our Church CAN. XXXII A Pastor or Elder breaking the Churches Union or stirring up Contention about any point of Doctrine or of the Discipline which he had subscribed or about the Form of Catechising or Administration of the Sacraments or of our Common-Prayers and Celebration of Marriage and not conforming to the determination of the Colloquy he shall be then suspended from his Office and be farther prosecuted by the Provincial or National Synod CAN. XXXIII In every Church there shall be kept Memorials of all notable and remarkable passages relating to Religion and in every Colloquy a Minister shall be appointed to receive them who shall carry them unto the Provincial and thence unto the National Synod CHAP. VI Of the Union of Churches CANON I. NO Church shall claim any Primacy or Jurisdiction over another nor one Province over another CAN. II. No Church shall assume unto it self a power of undertaking business of great consequence in which the interest or damage of other Churches shall be comprised without the advice and consent of the Provincial Synod if it may possibly be Convened And in case the affair be urgent it shall at least be Communicated by Letters unto some other Churches in the Province and they shall receive and take their advice about it CAN. III. Churches and particular Members shall be advised that whatever persecution may happen to procure for themselves a private peace and liberty they do not depart from the Sacred Union of the whole Body of our Churches And whoever acteth contrary to this Canon shall have such a Censure inflicted on him as Colloquies and Synods shall judge expedient CAN. IV. Disputes about Religion shall be so managed that none of ours may be the Aggressors and if they are ingaged in a verbal disputation they shall in no wise undertake it without laying down this for a Foundation-Rule That the Holy Scripture is the sole Judge of Controversies nor shall they yield the power of judgment and decision in points of Doctrine unto the writings of the Ancients nor shall they enter upon any Disputation unless the conditions of it be first agreed on by Writings mutually and respectively signed and executed Nor shall they attempt a publick Disputation but with the advice of their Consistory and of a select number of Pastors who for this purpose shall be chosen by the Colloquies or Provincial Synods They shall not adventure upon any dispute or general Conference Chap. VII Of Colloquies without the advice of all the Churches assembled in a National Synod upon pain if Ministers act otherwise of being declared Apostates and Deserters of the Churches Union CAN. V. Churches shall be informed that our Ecclesiastical Assemblies of Colloquies and Synods whether Provincial or National are the Bands and Buttresses of their Concord and Union against Schisms Heresies and all other inconveniencies that so they may discharge their duty in the use of means for the continuance and upholding of those Ecclesiastical Assemblies And in case any Churches or particular Person should refuse to contribute unto their expences who were obliged to be present in those Assemblies they shall be grievously censured as Deserters of that Holy Union which ought to be kept up among us for our mutual preservation And all Ministers who shall neglect the observation of this Canon shall be most severely censured by National and Provincial Synods N.B. That the Editions of the Discipline at Paris and Ronan in the Year 1663. have in the last line of this Canon National inserted but two other Editions of the Years 1666. at Geneva and 1676. at Quevilly do omit it and have only Provincial Synods CHAP. VII Of Colloquies CANON I. IN every Province the Churches shall be divided according to their number and conveniency of neighbour places into Colloquies or Classes And this Division shall be made by authority of the Provincial Synod And the next adjoining Churches shall meet in Colloquies twice or four times a year if it may be done as of ancient times it hath been ordained The appointment of time is left wholly to the prudence of Provinces and unto these Colloquies the Ministers accompanied each of them with an Elder from every Church shall give their personal attendance CAN. II. And the proper business of such Colloquies and Assemblies shall be to consult about composing differences and difficulties emerging in their Churches according to the Canons of our Discipline and in general to provide for whatsoever may be thought expedient and necessary to the weal and maintenance of our Churches CAN. III. And in these Colloquies Ministers in their turns shall make a Proposition from the Word of God that so their care and diligence in the study of the Scripture and their method and form of handling it may be known CAN. IV. As Consistories are subject and subordinate unto Colloquies so are Colloquies unto the authority of Provincial Synods CAN. V. Chap. VIII Of Provincial Synods Colloquies and Synods shall consult about the extent and bounds of those places in which each Minister shall exercise his Ministry CAN. VI. In the close of Colloquies there shall pass a friendly and fraternal Censure upon Pastors and Elders there present in all matters of which it may be thought fit to admonish them CHAP. VIII Of Provincial Synods CANON I. IN all Provinces the Pastors and Elders of every Church shall meet together once or twice a year if it can be done which is left unto the prudence and discretion of the Synod CAN. II. Ministers shall bring with them one or two Elders at the most chosen out of their Consistory And the said Ministers shall bring with them their Commissions But if a Pastor come alone without an Elder or an Elder without a Pastor there shall be no regard had of their Memoirs And this Canon shall be observed in all Ecclesiastical Assemblies If they cannot appear they shall excuse themselves by Letters on which the Brethren then and there present shall pass judgment and send their Memoirs subscribed by one Pastor and Elder Such as having no lawful excuse shall yet forbear their appearance at Colloquies and Provincial Synods shall be censured and the said Colloquies and Provincial Synods may judge definitively of their fact and dispose of their persons CAN. III. Churches which have many Pastors shall depute them by turns unto Colloquies and Synods CAN. IV. Ministers and Elders which are deputed unto Colloquies and Provincial Synods shall have their expences defrayed out of the common stock of their Churches CAN. V. Those Churches which refuse means unto their Ministers for their appearance at Colloquies and Synods shall be admonished of this their duty that they exhibit to them and in case of failure in it so that Ministers are inforced to come unto them upon their own charges after two or three admonitions they shall be deprived of their Ministry and the charges of those Ministers shall be defrayed by those Churches unto which they are sent and in
fears God to countenance them with his presence CAN. XXXi None of the Faithful shall be present at their Marriages and Banquets who that they may espouse a Party of the contrary Religion do revolt from the profession of the Gospel But as for them who have a long time ago Apostatized or have been always Papists 't is left unto the Prudence of the Faithful to consider with themselves whether it may be expedient for them or no. CAN. XXXII They that Challenge or cause others to be challenged unto a Duel or being challenged do accept of it and kill their Parties although they may have afterward obtained their Pardon or may be otherwise justified shall yet notwithstanding have the censure of Suspension from the Lord's Table inflicted on them and their Suspension shall be published without delay and in case they would be received unto the Churches Peace they shall first undergo publick Penance making acknowledgment of their great offence CAN. XXXIII These Articles contained in this Book of Discipline are not established among us in such a manner but that if the Churches benefit do require it they may be changed Yet shall not any Ministers Consistories Colloquies or Provincial Synods have power to add change or diminish without the advice or consent of a National Synod SECT XIII THis is the Discipline of those famous Churches This was their Canon-Law by which their Ministers Church-Officers and Church-Members were ordered and conduced As to their Ministers in the worst times it was strictly exercised upon them If any of them proved Scandalous in Doctrine in Conversation they were not spared The Church and House of God was soon rid of them Their Colloquies and Synods threw away the unsavoury Salt unto the Dunghill and it was very rare if the Deposed and ejected Ministers did not take up for good and all in the Dunghill of the Romish Synagogue There hath been a great Complaint of much looseness among their Members Certainly they had and still have as holy and truly gracious Souls in Communion with them as any Churches of Christ under Heaven and a vast multitude of most zealous and faithful Martyrs far more in number and quality of Sufferers for the Gospel than in any one of the Reformed Christian Nations in Europe When the Ceremonious Lutherans of Stutgard in the Dukedom of Wirtemberg Brentius Jacob Andreas c. cited Monsieur Toussaint who had been Pastor of the Church of Orleans which then lay desolate one part groaning in Prisons and Dungeons another burning in Fires and Flames and the poor remainders pining away in their Dispersions and Exiles to appear before them and give an account of his Preaching within their Jurisdiction and spreading his Zuinglian and Calvinistical Heresies as they were pleas'd to stile them for he assisted his Aged Father in the Ministry in the County of Montpelgart He return'd an Apologetical Letter to them in which he wondered at their quarrels with him and the Frenth Churches who abhorred those fierce digladiations with which the German Churches and Universities had abounded and told them that the poor Churches of Christ in France breathed after Peace with them and with all the Churches of the Augustane Confession and had written for it prayed for it and these last ten years had spilt no other Ink than that of their own blood in defence of the truth This silenc'd the pragmatical Lutherans at that time And the Argument is as good and valid now * * * See Monsieur Amyraut's Apologie pour ceux de la Religion p. 23 24 25 26 27 which is too long to be here inserted It is none of my business nor do those poor afflicted Churches of France need it to write Apologies for them The Staff under water seems crooked but is not so Those Galileans whose blood Pilate mingled with their Sacrifices were not the worst of the Galileans Nor those Jews upon whom the Tower of Siloam fell and crushed to pieces were they the greatest Sinners in Jerusalem Should we thus argue we should offend against the Generation of the righteous who from the infancy of the World to this very day from their youth upward until now have been perpetually afflicted they have passed out of one Furnace into another oftentimes from lesser into sorer and greater fiery Tryals An infinitely wise and gracious God taking this course with them to refine and preserve them For by these means they have lived and by them hath the Life of their Souls been preserved Yea God seems himself to justify them Because their most grievous Sufferings have wonderfully contributed unto his Glory The blood of the Martyrs having proved the Seed of the Church and the more they have been oppressed the more have they increased A Vine grows the more and better for being pruned and soak'd with blood And notwithstanding the Seas of blood drawn from this poor Vineyard of Christ yet hath it proved the more fruitful grown and spread exceedingly insomuch that after all the storms of Persecution which had made a most fearful havock of God's Saints in that Kingdom their Faith and Patience hath tired out and overcome their Persecutors So that in the National Synod of Rochel in the year 1571. Mr. Beza Presiding in it the Reformed could count then above two thousand one hundred and fifty Churches and in many of these above ten thousand Members and in most of these two Ministers in some they had five as in the year 1561. there served the Church of Orleans which at that time had seven thousand Communicants Antony Chanoriet Lord of Merangeau Robert Macon Lord des Fontaines Hugh Sureau Nicholas Fillon Lord of Valls and Daniel Tossane who afterwards died at Heydelberg in the Palatinate When the Colloquy of Poissy was held they had in the one only Province of Normandy three hundred and five Pastors of Churches and in the Province of Provence threescore And I remember the Author of Le Cabinet du Roy de France a Book Printed in the year 1581. and dedicated to Henry the Third makes a Computation of their Martyrs to have been in a very few years at least above two hundred thousand cut off for the Gospel and he makes up his account thus Allow saith he but an hundred Martyrs to every Church and you have the summ and yet 't is as clear as the Sun at Noon-day that the summ is vastly more For 't is a truth incontestable that there have been cut off by the Sword and Massacres for Religion from the Church of Caen above 15000 or 16000. from the Church of Alancon five thousand from the Church of Paris thirteen thousand from the Church of Rheims twelve thousand from the Church of Troye twelve thousand from the Church of Sens nine thousand from the Church of Orleans eight thousand from the Church of Angiers seven thousand five hundred from the Church of Poictiers twelve thousand Persons c. See Le Cabinet du Roy. Livre premier pag. 274
that most pious Bishop of Norwich Dr. Joseph Hall gave this Character of him That he was one of the most learned Men that Scotland ever bred He had been formerly Minister of Bourdeaux thence translated to the Professor's Chair of Divinity at Saumur and lastly unto Montauban where he died in the year 1625. But more of him in my Icones 5. Peter Berault the Son of Michael a Son not unworthy his Father who founded the University 6. Anthony Garrissoles who died in the Lord Anno 1651. 7. Paul Charles though he was called to the Professorship in Divinity after Monsieur Garrissoles yet entered he into his rest two years before his Reverend Collegue viz. 1649. 8. John Verdier he died in the year 1668. 9. Andrew Martell he went into exile with his Brethren in the year 1685 and was called to be Professor of Divinity in the University of Berne in Switzerland where he is yet living In his time the University was removed from Montauban to Puy-Laurens in Languedoc in the year 1660. 10. Anthony Peres was called in to succeed Monsieur Verdier immediately upon his death This very learned and godly Divine died in my Neighbourhood in the year 1686. here in King-street near Bunhil fields London This University of Montauban the first and eldest Protestant University of France had subsisted the just age of a Man and then purely out of a design to facilitate its Ruine it was removed in the year 1660. to Puy-Laurens The University of Saumur had its foundations shaken in the year 1675. though it had a quiet and uninterrupted possession of threescore and ten years and was grounded upon the Edict of Nantes and confirmed by other Edicts of Henry the Fourth and of his Son and Successor Lewis the Thirteenth Henry the Fourth comprehended them both in the Gift he made them Anno 1599. And in the Articles of Peace granted by Lewis the Thirteenth to the City of Montauban they were again ratified and he formally promised to continue his Bounty which in truth was no bounty but a Debt for the Reformed compounded with his Father to pay their Tithes to the Popish Parish Priests which they did honestly and justly provided the King would allow such a summ of 135000 l. in good money unto them for their Ministers Schools Colleges and Universities And in his Answer to their Bill of Grievances in the second year of his Reign and of our Lord 1611. Article 19. He granted to the Universities of Saumur and Montauban the same Priviledges Immunities and Prerogatives as the other Universities in the Kingdom enjoyed according to the will and intention of King Henry the Fourth expressed in his Answer to the Bill of Grievances presented him by the Reformed Article the Fourth Yet all these Engagements and Obligations both of Honour and Conscience could not contain the present King nor his Council within any Bounds But that all the Schools Colleges and Universities of the Reformed must be dissolved dissipated and they be utterly ruined SECT XXXIII But we shall proceed one step farther and discover in this short Abridgment how the Faith and Patience of God's Saints was farther tryed and exercised in France before the last deluge of Popish Fury was poured out upon them There were new Laws and Orders as so many new Engines and Racks invented to torment them This is the fourth method devised by them The first of these Orders which appeared was touching the manner of Burial and Interring the dead In those places where the exercise of our Religion was actually established the number of Attendants was reduced to thirty Persons and to ten where it was not Orders were also issued out to hinder the Communication of one Province with another by Circular Letters or any other way whatsoever though it were about matters of Alms and the distributions of Charity There were likewise Prohibitions made of holding Colloquies in the Interval of Synods excepting in two Cases viz. to provide Ministers for Churches destitute upon the Death of their Pastors and the censuring of greater Scandals They despoiled also those places which they called Exercises de Fief of all the Characters and Priviledges of a Temple as the Bell Pulpit and other things of that nature They forbad also the Reception and Ordination of Ministers in any Synods or to have their Decisive Vote in them or to Register them in the Catalogue of those Churches to which they appertained One Decree forbiddeth the singing of Psalms in their private Houses yea and another to forbear singing in their Temples when as their Consecrated Host was carried by in Procession One Decree forbids all Marriages at such times as they be prohibited by the Church of Rome viz. Lent and the Ember Weeks c. By another Decree their Ministers are not suffered to Preach at any considerable distance from their Residence lest they should have the sorry priviledge of an annexed Congregation a poor plurality For one Church being of it self utterly unable to maintain a Minister sometimes two or three would join together to make up a Competency for his subsistence Other Decrees forbid their setling in any places unless sent unto them by their Synod though the Consistories had given them a solemn Call according to their usual Forms Another Decree comes forth to hinder Synods from sending to any Churches more Ministers than were there in the preceding Synod Another Decree prohibits all Proposans Students in Divinity to study in Foreign Universities Other Decrees banish all Foreign Ministers not born in the Kingdom though they had been Ordained in France and spent the greatest part of their Lives in it out of it Another Decree forbad all Ministers and Candidates for the Ministry to reside in those places where Preaching was forbidden or nearer to them than six Miles Another Decree forbad the People to assemble in the Temples under pretence of praying reading or singing of Psalms except in the presence of a Minister placed there by the Synod There was one Decree and that a most ridiculous one Enacted That all the backs of the Seats in their Temples must be removed that so they might be reduced to most accurate and decent Uniformity Another Decree to hinder richer Churches from assisting the weaker in maintaining of their Ministers and other necessities Another Decree obligeth Parents to give their Children who had changed their Religion great Pensions Another forbiddeth Marriages betwixt Persons of different Religions notwithstanding their Scandalous Cohabitation Another prohibiteth those of the Reformed Religion from that time to entertain in their Houses any Domestick Servants who were Roman Catholicks Another maketh them uncapable of being Tutors or Guardians and consequently did put all Minors whose Fathers died in the Profession of the Protestant Religion under the Power and Education of Roman Catholicks Another forbiddeth Ministers and Elders to hinder any of their Flock either directly or indirectly to embrace the Roman Religion or to disswade them from it Another forbiddeth Jews and
God is already established shall be sufficiently admonished to forbear and in case of their persistency they shall be declared Schismaticks and the same Admonition shall be given unto their Followers who also abiding contumacious and obstinate shall be denounced Schismaticks X. If A People not having the Ministry of the Word of GOD fixed and setled among them should choose unto themselves a Pastor The Neighbour-Church shall amicably and earnestly intreat him to confer with them and exhort him to subscribe the Confession of Faith and Church-Discipline established among us And in case of refusing such Subscription three or four Ministers of the next Churches shall assemble together with their Elders and shall then declare him a Schismatick and the People shall be advised to avoid such a Person But in case of Non-conforming to our Discipline he may not be declared Schismatick until such time as the Provincial Synod shall have ordained some other course to be taken with him None may Preach in another Church without the Pastâ—r or Consistoryâ—s leave XI The Minister of one Church may not preach in another without the consent of its Pastor but in his absence the Consistory may give Leave and Authority unto that Stranger And in case the Flock be scattered by Persecution or any other Trouble he shall endeavour to assemble the Elders and Deacons but if that cannot be effected he may notwithstanding Preach for the Re-uniting of the Flock A Minister may be intreated but not enforced to accept of the Call XII He that being called to the Holy Ministry and hath once accepted of that Call shall betake himself wholly to this Employment but in case he should afterwards change his mind and refuse it he shall be sollicited by fitting Exhortations to embrace it but he may not by any other means be enforced thereunto XIII Ministers that cannot discharge their Office in those Places whereunto they have been appointed if being sent elsewhere by the Advice of their Churches they do refuse it they shall then declare the Causes of such their refusal unto the Consistory who shall judge whether they may be admitted and if they may not be and they still persist in their not accepting the said Employment the Provincial Synod shall determine of it No Intruder into the ministry may be approved XIV Whoso intrudes himself into the Ministry of the Gospel although he may be approved by the People yet shall he not be approved by the Neighbour-Ministers nor others in case another Church excepts against him Wherefore e're they proceed farther the Provincial Synod shall be assembled as soon as conveniently it may for to determine about it And in case that Synod cannot be called if there be a Colloquy of six Ministers at the least established there the said Colloquy shall have Power to take Cognizance of this matter Ministers are such for their Life XV. Such as are once chosen unto the Ministry of the Word must know that their Call is during Life And as for those who were sent for a certain time and to whom for some special Reasons we gave admittance it is advised That the Church in which they are do make provision of a fixed Minister that so the others may intend their own Affairs But if the Churches cannot provide a Pastor for this Flock these shall not be permitted to abandon the Church for which Jesus Christ died An Exchange of Ministers for a time XVI If a Minister be personally persecuted so that he cannot without great danger unto himself discharge his Office in the Church whereunto he was ordained he may exchange for a time with another Church and this with Advice and Consent of both Churches And in case of the Minister's Disobedieâ—ce to the Judgment of their Churches the Cause shall be referr'd unto the next Provincial Synod There may be other Causes of changing which shall be proposed and judged in the Provincial Synod No Pastor shall forsake his Church without leave XVII No Pastor shall quit his Flock without leave first had and obtained from his Consistory and the Neighbour-Churches also shall approve the cause of his departure Yet on such occasions it will be fitting to admonish Churches to relieve their Pastors and to minister unto their Necessities And if necessary Relief be refused them when they have been advised to it in this case it shall be lawful for the Minister to ingage himself unto some other Church This is the Second Article in the First Chapter of the Discipline It is not lawful to â—â—car the Popish Preachers XVIII Novices received of late into the Church especially Monks and Priests shall not be chosen unto the Ministry without a long and diligent enquiry into and approbation had of their Lives and Doctrine XIX Forasmuch as it is not lawful nor expedient to hear the Sermons of Popish Preachers or of others introduc'd without a lawful Call in those Places where the Ministry of the Word is established Therefore the true Pastors are obliged as much as in them lieth to hinder their Flocks from going to them Causes for the Deposing of a Minister XX. Ministers teaching Evil Doctrine and not desisting upon sufficient Admonition and such as are disobedient to the Holy Orders and Counsels of God's Word given them by their Consistory as also they who lead a scandalous Life deserving Punishment by the Magistrates or Excommunication and they who are totally insufficient for their Office shall be deposed But those who be rendred uncapable by Age Sickness or any other Affliction or hindred by the Providence of God from the Exercise of their Ministry shall not yea their double Honour shall be continued to them and the Churches are required to maintain them and to provide another Minister to execute their Office Crimes for Deposing XXI Scandalous Crimes punishable by the Judges as Murder Sodomy and High-Treason or any other Sins which would redound to the great Dishonour and Scandal of the Church although they had been committed not only before his Call unto the Ministry but even in the time of his Ignorance merit the Deposing of such a Minister As for other Sins less scandalous the Judgment of them is left to the Prudence of the Provincial Synod XXII A Minister Convict of enormous and notorious Crimes shall be immediately deposed by the Consistory two or three Pastors of unstained Reputation being called into Counsel with them And in case the Delinquent Minister complain against his Accuser and of the Calumny laid upon him Presently by the Consistory the whole Matter of Fact shall be reported to the Provincial Synod If he has taught any Heresie or False Doctrine he shall be out of hand suspended by the Consistory two or three Ministers as before being called in until such time as the Provincial Synod shall have Decreed about it The Causes of Deposing unless necessity so require of which the Consistory shall judge may not be published
's answered The Case is greatly differing for he that Communicates is of Age come to Years of Discretion and capable of rejecting all the Impurities of his Ministration whereas this cannot be done by the baptized Infant wherefore it is in nowise lawful to receive the Sacrament of the Lord's Supper from the Hands of such a Man Whether they ought be rebaptized who had been baptized by a Monk XIV Ought they to be rebaptized who were baptized by Monks We answer That Baptism administred by one destitute of Commission and Calling is altogether Null wherefore inasmuch as Monks have no Call neither from the Reformed Churches nor elsewhere such as have been baptized by them ought to be rebaptized unless the Monk have been received by a People to preach the Gospel to them in which case there is the appearance of a Call XV. Should a Minister pay so much Deference to his Consistory as to refuse Preaching the Gospel to another People when he can do it without prejudicing his own Church We answer He ought to consider what is most expedient for the Glory of God and apply himself thereunto and indeavour with his utmost power to keep Peace and good Understanding with his Consistory Whether they may be inform'd against who have been guilty of a Crime punishable by the Laws XVI May the Faithful turn Informers against such Church-Members as are guilty of Crimes punishable by the Laws We answer That as for scandalous Sins and dangerous to the Commonwealth the Faithful ought to assist the Magistrate in his Proceedings against the Impenitent that persist in their Wickedness but w reiterated the Censure of the Church shall be sufficient XVII May Priests and beneficed Persons yet now become Members of the Church and serving in the Ministry receive the Revenue of their Cures Priests tho' Converts and in the Ministry may not receive a Penny of Revenue from their Benefices Whether a Man having espoused a Maid and absents himself from her three Years upon his return her finds married ought re-demand her We answer No by no means XVIII A Man having made promise of Marriage to a certain Maid upon Discontent given him by her Parents and to despight them utters these words You shall not see me in three Years time and accordingly he leaves the Country for that time Being returned at three Years end he finds her married Is he bound in Conscience to re-demand her or may he marry himself unto another It was answered That if it appear unto the Consistory that she had re-married herself lightly without having just and sufficient cause to believe her Husband dead because she hath falsified her Faith plighted to him by joyning herself unto another he is not bound to re-demand her But it shall be sufficient for him to desire the Magistrate that he would declare him Discharged of his Promise But if through false Reports she had occasion to believe him dead and she would not have plaid the Harlot nor have violated her Faith given him he must demand her and be importunate that she be restored to him May a Judge together with his Office exercise the Ministry XIX As to that Case whether a Judge may together with his Judicial Office exercise the Ministry it 's answered This is tolerated for a time but not approved because the Ministry requires the whole Man and therefore he ought to lay down his Judicial Office Advocates may not plead in the Officials Court XX. Advocates of the Reformed Religion shall neither postulate nor plead in the Officials Court unless it be in such Cases where Right only is to be had and obtained from them A Priest having sold his Cure can't be admitted to the Lord's Supper without a Recognition Proceedings against an Elder for Uncleanness XXI A Priest having sold his Benefice though he hath not received the Monies shall not be received unto the Lord's Table unless he will protest never to touch or take a Farthing of that Sum and for the Fault committed by him in selling his Benefice he shall do Pennance before the Consistory XXII An Elder is accused of Adultery which yet is denied by him and although there be no sufficient proof of his Crimes yet because of the great noise about it and that the Woman protests the truth of it that he hath had carnal Knowledge of her and a Child by her it is demanded What Course is to be taken with him It was answered That he should be suspended his Office and the Cognisance of the Fact should be referred to the Provincial Synod to whose Jurisdiction this Business doth properly belong and from whence there shall be no Appeal How he is to be dealt with who hath had a Child by his Cousin-German XXIII A Man having promised Marriage to the Cousin-Geman of his deceased Wife before his Marriage with her has carnally known her and had a Child by her but now ho desires to be received into Communion with and married in the Church It was answered That forasmuch as the Marriage of Cousin-Germans is not prohibited by the Word of God although it be by our Magistrates it is advised That they shall separate for some time and make publick Confession of their Fault before the Church and then the Minister reproving it and admonishing that none offend for the future in this manner they shall be then married Whether Women may present Children to Baptism XXIV The Question being started Whether Women might present Children unto Baptism It was answered That this Custom should not be introduced Yet nothing hindred but that for some considerable Reasons it might be upon times admitted XXV It was thought meet to Advise the Churches that in Matters of general concern to them they should send from every Province upon a common Purse some particular Person who follows the Court to solicite the Affars of the Churches in that Province at Court and all these Soliciters are to communicate their Counsels together that so they may be found unanimously agreeing in those Suits which they prosecute They shall also carry with them the Confession of Faith and consult of some means how to Present it unto the King in the Name of all the Churches Yet none of them shall pretend unto any Superiority over another Moreover every of them shall be admonished by the Province who dispatched him with its Memoirs and Instructions that in Matters of importance they decline not in the least from them without first imparting it unto their Province or in case of great and urgent Necessity without having took Advice from such Ministers as are then in Court and the nearest Church Yet all these together shall have no Command nor Power over any Church but only send their Advice unto their respective Provinces and the Provinces upon those Advices shall take that care and course which they shall judge most expedient XXVI An Elder having collected Monies to be given unto Priests
Synod The said Sacrament shall not be administred privately to the Ministers and Elders only deputed unto these Synods but in publick and to the whole Church in which they be assembled A Bishop or Curate may not be received into the Ministry till they have first renounced all their Benefices and long tryal had of them IV. If it happen that a Bishop or Curate desire to be promoted unto the Ministry of the Gospel they may not be received till such time as they are first admitted Members of the Church renouncing all their Benefices and other Rights depending on the Church of Rome professing also publickly Repentance for their past sins as they shall be ordered by the Consistory and after long tryal and proof had of their Repentance and Godly Conversation they may be chosen into the Ministry of the Gospel according to the Canons of our Church-Discipline 6 8. of the Synod of Paris and 3. of Poictiers A Minister must be ordained to a particular Flock Ministers may not quit their Churches nor joyn themselves unto any other without the Authority of the Provincial Synod or without the Consent of the Neighbour-Ministers or of that Church unto which they were sent Ministers preside by Turns Provinces may not be divided without the Advice of Synods V. Ministers shall not be ordained without assigning them to some particular Flock If they be sent any where for a certain time that time being expired they shall return unto the Church from whence they parted and be under her power And in case they were not accepted by the Church unto which they were sent they shall be at liberty to return unto the Church from which they parted or else to wait the Determination of a Provincial Synod concerning them during which time they may not Preach but by the Advice of two or three Neighbour-Ministers And this also shall be observed by them who having leave do depart their Churches without ever being sent elsewhere that so no Ministers may be Vagrants nor by their own Authority intrude themselves where best liketh them VI. Ministers shall preside by Turns in their Consistories and Synods that so none may presume to any superiority over another VII The Division of Provinces as they relate unto Provincial Synods shall remain in their first Estate And in case the said Provinces have too great a number of Churches they may be divided according to the Advice of those Provincial Synods which shall consider the conveniency of those Churches complaining of their too great distance and recommend them to another Province nearer to them and more commodious for them and giving them to this purpose Letters of Dismission unto that Province into which they shall be incorporated And as for Churches erected since the last Provincial Synods and others that may be hereafter constituted they shall be obliged to joyn themselves unto the nearest Province VIII The Faithful shall be exhorted not to Scandalize the Papists by working upon Holy-days Works may not be done on Festivas Spiritual Kinred not comprised in the words of Affinity and Consanguinity Rule for Marriages dissolved by Adultery And as concerning that which they call Spiritual Kinred this Council is of Opinion That it is not comprised nor understood by the words of Affinity and Consanguinity in the last Edict of January However it adviseth That the Deputies of the Churches do upon the first occasion presented to them endeavour to obtain the King's Declaration as to this and other matters IX And as for Marriages dissolved for Adultery it is now Ordained That the Churches may not marry those Persons without observing this Order The wronged Person who hath not offended shall be bound to Prosecute at Law before the Magistrate its offending Party so long till that by his final Sentence he be convicted See the 53d Article of the Synod at Vertâ—til which said Sentence he shall produce before the Consistory demanding leave and permission to marry Which Consistory having called the Parties concerned before them may grant them License to marry But the offending Party shall not be permitted Marriage till such time as the Offended be first married and then this Offender having done publick Pennance according to the Prudence of the Consistory may have License to marry And this Canon shall be in force till the Churches have greater Liberty This shall hold also in the case of Fornication after Promises of Marriage where the Whoredom was not known unto the espoused Party Such as cohabit before Marriage shall do publick Penance or before the Consistory X. Whoso shall have cohabited together as Man and Wife without having been first lawfully and solemnly married and now demand to be married shall do publick Penance or at least before the Consistory according to its Discretion and then the Marriage may be celebrated all requisite Solemnities being first observed excepting such Persons who shall have cohabited together during the time of their Ignorance and not despised contemptuously the Orders of our Churches And it shall hold also in their Case who have cohabited together where there was no Church constituted in the places of their abode These shall only be called into the Consistory that their Marriage may be ratified None may with a good Conscience advise the buying of an Office Judicial Care must be had about Modesty in Garments XI It being expresly forbidden us by the Kings to purchase any Estate or Office of Judicature no Church shall advise the doing of it XII The Churches shall admonish the Faithful of both Sexes to be very Modest in their Apparel and to retrench all Excesses and Superfluities which are originally committed in and about it However the Churches shall make no Decrees concerning it because 't is a matter belonging to the Civil Magistrate but they shall cause the King's Ordinances relating hereunto diligently to be observed Nor may the Churches excommunicate any Man or Woman for using such Habits and Fashions as are common and customary in this Kingdom Benefices may not be purchased for fear of countenancing Idolatry No Pastor may be deputed to Visit the Churches XIII The Faisthful cannot with a good Conscience purchase any Benefices nor part of their Revenue least by this means they should be intangled with some kind of Idolatry or in the least sort be Favourers of it XIV Whereas some Ministers have been deputed by certain Provincial Synods to visit the Churches this Council doth advise That the Order formerly used to discover Scandals arising in the Churches being sufficient for that purpose is now again ratified and approved by this Council and this new-found Office is condemned because of its dangerous Consequence No Prayers at the Grave XV. That all Superstition may be avoided Ministers shall not use any Prayers at the Interment of our Dead When the Discipline is to be read in the Consistories XVI The Articles of our Ecclesiastical Discipline shall be read in the
in it then this Council commands that Province in which the said David shall be and reside to Formalize itself against him and upon this account the Church of Paris shall be obliged to furnish the said Province with Proofs which it hath now or may have had heretofore lying by against the said David that so he may be proceeded against in such a manner as shall be thought most advisable for the Repose of the Church III. Touching the matter propounded by the Minister of Paris the Council is of Opinion That the Marriage pretended to be broken by reason of Spiritual Kinred doth remain firm and in its full power and therefore the second Marriage which hath since intervened is null and these second married Persons are excommunicated because of their Adulteries until such time as they have done publick Penance and shall have duely evidenced their Repentance IV. Whereas our Brother the Minister of Varennes in Picardy doth usually administer the Lord's Supper every Month the Council doth advise That our Brother of Mont-mejor do admonish him in the Council's Name to follow the general Practice of our Churches that so there may be no Diversity among us and our Uniformity may be preserved V. The Churches are advertised to take notice of a Fellow called Frederick Thierry formerly an Augustin Fryar as also of another called Marmande as being Vagrants VI. 'T is the Judgment of this Council That a Minister being imployed in the Church may not ordinarily exercise any other Calling nor receive Wages for it Our Brother of Britain moved this Question VII As to that Book entituled A Treatise of Christian Discipline and Polity composed and published by John Morelly the Council judges That as to the Points concerning the Discipline of the Church by which he pretends to condemn and subvert the Order received in our Churches sounded upon the Word of God that the said Book contains wicked Doctrine and tends to the Confusion and Dissipation of the Church and therefore the said Council cautions the Faithful to take heed of the aforesaid Doctrine VIII A Remonstrance being made by the Church of Poictiers about an Appeal brought by the People of the City of Loudun from a Decree of the Provincial Synod of Poictou held at Niort concerning the Fact of Maturin Sibileau the said Appeal having been signified to the Church of Poictiers on behalf of the said People of Loudun the Decrees both of the Provincial Synod held at Partinay and of the Synod of Niort were read and considered Whereupon this present Council hath and doth send back the Knowledge of the said Cause unto the next Provincial Synod of Touraine which by the Authority of this Council shall pass a Definitive Judgment upon these Persons although they were absent provided their Absence be not out of Contumacy and they had been duely informed of the meeting of that Synod And in the mean while it is ordained That both the said Sibileau and the said People of Loudun shall yeild Obedience to the Synod of Niort And to this purpose the Church of Poictiers is required to signifie this present Sentence and the Church of Tours is to Assemble the said Provincial Synod IX A Petition being presented by Madam Margaret de la Voirie concerning a Marriage pretended to have been contracted between her and the Noble William de Schilhant The Council has approved and doth approve of that Sentence given by the Provincial Synod of Touraine held at Mans the last October by which the said Marriage was declared Incestuous because the said De Schilhant had formerly espoused the Sister of the said Petitioner whereunto it does injoyn the said Lady quietly to submit and to observe it with Repose and Tranquility of Conscience moreover the Council exhorts her to return unto her own Church there to make such Acknowledgment of her Fault as the Consistory shall think meet X. Having heard the Remonstrance made by our Brother the Deputy of Poictou concerning Peter Boulay who had intruded himself into the Ministry of the Church of Niort The Council ratifies and approves the Determination of the Provincial Synod held at Niort by which the said Boulay was declared uncapable and insufficient to be chosen into the Ministry of the Gospel until such time as he had given proofs of his Sufficiency before the Provincial Synod of Poictou Moreover this present Council hath ordained That this very Advice shall be signified both unto the said Boulay and to all those who do abett him by our Brethren La Forest and De Thire who making report unto the next approaching Synod of Poictou of the Obedience or Rebellion of the said Boulay and his Abettors a final Period shall be put unto this Affair according to the Rules of our Church-Discipline And the Council leaves it to the Wisdom of the next â—ynod whether it be expedient for the common Edification of the Church that our brother De la Fayole be not also removed from Niort XII There shall be no Alteration made in that Article of our Discipline touching the Choice of Ministers and the Council hath ordained That * * * In the Book of Niort he is called M John Viâ—ier Mr. John Rebitt do sign the Confession of Faith and Articles of Discipline and moreover doth expresly forbid him so Teach in his Lectures Doctrine contrary unto them that so there may be no Disunion in the Church and if he should refuse Submission to this Advise of the Council he shall be sent back to the Consistory of that City to be dealt withal according to the Canons of our Church-Discipline XII As to that Question moved by our Brother of Orleance the Council hath and doth leave it to the liberty of the respective Consistories to judge of those who may be sit to assist at the Examination of Candidates for the Ministry as may be most expedient for their Edification yet so as they shall not suffer any besides the Members of the said Consistory to examine them XIII The Council judgeth it inconvenient to publish from the Pulpit the Articles of our Discipline yet they may be given unto such as desire them by the Consistories XIV Whereas the Letters sent unto this present General Council of the Reformed Churches of France assembled at Orleance by * * * The Book of Niort calls him Jodâ—â— Maurice Joequin are fraught with heavy Complaints against David Vivian Minister of Bourges and divers others of the Consistory of the said Church and because both Parties are absent the said Council remands them unto the next approaching Provincial Synod Berry that there the said Vivian and the other Members of the Consistory may be dealt withal as is just and sitting In the mean while considering the outragious and prophane Words mentioned in the said Letters and the Contumacy of the said Joequin disdaining to come unto this present Council after he had been lawfully summoned and the Threatnings contained in his Answer divers of our
Brethren having been heard on this Affair reporting his continual Rebellions against the Consistory of the said Church for near six Months together The Council doth injoyn the Consistory to call the said Joequin before them and to give him a very severe Reproof for the sorementioned Crimes and in case of his Contempt and continued Rebellion to depose him from his Office of Deacon without delay as also to cut him off from the Communion of the Church and to denounce him publickly Excommunicate until such time as he shall have given publick satisfactory Evidences of his Repentance The End of the Synod of Orleance Thus Subscribed in the Original Chandieu Lord of La Roche President of the Council Le Masson Lord of La Fountaine Scribe of the Council THE ACTS DECISIONS and DECREES OF THE IV. National Synod OF THE Reformed Churches of Christ IN The KINGDOM of FRANCE HELD At LIONS in the Year of our LORD 1563. THE CONTENTS of this SYNOD CHap. I. Moderator chosen Chap. II. Of Synods in Five Canons Chap. III. Of Consistories in Five Canons Chap. IV. Of Censures Two Canons Chap. V. Of Ministers Three Canons Chap. VI. Of Baptism Three Canons Chap. VII Of Marriage Four Canons Chap. VIII Of Interest for Money Chap. IX Of Hereticks and Schismaticks and Vagrants Chap. X. Of the Lord's Supper Chap. XI General Matters Chap. XII A Case of Conscience about the Marriage of Cousin-Germans Chap. XIII A Book Censured See also Cap. 9. Chap. XIV Particular Matters A Delinquent Minister Censured Chap. XV. Advice to the States of Languedoc Chap. XVI Very many curious Cases of Conscience resolved Chap. XVII Memorials for the Service of the Churches Chap. XVIII Distinction of the Provinces Nine at first Chap. XIX Books Censured Chap. XX. Vagrants and Deposed Ministers Registred Chap. XXI Cases of Conscience 1. About Marriage 2. Consistories 3. Baptism 4. And the Lord Supper Resolved by Mr. Calvin and sent unto the National Synod of Lyons at their desire THE Synod of Lions 1563. Synod IV. SYNOD IV. Articles concluded on in the National Synod held at Lions the tenth of August 1563 in the third Year of the Reign of King Charles the Ninth CHAP. I. Mr. Virett was a most Eloquent Preacher and Calvin's Colleague at Geneva See the Catalogue of his Works in Du Verdier's Bibliotheque M R. Peter Virett Minister in the Church of Lions was chosen Modederator and Scribe CHAP. II. Observations Additions and Annotations upon the Church-Discipline Of SYNODS ARTICLE I. AT the Opening of all National and Provincial Synods the Canons of our Church-Discipline shall be read and for the future Provincial Synods shall send unto the National those Articles and Canons composed by them for the Government of their respective Provinces and all the Churches in their District ARTICLE II. The Canons of the three former National Synods held at Paris Poictiers and Orleance shall be reduced into a Body and this Order shall constantly be observed at the end of every National Synod ARTICLE III. Every Sentence of Excommunication confirmed by the Provincial Synod shall be for the future stable and valid IV. None other Articles of Discipline shall be divulged but those which were composed by common Consent of all the Deputies ARTICLE V. The Deputies of the Provinces shall not depart from the National Synod without carrying home with them the Resolutions and Decrees of the Synod signed and attested by the Moderator and Scribe CHAP. III. Of CONSISTORIES ARTICLE VI. ALtho' it may be convenient in weighty and important Business of the Church to call into gether with the Consistory some of the most discreet and judicious Members of the Church though they be not in actual Office in the Consistory yet nevertheless there ought not to be any other ordinary Assembly or Form of Council for Church-Matters excepting the Body of the Consistory which hath been chosen and settled by the Church to these very ends and purposes who be Persons in publick Offices which the others are not ARTICLE VII A Civil Magistrate may be a Member of the Consistory provided it do not hinder him in the Exercise of his publick Office nor be prejudicial to the Church VIII Professors of Divinity may be admitted Members of Consistories and deputed unto Synods ARTICLE IX Consistories are left at liberty to receive as Members into them both Father and Son and two Brothers at the same time unless there be something which may hinder it of which the Provincial Synod shall take Cognisance ARTICLE X. Although the Body of the Consistory may advise and admonish disagreeing Persons to terminate their Controversies and Suits at Law yet that very Consistory shall never consent to be the Judge or Arbitrator of those Controversies betwixt Persons at Variance about worldly Goods and Estates but in case any Members of the Church not of the Consistory shall be employed as Arbitrators in those Differences then the Members of the Consistory may assist them with their particular Advice but always in their private Capacities CHAP. IV. Concerning CENSVRES ARTICLE XI IF any Officer of our Reformed Churches shall have committed Idolatry in times of Persecution they shall be deposed from their Office and before they be admitted to communicate at the Lord's Table they shall do publick Penance And as for private Persons who have offended in the same manner they also shall undergo such a Penance as the Consistory shall judge meet The whole to be managed with Christian Moderation according to the Discipline ARTICLE XII Ministers who scandalize the World by marrying basely and unworthily the Brethren in this Synod are all of one Mind and Advice That Consistories shall proceed against these Delinquents in such a manner as may prevent all Scandals for the future CHAP. V. Of MINISTERS ARTICLE XIV MInisters though settled in one Church may be lent unto other Churches for some time for their Instruction and Comfort And whenas our Proposans are called unto the Ministry they shall be settled in some one particular Church there constantly to remain yet Synods shall have Power to remove Ministers from one Place to another for some certain Reasons and Considerations provided their Churches do consent unto it according to the Discipline ARTICLE XV. Here must be inserted the Fifth Canon of the National Synod of Orleance viz. Ministers shall not quit their Churches nor joyn themselves unto any other without the Authority of the Provincial Synod or consent of the Neighbour-Ministers or that Church unto which they were sent XVI Whenas a Minister is to be chosen not only the Consistories of that Church but the Neighbour-Ministers also shall with the Colloquy pursue that Election CHAP. VI. Of BAPTISM ARTICLE XVII MInisters shall admonish their Flocks to compose themselves withall possible Reverence at the Administration of both the Sacraments ARTICLE XVIII Women alone shall not be admitted to present Children unto Baptism ARTICLE XIX If a Person come to Years of Discretion was never baptized and shall
desire that he may be admitted into the Church of God by that Initial Sacrament he shall not be baptized till he have made a publick Confession of his Faith and evidence that he hath a competent measure of Understanding and Knowledge in the Articles of our Christian Religion CHAP. VII Of MARRIAGES ARTICLE XX. MInisters neither may nor shall marry such as are professed Papists till they have first renounced their Popish Religion Superstition the Mass and do make profession of our Faith although the Husband himself should be a Believer ARTICLE XXI The Churches shall be informed not to celebrate any Marriages of Strangers out of the places of their abode without sufficient Attestation from that Church unto which they do belong ARTICLE XXII The Banes shall be published on two Lord's Days in those places where there be Weekly Sermons and if in other places then at such times as there is Exhortation made and common Prayers yea also they shall there be published thrice within the Fortnight It may be lawful but not necessary to publish the Banes of Marriage in the Popish Temples ARTICLE XXIII 'T is the Judgment of this Synod That a Man having left his Wife because of Leprosie and married another his first being yet alive that this his Marriage is null before God and that therefore he may not be admitted to the Lord's Table till he have first separated from this second Wife and repaired the Scandal he hath given the Church by publick Penance CHAP. VIII About Interests of Money ARTICLE XXIV ALL Persons shall carefully observe the King's Edicts and the Rules of Charity about Interest of Money CHAP. IX About Vagrants Hereticks and Schismaticks ARTICLE XXV VAgrants Hereticks and Schismaticks shall be notified unto all Churches that they may be aware of them CHAP. X. Of the LORD's SVPPER THe Churches shall be informed that it belongs only unto Ministers to give the Cup in the Lord's Supper if possible they can do it and that all evil Consequences may be avoided CHAP. XI General MATTERS I. MInisters shall exhort their Churches to demean themselves with all Reverence during the Administration of Baptism II. Women only shall not be admitted to present Children unto Baptism III. This Synod explaining the Article of the foregoing Synod concerning Baptism saith That no Baptism shall be administred unless in publick Church-Meetings The Cup at the Lord's Supper must be given by the Ministers IV. The Churches shall be informed That it belongs only unto Ministers to give the Cup at the Lord's Table and to obviate all evil Consequences it be possible none else shall deliver it V. All Vagrants Hereticks and Schismaticks shall be denounced such by Name unto the Churches that they may beware of them VI. Consistories shall be directed to call none before them unless there be good and sufficient ground for it VII Professors that are Ministers may be Members of Consistories and Synods To remove and change Ministers the Power is vested in the Synods VIII Ministers tho' already fixed in one Church may yet be lent unto another for its Edification for some time And when as our Candidates shall be called into the Ministry they shall have a certain Flock assigned to them among whom they shall have their constant abode The Power of removing Ministers for certain considerations remaining in the Synods with the consent of their Churches according to the Discipline Excommunication 〈◊〉 Synod 〈◊〉 of 〈◊〉 Appeal Whole Consistories â—â—y not be Arbitrators All Sentences of Excommunication ratified by Provincial Synods shall for the future be confirmed and no Appeal from them X. The Bodies of Consistories shall never be chosen Arbiters but only some particular Members from among them instead of the whole XI None other Articles of the Church-Discipline shall be divulged but such as have been resolved on unanimously by all the Deputies in the National Synod CHAP. XII A Case of CONSCIENCE XII MAy a Man marry his Cousin-German or she that is one degree removed This Synod is of Opinion That care be taken of giving Scandal in such a case and the Offence being removed we know nothing to the contrary but that such Persons may marry for they do not sin against any Prohibition of God XIII At the openings of all Synods Provincial or National all the Articles of the Discipline shall be read And for time to come Provincial Synods shall sâ—â—d unto the General Assemblies the Articles decreed by them as well such aâ— concern the Government of their own Province The Book of Discipline to be read at the beginning of all Synods as those others which concern the generality of the Churches XIV Consistories have full liberty to receive Father and Son or two Brothers at the same time into Office among them unless there be some just cause which may hinder it whereof the Provincial Synod shall take Cognisance CHAP. XIII A BOOK Censured XV. HAving seen and read a certain Book intituled A Declaration of the Mystery and Secret of God demonstrated by two Pictures as also another Book in Manuscript intituled The Mirrour of Antichrist This Assembly declares the said Books to be full of Blasphemies Heresies and of vain and scandalous Discourses and therefore adviseth the Faithful to beware of them and their Author is declared unworthy of the Ministry and of any other Office in the Church and the Books shall be put into the hands of the Ministers of the Classis of Nismes who shall tender them unto their suspected Author and if he avow them for his own then to depose him from all Office if he bear any in the Church and to proceed farther against him as they shall judge meet CHAP. XIV Particular MATTERS James Pinus deposed from the Ministry for being a Vagrant c. JAmes Pinus is declared unworthy of the Ministry and the Sentence of the Synod of Niort condemning him for divers Crimes from which he hath never purged himself is confirmed in particular 1. That he intruded himself into the Ministry without a Call 2. For that since he hath continued in it notwithstanding the Remonstrances made him and his Promises to desist which he made unto the National Synod of Poictiers Moreover he shall be bound to reconcile himself unto the Churches of Geneva and Lausanna And for what concerns our Brother De Ressé he shall be exhorted by Letters to continue in his Ministry and to renounce Pleading at the Bar and other Businesses which take him off from his Calling and in case of his Rebellion he shall be forthwith deposed and cut off from Communion with the Church And the Church of Talmont is admonished to live in Concord with the other Churches CHAP. XV. UPon those Remonstrances presented by the States of Languedoc unto this Synod there was this Advice given As to the first and second Articles concerning Ministers Letters shall be written unto the Provincial Synod of Languedoc exhorting the Ministers of that Province to
their Communicating and it be known that their refraining is from Contempt of that Holy Sacrament they shall be proceeded against according to the Discipline but if their forbearance spring from infirmity they shall be born withal for some time till they have gotten more Soul-strength As for those who conform not to the Rules of our Church and yet frequent Sermons and be not of an ill Life nor scandalous they shall be admonished and enticed by all means to conform to them Whether another Counceil besides the Consistory may be established in the Church VI. Whereas some certain Churches and in particular that of Sens earnestly demand that it may be permitted them to establish a Council in their City composed of wise and experienced Persons not being Officers of the Church urging for it the multitude of their Enemies necessitating them to stand upon their Guard and that hourly divers Affairs of great importance do occur calling for prompt and speedy Succours to the Conservation of the Church that their Pastors and Elders dwell not in Town who might prevent those Discontents brought upon them by Monsieur de la Croix their Pastor who would neither countenance nor authorize any such Council This Assembly in pursuance of the Article of the Discipline relating to this matter and expounding it is of Opinion That for time to come no such Council be established excepting that composed of Ministers Elders and Deacons being confident that God will ever bless their Labours and Councils whom he hath called to Office in the Church and better serve himself by their Simplicity than by the Prudence of Worldly Politicians Besides it shall be always lawful for the Pastors and Elders on any great and difficult Affair to call unto them such Persons as by whose Counsel they may be any ways aided Not hereby debarring particular Persons the benefit of mutual Counsel which they may one afford another upon emergent occasions for their better Preservation But we do not hereby intend to authorize any company of Men besides the Consistory to be stiled the Council of the Church CHAP. VI. Imposition of Hands shall be practised in those places where it hath not as yet been observed VII BEcause that in the ninth Article of the Discipline it 's said That when Ministers are to be confirmed there shall be Imposition of Hands upon them yet not as of pure necessity It is demanded whether the Churches that have no such Custom should for time to come submit unto the Usage of it The reply was That there being neither Precept nor Promise touching this matter therefore no necessary Obligation shall be established about it However this Ceremony being of ancient Usage in the Church practised by the Apostles and tending to Edification the Churches shall do their endeavour to promote Conformity unto it as far as possible they may 'T is left to the Prudence of the Consistory to call in their Proposans at their Debates VIII The Churches Council consisting of Ministers Elders and Deacons it is demanded Whether unordained Preachers not having any particular Charge may be called in to assist the Consistory without ever granting them power of Suffrage that so they may be moulded and prepared for the better managing of Church-affairs when God shall call them thereunto We answer There being no Inconveniency in it 't is left to the prudence and discretion of the Pastors who may to try their Abilities demand also their Opinions Parents are exhorted to bring Sureties for their Children at Baptism IX There being no Commandment from the Lord that we should take Godfathers and Godmothers to present our Infants unto Baptism we cannot therefore impose an express Necessity on any one to use them nevertheless this Custom being very ancient and brought into the Church on a good Intent viz. To testifie the Parents Faith and Baptism of their Child and to take upon them its Education in case of their death and for that it maintains Christian Society with a Bond of Love and Alliance Such as will not follow this practise but will in their own Persons present their Children unto Baptism are earnestly desired not to be conceited but to conform to this ancient and accustomed Order which we find both good and very beneficial However Women shall not be suffered to present Children And this is the true sence of the second Article of the Synod of Lions Counsellors and Advocares of the Reformed Religion must not plead in beneficiary Matters X. Judges Notaries Scriveners and others who by the Duty of their Callings are bound to Judge Sign and Seal all matters indifferently brought to them shall not be censured for giving Judgment or receiving a last Will or passing a Contract or dispatching Writings about Idolatrous Concerns But Advocates Arbitrators and all others whose Offices are free shall be admonished that they ought wholly to forbear Pleading for or any other ways to treat of beneficiary Causes or such-like Matters CHAP. VII All the Churches must be conformable in point of Common Publick Prayers XI CHurches which besides their ordinary Sermons are accustomed to Morning and Evening Common-Prayers on such Days whenas there is no Preaching or once a day towards night when there has been a Sermon are intreated to conform themselves unto those Churches which have no such Custom that so Superstition which is like to follow hereupon may be prevented and that visible Neglect and Contempt of Sermons may be avoid and Family-Prayers which every Housholder is bound to perform may be no more neglected Moreover Publick Extraordinary Common-Prayers ought to be reserved for Times of Necessity and Afflictions because it is an extraordinary Remedy as Publick Fasting whose usage ought not to be common And Ministers shall inform their Churches which have daily Common-Prayer why they are laid down that so all Scandal and Muttering at their Suppression may be removed and they shall admonish the Heads of Families ordinarily to call upon God in their Hoses by Morning and Evening-Prayers No Person to be married without a sufficient Certificate XII Such as come from one Church unto another to be married shall not be suffered without a sufficient Attestation from that Church whence they departed and the Banes shall be called in those very places where both the Parties have their residence and are known XIII Forasmuch as divers Churches having borrowed a Minister from another do trust unto it and use no diligence elsewhere to gain one for themselves yea and will not permit him when re-called by his own Church to return again unto it whereby they would seem to claim him for their own by Prescription who was only a Loan unto them so that hereby many and great Troubles may every day grow upon us and though Consistories ought to be advised not to prefer their own particular Profit to the common Benefit and Edification of the Churches of Christ nor to leave a Church unprovided when they can
conveniently spare a Minister or send another Yet if this may not be done that the aforementioned Inconveniencies may be obviated and that Churches living upon borrowed Ministers may be spurred up to a diligent discharge of their Duty in getting one for themselves This Assembly adviseth That in case a Church which had borrowed a Minister hath been for six Months warned and required to provide itself the lent Minister shall be obliged to return unto his own Church in Obedience to the Summons of his Consistory whatever Interposals there may be to the contrary by Provincial Synods Synods and Colloquies shall be established according to the extent of the Governments in the State XIV It 's ordained for time to come That Provincial Synods and Colloquies shall be established according to the Provincial Gorvernments of the Kingdom without any one 's usurping Authority upon the other excepting that if one Government be too great and the number of Ministers in it too many they may divide themselves into two Provinces and as many Synods CHAP. VIII XV. THis Synod having heard Monsieur * * * Another Copy calls him du Gar a third du Gast John du Bard retracting and abjuring those Errours he had formerly vented and defended at Poictiers concerning the Divinity and Humanity of Jesus Christ and the Divinity of the Holy Ghost which Retractation of his specified with all Plainness and its Particulars he had given in Writing and the Deputies of this Assembly to whom it was committed for their Perusal making Report that it was solid pertinent and satisfactory as proceeding from a composed and well-resolved Mind It is ordained That this Retractation shall be sent unto Monsieur de L'estrang and other Ministers of the Churches in Poistou with Letters from this Assembly that they may consider whether it will be a sufficient Reparation of the Scandal and Trouble caused by him in those Parts and to know whether they have any other Matters to object against him or whether they would have him in Person there upon the place to recognize his Offence And in case they desire it the said Monsieur John du Bard shall be exhorted to appear personally before them in the mean while the Ministers of Picardy are advised not to proceed to a sudden Election of him till such time as he hath given full Satisfaction unto the Churches of Poictou CHAP. IX All secret Promises of Marriage null XVI FOrasmuch as Controversies arise daily about Marriage-Promises we do Decree That for time to come all clandestine Promises made even by Persons of full Age and at their own disposal shall be null and those be clandestine Promises which are not made in the presence of three or two Witnesses at the least and it 's fitting they be made after solemn seeking of God by Prayer and in presence of Parents provided they live in those places where the Promises are made XVII Churches which are accustomed upon Sacrament-days or other Sabbaths after the Confession of Sins to pronounce a general Absolution may if they please continue in it but where this Custom is not introduced this Synod adviseth the Churches not in the least to admit it because of the dangerous Consequences which may ensue What Course shall be taken with Ministers complaining of their Peoples Unkindness to them XVIII A Minister complaining of his Church's Ingratitude the Provincial Synod shall take cognisance thereof weighing diligently the Poverty of that Church and the Temporal Estate of the Minister and in case that Church be guilty of very great and notorious Ingratitude the Synod shall have full power to remove him for his better Accommodation elsewhere And all the Churches shall be desired to shun Ingratitude to their Ministers a Sin too rife among us and to take special care that they be more respected and their Labours better rewarded not to enrich or fatten them but to give them a becoming and sufficient Maintenance Persons under Twelve not to be admitted to the Lord's Table XIX 'T is the Judgment of this Synod that Children under twelve Years of Age ought not to be received to the Lord's Supper and as for those which are above it Ministers shall judge of their fitness for it And having been once Communicants they may be admitted also Sureties for Children at Baptism The Sister of a dead Spouse may be married XXI It being demanded whether a Man might marry the Sister of her to whom he was betrothed because some conceived he might as well marry his Wife's Sister and that the Rights of the Spouse are as great as those of the married Woman This Assembly answers That there is between these two Facts a very wide difference because Affinity is only contracted by mixture of Blood and Seed Yet nevertheless care must be taken that neither the Magistrate nor the weak Christian be offended The Accounts of the Poor's Money shall be given up before the Ministers and all the People XXI Ministers shall be present is possible at the distributing of Monies unto the Elders for the Poor but at the Inbringing of their Accounts they shall in no wise be absent And their Custom is approved who advise the People before-hand to be present at the Audit that so the Elders who have managed those matters may be discharged with more Honour and also that they themselves knowing the necessities of the Church and Poor may be the more enlarged in their Contributions to them Consistories shall not execute Divorces XXII Whereas great Difficulties are raised about Divorces for Adultery verified before the Magistrates we judge that Consistories may lawfully declare unto the innocent Party its liberty according to God's Word but they shall not in the least intermeddle with the Execution of that Divorce and Dissolution of the Marriage to enable the wronged Party to proceed unto a new Marriage because it of right belongs unto the Civil Magistrate CHAP. X XXIII THis following Order shall be observed in the calling of our National Synods for the future The Method to be kept in convocating National Synods In the first place as was usual there shall be one certain Church chosen which shall have power of signifying unto the Provinces the Day and Place of Meeting Whatever Matters are to be debated in this Assembly shall be sent by the several Provinces unto that Church The said Church shall call the National Synod within the Year in convenient Time and Place and give notice thereof three Months before to all the Provinces and shall send a Duplicate of the difficult Matters which are to be debated unto the said Provinces to be considered by them And that such as are charged with the Power of calling the said Assembly may know how to direct their Letters it 's fitting that one particular Church be nominated in every Province to receive those Letters and according to their Tenor to Assemble the Provincial Synod within three Months where the
then if the said Dissenters refuse conformity they shall promising as before be dismissed over to the ordinary National Synod or if there be one at that time extraordinarily assembled they shall be heard in it with all holy freedom And here shall be the final and absolute Decision made of this Controversie from the Word of God whereunto if they refuse a full and entire Obedience and in plain and express terms do not renounce their recorded Errors they shall be cut off by the Sword of Excommunication from the Body of their Churches A Pastor or Elder breaking the Churches Vnion or stirring up contention about any Point of Doctrine or Discipline which he had subscribed or about the Form of Catechising Administration of Sacraments Publick Prayers or Celebration of Marriage and not conforming to the determination of the Colloquy shall be then suspended from his Office and either the Provincial or National Synod shall finally proceed against him CHAP. V. The manner of Electing Ministers XIX THE Fourth Article concerning Ministers shall be couched in these terms A Minister shall not be chosen by one only Minister with his Consistory but by two or three Ministers called into the said Consistory and if there be one in being by the Colloquy or if it may be by the Provincial Synod Afterward he shall be recommended to the People who shall hear him two or three weeks following or for some longer time if it be conceived fitting that he may be known to them and his Method in Teaching the Congregation also shall be expresly informed that if any one of them know a just cause or reason why the called Minister should not be chosen or if they be dissatisfied with them that they would declare it unto the Consistory who will readily receive and patiently and freely hear their Exceptions against him And in case there arise contention on one side or other the Election shall be suspended and the whole Affair shall be brought before the Provincial Synod who shall take knowledge both of the Justification and Reception of the said Ministers who though justified shall not however be imposed upon that People against their will or to the discontentment of the major part of them And on the contrary the Peoples Silence shall be taken for their full consent Finally the said Pastor shall be presented unto the People and be ordained by laying on of hands And if any Ministers be desired by particular Churches to be employed in their Service they shall be sent with good Testimonials of their Life and Doctrine unto the Colloquy or Synod of the Province whereunto the Churches that demanded them do belong and that Colloquyor Synod shall first hear them and in case the Ministers thus sent have never before exercised the Pastoral Office they may examine them and afterwards depute three or four Ministers to nominate and present them unto the Churches which desired them who having heard them preach shall finally receive them or if the People do oppose it the whole Affair shall be determined according to the Order before appointed and all at the Costs and Charges of the Churches which demanded them XX. At the close of that Article concerning Excommunication under the Head of Delinquents these words shall be added And during the Publication as well of the said Excommunication as of the Reconciliation it shall be lawful for those of the People who never consented to give Notice of it unto the Consistory and they have all holy liberty for so doing and the Consistory shall consider of it whereas the silence of others shall be taken for consent And in case of opposition or discontent they shall not proceed unto Excommunication without advising with the Colloquy yet nevertheless the said Suspension shall stand and remain in its full vigour and effect XXI To the first Article of Particular Orders there shall be made this short addition And to nourish Monks XXII In the 27th Article concerning Ministers after these words To shorten the Term of Three Months there shall be added And the said Colloquy shall consider how those ungrateful Persons shall be dealt with weighing maturely and considering seriously all Circumstances and above all having in their eyes the Glory of God the Edification of his Church and the Honour of the Ministry And what remains of that Article shall be razed out XXIII After the 18th Article concerning Consistories this present shall be subjoyned In those places where the Exercise of the Reformed Religion is not established the Faithful shall be exhorted by the Neighbour Colloquies to choose unto themselves Elders and Deacons and to observe the Discipline of the Church and the Colloquy shall advise unto what Church most commodiously both for Minister and People they may be annexed and this shall be done by consent of all or the major part of them and they shall not depart from that Church without having first consulted the said Colloquy Provincial Synods have Power of changing Ministers XXIV The 16th Article concerning Ministers shall be couched in these following words Authority is granted unto Provincial Synods for certain Causes to remove Ministers their Churches being first heard and their Reasons duly pondered but in case of difference the Cause shall be finally decided by the National Synod and till that Sentence be obtained Ministers shall abide where they were XXV There shall be this addition made unto the Article of Provincial Synods And the said Deputies shall come at the common Charges and Expences of their Churches XXVI To the sixth Article of Baptism this Clause shall be added And after they have made Profession of Religion XXVII To the third Article of Elders after these words As also the Sentences of Suspension shall be done there shall be this addition Without any mentioning of Name XXVIII Unto the end of the 7th Article of Elders shall be this added And they shall be diligently exhorted to continue in their Offices as long as may be because frequent changes brings damage unto the Church The Faithful may not be present at any Stage-plays XXIX There shall be this addition at the end of the 18th Article concerning particular Orders It shall not be lawful for the Faithful to be present at Stage-Plays Comedies Tragedies or Farces whether they be acted publickly or privately because they have been ever condemned by God's ancient Churches for corrupting of good Manners especially when as the Holy Scripture shall be profaned by them But if a Colledge judge it meet for their Youth to represent any History not comprised in the Sacred Scriptures which was never given us for our sport and pastime but to be preached for our conversion and comfort and provided this be done but very seldom and by the Advice of the Colloquy which shall first peruse the Composition it may be tolerated XXX The fifteenth Province shall be divided into two Forest Auvergna and La Marche shall make one Burgundy Lyonnois and Benujolois another and
Orange shall be joyned to the Province of Dolphiny XXXI This Clause shall be added to the end of the 8th Article of Marriages After which time the Marriage shall be publickly blessed in the Church according to the Word of God CHAP. VI. General MATTERS I. THis Case was moved about the Elders viz. Whether they ought to be presented to the whole Church and in the face of the Assembly to receive their Charge and the Church itself to be reminded of its Duty to them or that they should be presented to the Consistory only The Synod judging it a matter meerly indifferent leaveth the Churches to their liberty herein II. Hath not a Colloquy the same Right to redemand a Minister as his Church It was answered in the Negative for the Colloquy hath not the Churches Right in its Power as was determined by the last National Synod III. A Query was made about Marriages Whether Doctors and Professors of Divinity were not bound by the 18th Canon of our Discipline to put away their Wives if guilty of Adultery or else to be deprived of their Professorship in our Schools and Churches Unto which there was this Answer returned That that Canon did purely relate unto Pastors not unto Professors nor is there a parity of reason for the one as for the other Ministers being Publick Officers in the whole Church are to be exemplary in their Persons and Families for holiness and therefore must not receive again an Adulterous Wife into their Bosoms which would be a Scandal to the Church Moreover Professors of Divinity are not to correct and reprove as Pastors are so that they may if they please pass by the wickedness of their Wives and notwithstanding their Adultery enjoy their Professor's place among us and not be deposed from it IV. This Advice was given to the Deputy of Poictou That such as revolted in the times of War from the Profession of the Gospel in case they bore no Office in the Church shall not make any publick reparation nor shall the Civil Magistrates but only in the Consistory and that too without mentioning them by Name nor shall they stand up But as for others who were publick Church-Officers they shall give publick satisfaction and repair the Scandal given by their Fall in a publick manner before the whole Church and then without any farther severity and with all possible sweetness shall be re-admitted to the Peace and Fellowship of the Church V. Is it necessary that the Confession of Faith should be read before Sermon and upon Sacrament-days before we go up unto the Lord's Table We answer The thing is meerly indifferent and therefore no Canon shall be made about it but the Church shall be left unto its liberty VI. The word Senate of the Church shall be changed into that of Consistory VII In case the Children of Believers will contract Marriage with Unbelievers against their Parents will their Parents shall not at all consent unto such Marriages nor by publick Instrument assign them any Dowry nor any other way or manner approve of such a Marriage VIII This Case was propounded After Promises of Marriage had passed reciprocally by words de proesenti one of the betrothed Persons falleth sick of the Leprosie and contracts a most loathsome stinking savour and a Disease utterly incurable may these Espousals be broken and dissolved Unto which there was this Answer returned That in case one of these betrothed Persons had not been informed of the said Sickness when the Promises were made she may not be compelled to accomplish them for there being Errour and Deceit in the Case there can be no Consent so that she may be set at liberty And in this business we must have a double respect 1. To the Publick and then 2. To the Interest of that private Person As to the Publick Special Care must be taken that incurable Vices and Diseases be not multiplied and that their Contagiousness be not propagated nor run in the Blood And if there were no particular private Interest in the Case yet before that this Marriage be consummated it s against all Prudence and Godliness to suffer Persons who have begun ill to be conjoyned together and that they should all their Life after live in a perpetual hatred and abhorrency of each other because of the said loathsome Stench and Distemper IX A Man hath abused his deceased Wife's Sister and got her with Child may he now marry her No for this commixture is incestuous nor may she become his Wife and both of them are to be censured most severely Yet he may marry another X. If a Man hath married a Wife out of his own Church and there be no Evidence of the Marriage he shall be called into the Consistory and prove his Marriage and in case he cannot do it because it was done during the Civil Wars the Consistory shall advise prudently how to censure him whether publickly or only privately within the Consistory for the Churches edification XI May Doctors of Divinity be created and admitted unto their Dignity and Office by Doctors of Law assisted with a Minister of God's Word in the University of Orange or elsewhere It 's answered That Lawyers and Physitians may be thus admitted but not Divines for our Discipline hath expresly provided against such an abuse as this is XII How may Consistories demean themselves about Banes of Marriage whenas those of the Romish Religion do make opposition and will not appear before the Consistory but before the Civil Magistrate We answer That if the Civil Magistrate will take Cognisance of the Fact the Consistory shall not proceed any farther least the Magistrate should thence take occasion of Offence and complain of the Consistory for intermedling with his business and intrenching upon his Authority And this will be direction enough as to that particular Case of Monsieur Cyprian XIII If any of our Brethren in the Ministry have lying by them any Relations of memorable Events relating to the History and State of God's Church in these times they be desired to send them to the Pastors of the Church of Lions who will model them into good order and publish them to the World XIV A Father having his Son murdered compounds with the Murderer for a Sum of Money what course is to be taken with this Father We answer That the Father is bound to prosecute the Murderer in a Court of Justice and to file a Bill of Indictment against him But in case he cannot do it and it so fall out that he and the Murderer do agree the Matter between themselves to his own private advantage he shall only be admonished by the Consistory and that prudently too according as they find Circumstances XV. May those Commanders Places and Dignities of Knighthood in the Orders of St. John of Jerusalem be counted among Benefices and whether these Knights may be kept off from the Lord's Supper We answer That if they hold their Benefices and Commanderships
heard both him and the Deputy of Languedoc finds that the Moneys for which he is questioned are not Ecclesiastical but Royal as also that in auditing his Accompts he produceth not such Acquittances as will be sufficient for his discharge it is therefore ordained That he produce his Receipts within the Term prescribed him by His Majesties Commissioner and that having perfected his said Accompts Notice thereof shall be given by the Pastors and Elders hereafter nominated to the Synod of Lower â—anguedoc And the Pastors named are Monsieur de la Noue and Monsieur de Maceser the Elders are Messieurs de Niotte and Lestang XV. At the desire of Monsieur Turquet Deputy for the Church of Lions Letters shall be written unto that Church to reduce themselves into Order and to re-establish their Consistory XVI The Letters from Mensieurs Merlin Rouleau and other Pastors and Elders of the Colloquy or Aunix as also from the Judges in the Presidial Court of Rochel being read importing their unanimous desire that Monsieur Rotan may be detained at Rochel tho' contrary to the Ordinance of the Provincial Synod of Xaintonge and having heard the oppositions made by Monsieur Chalmot an Elder of the Church against that Ordinance as also Monsieur Rotan who submitted himself unto the Judgment of this Assembly it was decreed That the said Monsieur Rotan from hence-forward should be Pastor to the Church of Castres according to the Resolution of the said Provincial Synod XVII The Ministers Elders and Deacons of the Church of Rochel sadly complaining unto this Synod Messieurs de la Touche and L'Oseau Ministers and Messieurs de Fontaines and de la Plante Elders are deputed in the Name of this Assembly unto Rochel and there to execute the Powers given them by this present Decree XVIII There being Letters from the Lady of Laval and the young Earl her Son presented unto this Assembly by Monsieur Tilenus certifying their great affection to the true and holy Worship of God an Answer was ordered to be written to them and the said Master Tilenus was exhorted to continue his careful instruction of the said young Lord and Thanks also was given him for his Learned Writings in defence of the Truth XIX The Churches of Higher Languedoc requesting it Letters shall be written to the Lord Duke de la Force Governour of Bearn and to the Lords of the Parliament of Pau to do their utmost endeavour that Mass be not again set up in Bearn and the Churches of that Province shall be exhorted to send their Deputies unto our National Synods in testimony of their Union with our Churches XX. The Letters of Monsieur Parent at present Minister in the Church of Jarzay were read craving his Dismission unto the Church of Bayeux in the Province of Normandy and complaining That the Judgment given on his behalf by the Synod of that Province was never executed it was decreed That the approaching Synod of the said Province should either provide him of a Church or declare him to be at full liberty to embrace any other Call XXI The Deputies of the Isle of France moved Whether Monsieur Cahier a revolted Minister ought not to be Excommunicated and whether some Person should not be appointed to answer his Writings And also Whether Monsieur de la Planche should not be intreated to send the Writings of the said Cahier unto the Church of Paris It was resolved That his Apostacy shall be published in the Church and Family of Madam and that the Church of Paris and in particular Monsieur de Serres are to answer his Writings in case he make any Reply and Monsieur Clemeucear shall intreat Monsieur de la Planche to deposite Cahier's Manuscripts with the Church of Paris XXII A Petition being presented on behalf of Monsieur de L'Essars late Minister of Loudun this Assembly re-viewing the Sentence given by the Colloquy held at Nogent binding the Churches of Vandôme and Montoire to discharge the said Essars of a Debt of Ten Crowns which he stood obliged for unto Monsieur Toré it ratifieth the said Sentence and adviseth the said Churches to see it executed and in case of their poverty and inability the Churches of the Province shall contribute towards the freeing of the said Essars from the aforesaid Debt and Madam Toré is intreated to forbear it a little longer XXIII The Elders of the Church of Saumur requesting That Monsieur de L'Espine might be intreated to lay down his Ministry because of his indisposition they offering also to continue to him as they have ever done his present Salary the Synod concurred with them and order that he be perswaded to become Emeritus especially sith this Church will continue to him his double Honour Reverence and Maintenance XXIV Monsieur du Fresne Minister of the Church of Laissay complaining by his Letters unto this Assembly very bitterly against his Church and humbly intreating that he may be freed from them his Case was remanded unto the Synod of that Province who are exhorted to suppress those great disorders sprung up in that Church XXV Monsieur Bergam formerly a Minister petitioning That he might be restored to the Exercise of his Ministerial Office he was advised to betake himself wholly to the Profession of the Tongues XXVI The Deputies of Dolphiny requesting That the Sentence given by the Provincial Synod of Die for re-instating into his Ministry Monsieur Mercure de Salans because of his exemplary Repentance and the singular effects it hath wrought among his People might be confirmed this Assembly doth ratifie the said Sentence and approveth of his restoration unto the Church of Valence only with this proviso That it shall not be made a Precedent nor be drawn into Practice for time to come XXVII The Deputy of Gascogny desiring That the Church of Bergerac might be provided of a Pastor this Synod ordaineth That the Province do take special care of that matter XXVIII The Province of Gascogny craving Advice how to demean themselves towards Gaspar Olaxa formerly a Minister who presented his Petition that he might be admitted unto Communion with us at the Lord's Table This Assembly directs the Church in which he resides to exhort him to fix his Habitation in some certain and known place moreover they shall prescribe him a pretty long time of Probation and that expired order him in Person to present himself unto the next National Synod where he shall receive a full and final Answer XXIX The business of Beaupoil motion'd also by the same Deputies is re-manded back unto their Provincial Synod XXX A Petition was presented by the Church of Boslebec That Monsieur D'Espoir who is in truth their Minister might be restored to them or that another in his stead might be given to them or that they might be reimburst of the Sum of Four hundred Livres which they had contributed towards his maintenance The Synod orders Monsieur Rotan Deputy of Higher Languedoc to tender unto the said
Berauld had sufficient cause for his Exception against it and to appeal from them unto this Synod and therefore the Antient Order established in our Synods and Colloquies shall be observed according to the Discipline without any other particular Regulation concerning it that so all suspicion and occasion of differences in our Churches by such an innovation may be cut off and prevented And all Ministers are advised in such cases to manifest their Self-denial and how far they be estranged from Covetousness and that they do prefer the publick before their own private benefit and advantage 7. Monsieur Berauld appealing from the Decree of the Consistory of Montauban confirmed by the Synod of Higher Languedoc importing that Ministers had no power to call into the Consistory the Ministers of other Churches to consult together with them about Church-affairs without the previous advice and consent of the Consistory This Appeal is rejected and made void and this National Synod ratifieth the Decree of the Provincial Synod of the Higher Languedoc in what concerns Ordinary Consistories However it intends not by this act to abridge Ministers of their priviledge when they be desired to give some private advice consulting with such of their Brethren as they shall judge fit to call into the Consistory 8. Monsieur Paul de la Ville appealed from the Synod of Vivaretz for decreeing an Excommunication against him unless he did immediately withdraw his Son from out of the Jesuits Colledge in Tournon This Assembly approving the just severity of the Synod of Vivaretz against the said de la Ville doth expresly forbid him ever to send his Son back to Tournon and in case of his obedience unto this our Order that then he be restored unto his Office of Elder in the Church and that all censures denounc't against him shall cease and be disannulled 9. Master Lawrence Brunier and Mr. Simeon Codur formerly Ministers in the Church of Usez Appealed from the Sentence of the Synod of Lower Languedoc whereby the said Master Simeon Codur for the facts specified in the Decree of that Synod was suspended from the Sacred Ministry for the term of a full year which being expired he might officiate as Pastor in some other Church of any other Province by attestation and discharge had and obtained from that Synod And the said Master Lawrence Brunier is suspended the Sacred Ministry for three months time after which the Colloquy of Nismes is to provide a Church for him but out of the Colloquy of Usez Which appeal both the said Ministers Mr. Lawrence Brunier and Simeon Codur had once retracted and revoked but yet since have took up and again revived it Farther also there presented themselves as Parties to this Appeal the Lady Margarita de Brahier and Susanna de Sallette Wife of the said Master Lawrence Brunier complaining that the said Synod of Lower Languedoc had not took any the least care for the reparation of her honour wronged as she pretends by the said Codur This Assembly having read the acts of the said Synod of Lower Languedoc and the proceedings of Brunier and Codur one against the other and the accusations of the said Lady against Codur and having examin'd the said Codur upon all those Articles whereof he was accused by the said Mr. Lawrence Brunier and his Wife who pressed them home upon his Conscience as also that the said Codur did apply himself to both their Consciences charging them to give glory unto God by a free full and sincere confession of the Truth This Assembly did in the first place judge the Provincial Synod of Lower Languedoc worthy to be censured for their tumultuous and disorderly departure from the place of their meeting and for proceeding in this affair contrary to the Discipline and for producing before us Acts which were never signed by the Moderator and Scribe of their Synod as in course they should have been and for getting those subscriptions out of their Synodical Sessions And as for the said Codur although he cannot be fully and plainly convicted in every particular of the matters laid unto his charge yet nevertheless this Assembly judgeth that there is cause enough for confirming as it now doth confirm in every point and article the sentence of the said Synod of Lower Languedoc concerning the suspension of the said Codur from the Ministry and the excluding him from the Province of Lower Languedoc as also it doth confirm the suspension of Mr. Lawrence Brunier for three Months because of that excessive animosity manifested by him in his prosecution of the said Codur however it restores the said Brunier unto the Colloquy of Usez to be imployed by them immediately if they think meet But because of the great divisions which are in the Town of Usez the said Brunier shall not exercise his Ministry in it unless the next National Synod shall otherwise determine for him who may restore him if they please unto the Town and Church of Usez on their petition for him And that the honour of Mrs. Susan de Sallette Wife of the said Brunier may be repaired which was damnified by imprudent words uttered against her by the said Codur the said Codur is injoined to acknowledge his offence and the scandal given by him here before this whole Assembly and shall ask pardon of the said Brunier and shall further declare that he believeth the said Gentlewoman to be a person of great vertue and honour and that he is sorry to have spoken any thing prejudicial to it and that he hath scandalized the Church of God by it All which the said Codur shall not only protest in this Assembly but also in the Consistory of Usez where he shall give the same satisfaction unto the said Mistress Susan de Sallette begging her pardon in the presence of the Elders and Deacons of that Church and of the Lady Marguarita Brahier if she please to be there and of ten or twelve other persons such as the said Brunier and his Wife will choose And hereupon all Prosecutions at Law before the Magistrates both of the one and other side whether directly or indirectly had or done shall immediately and eternally cease And if either of them contradict this decree he is hereby declared totally deposed from the Holy Ministry And the said Master Lawrence Brunier and Simeon Codur acquiesced in this Ordinance and the said Codur having made his acknowledgment in the form prescribed him unto the said Master Lawrence Brunier and his Wife they were reconciled together and like loving Brethren did mutually give each other their hands And that Peace may be made in the Church of Usez this Assembly orders Messieurs Renaud Esperien Sohnius and Gigord to visit that Church and to dispose their minds unto it And that no new Controversies may hereafter arise upon the score of the Writings and Proceedings relating to this business they shall be all lodg'd in the hands of Monsieur Chamier 10. An Appeal was brought by the
therein their own conveniency and edification and shall produce their Memoirs concerning it before the next National Synod 11. For as much as great contentions have arisen in the Churches because that their Ministers stipulated with them only for a certain term of time and at their reception into the Pastoral Office among them did reserve unto themselves a pretended right and power of leaving them when that term was expired The Provinces are exhorted to keep inviolably the ninth Article in the first Chapter of our Church-discipline and never to receive a Minister into that Sacred Office without consigning him to some particular flock among whom he shall have his fixed residence No more than two Deputies can be sent from contending Churches Such as marry Popish Wives cannot be imployed neither in the Civil nor Religious Offices of the Church 12. In case of contentions falling out among Church-Members or between two Churches for time to come they shall neither of them send more than two Deputies either to the National or Provincial Synods nor shall a greater number tho they come be admitted unto a hearing 13. If one professing of the Reformed Marry a Woman of the Popish Religion he shall not only not be admitted unto Offices in the Church which are purely Ecclesiastical but be also excluded from those of another nature such Syndics and Proctors who have the management of the civil affairs of our Churches and in case such an one be already invested with those charges he shall be immediately and actually deposed 14. Churches having Universities erected in them their Pastors by the advice of the Academical Counsel may on extraordinary occasions read Lectures of Divinity that so they may be qualified in case of necessity for the Professors Office in them 15. Monks and Priests having once professed the Truth of the Gospel and afterward with the Dog returned unto their vomit though they should once again abjure the Popish Religion and desire leave to preach a Probation-Sermon in order to their Reception into the Ministry shall not in the least be admitted unto any Theological Exercise among us Apostates Monks or Priests not to be received into the Ministry till ten years Tryal of their Repentance and not then neither without the Advice of a Nat. Synod Monks quitting their Cloisters shall be sent back to their Native Countreys with attestations See Synod of St. Maixant observat upon this Synod Art 4. Midwives Baptism null because they had no calling from Christ to administer it till we have had ten years Tryal of their Repentance nor shall they when that time also is expired be admitted without the previous Advice of a National Synod 16. Monks forsaking Popery shall not be received into Church-fellowship till they be found well instructed in the grounds of the Reformed Religion and they shall be sent back unto the Provinces whereof they are Natives with Certificates attesting for what Imployment they be best qualified 17. Consistories may not deliver unto Parties their Bonds though they be reconciled and do demand them 18. The Deputies of Lower Languedoc moved this Case Whether persons having a long time professed the true Religion and coming to understand they were baptized only by a Midwife ought to be rebaptized This Assembly judgeth that they ought to be publickly baptized in the Church of Christ according to the Institution of our Lord by a Lawful Minister Their former Baptism being wholly null and void because done by one who had no Call unto that Office 19. It was demanded what censure they deserved who live in an Incestous Marriage though they have the Pope's Dispensation This Synod ordains that the 25th Article of the General Matters in that of Saumur be punctually observed and judgeth those persons unfit for Communion in our Churches till such time as they be separated one from the other 20. Women whose Husbands are absent from them by reason of heinous crimes cannot with a safe Conscience contract Marriage with any other as long as their Husbands be alive Leprosie dot not dissolve◠Matrimony 21. This Assembly concurring with the foregoing Synods of Lion and Vitré declareth their Marriages Null and void who had contracted them selves unto others their parties yet living although they were separated upon the account of Leprosie 22. All Printers are admonished that when they print our Form of Baptism they take care to express that sentence of St. Paul 1 Cor. 7.14 in its express and proper words That the Children of Believers are holy 23. No Attestations shall for the future be given unto Governours or Lieutenants of our Cautionary Towns by that Colloquy wherein he or they reside without calling in one or more Colloquies of that same Province nor without hearing the Inhabitants of the Towns concerned in case the Recommended Officers be Natives of the same Province And this Rule shall be observed with respect unto those who demand Attestations to capacitate them for an Office in the Chambers e. i. the Courts of the Edict Orders about Scholars in Pension of the Provinces 24. Scholars Students in Divinity especially such as are maintained at the Charges of the Provinces or of particular Churches shall finish their course in the Universities of this Kingdom in which we comprise those of Bearn Sedan and Geneva and they shall not be permitted to travel unto Forreign Universities without leave first granted them by their Provincial Synods who shall prescribe them the place and time of their abode 25. Monsieur Chamier having in writing given us an Account of that Book entituled Elenchus Novae Doctrinae we do order its suppression 26. The Deputies of Lower Languedoc demanding whether something in the 52d Section of our Catechism might not be conveniently changed particularly in what relates to our Communion with Jesus Christ in the preaching of the Gospel in Baptism and the Lord's Supper This Assembly is of Opinion that nothing should be added or diminished because the terms in which that Section is couch'd do very plainly express the different degrees of Faith by which we receive Christ 27. The Province of Lower Guyenne desired that that passage concerning Judas his being received into Communion by our Lord at his holy Table in the last Section of the Catechism might be changed This Assembly judging the Question problematical and not a point of Faith thought it inconvenient to make any alteration because also the main Doctrine for which this Example was urged is generally believed to be true and on this all Ministers in their explications of it ought principally to insist 28. The Province of Anjou having tender'd their Accounts by the Lord de Bruges one of their Deputies of the Moneys assigned them by the Synod of Montpellier for the Erection and Maintenance of an University in the City of Saumur and received by them from the Sieurs Palot and du Caudal from the first grant of the said Moneys unto the last day of December last past This
Paris to have sight and Copy of the Accounts of the last Receivers General upon whom as he saith were his Assignments and there they lie and it will he granted him immediately And in case the said Palot refuse to petition the said Court the Lords our General Deputies shall compel him to it and force him in their names to take out Coppies and Extracts concerning those Receivers General and whatever else may necessarily relate unto the said Palot And whereas the said Palot doth take for granted that there is due unto him the sum of twelve thousand Crowns and more It is necessary that our General Deputies should demand sight of those Accounts brought in by him that it may be proved whether he hath made a good and just Receipt for all his Moneys which they may easily do and the said Receipt may be verified but taking out from the Exchequer Copies and Extracts or all Moneys which the Receivers General have imposed or payed in to the said Palot All which any Attorney belonging to the said Court of Exchequer will get dispatched for them out of hand And forasmuch as we have too just cause to fear it that in the Account brought in by the said Palot there will be found several double false Reprisals All the Deputies of the Provinces are charged to send unto our Lords the General Deputies a Copy of all Accounts given in by their particular Receivers in their respective Provinces that so we may have a full and perfect knowledge of the Receipt and Disbursment set down and used in the Account of the said Palot So that if any thing should be owing to him which is very improbable and incredible he may be payed by the Receivers General of Thoulouse who were ordered in the closing up of their Accounts for the years 1600 and 1602. To pay in unto the said Palot the summ of 15966 Crowns six Sous and ten Deniers For out of this summ there will not only be enough to satisfie him but there will also remain some Moneys in stock for our Churches And 't is to be feared that he hath made the like mixtures in his other General Receipts in which he hath left a Fund for accommodating with all the Debtors And this affair is of so long continuance that people do now a days forbear speaking of it as if it were so old as to be forgotten which usually falls out in all general matters And when as the said Accounts are brought in and cleared up then all Papers remaining in the hands of the said Palot concerning those Assignations shall be taken from him and the Receivers General and the Debtors are to be prosecuted And if any of those assignations appear to be of no worth nor value our General Deputies shall use their best and utmost endeavour to get new and better Assignments And that it might be made appear that there was such a good debt of fifteen thousand nine hundred sixty and six Crowns five and fourty Sous and six Deniers owing unto our Churches there was put into the hands of our Lords General Deputies the Extracts taken out of the Chamber of Accompts for the Province of Languedoc Done at Rochel this 12th day of April Signed Berault Moderator of the National Synod Rivet Scribe Roy Scribe CHAP. IX Of Appeals 1. MOnsieur de la Rouviere Doctor of the Civil Law came impowered by the Common Council of the City of Usez into this Assembly to defend an Appeal which certain of the Consuls and Inhabitants of that City had made from the Colloquy of Usez and the Provincial Synod of Lower Languedoc held at St. Hippolyte by whom Mr. Laurence Brunier Minister of the Gospel was restored unto his Pastoral Office in the Church of Usez against the will and desire of these his Opponents On the other part the said Mr. Brunier Pastor of that Church and de Janas Doctor of the Civil Law came also furnished with ample powers from a great Assembly of that City disavowing those powers of the Sieur de la Ruviere and of the Consistory there Now although the disavowal of the first powers by the second might have been very well contested yet nevertheless because of the consequence and importance of this affair the Assembly passing by that formality did give audience to both Parties that it might take some effectual course about the principal Wherefore the Deputies of that Province were heard give in the reasons moving the said Province of Lower Languedoc to restore the said Mr. Brunier unto the Church of Usez and Monsieur Codur unto the Ministry in their Province contrary to the Decree of the National Synod of Gap which had excluded Monsieur Brunier from the City and Church of Usez until the meeting of this present Assembly and Mr. Codur from that Province Monsieur de la Rouviere was also heard speak on behalf of the Appellants and offering his objections as well against that decree of the Provincial Synod as against the very person of Monsieur Brunier Monsieur Brunier also was heard speak in his own defence and justification and the Deputy sent together with him from the Consistory of the Church of Usez who testified the unanimous desire of the Consistory and of the whole Church to enjoy him for their Pastor and how eminently acceptable and successful the Ministry of the said Mr. Brunier was among them Letters also were read from the Church of Beziers and one of their Elders sent by them declared the importunate desire of the said Church that Monsieur Codur might be confirmed in the Pastoral Office to them as also how very fruitful and edifying his Ministry had been among them Upon the whole this Assembly did utterly dislike and disapprove of those proceedings of the Provincial Synod of Lower Languedoc for neglecting the Decree of the National Synod of Gap and for introducing Monsieur Brunier into the Church of Usez and Monsieur Codur again into the Province and doth judge the said Province to have incurred a very great Censure by its notorious transgression of a decree made by the National Synod a crime of very dangerous consequence because if Provincial Synods shall slight the Authority of the National they will open the Flood-gates to let in upon us a deluge of unseen mischiefs And the said Monsieur Brunier hath deserved a sharp reproof for listning unto methods for his restoration which tho sought out by others were in truth propounded by himself unto the Provincial Synod and for that he acquiesced rather in the Judgment of a Provincial Synod than of the National yea and acted contrary to it And the like Censure is inflicted upon Monsieur Codur who being excluded the said Province could not of right have sought a readmission into it nor ought the Province when he sought it to have readmitted him And as for the Church of Usez it cannot but be blamed for its precipitancy and impatiency in not tarrying till the time
Afflicted Condition and they should not therefore be excluded Communion at the Lord's Table But withall they be advised to take special care that in Church-Meetings they do avoid all occasions of giving offence unto the weak Members Advice for Pastors about Attestations to be granted unto Officers in Garrisons or Courts of the Edict 12. Ministers in giving their Attestations unto them who would be provided of Offices as Governours and Lieutenants of places in our Cautionary Towns the places of Surety granted us by the King or of Offices in the Courts of the Edict shall be exceeding careful that the 23th Article of General Matters in the National Synod of Rochel be fully observed and those who do act otherwise shall be suspended from their Ministry for one whole year 13. Divers Provinces complaining of the general contempt of the blessed Gospel of our Lord Jesus of the Blasphemies Debauches and Prophaneness universally abounding among us of the woful decays of Faith and Charity threatning us with a deluge of Divine Wrath ready to break in upon us for the ungodliness and unrighteousness of men and that therefore it 's most needful to appoint a day of solemn publick Prayer and Fasting to be kept in all the Churches of this Kingdom for their extraordinary humiliation before God and the averting of his Judgments from us This Assembly ordaineth that it shall be celebrated in all our Churches the first Tuesday of November next ensuing which will be the fifth day of the same month 14. That hereafter there may be a General Uniformity in the Churches of this Kingdom in the Administration of the Lord's Supper and all scruples by reason of difference and singularity arising in weak but honest hearts uncapable of distinguishing between the Substance and Circumstance of the Sacred Action may be prevented all Pastors are enjoyned to abstain from any new or private Methods of their own as of reading the words of Institution between the ordinary long Prayer and that appointed particularly for this Sacrament which ought indeed to be read after nor shall they whilst reading the words of Institution uncover the Bread and Wine nor shall they bring the people up in ranks unto the Table there to sit or stand whereas they should cause the faithful to pass one after another up unto it nor shall the Exhortations or Thansgivings be made till that the Elements have been distributed among the Communicants of every Table nor shall the Cup be given by the faithful one unto another it being contrary to the express Letter of a Canon of our Discipline which ordaineth Pastors if possible or if they cannot the Elders to assist the Pastor tired by the multitude of Communicants in populous Churches to deliver it And Colloquies and Synods shall have their Eyes over those who act contrary to this Order and reduce them to their duty by all befitting Censures 15. Colloquies and Synods shall use their best discretion in the exercise of Discipline upon those persons who that they may inflame our Churches raise and foment Divisions in them do get into Offices of Judicature do plead for those Incendiaries and procure them Monopolies and secret Subscriptions under Hand and Seal 16. The province of the Isle of France demanding that the poorer Churches might be relieved out of our common Stock The inconveniencies having been well considered in case a General Order about this matter should be enacted This Assembly doth as that of Rochel did before it leave it wholly to the prudence and charity of the several Provinces to see that what is done herein do make for Edification 17. The Deputies of Xaintonge propounding this Question Whether a Baptism administred by a deposed Minister at the request and in the presence of the whole Church were valid This Synod judgeth that in case the deposed Minister had presented his Appeal unto a National Synod the Baptism were valid and ought not to be reiterated But nevertheless if any such Deposed Minister shall hereafter presume to Administer any publick Ordinances he shall be denounced Excommunicate immediately 18. The Deputies of Poictou demanding how they should act where the Banes of Marriage were forbidden before the last time of Publishing This Assembly judged that in case the opposition were made without Authority from the Civil Magistrates the Consistories might continue their Publication but otherwise not unless the Magistrate should only forbid the Celebration of that Marriage and not the Publishing of the Banes 19. The Deputies of Xaintonge informed this Assembly that the Printer of Rochel designed with our approbation a new Impression of the Bible in a Lesser Volume more Commodious and that might be easily carried any where in the pocket and forasmuch as divers Godly persons desired there might be an Index added to it of those Texts which were most proper and pertinent for confirming the Truth and confuting Error This Synod approved the undertaking because of its singular usefulness and intreated Monsieur Merlin to see it accomplished which also he promised to perform 20. The Deputies of Poictou craved remedy against that evil custom in divers Churches of sending their Pastors without Elders unto Colloquies and Provincial Synods This Assembly replied that no general Order could be well decreed in this Case and therefore left the whole unto the prudence of the provinces A Minister may not press any to discover a secret Crime unto the Civil Magistrate 21. A Case was proposed How a Minister might govern himself when injoyned by the Magistrate to press those who were privy to any notorious Crime to reveal it It was answered that he was under no obligation of obedience unto such commands no more than he was to discover the secret passages and transactions of the Consistory Wherefore all Pastors are admonished to take no notice of any such injunctions and the Churches are ordered to stand by them in case for this their refusal their Ministers should be prosecuted by the Superiour Civil Powers 22. The Province of Anjou made this Proposal that it were expedient the Provinces should nominate some worthy Ministers particularly to Study controversies and in every Province some one to be most prepared for the defence of one particular Truth opposed by our Adversaries The Assembly approved and embraced the motion and divided the controversies among the Provinces in this ensuing Order To wit 1. To Poictou de verbo Dei Scripto non Scripto 2. To Anjou de Christo Pontifice Antichristo 3. To Xaintonge de Ecclesiâ Conciliis 4. To Orleans and Berry de Ministrorum vocatione gradibus potestate Clavium 5. To the Isle of France de Monachis Clericis Laiciss 6. To Provence de Limbo Patrum Infantium Purgatorio 7. To Normandy de sanctorum beatitudine Invocatione reliquis Angelorum Hierarchiis cultu Ministerio 8. To the Higher Languedoc de Sacramentis in genere de veris in specie 9. To the Lower Guyenne de sacrificio
were ordered out of hand to go unto the said Church of Rochecouart and to use their best endeavour to appease the differences in it and to reunite its divided Members and to desire Monsieur Fourgaud their Pastor to devest himself of the burden of his Pastoral Office in it we granting him in consideration of his great and continual Maladies that he shall be Emeritus and only preach unto them when his own conveniencies and health may permit him 25. That Appeal of the Church of Tours from the judgment of the Province of Anjou was dismissed over to the Synod of Poictou who shall put a final Period to it by the Authority of this Assembly 26. The Appeal of the Church of Vsez from the judgment of the Synod of Lower Languedoc is declared null and the Ministry of Monsieur Fauchet is confirm'd in the Church and University of Nismes 27. The Church of Aulais appealed from a judgment of the Synod of Sevennes and sent Letters and Memoirs about it unto this Assembly which accepted of their Appeal against the Decree of the said Synod and declared That the Church of * * * Another Copy has Bâ—â—â—ize another Bâ—â—â—ez and another Bâ—uâ—ezz Brunize shall be for the future annext unto that of Aulais according to their own desire and request unto this Assembly by their Letters written to us 28. Monsieur Banconis Pastor of the Church of Tonneins appealed from the judgment of the Synod of Lower Guyenne for that they had dismissed Monsieur Marmett from being their Minister and had fixed him in the Pastoral Charge of the Church gathered in the House of that most Illustrious Prince the Lord Duke of Rohan But this Assembly declared that the Appeal ought not to be admitted by them because that very Synod hath full power finally to determine of this affair and doth therefore ratify this Synodical Decree 29. The Sieur Colinet Pastor of the Church of Paray having appealed from the judgment of the Synod of Burgundy which had ordained that he and Monsieur Gravier his Collegue should serve the Church of Bourbon their Appeal was declared null and void because he neither sent Letters nor Memoirs about it unto this Assembly 30. The Sieurs Charon la Fosse and Gillet appealing from the Synod of Lower Guyenne for restoring Monsieur de Puch unto his Office of Elder in the Church of Bergerac were never to be regarded in their Appeal because they had not sent any Memoirs or Letters concerning it unto this Assembly 31. The Church of Maringues appealed from the judgment of the Province of Burgundy which had given Monsieur Chesneau their Pastor from them unto the Church of Soubize in Xaintonge but they afterward disclaimed and quitted their Appeal insisting only to be reimburst of their Charges expended by them in bringing the said Chesneau and his Books from Geneva to Maringues and setling him among them and also that their other Expences in getting and setling among them Monsieur Tonnel instead of Monsieur Chesneau according as the Lord des Brosses Elder of the Church in Soubize had offered and stood bound for it unto the Synod of Burgundy might be paid in unto them This Assembly having seen the account of the said Charges amounting to the sum of two hundred and eight Livers nineteen Sous and that Article of the Synod of Burgundy relating to it hath ordained that there shall be presently taken two hundred and eight Livers nineteen Sous out of the moneys belonging to the Province of Xaintonge and put into the hands of the Deputies of Burgundy who also on their part shall pay unto the said Monsieur Chesneau the Arrears of his Salary due unto him as appears by a Schedule now tendered by the Elders of the said Church of Maringues and since granted by him unto a certain particular Friend of his and the Province of Xaintonge may redemand the said sum from the Church of Soubize 32. The Appeal of Monsieur Roussell from the Sentence of the Synod of Dolphiny held at Nions in April 1617. obliging the said Roussell to live in that Province was declared null because he had neither sent any Letters or Memoires about it unto this Assembly 33. The like Judgment was past upon the Appeal of Monsieur Videl acting for the Sieur Bouyer from a Decree of the same Synod 34. The Church of Vitré appealed from a Judgment of the Province of Brittain by which an hundred Livers were taken out of the four hundred granted to their College and given to the maintenance of a small School in the Church of Viellevigne This Assembly ordaineth that the sole right of having a College shall belong to the Church of Vitré and they shall be fully paid their four hundred Livers Tonneins of Univers Art 11. And the Province shall out of the supernumerary Portions attributed to it assign an hundred Livers unto the Church of Viellevigne and continue the payment thereof for the maintenance of a School there And whereas the College of Vitré hath not had any Exhibition to this very day this Assembly will pass a special Order which shall for the future be observed by the Province of Brittain as to this concern 35. The Sieur Soubyran Consul of the City of Aimargues Above Art 13. together with divers Inhabitants thereof Appealed unto this Assembly by Letters and Memoires which were delivered by the Sieur Margaret for that the Synod of Lower Languedoc had confirmed Monsieur Boulet in the Ministry and Pastoral Office of the said Church of Aymargues and required that Monsieur Laurent who had been removed from them by the said Synod might be restored On the other side the Consistory of the said Church petitioned by Letters and Memoires sent by the Sieur Tarascon one of their Elders that the Judgment of the said Synod might be confirmed After a serious Debate of the whole affair and hearing the Deputies of Lower Languedoc it was declared that the Appeal of the Sieur Soubyran and the other Syndics with him could not be approved and that the judgment of the Synod should be fully executed and the Ministry of Monsieur Laurent confirmed in the Church of Bernixy And it being apparent by what hath been brought before this Assembly that there be very great divisions in the Church of Aymargues the Assembly ordered the Sieurs Josyon Joly and the Baron of Montbrun and de la Viale Deputies of the Higher Languedoc as they return to their respective Churches to pass over unto Aymargues and to use their utmost care diligence and prudence to heal their breaches and to reunite the divided Members of that Church and to procure and settle Peace in it and to prosecute those contumacious Persons who rebel against the Government of our Churches and of that particular Church of Aimargues with all Ecclesiastical Censures CHAP. VII A Speech made unto the King by the Deputies of the National Synod of the Reformed Churches in France together with his Majesty's
Monsieur d' Huysseau and conformable to the Regulation made in the last Synod of Castres 50. Mr. Du Bois a Pastor discharged by the Province of Normandy complaining that contrary to the Decree of the National Synod of Castres the said Province instead of reckoning with him for his Portion assigned by the 24th National Synod held at Charenton in the Year 1623 unto him had ordered that the free Portion granted him by that of Castres in the Year 1626 should be paid in unto him by the Receiver of the said Province The Assembly having heard the Report of the Commissioners nominated by it to examine his Pretensions doth condemn the said Province for not having followed the Intentions of the said National Synod of Castres and ordaineth that out of the best and clearest Monies belonging to the said Province there shall be detained the Sum of eight and fifty Livers and fourteen Sous in the hands of the Lord du Candall who shall pay it unto the said Mr. Du Bois he giving an Acquittance for it And whereas he hath not touch'd a Denier of his free Portion given him by the National Synod of Castres it shall be paid unto him either by the Lord of Candall or his Deputy in the Province of the Isle of France 51. Whereas the first National Synod of Charenton in the Year 1623 had ordained four hundred Livers to be paid in to the Province of Higher Languedoc now the Lord of Candall out of the first Monies that shall be distributed among the Churches shall reimburse the said Province of that Sum. CHAP. XX. APPEALS 1. MR. Nonis Pastor in the Church of Aulas appearing to defend that Appeal brought by the said Church from the Judgment of the Province of Sevennes which had ordered the Inhabitants of La Breauvaise to be incorporated for the future with the Church of Breas After hearing the pretended Grievances of the Church of Aulas and the Petition brought by the Deputy of the Inhabitants of La Breauvaise confirmed by their Letters and by the Letters of the Church of Breaus and the Reasons given in by the Deputies of the Province for their Judgment whereby it was manifest that the Differences between those two Churches of Aulas and Breas are rather bottom'd on the Passions of some particular Persons than on any real Interest of either And whereas by the Canon of the National Synod of Castres the Province of Sevennes was sufficiently impower'd to pass a final Sentence in this Affair this Assembly condemneth Monsieur Nouis for quitting the exercise of his Ministry in his Church and taking upon him the Office of a Sollicitor which might have been better discharged by another and enjoineth the Deputies of the Province of Sevennes to labour a Composition in the most amicable manner of the Differences between both thole Churches of Aulas and Breau and in case they should not be able to compose them then they shall acquaint the Synod of Lower Languedoc therewith before which the Deputies of both those Churches shall appear and receive their final Judgment Moreover the Synod of Sevennes is injoined to see to it that Mr. Berlé Pastor of the Church of Breau and all other Ministers of the said Province do actually and personally reside with their Flocks And forasmuch as the National Synod of Castres had given full Power unto Provincial Synods to judg finally in the Case of Conjunction and Separation of the Churches and their Annexes this Assembly confirming that Canon ordaineth That in case any Difficulties should arise and hinder the Provincial Synods from coming to a final Judgment then those Causes shall be dismissed over to the Synod of the Neighbour Province nor shall they be brought hereafter unto our National Synods 2. This Assembly approving the Zeal of the Province of Burgundy and the Motives inducing them to give Sentence on Monsieur Durand Pastor of the Church of Issurtille doth however take off that Censure of Suspension from him and restoreth him with Honour unto the exercise of his Ministry and ordereth that the Act from which he appealeth and that which follows it shall be supprest because 't is very clear the said Durand had no Design to execute the Sentence denounc'd against himself but that he proceeded in that Business with all simplicity and uprightness wherein he is exhorted to continue and to walk with more prudence and circumspection according to the Counsel of his Brethren 3. This Assembly revising the Judgment given by the Province of Burgundy against Paul Sarazin heretofore Pastor in the Church of Vison declareth That the said Province proceeded in that Matter with excessive Severity and for the future enjoineth that they never insert into the Causes of their Censures Facts not verified and that in no wise they depart from the wonted Forms And farther the said Sarazin is judged worthy of the greatest Censures for abandoning his Church without leave first had and obtained and for being negligent in conserving the Honour of his Vocation whereunto he had been called by God and amending the Sentence from which he doth appeal this Synod removeth him the said Sarazin from his Ministry which he shall not any more exercise 4. The Judgment past by the same Province against Joseph Aubery formerly Pastor in the Church of Coulonges in the Colloquy of Gex is confirmed in every Point and Article thereof 5. Mr. Chacerat Pastor of the Churches of Ponteau de Mar and Quillebeaf having made his Complaints unto this Assembly and praying that Right and Justice might be done him the next Synod of Normandy was ordered to take special care of him and with all love to provide for the Safety of his Person and that his Life may be made comfortable to him And the said Cacherat is exhorted to continue in the Exercise of his Calling with that Zeal and Conscientiousness he hath ever manifested Yet afterward he revolted 6. The said Mr. Cacherat appealing from the Judgment of his Province and declaring the Grievances pretended to have been sustained by him The Assembly representing to him that his Cause was not of their Nature which should be brought before the National Synods did exhort him to rest satisfied with the Testimonial given him unanimously by his Province of his Probity and Fidelity in the discharge of his Ministry and the rather because these Persons whom he accuseth to have done him Wrong being dead 't is utterly impossible that his Province should procure him a more ample Satisfaction 7. Although the Appeal brought by Monsieur Pejus from the Judgment of the Commissioners of the Province of Berry be not of their Nature which are to be brought unto these National Synod Yet nevertheless this Synod taking to it self the cognizance thereof doth confirm that Judgment given by the said Commissioners in all its Articles and censureth the said Mr. Pejus for not acquiescing in it and enjoineth him to yield full satisfaction to it on pain of being suspended
Thomas at Cambridge in the Year 1586. The Confession which is commonly added to the End of the Bible and bound up with it and with the French Psalm-Books consists of Forty distinct Articles Yet there is an Edition of it by Justus Livius a Printer of Leyden and dedicated to the States-General of the Netherlands which hath Monsieur Chamier's Preface and is distinguished into Thirty five Articles in the Year 1616. I have consulted and compared several Printed Editions of the Confession as that of Hawtyn of Rochell in the Year 1616. and he was Printer to the National Synods which exactly agreed with several others printed since and with the Latin Edition in the Corpus Syntagma Confessionum printed by Chouet at Geneva in the Year 1654. And at Geneva was kept one of the three Parchment Originals of this Confession as the other two were reserved one at Paw in Berne and the third in the Archives of the City of Rochell and unless my Memory fail me there is one of these Originals in the City of Leyden in Holland and in the Custody of the French Church there But I will not be peremptory Sect. 11. The next thing which was done by this first National Synod was a Draught of their Church-Discipline The Canons of which at first were but a few yet they did in three and twenty Synods alter add amend augment and meliorate their first Plat-form 'till they had brought it to that compleat Form and System of Articles which was the established Order for the Conduct and Government of all their Churches I have heard very many of their most grave learned and judicious Divines magnifie it as a Master-Piece In truth their pious Reformers saw a great necessity of reviving and restoring the ancient Discipline and therefore at the same time that sound Doctrine and pure Scripture-Worship was introduc'd into their Churches they did also set up Discipline and that it might be effectually practised they did in the Synod of Orleans the sixteenth Article of General Matters ordain That the Canons of Church-Discipline should be read in the Consistories of the Reformed Churches in France on those Days when as the Sacrament of the Lord's Supper was administred and all Pastors Elders and Deacons all Moderators Assessors Scribes and Deputies of their Synods National and Provincial and all Members of Colloquies were expresly injoined according to their solemn Promises when they were first received into their respective Offices to see that it was diligently faithfully and vigorously executed And O! that the Generation which succeeded the first Reformers had not lax'd the Reins how happy might they have been In the Morning of the Reformation they were fair as the Moon clear as the Sun and terrible as an Army with Banners The greatest Princes of France submitted their necks to this golden Yoke of Christ A National Synod was formidable to the most daring Sinner Their Discipline duly and prudently managed preserved the Purity of Doctrine Worship and Morals among them And now I shall present it to me Reader SECT XII The Discipline of the Reformed Churches of France CHAP. I. Of Ministers CANON I. THAT such Persons may be chosen into the Ministery as are meet for so sacred an Employment Chap. I. Of Ministers let the standing Canon of the Apostle be observed That inquiry be made into their Doctrine whether they be apt to teach and also into their Conversation with all possible Diligence CANON II. Novices lately received into the Church especially Priests and Monks shall not be admitted unto the Sacred Ministry without a long and diligent inquiry and experience had both of their Life and Doctrine approved at least by the space of two Years since their Conversion and confirmed by good Testimonials from the places of their abode nor shall they be ordained no more than unknown Persons without the Advice of Provincial and National Synods CANON III. If any Bishop or Curate should desire to be employed in the Ministry of the Gospel he cannot be admitted till he be first a true Member of the Church and renounce all his Benefices and all other Dependencies on the See of Rome and make acknowledgment of all his Offences formerly committed by him according as he shall be advised by the Consistory and after long proof and experience had of his Repentance and godly Conversation CAN. IV. A Minister of the Gospel unless in times of Difficulty and Cases of very great necessity in which he may be chosen by three Pastors together with the Consistory of the Place shall not be admitted into this Holy Office but by the Provincial Synod or by the Colloquy provided that it be at least composed of seven Pastors which number being found in a Colloquy some of the Neighbour Ministers shall be called in to concur with it and the Minister elect shall be presented with good and valid Testimonials not only from the Universities and particular Churches but also from the Colloquy of that Church in which he had been most conversant CAN. V. The Minister presented shall be examined in this manner First by Propositions from the Word of God upon such Texts as shall be given him the one necessarily in French the other in the Latin Tongue if the Colloquy or Synod shall judge it expedient One whole day shall be granted him to prepare himself for each of these Exercises If by them he give satisfaction unto the Assembly there shall be tendered him a Chapter of the New Testament by which his skill in the Greek Language shall be known and as to the Hebrew they shall be careful to see that at the least he can serve himself of good Books for the understanding of the Scripture in that Original Unto these there shall be added an Essay of his skill in the most needful parts of Philosophy let the whole Examen be managed with singular Charity and without Affectation of any thorny or unprofitable Questions Finally he shall compose a brief Confession of his Faith in Latin on which he shall be opposed by way of Disputation And if after this Examination he be found capable then the Assembly remonstrating to him the Duty of that Office whereunto he is called shall further declare that Power which is given him in the Name of Jesus Christ See Obs 1. upon the Discipline in the Synod of Tonneins to minister both in the Word and Sacraments and he shall be fully and solemnly ordained in that Church unto which he is sent and the said Church shall be informed of his Election by the Act or Letters of that Synod or Colloquy which shall be delivered and read unto them by a Pastor or Elder CAN. VI. He whose Election shall be declared unto the Church shall Preach publicity the Word of God on three several Sabbaths but without power of administring the Holy Sacraments or of solemnizing Marriages in the audience of the whole Congregation that so they may know his manner of Teaching and the
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
which they now serve saving always their power of prosecuting that ungrateful Church which prosecution shall be managed according to the judgment and direction of the Provincial Synod CAN. VI. If a difference fall out betwixt a Church and its Pastor and in order to its composing the said Church hath been twice advised of the day when and place where the Synod and Colloquy do meet and refuseth to appear notwithstanding the absence of one Party yet the Synod or Colloquy shall have power to proceed to judgment CAN. VII In all Synods Provincial and National one of the Pastors by common consent and a low voice shall be chosen President and one or two Scribes His Office shall be to guide and moderate the whole action to give notice of the places days and hours at which the Assemblies shall meet to begin the Synodical Sessions to propose and offer matters that are to be deliberated to gather the particular Suffrages of all the Members to declare the greatest number and to pronounce the Conclusion Item He shall see that every one do speak in due order and without Confusion He shall silence the Contentious and in case of Disobedience he shall command them out of the Synod that Consultation may be held about their Censure He shall make all the Remonstrances and Answers unto them who demand Counsel or send Letters unto the Synod Moreover he shall preside at those Censures which shall be made in the close of the whole Action and all by the advice of the whole Assembly and not otherwise His Office shall expire together with the Synod and the next Synod hath full Liberty to chuse him again or another And all Moderators of Colloquy shall be governed by this self-same Canon CAN. VIII Elders that are Deputies of Churches shall have an equal power of Voting with the Pastors and the Elders of that place where the Synod shall assemble may be present and propound matters in their turn Yet notwithstanding two only of them shall have power of Voting to avoid all Confusion CAN. IX Whatever hath been decreed by Provincial Synods for the Government of the Churches in their Province shall be brought up unto the National Synod CAN. X. Forasmuch as divers Persons who that they may decline or delay the effect of Church Censures passed on them for their offences do appeal from one Ecclesiastical Assembly unto another yea and unto the National Synod also which is by this means more incumbred about the decision of their matters than of any thing else It is now ordered that for time to come whatsoever differences may fall out within the Precincts of any Province shall be definitively judged and without Appeal by the Synod of that Province unless it be the Case of Suspension or Deposing of Pastors Elders and Deacons or the removal of Pastors from one Province unto another Item The changing of a Church in one Colloquy and joining it unto another as also whatsoever may concern the Doctrine of the Sacraments or the whole Body of our Discipline In all which Cases there shall be a gradual process observed till they come from the Colloquy to the Provincial and from the Provincial to the National Synod that then and there it may receive its last and final judgment CAN. XI If a difference fall out betwixt the Synods of two Provinces they shall pitch upon a third to reconcile them CAN. XII The Synods in every Province shall keep a Register of the Widows and Children of those Ministers who died in the service of their Churches that so they may be holpen and maintained by the common stock and joint charges of all the Provinces if their necessities do so require it And in case a Province prove ungrateful its Deputy shall make report thereof unto the National Synod that provision may be made for them by its authority CAN. XIII The Deputies of Churches shall not depart from the Synod without leave and they shall carry home with them the Synodical Decrees CAN. XIV The authority of a Provincial is subordinate unto that of National Synods According to the Governments shall the Orders which refer unto Colloquies and Provincial Synods be regulated without exalting one above another CAN. XV. At present the Provincial Synods shall be thus distributed 1. The Isle of France the Land of Chartres Picardy Champagne and Brie 2. Normandy 3. Brittaine 4. Orleans Blesois Dunois Nivernois Berry Bourbonnois la Marche 5. Touraine Anjou Loudunois Le Maine Vandôme and the Perche 6. The Higher and Lower Poictou 7. Xaintonge Aunix the City and Government of Rochel and Augoulmois 8. The Lower Guienne Perigord Gascony and Limousin 9. The Higher and Lower Vivaretz together with Vellay and Forest. 10. Lower Languedoc to wit Nismes Vsez Montpellier and as far as Beziers inclusively 11. The rest of Languedoc the Higher Guienne Tholouse Carcassonne Quercy Rovergue Armagnac and the Vpper Avergne 12. Burgundy Lyonnois Beaujolois Bresse the neither Avergne and Gex 13. Provence 14. Dolphiny and Principality of Orange 15. The Churches in the Soveraignty of Bearn 16. The Sevennes and Guevaudan CAN. XVI If it should so fall out that for the conveniency of a Church it should be divided into two or more or that more Churches should be united into one this shall be done by a Provincial Synod of which also the National shall be advised CAN. XVII If a Minister be deputed by his Provincial Synod to go unto the Synod or Colloquy of another Province about some common affairs he shall have his Consultive Vote in it and not only for that particular business about which he came but also in all matters transacted during that Sessions excepting always matters of his own private concern N.B. The two last Editions of the Discipline do make but 16. Canons in this Chapter and add the 16th unto the 15th Canon of the distribution of the Provinces as if it were a branch or member of it But the matter being diverse from it and my Editions of Quevilly and Paris in the Year 1663. making 17. I have therefore kept unto them CHAP. IX Chap. IX Of National Synods Of National Synods CANON I. NAtional Synods shall be held once every year if it can possibly be done and this Order shall be observed for its assembling That in the closing up of every National Synod a Province shall be chosen which shall be intrusted with the power of calling the next and shall be charged to acquaint all the other Provinces with the day and place of its meeting CAN. II. If difficult cases should be moved in any one of the Provinces it shall give notice of it unto that Province which is charged to assemble the National Synod and having ordered the time and place of its meeting the other Provinces shall be acquainted with it that so they may come unto the Synod ready and well-prepared for a Decision CAN. III. And forasmuch as at this time it is very difficult and dangerous
they be accompanied with a Godfather and that they have made profession of our holy Christian Reformed Religion CAN. IX A Surety coming from another Church shall not be admitted to present a Child unto Baptism unless he bring with him a Certificate from his own Church CAN. X. Such as present Children unto Baptism shall be of sufficient Age in their fourteenth year at least and shall have Communicated at the Lord's Table or if they be well stricken in years and have not as yet received the blessed Sacrament of the Lords Supper they shall protest seriously that they will do it and in order to it that they will suffer themselves duly to be Catechised CAN. XI Persons suspended from the Lords Supper may not in the quality of Sureties present Children unto Baptism so long as their Suspension shall stand in force against them CAN. XII Pastors shall diligently exhort all Godfathers and Godmothers to weigh and consider their Promises made at the Celebration of Baptism and Parents also to chuse such Sureties for their Children as are well-instructed in Religion and of a Godly Life and Conversation and that are as much as may be of their Acquaintance and by whose means if there should be a necessity for it in the course of God's Providence it is most likely that their Children will have a Religious Education CAN. XIII Such as by their Proxies presenâ— Children to be baptized in the Church of Rome shall be severely censured because they consent thereby unto Idolatry CAN. XIV As for Names which are given Children in Baptism Ministers shall reject if it can possibly be done and without any inconvenience those which yet remain of old Paganism nor shall they impose on the said Children the Names ascribed unto God in Scripture as Immanuel and others of like nature Moreover Parents and Sureties shall be admonished to take Names approved in the holy Scriptures or if they fancy any other they may be accepted excepting always those before mentioned and those which signify a matter which is unseemly CAN. XV. Ministers shall admonish their Flocks to demean themselves most reverently at the Administration of Baptism And that the contempt of Baptism which is expressed by too many even the far greater part of our People by going out of the Assembly or carrying themselves irreverently at its Administration may be avoided for the future it hath been judged meet that this holy Sacrament shall be administred before the singing of the last Psalm or at least before the giving of the Pastoral Blessing And the People shall be carefully admonished to behave themselves with the self same Reverence in the administration of Baptism as in that Sacrament of the Lord's Supper forasmuch as Jesus Christ and all his benefits are alike equally exhibited and offered to us in both the Sacraments CAN. XVI Consistories shall have an eye over such persons as do without any great and urgent cause defer for a long time together the Baptism of their Children CAN. XVII Chap. XII Of The Lord's Supper Although the Wife of a Believing Husband be of a contrary Religion yet is he in no wise to be excused if that his Child be presented unto Baptism in the Church of Rome and therefore he shall not be received unto the Lord's Supper unless he have to the utmost of his power laboured to prevent it CAN. XVIII All Baptisms shall be Registred and carefully kept in the Church-Books together with the Names of both the Parents Sureties and of the Children baptized which shall be subscribed by the Minister's own hand who did baptise them And when as Children shall be presented unto baptism The Parents and Sureties shall be obliged to bring with them a Note in which shall be inserted the Name of the Child of its Parents and Sureties and the day of its Nativity CAN. XIX The Parents Names of Bastards Children born of an Illegitimate Conjunction if they be known shall be Recorded in the Book of Baptisms unless of those Children who are born in Incest That so the very Remembrance of such an enormous Wickedness may be for ever buried in the Grave of Forgetfulness In which case it shall be sufficient only to have nominated the Mother together with the Sureties who shall present the Child to Baptism And in the Baptising of all Illegitimate Children express mention shall be made that they were born out of holy Wedlock CHAP. XII Of the Lord's Supper CANON I. WHere there is no Form of a Church the Lord's Supper shall not be administred CAN. II. Children under twelve years of Age shall not be admitted unto the Lord's Table but as for others who are above that Age it is left unto the Minister's discretion to judge whether they have sufficient knowledge to qualify them for their admission to it CAN. III. Priests Monks and other Ecclesiasticks belonging to the Church of Rome shall not be admitted to the Lord's Supper till they have first made a publick acknowledgment of their former Life and profession CAN. IV. Incumbents who retain the name and title of their Benefices and all other persons who do either directly or indirectly participate in Idolatry whether they receive the Income of their Benefices with their own hands or the hands of others shall not be admitted to Communion with us at the Lord's Table CAN. V. Ministers shall have notice given them not to receive unto the Lord's Supper the Members of other Churches without having a sufficient Testimonial from their Pastor or in default thereof from an Elder if it may be had CAN. VI. A Man dumb and deaf demonstrating his sence of Piety and Religion by evident signs tokens and gestures may be received unto the Lord's Table in case the Church hath experience of his holy Life and can perceive that he hath Faith and the true Knowledge of God CAN. VII The Bread in the Lord's Supper shall be administred unto them who cannot drink Wine they protesting seriously that it is not out of contempt that they do forbear it besides they doing their utmost endeavour for it yea bringing the Cup as near unto their Mouth as they can and taking and touching it with their Lips all occasions of offence will be by this means in this case avoided CAN. VIII Pastors are left at liberty in giving the Bread and Wine to use the accustomed words it being a thing purely indifferent provided that they use such words as tend to edifying CAN. IX The Churches shall be informed that it belongeth only unto Ministers to give the Cup. CAN. X. Forasmuch as when the Lord's Supper is administred sundry diseased Persons come unto it which causeth many that are in health to be shy of taking the Cup after them Pastors and Elders shall be admonished to use their greatest prudence that godly order may be kept up and observed in this Case CAN. XI Such as having been a long while Members of the Church and refuse Communion with it at the Lord's Table
if it be done out of contempt and through fear of being obliged to renounce all Idolatry after divers admonitions given them and they not reforming they shall be cut off from the Body of the Church but if it be through infirmity they shall be born withal for some space of time till they be more established in the Faith CAN. XII Such as care not to come unto our publick Christian Congregations but only upon those days when the Sacrament of the Lord's Supper is Celebrated shall be reproved and admonished of their duty and to this purpose they shall join themselves unto one certain particular Church N. B. This last Clause is only in my Edition of Paris and Rouen 1663. CAN. XIII The Faithful who make a trade of hearing the Word of God in one Church and of receiving the Sacraments in another shall be censured and by the advice of the Colloquy or Provincial Synod they shall be appointed to join themselves unto that Church which is nearest and most convenient for them N. B. Provincial Synod is only in my Parisian and Quevilly Edition CAN. XIV Chap. XIII Of Marriages Although it hath not been the Custom to administer the Lord's Supper in the greatest part of our Churches more than four times a year yet it were to be desired that it might be oftner so that the Reverence which is needful for this holy Sacrament could be kept up and observed Because it is most profitable for the Children of God to be exercised and grow in Faith by the frequent use of the Sacraments and the Example of the Primitive Church doth invite us to it And therefore our National Synods shall take that care and order in this matter as is requisite for the weal and happiness of our Churches CHAP. XIII Of Marriages CANON I. SUch as are under Age shall not Contract Marriage without the Consent of their Parents or of those other Persons under whose power they be Howbeit if their said Parents should be so unreasonable as not to yield unto so sacred and needful an Ordinance yea and refuse their consent meerly out of hatred to Religion the Consistory shall advise the Parties to apply themselves unto the Civil Magistrate CAN. II. Such as are of Years and in possession of their Estates shall be admonished by the Minister in the publick Church-Assemblies not to make any Promise of Marriage but in the presence of their Parents Friends Neighbours and Persons in reputation for Godliness And such as do otherwise shall be censured for their lightness and contempt of the said admonition And it were very meet that those Promises of Marriage were performed with solemn Prayers CAN. III. The Faithful that are of Age although they have been Married shall notwithstanding so far honour their Parents as not to Contract Marriage without having first acquainted them therewith and in case of failure herein they shall be censured by the Consistory CAN. IV. Fathers and Mothers professing the Reformed Religion whose Children being Idolaters would marry themselves unto Idolatrous Women shall be advised if possibly they can do it to hinder their said Children from Contracting such Marriages especially if they be not as yet emancipated from under their Authority and Fathers shall employ their Paternal Power to prevent and hinder them but and if they cannot so far prevail yet at passing the Marriage Contracts they shall protest their abhorrency of that Idolatry into which their Children will deeper plunge themselves And this being done the Parents may consent unto the Promises and Conditions about the Dowry and other such like matters and they shall give in evidence unto their Consistory of those endeavours they have used to hinder such Marriages CAN. V. For time to come all Promises of Marriages and Espousals shall be performed by words de futuro which shall not be counted as indissolvible as words de praesenti Because words de praesenti do not so much promise Marriage as in effect consummate it Yet nevertheless those promises by words de futuro shall not be dissolved without very great and lawful causes Wherefore the Custom of those Churches is condemned which celebrateth Espousals betrothings by the Ministry and Benediction of their Pastors with gift of Body and words de praesenti For by such Solemnity the Parties are truly and actually conjoined in Marriage so that the Banes are preposterous and published after the Marriage is Consummated and a second Benediction is rendred needless and superfluous True indeed 't is not thought evil that Pastors should assist at Espousals and pray and exhort the Parties unto mutual love faithfulness and the fear of God provided that they forbear all other formalities which are of none other use than to make a Bond indissolvible which oftentimes we are constrained to break again upon oppositions made when the Banes are published and because of other accidental hinderances For these reasons also those Churches which solemnize Espousals in their Temples with the same publick Benediction as at Marriage are exhorted to lay down this their Custom and to conform themselves unto our Churches in all the other Provinces of this Kingdom N. B. The addition unto this Canon which is Printed in another Character is only found in my Parisian and Quevilly Editions of the Discipline yet grounded upon very many Acts of several National Synods See Syn. of Poictiers Art 2. of Partic. Matters 1560. The Syn. of Saumur 1597. Art 25. concerning Observations upon the Discipline The Synod of Privas 1612. Art 9. of Observations upon the Discipline The Syn. of Alez 1620. Art 14. of Observations upon the Discipline CAN. VI. In Consanguinities and Affinities the faithful may not Contract Marriage but with the Kings Licence according to the Edict CAN. VII It is utterly unlawful to Petition the Pope for a Dispensation of the Impediments of Marriage which is already or may be hereafter accomplished because in so doing there would be an owning of his Tyranny Yet we may warrantably address our selves unto the King for a Dispensation in degrees not prohibited by God nor by the Civil Government CAN. VIII Spiritual Kindred as they be called are not at all comprehended nor understood by those words of Consanguinity and Affinity in the Kings Edict nor do they hinder any Marriage-Contracts CAN. IX It is not lawful for any Man to Marry the Sister of his Deceased Wife for such Marriages are prohibited not only by the Laws of the Land but by the word of God And although by the Law of Moses it was ordained that when the Brother died without Children his Brother should raise up Seed unto him yet that Law enacted for the Children of Israel was temporary relating only to the preservation of the Tribes of that People But the Marriage of a Sister of a Betrothed and Deceased Wife is of another Nature because that Alliance was not Contracted by a Commixture of Blood therefore such a Marriage may be admitted and approved Yet notwithstanding
all possible care shall be taken that neither the Civil Magistrate nor weak Christians may be offended CAN. X. A Man may not marry the Mother of his Deceased Spouse to whom he was betrothed without an Order from the Civil Magistrate which shall be waited for both by the Pastor and the Parties Contracting that Marriage N. B. This last Clause of the Canon is only in my Parisian and Quevilly Editions CAN. XI Likewise a Man may not marry his Wife's Aunt such a Marriage being Incestuous and although the Magistrate should permit it yet shall it not be Solemnized in our Assemblies And therefore all Pastors are carefully to keep themselves from it And by parity of reason the Marriage of an Uncle with his Niece or with the grand Niece of his deceased Wife is also Incestuous CAN. XII Although Civility and Decency may oppose the Marriage of a Man with the Widow of his Wife's Brother yet in case the Civil Magistrate do authorize the Contract the Churches shall not make any difficulty to bless such a Marriage Provided that there be good evidence that the said Contract hath been first allowed and approved by the authority of the Civil Magistrate N. B. These last Clauses of this Canon Printed in another Character are only in my Editions of Paris and Rouen CAN. XIII No Man after his Wife's Death shall marry her with whom he had committed Adultery during her Life unless that such a Marriage were authorized by the Civil Magistrate CAN. XIV Forasmuch as the principal end of Marriage is to procreate Children and to avoid Fornication the Marriage of an Eunuch that is so known shall not be admitted nor solemnized in any of our Reformed Churches CAN. XV. All Marriages shall be propounded unto the Consistories with a sufficient Certificate of the Promises CAN. XVI The Banes of Matrimony shall be published in those places where the Parties dwell and if they have a mind to celebrate their Marriage elsewhere they shall carry with them a sufficient Certificate that the Banes have been thrice published CAN. XVII The Banes shall be published on three Sabbath-Days following in those places where the Word of God is Preached and in other places when as Common-Prayers are read However it be yet there shall be the space of fifteen days between the Publication of the Banes and the Solemnizal of the Marriage in the Congregation which may be performed on the third Sabbath CAN. XVIII Such as live in those places where the publick Exercise of Religion is not established may cause their Banes to be published in the Popish Churches because it is a matter purely Political CAN. XIX The Churches shall not suffer any Persons to be Married without an ample knowledge and approbation of them CAN. XX. If one of the Parties be of a contrary Religion the Marriage-Promises shall not be received nor published in the Church unless that Party of the contrary Religion have been sufficiently instructed and have publicity protested in the Church of that place where the said Party shall be known that from a good Conscience he doth renounce all Superstition and Idolatry and particularly the Mass and that he will through Divine Grace persevere the residue of his days in the pure worship of God of which instruction the Consistory of that Church shall take Cognisance in which that Protestation shall be made And it shall not be lawful for any Pastor or Consistories to do otherwise on pain of being Suspended yea and deposed from their Offices CAN. XXI If one of the Parties who would Marry be Excommunicate the Marriage shall not be permitted to be Solemnized in any one of our Churches unless that the Excommunicate Person shall have acknowledged and done Penance for his Offences But as for suspended Persons from the Lords Table the Consistories may permit them to marry notwithstanding their Suspension but yet not without taking Cognisance of their Cause CAN. XXII The Banes of Widows who desire to marry again shall not be published in the Church till at least seven Months and an half be expired after their Husbands Death that so all Scandals and Inconveniencies which might afterwards fall out may be prevented unless in such a Case in which the Civil Magistrate hath interposed his Judicial Sentence to the contrary CAN. XXIII All Marriages shall be publickly Solemnized in the Religious Assemblies of the Faithful according to the word of God and by the Ministry of the Pastors and not of any others N. B. That middle Clause in another Character is only in my Parisian and Quevilly Editions of the Discipline CAN. XXIV For the good order of our Churches no Marriage shall be Solemnized on those days in which the Sacrament of the Lord's Supper is Administred And this Canon shall not be broken but upon very great Considerations of which the Consistory shall take Cognisance Moreover no Marriages shall be Solemnized on Days of publick Prayer and Fasting CAN. XXV Such as being betrothed shall cohabit together as Man and Wife before they be lawfully and solemnly Married whether their offence do come to light before or after the Solemnizal of the Marriage they shall do publick Penance for this their Offence or at least they shall acknowledge it before the Consistory either way as the discretion of the Consistory shall appoint And if it be discovered before Marriage then shall there upon the Wedding day before they do proceed to compleat the Marriage be such Ceremonies and Censures used as the Consistory shall judge fitting unless those Persons had cohabited together in the days of their Ignorance without despising or contempt of our Church-Government And those also who cohabited as Man and Wife when as there was no Church erected in the places of their Habitation or in the Province and all these shall only be called into the Consistory that so their Marriage may be ratified and Celebrated in the Church of God if the Consistory shall judge it to be expedient CAN. XXVI That those inconveniencies may be avoided which fall out through over-long delays of Solemnizing Marriages the Parties and those Persons under whose power they are shall be advised not to defer the Consummation thereof any longer than six Weeks after publication of the Banes if it be possible CAN. XXVII All Marriages shall be Registred and carefully kept in the Church-Books CAN. XXVIII The Faithful whose Partners are convicted of Adultery may be admonished to a reconcilement with them but in case they will not do it that Liberty which God in his holy Word hath granted them shall be declared to them But if it be the hap of a Church-Officer he shall not take his Wife again or if he do he shall lay down his Office CAN. XXIX This course shall be taken about Divorces for Adultery The Innocent wronged Party shall prosecute at Law before the Civil Magistrate the Delinquent so long till that by his definitive Sentence and final Judgment she be duly Convicted which Sentence the
of those of the said pretended Reformed Religion within the Jurisdiction of our Parliament of Provence they not needing to take out Letters of Evocation or other Provisions but in our Chancery of Dolphiny As also those of the said Religion in Normandy and Brittaine shall not be obliged to take out Letters of Evocation nor other Provisions but from our Court of Chancery in Paris XXXIII Our Subjects of the Reformed Religion in the Jurisdiction of the Parliament of Burgundy shall according to their will and choice plead in the Chamber ordained for that purpose either in the Parliament of Paris or in that of Dolphiny And they also shall not be bound to take out Letters of Evocation nor any other provisions unless from out of the said Chanceries of Paris or Dolphiny at their choice and pleasure XXXIV All these said Chambers composed as aforesaid shall take cognisance try and judge Soveraignly and without Appeal by Decree privatively of all others of all Suits and Differences moved or to be moved in which those of the said pretended Reformed Religion shall be the principal Parties or Defendants in demanding or defending in all matters as well Civil as Criminal whether the said Suits and Processes be by writing or by verbal Appeals and if it seem good unto the said Parties and one of them do require it before the Cause come to be contested with respect unto the Processes which may be moved excepting always all matters beneficiary and the Possessors of Tithes not impropriated Patronages of Churches and those Causes in which the rights and duties and Demean of the Church shall be debated all which shall be tryed and judged in the Courts of Parliament without granting any power unto the said Chambers of the Edict to take Cognisance of them As also we will that when as Criminal Processes shall fall out between the said Ecclesiasticks and those of the said pretended Reformed Religion if the Ecclesiastical Person be Defendant in this Case the Cognisance and Judgments of the Criminal Process shall belong unto our Soveraign Courts privatively of the said Chambers or if the said Ecclesiastical Person be Plaintiff and he of the said Religion Defendant the Cognisance and Judgment of the said Criminal Process shall belong by Appeal and finally without Appeal unto those Chambers beforesaid established Moreover those said Chambers shall take Cognisance in times of Vacations of matters attributed by the Edicts and Ordinances unto the Chambers established in time of Vacation every one of them in their Jurisdiction XXXV The said Chamber of Grenoble shall be from this instant united and incorporated with the Body of the said Court of Parliament and the Presidents and Counsellers of the said pretended Reformed Religion shall be accounted and called the Presidents and Counsellors of the said Court and shall be reckoned and taken in the rank quality and number of them And for these ends they shall be first distributed by the other Chambers and then extracted and drawn out from among them to be imployed and serve in that which we ordain anew but always on this condition that they shall assist and have Voice and Sessions in all Deliberations that shall be made when as the Chambers are Assembled and they shall enjoy the same Sallaries Authorities and Preheminencies which the other Presidents and Counsellors of the said Court do XXXVI We will and it is our mind and intention that the said Chambers of Castres and Bourdeaux shall be reunited and incorporated in those Parliaments in the same form as others when as there shall be need of it and that the Causes which have moved us to make the establishment shall cease and there shall be no place left for them among our Subjects And to this purpose the Presidents and Counsellors in them of the said Religion shall be accounted and held for Presidents and Counsellors of the said Courts XXXVII There shall be also a new Creation and Erection in the Chamber Ordained for the Parliament of Bourdeaux of two Substitutes of our Attorney and Advocate-Generals one of which said Proctors shall be a Catholick and another of the said Religion who shall be possessed of the said Offices with competent Sallaries XXXVIII And the said Substitutes shall not take unto themselves any other quality than that of Substitutes and when as the Chambers ordained for the Parliaments of Tholouse and Bourdeaux shall be united and incorporated with the said Parliaments the said Substitutes shall be provided of Offices of Counsellors in them XXXIX The Dispatches of the Chancery of Bourdeaux shall be made in presence of two Counsellors of that Chamber one of which shall be a Catholick and the other of the said pretended Reformed Religion in the absence of one of the Masters of Requests of our Houshold And one of the Notaries and Secretaries of the said Court of Parliament of Bourdeaux shall make his Residence in the place where the said Chamber shall be established or else one of the ordinary Secretaries of the Chancery to sign the Dispatches of the said Chancery XL. We Will and Ordain That in the said Chamber of Bourdeaux there shall be two of the Register of the said Parliament the one for Civil the other for Criminal Causes who shall discharge their Offices by our Commissions and shall be called the Deputies or Commissioners in the Civil and Criminal Office of the Register who notwithstanding may not be abandoned nor revoked by the said Registers in Parliament Yet nevertheless they shall be bound to bring in the Emoluments of the said Registers Office unto the said Registers and the said Deputies shall be paid their Sallaries by the said Registers as it shall be advised and arbitrated by the said Chamber Moreover it shall be ordained that the Catholick Ushers shall be taken out of the said Court or from elsewhere according to our pleasure over and besides which there shall be two new ones erected of the said Reformed Religion and who shall be put into those places without payment of Fine or Fees And all those said Ushers shall be regulated by the said Chamber as well for the exercise and division of their offices as for the Emoluments which they are to receive There shall be also set up by Commission a Payer of Wages and Receiver of Fines in the said Chamber which office shall be given by us to whom we please in case the said Chamber be established any where else than in the said City And that Commission formerly granted unto the Payer of Wages in the Chamber of Castres shall be in full power and effect and the Commission of the Receit of the Fines in the said Chamber shall be joined unto the said Office XLI There shall be good and sufficient Assignments made for the Officers Wages in the Chambers ordained by this Edict XLII The Presidents Counsellors and other Catholick Officers of the said Chambers shall be continued as long as may be and as we shall see meet for our
seven years old capable of chusing their Religion they are at the same time expos'd to contract the crime of those that are called relapse and by consequence do undergo the capital Punishment ordain'd by your Majesties Laws in that case Foreigners and Infidels themselves will think themselves well Authoriz'd by this Example to take the Children of those who profess a Religion contrary to theirs And lastly the Roman Catholick Religion will hardly avoid the reproach of all good Christians when it shall appear that it not only receives but forces Conversions from Children of seven years old that is in an age when they have but the first appearances of reason and when their Judgments scarce begin to act and where by consequence any change of their Religion cannot proceed from a determinate choice but from a blind obedience or yielding to the threat or allurements that can move them That it is contrary to the Practice of the Primitive Church is so visible that even admitting your Suppliants to be Hereticks 't is most certain that in antient times the Church never took away Children under age from those that liv'd under the same ties of civil society with them though at the same time they thought them Infidels In a word Sir it is an unheard of practice to this day in all the Nations of the World that the Power of Fathers should be restrain'd to seven years over their own Children particularly in Cases of Religion Thomas Aquinas one of the greatest Doctors of the Roman Catholicks decides positively that it is not lawful to baptize the Children of the Jews against the will of their Parents and that for two Reasons one that it was never the practice of the Church and the other that it is against the course of natural Justice and when the Kings of Spain and Portugal Sisebuth and Emanuel carried on by a Zeal of Religion went about to practise something like it the fourth Council of Toledo oppos'd the action of the King of Spain and all the World has blamed the proceeding of Emanuel when he took away from the Jews their Children under fourteen years of Age. The famous Bishop Osorius who speaks of it says that it was an action neither founded in Justice nor in Religion though it proceeded from a good Intention and aim'd at a good End because God Almighty requires from Mankind a voluntary not a forc'd Sacrifice It being against his Laws that any violence should be offer'd to Conscience to which he adds this terrible Circumstance that divers of those unfortunate Fathers threw their Children headlong into deep Wells and precipitated themselves after them It cannot be alledg'd Sir that the Declaration of your Majesty does not order the taking away of Children from their Parents and that it only gives them the liberty of chusing their Religion For in the first place the Violence is not so much to be look'd upon as offer'd to the Children but to the Parents whose Children they are by the Gift of God and Nature 't is the sence of the same Thomas Aquinas who speaking of the Jews says that it were injustice to baptize their Children against their will because it were the taking away from them that paternal Power with which they are invested by nature which says he the Church never did even in the most Christian Princes times as Constantine and Theodosius who without doubt would have permitted it had it not been against all Reason And the Edict of Nantes it self in the 18th Article forbids equally Force and Persuasion and calls them both Violence and all Laws have as severely punish'd the Rape of Seduction as that of force in Children under Age. Secondly The Age of seven years fully attain'd does not hinder but that as to the Parents the Violence is as great as if their Children were torn from their Mothers Breasts because that all Laws both natural and civil do submit Children to their Parents till the Age of Puberty and therefore 't is equally unjust to take them away at seven years old as in the Cradle If it be alledg'd that Children at seven years old are capable of sinning mortally and so may be admitted to the choice of their Religion We Answer that besides that that Principle is not generally allow'd and that it would be very hard to judge your Petitioners by Maxims which they do not receive 't is easie to see that it is a very unjust and unequal Inference and that there is a great deal of difference between the first Idea's of good and evil which Children may begin to have at seven years old and the discerning or examining of two Religions with a determination to leave that in which they have been brought up to follow another which must of necessity be less known to them if they are not altogether ignorant of it and which the World knows to be a choice of so difficult a nature that it is the earnest endeavour of human Mind animated with the most diligent inquiry of its way to Heaven Your Petitioners shall not here touch upon the fatal and sad Consequences which are like to attend the Execution of so severe a Law the despair of Fathers and Mothers the inevitable Discord between Parents and Children the change of Education from the tender hands of Parents into those of Strangers the liberty it gives to ill-dispos'd Children who will scorn the Correction of their Parents having means ready to shake off their Authority the exaction of unreasonable Pensions from Parents for the keeping of their Children out of their own Families the forc'd retreat of many thousands out of your Majesties Dominions the apprehension that those who remain will be in to have any Children born to 'em and a thousand other Inconveniencies and Interruptions of the Bonds of civil Society Your Petitioners Sir are convinc'd as well as all the World that nothing here can resist your Power but they know likewise that your Majesty loves to temper that Power with Sweetness and Justice after the Imitation of God Almighty who never displays the Infinity of his Power upon his poor Creatures but that he doth at the same time look upon 'em with Eyes of Compassion 'T is your Justice Sir that your Petitioners implore in the Excess of their Grief and 't is to you Sir alone that they direct their sighs and tears taking the confidence to say as it is true that they had rather endure all things and death it self rather than be separated from their Children in so tender an Age and so be hinder'd from Educating them in their own Religion according to the obligation of their Consciences Therefore your Petitioners humbly beg that it may be your Royal Pleasure to revoke and annul the Declaration of the 17th of June last and to order that that of February 1669. be in full force and your Petitioners shall continue to offer up their Vows and Prayers for your Majesty's most prosperous and glorious Reign But they
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
LVIII There were nine and twenty National Synods celebrated by these Churches within the space of one hundred Years they met in this order and at the times and places mentioned in this ensuing Catalogue 1. At Paris May 25. 1559. 2. At Poictiers March 20. 1560. 3. At Orleans April 25. 1562. 4. At Lyons Aug. 10. 1563. 5. The 2d at Paris Octob. 21. 1565. 6. At Vertuil Septemb. 1. 1567. 7. At Rochel April 2. 1571. 8. At Nismes May 8. 1572. 9. At St. Foy Feb. 2. 1578. 10. At Figeac Aug. 2. 1579. 11. The 2d at Rochel June 28. 1581. 12. At Vitré May 26. 1583. 13. At Montauban June 15. 1594. 14. At Saumur May 13. 1596. 15. At Montpellier May 26. 1598. 16. At Gergeau May 9. 1601. 17. At Gap May 18. 1603. 18. The 3d of Rochel March 1. 1607. 19. At St. Maixant May 26. 1609. 20. At Privas May 23. 1612. 21. At Tonneins May 2. 1614. 22. The 2d of Vitré May 18. 1617. 23. At Alez Octob. 1. 1620. 24. At Charenton Septemb. 1. 1623. 25. At Castres Septemb. 15. 1626. 26. The 2d of Charenton 1631. 27. At Alanson May 27. 1637. 28. The 3d of Charenton 1654. 29. At Loudun Novemb. 10. 1659. The next National Synod was appointed to be held in the City of Nismes but when that will be Peloni Palmoni the wonderful Numberer can only and most certainly inform us THE ACTS DECISIONS and DECREES OF THE First National Synod OF THE Reformed Churches of Christ IN The KINGDOM of FRANCE HELD At PARIS in the Year of our LORD 1559. The Contents of the Acts in this Synod Chap. I. The Lord of Callonges Minister in the Church of Paris Moderator Eleven Churches send their Deputies to the Synod Chap. II. General Matters The first Draught of the Church-Discipline in Forty Canons Chap. III. Particular Matters Twenty Five Cases of Conscience resolved 1559. First Synod THE First National Synod Henry the Second died the tenth of July 1559. SYNOD I. In the Name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Ghost The Decrees of the National Synod celebrated in Paris the Five and Twentieth Day of May in the Year of our Lord One thousand five hundred fifty and nine and in the Sixteenth Year of Henry the Second King of France CHAP. I. Monsieur De Morell Lord of Callonges was at that time Minister of the Church of Paris Publick Matters FRancis de Morell otherwise called De Callonges presided and there assisted at it on behalf of the Reformed Churches of France the Pastors of Diep and St. Lo in Normandy of Paris of Angiers of Orleans of Tours of Chastelherand of Poitiers of Xaintes of St. John d' Angeli and Marennes CHAP. II. The First CANON I. NO Church Discipline Cap. 6. Art 1. nor Church-Officer be he Minister Elder or Deacon shall Claim or Exercise any Jurisdiction or Authority over another In every Synod there must be a President chosen His Office in the Synods II. A Moderator shall be chosen by general Consent in every Synod who shall give Notice of the Days and Places of Meeting and of the Sessions of the Synod And he shall gather the Suffrages and declare which is the greater Number and pronounce the Synodical Decisions Moreover he shall see that Order be observed in Speaking without confusion and impose Silence on such as are eager and contentious and in case of Disobedience he shall cause them to withdraw that Advice may be taken how to Censure them Moreover he shall preside at the Censure of every Person and make the Remonstrances As also to give Answers in case of Counsel demanded or unto Letters sent unto the Synod yet therein always observing the Advice of the Assembly And he himself also shall be subject unto Censures The Office of the Moderator shall expire with the Synod and the next Synod is at liberty to chuse him or any other A Pastor may bring with him an Elder unto the Synod III. Ministers that are sent unto the National Synod may bring with them one or two Elders or Deacons but not more and those chosen by the Body of their Consistory who also shall have their Votes in the Synod As for the Elders and Deacons of that Church where the Synod shall be assembled they may be present also and speak in their Order yet to avoid confusion two of them only shall have Power of Voting in it And no Person shall depart from the Assembly without leave first had and obtained IV. National Synods shall meet according to the Necessities of the Churches and in them there shall be an amicable and brotherly Censure of all its Members The Lord's Supper to be administred at the end of every National Synod and at the closing up of the Synod the Lord's Supper shall be celebrated to testifie their Union not only by the Ministers and Elders of the Synod but in general with that whole Church V. The Ministers with one Elder and Deacon at the least from every Church in all the Provinces of this Kingdom shall meet together once a Year and choose such a Time and Place as shall be most convenient for their Synodical Assembly The manner of Receiving a Minister VI. No Minister for the present shall be chosen by one only Minister or by his Consistory but by two or three Ministers and their Consistories or by the Provincial Synod or by the Colloquy which in those Places where they be already established shall be if possible called together for this purpose And the Elect-Minister shall be presented unto the People for their Approbation but in case there be opposition the Consistory shall judge thereof and if neither part do consent the whole shall be Reported to the Provincial Synod which shall take Cognisance thereof as well for Justifying of the Minister as for his Reception provided the major part of the Consistory and People do consent thereunto No Minister may be sent unto the Synod wâ—â—hout sufficient â—owers VII Ministers shall not be sent from the Churches without Authentick Letters or some other sufficient Testimonials from those Places whence they come and if having no such Commission they should offer themselves to be Received they shall not be Admitted unless their Conversation be fully known and upon what Account they have quitted their Church And in case of opposition they shall be dealt with as was before determined The Elect Deputy must subscribe the Confession of Faith VIII The Deputies Elect shall subscribe our Confession of Faith both in their own Churches in which they were chosen as in those also from which they be sent and their Election shall be confirmed by Prayers and Imposition of Hands by the Ministers yet without Superstition or Opinion of Necessity How Intruders into the Ministry are to be proceeded against IX Such as shall intrude themselves into the Ministry in those Places where the Ministry of the Word of
Consistory of that Church where these Persons are Members shall judge of the lawfulness of those Promises In a particular Affair the Common Cause is not to be concerned XL. No Church shall undertake any Matter of great consequence wherein the Interest or Damage of other Churches is of right to be comprised without consulting the Provincial Synod if it may be conveniently assembled But if the business be urgent they shall communicate it to other Churches of the Province and obtain at least by Letters their Advice and Consent XLI These present Articles of Discipline are not so ordained by us but that if the Churches Profit do require they may be changed But it shall not be in the Power of any one particular Church to change them without having first Advised with and got the Consent of a National Synod CHAP. III. Particular Matters Propounded and Decided in the aforesaid National Synod held in PARIS Such as have Popish Licenses to Marry shall not be married without having first confessed their Sin 1. AS to that Case of Conscience propounded by the Minister of Diep it was answer'd That such as had Licenses from Popish Vicars or Curates to Marry where they pleased should not be married in the Church of God unless they do confess this their Offence before the Congregation wherein they be married And the Minister of the Gospel shall be instant with them to evidence their Repentance by Tearing of the License But whether the Tearing of it in pieces be done in the Church or Consistory that is left unto the Church's Prudence where this Matter may fall out None can be discharged of their Marriage-Promise upon pretext of Religion II. As to the Question propounded by the Minister of Anger 's it was answered That he who had espoused a Maid of the Popish Religion but is himself since converted although the said Maiden refuseth to be married in the Church of God is nevertheless bound by his Promise wherefore he ought sollicite her to accomplish it but if she will not consent unto it he must contain himself until such time as the Bond be broken either by her Marriage or Whoredom The same Advice was given in the like case by Mr. Calvin Whether the Children of Papists are to be receiv'd into the Church III. The Minister of Castelherand having moved this case A Papist displeased with the Creasme and Spittle and other Ceremonies added unto Baptism by the Popish Church desireth him to Baptise his Child It was queried Whether he should do it But because there was another Question first to be debated viz. Whether the Children of Papists ought to be received into the Church of Christ Divers Arguments having been banded on both sides the Decision thereof was remanded to a more full Assembly What Course is to be taken with the Broachers of Heresies IV. As to what was related by the Minister of Poictiers concerning Lavan who for a long time hath publickly Taught and printed strange Doctrines Schisms and notorious Heresies The Brethren may if they judge meet cite him to appear before the next Provincial Synod or privately Commune with him and if he be found Obstinate there being made a diligent and faithful Collection of his Heresies they shall be brought into the Provincial Synod that so they may be according to the Rule of GOD's Word condemned However out of hand the People shall be admonished to avoid so great a Plague V. And whereas our Brother of Poictiers hath declared in private Conference That an Heretick is not to be punished as an Heretick but as a Disturber of the Civil Government we say That were there no other Fault but this yet he should be admonished not to create Troubles unto the Church but there being other Circumstances reported unto this Assembly and these in particular That he hath very proudly scorned Counsel given him and basely Calumniated the Minister his Tutor and the whole Consistory calling him A blind Leader of the Blind and notwithstanding the many Remonstrances made him not to frequent a certain Schismatical Heretick nevertheless he continues to keep him company Therefore for these causes we advise that he be cut off by Excommunication from the Fellowship of the Faithful VI. The Minister of Poictiers having demanded Whether it be well done to take their Oaths who are newly received into the Church not to discover their Brethren Whether an Oath may be take from such as are received into the Church Again these Novices being made Prisoners for the Gospel's sake and the Magistrate tendring them an Oath to declare the Truth whether notwithstanding their first Oath they should discover their Brethren As to the former it was answer'd That respect must be had unto the circumstance of Places that so they may obviate the Levity and Malice of those Persons who otherwise by their Imprudence and Malice would endanger an whole Church Whether a Man notwithstanding his former Oath may yet afterward declare his Brethren And as to the second Question It is most certain that the end of that Oath being to glorifie God and preserve Charity the latter Oath does not oblige to speak or do any thing contrary unto these But it were better that they did Protest at first never to speak any thing that might redound to the Dishonour of GOD or the Damage of their Neighbours Whether Children may be baptized without a Sermon and where no Church is VII Is it necessary that Infants should be baptized in a Publick Church-Assembly Or may it be done without such a Congregation as in a private Family where there be very few People We answer That where a Church is already constituted publickly there the Children shall be baptized publickly But where there is none gathered nor publickly established and Parents through Infirmity are afraid to carry them to a publick Assembly far distant from them there to be baptized Ministers may yeild what in Prudence they may judge convenient for them Whether the Faithful may write their Childrens Names in the Registers of Popish Priests VIII Our Brother of St. John d' Angely demanding Whether the Faithful might lawfully suffer their Childrens Names to be recorded in the Registers of Popish Priests It was answered That because it was a Civil Ordinance of his Majesty the Ministers and Consistories should specially observe the Design and End of him that it and admonish him that he be very careful lest thereby he be taken for a Papist Whether the Faithful may Rent Ecclesiastical Revenues IX Advice hath been taken upon what was proposed by the Minister of St. John d' Angely viz. Whether the Faithful might lawfully Farm the Ecclesiastical Revenues of Monks and Priests c And it is our Judgment That it is in no wise lawful for the Faithful to intermeddle with any Matter that hath Idolatry conjoyned with it as the Patten or the Baise-mains or to cause Masses or Vigils to be said or sung
shall have power of Voting to avoid Confusion nor shall any Deputy depart the Synod without leave first had from the Moderator ART II. To the Fifth Article which ran thus A Minister accompanied with one Elder or Deacon at least from every Church shall meet together at least once a Year in every Province there shall be this added And they shall choose the most commodious Time and Place that may be for their Meeting ART III. The Sixth Article was thus altered and amended No Minister shall be now elected by one only Minister or his Consistory but with two or three Ministers together with the Consistory of the vacant Church or if it may be the Provincial Synod or by the Colloquy which shall be called to sit as much as may be in those places where Consistories be already instituted and unto this the Minister who is to be ordained shall make his Addresses and from the Colloquy he shall be presented unto the People to be accepted by them but in case any one oppose his Admission the Consistory shall judge hereof and if neither part consenteth senteth the whole shall be referred to the Provincial Synod which shall take cognisance as well of the Minister's Justification as of his Reception provided the Consistory and the greater part of the People do approve and consent unto it ART IV. There shall be this added to the Close of the Twelfth Article Vnless in in which those places where the Colloquy is made up of six Ministers at least case the Colloquy may take cognisance of this Intruding Minister ART V. Forasmuch as it is in no wise expedient that our People should bear Popish Preachers or any others who are not lawfully called to preach the Gospel in those Churches which have a settled and standing Ministry therefore all true Pastors are to hinder as much as in them lieth the wandring of their People after them ART VI. And whereas the Sixteenth Article begins thus Such as teach unsound Doctrine and being admonished will not forbear there shall be this Addition to it And those who shall disobey the godly Counsels of God's holy Word given them by the Consistory ART VII The Twenty Second and Twenty Third Articles of the said National Synod of Paris speaking of Elders and Deacons and of their Office were thus explained The Elders Office as now used by us is not perpetual And the Deacons Office is to Collect and Distribute the Poors Monies unto them and to the Prisoners and to the Sick and to Visit them in their Afflictions and to go from House to House and to Catechize the Members of those Families and in case any one of these Deacons be fit and qualified and promise to devote himself for life to the Service of God in the Ministry of the Gospel then he may be chosen by the Pastor and Consistory to Catechize publickly according to the Form received in our Churches and this by way of Tryal of their Gifts only without giving them any power of Administring the Holy Sacraments ART VIII Upon the Twenty Fourth Article it was said That it did not belong to the Office of Elders and Deacons to Catechize in publick and that their Office was not perpetual yet notwithstanding neither the one nor other may depart from it without leave first had and obtained from the Church ART IX Whereas the Thirty Third Article begins thus Marriages shall le propounded after those words Notary Publick shall be added Or sufficient Attestation where there is no Publick Notary CHAP. IV. New Articles added unto the Church-Discipline framed in the First Synod of PARIS May 1559. ART X. IT is now unanimously concluded That in the Close of every National Synod one certain particular Church shall be invested with full Power to call within the Year a General Council of all the Provinces in which there shall meet one Minister and one Elder or Deacon at least for every Province and other Ministers have liberty to come if they please and obtain leave from their Churches for so doing And this General Council shall determine of all Church-Matters nor shall there be any Appeal admitted from it excepting in such Points as itself shall judge needful to be turned over to the next General Council of all the Churches of this Kingdom and of other Persons who may think fit to come unto it And it is left wholly to the Prudence of the General Council in being to ascertain the time when the next General Council shall be Assembled which shall be according as the necessity of our Churches Affairs may require it ART XI And all Consistories shall be admonished by their Ministers that they do strictly forbid all Dancing Mummeries and Tricks of Jugglers ART XII And whoso is once denounced an Heretick or Schismatick shall also be declared such unto the other Churches that they may be aware of him ART XIII Item The Doctor in a Church may not Baptize nor Administer the Lord's Supper unless he be ordained a Minister as well as Doctor at the same time ART XIV In every Church the Candidates for the Ministery shall Preach upon Tryal and their Text shall be some certain Portion of God's holy Word and this as time and place may conveniently bear ART XV. Item Whatever shall be decreed by the Provincial Synods concerning the Suspension of Vagrant Ministers who intrude themselves into Churches it shall be as valid and effectual as if it had been ordained by the National Synod ART XVI All the Churches shall be admonished to Maintain and Relieve their Ministers in their Necessities And in case they should refuse a Competency unto their Pastors for their Subsistance and having been warned of this their Duty it may be lawful for those Pastors to remove from them and to engage themselves unto the Service of some other Church CHAP. V. General MATTERS ARTICLE I. IT is thought needful that in every Church there be a Consistory consisting of Ministers Deacons and Elders exercising their Offices who when Affairs so require may call in whom they think good to consult withal ART II. The Consistories of the respective Churches shall be advised that for time to come they do better discharge their Duty towards their Ministers by succouring them in their Necessities and raising Maintenance for them and their Families because Forreign Countries have been exceedingly scandalized at the Neglect and Ingratitude of divers Churches even in this particular ART III. No Matters shall be propounded unto the National Synods but such onely as could not be resolved in the Provincial nor shall any Cases be brought unto them but what are of general concernment to all the Churches ART IV. When as Contention or Debate may arise about Articles of Faith In Articles of Faith Doctrin or Heresie the Votes of Ministers Deacons and Elders equal But in Matters of Government the Votes of all shall be vallid notwithstanding the inequality of Numbers Doctrine or
Heresie which cannot be decided by Disputes either in the National or Provincial Synods the Deacons and Elders shall be reduced to an equal number in voting with the Ministers And in other Matters relating to the Government of the Churches although the Elders and Deacons exceed in number the Ministers yet their Suffrages shall be collected ART V. In the first Constitution of a Church he may be chosen for an Elder who hath formerly or doth as yet hold Communion with the Idolatry of Rome provided always that he promise never to return more unto it Art VI. A Minister newly chosen shall bring with him a Testimonial to be delivered into the hands of the Consistory unto whom he is sent which shall be kept by them very carefully ART VII This Order shall be observed by him who begins to Preach in Publick and to gather a Church viz. That as soon as possible he can he shall take their Names and Number who will submit unto Discipline and who are to be owned as Sheep of that Flock that so all may not be received higly-pigly without distinction unto the Lord's Table and over these there shall be had a most diligenâ— Inspection ART VIII All Violences and Injurious Words against the Papists No Injuries shall be offered unto the Popish Church Men. as also against their Chaplains Priests and Monks shall not only be forborn but to the utmost of the Church's Power shall be suppressed ART IX The Church of Orleance is deputed to call the next National Synod within an Year or thereabout and to give notice thereof unto all the Churches three Months before of the Place Day and of all those difficult Questions which are to be handled in it And in order hereunto the other Churches shall within nine Months send unto them those Difficulties which they would have debated and decided by them CHAP. VI. Particular MATTERS An Abjuration before the Magistrate must be repaired publickly I. OUr Brother of Poictiers propounded this Case Whether a Person having Abjured the Gospel before a Judge and his Clerk he be not bound to publick Pennance To which it was answered That inasmuch as the Magistrate is a publick Person the Abjuration done before him was publick and therefore it must be repaired by a publick Repentance Promises of Marriage by words de praesenti or de fufuturo ought to be kept inviolate II. Whether plain and sincere Promises of Marriage made by word de futuro may by consent of the Parties be dissolved We answer That such Promises whether by words de proesenti or futuro ought inviolably to be performed for although by those words de futuro the Accomplishment be delaid yet the Parties are nevertheless bound and obliged before God to fulfil them Touching the Baptising of Papists Children see Partie Matters c. 3. of the first Synod at Paris III. The Children of Popish Parents shall not be admitted unto Baptism in our Reformed Churches although they were presented by a believing Surety unless the Father or Mother will devest themselves of their Authority and devolve it upon the Surety yeilding up and releasing to him their Right and solemnly ingage that they will allow their Child to be Educated in the true Religion IV. Whether for Warning unto others such Persons may not be debarred the Lord's Supper whose Repentance is only Exteriour That may be ordered according to the Grievousness of the Fact Whether we may lawfully serve ourselves of Papal Dispensations V. Whether a Monk who hath quitted his Monastery may make use of the Pope's Dispensation that so he may enter again upon his Estate We answer That the Monk hath done very ill in using such unjust Means whereby to recover his Estate Whoso makes a Trade of Dancing after divers Admonitions shall be excommunicated VI. Upon mature Deliberation it is decreed That whoso professeth a Trade of Dancing and hath been divers times admonished and doth not quit it shall be excommunicated and principally because of his Obstinacy and Rebellion VII It being demanded What Course should be taken with such who having been a long time Members of the Church yet do not Communicate at the Lord's Table lest they should be obliged to a total Renunciation of Idolatry We answer That if after some convenient Time and Admonitions given them they do not reform this their neglect they shall be â—nt off from all Communion with the Church They are to be Excommunicate who refuse to partake with the Church at the Lord's Table Whether a dying Child may be baptised VIII As to that Question Whether Baptism may be lawfully administred extraordinarily where the Child is ready to die It was resolved That in those places where the Word of God is ordinarily preached the established Order shall be observed but in such places where Sermons are had only extraordinarily at an undue Hour it is left to the Minister's Discretion to accommodate themselves to the Infirmities of Parents yet to be very careful that they do not nourish them up in Superstition Iâ—s not lawful to marry the Sister of the deceased Wise IX May a Man lawfully Espouse the Sister of his deceased Wife who hath left him Children begotten on her Body by him To which was answered That this is in no wise lawful nor expedient and the Church must see to it that no such Marriages be solemnized in it X. May a Woman kept by a Priest as his Concubine although she protest he is her Husband and the Priest also secretly owns her for his Wife yet before Witnesses denies it may she be continued in or cut off from the Communion of the Church We answer That she ought to use all Diligence in summoning the Priest to get their Marriage celebrated and blessed in the face of the Church and in case of refusal by the Priest she shall separate herself from him and having given satisfactory Proofs of her Repentance she shall be received into the Fellowship of the Church Baptism by a private Person is null XI What is to be done in case a Child has been baptized by a private Person It 's answer'd That to avoid the Scandal given and taken there shall be Sermons preached for the better Information of the People who shall also be acquainted with the Nullity of such Baptism and that this may be imprinted upon their Hearts the Child shall be brought publickly into the Church there to receive the true Baptism XII In a Church already constituted may he be chosen for an Elder who through weakness hath defiled himself with Idolatry since his Admission into Church-fellowship It 's answered In case his Fall has been lately committed and is fresh in memory he ought not to be chosen May a Popish Priest administer the Lord's Supper since we do not disannul his Baptism XIII May the Lord's Supper be received from a learned Popish Priest since the Baptism administred by him is not repeated It
Consistories of the Reformed Churches at such times at least when as the Sacrament of the Lord's Supper is administred XVII The Churches shall suppress Usuries and all manner of Extortions as much as lieth in their Power yet they may not condemn those who receive a moderate Profit for the Loan of their Monies provided it be conformable to the King's Ordinance and the Rule of Charity All Usury is sharply to be reproved See the Synod of Lyons p. 9. XVIII Priests Monks and other Ecclesiasticks of the Romish Church before they be received unto Communion with us at the Lord's Supper shall manifest their Repentance before the Consistory and for some particular causes if the Consistory do judge it requisite they shall testifie it before the whole Assembly Concerning Monitories See the Synod of Montpeillier Observations on the Discipline Art 24. The Faithful may do nothing that may favour Idolatry XIX The Faithful may not take out Admonitions or execute Excommunications from the Church of Rome nor obtain a Dispensation for Swearing from the Official or any other belonging unto that Church and though there hath been a Recompense given the Oath cannot hinder the Rescission of the Contract XX. Printers Booksellers Painters and in general all the Faithful especially such as bear Office in the Church shall be admonished not to exercise their Arts Office or Calling in or about the Superstitions of the Romish Church or their Dependencies nor in the least to savour them and the Cognisance of particular Matters that may happen hereupon and their Correction and Reformation shall belong unto the Consistories What Names may be given or rejected in Baptism XXI Concerning Names imposed upon Children Ministers shall reject those which yet remain of old Paganism nor shall they give unto Infants such as are attributed unto God in Holy Scripture nor Names of Office as Baptist Angel Archangel moreover Parents and Sureties shall be admonished as much as in them lieth to take those which are approved by God's sacred Word XXII Although a Church having lent a Minister for a time and that expired may re-demand him back unto its Service yet ought it to have respect unto the Necessities of that Church where the said Minister hath been sent and shall ordain herein what will make most for the Glory of God and the Edification of his Church XXIII No Church shall marry any Persons without having first received ample Information and Approbation of and about them XXIV The Inconveniencies which have already risen and may in time to come arise from the usual publick Catechisings by Deacons having been heard and consider'd the Council hath remitted the intire Decision of this Matter unto the next National Synod and in the mean while Exhorts those Churches which have not received that Custom never to admit it and in other places where it is practised the Churches are likewise exhorted to deal with their Deacons in case they be fitted for it to enter into the Ministry as soon as possible they can One may be adjured in Consistory to declare the Truth Booksellers may not print any thing against Religion nor may the Hawkers vent any scandalous ones XXV The Faithful may by their Consistories be adjured to declare the Truth because this doth not in the least derogate from the Authority of the Civil Magistrate XXVI Churches having Printers and Booksellers shall carefully advise them to print no Books concerning Religion or the Discipline of the Church before they have communicated them unto their Consistories because of the Inconveniencies that have arriv'd Nor may many Booksellers or Hawkers sell scandalous Books nor may they in the sale of their Books take unto themselves immoderate Gains CHAP. III. Discipline exercised upon Delinquents Particular Matters THe Council having heard and considered the Proceedings against James le Fevre his Excommunication and the publick Penance imposed on him by the Authority of the last Provincial Synod held at Gien and the Deportment of the said Le Fevre in undergoing publick Penance together with its Consequences and having understood the whole of that Affair partly from the Relation of the Brethren and partly from his own Confession the Council is of Opinion That the said James le Fevre hath not well nor duely made that publick Confession which was injoyned him nor given Testimony of his Repentance and for this cause the Excommunication denounced against him shall abide in its full power and vigour and therefore the Council hath declared and doth now again declare him a Man uncapable of serving the Church of God until such time as he shall have first undergone publick Penance in the Church of Bourges in which Penance shall be declared the Facts contained in the Article of the said Synod of Gien touching this matter And moreover this shall be added That by his Replies and Murmurings he had shewn himself Refractory and Disobedient to the Displine of the Church And whenas there shall be good Evidences of his Repentance he may be received into the Communion of the Lord's Supper II. As to those matters concerning David de Brosses who calling himself Minister of the Church of Melun after hearing the Charge brought in against him by the Deputies of the Church of Paris who had opposed his Election because of the wicked Doctrine formerly broach'd by the said David and because of the Troubles and Schisms excited by him particularly in the Church of Melun and because of his wicked and debauched Life which hath occasion'd a Process of Enormous Crimes to be commenced against him and from which he hath not purged himself before the Consistory the proofs of all these matters having been laid down in Writing read and diligently considered divers Brethren Ministers of God's Holy Word having been heard also both as to the Doctrine published by the said David and his Life and Conversation The Council judgeth the Opposition founded by the Church of Paris against him to be good and valid the Election of the said David made by the Church of Melun to be null void and of no force nor effect And farthermore the said Council hath declared and doth delare the said David uncapable of the Ministry of the Gospel until such time as he shall have manifested his Innocency before a National Synod of the Reformed Churches in this Kingdom Yea moreover the said Council hath excommunicated him out of the Church until such time as he shall have testified publickly his Repentance by confessing publickly his Sin and that in the Church of Melun which he hath troubled by his Schism in case he return unto it or in any Church unto which he would hereafter joyn himself and that Church having good Evidences and Testimonials of his Repentance may receive him unto Communion with it in the Sacrament of the Lord's Supper But and if the said David despising the present Decree of this Council shall hereafter intrude himself into any Church and cause new Troubles and Divisions
Consistories there was this Question How may we carry ourselves towards those Delinquents who are guilty of Crimes deserving Civil or Corporal Punishments for if you call them into the Consistory their Crime will be published for the Magistrate is usually present in the Consistory The Brethren of Geneva's ANSWER Article I. IT 's very difficult in this case to shut the Doors against those Persons who delight in Sin for one Inconveniency draws on another It is a most mischievous things that the King's Officers being of another Religion are brought by an absolute Power into the Consistory but so it is and there is no Remedy They have more power than could be wished them so that sith we cannot hinder it if they have just cause of punishing Delinquents even let them do it Article II. If it be alledged That this will hinder poor Sinners from a free Confession and Acknowledgment of their Offences and that we shall be utterly disabled to bring them unto Repentance and that there will be a world of Hypocrisie and Ostentation and Dissembling in our Churches But what can't be helpt must be endured till such time as God shall have blessed us with a better Remedy However there may be some course found out whereby poor Wretches who are fallen into scandalous Offences may be saved from Peril Let two or three Members of the Consistory remonstrate to them in private their Miscarriages and though they may palliate and dissemble the matter yet we may be contented to have dealt thus with them In short we must use our best Endeavours to divert the bad Affections of the Church's Enemies from it and to keep them from hurting and doing that mischief to it they would But in case the Crimes be scandalous rather then nourish them let Discipline be exercised In those Towns where the Magistrates are godly Persons and Professors of our Religion there may be means of communicating the matter to them that so they may punish and chastise these Offenders gently and after a Christian-manner who deserve to be punished by Law And so the Consistory shall be exempted of blame and the Confession shall not be made to it but to the Civil Magistrate ANSWER III. Concerning Baptism this is the Contents and Answer of a Letter to certain Arguments urged for the Validity of Baptism administred by private Persons Article I. WE Ministers and Doctors in the Church of Geneva accompanied with our Brethren come from the National Synod of Lions being met together in the Name of God after that we had heard that Case of Conscience propounded to us Whether Baptism administred by private Persons without Office in the Church of God ought to be reiterated or not did unanimously declare this our Judgment That such a Baptism did not in any wise agree with the Institution of our Lord Jesus Christ and therefore consequently is of no force power validity or effect and that the Child ought to be brought into the Church of God there to be baptized For to separate the Ministration of the Sacraments from the Pastor's Office 't is as if one should tear out a Seal to make use of it without the Commission or Letters Pattents to which it was affixed And in this case we must practise that Rule of our Lord What God hath joyned together let no man put asunder This for and in the Name of all the Assembly JOHN CALVIN Article II. And whereas in that Letter there were Reasons to the contrary and that we were desired by the Synod to answer them in Writing we shall do it though we found them very feeble and Impertinent Article III. The first Argument of that Scribler was We must distinguish betwixt the Vertue of the Sacrament which belongeth only unto God to vouchsafe and the outward Sign of which Man is the Minister But this confirms our Assertion because God hath told us by his Son 's own Word who the Persons are that shall administer Baptism Article IV. His second Reason which depends upon the former and to speak properly is but an Accessory to it is nothing to the purpose For tho' Christ only do baptize with his Spirit yet it will not follow that he will not have the Sign and Figure to be annexed unto his Grace Article V. And this self-same Answer will suffice to refute his third Argument For when we reform what hath been done amiss in this Ordinance we do not confine God's Vertue unto the Water for we hold that this is a Counterfeit Baptism a meer Mockery a Prophanation of the Sacrament to whose first Institution we must keep strictly Besides such Language as this is very improper we do not reiterate Baptism for the pretended Baptism is utterly unlawful yea wholly null As for Example If you give a Child a Draught of salt or puddled Water you do not give him again Drink immediately upon it But if you give him an empty Bottle and he suck nothing out of it but Wind you will repair this Fault by giving him Drink in earnest Moreover those Expressions of his Of throwing Water or Plunging are affected and made use of by him to degrade the Usage and Utility of Baptism And we could wish that in handling of such Questions Men were more serious and sober In short either Baptism is unprofitable and appointed to no purpose or else it must be observed according to its Primitive Institution to be a Seal of the Remission of our Sins Article VI. His fourth Argument is altogether frivolous We know God be-thanked that our Spiritual Washing is in the Blood of Jesus and not from the Baptismal Water And he might have spared his pains in mustring up such a number of Texts of Scripture to prove that which none of us ever doubted of for Water in Baptism signifies the Bloud of Christ and the Effects and Fruits thereof accomplished in us by the Holy Ghost And tho' the Lord Jesus is no Respecter of Persons nor doth the Validity of Baptism depend upon the Worthiness or Unworthiness of the Minister yet it will not thence follow that we must not keep to that Order which he hath instituted yea and this also is alledged out of Ignorance For inasmuch as all our Dependance is upon the Word of God the Rule and Standard of our Duty given us by Christ himself if you neglect and slight it in Baptism and let one administer it who hath no Call from God to do it 't is all one as if an Ape as he that hath no Commission to preach the Gospel did administer it Article VII His fifth Argument takes that for granted which will never be yeilded to him viz. That even Baptism administred by an Heretick who hath no Office in the Church is yet held for true Baptism For were this so Baptism would not belong unto the Church but also to Turks and Pagans So that whilst he labours by such sorry trifling Arguments as these to build up Baptism 't is certain that he turns
another where their Crime is not known they shall only testify their Repentance privately before the Consistory but with this Condition that in case they return to that former Church whereunto they belonged they shall then and there also make a publick Acknowledgment of their Offence XXIV Publick Penances shall be undergone personally and by those only who have publickly offended the Sinner openly and sincerely with his Mouth from his Heart testifying his Repentance XXV Whoredoms when committed and come to publick â—â—owledge shall by their Actors be publickly acknowledged with evident Tokens of Repentance XXVI This Clause by the greater part shall be razed out from the end of the 17th Article of Figeac and there shall be this only inserted known by the greater part XXVII Both those Canons of the Tenth National Synod and of our ancient Discipline concerning the time of meeting for Colloquies and Provincial Synods shall remain in full force so that they be wholly left unto their Liberty to do therein as they may most conveniently XXVIII Forasmuch as Provincial Synods depend upon the National Colloquies also shall for the same Reasons be subject unto the Provincial Synods and Consistories unto Colloquies XXIX The National Synod of the Reformed Churches of this Kingdom assembled in this City of Rochel under the Authority of the King's Edicts having seen a certain Book Intituled The History of France printed in this City upon divers complaints made unto us from all parts of the Kingdom against it and having took Cognisance of the proceedings of the Consistory of this Church against the find Book hath found that in many places the Author speaks exceeding irreverently and irreligiously of divine Things and that it is a heap of idle vain and prophane Matters full of Falshoods Lies and Calumnies to the great prejudice of God's glorious Power to the disadvantage and dishonour of our Holy Doctrine and Reformed Religion to the Dissamation of divers godly Persons dead and living And therefore hath thought good to advertise all the Churches that they beware of the said Book and inasmuch as in them lieth to disapprove it And this Synod doth judicially declare the Author of the said Book if he own himself a Protestant unworthy of our Holy Communion and not to be admitted to the participation of the Sacraments until such time as he shall have acknowledged his offence and by convenient means such as the Suppression of his History shall have repaired the Scandal that he hath given unto the Churches XXX The Synod also having seen and examined another Book written in Latin upon Genesis by a certain Fellow called James Brocan of Piedmont printed in this City hath declared and doth declare it to be fraught with Impieties and horrible Profanations of the Sacred Scriptures and pernicious Errors especially in Matters of Revelation of Revelation Prophecy and therefore exhorts all the Faithful to keep themselves carefully from being seduced by it XXXI The first Article of Provincial Synods being read it was decreed That all Ministers should attend in Person at their Provincial Synods or should excuse themselves by Letters in case of absence the causes whereof should be judged valid or otherwise by those Assemblies XXXII The third Article concerning National Synods shall abide in its full power But for the benefit of all our Churches there shall be this clause added That for time to come if possible it may be done there shall be two Ministers and two Elders deputed from every Province unto them XXXIII Forasmuch as Dancings and other Dissolutions do sprout up and increase every where yea and in these our Reformed Churches it was thought good to exhort the Consistories that for God's sake they would conscientiously observe the Six and twentieth Article of particular Orders decreed in the Synod of Figeac and in the Name of God and by the Authority of this present Assembly that it be read publickly in the Churches and all Colloquies and Synods are hereby expresly charged to censure those Consistories that neglect their Duty in this particular XXXIV All those who by unlawful means as by Papal Bulls or ready Money shall purchase or hold Benefices and such as cause Idolatry to be upheld and maintained either directly or indirectly shall be excluded Communion at the Lord's Table XXXV As to what concerns Impropriators and Farmers of Benefices the ancient Canons of our Discipline shall hold good and be in full force power and vertue against them Yet nevertheless the Deputies shall bring with them from their respective Provinces whatever Difficulties have occurr'd about those matters that so they may be debated in the next National Synod And whereas our Brethren of Languedoc Gascony and Perigord have desired have for the welfare of their Churches to censure such Farmers the business is left unto the prudence of their Provincial Synods XXXVI That Churches may not hereafter upon the death or removal of their Pastors be dissolved the Ministers who preside in the Colloquy for a new Election shall first of all enquire of every Elder in other Churches of the Colloquy what and how much Maintenance they exhibit unto their Pastors and what care they take for paying in unto them their promised Stipends that so provision may be made for them by the Authority of the Colloquies XXXVII These words The most eminent shall be blotted out from the 33d Article of Figeac XXXVIII Synods and Colloquies shall consult how to six the Limits and Extent of that Church wherein a Minister shall exercise his ordinary Calling XXXIX Ministers belonging to the Churches of France and now living abroad without the Kingdom shall be recalled by their respective Provinces XL. Forasmuch as there is a notorious contempt of Religion visible in all places yea also in our Religious Meetings we advise that Notice be given unto all Persons to bring with them their Psalm-Books into the Churches and that such as contemptuously neglect the doing of it shall be severely censur'd and all Protestant Printers are advised not to sunder in their Impressions the Prayers and Catechism from the Psalm-Books XLI The 17th Article of particular Orders concerning Habits was thus explained This Synod declareth That such Habits are not to be allowed in common wearing which carry with them evident marks of lasciviousness dissolution and excessive new-fangled Fashions such as painting slashing cutting in pieces trimming with Locks and Tassels or any other that may discover our Nakedness or naked Breasts or Fardingales or the like sort of Garments with which both Men and Women do wickedly cloath and adorn themselves And Consistories shall do their utmost endeavour to suppress such Dissolutions by their Censures and in case the Delinquents are contumacious and rebellious they shall proceed against them even to Excommunication XLII As to the 14th Canon concerning Marriages this Synod doth not judge it contrary to the 24th Article enacted by the Assembly of Estates at Blois for in that Orders only were given unto Notaries and Scriveners how
This is now the 50th Article of our Disicipline CHap. LVI The Fifty sixth Article shall be thus worded National Synods shall be informed by the Provinces of their deposed Ministers that so they may not be entertained by them CHap. LVII * * * This is now the 57th Article of our Discipline In the Fifty seventh Article instead of National read Provincial Synod CHap. LIX After Vagrants in the Fifty ninth Article there shall be inserted Apostates and in the end of that Article there shall be this clause And a Catalogue of these shall he brought from the Provinces unto the National Synods Chap. II. 4. After these words in the Fourth Article To be employed in the Ministry This is now the 53d Article of our Discipline this shall be added Ever preferring the Children of poor Ministers if ingenious whereof the Colloquies shall take special care Chap. III. 6. The Sixth Article of the Third Chapter shall be thus read but the decision of Points of Doctrine is principally reserved unto Ministers and Pastors of Churches Chap. V. 20. The twentieth Article of the Fifth Chapter shall be wholly razed because 't is included in the One and twentieth and Two and twenty foregoing Articles the Four and twentieth shall be also blotted out Chap. VIII 6. In the Sixth Article of the Eighth Chapter next after these words And one of the Pastors shall be President there must be added Together with one or more Scribes This is now the 11th Article and instead of the Provincial it is the National Synod that is to provide for those Widows and Orphans of deceased Ministers CHap. XII Artie To th of the Twelfth Article there shall be this added And where the Province becomes ingrateful the Deputy thereof shall make report of it unto the Provincial Synod which shall provide for them Chap. IX 6. To the sixth Article of the Ninth Chapter there must be added And Ecclesiastical CHap. VIII In the Eighth Article after these words Ample Memoirs shall be added With lawful excuses for their absence CHap. XI To the last clause of the Eleventh Article these words shall be added Which shall before-hand be advised to prepare for it Chap. X. 3. To the third Article of the Tenth Chapter in the close of it shall be this added As much as may be done considering the conveniency of Times and Places CHap. V. And to the Fifth Article these words shall be added And such as accompany the Dead unto their Graves are exhorted to demean themselves with all Christian Modesty meditating according to the Nature of the present Object upon the Misery and Brevity of this present Life and that blessed Hope of Immortality in the World to come And the Tenth Chapter shall be closed up with this Article Forasmuch as Mourning lieth not in the Habit but Heart the Faithful shall be advised to comport themselves with all Modesty shunning all Ambition Hypocrisie and Superstition Chap. XI 11. In the Eleventh Article of the Eleventh Chapter instead of these words Attributed unto God in the Scripture shall be added As Emanuel and all others Chap. XIII 7. In the Seventh Article of the Thirteenth Chapter instead of those words The Synods do esteem shall be inserted They do declare CHap. VIII IX Between the Eighth and Ninth Articles this shall be placed The betrothed Person may not marry the Mother of his deceased Spouse CHap. X XI Between the Tenth and Eleventh Articles this shall be inserted A Man shall not after the death of his Wife marry her with whom he had committed Adultery whilst she was living unless the Consistory have first had Cognisance of the same and maturely considered thereof CHap. XXII After these words in the Two and twentieth Article Solemnly married there shall be this addition 〈…〉 Whether that their Offence were known before or after the solemnizing of the Marriage And those words shall be razed If they demand to be And in the same Article this word also shall be blotted out And forasmuch and these shall be inserted Although this had been avoided before the Celebration of the Marriage yet he shall proceed to c. CHap. XXII XXIII This Article shall be placed between the Two and twentieth and the Twenty third That those Inconveniences may be avoided which ensue upon a long delay of solemnizing Marriage all Pastors of Churches and others in whose Power the espoused Persons are shall he advertis'd not to defer the celebrating of their Marriage above six weeks after their Espousals Chap. XIV 1. This word Much shall be left out and the last clause of the first Article And to the Fourth Article these shall be added Vnless in case it be for suppressing the Preaching of God's Word and the setting up of Mass CHap. XIX These words excessive and scandalous shall be left out of the Nineteenth Article CHap. XXI The word Excommunication shall be left out in the close of the One and twentieth Article and instead of it this shall be inserted Suspension from the Lord's Supper CHap. XXIV XXV This ensuing Article shall be placed betwixt the Twenty fourth and Twenty fifth Swearers and Blasphemers of the Name of God shall in no wise be tolerated in the Church but they shall be admonished with the greatest seriousness to desist from those sins and in case of non-forbearance they shall be prosecuted with all Church-Censures as the Consistories in their Wisdoms may judge most fit CHAP. IV. Particular MATTERS I. WHereas Monsieur de Tourfillant formerly denosed from the Ministry hath most humbly petitioned that he may be restored to it this Assembly having seriously considered the enormity of his Crime of which he had been accused and convicted before the Civil Magistrate and that as yet he retains his old Inclinations to the self-same sin yea and that his supplicatory Letters do rather justifie him than exprese his Contrition and Repentance as is evident to any one who doth but cursorily read and peruse them therefore it is ordained that he shall not be re-admitted to the Exercise of the Gospel-Ministry II. The Brethren Deputies of Normandy desired our Resolution in this difficult Case A Widow of the Church in was contracted to a Man by words de praesenti and duly informed by the Ministers of that Church to which she belonged of the importance of such Promises yet nevertheless a while after to his very great grief she separates herself front this her Spouse by Sentence of the Official pleading for herself That she was ignorant of the meaning of those words de praesenti and futuro and afterward marries another Person according to the manner of the Romish Church not at all regarding the Remonstrances given her either by Ministers or by him to whom she was first contracted before and after her last Espousals This Assembly judgeth That the first Promise in itself and of right is indissolvable and that therefore the Second Marriage is of right null and void So that
extraordinary not from the Church of Rome 4. The question being moved whether in Treating of the Call of our first Pastors and Reformers it were expedient that we should lay the stress of their Authority for Preaching and Reforming upon that Call and Ordination they had in the Church of Rome or no. This Synod doth judge that we ought according to the one and thirtieth Article to found it principally upon their extraordinary Vocation whereby they were by an inward powerful impulse from God raised up and commanded to exercise their Ministry rather than to charge it upon the sorry Relicks of a corrupted Call and Ordination in the Romish Church 5. That Article treating of Antichrist shall be the one and thirtieth in order in our Confession of Faith and shall be thus worded Whereas the Bishop of Rome hath erected for himself a temporal Monarchy in the Christian World and Usurping a Soveraign Authority and Lordship over all Churches and Pastors doth exalt himself to that degree of Insolency as to be called God and will be adored arrogating unto himself All Power in Heaven and in Earth and to dispose of all Ecclesiastical matters to define Articles of Faith to authorise and expound at his pleasure the sacred Scriptures and to buy and sell the Souls of men to dispense with Vows Oaths and Covenants and to institute new Ordinances of Religious Worship And in the Civil State he tramples under foot all Lawful Authority of Magistrates setting up and pulling down Kings disposing of Kings and of their Kingdoms at his pleasure We therefore believe and maintain that he is truly and properly The Antichrist the Son of Perdition predicted by the Holy Prophets that great Whore cloathed with Scarlet sitting upon seven Mountains in that great City which had dominion over the Kings of the Earth and we hope and wait that the Lord according to his promise and as he hath already begun will confound him by the Spirit of his Mouth and destroy him finally by the brightness of his coming 6. The word Superintendant in the two and thirtieth Article is not to be understood of any superiority of one Pastor above another but only in general of such as have office and charge in the Church 7. The words substance and nourish shall remain unchanged in the six and thirtieth Article according as it hath been decreed by the Synods of Rochel in the year 1571. and of Nismes in the year 1572. 8. The Confession of Faith being read was sworn and subscribed by all the Deputies in the names of their respective Provinces and they did farther most solemnly ingage by their promise never to depart from it and protested that this was that very doctrine which was taught in all their Churches 9. The Provinces are exhorted for the future at the opening of their Synods to read this Confession of Faith and our Book of Discipline And Monsieur Chamier is appointed to draw up an Apology for this our Confession and to bring it with him unto the next National Assembly CHAP. III. Observations upon reading of the Discipline No private Ordination 1. THE Province of the Isle of France shall be exhorted to be more careful in and about the Election and Ordination of their Pastors and that Imposition of hands be given them not privately in a clandestine manner by a Consistory or Colloquy but solemnly and publickly in the face of the whole Church and that the fourth Article in the first Chapter of our Discipline be more religiously observed by them and all the Provinces Uniformity in Ordination 2. According to the Tenor of the seventh Article in the same chapter it is Decreed that all the Churches shall observe one and the same form in Ordination of Pastors by which the Person to be Ordained shall during that action be humbly on his knees and this ordination shall be administred on the Lord's day or on some certain day of the week in which there is held a solemn Assembly And these evil customs practised in some Churches of suffering the Person ordained to get into the Pulpit and of permitting another besides the Preacher to give Imposition of hands are justly condemned by this Synod 3. The eighth Article shall be most carefully observed and to this purpose there shall be deposited a Copy of our Confession and Discipline in every Provincial Synod Colloquy and Consistory See the 5th Observation upon the Discipline in the Synod of Rochell 4. All Provincial Synods Colloquies and Consistories are injoyned as they would avoid the greatest Censures to have a strict Eye over such who act contrary to the eleventh Article of the first Chapter of our Discipline and to suspend them from the Ministry and they also shall be liable to the same censures who leaving the true and genuine fence of Scripture expounded by it self do rather pitch upon the glosses of Fathers and Schoolmen and launch out into Allegories Larding their Sermons with Philosophical Discourses quoting the Fathers and bringing their Books with them into the Pulpit and they also who in time of Lent or on such noted seasons do chuse the self same Texts with the Popish Preachers 5. The twelfth Article of the same Chapter The form of Catechising according as now used in most of our Churches shall not be changed And whereas some choose a particular Text and accommodate it to that particular section of the Catechism they would treat of we desire they would not alter our establisht Order but conform themselves as the rest do unto it 6. Upon the same twelfth Article Ministers and Consistories are left to their own discretions whether in those general Catechisings which are usually had both publickly and privately before the Sacrament of the Lord's Supper they will further examine every individual person or not and therein to consult what will most contribute to the Spiritual benefit of their Catechumens 7. The third Article of the second Chapter shall be couched in these words Provincial Synods in which are our Universities shall choose their own Doctors Pastors and Professors of Divinity whose ability shall be proved by publick Lectures on some special Text out of the Original Hebrew and Greek Bible given to them for that purpose and by disputations in one or two days following as may be most adviseable And being approved in case they were never in the Ministry the right hand of fellowship shall be given them they having first of all promised to discharge their Office with faithfulness and diligence and to handle the sacred Scriptures with all sincerity according to the analogy of Faith and the confession of our Churches which shall be subscribed by them 8. On the fourth Article of the second chapter The fifth penny in all collections for the poor shall be laid up for the maintenance of Proposans And this shall be an Universal order throughout the Provinces 9. On the first Article of the third chapter That custom observed in some
up his Innocency and justify himself fully before the World and therefore did ordain him to produce the Evidences of his Innocency and Integrity before the next Provincial Synod of Poictou that it may be thence transmitted unto the next National Synod and then all requisite care should be taken about the razing of the aforesaid Censure 3. Upon the difference between the five Colloquies of Xaintonge and that of Aunix This Assembly judgeth that it is but just and reasonable that the Colloquy of Aunix should bear a fourth part of the Charges of the Provinces of Xaintonge notwithstanding the determination of the Provincial Synod of Poictou to the contrary 4. The appeal brought by the Church of Beaune and Vannés from the Decree of the Provincial Synod of Burgundy past in favour of Monsieur Manissier is made null and void because the said Church appeared not to prosecute it 5. That debate on behalf of Monsieur Claudius Jobart concerning Festivals and which had been inserted among the appeals in the Synod of Gergeau shall be transfer'd unto the head of particular matters in the said Synod the aforesaid Jobart protesting that he never brought any appeal against the Province of Burgundy 6. The Church of Orleans complaining that it was oppressed by a Decree of the Synod of Gergeau which had adjudged unto the Church of Gergeau the Moneys granted by his Majesty which belonged to it till the meeting of this present Assembly This Assembly considering all circumstances finds no reason to alter the Decree of the aforesaid Synod And for time coming ordaineth that the Provincial Synod shall do in it as they think fit 7. Upon the difference between the Synods of Poictou and Xaintonge about the Churches of Montignac Marsillac and Villefagnon The Churches of Montignac and Marsillac are adjudged unto the Province of Poictou and that of Villefagnon is left to its oâ—n choice to which of the Provinces it will be Incorporated but being once Incorporated the said Church shall not at its pleasure depart from it And this their choice once made shall be notified unto the next Synod of both the Provinces However the Province of Xaintonge shall retain their right in the Minister of Marsillac Proposans may not Preach nor Administer the Sacrament without Imposition of hands See Act. 6. of the 3d. Synod of Rochel 8. Letters shall be written to the Pastors and Professors in the Church of Geneva intreating them not to send our young Students in Divinity to Preach and Administer the Sacraments in Country Villages before Ordination principally the Students who are hereafter to be employed in the Churches of this Kingdom because it 's contrary to our Discipline and to the Practice and Custom of the Primitive Church and for that we feel already the inconveniences hereof 9. If Deacons of the Church of Bearne in Switzerland should come into this Kingdom and have not been first duely examined and ordained by imposition of hands or have not had elsewhere any Pastoral charge and should yet notwithstanding as they have done in other places take upon them to exercise the Ministerial office Of the Deacons of Bearne coming into France and exercising the Ministry to Preach the Word to administer the Sacraments as the Mode of some Forraign Churches is so to do they shall first subject themselves to a new examination here and be received into the Ministry among us in that very self same manner as Proposans are who never were Ordained And for other persons who were duely examined and to whom the right hand of Fellowship hath been given in Forreign Churches and are now called to a Pastoral Charge in some one of our Churches in this Kingdom they shall be admitted by the Provincial Synods according to the manner prescribed by our Discipline 10. The Church of Paris shall be censured for not revising that Book styled Apparatus ad fidem Catholicam not the others as they were injoined by the last Synod at Gergeau And that Church which is charged to call the next National Synod is now by this appointed to review and examine those books 11. The differences fallen out between the Synods of Higher Languedoc and Lower Guyenne concerning the Churches of Montagnac Leyrac and some others and which had been dismissed by the last Synod of Gergeau unto the Provincial Synod of Xaintonge and by that of Xaintonge to the decision of this Assembly shall be thus determined Full power is again given unto the said Synod of Xaintonge to perform that Article of the National Synod of Gergeau and to this purpose the said Province of Xaintonge shall take care that notice be given unto the said Provinces of the time and place of their next Synod 12. In pursuance of that Decree of the national Synod of Gergeau the Province of Normandy shall give full satisfaction unto Monsieur Vatablé for whom nothing at all hath been yet done 13. The Article of the Synod of Gergeau being read which ordered Letters to be written unto the Duke de Lesdiguieres about the 17000 Crowns See the Synod of Montpel partic matt 17. And the Synod of Gergeau partic matt 5. being Moneys of the Churches of Lower Languedoc We have thought fit that both the Articles of the Synods of Monpellier and Gergeau relating to this matter be razed out Provided that the Deputies of Languedoc have first of all the sight and perusal of those Acquittances pretended to by his Lordship 14. Whereas differences have sprung up between the two Provinces of the upper and neither Languedoc about the Churches of Cormes and St. John du Brueil The Decree made in the Synod of Gergeau for their determination is now again confirmed by this present Assembly and they be censured who did not according to their duty put in execution the said Decree And therefore the Deputies of both these Provinces shall give notice unto those Churches to appear in the Colloquies and Provincial Synods of the Nether Languedoc 15. John Mussidan Bordaires presented his humble Petition unto this Synod requesting that his name might be blotted out of the Catalogue of Vagrants into which it was inserted by the last Synod of Gergeau and that he might be permitted to make a Proposition from some text of the Holy Scripture in order to his re-admission into the Ministry This Assembly having received several relations from divers of our brethren concerning his insufficiency for so great and weighty a Calling did advise him to lay by all hopes and thoughts of re-entring into this Sacred Office because the Lord did not think him fitly qualified for it nor would own or accept of his service in it But that he might not be totally disheartned the Province whereunto he retires himself is intreated to assist him with their Charities and to employ him as a Schoolmaster in the teaching of youth 16. The Synod willing to express their affectionate respects to Monsieur Berger and intending as the former Synod of Gergeau to
a Colledge meet for their Academical Exercises 36. That the differences betwixt those of Provence and Dolphiny may be finally composed this Assembly ordaineth that those of Dolphiny do bring in their Accounts and pay unto the Provencals the seventh part of all those Moneys which the said Province of Dolphiny hath received for the years 98 99 1600. and the seventh part of the Assignations remaining as yet unpayed for those years deducting only from the said Moneys the Sum of two hundred Livers remaining in their Hands and to be allowed them upon pretence of Charges An Order for the Church in the Court of Madame 37. A motion was made for providing the Church in the Court of Her Royal Highness His Majesties Sister with an able Pastor and Monsieur du Moulin Minister in the Church of Paris informing this Assembly that the Church of Metz hath assisted the said Church with two Ministers who have each of them serv'd his Quarter and that he the said du Moulin is to serve the third and next Quarter beginning the first of May according as the Church of Paris had been injoined therefore the Church of Rouan having three Ministers and well able with much ease to undergo this task it is Ordained that the said Monsieur du Moulin and Monsieur de la Riviere Minister in the Church of Rouen shall in their turn serve the said Church and that Monsieur de la Riviere shall begin with the next year 1604. and Monsieur du Moulin the year ensuing 38. Our Brethren of Anjou demanded that Monsieur Renaud might be constituted Professor of Divinity in the University of Saumur This Assembly grants it provided that he and his Church of Bourdeaux do consent thereunto 39. Differences having risen betwixt the Provinces of Dolphiny and Provence about Accounts of Moneys employed by the Deputies who had met at the Synod of Saumur from both these Provinces this Assembly most earnestly intreats them before their departure hence to compound the matter among themselves and that it may be effected Monsieur de Lhomeau and Monsieur de Grenoville are appointed to hear the differences and to make report of the whole unto this Assembly which being done by them and heard by the whole Synod that so a final period might be put unto these unhappy differences which had been of too long a continuance It was ordained that those of Dolphiny should be accountable unto them of Provence for the seventh part of those Sums actually received by them in the years 1598 1599 and 1600. and for the seventh part of the Assignations which are yet unpaid only deducting from the whole the Sum of two Hundred Crowns remaining in their Hands and to be allowed them in lieu of charges and all other pretensions whatsoever 40. Considering the Importance of the University of Sedan and the great Service it hath done and still does unto a great part of our Churches this Assembly ordaineth that in the Dividend of our Moneys granted us from â—is Majesty's Bounty there shall be an Addition of three Hundred Crowns more to those five Hundred assigned to it by the Synod of Gergeau 41. The Provinces are desired to consider against the next National Synod whether the Word Damnation attributed unto our Lord in the tenth Section of our Catechism may be retained or changed 42. Monsieur des Fontaines left the Original Accounts of Monsieur Palot in the Hands of our General Deputies who are charged to get them Copied out and sent unto Rochell together with other Papers to be preserved in the Archivès there 43. The Province of Xaintonge is ordered to Convene the next National Synod in the City of Rochell in the Month of May and in the year 1605. unless there should fall out some other General Assembly in the mean while 44. The Assembly proceeding to a new Election of General Deputies for the Churches according to the regulation made in the Assembly of St. Foy among all that were recommended by the Deputies of the Provinces It chose only these two the Lord of St. Germain and the Lord of Bordes ordering that they be continued in this their Office because of their good report and general satisfaction given by them unto the Provinces and Churches in their former administration who having accepted this Office did Swear the Union prescribed at Mantes and solemnly promise to employ themselves with all faithfulness to the utmost of their power in the discharge of the Duties thereof according to their Commission given them at Saint Foy. 45. The Sum of five and forty Thousand Crowns coming in unto us this year from the Moneys of His Majesty's Bounty after mature consideration had of the State of our Universities and Churches they were distributed in manner following CHAP. VIII A Dividend of the Sum of 45000 Crowns both for our Vniversities and Churches For the Universities  Crowns Sols Denier Of Saumur 1111 05 8 Of Montauban 1111 05 8 Of Montpellier 700 06 8 Of Nismes 700 06 8 Of Sedan 800 00 0 All the Provinces shall have for their respective Churches according to the Number of Ministers in actual Service and of the Proposans they were obliged to maintain For the Provinces  Cro. S. D. The Isle of France for 62 portions to wit for six and forty Ministers in actual service comprising in it four Pastors in the Principality of Sedan and ten Churches to be provided for with six Proposans 3748 11 6 Normandy for 45 portions out of which they provide for their vacant Churches and maintenance of Proposans according to the number of their Colloquies 2720 24 10 Orleans and Berry for six and thirty portions for seven and twenty Ministers six Churches unprovided to be supplied with Ministers and three Proposans 2176 19 06 Brittany for 15 portions for seven Pastors four Churches to be provided for and four Proposans 906 19 6 Anjou and Tourain for 27 portions for twenty Ministers four Churches to be provided for and three Proposans 1632 14 9 The Higher and Lower Poictou for fifty portions for nine and thirty Ministers eight Churches to be provided for and three Proposans 3022 38 4 Xaintonge and Aunix for sixty portions for forty eighty Ministers six Churches to be provided for and six Proposans 3627 13 0 The Lower Guyenne for sixty portions for nine and forty Ministers and seven Churches to be provided and five Proposans 3627 13 0 The Higher and Lower Vivaretz and Vellay for eight and twenty portions for nineteen Ministers including what was ordained for the Church of Aubenas six Churches to be provided for and three Proposans 1692 42 1 The Lower Languedoc hath one hundred portions for fourscore and four Ministers in actual service six Churches to be provided for four Pastors for the Lower Avergne and six Proposans 6045 21 11 The Higher Languedoc eighty portions for sixty and four Ministers in actual service six Churches to be provided for four Pastors for the Higher Auvergne and six
Sedan worthy of severe censures for not bringing or sending hither the Accounts of Moneys received for the maintenance or their Professors and Regents according to the Decrees of Gap and Gergeau And that for the future they may be more carefull of the Moneys belonging to the University of Montauban there shall be detained in the hands of the Receiver General five hundred Livers and for the Universities of Nismes Montpellier and Sedan two hundred and fifty Livers for each of them and with this farther penalty that in case hereafter they shall be guilty of the like neglect there shall be defaulked from their portions five hundred Crowns But if upon auditing their accounts they be found just and faithful then the detained summs shall be restored to them Finally the Provincial Synods are ordered to give in unto the National Synods a true report as in Conscience they be bound to do how the Professors and Regents in the several Universities of their respective Provinces do discharge the duties of their places and to be very careful in the form of their Acquittances and other evidences of their Integrity and to send them all by the Deputies of their Province unto the National Synods 11. Reading that Article of the Synod of Gap concerning censures to be inflicted on the breakers of Marriage-promises without just cause divers difficulties in divers places having risen hereupon This Assembly judgeth that neither private persons nor Consistories have authority to dissolve such Promises and therefore they shall be turned over to the Judgment and Lawful Decree of the Civil Magistrates and those refractory persons who will not discharge their injoined duty shall be pursued with all Church-censures CHAP. V. Of Particular Matters St. Maixant Art 1. of observat on this Synod 1. IT is ordained for time coming that particular Acts of Appeals Censures and things of the like nature shall not be delivered but unto the parties concerned in them 2. This Assembly declareth that the Act of the Synod of Montpellier not permitting any Certificate to be given them who through fear of Witchcraft would solemnize their Marriage in other Churches besides their own shall remain in full force as not being contrary to that of the Discipline which concerneth attestations in the Chapter of Marriages Charities ordered the poor Saints of Saluces 3. For as much as the necessities of our poor Brethren of the Marquisate Saluces are exceeding great they being banished and persecuted for the true Religion as is evident by the Relations of their Deputies Charles Garnier and Constans Vivyan This Assembly exhorts all the Churches in the Provinces of this Kingdom to assist them by extraordinary Alms and 't is left to the prudence of every Provincial Synod to take that course for Collecting the Charities for them as they shall judge most proper and convenient to the state of their respective Churches And whereas in divers Churches there have been Moneys already gathered for them it is ordained that in no wise those summs be diverted from their designed use but be out of hand sent unto them And that they may be reputed Natural French men our Deputies which shall be sent unto Court are expresly charged to procure the Declaration from his Majesty for their being naturalized 4. Henceforward the Deputies of the Provinces shall bring with them unto the National Synods an exact Catalogue of the number of Churches Ministers and Proposans in their respective Provinces together with an account of their particular Stipends annually paid them by the Receiver of the Province as also the Testimonials of the Universities concerning our young Students in them if possibly it may be done Proposans may be present as silent Learners in National Synods 5. Proposans may be admitted into the National Synod when as general Matters of Doctrine and Discipline are debated provided they bring with them good Testimonials But as for other Persons which are not Ecclesiastick whatsoever their quality or condition may be it hath been already judged inexpedient because of divers ill Consequences to grant them this priviledge A remedy against contentions for the Professors place in an University 6. If in case of difference about the Call of Professors and Regents in our Universities one of the contending parties should seek for relief and assistance any where else than in our Ecclesiastical Assemblies he shall be prosecuted by all the Censures of the Church and if he continue obstinate and rebellious he shall then be Excommunicated and if he be already seized of a Professorship this Synod Decreeth that no Wages shall be paid him and declareth him a Person utterly uncapable of any Academical Office 7. To prevent for the future that evil custom crept into the Churches and which hath caused a great deal of trouble unto this Synod by reading and examining an infinite number of Acts passed before secular Judges which may finally bring in upon us that base Chicanery so much practised by crafty Lawyers and utterly unworthy the Gravity of these Assemblies Wherefore all such manner of proceedings are most expresly forbidden and all persons are commanded to keep themselves to a native plainness and simplicity as best suiting with Church affairs on pain of having their papers and propositions rejected who shall do otherwise Pecuniary matters may be dismissed from one Province to another 8. In case a person complain of His being overcharged in pecuniary matters by the Provincial Synod in which the Synod is a Party he may demand a hearing before the next Provincial Synod which shall have power to judge finally in that affair without bringing such matters before the National Synods 9. When as the publick Fast shall be celebrated in the Churches of France those of Bearn shall be acquainted with the time and causes of it by the Province of Lower Guyenne and those Churches shall be comprised in all matters relating to our Union yea and in those Complaints and Petitions which shall be presented unto his Majesty by the means of our General Deputies 10. Monsieur Baldran Deputy for Bearn moved that whereas the Churches of Soulle and Bigorre lying within the bounds of France were yet notwithstanding unto this day annexed to the Churches of Bearn and supported by them both with the grant of Pastors and Moneys for their subsistence wherefore he requested that they might be enrolled among those who shared in the Moneys of his Majesties bounty and withal he left them to the sole disposal of the Churches of this Kingdom either to be Incorporated with them or implanted into any other Synod besides that of Bearn as they should conceive most expedient This Assembly ordaineth that for the present two portions of the said moneys shall be assigned out of the Dividend of Lower Guyenne unto those two before mentioned Churches and they have full power to declare in the first Provincial Synod of Bearn to which of the Provincial Synods of France they will adjoin themselves consulting
Provincial Synod of Poictou held at Chastelheraud for that they had judged he was sufficiently reimburst by the Churches of that Province all the Charges expended by him in his Journey unto the General Assembly of Saumur held in the year 1596. And whereas he pretended other summs to be owing to him for several other journeys they sent him unto the Governours of our Cautionary Towns to be recompensed by them because he was their Deputy unto that Assembly and that they received two thirds of the Moneys granted us by his Majesty Upon hearing this whole affair this Assembly did also judge that he was sufficiently satisfied by those Churches of Poictou who yet were exhorted to intreat those Governors to perform their duties and pay their just debt unto the said Mr. des Fontaines 14. The Appeal of the Church of Nage and it's Annexes about what is owing unto their late Pastor Monsieur Terrond was dismissed over to the Provincial Synod of Lower Languedoc who by their judicial sentence shall put a final period unto that controversie 15. Theophilus Bluett Lord of la Combe formerly Pastor of the Churches at Lassay in the Province of Mayne and of Rouelle in Normandy having certified under his own hand that he acquiesced in that judicial sentence past upon him by the Deputies of the Synod of Anjou Touraine and Maine who had deposed him from the Ministerial Office and all acts and exercises thereof tho now he brought his Appeal from them This Assembly doth confirm that sentence of the Deputies and deelareth the said Bluett to be totally deposed from the holy Ministry of the Gospel and that notice hereof shall be given unto all the Churches 16. The Synod of Dolphiny having past another Vote that Monsieur Chamier should be once more importunately sollicited to accept of the Professors Chair in Divinity in their University of Die The Church of Montlimart brought their Appeal from if unto this Assembly which did thereupon revive and ratify the former Decrees of those two National Synods of Gergeau and Gap which had left unto the Churches their Pastors and the Pastors unto their Churches and that they should and be divided one from the other but by their joint and mutual consent and the said Provincial Synod was censured to have insisted again upon this affair after that it had been determined by two National Synods 17. The Church of Lions appealed from the Synod of Burgundy which would constrain them to pay the fifth penny of all Charities received by them to the maintenance of Proposans notwithstanding those many reasons arguments and exceptions they had urged and brought against it This Assembly having heard both parties doth leave the said Church in full liberty freely to dispose of their own Poor's Money but yet it adviseth them seriously to consider what is expedient to be disbursed by them in charities and whither they can keep a good Conscience in neglecting a work of so great necessity 18. The Lord of Rochefort and the Inhabitants of that Town professing the Reformed Religion appealed from the Synod of Xaintonge held at St. John D'Angely for adjudging Mr. Chevalier to the Pastoral Office in the Church of Soubize Upon heating of both parties and perusal of all Articles of Agreement made first and last between them This Assembly confirms Monsieur Chevalier in his Ministry to the said Church of Soubize whereof he is now the fixed Pastor and the Members of the Church of Rochefort have full liberty to compound the matter with the Church of Soubize upon those terms imported in their second Agreement made with that Consistory or else they may Incorporate themselves with the Church of Tonnay-charante and both the said Chevalier and that Consistory are Censured for using them of Rochefort so rigorously as to refuse Communion with them at the Lords Table and to hinder the Baptizing of their Infants in their Church Assembly 19. The Churches of Barbezieux and Xaintes contended about the Ministry of Monsieur Petit who pretending that the Colloquy of Janzac held at Pons had discharged him from the Church of Barbezieux because of their great ingratitude to him and in case they did not satisfie him all Arrerages of Sallary due unto him for his service among them in two months time and for that the judgment of the said Colloquy had been confirmed by the Synod and the said Petit not having been intirely payed what was owing him he had therefore left Barbezieux and settled at Xaintes to which he was lent by the Synod for a month and now he had contracted with the Church there And the Church of Barbezieux complaining of this matter unto the mixt Assembly held at St. John d' Angely a Decree was there made that Monsieur Petit should return unto the said Church of Barbezieux and that the Church should come to accompt with him before the Colloquy And Monsieur Roy Elder of the Church of Xaintes did hereupon bring in his Appeal because the said Synod declared to him that according to the Canons of our Discipline it had full power finally to determine this matter and that the said Petit did not in the least repugne or oppose it Who being after summoned unto that Colloquy which was ordered to examine his Accompts did yet nevertheless make no appearance for which cause the said Colloquy had enjoined him to return unto his Church on pain of being suspended from which he now appealed and hath ever since continued his Ministry in the Church of Xaintes notwithstanding all Counsels and exhortations given him by the Colloquy of Xaintonge to be advised and ruled by them And in this state hath this affair stood till the last Synod of the Province held at Saujon unto which it had been remanded and by that Synod it was dismissed over unto this Assembly Now altho the ingratitude of the Church of Barbezieux be very notorious and well known unto this Assembly yet because the pretended Liberty was only conditional and threatned the said Monsieur Petit could not make use of it as he hath done yea tho it had been absolute he ought not to have usurpt that power so as to ally himself unto another Church without having first consulted the Colloquy and till he had first obtained Letters Testimonial from it and the Church in which he last served and therefore the said Mr. Petit was most sharply censured and he was told to his face that if ever he fell into the like offence a second time he should be deposed from the sacred Ministry And the Church of Xaintes also was judged worthy of a severe Censure for practising by unlawful means to deprive the Church of Barbezieux of its Pastor and the said Church of Barbezieux was justly condemned for their ill treatment of and unworthy carriage to the said Mr. Petit. Upon which account and because both those Churches are faulty and blame-worthy the said Mr. Petit was removed from both and neither of them should enjoy him
no wise able of himself to sustain the loss But this Assembly dismissed his Petition unto the Synod of his own Province which is required to consider it and give him due satisfaction 48. Whereas the sum of one hundred Crowns was adjudged unto the Province of Xaintonge for the setting up of a Free-School in it the said Moneys shall be imployed upon the Colledge of Rochefoucaud for its subsistence and the like sum shall be conferred upon the Province of Lower Guyenne towards the Augmentation of the Colledge of Bergerac 49. Whereas the province of Dolphiny draweth forth out of the General Stock of our Churches one portion under the name of Monsieur Mercure a Minister of the Gospel who doth actually serve several Churches both in that Province and in Vivaretz it is now ordered once for all that those particular Churches shall not have particular portions assigned to them but shall be reputed for one only because he is sole Pastor to them all 50. The two portions that were adjudged unto Monsieur de la Faye Pastor of the Church of Aubenas by the Synod of Gap over and above that other which the Province was to pay shall be continued to him and this order shall hold good till the sitting of the next National Synod 51. Whereas there be differences arisen between the Province of Lower Languedoc and that of Vivaretz about certain sums of Money ordered to be expended in several Journeys which were undertaken by the joynt and common consent of them both and for the common good and benefit of both those Provinces This Assembly having heard both Parties ordaineth That the Province of Vivaretz shall be acquitted by that of Lower Languedoc in paying out of their first and dearest Moneys by the Lord of Candall the sum of three hundred Livers And all the Provinces are straitly and expresly enjoyned that for the future they do never divert any of the Moneys granted us by his Majesty unto such Affairs without the consent of Ministers and Churches who are particularly concerned in them nor shall this be done at all without mature and previous deliberation had about it 52. A most humble petition shall be presented unto his Majesty to beseech him to order that Monsieur Masela having been wickedly prosecuted at Law about the Interment of his deceased Mother and put to the vast charges of seven or eight thousand Livers in his own defence against that unreasonable and unrighteous Suit may have some amends and satisfaction given him for his great damages CHAP. XI Particular Matters relating to the Provinces of the Isle of France Picardy and Champagne Article the First MOnsieur Du Bois the younger addressing himself unto this Assembly to prove his Liberty in being freed not only from the Church of La Ferté au Vidame and it s annexed Congregations but also from the Province of the Isle of France and Champagne after perusal of the Acts of the Colloquy and Synod of the said Provinces he was declared free and to be disposed of elsewhere according to the Rules of our Discipline as this Synod shall judge meet and in the mean while he may continue the exercise of his Ministry in the Church gathered in the house of the Lady de la Barre Article 2. The Provincial Deputies of Burgundy Lyonnois and Forest complaining that Monsieur le Faucheur at present Minister of the Church at Nonnay in Vivaretz had quitted the said Church and Province without ever having his Legal Dismission from them and therefore demand that he be remanded back unto the Church of Dijon And the Deputies of Vivaretz being heard who required the confirmation of his Ministry unto the Church of Nonnay And the Deputies of the Isle of France demanding him for the Church of Paris and those of Sedan also petitioning that he might be assigned to them for their Pastor And the Deputies of Dolphiny producing Articles of Agreement made between them and the said Faucheur in consequence whereof they claimed him for the service of the Church in Grenoble This Synod in no wise approving those Articles of Agreement and finding that the Province of Burgundy hath a just right unto him though yet it was not absolute and that neither the Churches of Paris or Sedan have any the least pretext of claim unto him It therefore using that power and authority which they have over him who ought as Pastor to be responsible unto this Assembly doth confirm him as fixed Pastor unto his own Church of Nonnay without ever suffering either his Father or himself to pretend unto any right for the future of leaving that Church or to be given unto any other Article 3. The Church of Chastillon on the Loir petitioning that Monsieur Solais might be given them for their Minister the Synod did not judge it reasonable to grant them their request because he was not discharged by the Province of the Isle of France whereunto he belongeth But the Province of Orleans and Berry are ordered out of hand and with as much conveniency as they can to provide a Pastor for the said Church Article 4. Monsieur de Montigny demanding in the name of the Province of the Isle of France that Mr. de la Touche the Elder should reimburse the Church of Paris the Moneys laid out by them for his Education when he was their Scholar or that he be sent back again unto the said Province therein to exercise his Ministry This Assembly ordaineth That the hundred Livers given by him unto the Church of Compiegne shall be deducted and allowed him in the Account and farther ordaineth that he bring in his Account by the hands of his Brother a Minister in the said Province unto their next Provincial Synod that the remainders of his Debt may be seen and known as also what may be owing him from the Moneys of his Majesties Liberality which Account being thus Audited those who have the Arrearages of that Moneys in their hands shall be bound to make good payment of it Article 5. Monsieur de Montigny requested on behalf of the Church of Paris that Monsieur Ferrier might be given them for their Minister The Synod having heard the Deputies of Lower Languedoc and considered the Call given the said Ferrier by the Church of Nismes judgeth that he cannot be conveniently removed from Nismes and farther enjoyns him to discharge with care and diligence his Office of Pastor and Professor there Whereupon the said de Montigny renewed with greater importunity his demands that Monsieur le Faucheur and Monsieur Peyrol might be given unto the Church of Paris instead of le Ferrier The Synod judged it inexpedient to alter its resolution so lately taken about le Faucheur nor to come to a new one about the said Peyrol considering his Office of Pastor and Professor in the Church and University of Montpellier And he being farther urgent with them for Monsieur Chave the Synod replied he was not at their disposal because he wholly
that they conform for the future unto this Order 9. On the 15th Article of the 8th Chapter in the distribution of the Provinces those of the Isle of France of the Land of Chartres of Picardy Champague Brie and the Soveraignty of Sedan petitioning that this Assembly would approve of the Dividing the said Province into two Synods This Assembly did not think it convenient to authorize that Separation and commands them to remain United as before notwithstanding what had been decreed by them in their Provincial Synod and the repeated Instances of their Provincial Deputies in this present Assembly Advice about Bapusm 10. On the 6th Article of the 11th Chapter a Question was propounded by the Province of Higher Languedoc Whether in case of grievous sickness and the Child being in apparent danger of death he might be baptized on Lecture-days before Sermon began and whether Baptism might be administred at such times when as there is no Sermon preached but only publick Common-prayers It was answered that if the Consistory or any of the Elders did attest the Malady of the Infant the Pastor might do it And if the observation of this Article should beget new difficulties the Provinces were intreated to come prepared unto the next National Synod for their assoiling of them 11. On the twelfth Article of the thirteenth chapter The Provinces are exhorted to bring their thoughts unto the next National Synod whether any alterations may be made in it or not 12. A motion was made about the 20th Article of the same Chapter whether something might not be relaxed of its rigour out of respect to a great Lord who had chosen a Popish-Lady that consented to be Married by one of our Ministers provided he would not compel her to an open profession of our Religion Upon which it was decreed that the said Canon should be exactly and equally observed towards all persons whatever their quality or condition might be as to the world 13. Instead of these words That he may able to protest with a good Conscience in the same 20th Article of the said Chapter these shall be inserted And shall with a good Conscience publickly protest before the Church of that place where his said party is well known that she hath renounced And whereas the Province of Lower Languedoc requested that to obviate the levity of such persons they might not be Married in our Churches till such time as they had communicated at the Lords Table This Assembly not altering that Canon leaves the affair unto the prudence of the Consistory 14. On the twenty second Article of the same chapter it was wholly left to the prudence of the Consistory to judge and determine in what space of time a Widdower might decently Marry a second Wife after the death of his first 15. The Deputies of Vivaretz demanded upon the thirteenth Article of the fourteenth chapter whether it would not be expedient to fix a set time for their Excommunication who send their Children unto the Schools of the Jesuits This Assembly left it wholly to the prudence of Consistories 16. On the twenty seventh Article of the fourteenth chapter although the Province of Xaintonge had demanded it yet the Synod did not approve their inserting of those words to set up May-poles However the Churches are charged to proceed by all censures against those who do it out of superstition and commit Insolences and Debauches before them 17. The Church Discipline having been read was approved by all the Deputies together with the aforesaid observations on it and they all promised and swore for themselves and Provinces to procure to the utmost of their power that it should be carefully and diligently observed CHAP. IV. Observations upon the National Synod of Rochel See the third Synod of Rochel 1. THE first Article of general matters which did not permit the Deputies to carry with them the Acts of Appeals and of particular matters was for divers considerations revoked 2. The Lords our General Deputies are again charged to require of his Majesty a Declaration for the Naturalizing the poor Fugitives of the Marquisate of Saluces 3. The excuses made by the Churches of Bearn for not sending their Deputies unto this Synod were accepted and approved and Letters of thanks were ordered to be writ them and to exhort them not to suffer such persons to be Married in their Temples who wander from the Neighbour Provinces without attestations Concerning Monks quitting their Convents See the third Syn. of Rochel g. m. 16. 4. The Province of Poictou requesting that some course might be taken to prevent that great abuse committed by Monks who having quitted their Convents did rove up and down hither and thither from one Church unto another This Assembly answered that there could not be any better Expedient found out than the exact observation of that Canon made in the Synod of Rochel which sends them back to the Province where they were born nor did we judge it convenient to comply with the Province of Berry who would have a publick Stock erected and set apart for the maintenance of such fellows 5. Letters shall be dispatcht from this Assembly unto Monsieur Tilenus Professor at Sedan about the matters relating to him proposed in this Synod 6. U on hearing the report made by the Deputies of Dolphiny concerning the Labours of Monsieur Chamier on the controversies of these times This Assembly applauded his great diligence and gave him advice to pursue the finishing of his whole work that it may be published to the World intire Promising that the next national Synod shall take notice of his great charges and expences and seal their acknowledgments to him with a pledge and character of their respects and bounty 7. Letters were sent from Monsieur Perrin accompanied with others from the Province of Dolphiny informing us of the progress made by the said Perrin in his History of the Albingenses and Vaudois whereof the rude draught was now prâ—sented This Assembly approving his method exhorts him to continue his labour and to finish it as soon as possible And Messieurs Ferrier Durant Benoist Castelfranc and Vignier are intreated to transmit unto him whatever Memoirs they have found out or can get that so it may be published suddenly And this Synod will assist him with their bounty to help to bear his great expences in books and for its impression 8. The Children of poor Ministers are exempted from the rigour of that Article which had ordered that no Schollars should be maintained out of the Moneys of the Kings bounty See the 43d Artic. of g. m. in the third Syn. of Rochel Moderation in favour of the Children of poor Ministers untill such time as they have finished their Studies of Humanity and begun their course of Philosophy And 't is left unto the discretion of Synods and Colloquies at what age and capacity they shall judge fit to enroll them in the Catalogue of Pensioners 9. Monsieur Vignier
that aforesaid Decree in the said Church This Assembly having heard Monsieur Merlin speak in behalf of the Synod and Monsieur Bonnet for the Colloquy judged that the Church of Soubize failed in their Letter of Summons inserting a clause that the Colloquy had exceeded their power by an over-rigorous censure inflicted on the said Church and Minister and it approveth the Decree of the Synod against the said Colloquy But for as much as publication hath not been made of it we do ordain that it shall be forborn only Monsieur Petit shall read in the Consistory of the Church of St. Just this present Article that so the honour of the said Minister maybe repaired 39. Bertrand Faugier formerly Minister of the Church of Viners in Dolphiny appealed from the Decree of the Synod of that Province whereby he was Deposed from the Sacred Ministry but his Appeal was declared null and void for non-appearance in person at this Assembly 40. The Appeal of the Church of Lamure in Dolphiny from a Decree of their Provincial Synod being only about Money matters shall according to the Canon made at Rochel be determined by the next adjoining Province CHAP. VI. Of General Matters 1. NO Church shall seek a Minister for it self out of the Province unless it have first consulted with the Colloquies or Synod of the Province 2. The Provinces shall be admonished carefully to observe the tenth Article of the eighth Chapter of our discipline wherein are declared the proper causes which may be brought by Appeals unto our National Synods and if any shall hereafter bring those matters before us which are determinable in Provincial Synods they shall not be heard And Provincial Synods shall give notice hereof unto such persons as Appeal without just cause 3. The Deputies of those Provinces in which are erected the Mixt Courts consisting of half Protestants and half Papists are ordered in the name of this Assembly to wait upon the Lords Presidents and Counsellors of those Mixed Courts professing the Reformed Religion and to exhort them to persevere in their zeal and good affection to the general welfare of the Churches and of their poor oppressed Members who have recourse to them for justice against their oppressors and Letters shall be written to them to this purpose 4. The Consistory of Nerac shall in the Name of this Assembly exhort the Lords Presidents and Counsellors professing the Reformed Religion in the mixt-Court of Guyenne to take special care that nothing do pass in their Court to the prejudice of the Edicts and Articles granted to the Professors of our Religion and that private persons may not be unjustly oppressed And in case of their neglect and connivency at such injustice the Consistory of the said Church shall proceed against them by all Church Censures 5. The Deputies of Lower Languedoc moved this Question what course should be taken with those persons against whom the Consistories having proceeded by Church Censures for their delinquencies according to the Discipline were yet abetted by their Friends and Kinred who combining together with them against the Consistories do forbear hearing of Sermons neglect Sacraments and refuse their ordinary contributions towards the maintenance of the Ministry It was decreed that they be prosecuted both abettors and abetted with all Church-Censures and Colloquies and Provincial Synods ordered are to take special care that these Censures be duly executed 6. The Deputies of the Isle of France and Picardy propounding it the Provinces are charged to proceed against such as do by underhand dealings canvass for deputations unto Politcal Assemblies by all Church Censures And they who Represent the Provinces shall make oath that they never obtained to be Deputies by any of those unfair practices and in all Elections of members unto such Assemblies in whatsoever place Burrough City or Province that they neither have nor shall in any wise give their Votes for them who by such undue courses have demanded Craftily contrived or Ambitiously affected and sought after those Deputations nor have they nor will they seek or demand the same for themselves by such or the like ways and means And in case his Majesty out of his Royal Bounty should defray their charges at those General Assemblies It is ordained that the Moneys so given by him shall be received by the Treasurer of the Churches for their benefit and the Churches shall pay the respective Deputies all the expences of their Journy Professors are exempted from all Deputations unto Political Assemblies 7. the Provinces are injoyned never to depute unto our General National Assemblies whether Political or Ecclesiastical the Professors of Theology nor shall they be imployed in any Deputations unto Court And whether they shall be sent or not unto our National Synods it 's left wholly to the prudence of the Provinces 8. Theophilus Bleuitt otherwise called de la Combe having been deposed from the Ministry by the Province of Anjou and his deposition ratified by an act of the last National Synod held at Rochel presented himself unto this Assembly craving the favour of re-admission into the Ministry The Assembly having heard the causes for which he was deposed and those enormous Crimes whereof he stood convicted declareth him utterly unworthy of that Sacred Office yea that he shall not be so much as suffered to teach School in any of the Reformed Churches of this Kingdom and forbids him for the future ever to put his foot within any of our Synodical Assemblies more 9. The Deputies of the Isle of France moving it this Assembly decreed that in those Provinces where that Custom was established of bringing the fifth Penny of all Charities to the Colloquies or Provincial Synods to be employed in the maintenance of our Proposans shall continue it as long as they see it expedient And in case any Churches of the Provinces should oppose themselves against it they be enjoyned to conform unto the practice of the major party on pain of being deprived of the Ministry In consequence hereof the Deputy of Burgundy complaining of the great inconveniencies befallen them by the Exemption of the Church of Lion from this Ordinance it was again decreed that the said Church should be subjected to it as well as the other Churches of that Province 10. It 's left to the prudence of Consistories to judge what Poor are fit to be relieved by every particular Church and who are to be sent back unto the places of their Nativity or of their former Residence And herein to carry it with all Charity both towards the Poor and those Churches whereunto they do return them An Order for maimed Souldiers bearing the Cross on their Cloaks 11. The Deputies of the Lower Guyenne moving it this Assembly resolved That Protestant Souldiers to receive the Relief granted by His Majesty unto those who had been maimed in His Service might wear the Cross on their Cloaks not as a Badge of Superstition but as the Mark and Cognisance of their
turned over to the next meeting of the Colloquy of Augoumois which is authorized by this Assembly after hearing both parties to determine finally of that affair 16. The Sieur Salomon a Minister having been lent for two years unto the Church of St. Triers le Perche in Limosin by the last National Synod and being redemanded by the Church of Vanjaux in the Province of Berry by whom he was maintained This Assembly ordaineth that the said Mr Salomon do return within three months unto his said Church of Anjeau at the Charges of the Church of St. Triers and the Provincial Synod of Guyenne shall provide a Pastor for them as soon as possible they can 17. A Petition was presented by divers Gentlemen and others Heads of Families Members of the Church of Montagu in conjunction with the Deputies of Poictou Declaring that forasmuch as they were well able without the Church of Vielle Vigne comfortably to maintain a Pastor they therefore craved that one might be conferred upon them and that they might be reincorporated with the Province of Poictou This Assembly ordaineth that those two Churches of Vielle Vigne and Montague shall continue united together and that the Pastor shall alternatively exercise in both Churches his Ministry and shall appear in person always at the Provincial Synods of Brittany and both these Churches shall remain in this estate till that by the common Consent of them both and of the two Provinces it be otherwise altered and ordained by Authority of a National Synod 18. Letters being writ from the Church of Minerbois meeting in the houses of the Lords de Beaufort and de Paulignan desiring that they might by the authority of this Assembly be joyned unto the Province of Lower Languedoc and that they might be assisted with some Money from the General stock of the Churches for the maintenance of that Minister which shall be assigned them The Synod having heard the Deputies of both the Provinces of Higher and Lower Languedoc adjudgeth the said Church unto the Higher Languedoc and that Provincial Synod is injoyned to provide them of a Pastor and now from this very hour there shall be one portion given to it as to the other Churches of the said Province which shall because of the great number and advantages of its Churches supply that of Minerbois out of its own Stock that so an addition may be made unto the said portion and to what sums may be collected in the said Church to raise a competent subsistence for the Minister that shall be given them 19. The Letters of Monsieur Aubriot Pastor of the Church of Maes Sainctes Puelles were read which related his great Poverty and the lamentable necessities of his Church and he craved two or three supernumerary portions for his Maintenance in the said Church This Assembly ordained that the Province of Higher Languedoc shall add to the portion of the said Aubriot two portions more to be taken out of the Stock of the said Province without drawing any augmentation to themselves from the general Stock of the Churches considering that they have two portions drawn forth under the names of two Pastors and Professors in the University of Montauban 20. The Deputies of Provence propounding several matters not appertaining to this Synod they were dismissed over to the next Political Assembly 21. The Deputies of Dolphiny complained that the Sieur Scoffier educated at their Charges in Geneva was Ordained Pastor to a Church in Berry and craved that he might be again returned unto Dolphiny This Affair was dismissed over to the Provincial Synod of Burgundy with full power of putting a final period to it whether by making restitution of the Moneys disbursed on him or by enjoyning the said Scoffier to return unto the Province of Dolphiny 23. The Provinces of Vivaretz and Dolphiny contending about the Church of Soyon it is decreed that Monsieur Murac Pastor of the said Church shall subject himself as a Member of them to the Synods of Vivaretz until the Church of Valence be provided of a more convenient Meeting-place within the Province of Dolphiny whereunto the said Murac shall be appropriated and that portion given under his name shall continue settled on the Church of Soyon But as long as the Pastor above-mentioned shall actually serve the said Church the portion afore-said shall be allotted to the easing and benefit of both Churches Concerning the Ministers of Mantes and Fountainbleau See Syn. Gap p. m. 32. 23. The Complaint of the Isle of France being again renewed for that the two Ministers of the Church of Mantes and Fountainbleau by command from the Lord Duke of Sully do receive five hundred Crowns out of the portions adjudged that Province This Assembly ordains that the said Synod shall remonstrate unto those Ministers once more their duty and command them accordingly to perform it otherwise they shall be proceeded against by all Censures Yet nevertheless for the support of those Churches and of the Province also over and above the two ordinary portions under the names of the aforesaid Ministers and the five extraordinary granted by the National Synod of Rochel there be two portions more by way of vantage decreed to be thrown into the Stock of the said Province which shall be paid them until the sitting of the next National Synod 24. Considering the deep Poverty and great Burdens of the Church of Maringues by reason of their former very grievous sufferings over and above the two portions assigned unto their Pastors a third extraordinary one is now also bestowed upon them until the Meeting of the next National Synod 25. The two portions formerly granted unto the Church of Aubenac shall be continued to it till the Sitting of the next National Synod 26. Monsieur Poitey having gathered the Acts of our National Synods into one Volume See Syn. Gap p.m. 28. and tender'd it unto this Assembly humbly craving leave that by our Authority the Copies thereof might be distributed we approving the Zeal and good Affection of the said Piotey do not judge it expedient that any Copies thereof should be imparted because of the ill consequences that may happen hereon and therefore advise him to rest contented for the present and to detain by him his worthy Labours for his own private use and benefit 27. There being a difference between the Higher and Lower Languedoc about the Churches of Cormes and St. John du Brueil order was given to those of the Higher Languedoc to demand their remaining Debt of the portions of those two Churches from the Province of Lower Languedoc which had received their Moneys and in case they refuse to give them satisfaction than the Province of Vivaretz by the Authority of this Synod shall judge and determine finally of that Affair 28. The Province of Higher Languedoc is exhorted to consider the Expences that Monsieur Benoist Pastor of Montauban has been at in his just defence against the unjust proceedings of his Adversaries 29. The same
judge most fit to effect and compass it and they shall farther insist on the Revocation of the Letters of Abolition verified in the Courts of Parliament And whereas it is a matter of great importance and concernment to all the Provinces that they be duely acquainted with the issue and success of our Renewed and Repeated Supplications unto their Majesties the aforesaid Deputies are injoyned that as soon as they shall have received an answer to them they do immediately transmit it unto the Provinces 17. The Sieurs Bigot and de la Combe were Deputed by this Assembly to prosecute at Law Monsieur Palot that so the Churches Moneys remaining in his hands and with which he was intrusted and which he oweth unto us and would never render an account of them may be recovered And to this purpose it giveth Letters of Attorney unto the said Sieurs Bigot and de la Combe with full power to receive all offers from Monsieur Palots Partners and to treat with them in the Name of all the Provinces and authorizeth them to accquit the said Partners of any summs which may be due by the said Palot even to the one third of the whole provided the said Partners will make good the other two thirds if they cannot compound with them upon better terms that so the two thirds may come free info the Churches hands But and if they cannot obtain better terms and that they may be enabled to defray the Costs of this suit they shall receive an yearly allowance of fifteen Hundred Livers to be paid them quarterly by the Lord of Gandal out of those Moneys which are to be paid into the Churches for the october quarter of the year one thousand six hundred and Eleven and this to be done proportionably every year quarter and day as long as the suit continues and we farther promise that if it shall please God to succeed their care and diligence with his Blessing to give them a considerable gratuity for their pains And the said Sieurs Bigot and de la Combe are ordered to advise and consult with the Lords General Deputies without whose Approbation they may not receive any offers from the Partners nor act any thing in the said process And the said Lords Deputies shall deliver unto the said Bigot and de la Combe all Papers concerning this matter and notify unto them at what time they may be in Paris and the said de la Combe is allowed for his journey thither the sum of one hundred and fifty Livers which shall be paid him by the Lord du Candal out of the fore-mentioned quarter of the sum of fifteen hundred Livers CHAP. XIII Of Particular Matters Monsieur Archimaud came unto this Assembly with Letters from several persons living in the County of Venisse and Archbishoprick of Avignon and with Letters also from the Lord of Saint Aâ—ban requesting that according to a Decree made in their Synod at Montdragon held by his Majesties authority they might be admitted to sit and vote among us as another Province and farther that they might be assisted with some Moneys at least to help forward the meeting of their Arbitrators as it had been agreed by them This Assembly accepting of their Agreement with us in the Confession of faith owned in all the Churches of this Kingdom doth profess to embrace them in this Union as dear Brethren to whom they are ready to impart all Christian Love and are sorry that they cannot in this Assembly which is purely Ecclesiastical give them the priviledge of being a distinct Province that belonging properly to a Political Assembly unto which for this purpose they must apply themselves and farther we cannot at present assist them with any Relief Suitable to their necessity by which this Assembly might give them a solid and substantial token of that good will it bears them However the effects and fruits thereof according to our ability shall be manifested upon all occasions And their Affair at Court was most affectionately recommended to our Lords General Deputies residing near their Majesties 2. Monsieur de Vialle Lieutenant Criminal of Montauban tendred Letters unto this Assembly humbly petitioning that the Sieur Chamier Pastor of Montlimard might be bestowed upon the University of Montauban to read and Profess Divinity in it And the Lord du Plessis also at the same time did by the Sieur Perillau demand him for the University of Saumur to be Professor there But upon hearing the Deputies of the Church of Montlimard and the Deputies of the Province of Dolphiny who produced Letters from Monsieur de Gouvernett by the hands of Monsieur de Chambaud and presented them unto this Assembly they declared against the Interests both of Montauban and Saumur because of their particular right and title unto Monsieur Chamier and they urged farther that by the Decrees of three National Synods he could not be removed from his Church And having heard the protestation of Monsieur Chamier declaring that he had no inclination to remove and that he would leave himself wholly to the disposal of this Assembly for divers Considerable reasons notwithstanding all these oppositions it was resolved that the Sieur Chamier should be put into the distribution of Pastors and Professors And the Church of Montlimard should be provided of another Pastor 3. There being a very great difference between the Churches of Nismes and Vallence about Monsieur Murdt recalled by the Church of Vallence to be their Pastor as the Assembly was composing and determining it the Sieur Mallamont Elder of the Church of Nismes came in and accused that Act of the Colloquy of Nismes presented by the Sieur Bansillon as false and forged who yet avouched the contrary and tendred for proof thereof the whole Act of the said Colloquy but not signed This Assembly not being able to Judge of the pretended forgery remanded back the said Bansillon and Mallamont unto the next meeting of the Colloquy of Nismes there to end the difference betwixt them and the said Colloquy is enjoyned on pain of Censure always for the future to see their Acts Subscribed and Attested 4. Monsieur Richaud Pastor of Mazac presented unto this Assembly Letters from his Father broken with age and poverty requesting that his portion of Moneys from the Kings bounty might be sent unto him into the Lower Languedoc where he desires to retire and end his days This his request was granted And the Province of Lower Languedoc is injoyned to pay in the first place before any other Pastor without the least diminution the said Monsieur Richaud his portion assigned him as Pastor and as every other pastor hath or shall have according to what may be hereafter decreed in this Assembly 5. Information was given in to this Assembly that in the Province of Higher Languedoc there were divers Pastors who did not reside in their Churches Whereupon that Province was expresly injoyned to see to it that every Pastor might have a dwelling house and
personally reside with his Flock and that they Censure the disobedient excepting the Sieurs Bichetteau and Richaud according to the report made in this Assembly by Monsieur Malleret Deputy of the National Synod of St. Maixant who was Commissionated to go unto the very places and to take notice of all the difficulties pretended or real on this Subject 6. The Sieur du Puy Pastor of the Church of St. Stephen and St. Marcellin in Forrest demanding in the Name of his Church to be separated from the Province of Burgundy and joyned to that of Vivaretz and also to be assisted with portions and some other sums of Money for the better support of his Church which is threatned with utter ruine This Assembly doth readily grant them their desire and that they shall be separated from the Province of Burgundy and be joyned to that of Vivaretz and ordereth that three annual portions be given them for their Relief in cafe of necessity which shall be paid them without abatements until the next National Synod 7. The Sieur Mozé Minister of the Gospel having complained in this Assembly that he was suspected in the Assembly of Saumur to have driven on some secret designs at Montellimard against Monsieur Chamier tho without any ground or occasion on his part and the said Monsieur Chamier having declared that at his return from the said Assembly he could not meet with any evidence whereby to convict the said Mozé This Assembly doth assent unto the truth of what is declared by the said Mozé and it shall be improved as is Meet and Equitable for his service but withal it cannot but take in ill part the actings of the Synod of Dolphiny which discharged him from one Church without giving him another 8. The Colloquy of Usez is charged to pass over unto Nismes and to demand of that Consistory the Original Letters of Captain Gautier which Monsieur Ferrier avoucheth to be among the Papers of that Consistory And to this purpose the Copy which the Sieur Faye deliver'd into this Assembly was put into the hands of Monsieur Chamier who promised that he would tear in pieces both that Copy and its Original according to the desire of this Assembly 9. The Sum of two hundred Livers was ordered unto Andrew Chanforan Son of Monsieur Chanforan Pastor of the Church of Pouzain and to be paid by the Province of Provence in lieu of an exhibition which the said Province was obliged to allow the said Andrew as a Proposan since the last Synod of Rochell until that of St. Maixant and whereas Monsieur Chanforan the Father demands of the same Province certain Arrears of Moneys granted by the King and received by the Sieur Callian upon the portion assigned to the Church of la Coste whereof he was a member in the year one thousand six hundred and eight this Assembly ordaineth that the aforesaid Province shall pay in unto the said Monsieur Chanforan the sum of two and forty Livers claimed by him both for his Arrears and from the Church of Muil which was annexed unto that of la Coste saving always to the said Church of la Coste their power of producing an Acquittance under the hand of the said Chanforan and to the Province thereof redemanding six Crowns upon the portion of the Church of Muil as annexed to that of la Coste and the aforesaid sums amounting to two hundred and fourty two Livers shall be taken out of the first Moneys which become due unto the Province of Provence 10. Monsieur Perrin is desired to review his History of the Albingenses which hath been perused by our Commissioners and to present it finished unto the Synod or Dolphiny that according to the desire of this Assembly it may be printed 11. The demand of Gilbert Vernoix Printer at Bergerac about a recompense for his having Printed some certain books is remanded back unto the Synod of Lower Guyenne that he may be satisfied as the said Synod shall think meet 12. The Deputies of Poictou requesting that the Province of Normandy might fulfil that Promise made by them in the National Synod held at Gergeau for the relief of Monsieur de Vatable who is overwhelmed with extream poverty and to whom there is due the sum of an hundred Livers by the Church of Luneray This present Synod ordaineth that the said Province of Normandy do fully content and satisfy the said Vatable and pay one half of what is due unto him out of their own purses and take up the other half from the Church of Luneray in which he was Minister 13. The Deputies of Xaintonge redemanding from the Province of Poictou two Churches said by them to have been severed from their Province are remanded back again unto the said Province of Poictou before whom they shall open their complaints and in case they cannot agree among themselves they shall refer the difference unto a neighbour Colloquy or Synod with full power to compose it 14. The Deputies from the Churches in the Principality of Bearn having presented their desires according to the Instructions given them by their own Synod in Writing This Assembly replies unto their first Article that they cannot approve of the actions of such Provinces as hinder their Students in Theology from Studying in the University of Bearn and it accepts also of the Recommendations given by those Deputies of the Church of Bigorre of Souilles and of Astaingues And as to their second and third demands they were advised to observe the Canons of our Church-Discipline and as to the last Article in their Instructions this Assembly can give them none other answer than this that it highly applauds of their Zeal and good affection and leaveth them to their liberty of sending to our National Synods either one or more Pastors and Elders 15. The Sieur Beauvay complaining by Letters of the Province of Higher Languedoc for not fulfilling that decree of the National Synod of St. Maixant which enjoyned the said Province to pay him the sum of one hundred Livers owing him by the Sieur Durdes a Minister in the said Province This Assembly ordaineth that the said hundred Livers shall be detained in the hands of the Lord du Candall or of his Deputy to be given unto the Sieur Carthaud Pastor of Diep in Normandy that he may pay them unto the said Sieur de Beauvais 16. The Sieur Champoleon demanding by Letters from this Assembly to be reimburst of his expences of his Journey from Saumur to Dolphiny and from Dolphiny back again to Saumur where he found the Assembly broke up and which Journey he undertook at the command of the said Assembly This Synod orders him to have recourse unto another Political General Assembly for his answer 17. Relation being made in this Assembly of those unheard of Riots committed by the Sieur de Tremoulet in the Church of Servest in Vivaretz the Colloquy of Annonay is ordered to meet as soon as possible they can and to
of Monsieur Chauve at present Pastor in the Church of Sommieres urging for themselves the great importance of their Church and the indispensible necessity they had of a Pastor whose Age and Experience might be able to undergo the burdens of so numerous a Congregation After hearing the Letters of the said Church of Nismes and their request uttered by the mouth of the Sieur de * * * Another reads Pierre d'Or another Pinedon Pucchredon their Deputy and the Arguments of the Provincial Synod by their Deputies to the contrary this Assembly ordained that the said Sieur Chauve should be lent for three months unto the Church of Nismes after which term the Provincial Synod having heard both the Churches and the said Sieur de Chauve may judge whether it be needful or not to dispose of his Ministry and if they find it necessary then by the Authority of this Assembly they shall give him unto the Church of Nismes and they shall provide that of Sommieres with another Pastor either taken from Nismes or elsewhere 33. The Sieur de la Faye This was razed out by the second of Vitré Obs 6. upon this present Synod Pastor of the Church of Aubenas in Vivaretz appeared in this Assembly Appellant from the Judgment of the Provincial Synod which had threatned him with the greatest Censures as if he had deserved them and farther had ordained that the next Synod of his Province should remove him unto some other Church which in their wisdom they should conceive to be more expedient for him and that in the mean while the Colloquy should have a watchful Eye over his conversation But this Assembly condemned all the proceedings of that Province in this Affair particularly for receiving Informations against the said Sieur de la Faye unattested and for censuring him without any cause or Reason and for not having recorded that their Censure nor brought hither any Record thereof and therefore approving the Appeal of the said Sieur de la Faye it doth abrogate that Sentence of the said Provincial Synod as infamous and unjust in every article branch and member of it 34. Certain Inhabitants of Caussade Appealed from a Decree of the Provincial Synod of Higher Languedoc This was reverst in the 2d Synod of Vitré p. m. 12. importing that the Sieur Grand formerly their Pastor but afterwards suspended for three months and then removed from three years should now at last the term being expired be imposed again upon them This Assembly over-looking the formalities which ought to have been observed in their Appeal but were not did graciously receive both them and it and having heard the Province and seen the Decree declaring several miscarriages whereof the said Grand had been guilty ordained that he be summoned to make his personal appearance before us and to be heard speak with his own mouth what he hath to say for himself and then to be Judged according to the merits of his cause Whereupon the said Sieur Grand having been examined by a Committee appointed for that End and they making report of his confessions and answers this Assembly aggravated his Censure and Judged that he could not exercise his Ministry to the edification of that Church of Caussade and therefore doth ordain that he be disposed of somewhere else by the Colloquy of Lower Quercy at their next meeting and that he be for ever made uncapable of returning to Caussade nor may the said Church ever have power over him or his Father who became bound for him to redemand the Moneys disbursed by them on his Studies because they enjoyed the exercise of his Ministry for some space of time 35. The Colloquy of the Isles Appealed for that Monsieur de la Forest formerly Pastor in the Church of St. John d' Angely was given by their Provincial Synod unto the Church of Mauze in the Colloquy of St. John d' Angely The Sieur Cocq ' a Minister having been heard speak for that Colloquy and the Deputies of the Synod of Xaintonge for the Province this Assembly confirmeth the said de la Forest in the Pastoral office of that Church of Mauzé and ordaineth that the Province shall provide for the Church of St. John d' Angely as soon as possible they can 36. The Church of Agen Appealed because having demanded their portions free of all taxations the Synod of Lower Guyenne had refused it This Assembly rejected their Appeal and dismissed over the affair relating to it unto the said Province which shall provide for their Pastors maintenance as soon as one shall be setled with them 37. The Church of Boislebeque appealing from the decree of the Synod of Normandy by which Monsieur Simson was not only excluded from the said Church of Boislebeque but also from all other Churches of Normandy this their Appeal was made null and void and the judgment of the said Province confirmed which is intreated to take care that the said Church of Boislebeque be supplied with a second Minister in case they shall judge it needful 38. The Colloquy of Albigeois brought an Appeal from the Judgment given in their Provincial Synod of Higher * * * Another Copy Higher Guyenne Languedoc about the affair of Monsieur Josion one of the Pastors of the Church of Castres relating to the Censures past against the said Colloquy and their Deputies After hearing the Sieur Raffin Pastor of the Church of Realmont for the said Colloquy and the Deputies of the said Province together with the said Josion and the Sieur de la Garrigues Deputy of the Church of Castres and the report of the Commissioners deputed to inspect the writings produced by the several parties and who were ordered to examine and hear Witnesses dwelling upon the place and who were particularly mentioned by name unto them this Assembly took off the Censure inflicted upon the said Colloquy and its Commissioners by the said Synod and yet approveth of its judicial sentence in all other particulars and ordaineth that all Papers concerning this business be deposited with Monsieur Gardesy that so the remembrance of them may be for ever forgotten 39. The appeal of Monsieur Raffin Pastor of the Church of Realmont from the Synod of Higher Languedoc which had confirmed an Ordinance of the Colloquy of Albigeois obliging the said Church to visit the annexed Church of la Fenasse every six weeks was disannulled and the decrees of the Provincial Synod and Colloquy were both confirmed 40. The Consuls of Pamiers appealed from a decree of the Synod of Higher Languedoc which would not grant them the precedency claimed by them to communicate first at the Lords Table before the Judge of that City But this their appeal was rejected because it was of the nature of those things which might be finally determined by the Synod of their own Province 41. The appeal of Monsieur Graue Elder in the Church of Pamiers from the Decree of the Synod of Higher Languedoc about Moneys ordered
who consented to pass over unto their Church that they might have a proof of his Ministry and he a tryal of their Tempers and in case of mutual Agreement he intended to settle among them as their Pastor This Assembly approved of this their Reciprocal Transaction and decreeth that after their acceptance of him according to the Discipline of our Churches he shall be confirmed in his Pastoral Office to them 8. The Deputies of the Church of Pons demanding the establishment of a Colledge in their City 2. Vitré Appeal 2. and a supply of Moneys necessary its charges were remanded back to the Province of Xaintonge who should take such care about it as they judged needful 9. The Churches of Soules having deputed the Sieur Bustonoby Pastor 2. Vitré p. m. 19.38 remonstrate the necessity and advantage that would accrew by the personal Residence of Ministers among them which yet they could never effect by reason of their poverty and inability requesting also some little Moneys to forward the impression of a few Manuscripts in the Biscain Language this Assembly over and above the portions received by them from the Province of Lower Guyenne doth bestow upon them two portions quitted free and discharged of all expences taxations and deductions whatsoever and three hundred Livers to be paid at one entire payment towards the Printing of the said Manuscripts And the said Province shall bring in those Moneys upon Accompt unto the next National Synod 10. Mr. Stephen Rochers Pastor of the Church of Monthasillac and Piles having been suspended from his Office by the Provincial Synod of St. Foy until the next Synod of that Province appeared in person before this Assembly petitioning to be restored unto his Ministry and producing laudable Certificates from the Colloquy and Church of Bergerac where he hath since resided as also from that in which he had served his request was granted him and he was declared from this instant Reinstated into the holy Ministry which he was exhorted to discharge with all prudence diligence and faithfulness and whereas he complained of his Churches Poverty the consideration thereof was deferr'd till such times as the Moneys granted us by the King should come to be distributed 11. The Deputies of the Isle of France demanding that another Order might be Issued out against Monsieur de la Touche Pastor of the Church of Mouchamp in Poictou to Account with them about the Moneys owing them for maintaining him several years together in his preparatory Studies for the Ministry 2. Rochel p. 3. m. 4. Privas p. m. 17. to the performance of which he stands obliged by the very orders of one or two former National Synods This Assembly having heard his exceptions and reflecting upon the inconsiderableness of the debt and that his brother hath served in the Ministry in the very self same Province and that he was at great expences in Paris where he fell sick in a Journy which he took on purpose to put an end to this business doth cancel his obligation and intreats the said Province also never to trouble him any more about it 12. The difference in the Church of Mussidan and the Complaint of Monsieur Chabot for that the Publick worship of God had been transferred unto Lunga and the Sieur Latane given without the Consent of the said Chabot unto that Church are dismissed over unto the Provincial Synod to be examined by it and that matter concerning our Cautionary Town there it shall be decided by the next Mixt Provincial Assembly and that things may be brought into a good temper in order to an accommodation some of the Members of this Assembly shall in their way homeward call in at Mussidan and by their best arguments perswade them to a sincere Peace and hearty Union among themselves 13. Phillip Marulles born at Realmont Student in Divinity in the University of Montauban was presented by the Deputies of Higher Languedoc craving some charitable assistance from this Synod who gave him sixty Livers to be paid him by the Receiver General out of the Moneys allowed unto the said Province 14. The Deputies of Vivaretz reported that divers Churches in their Province sending two Elders unto their Synods caused an Inequality in their Votes and the lesser Churches on several occasions do make greatest noises and complaints This Assembly leaveth that Synod In case of contestation full power to gather the suffrages not by Deputies but by their Churches however this shall not be made a precedent unto the other Provinces 15. John Guerin second Regent in the Colledge of Die in Dolphiny requested to be restored unto the sacred Ministry of the Gospel from which he was deposed thirty years ago for a crime committed by him when as he lived at Geneva This Assembly having read and heard the Attestations given him by the Churches of Dolphiny in which he hath since made his aboad and of the University of Die and of his Provincial Synod gave orders unto the said Provincial Synod to write unto our Reverend Brethren the Pastors Professors and Elders in the Church of Geneva to give us their thoughts about it and in case by their answer they approve and consent unto it the said Province having pondered all circumstances and believing that he may be useful in Edifying God's Church is impowered with full authority from this Assembly to restore him unto the Ministry 16. The Deputies of Berry declaring that the Moneys granted unto the Lord Duke of Sully for the Colledge of Boisbelle were laid out and employed in repairing the Colledge of Chastillon Privas p. m. 35. and in divers other pious and requesting that they might be discharged from making restitution of them as they had been injoyned by the National Synod of Privas they being in no wise able to do it by reason of their deep poverty and very great necessities of their Province This Assembly compassionateing their deplorable condition doth for this reason only grant them their request 17. The great necessity and famine befallen the Church of Mas St. Espueilles having been reported in this Assembly St. Maixant P. m. 19. the Lord du Candal w to pay out of the Common Moneys of our Churches unto the Inhabitants of the said City the sum of nine hundred Livers and to Monsieur Aubriot their Pastor charged with a great and numerous family the sum of three hundred Livers the whole being 1200 l. Which sum of nine hundred Livers shall be distributed by the Consuls and Consistory who are to give an Acquitance for it And that the said distribution may be made among the People with the greater Order and fidelity Monsieur Isaiah Lignier Lord de la Menarie Elder of the Churches of Melquel and Lunel who is now personally present in this Assembly and was an Eye-witness of their sore and deep affliction is intreated to see this Charity well-managed and distributed and he shall carry home with him what other Collections he hath
in unto him And therefore altho the said Commissioners Bigot and de la Combe have received the thanks of this Synod yet they were ordered to put into the hands of our General Deputies all papers in their Custody relating to this affair And that for the future the matter having been once laid open before the Provinces it shall be recommended to a General Assembly to embrace the prosecution of it and to follow their Majesties with our most humble requests that we may be paid the said sums according to the Intention of their warrants granted us at first and other orders in pursuance of their first truly and faithfully without any deductions for Non-Valoirs 16 The Inhabitants also of the Bareny de Combata in Sevennes who in seven Towns for the greatest part of them being Protestants are yet deprived of their Temples and all exercise of the Reformed Religion and constrained to travel many a long Journey and expose themselves to a world of inconveniences that they may worship God according to his holy word and all because they have a Popish Landlord who yet would not oppose the re-establishment of their Churches provided it were ordained by the supream Authority And let it be particularly observed that in one of the Towns of that Barony called Vie there was a Church and Pastor in the year 1561. 17. The other Provinces are exhorted to joyn with that of Dolphiny to obtain a sufficient time for the poor Communalties and Villages in the Bailywick of Gresivaudan to recover their just rights from their wicked Popish debtors and that all proceedings at law against them may cease and be vacated because the Commissioners appointed to judge between them were not the one half Protestants as they should have been and because that the Respit of three months allotted them to bring in their Appeal before the Chamber of the Edict at Grenoble was too short and could do them no service The Writ of Appeal not having past the Seal till the time was lapst and the three months already expired During which time the Syndick of the Communalties got a Writ of Foreclusion against the said Creditors 18. The affair of the Church of Monosque and Tourves who having got an Order of Council that of Monosques to build a Temple for the worship of God neat unto their place of abode and that of Tourves within their own bounds as being priviledged because a Bailywick yet could never obtain unto this day that those orders should be put in execution 19. Lastly there is recommended to them the affairs of the Churches of Antibe Forqualqâ—ier and Derbordes which although they had proved incontestably that the worship of God according to our Reformed Religion was publickly in use and exerecise among them in the year 1577. Yet notwithstanding Judgment is still suspended to their very great prejudice CHAP. XVIII Expedients for reuniting the Christian Churches which have shook off the Papa Yoak and for composing the differences which are already risen or may hereafter rise up amongst them offered and propounded to them 1. WE must lay down this as a foundation-principle that to endeavour an Union and Agreement between the Churches is a most useful pious and necessary work and very feasible As to its possibility we say that such an Union cannot be effected without the concurrence aid assistance and conduct of those Soveraign Princes who have withdrawn themselves from the obedience of the Pope among whom his Majesty of Great Britain as being the Chiefest and most Potent Monarch of a most clear anti piercing Judgment and most affectionately inclined hereunto can most effectually promote and advance it 2. This being presupposed we conceive that some certain place should be chosen of safe and convenient access whereunto two Divines shall be sent by his Majesty and two from the Churches of France and two from the Low Countries two from the Cantons of Switzerland and one or two from each of the German Princes embracing and professing our Faith 3. Zealand in our opinion would be the most commodious place for such a Treaty which is as it were the fore-door of England and easily to be aborded by the Messengers of the respective Princes and Churches 4. And when they meet at this place let there be no disputes about Religion for when once the Spirits are inflamed there will be no yielding on any side and all parties will return homeward with the imaginary Triumphs of their own Victories Wherefore it were better to lay before them on the Table the several Confessions of the Reformed Churches of England Scotland France the Netherlands Switzerland and the Palatinate c. And that out of all these Confessions there might be framed one in common to them all in which divers Points may be omitted the knowledge whereof is not needful to our everlasting happiness Among which the controversie moved by Piscator and several subtil opinions lately broached by Van-Armin about free Will the Saints Perseverance and Predestination may be reckoned It being a most certain Truth that all the Errors in Religion have sprung hence that men would either know too much or have too much that is to say either out of curiosity or from their avarice and ambition 'T is this last Sin that hath corrupted and ruined the Church of Rome But yet Satan doth use his utmost endeavours by the first to corrupt ours However could we but gain that authority and power over our selves so as to ignore divers matters and to rest contented with points only necessary to Salvation we should have gone a great and good part of the way and made a considerable progress in our WORK of UNION 5. This Confession being once prepared it must be subscribed not only by the Deputies then and there present but also by the several Princes and by our National Synod And let this Canon be enacted that if any controversie should hereafter be moved either in England France or Germany in the Low Countreys or Switzerland nothing shall be concluded or decided much less innovated in or about it without the general consent and concurrence of all the Provinces that have signed this Agreement 6. 'T is probable that thus far we shall meet with little or no opposition The Parties treating being the Reformed Churches agreeing in the fundamental Articles of Faith only dissenting from one another in the quillets of Ceremonies and Church-Government 7. Concerning which Ceremonies and Church-Discipline a mutual Declaration should be made and added unto the said Confession by which the said Deputies in the names of their Principa's do declare that the Churches shall not judge nor condemn one another for this difference it not hindering our mutual Agreement in the same true Faith and Doctrine and that for all this we may cordially embrace each other as true Believers and Joynt-Members of one and the same Body 8. It were fitting that after this Conference had as a pledge of their mutual Concord the Lords Supper
one kind the Adoration of the consecrated Host Prayer in an unknown Tongue by the Petitioner Errors of this last sort altho in themselves less yet do they most often occasion the greatest divisions and do most venemously exasperate mens Spirits and immediately engender Schism For if a man communicate at the Lords Table with an erroneous person in the doctrine of Predestination or about the Nature of Jesus Christ or who believes that the Body of our Lord is every where in all places at once altho this Error be very great yet may it not trouble him who is a Communicant with him But and if we communicate with one who giveth religious adoration unto the bread or pretends to sacrifice the Lord Jesus Christ such an action would scandalize us and must needs drive us from that Communion lest we should participate with him in his Idolatry or in a false Sacrifice Now we have this advantage together with the Lutheran Churches that all our differences are of the first kind and as for those external Ceremonies used and practised by them we have no such difference but what may be easily composed yea and that too with a wet Finger 18. It were fitting to lay before them on the Table the Concordat of the Polonish Churches made at Sendomir in the year 1570. and since revived in the Synod of Ulodislan in the year 1581. that so we may learn by their example to serve our selves of all things which may contribute unto this Union and are worthy of our imitation And possibly there may be found some Lutheran Churches who for peace sake would not insist upon their Ubiquity but frankly yield it up and part with it 19. The same Order should be observed in this second Assembly as in the first and the same difference paid unto his Majesty of great Britain and it should be opened with a fast and concluded with the celebration of the Holy Supper of our Lord at which both the Lutheran Ministers and ours should communicate together 20. It is very needful that some course should be taken to bring the several Churches and People to embrace and practise the Articles of this Union and that Soveraign Princes and Estates do promise to exert their Authority about it and that those words of Lutheran Calvinist and Sacramentarian Gustazus Adolphus K. of Swiâ—â—dland would have them styled the Evangelical Churches being wicked badges of distinction were utterly abolished and that our Churches should ever after be called the Christian Reformed Churches And all Invectives from the Pulpit or Press or Writings against the Brethren of either side shall be forbidden under the severest penalties And that the Catalogues of Books vended at Frankford maybe no more stuft with injurious Titles as formerly And the German Princes should at some certain days mutually agreed on send their Pastors unto the principal Churches of their Neighbour Princes and also admit and receive of their Ministers into theirs and so communicate together on some set and solemn day at the Lords Table 21. If it should please God to bless this Holy and Laudable Design with success which would be a Crown of Eternal Glory unto his Majesty of Great Britain and to the Princes joyned with him therein then would it be a convenient time to sollicit the Romish Church unto a Reconciliation which whether it may be really effected or is at all feasible seems as yet very doubtful because the Pope will admit of no Council nor Conference at which he may not preside But could this General Union of all Christians be once accomplished we should be then more considerable and Ministers might Preach with more authority and greater success than ever CHAP. XIX A Letter from His Majesty of Great Britain To Messieurs the Pastors and Elders Assembled in their National Synod at Tonneins in France Sirs HAving received intelligence that your Assembly would be held in Gascony the first of May in which some persons may be engaged to revive that Controversly about Justification and to urge the Consciences of others to assent against their own judgment unto matters not sufficiently Understood by them We thought good to send you Monsieur Hume one of our subjects and of your Pastors with this our present Letter to exhort you in our Name not to suffer the spirits of your Pastors and Professors to be imbittered one against another about distinctions more substile than profitable more curious than needful but that you would indeavour to Moderate those animosities which are grown up already to too great an heighth among several of your Ministers and that you would quench those sparkles of dissention which meeting with wood hay stubble and slight rather than substantial matters may inflame you into such aschism as will Consume you all unless you do timely prevent it and stifle it in the birth by committing to the fire those Books Papers and Manuscripts which serve only as fewel unto new Controversies rather than promote your Edifying and give occasion to the Enemies of Gods Church to advance themselves on your weaknesses and to be the more hardned in their Errors Particularly we intreat you to compose the difference risen up betwixt the Sieurs du Moulin and Tilenus if it should be brought unto your immediate Cognisance and discussion and not be removed out of the way by Arbitrators which we judge of the two to be the best and by arbitrating their fact you your selves will publish unto the World how great a value you have for the Gifts of God in both those personages That honour with which God hath invested us by exalting us unto the highest and most eminent place in his Church for the defence of the truth or duty to serve it in our regall dignity and to the utmost of our power and that particular desire we have to see a good Peace and Vnion to flourish among all Sincere Professors of the Christian Faith and our care for your preservation as being the first Churches which have rejected the yoke of Idolatry do induce us to deal so freely with you And we promise our self from your prudence that all matters shall be pacified and amicably composed among you as we have commanded Master Hume to press you more amply by word of mouth thereunto to whom you may give credence receiving him as our Messenger and as a persom well-known unto you and sufficiently commended by his own excellent good parts and a Lover of peace which above all things we recommend unto you and so we pray God to Bless your godly debates and consultations and to have you always in his holy keeping From our Palace this 15th Day of March,1614 Signed James R. The Synods Answer To the King of Great Britain Sire THAT Zeal with which it hath pleased God to inflame your Royal Spirit and that abundant care which your most Serene Majesty vouchsafeth to take of all the Christian Churches obligeth every good servant of God to pour out continual
Bearn brought with them a History of our Martyrs collected by that Province in the year fifteen hundred sixty and nine This Assembly ordained that it be sent unto Monsieur Goulark Pastor of Geneva that it may be added to the next Impression of our Martyrology 19. For the right understanding of those Canons made by the Synods of Rochel in the year sixteen hundred and seven and at Tonneins in the year sixteen hundred and fourteen Above Art 8. concerning a fixed Rule about the quota to be exhibited unto Monks for the defraying of their expences who abandoning their Convents do come and imbrace the Protestant Religion and live in Communion with our Churches This Assembly ordaineth that for the future the Churches and Provinces which first received them shall not have any power to redemand the charges they have been at about them from those Provinces in which they were born Mentauban Obs 9. Alez Obs 20. Forasmuch as the nine and twentieth Canon in the fifth Chapter of our Church-Discipline had ordained that if any persons professing the Protestant Religion should cite their Pastors or Elders or the whole Consistory before the Civil Magistrate to enforce them to bear witness against Delinquents who had confessed their faults before them that they should be prosecuted with all Church-Censures yea even as far as Excommunication This Assembly doth farther injoin all the Churches to prosecute such persons with the very self-same Censures who that they may avoid the Censures of their Consistories do arm themselves with Prohibitions from the Civil Magistrate although the matters for which they be censur'd are purely Ecclesiastical and not belonging to the Civil Tribunal or Jurisdiction 21. All Ministers are forbidden to vent in the Pulpit their private Sentiments of State-affairs St. Foy 26. Alez Obs 5. upon this Syn. it being contrary to the Resolutions taken up in our general Assemblies And Consistories Colloquies and Provincial Synods are injoined to have a watchful Eye over such Pastors as so do and to inflict upon them all the Censures of the Church yea and to suspend them from the Ministry and the same punishment shall be also laid on them who in their publick Sermons do clash one against another upon these matters Privas Obs 5. upon the former Synod 22. The Deputies of Anjou demanded at what time Monks who are lately converted from Popery unto the truth of the Gospel might be admitted to make their publick abjuration Answer was given by this Assembly that it was left wholly to the Wisdom of the Consistory to act therein according as they found such persons to have grown in Grace and in the knowledge of God's Truth Tonneins Obs 4. on the former Synod 21. The Sieur de la Viale one of the Deputies of Higher Languedoc presented unto this Assembly Letters from Monsieur Chamier Pastor and Professor of Divinity at Montauban by which he informed us of the progress made by him in his body of Controversies which he undertook at the intreaty of the last National Synod held at Rochell and that there were three Volumes ready and fitted for the Press the heads and matters of which were included in a particular Memorial that was also tendered by him The Assembly ordered their thanks to be returned him for his great and worthy labours and that the two thousand Livers which had been formerly promised him by the Synod of Privas should be kept by him as an incouragement for his travail and to help defray his charges and that the Church of God may be no longer deprived of his most singular and fruitful Labours whose publication it hath most ardently desired these many years The Consistories of Paris and Lyons are ordered to treat with the Printers and Booksellers of their Cities and with those of Geneva or with their Company who deal in such matters to undertake the Impression of these three Volumes without delay and to get them Printed either in Germany or Geneva and in case they should demand monies to be paid them in before hand they may oblige themselves to advance three thousand Livers deposited for this purpose with the Lord of Candal unto those that will ingage to finish the said Impression provided that as soon as it is finished they do cause to be deliver'd into those afore-mentioned Consistories of Paris and Lions according to the Articles Covenanted between them so many intire and perfect Books as will satisfy the aforesaid sum of three thousand Livers already received by them at the rate of four deniers per sheet And these Books lodged in the hands of those two Consistories shall be sold unto the Pastors of our Churches at a very moderate price reserving always twelve compleat Copies to be presented unto their Reverend and Learned Author free of all costs and charges whatsoever And farther those Consistories before-mentioned shall be accountable unto another National Synod for their receit and disbursement of the sum aforesaid and of the Books received and sold by them And that this Excellent Work of Monsieur Chamier may be the sooner finished and wrought off at the Press he is intreated to send speedily unto the abovementioned Consistories the Titles of his Works the number of Quires and of Folio's in each Quire together with one Folio-leaf of the same fairly written that so an estimate may be made of the bulk of the whole And these two Consistories having perused it they shall consult together about the best and most advantaglous terms they can agree on with the Printers which being signed notice thereof shall be given unto Monsieur Chamier with their request that he would be pleased to send his Manuscript Copy unto such a place as they shall appoint him at the charges of the Undertaker who shall be reimburst by deducting such a number of Books at the rates before contracted for as his charges amounted to in fetching the said Original Papers from their Reverend Author And the said Printers shall be obliged to work off the whole Impression within the space of one year at the farthest from the date of the Contract made with them 24. In pursuance of this Order for Printing those worthy Labours of the most Reverend Chamier Thomas Portau a Printer living at Saumur appeared in Person before this Assembly and offered those terms unto it which were accepted Whereupon the Consistory of Saumur were charged to contract with him taking therein the advice of the Lord du Plessis their Governour and of Monsieur Rivet Pastor of the Church of Touars and Monsieur Chamier shall be intreated to deliver unto the said Portau his Manuscript Copy who on notice given him shall wait upon him for it and at his own charges And besides this Article there shall be added these ensuing Conditions unto the Contract stipulated with him that he shall finish the Impression of these three Books against the next Mart of Franckfort and that he shall bring them to the place appointed before the
m. 19. Alez Obs 6. upon this Synod touching the most proper means of entertaining a good Correspondence with all Orthodox Churches and to procure a good Union in Doctrine betwixt us and them and to invite over unto the same Communication even those that are of a different perswasion from us All the Provinces declared what had been done by them as to this matter This Assembly did thereupon judge expedient that we should make a little halt till such time as those who had first made these Overtures did prosecute this affair with more vigour And in the mean while Monsieur Rivett Pastor of the Church of Touars Chauves Pastor of the Church in Sommieres Chamier Pastor and Professor in the Church and University of Montalban and du Moulin Pastor of the Church of Paris are nominated a Committee and to consult of such a project as will best conduce to the accomplishing of this design After which in case they be summon'd and called forth unto this work they shall all meet together at Saumur and conjointly with the Lord du Plessis and the Pastors and Professors of Divinity in that Church and University deliberate about it and shall draw put a Plot of it which shall be sent into every Province there to be perused and debated by their Synods that so their Deputies may come prepared for it unto the next National Synod 7. Whereas divers Provinces had charged their Deputies to demand of this Assembly a National Fast to be celebrated in all the Churches of this Kingdom Gergeau g. m. 13. Now for that it hath pleased God to turn away his wrath from us and to give us manifest tokens of his goodness it was not judged expedient at this time to proclaim a General Fast but according to the Canons of our National Synods that Province whose right it is to Convene the next National Synod is ordered to consult with our Lords the General Deputies about it who are intreated that in case any emergent Providence doth summon the Churches to sanctify an extraordinary Fast to confer with the Consistory of Paris about it and to acquaint the said Province therewith whose Synod being assembled and resolving on it they shall give notice of the time for its Celebration unto all the other Provinces 3 Rochel g. m. 9. and in the Roll. See at the Conclus of Tonneins above Art 3. after the Roll. 8. The Deputies of the Churches in the Principality of Bearn gave in their reasons wherefore they had not accepted that priviledge of calling this present National Synod which was at their request granted them by the last held at Tonneins and on those terms and condition mentioned in the Article of the said Synod This Assembly did not now â—â—dge it reasonable that those Churches should be subject to the Discipline of our Churches in this Kingdom or that for the present they should immedâ—â—â—â—y depend on our National Synods Privas p. m. 14. See the second Synod of Charenton 2 Obs upon the Acts of the former National Synod But nevertheless they shall give in their final resolutions what they intend to do unto the next National Synod and in case they be of the same mind then as they are now this Assembly declareth that their Deputies may have the priviledge of sitting and voting in our National Synods upon this Condition that they shall first ask leave of the Provinces to give in their Suffrages in such Cases as concern the Churches of this Kingdom 9. It was told in this Assembly how much the Church of Sancerre was oppressed by the Earl of Marans one of whose men had but a few days since assassinated a very Eminent Member of that Church It was immediately judged necessary to write unto his Majesty about it and that the Lord of Bertreville our General Deputy should deliver with his own hands unto the King this our Letter and most humbly Petition his Majesty that Sancerre may be kept up as one of our Cautionary Towns by his supream Authority and that the Inhabitants thereof may injoy peace and quietness since it hath pleased God to give it unto the rest of his Majesty's Subjects and our General Deputies shall be very urgent for it 10. That Canon of our Church-Discipline binding Ministers to a personal residence on their Churches shall be most exactly observed by all the Provinces 1 Paris 12. Montauban g. m. 10. Alez Obs 8. on the Synod And whereas this hath been broken by too many and principally in the Higher Languedoc divers of their Pastors living at Montauban and not with their flocks every one of these are injoined to depart from thence with their Families unto those places where their Churches are gathered and this at the farthest within three months after that this Canon of the present Synod shall have been signified to them and the Consistory of the Church of Montauban is ordered to give notice thereof unto all these Non-Residents inhabiting their City And in case they refuse to yield obedience unto it we declare them from this very instant suspended the holy Ministry And Colloquies and Synods shall immediately upon such suspension provide a supply of Pastors for those vacant Churches who shall oblige themselves personally to reside among them And the said Consistory of Montauban shall notify unto the Churches the suspension of their Pastors and that they have full power to chuse and call in any other according to the Canons of our Church-Discipline And the next National Synod shall be informed by the Provinces of their duty in this particular 11. To obviate the Complaint made by several Provinces how that their Commissioners having received their moneys from the Lord of Candal do keep it in their own hands longer than they ought denying many times that they have received any from him The said Lord du Candal is desired that either himself or his Commissioners would be pleased to send a Copy of their Receipts as soon as they be given him or them unto such persons in every Province as shall be named to him for this purpose That so the Province may be certainly informed at what time and to whom he paid in their moneys and the poorer Churches may not be left unpaid and unprovided for divers Months together as they have been by the wickedness of those Receivers Commissionated by the Provinces upon the pretexts but now mentioned 12. Forasmuch as divers Deputies in this Assembly declared that they brought not with them moneys enough to defray their Charges during this Session The Deputy of the Lord du Candal being how in Town was ordered to supply them and that out of the Dividend belonging to their Provinces for which sums so received by them they shall be accountable unto their respective Provinces 13. Whereas we are at present necessitated to be at unusual expences in dispatches deputations and extraordinary businesses for the Churches this Assembly requireth the Lord of Candal to pay in unto our
4. that it would please this Assembly to make a Decree that the Churches of Vic Figenseac Eutre and Leyran now lying in the Province of lower Guyenne and joyned to it might be separated from it and incorporated with the Colloquy of Armagnac lying in the Province of higher Languedoc It was ordered That the two Provinces should confer about it and hear the Opinion of those Churches upon the case and afterward they should determine that which they conceived would be most expedient for them Tâ—â—neins Appeal 34. 12. Monsieur Grand Pastor in the Church of Cajarc in the Province of higher Languedoc did by Letters humbly petition this Assembly to take off the Censure filed against him by the National Synod of Tonneins which had forbidden him any more to Preach in the Church of Caussade The Consuls and Elders also of the said Church and Town joyned with him in the same Petition This Assembly having considered the Testimonials given of him by the Colloquy of upper Quercy and also by the Synod of higher Languedoc do give power unto the said Province to license Monsieur Grand to return and exercise his Ministry as formerly in the Church of Caussade but in the first place they shall most diligently consider whether his Presence and Preaching there will be for its edification and that the Church of Cajarc be duly supplied by another Minister 13. The Church of Saumur contested with the Province of Brittain about a Pension and Maintenance exhibited by them unto Julian Fournier who had quitted the Convent of Capuchins in the City of Blois The Deputies of Anjou and Brittain having been both heard this Assembly moderated the said Charges and reduced them to the Sum of fifty Livers to wit twenty Livers for his Diet and thirty for his Cloths which said Sum shall be paid unto the Church of Saumur by the Province of Brittain out of the Monies granted us by his Majesty's liberality 14. The Lord Baron of Tournebu writ unto this Assembly by an Elder of the Church of Falaise that his late deceased Lady hath bequeathed as a Legacy some considerable Sums of Money which are in the Province of Zealand to be employed in the educating of a Scholar either of Zealand Basil or Geneva that may hereafter serve the Church of Essars in the Ministry of the Word and Sacraments And whereas the Sum bequeathed will not suffice for that purpose the said Lord promiseth on his Honour to make up the rest After the Deputies of Normandy had been heard the Assembly applauding the Design and Zeal of this noble Lord orders the Province of Normandy to intreat the said Lord not to chuse any Scholar out of this Kingdom and that he would be pleas'd to advise with his Colloquy and Synod about him and in case he should not grant unto us our desire he shall be at his full liberty to chuse him whence and where he will but with this Proviso That as soon as he shall be sit for service he be presented unto the Province and admitted by it according to the Canons of our Church-Discipline 15. The Colloquy of Foix in the Province of Higher Languedoc writ and sent their Complaints unto this Assembly of those grievous Oppressions the Churches in those parts have undergone for these last six Years and the great Sums they have been necessitated to expend in keeping possession of our Cautionary Towns there and to support themselves in the Courts of Parliament Chambers of the Edict and the Council of State This Assembly advised the said Colloquy first of all to apply themselves unto their own Province For we could not divert the Monies given for our Minister's subsistence unto any other uses 16. The Colloquy of Gex petitioned this Assembly to compassionate the deep Poverty of their Ministers and to add something by way of augmentation to what was given them in the Synod of Tonneins for their better maintenance Whereupon a Decree past that the Lord of Candal should be desired to pay those Ministers in the first place before any others and that the sixty Livers heretofore allotted towards the maintenance of their Colledge and taken out of the Common Stock of the Churches should not any longer be allowed because there is provision made for the said Colledge another way 17. Monsieur Codur Professor of Hebrew in the University of Montpellier complained that he was never paid his Salery since he exercised his Ministry in the Province of Provence This Assembly dismissed his Affair over to the Pastors and Elders of Lower Languedoc who are ordered by this Assembly to visit the Synod of Provence and to see that those Churches which have been served by the said Monsieur Codur do account with him and give him full satisfaction 18. The Province of Berry declaring that the last National Synod of Tonneins had by a special Order appointed the Lord of Candal to detain by him one portion under the Name of Monsieur Hume and to be paid into that Province in which he should be imployed as a Pastor and he being called to the Cure of Souls in the said Province yet they could never receive a Penny of the said portion as was evident from the Accompts of the said Lord Du Candal Whereupon this Assembly did expresly injoyn him immediately to accompt with the said Province and to pay them out of hand what is owing to them 19. David Chauveton a Scholar Alez Obs 10. upon this Syn. maintained by the Province of the Isle of France and since received into the Ministry and ordained Pastor to the Church of Claye from which having first obtained licence for three Months he departed to visit his aged and diseased Father Pastor in the Church of Limeueill in the Province of lower Guyenne but returned not according to his promise for which cause the said Province hath censured him and condemned him to make a full restitution of all their Charges they were at in his preparatory Studies to the Sacred Ministry Which he not having done they complained of him unto this Assembly who considering that the said Chauveton had served full three Years in the Ministry among them and that he came back unto the Consistory of Paris and offered himself to minister as formerly in the Church of Claye or in any other they would be pleased to provide for him did nevertheless reprove him for not being punctual to his promise in returning at the time prefixed nor sending some lawful excuse for his absence and the Province of Lower Guyenne could not receive the said Chauveton without the consent and dismission of the Isle of France whose he was and therefore ordaineth that the said Chauveton shall pay within one Year the Sum of three hundred Livers unto the said Province in lieu of all their Demands from him for Charges they were at in his Education at School and University And in case he be not able to do it the Province of Lower Guyenne shall disburse the
said Monies for him 20. The Province of Higher Languedoc made report in this Assembly of the Judgment passed by them in the difference between Monsieur d' Anglade Tâ—nneins of University-Accompts Art 10. Alez Obs 11. and the Province of Lower Languedoc which was remanded to them by the National Synod of Tonneins and that Monsieur d' Anglade required payment of a certain Sum of Monies owing him as Wages for his Profession of Hebrew in the University of Nismes and due unto him from the Year 1603 unto that of 1607. By which Judgment of theirs the Province of Lower Languedoc was obliged to pay in unto the said Sieur d' Anglade the Sum of four hundred Livers but the same Province pleading that they had no notice given of the time when the Synod of Lower Languedoc was held this Assembly having considered the whole matter doth ordain that the said Province shall be accountable for this unto the next Synod of Sevennes and shall pay in unto the said Sieur d' Anglade either in good Bills or in ready Monies all his Arrears Which it they do not the Judgment of the Synod of Higher Languedoc shall stand in force against them and be fully executed 21. The Deputies of the Province of Lower Guyenne demanding 〈◊〉 p. m. â— that those three free Portions which were ordained by the National Synod of Tonneins unto the Churches of Soulés taking in that also which was adjudged unto Monsieur Bustonoby Pastor in Berne and serving the said Churches of Soulé might be continued This Assembly considering that the Monies formerly given were not employed to maintain a Pastor in actual service cannot for the present give any more than two Portions free of all charges which shall be delivered them by the Receiver of the Province of Lower Guyenne and farther ordaineth that because those Churches are at a very great distance from those of the Lower Guyenne they shall be for the future incorporated with the nearest Colloquy of Berne until the next National Synod and then the said Churches shall by the Deputies of Berne declare what course they have took in obedience to this Decree for providing themselves of a Pastor and of their just and faithful employment of the moneys that have been granted them 22. The Sieur Piloty came unto this Synod 〈◊〉 Mâ—â—â—â—â—â— p. m. â—â— Aâ—â— p. m. â—8 bringing with him an Order of the General Assembly held at Nismes by which he was dismissed hither to be recompensed for his losses sustained and charges expended in securing the Town of Aubenas for the Churches and this in pursuance of his Oath and Promise made by him unto the first Assembly of Chastelheraut This Assembly doth not in the least conceive it self obliged to reward him nor that the moneys in its disposal should be alienated from their proper use to the defraying of such expences yet nevertheless considering the great necessities to which this worthy Gentleman is reduced by his good and faithful services done the Churches whereof he hath valid and sufficient Testimonials there was granted him for his Journey hither three hundred Livers which shall be paid him at sight by the Lord of Candall and to relieve him under his pressing wants four Portions free of all Taxes on the Province of Sevennes and this to be continued till the sitting of the next National Synod 23. John le Febure Bookseller at Geneva writ unto this Assembly Alez Obs 14. on this Synod humbly requesting it to take cognizance of the great Injury done him in the person of his Daughter by Monsieur Mainvill the younger at present Pastor in the Church of Orthez in the Province of Bearn who had debauched his Daughter After hearing the Deputies of Bearn this Assembly exhorted their Synod to injoyn the said Mainvill to go out of hand unto Geneva and there to clear himself before the Magistrates of that City of what is laid unto his charge that so the Holy Ministry may be freed of all Reproaches And in case he refuse obedience unto their Order that they punish him according to the Discipline of our Churches with Suspension from his Sacred Office and the Informations and other Papers sent unto this Assembly were deposited with the Deputies of Bearn and to be produced at the next meeting of their Synod 24. Whereas the Consistory and Church of Moulins in the Province of Berry have petitioned this Assembly Alez Obs 12. on this Synod that they might be joyned unto that of Burgundy and that Monsieur de la Roche who was lent them but for six Months might be setled among them as their own and ordinary Pastor After that the Deputies of Berry had been heard this Assembly ordained that the said Church shall carry their Petition unto the next Provincial Synod of Berry which is intreated to consider the matter seriously and to deal in it according to the Laws of Charity 25. The Deputies of the Isle of France and Champagne made report of the singular success of the Gospel at Langres Alez p. m. 52. and what a fair prospect there is of a far larger harvest but withal that they were embarrast with a world of difficulty in setting up the publick Exercise of our Religion unless in the Bailiwick of Sens which is the one and only place they can meet withal and they pray that it may he granted them in lieu of their Meeting-place at Atigny which is at present and hath been for a long time altogether useless to them After that the Deputies of Berry were heard who inform'd that they had no order from their Province as to this matter and yet were very importunate to retain the Temple for those of Sens this Assembly ordained that the said Province of Berry should yield up the said place of the Bailiwick of Sens unto the people of Langres and in case of refusal then it doth adjudge the Bailiwick of Sens to be incorporated with the Province of the Isle of France and Champagne who are fully impowered to make choice of any place that will most contribute to the edifying of God's Church 26. Monsieur de la Place Pastor in the Church of Sion complained that David de la Place his Brother though upon examination he was approved as a person fit and qualified for the Ministry yet hitherto he hath been wholly neglected by the Province of Brittain who have maintain'd him as their Proposan and that therefore he might be set at liberty from them This Assembly ordaineth that the Province of Brittain shall present him unto some Church within two Months and in case they do not then he shall be given for Pastor unto the Church of Lavall in the Province of Anjou where he shall serve one whole Year and that expired he shall be wholly freed from the Province of Brittain who shall forfeit their power of recalling or assigning him unto any other Flock 27. Monsieur Babat acquainted this Assembly that it was
of the Fifth Chapter a Question was moved by the Province of Provence Whether a Person that was never called to the Office of an Elder might warrantably read the Word of God and the Common-Prayers unto the Church in the Ministers absence especially in lesser Churches which have no Consistories nor any Persons fit to read This Assembly judgeth that the Consistory hath full liberty to choose any one whom it conceiveth meet to read the Scriptures and Prayers although he be not in the Eldership provided he be of sufficient years and unblameable Life and that he have subscribed the Confession of our Faith and Church-Discipline 13. At the reqâ—est of the Province of Sevennes to these words in the Sixteenth Canon of the Fifth Chapter Fathers and Mothers who marry their Children shall be added these following Tutors Guardians and all other Persons instead of Parents who dispose of their Orphans and Minors in Marriage 14. These words as much as may be shall be rased out of the Ninth Canon of the Twelfth Chapter And in all the Provinces Pastors shall be obliged to administer the Cup as well as the Bread unto every individual Communicant without distinction of Persons as also they shall use meet words in the Administration of both the Elements to quicken the Hearts and Spirits of the Communicants at the Lords Table And express Order is given to all Provincial Synods that they take special care that Pastors do not in the least transgress this Canon 15. On the Third Canon of the Thirteenth Chapter the Province of Normandy desired That all the Churches of this Kingdom would conform themselves to their Custom That Espousals before Marriage should be Celebrated by Ministers with Prayers and Exhortations to the betroathed Persons to prepare them for that Holy Estate whereunto they be called The Assembly though it praiseth and approveth of this their practice and of them that observe it yet did not judge meet to oblige all Persons necessarily thereunto but leave the faithful unto their liberty 16. On the Fifth Canon of the same Chapter there was made this reflection That whereas there is a great difference in divers Copies of our Church-Discipline that Canon which was made by the National Synod of Privas shall be inserted word for word into the Body of our Discipline To witt Henceforward all promises of Marriage and Espousals shall be made by words de futuro nor shall such promises be reputed as firm and undissolvable as the words de Praesenti because the words de praesenti do not promise Marriage but do effectually accomplish it Nevertheless those words de futuro shall not be dissolved without very great and lawful cause Wherefore the Custom of some certain Churches is condemned who celebrate Espousals by the Ministerial Benediction of their Pastors with gift of Bodies by words de praesenti For by such a Solemnity we cannot but account the Parties to be truly and actually Married and that the Publication of Banes is thereby preposterous done after Marriage and another Solemnization of the Marriage in Gods Church is needless However we cannot disapprove of Ministers officiating at Espousals or that they should pray for and Exhort the Parties betroathed to mutual Love Concord Fidelity and the Fear of God but we would have them leave those other Formalities which serve only to render a Bond indissolvable which oftentimes we be constrained afterwards to break by reason of Oppositions made at the Publication of the Banes and for divers other Impediments which may happen For this cause all the Churches shall hereafter utterly abandon that custom of Solemnizing Espousals in the Temple with those Formalities resembling Marriage and they shall conform themselves unto the other Churches of this Kingdom 17. On the Sixteenth Canon of the Thirteenth Chapter the Province of Anjou demanded Whether we should suffer the Banes of Strangers as Germans Scots or any others to be published in our Churches without having Certificates from their Country which will be very difficult to obtain and possibly may be counterfeit This Assembly leaveth the matter wholly to the prudence of Consistories and to act therein as will be most expedient ordaining however that if possible they should get Certificates 18. On the same Canon the Province of lower Guyenne requested that another might be made for the right ordering of Banes which are mostly attended with Titles full of vanity Tins Assembly conceiving that such an Ordinance would not take well with Persons of Quality doth therefore advise them to keep as much as possibly they can within the bounds of Christian Modesty and Simplicity Above the 1. Synod of Rochell Observ 59. 19. The Seventh Canon of the Fourteenth Chapter shall be couched in these words Neither Counsellors nor Attorneys at Law may plead in such Causes as tend to the suppression of the word of God preached nor to the setting un of Mass nor in any wise shall they be suffered to give Counsel or Assistance unto the Romish Church-men in those Causes which have a tendency directly or indirectly to the oppression of the Church See Synod of Orleans Act. 22. 20. The Province of Normandy demanding that the Eleven Canon of this Fourteenth Chapter might be a little mollified This Assembly ordained that it should abide in its full and whole Power according to what had bin decreed in the Synod of Tonneins 21. On the Sixteenth Canon Synods Paris 1. Act. 29. Colloquies and Consistories are Exhorted to watch over Ministers and other Persons who shall publish their Works and not first of all communicate them in Manuscript to be perused and approved by the Divines thereunto appointed and the Transgressors of this Canon shall be most severely censured The Articles of our Discipline having been read and diligently considered were sworne to by all the Pastors and Elders Deputed unto this Assembly both in their private and publick Capacities and they promised for themselves and Provinces to see them faithfully and carefully observed CHAP. VI. Observations made on Reading the Acts of the last National Synod held at Vitre 1. THAT Article enjoyning Monsieur Rivett to compose an History of those Remarkable Providences which had befallen our Churches 〈◊〉 observ 〈◊〉 upoâ— the 〈…〉 being read together with his Excuses by Letters for non-performance the Provinces not having communicated to him their Memorials as they were ordered This Assembly commands that Letters shall be dispatcht to Monsieur Buffon Lieutenant General of Casteljaloux exhorting him to prosecute this great Work undertaken by him of writing the History of our times and that he would be pleased before it go unto the Press to impart it unto the Synod of his Province and all the other Provinces be charged to send unto him their Memoirs 2 Pâ—â—â— Obâ—arv 2. upon the Synod of â—â—â—â—ins 2. In reading that Canon of Tonneins inserted into the last Synod of Vitre which gave leave unto Elders in Consistory the Pastor being excepted against to suspend
from their Studies and Ministerial Duties and is exceeding chargeable and incommodious unto their Churches It forbiddeth most expresly all Ministers in that Province and in all the other Provinces of this Kingdom to accept henceforwards of any Deputations unto Court or to become the Deputies of others although they be Persons of the greatest Quality or to be deputed unto them And it exhorts the said Province of Lower Languedoc to send their Deputies from Colloquies rather than from the Churches And it intreateth the next General Assembly to confirm this our Canon and if possible totally to discharge all Pastors of Churches from intermedling with State-Affairs And in short it doth injoyn Provincial Synods to take special Notice of such Ministers as shall accept of those Deputations and to prosecute them with the severest censures yea and to suspend them from their Ministry And in case the Provincial Synods prove negligent the National will take cognisance of this their neglect and call them to an account for it 2. Monsieur Boucheteau Minister of Gods Holy Word and the Sieurs de la Begaudiere de Benes Joly Bernard and du Puy Elders were appointed a Committee to audit the Accompts of the Lord du Candal 3. The Lords de la Riviere and de Juigne Ministers of the Gospel and de la Begaudiere de Benes Pusquet di Bouques and Joly Elders were nominated to receive the Accounts of our Colledges and Universities and to make report thereof unto this Assembly 4. The National Synod of Vitre having given Commission unto some certain Deputies of divers Provinces joyntly together with our Lords the General Deputies at Court to compel the Sieur Palot to accompt with them for those great Summs he is indebted unto the Churches 2 Vitre g. m. 4. and these according to their Commission having devolv'd it on the Consistory of Paris to take care of this concern who did to this purpose imploy the Sieurs Guidon and d' Huisseau Elders of the said Church of Paris Now the Letters of those two Gentlemen Monsieur Guidon and d' Huisseau being read as also the Memoirs of what they had done in their prosecution of the said Palot This Assembly approved and confirmed the Powers which had been granted them by the Lords our General Deputies and Consistory of the Church of Paris and it thanketh them for their great pains and intreat them to continue this their Prosecution and as a Testimonial of our Gratitude we do paesent them with Two Thousand Livres which they shall receive out of the first Moneys of the Four and Twenty Thousand Livres which the said Sieur Palot was condemned in open Court after the Tryal was heard to pay unto our Churches for which gratuity the said Sieurs Guidon and d' Huisseau shall being in their Account as also of the Overplus of the said 24000 Livrs But in case the said Summ of 24000 Livres should not be payd by the said Sieur Palot yet the Summ of 2000 Livres wherewith they be presented by this Assembly may be taken by them out of the clearest Moneys which shall be received from the said Palot And as for those other great Summs remaining due from him unto the Churches This Assembly doth freely give and grant unto the said Guidon and d' Huisseau a quarter part of whatever may be recovered by them provided they pursue the Processes and Suits in Law at their own Costs and Charges without expecting any other gratification or reimbursement from the Churches And if perchance the said Gentlemen should not accept of these conditions and refuse to finish the prosecution of this Affair hitherto undertaken and performed by them then shall they be reimburst of all their pass Expence and Charges according to the report they shall make of them in all Sincerity and Justice unto the Consistory of the Church of Paris which shall notifie it unto all the Provinces and they conjoyntly with our Lords the General Deputies shall make an equal Dividend of the Paper and Accounts relating to those Summs among all the Provinces that so every particular Province may prosecute the said Palot for their respective Summs in such a way and manner as best pleaseth them In pursuance of this Decree Letters of Attorney were ordered to be given unto the said Guidon and d' Huisseau by the Deputies of the Isle of France provided they would by a publick Act of their own Signed and Sealed stipulate to their Approbation and acceptance of this present Synodical Act and Decree and promise to go thorough with the prosecution of the said Palot conformably to the Conditions and Terms propounded and included in it 5. Forasmuch as there is a most dreadful Deluge of Ungodliness overflowing the whole Land and horribly corrupting all Ranks and Degrees of Men amongst us which doth call aloud unto us to humble our selves before God and the late doleful Changes hapned in the Churches of Bearn and in divers other Churches and Provinces united and incorporated with us which are either ruinated or upon the very brink of ruine and destruction do all warn invite and summon us to turn away Gods Wrath from us by a most serious and speedy Repentance and sincere Conversion Therefore this Assembly ordaineth that a Publick Fast shall be solemnly kept and observed in this Church of Alez on Saturday the Fourteenth of November and on the first Thursday in March next ensuing in all the Reformed Churches of this Kingdom 6. A Motion and Petition from the Province of Normandy St. Maixant Observ 2.2 Vitre g. m. 11. that there might be a special Canon made with reference unto our Proposans because all former Orders have been ineffectual and very great Inconveniences do fall out dayly through want of a sufficient knowledge of the Qualities and Conversations of such as we are to receive into the Ministerial Office This Assembly is of another Opinion judging that there is no need of any new Canons But it enjoyneth all the Provinces exactly to observe those which are inserted into the Body of our Discipline and in the Acts of our National Synods and not to lay on hands suddenly on any Person And whereas those said inconveniencies have risen hence that the Doctors and Professors in our Universities have been over-liberal and too too favourable in their Testimonials given to our Scholars they shall be admonished for time to come never to grant them out of favour or respect to any person contrary to Truth and Sincerity And in like manner all the Provinces be forbidden to admit the Scholar of another Province into the Ministry among them without the express consent and attestation of that Province from whence he departeth 7. The Lord of Candal shall not pay any Money unto any Member of nor to any Person that comes from the Political Assemblies without a particular Order under the hand of the Receiver of the Province and to be charged on the account of the Provincial Synods And in
Pastors and Elders Deputed unto this Assembly have sworne and protested joyntly and severally that they consent unto this Doctrine and that they will defend it with the utmost of their power even to their last breath The Form and Tenour of which Oath together with the Deputies Names subscribed shall be added to the close of this Article that the consent may be rendred the more Authentick and Obliging to all the Provinces And this Assembly ordaineth that this very Canon be printed and added to the Canons of the said Council and that it shall be read in our Provincial Synods and in our Universities that it may be approved sworne and subscribed to by the Pastors and Elders of our Churches and by the Doctors and Professors in our Universities and also by all those that are to be ordained and admitted into the Ministry or into the Professors Chair in any of our Universities And if any one of these Persons should reject either in whole or in part the Doctrine contained in and decided by the Canons of the said Council or refuse to take the Oath of Consent and Approbation This Assembly decreeth that he shall not be admitted into any Office or Imployment either in our Churches or Universities Moreover this Assembly conjureth by the bowels of Divine Mercy and by the Blood of the Everlasting Covenant all Ministers Pastors of Churches to whom the Cure of pretious Souls is committed that they would walk together evenly and harmoniously in one and the same way that they abstain from all idle unprofitable and curious Questions that they do not pry into the Sacred Ark of Gods hidden and unrevealed Counsels and Decrees above or beyond what is recorded in his written Word the Holy Scriptures of Truth but rather that they would humbly own and acknowledge their ignorance of those profound and unfathomable Mysteries than intrude themselves into things unlawful and that they would so order their Discourses and Sermons concerning Predestination that it may promote Repentance and Amendment of Life consolate wounded Consciences and excite the practice of Godliness that by this means all occasions of Disputes and Controversies may be avoided and we may abide united in one and the same Faith with our Brethren of the Netherlands and other Churches of our Lord Jesus without the Kingdom as maintaining together with them and contending for one and the same Faith assaulted by the same common Enemies and called to one and the same hope through our Lord Jesus Christ to whom with the Father and the Holy Ghost be Honour and Glory for ever and ever Amen CHAP. XII The Forme of the Oath taken in the National Synod and which is to be administred unto all the Members of Provincial Synods I N. N. do Swear and Protest before God and this Holy Assembly that I do receive approve and imbrace all the Doctrines taught and decided by the Synod of Dort as perfectly agreeing with the Word of God and the Confession of our Churches I Swear and Promise to persevere in the Profession of this Doctrine during my whole Life and to defend it with the utmost of my power and that I will never neither by Preaching nor Teachings in the Schools nor by Writing depart from it I declare also and I protest that I reject and condemn the Doctrine of the Arminians because it makes Gods Decree of Election to depend upon the mutable Will of Man and for that it doth extenuate and make null and void the Grace of God it exalteth Man and the powers of Free Will to his destruction it reduceth into the Church of God old ejected Pelagianisme and is a Mask and Vizard for Popery to creep in among us under that disguise and subverteth all Assurance of Everlasting Life and Happyness And so may God help me and be propitious to me as I swear all this without any Ambiguity Equivocation or mental Reservation Sworn and Subscribed by Peter du Moulin Pastor of the Church of Paris Deputy for the Isle of Franse and Moderator of the Synod Laurence Brunier Pastor of the Church of Vsez Deputy for the Province of lower Languedoc and Assessor of the Synod Nicholas Vignier Pastor of the Church of Blois Deputy for the Province of Orleans and Scribe of the Synod Thomas Papillon Elder in the Church of Paris Deputy for the Isle of France and Scribe of the Synod Isack de Juigne Pastor of the Church of Vassy and Deputy for the Province of the Isle of France Picardy c. Samuel de L'Escherpiere Pastor of the Church of Roan Daniel Massys Pastor in the Church of Caen Antony Bridon Elder in the Church of Feschamp James de Montbray Elder in the Church of Conde Deputies for the Province of Normandy Ezechiel Marmet Pastor in the House of the duke of Rohan Philip de Vassaut elder in the Church of Roche Bernard Deputies for the Province of Britain Daniel Jammen Pastor of the Church of St. Amand John de Bennes Elder in the Church of Gien Galliot de Cambirs Elder in the Church of Romorantin Deputies for the Province of Orleans Samuel Bouchereau Pastor of the Church of Saumur Matthew Cottiers Pastor of the Church in Touns George Rabbotteau Elder in the Church of Pruilly Deputies for the Province of Touraine John Chauffepied Pastor of the Church of Niort John Carre Pastor of the Church of Chastelheraud Giles Begaud Elder of the Church of Mountagu Deputies for the Province of Poictou Daniel Chanet Pastor of the Church of Ars John Constans Pastor of the Church of Pons Peter Paâ—quet Elder in the Church of Rouchfoucauld Peter Promentin Elder in the Church of St. John de Angely Deputies for the Province of Xaintonge James du Luc Pastor of the Church of Casteljaloux James Privat Pastor of the Church of Chastillion Francis Joly Elder in the Church of Bourdeaux John Guillim Elder in the Church of Grateloupe Deputies for the Province of lower Guienne David Agard Pastor of the Church of Valance Daniel Richard Pastor of the Church of Cheilar John de Blache Elder in the Church of Biuffres John de Rouvre Elder in the Church of Aubenas Deputies for the Province of Vivaretz Michael le Faucheur Pastor of the Church of Montpellier Charles de Boaques Elder in the same Church Anthony de Roques Elder in the Church of Montfrin Deputies for the Province of lower Languedoc John de Voysin Pastor of the Church of Realmont Antony Garrissoles Pastor of the Church of Puylaurent Paul de Luppe Elder in the Church of Mauvoisin James du Elder in the Church of Montauban Deputies for the higher Languedoc Peter Helliot Pastor of the Church of Arnay le Duc Francis Perreauld Pastor of the Church of Mascon and Noyer du Noyer Elder in the Church of Bussy Deputies for the Province of Burgundy Peter Huron Pastor in the Church of Riez Elias de Glandeves Elder in the Church of Puymitchel Deputies for the Province of Provence Paul Guyon Pastor of the Church of
Officers of His Majesty their Provincial Synod could not meet but towards the end of August which had exceedingly retarded and put back their Journey so that they could not possibly come any sooner unto this Assembly Their Excuses were admitted and they were admonished for the future to keep exactly to the forme prescribed by the former National Synods in their Letters of Deputation and to bring in Writing the Names of those Persons who being Commissionated could not come hither unto this Synod The One and Twentieth day after the Synod had first met and sate there were Letters brought and read in full Assembly from the Province of Provence assembled in their Synod at Cabrieres on the Eight and Twentieth day of August last By which they excuse themselves and crave that they may be excused for not having sent any Deputies unto this Assembly But all their Excuses were rejected and the said Province was censur'd for their neglect of this their Duty they being able if they had been willing to have Commissionated some from out of their Body unto this Synod and they were farther censured for that their Letters were full of blots and razures and that the clause of submission unto the Votes and Canons thereof was not couched in such full and Emphatical terms as the former National Synods had prescribed Prayers having been offered up unto God and all the Letters of Deputation read and examined The Reverend Mr. Durant Pastor of the Church of Paris was nominated and chosen Moderator Mr. Bayly Assessor and Mr. Faucheur a Pastor and Mr. Launay an Elder to be Scribes CHAP. II. The Kings Commissson to the Lord GALLAND AS soon as the Synodical Officers were chosen the Lord Galland declared that by vertue of and in Obedience to his Majesties Letters Patents bearing Date the Seventeenth of April last and verified in his Court of Parliament the Second of May following by which His Majesty had ordained that in all Assemblies of his Subjects of the Reformed Religion whether Coloquies or Synods one of His Majesties Officers being of the same Religion should assist in Person and see that nothing should be propounded or handled but only such Affairs as were permitted by his Edicts and that he should make report thereof unto His Majesty He came now and sate in this Assembly for that His Majesty had Commissionated him as his Deputy unto this present Assembly as was evident by the Letters Pattents of His said Majesty subscribed by the Kings own Hand Lewis and a little Lower by His Majesties Order De L' Omeny and Sealed with the Great Seal in yellow Wax and Dated the Twenty Ninth of July last which were produced and read The Tenour whereof is as followeth Lewis by the Grace of God King of France and Navarre to our well-beloved and faithful Counsellor in our Council of State and Privy Council our Attorney General in our Realm of Navarre Monsieur Augustus Galland Greeting We having Willed and Ordained by our Letters Patents bearing Date in the Moneth of April last that our Subjects of the P. Reformed Religion might hold their Synodical Assemblies as formerly and meet and treat about Matters of their Discipline and that we would Commissionate one of our Officers of the same Religion to be present in those Assemblies and to see that none other Matter should be Debated in them but what is according to our Edicts Now forasmuch as in the Moneth of September next there will be conven'd at Charenton an Assembly of the Deputies of the said Religion from out of all the Provinces of this our Kingdom For these Causes we being well assured of your good affection unto our Service and to the Repose and Peace of our Estate we have Commissionated and do by these presents Commissionate you to meet and be present with them in the said General Assembly whether it sit at Charenton or be removed elsewhere by our permission during the whole time of their Sessions and carefully to take heed that nothing he Treated or Debated in it contrary to our Service or prejudicial to the Publick Peace And in case any other thing shall be proposed or Debated than what concerns the Order and Discipline of the said P. Reformed Religion you shall oppose and suppress it and make those Remonstrances against it as be in such cases needful and give us full and timely notice of the whole and of all and singular passages transacted in it And because of that confidence we have of your Loyalty and Affection we have Commissionated and Deputed and do Commissionate and Depute you for this very end and purpose to be present in all those Assemblies held by our Subjects of the said P. Reformed Religion by our Licence at the said Town of Charenton without your having need of any other powers than what are now given you by these present Letters Pattents which you may communicate unto such Persons as you shall think fit so that none of those our aforesaid Subjects may pretend ignorance you having received full power from us For such is our will and pleasure Given at St. Germain in I aye this Nine and Twentieth day of July and in the Year of Grace One Thousand Six Hundred and Twenty Three and in the Fourteenth Year of Our Reign Signed Lewes and a little lower By His Majesties Order D' LOMENY CHAP. III. A great Debate about this Commission THE Letters Pattents being read The Lord of Montmartyn Deputy General of the Churches unto His Majesty reported that when as He and his Colleague the Lord Maniald were inform'd of His Majesties Will as aforesaid they did what lay in their power by reason and argument to disswade His Majesty from passing this Declaration But notwithstanding all that they did or could urge His Majesty was not pleased in the least to heed or regard them but caused this Declaration to be verified in his Court of Parliament So that neither himself nor the Lord Maniald being able to do any thing more they left it unto this present Assembly to reiterate their Complaints unto His Majesty and if they thought good to tender their Petitions unto His Majesty about it The Synod deliberating in presence of the Lord Augustus Galland about this Affair and cousidering that by this Declaration of His Majesty our Colloquies and Synods were most unjustly charged and condemned for having past beyond the Bounds and Limits of their most humble Duty which they have alwayes deferred and payd unto His Majesty in all their Consultations and Debates and moreover that the benefit of his Edicts was greatly retrenched and those favourable Concessions which His Majesty had granted us were now as good as totally revoked it is resolved that a most solemn humble address should be presented to His Majesty that he would be pleased to maintain our Churches in all their Liberties which had been accorded to them and which they had ever heretofore enjoyed and two Pastors with two Elders were ordained to
Church-History wherein we may have the rise growth and progress of all Controversies and their confutation by the Sacred Scriptures for the greater Edification of Gods Church 10. The same Province demanded Whether Consistories might compel an Advocate by Ecclesiastical Censures to depose against his Client such matters as had been secretly communicated to him This Assembly considering that Advocates are intrusted with many Secrets and obliged by the Duties of their Office and Calling to conceal Matters confided to them by their Clients judgeth that no Consistories ought to urge them to it unless in cases of High Treason or things of such great importance 11. The Provincial Deputies Commissionated to our National Synods shall not be suffered to plead for any Church or private Person who appeals from the Judgment of their Province But it shall be lawful for them to bring with them the Memoirs and Instructions of the said Churches and particular Appellants and tender them unto the National Synods who may leave them in the hands of Commissioners to make report of them 12. This Synod ratifying the Decrees of former Synods forbiddeth all Colloquies and Provincial Synods to divert the Moneys given us by the King in any manner whatsoever from their primary use and intendment whereunto they were appointed and ordaineth that they shall be only employed towards the maintenance of our Ministers and the upholding of the Sacred Ministry of the maintenance of our Universities Colledges Proposans the Widows of Pastors and they shall be expended in defraying the necessary Charges of our National Synods according to the Will and Pleasure of His Majesty 13. Monsieur d' Huisseau appearing in this Assembly as he and Monsieur Guydon had been ordered to give an account of their prosecuting Monsieur Palot for the recovery of those great Summs of Money he was indebted unto the Churches He declared that both himself and the said Monsieur Guidon now absent since the last National Synod held at Alez which they had acquainted with the process commenc't by them against the said Palot could not make any great progress therein because of the Wars which a little while after brake out and for that the Commissioners appointed by the King to audit the said Palots Accounts were all out of the way But yet notwithstanding they had not been altogether idle nor lost their time For though this Affair were exceedingly imbroyl'd yet had they got such light into it as would be very beneficial unto the Churches and not only to some of them which were more particularly concern'd above other but would be very useful to the Exchequer it self and to the said Monsieur Palot That the difficulty formerly experienc't in getting Commissioners who might examin the Accompts of the said Palot had made them conclude that to bring this Affair to an happy period it were best to carry and leave it with the Sedentary Judges as those are in the Sovereign Courts And since the opening of this Synod the Lord Malat Secretary to His Majesty a Man of great Probity Capacity and Intelligence and very well known did by a third Person make this offer That in case he would give him a quarter of what Moneys might be gotten in from this Affair he would undertake the prosecution of it without ever demanding any thing else from the Churches for defraying his Costs and Expences If therefore it would please this Synod to continue and prorogue for Six Moneths longer unto the said Lords Guidon and d' Huysseau the faculties and powers granted and confirmed to them by the last Synod of Alez and give them leave to associate with them the said Lord of Mallat and to prosecute this Affair in such Courts and Jurisdictions as they should think good on condition that one quarter of what might be recovered should be given them in lieu of all their Charges and Recompence they hoped that within the term of Six Moneths the Churches should be well contented with their pains and undertakings and reap the fruit and injoy the benefit of them And that an estimate might be made of their progress in this Law-Suit within that time This Assembly is desired to Authorize the Synod of the Isle of France to take cognisance thereof that so according to the success and profit had and obtained they may either order it to be continued or surceased Moreover this Assembly is requested to charge the Lords our General Deputies to come in and assist the said Lords Guidon Mallat and d' Huisseau upon such occasions as do occur and when as they shall be desired by them But the Synod thought it more convenient before they proceeded any farther to conferr in the first place with the Sieur Palot because we had now an easie opportunity for so doing and therefore voted that the Seur Palot should be intreated to come unto this Assembly which accordingly he did and upon discourse he offered that if this Assembly would be pleased to nominate a Committee of their own Members he would very willingly confer with them about this Affair Whereupon the Lords of Montmartyn one of our General Deputies Basnage a Pastor Du Port du Four and de Launay Elders together with Monsieur d' Huisseau were appointed to confer with the said Palot and see if they could bring him to put a fair and amicable end unto it Who having discoursed with him informed this Assembly that he was so far from compounding with the Churches and refunding any thing unto them of the great Summs demanded by us that on the contrary he avowed they were very much indebted to him The Synod hereupon Commissionated the Lords Durant and Mestrezat Pastors Marbau Massoners Biggot and de L' Aunay Elders of the Church of Paris to act joyntly together with the Lords of Montmartyn and Manialt our General Deputies or with any one of them in the absence of the other and to resolve and conclude in the Name and behalf of our Churches whatsoever they should conceive meet in this Affair and to treat and agree with one or more Sollicitors and to give full Powers unto him or them to prosecute it on such Articles and Conditions as in their Wisdoms would most contribute to the Weal Benefit and Advantage of our Churches And to this purpose a special Letter of Attorney was Sealed to them and Delivered by all the Provincial Deputies of the Churches in this Synod but on this Condition that he or they with whom they agreed should not demand nor pretend unto any Moneys of right from the said Churches for their Pains Costs Losses or Sallaries in the pursuit and sollicitation of this Affair 14. The Lord of Candal came into this Assembly and assured it of the continuance of his sincere Affections and Service unto the Churches and did farther declare and notifie with how much diligence and importunity he and the Lords General Deputies for Five Moneths together in this present year had sollicited both His Majesty and the Lords of his
Scribes In pursuance of the Canon made in the Synod or Privas The Provinces are injoyned to see that the Deputies of every Church do make Oath that they shall not give their Votes nor Suffrages unto such as brigue their Elections and Deputations unto our National Synods CHAP. XIII The Confession of Faith approved THE Confession of Faith being read word by word and every Article distinctly in its due Order it was approved and ratified by the Unanimous consent of all the Deputies both Pastors and Elders who protested as well for themselves as for their Provinces that they would live and die in the profession of this Faith teach it in their Churches and see it inviolably to be observed CHAP. XIV Observations on reading the Church-Discipline 1 AFter those words in the Fifth Canon of the First Chapter Without power of administring the Holy Sacraments these shall be added nor of solemnizing Marriages 2 In reading the Nine and Twentieth Canon of the same Chapter the Council declareth that by the discord mentioned in that Canon we are to understand not only what is moved by the Pastor but by the Church or Members among themselves also 3. On the first Canon of the third Chapter it was declared that whosoever accepted the Office of an Elder cannot be constrained to execute it if before his Reception thereinto the consent he had once given be again revoked by him 4. When the sixth Canon of the eighth Chapter was read at the request of the Provincial Deputies of Berry it was voted That Provincial Synods should be obliged before they brake up to proceed unto Censures even as in the like case a Decree had been framed for Colloquies 5. All our Churches are exhorted faithfully and exactly to observe the ninth Canon of the twelfth Chapter concerning the Administration of the Cup in the Lords Supper and to be accountable for their Obedience to it unto the next National Synod 6. The eighth Canon of the Ninth Chapter shall be razed but of our Discipline as being superfluous and unpracticable in our Churches 7. The same judgment having past on the fourth Canon of the tenth Chapter it was amended and changed into these words Churches which have been accustomed to make Publick Prayers on some certain days of the Week may continue that order which for many years they have so happily observed and other Churches may imitate their good example when as the Lord shall bless them with Ability and Opportunity and it may contribute unto their Edification 8. And Pastors also in the faithful discharge of their duties shall indeavour by their Remonstrances and Exhortations to prevent those great dishonours done unto Almighty God by that general contempt of his Holy Word preached very many neglecting Sermons and Publick Publick Ordinances of Religious Worship yea and Family-Prayers of which Omissions a multitude of Heads of Families Housholders and their Domesticks are exceeding guilty 9. The eighteenth Canon of the thirteenth Chapter shall be couched in this form Such as dwell in those places where the Publick Exercise of our Religion is not est ablished may cause their banes of Matrimony to be published in the Popish Churches it being a matter purely political 10. The Churches are injoyned by this Synod to give in an account unto their Colloquies and Provincial Synods of all Infractions of the sixteenth Canon in the fourteenth Chapter of our Discipline and Colloquies and Synods are to censure such Offenders whether they have violated it by printing of Practical or Controversal Treatises 11. When the twenty fourth twenty fifth and twenty sixth Canons of the fourteenth Chapter were read it was voted That this ensuing Canon should be made and read in all the Churches as soon as the Deputies were returned unto their respective Provinces CHAP. XV. An Act against Debauchery FOrasmuch as the Wrath of God is visibly revealed from Heaven against the Ungodlyness of Men and is notoriously poured out upon those who being once enlightned from above and called to the knowledge of the Heavenly Truth have afterward kept it under Hatches through their Unrighteousness that so they might more freely wallow in the Abominations of this World and turn the Grace of God into lasciviousness The National Synod of the reformed Churches of this Kingdom Assembled by His Majesties Licence in the Town of Gastres unable to behold without weeping Eyes and a wounded bleeding heart after such dreadful Judgments and Desolations as have befallen us the reigning Dissolutions and Debauches of those Persons who style and own themselves Members of Gods Church though in very truth and deed they be horrible Profaners of his Holy Name and dishonourable Professors of our most Holy Religion by their Impious and Licentious Lives and do as much as in them lieth deny the power of Godliness by their open and shameless ingratitude to his Divine Goodness Now for the avoiding of Gods burning Wrath and Indignation and more and more to stir up the Bowels of his Fatherly Compassions which he was pleased to remember for us even in the midst of Judgment yea and then also when as he smote his sinful Heritage with his forest and severest strokes and that upon our Conversion and Reformation his special Love and favour may be had and obtained and that this peace which against all hopes he hath given a stiff-necked and rebellious People who have bitterly provoked him to Jealousie and as it is too too evident have nothing profited by his Rod of Discipline and Correction may be preserved and continued This National Synod decreeth That all the Churches of this Kingdom shall be sollicited by the most powerful Motives and Arguments to humble themselves deeply in a most serious Repentance before his Divine Majesty and utterly to abandon all Vanities Luxury 's Fantasticalness and sumptuous Superfluities in Apparel those unseemly Ornaments and delights of lascivious Curles Paintings Naked Breasts Dances Balls Masquerades Wassaile-Feasts Carnevalls and all other unfruitful works of Darkness that so the Faithful Reforming their Lives and producing Fruits worthy of Repentance may demonstrate themselves by their good Works to be the conscientious Guardians of that pretious Jewel or saving Truths which is deposited with them And all Consistories are injoyned to exert that Authority given them of God diligently to suppress their Insolencies who glorying in their shame and ignominy may attempt in aftertimes to continue in any of their disorderly and sinful practises and should set themselves to resist those Remonstrances which the Great and Holy God hath or may issue forth against them by his Sacred Word And that this most needful Canon may be executed with the greater Faithfulness Care and Facility This Synod doth ordain that it shall be read publickly in all our Churches and an Account of its Observation shall be given in unto Colloquies and Synods on pain of being responsible in their own Persons particularly for all its Transgressions and Violations The whole Church Discipline having been read
to yield all due Obedience and Service unto his Majesty 15. The Province of Dolphiny craved Advice what should be done with those who violated that Canon of Tonneins which had obliged Pastors to administer Baptism only at such Church-Meetings in which the Word of God was preached either immediately before or after Sermon because that divers Churches do it when as only they come together unto their accustomed Morning common publick Prayers without any Sermons at all After a long and smart Debate about this Matter the Council owning that the formal necessary Words for Consecration and Celebration of that Sacrament were fully comprized in the Liturgy of our Churches and judging it for the present utterly unfit to urge the Observation of that Canon of Tonneins decreeth that the Provinces having examined the Reasons alledged by both Parties pro and con shall give unto their Deputies commissionated unto the next National Synod the strongest Arguments to this purpose that so that Council may proceed to a final Resolution in the Case CHAP. XXVI An Act for a publick National Fast 16. THE Wrath of God having been kindled against his People and broken out upon them in divers Places for many Years last past so that he hath visited their Iniquities with sundry and very terrible Judgments such as the Plague unseasonable Weather the devouring Sword the Desolations of War all which have brought upon us and upon the Provinces deep Poverty woful Miseries and Calamities which should have quickned us and them unto a most serious Repentance and Reformation of Life Yet notwithstanding the Generality of Men do persist in their Sins and abound in their Transgressions so that the great Law-giver who alone can save and destroy hath not called in his Wrath but his Hand is stretched out still and a Multitude of our poor Churches in divers Places are sorely afflicted by the Enemies of the Gospel who turn every Stone and use all sort of means be they never so unjust and violent to deprive us of his Majesties Protection and the Benefits of that Peace which his Majesty was graciously pleased to grant equally and indifferently unto all his Subjects And forasmuch as the common sense of the most stupid Persons might have learn'd them that those many dreadful Judgments with which the Lord hath scourged his Churches have been drawn down upon them by their great Impenitency Stubbornness and Hardness of Heart and that God hath called upon them to lie low at to his Footstool in deep Abasement Humiliation and Contrition of Spirit and by their Patience and Christian Moderation to have used and improved these Chastisements as divine Remedies against those dismal and eternal Torments he had threatned them and which they have most justly deserved and that in their deplorable Condition they should with Tears and Prayers with a most sincere Conversion and thorough Reformation have fled for Sanctuary unto the Arms of Soveraign Mercy that so that great God who createth Good and formeth Evil who giveth Peace and sendeth Adversity at his sole Will and Pleasure might have found them seeking those Blessings at his Hands only and not depended as they have done too frequently rashly and inconsiderately upon an Arm of Flesh Wherefore this National Synod representing the Reformed Churches of this Kingdom injoineth all Pastors to press home vigorously and zealously upon the Consciences of their People true Piety and Devotion towards God due Obedience unto the higher Powers sound and perpetual Repentance from dead Works the Want and Neglect of which have caused ignorant Persons to blaspheme the holy and fearful Name of God and to despise and vilify the good Ways of his Truth and Reformation And it doth further decree that a solemn Day of Fasting and Supplications shall be kept and observed in all the Churches of this Kingdom the first Thursday in March next coming because the Necessity of humbling our selves before God is absolute and indispensable there being none other way left us to turn away his Wrath from us and to hasten the time of our Deliverance than by a Reformation of our former Sinfulness and a better and exacter ordering of our Actions and Conversations for the future 17. The Council exhorteth all the Provinces and the richer Churches in them to erect publick Libraries for the Ease and Benefit of their Pastors and the Deputies of Burgundy as they return home-ward through the Lower Languedoc are charged to give particular Notice hereof unto the Consistory of Montpellier and the Church of Paris and Universities of Montauban and Nismes shall be acquainted also with this our Request 18. The Council enjoined all Persons who may hereafter audit their Accompts in the National Synods to bring with them their last Accompt and all Commissioners deputed to examine and close up such Accompts shall not proceed about the said Audit till such time as they have duly and accurately perused the Acts of the last Synod concerning both these and their last tendred Accompts because there be Remarks in them which look forward and backward both to the Years by-gone and past and those that are to come 19. His Majesty having graciously permitted a general Collection to be made throughout all the Churches of this Kingdom for the impoverished Cities of Rochel Montauban and Castres their Deputies came into the Council and petitioned that there might be a Dividend made of the said collected Charities protesting withal that they would chearfully acquiesce in its judicious Assignation of them Whereupon the Council decreed that one quarter of those Moneys should be given unto this Town of Castres and the three other Parts should be equally divided between the Cities of Rochel and Montauban CHAP. XXVII Differences between the Cities of Rochel Montauban and Castres 1626. The 25th Synod composed 20. THE Council composing the Differences which had fallen out between the Cities and Communalties of Rochel Montauban and Castres in dividing the Collection-Money before-mentioned they being at Variance among themselves about it And having heard the Reasons and Pretensions of the said Cities and Communalties both from the Mouth of their Deputies and the Report of the Commissioners appointed for the managing of this Affair and having maturely Considered the whole decreed That the fourth Part of those Moneys so collected shall be delivered into the City of Castres and the other three Parts shall be equally divided betwixt the Cities of Rochel and Montauban And that the said Cities and Communalties may reap and enjoy the Benefit and Comfort of the said collected Charities their Deputies here present are enjoined to nominate one certain Person from among them to receive those Moneys who is a Person of sufficient Honesty and Ability to be responsible for them together with three or four other Persons of known Integrity and Fidelity who may be present and actually imployed in the Distribution of them which shall be made by the Command and Authority of the Mayors and Consuls of the said Cities and
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
Plants which have been sent you from divers Provinces of this Kingdom that through your well-deserving Pains and Counsels they may be prepared and made fruitful Ministers of the Gospel of our Lord Jesus And to these our Thanks we shall add our most ardent Prayers unto God that he would pour out upon you his most precious and saving Blessings and that he would always make you a most eminent Example of his Grace and Mercy in the Churches of his dear Son covering you and your Common-wealth wherein you live with the Wings of his Protection to the Glory of his Providence and to the Honour of his Holy Name as also to the Consolation of our Churches In whose Name we are From Castres this 6th of September 1626. Most Honoured Lords and Brethren Your most humble and most affectionate Servants in the Lord the Pastors and Elders of the Reformed Churches of France assembled in our National Synod and for them all The Superscription was thus To our Lords the Pastors and Elders in the Church of Geneva at Geneva Chauve Moderator Bouterove Assessor Scribes of the Synod O. Blondel Petit A Letter from the Church of Paris to our most Honoured Lords the Pastors and Elders assembled in the National Synod at Castres Most Reverend and very Honoured 'T IS with very great regret on our part that we are enforced to complain unto you against our Province but we have too just cause for out so doing We have ever held a fair and Christian Correspondence and Fraternal Union with it And indeed Sirs if it had been only our own particular Interest that was concerned we should much rather have chosen to suffer all manner of ill Usages than to have interrupted you in your most holy and important Occupations But the Honour of our Functions and the Glory of our God and the Advancement of the Kingdom of the Lord Jesus Christ are all concerned Therefore we implore with the greater freedom the Assistance of your Charity and the Help of your Fatherly Protection because we are well assured of your Zeal to the Well-being and Edification of our Church You know Sirs that great Affliction wherewith our â—od hath of late visited us in calling unto himself that most excellent Person Monsieur Durant whose Gifts and Graces and singular ministerial Abilities were universally known throughout the whole Kingdom During his Sickness which lasted near sour Months and six Months since his Decease those two astors which were left us were so surcharged with hard Labour that they both fell dangerously Ill and must have infallibly funk under the weight of their Burden had they not been extraordinarily assisted and supported by God As soon as God had took into his Joys our late famous Pastor we faw immediately the great necessity we had to relieve and ease those two which survived and this was the unanimous Prayer and Desire of the whole Church It was utterly impossible for us to find in our Colloquy a Minister every way qualified for us for besides that none of those Pastors had a Voice strong enough for our Auditory and those other Abilities requisite for the edifying so great a People There were some afflicted with Sickness and divers Churches were destitute of Pastors and so far were we from being holpen by them that several of the Neighbour-Churches have importuned us to lend them our help To assemble a Synod for their and our Relief was out of our Power For besides the bitterness of the Season the rigour and sharpness of the Winter we were then in the very hottest and deepest of the late Trouble and without any hopes of Peace which since our good God out of his infinite Mercy hath bestowed upon us Being then obliged to provide for our selves elsewhere we were not in any great trouble on whom to sasten our Eyes for so had the gracious Providence of God ordered it that in the extremity of Monsieur Durant's Sickness Monsieur Daillé preached three Sermons to us which so much affected our whole Church that from that instant it was the common Discourse that as God afflicted us on the one Hand so did he seem to comfort us on the other by pointing out unto us such a Person as might he easily and speedily obtained by us because the Province of Anjou was well enough provided of able Pastors and of divers Proposans of very great Hopes Monsieur Durand resting from his Labours in Abraham's Bosom we believed it our Duty to concur with those ardent Desires that many of our Members had expressed for Monsieur Daillé and the rather because we were well inform'd of his singular Piety Probity and rare Learning who by reason of those excellent Gifts and Graces of God's Holy Spirit in him had been already sought after far and near by many of the greatest and most famous Churches in the Kingdom But the Lord out of his abundant Goodness had reserv'd him for us And that we might handsomly and regularly proceed in giving him a Call to the Pastoral Office in our Church we resolved at first to demand him by way of Loan as we can easily prove by our Letters written unto the Church of Saumur and to the said Monsieur Daillé and by the Acts of our Consistory But the Person whom we deputed to Saumur and to whose Prudence and wise Conduct we had confided this Affair having been refused as to the Loan advised us by an express Messenger that there was more hopes of gaining him as an absolute Gift because the Church of Saumur could more easily procure it self a fettled Pastor than borrow one for a few Months Whereupon he demanded of us new Letters and a more ample Commission The Quality of the Person imployed by us in this Negotiation and our most pressing urgent Necessity made us resolve to demand the Ministry of Monsieur Daillé purely and absolutely We in the mean while taking it for granted that our Synod would have approved and consented to what we had done as we on our parts were disposed to break off the whole Treaty in case they could make it appear that we were out and mistaken in our Choice and that there could be any thing opposed against the Doctrine Life and Conversation of him to whom we had sent our Call As soon as we had notice that our Synod should be assembled we to render all due Honours to it delegated the Sieurs Mestrezat Bigot and d' Huysseau to it and charged them to make report of our Conduct in this Affair and to petition that Assembly to approve of the calling Monsieur Daillé into Office among us though at that time we had no promise of him made us by the Church of Saumur We well hoped that those Reverend Gentlemen would have considered the great importance of our Church and the Kindnesses they continually receive from it and that they would have comforted us in our Affliction and would have praised our Proceedings or at least would
have suffered us to have finished what we had begun since we had entred upon it But contrariwise we were censur'd by them and they rejected our Call of Monsieur Daillé without ever giving us any reason for it This most honoured Sirs did exceedingly astonish us and is very bitter to us that after so many Travels we should be blamed for that Action of which we protest before God Angels and your Holy Assembly we had none other end than the Glory of God and the Advancement of his Kingdom nor durst we believe that our Synod could have been guilty of such an Excess unless the Interests and Pretensions of some particular Persons had not been predominant For we are not convinced of having violated any Canon of our Church-Discipline whereas on the contrary those Gentlemen under the pretext of establishing it do sap and undermine its very Foundations For the Discipline having prudently ordained that no Church may call a Pastor from another Province till it have first communicated it unto the Provincial Synod hath thereby provided for two things first For the publick Edification of our Churches and for the maintaining of an holy Union between all the Churches of this Kingdom it doth permit a Church to chuse and call a Pastor to it from out of another Province And if this be permitted unto all the Churches and many of them have made use of this Priviledg it ought more especially be allow'd unto this Church of Paris whose Importance is sufficiently known This hath been our practice ever unto this day nor till now was it contradicted by any Person For thus was Monsieur du Moulin called off from the Service of her Royal Highness the Dutchess of Barr deceased and thus did we call Monsieur Durant from her Highness the Dutchess of Deuxponts The other is that the Discipline would hinder Churches from calling rashly and unadvisedly such Persons whose Doctrine was unsound or Lives scandalous or in whom there was an Insufficieney So that if any Church should call such Persons the Provincial Synod might very justly and warrantably obstruct and hinder it But when-as nothing can be urg'd against the Person called the Synod hath no power to hinder that Call such an absolute Power being condemned by the Word of God And 't is very improbable that the Composers of our Discipline should ever harbour such a Thought or Intention as to impose this Yoke upon our Churches or that they would place Pastors of Churches in worse Circumstances than Scholars who being sought after by Churches and presented unto Synods cannot be rejected whenas they have those Qualities which are requisite for their imployment in the Sacred Ministry Therefore in our Opinion we have not in the least swerved from the Canons of our Discipline For we have called a Person admitted into the Pastoral Office already in our Churches and who hath discharged his Duty with Applause and Commendation and not a Stranger utterly unknown to us And we gave notice of it unto our Synod as soon as possibly we could and craved their Approbation But contrariwise our said Synod breaketh the Links in the golden Chain of Communion between us and our Churches and would deprive us of that Blessing and Franchise wherewith our Discipline hath endowed us and of which we have had the Possession and Enjoyment to this present Day and this without alledging of any other Reason besides their meer and bare Will and Pleasure For in case these Gentlemen should pretend Ignorance of Monsieur Daillé and that they do not in the least know him We answer that they might better have been acquainted with him and inform'd themselves concerning him than to have deprived us of so great a Blessing and to reject a Person whom having once the happiness of his Acquaintance they would most highly caress esteem and value Besides were there any force in this Argument all Pastors might be rejected who are called from out of the Province But should they say the Synod disapproved absolutely of this Call because we were over-hasty in it and that we did not in the first place consult with them about it We answer That we imparted this Affair unto them as soon as possibly we could and in case we did it not sooner it was not out of any disrespect unto them These Gentlemen do very well know with how much Humility and cordial Affection we are wont to treat and deal with them But this must be imputed to the unhappiness of the Times and that Affliction wherewith God had visited us And suppose we had failed in this Particular which yet they will never be able to convince us of What Zeal what Charity is this to punish our Miscarriage with the loss of God's Glory and the Edification of so considerable a Church as ours is And if God had not out of his great Goodness excited the Charity and moved the Compassions of Churches far distant from us the Condition of our Church had been most lamentable for our Synod made no better Provision for us than to send us unto our Colloquy And whenas we thought of addressing our selves to it the very first Church from whom we demanded help gave us this answer That it could not afford us any till such time as the Colloquy had prescribed them the manner How thereby deluding our very Demand For you know Sirs how rarely our Colloquies are held and the trouble we have now-adays to assemble them Therefore whenas the Church of Saumur had the Charity to consent that Monsieur Daillé should come and serve us and the Synod of Anjou imitating their Zeal agreed to this Removal we did not make any scruple of calling Monsieur Daillé to our Assistance in which also the Blessing of God is very visible For this Church receiveth a most singular Edification by his Ministry and we are full of hopes that it will be continued and be daily more and more useful and fruitful and that we have exceeding great cause of praising God for putting it into our Hearts to make such a Choice We beseech you then most Honoured Sirs that considering our Sincerity and Zeal in this Affair but above all the Glory of God and the Edification of our Church you would be pleased to confirm this our Choice and to roll away that Reproach wherewith some would blast our Honours and Office and to take off that Censure which hath been denounc'd against us and to admonish our Province to carry it with more Love towards us In doing whereof you will inspire us with new Courage in the midst of those Travels sustained by us for the Service of our Church and of many others to whom upon all Occasions we are ready to perform all kind of good Offices And we beseech God most Honoured Sirs to preside in your Council by his Holy Spirit to preserve your Persons and to shower down his Blessings upon your Labours Being Paris August 20.1626 Your most humble and most
the Provinces but with these Conditions First That they be not bound to send more than two Deputies unto our National Synods Secondly That Judicial Sentences past by and in the Province until now shall not be revoked nor reversed Thirdly That Pastors serving in the said Province shall not be translated into another Province Fourthly That the Appeals of private Persons may not be received in these National Synods The Synod absolutely granting the two first Conditions doth nevertheless exhort the said Province to send equal number of Deputies with the other Provinces unto the National Synod whenas his Majesty shall be pleased to permit one to be held in the Provinces bordering on that of Bearn And as for the two other Conditions provided that the said Deputies shall promise on behalf of their Province to own the Authority of our National Synods and to take out their Appeals in the Form specified Canon the 10th of the 8th Chapter of our Discipline the Synod yieldeth unto their Demand assuring them that it will take a most particular Care of their Edification and as it intendeth not to lose its Right unto divers Pastors born in the Provinces of the Higher and Lower Guyenne who are now actually employed in that of Bearn so also it will never use it to their evident Prejudice but in every Matter and especially in that of removing Pastors either from the Churches they are now serving or from out of the Province the National Synod will give full proof of their fraternal Charity and Affection Article 2. Upon this Debate the Lord Galland his Majesty's Commissioner remonstrated That the Conjunction of the Churches of Bearn with those of this Kingdom and particularly their Submission unto the Discipline of the Reformed Churches of France and the Power of appealing from Bearn unto the National Synods here were Matters of that Nature that they could not be done without the King's Permission because such Conjunctions depend upon Soveraign Authority that the late King Henry the Fourth of happy Memory had already determin'd this Question having in the Years 1602 and 1604 permitted the Churches of Bearn to assist at the National Synods of France hereby to conserve an Union in Doctrine but he also decreed that they should bring in their Cahiers of Complaints distinct from those of France And in the Year 1615 whenas the Political Assembly of Grenoble demanded this Union it was denied in that Answer given to the 22d and 23d Articles in these Words That the late King did never permit nor approve of the Vnion of the pret Reformed Churches of Bearn with those of France nor will his Majesty now permit it until such time as the said Principality shall be re-united and re-incorporated with the Crown of France But yet in the mean while the Deputies of Bearn may bring in their Petitions by themselves which shall be answered according to Reason Against which Answer the Assembly of Rochel having took great Exceptions and in a particular Article at the Conference of Loudun in the Year 1616 there was returned an Order little differing from the Cahier of Grenoble so that the Land of Bearn not having since had any Permission from the King to join it self unto the Churches of France it cannot be done but must be confined to the plain and simple terms of Petition Besides the Consequences of this Union have been formerly resented for the Churches of Bearn shrowded with the shadow and hope of a powerful Assistance were transported to such dismal Excesses as make a very mournful History in that of our Times And all Authors are agreed that the Land of Bearn was originally a Member of the Kingdom of Navarre lying on the other side of the Pyrenean Mountains though subject to our Kings of the Merovingian Line as is evident from Gregory of Tours who relateth that the Bishops of the said Territory came unto the Council of Agde in the Year 506 and to that of Mascon in the Year 588. And the Lord of Bearn acknowledged the Kings and Kingdom of France for his supream Lord and did Homage to them and to their Sovereign Authority But in the Year 1512 Louis the twelfth King of France to make some Compensation for and to sweeten the Loss of the Kingdom of Navarre usurped by Ferdinand King of Arragon granted unto John of Albret and Katharine of Navarre his Wife that the Land of Bearn should enjoy its Charters and Priviledg of Soveraignty until such times as it should be otherwise determined by meet and competent Judges And since that the Country of Bearn hath been accounted a Principality distinct from the Kingdom and independent without any reservation That in the Year 1571 Jane Queen of Navarre set up a Church-Discipline whose Execution is limited within the Bounds of that Principality and the Laws are all enacted and sworn to by the States of the Country and maintained to this very day from the observation whereof the Subjects cannot withdraw themselves nor without the permission of their Prince may they take upon them to constitute Judges in Church or State much less to enlarge the Bounds of Appeals whenas by the Laws of Bearn they are to be terminated by its Provincial Synods and within the Country it self as is in like manner done in the City of Metz and Principality of Sedan And should this Conjunction be admitted Causes would be drawn out of the Province which would be an Innovation of dangerous Consequence to his Majesty's Authority and to this little Province and contrary to its Union which hath preserved the Country in its Laws Forts Customs and domestick Prerogatives The Deputies of Bearn to give some colour unto this Union say That this Union was permitted by the King that it hath been exercised by his Majesty since the uniting of Bearn with the Crown of France that it was approved by the said Lord Commissioner in the National Synod of Castres in the Year 1626. But here are divers Mistakes The Truth is that Henry the Fourth of happy Memory and the King now reigning most gloriously have not permitted nor promised the Union of the said Churches nor was it permitted by the Cahier of the Year 1615. But the Answer unto the Union demanded was deferred till after the Country was united with that of France so that the victorious Arms of his Majesty having subjected the Land of Bearn to his Obedience and the Union of the Country made by his absolute Authority notwithstanding all former Grants and Priviledges the Subjects are bound to have recourse anew unto his Majesty And although by the Cahiers of the Year 1615 the Union of the Churches was put off till the Union of the State yet none may therefore assert that because the State is united with the Crown of France the Union of the Churches must therefore of Right be made also but that it may be obtained there is need of a new Address unto his Majesty that he would by his Sovereign Authority
to any Retraction and for that the Church of Geneva doth not renew its Suit against the said Mainuelle and seemeth thereby to have buried the Memory of that Fact of which he was accused in Oblivion The Synod leaving the said Mainuelle to the Judgment of his own Conscience doth injoin him for the future so to order his Conversation that there may be no just Occasions given of new Complaints against him 26. All the Provinces are injoined carefully to observe and practise the 6th Canon in the Observations of the 24th National Synod held at Charenton in the Year 1623 upon our Discipline and that 5th Canon in the Chapter of Particular Matters in the Synod of Castres and by all lawful and possible means to reduce them unto their Duty who cause their Children to be instructed by the Priests of the Romish Church or send them to the Colledges of Jesuits 27. In case his Majesty shall be pleased to continue the Grant of his wonted Liberality unto the Churches out of the Dividend of the Province of Provence there shall be first taken out the Monies granted unto Monsieur Durie by the National Synod of Castres and the said Province shall be accomptable to him for it from the very first day of his Establishment in the Church of Beauvoysin 28. The Difference between the Provinces of Xaintonge and Poitou shall be referred unto the next Colloquy of the Synod of Anjou which is also impowered to conjoin the Church of Saveilles with that of Villefaignan in case they shall judg that of Chefboutonné whereunto the said Church of Saveille is now joined may subsist of it self 29. Forasmuch as since the Decree of the National Synod of Castres concerning Monsieur Casaux five Years are now lapsed and the Province of Higher Languedoc hath not in all this time re-demanded him this Assembly bestoweth the said Casaux upon the Province of Lower Guyenne and he shall continue his Ministry in that Church in which he hath hitherto served as their own appropriated Pastor 30. According to that Decree of the National Synod of Castres the Churches of Auvergne shall carry their Declaration unto the next Synod of Higher Languedoc who shall determine whether they be able to compose a new Colloquy And in the mean while the Province of Burgundy shall continue their Care and Charity to the Church of Paillas in like manner as it hath done in Times past 31. The Colloquy of Albigeois shall exert all their Power that the Decree of the National Synod of Castres be executed against those Ministers in the Province of Higher Languedoc who reside not in their Churches and shall apply meet Censures to the Transgressors of the 13th Canon in the first Chapter of our Discipline and that by the Authority of this Assembly 32. The Monies promised unto Monsieur Chamier Pastor of the Church of Montlimard by the National Synod of Castres towards the printing of those excellent Works of his most learned Father now with God shall be effectually paid in unto him but I fear it was never done 33. The Provinces are exhorted to revise their Collections who have compiled the Articles of our National Synods into a Body that so there may be out of them made an Extract of such important Matters as explain the Canons of our Church-Discipline and they shall make Report hereof unto the next National Synod 34. Letters shall be written to Monsieur de Sommaise Salmasius to intreat him that he would devote his Studies and Pains to the Service of God's Church and that he would travel in the Examination and Confutation of the Annals of Cardinal Baronius 35. That Act promoting Monsieur de Garissoles to the Profession of Divinity in the University of Montauban having been presented by the Deputies of Higher Languedoc was confirmed And this Assembly confirmeth the said Mr. Garissoles in his Professorate and intirely approved of what was done in this Matter by the Commissioners who did examine him 36. This Assembly ratifying the Judgment passed by the Consistory of Alez in the Cause of Monsieur Desmarais which was dismissed to them by the National Synod of Castres decreeth That out of the first Monies belonging to the Province of Vivaretz shall be retained part of the Sum due by the said Province unto the said Desmarais that so he may be so far satisfied 37. According to the Decree of the National Synod of Castres out of the first Monies to be received by the Churched for three Years there shall be reprised by the Province of Xaintonge the thirteen Portions and an half granted to Mr. Bellot and Constans and the Acquittances of those two Ministers shall be brought in and delivered unto the Lord of Candall 38. Complaint being made of the non-Execution of the 13th Canon enacted in the 23d National Synod held at Alez in the Year 1620 about delivering the Cup at the Lord's Table by Pastors only This Assembly judgeth the Province of Lower Languedoc to have incurr'd a Censure for their over-much Indulgence unto the Churches of Montpellier and Nismes who have not to this very day conformed to it And it doth grievously censure the Consistories of those Churches and enjoineth them for the future not to quit the Practice of the other Churches of this Kingdom on pain of being prosecuted with all Ecclesiastical Censures 39. Monsieur d'Huysseau craving the Execution of that Decree made by the National Synod of Castres which had given him the Sum of two thousand five hundred Livers in compensation of his great Expences disburs'd in the Suit against Monsieur Palot The Assembly ordereth the Lord of Candall to pay him in the said Sum out of the first Monies which shall be divided among the Churches who shall be accomptable to him for it and deliver up unto him the Acquittance of the said Sieur d'Huysseau 40. Forasmuch as Mr. Roques hath not presented himself before this Assembly to render accompt of the Monies received by him out of the Collection permitted by his Majesty for the Cities of Rochel Montauban and Castres the Province of Lower Guyenne is charged to cite him unto their next Synod and to examine and finish his Accompts by the Authority of this Assembly 41. The Memoirs sent by the Sieurs Mizauban and Grenouilleau Commissioners appointed by the National Synod of Castres to visit the Churches of Soulés and Labour being read and Mr. Guillemin Minister in the said Church of Labour and the Provincial Deputies of Lower Guyenne and Bearn being heard The Assembly ordains That till such time as it shall please his Majesty to grant a settled Place for Religious Worship unto the Faithful dwelling in the Land of Labour that the said Church shall continue joined to the Province of Bearn that so it may be regularly visited and till such time as it can subsist of it self instead of three hundred Livers which were granted by the former National Synods unto the said Mr. Guillemin he shall receive the yearly Sum
from the Ministry 8. Mr. Vinieux Pastor of the Church of Bazars complaining That the Decree of the National Synod of Castres relating to him had not been executed This Assembly ordained that out of the first Monies belonging to the Province of Lower Guyenne the Lord of Candall shall keep by him that very Sum promised unto the said Vinieux And he farther praying to be freed from the Service of his Church and Province He was ordered to apply himself unto his Province who should take into their serious Consideration his necessitous Condition and the great Importance of his Request and Appeal 9. The Letters of Mr. Baux appealing from the Judgment of the Province of Higher Languedoc were read Whereupon the Synod enjoineth the said Province to present him unto a Church that may comfortably maintain him and the Church of Mazemet is also enjoined to give him full Satisfaction for all his Arrears on default whereof they shall be deprived of the sacred Ministry according to the Rigour of our Discipline 10. In explaining that Canon of the National Synod of Tonneins held in the Year 1614 and which is the seventh Observation on the foregoing Synod of Privas whereby the Provinces were charged to defray the Expences of those Churches whose Pastors should be deputed unto General Assemblies both Ecclesiastical and Political This Assembly declareth That whatsoever Charges particular Churches may be at in procuring Ministers to serve them during their Pastors Absence ought to be reimburst them not by their Pastors out of their Sallaries but by the Province which had deputed them and this out of the Monies appertaining unto all the Churches of their Division and therefore disannulleth the several Appeals of the Churches of Vignan Sauve Breau Aulas Castagnoles St. Julian and St. Privat to the contrary 11. Whereas the Church of St. German hath refused to pay unto the Widow of their deceased Pastor Monsieur de la Faye the Pension of the Year of her Widowhood and appealed unto this Synod against her this their Appeal is cast out because we do not judg it equitable to invalidate the Canons made by the Provinces of both the Languedocs and Sevennes for Payment unto the Widows of their late Pastors without Exception the Pension of the said Year of their Widowhood as also all Arrearages of Stipend owing unto their Pastors at their Death by the Churches in which they ministred 12. The Appeals of the Churches of St. Julian and St. Andre for the same reasons are declared null and void 13. The Appeal brought by Monsieur Perrynet on behalf of the Church of Die appealing from the Judgment of the Synod of Dolphiny by which Monsieur Aymin had been lent unto the said Church was declared null 14. Monsieur Belon appealing from the Judgment of the Province of Lower Guyenne for confirming Mr. D'oze in the Ministry of the Church of Tournon and not appearing to prosecute his Appeal the Synod declared it null and the Appealant worthy of Censure for commencing such an unjust Action 15. The Church of Sommieres not prosecuting their Appeal from the Judgment of their Province the said Appeal was declared null and the Judgment of the Province ratified yet that Province is required not to let that important Church nor any other of the same Nature to lie long vacant but to see that it be speedily furnished with an able Pastor 16. Whereas it evidently appears that the Church of Baisly is much indebted unto their Pastor Monsieur Bayeux more through the Ingratitude of sundry private Persons than their Poverty and Inability This Synod disanulling their Appeal and condemning their Defect of Duty injoineth them to give full Satisfaction unto the said Mr. Bajeux and this without applying a Denier of those Moneys given by Monsieur Lasson for the Maintenance of a Proposan to this Purpose which shall not for the future be at all diverted from that Use unto which it was at first appointed without very great Necessity and the Consent of their Provincial Synod unto whom the said Mr. Bayeux is recommended from us that they would be pleased to procure him a competent and comfortable Supply unto his Necessities 17. The Appeal brought by the Church of Orbec separated by the Synod of Normandy from that of Mesnil Imbert according to the Canon of the last National Synod of Castres under that Article of Annexations is remanded back unto the next Synod of the said Province which having heard the Reasons of the said Church shall proceed to a final Judgment in the case 18. Monsieur Morrice Pastor of the Church of Fontaines and of Cressy was heard unfolding the Grievances of which he complained in his Appeal and the Deputies of Normandy in the Declaration of the Reasons of their Proceedings against him Whereupon the Assembly ratified the Judgment of the said Province and jointly commissionated the Sieurs de la Naux da Buisson de Beauvais and Herault together with four Elders from the Churches of Montgobert Sees Alenson and the Consistory of Fontaines and Cressy within one Month after the Return of the Deputies of the said Province unto their Churches to take new Informations in this Affair and after exact Inquiries made about it to give a final Judgment on Monsieur Morrice for the Fact of which he stands accused 19. The Memoirs and Acts of that Appeal sent by the Consistory of Montagnac being read the Synod gave Judgment that the said Appeal ought not to be admitted and those who first moved for it were worthy of a severe Censure And forasmuch as the Differences betwixt Monsieur Perery Pastor in the Church of Calignac and the Consistory of Montagnac are sprung from the Licentiousness of his Discourses and his frequent absenting himself from his own home he is expresly injoined to be more moderate in his Discourses and to settle his Abode in the midst of his Flock and on Default hereof the Province shall proceed against him according to the Discipline 20. The Churches of Montdidier and Montagoux refusing Payment of threescore Livers ordained by the Synod of Sevennes unto Mr. Jubert for Augmentation of his Wages their Appeal was rejected and the Judgment of their Province confirmed 21. The Letters and Memoirs of Monsieur Chavanon appealing from the Judgment of the Synod of Sevennes and of Mr. Rouvre and of the Commissioners who were sent by the said Synod unto the Church of L'edignan having been read and the Deputies of the Province being heard This Assembly exhorts the said Province not to use its Power in lending Pastors of Churches within their Division till they have first consulted with their Churches and seriously to consider of their Importance and it censureth the said Chavanon for those sharp and bitter Expressions couched by him in his Letters and as for those Facts mentioned in the said Memoirs the Cognizance and Judgment of them is reserved and dismissed over unto the next Provincial Synod which having maturely and exactly examined and
all humility submitting to his Majesty's good Pleasure and hoping that he will be graciously pleased to permit our ancient establish'd Order to take place doth earnestly intreat the Lord Commissioner to present our most humble Petitions unto his Majesty that he would be pleased to grant that our next National Synod may be held at the end of three Years in the Town of Aâ—anson in the Province of Normandy 8. Hereafter no Monies belonging unto the Churches shall be diverted to the printing of any Books unless such as shall be written by express Order of our National Synods 9. The Deputies unto this Synod having been on their Journey hither put unto extraordinary Expences by reason of the Contagion which reigneth universally in all parts of the Kingdom this Assembly exhorts all the Provinces to have respect unto it and therefore have rated the Charges of every day's Travel going and coming at an hundred Sous which is eight Shillings and eight Pence per diem 10. The Province of Burgundy having made report of the deplorable Necessities whereunto the Ministers and Pastors of Churches in the Colloquy of Gex are reduced for want of the Monies granted heretofore by his Majesty's Bounty for their Maintenance not one of their People contributing any thing towards their Subsistence This Assembly touched with a just Resentment of such base Ingratitude doth injoin all the Churches of that Colloquy to return unto their Duty and maintain their own Pastors or else they shall be deprived of the Ministry of the Blessed Gospel of our Lord Jesus and this according to the 34th Canon in the first Chapter of our Discipline 11. Whenas the Lords General-Deputies shall assist in Person in these National Synods they shall take place above all the Deputies of the Provinces 12. The Synod enjoineth all the Provinces to distribute with their wonted Charity those supernumerary Portions attributed to them that they may redound unto the Benefit of the poorer Churches and of the more necessitous Ministers 13. The Consistory of the Church of Paris is ordered to administer the accustomed Oaths unto the Lords General-Deputies immediately upon their being accepted by his Majesty and to keep by them a Copy of their Warrant 14. The Lord Commissioner remonstrated that through the Prerogatives of Precedency claimed in the Churches of Noblemens Houses divers Quarrels had arisen and several Murders had been committed therefore his Majesty hath ordained That in such Places where the Publick Worship of God according to our Religion is exercised the Proprietors of those Houses may not under colour of that Propriety pretend to any Place of sitting than is otherwise due unto them by reason of the Dignity of their Birth or the Honour of their Offices and forbids all Ministers to pray for them in Publick by their particular Names or Qualities Whereupon his Lordship the Commissioner being intreated that after we had prayed for his Majesty it might be lawful for us in general terms to pray for those Lords under whose Justice the Church of that Place was gathered He replied that he would in no wise hinder it 15. The Deputies for the Province of Sevennes may receive their part of the Monies granted us by his Majesty's great Liberality for the defraying of our necessary Expences in this Synod without their having recourse unto the Lord of Candall's Deputy for it provided that they be accountable for that Sum so received unto their Province And all the other Provincial Deputies may likewise do the same if they please 16. After many and divers Delays and Shiftings this Assembly being at last come to a Treaty with Sir John Palot Counsellor and Secretary to the King about the Monies claimed by the Pastors of the Reformed Churches in this Kingdom from him the said Palot for which a Suit was brought against him before his Majesty's most honourable Privy-Council and divers preparatory Decrees had out against him This Assembly hath commissionated and deputed the Lords Marquess of Clermont and Galland General-Deputies of our Churches the Lord of Candall Receiver-General of the Monies granted by his Majesty's great Bounty unto these Churches the Lords Banage and de Champvernon Pastors De Maschelieres Dupuy Gilbert and Beraud Elders and have given them full Power to treat with the said Sir J. Palot about the Monies so claimed by our Pastors on such Conditions and Clauses as they shall judg most advantagious unto our Pastors aforesaid and to sign Contracts and Articles of Agreement before Publick Notaries this Assembly promising that they will stand to approve and ratify whatever shall be so determined by the said Lords Commissioners 17. This tenth day of October in the presence of the said Lords Commissioners before-named by this Assembly to treat with the before-named Sieur Palot upon the Suit commenc'd against him for Monies claimed by our Churches from him After that the Contract pass'd by the said Lords was read in the Assembly it was agreed to approved and signed by the Moderator Assessor and Scribes thereof And there having been a thousand Livers promised unto the Lord Malat by a separate Act and with which he remained fully satisfied he was duly discharged of those Powers formerly given him for prosecution of the said Palot and lie shall deliver into the Hands of the Lords General-Deputies all the Papers Decrees and Memoirs in his custody concerning this Affair 18. The Lord of Candall having received from the said Sir John Palot the Sum of eight thousand Livers in pursuance of the Agreement made with him the said Sum shall be paid out in that manner as hath been ordered by this Assembly Nor may the Deputies of the Provinces lay any Claim or Pretence whatsoever of Right to the receiving of the said Monies 19. This Assembly authorized the Consistory of the Church of Paris to treat with the Lord Mallet and to discharge him from all Prosecutions of the Sieur Palot and to satisfy him for his past Travel and Pains to the Sum of thousand Livers which shall be paid him by the Lord of Candall and this in full of all Demands Debts Dues or Pretensions whatsoever either for himself or his late deceased Uncle the Lord Mallet the said Mallet bringing in an Inventory unto the Lords General-Deputies and depositing it with them of all Papers Decrees and Memoirs in his keeping concerning this Affair CHAP. XXIII Particular Matters Article 1. MR. * * * He is called in another Copy Lavent in a third Lavand Laurence heretofore Pastor in the Province of Bearn presenting himself in this Assembly with an Attestation of his Life Carriage and Conversation for these two Years now last past and most humbly and importunately petitioning to be restored unto the Holy Ministry This Assembly did not judg his Request meet to be granted but advised him to apply himself to some other Calling than the Ministry of the Gospel and to use such means for a Livelihood as the Providence of God may trace out and direct
Vivaretz making Report that the said Province was indebted to him the Sum of two thousand one hundred Livers paid by him before-hand unto the Churches for the Relief of their Pastors as is manifest from the Finito of his Account rendred unto the Synod held at Mirabel in the Year 1625. This Assembly to do him Justice upon his Complaint decreed That if he will be pleased to quit his Expences Damages and Interest for Forbearance claimed by him and the Province of Vivaretz restoring him to his Office of Receiver upon the same Conditions that were accorded unto the present Possessor of it that then he shall pay himself the whole Principal in the two next ensuing Years and as for the Arrearages due unto him provided he do make them appear to be real Debts and that he hath not been satisfied for them out of the Obligation given him by the said Province upon the Lands of Toulant and Baffre they also shall be put upon Account in Order to his Satisfaction Article 14. The Province of Higher Languedoc and Monsieur Berauld one of its Deputies were censured for violating the Canons which had taken Care that the Pastors of particular Churches should be deputed unto Synods alternatively and that none should be received into Provincial Synods without Letters of Commission and that no Professors of Divinity should appear in Synods although they were Pastors without being sent thither by their Churches or called by the Synods whenas Matters relating to their Universities or important Points of Doctrine were handled and debated Article 15. The Lords General Deputies are ordered to assist the Churches of Bearn in their Petition presented unto his Majesty for the re-establishing of their Colledg Article 16. Mr. Robertson Principal of the Colledg of Rochefoucauld reporting the considerable Sums he had advanced out of his own Pocket towards the Maintenance of the said Colledg This Assembly ordained That out of the Monies belonging to the Province of Xaintonge upon the Account of that Colledg the Lord of Candall shall keep in his own Hands so much as shall be found due unto the said Mr. Robertson who was praised for his Angular Affection unto the publick Weal of the Churches and is intreated to continue his Affection good Service and Faithfulness therein as formerly Article 17. This Assembly ratifying what was done by the Consistory of Montpellier in the Cause of Monsieur Ginmoux which had been turned over to them by the Synod of Castres in the Year 1626 judgeth that the Complaints of the said Ginmoux were groundless and this shall be signified to him by Letters Article 18. The Deputies of Normandy and Xaintonge petitioning that some certain Sum of Monies taken out of the Churches Stock might be imployed towards the Redemption of many poor Protestants kept in hard Captivity by the Turks This Assembly having no Power to grant them their Request because of that small Stock which is at its Disposal doth advise them to petition all the Churches in those and the Neighbour-Provinces to contribute their Alms liberally for the Comfort and Deliverance of those poor afflicted Christians whole Misery is extream and cries aloud for the Bowels of our Compassion Article 19. The Lady Dutchess of Tremouille having by Letters recommended Mr. Jouars unto the Care of this Assembly and demanded that the Call she had given him to be her Pastor might be ratified by our Authority A Vote passed that the said Lady should be commended for her Piety and exhorted by Letters more and more to continue her Zeal for the Glory of God and the Advancement of his Kingdom Article 20. Mr. Godfroy the Civilian Professor of the Laws in the University of Geneva having writ unto this Assembly that he would compose a Body of Church-History which would discover the Untruths in the five first Volumes of Cardinal Baronius and this in Compliance with that Motion made him by the National Synod of Castres in the Year 1626. A Vote passed that the Thanks of this Assembly should be returned him by Letters and that he should be intreated to bless the Churches with the Fruits of his Promises as soon as possible Article 21. Report being made in this Assembly of the grievous Persecutions undergone by Monsieur de Surville Pastor of the Church of Vigan the Sum of three hundred Livers was immediately voted him for his present Subsistence and to be paid in to him by the Lord of Candall out of the best and clearest Monies in his Hands and out of the rest which we hope to recover another Sum of three hundred Livers more and that one supernumerary Portion out of the Dividend for the Province of Sevennes shall be offered to him free of all Taxes and Charges Article 22. This Assembly considering the Expences that Mr. Chambauld hath been necessitated unto by means of the Accusation brought against Mr. Louis du Bois Order was given unto the Province of Vivaretz to inquire into the Truth of his Complaints that in case they be made good and verified the said Province shall betwixt this and the next National Synod give him one free Portion more to be added unto those supernumerary ones already assigned to him Article 23. The Lord of Candall having freely remitted the Sum of eight hundred Livers which were his proper Right and due unto him from the Sous in a Liver out of the Sum of sixteen thousand Livers granted by his Majesty unto the Churches for defraying the Expences of this Assembly and he having also quitted out of the Reprisals which he might have taken in his Accompt the Sum of fifteen hundred Livers This Assembly did unanimously render his Lordship their most hearty Thanks for his generous and Christian Charities to our poor Churches And there was voted out of the said Sum of fifteen hundred Livers three hundred Livers to be given unto Monsieur de Tremblay Pastor in the Church of Paulin and three hundred Livers more were to be delivered unto Monsieur de la Fon Pastor of the Church of Glenat and Calvinat in Consideration of their pressing Wants and fifty Livers to Daniel Chabord for his Assistance who came on purpose to this Synod to implore our Help towards the Redemption of his Son who hath been ever since the last Troubles kept in Slavery aboard the Gallies and the other eight hundred Livers remaining of the said fifteen hundred shall be paid in to the Lord Ramboullet Elder of the Church of Paris to be imployed by his Agent at Marseilles for the Comfort and Deliverance of the Faithful who for Religion and a good Conscience Kept by them have been there detained in Chains ever since the last Commotions Article 24. Forasmuch as Mr. Duncan hath served in the Profession of the Greek Tongue in the University of Saumur by Order of the Provincial Synod of Anjou which had divided the said Profession betwixt him and Mr. Benoist who did formerly enjoy it This Assembly ordainineth that one half of the Wages
belonging unto the Professors of the said Language shall be paid him in Consideration of the Service actually performed by him Article 25. Mr. Savoix Pastor of the Church of Castres having complained by Letters unto this Assembly of his being interdicted the Ministry and that Act of the Consistory of the Church of Castres being read attesting That he had preached none other Doctrine but what was agreeable to our Confession of Faith and Church-Discipline This Assembly ordered the Lords General Deputies to prosecute in his Majesties most honourable Privy Council for the disannulling of the Decree of Interdiction past against him in the Court of Castres and to bestir themselves in this Affair with that Vigour as becomes them it being a Case of great and general Importance to all the Churches Article 26. Those free Portions which were granted the Churches of Auvergne by the 24th National Synod of Charenton in the Year 1623 shall be detained in the hands of the Lord of Candall's Deputy and be distributed by him among all the Pastors which have been sent by the Province of Sevennes proportionably to the Service performed by them of which they shall bring good and valid Attestations Article 27. Out of the first Monies that shall be distributed to our Universities the Lord of Candall shall pay in four hundred Livers unto Mr. Robertson Principal of the Colledg of Rochefoucauld to reimburse him in part of his own Monies advanced by him towards the Maintenance of the said Colledg but with this Condition that he do give them satisfaction who have had reciprocal Promises from him Article 28. The Synods of Lower Guyenne are most strictly charged to call unto an Account Mr. Bustanoby for the Sum of three hundred Livers delivered unto his deceased Father and to deduct from the said Sum the Charges of his Impression of the Catechism in the Biscayan Language according to that Promise made by the said Mr. Bustanoby some time before his Death unto the former National Synods Article 29. Mr. Froger presenting Letters from the Church of Pammiers and declaring the deplorable Condition whereunto that poor Church is now reduced This Assembly did in a more especial manner recommend the Concerns of that afflicted Church of Christ unto our Lords the General-Deputies and to help defray the Charges of the said Froger there was order'd the Sum of one hundred Livers to be paid unto him immediately by the Lord of Candall Article 30. The Portion of Monies accruing from the Composition made with Mr. Palot and appertaining to the Province of Sevennes shall be deposited into the hand of Mr. Blachan one of the Deputies of the said Province who having paid himself what he had advanced before-hand for the Churches of Auvergne shall be accountable for the Remainder unto the next Provincial Synod CHAP. XXIV Of Universities and Colledges Canon 1. THE ninth Article of general Laws for the Universities made in the 23d National Synod at Alez shall be couched in these words The Doctors and Professors of Divinity having been first chosen by the extraordinary Council of the Vniversity the said Election shall be brought unto the Provincial Synod to judg thereon and in case it be approved by them then Order shall be taken for the examination and reception of the Elect Professors according to the third Canon in the second Chapter of our Church-Discipline Canon 2. Forasmuch as hitherto our Professors of Philosophy in the Universities of this kingdom have not publickly taught Metaphysicks when they read their Course of Philosophy although that be one of the most principal Sciences and which demonstrateth the Principles of all the rest and that it is now more needful than ever to restore it unto its true Lustre and Purity because it hath been for so long a time exceedingly corrupted by the evil Artifices of the Doctors in the Romish Church who have abused its Maxims to the depravation of Theology and have blended with it their false Principles which they endeavour to the utmost of their Power daily to establish to the great prejudice of Divine Truth Wherefore this Synod enjoineth all Professors of Philosophy to teach during their Course together with the other parts of Philosophy the said Science And all University-Councils are ordered to exert their Authority that the first Elements of Logick be taught in the first Classes that so whenas Scholars depart the Colledges they may be prepared for higher Learning And that Professors of Philosophy do look to it that they do not in the least invade the Profession of Theology but do contain themselves within their own Bounds without roving abroad in the handling of unprofitable Questions Canon 3. And since the knowledg of the Greek Tongue is absolutely necessary for all Proposans who aspire unto the Sacred Ministery and for that the profession thereof is a singular Ornament unto Universities we therefore wish it might be continually upheld in them but because the present Wants of our Churches are very great and our deep Poverty will not permit a Maintenance to be now allowed unto the Professors of that Language this Synod leaving the Care thereof unto the next National Synod that so the Instrustion of our Youth may not be retarded doth order all University-Councils to have a careful Eye upon the Regents of the first and second Classes that the Greek Tongue be taught diligently by them and that our Scholars when they are promoted unto the Publick Lectures may be of sufficient capacity to read and understand Authors in their Original Language and be able to give a satisfactory account of them Canon 4. This Assembly being not in the least able to approve the Actings of the Provincial Synod of Lower Languedoc which instead of proceeding to examine Mr. Codur according to the requisite Solemnities and Forms prescribed by our Church-Discipline had satisfied themselves with a bare Confirmation of him in that conditional Settlement which was done by the Colloquies of Nismes and Vsez who called him to exercise the Profession of Theology in the University of Nismes doth injoin all the Provinces for the future to keep themselves to a precise observation of so necessary a Canon and especially it injoineth the Province of Lower Languedoc punctually to perform what hath been omitted with respect to Monsieur Codur as also to exert their Power that his Successor in the Hebrew Tongue be duly examined and all Formalities most accurately and exactly observed Canon 5. After that the Opinions of all the Provinces had been taken upon that Article charged on them by the last National Synod of Castres Whether it were expedient to lessen the number of our Universities at present This Assembly unanimously resolved to maintain them all as also those Colledges which are already established in every Province because they be the Seed-plot and Nursery of the Church of God and that without their subsistence it will be utterly impossible to provide for the Instruction of our Youth and the growing Wants of
County of Vaux and that the Provincial Deputies of Burgundy had delivered in their Opinion concerning him this Synod could not grant him his Request yet nevertheless received with Joy the good News of his Repentance and Conversion unto the Lord and he was exhorted to confirm himself more and more in it and to continue in the Grace of God 14. The Province of Lower Guyenne is injoined to make use of their Authority upon Monsieur Perery and to see that he do actually reside with his Flock and in case he continue refractory and disobey their Order that they do then immediately censure him according to the utmost Rigor and Severity of our Discipline 15. The Practice of the 3d Article of General Matters in the last National Synod is recommended unto all the Churches 16. Complaints having Been brought against divers Pastors Non-Residents in the Colloquy of Lower Quercy unto the last National Synod and those Complaints together with the Letters of those Ministers apologizing for themselves having been dismissed to the Colloquy of Albigeois and the Synod of Higher Languedoc to judg of their Case now the Sentence pass'd upon them was revised in this present Synod and this Assembly being willing to support and incourage them in their Ministry did once more ordain the Colloquy of Albigeois to renew their Informations and to examine afresh the pretended Inability of those Churches and to urge and induce them by all kind of Arguments and those the most forcible to perform their Duties and to bring in an Account hereof unto the next National Synod 17. The Appeal of the Church of Nerac which refused to defray the Charges the Church of Agen were at in the Removal of Monsieur Vignier is dismissed over to the Judgment of the Province of Lower Guyenne because it is not of the Nature of those Affairs which do depend upon National Synods 18. That Judgment given by the Province of Dolphiny in the Cause of Monsieur Aymier is ratified by this present Synod 19. Forasmuch as the Province of Vivaretz hath given their Consent unto it this Assembly permitteth for this time that the Church of St. Estienne in Forest be incorporated with the Province of Burgundy 20. The Promise made by the last National Synod unto the Province of Bearn about the Ministers born in it and imployed in divers Churches of this Kingdom is again confirmed and the said Province is exhorted to acquiesce and rest satisfied therewith 21. Whereas the Adjunction of the Church of Valence unto that of Soyon is indispensably needful for the Subsistence of this latter the Synod injoineth the said Church to incorporate it self with it as it hath done formerly and this Act shall be notified unto them by the Deputies of Lower Languedoc of Sevennes and Provence as they return in their way homeward 22. The Deputies of Vivaretz remonstrated that the Article concerning Monsieur Perrier's Account was left out in that Copy of the last National Synod which was brought down unto their Province and that it were sit the said Accompt should be revised This Assembly ordaineth that the said Province do apply it self unto that of Dolphiny which shall summon the said Perrier before them and judg finally of the Merits of the said Remonstrance 23. The Synod of Lower Guyenne shall cite Monsieur Bustanoby before them that he may accompt with them about the Imployment of the three hundred Livers delivered unto his deceased Father by the National Synod of Castres and they shall make Report thereof unto the next National Synod A penitent Minister seeking and petitioning to be restored is denied but with Advice to betake himself to some other Calling 24. SAmuel du Fresné deposed from the sacred Ministry by the Consistory of Vienna and Synod of Higher Languedoc presenred himself unto this Assembly and with a Shower of Tears implored the Pardons and Bowels of the Church whom he had offended by his Fall But upon Perusal of the Acts of his Deposition and the 51st Article of the Discipline which depriveth them of all Hopes of Restoration who are fallen into such Crimes of which he stands convicted The Assembly advised him to betake himself to some other Calling and to repair the Scandal he had given by his Perseverance in true Repentance and the Practice of Godliness 25. Forasmuch as in that Information brought in against the said du Fresné there were several over-curious Questions and very ill-becoming the Gravity of Ecclesiastical Persons the Province of Higher Languedoc is charged to make Remonstrance thereof unto the Parties who drew up those Articles of Information against him and to put to their helping-Hand that no such Matters be done for the future 26. Whereas the Holy Apostle in the 8th Verse of the 3d Chapter to the Romans saith expresly that their Damnation is just who say Let us do Good that Evil may come thereof and that 't is neither consisting with Reason nor the Integrity of our Christian Profession to prefer the Consideration of our little temporal Losses and Concerns unto the Duties of Conscience This Assembly cannot therefore admit of those Excuses alledged by the Consistory of the Church of Rochel for neglecting the Execution of the first Article of General Matters in the foregoing Synod and therefore doth once more renew its Injunction that all the Churches do conform themselves unto the Practice thereof and judgeth the Consistory of the said Church of Rochel worthy of the sharpest Censures and farther ordaineth that Letters be written unto the Faithful in the said City to convince them of the Greatness of their Sin and of the Scandal which their Connivency and unsufferable Cowardice hath given unto all the Churches of this Kingdom and they be adjured by the Compassions of the Living God and the Religious Resentments of sincere and devout Christians to hold keep and observe strictly precisely and inviolably the sincere Profession of God's Saving Truth in its Purity and Power without swerving or derogating from it by any Actions either directly or indirectly contrary thereunto 27. All our Universities are exhorted to conform themselves as much as in them lieth unto the Observation of that Article of the last National Synod which recommended the Profession of Metaphysicks to the Professors of Philosophy CHAP. XIII Bearn incorporated with the Churches of France 28. THE Deputies of the Province of Bearn having declared that their Synod doth accept the Union of the Churches of this Kingdom under the Conditions granted them by the National Synod of Charenton in their Observations upon the first Article of that of Castres and that they do from this Instant submit themselves unto all our National Synods that shall be held hereafter and they promise also that they will allow of all Appeals brought by the Pastors Elders and Churches of their Principality unto these our National Synods and farther that they consent for the future to exercise their Discipline in all Points according to the Canons of the Discipline
Sevennes shall be paid unto those Professors who have served in the University of Nismes aforesaid CHAP. XIX The Accompts of our Universities Article 12. THe Province of Anjou brought in two Accompts for the University of Saumur which were past in the Synods held at Chastillon upon the Lindre in June 1635. and at Saumur in April 1637. for the years 1632. 33. 34. 35. and for one qùarter of the year 1636. which having been Examined were verified and approved Article 13. The Province of Dolphiny exhibited for the University of Die five Accompts passed in the Assembly held at Cort Montlimart Vinsobres Ambrun and Orpiert for the years 1632. 33. 34. 35. 36. which having been Examined were verified and approved Article 14. Whereas the Province of Higher Languedoc hath not brought in the Proofs of their Accompts tendered by them since the year 1631. they shall do it in the next National Synod that so they may be verified and approved A Dividend of those Moneys which shall be hereafter borrowed from the fifth Penny of the Alms gathered in our Churches and to be Employed in the Maintenance of our Universities and Colleges Article 15. That our Universities may be kept up and Maintained it was Advised and Resolved on by the Unanimous Consent of all the Provinces that the Province of Normandy should Contribute yearly the Sum of Fifteen Hundred Livres and the first Payment to be made the first of October now next ensuing 2. and Dolphiny the Sum of 1500 l. 3. Burgundy 161. 4. Xaintonge 960. 5. Lower Languedoc 975. 6. Higher Languedoc 1000 l. 7 Anjou 850 l. 8. Brittain 130 l. 9. The Isle of France 1600 l. 10. Berry 345 l. Poictou 975 l. 11. Lower Guyenne 900 l. 12. Seventies 250 l. 13. Bearn 50 l. All which Sums amounting to Eleven Thousand one Hundred Sixty and Six Livres Five Sous shall be paid in and distributed in manner following Article 16. To the University of Montauban for two Professors in Divinity one in Hebrew and two in Philosophy and for the College 3000 l. of which Sum the Province of Higher Languedoc shall furnish 1000 l. Lower Guyenne 900 l. Bearn 50 l. Xaintonge 385 l. And Normandy 665 l. Article 17. To the University of Saumur for two Professors in Divinity one in Hebrew and two in Philosophy 2606 l. for the Principal of the College 100 l. For the First Regent 400 l. For the Second 300 l. For the Third 250 l. For the Fourth 210 l. For the Regent of the Fifth and Sixth Classis 210 l. For the Door-keeper and Beadle 60 l. In all 4130 l. of which Sum the Province of Anjou shall furnish 850 l. Brittain 130 l. Poictou 975 l. Xaintonge 575 l. and the Isle of France 1600 l. Article 18. To the University of Nismes for two Professors in Divinity whereof one shall receive 700 l. and another but 400 l. because he hath a Stipend also as Pastor of which Sum the Province of Lower Languedoc shall furnish 975 l. and Sevennes 125 l. The whole being Eleven Hundred Livres Article 19. To the University of Die as well for the Professors as the College the Sum of 2936 l. 5 s. whereof the Province of Dolphiny shall furnish 1500 l. Sevennes 125 l. Burgundy 131 l. 4 s. Berry 345. and Normandy 835 l. CHAP. XX The Accompts of the Lord du Candall MR. Cooper Agent of the Lord du Candall having brought in his Accompt the Assembly nominated Mr. John de Survile Pastor of the Church of Vigan and Peter Marbaut Councellor and Secretary for the King and Elder of the Church of Paris Claudius Bernard Bayliff of Chastillon and Elder of the Church of the said Chastillon on the. Loin Lawrence de Febur Advocate and Elder in the Church of Rouen Gaspard du Beuf Advocate and Elder in the Church of Grenoble John Brun Lord of Roussais Elder in the Church of St. Ambrose Daniel Descairae Lieutenant in the Judicature of Pujols and Elder of the Church of Gatherde that Town and Charles Perreau Advocate Elder in the Church of Couches to be a Committee to Inspect and Examine the said Accompt which being done by them they Reported unto the Assembly That it could not be well Audited as it was now Stated without a Personal Conference with the said Lord du Candall because it was not in the ordinary form of Accompts which used to be tendered unto our National Synods The Assembly Discoursing with Mr. Cooper about it ordered the aforesaid Committee or any four of them should go unto Paris and visit the said Lord du Candall and thank him for that good Affection he hath always born and expressed by unquestionable proofs unto the Churches and to intreat him to continue and persevere in it and that he would be pleased to discharge the Churches of the Sum of 25125 Livres 12 Sous of the remaining Accompts rendered by him unto his Majesty on February the third 1633. and of all Interest for Moneys advanced by him or at least that he would be pleased to make some easy and favourable Composition And in case he shall so do that then the said Committee shall by Virtue and Authority of this Assembly give unto the said Lord du Candall an Acquittance and discharge him of all those Sums which he shall make appear to have been paid by him according to the Accompt Stated and Expedited in the last National Synod held at Charenton Afterward they shall proceed to the auditing and finishing of his present Accompt and allow all such Sums as they shall Judge reasonable And farther they shall treat with him or with any other Person that shall offer himself to Deal with them about the Rents Offices and other Rights and Reprisals belonging unto our Churches for such a Price and at such Conditions as they shall Judge meet And also if an opporty should present it self and they conceive it expedient they shall assist at the clearing of the Accompt of the said Lord du Candall with the Lords Commissioners appointed thereunto by His Majesty or else shall substitute in their stead some other Persons whom they shall think proper for it upon the place And they shall demand also of the said Lord of Candall to deliver unto them all the Offices of the Commissioners for Seisures which are yet in his hands that so they may be disposed of to the benefit of the Churches in such a manner as they shall advise on And this Assembly doth promise to allow and approve of whatsoever shall be done or performed by the said Committee in these aforesaid matters or by any four of them for which purpose they give unto them their full Power and Authority but nevertheless without allowing them their Expences And in case they should be obliged to return unto their own homes before they can have dispatched and finished all that is as before intrusted with them this Assembly doth then Impower and Authorise them to sub-delegate in their place and
Church of Beaulieu and Abraham Homel Elder of the Church of Soyon Article 10. For the Province of Berry the Sieurs John Taby Pastor of the Church of la Charité Daniel Jurieu Pastor of the Church of Mer Henry de Chartres Esq Lord of Clebes Elder in the Church of Marchenoir and Simon Milhommeau Lord of Barandieres Bayliff of Chastillon upon the Loin and Elder of the Church in that Town Article 11. For the Province of Poictou the Sieurs James Cottiby Pastor of the Church of Poictiers John Chabrol Pastor of the Church of Touars Sir Charies Gourjaut Knight Lord of Panieure Elder in the Church of Mougon and Peter Pesseurs Attorney Fiscal of the Dutchy of Touars and Elder of the Church in that City Article 12. For the Province of Bretaign the Sieurs John Boucherean Lord of La Masche Pastor of the Church in Nantes and Samuel de Goullaines Esq Lord of the Landoviniere Elder in the Church of Viellevigne Article 13. For the Province of Higher Guyenne and Higher Languedoc the Sieurs Anthony Garrissoles Pastor of the Church of Montauban and Professor of Divinity in that University Peter Ollier Pastor of the said Church Substituted in the place of Monsieur John Grasset Pastor of the Church of Viane who was hindered by reason of Sickness Anthony Ligonuiere Councellor and Secretary to the King Elder in the Church of Castres and John Darassus Councellor for the King in the presidial Court of Montauban and Elder of the said Church Article 14. For the Province of Lower Languedoc the Sieurs John de Croy Pastor of the Church of Beziers Abraham de Lare Pastor of the Church of Cauvisson the Noble Mark Dardouin Lord of la Caumette Elder of the Church of Nismes and the Noble James de Brueis Lord of Bourdie Elder in the Church of Blanzac Article 15. For the Province of Burgundy the Sieurs Peter Bollenat Pastor of the Church Assembling at Vau Salomon Roy Advocate in the Parliament of Dijon and Elder of the Church of Bussy and Francis Armet Advocate in Parliament and Elder of the Church of Loches the Sieur John Viridet was hindered by a very sore Sickness from coming unto the Synod Article 16. For the Province of Provence the Sieurs Francis Vallanson Pastor of the Church de la Coste and the Noble John de Castellane Lord of Caillez and Rigan Elder in the Church of Manosques 3. The Sieurs Drelincourt Pastor and le Coq Elder of the Church of Paris were chosen together with the Sieur Caillard Elder of the Church of Alanson and the Lord Deputy-General to gather the Suffrages of the Deputies in this Assembly which were taken in written Billets by each of them for Electing the Moderator Assessor and Scribes which was done Successively those Officers being Chosen one after another and by plurality of Billets Monsieur Garrissoles was chosen Moderator Monsieur Basnage Assessor and Monsieur Blondel and Monsieur le Coq Scribes and took their Seats in Order as they were Chosen CHAP. II. As soon as these Officers of the Synod were chosen the Lord of Cumont Councellor for the King in His Council of State and Parliament of Paris Deputed by His Majesty presented Letters Patents which did Commissionate him to Represent His Majesty in this Synod These being read were inserted into the Register of the Acts of this Synod The Tenor and Form of which is as followeth 4. A Copy of the King's Letters Patents containing His Majesty's Commission to Monsieur de Cúmont Lord of Boisgrollier LOUIS BY the Grace of God King of France and Navarré To Our Beloved and Trusty Councellor in Our Councel of State and Court of Parliament at Paris the Lord of Cúmont Greeting We having Granted our Subjects of the pretended Reformed Religion to hold a National Synod in the Town of Charenton near Paris on the Six and Twentieth day of December next coming Composed of all the Deputies of the Provinces of Our Kingdom to Treat of Affairs concerning their Religion and being to make choice of a meet Person and of approved Fidelity to Vs who may preside in the said Assembly as Our Commissioner and Represent Vs in it We knowing the Services you have rendered Vs in sundry Honourable Imployments with which We had intrusted you which you have most Worthily and Faithfully discharged We thought We could not choose a fitter Person than your self being well assured that you will continue the Testimonies of your Affection unto Vs and Our Service as aforesaid Wherefore by Advice of the Queen-Regent Our most Honoured Lady and Mother We have Commissionated and Deputed you and We do Commissionate and Depute you by these Presents Signed with Our Hand to go unto the Town of Charenton and to sit in the said Synod there Assembled and to Represent Our Royal Person in it and to Propose and Determine whatever matters We shall give you in Command according to those Memoirs and Instructions We have now delivered unto you and you are to take heed that none other Affairs be there debated but such as ought to be in those Assemblies and which are permitted by Our Edicts And in case the Members of the said Synod should attempt to do any thing contrary thereunto you shall hinder them and interpose therein with Our Authority and give Vs speedy and timely notice of it that such course may be taken to prevent those inconveniencies which would arise as We shall Judge to be most convenient For the doing whereof We give you Power Commission and special Commandment by these presents Given at Paris the 28th of November in the year of Grace One Thousand Six Hundred and Forty Four and of Our Reign the Second Signed in the Original LOUIS And a little lower Phelippeaux The Speech of the Lord Commissioner unto the Synod together with his Propositions and Complaints made in Their Majesties Name against divers Churches Messieurs AS it is a very great Honour to me to be Commissionated by His Majesty to assist in your Synod and to acquaint you with His Will and Pleasure so also have I a great deal of Joy and Satisfaction to behold this Illustrious Assembly chosen out of all the Provinces of this Kingdom and that I can tell you by word of Mouth what was expresly Charged and Commanded me by the King and the Queen His Mother which is to assure you of Their Good Will unto you and Protection of you and of all your Churches and of the intire Execution of the Edicts of Pacification so long as you continue your selves within those bounds of Duty Subjection and Fidelity which you owe unto Their Majesties they being the Higher Powers set over you by God intrusted with the Supream Authority and your Lot and Portion being the Honour of Obedience to Them whereunto you stand Obliged by your Birth the Dictates of your own Conscience and the Favours you continually receive from Their Majesties and by all kinds of Considerations both General and
he can hinder them But he hopes that for the future you will use more Circumspection and carry your selves better and avoid all just occasions of displeasing his Majesty though they may occur unto you CHAP. III. The Moderators Answer 6. THE Lord Commissioner having finish'd his Speech the Deputies return'd their Answer by the Mouth of the Moderator Monsieur Garrissoles who thankfully acknowledged the grew Goodness and Mercy of Almighty God in answering the Prayers of his poor Churches with his Heavenly Blessing So that the General Loss which the whole Nation sustained in the Death of the Late King of most Glorious and Immortal Memory is now most abundantly made up and recompensed in the Succession of his present Majesty For though the Sun of this Kingdom did set under a most sad and black Eclipse and was likely to have been Buried in the everlasting Darknesses of an Unconsolable grief of an irremediable Confusion yet we have all seen to our Incredible Joy and Admiration the Peace and Happiness France to shine out again in a New Bright Star from the East who hath revived the Hopes of all his Faithful Subjects and filled Christendom with Wonder and Astonishment when they consider that the good Hand of God hath not only exalted his Majesty from the Cradle to his Father's Throne whose Birth was so long Desired They need not be Proud of it and at last obtained by the Joynt Prayers of his People and most especially of the Churches but also hath put the Reins of the French Empire into the Hands of the Queen Regent a Princess whose Glorious Birth and Extraction seems to serve for no other end than to place her Vertues on the highest Theater of Glory Secondly the beginnings of his Majesties Reign are under most auspicious Stars for Success Victory and an uninterrupted Series of Prosperities upon his People have mutually contended how they might most advance the Reputation of his Crown and have combined together in Strengthning those rightful Arms employed by his Majesty for Defence of the State and Protection of his Allies The Designs of his Royal Highness and of other Chieftains have every where succeeded with Happiness and Glory His Majesty was no sooner Seated on the Throne but he gave out Marks of his Royal Authority his first Declarations were to ratify and Confirm the Edicts of Pacification and to assure all the Churches in his Kingdom of their being Protected by their Sacred Majesties and that as those Edicts had been made in favour to us so also should they be conserved for us That glorious approvement of the Services of * * * Mareschal Turenne and Mareschal Gassion Two Great Men bred up in our Bosom and Communion and raised so far above the reach of Envy that the Staff of Mareschal of France together with the Conduct of Royal Armies were put into their Hands without the least discontentment of any Person in the State And their Majesties Condescention in accepting kindly of our most Humble Petitions presented them by the Hands of our General Deputy and granting us the Priviledge of holding this Synod and committing the Inspection of it unto a Person most Illustrious for his Vertues and well deserving that high Place of Dignity and Honour he enjoyeth in the First and Chiefest Parliament of the Kingdom All these and many other Considerations more do inforce our Souls with a Sweet and Pleasing Violence to break forth into inlarged Praises and Enflamed Thankfulness unto their Majesties for such signal Favours and Benefits vouchsafed to us which we account the First-Fruits and Pledges of a greater Harvest yea and in most ardent Supplications unto our God for the Preservation of their Sacred Persons his Benediction upon their Government the Glory of their Crowns under whose Comfortable Shadow the Churches enjoying a Sweet Peace will never have any other Desire nor Thought than to practise Faithfully and Conscientiously that most express Command of our Lord and Saviour by his Apostle St. Peter to Fear God and Honour the King and that with a most intire and sincere Obedience And as we have no design to do it so neither shall we ever admit any Person to sit as a Member of our National Synods it being contrary to our Ancient Custom who hath not a Deputation from the Provinces nor shall we hold any Foreign Correspondencies nor shall we Receive or Read any Letters coming from Foreigners nor return any answer to them unless that my Lord Commissioner who Represents his Majesties Person shall have first Perused them and approved of our so doing Nor will we debate about State Matters nor make any Orders in relation to them Nor shall we present unto the Pastoral Office in our Churches any Foreign Ministers who be not Natives of this Kingdom nor set up Provincial Councils in Opposition to his Majesties Will nor as his Majesty hath demanded to us will we suffer those Canons of our National Synods concerning the Approbation of Books that shall be Printed on Matters of Religion to be Violated Nor shall we Excommunicate any of those Persons who quit the Communion of our Churches for we do not arrogate unto our Selves any Jurisdiction over them from that Moment in which they left us Nor shall we tollerate any Sermons fraught with Injuries and Reproaches against the Members of the Church of Rome whether in general or particular or that may Excite the People to Insurrections Tumults or Rebellions or taking up of Arms against the Sovereign Authority of their Majesties Nor shall any single Province have an Absolute Power of indicting General and Publick Fasts nor suffer that Monies be Collected from Door to Door nor that the Poor's Monies be diverted from their proper use nor that the Forty Fourth Article of particular Matters in the Edict of Nantes be broken It being our Sincere and most Fixed Resolution to observe in the precisest and strictest manner their Majesties Edicts and under the benefit of them to lead a Quiet and a Peaceable Life in all Godliness and Honesty But my Lord we do most humbly beseech their Majesties in the First Place that by the Interposal of their Sovereign Authority they would stop the violent Attempts and Practices of such Persons who being instigated by a false Zeal or by reason of their Imployments do trouble the Publick Peace and Tranquillity by an infraction of the Edicts and by actual Enterprises against the Professors of our Religion both in general and particular that so none of them contrary to the principal end the formal and express intention of the said Edicts may be expos'd to Sufferings upon the Account of their Religion or be inforced by reason of them to draw up a Bill of Complaints and Grievances sustained by them for a good Conscience towards God the very title of which is so displeasing unto their Majesties Secondly We most humbly beseech their Majesties to take it into their Royal Consideration that our Confession of Faith was framed
about an Hundred Years agoe before any Edict was granted in favour of our Religion and was presented by them unto Francis the Second who then Reigned to give his Majesty a reason of their Hope and account of those Corruptions which they firmly believed to be in that Faith professed and Retained by the Church of Rome and that therefore it needed Reformation Insomuch as none of out French Protestants did at first nor can they now without being guilty of gross Prevarication change that form of Expression which hath from its very beginning been inserted into our Confession whereby to declare sincerely and in truth their common Belief authorised in the Year 1561 by the Edict of January and since by that of Nantes granted us by Henry the Great and Confirmed by the Late King and his Majesty now reigning Thirdly The whole Roman Catholick Creed was never nor can ever be truly qualified an Abuse and Deceit of Satan seeing that both the Church of Rome and the Protestants have no difference about the Doctrin of the Trinity and of the Incarnation of our Lord Jesus which are the principal points of Christianity yet together with these Fundamental Verities and own'd by all Christians in France Germany and elsewhere there have been divers other Articles of Faith brought into the Romish Creed to which we cannot yield any Assent or Consent such are those of the Intercession of Saints of Purgatory of the Pope and sundry others which though they have been in Vogue in that Church for many Ages have notwithstanding been constantly opposed and contradicted by all Protestants both in France and other Countries So that should we abandon the Profession of our Faith permitted us by the Edict and that Confession we have made and declared of it with all Imaginable Sincerity and Truth in the Presence of God who searcheth our Hearts and cannot endure Hypocrisie nor an Evil Conscience we should render our Selves Guilty of a most inexcusable Imposture we should dissemble and Counterfeit in Religion and utterly ruin all our Hopes of Heaven and Everlasting Life by means of a Sacrilegious Profession not in the least believed by us Wherefore it is the hope of our pour Churches that his Majesty imitating the Examples of his Predecessors who granted to their Faithful Subjects the Liberty of their Consciences will the rather favour us with his Royal Support and Protection for that open Profession we do make of our Faith than if we had dissembled it or kept it secretly and close in our own Bosoms or uttered it in Ambiguous and Equivocating Expressions which would have turn'd our Religion into a Cheat and through a Fallacious Compliance full of Fraud and Imposture would have perfidiously Betray'd the Holy Faith of our Fellow protestants and be the Bane of our own Consciences Fourthly As to the Printer of Geneva he does not depend on the National Synods of this Kingdom nor hath he any Orders from us nor received any Command from his Superiors to use those Terms which he did and we wish he had forborn them though yet he Speaks and Prints nothing but what is the common Sense and Opinion of all Protestants in Europe who have all unanimously from the very first with One Consent impugned that Council of Trent as to the form of its Convocation the Proceedings Decrees and Anathema's thereof which also sundry Roman Catholick Princes have done who by their Ambassadors made and entred their Solemn Protests against it and its Decrees So did the Emperor Charles the Fifth from whom our King is Descended by his Mother's Side by the Lord of Mendoza So did Henry the Second by the then Lord Abbot of Bellozonne who was afterward Bishop of Auxerre And so did Charles the Ninth by Monsieur Ferrier who describing this Famous Assembly resembled it to a Scorpion pricking the French Church and used an Expression every way at Emphatical as that of the Geneva Printer whose Liberty is yet so displeasing unto their Majesty Fifthly Nor have our Churches been ever so unmindful of their Duty and Subjection as audaciously to assume unto themselves a power of being Judges in their own Cause and doing themselves right But the naked truth of the matter is this that being favoured with his Majesties Declaration which ratified the Edict of Nantes and those secret Articles and Concessions included in it which had been granted by our former Kings several particular Churches being restored unto their Ancient Right fully and compleatly they believed that it was no Crime on their part to make use of them according to the Intention of his Majesty Sixthly And it was upon this Innocent Supposition and which had not in it any the least tendency unto Disobedience against the Publick Government that the Exercise of our Religion accustomarily performed at Ribaute for Seventy Years together without any Interruption being violently hindred by the Lady of that Place and Monsieur Arnaud Pastor of Anduze who was invited by the People offering himself to Minister to them for their Edification according to the ancient Practice was driven away by meer Force by a Company of Soldiers commanded thither by the said Lady and he thereupon was imprisoned by Order from the Lord Lieutenant of Languedoc and notwithstanding his Appeal unto the Court of the Edict yet he was actually Condemned for which Grievance he is now prostrate at his Majesties Feet humbly imploring his Majesties Clemency and Justice according to the Edict Seventhly The Provincial Deputies of Lower Languedoc for the acquitting and discharge of their Churches which hath sent them do maintain that those Three Cities of Nismes Vsez and Montpellier having deputed the Sieurs Peyrol Vestrie and Fournier to tender in their Names with all possible speed their First and Bounden Duties unto his Majesty and their most Humble and Unfeigned Thanks for the grant of his Declaration They did also Petition for his Majesties Protection and Justice and with the lowliest Submission and Respect they demanded also a Reparation of the Infractions of the Edict according to the constant practice of our Churches so that they cannot be perswaded that those said Cities are fallen from the Duty which becomes good Subjects and whereunto they are obliged by their Consciences Nor are they at all to be blamed for Addressing themselves unto his Majesty against the Prohibition of the Lord Intendant though he used his Majesties Name directly contrary to his Majesties Intention notified to us and to the World by his publick Declaration Eighthly Nor is the City of Vsez guilty of violating the Edict no not in that particular Capitulation with his Majesty nor doth it need a new Grant for an ancient Usage which was never taken from them by any Previous Inhibition That Bell of which there is so much Noise and so loud Complaints made unto his Majesty was ever placed in the Steeple of the Temple from its first Foundation and continued there till a little before the Capitulation when the
desired by them and against whom very many Members of the said Church made their Exceptions as being one by whom they could not profit Wherefore that said Province and all others are forbidden for the future to use any such manner of dealings and the said Province is enjoyned to comfort and accommodate the said Church of la Fite as soon as possibly they can by providing a Pastor for it who may be more pleasing and acceptable to them than Monsieur Belon and to settle the said Belon in some other place where he may employ his Gifts more usefully And whereas Bergerac is a Church of no small importance and its Necessities are very great and urgent and Monsieur de Bourdieu is exceeding Successful in his Ministry there this Synod doth approve of his being in that Station and confirmeth him in the Pastoral Office of that Church And whereas the Lord of Rabas his Majesties Commissioner in the Synod of St. Foy who made this Change hath complained by Letters that the Act of Monsieur de Bourdieu's Removal was passed before a Publick Notary an Answer was Voted to be returned assuring him how great Deference this Assembly hath for his Lordship's Person and Quality and to the truth of that Testimonial rendred by the Deputies of Lower Guyenne concerning what was transacted in their Provincial Assembly and that whilst Judgement was passed upon the said Appeal that Act was not in the least regarded 3. Upon Hearing the report of the Committee who were ordered to inspect the Appeal of Monsieur Reynault Pastor of the Church of Realville and the Proceedings against him by the Synods of Mauvezin and Realmont this Assembly conserving the Honour of his Ministry untainted and confirming the Judicial Acts of the Province to whose care and kindness he is yet notwithstanding particularly recommended doth exhort him to enjoy his Quietus the remainder of his Days that in case his many and frequent Sicknesses shall not permit him to go through with the Duties of his Calling yet he may Edifie the Church of God by his Exemplary Life and Conversation 4. Report being made by the Commissioners appointed to examine the Letters and Memoirs of Monsieur Moysnier who appealed because the word of Censure was not inserted into the Act of the Synod of Higher Languedoc and had formed a Complaint against the Sieur Crubel This Assembly as to the first Article judgeth that his Appeal was ill grounded And as for his Complaint in as much as he never gave notice of it unto Monsieur Crubel it shall be carried unto the Consistory of the Church of Montauban to whom the care of restoring him unto his charge is particularly recommended 5. The Colloquy of Condommois appealing from the Synod of Lower Guyenne for taking to themselves the Cognizance of Monsieur Rival's Complaint and of that of the Province of Bearn and not having ordered any Person to appear for them nor sent any Memoirs whereby to sustain their Appeal this Assembly declareth the said Appeal null and void and the Appealers worthy of the greatest Censures for having by a kind of Chicanery of Law obstructed the final Decision of that Affair and requireth the very next Synod of that Province to give Judgment on it and not only to denounce the Censures but to see them as zealously executed and to exert their Authority that whatever Legacies have been heretofore or may be hereafter bequeathed unto the Church of Marsan be punctually and faithfully applied according to the Intention of the Testators and that the right of Alternation expressly declared in this Testament be kept inviolably for the Province of Bearne 6. Memoirs sent from the Church of St. Hippolite were read in which they maintained their Appeal from the Decree of the Synod of Sevennes who had forbidden them to seek after Monsieur Poujade now in the Ministry of the French Church of Canterbury in England And the Deputies of the Province produced and alledged the Reasons of their Prohibition and the whole affair having been maturely considered and debated this Assembly confirmeth that Decree from which they have Appealed and forbids that Church of St. Hippolyte of ever any more entertaining a Thought for the said Poujade and this also shall be observed as a standing Rule by all the Churches of that Province 7. Although the Appeal of the Consistory of the Church of St. John de Gardonengues be not of the nature of those things which are to be brought unto these Assemblies yet nevertheless this Assembly desirous of the Peace of that Church and for the procuring and effecting of it hath took cognizance thereof and vacating the Judgment of the said Synod of Sevennes which had approved that Monsieur Bony the Younger should erect a Seat for himself in the Temple directly contrary to the advice of the Consistory retaining the ancient Custom of that Church It Declareth that excepting the Lords and Magistrates and Judges of that Place every one should be at liberty to sit where they pleased And it is farther Ordained that in all such like cases every Consistory shall have full Power to Act and Provide what will be most for the Peoples Edifying without any Appeal at all from them And that for the future no Appeals of this kind shall ever be admitted into the National Synods 8. The Acts of the Synod of Sevennes and a Letter written from Monsieur Tubert complaining of his being Deposed from the Holy Ministry without ever confronting of the Witnesses being all read and the Deputies of that Province heard who had no Memoirs given them by their Principals for justifying of their Judgment the Assembly dismissed this Cause to the Cognizance of the next Synod of Lower Languedoc and enjoyneth the Parties to appear in Person before it and to bring with them all their Acts and Evidences that may serve to the clearing up of this matter and impowereth the said Synod to give forth a final Judgment on it 9. The Appeal of the Church of Brenoux concerning their Conjunction with that of Laval is disannul'd because that such Matters as these about Uniting one Church unto another are to be judged Sovereignly without Appeal by every Provincial Synod 10. The Church of Vixan Appealed from the Synod of Sevennes for rejecting their Petition when they craved leave to get for themselves a Second Pastor This Assembly disannulleth their Appeal because that the said Church had not sent any Memoirs for the upholding of their Appeal and because the Ground of it is now wholly removed 11. That Sentence pronounced by the Provincial Synod of Lower Guyenne is confirmed in all its Branches and Articles and the Consistory of Tonneins hath incurred the greatest Censure for having under the pretext of a particular Counsel offered by the same Synod unto the Church of Bergerac and propounded by them as an Example to be followed by all others in the Province deprived Monsieur Fevron who now Appealed of a Right acquired by him through
injurious he was unto the Protestants in oppugning as erroneous their common Confession that so to their prejudice he might advantage the Romish Church which doth notoriously confound Two of the greatest Blessings of God and inseparable one from the other though yet always distinct in themselves to wit The Sinners Absolution before the Tribunal of God upon the account of the Merits of Christ Jesus his Obedience imputed to him and Regeneration wrought in the Heart of Man by the Sanctifying Operation of the Holy Ghost And Lastly how much an Enemy he was unto himself in Forsaking his Ministry and the Cure of Souls to become an Advocate of such a Vile and Ungodly Cause as is this of the Papacy which is altogether unreasonable in him for that he undertakes things impossible But he still protesting that he never intended to and never would depart from the Orthodox Creed professed in our Churches and offered to purge and acquit himself from all Suspicions that might be had of him by his Voluntary Subscribing the principal Articles of the Doctrin of Truth from which he was supposed to have swerved and declined They were thereupon offered to him which when he had as freely and in general Signed and Subscribed as he had offered to do it yet it being done with hesitation for some time and this also attended with ambiguous Expressions the Assembly was constrained to doubt of his Sincerity and it was the rather feared for that after the Subscription required he resolutely refused to follow his Vocation and the Counsel of his Brethren discovering an unworthy Disdain and Scorn of that Holy and Honourable Employment in the Ministry of the Gospel whereunto in his Younger Days he was called by God All which considered the Synod interdicted him all the Offices of the Sacred Ministry and of the Profession of Theology and injoyned both the Province and that particular Church where he constantly Resideth to Watch over his Deportments and to give an accompt of him and his Conversation unto the next National Synod which may according to what Testimonials they shall receive of him and his future Carriage proceed unto his Restauration 18. The Sieur Roux coming with Letters and Memoirs written by Twelve Persons or thereabout in the Name of the Consistory of Aymargues to sustain their Appeal which he and others who had Deputed him had made from the Judgment past against them in the Synod of Lower Languedoc and on the other side an Appeal of Monsieur Sigillory Pastor of the Church of Aymargues being read and the Deputies of that Province heard giving an Account of the Reasons of their Judgment this Assembly Declared that those Appeals ought not to have been brought unto it nor should the Provincial Synod have suffered it and doth therefore dismiss the Cognizance of their Affair to the Provincial Synod of Sevennes And whereas divers matters have been alledged but not proved against Monsieur Sigillory concerning violent Actions pretended to have been done by him bitter and injurious Words uttered in his ordinary Talk and Discourses Sermons fraught with Invectives Perverse and Unworthy Wrestings of the Word of God the Consistory of Sauva is Commissionated to send Deputies unto his Church and to inquire and inform themselves of these things upon the Places where they have been said to be uttered and acted and to make report of the whole unto the said Synod which shall have full power to dispose of the Ministry of the said Sigillory according as will most contribute to the Edification of God's Church 19. The Church of Duras having demanded of the Province of Lower Guyenne that Monsieur Thoroud might be bestowed upon them for their Pastor and being denied their Request they brought in an Appeal from them unto this Assembly but sent no Memoirs at all for the upholding of it The Church of Leyras also opposed their Petition and requested of that Provincial and of this National Synod that it might not be deprived of the Ministry of their Pastor the said Monsieur Thoroud Upon the whole the Judgment of the Provincial Synod was Confirmed and the Sieur Thorold fixed in the Pastoral Office of the Church of Leyras and the Appeal of the Church of Duras declared null and void 20. Whereas the Lord de la Baume complained by Word of Mouth and produced Letters and Memoirs from Four Elders and a great many Heads of Families living at Saint Foy and who were Appellants with him opposing the Settlement of Monsieur Privat in the Pastoral Office of their Church and petitioning that Monsieur Alba who was set at Liberty by the last Synod of Lower Guyenne to officiate in his Majesties Army in Germany under the Conduct of his Excellency the Lord Mareschal de Turenne as his Chaplain might be given to them as their Pastor And the Sieur Guyon Pastor of the Church of Bourdeaux being heard speak on behalf of his Province and the Sieurs Privat and Alba for what particularly concerned themselves And the Assembly being well assured of the Consent of Mademoiselle de Bouillon who remitted in her Brothers Name the Lord Mareschal of Turenne whatever right he could lay claim unto in the Ministry of the said Alba and condescending to the desire of the Plaintiffs and to put a final end to all their Complaints did Ordain that those Ministers aforesaid the Sieurs Privat and Alba should serve joyntly the said Church of St. Foy and that the said Church may be fully settled and its divided Members mutually and perfectly reconciled among themselves in a cordial Peace and Union the Sieurs Garrissoles and Darashus are Commissionated and Expresly ordered as they return unto their own Province to ride over unto St. Foy and to use all possible means for the Peace and Repose of the said Church and in case they be not able to remove all the Obstructions and to surmount all the Difficulties which may occur the Synod of higher Languedoc is nominated and appointed to hear all Parties and to put a final Period to their Contentions by his last Judicial Sentence from which there shall be no Appealing 21. The Sieur Pejus Appealed from divers Judgments past upon him by Synod of Berry in pursuance of an Act made on his Account in the last National Synod of Alanson This Assembly declareth his Appeal not admittable and ordaineth that the next Synod of Berry shall exert their Authority and see that all his Arrerages due from the Church of Argenton be paid him Honestly and without delay at the rate of Three Hundred and Twenty Livers a Year and that for the future they do constantly furnish him with Three Hundred and Fifty Livers Yearly And in case of any default herein that then the said Pejus shall be set at Liberty to provide for himself in any other Church either within or without the Province 22. The Lady Dutchess of Trimouille having desired Audience of this Assembly which was granted her she proposed that it was very
acquaint the United Brethren what Entertainment and Acceptance the Reading of it had with their respective Assemblies which was done accordingly and to general satisfaction And because the Reader of the Acts of this Third National Synod of the Reformed Churches in France held at Charenton may not have seen and may be desirous to see what this Syncretism was between those Brethren in England I have here inserted them from my own Manuscript and printed Copies CHAP. XIII Heads of Agreement Assented to by the United Ministers in and about London formerly called Presbyterian and Congregational Preface to the Reader ENdeavours for an Agreement among Christians will be grievous to none who desire the flourishing State of Christianity it self the success of these Attempts among us must be ascribed to a presence of God so signal as not to be concealed and seems a hopeful pledge of further Blessings The favour of our Rulers in the present established Liberty we most thankfully acknowledge and to them we are studious to approve our selves in the whole of this Affair therefore we declare against any intermedling with the National Church-Form Imposing these Terms of Agreement on others is disclaimed All pretence to Coercive Power is as unsuitable to our Principles as to our Circumstances Excommunication it self in our respective Churches being no other than a declaring such Scandalous Members as are irreclaimable to be incapable of Communion with us in things peculiar to visible Believers And in all we expressly determine our purpose to the maintaining of Harmony and Love among our Selves and preventing the inconveniences which Human Weakness may expose to in our use of this Liberty The General Concurrence of Ministers and People in this City and the great Disposition thereto in other Places persuade us this happy work is undertaken in a Season designed for such divine Influence as will overcome all Impediments to Peace and convince of that Agreement which has been always among us in a good degree though neither to our Selves nor others so evident as hereby it is now acknowledged Need there any Arguments to recommend this Vnion Is not this what we all have Prayed for and Providence by the directest Indications hath been long Calling and Disposing us to Can either Zeal for God or Prudent Regards to our Selves remisly suggest it seeing the Blessings thereof are so important and when it s become in so many respects even absolutely necessary especially as it may conduce to the Preservation of the Protestant Religion and the Kingdoms Weal a Subserviency whereto shall always govern our Vnited abilities with the same disposition to a concurrence with all others who are duly concerned for those National Blessings As these considerations render this Agreement desirable so they equally urge a watchful care against all Attempts of Satan to dissolve it or frustrate the good effects thereof so manifestly destructive to his Kingdom Therefore it's incumbent on us to forbear Condemning and Disputing those different Sentiments and Practices we have expresly allowed for to reduce all distinguishing Names to that of United Brethren to admit no Vncharitable Jealousies or Censorious Speeches much less any Debates whether Party seems most favoured by this Agreement Such Carnal regards are of small moment with us who herein have used Words less accurate that neither side might in their various Conceptions about lesser matters be contradicted when in all substantials we are fully of one Mind and from this time hope more perfectly to rejoyce in the Honour Gifts and Success of each other as our common good That we as Vnited may contribute our utmost to the great Concernments of our Redeemer it 's mutually resolved we will assist each other with our Labours and meet and consult without the least shadow of separate or distinct Parties Whence we joyfully expect great Improvements in Light and Love through the more abundant supplies of the Spirit being well assured we herein serve that Prince of Peace of the increase of whole Government and Peace there shall be no end HEADS of AGREEMENT These following Heads of Agreement have been resolved upon by the United Ministers in and about London formerly called Presbyterian and Congregational not as a Measure for any National Constitution but for the Preservation of Order in our Congregations that cannot come up to the common Rule by Law Established 1. Of Churches and Church-Members 1. We acknowledg our Lord Jesus Christ to have one Catholick Church or Kingdom comprehending all that are united to him whether in Heaven or Earth And do conceive the whole Multitude of Visible Belieers and their Infant Seed commonly called the Catholick Visible Church to belong to Christ's Spiritual Kingdom in this World But for the notion of a Catholick Visible Church here as it signifies its having been collected into any formed Society under a visible human Head on Earth whether one Person singly or many collectively we with the rest of Protestants unanimously disclaim it 2. We agree that particular Societies of Visible Saints who under Christ their Head are statedly joyned together for ordinary Communion with one another in all the Ordinances of Christ are particular Churches and are to be owned by each other as Instituted Churches of Christ tho differing in apprehensions and practice in some lesser things 3. That none shall be admitted as Members in Order to Communion in all the special Ordinances of the Gospel but such Persons as are knowing and sound in the Fundamental Doctrins of the Christian Religion without scandal in their Lives and have a Judgment regulated by the Word of God and are Persons of visible Godliness and Honesty credibly professing cordial Subjection to Jesus Christ 4. A competent number of such visible Saints as before described do become the capable Subjects of stated Communion in all the special Ordinances of Christ upon their mutual declared Consent and Agreement to walk together therein according to Gospel Rule In which Declaration different degrees of Explicitness shall no way hinder such Churches from owning each other as Instituted Churches 5. Tho parochial bounds be not of Divine Right yet for common Edification the Members of a particular Church ought as much as conveniently may be to live near one another 6. That each particular Church hath right to chuse their own Officers and being furnished with such as are duly qualified and ordained according to the Gospel Rule hath authority from Christ for exercising Government and of enjoying all the Ordinances of Worship within it self 7. In the Administration of Church Power it belongs to the Pastors and other Elders of every particular Church if such there be to rule and govern and to the Brotherhood to consent according to the Rule of the Gospel 8. That all Professors as before described are bound in duty as they have opportunity to joyn themselves as fixed Members of some particular Church their thus joyning being part of their professed Subjection to the Gospel of Christ and are instituted means of
their Establishment and Edification whereby they are under the Pastoral Care and in case of Scandalous or Offensive Walking may be authoritatively admonished or censured for their Recovery and for vindication of the Truth and the Church professing it 9. That a Visible Professor thus joyned to a particular Church ought to continue stedfastly with the said Church and not forsake the Ministry and Ordinances there dispensed without an orderly seeking a Recommendation unto another Church which ought to be given when the case of the Person apparently requires it 2. Of the Ministry 1. We agree that the Ministerial Office is instituted by Jesus Christ for the gathering guiding edifying and governing of his Church and to continue to the end of the World 2. They who are called to this Office ought to be endued with competent Learning and ministerial Gifts as also with the Grace of God found in Judgment not Novices in the Faith and Knowledg of the Gospel without Scandal of Holy Conversation and such as devote themselves to the Work and Service thereof 3. That ordinarily none shall be ordained to the work of this Ministery but such as are called and chosen thereunto by a particular Church 4. That in so great and weighty a matter as the calling and chusing a Pastor we judge it ordinarily requisite that every such Church consult and advise with the Pastors of Neighbouring Congregations 5. That after such advice the Person consulted about being chosen by the Brotherhood of that particular Church over which he is to be set and he accepting be duly ordained and set apart to his Office wherein 't is ordinarily requisite that the Pastors of Neighbouring Congregations concur with the Preaching Elder or Elders if such there be 6. That whereas such Ordination is only intended for such as never before had been ordained to the Ministerial Office if any judge that in the Case also of the removal of one formerly ordained to a new Station or Pastoral Charge there ought to be a like solemn recommending him and his Labours to the Grace and Blessing of God no different Sentiments or Practice herein shall be any occasion of Contention or breach of Communion with us 7. It is expedient that they who enter on the work of Preaching the Gospel be not only qualified for Communion of Saints but also that except in Cases extraordinary they give proof of their Gifts and fitness for the said Work unto the Pastors of Churches of known abilities to discern and judge of their Qualifications that they may be sent forth with solemn Approbation and Prayer which we judge needful that no doubt may remain concerning their being called to the Work and for preventing as much as in us lieth Ignorant and Rash Intruders 3. Of Censures 1. As it cannot be avoided but that in the purest Churches on Earth there will sometimes Offences and Scandals arise by reason of Hypocrisie and prevailing Corruption so Christ hath made it the duty of every Church to reform it self by Spiritual Remedies appointed by him to be applied in all such Cases viz. Admonition and Excommunication 2. Admonition being the Rebuking of an Offending Member in Order to Conviction is in case of private Offences to be performed according to the Rule in Matth. 18. ver 15 16 17. and in case of Publick Offences openly before the Church as the Honour of the Gospel and nature of the Scandal shall require And if either of the Admonitions take place for the Recovery of the fallen Person all farther proceedings in a way of Censure are thereon to cease and Satisfaction to be declared accordingly 3. When all due means are used according to the Order of the Gospel for the restoring an Offending and Scandalous Brother and he notwithstanding remains impenitent the Censure of Excommunication is to be proceeded unto wherein the Pastor and other Elders if there be such are to lead and go before the Church and the Brotherhood to give their consent in a way of Obedience unto Christ and unto the Elders as over them in the Lord. 4. It may sometimes come to pass that a Church Member not otherwise Scandalous may sinfully withdraw and divide himself from the Communion of the Church to which he belongeth In which case when all due means for the reducing him prove ineffectual he having hereby cut himself off from that Churches Communion the Church may justly esteem and declare it self discharged of any further inspection over him 4. Of Communion of Churches 1. We agree that Particular Churches ought not to walk so distinct and separate each from other as not to have care and tenderness towards one another But their Pastors ought to have frequent Meetings together that by mutual Advice Support Encouragement and Brotherly Intercourse they may strengthen the Hearts and Hands of each other in the ways of the Lord. 2. That none of our particular Churches shall be subordinate to one another each being endued with Equality of Power from Jesus Christ And that none of the said particular Churches their Officer or Officer shall exercise any Power or have any Superiority over any other Church or their Officers 3. That known Members of particular Churches constituted as aforesaid may have occasional Communion with one another in the Ordinances of the Gospel viz. the Word Prayer Sacraments Singing Psalms dispensed according to the Mind of Christ unless that Church with which they desire Communion hath any just Exception against them 4. That we ought not to admit any one to be a Member of our respective Congregations that hath joyned himself to another without endeavours of mutual Satisfaction of the Congregations concerned 5. That one Church ought not to blame the Proceedings of another untill it hath heard what that Church charged its Elders or Messengers can say in Vindication of themselves from any Charge of irregular or injurious Proceedings 6. That we are most willing and ready to give an Account of our Church-Proceedings to each other when desired for preventing or removing any Offences that may arise among us Likewise we shall be ready to give the Right Hand of Fellowship and walk together according to the Gospel Rules of Communion of Churches 5. Of Deacons and Ruling Elders We agree the Office of a Deacon is of Divine Appointment and that it belongs to their Office to receive lay our and distribute the Church's Stock to its proper Vses by the Direction of the Pastor and the Brethren if need be And whereas divers are of Opinion that there is also the Office of Ruling Elders who labour not in Word and Doctrin and others think otherwise We agree That this difference make no Breach among us 6. Of Occasional Meetings of Ministers 1. We agree that in order to Concord and in any other weighty and difficult Cases it is needful and according to the Mind of Christ that the Ministers of several Churches be consulted and advised with about such matters 2. That such Meetings may consist
not being able to suffer that such Words should be Sworn in this Synod and you be all in this matter which lieth so near his Heart invited to testifie that respect and obedience which you would always render unto whatsoever shall be propounded and ordained by him Moreover he forbids your reception of Foreigners into the Ministry and Pastoral Office among you or their Admission into your Synodâ— or that you so much as speak of their Matters and Restoration who have been dispossessed and ejected out of their Churches by vertue of the Decrees of Parliament and of his Majesty's Letters nor that any Stranger be received And to this purpose it is his Will that â—n all Attestations given unto Scholars and Proposans or Ministers that are to be received there shall be inserted the place of their Birth And to prevent that Aversion for Monarchy which is contracted by them who follow their Studies in Foreign States and Commonwealths such as Geneva Switzerland England and Holland there shall be a Canon expresly made to this purpose and shall be accordingly observed That such Person as have studied in any of those Foreign Universities and offer themselves to be ordained or to be admitted Pastors of any Church shall not at all be admitted And if you shall make such non as this his Majesty assureth you that you will not only do a thing which will be very pleasing to him but which also shall redound very much unto your Advantage And it is his Majesty's Will that no Letters shall be read to open Assembly till they have been first communicated to me and that I have been acquainted with their Contents and that I suffer none to be read which come from any Foreigner Furthermore His Majesty enjoyneth all Pastors and Ministers to preach the Commandments of God and that Obedience which People owe unto their King and that it is utterly unlawful for them to revolt or take up Arms against their Soveraign upon any cause or occasion whatsoever upon which Subject there shall be one Sermon at least made and preached in my Hearing in one of the Sessions of this Synod And you be also farther forbidden from ever using hereafter in your Pulpit-Discourses these Words Scourges Persecution or other such like Expressions which are apt to stir up the Minds of his Majesty's Subjects unto Sedition and to alienate their Affections from his Majesty who is most desirous to maintain and preserve them in Tranquility And to prevent those Disorders which are caused by Books published to the World 't is his Majesty's Pleasure that no Books treating of the Protestant Reformed Religion whether Printed within or without the Kingdom shall be vended by any Bookseller or others till they have been first approved by two Ministers of this Kingdom Moreover his Majesty giveth you to understand that 't is his pleasure that none of the Deputies shall speak of the Infraction of the Edicts and leave those other ways which are permitted them to have such Infractions if any redressed Synods have heretofore done so but this shall not for it is no Judge of these matters Here matters of Doctrin and Church-Discipline only are to be handled And whereas 't is usual for these Synodical Assemblies to complain of their Grievances the King commands me to tell you that he hath far greater cause to complain of the Infractions and Transgressions of his Edicts committed by his Subjects of the Pr. Reformed Religion in contempt of them for they have dared to proceed unto that high Excess of Insolence even since his Majesty began his Reign as to set up Preachings again in Languedoc where they had been suppressed and not only in that Province but elsewhere also and that in an open presumptuous manner against the Publick Peace and the general Laws of the Kingdom which do impartially forbid the Subjects of the one or other Religion to carve out unto themselves Satisfaction and Justice although they were wronged and had the right on their side yea and they have also in divers places by their meer private Authority set up again Preachings besides those which were allowed and appointed by the Commissioners for Executing the Edict of Nantes particularly in such places where the Ecclesiasticks are Lords of the Mannor which is a grievous violation of the Edict Moreover your Ministers do notoriously transgress it by excomunicating such Parents as send their Children to study in Catholick Colledges and have written * * * * * * You have a Specimen of this in a Letter writ by an unknown Person to one Martyn an Apostate Minister which is added to the end of this Synod scurrilously and injuriously of those who have become Converts unto the Roman Catholick Religion Moreover there is a practice among you of diverting the Poor's Mony and Legacies given to Pious uses by employing those Sums towards the Maintenance of your Ministers and to the defraying of Synodical Expences and Reparation of your Temples which Methods and Courses are contrary to those prescribed by the Forty Third Article of particular matters in the Edict of Nants which His Majesty will have observed Upon all which Actions and others of the like nature done in prejudice of his Majesties Authority and the publick Tranquility of whose Preservation his Majesty is so careful he declareth that being the common Father of his People he neither can nor ought to suffer his Edicts to be thus violated and therefore giveth Notice unto his Subjects of the P. R. Religion that they reform these their Miscarriages and you are to exhort them to it and that they demean themselves better for the future that so his Majesty may have no just occasion of offence which he will certainly take at such enterprises as these are and the non-observation of his Edicts And he would believe that you willfully satisfie him on your part and in case you so do his Majesty assureth you of his Royal Protection and of all acts of Kindnesses that you can possibly desire of him for your satisfaction Finally his Majesty having considered that National Synods cannot be held without very great Expences nor without putting such as take long Journeys hither to a World of trouble and whereas many matters and businesses which are reserv'd for these general Assemblies may be terminated with more ease and less Charges in the Provincial Synods which his Majesty permits to be held once every Year for the Conveniency and Discipline of the Churches of the Protestant Reformed Religion for these considerations his Majesty thought good to propound by me unto you Sirs that for time to come you should give all power unto Provincial Synods for knowing regulating and terminating of affairs which may fall out in all the Provinces of this Kingdom the cognizance whereof did only formerly belong unto these National Synods which his Majesty is resolv'd shall never be held any more but when as he thinks meet And to conclude there is a matter of
Appeal from a Censure which he pretended was inflicted upon him by the Synod of that Province held at Mauze July 5 1656 because he refused to Baptize the Child of the Lord of Cyre at his Castle on an extraordinary Day The Assembly considering the Terms of that Censure which he produced mentioned no Censure at all it could not be perswaded that he had any ground of complaint in the least nor that such an Appeal should have been brought into this Assembly because Pastors should in all Affairs of this nature be guided by their Consistories and the custom of the Provinces And forasmuch as this Assembly is informed that the said Gaultier hath been for a long time without a Church the Province of Xaintonge was commanded to get him some Employment 4. Mademoiselle d' Argier Widow of the Deceased Pastor of that Name complained against the Judgment of the Synod of Lower Languedoc held at Vsez in the Year 1659 which had rejected her Petition and demand of the Annuity of her Widowhood from the Churches of Cormes and Florensac but her Appeal was rejected because the matters of that nature ought to be finally decided in the Provinces 5. The Sieur Bourdieu Pastor of the Church of Montpellier having presented unto this Assembly the Evidences and Memoirs of Mr. Peter Caffarel Syndic of the Inhabitants in the City of Montpellier professing the Reformed Religion by which he defends himself from the Appeals brought by the Sieur John Guillard and Mademoiselle Colombâ— and Esther Thalodiere de Degan about a difference between them concerning Seats in the Temple These Differences were remanded back again unto the Consistory of Montpellier there to be finally determined if they are not so already according to the Ordinances established in the last and in this present National Synod of Charenton 6. There were produced in this Assembly the Memoir of Monsieur David Blanc late Pastor of the Church of Vernoux who departed this Life about Two Years since and presented by his poor Children in behalf of their Dead Father to defend an Appeal of his from the Provincial Synod of Vivaretz held at Vals in April 1650. And they complained that the said Synod had removed him from his Church of Vernoux without so much as hearing him speak for himself so that he was for sometimes altogether destitute of Employment and without any Maintenance or Care had for him or his poor Families Subsistence After that the Deputies of the said Province were heard the Assembly did very much blame the Province of Vivaretz for removing the said Mr. Le Blanc from his Church without suffering him to defend himself and for not providing for his Subsistence all the while he was out of imployment and Ordained that there should be paid in unto his Children within the space of one Year the Sum of Two Hundred Livres by the said Province and by the Churches of Vernoux and of Velay each of them One Third And the Synod of Vivaretz is charged to see that the said Sum be paid in to the Children of the said Deceased Mr. Le Blanc within the time prefixed 7. On sight of the Letters and Memoirs of Monsieur Thubert the Father Pastor of the Churches of Cassagnoles and Marnjolles appealing from a Judgment past in the Synod held at Alez in the Year 1658 against him and for refusing to restore him unto his Church of Vezenobres from whence he was removed without any valid Reason given him and that because he had a right to re-enter into his said Church they to keep him out would pay him Fifty Livres a Year for his Life After that the Deputies of Sevennes had been heard and that the Memoirs containing the Reasons and Grounds of the Appeal brought from the said Judgment by the Church of Vezenobre which was ordered to pay Fifty Livres a Year unto the said Monsieur Thubert The Assembly vacated the said Appeal and hath also vacated the Judgment past against the said Church for the Yearly payment of Fifty Livres and dischargeth it from the said Payment without Restitution of any part of the said Monies to be made by the said Monsieur Thubert in case he hath received any 8. There was an Appeal brought by the Church of Xaintes from an Act of the Provincial Synod of Xaintonge held at Cazes in June 1659 for that as they were informed they had over and besides the great Catechism which is ordinarily used every Lord's Day ordained another to be used between the Morning Sermon and the great Catechism for Children in a familiar way by Questions and Answers and yet though this be not practised in any one Church of the Province the Church of Xaintes is called upon to conform to Order and to keep to Uniformity This Assembly being obliged to commend the Zeal and Diligence of the said Church in providing for their Instruction who are committed to its care judgeth that it had been much better if the said Province had left this Church in full Liberty or that when they gave it their Advice upon the difficulty which was discovered in the Order of the said Church and that for a long time hath been upheld and maintained in it about the time chosen by them for their Catechisings the Province it self had found out some other means more meet and fit to produce those good effects and fruits which they have yielded and which might have been exempted from those inconveniencies which it hath found in the said Church and whereunto it might have conformed And therefore exhorteth the said Church and all other Churches in this Kingdom to strengthen themselves and to be incouraged in this laudable Design and to promote to the very utmost of their Power the instruction of particular Members according to that Canon made and established in this present Assembly 9. The Letters and Memoirs of the Sieurs Vulson Des Grands Prez Dâ— Bâ—â—f and Calvet Doctors of Physick Fellows of the Colledg of Physicians Fellows of the Colledge of Physicians at Grenoble and Professors of the Reformed Religion were Produced and Read in this Assembly by which they complained of Monsieur Gros Pastor of the Reformed Church at La Mure for having transgressed the 18th Article of the first Chapter of our Ecclesiastical Discipline which forbiddeth Ministers to practise Physick and that the Synod of Dolphiny held at Vegnes in September last of this Year 1659 had not took an effectual course to restrain him The Letters also of the Sieurs Gros were opened and perused and the Deputies of the Province of Dolphiny were heard speak on this matter After all Parties had been heard this Assembly not finding any proof against the said Mr. Le Gros that he had of late transgressed nor since that Act of the Consistory of Grenoble June 17 1659 he was only injoyned precisely and exactly to observe the sense and intention of that Eighteenth Article of our Church-Discipline under the Penalties therein contained 10. The Sieurs
Foreign Parts without the Kingdom and that he should not suffer them to be divulged or sold in this City of Loudun and this he did that neither the Parties concerned nor the Synod it self should complain that without those Paperâ— Pieces and Writings they could not come to a perfect knowledge of the bottom of this Affair and to judge aright of it In pursuance hereof and for these Considerations before mentioned the said Lord Commissioner declared that he did now also give full Liberty to all the Deputies who were in this Synod Judges of this matter to peruse those aforesaid Papers and Evidences as they should think meet and according to the Priviledges granted by his Majesty to his Subjects of the Reformed Religion by the Edicts and according to the Discipline received in our Churches and approved in France by the Laws and Customs of the Kingdom but without allowing them to subject themselves to any Foreign Authority Jurisdictioâ—◠〈◊〉 Judgments or to send Monsieur Morus unto any other Judges than â—â—ose of his said Kingdom to be tried by them and to undergo their Judicial Sentence this being contrary and prejudicial to his Majesty's Authority to his Ordinances and Edicts as also to the Weal and Rights and Priviledges of his Subjects All which it was his Lordships Pleasure should be inserted into the Act containing the Judgment of this National Synod upon this affair The Sieur Papillon Advocate in Parliament and Elder in the Church of Paris being admitted to produce his Arguments in defence of those Appeals brought both in his own Name and in that of Monsieur Beauchamp an Advocate and Elder also in the same Church from the Judgments given in the Synod of the Isle of France held at Ay in May last of this Year now current 1659 by which Monsieur Morus was conferr'd upon the Church of Paris to be their Minister and from those Members of the Consistory of that Church who had Ordered the said Mr. Morus to be confirmed in it notwithstanding their Appeal and for refusing to give him leave which he had demanded to pass into Holland according to his promise there to justifie himself from those Imputations laid upon him and for that they censured him the said Papillon for Appealing from them He was heard in this Assembly and the Assembly took notice of what he urg'd on behalf of his Appeal and heard him patiently in whatever he had to offer against those Judgments aforesaid And also Monsieur Morus was heard defend himself and explaining matters relating to him as were the Deputies of the Province of the Isle of France and those of the Consistory of the Church of Paris in defense of their Judgment and in their demand of the Ministry of the said Monsieur Morus And there was heard the Report made by the Committee appointed for a more exact Reading and Verification of all Papers and Writings and what Judgment had been past on the Excuses and Denials of both sides the Examination of this important business ate up several Days This Assembly having rightful Authority to judge herein and the rather for that the Synod of Nimeguen whose Act was now Read had remitted the whole unto the Prudence Discretion and Charity of this Assembly to do in it what it should conceive would most contribute to the Glory of God the advancement of the Kingdom of Christ and the upholding of that Holy Correspondence which hath always been betwixt the Reformed Churches of France and those of the United Provinces did take and retain the cognizance of this affair unto it self and declared that it found no cause obliging it to condemn the said Sieur Morus nor to blast the Reputation of his Person or Ministry but on the contrary that it had sufficient Reasons to dismiss him justified from all those grievous Slanders and Accusations which were brought into this Assembly against him Wherefore it declareth him innocent of those crimes which were imposed on him and having perused those advantagious Testimonials given him by the Magistrate Pastors and Professors of Divinity in the City of Geneva by the Pastors and Professors of Divinity in the City of Middleburg by the Burgomasters and Curators of the City and Illustrious School of Amsterdam and by divers Pastors and sundry other private Persons whose Names and Probity are celebrious and well known to this Assembly and considering the great Edification which the Church of Paris receiveth from his Ministry and their vehement desires urged with the greatest importunity that he may be continued to them this Assembly doth Establish and Confirm him in the said Church to discharge the Office and perform the Duties of an ordinary Pastor in it And making Reflections upon what hath been transacted in the Synods of La Ferte au Col and D'Ay and in the Consistory of the Church of Paris on occasion of the said Monsieur Morus it censureth that Synod of La Ferte for having judged the said Monsieur Morus when he belonged not unto them nor was under their Jurisdiction and only because an Impeachment against him had been brought before them and for that they never exacted of him in order to his Induction into the Church of Paris but a simple License of departure from the Curators of the Illustrious School of Amsterdam without making mention of his Testimonial from the Church And the Synod of Ay is censured for assuming to themselves a power of judging the competency or incompetency of the Synod of Tergou over which they had none Authority and that in speaking of that Synod they used very unbecoming Expressions and reflected unhandsomly upon their Judgment and confirming the Censures issued out by the said Synod of La Ferte against the Consistory of the Church of Paris it doth ordain that the Canons of our Discipline about the Election and Confirmation of Pastors shall be observed with greater exactness than hath been done in this Call given unto and Reception of Monsieur Morus by the Church of Paris And as for the Sieur Papillon the Assembly hath taken off the Censures inflicted on him by the Consistory of the Church of Paris and doth fully acquit him from it and declareth that there was no reason for denouncing any Censure against Monsieur Beauchamp And after grave and serious Counsels and Admonitions given unto Monsieur Morus about his Conversation which was not managed with that circumspection as was requisite and advice unto him to be more careful for the future that the mouth of Calumny which hath been wide and loud open against him may be stopped he was injoyned more particularly to look to it that he offended no Man by his Words or Writings and that he labour to the utmost of his Power to preserve Peace and to calm and reconcile the Spirits of Men of all Perswasions to himself and to regain their Love and Amity from whom he is departed 19. It being represented unto this Assembly that their Act made about Morus Mr.
with divers Slanders not only against private Persons but also against the Provincial Synod and Consistory of the said City and the last Synod of Bauge is very much blamed for permitting the Impression and Publication of a Book entituled Les Pieces Authentiques And this Assembly confirmeth the Judgment of the Synod of Saumur in what concerns the Sieur de Beaujardin exhorting all Parties to lay by all their Resentments conceived one against the other upon the score of those injurious Words and Writings and to declare that they have no Intention in the least of harbouring them any more nor of persisting in them but that contrary wise they do acknowledge one another for Persons of Integrity and Honour and exempted from all Blame and Reproach and in this Quality they shall give each other the Hand of Reconciliation And to prevent all Differences for the future the Provincial Synod of Anjou is enjoyned to proceed against the Transgressors according to the Rigour of our Church-Discipline even to the last Censures and in case an Appeal should be entred the Provincial Synod of Brittaine shall take cognizance thereof and pass Judgment in it which shall hold good till the meeting of the next National Synod And as for those differences in the University of Saumur this Assembly giveth full Liberty unto the said University of chusing its Professors in Divinity proceeding therein according to its ancient Canons and Monsieur Royer Doctor of Physick is confirmed in his Office of Counsellor to the said University and the 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 22. The Sieur John Nicholas a Bookseller Deputy from the Company of Merchants and Burgesses Members of the Reformed Church of Grenoble having presented to this Assembly Acts and Memoirs fraught with Complaints against the Consistory of the said Church occasioned by reason of a difference risen betwixt them and the Attornies in the Parliament and Court of the Edict there about Seats in their Consistory and demanded on behalf of their Principles the Merchants afore-named that the 7th Canon in the third Chapter of our Discipline might be observed the Substance of which was That neither Deacons nor Elders should claim any Primacy or Dominations the one over another be it either in their Nomination unto the People or in their place of sitting or in their Order of Voting And the Provincial Deputies of Dolphiny being heard and the Committee having made their Report the Assembly remandeth back this Affair to the Consistory of that Church of Grenoble to judge ultimately therein according to that Power given it by the Canons of the National Synods and the said Consistory is enjoyned to see that the said Canon of our Discipline be most exactly observed and censureth those Persons who opposed the said Consistory 23. The Provincial Deputies of Berry having advised the Church of Gergeau of the calling of this present National Synod and ordered them to appear before it to support their Appeal entred by them against the Judgment of their Provincial Synod held at Blois by which the Sieur la Tanne their Pastor was licensed to quit both that Church and Province and no Person appearing for them nor sending any Memoirs in Defence of their Appeal it was declared null and void 24. The Sieur du Vals Pastor of the Church of Aimargues appealed from the Judgment of the Synod of Lower Languedoc held at Vsez about the Differences held between him and the Sieur de Richeres Pastor of the Church of Vielle Ville This Assembly not finding matters as yet ripe for a compleat Decision hath dismissed them over to the Consistory of the Church of Alez who shall judge finally therein and without Appeal from them 25. There was an Appeal brought by the Consistory of the Church of Arvel from those Judgments past in divers Synods of the Province of Xaintonge about some certain Seats in the Temple of the said Church And the Deputies of that Province were heard who declared that they never had any notice given them of the said Appeal nor that it was to be prosecuted in this Assembly And that the Synod of their Province had not any knowledge of this Affair but only the contending Parties This Assembly without demurring on those Judgments passed by the said Synod of Xaintonge remanded back again this Affair unto the Consistory of the said Church of Arvel there to be determined according to the Canons made in this and former National Synods And as for other Affairs mentioned in the Memorial of the said Consistory relating to the Lady of La Monerie and the joyning of the Church of Braize to that of Mornac and that of the Lord of Forgiris to the said Church of Braize or of Arvel this Assembly hath dismissed them over to the Provincial Synod of Xaintonge 26. Mr. James Collin having sent no Memoirs to uphold his Appeal from that Judgment of the Provincial Synod of the Isle of France held at la Ferte au Col in the Year 1657. by which the said Synod declared that they met with nothing in that Act of the Consistory of Vitry dated February the 14th of the same Year which might induce that Consistory to censure the said Collin as he imagineth that they have done or that he was the Author of those matters contained in the Memorials produced by him against the Siuer Anguenet one of the Pastors of said Church of Vitry nor could they find in the said Act any Censure against him the said Mr. Collin for which Reasons they believed that his Appeal was needless All which considered this Assembly declared that the Appeal of the said Mr. James Collin from the aforesaid Judgment of the Synod of La Ferte au Col is null and void 27. Monsieur Paullet formerly Pastor in the Church of Vsez but at present Minister in the Church of Vaux and Province of Lower Languedoc did exhibit in his own Name and on behalf of the Magistrates Consuls and Common Council and of divers Heads of Families Members of the said Church the Reasons of their Appeals brought against the Judgments of the Synods of Montpellier in the Year 1654. and of Vsez in the Year 1659. and of Montpellier in the same Year as also why they opposed the Call of Pastors and Elders here undernamed in the said Church of Vsez The Provincial Deputies of Lower Languedoc and particularly
lâ— Fitte Solon It was now decreed that in case there be any Mâ—â—ies in the Hands of the Lord du Candal that then the said Ministerâ— Chamier and de la Fitte Solon shall be payed the Sums before any other Person whatsoever 31. This Assembly having an intire confidence in the Consistory of the Church of Paris that they will appoint Persons well qualified to receive and manage the Monies which were formerly intrusted with them and for which they have a new Commission given them and that they will use herein as great circumspection as might be required from Persons of their Reputation for Candor Prudence and Godliness and that they will be as careful in this affair as if it were their own particular concern declareth that it s none of its intentionâ— that the said Consistory should be Sureties and responsible for their solvability who are or shall be appointed by them to this effect And this Declaration shall hold good for all other Consistories that have the like Commissions CHAP. XII Of Universities 1. THE Provincial Deputies of Xaintonge moved that in every Province there might be Two Persons ordred to prepare and fit themselves for the Profession of Divinity and that our University Councils might be obliged to pitch upon one of them to fill up the vacant Chairs of Divinity But this Assembly did not judge meet to make any Alteration in the former Canons which left the extraordinary Councils of our Universities at liberty to chuse the Professors of Divinity without restraining them to this or that designed Minister and therefore they should procure and settle in such important Charges such Persons as they were directed to by the Canons of our National Synods and in particular by those of Alez Charenion and Alâ—â—son 2. All the Deputies of our Provinces with one common consent complaining of the great Corruptions crept in among the Scholars in our Universities especially among the Students in Divinity of their wearing long Hair Cloaths after the new fangled Fashions of the World with 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 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 fearing God and open the Flood Gates to a deluge of Prophaness to break in upon the Sanctuary And farther it injoyneth them to suspend the Refractory from the Lord's Table and to blot their Names out of the Matricular Book of Students and to deprive Proposans of all hopes of ever being admitted to the Ministerial Office And all Scholars are most straitly injoyned and most especially Students in Divinity to refrain from all those Abuses before-mentioned and to keep themselves at the greatest distance from those things which are contrary to Modesty and true Sanctity which Vertues should shine forth conspicuously in their Lives whom God calleth 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 upon pain of Exemplary Punishments for their 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 to take notice what progress is 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 whaâ—ever 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 they can go and visit them to wit the Sieurs Gitton and de Bourdieu Pastors and des Champs an Elder shall visit that of Saumur the Sieurs Chamier and Vegnier Pastors de Pontperdu and Maisonnet Elders shall visit that of Montauban the Sieurs de Boudan and de Messannes Pastors and the Sieurs de St. John Gardonongues 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 3. The Deputies of several Provinces complained of the great Rates that Scholars paid for their Diet Lodging and Washing in the Towns of our Universities and that Professors and Regents did demand of them over and above their Sallaries for Lectures and Tuition This Assembly Ordained that the Commissioners appointed about the affairs of the Church of Saumur should carefully confer with the Directors of that University and the Consistory there concerning this matter and to take the most convenient course they could for the moderating of Expences And all the Provinces are advised to send unto those Directors of that University their Opinions about it that so the grievances complained of may be redressed And the Directors of that University are herein to use their utmost care and diligence 4. That custom practised in the University of Die of inspecting the Manners and Education of their Scholars in the true Religion and of examining their proficiency in Human Learning and of giving them a publick Prize is highly applauded and this Assembly exhorteth all other Colledges and Universities of our Communion to imitate and follow this their most commendable Example 5. The Sieurs Damiere Cregut Verdier and Martel Pastors having been Elected by the University Councils of Nismes Die and Montauban and afterward established in the Professors Office of Divinity in those Universities this Assembly ratifieth those Acts and confirmeth them in their respective Chairs And ordereth that the Canons of our Discipline and National Synods shall be most Religiously observed about the Examining of them who shall be chosen to the Profession of Divinity 6. The Provincial Deputies of Sevennes moved that the Province of Lower Languedoc might be obliged to pay Four Hundred Livers a Year towards the Maintenance of the Colledge of Anduse from the time of that Treaty held with them in the Conference at Quissac in the Year One Thousand Six Hundred Forty and Five and they offered in case they should so do that they would deduct from what they had already paid in Moreover that this Assembly would be
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
said Auditory shall be expresly charged That if any one of them do know any impediment for which his Ordination who shall be then mentioned by his Name may not be compleated or why he may not be accepted that they do then come and give notice of it unto the Consistory which shall patiently hear the Reasons of both Parties that so they may proceed to Judgment The Peoples silence shall be taken for a full consent But in case contention should arise and the afore-named Elect be pleasing to the Consistory but not unto the People or to the major part of them his reception shall be deferred and the whole shall be remitted unto the Colloquy or Provincial Synod which shall take cognizance both of the justification of the before-named elect Minister and of his reception And although the said Elect should be then and there justified yet shall he not be given as Pastor unto that People against their will nor to the discontentment of the greatest part of them nor shall the Pastor be imposed against his will upon that Church and the difference shall be terminated by order as above at the Costs and Charges of the Church that shall have demanded him CAN. VII Who so consenteth to be chosen unto the Sacred Ministry ought to accept of the Office with which he shall be invested and in case of his refusal he shall be solicited thereunto by fitting Exhortations but he shall in no wise be constrained CAN. VIII The Election of Ministers shall be confirmed by Prayers and Imposition of Hands always avoiding all Superstition and according to this ensuing form The Form of Ordination usually observed in the Churches of France at the Reception of their Ministers All things before-mentioned having been observed two Pastors deputed by the Synod or Colloquy to lay their Hands upon the Minister elect being come into that Church one of them who preacheth the Sermon shall discourse briefly of the Institution and Excellency of the Ministry alledging Testimonies pertinent to this occasion from holy Writ such as Ephes 4.11 12. Luke 10.16 John 20.21 22. 1 Cor. 4.1 2. 2 Cor. 5.18 19 20. 1 Tim. 3.8 or others of the like nature admonishing every one to see to it that both Minister and People do perform their respective Duties The Minister to acquit himself of his Charge the more carefully because he knoweth it to be precious and excellent in the sight of God and the People with all humility and reverence to receive the Word of God which shall be declared by him who is now sent unto them Then shall be read in the hearing of the whole Congregation what is written in 1 Tim. 3. and 1 Tit. where the Apostle teacheth what kind of Man a Minister should be And that it may please God to vouchsafe Grace unto this elect person to acquit himself worthily and faithfully of his holy Calling a short Prayer shall be conceived to this purpose in which the said Pastor shall insert these or the like words O Lord God we beseech thee to endow with the Gifts and Graces of thy holy Spirit this thy Servant lawfully chosen according to that Order established in thy Church and abundantly to enrich him with all Abilities needful for his acceptable performance of the Duties of his Office to the Glory of thy holy Name the Edification of thy Church and his own Salvation whom we now dedicate and consecrate unto thee by this our Ministry And then the Minister that prayeth standing upright below the Pulpit shall lay his Hands upon his Head for whom Prayer is now made he being humbly on his knees And the new Pastor arising the two Deputies sent from the Colloquy or Synod shall give him before the People the right hand of fellowship And this Form and the above-mentioned Canon shall be unanimously observed in all the Reformed Churches of this Kingdom CAN. IX Our Confession of Faith and Church-Discipline shall be subscribed by such as are chosen in the Ministry both into the Churches in which they shall be ordained and in those unto which they shall be sent CAN. X. No Ministers shall be ordained without appointing them unto a particular Flock and they shall be the peculiar Pastors of those Churches unto which they be assigned And no Church shall pretend right unto any Minister by vertue of a particular promise made by him without the authority of the Colloquy or Provincial Synod CAN. XI Such as shall be chosen unto the Ministry of the Gospel must know that they be in that Office for term of life unless they be lawfully discharged upon good and certain considerations and that by the Provincial Synod CAN. XII The principal Duty of Ministers is to Preach the Gospel and to declare the Will of God unto their People and they shall be exhorted to forbear all strange ways of teaching which have no tendency to edification and they shall conform themselves to the simplicity and common stile of God's Spirit taking heed that there be nothing in their Sermons prejudicial to the Authority of holy Scripture and they shall never Preach without having for foundation of their discourse a Text of holy Scripture which they shall ordinarily follow and they shall handle and expound as much of that Text as they can forbearing all needless Enlargements all tedious and unseasonable Digressions all superfluous heapings up of Scripture-Quotations and vain recitals of various and different Expositions They shall very rarely alledge the Writings of the Fathers nor at any time prophane Histories and Authors that so they may reserve unto the Scripture intirely its own Authority Moreover they shall not handle any Doctrine in a scholastick way of Disputation nor with a mixture of Languages In one word they shall avoid whatsoever may serve for ostentation or in any wise occasion doubts or scruples And that this Canon may be more carefully observed and practised Consistories Colloquies and Synods shall put to their helping hand CAN. XIII Churches are admonished to use more frequently the Ordinance of Catechising and Ministers are to treat and expound it by short plain and familiar Questions and Answers accommodating themselves unto the capacity of the meanest People without expatiating themselves into common places Yea all Ministers shall endeavour to catechize every one in their Flocks once or twice a Year and shall exhort them to conform themselves thereunto very carefully CAN. XIV Ministers and their Families shall actually reside on their Churches on pain of being deposed from their Sacred Ministerial Office CAN. XV. Those Persons to whom God hath given Talents and Abilities for Writing are advised to use them in a modest manner suitable to the Majesty of God's Word and therefore consequently they shall not write after a ridiculous or injurious rate and in their ordinary Sermons they shall express this self-same modesty and gravity And they who are endowed with gifts for writing shall he chosen by the Provinces and if it happen that any Books
Assembly provided they may come without danger of infecting it The other Copies read it thus That the Wives of Unbelievers may be admitted unto our Church-Meetings provided the Church be not endangered by them That Man who suffers his Child to be baptized by a Popish Priest is not to be received to the Lord's Supper but conditionally It 's not lawful to Appeal unto Ecclesiastic Judges XXII And to another Case propounded by the same Brother this answer was given That the Husband of an Unbelieving Wife was not excusable unless that to the utmost of his power he had hindred his Child's being baptized by a Popish Priest and therefore inasmuch as he was wanting unto his Duty he shall not be received into Communion with the Church at the Lord's Table XXIII Neither the present Bishops nor their Officials nor Arch-Deacons have of right any Jurisdiction Civil or Ecclesiastical Wherefore it is not lawful for Believers to cite any one in any Case to Judgment before them or to appear in Person to answer unto their Citations without a Protestation against their Power of Judging in Matters belonging unto Conscience But as to Civil Causes because we be compelled oftentimes to appear before them that we may recover our Right which otherwise could never be obtained we may Address ourselves unto them as we would unto a Thief that Robs upon the Highway to obtain some Kindness from him However it is more desirable that every one would totally forbear in such Matters XXIV Such as will have their Banes published by the Parish-Priests may do it because it is a thing meerly Civil XXV As for such who waiting upon their Masters enter with them into the Popish Churches though they do not in the least bend their Knee yet because the Weak are scandalized they shall be reproved And whereas they do commonly alledge the Examples of Naaman and the Duke of Saxony they shall be born withal when they give as publick Testimony and Evidence not to defile themselves with or consent unto that Idolatry which is committed in those Temples whereinto they enter as the Duke and Naaman did The End of the First Synod May 28th 1559. Thus Subscribed in the Original By Francis Morell Moderator Elect for and in the Name of all the Deputies unto this Synod THE ACTS DECISIONS and DECREES OF THE II. National Synod OF THE Reformed Churches of Christ IN The KINGDOM of FRANCE HELD At POICTIERS in the Year of our LORD 1560. Contents of the Synod of Poictiers Chap. I. Synodical Officers chosen Chap. II. A Memorial for the States of France Chap. III. Observations upon and Emendations of the Church-Discipline in Nine Articles Chap. IV. Sixteen new Canons added to the Discipline Chap. V. General Matters Chap. VI. Particular Matters in which Two and Thirty Cases of Conscience are Resolved THE Synod of Poictiers 1560. Synod II. SYNOD II. General Matters Articles of the Second Synod held at Poictiers the tenth Day of March in the Year of our Lord One thousand five hundred and sixty The first Year of Charles the Ninth a little before Easter and in the first Year of the Reign of Charles the Ninth CHAP. I. Monsieur Le Bailleur Moderator Monsieur Reland Scribe LE Bailleur chosen President Roland Scribe CHAP. II. A Memorial to be presented unto the States of FRANCE MEMORANDUM Extract out of the C. of the Fr. Ch. of L. WHenas the States of France shall be assembled at the Day appointed there shall be this propounded unto the King's Majesty to the Queen Mother and to the Princes of the Bloud That they cannot be in a Capacity to satisfie the Requests tendered by the King of Navar at Orleance till such time as there be a lawful Counsel established for his Majesty Because there will otherwise be no Security for the performance of any Contracts and Ordinances that may pass between the King and his Subjects or between the Subjects themselves as hath been at all times done and by those of the last Assembly who declared That none could be his Majesty's Privy-Counsellors nor in his Council of State for any of his Affairs unless they had been appointed and approved according to Law For the Powers of those in being expired at the Death of the late King so that they are now only in the nature of a Committee nor can they be reckoned among those Counsellors whose Commission is irrevocable as is theirs who are Counsellors in Soveraign Courts and such like invested with ordinary Jurisdiction And at present his Majesty hath no Will in Law being a Minor nor hath his Majesty constituted them of his Council nor hath the Queen Mother any Power to make them such Wherefore none other but the States of the Kingdom can nominate unto the Princes of the Bloud those Persons whom they judge sit to be Counsellors of State nor do the said States hereby in the least design or intend to revoke the Power and Authority of their Highnesses the Princes of the Bloud but only they desire this That they would be pleased to take their Advice in providing fit and worthy Persons Persons of Quality and Honour to take upon them as Privy-Counsellors the Management of the Affairs of this Kingdom who shall be recommended to them and chosen from among the Nobility and Lawyers Nor do the said Estates intend to propose or answer any thing till such time as the said Council be thus constituted by the Wisdom of their Highnesses the Princes of the Bloud and be confirmed according to Law And they do protest That if any thing be attempted or ordained by any others that they will Appeal from them unto the next Assembly of the States which shall be lawfully called of the Nullity of their Powers and Actings And farther they do require That the Lord High Chancellor L'Hospital do forbear acting in his Office as Chancellor because he hath not been nominated and recommended by the Estates nor thereupon chosen and appointed by their Highnesses the Princes of the Bloud CHAP. III. Observations Corrections and Additions to the Church-Discipline couched and comprised in the Acts of the first National Synod of the Reformed Churches of France held at Paris May 25th 1659. ARTICLE I. WHereas the Third Article of our Church-Discipline began with these words Every Minister shall come accompanied unto the Synods Provincial or National with one Elder or Deacon of their Churches or more and they shall all have their Votes in those Synods There shall be this added as is now decreed That Ministers who come unto the National Synod may bring with them one or two Elders or Deacons but not more chosen by their Consistory who shall have their Votes in the said Synod And the Elders and Deacons or others of that Church where the Assembly shall be held may be present at the Debates and in their order they may give in their Opinions and Arguments upon the Question debated but two of them only