The Acts of Famous National Councils of the Reformed Churches in France

CHAP. X. Of Colleges and Universities.

1. MOnsieur Joly, one of the Pastors of the Church of Montauban, made report in this Assembly, that for divers months last past he hath took upon him the profession of the Hebrew Language, and for the benefit of the University, and the assistance of Moniseur Tenant, he desires to continue in it, requesting that the hundred Livers remaining of the four hundred assigned unto Professors of the holy Language, might be granted him, Monsieur Tenant receiving only three hundred of those four. The Council of the University having joined with the said Joly in his Petition, this Assembly granted them their demand, and exhorted the said Monsieur Joly to acquit himself worthily of this his new Employment, which he also promised.

2. Monsieur Elias Alba, Mayor of Bergerac, having on behalf of the Corporation of the said Town performed the Condition proposed to them by this Synod, and brought an Act of the Town-house dated the twelfth day of this month, by which the whole Bench and Common-Council of that Town assembled together, do give him full power to declare, that upon our Order for payment, of the sum of 1500 Livers out of the Moneys granted by His Majesty unto the Churches of this Kingdom, they would yield up their whole Right in the King's Writ of Grant of the said sum unto the disposal of this holy Synod, which also is most humbly petitioned by them to give them the Grant thereof for the maintenance of their College. This Assembly commending their submission unto the Ordinance of our Churches, and in consideration of their Importunity, and for the benefit of their College doth grant unto them the sum of twelve hundred Livers, including in them the four hundred which had been before granted them; which sum shall be paid them after the usual manner out of our Church-Moneys, and gives them free and full power to recover the portions of their Pastors, which were stopped in the hands of the Receiver of the Province of Lower Guyenne; and recommends unto their Christian Charity the Sieur Constantine, one of the Regents of their College.

3. Monsieur Joly, one of the Pastors of the Church of Milan, deputed by the Colloquy of Rouargue, demanding a sufficient Fund for erecting a School at Milan aforesaid, and at the Church of Essene, received this answer that at present we could not erect any new Colleges, and that the Church of Essene should receive their portion as soon as they had a Pastor in actual service with them.

4. , The University of Montauban desiring that the Moneys, for which by their Account brought in and audited at the Synod of Privas, they stood indebted, might be forgiven them; this Assembly judgeth, that it's utterly unfit to make any alteration in that Decree of Privas.

5. Monsieur Gigord, Pastor and Professor in the Church and University of Montpellier, reported unto this Assembly, that the sums received by him, and not allowed by the Synod of Privas, were razed out of the Books, because being at that time absent, he was never heard, and making it appear by acts and attestations, that he served three quarters of the years 1598, 1599, and 1600, contrary to what had been alleged, and taken up in prejudice against him. This Assembly allowed him the wages he had received for that whole time, amounting to nineteen hundred and five and twenty Livers; and as for the other sums of the ensuing years, amounting unto eighteen hundred and sixty Livers; this Assembly thankfully acknowledging his past labors, and the excellent gifts which God hath bestowed upon him, as also his readiness and willingness to continue in the service of his Church, it doth frankly liberate and discharge him from all manner of restitution of the said sum, which was generously given him by the joint and unanimous consent of all the Deputies, yea, and after that those of the Lower Languedoc and Cévennes were gone out of the Synod, in obedience to its Order.

6. A difficulty was raised by the Committee for inspecting the Accompts of Universities and Colleges, because the Provinces divided those very Moneys among themselves in divers places, though it had been given them for their Colleges; the Decree of Privas not being express to the contrary; this Assembly ordained, that such Provinces, as could conveniently do it, should join Stocks together, and complete one College only, leaving unto the rest, which could not do otherwise their liberty of parting them into two only, but not into more, and that they would add of their own as much as they could possibly spare, that so they might claim of right the name and reputation of a College.

7. As to those demands and proposals of the University of Montauban made by Monsieur Chamier, this Assembly ordained, that they should draw out the sum of three thousand Livers freed from the payment of four Deniers in the Liver, due unto the Sieur de Vissouze. But their demands of augmenting the Regents Salary, could not be granted them. For that the Corporation of Montauban stands obliged to them by an Act of the National Synod of St. Maixant, on pain of forfeiting their Privilege of being an University, to add unto their Stipends. And as to the times of payment, which is at three Terms yearly, that depending upon an Order agreed upon by all the Churches with the Receiver General, it could not be altered, because it is the fixed term for all Ecclesiastical Moneys. As to the Account; it's needless for any Receiver to travel on that score to our National Synods, because the Provincial Deputies may and ought to bring their Acquittances with them, and to be responsible for them.

8. The Deputies of Dauphiné desiring a certain sum of Moneys to be paid yearly unto their University of Die: This Assembly over and above the 3000 Livers, which were paid them at once by an Order of the National Synod of Privas, doth give them 400 Livers more to be paid them annually as an augmentation to the maintenance of one Professor.

9. Whereas the National Synod of St. Maixant did grant, and that of Privas did continue it unto the University of Saumur; this Assembly doth also add unto it the sum of six hundred Livers yearly to render their College more accomplisht, and that it may be stocked sufficiently with Regents, and all needful Officers. For which sum the Province of Anjou shall be accountable, as for all other University-Moneys unto the next National Synod, and they are desired to appoint such a Receiver, as can discharge the trust freely, or at the least, that he be such an one us will accept of an half-penny only in the Liver.

10. Monsieur Anglade, Pastor of the Church at Pomport, complained unto this Assembly, that the Province of Lower Languedoc was indebted to him for several years Arrearages of Salary, as Professor of the Hebrew Language in the University of Nismes: It was agreed upon between him and the Deputies of that Province, that the said Province should come unto an Account with him at the next Synod of Higher Languedoc and Guyenne, and should give him satisfaction, in case they find themselves indebted to him, as he saith they are from the very beginning of his Professorship in the year 1603.

11. The demand of the Church of Viellevigne to have a School granted it, is dismissed over to the Province of Brittany.

12. The Pastors of the Colloquy of Gex reported by the Deputies of the Province of Burgundy, that contrary to what was ordained in the Provincial Synod held at Gex in May last, that the said Town of Gex should receive out of the Moneys assigned unto their Ministers in the said Colloquy, sixty Livers towards the maintenance of their College, and the said Ministers had freely acquiesced in it; yet nevertheless the Inhabitants of the said Town making their Application unto the Council, had got an Order for two hundred and fifty Livers out of the said Moneys, a matter of great prejudice unto the Ministers of that Colloquy: This Assembly judgeth the said Town worthy of a very grievous Censure, to have provided for themselves in such a manner as is contrary to the Discipline and Union of our Churches, and they be enjoined, to take none other courses for the establishment of their College, than such as depend upon our Discipline, and that they have recourse unto the Province of Burgundy for the sixty Livers, assigned to their College by virtue of an Ordinance of that Provincial Synod. And in case of Non-obedience unto this our Act, they shall be proceeded against by all Ecclesiastical Censures.

13. The Statutes framed for the conduct and government of our Universities, having been read in this Assembly, were approved, and Provincial Synods, Colloquies, Consistories, and Academical Councils are all exhorted to have a special Eye, that they be carefully and punctually observed.

CHAP. XI. The Accompts of our Universities and Colleges; as also a Dividend of Moneys given by their Majesty's unto our Churches, Universities and Colleges since the National Synod of Privas, 1612.

1. THE Accompts of the University of Montauban for Moneys given them by the National Synod of Privas for the years 1612 and 1613, having been presented by Mr. Daniel Chamier, and John Bardon, were perused and examined, and a Decree past that they should be allowed of as to the sums contained in their receipt of those two years a 1612 and 1613, without making it a Precedent for the future, nor approving the Expences of the said University over and above their Income assigned them in the Synod of Privas, and the books of those Accompts remain in the custody of the said Bardon, together with the Copy of the Accompts duly signed, whose Original was given unto the Deputies of Saintonge, to be put into the Archives of the Town of Rochelle.

2. The Accompts of the Universities of Montpellier and Nismes for Moneys given them by the Synod of Privas for the years 1612 and 1613, were brought in by Mr. John Bansillon, read and examined; and whereas it appeared by them, that one of their Professors in Theology at Montpellier had his Wages paid him for half of this present year, and the Professor in Hebrew until May last, it was decreed, that those Accompts, or the signed Copy of them should be left in the hands of the said Bansillon, and presented unto the next National Synod by the Deputies of Lower Languedoc.

The Accompts also of the College of Beziers shall be brought unto the Synod of Lower Languedoc, there to be audited, and afterward tendered unto the National Synod. And all this shall be done without making it a Precedent for the future, nor as approving the Expences of the said University over and above their Income settled upon them by the Synod of Privas. And those Books of Accompts shall be in the keeping of the said Monsieur Bansillon: And both the said Universities shall give in their Accompts about the four hundred sixty and six Livers, two Sous, and eight Deniers remaining in the hands of the Receiver of Lower Languedoc.

3. The Account of the University of Saumur for Moneys of the years, 1612 and 1613. seen, examined, and shut up by the Synod of Anjou assembled at Saumur the fifth of April 1614. was presented, together with the Books thereof, unto this Assembly, and now revised, and cast up by Commissioners ordained to that purpose; who made report, that the said University had paid all the wages of the Professors, Regents, and Officers belonging to it unto the first of April last. And more, those of the two Professors in Divinity, one in Philosophy, of the four Regents, and of their Bedel unto the first of July now coming; And that they have yet in Arrears by them for the perfecting the said Account the sum of 1062 Livers and eight Sous, for which they will be responsible, and their Books of Accompts, together with the Original of the said Account approved in all its Branches, were by this Assembly left with Monsieur Bouchereau, who brought in the Account for this University, to be put into the hands of the Deputies of Saintonge, and by them to be laid up in the Archives of Rochelle.

4. For the future the Universities of the Higher and Lower Languedoc shall bring in their Accompts unto their Provincial Synods to be examined by them, and afterward by the Deputies of the said Provinces, they shall be presented unto our National Synod.

5. The Account of the College of Brittany for Moneys from the year 1608 unto the year 1612 having been read, examined, and shut up in the Synod of Anjou the fourteenth of May 1613. and the sum of 1200 Livers put down to their Receipt for those four years before-mentioned, paid into the Colleges of Blain, Vitre, and Viellevigne, it was past also in this Assembly. And whereas the said Province was to have accounted for the years 1612 and 1613. by its Deputies, they were ordered to bring in the said Accompts unto the Synod of Anjou, and thence unto the next National Synod, on pain of being deprived of all their College Money for time to come.

6. The Account of the Province of the Isle of France for the College of Clermont form the year 1607 unto this now current 1614. according to the Decree of Privas, having been read, examined, perfected, and approved by the Synod of Berry the seventh of March last, and there being omitted in the Heel of the Account sixty one Livers and five Sous, which have been since made good by the Synod of the said Province of the Isle of France, in obedience unto that Order of transmitting it unto Berry the 13th. of March last: Therefore the whole was approved.

7. The Account of the College of Berry settled at Chastillon on the Loire for the yeas 1612 and 1613. was past and approved for the eight hundred Livers given to it.

8. The Account of the College of Poitou was perfected and accepted by the Synod of Saintonge the ninth of April 1614 and approved by this Assembly, but with this proviso, that it should not be made a Precedent for time to come.

9. The Account of the College of Burgundy for the years 1612 and 1613. was cast up, examined, and approved.

10. The Province of Normandy reporting that through the death of several Regents, they had lost their Acquittances, and could bring in none other Account, than the Attestation of their Provincial Synod, which inserted a particular Article to this purpose into their Memoirs: This Assembly admitting their excuse for what is past, injoineth the said Province, and all other Provinces to see the Accompts for their Colleges allowed and approved by their respective Synods, and from them to be transmitted unto the National.

11. The Account of the College of Vivaretz was cast up and accepted.

12. The Account of the College of Cévennes was examined by the Synod of their Province, and approved in this also.

13. The Province of Provence having given in none Account of the Moneys granted them for their College, according to the form appointed them, nor set up any Schools according to what was decreed in the former Synods, is pardoned for what is past, but enjoined for the future to erect one or two Colleges, and to bring in sufficient discharges unto the next National Synod, on pain of losing their right unto a College.

14 The Province of Saintonge having brought in no Account of their College, they were enjoined to bring it in to the next Provincial Synod of Poitou, who shall examine it, and make report thereof unto the next National Synod.

15. The Sieurs Bigot and la Comb made report unto this Assembly that they had received the sum of three thousand Livers being their Salary for executing a Commission given them by the Synod of Privas, which having performed, they were now discharged and the said sum so paid was approved on all hands both by the Synod, and the said Bigot and la Comb.

CHAP. XII. A Collection of the Accompts of the Lord du Kandel Commissionated to receive and distribute the Moneys granted by the King unto the Reformed Churches of France, for the maintenance of their Ministers, and a Dividend of the said Moneys.

THE Commissioners deputed by the National Synod held in the City of Tonneins in the month of May in the year 1614. And chosen out of every Province to receive the Accounts of the Lord du Kandel, and to make a Dividend of the Moneys given our Churches by the King, did report unto the said Synod, that in their examination and auditing of those Accounts, they have found the said Lord du Kandel by an Account taken in the National Synod of Privas to be indebted for Arrears of the years 1604, 1605, and 1606. the sum of two thousand two hundred and eighty seven Livers, and ten Sous, thrown upon the Account of our Garrisons, and again the sum of 22575 Livers, 7 Sous, and 1 Denier due from the Receivers of Poitiers and Limoges, the said sums amounting to 24862 Livers, 17 Sous and 1 • Denier, for the recovering of which he was entreated to become our Solicitor, and as a proof of his care and diligence herein, he brought in by his Deputy Sulpitius Cuper a Bill comprising the remainders of the said years and of the year 1609. according to a Decree of the Synod of St. Maixant, by which it does appear, that the said Lord du Kandel had received the sum of 24862. Livers, 17. Sous and 1. Denier, the sum of 4193. Livers, 10. Sous and more 10. Livers and 8. Deniers remainders of the years, 1609. and 1610. Whereof he brings in for expenses the sum of 1300. Livers paid by an order of the Synod of Privas to wit unto Monsieur Vignier 500. Livers unto Monsieur Sonis 300. Livers, unto Monsieur Thompson 300. Livers, to the Sieur Cuper the Deputy of the said Lord du Kandel 200 Livers, and to Taxes and Charges in clearing the Account yielded by him for the said Arrears before the Lord's Commissioners ordained by the King to audit his Accounts 150 Livers: and he couched in Reprisals the sum of 22669 Livers, nine Sous in two Articles, to wit, 20318 Livers, 16 Sous, which he could never get out of the hands of the Receivers of Poitiers and Limoges, and that they may be recovered there must be made a special Article to be presented by the Deputies in the General Assembly, that so our Lord's the General Deputies and they may Join together in their demands, to have the said Moneys re-assigned them, as also the sum of 350 Livers, 13 Sous, which he could never recover from the Garrisons, which ought to be remonstrated in the said Assembly, the whole disbursment in expenses and reprisals amounting to the sum of 22119 Livers, nine Sous, which deducted from the said sum of 24873 Livers, 18 Sous and nine Deniers, there remains a clear debt owing by him of 2753 Livers, eight Sous, and nine Deniers, and 97 Livers six Sous, and four Deniers, which could not be comprised in the Dividend made by that said Synod of Privas, of the Arrears aforesaid, which comes in all to 2850 Livers, 15 Sous, 2 Deniers, out of which, beside the sum of 150 Livers, couched as above in expenses, he requires farther to be allowed him the reimbursment of his Charges in the year 1604 in his prosecution and soliciting of the said Arrears, which he proved by the Bills lying before us, and according to the Reference dismissed over unto the said Commissioners.

2. More they reported, that he made good payment of the 4766 Livers, 17 Sous, arising from the said Remainders, according to the Dividend made by the said Synod of Privas; as also the Payment of the sum of 4570 Livers 15 Sous, according to another Dividend made by the same Synod for the remainders of the years 1607 and 1608. As was evident by the certificate of the Lord de Rouvray one of our General Deputies, who had seen the Acquittances of the said payments.

3. Moreover they saw the Certificate of the said Lord de Rouvray of the Acquittances presented to him for the sum of 24955 Livers 19 Sous, and 11 Deniers for born by the said Synod of Privas. Upon which score also the Act of the said respite of payment was read.

4. They also saw, examined, and cast up the Account of the Sieur Sulpitius Cuper Deputy of the said Lord du Kandel for the last quarter of the year 16111. for the whole year 1612. for the three first quarters of the year 1613. whereof the receipt amounted unto 348750 Livers, to wit, for the said quarter of the year, 1611. 33750 Livers for the year 1612. 180000 for the three quarters of 1613. 135000 l.

5. They also saw and examined the disbursment of 328937 Livers, three Sous, one Denier, to wit for the last quarter of 1611. 33750 for the year 1612. 174295 l. one s. five d. and for the three quarters of 1613. 130882 l. 18 s. eight d. whereof there is a Respit of payment on five Articles of the year 1612. the sum of 5931 l. 11 s. nine d. through want of Acquittances, which he will produce before the Lord's General Deputies, and bringing their Certificates the said Act of Respit shall be removed.

CHAP. XIII.

THere remaineth due for the year 1612. and three quarters of the year 1613. the sum of 9812 l 16 s. and 11 d. which debt ariseth from the Moneys detained in his hands out of the portions of the Provinces of Higher Languedoc, Lower Languedoc in obedience to an Order of the Synod of Privas for the said year 1612. and for three quarters of the following 1613. whereof he hath disbursed in payments since according to the order of the aforesaid Synod.

Unto the University of Die 3000 l. to Monsieur Chamier, 2000 l. to Monsieur Perrin 300 l. So there remaineth clear in his hands 4512 l. 16 s. 11 d.

Over and above the said sum of 4512 l. 16 s., 11 d. for the said years 1612. and three quarters of the year 1613. The said Lord du Kandel, is yet to pay of the Arrears of 1604, 1605, and 1606. the sum of 2839 l. 13 s. 3 d. including in it the 97 l. 6 s. 4 d. which was included in the Dividend of Privas, as was before declared. Out of which sum deducting the Sous in the Liver, which amounted to 141 l. 19 s. there remained 2697 l. which was divided among the Provinces in manner following.

Another Dividend of the sum of 11109 Livers, out of one part, and of 5245 Livers of another, which the said Lord du Kandel oweth, and ought to have kept in his hands by Order of the Synod of Privas from the Dividends allotted unto the Provinces of Lower Languedoc, Cévennes, and the Higher Languedoc out of the years 1612, 1613, and 1614. amounting to the sum of 16354 l. Out of which there must be deducted the payments made by him in obedience to the Orders of the Synod of Privas, and which he is to pay by Order of this present Synod.

First, unto the University of Die 3000 l. To Monsieur Chamier 2000 l. to the Sieur Perrin 300 l. besides what hath been remitted unto Monsieur Gigord 3775 l. And to re-imburse Monsieur le Gras for the expenses of the Colloquies of Lionnois 389 l. 6 s. And for what the said Lord du Kandel hath paid more than he received for the years 1604, 1605, and 1606. and for the Sous in the Liver out of the sum paid unto the said Sieur Gras, 57 l. 15 s. And the remaining sum is 6831 l. 19 s. which shall be divided among the Provinces in manner following.

Another Dividend among the Provinces of the sum of 18000 l. granted by his Majesty unto the Reformed Churches of this Kingdom, and this shall serve not only for this present year, but as a standard for the following years until the next National Synod, whereby the Lord du Kandel, and the Sieur de Vissouze shall make their payments out of the said sum at the terms as shall be hereafter fixed, and conformably to the Articles of Agreement formerly drawn up and signed between him, and the Deputies of the National Synod of Gap, in the year 1603. when he first entered into Office, and according to that Order given to our Lord's the General Deputies at the last National Synod of Privas.

Out of which sum before any Dividend be made unto the Churches, there shall be drawn forth these following sums for the service of our Universities, Colleges and Proposans.

All which sums the said Lord du Kandel shall pay Quarterly both to the Universities, and Commissioners of the provinces, and at the terms and manner following,

To wit, that part which belongs to the Provinces of the Isle of France, Anjou, Normandy, Poitou, Lower Guyenne, Berry, and Higher Languedoc, taking in the Universities which are in those Provinces, into the Commissioners hands, whose names have been already, or shall be given in unto him by those Provinces. And the first payment shall be made the first of July, the second on the 15th of October following, and the third the last day of January next ensuing; for the Isle of France in the City of Paris; for Normandy at Roan; for Berry at Orleans; for Poitou at Poitiers; for the Lower Guyenne at Bourdeaux; for the Higher Languedoc at Montauban; for Anjou at Tours.

As for the Lower Languedoc, Cévennes, Brittany, Provence and Saintonge, the first payment shall be made at the latter end of July next, and the second on the fifth of October following, and the third in the end of February next ensuing. For Provence, Lower Languedoc and Cévennes in the City of Montpellier; for Brittany at Nants; for Saintonge at Rochelle.

For the Provinces of Burgundy, Dauphiné and Vivaretz at the City of Lions, viz. the two first payments at the Fairs in the next August and November, and the third at the Fair of Twelfth-Tide, which will be in January, 1615.

And the said Provinces shall be obliged to nominate and choose someone certain house in each of these Cities, whereunto the said Lord of Kandel may be directed to make payment of those Moneys.

And the said Lord of Kandel also shall pay in to the said Churches the last quarter of the year 1613, which he shall deliver in unto everyone of the Provinces equally, they abating the Sous in the Liver, before the 15th of August, 1615. And he shall give in to all the Provinces, desiring it, an Answer in writing of the Account and Dividend that shall be made by our General Deputies residing at Court. And out of all those sums, which shall be actually paid by him the said Lord of Kandel, he shall detain in his hands a Sous in the Liver, which was accorded to him, excepting for the Universities, of whose Moneys he shall only detain four Deniers in the Liver, which is the right of the Sieur Vissouze. And as for the Accompts of the last quarter three Deniers only. This being according to the Contract and Articles of Agreement past between him, and the Deputies of our Churches at the National Synod of Gap.

Moreover, this Assembly enjoineth the said Lord du Kandel not to divert the Moneys of our Churches and Universities which shall be received by him unto any other uses, whatever Orders he may receive from other hands, but only by an Express Order of a National Synod; otherwise it shall not be allowed him in his Accompts.

CHAP. XIV. The Roll of the Deposed and Apostate Ministers.

1. IN the Isle of France George Suisse, alias Soulais, formerly Minister at Fountainbleau, suspended from his Office for his vicious and ungodly Life, he is since revolted: A fellow of a low stature, black hair, about forty years of age.

2. Item, one going by the name of Merlette, born at Reims in Champagne deposed for his Insufficiency, he hath since revolted a fellow tall of stature Chess-nut color'd hair, somewhat brown, little or no Beard: He was of the same Province.

3. Esme de Beauvalet, otherwise d'Aix and de Beauval, formerly Pastor of the Church at Lavall in Picardy, suspended from the Sacred Ministry for his vicious life, and wicked conversation, he is since revolted; a fellow low of stature, Chess-nut color'd hair, and bald, about 45 years old.

4. In Anjou, John de Vassan, low of stature, Eagle-nos'd, wide mouthed, little or no Beard, deposed for his infamous Uncleannesses; he is since revolted, aged about 34 years.

5. In the Lower Languedoc, Jeremy Ferrier, a tall fellow, black and curled hair, of an Olive-greenish Complexion, wide, open nostrils, great lips, censured and suspended for his lewd carriage, and wicked manner of living, he hath since deserted the Ministry, and was excommunicated out of the Church, from which also he hath (since apostatized; aged about 38 years.

6. In Dauphiné Josiah Montagne, a middle siz'd fellow, having a black and tufted Beard, mixed hair, open and roving Eyes, about 40 year old, sometimes Minister at Orpierre, but since an Apostate.

The Churches in the Principality of Béarn shall have the privilege of calling the next National Synod, upon condition that they observe the resolutions and decrees of the National Synods of France, and bring in their Appeals unto them: as also that if any difficulty should arise about the Meeting of the said Synod in the said Principality, that they shall within the space of an year give notice thereof unto the Province of Brittany, that they may enjoy the right of Calling the Synod unto the City of Vitre, and nowhere else; and this at the end of two years, and about May. Saving always that it may be hastened or deferred, as our General Deputies and the Neighbouring Provinces do think fit. And in case the Synod be held in Béarn, leave is continued unto the Province of Brittany to send but one Pastor, and one Elder, and the like Privilege is granted unto Provence, unto whatsoever place the Synod shall be convocated.

All what has been above mentioned was debated, resolved and decreed since the second of May, unto the third of June inclusively, in the year of our Lord 1614. To whom be Honor, Praise and Glory forever more. Amen.

CHAP. XV. An Act of the Oath of Union Taken, Sworn, and Subscribed by all the Deputies of the Reformed Churches of France Assembled in their National Synod at Tonneins in the Province of Lower Guyenne in May 1614.

WE whose Names are hereunder Written Deputies of the Reformed Churches of France Assembled in a National Synod held at Tonneins in the Province of Lower Guyenne, knowing by past experience that there is nothing more needful for the preservation of the peace and welfare of our Churches than an holy Union, and inviolable Concord, both in Doctrine and Discipline, and their dependencies, and that the said Churches cannot long Subsist without a Good, a Strict, and Mutual Union, and conjunction of one with the other, and this better kept and maintained than formerly. Therefore being desirous what in us lieth for the future to remove all seeds of division, and occasion of partialities, between the said Churches, and to obviate all Impostures, Plots, Calumnies and Practices whatsoever, by means whereof divers Persons ill affected to our Religion do endeavor its utter Ruin and destruction: For which reason we are more bound than ever by an unanimous consent and agreement to use those means which will most and best contribute to our just, lawful, and necessary preservation in the Union aforesaid under the authority of our Sovereign Lord the King, and the Queen Regent his Mother, we have, in the Name of all those Churches, and for their Weal and Happiness, and for the service of their Majesty's, Sworn and Protested, and do Swear and Protest, yea we do also promise, that we will see these our Protestation; to be ratified in and by all our respective Provinces to continue inseparably United and conjoined in the Confession of Faith owned and Professed by the Reformed Church of this Kingdom, and confirmed, approved, and ratified by us all: We Swear as well in our own Names, as in the Names of all the Churches and Provinces, which Commissionated us to be their Deputies unto this Assembly, that we will live and die in this Confession, as also we do protest that we will keep inviolably that Ecclesiastical Discipline, which is established in the Reformed Churches of this Kingdom, and to observe its Canons for the Government of these Churches, and the reformation of manners; owning and acknowledging that it is agreeable to the Word of God, under whose supreme and unviolable authority We Protest and Swear to yield all obedience and fidelity to their Majesty's, desiring nothing more than through the favor of their Edicts to serve our God without any Violence offered unto our Consciences.

CHAP. XVI. An Act for the Meeting of the General Mixt Assembly.

THE Lord of Rouvray our General Deputy having sent unto this Synod his Majesty's writ bearing date the 22d. day of this present month, by which at the request of this National Synod the time of meeting for the next National General Assembly is put off till the a 25th. of August, but without any change of place: This Assembly judging the City of Grenoble to be a very inconvenient place because of its great distance, and for being the Residence of a Parliament, and for divers other great and weighty reasons, ordered that Letters should be written unto the Lord Marshal Duke de Lesdiguieres, and presented to him by the Deputies of Burgundy and Dauphiné, who also by word of mouth should humbly entreat his excellency, not only to take in good part the change of the place of meeting, which all the Deputies convened at this Synod have unanimously desired, and hold necessary, but also that he would be pleased to join with them in their humble request, and Petition unto their Majesty's by the Lord's our General Deputies, who shall present unto them Letters from this Assembly, in which with all humbleness it shall be declared that the late King of most happy Memory did usually make choice of the most meet and convenient places for the holding of those Assemblies. And the said Lord's Deputies shall use their utmost care and diligence to give notice and information of the success of this their undertaking, before the 15th of July, or sooner, if may be, unto the Provincial Assemblies, in case of refusal. This Assembly adviseth also that it would be expedient that they send each of them one Deputy chosen out of their whole Body, to reiterate with all submissions and reverence their most humble Petitions unto their Majesty's and by conjoined Supplications to obtain this change from them.

Moreover the Lord's General Deputies are most expressly charged to prosecute their complaints of that grievous Outrage Committed by the Lieutenant in the Government of Guise against Monsieur Sigart Pastor of the Church of Levall, and to desire that justice may have its due Course upon that Officer, they corroborating by word of mouth what hath been written unto their Majesty's from this Assembly about it. They be also exhorted, according to the Canon made at Privas, most humbly to petition their Majesty's that we may be exempted from that necessity (which is now more eagerly and violently pressed upon us than ever, yea and with greater severity, rigor and exaction than heretofore and against that Liberty of Conscience, which hath been so often promised us) of styling ourselves, of the pretended Reformed Religion; we rather choosing to suffer all kind of torments, than to be compelled with our own mouths to condemn our own most holy and true Religion.

Moreover they be exhorted to assist the Church of Dijon; whose place of Meeting for Religious Worship is removed four long Leagues distant from that City, although by the Edict they may have their Temple in the Suburbs. And yet this poor Church hath been frustrated of its expectations, and earnest requests, after ten years Prosecution and Attendance at Court for if.

They shall also complain of the Commissioners that were sent into Burgundy to see the Edict of Nants executed, for that they refused to hear the Petitions tendered them for restoring the exercise of our Religion in seven ancient Bailey wicks, and in the Cities of St. John, de Laune, and de Noyers, where the Word of God had been duly and constantly Preached in the years 1576, and 1577.

And they shall favor and stand by that opposition made by those of our Religion in Vivaretz against the Petition presented to the Council by the Judge of the Lower Vivaretz, who would of his own head and authority bring into the Royal Courts of Villeneuve, of Berg and Annonay, Causes determinable in the Provosts Court, which is expressly contrary to that Article of the Edict, declaring, that the Judgment of Declinators, and Exceptions against the Jurisdictions of a Court, shall only appertain to the Mixt Chambers of the Edict, or to other Courts, at the choice of the Professors of our Religion.

They shall complain also of letting decay the Fortifications of Clermont in the Lower Languedoc, one of our Cautionary Towns, and given us as a pledge and hostage for our security: The Papists in the mean while fortifying the Town against the Castle.

They are also entreated to be careful of that business of Monsieur de la Garde, Governor of Tonneins, who being summoned, and brought before His Majesty and Council, after a world of difficulty, was dismissed over to the Chamber of Grenoble; from whence the Jesuits, and other Clergy of the Romish Church would fain remove it back again to Paris. And they shall use all means possible to prevent it.

CHAP. XVII. A Memorial of our Grievances, and Petitions exhibited and debated in the National Synod of Tonneins, and judged meet to be presented unto the Mixt Provincial Assemblies, and from them to be brought unto the National Political Assembly, and recommended to their consideration by all the Provinces, and particularly to the special care of our General Deputies, till that Meeting.

1. THE first grievance complained of by the Province of Orleans was, that the Lord of Denonville having been fully justified by Decree and Proclamation of the Chamber of the Edict at Paris from all matters laid unto his charge; yet he was nevertheless deprived of his Office of Lieutenan unto the the Lord Duke of Sully in the City of Gergean. The Assembly enjoined all the Deputies to complain of this Act of Injustice unto the mixed Assemblies of the Provinces now at hand; and to see this their, complaint entered and registered in the Memoirs which shall be presented unto the said General Assembly. And in the mean while the Lord our General Deputies are entreated to continue their pursuits and endeavors for restoring him unto his Office, and to renew their request at Court for it, unless there be some other Government conferred upon him.

2. That change made in the City of Alez by Monsieur Riband a Popish Gentleman, reported in the name of the Province of Cévennes by Monsieur des Marests a Pastor, as found to be exceeding prejudicial to our Rights and Privileges, and to our cautionary Towns. And it was ordered that this should be joined unto the former complaint.

3. Also that bold attempt of the Franciscan Friars to join the new buildings of their Convent with the very Walls of Castel-jaloux, to the damage of that our Cautionary Town.

4. Item, That affair of the Church of Montlimard, who opposed the reception of the Friars Recollect into their Town; because that in our Cautionary Town, nothing should be changed, but all things should continue as they were at first.

5. Also that affair concerning the settling and establishment of the Church of Valence, near unto the City, which hath been hindered by dividing the Commissioners.

6. Item, the notorious Injustice used towards the Inhabitants of Lands in the Higher Languedoc, the Apostate Senerac being made their Judge, and having gotten a Commission to bring at any time all his affairs before the Privy Council; by means whereof he tyrannizeth over all persons, with whom he hath any Processes of Law, or that shall have a Suit with him.

7. That affair of the Church of Pousanges in Poitou, who have endeavored to take off the Prohibition laid upon them for building their Temple, altho' they have an undoubted Right for so doing of above forty years standing, and they have Preaching without any hindrance or denial in the Market-house.

8. The Suspension of Monsieur de Valobsance, Counselor in the Presidial Court of Montpellier, because he was of Counsel for the Province against them of Aiguesmortes, is another ;just grievance.

9. The Concern of the Son of Monsieur Ravy, put by from his Office of Lieutenant in the Company of Montpellier, although the Churches had a special Order for it under the late King's own Signet, and which he had enjoyed for divers years, is another grievance.

10. The grievances and troubles of Monsieur Cardett and other Gentlemen vexed by the Lady Countess of Auvergne, who hath, in direct opposition to the Edict by Letters of Evocation, removed their business from the Court of Castres to that of Paris.

11. The Complaints of those of Lower Languedoc about the Government of Pecquaire, whereof Captain Gautier having been Governor by Commission and Letters Patent, yet is now adjoined unto that of Salines, which belongs unto the Governor of Aiguesmortes.

12. The Churches in the Principality of Béarn united with ours in Doctrine and Discipline, received and admitted heretofore by their Deputies into our General Assemblies, and into the last National Synod by their Deputies Dyserotte and Naguett, reported their very uncertain estate, and the many dangers surrounding them, and wherewith they be menaced, by the unhappy divisions in the House of Benac, and others banded, against the Lord Duke de la Force, which will throw them into a very miserable condition; especially since Popish Priests and Ecclesiastics have full Liberty as they do to over-run their Country. This Assembly doth now more cordially than ever embrace their Union and Communion, and deputeth from us the Sieurs de Vilarnou and de Chambaran unto the said Lord's to exhort them unto concord ; who having returned, and given an account of their Commission, reported the great difficulties they meet with to reconcile them, by reason of the obstinacy of one of the Parties, and the staggering condition of the said Churches, which exceedingly need the Assistance of our's in France to be a buttress and support unto them. It intreats therefore the General Deputies to have especial and particular respect and care of their concerns, and to deal for them at the Council with the very self-same affection and diligence, as for the Churches of France in all matters needful for them, particularly to get for them some effectual order to redress the grievances with which they be so very much burdened and afflicted. And this also shall be represented unto the Provinces, and by them it shall be carried unto the General Assembly, unto which also the Deputies of the Principality of Beans shall bring their Memoirs and Instructions as well about the affairs before-mentioned of the Lord Duke de la Force and Benac, (provided it be not since made up and composed,) as about all others tending to their preservation.

13. The affair of Monsieur de Villemade about his pension promised him out of the Privy Purse in regard of his great sufferings shall be once more recommended unto the next General Assembly.

14. The affair of the Sieurs de Labe Father and Son, who, contrary to the privilege of their Profession were both by an Order of Council deprived of their Appeal, and remanded over to the Parliament of Bourdeaux.

15. The Sieurs de la Comb and Bigot having been discharged from that Commission given them at Privas, this Assembly gave order unto the Provincial Deputies to report the true estate of our matters against Monsieur Pallot, viz. That nothing else could be gotten besides a sorry answer unto a Petition presented from us, that he might be compelled to make payment of the just debt owing by him unto our Churches upon the clearing up of his Account, amounting to 24900 l. Which yet hath been fruitless and ineffectual. And whereas the above named Commissioners had charged on him another greater debt of above 200000 l. The said Pallot defended himself from all payments with this Evasion, that either those Moneys were diverted to other uses, or they were Non-Valoirs, being never paid in unto him. And therefore altho the said Commissioners Bigot and de la Comb have received the thanks of this Synod; yet they were ordered to put into the hands of our General Deputies all papers in their Custody relating to this affair. And that for the future, the matter having been once laid open before the Provinces, it shall be recommended to a General Assembly to embrace the prosecution of it, and to follow their Majesty's with our most humble requests, that we may be paid the said sums according to the Intention of their warrants granted us at first, and other orders in pursuance of their first, truly and faithfully without any deductions for Non-Valoirs.

16 The Inhabitants also of the Bareny de Combata in Cévennes, who in seven Towns for the greatest part of them being Protestants, are yet deprived of their Temples, and all exercise of the Reformed Religion, and constrained to travel many a long Journey, and expose themselves to a world of inconveniences, that they may worship God according to his holy word, and all because they have a Popish Landlord, who yet would not oppose the re-establishment of their Churches, provided it were ordained by the supreme Authority. And let it be particularly observed, that in one of the Towns of that Barony, called Vie there was a Church and Pastor in the year 1561.

17. The other Provinces are exhorted to join with that of Dauphiné to obtain a sufficient time for the poor Communalties and Villages in the Bailywick of Gresivaudan to recover their just rights from their wicked Popish debtors, and that all proceedings at law against them may cease and be vacated, because the Commissioners appointed to judge between them were not the one half Protestants as they should have been, and because that the Respit of three months allotted them to bring in their Appeal before the Chamber of the Edict at Grenoble was too short, and could do them no service: The Writ of Appeal not having past the Seal, till the time was lapsed, and the three months already expired. During which time the Syndick of the Communalties got a Writ of Foreclusion against the said Creditors.

18. The affair of the Church of Monosque and Tourves, who having got an Order of Council, that of Monosques to build a Temple for the worship of God neat unto their place of abode, and that of Tourves within their own bounds, as being privileged, because a Bailywick, yet could never obtain unto this day, that those orders should be put in execution.

19. Lastly there is recommended to them the affairs of the Churches of Antibe, Forqualq • ier, and Derbordes, which although they had proved incontestably that the worship of God according to our Reformed Religion was publicly in use and exerecise among them in the year 1577. Yet notwithstanding Judgment is still suspended to their very great prejudice.

CHAP. XVIII. Expedients for reuniting the Christian Churches, which have shook off the Papa Yoak, and for composing the differences, which are already risen, or may hereafter rise up amongst them offered and propounded to them.

1. WE must lay down this as a foundation-principle, that to endeavor an Union and Agreement between the Churches is a most useful, pious and necessary work, and very feasible. As to its possibility, we say, that such an Union cannot be effected without the concurrence, aid, assistance, and conduct of those Sovereign Princes, who have withdrawn themselves from the obedience of the Pope: among whom his Majesty of Great Britain, as being the Chiefest, and most Potent Monarch, of a most clear anti piercing Judgment, and most affectionately inclined hereunto, can most effectually promote and advance it.

2. This being presupposed, we conceive that some certain place should be chosen of safe and convenient access, whereunto two Divines shall be sent by his Majesty, and two from the Churches of France, and two from the Low Countries, two from the Cantons of Switzerland, and one or two from each of the German Princes embracing and professing our Faith.

3. Zealand in our opinion would be the most commodious place for such a Treaty, which is as it were the fore-door of England, and easily to be aborded by the Messengers of the respective Princes and Churches.

4. And when they meet at this place, let there be no disputes about Religion: for when once the Spirits are inflamed, there will be no yielding on any side, and all parties will return homeward with the imaginary Triumphs of their own Victories. Wherefore it were better to lay before them on the Table the several Confessions of the Reformed Churches of England, Scotland, France, the Netherlands, Switzerland and the Palatinate, &c. And that out of all these Confessions there might be framed one in common to them all, in which divers Points may be omitted, the knowledge whereof is not needful to our everlasting happiness. Among which the controversy moved by Piscator, and several subtle opinions lately broached by Van-Armin, about free Will, the Saints Perseverance, and Predestination, may be reckoned: It being a most certain Truth that all the Errors in Religion have sprung hence, that men would either know too much, or have too much, that is to say, either out of curiosity, or from their avarice and ambition. 'It is this last Sin that hath corrupted and ruined the Church of Rome. But yet Satan doth use his utmost endeavors by the first to corrupt ours. However could we but gain that authority and power over ourselves so as to ignore divers matters, and to rest contented with points only necessary to Salvation, we should have gone a great and good part of the way, and made a considerable progress in our WORK of UNION.

5. This Confession being once prepared, it must be subscribed not only by the Deputies then and there present, but also by the several Princes, and by our National Synod. And let this Canon be enacted, that if any controversy should hereafter be moved either in England, France or Germany, in the Low Countries or Switzerland, nothing shall be concluded or decided, much less innovated in or about it, without the general consent and concurrence of all the Provinces, that have signed this Agreement.

6. 'It is probable that thus far we shall meet with little or no opposition. The Parties treating being the Reformed Churches, agreeing in the fundamental Articles of Faith, only dissenting from one another in the quillets of Ceremonies, and Church-Government.

7. Concerning which Ceremonies and Church-Discipline a mutual Declaration should be made, and added unto the said Confession, by which the said Deputies, in the names of their Principa's, do declare, that the Churches shall not judge nor condemn one another for this difference; it not hindering our mutual Agreement in the same true Faith and Doctrine, and that for all this we may cordially embrace each other as true Believers, and Joynt-Members of one and the same Body.

8. It were fitting that after this Conference had, as a pledge of their mutual Concord the Lord's Supper were celebrated, wherein the Pastors from England, and the other Nations should all mutually communicate together, and that Sacred Feast should commence with a most Religious Fast, not only to be observed by those Deputies, but also by that particular Church, where this Synod shall be assembled, that so the assistance and blessing of God may be prayed down upon this holy and important work.

9. Let such Deputies be chosen whose tempers lead and bend them unto this noble design; that is to say, let them be such as are peaceable, grave, and men fearing God, prudent, and not contentious; let them come furnished with full power, and with ample Letters of Authority to proceed in this great and good work, and let this be couched in the same Letters of Commission, that their Principals who send them do sincerely promise to receive with all possible respect the Conclusions of this Assembly, and that they will by all just and lawful ways see them observed. And during the Session of this Synod, let there be unanimously published in all the Provinces a General Fast, in order to the deriving down the blessing of God Upon it, und to touch the hearts of the people with respect and reverence for it.

10. During the sitting of this Assembly, it were sit that Messengers should go and come from His Majesty of Great Britain, that so nothing might be concluded in it without his Advice and Authority; and that as soon as the Conference shall be ended, the whole body of this Assembly should pass over into England, to make tender of their Duty to His Majesty, and to thank him, and receive his sage Advice about the means of reducing into practice their Synodical and Pacisick Counsels and Conclusions.

11. It will be necessary that before the breaking up of this Assembly, they would assign a certain day within the year, of meeting again at the same place, and make report then and there of what has been done it their respective Provinces to effect and execute it, and what obstructions they met with in their prosecution of it. For it will be a most difficult matter in one Assembly to provide all Expedients for Peace and Union: And there may be those Provinces, who may not approve of every point concerted and agreed on, or they may happen to pitch on some better means, than were at first seen and contrived.

12. In the interval of these two Assemblies His Majesty of England, and the Provinces of our Confession may so order it, that some Pastors and Doctors of the Lutheran way, may be sent from the Lutheran Princes and Churches unto this second Assembly to travail in this excellent work of Reuniting them with us, and us with them. If this can be obtained, the means of Agreement are likely to be such as these following.

13. The Points in difference betwixt us and the Lutheran Churches are of two sorts. There be some wherein our Agreement is very easy; of this nature are the Ceremonies of the Lutheran Churches, which may be excused and tolerated, because they be matters rather of decency than of necessity. As also some certain Opinions about Predestination, concerning which a special Article may be framed in our common Confession, which all without any difficulty would approve of, provided always that curiosity might be avoided. And this was done in the Confession of Ausburg, which speaks exceeding soberly, and expressly declineth that Question. There is also some difference betwixt us about the necessity of Baptism, which in a good sense may be affirmed necessary to Salvation; that is to say, that Baptism should be celebrated in the Christian Church, and necessary that it be not despised, but observed by every particular Member, without pushing on the Question of necessity any farther.

14. There is in the next place that Article of the Lord's Supper, wherein we shall meet with more difficulty; for it hath two main brandies, 1. That of the Ubiquity of Christ's Body; 2. Another about our Receiving of, and Communion with the Body of Christ in the Sacrament.

15. As to the first of these Points, we may well agree in these things, 1. That Jesus Christ took in the Womb of the Virgin Mary a true Human Body like unto ours in all things, sin only excepted. 2. That his Body hath true flesh, and its quantity and dimensions. 3. That when his Body was lodged in the Womb of the blessed Virgin, and hung upon the Cross, and lay buried in the Grave, it was not at that time elsewhere, nor in divers other places at once. 4. That the Eternal Son of God is everywhere present in all places. 5. That he is ascended up into Heaven, that he fitteth at the right Hand of God; that the Father hath given him all Power in Heaven and in Earth. 6. That Glorification hath removed from him the infirmity, but not abolished the Verity of his Human Nature. 7. That in the last day he shall come in that self same flesh, which he took from the Virgin Mary, to judge both the quick and the dead. If besides these, there be some differrent Opinions, about which we cannot agree, this must be obtained from both Parties, that they do not thereupon condemn and damn each other, and that no more Books about this Controversy be hereafter written, nor any Invectives thrown out in Sermons from the Pulpit, but that we live in brotherly Love, waiting upon God for more Light, who will not refuse it unto them, that in Faith beg it of him.

16. Touching the Sacrament; and our participation of the Body of Christ, we may harmoniously agree in these Points; 1. That the Sacramental Elements are not bare and empty Signs, nor only mere naked Symbols, and simple Instituted Figures of the Truth. 2. That in the Lord's Supper we do really and in very deed partake of the Body of Christ Jesus. 3. That the Bread is not transubstantiated, nor ceaseth to be Bread after the Consecration. Whence it follows, 4. That the Sacrament ought not to be adored, but our hearts must be lifted up unto Jesus Christ in Heaven. As for the manner of our participation of the Body of Christ in his Holy Supper, we need not be scrupulously inquisitive about it, only to join Issue with the Apostle, who saith in the 3d to the Ephesians, that Jesus Christ dwelleth in our hearts by Faith; whence it inevitably follows, that he is a mere stranger unto the hearts of all Unbelievers. But if any one be otherwise persuaded, let him succor and support his weak Brethren, and not judge and persecute them with violence and cruelty: Wherefore in those matters wherein we be all agreed, let's walk with one another hand in hand heartily and cheerfully towards Heaven.

17. We know there be two sorts of Errors, some in Points of Faith, and others in exterior Actions and Practice. Of this first sort are those Errors about the nature of Jesus Christ, about Predestination, and Free will; of the Second are those about Communion in one kind, the Adoration of the consecrated Host, Prayer in an unknown Tongue by the Petitioner. Errors of this last sort, altho in themselves less, yet do they most often occasion the greatest divisions, and do most venemously exasperate men's Spirits, and immediately engender Schism. For if a man communicate at the Lord's Table with an erroneous person in the doctrine of Predestination, or about the Nature of Jesus Christ, or who believes that the Body of our Lord is everywhere, in all places at once, altho this Error be very great, yet may it not trouble him who is a Communicant with him: But and if we communicate with one who giveth religious adoration unto the bread, or pretends to sacrifice the Lord Jesus Christ, such an action would scandalize us, and must needs drive us from that Communion, lest we should participate with him in his Idolatry, or in a false Sacrifice. Now we have this advantage together with the Lutheran Churches, that all our differences are of the first kind, and as for those external Ceremonies used and practiced by them, we have no such difference, but what may be easily composed, yea and that too with a wet Finger.

18. It were fitting to lay before them on the Table the Concordat of the Polonish Churches, made at Sendomir, in the year 1570. and since revived in the Synod of Ulodislan in the year 1581. that so we may learn by their example to serve ourselves of all things which may contribute unto this Union, and are worthy of our imitation. And possibly there may be found some Lutheran Churches who for peace sake would not insist upon their Ubiquity, but frankly yield it up and part with it.

19. The same Order should be observed in this second Assembly as in the first; and the same difference paid unto his Majesty of great Britain, and it should be opened with a fast, and concluded with the celebration of the Holy Supper of our Lord, at which both the Lutheran Ministers and ours should communicate together.

20. It is very needful that some course should be taken to bring the several Churches and People to embrace and practice the Articles of this Union, and that Sovereign Princes and Estates do promise to exert their Authority about it, and that those words of Lutheran, Calvinist, and Sacramentarian, being wicked badges of distinction, were utterly abolished, and that our Churches should ever after be called the Christian Reformed Churches. And all Invectives from the Pulpit, or Press, or Writings against the Brethren of either side shall be forbidden under the severest penalties. And that the Catalogues of Books vended at Frankford maybe no more stuffed with injurious Titles as formerly. And the German Princes should, at some certain days mutually agreed on, send their Pastors unto the principal Churches of their Neighbor Princes, and also admit and receive of their Ministers into theirs, and so communicate together on some set and solemn day at the Lord's Table.

21. If it should please God to bless this Holy and Laudable Design with success, which would be a Crown of Eternal Glory unto his Majesty of Great Britain, and to the Princes joined with him therein, then would it be a convenient time to solicit the Romish Church unto a Reconciliation; which whether it may be really effected, or is at all feasible, seems as yet very doubtful: because the Pope will admit of no Council nor Conference, at which he may not preside. But could this General Union of all Christians be once accomplished we should be then more considerable, and Ministers might Preach with more authority, and greater success than ever.

CHAP. XIX. A Letter from His Majesty of Great Britain.

CHAP. XX. The Excommunication of Monsieur Jeremy Ferrier, sometimes Pastor and Professor in the Church and University of Nismes, denounced in the Church of Nismes, upon the 14th of July, 1613 being the Lord's Day [Extracted out of a little Book Intituled, The Troubles happened in the City of Nismes in Languedoc ] July 15. 1613. and Printed the same year.

MAster Jeremy Ferrier formerly Minister of the Word of God, having been judged by the National Synod, yet hath not in the least owned and acknowledged God's singular Mercy and Benignity to him, nor the Gentleness and Clemency of his Judges. He hath took no notice of his great and heinous offenses, though God saw them, the Church observed them, and the World cried out of them. Some days after Sentence had past upon him, he made semblance as if he acquiesced in it, requesting to be provided of another Church. His Judges had respect unto his demand, and provided for him very much unto his conveniency. But the close and issue hath evidently demonstrated that what he did was all in Hypocrisy, was nothing else but fraud and mockery. Instead of humbling himself, he waxed more fierce and fiery, he kicked against the pricks, he hardened his heart against the voice of God speaking to him. He hath multiplied and increased his sins, seeking Sanctuaries for his Rebellion from the World, and protection by it in his Enter-prizes, following the train and lure of his own lusts, and loving this present World, he would rather be a slave to the Mammon of Unrighteousness, than to serve God and his Church, and betaking himself to wicked and unworthy courses, he hath refused to be reformed, and hateth Discipline and Correction, scorning and trampling underfoot all Church-Order. He hath most licentiously inveighed against, and satyrically lampoon'd the Ecclesiastical Assemblies; he hath let fly the worst of Calumnies against the Servants of God generally and particularly, in public and private, by word of mouth, by Pen and Writing; He threw himself wittingly and willfully upon temptations, and into the snares of the Devil; he became his own Seducer, and like tile Devil, endeavored to seduce others : He hath by his ungodly comportments scandalized those that are without, and such as are within; he hath attempted to mischief the Church of God, for which the Lord Jesus hath shed his most precious Blood: He did most solemnly engage unto the Church of Paris, yea he swore it with as great seriousness as possible, that he would never take upon him, nor aspire unto any other Calling than that of the Sacred Ministry, unless the Colloquy of Lionnois should discharge him by taking from him all possible means of subsistence: Before which nevertheless when he was called, he refused to appear, and would not be judged of God, nor by the Men of God: He hath cast himself into a contumacious and audacious Rebellion, into the most injurious and excessive Insolencies; he hath published himself guilty of a notorious and horrible Perjury, totally deserting the Sacred Ministry, having rejected all the Summons and Invitations unto Repentance made him for a whole year together, by divers Church-Assemblies, in divers places; and at divers times, by many most excellent Servants of God, who cordially and industriously labored after his Conversion and Reformation: He hath despised the longsuffering, patience and forbearance of God, and of the Church, and never heeded those public Admonitions, which according to the Discipline were used to reclaim him, and bring him back again unto his duty. But he persists obstinately in his sins, in his Disobediencies and Rebellions, and hardens hardens himself in his Impenitency; insomuch, that we must speak it, though not without tears and groans, that he hath lost his privilege and right of Burgesship in the City and Family of God. For these Causes we the Pastors and Elders of the Reformed Churches in the Lower Languedoc, Deputies of this Province, having charge and care of the Colloquy of Lionnois, and authorized thereunto by the National Synod, we denounce the said Master Jeremy Ferrier, to be a scandalous man, a person incorrigible, impenitent, and ungovernable; and as such, having first invocated the holy Name of the Living and True God, and in the Name and Power of our Lord Jesus Christ, by the conduct of the Holy Ghost, and with Authority from the Church, we have cast, and do now cast and throw him out of the Society of the Faithful, that he may be delivered up unto Satan, declaring that he ought not to be reckoned, reputed, nor numbered as a Member of our Lord Jesus Christ, nor of his Church, but that he be counted, and esteemed as a Publican and Heathen, as a Profane person, and contemptuous despiser of God; exhorting all the Faithful, and enjoining them in the Name of our Lord and Master no more to hold any conversation with this Son of Belial, but to estrange themselves, and be separated from him, waiting that if in any wise this Judgment and Separation serving for the destruction of his Flesh, may contribute to the Salvation of his Soul, and strike into his Conscience a terror of that great and dreadful day, in which the Lord will come with thousands of his Saints, to execute Judgment upon the ungodly, and to convince the wicked of all their impieties, sinful designs and abominable works enterprised by them against his Church.

Cursed be he that doth the Work of the Lord negligently. Amen!

If any one love not the Lord Jesus Christ, Let him be Anathema Maranatha. Amen!

Come Lord Jesus Christ! Even so come quickly! Amen!

This dreadful Sentence was denounced against the said Ferrier in the Church of Nismes on the Lord's Day, July the 14th 1613. by Monsieur Brunier Minister of the Word of God in the Reformed Church of the City of Usez.

Examined and Compared with the Printed Copy.

CHAP. I. Names of Deputies. Election of Synodical Officers.

1. PRayers having been first offered up unto God, as usual at the opening of all Synodical Meetings, The next thing in order dispatched, was Reading the Letters of Commission tendered by the Deputies, that so an exact knowledge might be had of their Call, who sat and voted in this Assembly. Monsieur Andrew Rivet, Pastor of the Church of Thouars, was chosen Moderator; Monsieur John Chauve Assessor, Pastor of the Church of Sommieres, Monsieur John Jammet, Pastor of the Church of St. Amand in Bourbonnois, and Elijah Bigot, Advocate in the Court of Parliament of Paris, and Elder of that Church, were chosen Scribes.

2. The Synod examining the Letters of Commission Impowering the Deputies of the Provinces to sit and act in it, began with those of the Isle of France, Picardy, &c. for which appeared Monsieur John the Baptist Bugnet, Pastor of the Church of Compiegne, Samuel Quinson Pastor of the Church de la Ferte au Vidame, together with Elijah Bigot, Advocate in the Parliament of Paris, and Elder of the Church there, and Philip de Cormieres, Esq Lord of Fromentieres, and of La Haye, Elder in the Church of Chaltray.

3. For the Province of Normandy, Monsieur Obadiah de Mondenys, Pastor of the Church of Fescamp, Peter Paris Pastor of the Church of Pontoison, together with Samuel le Cal, Esq Lord of Beurevil, Elder in the Church of Gisors, and Michael le Petit, Lord of la Joisiere, Elder in the Church of St. Lo.

4. For the Province of Britain, Monsieur Peter de la Place, Pastor of the Church of Zion, Guy le Noir, Lord of Crevain, Pastor of the Church of Roche Bernard and Croisis, together with Elias de Goulaine, Esq Lord of Laudouiniere, Elder of the Church of Viellevigne, and John Ravenell, Lord of Boistillenil, Elder in the Church of Rennes.

5. For the Province of Berry, Orleans, &c. Monsieur Daniel Jammet, Pastor of the Church of St. Amand, John Guerin, Pastor of the Church of Baugeney, together with John de Bussieres, Controller of his Majesty's Salt-Granary at Sancerre, and Elder of the same Church, and John du Plessis, General-Assessor of his Majesty's Subsidies at Pithinieres, Elder of the Church of Chilleure.

6. For the Province of Anjou, Tourain, &c. Monsieur John Vigneu Pastor of the Church of Mans, Renatus Conseil Pastor of the Church of Lassay, together with Giles Bouchereau, Lord of la Mothe, Advocate at Saumur, and Elder of the same Church, and Hannibal de Farsy, Lord of St. Laurence, Attorney in the Exchequer, of the Lordship and County of Laval, Elder of the Church there.

7. For the Province of Poitou, Monsieur Andrew Rivet Pastor of the Church of Thouars, Paul Geslin, Lord of la Pilletiere Pastor of the Church at Chastelheraut, together with Giles Begaud, Esq Lord of la Begaudiere, Elder in the Church of Montague, and Samuel Maucler, Esq Lord of Marconnay, Elder in the Church of la Ganache.

8. For the Province of Saintonge, and Aulnix, &c. Monsieur Samuel L' ommeau Pastor of the Church of Rochelle, William Rivet, Lord of Chanvernon, Pastor of the Church of Taillebourg, together with John Preverant, Lord of Piterne, Judge of Montignac, and Elder of the Church there, and Monsieur Elijah Dieu, the Lord High Justice his Attorney in the Lordship of Soubize, and Elder of the Church in the same place.

9. For the Province of Lower Guyenne, Monsieur Peter de la Musse Pastor of the Church of Nerac, Peter Hefperian Pastor of the Church of Ste Foy, together with John de Geneste, Lord of La Tour, Advocate in the Court of the Edict at Nerac, and Elder of the Church of Sauvetat, and Peter de Pichard, Captain of Gironde and Castelmoran, Elder of the Church of Gironde.

10. For the Province of the Principality of Béarn, Monsieur John de Capdeville Pastor of the Church of Navarrins, together with John de Angerre, Advocate in the Parliament of Pau, and Elder of the Church in the same place.

11. For the Province of Lower Languedoc, Monsieur John Chauve Pastor of the Church of Sommieres, James de Chambrun Pastor of the Church of Nismes, together with William de Girard Lord of Moussac, Elder of the Church in the same place, and Peter de Calviere, Lord of St. Cesaire, Elder in the Church of Nismes.

12. For the Province of Dauphiné, Monsieur John Felix Pastor in the Church of Romans, Denys Bouteroue Pastor of the Church of Grenoble, together with Peter Guyon Lord of Salbetter, Elder in the Church of Manars, and Solomon Vulson Lord of Villette, Elder in the Church of Mene.

13. For the Province of Vivaretz, Forest, &c. Monsieur Peter Marchat, Pastor of the Church of St. Stephens, John Moze Pastor of the Church of Annonay, together with James de Serres, Doctor of the Civil Law, Elder in the Church of Aubenas; and whereas the Lord of Cussons, Elder of the Church of Annonay, was also chosen, and named in the Letters of Commission, but did not appear, his absence was not approved by the Assembly. Yet afterwards, on the third of June, the said Lord of Cussons returning from his Depuration unto the Assembly at Rochelle, was received into this Assembly.

14. For the Province of Cévennes and Gevaudan, Monsieur Louis Courant Pastor of the Church of Anduze, and Andrew de la Faye Pastor of the Church of St. German, together with John de Barjac, Lord of Villeneufre, Elder in the Church of Vigan, and John de Barjac, Lord of Gasques, Elder in the Church of St. Martyn.

15. For the Province of Burgundy, Lionnois, Charlois, and Gex, Monsieur Louis de la Coste Pastor of the Church of Dijon: Peter Boulenat Pastor of the Church of Avalon, instead of Monsieur Eliot Pastor of the Church of Arnay le Duke (whose excuses were admitted, and in case he should afterward come unto this Assembly, the said Boulenat might, if he please, return) together with Albert du Mars, Esq Lord of Balenes, Elder in the Church of Vesle, and Monsieur John Gravier, Advocate in the Parliament of Dijon, and Elder of the Church there.

16. For the Province of Provence, Monsieur Peter Maurice, Pastor of the Church of Lormarin, together with Charles de Bachy, Esq Lord of St. Stephens, Elder in the Church of Thouars. And whereas Monsieur Samuel Toussain Pastor of the Church of Luke, and Monsieur John Clement, called Captain Cadet, Elder of the Church there, appeared also with Letters of Commission from the Synod, held at Cabrieres the fifteenth of April last. This Assembly having heard the said Deputies, declared the Deputation of Monsieur Maurice, and St. Stephens to be lawful, and that of Monsieur Toussain and Clement illegal, as being done contrary to the Canons and Forms of our Church-Discipline: Yet nevertheless for divers important Causes, and for the service of the said Province, the said Toussain and Clement were both admitted as Members of it; only the said Toussain was censured for accepting of the said Deputation, and the rather, because it appeared by the acts of St. Maixant, that he is relapst into the same fault, for which he was threatened: 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 since 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 endeavor 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 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, Counselor 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 everyone of these Deputies swore and protested, before God, 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 ourselves unto all that shall be concluded and determined in your Holy Assembly, to obey and execute it to the utmost of our power; being persuaded that God will preside among you, and lead you by his holy Spirit into all truth and equity by the Rule of his Word, 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 Britain, did give an Account of their Calling the National Synod unto this place, because the Province of Béarn had resigned their privilege 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 privilege 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 Petre Pastor of the Church of Vitre, 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, 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 formed and settled, the first thing they Voted was an Address unto his Majesty, to testify the Joy of all our Churches, 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 Lord's Deputies, who are now sitting in the Town of Rochelle 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, 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 believed that it did perfectly agree with the Word of God, and they would use their best endeavor, 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 proposed that it would be necessary not to limit our Proposans to so short a time as they be confined to by the fourth Cannon, in the first Chapter of our Discipline, for preparing their Propositions. This Assembly not changing the said Canon in the least, doth leave it wholly to the prudence of Colloquies and Synods to prolong the time, according to their knowledge of the quickness or dullness of their Proposans parts and capacities.

2. The Deputies of the Isle of France demanding that those words of the fourth Canon in the first Chapter of our Discipline, (And it shall be declared un • o the Elected Pastor, that Authority is given him in the name of Jesus Christ to preach the word, and to administer the Sacraments;) should be repeated before the people, by the Pastors appointed to ordain him. This Assembly did not think meet to make any alteration.

3. The aforesaid Deputies of the Isle of France craving Explication of the 19th Canon in the first Chapter of our Discipline about the Conjunction of Churches and Consistories in the Houses of great Lord's and Princes, to the Churches and Consistories in the places of their abode. This Assembly dismisseth them to the practice of the third Canon framed in the National Synod of Montauban; the observations then and there made upon the Discipline, clearing up this very matter now in question.

4. The Province of Orleans and Berry reported, that several Proposans concluding from the seventh Canon, in the fifth Chapter of our Discipline, which had left it to the prudence of Consistories to admit Proposans into their Meetings, that they had therefore an undoubted right of entrance into Colloquies and Synods; and accordingly did demand it. This Assembly (leaving that Canon entire as it is) for divers weighty reasons, doth not judge expedient, that Proposans should have admission or session in our Colloquies, or Synods.

5. The Deputies of Normandy craving advice how to execute the sixteenth Canon in the fifth Chapter of our Discipline, and what censure should be inflicted on our Members, who Married after the Popish manner? The Assembly returned this Answer, That the Consciences of such persons should be followed with the most serious, lively, and effectual Counsels and Summons unto Repentance, both in public and private.

6. The Deputies of the Isle of France requesting, that a form of Excommunication might be framed by this Synod, in which those words, Delivered unto Satan, might be omitted. The matter was left wholly to the prudence of Consistories, to use such a Form as they should judge moll expedient.

7. At the request of the Province of Higher Languedoc, It was ordained, that these ensuing words should conclude the 26th Canon of the fifth Chapter of our Discipline, viz. And the same judgment shall be made of all other faults deserving public penance.

8. The Province of Cévennes demanding what manner of Censure should be inflicted on Elders, either in Office or discharged, who violate the 28th Canon in the fifth Chapter of our Discipline. This Assembly exhorts all Consistories to proceed against such persons, by all the Censures of the Church, even so far as to depose them from their Office, and for those that are out of Office, they shall most sharply reprove them, with threats of never being anymore admitted into the Eldership, and all Magistrates professing the Reformed Religion, shall be entreated not to require any such Confessions from our Pastors or Elders; and in case they should persist in those demands, they also shall be sharply censured by the Consistories.

9. Forasmuch as the last Canon in the fifth Chapter of our Discipline hath been never executed, notwithstanding the many Exhortations of our former National Synods. This Assembly doth most strictly injoin all the Deputies to notify unto their respective Provinces, that they do forthwith nominate and appoint one Pastor out of every Colloquy, to make a Collection of the most remarkable Providences that have fallen out these last years in their division, and to report them to the next Provincial Synod, that they may be sent unto Monsieur Rivet, Pastor of the Church of Thouars, who is ordered to receive them, and to compose a History of them, which shall be by him brought in unto the next National Synod.

10. The Deputies of Dauphiné made report of divers incouveniencies that have fallen out in choosing the Moderators of Synods and Colloquies with a low Voice, which manner of Election was conformable to the seventh Canon in the eighth Chapter of our Discipline, and they Petitioned that it might be lawful for them to act otherwise, viz. by a clear and audible Voice. This Assembly doth judge it inexpedient to make any change in that Canon, and all the Provinces be enjoined exactly to conform thereunto.

11. The Province of Dauphiné demanding that the sixteenth Canon in the eleventh Chapter of our Discipline, might be concluded with this Addition, That Consistories shall be enjoined to proceed against the transgressors of that Canon by all Church-Censures. The Assembly did not judge meet to make any additions to it: yet nevertheless all Consistories are charged to exhort the faithful to bring their Children unto Baptism as soon as conveniently they can. And such as disobey this Order, shall be suspended the Lord's-Supper.

12. The Province of Berry demanding that the seventh Canon in the 13th Chapter of our Discipline, might be explained, and that they might be directed how to govern themselves, when in the public Celebration of Marriage in our Churches, there is open opposition made against it. The Assembly leaveth it wholly to the prudence of the Consistories, to do therein as they shall think meet.

13. The Deputies of Normandy requesting that for the better executing the twentieth Canon, in the 13th Chapter of our Discipline, a certain time might be prefixed for the Celebrating of their Marriages, who, so they might marry, would therefore make profession of the Reformed Religion, especially when as we are very well satisfied of their knowledge. The Assembly did not think good to add anything unto the said Article, but leaveth it to the Consistories discretion, either to prolong or shorten the times, according as they shall be satisfied with the knowledge and piety of those persons.

14. Forasmuch as we see daily, to our grief and sorrow, Impiety, Lukewarmness, and indifference in Religion, not only to creep in, but to grow upon us more and more, to the great dishonor of the glorious Name of God, and the indelible reproach of the true Religion. All the Churches are most expressly enjoined to observe punctually, and with the exactest care, the 13th and 14th Canons in the last Chapter of the Discipline, without any acceptation of persons, and to give in an account thereof unto Colloquies and Synods, who are ordered to take notice of it, and to inflict the heaviest Censures upon those Consistories, which neglect this their bounden duty.

15. The Deputies of the Isle of France craving advice about the difficulties met by them in executing the 32d Article of the 14th and last Chapter of our Discipline, which enjoineth a speedy publication of their suspension from the Lord's Table, who either give or take a Challenge to fight a Duel: This Assembly distinguishing between them whose offense is known only to a few particular persons, and those who have publicly committed it before the Sun, and which is known to the whole World, exhorteth Consistories to judge prudently in the Case; so that the Discipline of our Churches may not be violated.

16. Our Church-Discipline having been read distinctly, word by word, was approved in all its Articles, and sworn to by all the Deputies of the Provinces, both for themselves, and for those who were represented by them; and they were all exhorted to see it most exactly kept and observed; whereof they all gave good assurance, and promised to be with their whole power assisting to it.

CHAP. V. Reflections on reading the Acts of the last National Synod, Celebrated at Tonneins.

1. THE Deputies of the Isle of France read an Act of theirs in this Assembly, and reported what was done by them in execution of that Commission, which had been given them, and the Provincial Deputies of Anjou to censure the Church and Consistory of Tours, and Monsieur Coupe Pastor of the said Church, for not obeying the Decree of the Province of Anjou, concerning the deputation of Monsieur Coupe, unto the National Synod of Tonneins, and declared farther, how that the said Deputies of Anjou had not assisted them in the least in it. This Assembly approving all that hath been done by the said Deputies of the Isle of France, doth charge the next Provincial Synod of Anjou to hear what the said Deputies of Anjou can say for themselves, and why they had not joined with them in executing the said Commission, with which they were equally entrusted with the Deputies of the Isle of France.

2. Forasmuch as the third Article of Observations, made by the National Synod of Tonneins, on the Acts of that of Privas, was omitted by him, who dictated the said Acts: This Assembly thought good to insert them into the Acts of this present Synod, which it doth in these following words. As for that Canon which gives way to Elders, the Pastor being refused because of exceptions taken at him, to judge of differences, even unto suspension from the Lord s Supper; the Province of Lower Languedoc demanding, that some change might be made in it: This Assembly Ordained, that it should abide in those very self same words in which it was couched at first.

3. The Province of Britain complaining of a Judgment past by the Provincial Synod of Anjoy, in executing a Decree of the National Synod of Tonneins, was now heard, in what it had more to say and offer unto this Assembly; But when they had done, the judgment of the said Province of Anjou, for dividing the Church of Montague from that of Viellevigne, was confirmed; And the Church of Viellevigne is admonished to contribute lovingly towards the maintenance of their Pastor; and in case of their inability, the Province of Britain shall make provision for him out of the monies apportioned to them from his Majesty's liberality; and those private persons who will join themselves unto the said Church of Viellevigne, shall not for time to come, at their will and pleasure, depart from it, to be joined in Communion with that of Montague.

4. The Deputies of the Province of Dauphiné, gave notice unto this Assembly, that their Synod had seen and perused the History of the Waldenses and Albigenses, collected by Monsieur Perrin; but it was not printed nor distributed according to the Order given the said Monsieur Perrin, by the National Synod of Tonneins. Now it is Ordained, That the said History shall be sent unto our Honoured Brethren, the Pastors and Professors in the Church and University of Geneva, who shall be desired by the Synod of Dauphiné to peruse it; and whereas the said Monsieur Perrin requests a sum of money towards the Printing of the said Book, The Province of Dauphiné is enjoined to solicit it's impression, for there can be nothing more given or added by us, to what was formerly granted by the Synod of Privas.

5. A Canon of the Synod of Tonneins was read, concerning the Appeal of Monsieur Margonne, sometimes Pastor in the Province of Burgundy, but since withdrawn unto the Church of Chastillon, on the Loire, in the Province of Berry; which Canon had ordained that the said Province of Berry, should give unto that of Burgundy, a Proposan before the next Provincial Synod: The said Province of Burgundy reported, that they having no information given them of the time and place when the Synod of Berry met, they could not demand them to fulfil the conditions and terms enjoined in that Canon; wherefore they besought this Assembly to confirm the aforesaid Canon, which it also did, and enjoined the very next Provincial Synod of Berry, fully to answer and satisfy the Contents and Import of the said Canon of Tonneins.

6. The Province of Vivaretz requesting, that the Censure imposed on them by the National Synod of Tonneins, might be reversed, and took off the File, and that the Letters of Monsieur de la Faye, Pastor of the Church of Aubenas, on whose account the said Censure was decreed, might be read, he joining together with the Province in this their request; This Assembly considering that the discontents on all hands are now appeased, and desiring the weal and repose of the said Province, and particularly of the Church of Aubenas, hath granted them their demand.

7. That Act of the National Synod of Tonneins being read, about the difference between Monsieur du Moulin and Tilenus, on which the Lord of Plessis-Marly had been entreated to contrive away for Reconciling them by calling in some of the Neighbor Pastors, together with the Professors in the University of Saumur. Monsieur Rivet tendered unto this Assembly a Letter on this subject from the said Lord du Plessis, by which he informs them of what he had done in it, and how that the Sieurs Fleury, Le Bloy, Rivett, Rerilla • , and Bouchereau, Pastors in the Church of Loudun, Angers, Touars, of the Isle Bouchart, and Saumur, and the late Monsieur Craig, Professor of Divinity in the University of Saumur, had been called in by him unto his Assistance in this affair, from which at last there resulted a good Accord between both the Parties, who were mutually reconciled in points of Doctrine, notwithstanding that some harsh words, if rigorously taken, and badly understood, might be drawn contrary to their avowed sense and sentiments. Thanks were ordered, in the name of this Synod, to be returned unto the Illustrious Lord Du Plessis, and to the R. Reverend Monsieur Rivet, our Moderator, now present; and the same also should be rendered unto his Collegues, by the Deputies of their Province, and special notice hereof should be given by everyone of them unto their Synodical Assemblies, that so thanks might be offered up unto God unanimously, and as it were with one mouth, and humbly to beg of his most glorious Majesty, that this sacred Concord might not only be confirmed by an uniform judgment between these two Eminent Members, but also betwixt all the rest of our Body. However afterward Tilenus deserted the Communion of our Churches, and died in that of the Arminians.

8. Letters shall be written from this Assembly unto the Lord Mareschall Duke of Lesdiguieres, entreating him to recommend unto his Royal Highness the Duke of Savoy, the poor Protestants banished out of the Marquisate of Saluces, beseeching him, that he would be pleased to permit them, out of his Royal Favor, to return unto their Houses and Inheritance; and that he would grant unto them their former Liberty of Conscience in the Service and Worship of God.

CHAP. VI. Appeals.

1. AN Appeal being brought by the Church of St. Fulgent, from the Sentence given out against them, in the Provincial Synod of Poitou, held at Touars, which had ordained, that Monsieur de la Beguadiere, should continue with the Church of Montague. This Assembly having seen the Memoirs of the said Church of St. Fulgent, produced by the Provincial Deputies of Britain, and heard the said de la Begaudiere speak for himself, judgeth that the Appeal ought not to be admitted, and confirmeth the Decree of the said Provincial Synod of Touars, yet it doth also ordain, that the Province of Poitou ought to consider the necessity of that Church of St. Fulgent, lest it should be at last dissipated for want of a Pastor.

2. The Church of Rochefoucault, appealing from a Decree of the Provincial Synod of Saintonge, held at Rochelle, which had ordained, that the College there established should be transferred unto the Town of Pons, and the City and Church of St. John d' Angely appealing from the said Ordinance, and demanding that the College might be fixed with them. This Assembly judgeth that the said Province ought not to have made the said Translation, and therefore confirmeth unto the Church of Rochefoucault the College until the sitting of the next National Synod, when, in case it shall appear, that the said College hath not been well-maintained, nor the youth duly educated and instructed; The said Synod may remove it unto that place where they conceive it will be most beneficial to the Church and Province: and the Church of St. John d' Angely, are exhorted to erect of themselves a College, since God hath blessed them with means and ability for so doing, and the National Synod taking notice of their duty in this particular, shall give them such Encouragement as in its wisdom shall be judged needful.

3. Monsieur Beauchamp Pastor of the Church of Belin, appealed from the judgment of the Province of Britain, and his Appeal was received, although his affair were of that kind, which might be decided finally by the Neighbor Province. This Synod therefore amending the Judgment of the aforesaid Province, ordaineth, That Supplicatory Letters shall be written unto the Lord Duke of Rohan, that the Intendant of his Household do perform the Agreement which was made with the said Monsieur Beauchamp; and in case it be not done, that then the Province shall see him satisfied; because that during these four years wherein the said Sieur Beauchamp hath officiated as Minister in the Family of the said Lord Duke, the Province received that portion of Moneys from the Kings Bounty, which belonged to the said Monsieur Beauchamp.

4. The Sieur Mahaut had his Appeal admitted against the Judgment of the Province of Britain, although he was freed from it, and set in the Catalogue of Pastors to be disposed of and provided for by this National Synod; and in case before the breaking up of this Assembly he be not presented unto a Church, he shall be wholly at his own Liberty, to dispose of himself in any Province of this Kingdom, where God shall be pleased to call him. And the Lord of Kandel is requested to retain in his hands a portion belonging unto Ministers to be paid into that Province where ever he shall be employed as a Pastor. And for as much as the Province of Britain hath received in his name the moneys granted us from his Majesty's Bounty, they shall make him restitution, and reimburse him all the arrears of his portion free of all Costs, Taxes, and Charges whatsoever, deducting only what he hath received of that money from the time in which he quitted the Church of La Mussaye until now.

5. The Church of St. Martyn appealed from a Decree of the Synod of Cévennes, which had separated it from the Churches of Brenons and La Molouze. This Assembly approved of that their Decree, but yet injoineth the said Province to take care that the Ministry of the Gospel of Christ be constantly kept up in the Church of St. Martyn, and that they do give them all necessary supplies out of the monies of his Majesty's Bounty assigned unto the said Province.

6. Monsieur Clemenceau Pastor of the Church of Poitiers, appealing from the Synod of Poitou, which in prejudice to the Colloquy of Higher Poitou had ordered 50 l. to be taken out of the 150 Livers, assigned by the said Colloquy to the Son of the said Sieur Clemenceau, and given unto the Son of Monsieur de Faure, Pastor of the Church of Aubenas: This Assembly ratifying the judgment of the said Colloquy reverseth that of the Synod, which is enjoined out of their own stock, attributed to them, to raise fifty Livers for the young le Favre.

7. The Church of Niort appealing from the Judgment of the Province of Poitou, which refused to allow them their charges which they had disbursed in getting a supply during the absence of Monsieur Chauffepied their Pastor, who was sent unto the last political Assembly. This Synod declares that this affair is of that kind which ought to be finally determined by a Neighbor Province: but yet for some weighty reasons and motives it doth at present accept of their Appeal, and amending the Decree of that Provincial Synod, ordaineth that the Canon made in the National Synod of Tonneins be put in Execution; and whereas the said Church of Niort have been at needless Expences in seeking Ministers to supply them abroad, without the Province, all their Costs and Charges shall be limited and restrained to the sum of two hundred Livers, to be paid them out of the monies allotted unto the said Province, nor shall Monsieur Chauffepied be at all obliged to make any restitution out of the monies given him for his pains and travel unto the said General Assembly.

8. The Church of Chastelheraut appealing from a judgment of the Province of Poitou, their Appeal was admitted, notwithstanding it had been decreed otherwise in former National Synods. Though still the Provinces be exhorted to conform themselves unto their Orders, of else they shall be remanded back re infectâ, whoever bring unto these Assemblies matters which may and ought to be judged in a Neighbor Province; and therefore amending the Sentence of the Synod of Poitou, it ordaineth, that whereas the Church of Chastelheraut had exhibited an hundred Livers towards the maintenance of a certain Fellow named Pichon, formerly a Franciscan Friar, the Province of Poitou shall reimburse the said Church the sum of fifty Livers.

9. Monsieur Paul Bonnet formerly Pastor in the Church of Saujon, appealing from the judgment of the Colloquy of the Isles, and since from that of the Provincial Synod of