before their Deposal And the Proceedings against the Sieur Beraut was put into the Hands of Monsieur Baux 93. The Council being informed of those excellent Gifts which the Lord hath liberally bestowed on Monsieur Godefrey Doctor of the Civil Laws and Professor of that Faculty in the University of Geneva ordered Letters should be written to intreat him because of his singular Knowledg in Antiquity that he would discover and publish to the World those Artifices and Disguises used by Cardinal Baronius and other Doctors of the Church of Rome to corrupt and alter the true History of the Ancient Church 94. The Lord Commissioner was intreated to write unto the Lord President of Tholouse in Behalf of Monsieur Bidac imprisoned at Sommieres for abjuring the Errors and Idolatry of the Romish Church and Mr. Petit was charged to carry unto that Parliament his Majesties Letters and Command and to join themselves with the young Mr. Galland the Lord Commissioner's Son who will be sent thither for this very End by his Father 95. The Lord of Candall is desired to pay unto Monsieur Mercurin the Sum of sixty Livers which were given him by the National Synod of Vitré and it shall be allowed him in his Accompt for the Moneys appertaining to our Churches 96. Mr. Mestrezat and d'Huysseau presented Letters from the Church of Paris most humbly petitioning that Monsieur Chauve whom they had so often and earnestly requested for their Minister might now at length be bestowed upon them The Deputies also of the Isle of France joined with them in their Petition But Mr. Chauve as earnestly intreated the Council that he might be continued in his Ministry unto the Church of Sommieres because of its great Afflictions and present Necessities And the Provincial Deputies of Lower Languedoc did with as much Importunity request that the Rights of that Church and of the Province might be preserved and he in no wise removed from his Pastoral Charge This weighty Affair having been maturely deliberated the Council considering the Desire of the Reverend Mr. Chauve and the singular Importance of the Church of Paris and the present Condition of that of Sommieres decreed That the Church of Paris should carry their Demand unto the next Synod of Lower Languedoc which is injoined to pay all just Deference unto this Request of the Church of Paris and to gratify them fully in it provided that it be not a Case of Conscience with that Reverend Minister and determined by him positively that 't is his Duty to live and die with his said Church of Sommieres 97. A Letter was read from the Church of Vigan and the Lord of Villencufve their Messenger and the Deputies of the Province of Sevennes were heard speak as to its Contents After which the Council gave leave unto that Church to seek a Pastor for it self without the Province of Sevennes and injoineth the Colloquy of Sauve to assist the said Church until such time as they be provided of a Minister to their Contentment 98. Mr. Constans and Mr. Belot represented unto the Council the great and pressing Necessities they labour under through their Inability of paying those Moneys they borrowed during their Imprisonment at Bourdeaux Whereupon the Receiver of the Province of Xaintonge was ordered to pay them thirteen Portions and an half which were given them for the Years 1627 1628 and 1629. out of the Arrears due in the Year 1621. And that the said Receiver may come to no Trouble about it he shall join the said thirteen Portions and an half unto those other Portions which were given them that so they may divide them equally between them as has been accustomed 99. If any Church in the Colloquy of Nismes should desire Monsieur Baux for their Minister who is at present Pastor of the Church in Cucque This Assembly decreed That he might have his Liberty and accept of such a Call without any Obstruction or Molestation 100. The Deputies of Sevennes are charged as they return homeward to pass through the City of Beziers and to recommend to the Judges and Counsellors of that Court the Affairs of the Church of Alez and of those Reverend Ministers Mr. Paulet and Banzillon 101. For as much as in the Dividend to the Province of Higher Languedoc there were two Portions couched for two Professors of Divinity in the University of Montauban although it had been before determined by this Synod that the said Professors should receive but an half Portion and give Acquittance unto their Church for it now the Lord of Candall is ordered to detain in his Hands one of those Portions and to accompt for it unto the next National Synod 102. The Relation of Mr. Banzillon's Troubles was read as also Letters written by the Lord Marquess of Varennes Governour of Aguemortes unto his Lordship his Majesty's Commissioner in this Assembly Whereupon the Lord Commissioner was most importunately intreated to intercede for Mr. Banzillon with the Lords Judges in the Court of Bezieres and with the said Lord of Varennes and it was unanimously voted that a most humble Petition should be presented unto his Majesty that his Majesty would be graciously pleased to permit our Churches and Ministers officiating in them their injoyment of that Peace and Liberty and their comfortable Effects which by his Edicts are accorded to us and that his Majesty would order the said Lord Marquess and all other Governours of Places to follow and imitate his Majesty in his favourable Inclinations and Disposition towards us and to cause his Subjects of the Reformed Religion both Ministers and People who live within their Governments and Jurisdiction to reap the refreshing Fruits of his Majesty's most gracious Favour and Protection Moreover this Council ordained that till such time as Mr. Banzillon may be restored unto the Exercise of his Ministry in the Church of Aiguesmortes that Church shall be supplied by the Neighbour Pastors to whose Christian Charity the said Church is in a most special manner recommended and that they would upon all Occasions assist it in its great and pressing Necessities 103. Mr. Petit made report of what had been done by him and Mr. Galland junior in their Conference with the Lord President in the Parliament of Tholouse and they presented his Lordship's Letters unto this Synod And they received the Thanks of this Synod for the Pains taken by them And an Answer was voted unto the Letters of the said Lord President and the Consuls of Montauban and Castres were desired to pass over to Tholouse immediately after Martin-mass and to sollicit the Enrollment of his Majesty's Letters of Command unto that Court of Parliament and to see that the Restrictions opposed by that Court unto his Majesty's Declaration be removed 104. The Deputies of Dolphiny giving an honourable Character of Monsieur Agard who had lately quitted the Convent of the Jacobins at Avignion a Vote passed in the Council That Report hereof should be made in the next National Synod
its authority And forasmuch as it is the Rule of all Truth containing all Matters necessarily required for the Worship of God and our Salvation it is in no wise lawful for Men nor Angels to add unto or to take from this Doctrine or to change it And hereupon it followeth That it is not lawful to oppose either Antiquity or Custom or Multitude or Humane Wisdom Judgments Edicts or any Decrees or Councils or Visions or Miracles unto this Holy Scripture but rather that all things ought to be examined and tried by the Rule and Square thereof Wherefore we do for this cause also allow of those three Creeds namely the Apostles the Nicene and Athanasius his Creed because they be agreeable to the Word of God ARTICLE VI. The Holy Scripture teacheth us That in that one and simple Divine Being there be three Persons subsisting the Father the Son and the Holy Ghost The Father to wit the first Cause in order and the Beginning of all things The Son his Wisdom and Everlasting Word The Holy Ghost his Vertue Power and Efficacy The Son begotten of the Father from everlasting the Holy Ghost from everlasting proceeding from the Father and the Son these three Persons are not confounded but distinct and yet not divided but of one and the same Essence Eternity Power and Equality And to conclude in this Mystery we allow of that which those four ancient Councils have determined and we detest all Sects and Heresies condemned by those holy ancient Doctors St. Athanasius St. Hilary St. Cyril and St. Ambrose ARTICLE VII We believe that God in Three Persons working together by his Power Wisdom and incomprehensible Goodness hath made all things not only Heaven and Earth and all things in them contained but also the invisible Spirits of which some fell head-long into Destruction and some continued in Obedience That the fallen Angels being corrupted by their Malice are become Enemies of all good and consequently of the whole Church That the holy Angels having persevered by the Grace of God are Ministers to glorifie his Name and serve his Elect in order to Salvation ARTICLE VIII We believe that God hath not only made all things but also ruleth and governeth them as he who according to his will disposeth and ordaineth whatsoever cometh to pass in the World Yet we deny that he is the Author of Sin or that the blame of things done amiss can be laid upon him seeing his Will is the soveraign and infallible Rule of all Righteousness and Equity but this we confess That he hath those admirable Means as whereby he maketh the Devils and the Ungodly as his Instruments to serve him and to turn the Evil which they do and whereof they are guilty into good So that when we acknowledge that nothing can be done without the Providence of God we do most humbly adore his Secrets which he hath hidden from us nor do we enquire into those which are above our reach and Capacity Nay rather we apply unto our own use that which the Holy Scripture teacheth us for our Peace and Comfort to wit that God to whom all things are subject doth watch over us with a Fatherly Care so that not so much as an Hair of our Head falleth to the ground without his Will and that he hath the Devils and all our Adversaries fast bound in Chains that they cannot without leave first given them do us any harm ARTICLE IX We believe that Man being created pure and upright and conformable to the Image of God through his own fault fell from that Grace which he had received and thereby did so estrange himself from God the Fountain of all Righteousness and of all good things that his Nature is become altogether defiled and being blind in his Understanding and corrupt in his Heart he hath utterly lost that Integrity and although he can somewhat discern between Good and Evil yet we do affirm That whatsoever Light he hath it straightway becometh Darkness when the Question is of seeking after God so that by his Understanding and Reason he can never come to God And although he be indued with Will whereby he is moved to do this or that yet forasmuch as that also is in bondage to Sin that he hath no freedom to desire that which is good but if he have any 't is the gracious Gift of God ARTICLE X. We believe that all the Off-spring of Adam are infected with the Contagion of Original Sin which is a Vice hereditary to us by Propagation and not only by Imitation as the Pelagians asserted whose Errors are detested by us Nor do we think it necessary to inquire how this Sin cometh to be derived from one unto another For it is sufficient that those things which God gave to Adam were not given to him alone but also to all his Posterity and therefore we in his Person being deprived of all those good Gifts are fallen into this Poverty and Malediction ARTICLE XI We believe that this stain of Original Sin is Sin indeed for it hath that mischievous Power in it as to condemn all Mankind even Infants that are unborn as yet in their Mothers Womb and God himself doth account it such yea and that even after Baptism as to the Filth thereof it is always Sin Howbeit they who are the Children of God shall never be condemned for it because that God of his rich Grace and soveraign Mercy doth not impute it to them Moreover we say that it is such a Depravedness as doth continually produce the Fruits of Malice and Rebellion against God so that even the choicest of God's Saints although they do resist it yet are they defiled with very many Infirmities and Offences so long as they live in this World ARTICLE XII We believe That out of this general Corruption and Condemnation in which all Men are plunged God doth deliver them whom he hath in his eternal and unchangeable Counsel chosen of his meer Goodness and Mercy through our Lord Jesus Christ without any consideration of their Works leaving the rest in their Sins and damnable Estate that he may show forth in them his Justice as in the elect he doth most illustriously declare the Riches of his Mercy For One is not better than another until such time as God doth make the difference according to his unchangeable purpose which he hath determin'd in Jesus Christ before the Creation of the World Nor can any one by his own power procure unto himself so great a Blessing because we cannot by Nature nor of our selves excite in our selves any one good Motion Thought or Affection until such time as God does prevent and incline us to it by his Grace ARTICLE XIII We believe That whatsoever is requisite to our Salvation is offer'd and communicated to us now in the Lord Jesus Christ who is made of God unto us Wisdom Righteousness Sanctification and Redemption so that whosoever leaveth Christ doth renounce all interest in and
be published against the true Religion they shall be sent unto them that they may be answered And there shall be a Colloquy in each Province appointed unto this peculiar business carefully to peruse all Manuscripts before they be Printed and what is published and to disperse the Copies CAN. XVI No Minister shall claim or exercise any Primacy or Jurisdiction over another CAN. XVII Ministers shall preside by turns in their Consistories that so none may claim a Superiority over his Fellow and none of them shall give any Testimony in matters of importance without having first Communicated unto his Brethren and Collegues in the Ministry CAN. XVIII That Custom used in some places of deputing certain Ministers from the Provincial Synods to visit the Churches shall be for time to come totally suppressed and abolished That order which hath been used until now being sufficient enough for taking cognisance of Scandals And this manner of erecting new Offices and Employments is condemned because of its dangerous consequence as also all names of superiority are rejected such as Elders of Synods Super-intendents and the like And all Advertisements for assembling Colloquies or Synods or concerning any businesses which depend upon them shall be directed unto the Church and not to any particular Minister in it And if accidentally they have been so superscribed and for some certain Considerations addressed unto any one of the Ministers or Elders they who have received them shall present them unto the Consistory that so advice and deliberation may be taken of them CAN. XIX No Minister together with the holy Ministry shall be a Practitioner in Law or Physick yet out of Charity he may give Counsel and assistance to the poor of his Flock and of his Neighbourhood provided always that he be not thereby diverted from his Calling nor derive any gain from his practice unless in times of trouble and persecution and when he cannot exercise his Calling in his Church and cannot be maintained by it And those who shall thus employ themselves in Law or Physick or in any other Worldly distracting business shall be exhorted wholly to forbear it and totally to devote themselves unto the duties of their Calling as Ministers and to the study of the Scriptures And all Colloquies and Synods are admonished to proceed according to the Canons of our Discipline against the refractory and such as be willfully disobedient as also against those who spend so much of their time in teaching youth that it is an hinderance to them in the principal duties of their Ministerial Office And all Consistories Colloquies and Provincial Synods shall have a most especial care and regard that this Canon be punctually observed and to suspend such as do transgress it from their exercise of the Ministry CAN. XX. Ministers shall exhort their People to be modest in their Apparel they themselves also giving in this particular a good example unto the World by their own their Wives and their Children's forbearing all bravery in their Habits CAN. XXI Princes and great Lords following the Court that would have a Church erected in their Houses shall be desired to chuse their Ministers out of those Churches which be duly reformed and can spare them a Pastor and of whose lawful Call unto the sacred Ministry they may be well assured and this with the good will and consent of the Colloquies or Synods These shall in the first place subscribe the Confession of Faith of the Churches in this Kingdom and our Ecclesiastical Discipline And that the Preaching of the Gospel may be the more successful they shall be every one of them desired to constitute in their Families a Consistory composed of the Minister and of the best approved persons for Godliness in their said Family who shall be chosen Elders and Deacons by which Consistory all Vices and Scandals in that Family shall be suppressed and the common Discipline of our Churches shall be maintained Moreover if it be possible for them they shall personally appear at Provincial Synods To which purpose Powers shall be given unto the Church that convocates the Synod of that Province to call them to it And the said Ministers by name or some one or other of them according as they shall be deputed by the rest shall make their personal Appearance at the National Synods in company with their Elders who may inform the Synod of their Lives and Conversations And if several of them meet together none shall claim any preheminency or jurisdiction over his Brethren according to that Canon of our Discipline made on this behalf And when as the said Princes and Lords shall sojourn in their Houses or other places in which a Church is already constituted that all divisions may be avoided they shall be desired to conjoin the Church of their Families together with the Church of that place to make but one Church as shall be advised in an amicable Conference with the Ministers of both Churches that so what may be most expedient may be followed CAN. XXII It shall not be lawful for the Pastor to desert his Flock without leave first had and obtained from the Colloquy and Provincial Synod of that Church to which he was first given CAN. XXIII Deserters of the Sacred Ministry shall be finally Excommunicated by the Provincial Synod unless they do repent and return again unto their Charge which God had committed to them CAN. XXIV Ministers shall not be Vagrants nor have liberty to intrude themselves of their own Authority into any place which best pleaseth them CAN. XXV The Minister of one Church shall not preach in another without the consent of its Minister unless he were absent in which case the Consistory shall authorize him and if through persecution or any troubles the Flock should be dissipated the strange Minister shall endeavour to assemble the Elders and Deacons which if it cannot be done yet nevertheless he may warrantably preach that so the dispersed Flock may be reunited CAN. XXVI That Minister who intrudeth himself into a Church although he get the People's Approbation yet shall he not be approved of by the Neighbour Ministers or any others but the cognisance of his Case shall be devolved upon the Colloquy or Provincial Synod CAN. XXVII Ministers shall not be sent unto other Churches without authentick Letters or some other sufficient Testimonials from those places from whence they last came which shall be put into the Consistories hands of that Church whereunto they be sent and there carefully to be preserved CAN. XXVIII No Minister who reports himself forsaken of his Church of persecuted shall thereupon be received by another Church until he have first produced valid Certificates of his holy and unblameable Conversation unto the Colloquy or Synod and the whole Affair shall be remitted to the prudence and discretion of the Colloquy or Provincial Synod CAN. XXIX When as a Minister who hath orderly obtained his Licence of departure from that Church in which he last served
to Fountainbleau that we might wait upon the Bishop of Meaux which was a truth had the kindness for us as to order him to come to Paris and if after our Conferences ended with my Lord Bishop of Meaux we could not with a good Conscience hold Communion with the Church of Rome he would then give us when ever we should desire it a Licence for our selves and Families to depart the Kingdom and that finally my Lord of Meaux would charily preserve our Writing which had been presented unto his Majesty We all three accepted the Proposals And had several Conferences with the Bishop of Meaux But this very day we are urged to come to a Resolution and upon our refusal of signing the new Formulary we are plainly told That it is ill done of us to recoil after that of our own accord we had advanced so far and they farther tell us That our own Writing obligeth us to far greater matters than the new Formulary and that we declare in the very beginning of it That of all Evils Disunion is the greatest and that by this our Confession neither Transubstantiation nor any of those other Points debated by us could be a bar to our Re-union and that in effect we do formally re-unite ourselves by our very Writing and that by submitting our selves to the Conduct of Bishops and of their pitiful Curates we do subject our selves to the whole Ecclesiastical Discipline and that we intreating the Higher Powers who went unto Mass to believe our Sentiments to be the same with theirs who desired the Cup we were engaged at the same time to do as they did even to wait for that Reformation which was universally desired and which the King incessantly pursued as having resolv'd that the Cup should be delivered unto the People in the Sacrament And thus they boast we are caught by our own Writing which was left imprudently enough in the hands of my Lord Bishop of Meaux and which they say also at the same time is in the King 's This is the truth of our present Estate and for which we conjure you most dear Brother to send us as soon as possible your advice lest c. WE whose Names are here-under written being fully perswaded that among Christians there cannot be a greater mischief than to be divided one from another especially when as the providence of God has made us all Subjects to our King who is the most glorious Monarch in the whole World and being unmeasurably grieved that we are bound to depart his Kingdom and to subject our selves unto the authority of strangers whom we can never own for our Soveraign Lawful Princes Do declare That from this very day we can promise my Lord the Bishop of Meaux that we will subject our selves to the Sermons and Even-Songs used in the Catholick Church thereby giving a sensible demonstration of our Union with the Archbishops Bishops and Curates of France We also intreat That we may be absolutely believed to be in the same Sentiments with the Higher Powers who in conformity to the Liberties of the Gallican Church gave in divers Articles as our Historians relate to my Lord Cardinal de Joyeuse concerning the Council of Trent and until such time as they may be established by the King's Authority and signed by the most Reverend Clergy of France in the sence of the second Article of the last Edict verified in Parliament the 22d of this instant October we most humbly beseech his Majesty to grant us the liberty of abiding within his Kingdom in quality of poor private persons we calling God to witness by our Oaths That we will do nothing against his Majesty's Declarations but contrariwise we shall endeavour by our example to keep the People within those bounds of Fidelity and Obedience which we all owe unto the King and our Superiours I suppose those Articles were the same which had been demanded by the Cardinal of Lorrain and the other French Ambassadours in the Council of Trent as they be mentioned by De Mezeray in his 3d Tome p. 1470. viz. That an Ecclesiastick Person should hold but one Benefice That the Mass being finished Prayers might be celebrated in the Vulgar Tongue That the People might Communicate in both kinds That all Pastors should be capable and obliged to Preach and Catechise That the abuse crept in among the Common People in the Worshipping of Images might be removed SECT LV. Now the Ministers have left the Kingdom and vast multitudes of their People steal away after them as well as they can But the King and Haman the French King and his Cabal sit down and drink whil'st that Paris as Shushan of old and all other places in which the Reformed remain are in great perplexities In every Province whithersoever the King's Commandment and his Decree came there was great Mourning among the Protestants Fasting Weeping and Wailing and many lay in Sackcloth and Ashes Yet among the Sighs and Groans or God's poor Saints who mourn for the Desolations of Zion the Ruines of their Temples and Sanctuary the loss and reproach of their Solemn Assemblies the Prophanations of their Holy Sabbaths their deprival of Religious Ordinances the banishment of their Pastors the dissipations of their Churches and the total extirpation of the pure Evangelical Religion and cannot be comforted the Popish Clergy the Monks and Jesuits have their Jubilees and Triumphs and the Pope sends a Letter to the King congratulating him for his Zeal against the Hereticks in his Kingdom and for repealing the Edict of Nantes It spake this Language The Pope's Letter to the French King congratulating him for Abolishing the Edict of Nantes Innocent the XIth to our dearest Son in Christ Lewes the XIVth the most Christian King of France Our dearest Son in Christ SInce above all the rest of those illustrious Proofs which do abundantly declare the natural inbred Piety of your Majesty that Noble Zeal and worthy the most Christian King is most conspicuous with which being ardently inflamed you have wholly abrogated all those Constitutions that were favourable to the Hereticks of your Kingdom and by most wise Decrees set forth have excellently provided for the Propagation of the Orthodox Belief as our beloved Son and your Ambassadour with us the Noble Duke de Estrées hath declared to us We thought it was incumbent on us most largely to commend that excellent Piety of yours by the remarkable and lasting Testimony of these our Letters And to congratulate your Majesty that Accession of immortal Commendation which you have added to all your other great Exploits by so illustrious an Act of this kind The Catholick Church shall most assuredly record in her Sacred Annals a Work of such Devotion towards her and celebrate your Name with never-dying Praises But above all you may most deservedly promise to your self an ample Retribution from the Divine Goodness for this most excellent Vndertaking and may rest assured that we shall never cease to pour
Provinces according to the Accompt before-appointed by three equal portions at the Terms prefixed allowing him a Sous in the Liver What shall become due unto the Provinces of the Isle of France Normandy Orleans Anjou Poitou Higher and Lower Guienne shall be paid into the Consistories of Paris Rouen Orleans and Poitiers and for the Higher Languedoc and Guienne unto Mr. J. Bardon and what shall be due unto the Province of Burgundy unto Mr. J. Le Gras Merchant in the City of Lions And in case it should so fall out that our Lords the General Deputies should not receive either the whole or part of their Assigned Stipend from the Lesser Accompt according to agreement It is now resolved that what may be wanting to make it good one half of it shall be taken out of the Total Sum of 135000. Livers which were to be paid in unto the Provinces in the three Quarters and shall be deducted from every one of the Provinces with the allowance of a Sous in the Liver unto the Lord of Candal and the other half shall be deducted out of the Moneys appointed by His Majesty for payment of the Garrisons and to this purpose an Order shall be given unto the said Lord of Candal and our General Deputies shall be paid before all other persons And this same course shall be taken for all payâ—ents in the year 1605. And this Rule shall be in force till the Meeting of the next National Synod CHAP. XI A Roll and Catalogue of all the Reformed Churches of France as well those which are actually supplied with Pastors as of those which shall be before the Meeting of the next National Synod to be held at Rochell in the Year 1607. otherwise the Provinces will be enforced to make Restitution of those Moneys ordained for them out of the Stock given us by His Majesties Royal Bounty There was tackt unto this Roll the Names of those Pastors and Proposans who are to be maintained by the Provinces The First Roll of Pastors and Proposans in the Isle of France Picardy Beausse and Champagne Isle of France Churches Ministers Paris Monsieur de Montigni Francois de Lauberan Mr. de la Faye Mr. du Moulin the eldest Son Mr. Couett Mr. Durand 2. Le Plessis Mr. du Bois the elder 3. Claye Mr. d'Aronde 4. Mantes Mr. Chaurim 5. St. Averne Mr. de Beaulieu 6. Fontainbleau Mr. Voulas 7. Tequin Mr. du Val. 8. Meaux Mr. Choquett 9. Peju Mr. Conouailles 10. La Fere Artenay Mr. Marlette 11. Senlis Mr. Beaulieu Lord of le Blanc Picardy Churches Ministers Clermont Mr. de Losses the younger Lord of La Touche Le Villy Mr. Richard Laon. Mr. Morell Guise Mr. de Vaines Compiegne Mr. de Losses the elder Lord of La Touche St. Quentin Mr. Richier Oistimont Mr. Blanchard Estaples Mr. le Baulne junior Boulognes Mr. Calais Mr. Teslier La Ferte au Vidame Mr. du Bois La Beausse Churches Ministers Houdan Mr. Biolott Blainville Mr. Gravelle Ampon au Perche Mr. Couronne Moulons Mr. Rougihaut Ay. Mr. Brisbard Colloquy of Champagne Churches Ministers Von Mr. de Gastine Chaalons Mr. Viriot Virtry le Francois Mr. Yoland Helmauric Mr. Cousin Vassy Mr. Chevilette Nefancour Mr. Candemiere Espances Mr. de Beauvois senior St. Marc. Mr. Carre Sedan Mr. Fornelle Mr. du Tilly. Mr. Gantois Mr. Mr. Canelle There were threescore and two Portions ordered unto all these Pastors being six and forty in actual service and ten Churches destitute of Ministers three of which belong to the Colloquy of Champagne and six Proposans one of which shall be appropriated to the said Colloquy The whole Sum for those sixty and two Portions amounted to 3748 Livers seven Sous and six Deniers The Second Roll of the Pastors and Proposans in the Province of Brittany Churches Ministers Viellevigne Mr. Ferguson Nantes Mr. Oyseau Croisie Mr. le la Prote Sion Mr. de la Place Blain Mr. David Richier and Mr. René de Losses Lord of La Touche Arche-bernard Mr. Andrew le Noir Ld. of Beauchamps Rennes Mr. Fautrat Vitré Mr. Merlin senior and Mr. Pazault Dinan Mr. Pallori Yet when the Synod of Gap sate there were no more than seven Pastors in actual service and four Churches and four Proposans to be provided for and maintained ad fifteen Portions were allotted them out of the Kings Moneys but since God increased the number of their Ministers and this Province had assigned it 906 Crowns 48 Sous 4 d. The Third Roll of the Churches Pastors and Proposans in the Province of Orleans Berry Blaisois and Nivernois Orleans and Berry Churches Ministers Orleans Mr. du Moulin the Father Sancerre Mr. Dorival Gian Mr. Fontaines Gian Mr. Pinette Blois Mr. Vignier Chastillon sur Loin Mr. Melett Chastillon sur Loire Mr. Le Noir Boisgency Lorges Marchenoit Mr. Samuel de Chambaran Espenille Mr. Giraud Aubusson Mr. Vermer Argenton Mr. de Rieux Mer Mr. Bourguignon Chasteausdun Mr. Simpson Gergeau Mr. Boucher Pisons Seneu Mr. Charretier Romorantiâ— Mr. Brun La Chustre Mr. Granier Ginvelles Luneau Mr. de la Roche disione St. Leonard Mr. de Monsanglar Chirac Mr. Jurieu St. Amont Mr. Jamet Issondun Mr. de Beauval Mr. Berger was Emeritus and had four Portions assigned for his subsistence Mr. Granier liveth at Sancerre There be six Churches and six Proposans to be provided for The Fourth Roll of the Churches Pastors and Proposans in the Province of Anjou Tourain and Maine Tourain Churches Ministers Tours Mr. des Aigues Mr. Coupe Loches Chastillon Mr. Grevon Previlly Mr. Rogier Chinon l'Islebouchard Mr. Pevillaud Vandôme Mr. Salomeau Montoire Mr. Didier Anjou Churches Ministers Saumur Mr. Bouchereau Anger 's Mr. de Blois Beaugé Mr. John Fleury Loudun Mr. de Clairville he died in the year 1608. Loudun Mr. Bede died 1607. Choupes Mr. Goudry Gaon Vandelles Mr. Besnard Le Mans Mr. Vigneu Belesme Mr. Notman La Haye Mr. de la Combe Chasteau du Loir Mr. du Fresne Mont Gobert Mr. de la Noue Monsieur de Lessard is Emeritus In all twenty Pastors four Churches destitute and three Proposans so there was assigned to this Province of Tourain and Anjou twenty seven Portions which amounted to 1632 Crowns fourteen Sous and nine Deniers The Fifth Roll of the Churches Pastors and Proposans in the Province of the Upper and Nether Poictou Colloquy of the Vpper Poictou Churches Ministers Poictiers Mr. Clemenceau Chastetheraud Mr. d'Amours he died lately Mr. Picard suspended Touars Mr. Andrew Rivett senior Parteney Mr. Ricourt lately deceased Mr. Manceau Lusignan Mr. Mazieres he died at Talmond Mr. Mestayer succeeded him Sansay Mr. Monnestier Cové Mr. L'Estang Mr. Cuville Civray Mr. de la Roche Croizé Le Vigan Mr. Favre La Trimoville Mr. Brun Chauvigny Mr. Florand Roche Choart Mr. Roche and since Mr. Forgeau Le Boucheron Mr. Joubert Colloquy of Niort and St. Maixant Churches Ministers Niort Mr. de la Blaschiere senior Mr. Chauffepied St. Maixant Mr. Chesneau
Chamdenis Mr. Guillermett Mougon Mr. la Blascheire old Son St. Gelais Mr. la Blascheire the youngest Son Melle Mr. Manceau who died at Partenay and since him Mr. René Forest Aulnay Mr. de L'Estang Issoudun Mr. de la Valleé Chefboutonneé Mr. Olliver he lately revolted since Mr. John Chalmot of Niort Colloquy of the Nether Poictou Churches Ministers Fontenay Mr. de la Vallade Luson Mr. Bomaud St. Benoist Mr. Textor who died lately Mr. Daniel Guermeau a Rocheller Mr. de la Place who is since dead Talmont upon the Jard Mr. Masseres deposed Mr. James Prunier was received in the mixt Assembly held at Fontenay before St. Johns Fair. 1614. Monne Mr. Vatablé St. Giles upon Vic Mr. Prascisault Le Poiré Mr. de Bonvouloir since sent unto St. d'Angely Mouschamps Mr. de Losses Lord of la Tousche the elder but since dead Chantonneé Mr. Tirenu Marevil Mr. Marchand St. Ermine Mr. Papin a Rocheller Mouilleron Mr. Berny Pausanges Mr. Moreau Vaudoré Mr. Champanois La Chastagneraye Mr. Texier and since Mr. George Tompson a Scotch-man Colonges les Reau Mr. Dantonnet In all thirty nine Pastors eight Churches to be provided for and three Proposans which made up fifty Portions for the whole Province of Poitou amounting to 3022 Crowns 40 Sous and 10 Deniers The Sixth Roll of the Churches Pastors and Propasans in the Province of Xaintonge Aulnix and Augoulmois 1 Colloquy of St. John d'Angely Churches Ministers St. John d'Angely Mr. Fremond de Vigier Lord of Moustier now dead to him succeeded Mr. Japhet de Vigier Lord of Bessay his Son Mr. du Bon Vouloir Taillebourg Mr. William Rivett the younger Brother Lord of Chanvernon St. Savinian Mr. Alix Tonna Charante Mr. Jouanneau and since Mr. Ferry Tonnay Boutonneé Mr. de la Viennerie Matta Mr. Rousseau 2 Colloquy of the Islands Churches Ministers St. Peters of Olleron Mr. de la Croix he died in the year 1610 since St. Peters of Olleron Mr. Guilielmi Castell of Olleron Mr. Petit the younger Royan Mr. Deschareves dead but since Mr. Heraud Mornac Mr. le Coq Aruert la Tremblade Jonin is since separated from them Monsieur Rossignol La Tremblade Mr. Papin Marennes Mr. Jeremy Boisseul he died 1609. since Mr. Zachary Crispin Lord of Chabosselay an Anjouin and Mr. Richier Lord of Vandelin Cour a Britton Saujon Mr. Paul Bonnet junior St. John Dangles Mr. Berger deceased since Mr. de la Forest Soubize Mr. Chevalier Moize Mr. Beauja sent to St. Mesmes since Mr. Thomas Guyot Lord of Chappeauvert St. Just Mr. Tolouse a Rocheller Third Colloquy of Aunix Churches Ministers Rochel Mr. Du Mont. deceased Mr. James Merlin Mr. Samuel L' hommeau Mr. Jerome Coulommies Born in Bearn Mr. Louis Le Ceueler Lord of la Chappeliere an Angevin Mr. Daniel Goiré a Rocheller Mr. Gideon de Montmartyn Lord of La Turpiniere he died 1609. Mr. John Peter Salebert a Rocheller received into the Ministery in the Colloquy of Aulnix held at Nieul on Thursday the 6th of Feb. 1613. but he was Ordained at Rochell by Mr. James Merlin on the Lord's Day in the Afternoon March 3. 1613. in the Great Temple with most solemn and extraordinary Prayers St. Martins in the Istle of Rhé Mr. German Chauveton Lord of Beauvois he died in the latter end of year 1604. Mr. Fautrard and Englishman I suppose he was Born in the Island of Guernzey for one of his Name was Minister there in the year 1647. but he died of the Plague a Fortnight after Mr. de Beauvois Since Mr. Lewes Aubyneau a Rocheller Ars in the Isle of Ré Mr. Daniel Chanett La Flotte in the Isle of Ré Mr. Daniel Gorré who was after sent unto Rochell La Flotte in the Isle of Ré Mr. John le Chatre a Rocheller Marans Mr. Pillard Marans Mr. La Violette Bourneuf and Dampierre Mr. Febrve Surgeres Mr. Tagaut Nieul Mr. James Guibert a Rocheller sent to Archiac and Jonsac he afterward turn'd Apostate Nieul Mr. Peter Menanceau a Rocheller Mauzé Mr. Andrew de Mazieres Lord of La Cave Laleu l'Ommeau and Lozieres Mr. Samuel Veupillet a German Sales Toré and Mortagne Mr. Toussainet a German The Fourth Colloquy of Xaintes Churches Ministers Xainctes Mr. Bonnet senior dead since Mr. Petit senior Pons Mr. Londe removed to Mortagne Mr. Heraud of Rochell sent to Royan Mr. Peris Archiac and Jonsac Mr. Menanceau sent to Nieul in Aulnix Plassac and Clan Mr. Calbert and since Mr. Choquet Mortagne Mr. Chastaigner dead since Mr. Londe Gemouzat Mr. Gabart Rieax Mr. Marcon Mr. du Perche and since Cozes Mr. James Chalmot of Rochell The Fifth Colloquy of Augoalmois Churches Ministers Stelaud de Lindoire Mr. George Pacard the Elder sent unto Rochefoucald he died in the year 1610. La Rochefoucaud Mr. Hog sent to Angoulesme and since Mr. Pacard senior La Rochebeaucourt Mr. Pitard Jarnac Mr. Pacard the Eldest Son Cognac Mr. Barjemont removed Mr. Bizett removed Mr. John Perreau of Rochell Vertueil Mr. Colladon since deceased Mr. Trochereg a Baron of Scotland but removed to Saumur Mr. Peres sent to Pons Vertueil Mr. Comareg The Sixth Colloquy of Jonzac Churches Ministers Jonzac Mr. Pollot dead since James Guibert who revolted after him holy Mr. Welch a Scotch Minister who spent eight hours every day in Prayer Barbezieux Mr. Petit the Elder sent to Xaintes Mr. Theophilus Rossell of Nantes St. Mesmes Mr. Beaujan Baigné and Chaux Mr. Boyannat La Roche Chalais Mr. Bellot There be forty eight Pastors in the whole Province of Xaintonge six Churches destitute and six Proposans without including Mr. Herauld lent unto the Church of Marsillac so that it had sixty Portions amounting to 3627 Crowns and 13 Sous The Seventh Roll of the Churches Pastors and Proposans in the Province of Lower Guienne The First Colloquy of Higher Agenois Churches Ministers Tonneins Mr. de Monjone Mr. de Beaucons Clerac Mr. Ricotier the Father Mr. Ricotier the Son the Grandson was I think Minister also in the Church of Tonneins and exiled with the other Ministers 1685. Castelmoron Mr. Bausty Pathe Mr. Mermet the Son Monflanquin Mr. Freron the Father Tournon Mr. Freron the Son Monheur Mr. Scillade Leyrac Mr. Sylvius the Son La Parade Mr. Fevran Grateloup Mr. Vidouse an Apostate Puymirol Mr. de La Fayole The Second Colloquy of Lower Agenois Churches Ministers Bordeaux Mr. Renaud he died 1610. Mr. Primrose a Scotchman Libourne Mr. de la Vallade Castillon Mr. Baduell Ste. Foy Mr. Hesperian Ste. Foy Mr. de Bessoly Aniche Mr. D'Anglade Jouzac Mr. Majence Parole Mr. Lamy Morancour Mr. Zamett Bazas Mr. Goudon Velines Mr. Vassar Duras Mr. Peniot The Third Colloquy of Condomois Churches Ministers Nerac Mr. Mermet the Father Mr. Masparrault Mr. de La Nusse Mozin Mr. Luillier Casteljaloux Mr. du Luc Caumont Mr. Villebon La Bastide Mr. Sylvius the Father Le Mont de Moisin Mr. de Palloque Gouse Mr. Melet Bifesensac Mr. Guynier Tartas Mr. Pourrat Sos Mr. du Mier The Fourth
utterly impossible for him to comply with their Order See above on g. m. 28. injoyning him to reside on the Church of Issoyre until the next meeting of the Provincial Synod of Sevennes because he hath not any maintenance at all allowed him for his subsistence and that of his poor Family The Deputy of the Lord du Candal being now in Town was commanded to pay in unto the said Monsieur Babat immediately one hundred and fifty Livers out of the Portions attributed to the Churches of Auvergne and the said Babat shall be accountable for this Money unto the next Colloquy of St. Germain and shall bring with him to it an Elder of the said Churches to see those Accounts so tendred by him audited and accepted and the Commissioner of the said Province of Sevenues shall take the Acquittance of the said Monsieur Babat for the Moneys so paid by the Lord du Candal 28. Monsieur Guerin Pastor of the Church of Baugency made report unto this Assembly Alez Obs 13. on this Synod how that he and several other persons of the same Province were obliged in great Sums of Money disbursed for the conservation of the Town and Fortress of Gergeau during the late Troubles for which he is now prosecuted at Law and in danger of Arrests and to be made a Prisoner during Life unless it shall please this Assembly to take some effectual and speedy course for payment of this Debt out of the Augmentation-moneys granted unto the Churches by the Treaty of Loudun This Assembly being informed that by the Treaty of Loudun a certain Sum of Money was ordered to be paid in to the Lord Marquess of Rosny for this self-fame purpose and that he hath received it decreed that Letters should be written unto the said Marquess that he would be pleased out of those Moneys which have been paid in unto him for the reparation and fortifying of Gergeau to indempnifie the said Monsieur Guerin and those other Gentlemen bound together with him and these our Letters shall be put into the hands of the Lords our General Deputies that they may themselves deliver them unto him and prevail with the said Marquess that the Debt may be paid and the said Guerin and the rest of the Sureties legally discharged And the Province of Berry shall joyn with them in the same demand and in case they should gain nothing from him that then the said Province shall inform all the other Provinces that so the Deputies unto the next National Synod may be charged particularly to consider the Petition of the said Sieur Guerin 29. The Deputies of Dolphiny brought in their Accompts of Moneys formerly given unto the Protestants exiled from the Marquisate of Saluces Pâ—iâ—as p. m. 29. which were examined and allowed and deliver'd unto the Scribes of this Assembly with all the Acquittances that they might be carried unto Rochel and lodged up in the Archives there and the said Province of Dolphiny was discharged 30. Monsieur Sonis Pastor and Professor of Divinity in the Church and University of Montauban did by Letters petition this Assembly to assist him with a Sum of Money to help to print several Books composed by him And whereas divers Provinces had it in their Instructions to move that for the future no recompences might be given unto any on such occasion unless they had written at the desire and order of a National Synod This Assembly applauding the Zeal and Pains the Diligence and Faithfulness of the said Professor in his Place and Calling recommends it to the Province of Higher Languedoc to peruse the Manuscript Copies of the said Monsieur Sonis and to testifie their respect unto him so as that none of his worthy Labours be buried in silence and forgetfulness but that they be published for the common benefit of God's Church 31. Mr. Christian and Jacob Huberus Brethren and Sons of Monsieur Huberus Pastor of the Church of Berne in Switzerland came unto this Assembly bringing Letters from the Lords of Berne and from the said Huberus their Father demanding great sums of money which the late Monsieur Sturmius Father of the Wife of the said Huberus Alez g. m. 10. had lent partly of his own partly of what he had borrowed and stood ingaged for unto others for the good and service of the Reformed Churches in this Kingdom about forty years ago whereof they tendered in an Account and several Memoirs relating to it which having been perused and examined this Assembly did not believe that the Papers produced did at all oblige our Churches to make satisfaction for any of those great sums and this shall be notified by Letter from us unto the Lords of Berne and to the said Monsieur Huberus and two hundred Livers were ordered to be paid immediately by the Lord du Candal unto these two young Gentlemen the Sons of Monsieur Huberus to help to defray the Charges of their Journey hither 32. Monsieur Solera a Spaniard born who having forsook his Native Country retired into France and hath for a good space of time followed his studies hard in the Church and University of Saumur and the Deputies of the Province of Anjou understanding by his Testimonials from the Consistory and Professors there of his progress in Piety good Learning and knowledge of Divinity The Province of Normandy demanded him for their Proposan and designed to exhibit a Pension to him till such time as he should be found fit and qualified for the holy Ministry This Assembly ordained that the Portion attributed unto the said Province for a second Pastor in the Church of St. Lo shall be disposed of towards the maintenance of the said Solera and in case he be called forth unto the Ministry and be imployed in the said Church of St. Lo or in any other of the same Province that the said Portion shall be continued to him as unto the other Pastors 33. Monsieur de la Viale Deputy for the Province of Higher Languedoc Tonneins p. m. 5. Petitioned on behalf of Laurence de Fernandez that the sum of an hundred and twenty Livers which by the National Synod of Tonneins had been ordered to be paid in yearly to him might be continued for the future This Assembly declared that in as much as the said Fernandez had learnt a Trade and was Married and took up his residence at Montauban the said Relief could not be continued to him and in case he be pinched with wants the Church of Montauban shall assist him out of their Poors stock with their Charities 34. Peter Mercurin a Provencal maintained out of the Churches money Alez Appeal 9. ever since the last National Synod of Tonneins until now presented his Testimonial from the University of Montauban and Petitioned that whereas he had been assisted with the supply of an hundred and twenty Livers that it might be continued to him for some longer time This Assembly ordered the Lord of Candal to pay
it his business to reconcile and settle them and afterward they shall be recommended unto their Province to give them a fixed Pastor And whereas they demand assistance from us towards the maintenance of their Minister all possible care also shall be taken herein for their full satisfaction 19. An Appeal was brought by the Lord of St. Stephens Baron of Gangers from the Judicial Sentence of the Colloquy of Sauve ratified by the Provincial Synod of Sevennes and Gevaudan held at Meyruez in the Moneth of July last by which the said Baron of Gangers was ordered publickly to be suspended from Communion at the Lords Table for the Injuries and Violencies done by him to Monsieur Coder Minister of the Church of Gangers and farther that if the said Lord continued to trouble the said Codur in the Exercise of his Ministry that then the Province would espouse his Quarrel and defend him by all lawful ways Ecclesiastical and Civil And in the same Appeal the Consuls and Inhabitants of Gangers did by their Deputies represent how that the same Synod had also in the same manner censured them for that they had given leave to the said Monsieur Codur to withdraw himself from them unto a Neighbour Church until such time as that the Synod had provided better for him And yet nevertheless they were enjoyned by the Synod to pay him continually his Stipend as if he were actually in service among them In short they demanded that the said Codur might be removed out of their Town and transplanted elsewhere The Appellants being called in and heard in all what they had to speak or offer and the Provincial Deputies of Sevennes in the reasons moving their Synod to pass such a Sentence on them and Monsieur Codur also being heard in his defence and pretended Justification and two Elders of the Church of Gangers with Letters from the Consistory requesting that the said Church might be no longer deprived of Gods Holy Word and Sacraments This Assembly ratified the Judicial Sentence given by the Synod of Meyruez as to the suspension of the Lord Baron of Gangers from the Lords Table and the Publication of it together with the censure past on the said Consuls and other the Inhabitants of Gangers as being Complices and Partners with their Lord in all his Violencies and Indignities used towards their Pastor Moreover it censureth the Consistory of the said Church for their Levity manifest enough by their Letters and Testimonials contradictory one unto another And as for Monsieur Codur to procure him peace and to effect he peace of the said Church of Gangers he shall be removed from the said Church and the Province of Sevennes are ordered either by their Synod or by he Colloquy of Anduze to settle him elsewhere and in order hereunto they shall be assembled before New-years day next coming till which time the said Church of Ganges shall duly pay him his Stipend and they shall also satisfie him for all his Arrearages fully unto this very day And whereas the said Monsieur Codur hath met with a world of Fatigues and Troubles by reason of his Imployment in Political Affairs to the great hinderance and unsuccessfulness of his Ministry he is intreated never any more to intangle himself with them nor to assist in Person for the future in any of those Political Assemblies And whereas the said Lord Baron of Gangers the Consuls and other Inhabitants of Gangers here present were exhorted to reconcile themselves with the said Monsieur Codur and the Sieur Codur reciprocally to forget the Injuries he had received and that they would mutually imbrace each other and live in an Holy Concord and Love this was freely and chearfully done by all Parties Whereupon this National Synod to strengthen and consolidate this Union and to conciliate them with those who were absent did take off the Suspension from die said Baron and restoreth him to the Peace and Communion of the Church and by this means all Processes both Civil and Criminal on all sides shall cease and never be used more 20. Monsieur Gallpin Judge of the City of Vsez appealed from the Synod of Lower Languedoc which had suspended the said Gallpin from the Lords Table and ordered that the said Suspension should be published in the Church Although this Affair be not of their Nature which according to the Cannons of our Church-Discipline ought to fall under the Cognisance of National Synods yet for procuring that sweet Blessing of Peace and for divers other Important Considerations This Assembly did enter upon the Debate thereof and accordingly judged that the Synod of Lower Languedoc had just cause for suspending the said Galpin from the Lord's Table and this not upon the account of his Office for which they did not in the least intermeddle with him but for that Reproach the said Galpin hath brought upon the Church very unseasonably by his Extravagant Actings against the Sieur Gondin Viguier Provost of the City of Vsez and for discovering himself by the by to be of another Religion than the Reformed of which he now makes profession However the Synod for divers reasons doth not think meet that his Suspension should be published And forasmuch as the principal end of this Assembly is to promote an Holy Union among all the Members of our Church and principally among Persons whom God hath in his Providence advanced unto publick Office and Honour The said Monsieur Galpin is exhorted to reconcile himself with Monsieur Gondin and both of them joyntly to take such Rules and Measures as may secure the Publick Peace and Tranquility of Gods Church in their respective Places and Callings And the said Galpin and Gondin having testified their acquiescence in this Decree they were both reconciled and promised to surcease all Law-Suits and Processes whatsoever and to live in Amity and Concord together and that in case they should act contrary to these their promises that they would submit themselves unto all Censures of the Church to suspension from the Sacraments yea and to Excommunication it self and that the Consistory and Colloquy of Vsez and the Synod of Lower Languedoc should with the highest Authority proceed against them Whereupon the Suspension and its publication decreed against the faid Galpin by the Synod of Lower Languedoc was taken off and he was immediately restored to the Peace and Communion of the Church 21. The Sieur Boulet appealed from the Synod of Lower Languedoc held at Vsez in March last because he having opposed the Election of Monsieur Astier to the Office of an Elder they had censured him This Assembly confirms the Judicial Sentence or the said Synod and doth grievously censure the said Boulet for retaining so long and notorious a passion contrary to the Laws of Christian Charity which forbid us to harbour Wrath and command us to exercise Love unto all Gods Children And Monsieur Astier also is severely reproved for expressing so much disrespect as he hath done unto
take our advice first in it CHAP. X. FORM of EXCOMMUNICATION 2. Paâ—is 2. 2. Vitre 2. Observaâ— upon the Discipline 21 THE Province of Poictou requested that there might be another Form of Excommunication framed of a larger Nature than that in our Discipline because the horrible Corruptions of the Age we live in do indispensably need it and call upon us loudly to put it in Execution Whereupon this Form following was drawn up See the Excommunicat 〈◊〉 Jâ—â—emy Ferâ—â—er in the â—nd of the Synod of Tâ—â—neiâ—s My Brethren This is the Fourth time that we declare unto you that N. N. hath been suspended the Lords Table for that hainous Crime of N. committed by him to the great scandal of the Church of God and yet he continues impenitent and rejecteth all Counsels and Admonitions that have been given him which suspension and its causes we have fully notified unto you that you might joyn your Prayers with ours unto the great God to soften his stony heart and to move him unto Repentance and to bring him out of the high and broad way of destruction But notwithstanding our Indulgence to him and long suffering and forbearance of him although we have prayed intreated threatned and adjured him to break off his sinful courses and to return unto the Lord and tryed all means to bring him unto Repentance he yet persisteth in his Ungodliness and Impenitency and is more obstinate and hardned in his Rebellions against God and tramples under foot his Holy Word and scorneth that Discipline which God hath set up in his Church boasting himself of his Sin and causeth unto the Church for a very long time a world of grief and trouble and the Holy and Effectual Name of Jehovah our God to be blasphemed Wherefore we Ministers of the Word and Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ whom God hath armed with Spiritual Weapons Mighty through God to destroy the strong holds of Sin which oppose and exhalt themselves against him and to whom the Eternal Son of God hath given an ample Power of binding and loosing in Earth declaring that what we shall do here below he will ratifie and make it good in Heaven we being willing to purge and cleanse the House of God and to free the Church from all Reproach and Scandal and to glorifie the Name of God by pronouncing an Anathema upon the Wicked and Godless Sinner We do in the Name and by the Authority of our Lord Jesus and by and with the Advice of the Pastors and Elders assembled in the Colloquy at N. and of the Consistory of the Church of N We have and do cut off the said N. from the Communion of the Church we do Excommunicate him and cast him out of the Society of Gods Saints that he may be reputed by you as a Publican and Pagan and that among the faithful he may be an Anathema and Execration Let his Company be lookt upon as contagious and plaguy and his Example possess your Souls with terror and horror and make you tremble under the Mighty Hand of God and know that 't is a fearful thing to fall into the Hands of the Living God And this our Sentence of Excommunication the Son of God himself will ratifie and may he succeed and prosper it in such an effectual manner that this proud Sinner being ashamed and confounded before God may give Glory to him by his Conversion and that being deliver'd from the power of the Devil who hath hitherto kept him in Chains and Bondage he may be sorry for his Sin with a Godly sorrow and turn from it with a repentance unto life never to be repented of Let us my well-beloved Brethren call upon our God that he would be pleased to yearn with the bowels of his compassion upon this vile and miserable Creature and that this horrible Sentence which to our very great regret and grief we pronounce against him by and with the Authority of the Son of God may serve to abase and humble him and to reduce him into the way of Life and Salvation who hath wandred and strayd as a lost Sheep in the crooked paths of destruction Amen! Amen! Cursed is he who doth the Work of the Lord negligently Amen! If any one love not the Lord Jesus Christ let him be Anathema Maranatha Amen! 22. The Province of Xaintonge craved advice what course we might take with them who take out from the Courts of Parliament Prohibitions against the Orders and Censures of the Church as if they were intolerable abuses This Assembly injoyneth all Synods Colloquies and Consistories to procede against such Persons as Rebels against the Discipline of our Church and to inflict upon them the last and heaviest censure of Excommunication provided they have first endeavoured by the ways of Love and Kindness and Grave Religious Counsels to reduce such Persons unto their Duty and to subject them unto our Church Orders CHAP. XI The Canons of the Synod of Dort incorporated with those of the Reformed Churches of France 23 A Motion was made in this National Synod that some course should be taken in time to prevent the spreading of the Arminian Errors that have of late so much troubled the Churches of the Netherlands that they create no trouble to the Reformed Churches of this Kingdom This Assembly embraced the motion very readily and approved of it as very laudable just and needful for the peace of the Church of God and for the Conservation of the purity of our Doctrine and for the farther strengthning of our Union with the Foreign Reformed Churches and therefore counting the Maladies of the Low-Country Churches a very fair Advertisement and warning unto us and that we may imitate so excellent an Example and prevent the danger threatned us by making use of these self-same means they did for the Expulsion of those Errors out of their Bowels wherefore forasmuch as the National Synod of Dort called by the Authority wise Counsel and vigilant forecast of their High and Mighty Lordships the States General of the Confederate Netherlands and of all the United Provinces under their Jurisdiction and Government and in which assisted personally divers great and very Learned Divines from many other Reformed Churches of our Lord Jesus hath been in the Netherlands and still is a most effectual remedy for the Reformation of the Church and the grubbing of Heresies in the Article of Predestination and its depencies This Assembly after invocation of the Name of God decreed that the Articles of the said National Council held at Dort should be read in full Synod which being read accordingly and every Article ponder'd most attentively they were all received and approved by a common unanimous consent as agreeing with the Word of God and the Confession of Faith in these our Churches that they were framed with singular prudence and purity that they were very meet and proper to detect the Arminian Errors and to confound them for which reason all the
Council that the Moneys granted by his Bounty unto the Churches might be assigned on some particular Tally for this year That a long time was spent before he could find any success of his endeavours But at last they would give him Orders and Assignations which in truth he refused to accept because he knew them to be naught and worth nothing And that finally about the end of the last April they had given him others which he was constrained to take because he saw the Lords of the Council fixed in their resolutions of giving him none other That indeed these latter Assignations were a little better than the former but it would be a very great while before any payment were made that it would be at least Six or Eight Moneths before the first Summ would become due that the whole Assembly knew they would not grant him any Order or Tally for the last year 1622 yea and His Majesty had revoked his former grant of Moneys to the Churches for the year 1621 and employed them elsewhere to some other purposes And as for the Arrears due unto us in the foregoing years he had took all care possible and used the utmost diligence to recover them but with very little or no success that he had brought in his Accompts and prayed the Assembly to constitute a Committee to audit and close them The Assembly having most heartily thanked the said Lord of Candal for his singular care respects and kindnesses upon all occasions expressed unto the Churches and desired the continuance of his Love did nominate Messieurs de Basnage and Le Clark Pastors du Port and du Four Elders to peruse and examine his Accompts And whereas a world of inconveniencies will befal our Churches by so long delay of paying in the Moneys granted us by His Majesty for this year now current the Synod deputed the Sieurs de L' Angle a Pastor and du Port an Elder and the Lords of Montmartyn and Candal to wait upon His Majesty and on the behalf of this Assembly most humbly to beseech him to grant some other Assignations and Orders for the more speedy paying in of His Majesties Great Bounty unto our Churches and that as a Token of His Royal Goodness and Liberality he would be pleased to add some other Summs to us instead of those which have been taken from us in the last foregoing years we having received not so much as one farthing or doibt for them 15. A few dayes after the said Deputies being returned from the King they made Report in this Assembly how Graciously they had been received by His Majesty who assured them that in case his said Subjects of the Reformed Religion continued in their Duty and Obedience he would alwayes give them all possible content And the same Expressions of kindness they received also from the Lords of His most Honourable Privy Council who ordered out of hand Forty Thousand Livres to be payed in unto them they yielding up unto their Lordships the old Warrants for the like Summ but as for what was requested about reimbursing us the years past by fixing those Summs due unto us on some other Tallies and Assignations their Honours were pleased to say There was no reason why they should promise it 16. The Province of Anjou requested that the University of Saumur might not any longer be left destitute of Professors in Divinity but that some speedy care and course might be taken to send Monsieur Cameron to be Professor of that faculty in it The Lord Commissioner and Deputy for His Majesty unto this Synod declared that it was the Will and Pleasure of His Majesty that those two Gentlemen Mr. Gilbert Primrose and Mr. John Cameron should not be preferred neither of them to any Publick Office either of Pastors in the Churches or of Pastors and Professors in the Churches and Universities of this Kingdom not because of their Birth as being Foreigners but for some private Reasons of State relating to his Service And the said Lord of Galland presented us His Majesties Letters Written and Signed with His Own Hand Lewes and a little lower de L' Omeny Dated the Twenty Fifth day of this present Moneth The Assembly understanding this to be His Majesties pleasure would not put it to the Vote Whether they should be continued or not in their Ministry but deputed the Sieurs Cottiby Minister of the Gospel and du Bois and St. Martyn Elders together with the Lord of Montmartyn General Deputy to carry unto His Majesty a Petition from this Assembly wherein this Assembly did most humbly beseech His Majesty that as he had lately with his own Mouth most graciously promised so His Majesty would be pleased to give Order that all our Ministers might as fully injoy the fruit and benefit of his promise CHAP. XV. N. B. What picque the King of France had against Monsieur Cameron as I cannot tell so I shall not write my guesses and conjectures about it because they may be and may not be true Mr. Cameron if he had designed what afterwards some others attempted a coalition of both the Religions Protestant and Popish yet certainly was no Papist yea far enough from their Doctrine and Worship But he had angred the Jesuits not so much as his Reverend Colleague and Countreyman And this was the true reason why Monsieur Primrose was necessitated to quit Bourdeaux and France when as Cameron was permitted to tarry and return to Bourdeaux and was preferred unto the Professors Chair in Divinity afterwards at Montauban On Whitsunday in the year 1619. Father Arnoux the Jesuit preaching before the King Queen and Court of France in the Castle of Amboise attempted a Task impossible to whiten Blackamores to wash or wipe his Church clean and especially his own Order from an indelible blot viz. That they held it lawful to kill Kings This the Jesuit with a boldness and audaciousness which is the proper Talent of their Society would have some how or other evaded He assures that Royal Auditory with the greatest confidence that it was never the Doctrine of their Catholick Church never believed by these good Fathers that Subjects might lawfully rebel against their Sovereigns yea that it doth anathematize all those who teach and preach that the Sacred Persons of Princes may be lawfully made away and murdered yea that the whole Society of Jesuits doth condemn detest and as much as hi them lieth doth anathematize all Advisers Abettors and Aiders of Rebels against their King upon any pretext vvhatsoever His Majesty and that vvhole illustrious Auditory vvere overjoyed at this free and liberal Declaration of the Jesuit and quitted the Sermon as they said very much edified And His Majesty told it publickly that he had great reason to be pleased with the Fathers of the Society and that Father Arnoux had in the Name and stead of them all plainly and fully enough condemned the Book of Mariana Monsieur Primrose vvas present at this Sermon and
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
new against this unworthy Fellow CHAP. XXIV Discipline Exercised upon a Vitious Minister 53. WHereas James Jolly sometimes Pastor of the Church of Milhaud appealed from a Sentence past against him by the Synod of Higher Languedoc which had deposed him from the Holy Ministry Upon hearing the Deputies of that Province and the said Jolly himself who having been divers times summon'd to clear himself of the Crimes laid unto his charge though to no purpose for he could never do it The Synod ratified the Sentence past against him in every article and particular and because the qualities of his Crimes proved upon him are very hainous and atrocious as tempting and solliciting of Women to Adultery abominable and profane Speeches professed resolves and purposes to Apostatize from the True Religion and Blessed Gospel of our Lord Jesus perswading and enticing like the Devils other Ministers of Christ to joyn with him in his Revolt and Apostacy from all which horrible and scandalous Accusations he was bound in Honour and Conscience to purge himself and had he been innocent or had he but the least spark of Grace or one grain of the fear of God been lest in him he would have done it Moreover the said Jolly having discoursed with a great deal of impudence hardness and ungodliness in the very presence of the Synod and betook himself unto business utterly inconsistent with the Sacred Calling of a Minister for which had he none other guilt upon him he would have merited a Deposal from that Honourable Office The Synod seized with a just horror at his impenitency and aggravating the Sentence of his Provincial Synod denounceth the said Jolly utterly unworthy and altogether uncapable of any imployment in the Sacred Ministry of the Gospel deposeth him and doth now from this Instant declare him to be deposed from the Ministerial Function and for ever uncapable of being restored to it and depriveth him of all Communion in the Sacraments unto which he shall not be admitted 'till we have had a very long proof and some years Tryal and Experience of his Repentance and Reformation and that he have publickly and penitently acknowledged those great and hainous scandals he hath given unto the Church of God and in case he persist in his Rebellions then the Consistories and Colloquies being assembled together shall deliver him over unto the Devil by that dreadful Sentence of Excommunication 54. The Overseers of the Poor in the Church of Anduze appealed from a Decree of the Synod of Higher Languedoc and the Lord Aldebert Judge of Sauve complained against the Sieur John Bony Pastor of the Church of St. John of Cardonengue Master Cailou was heard speak in behalf of the Church of Anduze and Mr. Aldebert the younger opened the reasons of their Appeal and Mr. Bony together with the Provincial Deputies Apologized for themselves against thorn The Council having accurately considered all the Accusations and Matters of Offence included in those proceedings judgeth that Mr. Bony deserveth a very heavy Censure for notorious Avarice and dishonest Gain the guilt of which is apparent and visible upon him for that he disposed of the Goods of Pernette Andouyne to his own and his Childrens profit contrary to the Will and Testament she had once made in favour of the poor Members of the Church of Anduze Moreover the Council declareth that the said Master Bony cannot with a good Conscience detain and appropriate unto his own use the Goods aforesaid but ought immediately to restore them and to this purpose he was exhorted to choose Arbitrators as the said Overseers of the Poor would also to compose the differences between them and to agree upon the terms of restitution And it was farther intimated to him that in case the Execution of this Decree were in the least hindred or delayed by him the said Bony that the next Colloquy of Nismes was Authorized to proceed against him and to Depose him from the Ministry And forasmuch as he hath exprest his Repentance with grief and shame for his Sin and promised the Synod to give full satisfaction as before and for that he hath patiently and penitently borne the Suspension from his Office inflicted on him some Moneths ago The Synod doth restore him to the Exercise of his Ministry And whereas Monsieur Aldebert before-mentioned had been suspended from the Lords Table that Censure together with his being taxed for a Calumniator are both ordered to be taken off from him but he shall be first publickly reproved in the Person of his Son for that excessive Passion manifested by him in his Accusations Prosecutions and bitter Expressions in his Letters all which exasperated the Province of Higher Languedoc against him and were the true meritorious causes why he was so severely judged by them And both of those Gentlemen Bony and Aldebert are exhorted to a mutual reconciliation and forgetfulness of what is past and particularly the said Aldebert is advised to demean himself for the future with more Candor and Charity towards the said Bony And in case there should happen any new matter of Accusation against him that he do prosecute him according to the Forms and Canons of our Church Discipline Moreover Master Melucis and Berle Pastors and Witnesses to the aforesaid Testament shall be examined by their next Provincial Synod about their hand in this matter that so they may be dealt withal according to their demerits And whereas Monsieur de Surville another Minister could have given in a material Evidence against the said Bony but was sworn to Secrecy he also shall be called to an account and Justice shall be done upon him CHAP. XXV GENERAL MATTERS These poor Churches prayed for and rejoyced at the birth of the greatest Scourge and Plague that ever was upon them 1 WHereas all Pastors and Heads of Families and Members of our Churches ought dayly to implore the Throne of Grace for all Spiritual and Temporal Benedictions to be poured down upon the Person of His Majesty Our Dread Soveraign and for the Glory of His Crown the Peace and Prosperity of His Kingdom and Government they be all Exhorted in their Publick and Private Prayers importunately to beg of God that he would be graciously pleased to bless the Kings Majesty with Children of his own Body and to this purpose all the faithful shall with one accord joyn together in Common Prayers and Supplications that the Lord would hear and Answer the Requests of his poor Children who live under the Sh dow of his Anointed that the Scepter may be strengthned in his hand his House established from Generation to Generation and that over and above those Divine Graces and Favours which he hath already vouchsafed to him he may after a long and happy Life be honoured in succeeding Ages with the Glorious Title of Father of Kings as he is now with that of Father of his People 2. The Synod considering that through the Soveraign Mercy of God inclining His Majesties heart by
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
of Grace all other our Brethren who he groaning under the heavy Yoak and Burden of Afflictions that he would restore unto them the Consolations of his Spirit and put an end in his appointed Time according to his own good Pleasure unto all their Anguish and Sufferings Those many and sad Objects which are daily presented to our Eyes of a multitude of Refugees who were once themselves a Refuge unto the Faithful from the Storm and a Covert from the Tempest but being now saved by a miâ—aculous out-stretched Arm from a most calamitous Shipwrack are wandring up and down seeking an Ark and Retreat from this overflowing Deluge and sheltring themselves as in a Sanctuary in this our poor City will not permit us to leave our God alone nor to give him any Rest till by our most importunate Prayers we have prevailed with him to stir up the Bowels of his Compassions for the deliverance of his Children And we also pour into your Bosoms the Sentiments of this Grief which as on the one hand it cannot but move our Sympathies so on the other hand it doth make us seriously reflect on God's Methods and Dealings with his Churches and principally to consider his exquisite Trials of Church-Officers who be constituted by him Overseers in his House and Service and were bound to sanctify his Name in their Performances lest he should sanctify himself upon them by his Judgments This was what he had denounc'd against all that draw near unto him and they have seen it executed in its Perfection Besides we cannot in these last Troubles of the Church but observe how poor and feeble a thing an Arm of Flesh is and how very perillous thole Succors and Assistances are which Men receive from it Whereas the true Shields and Bucklers of Salvation do belong to God who only hath the Priviledg and deserves the Glory of his Churches Protection and Deliverance And in this Confession the Faithful knowing that the Assistance of Heaven is promised unto those who do patiently wait for it as you your selves most honoured dear Brethren have frequently sensed and experienced in your Trials do always prefer the Resolutions and Weapons of the Spirit of God to the Counsels of the Flesh that so there may not be the least pot reflected or fastned upon the Gospel And those who despise Dignities and subject them to the Power of that Man of Sin to be trampled under foot by him may be ashamed and confounded at their Lies and Calumnies cast upon us from those evident Testimonies of our Loyalty and Fidelity which according to the Gospel is rendred unto God and unto those to whose Authority he hath subjected our Persons and Estates in this World And this will be most clearly owned and acknowledged even then whenas Pastors shall intend the interiour Service of the Sanctuary which is the Edification of precious and immortal Souls and do not walk according to the World nor fear their Fear but glorify God in the Day of their Tribulations by an absolute and intire resignation of themselves to him and dependance on him whom they must need know can never divest himself of that Care and Charge of them which he hath once took upon him so expresly and particularly as to be their Guardian their Fortress their strong Tower and a Wall of Fire and Brass round about his Church marching as their Captain-General in the Van and Front and bringing up the Rear-guard of his Israel whilst that the Priests are wholly busied and imployed in carrying the Ark of his Covenant And we do not speak this as taking upon us to be the Judges of any one's Work but with all due Respects communicating to you the Sentiments of our Consciences which we hope will be approved also by your Reverences we do hereby express the most affectionate Desires of our Souls that the Breaches in the Temple of God may be repaired and that the Face of our Lord Jesus Christ may shine forth more gloriously upon our Brethren and our selves unto Salvation by the Spirit of his Power in the Gospel of his Glory waiting always for that blessed Hope of his last Coming whose near Approaches are notoriously visible and conspicuous from those frequent Travel-Pangs of the Church and general Convulsions and Shakings of the Nations infallible Harbingers and Fore-runners of his glorious Appearance before which we comfortably hope that having chastised his Church he will turn the fiery Stream and Current of his Judgments upon the Enemies of his Truth and Glory and will most effectually by the Spirit of his Mouth destroy the Son of Perdition True indeed there is one thing which cuts the Sinews of our Hopes and obstructs the Progress of this Divine Work and exceedingly damps and saddens our Hearts to wit that incredible and astonishing Stupidity of vast Numbers of Persons who harden themselves in their Sins under the Rods of God's Wrath and do sottishly yield unto the Temptations of the Devil in the Hour of their Trials Yet notwithstanding we be greatly comforted most Honoured Lords and Brethren at the glad Tidings of those excellent Fruits which the Lord's Visitation hath produced in many of your Churches once again bringing into use and exercise those Graces and Vertues so necessary for the Faithful and so difficult to be exerted and practised in Times of Prosperity such as the love of God's Word contempt of the World and kindling again a Fire of holy Zeal by the Spirit of God upon the Altar of the Sacred Ministry to the conviction of Sins and Errors and the reformation of Life and of former Miscarriages and the strengthning of the infirm and weaker Christians This is a demonstration of the Spirit and Power of God who is not only magnified in rescuing of his Church whenas the World gave her up for lost but also as we are from all Parts credibly informed and for which we rejoice together with you in our Lord in manifesting the Power of his Truth whenas the Adversaries taking occasion from your Afflictions believed that it was as easy for them to triumph by their Sophistry over the Doctrine of the Gospel as to throw down your sorry Ramparts of Earth but they have in truth sound the Rock of God's Word to be then inexpugnable whenas there was least of the Work of Man and the Truth then most prevalent and invincible when discovered in its primitive native Beauty and Simplicity Whence we ground our Hopes and Considence that God who hath poured out his Blessing upon your Labours will not begin and advance his Work to destroy it nor will he build his Sion with your Hands and at last abandon it unto those of his most cruel Enemies Wherefore most honoured Lords and Brethren The Joy and Crown of God's Churches be you incouraged in the Lord and whatsoever Difficulties may befal you from without or from within by those who suffer themselves to be debauched by this evil World do you be fortified in your
very much confided yet he hath supported and doth still support by his own Almighty Arm the People of his Covenant confounding their Hopes who promised themselves no less than the utter Ruin of all our flourishing Churches upon the Change of their temporal Estate they not considering that the true Religion is kept up in the Hearts of God's Elect by the Efficacy of that Spirit of Life which having raised Jesus Christ from the Dead doth give Power and Virtue to the Faithful to triumph over all the Forces and Assaults of the World yea and of Death it self To this Occasion of Thanksgiving we will add another which is more particular viz. That since the Peace was ratified God hath filled our Hearts with Gladness by saving his Majesty to whose Clemency we owe our Peace from a great and horrid Conspiracy plotted against him by his perfidious Enemies and ours also The Lord grant that the lively Sense of his Benefits may make us groan for having sinned against him and inflame us with his Love and that we to whom he hath committed the Government of his House may be Pattners of Zeal and of every Christian Vertue and by the Light of sound Doctrine and of an Holy Life we may dissipate and drive away those black and dark Vices wherewith our Flocks have provoked his Anger for certainly we have very great Cause of Humiliation being as yet under the Cross and his Majesty's Edict in divers Points and Articles being not as yet executed observed or performed and the Malice of our Enemies increasing the Number of those Infractions and thereby the Measure of our Sufferings all which is ordered by the most holy wise Providence of our God for our Correction For as of old when he extended Mercy unto Jacob wrestling with him yet with a Blow from his own Hand he made him lame and halt ever after even so also now in these Deliverances from our past Miseries and Confusions which it hath pleased his Divine Grace to vouchsafe us yet hath he left divers Wounds on the Body of our Churches whereby to provoke us unto Repentance and to quicken us unto more Intenseness and Fervour in our Prayers and Supplications for the exciting of his Bowels of Compassion towards us We do acknowledg the free Grace of our God to be our truest Refuge and Sanctuary and that a Christian Patience and submissive Waiting for the Effects of his wise Providence will be our most assured Remedy against all the Evils that can befal us And we have this Consolation got by long Experience of the Vanity of all human Means and Aids that 't is in our Days as it was in ancient Times when God saved and restored his People it was not done by Might nor Power not by Arms nor by Swords and Bows but by his Spirit This self-same Spirit which levelled the great Mountains before Zorobabel and brought them into Plains worketh as powerfully now as heretofore so that we often see those very Mountains of Dangers and Difficulties which were raised up against his People reduced unto nothing giving us therefore a clear and full Knowledg of his great Name that he is wonderful in Counsel and excellent in Working Moreover we do give you farther assurance that it is our Intention That those who are called of God to serve and Minister before him in his House shall wholly and absolutely attend thereunto We well knowing that whilst with Moses in the Mount they give themselves to Prayer and apply themselves wholly to their Ministerial Work and Duty they will attract upon their People the Blessing of the Lord and they will be mighty with God for the throwing down of strong Holds and of every high thing that exalts it self against the Knowledg of God And whereas you remind us of that great Contentment you received at the sight of that Universal Harmony of our former Synods in Points of Doctrine and rejection of Errors which had troubled divers Churches we conceive our selves bound to promote the continuance of your holy Joys and Thankfulness unto God forasmuch as in this Assembly there was found but one Heart and one Soul to maintain the Confession of Faith and the Discipline of our Churches by which we know that the Lord will preserve his Heritage in this Kingdom he himself keeping up this Sacred Mound and Hedg by his own special Benediction whilst he hath broke to pieces that which was Terrene and Carnal in sundry places Yea 't is our hope that as heretofore he made his Ark triumph in Captivity and Dagon to fall down prostrate before it even then whenas Israel was most despicable so also in the midst of the Churches Sufferings shall his Gospel triumph over Superstition And as the Cross of his Son the Lord Jesus got the Victory over the World so shall the Cross of his Children which is also that of Christ be the Confusion of their Enemies This is most honoured Lords and Brethren our Consolation amidst the Ruins and Desolations of the Church of God in divers Regions of Europe which is intimated to us in your Letters Let us therefore lift up our Hands and Hearts unto our God that he would be pleased to take pity on the great and sore Afflictions of Joseph and that he would make Jerusalem a Praise and Renown in the whole Earth for his own Name 's sake Of which we have the more and greater Hopes because those great and violent Attempts of Satan do learn us that the time of his Confusion draweth near and we know that the Lord never humbleth nor casteth down his poor Church but with a design of exalting it and he layeth his Children as it were dead in their Graves that he may confound the World by raising them again from the Dead And inasmuch as amidst such horrible Afflictions God hath made your Church and Common-wealth a glorious Example of his Protection and of the Miracles of his Providence we render to his Divine Majesty from the bottom of our Hearts all possible Thanks and Praises and particularly for this that as your Golden Candlestick hath never wanted burning and shining Lights so also your University ceaseth not to educate and prepare for the Service of many Churches many fit and well-furnish'd Instruments for the Work of the Ministry In which we own and acknowledg the Zeal and Piety of our Lords your Magistrates to whom we do wish from the Lord of Lords all sorts of Benedictions And we praise God that through the goodness of our King we enjoy our ancient Priviledges of serving and building up the Churches in this Realm by their Ministry who owe their Education to your worthy Labours and Instructions and all our Provinces shall be as to their Profit so to your Contentment fully and sufficiently informed hereof at the return of their respective Deputies And in the mean while we most affectionately thank you for your singular care in cultivating and improving those many young and tender
Church which was also confirmed by the Synod of the Isle of France as also for that they refused him an Attestation which he would have used for divers Ends and Purposes The Assembly having heard the Deputies of that Province told him that his Affair was not of that nature as to be brought before a National Synod however out of special Favour to him they did permit him to discover his Grievances which being unfolded by him and considered occasion was thereby given of remonstrating to him his Offences committed by Words and Deeds and Proceedings against the Pastors and Consistory of the Church of Paris And farther it was declared to him that the Censures of the said Church had been inflicted on him by reason of his ill Deportments And farther he was exhorted to pay all Respect and Obedience unto his spiritual Guides and Rulers and to subject himself unto the Discipline of our Churches And finally he was injoined to acquiesce in what had been decreed concerning his Matters both by the said Church and the Provincial Synod All which he did immediately 9. The Judgment of the Province of Sevennes concerning the Ministry of Monsieur Soleil having been confirmed the Appeal brought by Mr. Vignolles and Roux was declared null and the Appellants worthy of Censure for their unreasonable Misconstruction of it 10. The Appeal of the Church de la Fitte was rejected because it ought not to be brought unto nor received in this Assembly Wherefore they were injoined to acquiesce in the Judgment of their Province 11. On reading that Clause in the last Will and Testament of the Lord de la Fon relating to the Legacy bequeathed by him for the educating a young Scholar in Humanity and the Arts who may one day serve the Church of God in the Sacred Ministry and the Judgment given by the Synod of Normandy upon it and the Memoirs of the Church of Baaly This Assembly disannulled that Judgment of the said Provincial Synod as also the Appeal of the Church of Baaly and confirmed the Decree of the last National Synod and now declareth and ordaineth That the said Church hath only nor ought it to have any other Interest in the said Legacy than its bare Administration for so the Lord de la Fon disposed of it in his Testament aforesaid for the maintenance of a Scholar and that it is the proper and special Duty of the said Church to be accomptable for it unto the Colloquy of Caen according to the Intention of the deceased Donor expressed in that Clause of his Will wherein he mentions the said Legacy And the said Colloquy or the said Church of Baaly are necessarily to be called in at that time when the Election of the Scholar is to be made and to be present at his Examen to judg of his Progress and the said Church if they please and have need of him may and ought before any other have the choice of him to be imployed in the Service of their Souls in the Ministry of the Word and Sacraments 12. The Deputies of Sevennes complained that the Synod of Lower Languedoc had several times attempted to provide for their vacant Churches out of their Province which is directly contrary to the Canons of our Discipline and have thereby reduced those two Reverend Ministers Mr. du Mas and de la Cosle to remain without employment This Assembly condemning such Proceedings doth recommend unto the Province of Lower Languedoc the Practice of the twenty fourth Canon made in the National Synod of Charenton in the Year 1623 Observation the second upon the Discipline And it being the desire of the Church of Alez as also of the Synod of Sevennes whereunto that of Lower Languedoc doth freely consent that Monsieur Button should be assigned to the Ministry of the Church of Alez he is by the Authority of this Synod given and confirmed to them for their Pastor 13. The Appeal of Monsieur Rouzé and of the Church of St. Andrew de l' Ancize was disannulled because the Affairs of their annexed Congregations ought to be soveraignly and finally determined by their own of the Neighbour-Provinces And this Assembly recommends the said Mr. Rouzé to the care of the Synod of Sevennes to provide for his comfortable Subsistence according to the Rules of Christian Charity 14. This Assembly passing by the Appeal of the Province of Xaintonge from the Judgment of that of Poitiers according to the Decree of the National Synod of St. Maixant held in May 1609 Article the nineteenth about â—ppeals leaveth the Family of the Lord du Brueil Goulard at liberty to join themselves unto the Church of Annay 15. To regulate that Contest between the Provinces of Xaintonge and Poictou the latter of these pretending to reunite the Church of Champagne Mouton with their Synod This Assembly confirming the Decree of the first National Synod of Charenton ordaineth That the said Church shall continue incorporated as it hath been to this day with that of St. Claud until the next Synod of Xaintonge which shall make some Provision for Monsieur Ferrand and by all fitting Means for the Subsistence of the Church of St. Claud and immediately after the breaking up of the said Synod the Church of Champagne Mouton shall be joined unto that of Courteilles and provided for to its liking and content by the Synod of Poictou and that said Synod shall take a most particular care that the Church of Vigean be not left destitute of a Pastor 16. This Assembly ratified the Judgment of the Consistory and Colloquy of Caen approved by the Synod of Normandy who declared the Appeal of Monsieur Fourneaux null and not receivable and ordaineth That the said Judicial Sentence be fully executed according to its purport and tenour in due form as to the deposing of the said Fourneaux And whereas he had been publickly suspended from the Lord's Supper and since he hath acknowledged his Offence for marrying his Daughter unto one of a contrary Religion publickly before a whole National Synod and he having been kept back from communicating at the Lord's Table this last Easter the said Suspension shall be taken off both from himself and Wise after that he shall have confessed in the Consistory his Sorrow for the Sin which his Conâ—â—vency hath brought into his Family 17. Upon perusal of the Judgment past in the Synods of Sevennes and Lower Languedoc and of the Letters of Monsieur Horle's Widow and the Memoirs of the Church of Anduze this Assembly declareth the said Church to have well deserved the sharpest Censures and therefore rejecteth their Appeal and confirmeth the judicial Sentence of both those Synods and enjoined that said Church to give full Satisfaction unto that poor and afflicted Widow 18. This Assembly receiving the Appeal of the Lord Chabassier Judg of Anduze and of Monsieur Couraut Pastor of the Church of Quissac and condemning the Facility of the Synod of Sevennes held at Sumene who without hearing of
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
made in this Ensuing Order Quest 5. Do not you believe that this great God who hath Created Heaven and Earth is one in Essence though distinguished into Three Persons Equal and Coeternal The Father the Son begotten of the Father from all Eternity and the Holy Ghost proceeding Everlasting from the Father and the Son Answ Yes Quest 6. Do not you believe that this Great God who never left himself without Witness hath manifested himself unto Men not only by his Works which ever since their first Production do uncessantly declare his Praise and Glory but also by the Revelation of his Counsel for the Salvation of Mankind contained in the Holy Scriptures called the Old and New Testament Answ Yes Quest 7. Do not you believe that all those Holy Scriptures are of Divine Inspiration and contain the perfect Rule of our Faith and Life Answ Yes Quest Do not you profess that you will even to the last Moment of your Life resist the Devil whom you have hitherto adored serving Idols made with hands or the Host of Heaven or those which by Nature are no Gods Answ Yes If the Catechumen be a Jew these Five following Questions shall be propounded to him omitting those Four above mentioned as properly belonging to the Heathen Quest 1. Do you not detest the Rebellion and Obdurateness of the Jews and do you not most humbly beg Pardon of God that you have been so long a time detained under it Answ Yes Quest 2. Do not you believe that the whole of God's Will which it hath pleased him graciously to reveal unto us is not only contained in the Books of the Old Testament but also in those of the new Answ Yes Quest 3. Do not you believe that Jesus the Son of the Blessed Virgin Mary who was Conceived in her by the uneffable Power of the Holy Ghost and afterward Condemned to the Death of the Cross upon the malicious Accusation of the Jews by the Vnrighteous Sentence of Pontius Pilate and Raised from the Dead the Third Day and now exalted in Glory is God manifested in the Flesh the Eternal word of the Father by whom he Created and Sustaineth the whole World that blessed Seed promised unto Adam immediately upon his Fall by whose Power and Vertue the Head of that Old Serpent was Bruised whose coming in the Flesh all the Patriarchs believed and hoped for that great Prophet and true Messiah foretold by Moses and all the Prophets that lived after him Answ Yes Quest 4. Do not you believe that the Lord Jesus is the end of the Law for Righteousness unto all Believers the Truth and Substance of all his Types and Shadows the true Lamb of God who taketh away the Sins of the whole World and in whom all the fulness of the Godhead dwelleth bodily Answ Yes Quest 5. Do not you believe that the Observation of the Ceremonial Law is now not only needless and Superfluous but also every way pernicious unto Conscience Ans Yes If the Catechumen be a Mahometan the Minister shall propound unto him these Six following Questions omitting those above mentioned which properly belong unto the Jews and Pagans Quest 1. Do you not believe that the Scriptures of the Old and New Testament be inspired of God and contain his whole Counsel for the Salvation of Men and are the only perfect Rule of Faith and Life Answ Yes Quest 2. Do not you believe that Jesus the Son of the Blessed Virgin Mary who was Conceived in her by the Vertue of the Holy Ghost and Formed as to the Flesh out of her own Substance is God and Man Blessed for evermore perfect God and perfect Man Man born of a Woman in due fulness of time and God begotten of the Father from Everlasting Answ Yes Quest 3. Do not you believe that the Lord Jesus from his first Conception after the Flesh was Holy Innocent without Blemish and separate from Sinners and that he did not suffer Death for his own Sins but for ours only Answ Yes Quest 4. Do not you believe that his Death is the Propitiation for our Sins yea and for the Sins of the whole World and that this Propitiation is infinitely Meritorious through which Everlasting Glory and Salvation were purchased for us Answ Yes Quest 5. Do not you believe that Mahomet was an Impostor and that his Alcoran is a Sacrilegious Heap of Idle Fancies full of Absurdities broach'd on design to set up a False and Abominable Religion Answ Yes Quest 6. Do not you believe that the Gospel of our Lord Jesus is the power of God unto Salvation to every one that believeth and that in the Christian Religion only God the Father hath revealed his good Will and Pleasure for the Salvation of Men until the End of the World and that since its Revelation there is not any new Religion to be expired for that the Lord Christ is the only great Prophet promised unto the Faithful of the Old Testament and that God having formerly spoken at sundry times and in divers manners unto Men before the Law and under the Law hath spoken to the Church of the New Testament by the Mouth of his only Son the Lord Jesus Answ Yes Quest Give an Account of your Creed Answ I believe in God the Father Almighty Creator of c. In case the Catechumen be an Anabaptist the Minister having made all those Demands Printed in the Roman Character and omitted those in the Italian which more particularly belong either to Pagans Jews or Mahometans he shall thus proceed Quest 1. Do not you believe that the Lord Jesus is and shall be true God and true Man in those Two Natures everlastingly that he was according to his Human Nature like in all thing unto other Men Sin only excepted insomuch that he was the true Son of Abraham of David and of the Blessed Virgin descended from their Seed and Blood and that the Substance of his Body was not only formed in the Virgin but also out of the very Substance of the Virgin conformably to that Saying of the Apostle that he was of the Seed of David according to the Scriptures that he was born of a Woman and partaker of Flesh and Blood as all other Children Answ Yes Quest 2. Do you not believe that Infant-Baptism is grounded on the Scriptures and the perpetual Practice of the Christian Church Answ Yes Quest 3. Do not you renounce with your whole Heart their Error who reject Baptism And are you not penitent for your so long refusal of it Answ Yes Quest 4. Do not you believe the Authority of Magistrates to be an Ordinance of God unto which whoso will not yield Subjection do bring upon themselves Condemnation and that all kind of Obedience is due unto them Answ Yes Quest Do not you believe that this good God who calleth all of us by the Ministry of his Word unto Life and Salvation hath appointed certain Signs and Sacraments in his Church which do Seal and
Face and called him to the Knowledg of thy self the only True God and Jesus Christ whom thou hast sent and animated him with a Spiritual Courage to make a publick Confession this Day of thy Holy Faith and that Hope which thou hast begotten in his Soul and granted him this Grace to offer himself in thy Presence unto this Holy Sacrament of Baptism the Seal of thy Covenant the Pledg of the Remission of our Sins and the Token of our Admission into thy House by a Supernatural New Birth So most blessed God we beseech thee to dart in upon him more and more the Beams of thy Mercy to forgive him all his Sins to purge his Conscience with the precious Blood of the Lamb without Spot who taketh away the Sins of the World O cause him Lord to feel the Almighty Vertue of his Propitiation Let thy Holy Spirit sanctifie him and make him a new Creature that he dying unto Sin may live unto Righteousness and putting off the Old Man with his Works he may put on the New Man who is renewed in Righteousness and true Holiness And as we are now pouring upon his Head the Waters of thy Sacrament so we beseech thee more especially to pour down upon him the Gifts and Graces of thy Holy Spirit Receive him into the Number of thy Domesticks and honour him with the Adoption of thy Children Give him Grace that during his whole Life he may devote himself entirely unto thy Service and yield that Obedience and Religious Worship to thee which is thy Due and his Duty And let him persevere faithfully in thy Holy Covenant for ever-more that as we do now receive him in thy Name into the Communion of thy Church Militant so thou mayest another Day exalt him into the Bosom of thy Church Triumphant and gather him at his Death unto that general Assembly of the First-born whose Names are written in Heaven Hear us O merciful Father that this Baptism which we do now administer to him according to thy Sacred Ordinance may produce its Fruit and Vertue in him as thou hast declared in thy Holy Gospel to us for the sake of thy dear Son in whom thou art well-pleased even our Lord Jesus Christ who hath commanded us to call upon thee saying Our Father which art in Heaven c. Then the Minister addressing himself to the Sureties who present the Catechumen shall say My Brethren As you have charitably employed your selves in the Instruction and Edification of this our Brother and are Witnesses of tha Baptism which he shall now receive through our Ministry so do you not promise before God and this Sacred Assembly to continue more and more to strengthen and confirm him in the Faith and to stir him up unto all good Works Answ Yes This done the Minister speaking unto the Catechumen who upon his Knees waiteth for Baptism shall say Forasmuch as we have received these Evidences of your Faith pouring Water upon him N. I Baptize thee in the Name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Ghost Amen The Conclusion of the Form of Baptizing Strangers from the Covenant of God whether Pagans Jews Mahometans Anabaptists or any other Infidels who had not been before baptized 11. If in Churches served by divers Pastors any one of them be disabled either through Age or some other Infirmity from administring the Cup yet shall he always distribute the Bread in the Lord's Supper unto the Communicants and this Canon shall be observed in all the Provinces without exception 12. Whereas in many of the greater Churches of this Kingdom it hath been found requisite for their more general edifying to handle the Sunday's Catechisms by way of Common-Places in Divinity and not by familiar Questions and Answers And to promote their Instruction who are well grown in years they have substituted extraordinary Catechisings on certain Days immediately preceding the Lords Supper we approving their Practice do notwithstanding exhort the rest of the Churches to conform themselves unto the Order prescribed by the Discipline as much as possibly they can And in case they cannot every Lords Day Catechise their Children yet shall they chuse out some days of the Week peculiarly for this Exercise especially before the Sacrament of the Lords Supper is to be administred and the Provincial Synods are ordred to see this punctually observed in every Church of their Jurisdiction and to give an Account thereof unto the next National Synod 13. To explain that Canon of our Discipline which bindeth Pastors in their ordinary Course of Preaching to expound some one particular Book of Holy Scripture from the beginning to the end thereof this Assembly declareth that the Intention of the National Synod which decreed that Canon was not thereby to debar or hinder any Pastors from edifying their Churches by expounding of any Books or Texts of Scripture particularly chosen on extraordinary occasions as of the Lords Supper c. nor to impose upon them any necessity of prosecuting the Exposition of the same Book which was the Subject of their Lord's Day Sermon upon the Week Days in which the far greatest Part of the People are taken up with the Occupations of their Secular Callings and Families that they cannot attend upon such Sermons and so would be deprived of their chiefest Edification but in this respect to leave all Pastors to their Liberty 14. Henceforward the Moderators in Synodical Assemblies and the Deputies which shall be sent from the Provinces in their Name to assist in National Synods shall be chosen as the Canons of our Discipline have determined not by the Churches but by Plurality of Suffrages of the Provinces And in case any absent Person should be elected yet this shall not abridge the Pastors of their Liberty in Voting 15. For the better Understanding the Third Canon of the Ninth Chapter of the Discipline This Assembly declareth that the Memoirs wherewith every Province intrusteth their respective Deputies ought to be resolv'd in their Provincial Synods by plurality of Votes and signed in the said Assemblies by the Moderators and in case this be omitted there shall be no more regard had unto them than unto Motions made by Private Persons who had no Order nor Commission and propounded such matters of their own Head 16. Upon the Eighth Canon of the Ninth Chapter of the Discipline it was decreed that the Moderator of the Synod having propounded the Matters of Discipline which are to be debated shall defer the giving of his Suffrage till all the Deputies have given theirs and he having gathered their Votes shall then at last have the Casting Voice CHAP. X. Observations made on Reading the National Synod of Alenson held in the Year 1637. 1. IN compliance with that Petition of the Deputies of Vivaretz and of the Church of St. Stephen in Forest which had agreed in a particular Treaty made with the Church of Bonlieu and by Consent of the Province of Burgundy that the said Church
in this Place their Prayers for the Glory of his Majesty Prosperity of his Government and the Blessings of God upon his Marriage And my Lord Commissioner declaring that he could not permit us to return any Answer to them the whole Assembly submitted its self unto his Majesty's Orders 9. A Copy of another Letter written unto the King Sire HAving happily concluded the Synod which your Majesty was pleased by your Gracious License to permit us convocate in this Town we have deputed the Sieure Dize a Pastor and de Foissac an Elder to lay at your Majesty's Feet our most humble Thanks 〈◊〉 from us unto your Majesty and our sincerest Protestations for continuance of our Obedience and Fidelity in your Service who being the Pourtraiture of God our Religion which commands us to fear him doth also enjoyn us entirely to submit our selves unto your Sovereign Authority But over and above these Sentiments which Nature and our Religion have inspired into us those Favours Sire which we daily receive from your Majesty are so mighty that we are sensibly obliged and engaged with the greatest Ardour and Pleasure to devote unto your Service our Lives and Fortunes It is true Sire that those Edicts which the Kings your Predecessors were pleased to grant us and your Royal Goodness to confirm unto us are broken in all your Provinces But Sire as we are fully assured of your Majesty's good Intentions so we ascribe those Infractions unto their particular Passion who do hate us And we most humbly petition your Majesty to hear our Complaints presented to you in this Bill of Grievances which we presume by our Deputies to tender to you and hope your Majesty will favour us with a gracious Answer we knowing very well that as your I hrone is glorious with an infinite number of Triumphs so is it invironed with Justice and Equity And these Verities Sire are the fairest Flowers in your Crown and render you the Father of that People over whom you are the Sovereign and give you a Nobler Dominion and far more absolute Empire in your Subjects Hearts than that which you exercise over your Armies and Provinces and these oblige all true Frenchmen to bless God for so just and good and glorious a Reign and we more than others do bless his holy Name for it beseeching God in a more especial manner with all the powers of our Souls to preserve your Sacred Majesty to grant a happy Success to all your Designs and Enterprises and to maintain your Government in all Peace and Prosperity These Sire are the most ardent Vows of those who he in very Truth and Deed Of your Majesty Sire The most Humble the most Obedient â—nd most Faithful Subjects and Servants the Pastors and Elders assemble by your Majesties Permission in a National Synod and for them all Daille Moderator J. M. de Langle Assessor Scribes Loride des Galinieres And De Brissac A Copy of another Letter unto his Eminency My Lord WE acknowledg our great Debt unto your Eminency for 't is to your Counsels that we stand obliged for our assembling and holding of this Synod and for the time allotted us for the regulating of our Affairs We send the Sieurs Dize Pastor and de Foissac an Elder unto his Majesty to present him our Bill of Grievances and to render unto your Eminency my Lord our most Humble Thanks for your Favours And we most humbly beseech your Eminency to accept of our profound Respects and those Assurances we give you of our Thankfulness We hope that your Eminency will continue unto us the effects of your Justice and Protection and that we shall always have occasion of publishing to the World your Goodness and to beg of God in all our Prayers that he would accumulate upon your Eminency his most precious Benedictions We are My Lord Of your Eminency The most Humble and the most Obedient Servants the Pastors and Elders assembled by his Majesty's Permission in the National Synod of Loudun and for them all Moderator Daille Assessor J. M. de L'Angle Scribes De Brissac Loride des Galiâ—â—â—es CHAP. VI. Notes on the Confession THE Confession of Faith being Read was signed by all the Deputies who did for themselves and their Provinces unanimously and solemnly protest that they would persevere in the inviolable Profession of it till Death CHAP. VII Observations on Reading of the Discipline THE Deputies of the Province of Xaintonge demanded that a longer time than Two Years of Probation might be allotted unto Priests and Monks who have renounced their Superstitions and Idolatries and joyned themselves unto our Communion before they were admitted into the Holy Ministry because of the many Scandals arising from their ill Conduct The Assembly was of Opinion that there needed no longer time of Probation than those Two years determined by the Second Canon in the First Chapter of our Discipline But that all Churches and Colloquies should be advised not to be precipitant nor over hasty in their seeking and receiving of such Persons but yet to get as full and evident Proofs of their Sincerity as they shall judge necessary till the time prescribed by our Discipline be expired which is the least that in Reason or Prudence can be demanded 2. The Provinces of Xaintonge and Poictou demanding that this Assembly would take some order to prevent those Inconveniences which may fall out in the examination of Proposans in Fortified Consistories A Decree was made that the Canons in the Second Article of the First Chapter of our Discipline and the Acts of the National Synods held at Charenton in the Year 1631 shall be exactly observed and that our Proposans as long as God giveth us means and opportunity shall be examined in Colloquies and Synods and no where else unless it be upon very great and considerable Grounds and Reasons and in case of urgent and indispensable Necessity for which the Churches shall be accountable unto the Provincial Synods and these unto the National and what hath been done in this matter by the Consistories of Paris and Saumur is approved of as being conformable unto those aforementioned Canons 3. The Deputies of Provinces of Sevennes and Lower Lauguedoc proposed op the Fifth Article of the First Chapter of our Discipline that the Age of Students in Divinity might be certainly fixed before they be by Ordination received into the Holy Ministry that so the many inconveniencies which have been observed in divers Places through the heats and inexperience of their Youth may be prevented This Assembly did not judge meet to make any change in the Canon of our Discipline But doth seriously advise all the Provinces to admit none unto examination unless such Persons of whose Piety Gravity and Prudence they have good and sufficient Testimonials which shall not be given them by Pastors and Professors but with very great Circumspection 4. That Order in the Seventh Article of the First Chapter of our Discipline about the manner of
by the said Lady then the Deputies of the Churches of St. Aignan and Mans shall go unto the City of Alanson to agree with that Church about the Proposan on whom the said Pension is to be conferred And in case of Disagreement between those Churches aforesaid about this Election in which those of St. Aignan and Mans shall have but one Vote the Election shall be done alternatively to wit the first time by the Church of Alanson which shall have the preheminency but the time the Churches of St. Aignan and Mans conjoyntly shall take place before that of Alanson and thus consecutively one after another And in this choice and nomination those aforesaid Churches shall see that the Will of the said Lady of La Harangere be faithfully observed who expresly ordered that the Children born in lawful Marriage of the Sieurs Bourdieu de Bloic de Portevize and du Hamel being Proposans and destinated to the Holy Ministry should be preferr'd before all others whether those Children born or to be born were descended from their Sons or Daughters Nor may any Proposan chosen to receive the said Pension injoy it any longer than the term of Four Years And when as the said Proposan shall be found fit and qualified for the Ministry and be admitted thereinto the Church of Alanson shall have the first choice to retain him in their Service and next the Church of St. Aignan and lastly the Church of Mans and in case neither of these Three should pitch upon him for their Minister he shall then be assigned unto one of the nearest Churches Moreover this Assembly doth for certain Reasons Ordain that the said Sieur L'arpent shall receive the said Pension for Four Years commencing from the Day of his Election which Term being expired they shall proceed unto a new Election according to the Canon aforesaid And this Assembly hath discharged and doth now discharge the said Church of Mans of all Demands Claims and Pretensions whatsoever that might be brought against it upon the account of those Sums which either Mr. Vignier the Father or his Son have received for that Pension during several Years excepting only what the said Churches may demand of the Heirs of the said Mr. Vignier And in case there should be any difference between the Churches of St. Aignan and Mans about those Elections which they are bound to make they shall be composed and terminated by the Synod of Anjou And the said Sieur de L'Arpent and all other Proposans receiving the said Pension shall be bound to give Security that in case through their default or neglect they do not attain to be Ministers of the Gospel or that they change their purpose and divert to some other Studies and Employment they make Restitution of the Monies they have thus received and this agreeable to the Canons of our National Synods 12. This Assembly having heard Mr. Le Croix du Val Deputy from the Heads of Families in the Church of Alanson who declared that he was sent by them to oppose a Proposition set on foot by some particular Members of the said Church and to be tendred unto this Assembly about changing of their Consistory and its ancient Order and that being come unto this City he met with the like Proposition made to their Provincial Synod of Normandy held in the Year 1655 and the Assembly having perused the Memoirs of the Deputies of that Province had remitted the whole affair unto the Synod of that Province Yet nevertheless having waited to see if any one should move about this matter and observing that none had done it he that he might discharge the Trust committed to him did tender unto this Assembly according to his Duty the Letters and Memoirs with which he was charged and opened before this Assembly the cause of his Deputation and the Arguments they had against any such Alteration and he did in behalf of those Heads of Families Petition and doth now again Petition that the Deputies of the said Province may declare whether they be ordered to set on Foot that new Proposition and whether they intend to speak of it who answered that they had no such design because that Affair had been remanded back unto their Provincial Synod The Assembly hath dismissed over the Letters Memoirs and the Act now presented by the said Sieur de la Croix du Val Deputed by the Heads of Families in the Church of Alanson together with the Cognizance and Judgment of this Affair unto the Provincial Synod of Normandy according as was before decreed 13. The Assembly being informed of the great Disorders in the Church of Sauvetat by reason of the difference between the Sieur de Carbon and the Inhabitants of that Town who compose the Church in that place Letters were voted to be written unto the Lord Duke of La Force to intreat his Grace that he would be pleased by his Prudence and Authority to terminate those unhappy Dissentions which menace that poor Church with no less than its utter Ruin and Destruction 14. The Assembly having received honourable Testimonials from divers parts of the singular worth of Monsieur Charles Pastor of the Church of Gap and taking into consideration his numerous Family great Deserts and low Estate in the World and the Inabilities of his Church doth highly applaud his Zeal Pains Care Diligence and Perseverance in his Masters Service having served the Lord and his Churches most faithfully for many years and eminently in this Church wherefore that he may have a competent Maintenance to supply his Necessities this Assembly judgeth him every way worthy of the Cares and Respects of his Province and of his own Congregation which is commended for the Tokens of their Love and Affection to him for his own and his Subsistence And whereas the said Church did agree and bargain at first with him to pay him during his Life the yearly Sum of Three Hundred Livres only they are now most earnestly intreated to extend their Charity and Thankfulness unto him and to augment his Maintenance by raising it up unto Four Hundred Livres a Year for his Life 15. The Province of Vivaretz received the praise of this Assembly for their fervent kindness to Monsieur Chenat formerly Pastor of the Church at La Gorce but now employed in the Service of that of Charenton and it is most earnestly exhorted to continue the yearly Sum of 150 Livres to him for the comfortable Subsistence of this good Servant of Jesus Christ whose Labours and Travels have been very great in the Work of the Lord. 16. The Memoirs and Letters of Monsieur Gabet Pastor of the Church at Osselon having been read and examined in this Assembly his Affair was dismissed over to the Province of Dolphiny which was commended for their Charity and Support extended to him and the said Province was intreated to continue their Cares for the Comfort and Repose of this poor Minister and to hear him in those matters which he shall
National Synod belongeth according to the Canons of our Discipline unto the Province of Power Languedoc And this Assembly Ordaineth that with the good Pleasure of his Majesty it shall he convoked about Three Years hence in that Order prescribed by our Discipline and the Deputies shall meet from all the Provinces of this Kingdom at the City of Nismes CHAP. XIX An Act for the validity of all Acts which shall be Delivered and Signed IT is Decreed That as great Credit shall be given to those Acts which are signed either by the Moderator or Assessor or one of the Scribes of this Assembly as if they had been Signed and Subscribed by the Moderator Assessor both the Scribes and all the Deputies conjoyntly The Sieurs Dize Pastor of the Church at Grenoble and De Foissac Elder in the Church of Usez are nominated to wait upon his Majesty and to deliver the most humble Thanks of this Assembly to him together with the Bill of our just Grievances and Petitions and to assure his Majesty that we shall continue in his Majesty's Service with an untainted and inviolable Fidelity Done and Decreed at Loudun this Tenth Day of January One Thousand Six Hundred and Sixty Signed in the Original by Daille Moderator J. M. D'Angle Assessor Scribes J. De Brissac Pastor Loride des Galinieres CHAP. XX. Commissions Executed WHen as the National Synod held at Loudun November 10 1659 was broken up the Sieurs Guitton and du Bourdieu went unto Sanmur according as they were ordered add Monsieur Guitton made this Speech in the University Messieurs THE National Synod which is now ended at Loudun being Informed by the Complaints of divers Provinces that for a long time together very many and great Disorders have crowded in among our Students of Divinity and that to the great scandal of all Godly Persons there is a visible defect of Modesty and Christian Integrity in their Deportments that Venerable Assembly judged that in prudence it was bound to exert its Authority for the retrenching and removal of them And having made a Canon which we shall read unto you immediately it did straitly charge us to assemble your whole Body before the Senate of this University that we might re-inforce it upon your Consciences by our oral Exhortations and Remonstrances Give Sirs your Attention unto the Synodical Decree The Deputies of all our Provinces complaining with one common Voice of the great Corruptions crept in among Scholars in our Universities especially among Students in Divinity of their wearing Long Hair of their Cloaths after the new fangled Fashions of the World of their wide Floating Sleeves Gloves stuft with Silk and Ribbans that they frequented Taverns haunted the Company of Women walk'd Abroad with their Swords that their Style savour'd more of the Romance than of God's Holy Word and many other Vanities and Excesses of this Nature The Assembly touched with a most sensible grief for these great Disorders and being zealously concerned for the House of God doth most earnestly exhort the Professors and all other Governors in our Universities as also the Consistories of those Churches in which they are to exert all their Care Power and Authority for the suppression of these Abuses which redound to the disgrace of our Religion and give great Scandal unto Persons truly fearing God and open the Flood-Gates to a deluge of Prophaneness to break in upon the Sanctuary And farther it enjoyneth them to suspend the Refractory from the Lords Table and to blot their Names out of the Matricular Book of Students and to deprive Proposans of all hopes of ever being admitted into the Ministerial Office And all Scholars are most straitly enjoyned and most especially Students in Divinity to refrain all those Abuses before-mentioned and to keep themselves at the greatest distance from such things as are contrary to Christian Modesty and true Sanctity which Vertues should shine forth most conspicuously in their Lives whom God is calling to be Pastors in the Church of Christ And that there may be no sinister Opinions conceived of them they be commanded to perfume the House of God betimes with the sweet Odours of an Early Religious Conversation every way becoming that Sacred Employment whereunto they be designed on pain of Exemplary Punishment in case of Rebellion Moreover this Assembly Ordaineth that those Provincial Synods to whose care and charge our Universities are intrusted and in which they be erected shall depute every Year some Pastors to inspect and visit them and take notice of the Progress made by our Scholars in their Studies of Philosophy and Divinity and by the authority of our Lord Jesus Christ and of this Assembly to redress whatever Disorders shall be particularly notified to or observed by them And to this end those Visitors commissionated by this Assembly shall as soon as possible go and visit them to wit the Sieurs Guitton and de Bourdieu Pastors and Monsieur Des Champs an Elder shall visit the University of Saumur The Sieurs Chamier and Vignier Pastors de Pontperdu and Maisonnet Elders shall visit that of Montauban the Sieurs de Boudan and de Mesjannes Pastors and the Sieurs de St. John de Gardonnengues and de Pontperdu Elders shall visit that of Nismes and the Sieurs Homel and January Pastors with the Sieurs de Mirabel and Baruel Elders shall visit that of Die And these Visitors shall give notice unto all Students in Divinity that they read the Scriptures publickly in the Desk before Sermons in all our Church-meetings You have heard Sirs the true and just cause of all those Complaints which are form'd against you in the several Provinces of this Kingdom You have heard what the Synod hath declared on this occasion and the Punishments it hath decreed against the Transgressors I beseech you to make good use of this important Admonition sent you by an Assembly whose Canons and Orders should be had in singular Veneration by you Reflect seriously upon your Selves and consider a while unto how great a work you be destinated and weigh well those means by which you may accomplish as well as desire it and I am confident you will then have no need of any Teachers and you your selves will judge what is best befitting your Profession and overlooking the punishments threatned which belongs unto Servile Spirits and wholly inslav'd to their own Vanity you will devote your Selves to the Love and Practice of Vertue for those very Reasons upon which it is recommended to you You have consecrated your Labours your Time your whole Man unto the Service of the Sovereign Monarch of the whole World of that Lord who is adored by all the Angels Your own Consciences Sirs as well as mine must needs tell you you cannot bring with you too much Humility nor too much Self-abasement nor too much Self-annihilation nor too much Symplicity and Syncerity when you come into his Presence whose Eyes are as a Flaming Fire and who searcheth your Hearts and
Sieur Doul in that of Professor of Eloquence without suffering the said Nomination to be made a Precedent and on this condition that the said Professor Doul do every three Months keep a Publick Act. And this Assembly hath likewise approved and ratified that Canon of Agreement betwixt the Consistory and the said University for taking Cognizance of all Affairs depending upon both those Assemblies And that this present Decree may be put in Execution the Sieurs Guitton and de Bourdieu Pastors and the Sieur des Champs an Elder are deputed to pass over unto Saumur and to visit the said Church which is ordered to defray their Expences Now Sirs let me add what was given me in charge from this Holy Synod to deliver to you Ton cannot be ignorant of what the Faithful in all Ages have generally owned and confessed and which the Church of God hath always sung to its Consolation that there is nothing better nothing more pleasant nothing more desirable for your selves nothing more advantagious for the Interest of God than to see Peace on Earth in the midst of its horrible Confusions than whilst the Children of Rebellion who are possessed by the Devil do by their turbulent and intollerable Passions turn things upside down to see the poor Church of God in Peace Zion a quiet Habitation all the Faithful united the whole Houshold of Faith of one Heart having the same Love enjoying the same Hope and wholly busied and taken up in the Works of their common and holy Calling 'T is by this that God their Heavenly Father is most especially glorified This Peace is not of this World nor sustained by carnal Interests which may either by time be abolished or by corrupt Affections changed This is that Peace of God which his well-beloved Son our Lord Redeemer Christ Jesus hath left as a Legacy unto us and which is nourished and supported by that precious Blood which he shed for us and it shed abroad in our Hearts by the Holy Ghost who is given unto us of which the World shall never deprive us as long as we cherish and value it When once this Peace dwells and rules abundantly in our Hearts whenas our Holy Communion is strengthened by it whenas it leaveth Characters and Marks of its Glory upon us and our Souls tast its Sweetness then is Heaven above us reconciled with us then is the Sanctuary of our Hope opened to us then are the Bowels of God's Compassions yearning on us then is his Jealousie excited for us and then shall we obtain the most glorious Deliverances a Troop an Heap a Multitude of Divine Benedictions Sirs I never think of this Heavenly Blessing but that my Head is Waters and mine Eyes Fountains of Tears and mourn bitterly for those Sad Divisions which have so long time reigned among you These are horrible Scandals and noised abroad in the whole Kingdom By these Breaches hath Satan the Prince of this World got admission into your Hearts by these breaches is your Faith exposed to extream danger and I tremble at the Indignation of the God of Peace against you For when he seeth his Peace despised his Church distracted and dismembred and that Service owed him by your Consciences altered and abated and the profession of the Truth exposed to the Laughter and Scorn of his Adversaries he hath too just cause of being exasperated against you and to correct you with his Severest Judgments This Gracious God hath forborn you a long time he hath supported with wonderful Patience and Indulgence your grievous Disorders he hath compassionated your Infirmities he would rather remove them by the sweetness of his Grace than cut you off by the Sword of his just Vengeance He assembled when you least hoped it even at your Doors the Deputies of all the Provinces of this Kingdom who having as to your Concerns none other Interests than that of your Salvation did according to that Authority which God hath given them over your Consciences put a period unto your differences and compose them with singular Equity in order to your Peace When I consider Sirs what I was formerly in this City and Academy the least among you in all respects instructed by them who are your Instructors that profound respect which I have ever conserv'd in my Heart for you causeth me to fear and tremble whilst I am speaking to you For my own part I had much rather that this important Commission had fallen into any other Hands than mine that it might have been discharged by a Person much more worthy of your esteem and commendation but the most wise God hath disposed otherwise by the Suffrages of his Servants and 't is his Call by them that incourageth me to execute it That great deference which I know you have for our Church-Discipline this holy Order set up by God himself in the midst of us in his own House raiseth my Hopes that you will not so much reflect upon the Messenger that speaks unto you in Earth as upon his Message now brought unto you from God who is in Heaven and who doth great things and marvellous among his Saints by the weakest Instruments I beseech you most Honoured and Dear Brethren for the sake of our common Saviour that you would with Heart and Soul accept of that Peace which is now by God himself exhibited and offered to you Forget all past matters consider what is to come look not behind you but before you you are entred into a new World open the Doors of your Hearts to our Lord Jesus who demands it by my Mouth suffer this King of Glory to set up the Standard of his Cross in your Souls to pour into them the Consolations of his Love Let him crucifie your Old Man and all his Actions let him make your many Hearts to be but one all your Souls but one Soul that so he may live in you all and as you live by him so you may live for him Yon stand obliged unto this by his Grace the Commands of God demand it of you The example of your Rverend Pastors is a powerful motive to ingage you to it Be you Followers of them in Love imitate that Charity which they have first Sworn in the presence of Christ Jesus Consider them as Persons in the same Office imploy'd in the same work and pay an equal Respect unto them Encourage their Hearts and strengthen their Hands in the Service of God and of your Souls by your Affectionate and orderly Carriage and Obedience Pray for them as they do for you Love them as they love you Repay their Love unto them with Interest Evidence yours unto them by all kind of good Offices they are studious to approve themselves unto you by their Zeal and Labours for you And if you practise these Counsels all the Churches will be filled with joy you will be blessed by all the Children of God the Adversary will be confounded and the God of Peace will dwell among
it IX Under the Second towards the End this shall be added And the said Elders shall be admonished not to declare unto the Consistory their faults without just Cause and in much Charity according to the Rule of God's Word No Person at the first Report of his Miscarriage shall be mention'd by name in the Consistory On this Article the Lord-Admiral propounded That Persons upon the first Report should not be mention'd by Name unto the Consistory until they had first resolved whether they should be called into it or no. And there was added That no Person for the first Report ought to be named unless the Consistory for good and vallid causes should think fitting so to do X. Under the Third towards the End shall be this Addition If they be fit and in case of want and hindered by Ministers CHAP. VII General Matters Thursday the Fifth of the same Month. I. THere shall be added to the Third Article of Elders and Deacons That none others besides the said Deacons shall intermeddle with the Administration of the Poors Money II. This Article shall be added The Elders and Deacons may be present at Propositions of the Word of God made by Ministers besides their ordinary Sermons as also at Censures and shall have their Priviledge of Voting in all Matters Doctrine only excepted Of the CONSISTORY III. THE Fourth Article shall be thus formed Ministers and Elders compose the Consistory in which Ministers shall always preside and the Deacons may be present if so be the Consistory do judge it fitting IV. On the Seventh Article after these Words For tryal of their Ability shall be added which yet shall not be done without great Prudence and Discretion with promise of Secrecy V. There shall be this Addition made to the Close of the Eighth Article And if there be any other Counsels they shall be supprest VI. After these words in the Ninth But principally at the Auditing of Accounts there shall be this Addition of which the People shall have notice given them VII The Tenth Article was thus Explained If there should arise any Contention concerning Doctrine it shall be out of hand notified unto the Colloquy subordinate unto the Synods where also the Elders and Professors in Divinity may be present to give their Judgment on the Points but the Decision of these Controversies shall especially belong unto the Ministers and Professors of Divinity VIII In the Twelfth instead of Adjured to speak the Truth there shall be Exhorted and Summoned in the Name of God to speak the Truth IX On the Sixteenth after these words Propositions of the Word of God shall be added Among Scholars Of Delinquents and Censur'd Persons and what are these Offences which render them obnoxious unto Censures No copy of Excommunication or Church-censures to be given X. THE Question being mov'd whether a Copy may be given of the Excommunication or of any other Censure It was answered That because the whole Process was a Matter of Conscience it ought not to be given And as for the publick Act it 's subject properly to the Magistrates Jurisdiction XI The first Article was approv'd of but after those words And if notwithstanding all this they do not convert but persist in their Stubbornness and Obstinacy there shall be added On the fourth Lord's-day the scandalous Persons shall be Excommunicated either in this or such like form as shall be advised on by the Consistory we do declare unto the whole Congregation that we do not own him for one of the Members of our Church and in the Name and by the Authority of our Lord Jesus we cut him off from it XII On the third unto those words After they shall have continued firm shall be added without expecting the Advice of a National Synod Of Provincial SYNODS XIII ON the first Article instead of once a Year shall be inserted at least twice XIV In the second after the first Period shall be added And the said Ministers and Elders shall produce their Orders of Deputation XV To the sixth This Article is the 11th in the Chapter of Provincial Synods in the Book of Discipline this Article of the Synod of Vertueil shall be added If there arise any difference between two Synods they shall choose a third to reconcile them Of BAPTISM 1571. Synod VIII XVI AFter these words in the second Article This is the 4th Article in the Chapter and Book of Discipline Quit and resign their Right unto the Sureties shall be added As to Instruction And a little before shall be added If the Parents do consent The second and third Article shall make but one Papists and excommunicate Persons being joyned together XVII And the fourth after these words And is wholly null shall be abridg'd and cut short and shall be thus expressed Baptism administred by a Person who hath neither Call nor Commission is wholly null and void CHAP. VIII Acts passed upon Friday the Sixth of the said Month. I. IN the sixth Article the word Alliance shall be removed and it shall suffice to say thus much That fellowship among the Faithful may be maintained by Conjunction of Friendship and instead of Conceited shall be put Contentious II. Instead of these words in the Eighth Although the Husband have an unbelieving Wife yet he is not excusable shall be put these words Altho' the believing Husband have a Wife of contrary Religion yet is he not excusable III. After these words in the Ninth The Ministers shall reject shall be added as much as is fitting IV. This Article shall be added The Consistories shall have an eye over them who detain their Children from Baptism too long a time Of the LORD's SVPPER Beneficed persons not to be admitted to the Lord's Supper V. THis Article shall be added Beneficed Persons retaining the Name and Title of their Benefices and those also who dabble with Idolatry in their said Benefices shall not be admitted to the Lord's Table but such as hold those Benefices by the King's Gift and make a true and publick Profession of the Reformed Religion owning and avowing it with sufficient Considence may be received unto the Lord's Supper only they shall be exhorted to apply the yearly Profits of those their Benefices to pious Vses This is the 7th Article in the Chapter of the Lord's Supper and Book of Discipline VI. After these words in the sixth Article And striving as much as in them lieth shall be added yea also they shall put the Cup unto their Mouths that so they may prevent all Offence which might otherwise be taken VII At the End of the tenth Article there shall be this Addition And therefore the National Synods shall take care about it as the Good of the Church shall require This Article is the 14th in the Chapter of the Lord's Supper and Book of Disline Of MARRIAGES VIII THere shall be this Addition made unto the first Article This is the
2d Article in the Chapter of Marriages and Book of Discipline That all Persons young or old tho' they have been formerly married if they refuse to pay that Honour and Duty unto their Parents of Acquainting them with their intended purpose of Marriage shall be sharply reprov'd by the Consistory This is the 6th Article in the Chapter of Marriage and Book of Displine IX After these words in the third Touching Consanguinities and Affinities the Faithful may not contract Marriage with Persons And in lieu of what follows 1571. Synod VIII Forasmuch as great scandal may proceed from it whereof the Church shall take Cognizance there shall be put unless it be permitted them by the King's Edict X. This Addition shall be made unto the seventh This is the 16th Chapter of Marriage and Book of Discipline And if the Parties resolve to solemnize their Marriages in any other place than that where their Banes were published they shall take with them a sufficient Certificate of their Banes having been thrice published XI And farther Additions shall be made unto this Article 'T is a part of the 21st Article in the Chapter of Marriages and Book of Discipline in these words As for Persons suspended the Lord's Table they shall notwithstanding this their Suspension be permitted Marriage but with this Proviso That they confess their Faults with true Repentance XII This also shall be added That notice be given unto the Faithful That divers Difficulties arising about Marriage-promises may be prevented Promises of Marriage shall be made in words de praesenti they shall â—or time to come make the said Promises in pure and plain words de praesenti nor shall the Consistories admit the Banes of any others to be published in the Church From which promises according to God's Word the said Parties can never be discharged XIII Instead of they shall be admonished This is the 23th Article in the Chapter of Marriage and Book of Discipline in the 19th Article shall be put they may be admonished and at the end shall be added But if it should be the Case of any Church-Officers tho' they Received again their Wives yet shall they be displac'd from that Office they held and exercised in the Church XIV After those words in the twentieth who shall acquaint him with his Liberty according to the Word of God This is the 29th Article in the Chapter of Marriage and Book of Discipline there shall be inserted yet nevertheless because of the many Difficulties we advise the Ministers of this Kingdom not to marry those Parties tho' they be at Liberty to provide themselves elsewhere And after these words And as for what concerns the offending Party the Remainder shall be thus abridged This Liberty after great and mature deliberation shall be declared to him And a definitive Sentence having been obtained from the Civil Magistrate the Consistories may proceed unto the Celebration of that Marriage XV. Touching the fourth Article of particular Matters treated in the Synod of Vertueil and dismissed over to this Synod We have advised That the Wives of Priests and Monks which had been married unto those of them who have since revolted should not cohabit with them as Women with their Husbands least God's Holy Ordinance of Marriage should be loaden with Reproach and Infamy altho the Marriage be not dissolved But illae vocatae sunt ad caelibatum they be called out by God's Providence unto a single Life CHAP. IX Acts passed on Saturday the seventh Day of the same Month. I. To the Head of Marriages the Canon decreed at Vertueil shall be added This is the 21st Article in the Chapter of Marriage and Book of Discipline The Banes of Widows shall not be published till four Months and an half after the decease of their first Husband that the Evil and Scandal which otherwise would fall out may be avoided II. And this also It 's convenient for the keeping up of Discipline in the Church These two Articles make up the 24th in the Chapter of Marriages and Book of Discipline that no Marriage be solemnized on Communion-days And this Canon shall not be dispensed with but for very weighty Causes and those also approved by the Consistory III. Item Marriages shall not be solemnized on days of Fasting Concerning Particular ORDERS IV. THere shall be added after the Word This Article is the 2d in the Chapter of particular Orders Lands belonging unto Castles this word And the Titles in the first Article V. To the third Article there shall be this Addition Judges shall not be reproved for giving Sentences in Causes concerning Ecclesiastical Goods and the Execution of the King's Edict This Article is divided into the 5.6 and 7. Articles of particular Orders in the Book of Discipline And Arbitrators shall in no wise intermeddle with any of those Matters which either directly or indirectly do concern Idolatry Advocates shall be admonished neither to demand nor give Councel in Causes belonging to the Execution of the said Edict VI. On the 4th Article the Queen of Navar demanded our Advice whether through want of others she might with a good Conscience Receive and Establish Roman Catholick Officers in her Dominions This is the 13. Article in this Chapter and Book of Discipline as also in her Conrt and Family To which the Synod humbly replied That her Majesty should take special heed about her Domestick Officers and as much as possible only to imploy Persons fearing God and of the Reformed Religion And that she should cause the Papists that are peaceable and of unblameable Lives to be instructed and that she should utterly discard those Traytors who forsook her in her Necessities and cruelly persecuted God's Saints in these last Troubles VII After those words in the 6th They may address themselves This is the 8th Article in this Chapter and Book of Discipline shall be added in case they be sent by the Magistrate VIII After Brethren and Sisters in the Eighth Article shall be put and other Parents And the last Clause shall be thus couched This is the 16th Article in the Chapter and Book of Discipline And they shall be exhorted to assist and provide for them according to the Laws of Humanity and Book This present Body of Church-Discipline having been diligently examin'd according to God's Word by all the Ministers and Elders of the Reformed Churches of France was in all its Heads and Articles approved by the said Deputies who in their own Names and for their Churches did Promise and protest to keep and observe it for the Edification of the Church the Conservation of Order and their mutual Union that God might be the better glorified by them N. B. The Discipline was kept most strictly forty Years after this Synod and then they began to lax the Reigns yeilding too much to the Iniquity of the Time CHAP. X. Particular Orders about publishing of Books
That if after they had perused it it were approved or should be approved upon their amendments I may have the liberty of Printing it For I could not without this restriction handsomly consent to such an unprofitable formality which served only as an entertainment of curiosity and discourse and to sparkle out new Alterations And I farther craved the benefit of two Laws in this our Commonwealth which do not only grant a Licence for Printing but a Privilege also against all Occurrences and new Translations of the Bible and Annotations on it provided that they have been approved This was plainly understood from that Judicious Approbation given unto the merit of the Work and not an Act of Arbitrary Power or of Absolute Will and Pleasure To this so just a demand and of common right some opposed an Article of the Synod of Alez which others endeavoured to back and re-inforce by Letters begged from certain Persons of great Name and Merit who were known to be in the same Sentiments with mine Opponents and engaged to maintain whatever had once proceeded from them especially they would have made this pass for granted with all the World That this Work had been generally rejected by all your Churches not so much for the substance of it as for its design and that therefore it was precisely prohibited But I made it appear that they were very much out in their reckoning and produced several Letters from Persons of as great Quality and more in number who highly approved of my Undertaking and applauded those Essays which had gone abroad and earnestly insisted upon its Impression I wave that Article of the Synod of Alez because there be just exceptions against it This Affair was only superficially and overtly treated of in it the Provinces came not prepared for it yea they had not so much as been consulted about it I was never heard nor any one for me that my Labour was but then a meer Embryo as it were in its first Conceptions that it could neither be seen nor examined That they took for granted on erroneous supposition viz. That I designed to eclipse or suppress our common Translation a thought of which never so much as came into my mind and if I had thought it I could never do it And lastly this pretended Judgment under which I and my Work Laboured had no foundation in any Law neither Antient nor Modern neither Canon nor Civil and therefore this Article being defective both in matter and order of Juridical Judgment could only be admitted as a simple prudential Counsel subject to examination by reason and second thoughts However our Magistrate bearing a very high respect unto your Churches and being jealous of what does any wise relate unto you would not in the least grant me my demand but desire that this Affair might be put off till the meeting of another National Synod in which I also acquiesced but with this protestation That after I had paid you my Duties informed and acquainted you with my Reasonings I did take it for granted that I might freely enjoy that right which hath been from time immemorial in the Christian Church to wit That it hath been permitted to all those who have the gift and faculty to serve the Church in this kind of Labour as well as in any other Theological Writings and that in case the advantage of the Laws on this account should be denied me here I would seek for it in some other place where I might accomplish my design in peace which would be very easie for me to do considering the great number of Friends and Favourers of my poor Labours which God hath graciously given me 'T was at this Post that my Affair stuck in this City and I hope the true Narrative I have made you of it will discharge and free me from all prejudices taken up against me I proceed now to report those Reasons with which I have always armed and fortified my Spirit against the many oppositions that have attacqued me And I most humbly beseech you to bear with me in my relating of them because I was ever condemned upon meer prudential accounts without any consideration had of Law Reasons or Examples which yet ought to be the ground and rule of all riglit Judgment in matter of Doctrine Conscience Necessity or where the great profit of the Church is concerned as it is in this now before you in which it is not permitted to be led and byassed by any respects whatsoever 'T is Lawful indeed and Expedient to endeavour an Accommodation of the whole by some fitting Temperament and Reconciliation if such may be found but in case it cannot be had we must pass over my first Argument For sith it hath been the constant practice of all Ages from the very birth of Christianity that all Nations and Languages have not only suffered but even carefully Collected and Embraced a Diversity of Translations of the Holy Scripture as is evident beyond all possibility of contradiction they having received some from Jews others from Hereticks attested to us by the Famous Hexapla of Origen there is then no reason why it should be now prohibited and that I should be made the first Precedent a new and unheard of instance and example in this old Age of the World My second is this That forasmuch as no considerable inconvenience hath ever risen from this Liberty Time having suddenly suppressed the vicious and ill performed and given Authority unto good Translations which by their own strength could bear a Trial and on the other hand this Liberty having very much contributed to the growth of Light and Knowledge and the defects of one Translation being supplied by the perfections of another it is unreasonable to Judge that there should be other manner of effects now than heretofore especially when as in this Learned Age matters of base allay will be soon discovered and decried and what cannot subsist upon the lively roots of Solidity will suddenly wither and be mowed down Antiquity reaped much Fruit this way as St. Augustine and divers others have witnessed but the Christian Church in our days hath enjoy'd it most abundantly For the sweet Odors disperst abroad by the new Translations of the Bible in divers Languages within these five and twenty or thirty years is wonderful and they have largely contributed to the Edifying Instruction and Confirmation of Saints The English Translation for its great Fidelity and Clearness weareth a shining Crown of Glory upon its head Those two German ones of Piscator and Cramerus for their Noble Qualities and Conditions are exceeding useful and have done a great deal of good The new Polonian made and Printed at the instance of the Prince of Radzeville is of that esteem as to allure the present King of Poland to read it and to enamour him of it tho' he be a Prince of a contrary Religion The new Dutch Translation which is just now coming into the World sets persons
alonging for it because of the excellency of its Work the Number and Abilities of its Work-men the time they have spent in the doing of it and for the great helps the Lords States-General have afforded them to effect it And the Old Testament which is now working off at Zurick in the purest Switzer Language must needs be of a raised worth by that taste we had of the New which is already Printed The new Spanish Translation of Cyprian de Vallera hath produced incredible effects in Spain no less than three thousand Copies having penetrated by secret ways and conveyances into the very Bowels of that Kingdom Let others publish the Fruit of my Italian Version both in Italy and elsewhere If it were expedient and becoming me I could bring forth numerous examples of it and those also attested by persons of unstained Credit and Reputation Now although these Nations have their infirmities as we have ours and as many and perverse Enemies as we have our selves yet none of them combin'd together mutually to deprive themselves of these Divine Treasures but using a little patience the weak were edified and comforted and the Adversaries confounded in their Invectives Should any one reply That the greater part of those Translations were framed by the Authority of Superiors and by divers persons associated together for it which circumstances are all wanting to this my present Version I answer that neither the one nor the other are any thing as to the substance of the work which may and ought to be examined according to its merit and not according to the Titles and Appearance of Persons because God may be pleased to bestow as great a Blessing upon the sole labour of one person singly as upon that of many and very many excellent Interpreters and above all St. Hierom was never deputed by Authority to this Work nor had he the assistance of any Companions in it And the deep fixed Thoughts settled continued Meditations and studious Inquiries of one single person may not only equal but also frequently surpass the latitude of many other mens thoughts which are often-times ill-match'd and worse digested and to say no more it lay not in my power to get my self deputed nor to associate another with me unto this Work Yea methinks I might for this very reason deserve the more favour especially should my Labour be successful and take in the World sith that I have alone born the burden of it And as for those Authorised Deputations I account them more hurtful than profitable unless notwithstanding these Commissions the Church do enjoy her full Liberty to spend much time in a mature and accurate examen of every one of them before ever She be obliged to a publick Reception of any one Translation which should She too hastily embrace She would as suddenly fall from Her Credit And if the first moulding be good time will be always refining it that so it may be finally brought forth unto publick use and to undergo a general Trial. The third Reason is That forasmuch as all our Interpreters as Calvin and those of the year 1588. have protested in their Prefaces that they never designed by their performances to exclude and debarr any of their Successors from attempting such a Work as this but rather did invite exhort and summon them to contribute what should be in their power for the perfection of that which according to their Candor and Modesty they said they had left imperfect None will believe that they amused us with vain and illusive words or with Complements and feigned Civilities So then we yield them more honour by following their Counsel effectually than if through a stupid Reverence of their persons we should be afraid to enterprize any such matter after them My Fourth Reason is this That we be now necessitated to use this liberty because of the great changes which have fallen out in our Vulgar Languages by means whereof such Words Terms and Phrases as were seemly and sounded well in one Age yet in the next following hear ill are barbarous putid and intolerable and cannot be employed without publick offence and wounding of the Ears with prophaneness We have experienced enough of this in the moveableness of the French Tongue A Fifth Reason is this That every Interpreter who explains a strange Author by Annotations or Commentations hath this privilege to Translate the Letter of the Text according to the Sence he hath conceived and which he giveth it Otherwise he would be handled unjustly You would make him put a force and violence upon his own Judgment and cause him speak absurdly and to turn his Explications into perpetual contradictions and confutations of himself And on so Sacred a Subject as this the peril and scandal would be abominable My Sixth is this Forasmuch as in all Times and Languages there have been Translations of the Bible for publick use Authorised by the common Magistrate and ordained at that time and by the Custom of the People and of others for private use and service from out of which bounds they never departed to check-mate the publick Authorised Translations this self-same course may be taken with mine which may be confined to this lower Classis and Condition without any complaint of mine or of any one for me The example of the ancient Greek Church is very illustrious in this our particular case and exceeding pat unto it They esteemed the Translation of the Septuagint to be Divine and Prophetical and yet notwithstanding suffered several others to live no fewer than six or eight which had been Compiled and Collected into one Body by the Industrious Origen The present Romish Church hath Canonized the Vulgar Latin and yet notwithstanding tolerates those of Vatablus of Pagnine of Arias Montanus and of Isidorus Clarius to be used in the Explication of it And truly Sirs it would be a most absurd thing in us to overvalue one to the disparagement of another we should by such rigorous actings exercise that which we condemn in others to Lord it absolutely over their Minds and Consciences The Evangelical Churches in Germany without distinction of Lutheran or Calvinist do use in the Pulpits none other Translation but that of the great Luther and yet nevertheless do not forbear consulting with Piscator Cramerus and Osiander of whom they make honourable mention without any Scandal or Confusion and the publick Discipline may take sufficient care that all these be avoided And I have observed this because I would satisfie them who object That such a diversity of Version would engender a World of disorders in our Churches this Pastor choosing one and that another Whenas nothing like this hath happened in those aforenamed Churches nor was any like it observed when the new French Translation of 1588 was brought into the publick Congregations My Seventh Reason is That all prudentials must give place to the obligations of Conscience which are the removing of Stumbling-blocks from the blind and