alone in this Ministry The Lord raised up and Commissionated many other Worthies to labour in his Vineyard and to gather in his great Harvest of precious Souls for the Fields were already white and longing for the Harvest 'T is true they had a most unkind usage and cruel Entertainment from the Popish Priests and Prelates and from the greater part of the Antichristian World For these wise Men among the People that had skill and understanding in the Visions of God and instructed many yet did according to the Scripture-Prophecy fall by the Sword and by Flame by Captivity and by spoil many days among whom the most renowned were Joseph a Disciple of Waldo who Preached in Dolphiny Henry and Eperon who Preached in Languedoc Arnold Hor who Preached in Albigois and Lollard by whose name the Professors of the Gospel were so called here in England these as they lived zealous Preachers so they died most faithful Martyrs sealing the Truth of Christ with their Hearts Blood as did also many thousands of their Followers Sect. 4. For to exterminate these Hereticks as they were then stiled Pope Innocent the Third published his Croisados granting plenary remission of sins to all Persons that would go to this holy War and destroy them Great Kings potent Princes and noble Lords are all invited commanded and animated to persecute them and in case of neglect on their part they themselves are reputed Favourers and Upholders of them and are exposed to the Thunderbolts of Papal Excommunications and to be deprived of their Crowns Kingdoms Dominions and Lives Thus were the King of Arragon the Counts of Tolouse Beziers and Carcassone served who were all cut off by those prodigious Armies mustered up against them They and many Myriads of their Subjects together with them are most horribly butcher'd and destroyed by the Croisado-Pilgrims Sect. 5. But notwithstanding all the Croisado's Slaughters Massacres and most barbarous Persecutions of the poor Albingenses and Waldenses there was not a total extinction of the Truth it was suppressed but not destroyed as Fire buried under much Ashes it doth at length break out with the more vehement flame Its Professors were dead but the Truth lived it lay concealed in the hearts of the Children of these Martyrs who groaned for a Reformation There was a very great propensity in all the Nations of Europe but especially of France unto it The Papal Power had been crampt by the Pragmatical Sanction in that Kingdom The August Parliament of Paris sixed bounds unto it The learned Sorbonists had several of their Divines who disputed against and decried it Lewes the Twelfth threatned to destroy Babylon When Learning was revived by Francis the First in that Kingdom the Reformation had there its Resurrection Pious and good Men passionately desired and Preached up the necessity of it William Brissonnet Bishop of Meaux promoted it in his Diocess James Fabey born at Estaples in Picardy a Man of great Learning and of an Angelical Life laboured hard in it And in the dawn of the Reformation the Doctrine of the Gospel was embraced by several Persons of great Quality Margaret of Valois Queen of Navarre and Sister to the French King was accused for it by the blood-thirsty Prelates unto her Royal Brother She was indeed a Sanctuary unto God's Fugitives a Covert to them from the storm an hiding place from the Tempest In her House Faber now an hundred years old after a most Heavenly Discourse with the Queen at Supper fell asleep in the Lord. Luther a Divine Herald publisheth the Gospel in Germany Zuinglius one year before him and without any knowledge of him or correspondence with him had thundered against Indulgences and began the Reformation in Switzerland A little while after Mr. Calvin is called forth by God to be a glorious Instrument of it in France * * * See the Author of Status Reipubl Relig sab Henr. 2. p 10. 11. sub Carolâ— 9. p. 94. And the Lord owneth him and his Fellow-Servants notwithstanding all the storms of Popish rage and fury against them in this great work Insomuch that the whole Kingdom is inlightned and ravished with it and many of the most eminent Counsellors in that Illustrious Senate the Parliament of Paris do profess the Gospel openly and in the very presence of their King Henry the Second though to the loss of Honour Estate and Life It was now got into the Court and among Persons of the highest Quality Many Nobles some Princes of the Blood dare espouse its Cause The Blood of the Martyrs proving the Seed of the Church and as Israel of old so now the more the Professors of the Gospel are oppressed and persecuted the more are they increased and multiplied Sect. 6. The Reformed form themselves into regular Church-Assemblies separating themselves as the Primitive Christians did from the unbelieving Jews and their Synagogues so from the unbelieving Papists and their idolatrous Worship It was the great care of the first Reformers to preach up sound Doctrine to institute and celebrate pure Evangelical Worship and to restore the ancient Primitive Discipline They set up purity of Worship according to the Scripture Rule The Holy Bible was translated by Olivetan Uncle unto Mr. Calvin and a Minister in the Valleys of Piedmont from the Original Hebrew and Greek into the French Language He had not any assistance nor incouragement unto this work from any great Prince or State and yet finished it in one Year The Lord blessed him in his undertaking wonderfully that he should begin and finish it in so short a time This Star scatters bright Beams of Heavenly Light and Truth into the dark Corners of the Land to the inlivening and comforting of many thousands of Souls Now the Fountain of Life is opened and the Waters thereof flow down in plenteous streams from the Throne of God and the Lamb to the cleansing quickning and refreshing of the City of God This Holy Bible is read in their solemn Meetings in the great Congregations This divinely inspired Scripture is perused and studied by Nobles and Peasants by the Learned and Ideots by Merchants and Tradesmen by Women and Children in their Houses and Families by this they be made wiser than their Popish Priests than their most subtle Adversaries By this they stop the mouths of Gainsayers and put them to silence and confusion Clement Marot a Courtier and a great Wit was advised by Mr. Vatablus Regius Professor of the Hebrew Tongue in the University of Paris to consecrate his Muse unto God which Counsel he embraceth and translateth fifty of David's Psalms into French Meeter Mr. Beza did the other hundred and all the Scripture-Songs Lewis Guadimel another Asaph or Jeduthun a most Skillful Master of Musick set those sweet and melodious Tunes unto which they are sung even unto this day This holy Ordinance charmed the Ears Hearts and Affections of Court and City Town and Country They were sung in the Louvre as
forth our most earnest Prayers to that Divine Goodness for this intent and purpose The rest you shall understand from our venerable Brother Angelo Archbishop of Genua In the mean time we greet you most kindly with our Apostolical Benediction Given at Rome the 13 th of November in the 10 th Year of our Pontificate SECT LVI Whil'st the Ministers are in exile their Eyes and Hearts are towards France There is many a Loadstone that draws their Affections thitherward They left behind them many dear Relations many Christian Friends under great Temptations and very sore Tryals And tho' they cannot visit them in person and converse with them mouth to mouth for their edification and mutual comfort yet they do it by Ink and Paper Many Pastoral Letters have been transmitted But if I am not mistaken this was either the first or one of the first which was written tho' a multitude of them have since followed An Epistle to our Brethren groaning under the Captivity of Babylon For whom we wish the Mercy and Peace of our God WE have heard with extream Grief most Dear Brethren in our Lord that great temptation to which you have been exposed and those grievous Calamities it hath pleased God you should undergo We have also understood but to our far greater Grief the sad news of your Weakness in yielding to the Temptation We beseech you seriously to reflect upon your selves and to consider what you have to answer unto him who hath commanded that you should confess him before Men if you would obtain that honour of his Confessing and owning you before God and Angels How will you be able to stand before his Judgment Seat who hath injoined you to forsake Goods Possessions Wives Parents and Children for his Names sake promising you an hundred fold recompence Can you tell him that you have resisted unto Blood striving against Sin Pray what are your Sufferings if compared with those of our Saviour Christ Jesus Did he start back when he saw Death stare him in the Face when he was to be Scourged with Rods to be Crown'd with Thorns to be affronted with Spittle to be pierc'd with Nails and to be hang'd upon the Cross What think you at your reading those words Blessed are those who are persecuted for Righteousness sake You have no share in that Blessedness For to avoid Persecution you have renounced that Righteousness What answer will you make those holy Apostles who with Tears Preached the Gospel of the Cross unto the World and who all Suffered Martyrdom by the hands of Hangmen and who prepared all their Disciples for Persecution by telling them Whosoever will embrace the truth and live godly in Christ Jesus must cast up his accounts of suffering Persecution What answer will you make our Reformers who spared neither Watches nor Sweats nor Blood to draw us out of Idolatry and Superstition What will you say unto those blessed Martyrs whose Children you are and who for this very Cause abandon'd by you endur'd Fires Prisons Racks and the most cruel Torments They were for divers years together buried alive in deep Dungeons full of Ordures Toads and Serpents and drawn thence they were driven into the Fire their Hands and Feet burnt and being half dead they were yet pluckt out of those Flames but it was to increase their Tortures Whilst they were alive they saw their Bellies burning and their own Bowels gushing out In the midst of those Torments instead of renouncing the Truth of God they blessed his holy Name and sang his Praises What will you say unto those great Workmen who with such great travel have erected this glorious Fabrick of Reformation and which in a moments time you have suffered totally to be ruin'd How can you indure the Reproaches of your glorified Ancestors whose goods were plunder'd who were outragiously persecuted and who notwithstanding have handed down unto you their Children the purity and verity of the Gospel For God's sake Dear Brethren Consider sadly your offence with all its aggravations and cry out in the bitterness of the Spirit Men and Brethren what shall we do Undoubtedly your Consciences under this hard Bondage crave our advice and we freely give it you And first of all Beware of that great danger in which your are you have denied God with your Mouth do not forsalte him with your Heart For it oft-times so happens that God delivers them up to a Reprobate sense who had perfidiously betray'd their own Consciences And they are such as once seemed to love the Truth but afterwards proceeded to hate it yea and at last to persecute it Two things may produce this Cursed effect The first is Despair For the Mercy of God being despaired of by any Person he doth incontinently hate the truth yea and at last abhors it Do not precipitate yourselves into this Condition Seriously consider your Sin but never despair of the pardoning grace of God Your Sin indeed is great But the Mercy of our Saviour is Infinite The Lord preserveth his Elect every where Yea sometimes there be such as belong to Zion even in Babylon provided they do their endeavour to come out of it and not to participate in her Sins and Idolatries lest they participate in her Plagues Bestir your selves then to get out of this Sodom where your Salvation is in so great Jeopardy and till you can do it have nothing to do with her Idolatries How these may be avoided we shall anon direct you A second thing which will render your condition irrecoverable is a customary contempt of the Truth At first it may seem difficult to you to be present at a worship so contrary unto yours To see brutish and Superstitious Wretches prostrate themselves before Images will create trouble to you You will scarce brook that barbarous Language in which you shall hear Litanies sung to the honour of Creatures and the great dishonour of your Creator You will yet suffer more when you must be prefent at that which they call the Sacrifice of the Mass and where they will force you to give religious adoration to a piece of Bread However it s to be feared that by degrees you may be inured unto all this though at present you may say For my part I believe nothing of all this and that 's enough Yet in process of time you may come to find this not very evil and may count gross Idolatries but harmless Superstitions which do neither good nor evil This way will infallibly lead you to a despising and hatred of the Truth and thence infallibly to Hell And this is that Sin against the Holy Ghost which is not pardoned in this nor shall be in the World to come Our advice upon the whole is this Maintain in your Souls as it well deserves a due horrour of Popery The methods used by them to bring you back again unto it do abundantly contribute hereunto It must needs be the Devils own Religion that serves it self of such kind
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
to assemble the National Synod in a great number of Ministers and Elders It is thought good for the present and till such difficulties can be removed that the Brethren assembled in every Provincial Synod shall chuse out only two Ministers and Elders who are Persons of great experience in Church-affairs to be sent in the name of the whole Province and these Deputies shall come with ample and sufficient powers and furnished with good memorials subscribed by the Moderator and Scribes of the Provincial Synod and lest any of the Deputies should fail three or four Pastors more and as many Elders shall be nominated by the Provincial Synods that so if the first named Persons should be by any accident hindered from taking their journey yet others may be at hand to supply their places in the National Synod N.B. That in all Letters of Commission signed by the Provinces to their Deputies unto the National Synods there was this Clause of submission to be inserted viz. We promise before God to submit our selves unto all that shall be concluded and resolved on in your holy Assembly and to obey and perform it to the best of our power being well perswaded that God presideth in the midst of you and guideth you by his holy Spirit into all truth and equity by the Rule of his Word for the weal and benefit of his Church and the glory of his great Name Which also we beg of him most ardently in our daily Prayers See the Acts of the National Synod of Vitré 1617. in that Canon next after the Catalogue of the Deputies CAN. IV. Provincial Synods shall not limit any certain time for the return of the Ministers and Elders whom they had deputed unto the National Synod but they shall suffer them to tarry at the said Synod so long as there shall be need of their presence and attendance in it and these Deputies shall have all their expences born and defrayed out of the common stock of the whole Province CAN. V. The Articles of our Confession of Faith and the Canons of our Church-Discipline shall be all read at the opening of every National Synod CAN. VI. And that the National Synod may not be busied about Questions already determined in the Acts of former National Synods The Provincial Deputies shall be advised to peruse the Acts of former National Synods before they prepare their Memoirs and they shall see that nothing be transmitted but what is of common and general concern to all the Churches and which meriteth the decision of a National Synod CAN. VII All Ecclesiastical matters may be finally decided and resolved by the National Synod the Provinces having been in the first place informed of them if possible by that Province which had the charge of assembling the National Synod CAN. VIII The Decisions shall be only made by the Provincial Deputies but and if there be in the National Synod other Ministers besides the Deputies they may propound their judgments as to what may be done but they shall neither have consultive nor decisive Votes N.B. This Canon is in three Editions in that of 1653. in that of 1666. and in that 1676. but in those of Paris and Quevilly 1663. it is omitted CAN. IX Those that appeal from Provincial Synods unto the National shall be bound to be present in Person at it or else they shall send unto it most ample Memoirs with a lawful excuse for their absence And on default hereof the Sentence of the Provincial Synod shall be ratified The same course shall be taken with Appeals from Consistories unto Colloquies and from Colloquies unto the Provincial Synods CAN. X. The Provincial Deputies shall not depart from the National Synod without carrying home with them the Synodical Decrees subscribed by the President and Scribe and a month after their return they shall give notice thereof unto the Colloquies of their Province that so they may send for the Acts of the said Synod and this at the sole charge of the said Colloquies CAN. XI And that Synodical Acts may be preserved and that they may be of use and service in after times for the determining of Controversies which may be propounded for resolution unto our National Synods The said Acts both for the time past and to come and all others which concern those Synods as also the Canons of Church-Discipline and the Confession of Faith of the Reformed Churches in this Kingdom shall be left in custody with the Provincial Deputies who are appointed to call the next National Synod and that Province shall be obliged to bring them unto the Synod CAN. XII Before the breaking up of National Synods there shall be an amicable and fraternal Censure of all the Deputies Ministers and Elders about those matters only which had been managed during its Sessions and whatever did in general respect their Provinces And the Holy Supper of our Lord Jesus Christ shall be Celebrated and partaken by them in testimony of their Cordial Union Provided always that this holy Sacrament shall be Communicated in with that very Church in which they held their Synodical Assembly and for this purpose the said Church shall be admonished to prepare themselves for it CHAP. X. Chap. X. Of Religious Exercises Of Religious Exercises performed in the Assemblies of the Faithful CANON I. THat great irreverence which is found in divers Persons who at publick and private Prayers do neither uncover their Heads nor bow their Knees shall be reformed which is a matter repugnant unto Piety and giveth suspicion of Pride and doth scandalize them that fear God Wherefore all Pastors shall be advised as also Elders and Heads of Families carefully to oversee that in time of Prayer all Persons without exception or acceptation do evidence by those exteriour signs the inward humility of their hearts and of that homage yielded by them unto God unless any one be hindred from so doing by sickness or otherwise the judgment of which shall be remitted to the testimony of their own particular Consciences CAN. II. Singing of God's praises being a divine Ordinance and to be performed in the Congregations of the Faithful and for that by the use of Psalms their hearts be comforted and strengthned Every one shall be advertised to bring with them their Psalm-Books unto those Assemblies and such as through contempt of this holy Ordinance do forbear the having of them shall be censured as also those who in time of singing both before and after Sermon are not uncovered as also when the Holy Sacraments are Celebrated CAN. III. In times of sore Persection and of War Pestilence or Famine or any other grievous affliction Item when as Ministers of the Gospel are to be Ordained and when as question is moved about calling a National Synod one day or more may be set a part for publick and extraordinary Prayers and Fasting yet without any scruple or superstition and all this shall be done upon mature consideration of the grounds and causes
the ensuing Edict given at St. Germans en Laye May 21. 165â— The Declaration of Louis the Fourteenth confirming the Edicts of Pacification Given at St. Germans in Laye May 21. 1652. LOUIS by the grace of God King of France and Navarre To all Persons who shall see these Presents Greeting The late King our most honoured Lord and Father whom God absolve having acknowledged that it was most needful for preserving the Kingdoms peace that his Subjects of the pretended Reformed Religion should be maintained in the full and intire enjoyment of those Edicts made in their favour and that they should enjoy the free exercise of their Religion did therefore take a most especial care by all convenient means to hinder their being troubled in the enjoyment of those Liberties Prerogatives and Priviledges granted them by those said Edicts and having to this purpose immediately upon his coming unto the Crown by his Letters Patents dated May 22. 1610. and since his Majority by his Declaration of the 20th of November 1615. declared that he would that those said Edicts should be executed that so he might thereby ingage his said Subjects to continue in their Duty Now we following the example of so great a Prince and imitating him in his goodness we are willing to do the like Having for those very same Motives and Considerations by our Declaration of the Eighth of July 1643. willed and ordained that our said Subjects of the pretended Reformed Religion shall enjoy all Grants Priviledges and Advantages especially the free and full exercise of their said Religion according to the Edicts Declarations and Orders made on this account for them And for as much as our said Subjects of the said pretended Reformed Religion have given us certain proofs of their affection and fidelity particularly on those occasions which occur'd unto them to our very great satisfaction Be it known that we for these Causes and at the most humble Petition presented to us by those our said Subjects professing the said pretended Reformed Religion and after that we had caused it to be debated in our presence and with our Council We by their advice and from our certain knowledge and Royal Authority have commanded declared and ordained and we do command declare and ordain and 't is our will and pleasure that our said Subjects of the pretended Reformed Religion shall be maintained and preserved as indeed we do now maintain and preserve them in the full and entire enjoyment of the Edict of Nantes other Edicts Declarations Decrees Articles and Warrants done and dispatched in their favour registred in Parliaments and Chambers of the Edict particularly in the free and publick exercise of the said Religion in all those places in which it was accorded them notwithstanding all Letters and Decrees either of our Council or of the Sovereign Courts or other Judgments to the contrary We willing that the transgressors of those our Edicts shall be punished and chastised as disturbers of the publick peace And we command our beloved and faithful Officers in our Courts of Parliament Chambers of the Edict Bailiffs Seneschals their Lieutenants and other our Officers to whom it shall appertain every one in his place that they do cause these Presents to be registred read and if need be published and that the Contents of them be kept observed and maintained according to their form and tenor And because there will be need of this present Declaration in many and divers places we will that unto Copies duly collationed by one of our beloved and faithful Counsellors and Secretaries there shall be as much faith given as to this present Original For such is our pleasure In testimony whereof we have caused our great Seal to be put unto these Presents Given at St. Germain in Laye the 21 st day of May and in the Year of Grace 1652. And of our Reign the Tenth Signed LOVIS And a little lower By the KING Phelippeaux And sealed with the great Seal SECT XX. Now as well at Court as in the Field each strove to proclaim loudest the Deserts of the Reformed The Queen Mother herself ingenuously acknowledged that they had preserved the Government for herself and the young King This is a Truth that cannot be contested and yet as true as it is what I shall add will seem incredible But the Enemies of the Reformed have told it them an hundred times over and the sequel hath perfectly verified it That this Great Service of theirs in Saving the King and Kingdom was the precise the principal and proper Cause of their Ruine and of all those Evils which have since befallen them For their restless Adversaries the Popish Clergy used all endeavours to envenom the sence of that Important Service of theirs in the Minds of the King and his chief Ministers for they never left suggesting to them That if upon occasion the Reformed could save the State from ruine they might likewise upon another and siding with its Enemies utterly overthrow it That therefore in prudence this Party must be suppressed and what good they had done must be no longer regarded but as an Indication of that Mischief which some time or other they were capable of effecting This diabolical Policy which hinders Subjects from serving their Prince to avoid the pulling down upon themselves and children Chastisements instead of Recompences took immediately with the ungrateful Court. For as soon as the Kingdom was setled in Peace the Design was put on foot of destroying the Reformed and that they might clearly understand that it was their Zeal and Loyalty for their King which had ruin'd them Those Cities which had given the noblest Instances of it were first assaulted Immediately on very slight pretences they fell foul on Rochel Montauban and Milhaud three Towns where the Professors of the Reformed Religion had most signalized themselves for the Court's Interests Rochel was plagued with an infinite number of Proscriptions her best Ministers and Citizens being driven out and exiled Montauban and Milhaud are sack'd by Soldiers These were but particular Strokes and the beginning of those dreadful Woes which followed after SECT XXI 'T will be a difficult matter to give in an exact account of those various methods used for their destruction For the malice of their Enemies was exceeding fruitful in plotting and contriving of mischiefs Every day produced a superfetation of them for twenty Years together I will instance but in a few for it would be an endless work to enumerate all These were some of the chiefest First Law-Suits in Courts of Justice Secondly Deprivations of all kinds of Offices and Employments and in general of all manner of ways for subsistence Thirdly The Infractions of the Edicts under the plausible gloss of explaining them Fourthly New Laws and Orders Fifthly Juggles and amusing Tricks Sixthly The animating and exasperating of the Rabble with Hatred and Rage against them and barbarous Cruelties and Torments These were some of the most considerable Machins which the
banished them unto Rheims and are now doing penance for their Heresie as the Papists call it and you may be sure a severe Penance it is that will be inflicted on them by the bigotted Nuns in their Convents The Lady Vielle Vigne neâ—r Nantes in Brittany being accused of holding a Conventicle in her house that is for keeping a day of Prayer was immediately arrested and all that had been found at that Religious Meeting were carried to prison where this Excellent Pious Lady abides in Duress Monsieur de Rosemont formerly Pastor of Giens having through humane Infirmity fallen with the Multitude fell sick in danger of death the Priest of his Parish comes to visit him and offers to administer the Popish Sacraments Extream Unction and the Eucharist unto him but the poor Man refuses them and declares his mind boldly against them and in particular against their Sacrilege in robbing the People of the Cup. Finally it pleased God that he recovered of his distemper and being in perfect health he was demanded whether the words he had spoken and the discourse he had held in his Sickness were the effects of his Fever and Delirium or of his fixed and settled Judgment He answered couragiously that what he had spoken in his Sickness he would stand to in his Health that they were his present Thoughts and Faith and expressing a great deal of Remorse and Sorrow for his Fall he begg'd pardon of God for it whereupon he was brought before a Judge who condemn'd him forth-right unto the Gallies there to be hung till he was dead Monsieur Bayley Minister of Carla in the County of Foix and who was in June 1685. seized on by the Provost of Montauban and thrown into a Dungeon in the Castle of Trumpet at Bordeaux not one of his Friends or Relations being ever permitted to visit him or to know the cause of his Imprisonment died the 12th of November following but with that Constancy as became a Martyr of Jesus Christ praising and blessing God for his Sufferings These Sufferings of his had been very great and exceeding grievous He lay a long while together sick without any relief or assistance yea they were so barbarously cruel to him as to deny him a Cup of cold Water to quench his burning Thirst his merciless Guards treating him in his very malady with all manner of Barbarities that by those Torments he might be enforced to apostatize from the Truth but this excellent man of God held stedfastly to the last and by his Faith and Patience conquered the Cruelties of his Tormentors and died triumphantly He was a Person of great Worth and Learning all which was communicated by him to the Edification of his Flock His Brother one of the rarest Scholars of this Age is that famous Author of the Republique des Lettres The Widow of Monsieur Fremont that rich famous Banker of Paris together with her two Sons left above 200000 Liveres in their House and escapt most fortunately their Persecutors Monsieur Fremont putting himself and six more into the Habits and Arms of the Life-Guard and himself as an Officer in the head of them coming upon the Frontiers to the Guards demands whether none had passed them lately To which they replied Yes some had done it a little before with Pass-ports But this new Officer tells them they were counterfeited and he was ordered to pursue these Counterfeits and so saved himself and Company In Poictou the Houses of the Gentry are demolished and excessive Cruelties by the Mission to make them renounce their Religion The Lady of a Person of Quality who for his Constancy was imprisoned after that his House had been pulled down was clapt up between four Walls where though she was big with child and very near her time yet she was starved to death with Cold and Famine In the Burrough of Torique three Leagues from Niort Frances Aubin a Country Woman declaring her resolution to persist unchangeably in the Protestant Religion they first squeezed her Fingers to pieces with Iron Skrews and then hung her up by her Arm-pits smoaking and forcing her to suck in with her Nostrils Tobacco and Brimstone afterward these bloody Villains tied her Legs unto a Horse who drew her upon burning Faggots Her own Brother of the same name was an Eye-witness of all her Sufferings who also was tortured by them but in another manner And forasmuch as none of these Cruelties could make them either loose their Resolutions or their Lives they flung them both into a low Ditch whence they were taken out almost knee deep in Mud and Water Another Inhabitant of the same place called Fountayne was hung up also by the Arms smoakt with Tobacco her Fingers burnt by a light fire and then thrust into a Dungeon to die of Cold and Hunger as a Man of S. Maixant had done before her A Gentleman of Augumois they tormented to death by pouring into his Mouth boiling Aqua Vitae and Wines and Water They gagged two Gentlewomen of the same Province and had almost killed them by a great quantity of Wine which they forced down their Throats Another Lady of Quality whilst they consum'd her Goods before her face they watching her by day and night forced her to turn the Spit without any Rest or Intermission and this hath been an ordinary practice to keep people so long waking 7 8 9. days and nights together the Dragoons watching by turns till these poor Creatures having lost their Senses and not knowing what Questions are put them or Answers they make unto them are intangled carried to a Popish Church and two Witnesses swearing they saw this though a delirious Person at Mass if afterward by Sleep or Food they came to themselves again and declare that they be Protestants they are condemned for Relapse and burnt to death without Mercy An Eminent French Minister gave the Writer hereof this Relation That Jan. 23. 1685. a Woman had her sucking Child snatch'd from her Breasts and put into the next Room which was only parted by a few Boards from hers These Devils incarnate would not let the poor Mother come to her Child unless she would renounce her Religion and become a Roman Catholick Her Chiled crys and she crys her Bowels yearn upon her poor miserable Infant but the Fear of God and of hell and losing her Soul keep her from Apostasie however she suffers a double Martyrdom one in her own person the other in that of her sweet Babe who dies in her hearing with Crying and Famine before its poor Mother Monsieur Elias Boutonnet a Merchant of Marans near Rochell was martyr'd by these bloody Miscreants after this manner They hung him up by the Heels to a Post of his own House and smoak'd him to death with wet Straw set on fire SECT XLV The Martyrdom of Monsieur Homel Pastor of the Church of Vivaretz in the Province of Sevennes in the Kingdom of France who was with most Hellish Cruelty broken upon
in presence of these Witnesses whose names are hereunto subscribed this day of the Month of _____ and in the year of our Lord SECT XLVII When these poor Wretches had signed this Abjuration and hoped thereby to be at rest they were far enough from it for their Consciences flew in their Faces and many of them were driven unto despair Yet their Persecutors never ceased tormenting them they must own and attest it before the World that they embraced the Roman Religion freely voluntarily and of their own accord and that no Violence was offer'd them to move or induce them to turn from the Reformed Religion And if after this they scrupled to go to Mass to communicate after the Popish way to tell over their Chaplet of Beads or if a Sigh escaped from them indicating their Grief and Sorrow for their great Sin in forsaking the Truth immediately there were great Fines laid upon them and their old Guests the Dragoons are sent back again to beat up their quarters and they must entertain afresh those old Guests who had wearied them out of their Faith and Life I have by me a Letter from Mets giving an account of the state of the poor Protestants upon their Abjuration which may not be unacceptable to the Reader My Dear F. YOUR's of the Thirteenth of September is come to my hands by which I perceive you are well informed of all things relating to those Holy Missionaries our Dragoons You cannot for all that imagine what it is to fall into the hands of such Apostles Of all the Families of * * * * * * There were in that Church 10000 Communicants Mets there are left but two Persons which have not subscribed viz. Madamoiselle Goffin who is a Prisoner in the Nunnery of the Female Preachers and Madamoiselle Ferry Sister to Monsieur Le Bachelier the Counsellour who is also clapt up in the Nunnery of St. Clare These are the only two Persons who have refused Subscription yet do not persuade your self into that Opinion that because they have subscribed therefore they must needs be of the Roman Religion nay the very contrary is true for we were never more estranged from it I shall deal plainly with you we ought not to be blamed for our weakness in subscribing for had all the Ministers of France now exiled the Kingdom been resident in it and lain as we have at the cruel mercy of Dragoons I am certainly persuaded that not five in an hundred could have stood it out but must have subscribed as well as we Do not then believe that such as have subscribed have changed their Religion I can give you full evidence that they were never more zealous for the Reformed Religion than now I know we have too too much neglected your Advices but the most eminent among us were too secure even our Ministers themselves who because of the profound peace in which we lived had made Purchaces and richly furnished their houses with the best of Goods And if after all this we have had the Misfortune to expect that ill Hour and Lot of Subscription 't was because there was no means left of saving our selves and whereas we be condemned for our foolish confidence in those golden Promises That neither by word or deed we should be in the least hurt upon the score of Conscience I must reply it was because the Passages on the Frontiers being so strictly guarded we could not possibly escape for on this side of the Kingdom all were so narrowly watched that a poor Cat could not meet with an Hole by which to creep out You writ to me concerning Monsieur N. pray when you see him tell him that Madam N. his Sister-in-law lodgeth at my house with her Family and that already three of her Sons are departed the Kingdom She is one of the sweetest Gentlewomen that may be the Lord bless and assist her in all her designs She ran the same risk with the rest but is little concerned for it There be daily brought into the Prisons of this City Persons of Vitry Chalons and Sedan who are Condemned unto the Gallies or to perpetual Duress Finally on our side we have no means left us of escaping so that we must absolutely resign our selves to the will of our God 'till he open a Door for us Yet I beseech you do not believe that Worldly considerations as of goods and estates do detain us here No no could we but have had liberty of departure we had long e'r this gone away though only with our Shifts about us yea tho' we had left our Children behind us But it is not God's will that we should yet quit this place nay 't is his will that we be patient and that we hinder our Childrens falling into such hands as would educate them in Idolatry in a false Religion and in an aversion for our selves also I must add that we had no preservative from subscribing it was wholly impossible to avoid that Subscription against the Protestant Reformed Religion tho' as yet we are not obliged to go to Mass but expect once more the Dragoons with their Swords in their hands to drive us to it We know we have subscribed but we know also we have not changed our Religion and through Grace we shall never change it I may assure you that so great were our Oppressions that they might have oblig'd us to have been Turks as well as Papists and to have wore a Turban had it been as high again as the Triple Crown Our wisest Catholicks for these last six Months have told us That we should shortly be of one Religion but never be of one belief And they had reason for what they said For we were never more fixed in our Religion than now Sometimes for fashions sake we go unto their Sermons but return extreamly dissatisfied with those Discourses and more confirmed in our first Faith than before Poor Monsieur de Chevenix lies very ill the Curate of his Parish was with him to oblige him to Confession but he positively told him he would not confess himself to any but God who alone could forgive him his sins and not to any mortal creature who was as much a sinner as himself Afterwards he was visited by the Archbishop who would have obliged him to communicate before death which he also as stiffly refused The Archbishop acquainted him with the King's Orders concerning such who being sick refuse to communicate e'er they die He replied that he cared not a Rush for them and that he would never communicate after the Popish manner I know not what may happen hereafter but at present he is mending and I believe he will perfectly recover But the Ordinances of the King or rather of the Clergy are That the sick shall communicate before death and in case they do not their dead Carkasses shall be drawn upon the Hurdle and then thrown into the Common Jakes and all their Goods confiscated and if 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
Such as marry within the Degrees prohibited by God's Word shall not be admitted to the Lord's Table 26. The Revelation not to be expounded without leave from the Colloquy or Synod 27. Such as marry their Children to Papists shall be suspended 28. Cousin-Germans may marry 32. Ministers to be in the Armies 33. Vmpires among Protestants to compose Differences 35. Chap. V. Of Appeals The Case of Monsieur D'Amours a Minister 3. Ou Puy an Erroneous Minister deposed restored again unto his Office 6. Chap. VI. Of Particular Matters De L'Escale an Heretick censured 1. A censured Minister restored 4. The Case of two deposed Ministers revised 5 6. Letters from the Synod to the Church of Metz 8. Letters from Sedan unto the Synod 9. The Petition of a deposed Minister for his Restoration rejected 13. Letters from the Countess of Laval to the Synod 18. Letters from the Synod to the Duke De la Force and Parliament of Pau 19. Cahier to be declared publickly an Apostate Minister 21. M. De Lessars a poor Minister freed from a Bond of Ten Crowns 22. Monsieur De L'Espine Emeritus 23. A deposed Minister not restored 25. A penitent deposed Minister restored 26. Olaxa a deposed Minister how to be dealt with 28. The Case of Monsieur D'Espoir a Minister 30. Chap. VII Roll of Deposed Ministers A Remark upon Cahier the Apostate THE Synod of Saumur 1596. Synod XIV SYNOD XIV Acts of the National Synod held at SAUMUR the Fifth Day of June in the Year of our Lord One Thousand five hundred ninety and six CHAP. I. Of the DEPVTIES Monsieur De la Touche chosen President Monsieur Pacard Assessor And Messieurs Vincent and Chalmot Scribes At this Synod there appeared these Pastors and Elders hereafter named FOR Brittany Master Peter Merlin Minister of the Church and Family of the Lady of Laval and Monsieur de Landauran Elder of the said Church Mr. Rotan was born at Geneva Minister first at Rochel and then at Castres and there he died For the Higher Languedoc and the Higher Guyenne Master John Baptista Rotan sub-delegated by Monsieur Balarand who was deputed by the Provincial Synod held at Figeac in May last 1596. But because of his Sickness he could not be present in the Assembly and the said Monsieur Rotan was accepted in that Quality but with this Proviso That it should not be made a Precedent and the Provinces are charged to acquaint their respective Deputies with it that they ought not to delegate another in their slead I cannot pass by Monsieur Rotan without a Remark which may be read at large in Monsieur D' Aubigny's Histoire Univers liv 4. cap. 11. liv 5. cap. 2. He and one Marlas who afterward revolted with de Serres Cayer the Apostates and de Vaux Ministers finding no Gains nor Preferments to be had in the Reformed Churches of France projected for their own Advancement the Re-union of the two Religions Protestant and Popish they communicate their Design to the Lord of Sansy who afterward turn'd Papist to du Fay Grand-son of the Chancellor L' Hospital to Benoist Parson of St. Eustache to Perron Bishop of Eureux to Dr. Chauveau and to Berangé a Dominiean Fryar and to the Arch-Bishop of Bourges Rotan got himself deputed with some others to the King at Mantes in the Year 1595 and there promised that in a Publick Dispute he would subtilly betray the Cause of the Reformed unto the Romanists But when it come to the push whether it were that out of vanity he would not yield or through remorse of Conscience he drew back and feigned himself sick Monsieur Beraud Pastor of the Church of Montauban entred the Lists in his stead and stoutly maintained the Truth against the Adversaries about the sufficiency of the Scriptures Monsieur de Vaux who was brought off with three Bills one of Two thousand five hundred Crowns and the other two of lesser Sums falls into terror and horror of mind hath no rest night nor day and under this great anguish discovers the whole Plot for their Prevarication unto several Persons of Note and Quality but with dreadful Cries and Groans yet withal assureth them that God will have mercy upon his poor Soul notwithstanding the greatness of his sin for he should die very suddenly which he did the next Lord's Day For having preached to his Congregation and supped with some Friends he took a solemn leave of them and leading his Wife into his Bed-Chamber he pronounced this Stave of the Fifty first Psalm Lo also Lord thou lovest Truth within Within the Heart within the Soul sincerity Therefore to me so gracious thou hast been To make me know thy inward Wisdom's verity And immediately died in the very place Monsieur D' Aubigni relateth how that he unbosom'd himself unto him with many sighs and having confessed his heinous Offence he delivered to him the three Bills which after his Death he gave back again unto his Heirs For Poitou Master Dominick de Losse Lord de la Touche Minister of the Church of Mouchant and St. Fulgent Master Francis L'Oystau Minister of the Church and Family of the Lord Duke la Tremouille and Mons de Fontaines Elder of the said Church Their Temple in which they worshipped God was at Melle For the Lower Guyenne Monsieur de St. Hilary Minister of the Church of Nerac without an Elder Monsieur de Chastelet was excused upon the account of his sickness and the Provinces shall be informed that in case of sickness they ought to substitute another as also to depute unto these Synods one or two Elders For Orleans Berry c. Master John Vian Minister of the Church of Angeau Master Adam D' Orival Minister of the Church of Sancerre and Master Giles d' Albert Junior Citizen of Blois deputed by the said Province For Dolphiny Provence and the Principality of Orange Master Daniel Chamier Minister of the Church of Montlimart Master John de Serres Minister of the Church of Aurenges and there was joyned with him Monsieur Hulson an Elder of that Church but thô he was chosen by the said Province yet he was not present at this Synod For Lower Languedoc Master Laurence Brunier Minister of the Church of Vsez and Theodorick de Combez Baron of Fons Elder of that Church For Normandy Master Giles Gautier Lord of la Bansenie Minister of the Church of Caen and Master Robert du Perron Elder in the Church of Rouan For Lyonnois Forest and Beaujolois Master Lewis Tourquet Elder in the Church of Lyons For Anjou Touraine c. Master Felix du Tronchay Lord of la Noue Minister in the Church of Beaufort Master Francis Greliere Lord of Macefer Minister in the Church of Saumur and Master Briant Niotte and Master Peter Coignet Lord of la Plante Elders in the said Church of Sanmur For Xaintonge Augoulmois and Aunix Master George Pacart Minister of Rochefoucald and Monsieur Chalmot Elder in the Church of
which he was threatned that if he once more offended in the like manner he should be proceeded against with greater severity The Synod also that commissionated them was censured for assembling themselves irregularly and not observing the Rules and Orders which are usually and necessary to be observed in such Synodical Meetings And sith it appears there be very many and great Divisions in that Province the Province of Lower Languedoc is charged to Commissionate some certain Pastors and Elders who by the Authority of this Assembly shall assemble the Synod of the said Province and meeting with them shall use their utmost power and indeavour to appease their troubles and to reunite those that be divided and to restore and settle Order in those Ecclesiastical Assemblies 17. The twenty second day of May there came into this Assembly for the Province of Higher Languedoc Monsieur John Josion Pastor of the Church of Castres and James * * * Joly afterward turned Apostate Joly Pastor of the Church of Milland together with James de Laureney Baron of Mombrun Provost of Figeac Elder in the Church of Cajars and John de la Viale Counsellor for the King and Lieutenant Criminal in the Seneschalsey of Quercy and Montauban The excuses urged by them for their delays were rejected and their Letters of Commission judged defective And all these four Deputies did take and swear and subscribed for themselves and those who Commissionated them the Oath of Union the Confession of Faith and our Church-Discipline 18. All and every one of these Deputies swore and protested before God Privas Art 1. after the Election of the Moderator Alez Art 3. ibidem that they did not use any indirect nor underhand-dealing nor did any other for them procure as they knew their Deputation nor did they know that any of their Collegues had brigued his or their Election unto this Assembly CHAP. II. Rules and Orders about By-standers and Spectators in the Synod 1. WHereas the Letters of Commission brought by the greater part of the Provincial Deputies do exceedingly differ in that Clause of Submission due and owing by the Churches unto the Decrees of our National Synods And for that very much of our time is spent and wasted in examining and debating of them It is now decreed that for the future All the Provinces should confine themselves unto the words and substance of this ensuing form We promise before God to submit our selves unto all that shall be concluded and determined in your Holy Assembly to obey and execute it to the utmost of our power being perswaded that God will preside among you and lead you by his holy Spirit into all truth and equity by the Rule of his Word Tonneins Art 1. after the Roll of the Deputies for the good and edification of his Church to the glory of his great name which we most humbly beg of his Divine Majesty in our daily Prayers 2. Whereas divers Pastors and Elders chosen by the Provinces have not appeared in their own Persons but by their Surrogates in this Synod the Provinces shall be advertised to take Cognizance of their Excuses and to pass Judgment on them by the Authority of this Assembly 3. The Provincial Deputies of Brittain Tonneins at the â—nd and underneath g. m. 36. did give an Account of their Calling the National Synod unto this place because the Province of Bearn had resigned their priviledge unto them which the last National Synod held at Tonneins had conferred upon them This Assembly approved of what was done by them but yet told them it had been requisite on their part to have been more diligent and careful in acquainting the Provinces more early of the time and place of meeting by their Letters of Advice and Summons And this Advertisement shall serve for all the Provinces that when as any one of them shall have the charge and priviledge of Indicting our National Synods they may so order matters as to free and acquit themselves of all blame and complaint in this particular 4. Monsieur Petré Pastor of the Church of Vitré Petitioned for his Church and Consistory that he together with the Elders of the said Church might be permitted to sit in this Assembly whilst the Confession of Faith and the Ecclesiastical Discipline were reading The Synod granted it for himself and for two Elders chosen and named by the Consistory and unto those other Pastors who having leave from their Churches to attend the Synod about the concerns of their Churches 3. of Râ—chel Art 3. after the Elect. of the Moder St. Maixant the same Alez ibid. or their own private business as also unto Proposans But as for others who would intrude themselves that Canon of the National Synod of Rochell in the year sixteen hundred and seven shall be strictly observed 5. As soon as the Assembly was form'd and setled the first thing they Voted was an Address unto his Majesty to testify the Joy of all our Churches Below g.m. 29. for those many and wonderful Blessings which God hath graciously vouchsafed Him and to protest unto his Majesty from all the Deputies of the Provinces here Assembled and from all the Churches of this Kingdom that we are and ever will be his most humble most loyal most affectionate and most obedient Subjects and Servants And to this purpose there were deputed from among the Pastors Messieurs Hesperien and Bouteroue and from the Eldership Messieurs de Balene and de Moussac who had Letters given them to present unto his Majesty together with a particular Message which they were to deliver him in the name of this Assembly Of which the Lords Deputies who are now sitting in the Town of Rochel shall have notice given them and Letters shall be sent to the Lord du Candall to furnish these our Deputies with a supply of Monies to defray the Charges of their Journey 6. The Oath of Union of all the Churches of this Kingdom Priâ—as Art 4. after the Elect. of the Moderat under our most humble obedience due unto the King was renewed sworn and subscribed by all the Deputies in this Assembly both for themselves and the respective Provinces from whom they were Commissionated CHAP. III. The Confession of Faith THE Confession of Faith of these reformed Churches in the Kingdom of France was read word by word from the beginning to the end and approved in all its Articles by all the Deputies as well for themselves as for their Provinces that sent them and all of them sware for themselves and Provinces that they would teach and preach it because they believ'd that it did perfectly agree with the Word of God and they would use their best endeavour that as it had been hitherto so it should be ever more received and taught in their Churches and Provinces CHAP. IV. Observations on reading of the Church-Discipline Containing matter of advice given unto certain Provinces 1. THE Deputies of Anjou
Dieu le Fit Peter de la Croze Pastor of the Church in Courtezon James Bernard Elder in the Church of Montlimart and Moses du Port Elder in the Church of La Mure Deputies for the Province of Dolphiny Peter Guillamin Pastor of the Church of St. Andrew de Valborne Daniel Venturin Pastor of the Church of Vigan John de Vignoles Elder in the Church of La Salle Deputies for the Province of Sevennes Peter L'abbadie Pastor of the Church of Pau and John de la Coste Elder in the Church of Moneins Deputies for the Principality of Bearn De Chalas General Deputy for the Reformed Churches of France Touretin Pastor and Professor of Divinity in the Church of Geneva 24. Whereas the Deputy of the Lord du Candall hath acquainted this Synod that several of the Deputies unto this present Synod having no Letters of Order unto the said Lord of Candall to pay them the necessary charges of their Journey in case he should pay them the Receivers of the respective Provinces might make some difficulty to allow those payments of his unto the said Deputies in his Accompt This National Synod doth ordain that those Receivers aforesaid shall take the promises and Acquittances of the said Deputies as ready Moneys paid by the said Lord du Candall out of the very first Moneys that be either hath already or shall hereafter receive for the Churches and that they shall ho a sufficient discharge for him the said Deputy and good and valuable in the Audit of his Accompt 25. The Deputies unto our National Synods Privas g. m. 15. shall hereafter bring with them the Catalogues of all the Churches and of all the Pastors in actual Service in their respective Provinces Signed and Subscribed by the Moderators and Scribes of the Provincial Synods And in case they neglect the doing hereof there shall be no Respect nor Care had for them in the dividend of the Churches Moneys 26. All the Provinces which have Supernumerary Portions assigned to them in the General dividend shall give an Accompt how they have employed and to what use they have put those Supernumerary Sums in the next National Synod 27. In pursuance of that debate in this Synod concerning those great Sums of Money remaining due unto the Churches from the Sieur Palot This Assembly did this Thirteenth day of November pass a Letter of Attorney before a publick Notary which was delivered unto the Deputies of the Isle of France with this Express Restriction that they should not put it into the hands of the Sieurs Guidon and d'Huisseau till such time as they have agreed and stipulated by some publick act duely executed in Law that they do approve of the Act past in this Assembly and do solemnly promise that they will most effectually prosecute the said Sieur Palot according to the Conditions and Articles mentioned and declared in that our said Act. CHAP. XIII PARTICULAR MATTERS 1 MR. Gasper Martyn Minister of the Church of Saillans in Dolphiny related the great loss sustained by him in the printing of his Book styled Le Capuchin Reforme a great number of Copies being left upon his hand through the Craft and Knavery of the Booksellers who having printed more Copies than they should took out their own Number and leave him to pay the rest and in truth to stand indebted for the whole Impression This Assembly highly honouring him for his great sufferings for professing the Truth and the usefulness of his Works and in consideration of his present wants do bestow upon him one Portion free of all Taxes and Charges which shall be pay'd him until the sitting of the next National Synod over and above that ordinary Portion allowed the Church of Saillans for him and Monsieur Turretin was now desired to deal with the Printers and Booksellers of Geneva that the said Mr. Martyn may have satisfaction given him for the dammage he sustaineth by their means 2. Monsieur James de la Planche having faithfully served the Church of God for Six and Twenty Years in Provence and being now taken blind and almost broken by the Pthysick and borne down with many other Afflictions occasioned through his past labours and sufferings and through his declining Age for which causes he was declared Emeritus by the Synod of that Province and discharged with a very honorable Testimonial from the Exercise of his Ministry and now conflicting with great wants and needing Relief in his Old Age he petitioned this Assembly that some care might be had of him and a competent maintenance assigned to him yearly The Assembly compassionating his Poverty ordained a Portion free of all Charges for him which shall be pay'd by the Lord of Candal unto Monsieur Gras at Lions who shall see that the said Summe be remitted him unto the place of his Abode and the Summ of Six and Thirty Livres was now given him in hand to defray the Expences of his Journey thither 3. Mr. John Paul Perrin Minister of Nions in Dolphiny presented himself before this Assembly to render an Account of Printing his History of the Vaudois and Albigeois 2 Vitre Observ on the former and he farther declared that he was now writing the General History of the Church from the beginning of the World to this Age in which we live This Assembly applauding him and thanking him for his Pains and Labours in the before-mentioned History leaveth it to his prudence and Conscience to judge whether such a Work as he is now undertaking will be of use and benefit unto the Churches because we would not impose that task upon him which would be needless and unprofitable And whereas the said Monsieur Perryn informed us of the numerousness of his Family and that he had a great charge of Children and humbly requested tha the might have some Relief from us especially for the breeding of a Son of his formerly debauched by the Jesuites but now through Grace brought home again unto Repentance a youth of Excellent parts and yielding great hopes that he may be hereafter eminently useful in the Ministry The Province of Dolphiny was exhorted to take care of him and his Family according to the Laws of Christian Charity and the great Merits of the said Monsieur Perrin 4. Monsieur Albiac Dr. of the Civil Law Living at Velleneusve in Berry petitioned to be reimburst the Summ of Fifty Crowns expended by him in executing a Commission for the Churches of the Four Neighbouring Province viz. of Lower Languedoc Dolphiny Sevennes Vivaretz This Assembly judgeth That the Provinces which imployed him ought to see him satisfied and each of them shall pay him equally their parts of so just a Debt and the quota of their Moneys shall to this purpose be detained in the hands of the Lord du Candal that he may be honestly repayed 5. Mr. Simon Daniel Hoslâ—ie Pastor of the Church of Villenusve in Berry petitioned that some Relief might be allowed unto his Church because of
this Synod and the Attestations of the Church and Consistory of Montauban and of the Synod of Higher Languedoc being produced and read who certified of the Godly Conversation of the said Joly ever since his Deposal and all requesting his Restauration This Synod judgeth that he may be reinstated once more into his Ministerial Office but yet nevertheless for a farther Proof and Tryal of his Repentance and Conversion his re-establishment is deferred till the meeting of the next National Synod 8. The Deputy of the Province of Bearne reported that their Circumstances were such at present as would not suffer them intirely to conform unto the Orders of our Churches in France and therefore requested that they might be borne withal a little longer This Synod thought good to forbear them till the sitting of the next National Synod 9. Whereas the Province of Lower Guyenne demands that the Pastor of the Church of Labour to whom the National Synod of Alez had granted the Summ of Three Hundred Livres might be reckoned a Member of their Province and sit in their Synod and be accountable to them for his Ministry This Assembly judged that Matters should be left in the same manner as now they be and were heretofore until the meeting of the next National Synod but on this condition that the Province of Bearne shall be accountable both for those Moneys and the Service of that before-mentioned Pastor and the Success of His Ministry in the said Land of La Bour. 10. The Province of the Isle of France demanded what course should be taken with profest Arminians and such as spread abroad in Discourse their Dogmes and Tenents This Synod decreeth that all Dogmatizers be prosecuted with Church-Censures And as for such as are known Arminians but do not disperse their Opinions our Pastors and Consistories shall deal with them for Three Moneths time in order to reclaim them unto sound Doctrine But in case they continue obstinate after that time they shall be debarred Communion with us at the Lords Table CHAP. XIX An Expedient to preserve the CHURCH-PEACE 11 THE Province of the Isle of France moved that to preserve our Union and prevent those Divisions which will otherwise creep in insensibly upon us and that the sound Doctrine which hath hitherto through the Grace of God been preached may be alwayes taught and kept up in our Churches and never corrupted by the Invasion and Admission of those Errors condemned in the Synod of Alez by the Curiosity and Contentious Humour of such as love to abound in their own sence the Province of the Isle of France moved this Synod to advise of some Expedients vvhich might curb and bridle those unruly Spirits vvho else vvould not be kept vvithin the stated bounds of their Duty This Assembly received the Motion very kindly and approving it decreed that all Consistories Colloquies and Provincial Synods should carefully see to it that the Canons of our Church-Discipline about Printing of Manuscripts be most strictly observed and that before they be carried to the Press they be most exactly perused and approved by those Divines vvho are appointed by the Provincial Synod so to do and that there be rendred an Account hereof unto the next National Synod Moreover all Pastors be it in their Writings or in their Sermons are to keep themselves vvithin the bounds of Christian simplicity and to prune off from all their Discourses and Exhortations those needless Excrescencies of curious Questions and to oppose such Persons as shall attempt to subvert the Truth delivered to us by our Teachers of Blessed Memory vvhose Ministry the Lord so signally ovvned in the great Work of Reformation And that they vvould so order all their Doctrines and Sermons as they might have a direct tendency to promote the Churches Peace and the Edification of the Consciences of their Auditors 12. Monsieur Bustonoby Pastor in the Churches of Mauleon Sanquis and Montori in the Land of Soules in Biscay complained that the tvvo Portions granted him by the Synod of Vitre had not been payd him free of all Charges ever since the year 1619 though it vvas so ordained by that Synod and he therefore petitioned that vvhat vvas behind due might be payd unto him moreover that tvvo other free Portions might be granted tovvards the maintenance of another Minister in those Churches aforesaid because he vvas not able alone by himself to performe all Pastoral Duties in them The Deputies of the Principality of Bearne and of the Lovver Guyenne were heard replying to him and afterward the Synod ordained that the Portions assigned by the Synod of Vitre and Alez should be payd him in free accordingly and that as long as he shall serve those Churches alone without a Fellow-helper in the Work of the Ministry their payment shall be continued to him and when as a Colleague shall be joyned with him there shall be another free Portion added for his Colleague also And this Assembly intreats him to inquire and use his best endeavours to get an Assistant and the Portion for the Assisting Pastor shall be kept in the Lord of Candals hands till such time as he be called and settled together with him in those Churches 13. The Church of Montauban demanded that Monsieur Ollyer who with the Consent and Order of the Colloquy of Vsez impowered thereunto by the National Synod of Alez was lent unto them might now be their fixed Pastor during Life After that the Provincial Deputies of Sevennes and Lower Languedoc had been heard speak on this Affair The Assembly ratified that Order of the Colloquy of Vsez by its own Act and Authority 14. Whereas his Grace the Lord Duke of Trimouille and the Church of Vitre demanded that Monsieur Blanchart Pastor of the Church of Conde upon Nereau in the Province of Normandy might be preferred unto the Church of Vitre After hearing of the Provincial Deputies of Normandy and reading the Decree of that Province which injoyned the said Blanchart to return back unto his Cure upon pain of being declared a Desertor of it and the Deputies of Britain informing this Synod they had hot any Memoir or Command from their Province concerning this Matter This Assembly decreed that a very severe and rigorous Censure shall be inflicted on the said Blanchart for contemning the Discipline of our Church and that he shall return again unto the Church of Conde within two Moneths after the Dissolution of this Synod or if not that he shall be then suspended from the Ministerial Office 15. Monsieur du Bois formerly Pastor in the Churches of I a Val and la Barre but set at liberty by the Provincial Synod of Anjou complained unto this Assembly that whereas the Church of Fontaines and Crocy in the Province of Normandy had given him a Call to the Ministry among them the Synod of that Province would not agree unto it nor suffer him to be settled in that Church This Assembly after hearing the Deputies of
debated them shall pass a befitting Censure upon the guilty and delinquent Persons 22. Although the Appeal of the Church of Sumaine was judged unworthy of our Acceptance yet the Province of Sevennes is exhorted to take into their Christian Consideration the Necessities of the said Church and to establish such Officers in it as are most capable of promoting its Edification and not to suffer Churches of such great Importance to be left any long time destitute of Pastors but that they be immediately supplied either from within or without the Province 23. Monsieur de Fabas Pastor of the Church of Morlans declared his Grievances in his Appeal and the Deputies of the Province of Bearn produced the Reasons inducing their Synod to pass Censure upon him After that both Parties had promised Subjection to the Judgment of this Synod Monsieur de Fabas was censured by this Assembly for his extraordinary and irregular Proceedings and his Appeal being admitted the Province of Bearn was exhorted tor the future never to remove any Pastors from their Churches till they had first consulted their Churches according to the Canons of our Discipline and it ordaineth that since the Sentence of the Provincial Synod was barely provisional it shall stand and be in force till the Meeting of the next Synod by which the said Monsieur de Fabas shall be restored unto his Church of Morlans and Monsieur Rivas who serveth it at present shall be provided of another Church which may be more to his Conveniency and Comfort And till the sitting of the said Provincial Synod the said Monsieur de Fabas may live where he doth and serve the Church of Nay and in case the time of holding the said Synod should be prorogued beyond the term of one Year beginning from the time of calling the said Synod that then the said Monsieur de Fabas is declared to be restored unto the said Church of Morlans 24. This Assembly Censured the Church of St. Hyppolit for those tart and injurious Expressions used in their Letters against the Pastors of the Province of Sevennes and disannulling their Appeal doth confer Monsieur Buera upon that Church to be their Minister whom they formerly requested with a great deal of Love and Importunity and it setteth the said Mr. Buera free and at Liberty from his Province the Deputies of the Province of Lower Languedoc having thereunto consented and Monsieur Bel is licensed to exercise his Ministry at St. Hippolyte in Conjunction with Monsieur Buera until the next Provincial Synod which shall provide another Church for Monsieur Bel and Monsieur Falgueroles is commanded to depart from St. Hippolyte and to reside in the midst of his own Flock on Pain of being Censured according to the 13th Canon in the 1st Chapter of our Discipline And whereas the said Falgueroles is accused by divers Memoirs brought into this Assembly all those Papers were deposited into the Hands of the Deputies of Sevennes with an express Charge and Injunction unto the Synod of the said Province that the said Synod do make Inquiry into the Truth of them and then to proceed to Judgment and to bring an Account hereof unto the next National Synod 25. Although Mr. Benoist hath just Cause of appealing from the Sentence of the Synod of Anjou which had invalidated the Judgment of the University-Council of Saumur for dividing the Profession of the Greek Tongue between Monsieur Duncan and the said Mr. Benoist who having exercised the said Profession before its being suppress'd might warrantably demand to be restored to it yet nevertheless because both these Gentlemen are frequently hindred and diverted by their Practice of Physick from the said Profession and for that the publick Interest requireth all University-Offices should be conferred upon unincumbred Persons who may be free and at Liberty regularly to discharge them without any Interruption by other Functions and Business This Assembly disannulleth those Appeals of the said Benoist and Duncan and confirmeth that Sentence of the University-Council and of the last Synod of the said Province and ordaineth that the Deputies of the said Province of Poictou in their Return homeward shall visit the City of Saumur and endeavour to accommodate and reconcile the divided Parties who are exhorted to live in all good Concord and Friendship and to give publick Evidence of their having buried in oblivion all Resentments of past Differences 26. The Provincial Deputies of Bearn made report that they had received Letters from the Deputies of their Synod and from Mr. Belard Elder of the Church of Morlans containing divers Complaints against Monsieur de Fabas Whereupon the said de Fabas was called in and answered unto all the Articles mentioned in the said Letters And the Assembly persisting in their former Judgment noted in the 23d Appeal where the said de Fabas had purged himself from all Matters objected against him did farther ordain That there should be delivered to him and to the Deputies of Bearn Copies exactly collationed of those Letters produced against him And as for the Original as soon as it shall have been marked it shall be carried by the Lords of Aubas and Masselieres Deputies of the Lower Guyenne unto the Colloquy of Condommois which is expresly charged to make inquiry into that Accusation so obliquely brought in against the said de Fabas and raising Suspicions of him as if he intended to revolt from the true Religion and had received to this purpose Letters from the Monks of Morlans that in case he be found guilty of this Wickedness he may be prosecuted according to the Canons of our Discipline but if not that his Accusers may be condemned to give him all befitting Satisfaction And whereas in the Margent of one of the said Letters it is said that the Colloquy of Nay hath begun its Process against the said de Fabas upon supposition of having deserted his Church this Assembly being not able to believe that the Churches of Bearn would be so extreamly weak as to proceed against them who had appealed from the Judgment of their Synods unto this decreeth That Letters shall be written both to the Colloquy of Nay and to the Synod of Bearn to advise them to be very careful that the Union of the Churches in their Province with those of this Kingdom be not wounded directly nor indirectly by any Actions contrary to Christian Charity And whereas extraordinary Processes have been managed and carried on against the said Mr. de Fabas or may be now begun or finished they be all declared to be in very truth and deed as this Synod doth now declare them to be null and void and undertaken contrary to our Church-Discipline 27. The Appeal of the Church of Bergerac opposing the Incorporation of the House of Tiraqueau with the Church of Cours was rejected and the Judgment of the Province of Lower Guyenne confirmed according to the Canon of the Synod of Castres which dismisseth such and the like
stead such Members of the Consistory of the Church of Paris as they shall conceive best able to Manage the Affair CHAP. XXI A Dividend of Sixteen Thousand Livres given by the King for Defraying the Charges of the Synod Article 1. THis Dividend of Sixteen Thousand Livres granted by the King for the Defraying our Synodical Expences was for Easing and Discharging of the Provinces and whereas there had been paid 450 Livres by the Lord of Candall upon his Debt unto Mr. Ferrand Gigord and de Cerisy who were first deputed unto his Majesty there was only distribution made of 360 Livres of that Sum because the Assembly had given unto the said Deputies the Sum of Thirty Livres for their particular Expences they were necessitated to be at over and above the said Hundred Sous allowed them for every day Article 2. To the Provinces of Dolphiny Burgundy Xaintonge Sevennes Anjou the Isle of France Berry Poictou Vivarets for four Deputies each the Sum of Eleven Hundred Forty and Three Livres Seventeen Sous the whole amounting to the Sum of Ten Thousand Two Hundred Ninety and Four Livres Thirteen Sous Article 3. To the Provinces of Normandy Lower Languedoc and Lower Guyenne the like Sum of Eleven Hundred Forty and Three Livres Seventeen Sous out of which there is deducted the Sum of Six Score Livres received by each of those Deputies from the Lord of Candall therefore there is no more due unto each of those Provinces than One Thousand and Three and Twenty Livres Seventeen Sous all which put together amounts to Three Thousand Threescore and Eleven Livres Eleven Sous Article 4. To the Province of Higher Languedoc for three Deputies and Sixty Livres ordered to a Fourth who lay Sick upon the way Nine Hundred and Seventeen Livres Sixteen Sous and Nine Deniers Article 5. To the Provinces of Brittain Provence and Bearn for two Deputies each the Sum of Five Hundred Threescore and Eleven Livres Thirteen Sous in all amounting to One Thousand Seven Hundred and Fifteen Livres and Eight Sous Article 6 All which Sums taking in the 360 Livres received of the Lord of Candall by Mr. Ferrand Gigord and Cerisy do make up the aforesaid Sum of Sixteen Thousand Three Hundred and Sixty Livres Tournois CHAP. XXII The Roll of Deposed and Revolted Ministers 1. Salomon Pijeaut formerly Pastor in the Church of Douchamps Deposed by the Provincial Synod of Berry for Adultery a Fellow of mean Stature Black Hair a Tauny Meagre Face great Eyes Eagle Nose a trembling broken Voice and about silty years of Age. 2. William Cacherat formerly Pastor of the Church at Pontean de Mer in the Province of Normandy about Two and Fifty years of Age a small Taper Fellow Chesnut colored Hair speaking very fluently he was Suspended by his Provincial Synod he abandoned first the Exercise of his Calling and since the Profession of his Religion turning Papist immediately upon his Suspension by the Synod at St. Loo He was Deposed for Desertion of his Ministry and sundry other Crimes 3. Leonard Thevenot formerly a Priest that quitted his Frock and Monastry of Poictiers he was afterwards Pastor of the Church at Mallezais in Poictou and of St. John d' Angely and of Bois Clan and Plassac in Xaintonge aged between 56 and 58 years he is a Short Fat Crook-back Fellow Black Hair beginning to wax Gray a Fair Beard great Mouth Lips turn'd in large Red Eyes Ruddy Face an Effeminate Tone in Speaking he turn'd Apostate from the Truth in the Month of July 1634. 4. Paul Falquerolles formerly Minister in the Church of St. Hippolyte near Monoblet in the Province of Sevennes who being Deposed by the Provincial Synod for his Vicious Conversation and Desertion of his Charge did finally Revolt from the True Religion This Fellow is about Threescore and Five years old Tall of Stature and Gray Headed All these Acts were Passed and Decreed in the National Synod Assembled by the King's Permission at Alanson from the 28th of May until the 9th of July 1637. And Signed by Basnage Moderator of the Synod D. Couspe Assessor D. Blondel Scribe D. Launay Scribe CHAP. XXIII An Account and Catalogue of the Reformed Churches of France and Bearn together with the Names of their Pastors hung up in the National Synod held at Alanson in the Months of May June and July 1637. Extracted and Copied out of the Original 1. Province IN the Province of Berry Orleans Blesois Nivernois and the Higher Marche there be these Pastors and Churches hereafter mentioned 1. In the Colloquy of Sancerre Pastors Churches 1 Stephen de Monsanglard in the Church of Corbigny 2. Daniel Jamet Pastor in the Church of Gien upon the Loir 3. John Guerin Pastor in the Church of Chastillon upon the Loin 4. Paul Allard a Rocheller in the Ch. of Sancerre 5. John Taby at La Charité 6. Ayme Pyat Chastillion on the Loir 7. Elijah Semele Grinon and Esparville 8. Paul Guez Suilly and Aubiguy 9. Isaac Babaud without a Church La Selle 10.  Dolot Destitute of Past 2. In the Colloquy of Blesois Pastors Churches 10. Nicholas Vignier Minister of Blois 11. 11. Paul Testard Orleans 12. 12. James Imbert Durand Romorantin 13. 13. Jacob Brun Dangeau 14. 14. John Alix Marchenoir 15. 15. Isaac Garnier Basoches 16. 16. Jerom Belon Chameroll 17. 17. Louis Tuisard Bouderoy 17. 18. Daniel Jurieu Mer 18. 19. Cyrus du Moulin Chasteaudun 19. 20. Phillip de la Pierre  21. Abel d'Argent both destitute of Churches  3. In the Colloquy of Berry and Bourbonnois Pastors Churches 22. Louis Scoffier Belet 20. 23. Renatus Bedé Issoudun 21. 24. Elijah Pejus Argenton 22. 25. John Bonneau Aubusson 23. 2. The Province of Brittain Pastors Churches 26. Bertrant Avignon Lord of Souvigny Pastor of the Church of Christ at Hennes 24. 27. Daniel Sauve Viellevigne 25. 28. Peter de la Place Sion 26. 29. Peter Bouchereau Lord of La Manesse Nants 27. 30. David de la Place Lamussare 28. 31. Andrew Levier Lord of Beauchamps Blain 29. 32. Pruil Minister of Rochebernard 30. 33. 34. Presteré Pet. Jostain Rochellers of Vitré 31. 35 Routel Minister of Ploër 32. 36. Delahay or Delaye without any Church Triguier destitute of a Pastor 33. 3. The Province of Xaintonge Augoumois Aunix and the Islands 1. Colloquy of Aunix Pastors Churches 37. Jerome Colomnies and Ministers of Rochel 34. 38. Phillip Vincent 39. John Flane a Rocheller Minister of Surgere Cire 35. 40. John Jagaut Minister of Augoulins Pont de la Pierre Aytré 36 41. John Salberâ— Lord of Viliers a Rocheler Minister of Rochefort St. Laurence Florrus 37. 42. Daniel Chavet a Rocheller Marais 38. 43. Samuel de la Forest Maze 37. 44. Samuel de Ferre Minister of Bournivet Daump 40. 45. Isaac Coutaut Pastor of Sâ—les Taray la Jarrye 2. The Colloquy of St. John D'Angely Pastors Churches 46. Japhet du Vigier Lord of Montier both Ministers of St.
fears that it will ever take with or go down in your Churches or Spirits and makes us believe that all these little Projects will be resolved into their first Principles of wind and smoak to the sole prejudice of the Vanity of the Undertakers Accept most Reverend and Honoured Brethren in good part these thoughts so freely Communicated to you from your Loyal Sister which owes you her All and can pay you but Little excepting the deep sorrows of her heart for the general Calamities of the Church and her continual Sighs and Cries unto Almighty God for the Peace thereof and that he would be pleased to return with his Majesty and Glory unto the many thousands of Israel and re-edifie his ruinated Zion and above all to continue his Grace Protection and Benediction upon you All with whom she is most intimately united and perfectly conjoin'd in the firmest and most antient bonds of an Holy Love which together with her most earnest Cares and devoutest Prayers she doth continually offer up unto the Divine Majesty for the Health and long Life of your Sovereign Lord the King for the prosperous success of his Affairs for the re-establishing of Peace and Tranquillity in his Kingdom in which both ye and we are so very much concerned and by means whereof we cannot but hope that our poor afflicted Brethren in Foreign Provinces may also through the Grace of God meet with Peace and Settlement May the good hand of the Almighty make your Assembly a blessed Instrument of your Peace Union and Perseverance in the Truth and fullfil all our Desires and Prayers for the Consolation of all his Churches and that you may be the first who shall enjoy the Fruit of your Labours by the Witness of God's Holy Spirit in your Hearts and the happy effects of your Holy and Prudent Debates and Counsels We conclude all with the tender of our most Humble Faithful and Cordial Services and Affections and of our most intire Union with you in Spirit which we most humbly beg of the Lord to Sanctifie and Consummate in its full and total Perfection in the Kingdom of his Glory Your most Humble and most Affectionate Brethren and Servants in the Lord the Pastors and Professors in the Church and University of Geneva and for them all From Geneva April 26. 1637. Diodati Tronchin Chabray Prevost and Pauleint CHAP. XXIX The Testimonials of divers Doctors and Universities unto the Treatise of Monsieur Rivett against the Books of the Sieurs Amyraud and Testard To the most Honoured and our most Excellent Colleague Andrew Rivett Professor of Divinity WE did read with singular delight your Remarks on the Writings of Monsieur Amyraud Pastor and Professor at Saumur which we had seen sometimes before and we have found them exactly agreeing both with the Holy Scripture in all Articles of Faith and in those wherein our National Synod of Dort had declared its Judgment and therefore we approve of your Writing as being very Learned and Moderate and count it Worthy of Praise from all Orthodox Divines and we doubt not in the least but that this your Labour will be most acceptable unto the now approaching National Synod of France and will be useful and serviceable for the suppressing and putting a period by due and proper ways unto these late Controversies which some certain Pastors affected and addicted unto Novelties have to their shame raised in the French Churches to the great Offence of very many Godly Persons From Leyden March 14. 1637. Your Reverences most Affectionate Colleagues Johannes Polyander Antonius Wallaeus Antonius Thysius and Jacobus Triglandius Extracts out of a Letter sent by Mr. John Bogerman to Mr. Andrew Rivett from Franequer Feb. 7. 1637. HAving thus concerted that Affair among our selves we now Write you our present Judgment which in this Paper is Transmitted to you begging of God with all our heart That he would bless your Holy Labours and behold in the Son of his Love your distressed Churches of France which have been hitherto as a Pure and Chaste Virgin and have kept inviolably their Oath of Fidelity unto the Truth but now-a-days begin to be troubled with impure Errors and of a very dangerous Heterodoxy My Colleagues could not read that French Book of the Professor Amyraud because they don't understand the French Tongue therefore did I most Faithfully make those Extracts which you see out of his Writings Our ears could not suffer with any Patience those Novelties of a double Predestination unto Salvation and of a certain general knowledge by the light of Nature of the Mercy of God to all Men and of another particular knowledge of the same Mercy unto particular persons of a double Decree of God without any knowledge of Christ The good Lord be merciful unto these Brethren and according to his infinite goodness grant that they may have but one and the same Mind and the same Language with all the Churches of Christ and may he ever watch over you to keep and preserve you for many long years yet to come to the Glory of his Great Name and the Edification of his Church To that most Excellent Person our most Dear Brother in Jesus Christ Master Rivett Greeting SIR HAving received your Writing together with the Books of this 21. of January we perused them very diligently and were grieved in our hearts that the Seeds of new troubles were sowen in your Churches of France Thus Satan who is always the same and like himself endeavours by vile Errours to obscure the Lustre of the Truth and continually discovers himself a most mortal Enemy of the Grace of God And Oh that our most Gracious God whose great Benignity towards us deserveth our everlasting Praises would deign to preserve your poor Churches of France from all their Enemies and from those woful troubles attending on them These Attacks of the Adversary are ill-boding signs of some sad Events which may betide them unless they be resisted with singular Prudence and an immovable Resolution in their first beginnings and that they be stifled in the Birth For what is it that Men are hammering out of this multitude of Errors but a certain new Arminianism Pelagianism and Socinianism That odd and ridiculous Opinion of Vorstius concerning the changeable Decrees is once again digged out of its Grave and brought upon the publick Theatre yea and that spurious Doctrine of the Jesuits condemned by the School-men themselves appears bare-faced before the World Alas How many points incompatible one with another are there to be found in Monsieur Testard his Book For his latter Theses subvert the former and so far are these Pamphlets from conciliating Peace that to the contrary we believe the Adversaries are more exasperated by them animated and strengthened to Combat with us and that Saying of Monsieur Beza may be justly applied to this Script He would have forged a Peace but he hath forged out Dissention Sir You are very well acquainted with the Man and therefore
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
of Sevennes who are to see him satisfied ARTICLE 3. The Petition of the Province of Sevennes concerning the Church of Dourbiez shall be brought before the next Synod of Higher Languedoc which is entreated to take it into their particular Consideration ARTICLE 4. This Assembly declareth that those free Portions which were by the National Synod of Castres put upon the Dividend of the Province of Sevennes to be distributed among the Churches of Auvergne having not been payed into the said Province it is not at all accountable for them ARTICLE 5. Whereas the Widow of Monsieur Garnier deceased complaineth that the Wages of her late Husband were not paid him by the Church of Lorges The Sieur de Clesles Elder of that Church and Deputy of the Province of Berry answereth That there was a course already taken for the discharge of that Debt and he promised that the Quarter of Messac should bring in their portion without delay unto the next Synod of Berry and the said Synod is enjoyned to see this Widow fully and entirely satisfied ARTICLE 6. The Sieur de la Lause petitioned by Letters that his Son-in-law the Sieur Boronet might be set at Liberty from his serving the Churches in the Province of Xantonge because of his great Age and that he needs him to look after the Concerns and Affairs of his Estate and Family An Order passed that this Petition of his should be carried unto the next Synod of Xaintonge which is charged to take it into their Godly Consideration and to deal with him according to the Rules of Charity and Equity ARTICLE 7. The next Synod of Berry shall take Cognisance of the Petition of the Sieur Gueren and in case he be oppressed the Province of Burgundy is ordered by their final Judicial Sentence to redress his Grievances ARTICLE 8. Letters written by Monsieur Percy Pastor of the Church of Monflanquin and Deputy for the Province of Lower Guyenne were read in which he gave an Account of those Causes which hindred him from attending on this Synod as also the Titles of those Works begun by him in defence of the Truth This Assembly admitted his Excuses and ordered him to carry the Manuscript Copies of his Works unto the Provincial Synod which shall carefully examin them that so with their Approbation they may be published ARTICLE 9. The Sieur Daubus Pastor of the Church of Nerac Petitioned by Letters that this Assembly would be pleased to constitute some certain Commissioners to examin a Book written by him and presented to the Synod of Lower Guyenne and which was now brought hither unto this Nationa Synod It was Voted that the said Manuscript Book of his should be examined by Commissioners chosen in the Synod of that Province who having approved of it should take Care about it's Impression and Publication ARTICLE 10. This Synod being well informed both by the Letters of Monsieur Falquett a Pastor Emeritus and by the Speech of Monsieur Taby of the deplorable Estate whereunto he is reduced An Ordinance passed That the said Falquett should be recommended to the Charity of the Churches who have hither relieved him with oar desire that they would be pleased to continue their Offices of Love and Christian Kindness to him And this Ordinance shall be sent unto the Church of Maringues whether the said Mr. Falquett is ordered to retire ARTICLE 11. According to those respective Letters written by the Pastors and Consistories of the Colloquies of Rouan and Caux the Siâ—urs de L'Angle and Guesdon having petitioned that those two aforesaid Colloquies might be sundred to make up each of them a particular Synod the Sieurs Basnage and Caillars who spake for the four Colloquies of the Lower Normandy which opposed this Separation being also heard The Assembly after a mature Debate and serious Consideration of the Reasons pro con of the Conveniences and Inconveniences which might ensure upon this dismembring and for denying or granting their Request made this Decree That the Separation demanded by them could not be allowed And whereas the said Sieurs Basnage and Caillard have on their side requested that without any respect had unto that distinction of Higher and Lower Normandy this Assembly would be pleased to ordain that whenever an Election should be made of Deputies unto the National Synods that it might he carried by Number of Persons and Plurality of Suffrages and not by that Custom of deputing one tor the Higher and another for the Lower Normandy It was again resolved that the ancient Custom should not be abrogated nor that any thing should be innovated in the Form and Manner of their Elections ARTICLE 12. The Complaint of Monsieur des Marez in his Letters was brought hither by the Deputies of the Lower Languedoc and exaggerated by their Remonstrances in this Synod whereunto the Deputies of the Province of Vivaretz also did make Reply in their own Defence Upon hearing of both Parties the Consistory of Montlimard which was accepted by both Parties for their Umpire was empower'd with Authority from this National Synod to determin finally of this Affair ARTICLE 13. Report was made by the Deputies of Normandy of a Suit at Law commenced by a certain Head of a Family belonging to the Church of Rouen against a Woman espoused without their Permission or the Consent of his Parents unto his Son This Assembly decreed that the Son who by reason of this difference had been suspended the Lords Table should humble himself unto his Father and by all the Ways and Duties of Submission and Reverence endeavour to regain his Favour and Blessing and the Father shall be intreated and conjured by the Consistory to limit a certain time when he will put an end unto this Process Which term being laps'd the Son shall be received unto Communion at the Lord's Supper ARTICLE 14. The Complaint of Monsieur Gravier shall be brought before the next Synod of Burgundy who shall take Care about it ARTICLE 15. Whereas Monsieur de la Fite hath represented that there was a Clause inserted into the Act of the Synod of Alanson fram'd upon the Account of the Sieur Fabas and which concerned both him the said La Fite and the Sieur Gillott Advocate in the Parliament of Navarre this Assembly decreeth That the said Sieurs shall appear before the Provincial Synod of Lower Guyenne which is to determin finally of this their Affair ARTICLE 16. That Act made in the Synod of Lower Guyenne held at St. Foy on behalf of Monsieur Larigorrie shall be executed according to its Form and Tenor and the said Sieur Larigorrie is according to the Intention of that Synod recommended to the Charity of the Churches of Lower Guyenne that from them he may receive the assistance promised to him ARTICLE 17. Till the Meeting of the Provincial Synod of Berry unto which the Sieur L'Eufant shall present himself to be examined the Church of Bâ—â—â—â—e shall be supplied by the Pastors of Orleans Blois Chasteaudun Mâ—â—â—â—â—noir
this National Synod and to take it into their Consideration whether they do approve of his Residence at Paris Secondly That inasmuch as he hath frequent Intelligence given him from divers parts that there be some at work to answer his Treatise De Primatu whether it would be proper for him to be ready to defend it or whether they would lay that Task upon another which he leaveth as he doth all his Concerns to the disposal of the Churches And he desired that the Synod would be pleased to order those Persons who made any Remarks upon the said Treatise to communicate it to him for his better Information Thirdly Whether those Treatises composed by him on several Subjects both in Divinity and History the Catalogue of which he now produced might be any ways useful and serviceable to the Publick Fourthly and in case those Helps and Assistance which he hath hitherto had at Paris should come to fail him or he should be too much diverted from his Studies by looking after a Maintenance he might not be licensed to accept of 〈◊〉 Call in a Foreign Land and to quit his Pastoral charge that so he might be the better inabled to attend upon that great work of defending the Truth a Province conferr'd upon him by Decrees of the National Synods of Castres Charenton and Alanson and to spend the remainder of his Life in serving God and his Church in this weighty Imployment The Synod acknowledging the great 〈◊〉 the Publick received by his Learned Labours and that they might be perfected he could not be setled in a more convenient place than in Paris because of the great confluence of Learned Men and the oppoâ—â—◠〈◊〉 of corresponding with Learned Foreigners and for that the choâ—â—◠〈◊〉 braries of all France are in this City did judge that it was best for 〈◊〉 that according to the decree of the Synod of the Isle of France he do continue his Residence here and that he retain his Quality of Minister of the Gospel which is so justly due unto him And he was injoyned to be in readiness to reply unto such as should undertake to answer his Book de Primatu as being the fittest Person in the World to do it and who will acquit himself most worthily thereof to general satisfaction And he was exhorted to Publish as soon as possible he could these Treatises in Divinity and History whose Catalogue was 〈…〉 Assembly which we are fully perswaded will very much contribute to the Edification of Gods Church And in particular he is ordâ—â—â— to hasten the publication of his Treatise concerning Bishops and Pâ—â—â—sts and of that also wherein he proveth that there is little or no Evidence that St. Peter was over at Rome And because we are well acquainted with his great Abilities excellent Gifts and Talents especially with his vast knowledge in the Antiquities of the Christian Church for which he is most highly valued by all our Churches we cannot in any wise consent that he should depart the Kingdom and therefore we do most earnestly exhort him to take up his Dwelling in Paris and there he may injoy those helps which the good Providence of God doth afford him for the accomplishment of his designs And sith it is unreasonal so that he should always work for the Publick and lay himself out to painfully and laboriously upon a tails imposed on him by the â—â—atâ—â—â—al Synods without ever receiving any benefit this present Synod considering him as an Honorary Professor have by the â—â—ammous consent of all the Deputies of the Provinces over and above what is paid him by the Province of the Isle of France decreed to him the â—â—â—ual Pension of a Thousand Livers which shall be carefully paid in unto him by the Provinces according to that account hereunder couched and in the same manner and proportion as they pay our Universities and they shall be obliged all and every of them to send in their respective Quota's Yearly unto the Consistory of the Church of Paris The Synod being exceeding sorry that they cannot gratifie him suitably to their own Desires and his great Deserts by those many excellent Endowments he is Owner of and those incomparable Works that he hath given to the Publick A Dividend of the Sum of a Thousand Livres granted by the National Synod to Monsieur Blondel Minister of the Holy Gospel to be taken from these Thirteen Provinces hereafter Named  l. s. d. From the Province of Normandy the Sum of 157 03 00 From the Province of Dolphiny the Sum of 157 03 00 From the Province of Burgundy the Sum of 013 04 00 From the Province of Lower Languedoc the Sum of 102 03 00 From the Province of Xaintonge the Sum of 100 12 00 From the Province of Higher Languedoc the Sum of 104 14 00 From the Province of Anjou the Sum of 089 10 00 From the Province of Brittain the Sum of 013 02 00 From the Province of Berry the Sum of 036 13 00 From the Province of Poictou the Sum of 102 03 00 From the Province of Lower Guyenne the Sum of 094 04 00 From the Province of Sevennes the Sum of 026 02 00 From the Province of Bearn the Sum of 006 02 00  1022 15 00 There be Two and Twenty Livers Fifteen Sous more than the Thousand Livers ordered to Monsieur Blondel which are to be laid by in Stock ARTICLE 28. Monsieur Gautier Pastor of the Church of Archiac having in Obedience to that order given to all the Provinces by the National Synod of Alanson compiled the Canons of our National Synods into a body and applied them to the respective Canons of our Discipline presented his work unto the Synod of Xaintonge which charged their Deputies to tender it unto this Assembly together with the Letters of the said Gautier The Synod ordained that his Letters should be answered and his Godly Zeal for the Publick Service of the Church commended and that his Province which hath first experimented the utility of his Labour should be exhorted to express before all others their gratitude unto him ARTICLE 29. Monsieur Catelon having laboured in the explication of the Canons of our Discipline by applying to them the Canons of our National Synods which expounded and confirmed them and this in pursuance of that Counsel given by the last National Synod presented his Collection unto the Synod of Vivaretz who caused it together with the Authors Letters to be brought unto this Assembly by their Deputies and craved that the said Catelon might be reimbursed of his Charges The Assembly judged that the said Province who imployed him in this work for the Publick Service of the Churches in their Division should give him all Satisfaction and in the mean while he should be applauded for contributing his good Intentions to the edifying of the Faithful and promoting the exercise of our Discipline ARTICLE 30. The Church and University of Sedan having represented by their Letters how