn and Protested and do Swear and Protest yea we do also promise that we will see these our Protestation to be ratified in and by all our respective Provinces to continue inseparably United and conjoyned in the Confession of Faith owned and Professed by the Reformed Church of this Kingdom and confirmed approved and ratified by us all We Swear as well in our own Names as in the Names of all the Churches and Provinces which Commissionated us to be their Deputies unto this Assembly that we will live and die in this Confession as also we do protest that we will keep inviolably that Ecclesiastical Discipline which is established in the Reformed Churches of this Kingdom and to observe its Canons for the Government of these Churches and the reformation of manners owning and acknowledging that it is agreeable to the Word of God under whose supream and unviolable authority We Protest and Swear to yield all obedience and fidelity to their Majesties desiring nothing more than through the favour of their Edicts to serve our God without any Violence offered unto our Consciences Sworn and Subscribed by Gigord Moderator Gardesy Assessor Rivet and Scribes Maltrett Scribes And by all the other Deputies with their own hands CHAP. XVI An Act for the Meeting of the General Mixt Assembly THE Lord of Rouvray our General Deputy having sent unto this Synod his Majesties writ bearing date the 22d day of this present month by which at the request of this National Synod the time of meeting for the next National General Assembly is put off till the a 25th of August but without any change of place This Assembly judging the City of Grenoble to be a very inconvenient place because of its great distance and for being the Residence of a Parliament and for divers other great and weighty reasons ordered that Letters should be written unto the Lord Marshal Duke de Lesdiguieres and presented to him by the Deputies of Burgundy and Dolphiny who also by word of mouth should humbly intreat his excellency not only to take in good part the change of the place of meeting which all the Deputies convened at this Synod have unanimously desired and hold necessary but also that he would be pleased to joyn with them in their humble request and Petition unto their Majesties by the Lords our General Deputies who shall present unto them Letters from this Assembly in which with all humbleness it shall be declared that the late King of most happy Memory did usually make choice of the most meet and convenient places for the holding of those Assemblies And the said Lords Deputies shall use their utmost care and diligence to give notice and information of the success of this their undertaking before the 15th of July or sooner if may be unto the Provincial Assemblies in case of refusal This Assembly adviseth also that it would be expedient that they send each of them one Deputy chosen out of their whole Body to reiterate with all submissions and reverence their most humble Petitions unto their Majesties and by conjoyned Supplications to obtain this change from them Moreover the Lords General Deputies are most expresly charged to prosecute their complaints of that grievous Outrage Committed by the Lieutenant in the Government of Guise against Monsieur Sigart Pastor of the Church of Levall and to desire that justice may have its due Course upon that Officer they corroborating by word of mouth what hath been written unto their Majesties from this Assembly about it They be also exhorted according to the Canon made at Privas most humbly to petition their Majesties that we may be exempted from that necessity which is now more eagerly and violently prest upon us than ever yea and with greater severity rigour and exaction than heretofore and against that Liberty of Conscience which hath been so often promised us of styling our selves of the pretended Reformed Religion we rather choosing to suffer all kind of torments than to be compelled with our own mouths to condemn our own most holy and true Religion Moreover they be exhorted to assist the Church of Dijon whose place of Meeting for Religious Worship is removed four long Leagues distant from that City although by the Edict they may have their Temple in the Suburbs And yet this poor Church hath been frustrated of its expectations and earnest requests after ten years Prosecution and Attendance at Court for if They shall also complain of the Commissioners that were sent into Burgundy to see the Edict of Nants executed for that they refused to hear the Petitions tendered them for restoring the exercise of our Religion in seven antient Baily wicks and in the Cities of St. John de Laune and de Noyers where the Word of God had been duly and constantly Preached in the years 1576 and 1577. And they shall favour and stand by that opposition made by those of our Religion in Vivaretz against the Petition presented to the Council by the Judge of the Lower Vivaretz who would of his own head and authority bring into the Royal Courts of Villeneuve of Berg and Annonay Causes determinable in the Provosts Court which is expresly contrary to that Article of the Edict declaring that the Judgment of Declinators and Exceptions against the Jurisdictions of a Court shall only appertain to the Mixt Chambers of the Edict or to other Courts at the choice of the Professors of our Religion They shall complain also of letting decay the Fortifications of Clermont in the Lower Languedoc one of our Cautionary Towns and given us as a pledge and hostage for our security The Papists in the mean while fortifying the Town against the Castle They are also intreated to be careful of that business of Monsieur de la Garde Governour of Tonneins who being summoned and brought before His Majesty and Council after a world of difficulty was dismissed over to the Chamber of Grenoble from whence the Jesuits and other Clergy of the Romish Church would fain remove it back again to Paris And they shall use all
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
though not without tears and groans that he hath lost his priviledge and right of Burgesship in the City and Family of God For these Causes we the Pastors and Elders of the Reformed Churches in the Lower Languedoc Deputies of this Province having charge and care of the Colloquy of Lionnois and authorized thereunto by the National Synod we denounce the said Master Jeremy Ferrier to be a scandalous man a person incorrigible impenitent and ungovernable and as such having first invocated the holy Name of the Living and True God and in the Name and Power of our Lord Jesus Christ by the conduct of the Holy Ghost and with Authority from the Church we have cast and do now cast and throw him out of the Society of the Faithful that he may be delivered up unto Satan declaring that he ought not to be reckoned reputed nor numbered as a Member of our Lord Jesus Christ nor of his Church but that he be counted and esteemed as a Publican and Heathen as a Prophane person and contemptuous despiser of God exhorting all the Faithful and enjoyning them in the Name of our Lord and Master no more to hold any conversation with this Son of Belial but to estrange themselves and be separated from him waiting that if in any wise this Judgment and Separation serving for the destruction of his Flesh may contribute to the Salvation of his Soul and strike into his Conscience a terrour of that great and dreadful day in which the Lord will come with thousands of his Saints to execute Judgment upon the ungodly and to convince the wicked of all their impieties sinful designs and abominable works enterprised by them against his Church Cursed be he that doth the Work of the Lord negligently Amen! If any one love not the Lord Jesus Christ Let him be Anathema Maranatha Amen! Come Lord Jesus Christ Even so come quickly Amen! This dreadful Sentence was denounced against the said Ferrier in the Church of Nismes on the Lords Day July the 14th 1613. by Monsieur Brunier Minister of the Word of God in the Reformed Church of the City of Usez Examined and Compared with the Printed Copy Acts Decisions and Decrees OF THE XXII NATIONAL SYNOD OF THE Reformed Churches OF FRANCE HELD The second time at Vitré in the Province of Brittaine This Synod was opened on Thursday May the 18th and ended on the 18th of June following being the Lord's Day 1617. The CONTENTS of the Second Synod of Vitré Chap. I. DEputies unto the Synod Moderator and Scribes Chap. II. Rules about Spectators in the Synod 2. Promise of Submission to the National Synod 1. The Pastor and two Elders of that Church in which the National Synod is held may sit in it 4. An Address unto the King 5. Oath of Vnion 6. Chap. III. The Confession of Faith sworn Chap. IV. Observations on the Discipline 19. Canon of the first Chapter of the Discipline explain'd 3. Proposans shall not be admitted into Consistories 4. Advice upon the 16. Canon of the fifth Chapter of the Discipline 5. Form of Excommunication prudential 6. The Case of Elders violating the 28 Canon in the fifth Chapter of the Discipline 8. Remarkable Providences to be collected 9. Synodical Officers must be chosen by a low voice 10. The 14 15. Canons in the last Chapter of the Discipline most strictly to be observed 14. A Case about Duels 15. The Discipline approv'd and sworn 16. Chap. V. Reflections upon the Synod of Tonneins A Complaint of the Isle of France against the Province of Anjou 1. Censure taken off from a delinquent Province 6. Du Moulin and Tilenus reconciled 7. A Petition for the Exiled Protestants of Saluces 8. Chap. VI. Of Appeals The Provincial Colledge of Xaintonge setled at Rochefoucauld 2. A Case of Monsieur Beauchamp Pastor to the D. of Rohan 3. Discipline exercised upon a delinquent Minister 9. Samuel du Frenay Student in Divinity dealt withal by the Synod about his Heterodoxies 19. An Appeal of the Church of Maringues 30. Divisions in the Church of Aymargues how composed Chap. VII A Speech unto the King Chap. VIII General matters No Attestations to be given unto the Moors banished out of Spain 3. Abuse about the Baptism of Moors 4. The poorer Churches to be relieved 6. Whether a Patron may sell his right of Presentation 7. Care about Converted Monks 8 19 22. Foolish Sports suppressed 9. A Pastor may not leave his Church at pleasure 12. Of Catechising 13. The Impressions of the Bible to be more correct 14. Complaints against the Inhabitants of Saumur for griping poor Scholars at Pension in their Houses 17. Censures against them who get Prohibitions against their Consistories 20. Ministers not to meddle with State-affairs in their Pulpits 21. The Synods care about Printing of Monsieur Chamier's Panstratia 23 24. The Assembly at Rochel 25 26 27. The doleful estate of the Church of Auverne 28. Chap. IX The Kings Letter to the Synod G. M. 29. Sermons may be Preached on Holy-Days G. M. 31. A Committee of Divines Ordered to the Synod of Dort G. M. 34. No National Fast injoined by this Assembly and why G. M. 35. Reasons why the Province of Bearn did not call the National Synod G. M. 36. The Church of Sancerre persecuted 37. Canon against Non-Residence reinforced G. M. 38. Deputies relieved G. M. 39. Palot how to be prosecuted 42. Chap. X. Partiular matters A Petition unto the Prince of Orange 3. Monsieur Imbert Minister in the Church of Orleans 6. Complaints against Monsieur Perrery a Minister 8. Against Monsieur Richer another Minister 9. A Silenced Minister restored 12. A Ladies Legacy unto the Church of Essars 14. Oppressions of the Churches in the Colloquy of Foix. 15. Complaints against a Minister rejected 19. The Case of Monsieur D' Anglade 20. A Bookseller of Geneva complaineth against a Minister in Bearn 23. The progress of the Gospel at Langres 25. Ingagements of Monsieur Guerin 28. The Works of Monsieur Sohnis Ordered to be Printed 36. The Case of Huberus 31. And of Solera 32. Chap. XI Dividend of Monies among the Churches Chap. XII Of Vniversities and Colledges Chap. XIII Roll of Apostates and deposed Ministers Chap. XIV Lord of Candal's Accounts Chap. XV. Dividend of Monies among the Provinces THE Second SYNOD of VITRE 1617. The 22d Synod SYNOD XXII 1617. In the Name of God Amen Acts of the second National Synod of the Reformed Churches of France held in the City of Vitré in the Province of Brittaine the eighteenth day of May and for several days following in the Year of our Lord One thousand six hundred and seventeen The Synod broke up on Sunday the eighteenth of June CHAP. I. Names of Deputies Election of Synodical Officers 1. PRayers having been first offered up unto God as usual at the opening of all Synodical Meetings The next thing in order dispatched was Reading the Letters of Commission tendered by the Deputies that so an exact
next Easter at the farthest that he shall print them on fair and large Paper which will hold ink without washing such as that on which the Lord du Plessis his Book of the Eucharist was Printed with as large a Margent and weighing fifteen pounds a Ream or there away that the Character shall be such as that Little Cicero Printed by Colomiés that the Letters shall be new founded with which he begins the work and to be renewed in the progress thereof in case occasion do require it and that the Consistory contracting with him do judge it needful that the stamps for the Latine Greek and Hebrew Quotations shall be all new and proportionable to the Work that the Books which according to the beforementioned Articles and Conditions he is to render unto the Churches shall be kept at Saumar there to be sold and a part of them shall be sent by the said Portau to Lions and Rochell and all of them delivered unto the respective Consistories of those Churches who shall take care for their being distributed abroad among our Ministers And in case Monsieur Chamier shall not deliver his Copy unto the said Fortau then the Consistory of Paris is ordered to divide equally the three thousand Livers remaining in the hands of the Lord du Candal and to send the respective dividend thereof unto the Provinces to whom it doth belong 25. This Synod received Letters from the Gentlemen deputed by the Provinces unto the Assembly at Rochell and Monsieur Preau Pastor of the Church of Vitré Commissionated by them reported their unanimous intentions and resolutions to live and die in the Union sworn by all the Churches for which he was ordered to render them the hearty thanks of this Synod and to assure them that we never had nor will ever have any other end or aim than firmly and inviolably to secure and promote this holy Union And as touching that particular reported by the said Du Preau unto this Synod by word of mouth and by Letters from the said Assembly how that the necessities of the day obliging them to send several Deputations unto Court and elsewhere whilst the six Provinces met and since all the others have joined them they were forc'd to borrow in one place five hundred Livers and in another place two thousand Livers more to defray their charges and there will be a want of five hundred Livers more to make another and their last Deputation unto Court which they shall be constrained also to take up at Interest For the payment of which sums the Deputies aforesaid have by an Act which was here presented us bound and obliged the moneys given us by the Kings Liberality for the maintenance of our Ministers This Assembly gives those Deputies to understand that the disposal of this money is wholly and solely in the power of our National Synods and of this in particular and that not a penny of it can be disposed of by any Political Assembly whatsoever yet notwithstanding for some special reasons in this juncture and not intending hereby to make a precedent of it for the future the Lord du Candal is ordered to pay unto the said Deputies the sum of three thousand Livers and this only by way of Loan that so their expences may be cleared of And whereas the six Provinces have borrowed five hundred Livers this Synod can do nothing in it because it was imployed on a private concern of the City of Rochell and by parity of reason the other Provinces might as well demand a reimbursement of their charges also expended by them on the like occasions And our Lords the General Deputies are intreated most humbly to Petition his Majesty that the said three thousand Livers may be returned us again and distributed among our Churches Since this the said Deputies assembled at Rochell have writ unto this Synod by the Lord of Cusonnel Deputy for Vivaretz that now they had no need of the said sum of four thousand Livers demanded by them before Whereupon advice was given to the Lord of Candal to furnish them only with two thousand one hundred Livers 26. Monsieur du Preau did also represent the distressed estate of the City and Church of Sancerre See below g.m. 37. who by reason of their past sufferings and to secure the possession of this Cautionary Town were well-near undone having borrowed so much moneys and Mortgaged their Estates for the payment thereof that without considerable assistance and relief from the Churches they shall never be able to pay their Debts nor to free their Estates from those great Incumbrances The same also was attested by Letters from the Lord Baron of Belette and by the Deputies of Berry This Assembly considering that all the Churches are concerned in the preservation of this important place exhorteth those Provinces which have not as yet charitably contributed towards their relief to do it out of hand and to remit the moneys Collected by them unto the Consistory of the said Church And our General Deputies are requested to have an extraordinary care of that City for the future 27. The same Monsieur du Preau complained to us from the Deputies in the Assembly at Rochell that Monsieur du Crest Pastor of the Church of Manosques in Provence did together with his Church and Consistory oppose the Election of the Lord Baron of Semis and of Monsieur Huron a Pastor to be Deputies unto the said Assembly Whereupon an Order past that those Pastors and Elders which were authorized by this Synod viz. the Deputies of Lower Languedoc to take cognisance of those many and great differences which are fallen out in the Province of Provence should also examine this matter and inflict such Censures as the Authors and Partners in these Divisions have incurred and deserved 28. Moreover Monsieur de Preau informed us of the deplorable Estate of the Churches in Auvergne which Information was confirmed by Monsieur Babat Pastor in the Church of Issoyre who came from them This Synod having heard them both and perused the Letters sent from the Assembly at Rochell and those from the Consistory of Issoyre and from the Lord Viscount of La Roche Courtan all advising us or the most miserable Condition of those poor and persecuted Churches It doth ordain that whereas the Deputies of the Provinces assembled at Rochell have recommended this affair unto our Lords the General Deputies the Synod will in a more special manner take care of this and be more concerned for it than for any other and will Petition his Majesty that Commissioners may be dispatched thither out of hand to cause the persecutions to cease and that satisfaction may be given unto our poor Brethren who have been so barbarously and cruelly tormented and that his Majesty's Edicts may be vigorously and faithfully put in execution And forasmuch as the Deputies of Sevennes and the said Babat have urged the necessity of setling two Pastors in those Churches aforesaid this
Lords the General Deputies the sum of four hundred Livers at one intire payment Alez Obs 15. on this Synod it being to be disposed by them as they shall have occasion between this and the next National Synod 14. Several Deputies informed this Assembly how they were charged by their Provinces to request that some speedy course might be took with the Sieur Pallott Gap at the Roll. Privas g. m. 17. Alez g. m. 4. to compel him to make Restitution of those great sums owing by him unto the Churches according as it appears from the Accompts Examined by the Commissioners thereunto appointed Farther a certain Person offered himself to prosecute him at Law at his own charges and to be accountable for the whole unto the next National Synod and demanded none other recompence for his pains therein than what the Synod should freely give him and that too according to the profit redounding by this his service unto the Churches The Assembly though it liked well of this offer yet it gave Order to the Deputies of the Higher and Lower Languedoc of Sevennes of Dolphiny of Burgundy Vivaretz Provence and of the Isle of France in their way homeward to their respective Provinces that they should step in at Paris and assemble the Consistory of that Church and the Lords General Deputies and confer all together of the best and most proper means whereby to induce the said Palot to make payment of those very great sums whether it were by perswasions used to him or by accepting of such a Composition as shall be offered by him or by some others for him And in case they cannot before their departure from Paris conclude the matter with him through straits of time They shall give Letters of Attorney unto the said Consistory and to the General Deputies to treat with any person that shall make the most beneficial and advantagious offers for the Churches according to the Articles and Agreements inserted into their Letter of Attorney And notice shall be given of what is done in this affair unto all the Provinces 15. The Sieurs de la Nusse Jolly and Parris Pastors and St. Lazare De la Buissiere and de la Baterne are constituted a Committee to Audit the Accompts of our Colledges and Universities 16. The Provincial Deputies of Dolphiny are charged to desire the Lord Mareschal of Lesdiguieres to cause the Accompts of the Souldiers lying in Garrison in the Cautionary Towns of that Province to be dispatcht out of hand unto the Lords General Deputies who have never had any correspondence with the said Lord Mareschal since they have been in office But this present Article is rased out of the original CHAP. X. Of particular Matters 1. THE Lord of Monis Governour of Pons having writ unto this Assembly of his great known expences in keeping and repairing the Town of Pons and desiring that he might be reimbursed An Answer was sent him to this effect That this Synod could not though it would give him any satisfaction because the moneys which are in its disposal do belong unto the Ministry and cannot be diverted to any other use However we will intreat the Lords General Deputies to address themselves unto the King on his behalf that so his Majesty may be pleased to grant him 〈◊〉 Order for the reimbursement of his charges 2. Simeon Conte of St. Damian one of the Refugees of the Marquisate of Saluces presented a Petition on behalf of Monsieur Bernardin Moilleur another Refugeé of the same Marquisate as appeared by his Attestation from the Church de la Tour de la Serre dated the 14th of October 1616. craving relief for him from this Assembly St. Maixant 1. of distributions But it in no wise approved that the said Conte should run up and down from one Church unto another begging their Charities forasmuch as the Churches of this Kingdom have already contributed and with very great liberality towards the maintenance of the Exiles of that Marquisate and therefore commanded him to depart However it orders that sixty Livers shall be taken out of our Churches stock and delivered unto Monsieur Chambrun one of the Pastors in the Church of Nismes to be given unto the Son of the said Monsieur Bernardin Moilleur who is a Student in the University of Nismes to incourage him in his studies 3. The Lady Dutchess of Tremouille is intreated by this Assembly to write unto the Prince of Orange that his Excellency would be pleased to show that kindness unto the Sieurs Julian and Alary and their Families as to give them leave to return and dwell in his City of Orange and to injoy their Estates and Offices as formely She is also intreated to write unto Prince Maurice and to the Lord Duke of Tremouille her Son that they would join their requests with hers unto his Excellency for the same purpose And the Lord Mareschal Duke of Bouillon shall be writ unto from us intreating him to improve his Interest with his Excellency on the behalf of those poor distressed Gentlemen 4. Ascanius Allion was heard in his Complaints against the Province of Dolphiny St. Maixant p. m. 6. as also the Deputies of the said Province in their defence against him Whereupon this Assembly advised the said Allion to carry himself with more meekness and moderation and to subject himself unto the Discipline of our Church and in case he refuse obedience to it that then the Province shall censure him according to his demerits And because of his Poverty this Synod ordered thirty Livers to be given him but withal injoined him immediately to return to his own home and not to trouble us any more with his needless Company 5. Quintin Mareschall See the same demand Privas p. m. 11. a Printer presented unto this Assembly a certain Article of the Provincial Synod of Berry held at Chastillon upon the Loir whereby he was ordered to Petition this National Synod for some moneys to set his Press at work This Assembly not approving of that Article doth however order that Province to give the said Quintin once for all at one intire payment fifty Livers 6. Monsieur Imbert appeared in person before this Assembly and declared on what terms and conditions he was received into the Province of the Isle of France and that he should be at his own liberty at what time he pleased to leave it which yet hath been since contested by the said Province However he is now discharged by them from the Church of La Ferté and lent by the Colloquy of Beausse to the Church of Orleans until the sitting of this Synod The Deputies of the Isle of France claimed a right of redemanding him as now they did And on the contrary those of Berry and the Deputies of Orleans insisted that he might be fixed in the Church of Orleans because of the singular success and fruitfulness of his Ministry and the very great necessity whereunto they were reduced before
said Monies for him 20. The Province of Higher Languedoc made report in this Assembly of the Judgment passed by them in the difference between Monsieur d' Anglade Tâ—nneins of University-Accompts Art 10. Alez Obs 11. and the Province of Lower Languedoc which was remanded to them by the National Synod of Tonneins and that Monsieur d' Anglade required payment of a certain Sum of Monies owing him as Wages for his Profession of Hebrew in the University of Nismes and due unto him from the Year 1603 unto that of 1607. By which Judgment of theirs the Province of Lower Languedoc was obliged to pay in unto the said Sieur d' Anglade the Sum of four hundred Livers but the same Province pleading that they had no notice given of the time when the Synod of Lower Languedoc was held this Assembly having considered the whole matter doth ordain that the said Province shall be accountable for this unto the next Synod of Sevennes and shall pay in unto the said Sieur d' Anglade either in good Bills or in ready Monies all his Arrears Which it they do not the Judgment of the Synod of Higher Languedoc shall stand in force against them and be fully executed 21. The Deputies of the Province of Lower Guyenne demanding 〈◊〉 p. m. â— that those three free Portions which were ordained by the National Synod of Tonneins unto the Churches of Soulés taking in that also which was adjudged unto Monsieur Bustonoby Pastor in Berne and serving the said Churches of Soulé might be continued This Assembly considering that the Monies formerly given were not employed to maintain a Pastor in actual service cannot for the present give any more than two Portions free of all charges which shall be delivered them by the Receiver of the Province of Lower Guyenne and farther ordaineth that because those Churches are at a very great distance from those of the Lower Guyenne they shall be for the future incorporated with the nearest Colloquy of Berne until the next National Synod and then the said Churches shall by the Deputies of Berne declare what course they have took in obedience to this Decree for providing themselves of a Pastor and of their just and faithful employment of the moneys that have been granted them 22. The Sieur Piloty came unto this Synod 〈◊〉 Mâ—â—â—â—â—â— p. m. â—â— Aâ—â— p. m. â—8 bringing with him an Order of the General Assembly held at Nismes by which he was dismissed hither to be recompensed for his losses sustained and charges expended in securing the Town of Aubenas for the Churches and this in pursuance of his Oath and Promise made by him unto the first Assembly of Chastelheraut This Assembly doth not in the least conceive it self obliged to reward him nor that the moneys in its disposal should be alienated from their proper use to the defraying of such expences yet nevertheless considering the great necessities to which this worthy Gentleman is reduced by his good and faithful services done the Churches whereof he hath valid and sufficient Testimonials there was granted him for his Journey hither three hundred Livers which shall be paid him at sight by the Lord of Candall and to relieve him under his pressing wants four Portions free of all Taxes on the Province of Sevennes and this to be continued till the sitting of the next National Synod 23. John le Febure Bookseller at Geneva writ unto this Assembly Alez Obs 14. on this Synod humbly requesting it to take cognizance of the great Injury done him in the person of his Daughter by Monsieur Mainvill the younger at present Pastor in the Church of Orthez in the Province of Bearn who had debauched his Daughter After hearing the Deputies of Bearn this Assembly exhorted their Synod to injoyn the said Mainvill to go out of hand unto Geneva and there to clear himself before the Magistrates of that City of what is laid unto his charge that so the Holy Ministry may be freed of all Reproaches And in case he refuse obedience unto their Order that they punish him according to the Discipline of our Churches with Suspension from his Sacred Office and the Informations and other Papers sent unto this Assembly were deposited with the Deputies of Bearn and to be produced at the next meeting of their Synod 24. Whereas the Consistory and Church of Moulins in the Province of Berry have petitioned this Assembly Alez Obs 12. on this Synod that they might be joyned unto that of Burgundy and that Monsieur de la Roche who was lent them but for six Months might be setled among them as their own and ordinary Pastor After that the Deputies of Berry had been heard this Assembly ordained that the said Church shall carry their Petition unto the next Provincial Synod of Berry which is intreated to consider the matter seriously and to deal in it according to the Laws of Charity 25. The Deputies of the Isle of France and Champagne made report of the singular success of the Gospel at Langres Alez p. m. 52. and what a fair prospect there is of a far larger harvest but withal that they were embarrast with a world of difficulty in setting up the publick Exercise of our Religion unless in the Bailiwick of Sens which is the one and only place they can meet withal and they pray that it may he granted them in lieu of their Meeting-place at Atigny which is at present and hath been for a long time altogether useless to them After that the Deputies of Berry were heard who inform'd that they had no order from their Province as to this matter and yet were very importunate to retain the Temple for those of Sens this Assembly ordained that the said Province of Berry should yield up the said place of the Bailiwick of Sens unto the people of Langres and in case of refusal then it doth adjudge the Bailiwick of Sens to be incorporated with the Province of the Isle of France and Champagne who are fully impowered to make choice of any place that will most contribute to the edifying of God's Church 26. Monsieur de la Place Pastor in the Church of Sion complained that David de la Place his Brother though upon examination he was approved as a person fit and qualified for the Ministry yet hitherto he hath been wholly neglected by the Province of Brittain who have maintain'd him as their Proposan and that therefore he might be set at liberty from them This Assembly ordaineth that the Province of Brittain shall present him unto some Church within two Months and in case they do not then he shall be given for Pastor unto the Church of Lavall in the Province of Anjou where he shall serve one whole Year and that expired he shall be wholly freed from the Province of Brittain who shall forfeit their power of recalling or assigning him unto any other Flock 27. Monsieur Babat acquainted this Assembly that it was
which we have judged fitting to acquaint them with according to that Communion which is betwixt us and them and these matters shall be notified to them by their Deputies 15. The Synod of Vitre ordained the Summ of Four Hundred Livres should be delivered unto the Lords our General Deputies for the defraying of several Expences that they should be necessitated to make at Court about Dispatches 2. Vitre g. m. 41. Expeditions and other Extraordinary Charges for the Service of our Churches And the Lord of Bertreville formerly our Deputy General having sent unto this Assembly an account of the disbursement of the said Summ made both by himself and the Lord Maniald his Colleague in the Exercise of their Office as also that they had deposited in the hands of Monsieur de la Riviere Pastor of the Church of Ronen an Hundred Sixty and Eight Livres being the remainder of the said Summ of Four Hundred Livres This Assembly returns their most hearty thanks unto the said Lord of Bertreville for his great care and faithfulness and ordains that the Summ aforesaid of an Hundred Sixty and Eight Livres should be put into the Common Treasury of the Church and that the like Summ of Four Hundred Livres shall be paid in to the Lords de Favas and Chalais our General Deputies to be used by them on the like occasions according as the necessity of our Affairs may demand it and for which they shall be accountable unto the next National Synod CHAP. VII Monsieur Chauves 's Report 16. MOnsieur John Chauve Pastor of the Church of Sommiers made Report how that in pursuance of the Commission given him and the Sieurs du Moulin Chameir and Rivet by the National Synod of Vitre to consult together of the most proper and necessary means to procure a good and firm Re-union of all the Churches which have quitted the Communion of the Church of Rome they would have Travelled into Holland and according to the Invitation and Desire of the High and Mighty Lords The States General of the Confederate Netherlands they would have personally assisted at that General Council of the Reformed Churches held at Dort which also was signified to the Province of Sevennes by our General Deputies at Court and by the Church of Paris unto them the said Chauve du Moulin Chamier and Rivet But that afterwards they brake off their Journey and came back again into Languedoc upon the Intelligence which he and Monsieur Chamier received at Geneva that they were forbidden by His Majesty to go unto that Council This Assembly approving of what the said Sieur Chauve had done and thanking him for it Ordered that the Expences of his Journey should be repayed him out of the Common Moneys of our Churches as should also those of Monsieur Chamier In consequence whereof the said Sieurs Chove and Chamier brought in their Accounts the Expences of Monsieur Chamier amounted to Two Hundred Eighty Five Livres and those of Monsieur Chouve to One Hundred Seventy Four Livres which the Lord Candal was ordered to pay unto them both without delay 17. The Sieur Paul Bennet remonstrated unto this Assembly how that the last Synod of Vitre had Ordained that he should not be restored unto the Ministry in the Province of Xaintonge â— Vitre Appâ—â—l 9. although he were perfectly absolved from that Crime imputed to him And that since having been absolved he was thereupon restored unto the Functions of the Sacred Ministry by the Synod of Poictu acting by Authority derivred from and in Obedience to that Decree of the said National Synod of Vitre which yet did not readmit him into the Ministry in the Province of Xaintonge Now he humbly petitioned this Assembly That they would be pleased to take off the said Restriction that so the blott cast upon his Ministry being expunged he might exercise it with Honour in Xaintonge as formerly and the Synod of Xaintonge from whence he came joyned with him in the same request which was attested both by their Synodical Act and viva voce by their Deputies notwithstanding an Appeal brought by the Colloquy of the Isles of the said Province of Xaintonge against the said Petition This Assembly having read the Decree of Vitre relating to him did not think meet to make any alteration in it But ordered that the free Portion of Moneys granted by His Majesty and due unto the said Bonnet by that Ordinance of Vitre should be pay'd in unto him And the said Province of Xaintonge is once again enjoyned to come to account with him and to make him good payment CHAP. VIII APPEALES 1 LEtters from the Consuls and Consistory of Realmont were presented by the Sieur Coras one of the Consuls of the said City unto this Assembly requesting that Monsieur Voisyn might be continued in his Ministry among them notwithstanding the Appeal of the Church of Montauban and of Pont de Camarez from the Synod of Puy Laurens in the Higher Languedoc which had lent him unto the Church of Mauvoysin until the sitting of the National Synod This Assembly commending the Zeal of the Church of Realmont hath ordained that he shall continue in the Service of their Church and exhorteth them to give all Contentment unto him their said Pastor according to that Affection which he hath ever born them And the Colloquies of Albigeois Lauragais and Lower Zuercy shall help the Church of Mauvesyn out of their Pastors until the Meeting of the next Provincial Synod as they have been intreated so to do by Monsieur de Maravat And to this purpose the said Colloquies shall be assembled as soon as the Deputies are returned from this Assembly without delay 2. The Province of Normandy craving an Augmentation of Moneys for the setting up of Two Colledges because of the great extent of the said Province This Assembly could not make any Additions to what had been ordained for them by former National Synods And as for the Appeal of the Church of Diep from the Decree of the Provincial Synod which had adjudged the Colledge of that Province unto the Town of St. Lo it was declared null and the Decree of the Provincial Synod ratified 3 The Sieur Gaussens Pastor of Ponteau de Mer appealed from the Judgment of the same Provinces for that they would never yield unto the repeared instances of himself and Father in divers Synods that he being freed from the Church in which he serveth and hath served ever since he was in the Ministry and from that Province he might live nearer his Aged Father that so he might be Comforted and Assisted by him in his declining Age especially sith his Reverend Father had at his own Charges bred him up unto the Ministry This Assembly having heard the Deputies of the Province arguing to the contrary and testifying of the fruitfulness and good success of his Ministry and the great Affection which his People bear him do ordain that according to the Discipline of
it his business to reconcile and settle them and afterward they shall be recommended unto their Province to give them a fixed Pastor And whereas they demand assistance from us towards the maintenance of their Minister all possible care also shall be taken herein for their full satisfaction 19. An Appeal was brought by the Lord of St. Stephens Baron of Gangers from the Judicial Sentence of the Colloquy of Sauve ratified by the Provincial Synod of Sevennes and Gevaudan held at Meyruez in the Moneth of July last by which the said Baron of Gangers was ordered publickly to be suspended from Communion at the Lords Table for the Injuries and Violencies done by him to Monsieur Coder Minister of the Church of Gangers and farther that if the said Lord continued to trouble the said Codur in the Exercise of his Ministry that then the Province would espouse his Quarrel and defend him by all lawful ways Ecclesiastical and Civil And in the same Appeal the Consuls and Inhabitants of Gangers did by their Deputies represent how that the same Synod had also in the same manner censured them for that they had given leave to the said Monsieur Codur to withdraw himself from them unto a Neighbour Church until such time as that the Synod had provided better for him And yet nevertheless they were enjoyned by the Synod to pay him continually his Stipend as if he were actually in service among them In short they demanded that the said Codur might be removed out of their Town and transplanted elsewhere The Appellants being called in and heard in all what they had to speak or offer and the Provincial Deputies of Sevennes in the reasons moving their Synod to pass such a Sentence on them and Monsieur Codur also being heard in his defence and pretended Justification and two Elders of the Church of Gangers with Letters from the Consistory requesting that the said Church might be no longer deprived of Gods Holy Word and Sacraments This Assembly ratified the Judicial Sentence given by the Synod of Meyruez as to the suspension of the Lord Baron of Gangers from the Lords Table and the Publication of it together with the censure past on the said Consuls and other the Inhabitants of Gangers as being Complices and Partners with their Lord in all his Violencies and Indignities used towards their Pastor Moreover it censureth the Consistory of the said Church for their Levity manifest enough by their Letters and Testimonials contradictory one unto another And as for Monsieur Codur to procure him peace and to effect he peace of the said Church of Gangers he shall be removed from the said Church and the Province of Sevennes are ordered either by their Synod or by he Colloquy of Anduze to settle him elsewhere and in order hereunto they shall be assembled before New-years day next coming till which time the said Church of Ganges shall duly pay him his Stipend and they shall also satisfie him for all his Arrearages fully unto this very day And whereas the said Monsieur Codur hath met with a world of Fatigues and Troubles by reason of his Imployment in Political Affairs to the great hinderance and unsuccessfulness of his Ministry he is intreated never any more to intangle himself with them nor to assist in Person for the future in any of those Political Assemblies And whereas the said Lord Baron of Gangers the Consuls and other Inhabitants of Gangers here present were exhorted to reconcile themselves with the said Monsieur Codur and the Sieur Codur reciprocally to forget the Injuries he had received and that they would mutually imbrace each other and live in an Holy Concord and Love this was freely and chearfully done by all Parties Whereupon this National Synod to strengthen and consolidate this Union and to conciliate them with those who were absent did take off the Suspension from die said Baron and restoreth him to the Peace and Communion of the Church and by this means all Processes both Civil and Criminal on all sides shall cease and never be used more 20. Monsieur Gallpin Judge of the City of Vsez appealed from the Synod of Lower Languedoc which had suspended the said Gallpin from the Lords Table and ordered that the said Suspension should be published in the Church Although this Affair be not of their Nature which according to the Cannons of our Church-Discipline ought to fall under the Cognisance of National Synods yet for procuring that sweet Blessing of Peace and for divers other Important Considerations This Assembly did enter upon the Debate thereof and accordingly judged that the Synod of Lower Languedoc had just cause for suspending the said Galpin from the Lord's Table and this not upon the account of his Office for which they did not in the least intermeddle with him but for that Reproach the said Galpin hath brought upon the Church very unseasonably by his Extravagant Actings against the Sieur Gondin Viguier Provost of the City of Vsez and for discovering himself by the by to be of another Religion than the Reformed of which he now makes profession However the Synod for divers reasons doth not think meet that his Suspension should be published And forasmuch as the principal end of this Assembly is to promote an Holy Union among all the Members of our Church and principally among Persons whom God hath in his Providence advanced unto publick Office and Honour The said Monsieur Galpin is exhorted to reconcile himself with Monsieur Gondin and both of them joyntly to take such Rules and Measures as may secure the Publick Peace and Tranquility of Gods Church in their respective Places and Callings And the said Galpin and Gondin having testified their acquiescence in this Decree they were both reconciled and promised to surcease all Law-Suits and Processes whatsoever and to live in Amity and Concord together and that in case they should act contrary to these their promises that they would submit themselves unto all Censures of the Church to suspension from the Sacraments yea and to Excommunication it self and that the Consistory and Colloquy of Vsez and the Synod of Lower Languedoc should with the highest Authority proceed against them Whereupon the Suspension and its publication decreed against the faid Galpin by the Synod of Lower Languedoc was taken off and he was immediately restored to the Peace and Communion of the Church 21. The Sieur Boulet appealed from the Synod of Lower Languedoc held at Vsez in March last because he having opposed the Election of Monsieur Astier to the Office of an Elder they had censured him This Assembly confirms the Judicial Sentence or the said Synod and doth grievously censure the said Boulet for retaining so long and notorious a passion contrary to the Laws of Christian Charity which forbid us to harbour Wrath and command us to exercise Love unto all Gods Children And Monsieur Astier also is severely reproved for expressing so much disrespect as he hath done unto
begin from that day he shall be chosen by the Church of Nismes and that time expired he shall return again unto Sommieres there to fulfill the Ministry he hath received from the Lord. 58. The Church of St. Martin de Bobaux appealed from the Synod of Sevennes for having assigned them no more than Ten Crowns in liew of all that assistance which was granted them by the National Synod of Vitre This Assembly ordained that the said Church of St. Martyn shall receive a free Portion discharged of all Rates and Taxes out of the Moneys appropriated to the said Province of Sevennes 59. The Church of Ars in the Isle of Re appealed from the Synod of Xaintonge because it had ordered Monsieur Chesnet their Pastor to be removed from them unto that of St. John de Angely The Letters of the said Church being read and the Deputies of the Province and the Sieur Chesnet being heard This Assembly confirms his Ministry in the Church of Ars and leaveth the Province of Xaintonge to take care for the Church of St. John d' Angely and to supply its present necessities by some other Person 60. The Lords Magistrates Consuls and Consistory of the City and Church of Nismes brought in their Appeal from the Synod of Higher Languedoc held at Mazieres for denying them Monsieur Chamier to be their Professor in Divinity The Remonstrances and Petitions of the Deputies of Lower Languedoc being heard as also the Arguments urged to the contrary by the Lords in the Government of Nismes and the Consistory and Council of the University of Montauban and the reasons of the Synod of Higher Languedoc being reported by the Deputies of that Province declaring the grounds of their Refusal This Assembly would not alter any thing in the said University of Montauban and therefore confirmed Monsieur Chamier in his Ministry and Professorship there and exhorts the Lords Magistrates and Consuls of the City of Montauban and the whole Church to give full contentment unto the said Monsieur Chamier that so he may be the more incouraged in his great labours among them and be the more useful to him 61. The Churches of Caen and Santal appealed from the Provincial Synod of Normandy about a certain Summ of Money assigned to the Colledge of the said Province But this Appeal was turned over to the nearest Colloquy of the Isle of France 62. The Church of St. Pons brought their Appeal from the Synod of Vivaretz held at Chasteauneuf for that it had appointed Monsieur de la Motte to be the Pastor of their Church together with that of Mirabel contrary to the desires of the said Church of Pons and that Fourscore Livres which was formerly assigned unto both those Churches in common were now wholly attributed by the same Province unto the sole Church of Mirabel This Assembly considering the many difficulties and obstructions that Monsieur de la Motte conflicts withall in the exercise of his Ministry in that Church of St. Pons doth injoyn the Colloquy of Aubenas to provide the said Sieur de la Motte of another Church and that they may do it the more easily it shall be by way of Exchange translating some other Minister into his place to whom Monsieur de la Motte shall be substituted and so the said Churches of St. Pons and Mirabel may continue incorporated each with the other and mutually enjoy the said Summ of Fourscore Livres an augmentation granted them by their Province towards the maintenance of their Minister And in case the Colloquy cannot provide a Church for the said Sieur de la Motte matters shall remain in the same State as they now be till the sitting of their next Provincial Synod And in the mean while the said Church of St. Pons shall be assisted and supplied by the Pastors of that Colloquy each of them preaching to it in his respective turn 63. An Appeal was brought by sundry of the Inhabitants of St. Lawrence D'aiguze in the Lower Languedoc against certain Orders of the Colloquy of Nismes held at Aimargues in February last and of the Synod of Lower Languedoc held at Vsez in the Moneth of May last for restoring the Sieur Gabriel Tuffan unto the Holy Ministry from which he was suspended by the Colloquy of Nismes held at the said Aimargues in July of the year 1619 though he was never duly absolved from those Crimes of which he was accused and for which he was suspended the Ministerial Office The Deputies of Lower Languedoc were heard declaring the Reasons of their Judicial Sentence and the Commissioners of the Colloquy of Nismes giving in theirs and the said Tuffan speak for himself After which the Assembly debated with themselves the whole Affair and censured the said Province and particularly their Commissioners for their want of gravity and gross self-contradiction in all their proceedings See concerning this Tuffan the 2 d. Synod of Charenton in the Catalogue of Apostates And as for the said Sieur Tuffan he being found guilty of plunging himself Head and Ears in State-Matters and Businesses of this World expresly contrary to the Precept of the Apostle and having thereby contracted on himself much guilt utterly unworthy a Person of his Calling This Assembly suspended him from the Sacred Ministry and interdicted him all the Functions thereof till the sitting of the next National Synod by which he may be restored provided that he bring with him sufficient Testimonials to it of his Repentance and Religious Conversation and of his serious improvement of this Publick Reprehension And in case the next National Synod cannot be conven'd in the year Sixteen Hundred Twenty and Three the Synod of the Lower Languedoc may restore him unto his Office but not to serve within the Precincts of the Colloquy of Nismes And in the mean while a Portion shall given him yearly for his subsistance free of all Rates and Taxes by the said Province And the Church of Bellegarde together with the annexed Congregations shall notwithstanding this Synodical Sentence past upon him give him the said Tuffan full satisfaction for the time that he did them Service as their Minister and the Colloquy shall see them do it 64. An Appeal was brought by the Church of Alez about a Pulpit set up in the midst of the Womens Seats which hath occasioned divers Quarrels Batteries Law-Suits and Suspensions from the Lords Table But the Decision of it was dismissed over to the Colloquy of Vsez in the Lower Languedoc CHAP. IX GENERAL MATTERS 1. THIS Assembly being informed of great Divisions fallen out in the Province of Lower Languedoc 2 Vitre g. m. â— through the multitude of Ministers who are personally present at their Political Provincial Assemblies and of manifold Inconveniencies arising from the Deputation of Pastors about State-Affairs and principally by sending them in business unto Court and designing a remedy for this sad disorder which doth reâ—ect upon the Ministry a world of Reproach and Scorn and diverteth Pastors
Dieu le Fit Peter de la Croze Pastor of the Church in Courtezon James Bernard Elder in the Church of Montlimart and Moses du Port Elder in the Church of La Mure Deputies for the Province of Dolphiny Peter Guillamin Pastor of the Church of St. Andrew de Valborne Daniel Venturin Pastor of the Church of Vigan John de Vignoles Elder in the Church of La Salle Deputies for the Province of Sevennes Peter L'abbadie Pastor of the Church of Pau and John de la Coste Elder in the Church of Moneins Deputies for the Principality of Bearn De Chalas General Deputy for the Reformed Churches of France Touretin Pastor and Professor of Divinity in the Church of Geneva 24. Whereas the Deputy of the Lord du Candall hath acquainted this Synod that several of the Deputies unto this present Synod having no Letters of Order unto the said Lord of Candall to pay them the necessary charges of their Journey in case he should pay them the Receivers of the respective Provinces might make some difficulty to allow those payments of his unto the said Deputies in his Accompt This National Synod doth ordain that those Receivers aforesaid shall take the promises and Acquittances of the said Deputies as ready Moneys paid by the said Lord du Candall out of the very first Moneys that be either hath already or shall hereafter receive for the Churches and that they shall ho a sufficient discharge for him the said Deputy and good and valuable in the Audit of his Accompt 25. The Deputies unto our National Synods Privas g. m. 15. shall hereafter bring with them the Catalogues of all the Churches and of all the Pastors in actual Service in their respective Provinces Signed and Subscribed by the Moderators and Scribes of the Provincial Synods And in case they neglect the doing hereof there shall be no Respect nor Care had for them in the dividend of the Churches Moneys 26. All the Provinces which have Supernumerary Portions assigned to them in the General dividend shall give an Accompt how they have employed and to what use they have put those Supernumerary Sums in the next National Synod 27. In pursuance of that debate in this Synod concerning those great Sums of Money remaining due unto the Churches from the Sieur Palot This Assembly did this Thirteenth day of November pass a Letter of Attorney before a publick Notary which was delivered unto the Deputies of the Isle of France with this Express Restriction that they should not put it into the hands of the Sieurs Guidon and d'Huisseau till such time as they have agreed and stipulated by some publick act duely executed in Law that they do approve of the Act past in this Assembly and do solemnly promise that they will most effectually prosecute the said Sieur Palot according to the Conditions and Articles mentioned and declared in that our said Act. CHAP. XIII PARTICULAR MATTERS 1 MR. Gasper Martyn Minister of the Church of Saillans in Dolphiny related the great loss sustained by him in the printing of his Book styled Le Capuchin Reforme a great number of Copies being left upon his hand through the Craft and Knavery of the Booksellers who having printed more Copies than they should took out their own Number and leave him to pay the rest and in truth to stand indebted for the whole Impression This Assembly highly honouring him for his great sufferings for professing the Truth and the usefulness of his Works and in consideration of his present wants do bestow upon him one Portion free of all Taxes and Charges which shall be pay'd him until the sitting of the next National Synod over and above that ordinary Portion allowed the Church of Saillans for him and Monsieur Turretin was now desired to deal with the Printers and Booksellers of Geneva that the said Mr. Martyn may have satisfaction given him for the dammage he sustaineth by their means 2. Monsieur James de la Planche having faithfully served the Church of God for Six and Twenty Years in Provence and being now taken blind and almost broken by the Pthysick and borne down with many other Afflictions occasioned through his past labours and sufferings and through his declining Age for which causes he was declared Emeritus by the Synod of that Province and discharged with a very honorable Testimonial from the Exercise of his Ministry and now conflicting with great wants and needing Relief in his Old Age he petitioned this Assembly that some care might be had of him and a competent maintenance assigned to him yearly The Assembly compassionating his Poverty ordained a Portion free of all Charges for him which shall be pay'd by the Lord of Candal unto Monsieur Gras at Lions who shall see that the said Summe be remitted him unto the place of his Abode and the Summ of Six and Thirty Livres was now given him in hand to defray the Expences of his Journey thither 3. Mr. John Paul Perrin Minister of Nions in Dolphiny presented himself before this Assembly to render an Account of Printing his History of the Vaudois and Albigeois 2 Vitre Observ on the former and he farther declared that he was now writing the General History of the Church from the beginning of the World to this Age in which we live This Assembly applauding him and thanking him for his Pains and Labours in the before-mentioned History leaveth it to his prudence and Conscience to judge whether such a Work as he is now undertaking will be of use and benefit unto the Churches because we would not impose that task upon him which would be needless and unprofitable And whereas the said Monsieur Perryn informed us of the numerousness of his Family and that he had a great charge of Children and humbly requested tha the might have some Relief from us especially for the breeding of a Son of his formerly debauched by the Jesuites but now through Grace brought home again unto Repentance a youth of Excellent parts and yielding great hopes that he may be hereafter eminently useful in the Ministry The Province of Dolphiny was exhorted to take care of him and his Family according to the Laws of Christian Charity and the great Merits of the said Monsieur Perrin 4. Monsieur Albiac Dr. of the Civil Law Living at Velleneusve in Berry petitioned to be reimburst the Summ of Fifty Crowns expended by him in executing a Commission for the Churches of the Four Neighbouring Province viz. of Lower Languedoc Dolphiny Sevennes Vivaretz This Assembly judgeth That the Provinces which imployed him ought to see him satisfied and each of them shall pay him equally their parts of so just a Debt and the quota of their Moneys shall to this purpose be detained in the hands of the Lord du Candal that he may be honestly repayed 5. Mr. Simon Daniel Hoslâ—ie Pastor of the Church of Villenusve in Berry petitioned that some Relief might be allowed unto his Church because of
Council that the Moneys granted by his Bounty unto the Churches might be assigned on some particular Tally for this year That a long time was spent before he could find any success of his endeavours But at last they would give him Orders and Assignations which in truth he refused to accept because he knew them to be naught and worth nothing And that finally about the end of the last April they had given him others which he was constrained to take because he saw the Lords of the Council fixed in their resolutions of giving him none other That indeed these latter Assignations were a little better than the former but it would be a very great while before any payment were made that it would be at least Six or Eight Moneths before the first Summ would become due that the whole Assembly knew they would not grant him any Order or Tally for the last year 1622 yea and His Majesty had revoked his former grant of Moneys to the Churches for the year 1621 and employed them elsewhere to some other purposes And as for the Arrears due unto us in the foregoing years he had took all care possible and used the utmost diligence to recover them but with very little or no success that he had brought in his Accompts and prayed the Assembly to constitute a Committee to audit and close them The Assembly having most heartily thanked the said Lord of Candal for his singular care respects and kindnesses upon all occasions expressed unto the Churches and desired the continuance of his Love did nominate Messieurs de Basnage and Le Clark Pastors du Port and du Four Elders to peruse and examine his Accompts And whereas a world of inconveniencies will befal our Churches by so long delay of paying in the Moneys granted us by His Majesty for this year now current the Synod deputed the Sieurs de L' Angle a Pastor and du Port an Elder and the Lords of Montmartyn and Candal to wait upon His Majesty and on the behalf of this Assembly most humbly to beseech him to grant some other Assignations and Orders for the more speedy paying in of His Majesties Great Bounty unto our Churches and that as a Token of His Royal Goodness and Liberality he would be pleased to add some other Summs to us instead of those which have been taken from us in the last foregoing years we having received not so much as one farthing or doibt for them 15. A few dayes after the said Deputies being returned from the King they made Report in this Assembly how Graciously they had been received by His Majesty who assured them that in case his said Subjects of the Reformed Religion continued in their Duty and Obedience he would alwayes give them all possible content And the same Expressions of kindness they received also from the Lords of His most Honourable Privy Council who ordered out of hand Forty Thousand Livres to be payed in unto them they yielding up unto their Lordships the old Warrants for the like Summ but as for what was requested about reimbursing us the years past by fixing those Summs due unto us on some other Tallies and Assignations their Honours were pleased to say There was no reason why they should promise it 16. The Province of Anjou requested that the University of Saumur might not any longer be left destitute of Professors in Divinity but that some speedy care and course might be taken to send Monsieur Cameron to be Professor of that faculty in it The Lord Commissioner and Deputy for His Majesty unto this Synod declared that it was the Will and Pleasure of His Majesty that those two Gentlemen Mr. Gilbert Primrose and Mr. John Cameron should not be preferred neither of them to any Publick Office either of Pastors in the Churches or of Pastors and Professors in the Churches and Universities of this Kingdom not because of their Birth as being Foreigners but for some private Reasons of State relating to his Service And the said Lord of Galland presented us His Majesties Letters Written and Signed with His Own Hand Lewes and a little lower de L' Omeny Dated the Twenty Fifth day of this present Moneth The Assembly understanding this to be His Majesties pleasure would not put it to the Vote Whether they should be continued or not in their Ministry but deputed the Sieurs Cottiby Minister of the Gospel and du Bois and St. Martyn Elders together with the Lord of Montmartyn General Deputy to carry unto His Majesty a Petition from this Assembly wherein this Assembly did most humbly beseech His Majesty that as he had lately with his own Mouth most graciously promised so His Majesty would be pleased to give Order that all our Ministers might as fully injoy the fruit and benefit of his promise CHAP. XV. N. B. What picque the King of France had against Monsieur Cameron as I cannot tell so I shall not write my guesses and conjectures about it because they may be and may not be true Mr. Cameron if he had designed what afterwards some others attempted a coalition of both the Religions Protestant and Popish yet certainly was no Papist yea far enough from their Doctrine and Worship But he had angred the Jesuits not so much as his Reverend Colleague and Countreyman And this was the true reason why Monsieur Primrose was necessitated to quit Bourdeaux and France when as Cameron was permitted to tarry and return to Bourdeaux and was preferred unto the Professors Chair in Divinity afterwards at Montauban On Whitsunday in the year 1619. Father Arnoux the Jesuit preaching before the King Queen and Court of France in the Castle of Amboise attempted a Task impossible to whiten Blackamores to wash or wipe his Church clean and especially his own Order from an indelible blot viz. That they held it lawful to kill Kings This the Jesuit with a boldness and audaciousness which is the proper Talent of their Society would have some how or other evaded He assures that Royal Auditory with the greatest confidence that it was never the Doctrine of their Catholick Church never believed by these good Fathers that Subjects might lawfully rebel against their Sovereigns yea that it doth anathematize all those who teach and preach that the Sacred Persons of Princes may be lawfully made away and murdered yea that the whole Society of Jesuits doth condemn detest and as much as hi them lieth doth anathematize all Advisers Abettors and Aiders of Rebels against their King upon any pretext vvhatsoever His Majesty and that vvhole illustrious Auditory vvere overjoyed at this free and liberal Declaration of the Jesuit and quitted the Sermon as they said very much edified And His Majesty told it publickly that he had great reason to be pleased with the Fathers of the Society and that Father Arnoux had in the Name and stead of them all plainly and fully enough condemned the Book of Mariana Monsieur Primrose vvas present at this Sermon and
continued in its perfect being in all its parts complete and intire although the Redemption impetrated should never have been actually applyed either to or by any one particular Person But this Doctrine is injurious to the Wisdom of God the Father and to the merit of Jesus Christ and is contrary to the very Letter and express terms of the Scripture for doe but hear what our Lord speaketh John 10.15 17. I lay down my Life for my Sheep and I know them And the Prophet Esay saith of our Saviour Cap. 53.10 When as he shall have made his Soul an Offering for Sin he shall see his seed he shall prolong his days and the good pleasure of the Lord shall prosper in his hand In short this Doctrine subverts that Article of our Creed I believe the Holy Catholick Church CANON II. Who teach that the design of Christ Jesus in his Death was not effectually to ratifie the New Covenant of Grace by his Blood but only to acquire for his Father a right of contracting anew with Men another Covenant whether of Grace or Works it was not material But this is repugnant unto Scripture which teacheth Heb. 7.22 That Jesus Christ was a Surety and Mediator of a better that is to say of the New Covenant and Heb. 9.15 17. That a Testament is not in force till the Death of the Testator CANON III. Who teach that Jesus Christ by his satisfaction hath not merited for any one assuredly Salvation it self or that Faith whereby his satisfaction may be applyed effectually to Salvation But that he hath only acquired unto the Father the Power or plenary Will of treating anew with Men and prescribing to them new Conditions such as please him and whose accomplishment dependeth on the free Will of Man And so it might have fallen out that either no Man or all Men might have accomplisht them For these have too mean and abject thoughts of the Death of Christ Jesus not owning nor acknowledging the principal fruit or benefit acquired by it This Doctrine would redeem from Hell that Ancient and condemned Heresie of the Pelagians CANON IV. Who teach that this New Covenant of Grace which God the Father hath contracted with Men through the interposal of Christs Death doth not consist in this that we are justified before God and saved by Faith as it lays hold of Christs Death but in this that whereas the Law required perfect Obedience it is now abolished and God reckons Faith it self and the imperfect Obedience of Faith for a perfect and complete Obedience unto the Law and out of his mere and pure Grace doth esteem it worthy to be recompensed with Eternal Life For these Fellovvs contradict in express terms the Sacred Scripture Rom. 3.23 24. Being justified freely by his Grace through the Redemption which is in Jesus Christ vvhom God hath ordained before all time to be a Propitiation by Faith in his Blood And thus introduce vvith profane Socinus a Novel and unheard of Justification before God against the Unanimous and common Consent of the vvhole Church CANON V. Who teach that all Men are received into a State of Reconciliation and to the Grace of the Covenant so that none is obnoxious unto Condemnation nor shall be condemned for Original Sin but that they be exempted from all the guilt vvhich is in that Sin For this Opinion crosseth the Scripture vvhich affirmeth Ephes 2.3 That vve are by Nature Children of Wrath. CANON VI. Who serve themselves of that distinction of the Impetration and Application that they may instil into the minds of simple and ignorant Souls this Opinion That God would equally impart unto all Men the benefits purchased by the Death of Jesus Christ and whereas some are made Partakers sooner than others of the Remission of Sins and of Eternal Life that this difference came from and depends chiefly on their free Will applying unto themselves that Grace which is indifferently offered unto all But this hath no dependency at all upon the gift of special Mercy working efficaciously within them that they may apply it rather than others unto themselves For making semblance as if they propounded this Doctrine in a good Sence they indeavour slily to insinuate into Souls the most pernicious Poyson of Pelagianisme CANON VII Who teach that Jesus Christ needed not to have died nor indeed did he die for them who were the Objects of Gods Sovereign Love and Elected unto Everlasting Life as if these needed not the Death of our Lord Jesus Christ which is a notorious contradiction unto the Apostle Gal. 2.20 Christ hath loved me and given himself to the Death for me Rom. 8.32 Who shall lay any thing to the charge of Gods Elect God is he that justifieth who will condemne Christ is he that hath dyed for us They also contradict our very Saviour himself John 10.15 I lay down my Life for my Sheep and chap. 15.12 13. This is my Commandment that ye love one another even as I have loved you There is no greater love than this that one should lay down his Life for his Friends CHAP. III. Of the Corruption of Man his Conversion unto God and the manner how CANON I. MAN at first was created after Gods Image and adorned in his Understanding with the true and saving Knowledge of his Creator and of Spiritual things with Righteousness in his Will and Purity in his Heart and in all his Affections yea he was truly and throughly Holy but being turned away from God by the Instigation of the Devil and his own free Will he hath deprived himself of those Excellent Gifts and contrary wise instead of them he hath brought upon himself Blindness horrible Darkness Vanity and perverseness of Judgment in his Understanding Malice Rebellion and hardness in his Will and Heart and so in like manner impurity in all his Affections CANON II. And such as he is since the Fall such Children are there begotten of him he is the corrupted Father Of corrupted Children the Corruption through the Just Judgment of God being derived from Adam down upon all his Posterity Jesus Christ only excepted and this not only by imitation as the Pelagians of old asserted but by propagation of his Corrupted Nature CANON III. Therefore all Men are conceived in Sin and are born Children of Wrath utterly unable to perform any saving Duty enclined unto Evil dead in Sin and in Bondage to it and without the Regenerating Grace of Gods Spirit they neither will nor can return unto God nor reform their depraved Nature nor so much as dispose themselves to a Reformation of it CANON IV. 'T is true that since the Fall there remain in Man some Relicks of Natural Light by means whereof he yet retaineth some Knowledge of God and of Natural things he can discern between what is honest and dishonest and expresseth some kind of Care and Study for Vertue and Exteriour Discipline But he is so far from being able by this Light of Nature
Treasure constantly defended which God also will cause her evermore to defend so as no Counsel nor Force shall be ever able to prevail against it Now to this one God Father Son and Holy Spirit be Honour and Glory for ever and ever Amen Errors Rejected The Orthodox Doctrine having been Explained the Synod Rejects their Errors CANON I. WHO teach that the Perseverance of True Believers is not an effect of Election nor a gift of â—od purchased by the Death of Christ but it s a Condition of the New Covenant which Man before his Election and peremptory Justification as they call it must of his free will accomplish for the Sacred Scriptures witnesseth that it floweth from Election and is given unto the Elect by vertue of the Death Resurrection and Intercession of Jesus Christ Rom. 11.7 The Election hath obtained it and the others are hardned Also Rom. 8.31 32 33 34. He that hath not spared his only Son but given him for us all how shall he not also give us with him all other things Who shall lay any thing to the charge of â—ods Elect It is God that will justifie Who will condemn It is Christ that is dead yea rather who is risen again from the Dead and who sitteth at the right hand of God and who also maketh Intercession for us Who shall separate us from the Love of Christ Shall it be Oppression Or Tribulation Or Famine Or Peril or Sword Yea in all these things we are more than Conquerors through him who hath loved us CANON II. Who teach That God doth indeed provide for the Believer strength enough and power sufficient for perseverance and that in case he do his Duty God will preserve him However let all things be supposed which may be needful to perseverance in Faith and which God will make use of for his preservation yet still it depends upon the Liberty of Mans Will whether he will persevere or not This Opinion is bare-fac't Pelagianisme and whilst the Professor of it would make Man free they make him Sacrilegious Besides it is against the perpetual consent of the Gospel-Doctrine which removes from Man all grounds of boasting and ascribes the Glory of this benefit to the Grace of God only And it thwarteth the Testimony of St. Paul who saith 1 Cor. 1.8 that God will confirm us unto the end that we may be blameless in the day of Our Lord Jesus Christ CANON III. Who teach that the Faithful and Regenerate may not only fall totally and finally from Justifying Faith and from Grace and Salvation but also that they often do so and perish Everlastingly for this Opinion doth not only annihilate the Grace of Justification and Regeneration but also the perpetual keeping of the Lord Jesus Christ contrary to the express words of the Holy Apostle St. Paul Rom. 5.9 10. If Christ died for us when we were Sinners much more than being now justified by his Blood shall we be saved from Wrath by him And against the Apostle St. John 1 Ep. 3.9 Whosoever is born of God sinneth not for the Seed of God abideth in him and he cannot sin because he is born of God and against the vvords of Jesus Christ John 10.28 29. And I give unto them Eternal Life and they shall never perish nor shall any pluck them out of my hand my Father vvho hath given them unto me is greater than all and no one can take them out of my Fathers hands I and my Father are one CANON IV. Who teach that Believers and Regenerate Persons may sin the sin unto Death that is they may commit that unpardonable sin against the Holy Ghost Although the beloved Apostle and Disciple of Our Lord in the fifth Chapter of his First Epistle after that he had spoken in the sixteenth and seventeenth verses of those vvho commit the Sin unto Death and forbidden all Prayers for them added in the eighteenth verse We knovv that vvhosoever is born of God sinneth not but he that is begotten of God keepeth himself and that vvicked one toucheth him not CANON V. Who teach That none can have in this Life without special Revelation any certainty of their perseverance For by this Doctrine the faithful are deprived of the most solid substantial comfort which is to be had in this Life and are abandoned to the diffidence and wavering floating opinions and doubts of the Romish Church But the Sacred Scriptures every where deriveth this Assurance not from any special or extraordinary Revelation but from the proper marks of the Children of God and from his infallible Promises especially from the Apostle St. Paul Rom. 8.38 No Creature can separate us from the Love of God which he hath shown us in Jesus Christ our Lord 1 John 3.24 He that keepeth his Commandments abideth in him and God in him And by this vve knovv that he abideth in us by his Spirit vvhich he hath given us CANON VI. Who teach That the Doctrine of Assurance of Perseverance and Salvation is a Pillovv for the Flesh to sleep on more securely and is in and of it self injurious unto Godlyness Good Works Prayers and all Holy Duties and Religious Exercises And on the contrary it is a laudable thing to be diffident and doubtful But such Persons bevvray their Ignorance and are mere Strangers to the efficacy of Divine Grace and to the operation of the Holy Ghost dvvelling in the Elect and contradict the Apostle St. John vvho doth in express terms assert the contrary 1 John 3.2 Beloved novv are vve the Children of God but vvhat vve shall be is not yet knovvn But this vve knovv that vvhen he shall appear vve shall be like unto him for vve shall see him even as he is And they must be more abundantly convinced by the Examples of Gods Saints both in the Old and New Testament who although they were assured of their Perseverance and Salvation did not thereupon neglect dayly Prayers or other Acts Duties and Exercises of True Piety and Religion CANON VII Who teach That there is no difference between a Temporary Faith and that which is Saving and Justifying excepting the duration of it For the Lord Jesus himself doth manifestly remark three other differences between those who believe but for a time and true Believers when as he saith Matth. 13.20 and Luke 8.13 and the verses following That those are they who receive the Seed in stony ground and these in good ground or in an honest heart that the former had no root but these have a firm root the one brought no fruit but these produced their fruits constantly and perseveringly in divers degrees and measures CANON VIII Who teach that it is no absurdity to say that when as the first Regeneration is extinct a Man may be born again yea he may be often new born For by this Doctrine the Seed of God by which we be new born is made corruptible directly contrary to the Witness of St. Peter Ep. 1. cap. 23. Being
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
which most concern the Churches and are to be presented unto his Majesty for the Advancement of His Service and the Peace and Repose of His Subjects And whereas 't is full Six years ago since the last Politick Assembly was graciously permitted us by His Majesty and that the former National Synods held at Alez and Charenton and this also of Castres conformable to them have peremptorily decreed that none of our Pastors shall henceforward intermeddle with State-Affairs or assist personally in Politick Assemblies which also His Majesty hath approved The Council because it would not transgress His Majesties Declarations nor the Canons of the Synods before-mentioned nor cause any prejudice to that Government which the goodness of our Kings have approved in the Churches of this Realm and which His Majesty hath given us to understand that he will not abolish declareth that 't is none of its design nor desire by this Election whereunto the Churches are necessitated and the Kings Will obligeth them to prejudice in the least the Rights and Priviledges of General Assemblies to whom the care of State-Affairs doth properly belong nor shall it bind the succeeding National Synods to act after this manner Wherefore it chargeth the General Deputies who shall be accepted by His Majesty to demand at the end of Eighteen Moneths with the profoundest submissions and importunities imaginable his Majesties Writt of the Summons for the General Assembly even as it hath pleased His Majesty to give unto our Churches the firm hopes thereof by His Royal and inviolable promises expressed in plain and formal words in his Writt before-mentioned And whereas the intendment of this Office is in the name of our Churches to represent unto His Majesty all those Matters which concern the Weal and Service of His Majesty and the Repose and Subsistance of His Subjects and that to this purpose it is absolutely needful that there should be Assemblies held in the Provinces unto which there may be brought all the Complaints Remonstrances and Propositions of all and every one of our Churches that from them they may be brought unto the General Assembly and the whole might be there examined and deposited into the hands of the General Deputies and this present Council being an Assembly of another Nature and having no Commission from the Provinces it could not furnish the Deputies now Elected with those necessary Memoirs and Instructions They therefore who shall be retained by His Majesty to discharge and execute this Office shall most humbly petition His said Majesty that he would permit in every Province such an Assembly as soon as possible in which all Complaints and Remonstrances meet for His Majesties perusal may be collected and layd at His Majesties feet by those Lords aforesaid our General Deputies to whom they shall be sent that so by this means His Majesty may be duely and truely informed of the Deportments and Grievances of all his Protestant Subjects because there is not any thing of greater importance to his Weal and Service than this is The Council hoping much from His Majesties great goodness is emboldned to pass beyond its accustomed Bounds and Order and to dispense with it self in this particular Otherwise it would have persisted in its most humble supplications that it might not be obliged unto the said Election The said Lords General Deputies shall confer with the Ministers of State it being a thing of indispensable necessity how they may hold a correspondency with the Provinces and the Provinces with them because without such a correspondency all their actings yea and their Office it self would be utterly useless and unserviceable unto the Churches Every Province shall draw up a Cahier of the grievances of their Churches and of particular Persons professing our Religion which shall be transmitted unto the Church of Paris which shall compile them into one general Cahier to be deposited into the hands of the General Deputies CHAP. XII A Remonstrance of the Lord of Angoulins on behalf of the Mayor Sheriffs and City of Rochell WHEN as the Council had thus decreed in pursuance of His Majesties Pleasure that they would proceed unto an Election of General Deputies to reside near His Majesty the Lord of Angoulins one of the Sheriffs of the City of Rochell Elder of the Church there and Deputy for the Province of Xaintonge remonstrated that in all such Actions the Lords Mayor Sheriffs and free Burgesses of the said City had in all times the Priviledge of a Province and their Deputies did ever appear in Person in all general Politick Assemblies and in National Synods also when as the General Deputies were to be chosen and he petitioned the Council that he might be granted his Vote in the said Election not only in his Quality as Deputy of the Province of Xaintonge but also in that his particular quality as Deputy of the said Lords the Mayor Sheriffs and free Burgesses of the said City according as he was commissionated with full powers so to do by the said Lords which he produced and were Signed by Gachot Secretary of their Council the Fourteenth day of the last October The Deputies of the Province of Xaintonge were heard hereupon who declared that the said Lord of Angoulins being one of their Colleagues and Deputy together with them might as such have his voice in the said Election or otherwise their Province would sustain a very considerable prejudice if one of its Deputies should be excluded from giving his suffrage in the said Election The Synod doing right unto the said Petitioner the Lord of Angoulins and not judging it reasonable that a single Person should have a double Vote in such an Occurrence as this decreed that the said Lord of Angoulins should only have one single Voice in the said Election but however it should be left unto his own choice to take what quality he pleased whether of Deputy for the Province of Xaintonge or of the City of Rochell only And the said Lord of Angoulins did at that instant though it should not be drawn in consequence nor made a precedent for the future nor prejudice the Rights and Priviledges of the said Town and Province declare that he choose to give his Vote in quality of Deputy for the said City of Rochell And this present Act was granted him that he had made the said Declaration Forasmuch as there be divers defaults in the Letters of Commission brought by the Deputies of some Provinces They shall be all exhorted by their Deputies to see that Canon of the Synod of Tonneins executed which had ordered that the Names and Surnames of all Deputies should be expresly inserted into them As also to take special heed that all Letters of Commission and Memoirs be in no wise Signed by the Persons Deputed unto the National Synods nor by those who are substituted in their stead in case of Sickness or Death or any the like accident but by the Officers of the Provincial Synods as Moderators Assessors and
voted a Decree that the Censure past on the Church of Paris in that Synod of he Isle of France shall be reversed and that the Church of Paris shall be advised precisely to observe the Canons concerning the re-search of Pastors Moreover to comply with their instant urgent Importunities Monsieur Daille is purely and absolutely resigned to them 3. Whereas John Mellier having opposed the Election and Reception of the Sieur John Celaris into the Office of an Elder and brought his Appeal unto this Synod it is remanded back unto the Province of Higher Languedoc who have full power to determine it 4. The Synod ratifying the Judgment of the Province of Xaintonge from whence the Church of Montendre had appealed This Assembly ordaineth that for the future Provincial Synods shall judge soveraignly and finally in all causes about dismembring and conjoining of Annexed Churches 5. And therefore according to this Canon the Appeal of the Church of St. Hillary in the Province of Poictou is declared null notwithstanding what hath been remonstrated to the contrary by the Lord de la Begaudiere 6. For the same reason the Appeal of the Church of St. Fulgentius in the same Province is disanulled 7. The same Sentence was given on the Appeal of the Church of Quissac from the Decree of the Province of Sevennes 8. And for the like reason the Church of Sauve in the said Province having brought an Appeal had it rejected 9. Although the differences about the distribution of His Majesties Liberality granted us to our Churches ought not to be brought before these National Synods yet that the contestations in the Churches of the Lower Guyenne may be terminated the Deputies of that Province are commanded to confer with the R. R. Mr. Belot and de Baux Ministers of the Gospel and with the Sieurs Marlat and la Briere Elders that in case they should hit upon an expedient of accommodating Matters it may be ratified by the Authority of this Assembly not that we would have a precedent made hereof And once again that Ancient Prohibition against our Ministers is now revived That not one of them shall touch a Denier of His Majesties Bounty assigned to and distributed by the Provinces unto their particular Churches because the said Churches ought solely to receive it and it must remain wholly at their disposal and because our Pastors shall not have an uncertain but a most certain and determinate Pension for their subsistence from their Churches 10. The Appeal of Monsieur Perez Pastor of the Church of Cajarre was vacated and the Assembly injoyned the Province of Higher Languedoc to put forth their hand that the said Perez may receive for time coming greater satisfaction from his Church than heretofore And in case the said Church do not fully content him and pay him his just dues betwixt this and the next Synod of that Province they shall be deprived of his Ministry and he shall be assigned to some other Flock yea and though they should give him all possible satisfaction yet shall he not be compelled to serve a Church against his Will whereunto he was not sent but for a time 11. This Judgment past upon the Appeal of the Church of Angles that it was very needless and ill layd the Sentence of their Province being founded on Equity and Charity 12. The Appeal of Monsieur Peter Prevost a Pastor Emeritus is declared null 13. The Church of Bergerac appealed and petitioned that forasmuch as the Sentence of the Province of Lower Guyenne hath been invalidated the Twelve Hundred Livres formerly granted unto their Colledge might be continued The Letters and Memoirs of that Church being read and the Deputies of that Province heard this Decree was made That the Four Hundred Livres given unto every Province for their respectiye Colledges shall be continued unto that of Bergerac until the next National Synod unto which they shall give a clear and good account of what has been done by them for the re-establishment of their Colledge on default of which that Sentence of the Provincial Synod for translating the said Colledge to the Town of Nerac shall be confirmed And as for the remaining Eight Hundred Livres Four Hundred of them shall be detained by the Lord of Candal in his hands and the other Four Hundred shall be accorded to the Church of Nerac but on this condition only that the Town of Bergerac do find out some means for the re-establishment of their Colledge And our National Synods may hereafter give them sensible pledges of their accustomed Love and Kindness 14. Monsieur des Marests suspended the Holy Ministry by the Province of Vivaretz petitioned in his Appeals that they might be obliged to restore him unto the Publick Exercise of his Office and come to an account with him upon hearing the Deputies of that Province this Synod voted that his suspension should be removed and that the said Province should accompt with him for the Moneys owing to him before the Consistory of Alez and that Monsieur Cuper shall pay him presently in ready Moneys Three Hundred Livres out of what might accrew unto the said Province and to repair the want of Charity which those of that Province have been notoriously guilty of towards him they shall for the future take special care to incourage him in his Ministry 15. Mr. George Arbaut formerly Pastor of the Church in Boiscoiran appeared in Person before this Synod to maintain his Appeal But upon hearing the Deputies of the Province of Lower Languedoc by which he was Deposed and Monsieur Paulett Pastor of the Church of Vezenobre who gave in Evidence against him on one of the Principal Articles for which he was condemned the Letters and Acts produced both for and against him having been perused The Synod confirmed the Judgment denounc't against the said Arbaut and declareth him for ever unworthy of Employment in the Sacred Ministry and decreeth farther that he shall not be admitted to Communion in the Sacraments till such time as being toucht with a deep remorse and serious Repentance for his Sin he do fully freely and ingenuously Confess his Offences before that Church in which he constantly resideth 16. Monsieur Beraut Pastor of the Church of Montauban and Professor in that University appealed from a Decree of the Provincial Synod of Higher Languedoc and consequentially from the Actions of the Delegates of that Synod and of the Colloquy of Lower Quercy Letters from the Magistrates in the Sheriffdom or Montauban were read as also from the Four Consuls of the said City The Lords de la Roche and Bardon Counsellors in that Sheriffdom the Lords de la Rose and Auglas first and second Consuls and the R. Mr. Charles a Minister one of those Delegates were all heard speaking of this Affair and Monsieur Beraud also declaring his grievances as also did the Deputies of the Province The Synod did hereupon take unto it self the cognisance of this Case and voted that the R. R. Mr.
new against this unworthy Fellow CHAP. XXIV Discipline Exercised upon a Vitious Minister 53. WHereas James Jolly sometimes Pastor of the Church of Milhaud appealed from a Sentence past against him by the Synod of Higher Languedoc which had deposed him from the Holy Ministry Upon hearing the Deputies of that Province and the said Jolly himself who having been divers times summon'd to clear himself of the Crimes laid unto his charge though to no purpose for he could never do it The Synod ratified the Sentence past against him in every article and particular and because the qualities of his Crimes proved upon him are very hainous and atrocious as tempting and solliciting of Women to Adultery abominable and profane Speeches professed resolves and purposes to Apostatize from the True Religion and Blessed Gospel of our Lord Jesus perswading and enticing like the Devils other Ministers of Christ to joyn with him in his Revolt and Apostacy from all which horrible and scandalous Accusations he was bound in Honour and Conscience to purge himself and had he been innocent or had he but the least spark of Grace or one grain of the fear of God been lest in him he would have done it Moreover the said Jolly having discoursed with a great deal of impudence hardness and ungodliness in the very presence of the Synod and betook himself unto business utterly inconsistent with the Sacred Calling of a Minister for which had he none other guilt upon him he would have merited a Deposal from that Honourable Office The Synod seized with a just horror at his impenitency and aggravating the Sentence of his Provincial Synod denounceth the said Jolly utterly unworthy and altogether uncapable of any imployment in the Sacred Ministry of the Gospel deposeth him and doth now from this Instant declare him to be deposed from the Ministerial Function and for ever uncapable of being restored to it and depriveth him of all Communion in the Sacraments unto which he shall not be admitted 'till we have had a very long proof and some years Tryal and Experience of his Repentance and Reformation and that he have publickly and penitently acknowledged those great and hainous scandals he hath given unto the Church of God and in case he persist in his Rebellions then the Consistories and Colloquies being assembled together shall deliver him over unto the Devil by that dreadful Sentence of Excommunication 54. The Overseers of the Poor in the Church of Anduze appealed from a Decree of the Synod of Higher Languedoc and the Lord Aldebert Judge of Sauve complained against the Sieur John Bony Pastor of the Church of St. John of Cardonengue Master Cailou was heard speak in behalf of the Church of Anduze and Mr. Aldebert the younger opened the reasons of their Appeal and Mr. Bony together with the Provincial Deputies Apologized for themselves against thorn The Council having accurately considered all the Accusations and Matters of Offence included in those proceedings judgeth that Mr. Bony deserveth a very heavy Censure for notorious Avarice and dishonest Gain the guilt of which is apparent and visible upon him for that he disposed of the Goods of Pernette Andouyne to his own and his Childrens profit contrary to the Will and Testament she had once made in favour of the poor Members of the Church of Anduze Moreover the Council declareth that the said Master Bony cannot with a good Conscience detain and appropriate unto his own use the Goods aforesaid but ought immediately to restore them and to this purpose he was exhorted to choose Arbitrators as the said Overseers of the Poor would also to compose the differences between them and to agree upon the terms of restitution And it was farther intimated to him that in case the Execution of this Decree were in the least hindred or delayed by him the said Bony that the next Colloquy of Nismes was Authorized to proceed against him and to Depose him from the Ministry And forasmuch as he hath exprest his Repentance with grief and shame for his Sin and promised the Synod to give full satisfaction as before and for that he hath patiently and penitently borne the Suspension from his Office inflicted on him some Moneths ago The Synod doth restore him to the Exercise of his Ministry And whereas Monsieur Aldebert before-mentioned had been suspended from the Lords Table that Censure together with his being taxed for a Calumniator are both ordered to be taken off from him but he shall be first publickly reproved in the Person of his Son for that excessive Passion manifested by him in his Accusations Prosecutions and bitter Expressions in his Letters all which exasperated the Province of Higher Languedoc against him and were the true meritorious causes why he was so severely judged by them And both of those Gentlemen Bony and Aldebert are exhorted to a mutual reconciliation and forgetfulness of what is past and particularly the said Aldebert is advised to demean himself for the future with more Candor and Charity towards the said Bony And in case there should happen any new matter of Accusation against him that he do prosecute him according to the Forms and Canons of our Church Discipline Moreover Master Melucis and Berle Pastors and Witnesses to the aforesaid Testament shall be examined by their next Provincial Synod about their hand in this matter that so they may be dealt withal according to their demerits And whereas Monsieur de Surville another Minister could have given in a material Evidence against the said Bony but was sworn to Secrecy he also shall be called to an account and Justice shall be done upon him CHAP. XXV GENERAL MATTERS These poor Churches prayed for and rejoyced at the birth of the greatest Scourge and Plague that ever was upon them 1 WHereas all Pastors and Heads of Families and Members of our Churches ought dayly to implore the Throne of Grace for all Spiritual and Temporal Benedictions to be poured down upon the Person of His Majesty Our Dread Soveraign and for the Glory of His Crown the Peace and Prosperity of His Kingdom and Government they be all Exhorted in their Publick and Private Prayers importunately to beg of God that he would be graciously pleased to bless the Kings Majesty with Children of his own Body and to this purpose all the faithful shall with one accord joyn together in Common Prayers and Supplications that the Lord would hear and Answer the Requests of his poor Children who live under the Sh dow of his Anointed that the Scepter may be strengthned in his hand his House established from Generation to Generation and that over and above those Divine Graces and Favours which he hath already vouchsafed to him he may after a long and happy Life be honoured in succeeding Ages with the Glorious Title of Father of Kings as he is now with that of Father of his People 2. The Synod considering that through the Soveraign Mercy of God inclining His Majesties heart by
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
him of the Monies accompted for by the said Palot and not delivered into the Hands of the Lords Commissioners that so we may have recourse unto it when need requires in out prosecution of the said Palot 16. The Lord of Angoulin's requesting on behalf of the City of Rochel that the Synod would be pleased to reimburse the said City the Sum of Two thousand five hundred Livers which were lent unto certain Deputies of the Provinces assembled in the said City in the Year Sixteen hundred and seventeen This Demand was dismissed over to the next Politick Assembly which his Majesty shall be pleased to grant unto his Subjects of the Reformed Religion that so the said Assembly may take care about it to whom it doth belong because the Monies of his Majesty's Liberality and which are at the disposal of our National Synods ought not to be diverted from that particular Use and Service whereunto his Majesty hath devoted them 17. The Deputies of the Isle of France declaring how very useful unto the Churches the worthy Labours of Monsieur Blondel Pastor of the Church of Howdan might be and the Synod being further informed of his rare Dexterity and Diligence in the Imployment of those excellent Talents which the Lord hath concredited to him for the Edification of his Church it decreed That he should be publickly commended and incouraged and that the Lord of Candall should pay him in presently as a Token of our great Esteem and Value for him a Thousand Livers to buy him Books and that as soon as his Works shall be ready for the Press the Synod will defray the Charges of their Impression And because his great Excellency lieth in Church-History and Antiquity he is earnestly desired to follow his Genius and to combate and refute the Adversaries with that Weapon 18. The Demand of Quentin Mareschall a Printer dwelling at Chastelheraut is dismissed over to the Province of Poictou who shall take care of it according to the Rules of Christian Charity And the said Mareschall is forbidden the troubling our National Synod any more with his little Businesses 19. The Synod not abridging the Rights and Priviledges of any Province doth permit that of Higher Languedoc to recal Monsieur Casaux a Pastor lent unto the Church of Montagnac in the Lower Guyenne and the Lower Guyenne may recal Monsieur Testard at present Minister of the Church of Realmont in the Province of Higher Languedoc whenever the Necessity and Edification of the Church shall so require 20. Monsieur Mestrezat presented Letters from the Lord de Launay and requested by word of Mouth both for himself and his said Colleague that the Synod would be pleased to discharge them from that Commission which the National Synod of Charenton had intrusted them with But this Synod not being in a capacity to alter the Decree of that Synod did earnestly intreat them both to continue in that Employment for the general good of the Churches 21. Monsieur Tolozany Pastor of the Church of St. Antonine relating the great Poverty of his Church and Family and the extream Necessity whereunto he is reduced in his old Age. The Synod not being at present in a capacity to alter any thing in former Constitutions for the Relief of our indigent Ministers doth ordain that immediately three hundred Livers be given him to the easing of his Church of which in the Dividend that shall be made of the Monies granted us by his Majesty there shall be a particular care taken 22. Letters from my Lady Marchioness of Bouillé and from Monsieur du Mont formerly Pastor in the Church of Mimbre in the Territory of Maine were read in open Synod And Information being made of the notorious Crimes committed by the said du Mont the Province is ordered to proceed forthwith against him and to depose him from his Office And the said Lady shall be advised of it by Letters from this Synod 23. The Complaint of Monsieur Toussain a Pastor Emeritus in the Province of Dolphiny was given unto the Province of Sevennes who should procure by their best Skill and Power the paiment of those Arrears of Wages due unto the said Toussain by the Church of Marvejoils 24. Monsieur * * * Anotâ—er Copy calleth him Benter Brucet a Proposan being demanded by the Church of La Verdac to be their Pastor the Colloquy of Condommois is authorized to examine and ordain him CHAP. XXIX Care taken for a poor persecuted Church 25. THere were Letters from the Church of La Mote Mauravel in the Province of Lower Guienne sent unto this Synod and being read together with their Memoirs we were informed of a cruel Persecution raised against the said Church by the Lords Cardinal of Sourdis and Bishop of Maillezais Whereupon the Lord Commissioner was humbly desired to write unto his Majesty and the Ministers of State on the behalf of that poor distressed Church And Letters were also ordered to be written out of hand unto the Lord Duke of Esperon earnestly to entreat his Grace that by his Authority his Majesty's Edicts and the Publick Peace might be preserved And our general Deputies at Court shall address themselves unto his Majesty that according to his usual Clemency and Royal Goodness he would be pleased to stop the Torrent of this Persecution and to exert his Justice and punish the Infractors and Violators of his Royal Ordinances and to curb and restrain their Fury who dare in a time of open Peace to deprive his Majesty's Subjects of the Benefit and Protection of his Edicts of the Exercise of their Religion and of the Safety of their Lives And the said Church of La Mote shall be immediately advised to keep and secure the possession of their Temple and Religious Worship and to seek and get into their Possession all necessary Titles Evidences and Proofs of their Right unto their Temple 1626. The 25th Synod and to bring those Evidences and Acts of Prohibitions that have been served upon them by the Officers of the said Lord Cardinal and all other Proofs of their Excesses and actual Outrages against their Members unto this City that so they may with all diligence be dispatched unto the Lord des Loges Advocate in his Majesty's Council who will use all needful Means on behalf of our Churches that their Adversaries may be prosecuted and punished 26. Mousieur de la Motte Pastor of the Church du Gua in Vivaretz did both by word of Mouth and written Acts which he produced declare and prove his great Losses and Persecutions sustained during the last Troubles The Council gave him good assurance that in the Dividend of our Churches Moneys there should be a particular care taken for his Relief and Comfort 27. The Synod compassionating the sad Estate of Monsieur du Bois a Publick Notary living in the City of Pouzin ordered that three hundred Livers should be paid him out of the Mass of Moneys which will be allotted unto
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
any Difference should arise about this matter then it should be referred unto the Consistory of Montpellier who were impowered by this present National Synod to decide it finally 76. Monsieur Bardon Receiver of the Moneys appertaining to the Province of Higher Languedoc is intreated to advance unto the Family of Monsieur Voisin out of the first Moneys he shall receive that free Portion which was granted by this National Synod unto the said Family 77. The Petition of the Church of Vielle Vigne requesting that an hundred Livers might be granted them for the keeping up of their School was remanded back unto the Province of Brittain who were charitably to consider of it 78. A Petition from the Church of Tressans was presented unto this Council by the Sieur Razes who ordered the Province of Lower Languedoc to give the belt Assistance to it and an Accompt of their Condition is to be brought in unto the next National Synod 79. The Reverend Mr. Constans and Erondelle gave in their Judgment about a Book writ by the Sieur Bufon and perused by them whereupon a Vote pass'd that it should not be printed and the Reasons moving the Council thereunto shall be reported unto the said Buson by Monsieur Fort one of the Deputies of the Lower Guyenne 80. For as much as three free Portions had been allotted by the last National Synod of Charenton unto the Churches of Soulés in case they were provided of a second Pastor This Assembly authorizeth the Colloquy of Condonnois to examine that Proposan who was said to be fit for the Ministry and the Province of Lower Guyenne is charged to advance such a Sum as they shall judg needful for the Maintenance of a second Pastor and to make Report thereof unto the next National Synod which shall reimburse them those their Moneys 81. This Council decreed that out of the first Moneys which should be received the Sum of two hundred Livers should be presented to each of our Professors in the University of Montauban and Saumur for the Years one thousand six hundred twenty one and twenty two in which they receieved nothing 82. The Province of Higher Languedoc understanding that there was a Dividend of Moneys made by this Council demanded the Reimbursement of four hundred Livers which in Obedience to a Decree of the last Synod at Charenton they had paid in to Monsieur Berauld Professor of Divinity in the University of Montauban But this their Demand was ordered to be brought into the next National Synod who will take Care to see them have Restitution made of that aforesaid Sum disbursed by them 83. The Accompt rendred by the Isle of France for its Colledg was accepted and the Council voted that the Censure pronounced against the said Province should be razed out of the Acts of the last National Synod 84. This Assembly not judging it convenient unto Reason to repeal its own Ordinance about Mr. Percy did deposit that Act concerning several Heads of Families in the Church of Montflanquin and those Acts of the Church of Bourdeaux and of Monsieur Ferrand in the Hands of the Deputies of Lower Guyenne who should make Report of them unto the next National Synod to whom the final Judgment of this Affair is dismissed 85. The Deputies of Dolphiny presented Letters from Monsieur de Piotet Pastor of the Church of Molines together with the Canons of our National Synods and Church-Discipline compiled by him into a just Volume Whereupon Commissioners were nominated to peruse this his Collection and they bringing in a very favourable Report concerning it Thanks were voted unto the said Monsieur Piotet and that he should by Letters from this Assembly be advised of the Defects noted by the Commissioners in this his Work that so he might compleat it and render it more useful and serviceable to the Churches 86. The Lord of Montmartyn Deputy-General for our Churches reporting unto this Assembly that there were divers Orders which greatly imported the common Good of all our Churches and which he had obtained some Years ago from the Privy Council and of which it is very needful he should have the keeping that he may produce them upon all Occasions and Occurrences for the better Service of our Churches And whereas several Deputies of the Provinces have remonstrated that for the Information of their Provinces and the better inabling them to pursue and execute those Orders of Council there is a Necessity that they should be possess'd of the said Originals or at least of Copies most exactly transcribed from and faithfully compared with them This Assembly taking into Consideration the many Copies of those Orders necessary for the Provinces all of which cannot possibly have the said Originals but with a great deal of Time and Expence of Moneys did intreat the Lord Galland his Majesties Commissioner to us that he would be pleased to give himself the Trouble of collationing the Copies with the Originals that so they may be of better Use and Service to the Deputies and Provinces which have sent them according as the Necessity of their Affairs may require 87. The Magistrates of Castres having past a Judgment against Peter Peris at the Request of Monsieur Constans now that the Charges may be defrayed of that Process an Order was given that the said Sieur Constans should presently receive four and twenty Livers 88. Forty Livers were ordered unto the Transcriber of the Copies of that Cahier brought by the Magistrates of this City unto the Lord Montmartyn and of the Accompts given us by the Lord of Candall 89. As soon as the time of the Sieur Fabre's Suspension is expired the Colloquy of Albigeois shall immediately assemble and provide the Church of La Caune another Pastor 90. Monsieur Combalasse Pastor of the Church of Venez prayed this Assembly to assist him and the Widow of Monsieur Raffin deceased with some Moneys that they might bring their Law-suit to an End about the Settlement of their Temple in the Town of Venez But their Demand as had been before in the like Case practised by the National Synod of Alez was dismissed over to the next Provincial Synod of Higher Languedoc And in the mean while this Council assured him that they would improve all their Power and Interest to procure the said Settlement 91. The Provincial Deputies of Burgundy and the Lord of Beaufort Deputy for the Province of Sevennes shall in their Return homeward pass through the Towns of Sauve and Anduze and acquaint the Consistories there with the Intention of this Council and shall do their best Indeavours to reconcile the Sieurs Bony and Aldebert and put to their helping Hand that the Overseer of the Poor in the Town of Anduze and the said Mr. Bony do agree upon Arbitrators who may put a Period to their Differences 92. The Proceedings formed against the Sieurs Peris and Jolly were delivered unto the Provincial Deputies of Xaintonge and Higher Languedoc in which Provinces they both lived
of the Years 1625 and 1626 without any diminution and for the Years One thousand six hundred and twenty one and twenty two a certain Sum out of that Stock and Fund which is in the disposal of the Synod and that such of them as are Pastors and have no Sallery from their Churches shall be paid that Portion which was allotted and settled on them as upon the other Pastors but with this difference that there shall be nothing deducted for Costs or Taxes out of it 3. This Synod having maturely considered the Reasons inducing the last National Synod of Charenton to supress the Profession of the Greek Tongue in those Universities which are maintained by our Churches hath thought good once again to restore It but with this Condition that the Professors shall explain unto their Scholars the most elegant Treatises of the Fathers And whereas Mr. Weems Principal at Montauban hath craved leave that at the same time he teacheth the Greek Tongue he may also teach the Mathematicks and Metaphysicks unto the Colledg his Petition was dismissed over to the Council of that University who should do therein as their Prudence should direct them 4. As for those Demands made by Monsieur Petit Professor of Divinity at Nismes on behalf of that University the Synod ordains 1. That for the Years 1621 and 1622 the Professors there must rest satisfied with what they have already received and patiently bear their part in the common Incommodities suffer'd by the Churches And for the Years 1625 and 1626 they shall receive their full Sallaries out of the first and clearest Monies of his Majesty's Liberality 2. That those of the aforesaid Professors who have the grant of a free Portion as the Sieurs Petit and Codour shall receive it from the Hands of the Lord of Candall's Deputy in the Province of Lower Languedoc 3. That the Sieur Codour Professor of the Hebrew Tongue shall come down unto the same Terms with the Professors of the said Language in our other Universities and he may not demand a greater Sallary than hath been granted and paid them until now 5. All the Provinces are exhorted to examine in their Synods Whether our Universities may not be removed from one place unto another or whether they may not be reduced to a lesser Number than they are at present that so the next National Synod may decree therein what will be most expedient for the whole Body of our Churches 6. Such Pastors as are employed in the Profession of the Hebrew Tongue shall over and above their ordinary Stipend as Pastors receive also their Wages as Professors And as for Professors of Divinity who serve the Churches of our Universities and receive some kind of Maintenance from them because of their ordinary Ministry among them there shall be an half Portion granted to them which they shall receive also but with deduction of their Pension promised them by their respective Churches 7. Two hundred and ten Livers shall be the yearly Sallary of the Regents in the fifth and sixth Glasses of the Colledg of Saumur 8. The Synod gave leave unto the Province of Sevennes to settle their Colledg in that Corporation which would contribute most towards its Maintenance 9. That the Right of our Churches may be preserved and our Universities in this Kingdom may be provided for Letters were ordered to be written unto Dr. Andrew Rivet to dispose and perswade him to serve as Professor in one of our Universities and the like Letters shall be written to the Lords Curators of the University of Leyden to acquaint their Lordships with the Desires of this Council and intreat them to set Dr. Rivet at liberty And the Church of Paris is charged to see those Letters delivered into their Hands to whom they be directed and to receive their Answer and make Replies unto them as they judg meet 10. That the Colledg in this City of Castres may be preserved the Council ordained that the said Colledg shall until the next National Synod enjoy the Sum of four hundred Livers yearly which Monies were detained in the Hands of the Lord of Candall out of the Monies given unto the Colledg of Bergeras without any the least prejudice unto the Grant formerly made unto the Province of Lower Guyenne in favour of the Towns of Bergerac and Nerac 11. The University of Nismes having not brought in their Accompt of the Monies they had received and employed since the last National Synod shall carry it unto the next Synod of Sevennes which is ordered to audit and finish it up by the Authority of this Assembly 12. The Province of Higher Languedoc brought in their Accompts by the Hands of Monsieur Bardon who was constituted Receiver for the said Province and Paymaster of the University of Montauban for the Years 1619 1620 1623 and 1624 but gave no Accompt for the Years 1621 and 1622 nor of the Years 1625 and 1626 because he had not received any thing in those Years by reason of the Troubles and Wars that were then in being and it appears upon the closing up of his Accompt that there is due unto him the Sum of two thousand one hundred and fifty nine Livers nineteen Sous and eight Deniers proceeding in part from eight hundred and eleven Livers paid by him unto the Professors for their Wages in the Year 1621 and for another Disbursement paid unto the said Professors for their Wages in the Year 1625 and for seven hundred Livers paid in to Madamoyselle Chamier for the Year of her Widowhood for which Sum of two thousand one hundred and fifty nine Livers nineteen Sous eight Deniers there was a Fund ordered for his Reimbursment viz. the very first Moneys that are to be distributed among the Churches And the said Accomptant and all others also were injoined for the future not to make the Expences in their Accompts greater than their Receipt appointed them by the National Synods on pain of Radiation 13. The Province of Anjou having in Obedience to the Decree of the Synod of Charenton given in unto the Colloquy of Higher Poictou the Accompts of Moneys received for the Maintenance of their University at Saumur three quarters of the Year 1620 and for the compleat Years 1621 1623 and 1624 and for the first quarter of the Year 1625 it appeared by that Accompt that they had paid five and twenty Livers four Sous and six Deniers more than they had received and it appeared by the said Accompt that they had received nothing for the whole Year 1622 and yet nevertheless they had disbursed for three quarters of the said Year as the Acquittances of that Disbursment did evidently prove there being also no Moneys received for the Profession of Divinity which was then vacant Wherefore the said Accompt was allowed and approved and the Censure against them in the Acts of the Synod of Charenton taken off and the Sums detained from them by the Decree of that Synod were now again rendred
Beneville is Peloguin 62. At Baillolet and Oux is Braud 63. At Houdan is David Blondell 64. At La-Ferte and Laons is â—â—anett 65. At Plessis Norville is Delevereau 66. At Chartres Favieras is Aubertin 67. At Mante Averne is Chorin 68. At Auson is Couronne The Third Province and Provincial Synod is the Province of Brittain having but one Colloquy ten Churches and eleven Pastors 69. Vielle Vigne wherein is Pastor Mr. Ferguson 70. At Sion is de la Plate the Elder 71. At Rennes is de Souvigny 72. At Plouer Richelieu 73. At Blain is Andrew le Noir 74. At Roche Bernard is Guido le Noir Lord of Crain and Brother of Andrew Pastor at Blain 75. At Trignier is Lowis Prichel Lord of la Haye 76. At la Moussaye is de la Place the Second * * * Trâ—â—e were three or sour de la Places at this time in the Ministry and I think all of them Sons of â—â—e Minister 77. At Vitre are Depestre and Peter Ortin a Rocheller 78. At Nantes is de la Place the Younger The Fourth Province and Provincial Synod is the Province of Touraine Anjou le Maine Vaudomois and Great Perche and is divided into three Colloquies having one and twenty Churches and twenty five Pastors 1. The Colloquy of Touraine 79. Tours in which officiates Matthew Cottier 80. At Chasâ—illon upon Eindre and at Lorsat and Busanois is Peter de la Combe 81. At Preuilly is John Rogier 82. At L'Isle Bouchard is Philip Vincent 83. At Montoire is eter de la Combe 81. At Preuilly is John Rogier 82. At L'Isle Bouchard is Philip Vincent 83. At Montoire is Paul Salomear 84. At Vandosme is Isaac le Pelletier 2. The Colloquy of Anjou 85. At Mirebeau is John Gourdry 86. At Lowdun is Daniel Conpé Lord of Desloges 87. At Saumur are Samuel Bouchereau Moyses Amyrand and Lewis Cappel Hebrew Professor 88. At Angiers Stephen le Bloy the Youngest 89. At Chasteau Gontier Cracu and les Landelles is Stephen Besnard 90. At Bauge is John Pyneau 91. At Bourgueil is Francis de la Galere 3. The Colloquy of Moine 92. At La Barre is Daniel Petit. 93. At Laval is Stephen Lâ—bloy the Younger 94. At Lassay is René Conscil 95. At Belâ—sme is René Alain 96. At Minhay and St. Aignan is Abel Amiraud 97. At Le Muns and Ardenay is John Vigneux 98. At Pringé is Abel Charles 99. At Chasteau du Loir is Tricot In this Colloquy liveth Mr. Anthony du Mont a Minister without a Church and unimployed The Fifth Province and Provincial Synod is the Province of Poictou divided into three Colloquies having forty seven Churches and fifty one Pastors 100. At Poyré and Belleville is Anthony Brail 101. At St. Hillary and Foussey is Peter Mallett 102. At Basanges and Manvilleron is Anne Savonnet 103. At Montague is Samuel Fleury 104. At Brevil Bamett and Lezay is Thomas Johnson 105. At Vandoré is Francis Savonnett 106. At Chantannay and Puybeliard is Jozian Ollivier 107. At la Chastaigneray is Lewes la Varmiere 108. At Mouschamp is René de Losses Lord of la Tousche 109. At la Chaise and Bournezeaux is Abraham des Portes 110. At St. Fulgent and les Herbrieres is Gabriel Boucquet 111. At Poupere and Ponzange is John de la Place 112. At la Garnuche is Daniel Taillard Lord of Rosefleur 113. At St. Giles Survie is Charles Malet 114. At Talmond upon Jard is James Prunier 115. At St. Benoist and le Giare is Daniel Guerman a Rocheller 116. At Marevil is James Ranconnett 117. At St. Hermine and la Chappelle is James Papin a Rocheller 118. At Coulonges les Royaux is John Vatablé 119. At Fontenay le Conte is Peter de la Vallade 2d Colloquy of Middle Poictou 120. At Chandeniers is Peter Pasquier 121. At St. Gelais and Cherveuy is Benjamin de Launay Lord of Gravier 122. At Mougon is John de la Blachiere 123. At Chef Boutonné is John Chalmott 124. At Melle is Mark Fossa 125. At Murcillac and Aigre is Theophilus Lesnier 126. At Niort are John Chauffepied and James de Longnac 127. At St. Maixant is Samuel le Blanc 128. At la Motte St. Heraye is Isaac de la Fourcade 129. At Exoudun is Nathaniel Monastier 130. At Chisay and Aulnay is James Chagneau 3d Colloquy of Higher Poictou 131. At Chauvigny is John Forand 132. At le Vigean is Vincent Paure 133. At Cuiray is John Masson 134. At Lusignan is Isaac du Soul 135. At Coré is Isaac de Cuville 136. At Montreuil Bonnin is Josua de Artois 137. At Partenay is Nicolas Belin. 138. At Touars is Paul Geslin Lord of la Pillaticre 139. At Poitiers are James Clemenceau and James Cottiby a Rocheller 140. At Chastel-Heraud are John Carre and Daniel Pain 141. At Aulbaine and Saubse is Isaac Vergnon 142. At Champagne Mouton is Ferrand Churches destitute of Pastors in Poictou which must be supplied 143. Les Sable d' Olonne and la Chaulme in Lower Poictou 144. Bennet in the Middle Poictou 145. Rochechouard in the Higher Poictou Churches interdicted Cardinal Richelieu was Bishop of Luson 146. Lusson in the Lower Poictou Pastors destitute of Churches in Poictou John Bomaud Pastor in the Church of Lusson interdicted in Lower Poictou James Artuys Lord of Villesaison formerly Pastor of Bennet in the Middle Poictou Pastors * * * i. e. Emeriti discharged in Poictou Gourdery alias de I'stang herofore Pastor of Chisey and Aulnay in the Middle Poictou Emeritus because of Sickness John Brun. The Sixth Province and Provincial Synod is that of Xaintonge Aunix and Augoulmois divided into five Collequies having fifty four Churches and fifty seven Pastors 1. Colloquy of St. John d' Angely 147. St. John d' Angely hath for Pastors John Guillelmy and Japhet du Vigier Lord of Montier 148. Talleburg William Rivet Lord of Chamvernoun 149. St. Savenian William Lundy a Scots-man 150. Tors Fresneau and Mutas Philip Pascard junior 151. Soubize René Chesneau a Rocheller 152. Thomas Guyot a Rocheller 153. Tonnay-Boutonnay Peter Charron 154. Mauzé Samuel de la Forest 152. Fontenay-Labatu Sebastian Baudouin 156. Tonnay Charante Abraham Joyeux 2. Colloquy of the Islands 157. Marennes hath Zacharias Crispin Chabassolaye Peter Richier and Vandelincourt for Pastors 158. St. Just James Toulouze of Rochel 159. St. Denis in Meron Isaac de la Jaille 160. Le Chasteau D'olleron Peter Moyses 161. St. Peters in Olleron is deprived of the Ministry of Mr. John Guillelmy who is sent to St. John d' Angely 162. Meschiers John Gruell 163. Saujon John Perreau a Rocheller 164. Mornac Peter Pouliniés 165. St. John d' Angle Leonard Thevenot 166. Aruert Olliver le Cercler Lord of Lamonnerie 167. Cozat Claudius Heraud a Rocheller 168. Royan James Fountayne a Rocheller 169. La Tremblade James Papin 3. Colloquy of Aunix 170. Surgeres John Tagaud 171. Rochel hath for Pastors Samuel L'hommeau and Hierome Colomies of Bearn Lewes
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
Pastors 1st Colloquy ofVsez 345. Vsez hath for Pastors Anthony Noguiers and Monsieur Manuel 346. Navasselles Castagnier 347. St. Venies Isaac Espagnac 348. Vaulx Bouton 349. Fons Arnaud 350. Montfrein Villaret 351. St. Ambroies Andrew Cosnay 352. Blansac du Bros 353. Boycoiran Corniers 354. St. John Railli the Father 355. Bagnols * * * I suppost he was the Father of Peter Ravanell who writ the Bibliotheca Sacra Ravanell 356. Genouillac Artis 357. Lussan Theodorus Brunier 358. Montelin John Davin 359. Baresac Sorbier 360. Montarin Jameshalli the Son 2d Colloquy of Montpellier 361. Montpellier hath for Pastors Michael le Faucheur Daniel Perol de Vidrines and John Gigord 362. Bezieres John de Croy. 363. Pignan Prudhomme 364. Bedarieux Lavil 365. Floransal Masseuvrain 366. Lunel Escoffier 367. Montagnac Hospital 368. Poussain Carnezac 369. St. Pargcoire Second 370. Mesneil Codur 371. Gignac la Faye 3d Colloquy of Nismes 372. Nismes its Pastors are John Faucheur Pastor and Professor Rosselet Samuel Petit Philip Codur 373. Calvisson Quantin 374. Aiguesmortes Banzillon 375. Marsillargues Chanall 376. Sommieres John Chauve 377. Vauvert hath two Pastors Instammond and Salomon Crubelier 378. Galarguat Durand 379. Mellau Gassaguier 380. Vastrie Bertrand 381. Nagier le Sage 382. St. Laurens Roux 383. Aulbais Richere 384. Armargues Sigilori 385. Claransac Fournier 386. Vargesais Pierre 387. Aichar Gaultier 388. St. Giles Brun. 389. Angjargues Rodes 390. Bulignargues Saurin 391. Bellegarde Fillon The Tenth Province and Provincial Synod of Seventies divided into three Colloquies having fifty four Churches and fifty six Pastors 1st Colloquy of St. Germain 392. Monjoux Stephen Rouset 393. Severiette Simon Velares 394. Florac James Gustard 385. St. Julian John Corrigis 396. Barre Nicholas Blun. 397. Pontvan Poltieve 398. Castagnols Isaac Pontier 399. Privat Moyses de la Combe 400. St. Martyn de Boudant Daniel Roussell 401. St. Germains Andrew de la Faye 402. St. Estienne Peter Barjou 403. St. André Anbrose Deyrales 404. Valfrancesque Francis Walnager 405. St. Croix John Gaysar 406. Malezin Peter Tulet 407. Saulmare John de la Bastide 408. St. Marnel John Laurens 409. Vebron John des Essers 410. Le Collet John Guyon 411. St. Andre de la Nusse Bartholomew Rommiere 412. Issoire Moyses Blacon 413. Chavagnus Moyses Boler 2d Colloquy of Anduze 414. Anduze Francis Horlay 415. Alez Esaiah des Muretz and Lewes Courand 416. St. John de Gardonengues John Bony 417. Paul Paulet is Minister of Vezenobre 418. Canobet Anthony de Sienne 419. Lezan Lawrens Vimur 420. Toyras John Boussard 421. La Salle Antony Rudavel 422. Brenonis John Ribochier 423. Lorgues James de Bergues 424. Rivalet Daniel Guerin 425. Le Dagnan Antony Imbert 426. Guenerargues hath two Pastors Guy Chavanon and Peter Barne 3d Colloque of Saulve 427. Vigeay Daniel Vouturin 428. Malanez John Surviulle 429. Alaz John Monxa 430. Breu James Berle 431. Auruelas John Solcil 432. Merneys Antony Vincent 433. Vallenarguas John Gillaret 434. Sumeue Lewis Guychard 435. Mandegas James Tuber 436. St. Laurence Peter Guillammeine 437. Ganges Lewis de la Casse 438. Colognas Abraham de St. Loup 439. St. Hyppolite Abel Merndys 440. Ponpignan Henry de la Combe 441. Sauve Joshua Rossell 442. Quissac Peter Barbat 443. Combas James Alegre 444. Durefort Esaiah Laurens 445. Monoblet Paul Tugurolles The Eleventh Province and Provincial Synod is the Province of Dolphiny divided into eight Colloquies having seventy four Churches and seventy five Pastors 1st Colloquy is of Ambrunoys 446. Ambrun John Conel 447. Guillestre Daniel Paschat 448. Sfreillas and Serrat Daniel Bee 449. Chasteau Queyras and Arajeu Raphael Gabet 450. Abnez Aiguillot and Riostolas Jacob Chaglier 451. Moulines Daniel du Protay 452. Chastean Dauphin Isaac Ferrand 453. Voret is destitute 454. Charges is destitute 2d Colloquy of Gappensois 455. Serrat John Paul Perrin 456. Valdronnat Josua Ripert 457. St. Bonnet James d' Esâ—ienne 458. Caprivre Charles de la Croix 459. Asprat James Matthieu 460. Rosans Isaac Ferrand 461. Lareigne John Conebier 462. Orcierat John Bonnet 463. Gap Samuel Kerlet 464. Veines Esaiah Matthieu 3d Colloquy of Valleluson 465. Mantoulat Bernardin Guerin 466. Vscana Thomas Comte 467. Villaret Samuel Clement 468. Fenestelles David Jordain 469. Mean James Gilles 470. Pragueleu Daniel Pastor 471. Briancon Francis Guerin 472. Chaumunt Philibert de Joux 473. Sale Bertrand destitute 4th Colloquy of Diois 474. Chastillon Peter Apex 475. Ponteys David Magnet 476. Quirac Antony Janel 477. Die Stephen Blanc 478. Beaufort Gaspar Martin 479. La Mote John Scharpius a Scotsman 480. Beourietat John Cherubin and John Mauve 481. Saillans vacant 5th Colloquy of Viennois 482. St. Marcelin 483. Pont in Royans 484. Beaumont 485. Chasteaudouble 486. Romans 487. Larbin 488. Beaurepaire Whether all these Churches were vacant I cannot tell none of their Pastors were named in the Catalogue 6th Colloquy of Guezmodan 489. Misoen Henry d' Espagne 490. Grenoble Daniel Bouterove 491. Bessat Francois Murat 492. La Mure John Baruet 493. Mons David Eustache 494. Barroux Abraham Colignat 495. St. John d' Herans Pater Piffort 496. Tresmini Andrew Dhelis 497. Cous Daniel Beuger and John Tudelle 498. Clermont Hugh Rostin 499. Cellat destitute 7th Colloquy of Valentinoys 500. Bourdeaux John Giliars 501. Crest John Petit. 502. L'orial John Toussaincts 503. Vest Sebastian Gay 504. Dieu le fit Paul Guyon 505. Livron Gervass Alexis 506. Montlimard John Vulson and Coulon Badie 507. Manas Adrian Chamier 508. Daussenes John Dragon Lord of Chavienne 509. Sauzet Abraham Jourdan and Peter Bacheler 8th Colloquy de Baronnies 510. St. Euphemie Bartholomew Durand 511. Oranges James de Chambrun and David Sylvius 512. Courtoison John Dragon 513. St. Paul Trois Chasteaux John Armin. 514. Montbrun John Cardel 515. Vantenol and Mons Isaac Chelier and Oliver de Polefix 516. Tublette George Maugras 517. Vinsobre Gabriel Boule 518. Tuilignan Francis Valemon 519. Condorset James Bonnet Twelfth Province and Provincial Synod of Vivaretz divided into three Colloquies having twenty four Churches and twenty four Pastors 1st Colloquy of Privas 520. Privas Salomon Favre 521. Tournon James Decanchet 522. Alissas Andrew Zullon 523. Vivaretz Peter Roboult 524. Bays John de la Faye 525. Marleaux Anthony la Motte 526. St. Fortunat Simeon Dodet 527. St. Albon Daniel Chanforin 2d Colloquy of Annonay 528. Annonay Alexander de Vinay 529. Cheilot Daniel Richard 530. Glurare Peter Merchat 531. Sojon David Agard 532. Desagne Marcelin Cardin. 533. Chasteauneuf David Blanc 534. Bottre Peter de Pierre 535. St. Estienne Isaac Degusize 536. Chamboy Joseph Vilâ—on 537. Barulieu Isaac du Gua. 538. Taleuron John Laurens 3d Colloquy of Aubenas 539. Aubenas Paul Accourat 540. Valoty Daniel Chanal 541. Mirabel Antony Faucher 542. Valet John Imbert 543. Villeneufve de berg Antony Gevaudan Thirteenth Province and Provincial Synod of Provence having but one Colloquy sixteen Churches and sixteen Pastors 544. Esquierres Paul Maurice 545. Seine Peter Challier 546. Velaux Bartholomew
Ressent 547. La Motte Antony de Creze 548. Curban Claudius Marshall 549. Joran Andrew Guerin 550. Lormarin Peter Maurice 551. Riez Andrew Genoyer 552. La coste James Bayly 553. Merindol James Malat. 554. La Charce Andrew Beruard 555. Grasse Peter Mercurin 556. Luc John Durier 557. Soderon John Bernard 558. Manosques Paul Guardinar 559. Velaux James Rescent Fourteenth Province and Provincial Synod of Orleans and Berry divided into three Colloquies having twenty nine Churches and thirty Pastors 1st The Colloquy of Sancerre Gien and Nivernois 560. St. Leonard near Corbigny Stephen Monsanglard 561. Chastillon on the Loing Simon Jurieu 562. Gien upon the Loir Daniel Jamet 563. Chastillon on the Loir Louis Margone 564. Bruion Bennet de la Roche 565. Henry Chemont Dantigny enjoyeth the Ministry of Isaac Babaud 566. Sawerre Paul Alard a Rocheller 567. La Charité John Taby 568. La Scelle and Dolat Anne Poat 569. Despueilles Elijah Semeele 2d Colloquy of Orleans and Blaisois 570. Blois Nicholas Vignier and Paul Testard 571. Romorantin Jacob Brun. 572. Cheleure and Boudara David Horace 573. Boisgency John Guerin 574. Basoches and Denouville Jerom Belon 575. Orleans James Imbert and Durand 578. Chasteaudun James Lancy 579. Dangeau Lewes Tuissard 3d Colloquy of Bourbonnois 580. Argenton Bliseus Saluon 581. St. Amand and Belet Lewis Scoffier 582. Delise Peter Falquet 583. Moudun René Bedé 584. Ambusson William Vignon 585. Gergeau destitute 586. Bourges destitute 587. La Chastre and St. John Verin destitute 588. Suilly destitute Fifteenth and last Province and Provincial Synod of France is the Province of Normandy divided into five Colloquies having thirty five Churches and forty Pastors 1st Colloquy of Roan 589. Roan hath John Maximilian de L'anglé Peter Erondelle and David Primrose 590. Orbes Abraham le Seneschal 591. Quillebaeuf William Cacherat 592. Saucourt Charles De lossat 593. Pont Levesque Stephen Fudes 594. Eureax Peter le Tellier 2d Colloquy of Caux 595. Dieppe Abdias de Mondenis and Moyse * * * The Son of this Cartaud sâ—â—â—â—â—ed his Father and in the Year 1685 he turn'd Apostate Cartaud 596. Boislebec James de Larrey 597. Luncrey and Basqueville Isaac de la Balte 598. Seintet Isaac de la Motte 599. Fescum David Guellode 600. Haure de Grace John Baudowin 3d Colloquy of Caen. 601. Caen John le Boniver Lord of la Fresnay John de Ballehache and Samuel Bochart 602. Baali Samuel Bajeux 603. Bayeneux John le Breton 604. St. Vast Stephen le Sage 605. Trencens Antony le Genevois 606. Geffosse David Chanduret 607. Les Essars John Tappin 4th Colloquy of Falaise 608. Atis Peter Morin 609. Presnat David Bourgat 610. Mezieres Peter Baulran 611. Vire William Blanchard 612. St. Silvain Noah Gallot 613. Condé upon Noireau John Blanchard 614. Falaise Peter Baycux David de Caux a Pastor without a Church 5th Colloquy of Constantin 615. Ste mere Eglife Benjamin Banage and Antony de Lassleur 616. Dulé Mark Maurice 617. St. Lo Vincent Soler 618. Groussy Jeremy Charitier 619. Gaure Jehoiachin le Moyne 620. Cheffresne Isaac de Vennes 621. Chassagne Luke Boquet 622. La haye dupuy destitute 623. Serizi destitute There is in this Province a sixth Colloquy viz. the Colloquy of Alencon but it and its Churches are both omitted in this Catalogue Sixteenth Province and Provincial Synod is the Province of Bearn Which Province being in the Principality of Bearn did always appear by two Deputies chosen by their Synod in the National Synods of the Reformed Churches of this Kingdom and were in this of Castres represented by the Lords Peter de Rivall Pastor in the Church of Nay and John de Pommerede Advocate in the Parliament of Navarre Elder in the Church of Morlas but the said Deputies did not bring with them the Roll of the Churches and Pastors in their Province so that they could not be registred CHAP. XXXVIII A Letter of the Church of Geneva to the National Synod of Castres Most Reverend Honoured and Dear Brethren THere has not been a National Synod of the Churches for these many Years last past held in France but that we have made tenders of our Duties to them because of that strict and intimate Communion we have with them all in our common Lord. We have also new Ingagements unto Thankfulness and to abound in Thanksgivings for the infinite Mercies of our God which are Day by Day and from one Year unto another accumulated upon and continued to his Churches the Lord renewing his tender Compassions so miraculously in their Preservations But if ever we had any cause for so doing 't is now that we are in a most extraordinary manner obliged to it for his gracious Providence shines forth with a most admirable Lustre in the defence of your Churches and particularly in the free enjoyment of your Religious Assemblies so that at the many strange Accidents which have befallen you for divers Years together and the Tempests with which the Kingdom of France hath been assaulted and battered the sore and grievous Afflictions of many of our Brethren having astonished our Souls and overwhelmed our Hearts with Sorrows had made us almost despair of ever seeing the comfortable returns of Peace unto your Realm and of Repose and Settlement for your poor afflicted Churches and the Exercise of your most excellent Discipline than which a better was never practised in the Christian World And now in this Calm the Divine Wisdom gathers his Children as the Hen doth her Chickens under his Wings and reneweth the Face of his Church in your Congregations as the Eagle doth his Youth And this Mercy should be the more prized and esteemed by us because it is not in this Day a common Favour and Benefit vouchsafed of God unto all those whom he had once honoured with the knowledg of himself in the Gospel For besides that the subversion of so many Provinces the dismal Desolations or those sometimes flourishing Churches in Germany Bohemia Moravia and the Valtoline are yet continued and the Dissipations and Dispersions are still growing and augmenting and the Judgments of God from Heaven are following one upon the neck of another one dreadful Ravage calling upon another to make haste Therefore we lie prostrate night and day at the Feet of our Heavenly Father adoring his rich Grace in Christ Jesus for setting bounds unto the Fire of his Wrath so that all his Churches are not totally devoured by it And we most ardently beseech his Divine Majesty that as he keeps the Hearts of Kings in his own Hands so he would be pleased to inspire your King with Counsels of Favour and Peace for his People and tender Love unto your Churches that under his Government and Authority the Name of God may be celebrated with Liberty of Conscience and Truth may bring forth Faith in the World and Righteousness from Heaven may yield the Fruit of True and Saving Peace Moreover we do also carry upon our Hearts unto the Throne
you have most worthily discharged yea and in those very National Synods which we have permitted to be convocated by our Subjects of the said Reformed Religion at Charenton aforesaid in the Year 1623 and in our City of Castres in the Province of Albigeois in the Year 1626. We therefore conceived we could not make a better choice than of your self being well satisfied that you will continue to give us the Proofs and Testimonies of your Affection to our Service For these Causes we have commissionated and deputed and we do commissionate and depute you the said Lord Galland by these our present Letters Patents signed with our own Hand unto the said Synod and order you forthwith to transport your self unto the said Synod in the Town of Charenton and therein to assist in Person as our Representative and to propose and resolve on such Matters as have been commanded you according to the Memoirs and Instructions we have delivered into your Hands taking special Care that none other Businesses be then or there treated and debated but such as of right ought to be consulted and determined on in those Assemblies and which are permitted by our Edicts and in case they should attempt any thing contrary thereunto you shall hinder it and by Interposal of our Authority suppress and stifle it and speedily give us Notice and Advice thereof that we may immediately apply such Remedies as will be most needful And for doing hereof we do now impower you by this our Commission and special Commandment in these our present Letters Patents For such is our Will and Pleasure Given at Monceaux the sixteenth Day of August in the Year of Grace one thousand six hundred thirty one and of our Reign the two and twentieth Signed in the Original LOVIS And a little lower by the King Phelippeaux And sealed with the great Seal in yellow Wax CHAP. III. The Lord Galland's Speech to the Synod 23. THE aforesaid Letters Patents having been read by the Lord Galland his Majesty's Commissioner he made this Speech unto the Synod That the King having buried in the Grave of Oblivion all former Actions which had fallen out in the last Troubles to the great Affliction of the Kingdom his Majesty gave him in charge to assure his Subjects of the Religion of his Royal Affection and good Will towards them and that whilst they continued within the Bounds of Duty and abstained from all bitter Reflections against the Government and Repose of the Publick and from all Intelligences and Correspondencies either with Natives or Foreigners and were sorely addicted to the Service of his Majesty they should experience the Kindnesses of a good Father and of a good King in his Majesty and injoy the free Exercise of their Religion and the Liberty of calling and holding their Synods Provincial and National But whereas in divers Years last past the Orders given by him and accepted of by his said Subjects have been differently interpreted His Majesty desireth by reviving them to take away for the future all Grounds of Misconstruction and Misunderstanding 24. Therefore in the first Place His Majesty requireth that whereas Commissioners were established in all Synodical Assemblies both National and Provincial by his Letters Patents in the Year 1623 founded upon the Practice observed in the Primitive Church and the Government of the best-ordered Kingdoms there shall be an intire and absolute Obedience yielded hereunto by his said Subjects of the Reformed Religion and that they do refrain and forbear all Protestations and Remonstrances to the contrary 25. In the second Place By those aforesaid Orders and agreeable to the Laws of the Kingdom it was decreed and enacted That no Strangers should be admitted into the Pastoral Office in any of the Churches which are reserved for natural French-men and Ancients of the Kingdom in bar of whom and to whose Prejudice divers Strangers have been received Wherefore his said Majesty renewing his Ordinance aforesaid doth inhibit his said Subjects to admit into the Ministry any one except a French-man born and as for others who have been admitted since the Year 1623 contrary to it his Majesty promiseth to dispense with them provided Application be made unto him for that Grace And whereas some have made Exceptions against this his general Resolution on behalf of those Ministers who are born in those Kingdoms and Common-wealths or Cities which are the Allies of his Majesty or under his Royal Protection the said Lord Commissioner declared That by Strangers we were to understand all sorts of Persons without Exception who were not born in the Kingdom or out of his Majesty's Dominions and Government although they were Natives of such Kingdoms Common-wealths and Cities as were his Majesty's Allies or under his Protection 26. In the third Place All Ministers are forbidden to depart the Kingdom without his Majesty's Licence and particularly Monsieur Salbert Minister in the Church of Rochel hath not only gone out of the Kingdom without his Majesty's Permission but in Contempt of his Royal Authority Wherefore the said Prohibitions are once more reiterated and reimposed and the said Salbert is injoined by his Majesty to reside in that Place appointed him and he is expresly forbidden all Exercise of his Ministry either in publick or private nor may this National Synod put him upon the Roll of Ministers to be presented by it unto vacant Churches 27. In the fourth Place By the National Synods of Charenton and Castres all Ministers were expresly forbidding to intermeddle with State-Matters yet notwithstanding Monsieur Beraud Minister of Montauban and Professor of Divinity in that University did not only intermeddle with State but military Affairs and was so bold as to maintain by a Book which he read unto his Auditory That Ministers have a Call to bear Arms and to shed Blood which is a Doctrine quite contrary to the Word of God the Decrees of Councils and the Laws of the Kingdom and the more dangerous in this Doctor because he instils these his wicked Notions into the tender Minds of Youth committed to his Charge and Education and 't is much to be feared that he will continue to poison them by such or the like Instructions which are foreign and contrary to the publick Peace and Tranquillity And therefore the said Manuscript is judged unworthy of publick View as being cross to the Word of God And his Majesty hath ordered its Suppression forbidding all Printers and Booksellers either to print or sell it and commandeth all the Members of this present National Synod to censure and condemn both it and its Author CHAP. IV. The Moderator's Reply to this Speech 28. THE Lord Commissioner having finished his Speech Prayers were offered up to God for the Preservation of his Majesty's Sacred Person for the Prosperity of his Government for the Settlement of the publick Peace of the Nation and for the Glory of his Crown And most humble Thanks were rendred unto his Majesty for the Continuance of his
the Provinces but with these Conditions First That they be not bound to send more than two Deputies unto our National Synods Secondly That Judicial Sentences past by and in the Province until now shall not be revoked nor reversed Thirdly That Pastors serving in the said Province shall not be translated into another Province Fourthly That the Appeals of private Persons may not be received in these National Synods The Synod absolutely granting the two first Conditions doth nevertheless exhort the said Province to send equal number of Deputies with the other Provinces unto the National Synod whenas his Majesty shall be pleased to permit one to be held in the Provinces bordering on that of Bearn And as for the two other Conditions provided that the said Deputies shall promise on behalf of their Province to own the Authority of our National Synods and to take out their Appeals in the Form specified Canon the 10th of the 8th Chapter of our Discipline the Synod yieldeth unto their Demand assuring them that it will take a most particular Care of their Edification and as it intendeth not to lose its Right unto divers Pastors born in the Provinces of the Higher and Lower Guyenne who are now actually employed in that of Bearn so also it will never use it to their evident Prejudice but in every Matter and especially in that of removing Pastors either from the Churches they are now serving or from out of the Province the National Synod will give full proof of their fraternal Charity and Affection Article 2. Upon this Debate the Lord Galland his Majesty's Commissioner remonstrated That the Conjunction of the Churches of Bearn with those of this Kingdom and particularly their Submission unto the Discipline of the Reformed Churches of France and the Power of appealing from Bearn unto the National Synods here were Matters of that Nature that they could not be done without the King's Permission because such Conjunctions depend upon Soveraign Authority that the late King Henry the Fourth of happy Memory had already determin'd this Question having in the Years 1602 and 1604 permitted the Churches of Bearn to assist at the National Synods of France hereby to conserve an Union in Doctrine but he also decreed that they should bring in their Cahiers of Complaints distinct from those of France And in the Year 1615 whenas the Political Assembly of Grenoble demanded this Union it was denied in that Answer given to the 22d and 23d Articles in these Words That the late King did never permit nor approve of the Vnion of the pret Reformed Churches of Bearn with those of France nor will his Majesty now permit it until such time as the said Principality shall be re-united and re-incorporated with the Crown of France But yet in the mean while the Deputies of Bearn may bring in their Petitions by themselves which shall be answered according to Reason Against which Answer the Assembly of Rochel having took great Exceptions and in a particular Article at the Conference of Loudun in the Year 1616 there was returned an Order little differing from the Cahier of Grenoble so that the Land of Bearn not having since had any Permission from the King to join it self unto the Churches of France it cannot be done but must be confined to the plain and simple terms of Petition Besides the Consequences of this Union have been formerly resented for the Churches of Bearn shrowded with the shadow and hope of a powerful Assistance were transported to such dismal Excesses as make a very mournful History in that of our Times And all Authors are agreed that the Land of Bearn was originally a Member of the Kingdom of Navarre lying on the other side of the Pyrenean Mountains though subject to our Kings of the Merovingian Line as is evident from Gregory of Tours who relateth that the Bishops of the said Territory came unto the Council of Agde in the Year 506 and to that of Mascon in the Year 588. And the Lord of Bearn acknowledged the Kings and Kingdom of France for his supream Lord and did Homage to them and to their Sovereign Authority But in the Year 1512 Louis the twelfth King of France to make some Compensation for and to sweeten the Loss of the Kingdom of Navarre usurped by Ferdinand King of Arragon granted unto John of Albret and Katharine of Navarre his Wife that the Land of Bearn should enjoy its Charters and Priviledg of Soveraignty until such times as it should be otherwise determined by meet and competent Judges And since that the Country of Bearn hath been accounted a Principality distinct from the Kingdom and independent without any reservation That in the Year 1571 Jane Queen of Navarre set up a Church-Discipline whose Execution is limited within the Bounds of that Principality and the Laws are all enacted and sworn to by the States of the Country and maintained to this very day from the observation whereof the Subjects cannot withdraw themselves nor without the permission of their Prince may they take upon them to constitute Judges in Church or State much less to enlarge the Bounds of Appeals whenas by the Laws of Bearn they are to be terminated by its Provincial Synods and within the Country it self as is in like manner done in the City of Metz and Principality of Sedan And should this Conjunction be admitted Causes would be drawn out of the Province which would be an Innovation of dangerous Consequence to his Majesty's Authority and to this little Province and contrary to its Union which hath preserved the Country in its Laws Forts Customs and domestick Prerogatives The Deputies of Bearn to give some colour unto this Union say That this Union was permitted by the King that it hath been exercised by his Majesty since the uniting of Bearn with the Crown of France that it was approved by the said Lord Commissioner in the National Synod of Castres in the Year 1626. But here are divers Mistakes The Truth is that Henry the Fourth of happy Memory and the King now reigning most gloriously have not permitted nor promised the Union of the said Churches nor was it permitted by the Cahier of the Year 1615. But the Answer unto the Union demanded was deferred till after the Country was united with that of France so that the victorious Arms of his Majesty having subjected the Land of Bearn to his Obedience and the Union of the Country made by his absolute Authority notwithstanding all former Grants and Priviledges the Subjects are bound to have recourse anew unto his Majesty And although by the Cahiers of the Year 1615 the Union of the Churches was put off till the Union of the State yet none may therefore assert that because the State is united with the Crown of France the Union of the Churches must therefore of Right be made also but that it may be obtained there is need of a new Address unto his Majesty that he would by his Sovereign Authority
of an hundred and fifty Livers and the Scholar named Martill having been examined in the last Synod of Bearn and found meet and qualified to serve the Church of God in the Sacred Ministry shall receive for his yearly Portion sixty Livers and the Sum of seventy five Livers shall be paid in to the said Mr. Guillemin in Consideration of his Sickness only by the Lord of Candall this Synod not being able to charge it self with the reimbursment of his Expences because it judgeth it an unreasonable thing that Pastors should take long Journies upon none other Errand than to present their Petitions unto the National Synods which might as well if not been better done by inserting them into the Memoirs of the Deputies of those Provinces of which they be Members 42. The Complaint of Stephen du Mas against Mr. Scoffier Pastor in the Church of Lunell is dismissed over to the Consistory of Montpellier which having heard both Parties shall within one Month after the signification of this present Act by that Consistory judg of the pretended Right of the said du Mas by Authority from this Assembly 43. This Assembly ratifying the Decree of the National Synod of Castres concerning Mr. Bicheteau Pastor in the Church of Vrillac and Prosessor of the Hebrew Tongue in the University of Montauban judgeth concerning his Demands notified by his Letters as also by his Son declaring them by word of Mouth that they are not of their nature which ought to be tendred unto the National Synods yet in Consideration of his great Necessities and Losses it was resolved that he should have a Token of this Assembly's Affection and Charity which should be given him whenas the Monies appertaining to the Churches came to be divided 44. The Letters of Dr. Andrew Rivet Pastor and Professor of Divinity in the famous University of Leyden being read a Decree past That in the Answer which should be returned unto him he should be intreated to continue his Care and Kindness to the Weal of our Churches And whereas the laid Reverend Professor is upon the point of being settled in the House of his Excellency the Prince of Orange and his Lordship the Lord Commissioner having remonstrated that he could not be there established without his Majesty's Licence the Lord of Champvernon his Brother is intreated to give him notice thereof 45. The Reverend Pastors of Xaintonge and the Lower Guyenne who were appointed to examine the Works of Monsieur Blondell having made an honourable Report of them this Assembly commended the said Monsieur Blondell for his great Labour Care and Exactness in so painful and important a Subject and exhorts him continually to employ those excellent Gifts and Talents which God hath so abundantly bestowed upon him in clearing up the History of the five first Centuries And whereas the last Synod of Castres had promised to bear the Charges of the Impression this Synod doth now assure him that he shall be fully satisfied in this Particular And that the after-Writings of the said Mr. Blondell may be strictly perused and examined the Provincial Synod of the Isle of France is commissionated to do it and to give their Licence and Approbation that so they may be printed 46. Upon hearing the Report of those Commissioners who were appointed to audit the Receivers Accompts of the Monies collected by his Majesty's Permission the 7th of February 1626 for relieving the Necessities of the Cities of Rochel Montauban and Castres they declared that they had seen and examined that of Monsieur d'Huysseau for the Provinces of the Isle of France Normandy Berry Anjou Poitou Brittain and Xaintonge and his Receipt amounted to the Sum of sixty nine thousand seven hundred and thirteen Livers nineteen Sous and six Deniers and the Disbursment to sixty eight thousand six hundred and thirteen Livers five Sous and eight Deniers so that there remains in the hands of the said Monsieur d' Huysseau eleven hundred and forty Livers thirteen Sous and nine Deniers The Assembly approving the said Audit orders that Monsieur d' Huysseau do pay in the said Debt unto the Lord of Candall who shall divide it between the Churches of Montauban Castres and Rochel proportionably to what they have already received and may hereafter receive according as it was regulated in the National Synod of Castres in doing of which he shall be sufficiently acquitted and discharged of the Monies so received and disbursed by him as he also is now thanked for his great Care Pains and Diligence in his management and execution of the said Office of Receiver And it was farther voted that all his Acquittances sent unto the Churches shall be restored to him if possible it can be done but if it cannot be they are then declared Null and Void 47. Report being made unto this Assembly by those Reverend Divines who were commanded to peruse divers parts of that Treatise upon the Eucharist made by Mr. Faucheur and how exceeding profitable this most Elaborate Work would be unto the Publick by reason of its deep and curious Learning the most worthy Author received the Thanks of the Synod for his singular Diligence and Zeal for God's Glory and Affection to the edifying of God's Church And Messieurs de Croy and Gigord Pastors of the Churches of Beziers and Montpellier are ordered to revise it that as soon as it hath past their Examination and Approbation it may be immediately printed at the Costs of the Churches according to the Intention of the National Synod of Castres 48. Mr. Charron Deputy from the Church of Bergerac related the Causes which obstructed the restitution of their Colledg Whereupon this Synod voted a Continuance of that same Supply which had been formerly granted them for its Support by the last National Synod of Castres and exhorted them to use their best and utmost Endeavours that it may be restored betwixt this and the next National Synod And in case they can effect it sooner the Provincial Synod of Lower Guyenne is ordered to acquaint the Lord of Candall with it who shall pay in unto them the Monies granted by the Churches for the Maintenance of the said Colledg proportionably to what he shall receive from the Monies of his Majesty's Liberality The Synod likewise ordaineth that till the said Colledg be restored the four hundred Livers attributed to the Province of Lower Guyenne for its Colledg and applied by the last National Synod to that of Nerac shall be paid out of the same Fund according to the Intention of the said Synod 49. The Synod of Burgundy is ordered to examine the Accompts of Mr. Gros who was commissionated to receive the Collection granted by his Majesty for the Cities of Rochel Montauban and Castres that so upon the closing of them they may send the residue of the Monies in his Hands unto the Lord of Candall who according to the Sum shall divide it among those Churches in the same manner as he did that of
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
but with this Proviso that they be accountable for it unto their own Province and this may be done also by the other Deputies Article 25. The Sum of eight thousand Livers paid in by Mr. Palot unto the Lord of Candall shall be delivered out in that manner as this Assembly hath appointed without any Diversion or Diminution of it or Rights for receiving it by him or his Deputy Article 26. This Assembly impowereth the Consistory of the Church of Paris to treat with Mr. Malat and to discharge him from all further prosecuting of Mr. Palot and to content him for his past labour by paying him the Sum of one thousand Livers which said Sum shall be paid him down by the Lord of Candall in full of all Demands either for himself or his deceased Uncle Mr. Malat and the said Malat shall yield up into the Hands of the Lords General-Deputies an Inventory of all Papers Decrees and Memoirs relating to this Affair and which are now lying by him CHAP. XXXIII The Roll of Deposed and Apostate Ministers Article 1. JOseph Aubury formerly Pastor in the Church of Coulonges in the Colloquy of Gex a Fellow of low Stature long Visage his Eyes deep sunk into his Head of fierce Look great Nose Chesnut-colour'd Hair his Legs and Feet crooked turn'd in halting on both sides deposed by the Province of Burgundy for Forgeries Perjuries and other Scandals aged about thirty eight Years Article 2. Anthony Dumont formerly an Augustinian Friar but since Minister at St. Aignan and Myntré in the Land of Mayn deposed for divers Crimes by the Synod of Anjou in the Year 1629 and is since turned Apostate he is low of Stature his Hair almost white roving Eyes high Eagle nos'd short Neck shrub shoulder'd haggardly froward and unsociable in his Discourses Article 3. Andrew Peloquin formerly Pastor of the Churches of Houdan and Fontaines in the County of Chartres but now an Apostate a short Fellow Chesnut-colour'd Hair little Eyes and sunk into his Head flat Nose and a great fat Tongue about eight and thirty Years of Age. Article 4. Tussan formerly Minister at Manduel in the Colloquy of Nismes about fifty Years old a Fellow low of Stature Chesnut-colour'd Hair deposed from the Ministry for his Contempt and total Desertion of it and for abandoning himself to base and most unworthy Occupations Article 5. Pompey de Romerville formerly a Monk but since Pastor in the Church or Gontault in the Colloquy of Agenois but now an Apostate a middle-siz'd Olive-colour'd Fellow disfigur'd with the small Pox having a Pearl in one of his Eyes his Hair and Beard exceeding black he hath lost his Voice after his Revolt he betook himself to sell Wine by Retail in a Tavern but not thriving at that Trade he is now at present the third Regent in the Colledg of Bourdeaux Article 6. Jacob Chaslier formerly Pastor in the Church of Queivas a Fellow not only infected with Arminianism but with divers other monstruous Errors which he hath indeavoured to diffuse abroad clandestinely and being upon the Point of Deposal from the sacred Ministry by the Colloquy of Ambrunois he prevented the Sentence of the said Colloquy by telling them that he quitted both his Robe and Religion he is short of Stature but well compacted Chesnut-colour'd Hair and staring up like Hogs Bristles great Nose and Eye-brows his Eyes deep sunk in and looking down-ward high Fore-head large Shoulders hasty in his Gate as if he were running very rude in his Discourse Article 7. David Bourgade aged about fifty five Years low of Stature gray-hair'd great Eyes a pur-blind squinting Fellow great Nose and somewhat high very violent covetous voluptuous and undisciplinable formerly Pastor in the Church of Carlat in the Colloquy of Foix but since an Apostate Article 8. John Durant alias D'avant heretofore Minister of Araiqûson in Bearn being accused of the Crimes of Adultery he turned Apostate a middle-siz'd Fellow having a plain long bald Head pale of Colour a staggering trembling Voice rotten Teeth ready to laugh upon any occasion looking downward black Hair waxing gray disorderly in his Carriage Article 9. Francis Langelot sometimes Minister of Audaulx in Bearn but now an Apostate low of Stature flat and bald-headed high Fore-head great flat Nose a little Beard and that mixt white Teeth Voice and Hands trembling roaving wandring Eyes and high look'd great Neck and hunch-back'd on one side precipitant in his going Article 10. Theophilus Casamajor Minister of St. Gladie in the aforesaid Province of Bearn mean of Stature little Head few Teeth hoarse Voice and effeminate his Beard red and mingled sad of Countenance and ready on any occasion to laugh he is now an Apostate CHAP. XXXIV An Act for calling the next National Synod 11. THE next National Synod is assigned to the Town of Alanson in the Province of Normandy three Years hence as was before appointed in the 7th Article of general Matters 12. All these Acts above-mentioned were done and decreed at Charenton St. Maurice near Paris by the Deputies of the Reformed Churches of France and Bearn in the twenty sixth National Synod of the said Churches assembled by his Majesty's Permission at Charenton aforesaid the second time and their first Session was on New-year's-day in the Year of our Lord one thousand six hundred thirty one Signed in the Original Mestrezat Moderator Jamet Assessor D. Blondel Scribe Armet Scribe Also by the Lord Galland Commissioner for his Majesty and by all the Pastors and Elders Deputies for the Provinces unto the said Synod CHAP. XXXV Remarks upon the Deputies 1. MR. John Mestrezat Moderator in this Synod was born of an eminent Family in Geneva which were originally seated at Verona a great and ancient City in Italy but forsaken by them for Religion This famous Divine came young as a Traveller into France about twenty two Years of Age in the Quality of a Proposan or Student of Divinity to visit the Protestant Universities which having done he came to Paris and the Reformed Church there having heard him make a Proposition immediately demanded him for their Minister unto which he consented with this Proviso that they would let him reside two Years at Saumur to compleat his Studies And that term being expired he returned back to Paris and served the Church of God there with a great deal of Pains and Fidelity forty two Years and departed this Life in the Year 1657 being sixty six Years old He had a Conference with a Jusuit of great Reputation call'd Regourd by express Order of the Court and in its Presence to the Confusion of the Jesuit and the great Advantage and Honour of our Holy Reformed Religion I have seen a piece of his concerning the Church what other Works were published by him I am sorry that I cannot inform my Reader of them 2. Monsieur Michael le Faucheur was also born of godly Parents in the same City of Geneva and recieved into the Holy Ministry in the
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
but one Word more and having added that shall conclude The Synod of Nismes decreed That Baptism administred by one who had neither Call nor Commission was null and injoined Pastors not in the least to scruple the baptizing such Children who had Water poured upon them by Women or any other such Persons without Call or Commission to baptize 'T is his Majesty's Pleasure that this Article be amended for such reasons as I shall recite unto you in their very Words from the Original Order Because from hence springeth the Opinion of Re-baptizing for from the Doubt which they make about a Call they oblige themselves to re-baptize all those who were baptized by such Persons whose Call they cannot approve of and of whose Call they make themselves the sole Judges and Arbitrators although the Catholick Church not approving their Call yea not in the least hesitating to declare they have none doth yet notwithstanding approve of their Baptism because it is a Sacrament whose Virtue and Efficacy is ex opere operato and not ex opere operantis so that the Synod did that which did not belong unto them when they invalidated this Sacrament by whom-soever it was administred since the Catholick Church in which they cannot say there hath been a Want or Failure of any Call hath decided this Point and in Case of Necessity hath judged probably of the Infants Disposition therefore all Persons are called and the Word and Water intervening the Church will not have this Act to be any more repeated CHAP. IV. How follow the Synod's Replies and Answers unto the King's Propositions Article 13. THE Commissioner having finished his Discourse which was patiently and attentively heard by the Synod The Synod by the Mouth of its Moderator did praise and bless God with their most hearty and humble Thanksgivings for his infinite Goodness and Mercy in hearing the Prayers of his poor Servants and inclining the King's Heart to grant us this Meeting and to promise us the Continuance of his Favours and Thanks also were returned unto his Majesty for that according to his usual and wonted Kindness he hath vouchsafed us new Expressions of his paternal Affection in his Letters and Writ for our Assembly and in choosing and sending and honouring us with such a Person for his Commissioner as is universally famed for his singular Integrity Prudence and Piety And the said Lord Commissioner was most humbly intreated to assure his Majesty that as the Churches did never in Thought or Deed depart from that Obedience Fidelity and Subjection unto which by the Word of God they stood obliged so for the future they will never aim at any other Mark than their Continuance in it and daily give in new Evidences unto his Majesty and our Lords of his most honourable Privy-Council of the Innocency of our Conversation 15. And whereas divers Reports and Informations have been brought in against some Provincial Synods and sundry particular Persons have been taxed for violating of his Majesty's Ordinances his Majesty is most humbly intreated to consider that the Synod of Nismes is in no wise blame-worthy for it never received any Letters from the Lords of Bearn and as for our Reverend Brother Monsieur Rousselet who is a Native of New-Castle a City belonging to that Canton and subject to those Lords he was invited by their Letters to return unto his own Country and to exercise his Ministry there and to accept of the Professor's Place in Theology then vacant in their University of Lausanna yet did he of his own Accord as soon as he had received those Letters of Call produce and tender them unto his Majesty's Commissioner then present in that Synod of Nismes and also unto several other Officers of his Majesty who all unanimously declared that he did not in the least Tittle or Punctilio decline from his Duty 16. And although his Majesty's Subjects in this Kingdom may resolve what they please as to their own personal Forbearance of Communications and Correspondence with Foreigners yet sith they cannot tie up their Hands who live abroad out of his Majesty's Dominions and Authority from writing what they please and sending it where they please into this Kingdom Yet that it may appear to the whole World that our Churches do not court nor are ambitious of their Familiarity we promise before God for the future that whatsoever Letters are addressed unto the Colloquies and Synods of this Kingdom from any foreign Prince State City or Churches or ever they be opened shall be first of all delivered into the Hands of his Majesty's Commissioners that so by them and from their own Mouths his Majesty may be fully informed of their Contents that so all and every individual Person professing the Reformed Religion and in Communion with us here at home may be discharged and acquitted from all imputation of Faction and Disobedience whatsoever 17. Moreover whereas by our Discipline Colloquies and Provincial Synods are obliged to take care that particular Churches destitute of Pastors be provided for and Causes of this nature are never transmitted to our National Synods unless upon extraordinary Occasions and by way of Appeal And whereas particular Churches are sometimes necessitated to seek abroad out of their Provinces for a Supply of Pastors whenas they cannot be furnished at home yet are these their Researches regulated by the Canons of our Discipline And therefore it was in Obedience and conformity to them that the Synods of Dolphiny and Sevennes did bring their Demands for the Churches of Montlimart and Anduze unto that of Nismes requesting that the Sieurs Cregut and Arnaud might be conferr'd upon them for their Ministers Wherefore his Majesty is most humbly petitioned to take it into his Royal Consideration that they have not in the least swerved from nor transgressed the Orders authoritatively imposed by his Edicts In the mean time forasmuch as the Churches cannot without violating their own Discipline and opening a large Gap unto infinite Disorders and Confusion suffer that Colloquies and Provincial Synods should attempt to prescribe Laws unto one another this Synod doth therefore forbid and interdict all such Assemblies the making of any General Orders whether for Days of Fasting Humiliation and Prayer or for any other Consideration or Account whatsoever excepting what shall be of concern and relating to their own District and Division 18. Moreover we do likewise acknowledg that that Reverence and Obedience which is in all well-governed States the proper Duty of its Subjects can never be too carefully recommended to the People and on the other hand that impious Licence of blaming the Publick Government and Supream Authority cannot be too severely reproved and decried This Synod doth in join all Pastors in their Sermons and Exhortations to press it home upon the Consciences of their Auditories and particular Flocks that they do not in any manner of wise directly nor indirectly depart from that Obedience Fidelity and Respect which are inviolably due unto his
into the World under Pretence of producing Methods of Reconciliation he hath insinuated divers Novelties which are of no Concern at all to our present Controversies and sided with the Church of Rome And whereas Monsieur Daillé who was expresly ordered to refute him hath used him with a great deal of Equity and singular Moderation for which he is generally approved And forasmuch as in his third Book he endeavours might and main to overthrow the Orthodox Doctrine of Justification by Faith betraying the Cause unto the Champions of Merits and of Justification by Works The Assembly ordaineth that Letters shall be written him to acquaint him with the Unreasonableness and Injustice of his Presumption and the Unprofitableness of his Design and to threaten him that unless he do quit and abandon it and contain himself within the Bounds of his Vocation and make Declaration of it within six Months unto the Consistory of Paris he shall be cut off from all Communion with our Reformed Churches N. B. The Letter sent him by the Synod bore Date the 6th of July 1637. but La Millitiere did afterward revolt unto Popery and died a Papist 10. After the Lord Commissioner had opened the Letters of Mr. Diodati Pastor and Professor in Theology at Geneva the Assembly considering the Contents thereof and having examined the French Translation of the Books of Ecclesiastes and of the Song of Songs which had been notified to them by him ordered that Letters should be written unto the said Mr. Diodati and to represent unto him the Reasons why we cannot depart from the Canon of the Synod held at Alez 11. The Professor Amyraud petitioned the Assembly that they would be pleased to ordain that the Author of two Books intituled Antidote and Les Ombres d' Arminius in which his Doctrine and Reputation were most odiously traduced and the Memory of Monsieur Cameron deceased is wickedly defamed might be cited before them to answer for his Fact And Monsieur de la Place in the Name of the University of Saumur joined with him in the same Petition But forasmuch as the Author of the said Book is unknown and absent these two aforesaid Professors were advised to carry the Proofs they have of this Action unto the Synod of Poictou which having condemned the Impression of the Antidote would do them Justice upon their Complaint 12. Monsieur de Vinay having remonstrated that the Province of Vivaretz had not satisfied nor made Payment of those Monies advanced by the Church of Annonay for the defraying of his Expences during his Deputation unto the National Synod of Castres and demanding a Rule and Order for those Charges the said Church should be now necessitated to be at on the same score Monsieur D'Hosty joined with him in the said Request on behalf of the Church of St. Fortunate This Assembly confirming the Decree of the Synod of Tonneins in the 7th Article of Observations upon the Discipline ordaineth That the said Province of Vivaretz should conform it self thereunto both for the present and what is past 13. Whereas Monsieur Fabas hath been afflicted with Sickness all the time of his sojourning in this City the Assembly doth freely give him the Sum of an hundred Livers to be taken out of the Debet of the Lord du Candall 14. The Lord du Candall having offered to advance for defraying the Expences of the Sieurs de l' Angle and Gigord deputed unto the Court the Sum of three hundred Livers he is intreated to allow them at the rate of an hundred Sous by the Day during the time of their Abode which is limited unto one Month or more 15. There shall be allowed in the Lord of Candall's Accompt the Sum of four hundred and fifty Livers advanced by him unto the Sieurs Ferrand Gigord and Cerizy who were first deputed by this Assembly unto his Majesty for the defraying of their Expences in their Journey and Attendance at Court 16. In case his Majesty should hereafter grant any Sum of Monies for the maintenance of our Ministers the Provinces of Lower Guyenne and Bearn shall agree together in the choice of one Scholar who may be hereafter fit to serve in the Ministry in the Land of La Bour and shall allow him yearly the Sum of one hundred Livers and shall pay in unto Monsieur Guillemin the Sum of an hundred and fifty Livers according to the Decree made by the last National Synod of Charenton 17. Forasmuch as the Professors present in this Assembly have protested that they would inviolably observe the Canon framed in it beginning with these Words For the preserving of c. The Deputies of Higher Languedoc and Anjou are charged to demand and receive the like Protestations from the other Professors resident in the Universities of Montauban and Saumur CHAP. XVII Of VNIVERSITIES The Order taken for upholding and Maintenance of our Universities Article 1. WHereas the Universities of Montauban and Saumur have complained that by reason one of the Provinces hath retrenched part of its Contribution they have been deprived of that Assistance which was destined unto their Maintenance and requested that some Course might be took herein by an Order of this Synod looking forward and backward to what is past and to come The said Province was heard speak in its own Defence which urged for it self that it had been over-rated by the last National Synod of Charenton in the Year 1631. This Assembly did greatly condemn the aforesaid Province for attempting to violate the Canons of that Synod and for giving an evil Example unto others of committing the like Crime and forbiddeth that and all other Provinces of being guilty for the future of such Offences on Pain of forfeiting their Priviledg of entring into these National Synods and ordaineth that they make good and full Payment of all Arrears due by them unto those before-mentioned Universities Article 2. The Provinces which are indebted unto our Universities are exhorted to use their best Endeavours to pay in unto them their Arrearages according to the Rate before made Article 3. The University of Nismes demanding her just Dues and that the Sum granted her by the last National Synod of Charenton might be actually paid in unto her this very Day and requesting that the Sum of sixteen hundred and thirty nine Livers three Sous paid to her Prejudice by the Synod of Lower Guyenne unto that of Montauban which applied unto its own particular Profit what belonged unto another This Assembly generally condemning all such Proceedings ordaineth that the Sum of sixteen hundred thirty nine Livers three Sous shall be reprised by the said University of Nismes out of what is owing by the Province of Normandy and others who should have brought in their Contributions for the Subsistence of the University of Montauban and the University of Nismes shall receive its full Maintenance according to the Number of Professors who have been in actual Service there since the last National Synod of
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
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
481. 481. Alexander Dizé of Crest 482. 482. John Cordel of Manas 483. 483. Sebastian Gray of Vesq â—84 7. Colloquy of the Baronny's Pastors Churches 484. James Penichon Lord of Chambrun and of Orange 485. 485. David Sylviâ—s 486. Salomon Fauvré of Nions 486. 487. Isaac Challier of St. Euphemia 487. 488. Gabriel Boulle of Vinsohres 488. 489. James Piolet of Condorcet 489. 490. James Bouvier of St. Paul trois Chasteaux 490. 491. Francois Valaneon of Toillignac 491. 492. Gaspar Martin of Courtezan 492. 493. George Mauguis of Tulette 493. Monbrun 494. 8. Colloquy of Ambrunois Pastors Churches 494. James Bailly of Ambrun 494. 495. Daniel Bec of Mellines 495. 496. Peter Bouvat of Aruyen 496. 497. John Giraud of Abries 497. 498. Daniel Sarret of Guillestre 498. 499. Salomon Jallifier of Froissiniere 499. Chasteau Dauphin 500. 14. Province of Normandy 1. Colloquy of Rouen Pastors Churches 500. David de Caux Minister of Ponteau de Mer Quilleboeuf Bois-roger Honfleur Pont L'evesque 501. 501. John Maximilian de Lange of Rouen 502. 502. David Primrose and of Rouen 502. 503. Lucas Jence 504. Peter Le Tellier of Eureux 503. 505. John le Marchand of Gisors 504. 2. Colloquy of Caux Pastors Churches 506. Abdias de Mondenis of Dieppe 505. 507. Peter Laquel and 508. Louis de Forquinbergue 509. James de la Rey of Bosebec and Lutd 506. 510. John de la Motte of Ivitot 507. 511. David Guelode of Fescamp 508. 412. John Boudouins of La Havre de Grace 509. 513. David Hebert of Baqueville Lislebaeuf Liveroy 510. 3. Colloquy of Caén Pastors Churches 514. Peter Bayeux of Bussy 511. 515. Mark Maurice of Veez 512. 516. Stephen le Sage of St. Vaast 513. 517. John de Belle Hache Lord of Beaumont of Caén 514. 518. John Bridou and 519. Samuel Bochart 520. John Topin of Frevieres Coulombieres les Effars 515. 521. Anthony Basnage of Bayeux 516. 522. Peter Basnage his Son Destitute of a Church 4. Colloquy of Constantin Pastors Churches 523. Benjamin Basnage of Sle Mere Eglise 517. 524. Anthony Philippomeau and of Pont Oyson Dusé 518. 525. Charles Giorn 526. Ionachin le Moyne Minister of Gavré Cerisy 519. 527. Isaac de Veâ—emes of Chefresnos 520. 528. Luke Pavoquett of Fontenay Chassanay 521. 529. Michael Caru of St. Loo 522. 530. James Lohier of Groussy 523. 531. David le Bourgeois of La Hay du Puy 524. 5. Colloquy of Alenson Pastors Churches 532. Paul Baudart of Mongouert 525. 533. Louis Heraut and Ministers of Alanson 526. 534. Matthem Bochart 535. Stephen Le Prevost Lof Buisson of Courtaumer L'aigle Sees 527 536. Stephen le Foience of Croissy Fontaine Meinil 528. 6. Colloquy of Falaise Pastors Churches 537. Peter Baudrin of Moulins Mesuier 529. 538. Noel Gassat of St. Silvain St. Pierre on the Dine 530. 539. John Blanchard of Vires Condé 531. 540. James Tinard of La 〈◊〉 532. 541. Benjamin du Clos of Falaâ—â—e la Motte 533 Peter Morin Lord of Launay a Pastor Emeritus 15. Province of Higher Languedoc and Lower Guyenne 1. Colloquy of Lower Quercy Pastors Churches 542. Le Voyer of Senencrie Cajare 534. 543. La Roche of Cardaillac Figeac 535. 544. Candris of La Tronquiere 536. 545. Bonnefons of St. Sere Issenac 537. 2. Colloquy of Higher Quercy Pastors Churches 546. Peter Beraud Ministers of Montauban 538. 547. Peter Ollier 548. Peter Charles 549. Timothy de Long 550. Anthony Garissoles 551. Le Grand of Caussade 539. 552. Verdier of Negrepelisse 540. 553. Cruniel of Bourniquel 541. 554. Moynéer of St. Lehofaire 542. 555. Abel Bicheteau of Mensac 543. 556. Bardon of St. Antein 544. 557. Mark Montaine of Albias 545. 558. Reynault of Realville 546. 559. Bourdin of Verlac 547. 3. Colloquy of Albigeois Pastors Churches 560. Peter Sauris Ministers of Castres 548. 561. Paul Charles 562. Josiah Daneau 563. Peter Combelasse of Realmont Vene la Fenasse Lombeis 549. 564. John Balarand Minister of La Hangle 550. 565. John Stephen Balarand of La Cauve 551. 566. Nathanael Nadal of Castelnau Sableirolles 552. 567. John Grassett of Viaine Gigomes la Capelle 553. Descroux 554. Senaux 555. 568. Joseph Grassett of Briaste St. Paul de la Miatte 556. 569. David-Vignier of Rouquecourt Monpignier la Bessiere 557. 570. Tercise Grau of Caze Sengaste Plaisance 558. 571. Francois Regail of Vabres Ferrieres 559. 572. Jacob Audebert of Brassac Aubais 560. 573. Stephen Carries of La Cabarede la Bastide 561. 574. John Maillebron of Montredon 562. 575. Peter Baschet of Paulin Teillet 563. 576. _____ Raisart of La Vaoute 564. 577. Honorus Ligonnier of La Croissette 565. 578. Philip Nautonnier of Esperance Berlatte 566. 4. Colloquy of Armagnac Pastors Churches 579. Matthew de Tiffier of Mauvesin 568. 580. Stephen Rigault of Lisle Joudain 569. 581. John Tourron of Puy Casquettes and it s annexed Congregations 570. 582. Isaac du Mas of Masgravier Lestoure 571. 5. Colloquy of Rouergus Pastors Churches 583. Isaac du Teil and Ministers of Milhaud Cressel Senerat 572. 584. Peter Bonnefons 585. John Gerard of St. Africque Vicquion 573. 586. Samuel de Jacques of St. Baulise St. Paul Cormis St. Phelix 574. 587. Philip Marroules of Peaux Pont de Montrodets Montagnac Brusque 575. 588. Peter Marroules of St. Rome de Tarn Auriac les Ribais Roquetaillade de St. Rome Cernon 576. 589. Balthazar Jacques of St. John du Brueil Montmejeau Dourbie 577. Anthony Remirol a Pastor Emeritus 6. Colloquy of Lauragais Pastors Churches 590. Peter Espinasse of St. Amard Villemage Villemoindre 578. 591. Moses Baux of Mazamet Hautpoul Pont de Lart 579. 592. Abel Vialla of Auxillon Aiguefonde St. Abby Cancellare 580. 593. John Bonnefons of Puy Laurens Pechandier 581. 594. Paul Gaillard of Rouvel Palleville 582. 595. Peter Cazail of Goreze Massaquel 583. 596. Philip Laraysse of Carmaigny 584. The Church of St. Paul and D'aunnatte is destitute of a Pastor 7. Colloquy of Foix. Pastors Churches 597. John Ollier Minister of Mas D'azil Gauré la Bour 585. 598. John Morsallan of Camebade 586. 599. Joseph de la Fontayne of Carlat Savarat 587. 600. Paul Gausides of Mazé Caumont 588. 601. Laurens Rival of Saverdun 589. 602. Charles Bourdin of La Bastide Leyreau Betats Limozac 590. 16. Province of the Isle of France 1. Colloquy of Paris Pastors Churches 603. Michael le Faucheur of Paris 591. 604. John Mestrezat 605. Aubertin 606. John Daillé 607. Charles Drelincourt 608. Stephen le Blanc L. of Beaulieu of Senlis 592. 609. John Perreaux of Meaux 593. 610. Peter du Prat of Liesy 594. 611. Isaac de Nagentel of Chasteau Thierry Sarponay 595. 612. Ferdinand de Pied of Fontayrbleau 596. 613. David Bloudel of Roussâ— 597. 614. John Miqueau of Toquin Galandes 598. 615. Peter Belot of Amain Villiers Claye 599. 616. John Sueur
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
they represented that they would observe it themselves and see that it should be exactly observed in their Provinces CHAP. VIII Observations upon reading the last National Synod of Charenton in the Year 1644. 1. THE Provincial Deputies of Lower Languedoc and Sevennes demanding that something might be changed in that Decree of the National Synod of Charenton in the Year 1644. which empowred Consistories with full Authority to judge Sovereignly and without Appeal of those differences arising upon the Account of Seats erected in our Temples And the Consistory of Montpellier having sent Memoirs and demanded quite contrary to them a Confirmation of the said Decree This Assembly waving the Decrees of Provincial Synods made in prejudice of the Ordinances of the National Synod of Charenton and which have not been as yet put in execution by their Consistories and are now vacated and disannulled by this present Assembly it doth judge that there ought not to be any change made in that Decree of the said National Synod of Charenton but ordaineth only That in case the Difficulties be so great as that they cannot be composed by the particular Consistory then it may call in the most considerable Heads of Families belonging to their own Church or of the Neighbour Consistories to be corroborated by their United Counsels and to judge Sovereignly without Appeal concerning those Seats and to prosecute with Church-Censures all such Persons as will not submit unto their Orders and particularly those who shall attempt to remove a business of this nature from our Ecclesiastical Assemblies Moreover it declareth and judgeth as did the last National Synod held at Charenton in the 7th and 11th Articles of Appeals That there be fewer Inconveniences in leaving all Seats free and in common than in affecting them unto particular Persons who being meerly private Persons cannot of right lay claim unto any preheminence before others And all the Churches are exhorted to do what in them lieth to make all places common 2. Forasmuch as True Piety and Holiness depend upon the right knowledge of the Mysteries of Religion this Assembly ratifying that Decree made in the last National Synod of Charenton which was to this effect That whereas in several Great Churches of this Kingdom it was requisite for their general Edification that the Sunday's Catechisms should be handled not by familiar Questions and Answers but by Common-places And that their Instruction might be facilitated who were grown in Years they had substituted extraordinary Catechisings upon some certain days of the Week preceding the Lord's Supper their Practice being approved all the Churches of this Kingdom are exhorted to conform themselves to that Order prescribed by the Discipline as far as God shall enable them and in case they cannot Catechise their Children on every Sabbath-day they shall then chuse out some particular Day of the Week for this Exercise especially before the Celebration of the Lord's Supper And Provincial Synods are charged to take knowledge whether every particular Church in their District do perform their Duty herein or no and to give an Account thereof unto the next National Synod This Decree is again revived and 't is now ordered that it shall be exactly observed in all our Churches which shall take such care and course in their respective Consistories as they shall judge will best contribute to the Instruction of the Faithful and in those Churches which have two Sermons on the Lord's Day the Second Sermon shall be turned into an Exposition of the Catechism by way of Common-Place adapting their Discourses to the meanest Capacities And in those Churches and Towns where there is more frequent Preaching as on every day of the Week there is in some they are exhorted to exchange one or more of these Sermons into familiar Catechistical Exercises and such as be more populous and dispersed into divers quarters they are exhorted to hire a fit Person n to instruct the Children in all the Quarters of those Cities and of the Country or at least to chuse out in every Quarter such Elders as are Men able and willing to do this good Service unto the Church of our Lord Jesus And all Fathers and Mothers shall take an especial Care of the Religious Education of their Children teaching them themselves and committing them to Godly Ministers who may form their tender years unto Godliness And all Colloquies and Synods are enjoyned to take Cognizance once a year of the Observation of this Order by Pastors and Consistories And in case there should occur any difficulty to obstruct and hinder this good Design Provincial Synods are empowred with Authority to judge of it and whatever shall be determined and ordained by them shall be executed notwithstanding any Appeal that may be made from them and put in practice till the meeting of the next National Synod unto which an Account of the whole shall be given And that Pastors may acquit themselves more carefully of this most needful part of their Ministry and may have the more time for their private Studies and better prepare themselves for their publick Work in the Pulpit and give more satisfaction unto their Auditories by a clear judicious and solid Explication of the Sacred Scripture Those Churches whose Ministers are obliged to preach oftner than three times in the Week are entreated to discharge them of some part of this Exercise that they may be the better qualified for their Work and may apply themselves more profitably to the Instruction of the Youth by familiar Catechisings And Synods and Colloquies shall see unto it that Pastors and their Churches do all of them endeavour the Advancement of their Members Edification and the Glory of God and of the Gospel 3. Monsieur Drelincourt Pastor of the Chrch of Paris having given an Account of his Works undertook in Obedience to the Counsel of the last National Synod held at Charenton received the Praise and Thanks of this Assembly for those his Learned Labours already published in Defence of the Truth and for Consolation of the Faithful which have been very beneficial to them and he is exhorted to continue his painful Studies and to print those other Treatises as soon as they be finished which are now in his Hands 4. There was read an Article of the last National Synod concerning the Differences of the University of Die with Monsieur Aymin a Minister and the Letters also of the Professors in the said University were perused in which they complain of the many Troubles he hath put them to upon the score of the Judgments passed in the Consistory of Lion March 21. 1638. and March 7. 1643. notwithstanding they had been all repealed in that last National Synod and which self-same Decree was Confirmed by a Judicial Sentence of the Supreme Court of Requests May 12. 1656. into which the said Aymin had driven them And another Report was made how he threatned them with farther Prosecutions upon the same Account This Assembly censureth the
tho much less than their yearly Value than to keep them as now they are For we have no account in whose Hands they are nor who doth manage them and receive the Profits of them in any of those Presidial Courts Besides there was one thing more observable in the Accounts of the late Lord of Candal that the Churches were indebted to him the Sum of Seven Thousand Eight Hundred and Eighteen Livres Four Deniers comprizing therein Two Thousand Five Hundred Seventy and Four Livres Ten Sous for Interest Moreover in that former Account it was said that the late Lord of Candal stood obliged to bring in unto this Synod the Acquittances for the Colledges of Nerac of Berry of Rochefoucault amounting to Three Thousand Four Hundred Nine and Six Livres which the said Lord of Candal having not done there must be deducted this Sum together with its Interest from that Day in which the said Lord of Candal Deceased was said to have paid it And this was allowed in Disbursment Nor may this be omitted that the said Deceased Lord of Candal had placed to the last account of Disbursments and would have it allowed him several Sums of which there was no clear Proof nor Evidences Moreover it was made appeat that the said Deceased Lord had deposited in his Hands that Order granted by his Majesty for Sixteen Thousand Livres to defray the Charges of the National Synod held at Alanson in the Year 1637. of which he gave in no account unto the National Synod of Charenton 1644. nor is there a tittle hereof mentioned in this present Account now brought in by the Lord of Candal his Son The Assembly not having that Information which of necessity it must have for the clearing up of these Articles and so consequentially not being able at present to examin and finish the said Account which is now presented by the said Lord of Candal it doth commissionate and authorize the Sieur Loride des Galinieres Advocate in his Majesty's Privy Council and Council of State and in the Parliament of Paris for and in its Name and under the Orders of my Lord General Deputy of the Reformed Churches of France near his Majesty and with the Advice of the Consistory of the Church of Paris and of those Pastors of other Churches which may then be in the City of Paris in case any one shall happen to be there whenas this Affair shall be negotiated to examin the Account presented by the said Lord of Candal or any other Account which he shall bring in hereafter and to debate and allow the Articles of the said Account and to give Acquittances for the Receits Disbursments and Reprizals in it And to cause the said Lord of Candal to resign unto them the One and Twenty Letters of Provision for the Office of Commissioners of real Seizures in those Courts before-mentioned and to dispose of them at any rate whether in the Total or in Parcels and this to the use and profit of the Churches The Monies of which Sale shall be received by him who shall be appointed thereunto by my Lord the General Deputy with the Advice and Consent of the Consistory of the Church of Paris that so an Account may be given thereof unto the Churches And until such time as the said Offices shall be sold off this Assembly doth authorize the said Sieur Loride des Galinieres under the Orders of the said Lord General Deputy by and with the Advice of the said Consistory of Paris to constitute such Persons at they shall find able to manage the said Offices in those Courts aforesaid that so the yearly Profit of them may be received for the benefit of our Churches And they shall make diligent Enquiry into the said Courts who hath last had the Management of those Offices and if there be in the Hands of the said Officer any Emoluments accrewing from them they shall be demanded from him And whenas the Account brought in by the said Lord of Candal shall have been examined and closed up according to the Order before appointed in case the said Lord of Candal shall be found in Arrearages of Debt unto the Churches the said Sieur Loride is commissionated and empowred by Authority from this Assembly according to the Orders and Advice before-mentioned to prosecute the Lord of Candal for the payment of the said Debt on account and to take up from him into his own Hands that Contract of Rent-Charge upon the Chamber of Paris and to receive all Arrears that are now due or may hereafter happen to be due and to give account thereof unto the Churches And in case it should be requisite that the said Lord of Candal should make a Declaration in the Name of any particular Person for the Churches Profit because of the said Rent the said Loride under the Orders of my Lord General Deputy shall consult with the Consistory of Paris and put the said Rent under his Name if they think meet But and if any thing should become due unto the said Lord of Candal he shall be payed out of Monies coming in from the Sale of the Offices for Commissions of Fines and Seizures and from the Rent issuing out of the Chamber of Paris and this according to the value of Monies now current And if upon review of those accounts aforesaid there should happen to be any Contestation that it may be composed and quietly transacted the said Loride is commissionated and fully empowred by this Assembly to give large and valid Acquittances and Releases and in case of necessity to prosecute the matter before the Judges in any Civil Court of Judicature and to sell and alienate the said Offices or to put in any one to execute them as also to dispose of the said Rent-Charge on the Chamber of Paris with all its Circumstances and Dependencies or to Mortgage the said Rent and the annual Income of the said Sales Always provided and not otherwise that he follow the Orders before prescribed And the said Loride shall give advice hereof unto all the Provincial Synods by Letters which he shall send from time to time to one of the Principal Churches of the Province that so they may be acquainted with the Success and Issue of this Affair CHAP. XIV An ACT for the Publick National Fast which is to be Celebrated the 25th Day of March in the Year 16â—0 ALthough it hath pleased God to grace his Majesty our Sovereign Lord with that Blessing as to terminate a long and bloody War by a most glorious Peace which hath been always his design and purpose and that thereby is offered unto all his good Subjects an ample and general Occasion of Joy and Thankfulness Yet nevertheless we cannot but see with Grief and Horror how that Atheism Impiety Blasphemy Vnrighteousness Debauchery Vncleanness and all other Sins both against the First and Second Table of the Divine Law are daily multiplied and march bare-fac'd as if the Sons of Men would by
stead such Members of the Consistory of the Church of Paris as they shall conceive best able to Manage the Affair CHAP. XXI A Dividend of Sixteen Thousand Livres given by the King for Defraying the Charges of the Synod Article 1. THis Dividend of Sixteen Thousand Livres granted by the King for the Defraying our Synodical Expences was for Easing and Discharging of the Provinces and whereas there had been paid 450 Livres by the Lord of Candall upon his Debt unto Mr. Ferrand Gigord and de Cerisy who were first deputed unto his Majesty there was only distribution made of 360 Livres of that Sum because the Assembly had given unto the said Deputies the Sum of Thirty Livres for their particular Expences they were necessitated to be at over and above the said Hundred Sous allowed them for every day Article 2. To the Provinces of Dolphiny Burgundy Xaintonge Sevennes Anjou the Isle of France Berry Poictou Vivarets for four Deputies each the Sum of Eleven Hundred Forty and Three Livres Seventeen Sous the whole amounting to the Sum of Ten Thousand Two Hundred Ninety and Four Livres Thirteen Sous Article 3. To the Provinces of Normandy Lower Languedoc and Lower Guyenne the like Sum of Eleven Hundred Forty and Three Livres Seventeen Sous out of which there is deducted the Sum of Six Score Livres received by each of those Deputies from the Lord of Candall therefore there is no more due unto each of those Provinces than One Thousand and Three and Twenty Livres Seventeen Sous all which put together amounts to Three Thousand Threescore and Eleven Livres Eleven Sous Article 4. To the Province of Higher Languedoc for three Deputies and Sixty Livres ordered to a Fourth who lay Sick upon the way Nine Hundred and Seventeen Livres Sixteen Sous and Nine Deniers Article 5. To the Provinces of Brittain Provence and Bearn for two Deputies each the Sum of Five Hundred Threescore and Eleven Livres Thirteen Sous in all amounting to One Thousand Seven Hundred and Fifteen Livres and Eight Sous Article 6 All which Sums taking in the 360 Livres received of the Lord of Candall by Mr. Ferrand Gigord and Cerisy do make up the aforesaid Sum of Sixteen Thousand Three Hundred and Sixty Livres Tournois CHAP. XXII The Roll of Deposed and Revolted Ministers 1. Salomon Pijeaut formerly Pastor in the Church of Douchamps Deposed by the Provincial Synod of Berry for Adultery a Fellow of mean Stature Black Hair a Tauny Meagre Face great Eyes Eagle Nose a trembling broken Voice and about silty years of Age. 2. William Cacherat formerly Pastor of the Church at Pontean de Mer in the Province of Normandy about Two and Fifty years of Age a small Taper Fellow Chesnut colored Hair speaking very fluently he was Suspended by his Provincial Synod he abandoned first the Exercise of his Calling and since the Profession of his Religion turning Papist immediately upon his Suspension by the Synod at St. Loo He was Deposed for Desertion of his Ministry and sundry other Crimes 3. Leonard Thevenot formerly a Priest that quitted his Frock and Monastry of Poictiers he was afterwards Pastor of the Church at Mallezais in Poictou and of St. John d' Angely and of Bois Clan and Plassac in Xaintonge aged between 56 and 58 years he is a Short Fat Crook-back Fellow Black Hair beginning to wax Gray a Fair Beard great Mouth Lips turn'd in large Red Eyes Ruddy Face an Effeminate Tone in Speaking he turn'd Apostate from the Truth in the Month of July 1634. 4. Paul Falquerolles formerly Minister in the Church of St. Hippolyte near Monoblet in the Province of Sevennes who being Deposed by the Provincial Synod for his Vicious Conversation and Desertion of his Charge did finally Revolt from the True Religion This Fellow is about Threescore and Five years old Tall of Stature and Gray Headed All these Acts were Passed and Decreed in the National Synod Assembled by the King's Permission at Alanson from the 28th of May until the 9th of July 1637. And Signed by Basnage Moderator of the Synod D. Couspe Assessor D. Blondel Scribe D. Launay Scribe CHAP. XXIII An Account and Catalogue of the Reformed Churches of France and Bearn together with the Names of their Pastors hung up in the National Synod held at Alanson in the Months of May June and July 1637. Extracted and Copied out of the Original 1. Province IN the Province of Berry Orleans Blesois Nivernois and the Higher Marche there be these Pastors and Churches hereafter mentioned 1. In the Colloquy of Sancerre Pastors Churches 1 Stephen de Monsanglard in the Church of Corbigny 2. Daniel Jamet Pastor in the Church of Gien upon the Loir 3. John Guerin Pastor in the Church of Chastillon upon the Loin 4. Paul Allard a Rocheller in the Ch. of Sancerre 5. John Taby at La Charité 6. Ayme Pyat Chastillion on the Loir 7. Elijah Semele Grinon and Esparville 8. Paul Guez Suilly and Aubiguy 9. Isaac Babaud without a Church La Selle 10.  Dolot Destitute of Past 2. In the Colloquy of Blesois Pastors Churches 10. Nicholas Vignier Minister of Blois 11. 11. Paul Testard Orleans 12. 12. James Imbert Durand Romorantin 13. 13. Jacob Brun Dangeau 14. 14. John Alix Marchenoir 15. 15. Isaac Garnier Basoches 16. 16. Jerom Belon Chameroll 17. 17. Louis Tuisard Bouderoy 17. 18. Daniel Jurieu Mer 18. 19. Cyrus du Moulin Chasteaudun 19. 20. Phillip de la Pierre  21. Abel d'Argent both destitute of Churches  3. In the Colloquy of Berry and Bourbonnois Pastors Churches 22. Louis Scoffier Belet 20. 23. Renatus Bedé Issoudun 21. 24. Elijah Pejus Argenton 22. 25. John Bonneau Aubusson 23. 2. The Province of Brittain Pastors Churches 26. Bertrant Avignon Lord of Souvigny Pastor of the Church of Christ at Hennes 24. 27. Daniel Sauve Viellevigne 25. 28. Peter de la Place Sion 26. 29. Peter Bouchereau Lord of La Manesse Nants 27. 30. David de la Place Lamussare 28. 31. Andrew Levier Lord of Beauchamps Blain 29. 32. Pruil Minister of Rochebernard 30. 33. 34. Presteré Pet. Jostain Rochellers of Vitré 31. 35 Routel Minister of Ploër 32. 36. Delahay or Delaye without any Church Triguier destitute of a Pastor 33. 3. The Province of Xaintonge Augoumois Aunix and the Islands 1. Colloquy of Aunix Pastors Churches 37. Jerome Colomnies and Ministers of Rochel 34. 38. Phillip Vincent 39. John Flane a Rocheller Minister of Surgere Cire 35. 40. John Jagaut Minister of Augoulins Pont de la Pierre Aytré 36 41. John Salberâ— Lord of Viliers a Rocheler Minister of Rochefort St. Laurence Florrus 37. 42. Daniel Chavet a Rocheller Marais 38. 43. Samuel de la Forest Maze 37. 44. Samuel de Ferre Minister of Bournivet Daump 40. 45. Isaac Coutaut Pastor of Sâ—les Taray la Jarrye 2. The Colloquy of St. John D'Angely Pastors Churches 46. Japhet du Vigier Lord of Montier both Ministers of St.