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 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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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.
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
obedient Brethren the Pastors and Elders in the Reformed Church of Paris and for all Drelincourt Pastor Bigot Tardif Dinets Massanes Millet Raillard and Mandat Elders And in the Margin We most earnestly beseech you to give Audience to Monsieur Mestrezat who is ordered more particularly to report this Affair unto you The End of the Synod of Castres SYNODICON IN Galliâ Reformatâ OF THE Acts Canons Decisions and Decrees OF THE Four Last National Synods OF THE Reformed Churches OF FRANCE The Second Part of the Second Volume By JOHN QVICK Minister of the Gospel LONDON Printed by J. D. for Thomas Parkhurst and Jonathan Robinson 1691. THE Acts Canons Decisions and Decrees OF THE Twenty sixth Synod HELD BY The Reformed Churches OF FRANCE and BEARN The second Time at CHARENTON Under the Authority and Permission of LOUIS XIII King of FRANCE and NAVARRE In the twenty second Year of his Reign begun September the 1st and ended Friday the 10th of October In the Year of our Lord 1631. The General CONTENTS of these Synodical Acts in several Chapters Chap. I. THE Lord Galland the King's Commissioner The King 's Writ for calling the Synod Deputies Names Election of Synodical Officers Chap. II. The King's Letters Patents and Commission to the Lord Galland Chap. III. The Lord Galland's Speech to the Synod Chap. IV. The Moderator's Reply to this Harangue Chap. V. Deputies and a Letter sent from the Synod unto the King Chap. VI. The Cahier or Bill of Grievances sent by the Synod to the King Chap. VII The Deputies Return from Court with the King's Answer and Letter to the Synod Chap. VIII Election of General Deputies Chap. IX Monsieur Beraud admitted at Deputy to sit and vote in the Synod Chap. X. A second Letter from the Synod unto the King Chap. XI The General Deputies make Report of their Audience and the King's Answer to that Letter Chap. XII The Sieurs Bouteroue and Basnage admitted as Deputies to sit and act in the Synod Chap. XIII The King's Letter unto the Lord Galland about it Chap. XIV Approbation of the Confession of Faith Chap. XV. Observations upon the Discipline Chap. XVI Observations upon the National Synod of Castres Chap. XVII A great Debate about incorporating the Churches of Bearn with those of France opposed by the Lord Commissioner Chap. XVIII The Synod's Reply unto his Lordship Chap. XIX The Synod's Protestation upon this Conjunction of the Churches of Bearn with those of France Chap. XX. General Matters Chap. XXI An Act for a publick National Fast Chap. XXII An Act in favour of the Lutheran Brethren Chap. XXIII Particular Matters Chap. XXIV Of Vniversities and Colledges Chap. XXV An Act for an Assessment upon the Provinces for maintaining the Vniversities Chap. XXVI A Dividend of our borrowed Charities to maintain the Vniversities Chap. XXVII The Provinces Accompts about their Maintenance exhibited to the Colledges and Vniversities Chap. XXVIII The Lord of Candall's Accompts Chap. XXIX A Dividend of sixteen thousand Livers among the Provinces Chap. XXX A blank Dividend Chap. XXXI Roll of Apostate and deposed Ministers Chap. XXXII An Act for calling the next National Synod at Alanson Chap. XXXIII Remarks upon three of the Deputies The Second Synod of CHARENTON 1631. the 26th Synod SYNOD XXVI 1631. In the Name of God Amen Acts and Decrees of the twenty sixth National Synod held by the Reformed Churches of France and Bearn the second time at Charenton St. Maurice near Paris in the Province of the Isle of France under the Authority and Permission of Lewes the Thirteenth King of France and Navarre in the twenty second Year of his Reign begun September the 1st and ended Friday the 10th Day of October in the Year 1631. CHAP. I. The Lord Galland the King's Commissioner The King 's Writ for calling the Synod Deputies Names Election of Synodical Officers Article 1. AT the opening of this Assembly the Lord Galland Counsellor to his Majesty in his most honourable Privy Council and Council of State and Attorney General for his Dominion of Navarre appeared in Person as Commissioner deputed by his Majesty unto it and presented his Majesty's Warrant signed with his Sign Manual for the convocating of it 2. This 29th Day of January in the Year of our Lord 1631. The King being at Paris upon the most humble Petition of his Subjects of the pret Reformed Religion that they might be permitted to meet and assemble in a National Synod there not having been one held since that of Castres in the Year 1626. His Majesty being very willing to gratify those his Subjects aforesaid and to give them some Marks of his Royal Favour hath granted and permitted and doth grant and permit unto those his aforesaid Subjects the Power and Priviledg of holding a National Synod the first Day of September next at Charenton near Paris but with this Condition that none other Matters shall be debated in it but such as are allowed them by his Majesty's Edicts and that the Lord Galland Counsellor to his Majesty in his Privy Council and Council of State and Attorney General for his House of Navarre shall assist personally in the said Synod as his Majesty's Commissioner as hath been accustomed and practised heretofore In Testimony whereof his Majesty hath commanded me to issue out this present Writ which he was pleased to sign with his own Hand and commanded it to be countersigned by me his Counsellor and Secretary of Estate and of his Commandments and of his Treasury Signed in the Original LOVIS And a little lower Phillippeaux 3. There appeared on Behalf of the Churches in the several Provinces of this Kingdom the Pastors and Elders whose Names are hereafter mentioned For the Province of Burgundy the Sieurs Peter Boullenat Pastor of the Church of Vaux and Alexander Rouph Pastor of the Church of Lyons together with the Lords Timothy Armet Advocate in the Privy Council Elder in the Church of Conches and Lazarus du Puy Counsellor for the King in the Presidial Court of Bourg and Elder of the Church gathered in that Town 4. For the Province of Provence the Sieurs Paul Maurice Pastor of the Church at Aiguires and Peter de Peyre Lord of Retardet Elder in the same Church 5. For the Province of Orleans and Berry the Sieurs Daniel Jamett Pastor the Church of Gien upon the Loir and James L'amy Pastor of the Church of Chasteaudun accompanied with Master Claudius Bernard Elder in the Church of Chastillon upon the Loir and Bailiff of the said Town and Henry du Four Doctor of Physick Elder in the Church of Blois 6. For the Province of Poictou the Sieurs Isaac de Cuville Pastor of the Church in Couhé and John le Masson Pastor of the Church of Civray together with the Lords René de Lauvrignac Esq Lord of Miauvray Elder of the Church of St. Maixant and Giles Begaut Lord of la Begaudiere Elder in the Church of Montague 7. For the Province of Xaintonge
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
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
Provincial Synod of Vivaretz and presented by that grave Assembly to the Pastoral Office in the Church of Annonay though he was then but eighteen Years of Age and Annonay was a Church of no mean Consideration but what he wanted in Years he made up in Merit In the Year 1612 he was removed to the Church of Montpellier in which he served full twenty Years He was one of the Scribes in the National Synod held the first time at Charenton 1623. The Parliament of Tholouse having made a Decree that no Foreigner should be a Minister or preach within their Jurisdiction in the Year 1632. he came to Paris and sollicited the Court for his Restoration He had in that City a Brother very rich and one who followed the Law Whilst he resided here the University of Lansanna in Switzerland earnestly invited him to be Professor of Theology in it but he very civilly declined that Motion though he was a most accomplish'd Scholar and Divine In the Year 1636 a Franciscan Friar who was the great Favourite of Cardinal Richelieu and of his Cabinet-Council meeting him in an Apothecary's Shop in St. James's Street demanded his Name and he telling him who he was and the Reason for which he was driven away from Montpellier he bespoke him Monsieur Faucheur do you tarry here and preach at Charenton and I will ingage my Word for it that the King shall never trouble you He communicating this Relation to his Brother his Brother communicated it unto the Elders of that Church who discoursing with him intreated him to preach the next Lord's Day in their Temple which he did to their and the Churches very great Satisfaction And here he continued in their Service preaching and dispensing the Word and Sacraments among them unto the Day of his Death 3. Monsieur Amyraut of him I shall speak in the Catalogue of the Churches and Ministers hung upon the File in the last National Synod where my Reader will meet with a Multitude of Remarks upon the Pastors that were then actually imployed in the Service of those-once flourishing Churches The End of the Second Synod of Charenton THE Acts Canons Decisions and Decrees OF THE Twenty seventh Synod OF The Reformed Churches OF FRANCE Assembled under his Majesty's Authority and Permission AT ALANSON IN THE PROVINCE of NORMANDY On Wednesday the twenty seventh of May and ended Thursday the ninth of July In the Year of our Lord God 1637. Being the twenty eighth Year of the Reign of LOUIS XIII King of FRANCE and NAVARRE The CONTENTS of the Synodical Acts in several Chapters Chap. I. THE King 's Writ for calling the Synod presented by the Marquess of Clermont General Deputy Monsieur St. Mars Commissioner for the King Names of the Deputies Election of the Synodical Officers Chap. II. The King's Commission to Monsieur St. Mars to represent hit Royal Person in the Synod Chap. III. The Lord Commissioner's Speech and a very long one unto the Synod Chap. IV. The Synod's Replies and Answers unto the Contents of it Chap. V. Three Deputies sent with a Letter from the Synod unto the King Chap. VI. A second Letter to the King Chap. VII Approbation and Confirmation of the Confession of Faith Chap. VIII Observations upon the Discipline Chap. IX Observations on the last Natiâ—â—â—â— Synod Chap. X. A peniâ—â—n◠〈◊〉 after tâ—â— Yoâ—â—s Deposition and Penaâ—â—â— iâ— at last restored to the Exercise of his Ministerial Office Chap. XI The Snappishness of the Commissioner the Prudence and Patience of the Synod Chap. XII A penitent Minister petitioning for Restoration unto his Ministerial Office refused and why Chap. XIII The Churches of â—earn incorporated with the Reformed Churches of France Chap. XIV Appeals 3. A Lady appealeth 4. Des Champs a factious Minister 11. An Appeal about a Legacy Chap. XV. General Matters 1. An Action indifferent so left by the Synod 4. Whether Slaves may be purchased 5. No Minister to be ordained without a Title 7. An Act for a National Fast 8. An Expedient to preserve Peace among the Ministers Professors and Churches 9. A Petition to the King opposed by the Commissioner 10. A Letter from the King unto the Synod The Synod's Letter to the King 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30. A Determination of the Controversies moved by Amyrald and Testard 31. The Deputies in the Synod to receive an hundred Sous par diem Sallary from their Provinces 32. Professors of Divinity designed Chap. XVI 4 5. Two poor Ministers in great Wants 7. An Expedient to compose Differences in a Church and Province 9. The Case of La Milletierâ— the Reconciler 11. Complaints of two Books L'Antidote and Les Ombres d'Arminius Chap. XVII Of Vniversities Order taken for upholding and maintaining the Vniversities Chap. XVIII Arrears of Monies due unto the Vniversities Chap. XIX Accompts of the Vniversities Chap. XX. Lord of Candall's Accompts Chap. XXI A Dividend of 16000 Livers Chap. XXII Roll of deposed and revolted Ministers Chap. XXIII Catalogue of the Churches and Ministers Chap. XXIV Monsieur Ferrand's Speech unto his Majesty Chap. XXV Instructions given unto Monsieur Ferrand c. deputed to the King Chap. XXVI Monsieur Ferrand's Speech to Cardinal Richelieu Chap. XXVII The Bill of Grievances A Book stiled Le Proselyte Evangelique Chap. XXVIII Letters from the Pastors and Professors of Geneva Chap. XXIX Testimonials unto Dr. Rivet's Treatise against the Books of the Sieurs Amyraut and Testard Chap. XXX Two Letters one from Mr. du Moulin another from Monsieur Diodati to the Synod The Synod of Alanson 1637. The 27th Synod SYNOD XXVII 1637. In the Name of God Amen Acts of the twenty seventh National Synod of the Reformed Churches of France held in the Town of Alanson in the Province of Normandy It was opened by his Majesty's Permission Wednesday the 27th of May and ended Thursday the 9th of July in the Year of our Lord God 1637 and the 18th Year of the Reign of our Dread Sovereign Louis the Thirteenth King of France and Navarre CHAP. I. The King 's Writ presented by the Marquess of Clermont for calling the Synod Mr. de St. Mars Commissioner Deputies Officers chosen Article 1. THE Lord Marquess of Clermont General Deputy of the Reformed Churches of France at the opening of the Synod presented his Majesty's Warrant expresly given by him under his own Hand for the calling of it the Tenour of which is as followeth This sixth Day of Jannary in the Year Sixteen hundred thirty and seven the King being at Paris upon the most humble Petition of his Subjects of the Reformed Religion who craved his Royal Permission for the calling and assembling of a National Synod there not having been one held since that of Charâ—nton in the Year 1631. His Majesty being desirous to gratify those his Subjects and to deal favourably with them hath permitted and doth permit the Convocation of a National Synod the 27th day of May next
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
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