Effigies Reverendi Viri IOHANNIS QUICK S ti Evangely Ministri an o Aetat 55o. SYNODICON in GALLIA REFORMATA SYNODICON IN Gallia Reformata OR THE Acts Decisions Decrees and Canons Of those Famous National Councils OF THE REFORMED CHURCHES IN FRANCE BEING I. A most Faithful and Impartial History of the Rise Growth Perfection and Decay of the Reformation in that Kingdom with its fatal Catastrophe upon the Revocation of the Edict of Nants in the Year 1685. II. The Confession of Faith and Discipline of those Churches III. A Collection of Speeches Letters Sacred Politicks Cases of Conscience and Controversies in Divinity determined and resolved by those grave Assemblies IV. Many excellent Expedients for preventing and healing Schisms in the Churches and for re-uniting the dismembred Body of divided Protestants V. The Laws Government and Maintenance of their Colleges Universities and Ministers togeâ—â—er with their Exercise of Discipline upon delinquent Ministers and Church-members VI. A Record of very many illustrious Events of Divine Providence relating to those Churches The whole Collected and Composed out of Original Manuscript Acts of those Renowned SYNODS A Work never before Extant in any Language In Two VOLUMES By JOHN QUICK Minister of the Gospel in London LONDON Printed for T. Parkhurst and J. Robinson at the Three Bibles and Crown in Cheapside and the Golden Lion in St. Paul's Church-yard 1692. TO THE Right Honourable WILLIAM EARL of BEDFORD BARON of THORNHAVGH Lord Lieutenant of the Counties of Middlesex Cambridge and Bedford Knight of the Most Noble Order of the Garter and one of the Lords of Their Majesties most Honourable Privy-Council May it please your Lordship SEals as Coats of Arms an a kind of Hieroglyphicks Those Mother-Churches in the Valleys of Piedmont where our holy Religion hath been conserved in its Power and Purity during that long black night of Popish Superstition and Idolatry had this for their Common Seal A Taper burning in a golden Candlestick scattering its glorious Beams in a Sable Field of thick darkness It is a truth incontestable that most of the European Nations do stand indebted to them for that comfortable Knowledge of the blessed Gospel of our Lord Jesus which is now shining forth in its Meridian-Glory in the midst of them The Famous Waldo of Lions was their near Neighbour and received his most Excellent Instructions together with that Book of Life the Holy Bible from them And Lollard that famous Preacher in England from whom God's Saints and Martyrs with us four hundred years ago were denominated was one of their Barbes I have met my most Noble Lord with another Seal as Illustrious an Hieroglyphick as the former appertaining unto the National Synods of those Renowned and once Flourishing though now Desolate Reformed Churches of France which was Moses's Miraculous Vision when he fed his Flock under the Mount of God viz. A Bramble-Bush in a flaming Fire having that Essential incommunicable name of God Jehovah engraven in its Center and this Motto Comburo non consumor in its Circumference I burn but am not Consumed With this those venerable Councils Sealed all their Letters and Dispatches A sacred Emblem of their past and present Condition Whilst Mystical Babylon Spiritual Sodom and Egypt where our Lord hath been in his most pretious Truths and Ordinances and in his dearest Saints and Members for many Ages successively Crucified did swim in the calm Ocean of Worldly Riches and Grandeurs in the pacifick Seas of secular Felicities and Pleasures Poor Zion in that bloody Kingdom of France hath been in the storms and flames hath passed from one fiery Tryal unto another from Cauldrons of boyling Oyl into burning Furnaces heated with fire seven times hotter than before she hath been driven from populous Cities and the pleasant Habitations of Men unto the cold snowy Lebanon to the high craggy tops of Amana and Shenir to the frightful Dens of Lions and to the horrid Mountains of Dragons and Leopards Why their Heavenly Father should afflict and exercise so frequently and so severely these his Children and Churches he himself informeth them by that weeping Prophet All thy Lovers have forgotten thee They seek thee not for I have wounded thee with the Wound of an Enemy with the chastisement of a cruel one for the multitude of thine Iniquities because thy Sins were increased Why criest thou for thy Afflictions Thy sorrow is incurable for the multitude of thine iniquity because thy Sins were increased I have done these things unto thee And in truth the mournful Relicks of these Calamitous Churches do justify God in all the evil that is befallen them do condemn themselves and kiss his Rod accepting patiently the punishment of their Iniquity But this Bramble-Bush though always burning is not consumed This is a Miracle of divine Mercy entailed upon them for many Generations I will mention the loving kindnesses of Jehovah and the praises of Jehovah according to all that Jehovah hath bestowed on them and his great goodness towards the House of Israel which he hath bestowed on them according to his Mercies and according to the multitude of his loving kindnesses In all their affliction he was afflicted with them and the Angel of his presence saved them in his love and in his pity he redeemed them and he bare them and carried them all the days of old When they passed through the Waters he hath been with them and through the Rivers they have not drowned them and though they have walked through the fires yet they have not been burnt up those Flames have purified and refined but not devoured them And though these last storms like the Fluctus decumani have been the worst and forest yet they have not been without Illustrious tokens of God's gracious presence with them and most merciful providence over them He hath made the Earth to help the Woman he hath spread a Table for their sustenance in the Wilderness and provided for them in their flights dispersions and banishments a most quiet habitation and in this last and greatest persecution that ever did befal them they have found in this Land as well as in other Protestant Countries an inviolable Sanctuary and which cannot but be observed it was in that very juncture when those two smoaking Firebrands Rezin with Syria and the Son of Remaliah were in a joint Confederacy totally to extirpate the blessed Gospel as out of France so out of these Fortunate Islands they met with a safe Harbour in Great Brittain The pernicious Plot was carried on as vigorously here at home against the Reformation as it was cruelly Executed in Kibroth Hattaavah that Land of Graves from whence they fled and where thousands of God's Saints were buried alive When the Bartholomaean Massacre was projected in the last Age there was a design to have tricked over some of our most Noble Patriots unto that unfortunate Marriage in which more Blood was drunk than Wine who should have been Sacrificed together with that Valiant Lord
Earl of Laval and Vitré and M. Mathurin L' Hommeau Lord of Gravier Minister in the Church of Rennes and William le Moine Elder in the Church of Vitré For Orleans and Berry M. William Sauvage Minister of the Church of Mer upon the Loire and Christopher Elder of the Church at Chastelnaudun 6. For Anjou Tourain Le Main Vandomois Loudunois and the lower Perche John Malesousse and De la Durelleric Ministers of Chasteau-Gontier René Pineau Minister in the Church of Craon in Anjou and Mathurin Peju Elder of the Church at Augers 7. For the upper and neither Poictou M. Nicholas Gorré Minister of Flontenay le Conte and Peter Guittaud Elder in the Church of Chastel-heraud 8. For Xaintonge Aunix the City and Government of Rochel Andrew de Mazieres called also Peter de la Place Minister at Thoire in Aunix aforesaid and Hierom Faureau Elder in the Church of Rochel 9. For Augoumois M. Guy du Pou Minister of Vertueil without an Elder 10. The Deputies of Gascogny Perigort and Limousin were absent but excused themselves by Letters because they wanted timely Notice of the sitting of the Synod and there was no Money gathered to defray the charge of their Journey 11. The higher and lower Vivaretz and Vellay were absent without excuse 12. For the lower Languedoc Nismes Montpellier Vsez Basques Beziars and Givaudan inclusively M. John de Grores Minister of Nismes and Andrew D'Alguillonnet Elder of the same Church 13. For the higher Languedoc And Guienne M. John Gardesi Minister of St. Antonin ill Quercy and M. Amand le Gros Elder in the Church of Castres M. Gardesi was a severe Nathan to Henry the Fourth 14. For Bourbonnois and lower Auvergne Lyonnois Forest La Marche and and Beaujolois there were no Deputies they being absent nor did they send any excuse 15. The Deputies of Provence were indeed absent but sent their Reasons for it which were not accepted 16. The Deputies of Burgundy were absent and inexcusable 17. The Deputies of Dolphiny and Orange were absent but excused themselves by their Letters 18. There appeared also and sate and voted in this Synod the Deputies of the Churches in the Low Countries who brought with them their Letters of Commission viz. Michael Forest Minister of the French Church at Machlin and Doctor Joannes Boulins Minister of the Church of Gant and John Charan Minister of the Church of Bruges 19. After Invocation of the Name of God M. Peter Merlin Minister of the Gospel and Pastor of the Church at Vitré and Laval was chosen Moderator and Master Matthew Virel Minister in the Church of Marchais in Beauvoisis Assessor and M. Renatus Pineau Minister in the Church of Craon and Mr. Jerome Faureau Elder in the Church of Rochel were appointed Scribes unto the Synod to Collect and Register all its Acts. CHAP. II. Canons made and decreed in the National Synod held at Vitré in Brittany at the Castle of the Lord De la Vall on Monday the 16th Day of May in the Year of our Lord One thousand five hundred eighty and three Monsieur Merlin being President and Monsieur Pineau Scribe General MATTERS The means of uniting our Churches with those of the Nitherlands I. OUR Brethren of the Low Countries having requested that some good course might be taken and means used that the Deputies of their Churches might for time to come be present at our National Synods and ours at theirs This Assembly doth now ordain That as often as the Synods of the said Low Countries shall be convened two Provinces of this Kingdom shall be obliged to send their Deputies to wit two Ministers and one Elder who shall be expresly named by those two Provinces in every National Synod and their Charges born by all the Provinces of this Kingdom and for this present approaching Synod of the Low Countries the Provinces of the Isle of France and Normandy are appointed to send the Deputies II. And whereas the Brethren their Deputies have tendred unto this Synod the Confession of Faith and Body of Church-Discipline owned and embraced by the said Churches of the Low Countries this Assembly having humbly and heartily blessed God for that sweet Union and Agreement both in Doctrine and Discipline between the Churches of this Kingdom and of that Republick did judge meet to subscribe them both and it did also request those our Brethren their Deputies reciprocally to subscribe our Confession of Faith and Body of Church-Discipline which in obedience to the Commission given them by their Principals they did accordingly thereby testifying that mutual harmony and concord in the Doctrine and Discipline of all the Churches in both Nations III. Moreover this Assembly having to its great grief understood the miserable Condition of the greater part of the Churches in the Low Countries how that they be exceedingly pester'd with divers Sects and Heresies as of David George Anabaptists Libertines and other Errors contrary to the purity of God's Word and against which they cannot use those Remedies that are most desired And yet on the other hand this Synod did exceedingly rejoyce at the glad Tidings of their care and diligence in opposing and refuting those Anti-scriptural Heresies subversive of Divine Doctrine Order and Discipline and it did most earnestly intreat them to persevere in the confutation and condemnation of them as it would also on its part cordially joyn with them in so doing and would give as it doth now give an unquestionable proof thereof by subscribing unto their Confession of Faith and Church-Dilcipline As a Pledge of their Union the Churches of both Nation shall communicate to one another their Ministers IV. And forasmuch as this holy Union and Concord established between the Churches of France and those of the Low Countries seems necessarily to demand their mutual Loves and Assistance This Assembly doth judge meet that the Churches of both the Nations shall lend and borrow their Ministers reciprocally according as their respective Necessities shall require V. That all Contentions may be avoided this Assembly doth ordain That every one shall be assessed in that Church of which he is a Member towards all Charges ordinary and extraordinary without any respect had to the distinction of Provinces A Man may not marry another Woman his Wife being yet alive thô leprous VI. A Case was propounded Whether a Man might lawfully marry another Woman his Wife being alive but infected with Leprosie This Synod judgeth according to the Rule given us by our Lord Jesus That no Man may marry another Woman his Wife as yet living unless she were an Adulteress And therefore he that demands this License to re-marry must give himself to Prayer and Fasting and contain himself during his Wife's Life and he must conscientiously give all possible assistance and relief unto her necessities VII The observation of the 33d Article of the 5th Chapter of the Discipline shall be carefully recommended to all the Churches in every Province That Article begins
Bordier who is now sent unto them that so the Church of Chasteauneuf may not be left destitute And in case this be granted Monsieur de St. Fariol shall reimburse their Expences in procuring of him to be their Minister LIV. Whereas the Church of Die in Dolphiny have requested that Monsieur Figon might be sent unto them in case he were at liberty and for that our Brethren the Sieurs Tempeste and Moranges have yeilded to it the Assembly dismisseth this Affair unto the Consistory of Lions which shall do in it as they see good LV. Monsieur Matthew D'Anche offering himself voluntarily to be Professor of Divinity was refused till such time as he produced his Attestations and Testimonials from those Churches in which he hath lived and particularly from Geneva where he saith he hath lived a very long time and in case he refuse to do this the Ministers are bound to hinder him LVI Monsieur Vaisse reported how that he was sent to serve the Church of Ville Franche which is now dissipated by the Enemies of the Gospel and in the time of Perfection he withdrew himself unto the Lord of Pieure waiting for the Restauration of his Church which is not yet returned what shall he do Some were of opinion that he should continue with the said Lord of Pieure and that the Church of Ville Franche should be provided of another Minister But the major part of the Deputies judged that he ought upon the first Invitations given him by his Church to return unto them in case he could live among them in safety and that in the mean while he should continue the exercise of his Ministry in the House of the said Lord of Pieure who shall by the Classis or Colloquy be supplied with another Pastor whenever the said Vaissé shall be called back unto Ville Franche LVII Master Damian Joubert complaining that his Church of Domles neglected to maintain him The Church of Issoyre upon examination of this matter and finding it true is ordered to set and declare him free from their Service LVIII The Church and Brethren of Aubusson yeilded that Monsieur Du Pont their Minister should be Pastor in the Church of Creuen but with this Condition That whenas the said Church of Aubusson should be restored that they help them to another This their mutual Agreemant was approved LIX The Province of Berry hath the priviledge granted it by this Assembly to call the next National Synod within one Year and to give notice thereof unto all the Provinces three Months before the time and Place of meeting CHAP. XVII Memorials drawn up in the present Synod for the Service of the CHVRCH ARTICLE I. THe Churches shall be admonished to make a faithful Collection of all notable and remarkable Passages of Divine Providence which have happened in their Precincts and to send those Narratives unto our Reverend Brethren the Pastors of Geneva with all possible speed and diligence ARTICLE II. Monsieur Beza shall be intreated to draw up in Writing the Causes and Protestations of Nullity against the Council of Trent both in the Latine and French Tongues and he shall send them unto the Ministers at Court that they may present them unto his Majesty ARTICLE III. A most Humble Petition shall be presented unto his Majesty that we be not hindred nor debarred of our Synodical Assemblies which yet shall not be delivered without the express Consent of the chiefest Lords who are at Court and professing the Reformed Religion ARTICLE IV. The Articles of the three former National Synods shall be compiled into a Body unto which these of this present Synod shall be added and the Church of Lions shall give forth Copies of them ARTICLE V. Our Brethren the Pastors of Geneva shall be intreated to write us their Judgment about some principal Points of Church-Discipline as about Elections of Church-Officers and the Sentence of Excommunication and to send Copies of this their Judgment unto the Church of Lions which is ordered to distribute them among the Provinces of this Kingdom that so the Deputies may come prepared with well-digested Thoughts about those Articles unto the next National Synod and in the mean while all the Churches are required to conform themselves unanimously unto those Canons of Church-Discipline which have been already composed for them by the Decrees of our three former National Synods ARTICLE VI. The Provinces shall be advised to send their respective Proctors unto Court who may be charged to solicite the Affairs of their Provinces and they shall not act any thing but according to the Instructions put into their hands by their Principals nor shall they undertake any matter of great importance without having first communicated it unto their Province and they shall conclude on such courses as shall be joyntly concerted between them and the Ministers who may be then about the Court. CHAP. XVIII The Provinces if they themselves approve of it shall be thus divided Distinction of the Provinces of France 1. THE Isle of France Picardy Brie and Champagne 2. Burgundy Lyonnois Forest and Auvergne 3. Dolphiny Languedoc and Provence 4. Poictou and Xaintongs 5. Gascony Limousin and Agenois 6. Britain Turenne Anjou and Le Maine 7. Normandy 8. Berry Orleance and the County of Chartres VIII The Canons decreed in this Assembly shall be communicated unto our Brethren the Pastors of Geneva who having perused them shall return them back again unto the Church of Lions and by them sent unto our three first Provincial Synods and from them to be distributed among the other Provinces of this Kingdom CHAP. XIX BOOKS Censured IX THe Churches shall be advised of a Book lately published with this Title Conseil a la Pauvre France whereof Castalio is the reputed Author 'T is a wicked Piece and therefore they must be aware of it X. And they shall also reject a little Pamphlet added unto a Catechise stiled Les Demandes que font les Ministres de Geneve a ceux quil veulent recevoir la Cene. CHAP. XX. The Vagrants and Deposed Ministers 1. MArmande who was in the Ministry near Chartres 2. James de Vernueil or Berneil employed in Normandy 3. Beaujean Beraud or Bergard for he goeth by all these Names he was an Augustinian Fryar and Prior of their Convent at Poictiers 4. Christopher de la Place 5. Louis Tudett 6. A great lubberly Franciscan Fryer who quitted his Frock in the House of the Lord de la Martiniere he is called La Motte 7. William Tortereau de Foussay 8. William Coistereau or Bretereau du Bois 9. Peter Vrede or Boulay of Niort an Apostate 10. Maâ—turin Pennin or Pelling or Pilin for he goes by all these Names 11. Simeon Regent of the Colledge at Surgeres 12. John de la Tourniere 13. John Guerin 14. James Pinus 15. Lewes Matthew or Maton 16. Peter le Brun. 17. Calix Baptiste formerly a Carrier of Rogations he was a Monk at Thoulouse and Secretary to the Cardinal of
to several Goldsmiths in the City of Sedan for which the Civil Magistrate inflicted corporal Punishment upon him in the said City all which he could not but acknowledge and confess to be true before this Assembly For these Causes the said Bonniot or Bouquier is deposed from the Sacred Ministery as a Person uncapable and utterly unworthy of it and shall be continued on the Roll of Vagrants and shall do publick Penance in the said Church of San Bouchard However because of his deep Poverty and great and numerous Family of Children we do License him to keep School and to instruct Youth but with this Proviso that the Ministers of the Places where he shall live do watch over him and his Deportments with a very strict and careful Eye VI. An Appeal was brought by Monsieur De la Jaille and the Church of Saujon who complained of the Wrongs done them by the Provincial Synod of Xaintonge held at Saujon which had adjudged him Pastor unto the said Church of Saujon without obliging it to defray his Expences in coming to it This Assembly ordereth that the Colloquy or Synod of that Province shall censure the said Church and Monsieur Royan the Minister for their pragmatical intermeddling in a Business not appertaining to them VII Monsieur Boucquet shall write unto the Colloquy of Aunix that Monsieur Baron may be returned unto the Church of La Guerche in the Province of Anjon there to exercise his Ministery in Obedience to the Call given him VIII The Synod of the Isle of France shall make an exact Enquiry into the Life Writings and Conversation of Monsieur Gibbon sometime Minister of Deippe that Judgment may pass upon him accordingly IX Forasmuch as Mr. Bernard Giraud hath been divers times recalled by his Church of Marceoill in Poictou and by the Synod of Poictou he shall be censured for his disobedience to this Summons and also for that he quitted his Church at first and this according to the Canons of our Discipline And the Colloquy of Annix shall in like manner be censured for admitting him among them without any testimonial Letters of Dismission For which cause this Assembly will remove the said Giraud elsewhere X. This Assembly will take special care of Monsieur Christian for his Subsistance But in the mean while the Church of Poictiers shall be severely censured for their default of Duty baseness and ingratitude to this Reverend Man of God who was one of their first and most ancient Pastors and who laid the very Foundations of their flourshing Church And the said Church shall be summon'd to the next Synod and injoyned to give him full Contentment and Satisfaction and to pay him all Arrerages owing to him for time past and to relieve him now in his old Age. XI The Province of Anjou shall be obliged to provide for the Safety of Monsieur Daniel a Minister of the Gospel who was formerly sent unto them and is now remanded back unto them by this present Assembly and that Church which shall call him unto their Service shall reimburse him those Expences he was at during the last Persecution XII Monsieur Daniel shall exercise his Ministery in the House and Court of his Excellency the Prince of Conde but only for some Months in the Year which being expired he may be redemanded by his own Church and Province And the Church of Bergerac shall likewise lend Monsieur de Borda their Minister unto the said Prince for four Months more of the same Year And this shall hold till such time as some other course be taken And Monsieur Martin shall be the ordinary Minister of his Excellency's House and Family XIII Monsieur de Malescot who was the first Minister of the Church of Montagu in the County of Perche shall be summoned by the Province of Poictou unto which he doth belong to return unto the said Province according to the Canons of our Discipline however without any prejudice unto the said Church of Montagu and the said Province of Poictou is ordered to receive those Informations of the Province of the Isle of France concerning the Deportments of the said Malescot his Writing and his Way and Manner of Preaching XIV The Brethren of the French Church of London in the Kingdom of England sent Letters unto this Assembly petitioning that Messieurs de Villiers Minister of the Church of Rouan and de la Fontayne Ministers of the Church of Orleans might be given to them for their Pastors Their Request was granted and these worthy Ministers of the Gospel were lent unto the said Church till such time as their own dissipated Flocks might be recollected and then they should return and be restored unto their former Churches respectively XV. On sight and perusal of the Writings of Mr. Anthony Fregeville of the Town Realmont this Assembly judgeth them utterly unworthy of any Answer because they are stufft with Errors Lyes and Calumnies and farther the Sentence past upon him by the Provincial Synod was ratified and whereas he was only suspended from the Lord's Table it is now ordered that his said Suspension shall be publickly notified unto the whole Church And in case he continue to sow and spread abroad his Errors and Follies either by Word or Writing he shall be cut off from the Body of the Church by the Sword of Excommunication as a notorious Disturber of the Repose and Union of the Church XVI Monsieur Giraud is sent unto the Town of Mas in Agenois to exercise his Ministery in the Church of Calonges which is now annexed to that of Mas according to the Letters and Request of my Lady of Calonges and of the said Church of Mas in Agenois CHAP. IX The Roll of MINISTERS provided for and disposed by this present SYNOD I. MOnsieur Christian is sent unto the Town of Sancerre in the Viscounty of Turenne 2. Monsieur Quesnel unto Lectoure 3. Monsieur Chaffepied to St Foy yet his Church may recall him at the Years end 4. Monsieur de la Valle at Abbeville in Agenois 5. Monsieur Giraud to the Town of Mas in Agenois 6. Monsieur Du Puy to Le Laigne and Bas de Fon with their Annexes 7. Monsieur Anisse to St. Aulaye ¶ This present National Synod was finished the fourteenth Day of February in the Year of our Lord 1578. Thus Signed in the Original Peter Merlin Moderator Francis L'Oyseau Scribe William de la Jaille Scribe Mr. Merlin the Moderator of this Synod was Minister in the Family of that famous Nobleman the Lord De Coligni High Admiral of France who miraculously escaped with his Life in that horrible Massacre at Paris on St. Bartholomew's Day 1572. He leapt out of a Window and hid himself in an Haylofft where an Hen came and lay an Egg by him three days successively with which he was sustained till the Lord opened a Door for him to get out of this bloody City He was afterward Minister of the Church of Vitre He
heard both him and the Deputy of Languedoc finds that the Moneys for which he is questioned are not Ecclesiastical but Royal as also that in auditing his Accompts he produceth not such Acquittances as will be sufficient for his discharge it is therefore ordained That he produce his Receipts within the Term prescribed him by His Majesties Commissioner and that having perfected his said Accompts Notice thereof shall be given by the Pastors and Elders hereafter nominated to the Synod of Lower â—anguedoc And the Pastors named are Monsieur de la Noue and Monsieur de Maceser the Elders are Messieurs de Niotte and Lestang XV. At the desire of Monsieur Turquet Deputy for the Church of Lions Letters shall be written unto that Church to reduce themselves into Order and to re-establish their Consistory XVI The Letters from Mensieurs Merlin Rouleau and other Pastors and Elders of the Colloquy or Aunix as also from the Judges in the Presidial Court of Rochel being read importing their unanimous desire that Monsieur Rotan may be detained at Rochel tho' contrary to the Ordinance of the Provincial Synod of Xaintonge and having heard the oppositions made by Monsieur Chalmot an Elder of the Church against that Ordinance as also Monsieur Rotan who submitted himself unto the Judgment of this Assembly it was decreed That the said Monsieur Rotan from hence-forward should be Pastor to the Church of Castres according to the Resolution of the said Provincial Synod XVII The Ministers Elders and Deacons of the Church of Rochel sadly complaining unto this Synod Messieurs de la Touche and L'Oseau Ministers and Messieurs de Fontaines and de la Plante Elders are deputed in the Name of this Assembly unto Rochel and there to execute the Powers given them by this present Decree XVIII There being Letters from the Lady of Laval and the young Earl her Son presented unto this Assembly by Monsieur Tilenus certifying their great affection to the true and holy Worship of God an Answer was ordered to be written to them and the said Master Tilenus was exhorted to continue his careful instruction of the said young Lord and Thanks also was given him for his Learned Writings in defence of the Truth XIX The Churches of Higher Languedoc requesting it Letters shall be written to the Lord Duke de la Force Governour of Bearn and to the Lords of the Parliament of Pau to do their utmost endeavour that Mass be not again set up in Bearn and the Churches of that Province shall be exhorted to send their Deputies unto our National Synods in testimony of their Union with our Churches XX. The Letters of Monsieur Parent at present Minister in the Church of Jarzay were read craving his Dismission unto the Church of Bayeux in the Province of Normandy and complaining That the Judgment given on his behalf by the Synod of that Province was never executed it was decreed That the approaching Synod of the said Province should either provide him of a Church or declare him to be at full liberty to embrace any other Call XXI The Deputies of the Isle of France moved Whether Monsieur Cahier a revolted Minister ought not to be Excommunicated and whether some Person should not be appointed to answer his Writings And also Whether Monsieur de la Planche should not be intreated to send the Writings of the said Cahier unto the Church of Paris It was resolved That his Apostacy shall be published in the Church and Family of Madam and that the Church of Paris and in particular Monsieur de Serres are to answer his Writings in case he make any Reply and Monsieur Clemeucear shall intreat Monsieur de la Planche to deposite Cahier's Manuscripts with the Church of Paris XXII A Petition being presented on behalf of Monsieur de L'Essars late Minister of Loudun this Assembly re-viewing the Sentence given by the Colloquy held at Nogent binding the Churches of Vandôme and Montoire to discharge the said Essars of a Debt of Ten Crowns which he stood obliged for unto Monsieur Toré it ratifieth the said Sentence and adviseth the said Churches to see it executed and in case of their poverty and inability the Churches of the Province shall contribute towards the freeing of the said Essars from the aforesaid Debt and Madam Toré is intreated to forbear it a little longer XXIII The Elders of the Church of Saumur requesting That Monsieur de L'Espine might be intreated to lay down his Ministry because of his indisposition they offering also to continue to him as they have ever done his present Salary the Synod concurred with them and order that he be perswaded to become Emeritus especially sith this Church will continue to him his double Honour Reverence and Maintenance XXIV Monsieur du Fresne Minister of the Church of Laissay complaining by his Letters unto this Assembly very bitterly against his Church and humbly intreating that he may be freed from them his Case was remanded unto the Synod of that Province who are exhorted to suppress those great disorders sprung up in that Church XXV Monsieur Bergam formerly a Minister petitioning That he might be restored to the Exercise of his Ministerial Office he was advised to betake himself wholly to the Profession of the Tongues XXVI The Deputies of Dolphiny requesting That the Sentence given by the Provincial Synod of Die for re-instating into his Ministry Monsieur Mercure de Salans because of his exemplary Repentance and the singular effects it hath wrought among his People might be confirmed this Assembly doth ratifie the said Sentence and approveth of his restoration unto the Church of Valence only with this proviso That it shall not be made a Precedent nor be drawn into Practice for time to come XXVII The Deputy of Gascogny desiring That the Church of Bergerac might be provided of a Pastor this Synod ordaineth That the Province do take special care of that matter XXVIII The Province of Gascogny craving Advice how to demean themselves towards Gaspar Olaxa formerly a Minister who presented his Petition that he might be admitted unto Communion with us at the Lord's Table This Assembly directs the Church in which he resides to exhort him to fix his Habitation in some certain and known place moreover they shall prescribe him a pretty long time of Probation and that expired order him in Person to present himself unto the next National Synod where he shall receive a full and final Answer XXIX The business of Beaupoil motion'd also by the same Deputies is re-manded back unto their Provincial Synod XXX A Petition was presented by the Church of Boslebec That Monsieur D'Espoir who is in truth their Minister might be restored to them or that another in his stead might be given to them or that they might be reimburst of the Sum of Four hundred Livres which they had contributed towards his maintenance The Synod orders Monsieur Rotan Deputy of Higher Languedoc to tender unto the said
him who hath the Grant and in case the said Assembly shall meet it shall give Notice thereof unto the Colloquy wherein the Vacancy is and also inform the said Colloquy of the vacant place and place of abode of him that hath the said Grant And when they give their Attestation they shall cause the Union of Mantes to be signed by him who brings the King's Grant for the vacant Government according as it hath been ordained in all such Cases The Form of Attestation agreed upon in the General Assembly to be given by Colloquies or Synods unto them whom His Majesty shall recommend unto vacant Governments in our Cautionary Towns WE Ministers and Elders met together in Colloquy in the Province of N. do certifie unto His Majesty That Monsieur N. de N. applied himself unto us desiring our Attestation of his sincere Profession of the Reformed Religion he being chosen by His Majesty unto the Command of such a Place N. lately vacant by the Death of N. We therefore do attest and certifie That the said Monsieur N. doth actually profess the Reformed Religion communicates with us in the Sacraments living Religiously as a Man fearing God and discharging the Duties of his said Profession with a good Conscience For which reasons we give him this our Certificate by these Presents which we hope will be of use and advantage to him according to his desire Dated c. The Province of Normandy is graced with the Priviledge of calling the next National Synod which shall be held within Three Years in the beginning of June And the succeeding National Synod shall be held in the Province of Dolphiny These Acts and Articles were thus subscribed De Montigny Assessor Moyses Cartaut Scribe The End of the Synod of Montpellier THE ACTS DECISIONS and DECREES OF THE XVI National Synod OF THE Reformed Churches of Christ IN The KINGDOM of FRANCE HELD At Gergeau the 9th Day of May in the Year of our Lord 1601. THE CONTENTS of this SYNOD CHap. I. The Deputies of the Provinces We Officers of the Synod Chap. II. 3. Observations on the Confession of Faith Chap. III. Observations on the Discipline The fifth Penny of the Poors Money to be laid by for our Proposans 18. Rules for Disputes with our Adversaries 23. The Churches of Sedan incorporated with the Synod of the Isle of France 31. The Discipline approved and sworn Chap. IV. Appeals Affairs of Monsieur D'amours a very eminent Minister 1 2 3. Severity of Discipline upon Monsieur Gerard a Minister 22. A censured Minister restored 24. The Case of Farmers of Tythes 29. Chap. V. General Matters No recompence to them who write without the Authority of the National Synod 1. Attestation from their Churches when they remove their Law-suit s into the Courts of the Edict 2. Vnordained Preachers not allowed 4. The Sacramental Elements to be given by the Pastor only 7. The Court of Madarn to be supplied with able Ministers 10. Letters to the Professors of Leyden 14. Four Books to be perused Elenchus Novae Doctrinae Apparatus ad Fidem Catholicum Avis pour la paix de L'Eglise and Veu par le Roy. Chap. VI. Particular Matters A Case of Conscience Whether Lords of Benefices may repair the Fabricks of the Popish Temples in which Mass is said 11. The Names of Romish Ecclesiasticks who were inverted to be conserved 12. Advice given unto the Consuls of Montpellier 20. An answer to Monsieur Casaubon 21. A Letter to the Lord du Plessis 23. Care taken of a worthy Minister 25. An Answer to the Dukes of Bouillon and Tremouille 27. A Case about an Incestuous Marriage 28. Passages between the King and the Synod 31 32. The Synod ordereth Letters to the King about Geneva 36. Schools and Colledges to be erected 37. A Dividend of Moneys 40. Palot Receiver-General of the Churches Money dodgeth with them 42. Chap. VII The Roll of Vagrants and Deposed Ministers An Act for calling the next National Synod Palot sends 3000 Crowns to the Synod 1601. Synod XVI THE Synod of Gergeau SYNOD XVI Acts of the National Synod of the Reformed Churches of France held at Gergeau the Ninth Day of May in the Year of our Lord One Thousand six hundred and one CHAP. I. Of the DEPVTIES Monsieur Pacard was chosen Moderator Monsieur Lieuin Lord of Beaulieu Assessor Monsieur Chamier and Scribes Monsieur Mercier Scribes There assembled in it the Pastors and Elders hereafter named FOR the Isle of France Picardy and Champagne Monsieur Antony de la Fay Minister and Pastor of the Church of Paris Monsieur John Lieuin Lord of Beaulieu Minister of the Church of Auverne in Vexin le Francois and Monsieur Josia Mercier Lord of Bordes Elder of the Church of Paris and Peter de * * * Alias De Naudet Neuelet Lord of Doscher Elder in the Church of Vitry For the Province of Orleans Berry Blefoiis and Nivernois Monsieur Adam D'Orival Minister of the Church of Sancerre and Joachim Du Moulin Minister of Orleans together with Monsieur Samuel de Chambaran Elder of the Church of Romorantin and Claudius Mesland Elder of the Church at Orleans For the Province of Normandy Monsieur Rene Bouchard Pastor of the Church of Rouau and John Eude Pastor of Bayeux together with Monsieur James du Hamel Lord of Parke Elder of Alencon and William de Maintu Elder of Boislebecque For the Province of Brittany at present united with that of Normandy there came the Tenth of May Monsieur John Parent Pastor of the Church of Vitre For the Province of Dolphiny and Principality of Orange Monsieur Daniel Chamier Pastor of Mountlimart and John Perryn Pastor of St. Bonnet with Monsieur Mark D'Vre Elder of Courtaison and Francis de la Combe Elder of St. Marcelin For the Province of Lower Languedoc Monsieur John Gigard Pastor of Montpellier and Simeon Codur Pastor of Vsez together with Monsieur Isaac Chairon Elder of Nismes For Lower Guyenne Monsieur John Nodon Lord of Montbaron Pastor of Issejac and Jeremiah Bauconis Pastor of Tonius with Monsieur Christopher Forton Elder in the Church of Bourdeaux For Poictou Monsieur James Clemeneau Pastor of Poictiers and Andrew Rivet Pastor of Touars with Monsieur Isaac Vettors Elder of the Church of Poictiers For the Higher and Lower Vivaretz Monsieur John Valeton Pastor of Privas and Daniel Mison Elder of Salenac For Xaintonge Augoumois and Aunix Master George Pacard Pastor of Rochefoucald and Monsieur Laurence Polette Pastor of Ironsac with Monsieur Peter Bernard Lord of Janserac Elder of the Church of Cognac For Anjou Touraine and Mayne c. Master Francis Greliere Lord of Macifer Pastor of Saumur and M. Abel Bede Pastor of Loudun together with Monsieur John Doucher Elder of the Church of Anger 's For Provence Master Peter Chalier Pastor of Seines and Monsieur Honore Brignoles Elder of Brignoles For Burgundy Forest Beaujolois c. Master Peter Colinet Pastor of Paray le Moyneau and Anthony
Chamdenis Mr. Guillermett Mougon Mr. la Blascheire old Son St. Gelais Mr. la Blascheire the youngest Son Melle Mr. Manceau who died at Partenay and since him Mr. René Forest Aulnay Mr. de L'Estang Issoudun Mr. de la Valleé Chefboutonneé Mr. Olliver he lately revolted since Mr. John Chalmot of Niort Colloquy of the Nether Poictou Churches Ministers Fontenay Mr. de la Vallade Luson Mr. Bomaud St. Benoist Mr. Textor who died lately Mr. Daniel Guermeau a Rocheller Mr. de la Place who is since dead Talmont upon the Jard Mr. Masseres deposed Mr. James Prunier was received in the mixt Assembly held at Fontenay before St. Johns Fair. 1614. Monne Mr. Vatablé St. Giles upon Vic Mr. Prascisault Le Poiré Mr. de Bonvouloir since sent unto St. d'Angely Mouschamps Mr. de Losses Lord of la Tousche the elder but since dead Chantonneé Mr. Tirenu Marevil Mr. Marchand St. Ermine Mr. Papin a Rocheller Mouilleron Mr. Berny Pausanges Mr. Moreau Vaudoré Mr. Champanois La Chastagneraye Mr. Texier and since Mr. George Tompson a Scotch-man Colonges les Reau Mr. Dantonnet In all thirty nine Pastors eight Churches to be provided for and three Proposans which made up fifty Portions for the whole Province of Poitou amounting to 3022 Crowns 40 Sous and 10 Deniers The Sixth Roll of the Churches Pastors and Propasans in the Province of Xaintonge Aulnix and Augoulmois 1 Colloquy of St. John d'Angely Churches Ministers St. John d'Angely Mr. Fremond de Vigier Lord of Moustier now dead to him succeeded Mr. Japhet de Vigier Lord of Bessay his Son Mr. du Bon Vouloir Taillebourg Mr. William Rivett the younger Brother Lord of Chanvernon St. Savinian Mr. Alix Tonna Charante Mr. Jouanneau and since Mr. Ferry Tonnay Boutonneé Mr. de la Viennerie Matta Mr. Rousseau 2 Colloquy of the Islands Churches Ministers St. Peters of Olleron Mr. de la Croix he died in the year 1610 since St. Peters of Olleron Mr. Guilielmi Castell of Olleron Mr. Petit the younger Royan Mr. Deschareves dead but since Mr. Heraud Mornac Mr. le Coq Aruert la Tremblade Jonin is since separated from them Monsieur Rossignol La Tremblade Mr. Papin Marennes Mr. Jeremy Boisseul he died 1609. since Mr. Zachary Crispin Lord of Chabosselay an Anjouin and Mr. Richier Lord of Vandelin Cour a Britton Saujon Mr. Paul Bonnet junior St. John Dangles Mr. Berger deceased since Mr. de la Forest Soubize Mr. Chevalier Moize Mr. Beauja sent to St. Mesmes since Mr. Thomas Guyot Lord of Chappeauvert St. Just Mr. Tolouse a Rocheller Third Colloquy of Aunix Churches Ministers Rochel Mr. Du Mont. deceased Mr. James Merlin Mr. Samuel L' hommeau Mr. Jerome Coulommies Born in Bearn Mr. Louis Le Ceueler Lord of la Chappeliere an Angevin Mr. Daniel Goiré a Rocheller Mr. Gideon de Montmartyn Lord of La Turpiniere he died 1609. Mr. John Peter Salebert a Rocheller received into the Ministery in the Colloquy of Aulnix held at Nieul on Thursday the 6th of Feb. 1613. but he was Ordained at Rochell by Mr. James Merlin on the Lord's Day in the Afternoon March 3. 1613. in the Great Temple with most solemn and extraordinary Prayers St. Martins in the Istle of Rhé Mr. German Chauveton Lord of Beauvois he died in the latter end of year 1604. Mr. Fautrard and Englishman I suppose he was Born in the Island of Guernzey for one of his Name was Minister there in the year 1647. but he died of the Plague a Fortnight after Mr. de Beauvois Since Mr. Lewes Aubyneau a Rocheller Ars in the Isle of Ré Mr. Daniel Chanett La Flotte in the Isle of Ré Mr. Daniel Gorré who was after sent unto Rochell La Flotte in the Isle of Ré Mr. John le Chatre a Rocheller Marans Mr. Pillard Marans Mr. La Violette Bourneuf and Dampierre Mr. Febrve Surgeres Mr. Tagaut Nieul Mr. James Guibert a Rocheller sent to Archiac and Jonsac he afterward turn'd Apostate Nieul Mr. Peter Menanceau a Rocheller Mauzé Mr. Andrew de Mazieres Lord of La Cave Laleu l'Ommeau and Lozieres Mr. Samuel Veupillet a German Sales Toré and Mortagne Mr. Toussainet a German The Fourth Colloquy of Xaintes Churches Ministers Xainctes Mr. Bonnet senior dead since Mr. Petit senior Pons Mr. Londe removed to Mortagne Mr. Heraud of Rochell sent to Royan Mr. Peris Archiac and Jonsac Mr. Menanceau sent to Nieul in Aulnix Plassac and Clan Mr. Calbert and since Mr. Choquet Mortagne Mr. Chastaigner dead since Mr. Londe Gemouzat Mr. Gabart Rieax Mr. Marcon Mr. du Perche and since Cozes Mr. James Chalmot of Rochell The Fifth Colloquy of Augoalmois Churches Ministers Stelaud de Lindoire Mr. George Pacard the Elder sent unto Rochefoucald he died in the year 1610. La Rochefoucaud Mr. Hog sent to Angoulesme and since Mr. Pacard senior La Rochebeaucourt Mr. Pitard Jarnac Mr. Pacard the Eldest Son Cognac Mr. Barjemont removed Mr. Bizett removed Mr. John Perreau of Rochell Vertueil Mr. Colladon since deceased Mr. Trochereg a Baron of Scotland but removed to Saumur Mr. Peres sent to Pons Vertueil Mr. Comareg The Sixth Colloquy of Jonzac Churches Ministers Jonzac Mr. Pollot dead since James Guibert who revolted after him holy Mr. Welch a Scotch Minister who spent eight hours every day in Prayer Barbezieux Mr. Petit the Elder sent to Xaintes Mr. Theophilus Rossell of Nantes St. Mesmes Mr. Beaujan Baigné and Chaux Mr. Boyannat La Roche Chalais Mr. Bellot There be forty eight Pastors in the whole Province of Xaintonge six Churches destitute and six Proposans without including Mr. Herauld lent unto the Church of Marsillac so that it had sixty Portions amounting to 3627 Crowns and 13 Sous The Seventh Roll of the Churches Pastors and Proposans in the Province of Lower Guienne The First Colloquy of Higher Agenois Churches Ministers Tonneins Mr. de Monjone Mr. de Beaucons Clerac Mr. Ricotier the Father Mr. Ricotier the Son the Grandson was I think Minister also in the Church of Tonneins and exiled with the other Ministers 1685. Castelmoron Mr. Bausty Pathe Mr. Mermet the Son Monflanquin Mr. Freron the Father Tournon Mr. Freron the Son Monheur Mr. Scillade Leyrac Mr. Sylvius the Son La Parade Mr. Fevran Grateloup Mr. Vidouse an Apostate Puymirol Mr. de La Fayole The Second Colloquy of Lower Agenois Churches Ministers Bordeaux Mr. Renaud he died 1610. Mr. Primrose a Scotchman Libourne Mr. de la Vallade Castillon Mr. Baduell Ste. Foy Mr. Hesperian Ste. Foy Mr. de Bessoly Aniche Mr. D'Anglade Jouzac Mr. Majence Parole Mr. Lamy Morancour Mr. Zamett Bazas Mr. Goudon Velines Mr. Vassar Duras Mr. Peniot The Third Colloquy of Condomois Churches Ministers Nerac Mr. Mermet the Father Mr. Masparrault Mr. de La Nusse Mozin Mr. Luillier Casteljaloux Mr. du Luc Caumont Mr. Villebon La Bastide Mr. Sylvius the Father Le Mont de Moisin Mr. de Palloque Gouse Mr. Melet Bifesensac Mr. Guynier Tartas Mr. Pourrat Sos Mr. du Mier The Fourth
particularly promiseth to hinder the out-breaking of Piscator's Notions provided he be not provoked elsewhere by any others This Assembly ordaineth John Earl of Nassau his Letters unto Monsieur Regnault that Lettes shall in its name be written unto the said most Noble Lord thanking him for his pious affection and humbly intreating that Prince to continue his endeavours for effecting of that much-desired Union and to take care that none of his Subjects do break out into bitter expressions and to assure him on the behalf of our Churches in this Kingdom that no person shall be suffered to exasperate Dr. Piscator by any publick Writings as also that if any one hath heretofore done it he had no Commission for so doing from us and it was disowned by this Synod and that we shall take special care to prevent it for the future See the first Synod of Rochel G. Mat. 6. and of Montauban observat upon the Confes Art 4. Th' Article concerning Antichrist to be printed and inserted into our Confession 8. Our Printers shall be once again charged according to the Decrees of the Synods of Montauban and Saumur to put the word Union instead of Unity in the twenty sixth Article of our Confession And all Pastors in whose Churches there be Printing Houses are required to oversee the next impressions that so it be done accordingly 9. That Article concerning Antichrist inserted by the Synod of Gap into the body of our Confession and making the thirty first having been in its order read weighed and examined was approved and allowed by general consent both as to its form and substance for very true and agreeing with Scripture-Prophesie and which in these our days we see most clearly to be fulfilled Whereupon it was resolved that it should continue in its place and that for time coming it should be imprinted in all Copies which should come from the Press 10. That word Superintendent in the thirty third Article shall abide according as it was expounded by the Synod of Gap 11. Whereas the Pastors and Classis of Lausanna Morges c. do demonstrate in their Letters that it would be fit to add unto the close of the thirty third Article after the word Appertaining this restriction as far forth as they be grounded on the Word of God This Assembly hath found it needless and superfluous because that the foregoing words For in Excommunication we ought to follow what our Lord hath declared to us do sufficiently express unto us the aforesaid Restriction 12. Whereas some have remonstrated that it were meet to express in the thirty sixth Article more clearly that Union which the faithful have one with another and which is signified to us in the Lord's Supper But this point having been debated it was judged needless for that the Conjunction of the head with the Members there mentioned did necessarily infer the mutual Union and Communion of the Members one with another 13. The Consistories of Churches in which our Printers live are charged for time to come to have a special care that our Printers do not forget those words of our Lords Institution Take Eat c. And Drink ye all c. according as was Decreed in the Synod of Saumur 14. The Province of Higher Languedoc scrupling the word Lieutenant in the thirty ninth Article This Assembly saw no reason for it but that it might continue in it as importing nothing contrary to what is signified by that word when attributed unto Magistrates by the Holy Scriptures and equivalent to those words which the Word of God doth bestow upon them 15. The Confession of Faith having been read over word by word and in every Member Article and Clause of it it was unanimously approved and sworn to by all the Deputies present in the Synod who promised and protested to live and die in this Faith and particularly in what had been determined according to the Scriptures That we be justified before God by the imputation of that obedience of our Lord Jesus which he yielded unto God his Father in his Life and Death Which said Protestation the Deputies of the Provinces will by the Authority of this Synod cause also to be taken by all the Pastors of their respective Provinces which had sent them CHAP. III. Observations on the reading our Church-Discipline 1. ON the Second Article of the first Chapter after these words of their Doctrine shall be added approved at least by the space of two years since their Conversion and confirmed by good Testimonials from those places in which they live 2. On the fourth Article of the same Chapter that alternative of two or three shall be removed and there shall be mentioned three only 3. No Church shall for the future undertake whatever sollicitations may be made it to examine or ordain those Pastors which are to serve out of this Kingdom but herein they shall conform unto the Discipline and the Decrees of former National Synods 4. After these words in the fourth Article which shall be advised there shall be added without being able during that all whole time to administer the Sacraments that so c. See Synod of Gap 4 Art uppon the Discipline 5. That Article of the Synod of Gap concerning the eleventh Canon of this first Chapter shall be most strictly observed and that it may be better kept for the future in all Consistorial Classical and Synodical Censures diligent inquiry shall be made into the Conversation and Manner of Preaching used by every Pastor and an Oath shall be imposed on the Examinant to speak the Truth to the best of his knowledge and that they may the better answer to every point they shall read unto them the said Article of the Discipline 6. On reading the ninteenth Article the Synod ordered Letters should be written unto the Lords of this Kingdom professing the Reformed Religion that they be intreated when ever they are called from their Houses unto Court or when ever they travel that they would not fail to take their Pastors with them 7. The Synod expounding the twenty eighth Article by these words their Churches being heard doth understand the Consistories and Chief of the people and by these words for certain considerations doth understand whatever may fall out in general and not particularly the proceeds of Censures A Colloquy may lend a Minister for three and the Provinc Synod 6 months out of the Province See the first Synod of Vitré g. Mat. 24. 8. On the thirty third Article where speech is had about the consent of Pastors and Churches in case of Loan of Ministers without the Province It is now decreed that notwithstanding any Appeal to the contrary a Colloquy may lend a Pastor for three Months and the provincial Synod for six 9. The means prescribed by the Synods of Gap and Gergeau to prevent their ingratitude who refuse maintenance unto their Pastors are left to be used according to the discretion and charity of the
examine the matter of fact and by the Authority of this Synod judicially to censure and condemn it And in the mean while the Pastors shall Assemble the Consistory of that place and Summon before them the said du Tremoulet and all his Partners in that Scandal and in case of their non-appearance immediately to suspend them from the Lords Table and to denounce this their suspension publickly before the whole Congregation 18. Report being made of the extream Poverty of Mr. William Papin who was discharged from his Ministry and is now Emeritus and at present residing in Dolphiny this Assembly gives him freely one portion free of all Taxes for his Subsistence which shall be drawn out of the Province of Vivaretz where he once served and given unto the Province of Dolphiny with order that they pay it him punctually 19. The Churches of the Baylywick of Gex reported by their Deputy the Sieur du Pain how that they were dispossessed of all their Antient Church-Lands and Stock and that their Temples wherein they worshiped God were taken from them notwithstanding all their Petitions and Endeavours to preserve them This Assembly gave express order to our Lords the General Deputies in Court that they be very urgent with their Majesties that the twelve hundred Crowns granted unto the said Churches and taken from the five and forty thousand Livers of Augmentation lately given unto our Churches may be paid out of some other Fund and that the said Augmentation-Moneys may come in wholly and freely without cloggs and defalcations unto our Churches And farther that the Churches of Gex may be assisted with some Relief towards their Building of other Temples 20. The Church of Montpellier was censured for seeking Monsieur de Faucheur to be their Pastor by oblique and very unbecoming ways And the Church of Annonay also fell under the same Censure for driving that unworthy Bargain with the said Church of Montpellier 21. The Lords General Deputies informed this Assembly how that the Church of Bergerac deserting the Union of our Churches had by undue means procured to themselves the sum of fifteen hundred Livers out of the five and forty thousand Livers of Augmentation towards the maintenance of their Colledge to the great prejudice of all our Churches and especially of their own Province This Assembly judgeth them worthy of the greatest and severest Censures and enjoyneth their Provincial Synod to make them yield up that Warrant gotten by them for the said sum And in case of their refusal the said Synod shall denounce unto them by the Authority of this Assembly that their portions out of the King's Moneys shall not be paid them but detained in the hands of the Receiver General of the Province And if it be found that any one of their Pastors have tampered in this Disunion they shall be suspended from their Charges and all the other Delinquents shall be censured as Schismaticks and Deserters of our Union And farther it is ordained that none of their Pastors or Elders shall be received as Members of the Provincial or National Synods until such time as they have fully submitted themselves to our common Order and so receive their portions in the usual and ordinary ways which are appointed them 22. The Affairs of the Churches in the Principality of Bearn are particularly recommended to the care of our Lords General Deputies at Court 23. The Province of Dolphiny having not brought in to this Assembly the Account of their distribution of the Charity-Moneys gathered and deposited with them for the poor Refugees of the Marquisate of Salluces as they were enjoyned This Assembly doth once more command and enjoyn them on pain of Censure to perfect the said Account and to bring it in to the next National Synod And whereas in consequence hereof the Sieur de la Combe presented an Acquittance which the Provincial Synod held at Ambrun the seventeeth day of June One thousand six hundred and ten had given hi Assessor Guyonne and Jullien Scribes the aforesaid Sieur de la Combe is discharged by this present Assembly of the sums of seventeen hundred fifty nine Livers and eleven Sous which had been delivered to him in the National Synod of St. Maixant by the Provinces of Berry and Brittain by whom also the said Sieur is acquitted he having deposited them in the hands of the Province of Dolphiny 24. A difference having risen between the Church of Sezane and the Sieur Normund Pastor of Belesme about some Moneys which the said Normund had received in the name of the Church of Sezane he having visited them in hopes to be called unto the Ministry among them the Deputies of the Isle of France were appointed to compose it which Agreement now perfected by them is approved and confirmed by this Assembly and it ordains that the said Sieur Normund do out of the Moneys received by him restore sixty Livers unto the said Church and pay it for their use into the hands of Monsieur Montigny Pastor of the Church of Paris and this within three months within which time also the said Church shall restore unto the said Normund his Books and Clothes in their custody and so they shall give mutual Discharges and Releases unto one another 25. The Deputies of Anjou demanding reimbursement from the Province of Brittany of moneys expended by them and paid by the Church of Saumur towards the maintenance of Giles Drisonieurs formerly a Monk in the Province of Brittany and the Province of Brittany contesting with them to the Contrary The whole affair is dismissed over to the Province of Normandy which is finally to determin it 26. Monsieur Moulin having tendred unto this Assembly a Latin book made by him upon the controversy with Piscator concerning justification The Sieurs Sonys la Fresnaye le Faucheur and Bonnett were ordered each of them to peruse and read it and make report of it who gave in a very honourable Account of it as containing sound and orthodox Doctrine and contributing very much unto the Churches Edification whereupon Monsieur du Moulin had the thanks of the whole Assembly given him for his great labours taken in the conference at Paris on this Article in defence of the Truth Yet nevertheless lest that reunion projected in this Assembly should be retarded it adviseth him not to publish it till the sitting of the next National Synod during which time he shall send a Copy of his book unto every Province that so this matter being more carefully examined it may come forth with general Approbation and Satisfaction 27. The difference between the Isle of France and le Sieur de le Touche Pastor of Mouchamp in Poictou is dismissed over to the next Provincial Synod of Berry who by authority of this Assembly shall put a final period to it 28. A Letter was read from the Inhabitants and Consistory of the Town of Clerac and their demands heard also by the mouth of Monsieur Ricotier their Pastor But this Assembly
knowledge might be had of their Call who sate and voted in this Assembly Monsieur Andrew Rivet Pastor of the Church of Thouars was chosen Moderator Monsieur John Chauve Assessor Pastor of the Church of Sommieres Monsieur John Jammet Pastor of the Church of St. Amand in Bourbonnois and Elijah Bigot Advocate in the Court of Parliament of Paris and Elder of that Church were chosen Scribes 2. The Synod examining the Letters of Commission Impowering the Deputies of the Provinces to sit and act in it began with those of the Isle of France Picardy c. for which appeared Monsieur John Baptist Bugnet Pastor of the Church of Compiegne Samuel Quinson Pastor of the Church de la Ferté au Vidame together with Elijah Bigot Advocate in the Parliament of Paris and Elder of the Church there and Philip de Cormieres Esq Lord of Fromentieres and of La Haye Elder in the Church of Chaltray 3. For the Province of Normandy Monsieur Obadiah de Mondenys Pastor of the Church of Fescamp Peter Paris Pastor of the Church of Pontoison together with Samuel le Cal Esq Lord of Beurevil Elder in the Church of Gisors and Michael le Petit Lord of la Joisiere Elder in the Church of St. Lo. 4. For the Province of Brittaine Monsieur Peter de la Place Pastor of the Church of Sion Guy le Noir Lord of Crevain Pastor of the Church of Roche Bernard and Croisis together with Elias de Goulaine Esq Lord of Laudouiniere Elder of the Church of Viellevigne and John Ravenell Lord of Boistillenil Elder in the Church of Rennes 5. For the Province of Berry Orleans c. Monsieur Daniel Jammet Pastor of the Church of St. Amand John Guerin Pastor of the Church of Baugeney together with John de Bussieres Controller of his Majesties Salt-Granary at Sancerre and Elder of the same Church and John du Plessis General-Assessor of his Majesties Subsidies at Pithinieres Elder of the Church of Chilleure 6. For the Province of Anjou Tourain c. Monsieur John Vigneu Pastor of the Church of Mans Renatus Conseil Pastor of the Church of Lassay together with Giles Bouchereau Lord of la Mothe Advocate at Saumur and Elder of the same Church and Hannibal de Farsy Lord of St. Laurence Attorney in the Exchequer of the Lordship and County of Laval Elder of the Church there 7. For the Province of Poictou Monsieur Andrew Rivet Pastor of the Church of Thouars Paul Geslin Lord of la Pilletiere Pastor of the Church at Chastelheraut together with Giles Begaud Esq Lord of la Begaudiere Elder in the Church of Mountague and Samuel Maucler Esq Lord of Marconnay Elder in the Church of la Ganache 8. For the Province of Xaintonge and Aulnix c. Monsieur Samuel L' ommeau Pastor of the Church of Rochel William Rivet Lord of Chanvernon Pastor of the Church of Taillebourg together with John Preverant Lord of Piterne Judge of Montignac and Elder of the Church there and Monsieur Elijah Dieu the Lord High Justice his Attorney in the Lordship of Soubize and Elder of the Church in the same place 9. For the Province of Lower Guyenne Monsieur Peter de la Musse Pastor of the Church of Nerac Peter Hefperian Pastor of the Church of Ste Foy together with John de Geneste Lord of La Tour Advocate in the Court of the Edict at Nerac and Elder of the Church of Sauvetat and Peter de Pichard Captain of Gironde and Castelmoran Elder of the Church of Gironde 10. For the Province of the Principality of Bearn Monsieur John de Capdeville Pastor of the Church of Navarrins together with John de Angerre Advocate in the Parliament of Pau and Elder of the Church in the same place 11. For the Province of Lower Languedoc Monsieur John Chauve Pastor of the Church of Sommieres James de Chambrun Pastor of the Church of Nismes together with William de Girard Lord of Moussac Elder of the Church in the same place and Peter de Calviere Lord of St. Cesaire Elder in the Church of Nismes 12. For the Province of Dolphiny Monsieur John Felix Pastor in the Church of Romans Denys Bouteroue Pastor of the Church of Grenoble together with Peter Guyon Lord of Salbetter Elder in the Church of Manars and Salomon Vulson Lord of Villette Elder in the Church of Mené 13. For the Province of Vivaretz Forest c. Monsieur Peter * * * He after revolted and prov'd a True Turn-Turk Marchat Pastor of the Church of St. Stephens John Mozé Pastor of the Church of Annonay together with James de Serres Doctor of the Civil Law Elder in the Church of Aubenas and whereas the Lord of Cussons Elder of the Church of Annonay was also chosen and named in the Letters of Commission but did not appear his absence was not approved by the Assembly Yet afterwards on the third of June the said Lord of Cussons returning from his Depuration unto the Assembly at Rochel was received into this Assembly 14. For the Province of Sevennes and Gevaudan Monsieur Lewes Courant Pastor of the Church of Anduze and Andrew de la Faye Pastor of the Church of St. German together with John de Barjac Lord of Villeneufre Elder in the Church of Vigan and John de Barjac Lord of Gasques Elder in the Church of St. Martyn 15. For the Province of Burgundy Lionnois Charlois and Gex Monsieur Lewes de la Coste Pastor of the Church of Dijon Peter Boulenat Pastor of the Church of Avalon instead of Monsieur Eliot Pastor of the Church of Arnay le Duke whose excuses were admitted and in case he should afterward come unto this Assembly the said Boulenat might if he please return together with Albert du Mars Esq Lord of Balenes Elder in the Church * * * Another Copy reads of Maringues of Vesle and Monsieur John Gravier Advocate in the Parliament of Dijon and Elder of the Church there 16. For the Province of Provence Monsieur Peter Maurice Pastor of the Church of Lormarin together with Charles de Bachy Esq Lord of St. Stephens Elder in the Church of Thouars And whereas Monsieur Samuel Toussain Pastor of the Church of Luke and Monsieur John Clement called Captain Cadet Elder of the Church there appeared also with Letters of Commission from the Synod held at Cabrieres the fifteenth of April last This Assembly having heard the said Deputies declared the Deputation of Monsieur Maurice and St. Stephens to be lawful and that of Monsieur Toussain and Clement illegal as being done contrary to the Canons and Forms of our Church-Discipline Yet nevertheless for divers important Causes and for the service of the said Province the said Toussain and Clement were both admitted as Members of it only the said Toussain was censured for accepting of the said Deputation and the rather because it appeared by the acts of St. Maixant that he is relapst into the same fault for
Answer to it the 27th of May 1617. THE National Synod held at Vitré in the Province of Brittain having deputed unto his Majesty Messieurs Peter Hesperian Pastor of the Church of St. Foy in the Lower Guienne Denis de Bouteroue Pastor of the Church at Grenoble in Dolphiny Albert de Mars Esq Lord of Balene Elder of the Church at Maringues in the Vpper Auvergne and William Gerard Esq Lord of Moussac Elder in the Church of Moussac and Province of Lower Languedoc they were admitted into his Majesty's presence the 27th day of the same Month and the said Mr. Hesperian did express himself in these words unto the King SIRE THere be now prostrate at your Majesty's Feet in our Persons all your Subjects professing the Reformed Religion represented by the National Synod Assembled by your gracious Permission and under your Royal Authority in your City of Vitré who have deputed us unto your Majesty to testify unto your Majesty the extraordinary joys and thankfullness of your said Subjects both to our God and your Majesty for that the Kingdom is in Peace your Authority in great Splendour and your Sacred Person at full Liberty and this by that wise and generous resolution which you have undertook and executed by a just punishment of the grand Disturber of your Kingdom and Oppressor of your Authority and which was worst of all of one who had exposed your Sacred Person to the most imminent and apparent dangers This Action of your Majesty was altogether extraordinary it was an Enterprise purely divine and miraculous for it turned in a moment the storm into a calm Wars into Peace our frights into assurance our perils into security and tyranny into a most rightful and righteous Government At this instant as if your Sacred Majesty were now come unto the Crown France knoweth that it hath a King and the whole World That the King of France is most worthy to reign and govern At this instant that your Majesty holds the Reins of Government in your own hands all your Subjects do render that most humble obedience and subjection which is due unto you and particularly those of the Reformed Religion who are most ready and willing to hazard and adventure their Estates their Honours and their very Lives for your Majesty's Service And in truth Sire this Assembly which hath deputed us unto your Majesty was no sooner formed but that it did most solemnly protest and swear as we also are charged in the name and behalf of all the Churches Reformed in your Kingdom now to protest and swear that we will never depart from that most humble obedience and most faithful service which as your true liege and natural born Subjects is our bounden duty unto your Majesty And we feel and know that we are indispensably obliged to it by those numberless favours and benefits which we received from Henry the Great our late King and your Majesties Father of most glorious Memory and by those continued to us by your Majesty and which we hope shall be still vouchsafed us because we believe that the maintenance of your Authority is our Security and the firmness of your Crown that of our repose and safety But yet there is another Bond and Obligation stronger than all these upon us even that of our Conscience and Religion which from the divinely inspired Scriptures are taught and instructed to subject our selves unto the higher Powers and that to resist them is to resist the Ordinance of God who we know hath exalted your Majesty unto the Throne put the Crown upon your Head the Scepter into your Hand and all Heroick Vertues into your Royal Heart And therefore Sire next and after our God we do acknowledge your Majesty to be our only Soveraign And 't is an Article of our Creed that there is no middle Power between God and the Kings 'T is with us reputed a most damnable Heresy to call this truth in question and to turn it into disputation is a capital Crime to be punished by the Judges This Lesson Sire we learnt of our Predecessors this we believe and publish in all places and this Doctrine we preach from our Pulpits in our Churches and teach from the Press unto the World and we will live in it Sire that our Posterity after us may learn and practise it by our Example Therefore is it that we hope your Majesty crediting and considing in our immoveable Loyalty will be pleased to continue to us the benefits of your Edicts and that your Royal Ears will be open to our Complaints and Grievances and that holding the Ballance steady and right you will do us upon all occasions right and justice By which your Majesty will the more confirm us in our unchangeable purpose and resolution to live and die in the quality of your most humble most faithful and most obedient Subjects and Servants Monsieur Hesperian having finished his Speech his Majesty returned this Answer Do you continue to serve me faithfully and you may be well assured that I will be a good and kind King unto you and that I will preserve you according to my Edicts And taking from him the Letter which the Synod had written him he gave it to Monsieur de Pontchartrain commanding him to read it and return an Answer to it Printed by Abraham Saugrain living in St. James his Street over against the three Sawcers according to the Licence given the 16th of June 1617. and Signed by H. de Mesmes CHAP. VIII General Matters 1. THE Motion of Lower Languedoc 1 Paris 38. for certain new Canons about Divorces was not accepted 2. This Assembly Ordained at the request of the same Province Figeac 8. that such Parents who chuse for their Childrens Baptism Sureties of the Romish Religion though they appear not in Person but by their Proxies of the Reformed Religion shall be prosecuted both Parents and Proxies with all Church-Censures 3. Notice shall be given in all our Churches to take special heed Saumur Obs 11. that they give no Attestation unto the Moors banished out of Spain and who wander from one Church to another till they be very well satisfied of their Religion and religious Conversation and such as have been already received and make their abode in any of our Churches shall be once more examined with all possible care as to their Faith and Knowledge and Life and in all Attestations that shall be given them express mention shall be made of their having been baptized and of the number of their Children 4. The Deputies of Xaintonge moved Liâ—â—s p. ni 30. whether Moors and other Infidels that were brought away by pure force out of their Native Country into Christendom and baptized by Popish Priests without any previous Instructions in the Doctrines of Christian Religion ought to be Rebaptized they having been since duly Catechized by our Protestant Ministers This Assembly though it acknowledgeth abundance of defaults in their Baptism doth yet notwithstanding
m. 19. Alez Obs 6. upon this Synod touching the most proper means of entertaining a good Correspondence with all Orthodox Churches and to procure a good Union in Doctrine betwixt us and them and to invite over unto the same Communication even those that are of a different perswasion from us All the Provinces declared what had been done by them as to this matter This Assembly did thereupon judge expedient that we should make a little halt till such time as those who had first made these Overtures did prosecute this affair with more vigour And in the mean while Monsieur Rivett Pastor of the Church of Touars Chauves Pastor of the Church in Sommieres Chamier Pastor and Professor in the Church and University of Montalban and du Moulin Pastor of the Church of Paris are nominated a Committee and to consult of such a project as will best conduce to the accomplishing of this design After which in case they be summon'd and called forth unto this work they shall all meet together at Saumur and conjointly with the Lord du Plessis and the Pastors and Professors of Divinity in that Church and University deliberate about it and shall draw put a Plot of it which shall be sent into every Province there to be perused and debated by their Synods that so their Deputies may come prepared for it unto the next National Synod 7. Whereas divers Provinces had charged their Deputies to demand of this Assembly a National Fast to be celebrated in all the Churches of this Kingdom Gergeau g. m. 13. Now for that it hath pleased God to turn away his wrath from us and to give us manifest tokens of his goodness it was not judged expedient at this time to proclaim a General Fast but according to the Canons of our National Synods that Province whose right it is to Convene the next National Synod is ordered to consult with our Lords the General Deputies about it who are intreated that in case any emergent Providence doth summon the Churches to sanctify an extraordinary Fast to confer with the Consistory of Paris about it and to acquaint the said Province therewith whose Synod being assembled and resolving on it they shall give notice of the time for its Celebration unto all the other Provinces 3 Rochel g. m. 9. and in the Roll. See at the Conclus of Tonneins above Art 3. after the Roll. 8. The Deputies of the Churches in the Principality of Bearn gave in their reasons wherefore they had not accepted that priviledge of calling this present National Synod which was at their request granted them by the last held at Tonneins and on those terms and condition mentioned in the Article of the said Synod This Assembly did not now â—â—dge it reasonable that those Churches should be subject to the Discipline of our Churches in this Kingdom or that for the present they should immedâ—â—â—â—y depend on our National Synods Privas p. m. 14. See the second Synod of Charenton 2 Obs upon the Acts of the former National Synod But nevertheless they shall give in their final resolutions what they intend to do unto the next National Synod and in case they be of the same mind then as they are now this Assembly declareth that their Deputies may have the priviledge of sitting and voting in our National Synods upon this Condition that they shall first ask leave of the Provinces to give in their Suffrages in such Cases as concern the Churches of this Kingdom 9. It was told in this Assembly how much the Church of Sancerre was oppressed by the Earl of Marans one of whose men had but a few days since assassinated a very Eminent Member of that Church It was immediately judged necessary to write unto his Majesty about it and that the Lord of Bertreville our General Deputy should deliver with his own hands unto the King this our Letter and most humbly Petition his Majesty that Sancerre may be kept up as one of our Cautionary Towns by his supream Authority and that the Inhabitants thereof may injoy peace and quietness since it hath pleased God to give it unto the rest of his Majesty's Subjects and our General Deputies shall be very urgent for it 10. That Canon of our Church-Discipline binding Ministers to a personal residence on their Churches shall be most exactly observed by all the Provinces 1 Paris 12. Montauban g. m. 10. Alez Obs 8. on the Synod And whereas this hath been broken by too many and principally in the Higher Languedoc divers of their Pastors living at Montauban and not with their flocks every one of these are injoined to depart from thence with their Families unto those places where their Churches are gathered and this at the farthest within three months after that this Canon of the present Synod shall have been signified to them and the Consistory of the Church of Montauban is ordered to give notice thereof unto all these Non-Residents inhabiting their City And in case they refuse to yield obedience unto it we declare them from this very instant suspended the holy Ministry And Colloquies and Synods shall immediately upon such suspension provide a supply of Pastors for those vacant Churches who shall oblige themselves personally to reside among them And the said Consistory of Montauban shall notify unto the Churches the suspension of their Pastors and that they have full power to chuse and call in any other according to the Canons of our Church-Discipline And the next National Synod shall be informed by the Provinces of their duty in this particular 11. To obviate the Complaint made by several Provinces how that their Commissioners having received their moneys from the Lord of Candal do keep it in their own hands longer than they ought denying many times that they have received any from him The said Lord du Candal is desired that either himself or his Commissioners would be pleased to send a Copy of their Receipts as soon as they be given him or them unto such persons in every Province as shall be named to him for this purpose That so the Province may be certainly informed at what time and to whom he paid in their moneys and the poorer Churches may not be left unpaid and unprovided for divers Months together as they have been by the wickedness of those Receivers Commissionated by the Provinces upon the pretexts but now mentioned 12. Forasmuch as divers Deputies in this Assembly declared that they brought not with them moneys enough to defray their Charges during this Session The Deputy of the Lord du Candal being how in Town was ordered to supply them and that out of the Dividend belonging to their Provinces for which sums so received by them they shall be accountable unto their respective Provinces 13. Whereas we are at present necessitated to be at unusual expences in dispatches deputations and extraordinary businesses for the Churches this Assembly requireth the Lord of Candal to pay in unto our
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
well suffer it And as to the Election of Deputies His Majesty being not willing that the Affairs of his Subjects of the Reformed Religion should be without Conduct and Order had immediately upon the Death of the Lord Maniald one of the General Deputies and from September last Commissionated a Person of Honour and qualified for the discharge of that Office to act concurrently with the Surviving Deputy the Lord of Montmartyn until such time as it may be otherwise determined And since by his Writt of the Tenth of October he had given Licence unto this Synod to proceed unto the Election of Six Persons well inclined unto his Service and to the Publick and having no dependance on any one but himself out of which His Majesty will prick two for the discharge of that Office therefore he exhorts the Synod to proceed unto the Nomination and to choose out Persons qualified as before and hath been usually practised in such cases and this should be the rather done now because the present juncture of Affairs will not permit the calling of a Politick Assembly Declaring that in case we neglect the said Nomination The Lord of Montmartyn and the other Lord nominated by the King will lay down the management of those Offices It being unreasonable that for want of General Deputies the common Affairs of His Majesties Subjects professing the Reformed Religion should be abandoned and neglected And the said Lord Commissioner presented His Majesties Writt the tenour whereof is as followeth This Tenth day of October 1626 the King being at St. Germains in Laye considering that the term of Three years for which the Lord of Montmartyn and the Deceased Lord Maniald had been nominated to reside and serve at Court and to attend His Majesty in the quality of General Deputies for His Subjects of the P. Reformed Religion is some while since expired and that it so falls out that there must be a new Election of some other Deputies to succeed them in their Offices and considering that this Election cannot be done more conveniently than in the Assembly and National Synod which His Majesty hath granted to be held by His said Subjects in His City of Castres this last September that so they might not be put to those great Expences and Incommodities which might betide them in case another Assembly should be called for this purpose as also for that the Weal and Safety of the Kingdom will not at present comport with a Politick Assembly His Majesty upon these considerations and for many other divers and good reasons of great importance to his Service and the Repose and Tranquillity of His Government doth grant that the Deputies in the National Synod in the presence of the Lord Galland Counsellor to His Majesty in his Council of State and Commissioner unto the said Synod shall consult about the Election of Deputies to reside and serve near His Majesty instead of the Lords Montmartyn and Hardy one of His Secretaries nominated by His Majesty in his Writt of the Thirtieth of September last and to offer unto him Six Persons meet and qualified for the said Imployment whether they be Members of the said Synod or not provided they be such as are Loyal and well affected unto his Service and to the publick Peace and that have no dependance on any Person in the World besides him that so his Majesty may prick two out of them who may hold and discharge the said Office of General Deputies And in so doing the said Lords of Montmartyn and Hardy our Secretary shall be devested of the said Employment they observing the forms as in such cases are usual and accustomed Provided alwayes that in the said Assembly there be nothing else debated but the said Election and Matters relating to the Discipline of their Religion aforesaid according to the import of his Majesties Edicts and Declarations However this shall not be made a Precedent his Majesty reserving to himself the power of permitting unto his said Subjects of the P. Reformed Religion to hold a Politick Assembly when as in his wisdom he shall judge it needful and his Affairs of State can well comport with it In testimony whereof I am commanded by his Majesty to expedite this present Writt which he was pleased to Sign with his own Hand and is Countersigned by me his Counsellor and Secretary of State and of his Commands and Exchequer Signed in the Original Louis and a little lower Philippeaux CHAP. XI THE Writt having been read the Council voted a Conference to be held about its Contents at my Lord Commissioners Lodgings and Twelve Persons Deputies of the Council were constituted a Committee to this purpose Who having made Reports of the whole The Council considering the change hapned in Affairs by the unexpected and sudden Death of the Lord Maniald and the importunities of the Lord Montmartyn his Colleague to be discharged of such a Borden as he saith is impossible to be born by himself alone and the pressing necessities of our Churches requiring that some Persons should take upon them the care and management of their Affairs who might sollicite them with renewed vigour but principally His Majesties Writt animated by the Exhortations of his Commissioner the Lord Gallanbd who declared according to that Answer made unto the Address presented by the Deputies that the state of His Majesties Affairs would not permit His Majesty to grant us at present a General Assembly And that in case this Council would not nominate the Deputies his Majesty himself would do it even as he had already took course to do it having by his Writt and Warrant of the Thirtieth of September expresly joyned the Lord Hardy in the Commission of the General Deputies with the Lord Montmartyn For all these reasons and to avoid an infinite number of visible inconveniencies The Council proceeded to Elect those Six Persons which were to be presented to his Majesty and by plurality of Suffrages were chosen the Lords Claudius Baron of Gabrias and Beaufort Lewes de Champagne Earl of Suze Henry de Clermont d' Amboise Marquess of Gallerande for the Nobility and the Lords Basin Advocate in Parliament living at Blois Texier the Kings Advocate in the Seneschalsy of Armagnac and Lazaras du Puy Counsellor in the Presidial Court of Bourg in Bresse for the Commons that so his Majesty may out of them choose two whom he best liketh to exercise the Office of General Deputies But forasmuch as that Canon established in our Churches under the good pleasure of His Majesty for the nomination of the said General Deputies requireth that every third year by an express Warrant from his Majesty there should be called a General Assembly and that before it there should be particular Assemblies held in all the Provinces to prepare their Cahiers Memoirs and all other Jurisdictions of the Provinces and to deliver them unto their hands who shall be deputed unto the General Assembly which after wards culleth out those Cahiers
Beneville is Peloguin 62. At Baillolet and Oux is Braud 63. At Houdan is David Blondell 64. At La-Ferte and Laons is â—â—anett 65. At Plessis Norville is Delevereau 66. At Chartres Favieras is Aubertin 67. At Mante Averne is Chorin 68. At Auson is Couronne The Third Province and Provincial Synod is the Province of Brittain having but one Colloquy ten Churches and eleven Pastors 69. Vielle Vigne wherein is Pastor Mr. Ferguson 70. At Sion is de la Plate the Elder 71. At Rennes is de Souvigny 72. At Plouer Richelieu 73. At Blain is Andrew le Noir 74. At Roche Bernard is Guido le Noir Lord of Crain and Brother of Andrew Pastor at Blain 75. At Trignier is Lowis Prichel Lord of la Haye 76. At la Moussaye is de la Place the Second * * * Trâ—â—e were three or sour de la Places at this time in the Ministry and I think all of them Sons of â—â—e Minister 77. At Vitre are Depestre and Peter Ortin a Rocheller 78. At Nantes is de la Place the Younger The Fourth Province and Provincial Synod is the Province of Touraine Anjou le Maine Vaudomois and Great Perche and is divided into three Colloquies having one and twenty Churches and twenty five Pastors 1. The Colloquy of Touraine 79. Tours in which officiates Matthew Cottier 80. At Chasâ—illon upon Eindre and at Lorsat and Busanois is Peter de la Combe 81. At Preuilly is John Rogier 82. At L'Isle Bouchard is Philip Vincent 83. At Montoire is eter de la Combe 81. At Preuilly is John Rogier 82. At L'Isle Bouchard is Philip Vincent 83. At Montoire is Paul Salomear 84. At Vandosme is Isaac le Pelletier 2. The Colloquy of Anjou 85. At Mirebeau is John Gourdry 86. At Lowdun is Daniel Conpé Lord of Desloges 87. At Saumur are Samuel Bouchereau Moyses Amyrand and Lewis Cappel Hebrew Professor 88. At Angiers Stephen le Bloy the Youngest 89. At Chasteau Gontier Cracu and les Landelles is Stephen Besnard 90. At Bauge is John Pyneau 91. At Bourgueil is Francis de la Galere 3. The Colloquy of Moine 92. At La Barre is Daniel Petit. 93. At Laval is Stephen Lâ—bloy the Younger 94. At Lassay is René Conscil 95. At Belâ—sme is René Alain 96. At Minhay and St. Aignan is Abel Amiraud 97. At Le Muns and Ardenay is John Vigneux 98. At Pringé is Abel Charles 99. At Chasteau du Loir is Tricot In this Colloquy liveth Mr. Anthony du Mont a Minister without a Church and unimployed The Fifth Province and Provincial Synod is the Province of Poictou divided into three Colloquies having forty seven Churches and fifty one Pastors 100. At Poyré and Belleville is Anthony Brail 101. At St. Hillary and Foussey is Peter Mallett 102. At Basanges and Manvilleron is Anne Savonnet 103. At Montague is Samuel Fleury 104. At Brevil Bamett and Lezay is Thomas Johnson 105. At Vandoré is Francis Savonnett 106. At Chantannay and Puybeliard is Jozian Ollivier 107. At la Chastaigneray is Lewes la Varmiere 108. At Mouschamp is René de Losses Lord of la Tousche 109. At la Chaise and Bournezeaux is Abraham des Portes 110. At St. Fulgent and les Herbrieres is Gabriel Boucquet 111. At Poupere and Ponzange is John de la Place 112. At la Garnuche is Daniel Taillard Lord of Rosefleur 113. At St. Giles Survie is Charles Malet 114. At Talmond upon Jard is James Prunier 115. At St. Benoist and le Giare is Daniel Guerman a Rocheller 116. At Marevil is James Ranconnett 117. At St. Hermine and la Chappelle is James Papin a Rocheller 118. At Coulonges les Royaux is John Vatablé 119. At Fontenay le Conte is Peter de la Vallade 2d Colloquy of Middle Poictou 120. At Chandeniers is Peter Pasquier 121. At St. Gelais and Cherveuy is Benjamin de Launay Lord of Gravier 122. At Mougon is John de la Blachiere 123. At Chef Boutonné is John Chalmott 124. At Melle is Mark Fossa 125. At Murcillac and Aigre is Theophilus Lesnier 126. At Niort are John Chauffepied and James de Longnac 127. At St. Maixant is Samuel le Blanc 128. At la Motte St. Heraye is Isaac de la Fourcade 129. At Exoudun is Nathaniel Monastier 130. At Chisay and Aulnay is James Chagneau 3d Colloquy of Higher Poictou 131. At Chauvigny is John Forand 132. At le Vigean is Vincent Paure 133. At Cuiray is John Masson 134. At Lusignan is Isaac du Soul 135. At Coré is Isaac de Cuville 136. At Montreuil Bonnin is Josua de Artois 137. At Partenay is Nicolas Belin. 138. At Touars is Paul Geslin Lord of la Pillaticre 139. At Poitiers are James Clemenceau and James Cottiby a Rocheller 140. At Chastel-Heraud are John Carre and Daniel Pain 141. At Aulbaine and Saubse is Isaac Vergnon 142. At Champagne Mouton is Ferrand Churches destitute of Pastors in Poictou which must be supplied 143. Les Sable d' Olonne and la Chaulme in Lower Poictou 144. Bennet in the Middle Poictou 145. Rochechouard in the Higher Poictou Churches interdicted Cardinal Richelieu was Bishop of Luson 146. Lusson in the Lower Poictou Pastors destitute of Churches in Poictou John Bomaud Pastor in the Church of Lusson interdicted in Lower Poictou James Artuys Lord of Villesaison formerly Pastor of Bennet in the Middle Poictou Pastors * * * i. e. Emeriti discharged in Poictou Gourdery alias de I'stang herofore Pastor of Chisey and Aulnay in the Middle Poictou Emeritus because of Sickness John Brun. The Sixth Province and Provincial Synod is that of Xaintonge Aunix and Augoulmois divided into five Collequies having fifty four Churches and fifty seven Pastors 1. Colloquy of St. John d' Angely 147. St. John d' Angely hath for Pastors John Guillelmy and Japhet du Vigier Lord of Montier 148. Talleburg William Rivet Lord of Chamvernoun 149. St. Savenian William Lundy a Scots-man 150. Tors Fresneau and Mutas Philip Pascard junior 151. Soubize René Chesneau a Rocheller 152. Thomas Guyot a Rocheller 153. Tonnay-Boutonnay Peter Charron 154. Mauzé Samuel de la Forest 152. Fontenay-Labatu Sebastian Baudouin 156. Tonnay Charante Abraham Joyeux 2. Colloquy of the Islands 157. Marennes hath Zacharias Crispin Chabassolaye Peter Richier and Vandelincourt for Pastors 158. St. Just James Toulouze of Rochel 159. St. Denis in Meron Isaac de la Jaille 160. Le Chasteau D'olleron Peter Moyses 161. St. Peters in Olleron is deprived of the Ministry of Mr. John Guillelmy who is sent to St. John d' Angely 162. Meschiers John Gruell 163. Saujon John Perreau a Rocheller 164. Mornac Peter Pouliniés 165. St. John d' Angle Leonard Thevenot 166. Aruert Olliver le Cercler Lord of Lamonnerie 167. Cozat Claudius Heraud a Rocheller 168. Royan James Fountayne a Rocheller 169. La Tremblade James Papin 3. Colloquy of Aunix 170. Surgeres John Tagaud 171. Rochel hath for Pastors Samuel L'hommeau and Hierome Colomies of Bearn Lewes
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
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
stead such Members of the Consistory of the Church of Paris as they shall conceive best able to Manage the Affair CHAP. XXI A Dividend of Sixteen Thousand Livres given by the King for Defraying the Charges of the Synod Article 1. THis Dividend of Sixteen Thousand Livres granted by the King for the Defraying our Synodical Expences was for Easing and Discharging of the Provinces and whereas there had been paid 450 Livres by the Lord of Candall upon his Debt unto Mr. Ferrand Gigord and de Cerisy who were first deputed unto his Majesty there was only distribution made of 360 Livres of that Sum because the Assembly had given unto the said Deputies the Sum of Thirty Livres for their particular Expences they were necessitated to be at over and above the said Hundred Sous allowed them for every day Article 2. To the Provinces of Dolphiny Burgundy Xaintonge Sevennes Anjou the Isle of France Berry Poictou Vivarets for four Deputies each the Sum of Eleven Hundred Forty and Three Livres Seventeen Sous the whole amounting to the Sum of Ten Thousand Two Hundred Ninety and Four Livres Thirteen Sous Article 3. To the Provinces of Normandy Lower Languedoc and Lower Guyenne the like Sum of Eleven Hundred Forty and Three Livres Seventeen Sous out of which there is deducted the Sum of Six Score Livres received by each of those Deputies from the Lord of Candall therefore there is no more due unto each of those Provinces than One Thousand and Three and Twenty Livres Seventeen Sous all which put together amounts to Three Thousand Threescore and Eleven Livres Eleven Sous Article 4. To the Province of Higher Languedoc for three Deputies and Sixty Livres ordered to a Fourth who lay Sick upon the way Nine Hundred and Seventeen Livres Sixteen Sous and Nine Deniers Article 5. To the Provinces of Brittain Provence and Bearn for two Deputies each the Sum of Five Hundred Threescore and Eleven Livres Thirteen Sous in all amounting to One Thousand Seven Hundred and Fifteen Livres and Eight Sous Article 6 All which Sums taking in the 360 Livres received of the Lord of Candall by Mr. Ferrand Gigord and Cerisy do make up the aforesaid Sum of Sixteen Thousand Three Hundred and Sixty Livres Tournois CHAP. XXII The Roll of Deposed and Revolted Ministers 1. Salomon Pijeaut formerly Pastor in the Church of Douchamps Deposed by the Provincial Synod of Berry for Adultery a Fellow of mean Stature Black Hair a Tauny Meagre Face great Eyes Eagle Nose a trembling broken Voice and about silty years of Age. 2. William Cacherat formerly Pastor of the Church at Pontean de Mer in the Province of Normandy about Two and Fifty years of Age a small Taper Fellow Chesnut colored Hair speaking very fluently he was Suspended by his Provincial Synod he abandoned first the Exercise of his Calling and since the Profession of his Religion turning Papist immediately upon his Suspension by the Synod at St. Loo He was Deposed for Desertion of his Ministry and sundry other Crimes 3. Leonard Thevenot formerly a Priest that quitted his Frock and Monastry of Poictiers he was afterwards Pastor of the Church at Mallezais in Poictou and of St. John d' Angely and of Bois Clan and Plassac in Xaintonge aged between 56 and 58 years he is a Short Fat Crook-back Fellow Black Hair beginning to wax Gray a Fair Beard great Mouth Lips turn'd in large Red Eyes Ruddy Face an Effeminate Tone in Speaking he turn'd Apostate from the Truth in the Month of July 1634. 4. Paul Falquerolles formerly Minister in the Church of St. Hippolyte near Monoblet in the Province of Sevennes who being Deposed by the Provincial Synod for his Vicious Conversation and Desertion of his Charge did finally Revolt from the True Religion This Fellow is about Threescore and Five years old Tall of Stature and Gray Headed All these Acts were Passed and Decreed in the National Synod Assembled by the King's Permission at Alanson from the 28th of May until the 9th of July 1637. And Signed by Basnage Moderator of the Synod D. Couspe Assessor D. Blondel Scribe D. Launay Scribe CHAP. XXIII An Account and Catalogue of the Reformed Churches of France and Bearn together with the Names of their Pastors hung up in the National Synod held at Alanson in the Months of May June and July 1637. Extracted and Copied out of the Original 1. Province IN the Province of Berry Orleans Blesois Nivernois and the Higher Marche there be these Pastors and Churches hereafter mentioned 1. In the Colloquy of Sancerre Pastors Churches 1 Stephen de Monsanglard in the Church of Corbigny 2. Daniel Jamet Pastor in the Church of Gien upon the Loir 3. John Guerin Pastor in the Church of Chastillon upon the Loin 4. Paul Allard a Rocheller in the Ch. of Sancerre 5. John Taby at La Charité 6. Ayme Pyat Chastillion on the Loir 7. Elijah Semele Grinon and Esparville 8. Paul Guez Suilly and Aubiguy 9. Isaac Babaud without a Church La Selle 10.  Dolot Destitute of Past 2. In the Colloquy of Blesois Pastors Churches 10. Nicholas Vignier Minister of Blois 11. 11. Paul Testard Orleans 12. 12. James Imbert Durand Romorantin 13. 13. Jacob Brun Dangeau 14. 14. John Alix Marchenoir 15. 15. Isaac Garnier Basoches 16. 16. Jerom Belon Chameroll 17. 17. Louis Tuisard Bouderoy 17. 18. Daniel Jurieu Mer 18. 19. Cyrus du Moulin Chasteaudun 19. 20. Phillip de la Pierre  21. Abel d'Argent both destitute of Churches  3. In the Colloquy of Berry and Bourbonnois Pastors Churches 22. Louis Scoffier Belet 20. 23. Renatus Bedé Issoudun 21. 24. Elijah Pejus Argenton 22. 25. John Bonneau Aubusson 23. 2. The Province of Brittain Pastors Churches 26. Bertrant Avignon Lord of Souvigny Pastor of the Church of Christ at Hennes 24. 27. Daniel Sauve Viellevigne 25. 28. Peter de la Place Sion 26. 29. Peter Bouchereau Lord of La Manesse Nants 27. 30. David de la Place Lamussare 28. 31. Andrew Levier Lord of Beauchamps Blain 29. 32. Pruil Minister of Rochebernard 30. 33. 34. Presteré Pet. Jostain Rochellers of Vitré 31. 35 Routel Minister of Ploër 32. 36. Delahay or Delaye without any Church Triguier destitute of a Pastor 33. 3. The Province of Xaintonge Augoumois Aunix and the Islands 1. Colloquy of Aunix Pastors Churches 37. Jerome Colomnies and Ministers of Rochel 34. 38. Phillip Vincent 39. John Flane a Rocheller Minister of Surgere Cire 35. 40. John Jagaut Minister of Augoulins Pont de la Pierre Aytré 36 41. John Salberâ— Lord of Viliers a Rocheler Minister of Rochefort St. Laurence Florrus 37. 42. Daniel Chavet a Rocheller Marais 38. 43. Samuel de la Forest Maze 37. 44. Samuel de Ferre Minister of Bournivet Daump 40. 45. Isaac Coutaut Pastor of Sâ—les Taray la Jarrye 2. The Colloquy of St. John D'Angely Pastors Churches 46. Japhet du Vigier Lord of Montier both Ministers of St.
John D' Angely 45. 47. John du Croy 48. Abraham Joyer Tonnay Charante 46. 49. Peter Charron Tonnay Boutonnay 47. 50. René Chesheau a Rocheller Soubize 48. 51. William Rivet Lord of Chamvernoun Taillebourg 49. 52. Thomas Guyott a Rocheller Pastor of Moise 40. 53. Sebastian Baldwyn Pastor of St. Savinian 51. 54. Peter Menauean a Rocheller of Fontenay Labatu 52. 55. James Morin Pastor of Tors Fresneau c. Mata 52. 3. Colloquy of the Islands Pastors Churches 56. Peter Richier Lord of Vandelincour Marents 54. 57. And Anthony Chardavoyn of 58. Claudius Herault a Rocheller of Cozes 55. 59. John Perreau a Rocheller of Saujon 56. 60. John du Menil of St. Just 57. 61 Anthony Bugnon a Rocheller Minister of St. John D' Angel 58. 62. John Papin At La Tremblade 59. 63. Oliver le Cercler Lord of La Monnerie of Arnot 60. 64. James de la Fontayn a Rocheller of Royan 61. 65. John Gruell Minister of Meschors 62. 66. Elijah Coustans the Younger of Mornoe 63. There be in this Colloquy these Churches interdicted Saujon St. Lierre 64. St. Denis 65. and the Castle of Olleroon 66. 4. The Colloquy of Xaintonge Pastors Churches 67. Theophilus Rossel and Ministers of Xaintes 67. 68. Charles â—â—uet 69. John Costans the Elder of Lons 68. 70. Elijah Prioleau Lord of La Viennerie Jonzael 69. 71. John Hamilton the Father and Ministers of Montendere Fontaynes Ozillae 70. 72. John Hamilton the Son 73. James Gaultier of Archiac 71. 74. Peter Bonyot of Fou St. German 72. 75. John Marcon of Baigne 73. 76. John Baduel of Mizabeau 74. 77. Peter Chaze of St. Severin 75. 78. Louis Aubouieneau a Rocheller of Moulieu and Monhuyon 76. 79. David Bellot of Chalais la Roche 77. 80. Francois Majou of Clanbois Classac 78. 81. Lazarus Cazaux of Barbezieux 79. 5. Colloquy of Augoumois Pastors Churches 82. John Ferran Minister of St. Claude Champagnemauton 80. 83. Isaac Clave Minister of La Rechefoucaud Lindois 81. 84. Isaac Patui Minister of St. Mesme Jarnac Charante 82. 85. Abraham Hivert of Angoulesme Montignac 83. 86. Samuel Lagarie of Cognac 84. 87. Stephen Tixueil of Villefaignan 85. 88. John Comarc of Vertuell Russet Castell Renaud 86. Elijah Constans at Numb 66. now of Bourg Charante 87. 89. Anthony Carrier of Legonzac Ligneres 88 90. Isaac Merchant of La Rochebeaucourt Sales 89. John Pascard without a Church Churches interdicted Mortaigne Lonzac 92. Churches Destitute of Pastors Gemouzac 73. Rieux 94. Niel,95 Hevert au Beterie 96. St. Aulay 97. The 4th Province of Burgundy 1. Colloquy of Gex Pastors Churches 92. John Tapé Minister of Chalais Sarconnay 98. 93. James Clerk the Father of Cessy 99 94. James Clerk the Son Colonges 100. 95. James Gaultier of Gex 101. 96. Dupré Minister of Vivonne 102. 97. Francois Perreaud Minister of St. Hoiry Fargues 103 98. Peter Despreaux of Crosset 104. 99. Joseph Prevost of Ornez 105. 100. David Paget Minister of Versoy 106. 2. Colloquy of Dijon Pastors Churches 101. Joseph Mauvin Minister of Arnay le Duc 107. 102. Isaac Durand of Issurtille 108. 103. Gideon Guyonnet Minister of Chastillon upon Seyn 109 St. John de Laune 110. Dijon 111. 104. Peter Bolenat Minister of Avalon Vaux 112. 105. John Comperat of Neyons 113. 106. Peter Heliot of Baulne 114. 3. Colloquy of Chalons Pastors Churches 107. Amed de Bons Minister of Chalons 115. 108. John Viridet Minister of Paray 116. 109. Noël Angeley Minister of Martingues 117. 110. Peter Jaimot Minister of Pont des Vaux Belle Ville 118. Moulins 119. Bourbon 120. 111. Heliodorus de Noyer Minister of Bussy Clugny 121. 112. Jeffery Bruny Minister of Antun Conches 122. 4. Colloquy of Lyon Pastors Churches 113. Esaiah Bailly and Ministers of the Church of Lions 123. 114. Alexander Rous 115. Senebriet 116. Francois Renaud L. of Mispillac Minist of Mascon 124. 117. Jacob Textor Minister of Bouage 125. 118. John Marcombes Minister of Pons de Voyles 126. Puillac 127. The 5th Province of Lower Languedoc 1. The Colloquy of Nismes Pastors Churches 119. John Bansillon Minister of Aigues Mortes 128. 120. John Chauvet Pastors of Nismes 129. 121. Phillip Codur 122 Samuel Petit 123. Claudius Rosselet and 124. Josiah Darnieu Pastors of 125. _____ Justamen Minister of Masillargues 130. 126. Francois Durand Minister of Galargues 131. 127. Quintin Rennoy and Ministers of Clavisson 132. 128. Abraham de Lare 129. Tobias Roux Minister of St. Laurens 133. 130. Silligorry Minister of Aimargues 134. 131. Andrew Basagne Minister of Bernis 135. 132. Tibaud Minister of Aubars 136. 133. Allegre Minister of Nayett 137. 134. Fourmer Minister of Cleronsae 138. 135. Brun Minister of Vauvert 139. 136. Gaultier Minister of Sommiere 140. 137. Savrin Minister of Aymargues 141. 138. Lichicres Minister of Vergescet 142. 139. Davin Minister of Beauvoisin 143. 140. Bertrand Minister of Bussinarques 144. 2. The Colloquy of Vsez Pastors Churches 141. Rally the Elder Minister of Barjac 145. 142. Arnaud Minister of Fons 146. 143. Nogueyer and in the Church of Vez 147. 144. Manuel Pastors 145. Du Cros Minister of Blansac 148. 146. Ravanel Minister of St. Ginicis 149. 147. Bonnier Minister of Lussan 150. 148. Chabaud Minister of BonCoiran 151. 149. Meinier Castanier Minister of Navacelles 152. 150. Paul Cheyron Minister of Genouillac 153. 151. Ponnier Minister of Les Vaus 154. 152. Desmarets Minister of Chambourrigaud 155. 153. Rally the Younger Minister of Mouteran 156. 154. La Saye Minister of Ambroise 157. 155. Thomas Minister of John de Marneiola 158. 156. Peter Serres Minister of St. Bagnols 159. 157. Ancet Minister of St. Monfond St. Quantin 160. 158. John Sobier Emeritus  3. Colloquy of Montpellier Pastors Churches 159. Vedrines Ministers of Montpellier 162. 160. Moses Baux 161. John Gigord 162. Carsenal 163. John de Croy Minister of Beziers 163. 164. Pucis Minister of Pinan 164. 165. Begon Minister of Clermont 165. 166. Atgé of Lunel 166. 167. Preudhomma Minister of Courvon 167. 168. Lavit of Bezarieux 168. 169. Second of Montagnac 169. 170. Rouze of Malquel 170. Lelache Vendamman 171. Gignac 172. Poussan 173. Forensac 174. 171. Moses Russel a Pastor Emeritus 6. Province of Poictou 1. Colloquy of the Vpper Poictou Pastors Churches 172. John Foran Pastor of Chavigny 175. 173. James Clemanseau Jun. of Courteilles 176. 174. John Masson a Rocheller of Civray 177. 175. Isaac du Soul Minister of Lusignan 178. 176. Isaac de Civille Minister of Couké 179. 177. Nicolas Bellin Minister of Parthenay 180. 178. James Clemanseau Sen of Poictiers 181. 179. James Cottiby a Rocheller 180. Isaac Chabrol Minister of Touars 182. 181. Daniel Pui and Ministers of Chastelheraud 183. 182. John Carre 183. Daniel Jaillard L. of Rosefleur of Aubanie Sause 184. 184. Peter Vinard a Rocheller of Montfermier 185. 185. Andrew Gourdery Minister of Montrevil Bonnin 186. 2. The Colloquy of Middle Poictou Pastors