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

CHAP. VII. A Speech made unto the King by the Deputies of the National Synod of the Reformed Churches in France, together with his Majesty's Answer to it, the 27th of May, 1617.

THE National Synod held at Vitre, in the Province of Britain, having deputed unto his Majesty Messieurs Peter Hesperian, Pastor of the Church of St. Foy in the Lower Guienne; Denis de Bouteroue, Pastor of the Church at Grenoble in Dauphiné; Albert de Mars, Esq Lord of Balene, Elder of the Church at Maringues in the Upper Auvergne, and William Gerard Esq Lord of Moussac, Elder in the Church of Moussac, and Province of Lower Languedoc: they were admitted into his Majesty's presence the 27th day of the same Month, and the said Mr. Hesperian did express himself in these words unto the King.

Monsieur Hesperian having finished his Speech, his Majesty returned this Answer: Do you continue to serve me faithfully, and you may be well assured, that I will be a good and kind King unto you, and that I will preserve you according to my Edicts. And taking from him the Letter which the Synod had written him, he gave it to Monsieur de Pontchartrain, commanding him to read it, and return an Answer to it.

Printed by Abraham Saugrain living in St. James his Street, over against the three Sawcers, according to the Licence given the 16th of June 1617. and Signed by H. de Mesmes.

CHAP. VIII. General Matters.

1. THE Motion of Lower Languedoc, for certain new Canons about Divorces, was not accepted.

2. This Assembly Ordained, at the request of the same Province, that such Parents who choose for their Children's Baptism Sureties of the Romish Religion, though they appear not in Person, but by their Proxies of the Reformed Religion, shall be prosecuted, both Parents and Proxies, with all Church-Censures.

3. Notice shall be given in all our Churches, to take special heed, that they give no Attestation unto the Moors (banished out of Spain, and who wander from one Church to another) till they be very well satisfied of their Religion, and religious Conversation; and such as have been already received, and make their abode in any of our Churches, shall be once more examined with all possible care, as to their Faith, and Knowledge, and Life, and in all Attestations that shall be given them, express mention shall be made of their having been baptized, and of the number of their Children.

4. The Deputies of Saintonge moved, whether Moors and other Infidels, that were brought away by pure force out of their Native Country into Christendom, and baptized by Popish Priests, without any previous Instructions in the Doctrines of Christian Religion, ought to be Rebaptized, they having been since duly Catechized by our Protestant Ministers. This Assembly, though it acknowledgeth abundance of defaults in their Baptism, doth yet notwithstanding hold, that such persons ought not to be rebaptized. And therefore those Churches unto whom these poor Wretches be presented, are advised to take all possible care, that they be well principled in the Faith of our Lord Jesus.

5. At the request of the Provincial Deputies of Anjou, and of the Isle of France. This Assembly ordained, that the Decree of the National Synod of Saumur shall be still in force, which was couched in these words,

6. At the request of the Province of Berry all the Provinces are enjoined to extend their Equity and Charity towards the poorer Churches, in their distributions of the Kings money, and in their allowances for expenses in travel unto the general Assemblies, whether they be Political or Ecclesiastical.

7. The Deputies of Burgundy demanded whether a Patron might with a good Conscience sell away his right of Presentation unto any Rectory or Benefice, provided he dispose of those moneys unto pious uses. It was answered, that he might warrantably do it. For it was thus decreed in the National Synod of Vitre, in the year 1583.

8. The same Province of Burgundy demanded that a special Canon might be made for direction how we should receive, and what maintenance we should exhibit unto Monks, who come unto us from foreign parts. Order was given unto the Provinces where such Fellows first come, to examine them most strictly, and to see whether they be fit for the study of Divinity, that so they may be supplied with maintenance accordingly, or to employ them in other Callings according to their Capacities; and the said Provinces shall give account of them unto the National Synods, that they may dispose of them as of their own Peculiar.

9. The Province of Higher Languedoc moving it, all the Churches are enjoined to suppress, with the greatest care imaginable, all manner of Insolencies, such as they call Charivary 's Redemptions of Marriage, and the like: and they, who after admonitions prove incorrigible, shall be prosecuted with all Ecclesiastical Censures; and Magistrates professing the reformed Religion are entreated to exert their Authority, so as to hinder or punish such Scandals.

10. The Deputies of the said Province demanding, that Ministers ordained abroad, without the Kingdom, might not be permitted to exercise their Ministry in our Churches at home, without subjecting their Testimonials unto the Examination of Colloquies, or Provincial Synods. The Assembly ordered, that all the Provinces should yield exact Conformity unto the ninth Article of Observations upon the Discipline made by the Synod of Gap on that of Gergeau.

11. At the request of the forementioned Deputies, the Professors in our Universities are ordered not to be too easy in giving their Testimonials unto Scholars, but first of all carefully to examine their parts, proficiency, and conversations, and according to the progress they have made in Humanity, Philosophy, and Divinity, and as they shall merit, to give them their Attestations.

12. On a Remonstrance exhibited by the Deputies of Normandy, it is ordained, that if a Pastor have given his Ministry unto any one particular Church, he shall not leave it at his pleasure, but shall first demand and obtain the advice and consent of his Colloquy, or Provincial Synod in the matter, and in case they judge of its expediency, he may remove.

13. This Assembly ordaineth, that Catechising be more frequently used in all our Churches than ever, and that the manner of expounding it, whether Sermon-wise, or by Questions and Answers, is wholly left to the prudence of the respective Consistories, who are to consider of the capacities and apprehensions of the Children in their Churches.

14. Forasmuch as divers notable errors have been met withal in the Impressions of whole Bibles, and of the New-Testament singly, and of the Psalm-Books; The Consistories of those Churches, which have a Printing Press belonging to them, are enjoined to look carefully to it, that their Printers have good Overseers and Correctors of the Press, and that they Print with a fair Character, and a good Paper: And particularly the Pastors of the Church of Montauban are charged to call in all the Copies of the New Testament, Printed in their City, in Octavo, and to suppress them, because of the many and frequent faults in that Impression, which quite alter and pervert the sense, and because of the evil Consequence, if that Impression should be vended; and in answering the Letters of our Brethren the Pastors and Professors in the City and University of Geneva, this Clause shall be inserted, that we earnestly desire them to over see the Impressions of the Holy Bible, of the New Testaments, and Psalm Books, that they may for the future be more correct than heretofore.

15. The Deputies of the Isle of France demanding that the second part of the fifth Canon in the sixth Chapter of the Discipline might be a little qualified; This Assembly did not think fit to make any alteration in it: but exhorts Consistories, Colloquies, and Synods, to use it unto Godly Edifying.

16. The Deputies of Anjou and Poitou remonstrating how exceeding needful it is, that our Universities should be supplied with able Professors in Divinity: This Assembly exhorts the Provinces to come prepared for this Debate unto the next National Synod, and in the mean while to consider how to raise a Fund for the maintenance of some Scholars of great parts and hopes, who may be wholly destinated unto this work, or to find out some better expedient, if they can.

17. Complaints coming to us from divers hands, that the Pensions paid by Scholars in the University of Saumur, are so very high, and the expense so exceeding great, that many cannot, and others will not send their Children to it. This Assembly chargeth Monsieur Rivet, Lanusse, and de la Pilletierre, that in their way homeward to their respective Provinces, they do visit the University Council of Saumur, and report unto them these Complaints, and to assure them, that in case they do not take some effectual course for moderating those excessive rates for lodging, diet, and washing, the next National Synod will advise about it; and transfer the said University to a cheaper and more convenient place.

18. The Deputies of Béarn brought with them a History of our Martyrs collected by that Province in the year fifteen hundred sixty and nine. This Assembly ordained, that it be sent unto Monsieur Goulark Pastor of Geneva, that it may be added to the next Impression of our Martyrology.

19. For the right understanding of those Canons made by the Synods of Rochelle, in the year sixteen hundred and seven, and at Tonneins in the year sixteen hundred and fourteen, concerning a fixed Rule about the quota to be exhibited unto Monks for the defraying of their expenses, who abandoning their Convents do come and embrace the Protestant Religion, and live in Communion with our Churches: This Assembly ordaineth, that for the future the Churches and Provinces which first received them, shall not have any power to redemand the charges they have been at about them from those Provinces in which they were born.

20. Forasmuch as the nine and twentieth Canon in the fifth Chapter of our Church-Discipline had ordained, that if any persons, professing the Protestant Religion, should cite their Pastors, or Elders, or the whole Consistory before the Civil Magistrate, to enforce them to bear witness against Delinquents, who had confessed their faults before them, that they should be prosecuted with all Church-Censures, yea even as far as Excommunication. This Assembly doth farther injoin all the Churches to prosecute such persons with the very self-same Censures, who that they may avoid the Censures of their Consistories, do arm themselves with Prohibitions from the Civil Magistrate, although the matters for which they be censured are purely Ecclesiastical, and not belonging to the Civil Tribunal or Jurisdiction.

21. All Ministers are forbidden to vent in the Pulpit their private Sentiments of State-affairs, it being contrary to the Resolutions taken up in our general Assemblies. And Consistories, Colloquies, and Provincial Synods, are enjoined to have a watchful Eye over such Pastors as so do, and to inflict upon them all the Censures of the Church, yea and to suspend them from the Ministry; and the same punishment shall be also laid on them who in their public Sermons do clash one against another upon these matters.

22. The Deputies of Anjou demanded at what time Monks who are lately converted from Popery unto the truth of the Gospel, might be admitted to make their public abjuration. Answer was given by this Assembly, that it was left wholly to the Wisdom of the Consistory to act therein, according as they found such persons to have grown in Grace, and in the knowledge of God's Truth.

21. The Sieur de la Viale, one of the Deputies of Higher Languedoc, presented unto this Assembly Letters from Monsieur Chamier, Pastor and Professor of Divinity at Montauban, by which he informed us of the progress made by him in his body of Controversies, which he undertook at the entreaty of the last National Synod held at Rochell, and that there were three Volumes ready and fitted for the Press, the heads and matters of which were included in a particular Memorial, that was also tendered by him. The Assembly ordered their thanks to be returned him for his great and worthy labors, and that the two thousand Livers which had been formerly promised him by the Synod of Privas, should be kept by him as an encouragement for his travail, and to help defray his charges: and that the Church of God may be no longer deprived of his most singular and fruitful Labors, whose publication it hath most ardently desired these many years; The Consistories of Paris and Lions are ordered to treat with the Printers and Booksellers of their Cities, and with those of Geneva, or with their Company, who deal in such matters, to undertake the Impression of these three Volumes without delay, and to get them Printed either in Germany or Geneva; and in case they should demand monies to be paid them in before hand, they may oblige themselves to advance three thousand Livers, deposited for this purpose with the Lord of Kandel, unto those that will engage to finish the said Impression, provided, that as soon as it is finished, they do cause to be delivered into those afore-mentioned Consistories of Paris and Lions, according to the Articles Covenanted between them, so many entire and perfect Books, as will satisfy the aforesaid sum of three thousand Livers already received by them, at the rate of four deniers per sheet. And these Books lodged in the hands of those two Consistories shall be sold unto the Pastors of our Churches at a very moderate price; reserving always twelve complete Copies to be presented unto their Reverend and Learned Author, free of all costs and charges whatsoever. And farther those Consistories before-mentioned shall be accountable unto another National Synod for their receipt and disbursement of the sum aforesaid, and of the Books received and sold by them. And that this Excellent Work of Monsieur Chamier may be the sooner finished and wrought off at the Press, he is entreated to send speedily unto the abovementioned Consistories, the Titles of his Works, the number of Quires, and of Folio's in each Choir, together with one Folio-leaf of the same fairly written, that so an estimate may be made of the bulk of the whole. And these two Consistories having perused it, they shall consult together about the best and most advantaglous terms they can agree on with the Printers, which being signed, notice thereof shall be given unto Monsieur Chamier, with their request, that he would be pleased to send his Manuscript Copy unto such a place as they shall appoint him, at the charges of the Undertaker, who shall be reimburst, by deducting such a number of Books, at the rates before contracted for, as his charges amounted to in fetching the said Original Papers from their Reverend Author. And the said Printers shall be obliged to work off the whole Impression within the space of one year at the farthest, from the date of the Contract made with them.

24. In pursuance of this Order for Printing those worthy Labors of the most Reverend Chamier, Thomas Portau a Printer, living at Saumur, appeared in Person before this Assembly, and offered those terms unto it, which were accepted. Whereupon the Consistory of Saumur were charged to contract with him, taking therein the advice of the Lord du Plessis their Governor, and of Monsieur Rivet Pastor of the Church of Touars; and Monsieur Chamier shall be entreated to deliver unto the said Portau his Manuscript Copy, who on notice given him shall wait upon him for it, and at his own charges: And besides this Article, there shall be added these ensuing Conditions unto the Contract, stipulated with him, that he shall finish the Impression of these three Books against the next Mart of Franckfort, and that he shall bring them to the place appointed before the next Easter at the farthest, that he shall print them on fair and large Paper, which will hold ink without washing, such as that on which the Lord du Plessis his Book of the Eucharist was Printed, with as large a Margent, and weighing fifteen pounds a Ream, or there away; that the Character shall be such as that Little Cicero Printed by Colomies; that the Letters shall be new founded with which he begins the work, and to be renewed in the progress thereof, in case occasion do require it, and that the Consistory, contracting with him, do judge it needful; that the stamps for the Latin, Greek and Hebrew Quotations shall be all new and proportionable to the Work, that the Books, which according to the beforementioned Articles and Conditions he is to render unto the Churches, shall be kept at Saumar, there to be sold, and a part of them shall be sent by the said Portau to Lions and Rochell, and all of them delivered unto the respective Consistories of those Churches, who shall take care for their being distributed abroad among our Ministers. And in case Monsieur Chamier shall not deliver his Copy unto the said Fortau, then the Consistory of Paris is ordered to divide equally the three thousand Livers, remaining in the hands of the Lord du Kandel, and to send the respective dividend thereof unto the Provinces to whom it doth belong.

25. This Synod received Letters from the Gentlemen deputed by the Provinces unto the Assembly at Rochell, and Monsieur Preau, Pastor of the Church of Vitre Commissionated by them, reported their unanimous intentions and resolutions to live and die in the Union sworn by all the Churches, for which he was ordered to render them the hearty thanks of this Synod, and to assure them that we never had, nor will ever have any other end or aim, than firmly and inviolably to secure and promote this holy Union. And as touching that particular reported by the said Du Preau unto this Synod, by word of mouth, and by Letters from the said Assembly, how that the necessities of the day obliging them to send several Deputations unto Court, and elsewhere, whilst the six Provinces met, and since all the others have joined them, they were forced to borrow in one place five hundred Livers, and in another place two thousand Livers more, to defray their charges, and there will be a want of five hundred Livers more to make another, and their last Deputation unto Court, which they shall be constrained also to take up at Interest; For the payment of which sums the Deputies aforesaid, have, by an Act which was here presented us, bound and obliged the moneys given us by the Kings Liberality for the maintenance of our Ministers. This Assembly gives those Deputies to understand, that the disposal of this money is wholly and solely in the power of our National Synods, and of this in particular, and that not a penny of it can be disposed of by any Political Assembly whatsoever; yet notwithstanding (for some special reasons in this juncture, and not intending hereby to make a precedent of it for the future) the Lord du Kandel is ordered to pay unto the said Deputies the sum of three thousand Livers, and this only by way of Loan, that so their expenses may be cleared of: And whereas the six Provinces have borrowed five hundred Livers, this Synod can do nothing in it, because it was employed on a private concern of the City of Rochell, and by parity of reason, the other Provinces might as well demand a reimbursement of their charges also, expended by them on the like occasions. And our Lord's, the General Deputies, are entreated most humbly to Petition his Majesty, that the said three thousand Livers may be returned us again, and distributed among our Churches. Since this, the said Deputies assembled at Rochell, have writ unto this Synod by the Lord of Cusonnel, Deputy for Vivaretz, that now they had no need of the said sum of four thousand Livers demanded by them before. Whereupon advice was given to the Lord of Kandel, to furnish them only with two thousand one hundred Livers.

26. Monsieur du Preau did also represent the distressed estate of the City and Church of Sancerre, who by reason of their past sufferings, and to secure the possession of this Cautionary Town, were well-near undone, having borrowed so much moneys, and Mortgaged their Estates for the payment thereof, that without considerable assistance and relief from the Churches, they shall never be able to pay their Debts, nor to free their Estates from those great Incumbrances. The same also was attested by Letters from the Lord Baron of Belette, and by the Deputies of Berry. This Assembly considering that all the Churches are concerned in the preservation of this important place, exhorteth those Provinces which have not as yet charitably contributed towards their relief, to do it out of hand, and to remit the moneys Collected by them unto the Consistory of the said Church. And our General Deputies are requested to have an extraordinary care of that City for the future.

27. The same Monsieur du Preau complained to us from the Deputies, in the Assembly at Rochell, that Monsieur du Crest, Pastor of the Church of Manosques in Provence, did together with his Church and Consistory, oppose the Election of the Lord Baron of Semis, and of Monsieur Huron, a Pastor, to be Deputies unto the said Assembly. Whereupon an Order past, that those Pastors and Elders which were authorized by this Synod, viz. the Deputies of Lower Languedoc, to take cognizance of those many and great differences which are fallen out in the Province of Provence, should also examine this matter, and inflict such Censures as the Authors and Partners in these Divisions have incurred and deserved.

28. Moreover Monsieur de Preau informed us of the deplorable Estate of the Churches in Auvergne, which Information was confirmed by Monsieur Babat, Pastor in the Church of Issoyre, who came from them. This Synod having heard them both, and perused the Letters sent from the Assembly at Rochell, and those from the Consistory of Issoyre, and from the Lord Viscount of La Roche Courtan, all advising us or the most miserable Condition of those poor and persecuted Churches; It doth ordain, that whereas the Deputies of the Provinces assembled at Rochell have recommended this affair unto our Lord's the General Deputies, the Synod will in a more special manner take care of this, and be more concerned for it than for any other, and will Petition his Majesty, that Commissioners may be dispatched thither out of hand to cause the persecutions to cease, and that satisfaction may be given unto our poor Brethren, who have been so barbarously and cruelly tormented, and that his Majesty's Edicts may be vigorously and faithfully put in execution. And forasmuch as the Deputies of Cévennes, and the said Babat, have urged the necessity of settling two Pastors in those Churches aforesaid; this Synod ordaineth, that the Province of Cévennes, shall provide two Pastors for them, to be sent unto them immediately, one of which shall reside in the Town of Issoyre, and the other shall serve the Churches of the Mountain, according as it shall be prescribed them by the said Province. And that those two Pastors may have a comfortable maintenance, this Synod, continuing the Decree of the former National Synods, which had appointed four Portions, free of all charges, for those Churches of the Upper Auvergne, doth add a fifth for their Encouragement. Which five Portions shall be received by the said Province, and paid into the very hands of those Pastors, to each of them the sum of five hundred Livers. And the remaining Portions shall be distributed, by those Provinces, towards the necessities of those said Churches, and all this to be duly and continually performed until the meeting of the next National Synod. And in the mean while the respective Members of those Churches shall be pressed to contribute towards the maintenance of their Pastors, and they shall give an account of their duty herein unto the next National Synod. And whereas the said Monsieur Babat requests that he may be discharged from the service of those Churches, he was ordered to continue the exercise of his Ministry among them until the meeting of the approaching Synod of Cévennes, by which, in case he then desire it, he may be set at liberty, and another substituted in his place. However, till the sitting of that Provincial Synod, the said Babat shall wholly serve the Town Issoyre as its proper Pastor, and the Colloquy of St. Germain shall give another Pastor to supply the Churches of the Mountain. And forasmuch as the said Babat hath been at great expenses in travelling unto this Synod, and to the Assembly of Rochell, the Lord of Kandel is ordered to pay him an hundred Livers out of the mass of moneys belonging to all our Churches. And as for that demand of the Deputies, that a Fund might be given them for the raising and fixing of a College at Issoyre; This Assembly cannot do it, because that having eased many persons among them of the charge in maintaining their Ministers, they may very well, as in Conscience they are bound, and we also exhort them to do, take care of this matter themselves.

CHAP. IX. The King's Letter to the Synod.

THE third of June, Messieurs Hesperien, and Bouteroue, Pastors, and Balene and Moussac, Elders, deputed by this Assembly unto the King, returned hither, and notified unto us with how much kindness and favor they were received by his Majesty, and having declared to him their Commission, and delivered their Memoirs and Instructions, he heard, and answered them very graciously, as appears by his Majesty's Letter brought with them unto this Assembly, and they had the thanks and applause of all the Deputies in it for their most affectionate care, faithfulness and diligence in the discharge of their Commission. And because it very much imported our Churches to be particularly informed of that good will and love his Majesty bears them, that so they may be in an extraordinary manner stirred up to praise and bless the Lord for it, and own and acknowledge themselves to be more strictly obliged to fidelity and perseverance in their obedience and subjection due unto his Majesty, and to pray more heartily for the augmentation of his Majesty's Prosperity and Grandeur: This Assembly ordained, that the Letter which it pleated his Majesty to write us should be transcribed, and Copies thereof sent abroad among the Churches, which is here inserted word for word in this present Article.

2. The Deputies of Saintonge demanded a Decree, that no Colloquy might hence forward separate any particular Congregation which was annexed, to conjoin it unto another, without the previous advice and authority of a Provincial Synod. This Assembly finding their demand very Equitable, did Ordain, that this should be an Universal Canon, binding all Colloquies and Churches.

3. Divers Persons of Quality having moved it, that inasmuch as our Mechanics are obliged, by the Kings Edict, to forbear working on the Festivals of the Romish Church, over and besides the Lord's day; It is left unto the prudence of Consistories to Congregate the People, on such Holy-Days, either to hear the word Preached, or to join in common public Prayers, as they shall find to be most expedient. And whereas Complaints are made us, that in some Churches before Sermon they sing part of the Psalm, and reserve the last Verse for conclusion of the Exercise. This Assembly enjoins all the Churches to sing out the whole pause, and to conform themselves as much as may be to the ancient Order.

4. Monsieur de Bertreville, our General Deputy, came unto this Synod the sixth day of June, and took his place in it according to the Canons of our National Synods, and had his Vote of deliberation and decision, and sware, and subscribed the Oath of Union of the Reformed Churches of this Kingdom.

5. The Lord of Bertreville, our General Deputy, declared to us, that the King's Letters Patents, though granted, for exempting our Ministers from payment of Taxes, were not as yet verified, nor delivered into his hands, nor unto his Colleague the Lord of Maniald. This Assembly doth earnestly entreat them to use all needful means to get them dispatched as soon as possible.

6. Whereas the National Synod of Tonneins had enjoined all the Provinces to consider of a Proposal made by several great Persons both at home and abroad, touching the most proper means of entertaining a good Correspondence with all Orthodox Churches, and to procure a good Union in Doctrine betwixt us and them, and to invite over, unto the same Communication, even those that are of a different persuasion from us. All the Provinces declared what had been done by them as to this matter. This Assembly did thereupon judge expedient, that we should make a little halt, till such time as those, who had first made these Overtures, did prosecute this affair with more vigor. And in the mean while, Monsieur Rivett, Pastor of the Church of Touars, Chauves, Pastor of the Church in Sommieres, Chamier, Pastor and Professor in the Church and University of Montalban, and du Moulin, Pastor of the Church of Paris, are nominated a Committee, and to consult of such a project as will best conduce to the accomplishing of this design. After which (in case they be summoned and called forth unto this work) they shall all meet together at Saumur, and conjointly with the Lord du Plessis, and the Pastors and Professors of Divinity in that Church and University deliberate about it; and shall draw put a Plot of it, which shall be sent into every Province, there to be perused and debated by their Synods, that so their Deputies may come prepared for it unto the next National Synod.

7. Whereas divers Provinces had charged their Deputies to demand of this Assembly a National Fast to be celebrated in all the Churches of this Kingdom: Now for that it hath pleased God to turn away his wrath from us, and to give us manifest tokens of his goodness, it was not judged expedient at this time to proclaim a General Fast, but (according to the Canons of our National Synods) that Province whose right it is to Convene the next National Synod, is ordered to consult with our Lord's the General Deputies about it, who are entreated (that in case any emergent Providence doth summon the Churches to sanctify an extraordinary Fast) to confer with the Consistory of Paris about it, and to acquaint the said Province therewith, whose Synod being assembled, and resolving on it, they shall give notice of the time for its Celebration unto all the other Provinces.

8. The Deputies of the Churches in the Principality of Béarn, gave in their reasons, wherefore they had not accepted that privilege of calling this present National Synod, which was at their request granted them by the last held at Tonneins, and on those terms and condition mentioned in the Article of the said Synod. This Assembly did not now •• dge it reasonable that those Churches should be subject to the Discipline of our Churches in this Kingdom, or that for the present they should immed •••• y depend on our National Synods. But nevertheless they shall give in their final resolutions, what they intend to do, unto the next National Synod, and in case they be of the same mind then as they are now, this Assembly declareth, that their Deputies may have the privilege of sitting and voting in our National Synods, upon this Condition, that they shall first ask leave of the Provinces to give in their Suffrages in such Cases as concern the Churches of this Kingdom.

9. It was told in this Assembly how much the Church of Sancerre was oppressed by the Earl of Marans, one of whose men had but a few days since assassinated a very Eminent Member of that Church. It was immediately judged necessary to write unto his Majesty about it, and that the Lord of Bertreville, our General Deputy, should deliver with his own hands unto the King this our Letter, and most humbly Petition his Majesty, that Sancerre may be kept up as one of our Cautionary Towns, by his supreme Authority, and that the Inhabitants thereof may enjoy peace and quietness, since it hath pleased God to give it unto the rest of his Majesty's Subjects, and our General Deputies shall be very urgent for it.

10. That Canon of our Church-Discipline binding Ministers to a personal residence on their Churches shall be most exactly observed by all the Provinces. And whereas this hath been broken by too many, and principally in the Higher Languedoc, divers of their Pastors living at Montauban, and not with their flocks, everyone of these are enjoined to depart from thence with their Families unto those places where their Churches are gathered, and this at the farthest within three months after that this Canon of the present Synod shall have been signified to them, and the Consistory of the Church of Montauban is ordered to give notice thereof unto all these Non-Residents inhabiting their City. And in case they refuse to yield obedience unto it, we declare them from this very instant suspended the holy Ministry. And Colloquies and Synods shall immediately upon such suspension provide a supply of Pastors for those vacant Churches, who shall oblige themselves personally to reside among them. And the said Consistory of Montauban shall notify unto the Churches the suspension of their Pastors, and that they have full power to choose and call in any other according to the Canons of our Church-Discipline. And the next National Synod shall be informed by the Provinces of their duty in this particular.

11. To obviate the Complaint made by several Provinces, how that their Commissioners having received their moneys from the Lord of Kandel, do keep it in their own hands longer than they ought, denying many times that they have received any from him: The said Lord du Kandel is desired, that either himself, or his Commissioners would be pleased to send a Copy of their Receipts, as soon as they be given him or them, unto such persons in every Province as shall be named to him for this purpose. That so the Province may be certainly informed at what time, and to whom he paid in their moneys, and the poorer Churches may not be left unpaid and unprovided for divers Months together, as they have been by the wickedness of those Receivers Commissionated by the Provinces upon the pretexts but now mentioned.

12. Forasmuch as divers Deputies in this Assembly declared that they brought not with them moneys enough to defray their Charges during this Session. The Deputy of the Lord du Kandel being how in Town, was ordered to supply them, and that out of the Dividend belonging to their Provinces, for which sums so received by them, they shall be accountable unto their respective Provinces.

13. Whereas we are at present necessitated to be at unusual expenses, in dispatches, deputations, and extraordinary businesses for the Churches, this Assembly requireth the Lord of Kandel to pay in unto our Lord's the General Deputies the sum of four hundred Livers at one entire payment, it being to be disposed by them as they shall have occasion between this and the next National Synod.

14. Several Deputies informed this Assembly how they were charged by their Provinces to request that some speedy course might be took with the Sieur Pallott, to compel him to make Restitution of those great sums owing by him unto the Churches, according as it appears from the Accompts Examined by the Commissioners thereunto appointed. Farther, a certain Person offered himself to prosecute him at Law at his own charges, and to be accountable for the whole unto the next National Synod, and demanded none other recompense for his pains therein, than what the Synod should freely give him, and that too according to the profit redounding by this his service unto the Churches. The Assembly though it liked well of this offer, yet it gave Order to the Deputies of the Higher and Lower Languedoc, of Cévennes, of Dauphiné, of Burgundy, Vivaretz, Provence, and of the Isle of France, in their way homeward to their respective Provinces, that they should step in at Paris, and assemble the Consistory of that Church, and the Lord's General Deputies, and confer all together of the best and most proper means whereby to induce the said Palot to make payment of those very great sums, whether it were by persuasions used to him, or by accepting of such a Composition as shall be offered by him, or by some others for him. And in case they cannot before their departure from Paris conclude the matter with him, through straits of time; They shall give Letters of Attorney unto the said Consistory, and to the General Deputies, to treat with any person that shall make the most beneficial and advantageous offers for the Churches, according to the Articles and Agreements inserted into their Letter of Attorney. And notice shall be given of what is done in this affair unto all the Provinces.

15. The Sieurs de la Nusse, Jolly, and Parris, Pastors, and St. Lazare, De la Buissiere, and de la Baterne, are constituted a Committee to Audit the Accompts of our Colleges and Universities.

16. The Provincial Deputies of Dauphiné are charged to desire the Lord Mareschal of Lesdiguieres, to cause the Accompts of the Soldiers lying in Garrison in the Cautionary Towns of that Province, to be dispatched out of hand unto the Lord's General Deputies; who have never had any correspondence with the said Lord Mareschal since they have been in office. But this present Article is rased out of the original.

CHAP. X. Of particular Matters.

1. THE Lord of Monis, Governor of Pons, having writ unto this Assembly of his great known expenses in keeping and repairing the Town of Pons, and desiring that he might be reimbursed. An Answer was sent him to this effect, That this Synod could not, though it would, give him any satisfaction, because the moneys which are in its disposal, do belong unto the Ministry, and cannot be diverted to any other use. However we will entreat the Lord's General Deputies to address themselves unto the King on his behalf, that so his Majesty may be pleased to grant him 〈◊〉 Order for the reimbursement of his charges.

2. Simeon Conte of St. Damian, one of the Refugees of the Marquisate of Saluces, presented a Petition on behalf of Monsieur Bernardin Moilleur, another Refugee of the same Marquisate (as appeared by his Attestation from the Church de la Tour de la Serre, dated the 14th of October, 1616.) craving relief for him from this Assembly: But it in no wise approved that the said Conte should run up and down from one Church unto another begging their Charities, forasmuch as the Churches of this Kingdom have already contributed, and with very great liberality, towards the maintenance of the Exiles of that Marquisate, and therefore commanded him to depart. However it orders that sixty Livers shall be taken out of our Churches stock, and delivered unto Monsieur Chambrun, one of the Pastors in the Church of Nismes, to be given unto the Son of the said Monsieur Bernardin Moilleur, who is a Student in the University of Nismes, to encourage him in his studies.

3. The Lady Dutchess of Tremouille is entreated by this Assembly to write unto the Prince of Orange, that his Excellency would be pleased to show that kindness unto the Sieurs Julian and Alary, and their Families, as to give them leave to return and dwell in his City of Orange, and to enjoy their Estates and Offices as formely. She is also entreated to write unto Prince Maurice, and to the Lord Duke of Tremouille her Son, that they would join their requests with hers unto his Excellency for the same purpose. And the Lord Mareschal Duke of Bouillon, shall be writ unto from us, entreating him to improve his Interest with his Excellency on the behalf of those poor distressed Gentlemen.

4. Ascanius Allion was heard in his Complaints against the Province of Dauphiné, as also the Deputies of the said Province in their defense against him. Whereupon this Assembly advised the said Allion to carry himself with more meekness and moderation, and to subject himself unto the Discipline of our Church, and in case he refuse obedience to it, that then the Province shall censure him according to his demerits. And because of his Poverty, this Synod ordered thirty Livers to be given him, but withal enjoined him immediately to return to his own home, and not to trouble us anymore with his needless Company.

5. Quintin Mareschall, a Printer, presented unto this Assembly a certain Article of the Provincial Synod of Berry, held at Chastillon upon the Loir, whereby he was ordered to Petition this National Synod for some moneys to set his Press at work. This Assembly not approving of that Article, doth however order that Province to give the said Quintin, once for all, at one entire payment, fifty Livers.

6. Monsieur Imbert appeared in person before this Assembly, and declared on what terms and conditions he was received into the Province of the Isle of France, and that he should be at his own liberty at what time he pleased to leave it; which yet hath been since contested by the said Province. However he is now discharged by them from the Church of La Ferte, and lent by the Colloquy of Beausse to the Church of Orleans, until the sitting of this Synod. The Deputies of the Isle of France claimed a right of redemanding him, as now they did: And on the contrary, those of Berry, and the Deputies of Orleans insisted, that he might be fixed in the Church of Orleans, because of the singular success and fruitfulness of his Ministry, and the very great necessity whereunto they were reduced, before the good Providence of God sent them this worthy Minister. This Assembly adjudgeth Monsieur Imbert unto the Church of Orleans for their proper Pastor, and injoineth the Province of Berry, to give unto the Isle of France, between this and the next National Synod, a Proposan sit to be employed by them in the sacred Ministry.

7. The Province of Cévennes declared unto this Assembly, that they were ordered by the National Synod of St. Maixant, to receive three Portions for the Churches of Auvergne, and to pay them in unto them, which they have done all along ever since from that of St. Maixant to those National Synods of Privas, Tonneins, and this present Synod now sitting here at Vitre out of their own Purses; but yet notwithstanding the Orders of those Synods, their Receiver could never get one farthing of that moneys. This Assembly ordained, that inasmuch as the Deputies of Cévennes had not brought with them the Acquittances from those Churches, evidencing their payment of those sums unto them, that they should carry unto the next Provincial Synod of Higher Languedoc, the Catalogue of Pastors actually serving those Churches of Auvergne, together with their Accounts of the aforesaid moneys distributed by them, and attested by the subscription of the Moderators, such as they tendered unto the National Synod of Tonneins, as also the Acquittances given them by the Pastors that have been ever since actually employed in those Churches. And the said Provincial Synod shall put a final period unto this affair. And till they have heard and determined it, the Lord of Candall shall keep by him those demanded Portions: but when as the Order of the said Synod shall be offered him, then he shall make payment of them. Or else the said Lord of Candall shall be accountable for them unto the next National Synod.

8. The Deputies of the Isle of France made report, how that Monsieur Perrery, at present Minister in the Province of Higher Languedoc, but formerly maintained by their Province, had quitted the Church of Passavant in the Colloquy of Champagne which was assigned him, and hath not since returned, though the time allotted him, by the Synod of Ay, in the year 1613. be expired, nor hath he reimburst them of the charges they had been at for his Education and Studies in the University, for which cause he was summoned to appear before the said Colloquy of Champagne, but he neglecting it, and excusing his absence by Letters, declaring his intent and purpose never to return more into the said Province, he was thereupon suspended the holy Ministry for one year, and this suspension was notified unto him, as appears by his Letters dated the third of March of this present year 1617. written unto the Synod of the said Province. This Assembly having perused the Letters of the said Perrery, and heard the Deputies of the Higher Languedoc, and maturely debated the whole affair, finds that the Colloquy of Champagne has dealt too severely with the said Perrery, and therefore amending and reforming their censure, ordaineth, that in case the said Perrery hath not forborne the exercise of his Ministry since the signification of that his suspension, he shall abstain from it for the full space of two Months, to commence from that very day on which the said suspension shall be notified to him by the Deputies of Higher Languedoc; which shall be done by them immediately after their return home unto their own Province, and they shall urge him to pay in the moneys owed by him unto the Isle of France within six months time, it being enjoined him by this Assembly. And on default hereof the Province of Higher Languedoc shall be obliged to send him back again to the Province of the Isle of France, there to exercise his Ministry. And the Colloquy of Armagnac is grievously censured for having admitted the said Perrery unto a Pastoral Office among them, contrary to the Canons of our Church-Discipline.

9. The Deputies of the Isle of France complained, that Monsieur Richer, who was maintained at their charges, both at School and University, and promoted in their Province unto the holy Ministry, hath since abandoned the Church whereunto he was assigned, and wherein he had served divers years, without ever reimbursing them their expenses in his Education, and hath joined himself unto the Province of Saintonge. This Assembly having considered the whole affair as it was represented by the Deputies of the Isle of France, and by those of Saintonge, declares, that the Isle of France suffered the said Richer to depart too easily from that Church wherein he ministered: And that the Province of Saintonge is very much to blame in taking him into the Ministry among them as they did without an Attestation, it being enjoined by the Church Discipline. And the said Richer is grievously censured for not having sought his Dismission lawfully and with Attestation, which might have given Evidence of his Doctrine and Conversation; and he is enjoined by this Assembly to come to an accompt with the Isle of France, and to give them satisfaction to a penny of all their expenses on him before his Reception into the Sacred Ministry, and this within the space of six months. On default whereof the Province of Saintonge is ordered to enforce him to perform this his duty by all Church-Censures.

10. The Lord's of Laudouiniere, and of la Begaudiere, Elders in the Churches of Montague and Viellevigne, were heard speak about the differences betwixt those two Churches. Whereupon this Assembly granted the Church of Montague its demand, that one half of the Portions of the Kings money received under the Seal of Monsieur Ferguson, who was equally Pastor unto both those Churches of Montague and Viellevigne, lying in the Provinces of Poitou and Britain, from the year 1599. until the month of December in the year 1616. when they were separated, and had each of them distinct Pastors, should henceforward be paid in unto them; and therefore it ordaineth, that out of the remaining stock of those Portions in the hands of the Elders of the Churches of Montague and Viellevigne, there shall be a Dividend made, and the one half only shall be allowed to the payment of the Salary of Monsieur Ferguson, according as the accounts shall be cleared up betwixt them by the Acquittances, and Papers to be produced by the said Ferguson, and the Elders of those Churches, and this moity shall take in not only the moneys of his Majesty's bounty, but all other contributions made by particular Persons towards the maintenance of the said Pastor. And it ordaineth farther, that by this means the Church of Viellevigne shall give full satisfaction unto that of Montague, for the overplus of the moity paid in by them towards the maintenance of the said Pastor.

11. The Province of higher Languedoc demanded, that it would please this Assembly to make a Decree, that the Churches of Vic, Figenseac, Eutre, and Leyran, now lying in the Province of lower Guyenne, and joined to it, might be separated from it, and incorporated with the Colloquy of Armagnac, lying in the Province of higher Languedoc. It was ordered, That the two Provinces should confer about it, and hear the Opinion of those Churches upon the case, and afterward they should determine, that which they conceived would be most expedient for them.

12. Monsieur Grand, Pastor in the Church of Cajarc in the Province of higher Languedoc, did by Letters humbly petition this Assembly to take off the Censure filed against him by the National Synod of Tonneins, which had forbidden him anymore to Preach in the Church of Caussade. The Consuls and Elders also of the said Church and Town joined with him in the same Petition. This Assembly having considered the Testimonials given of him by the Colloquy of upper Quercy, and also by the Synod of higher Languedoc, do give power unto the said Province to license Monsieur Grand to return and exercise his Ministry as formerly in the Church of Caussade; but in the first place they shall most diligently consider whether his Presence and Preaching there will be for its edification, and that the Church of Cajarc be duly supplied by another Minister.

13. The Church of Saumur contested with the Province of Britain about a Pension and Maintenance exhibited by them unto Julian Fournier, who had quitted the Convent of Capuchins in the City of Blois. The Deputies of Anjou and Britain having been both heard, this Assembly moderated the said Charges, and reduced them to the Sum of fifty Livers, to wit, twenty Livers for his Diet, and thirty for his Cloths, which said Sum shall be paid unto the Church of Saumur, by the Province of Britain, out of the Monies granted us by his Majesty's liberality.

14. The Lord Baron of Tournebu writ unto this Assembly by an Elder of the Church of Falaise, that his late deceased Lady hath bequeathed as a Legacy some considerable Sums of Money which are in the Province of Zealand, to be employed in the educating of a Scholar, either of Zealand, Basil, or Geneva, that may hereafter serve the Church of Essars in the Ministry of the Word and Sacraments. And whereas the Sum bequeathed will not suffice for that purpose, the said Lord promiseth on his Honor to make up the rest. After the Deputies of Normandy had been heard, the Assembly, applauding the Design and Zeal of this noble Lord, orders the Province of Normandy to entreat the said Lord not to choose any Scholar out of this Kingdom, and that he would be pleased to advise with his Colloquy and Synod about him, and in case he should not grant unto us our desire, he shall be at his full liberty to choose him whence and where he will, but with this Proviso, That as soon as he shall be sit for service, he be presented unto the Province, and admitted by it according to the Canons of our Church-Discipline.

15. The Colloquy of Foix, in the Province of Higher Languedoc, writ and sent their Complaints unto this Assembly, of those grievous Oppressions the Churches in those parts have undergone for these last six Years, and the great Sums they have been necessitated to expend in keeping possession of our Cautionary Towns there, and to support themselves in the Courts of Parliament, Chambers of the Edict, and the Council of State. This Assembly advised the said Colloquy first of all to apply themselves unto their own Province: For we could not divert the Monies given for our Minister's subsistence unto any other uses.

16. The Colloquy of Gex petitioned this Assembly to compassionate the deep Poverty of their Ministers, and to add something by way of augmentation to what was given them in the Synod of Tonneins for their better maintenance. Whereupon a Decree past, that the Lord of Kandel should be desired to pay those Ministers in the first place, before any others, and that the sixty Livers heretofore allotted towards the maintenance of their College, and taken out of the Common Stock of the Churches, should not any longer be allowed, because there is provision made for the said College another way.

17. Monsieur Codur, Professor of Hebrew in the University of Montpellier, complained, that he was never paid his Salery, since he exercised his Ministry in the Province of Provence. This Assembly dismissed his Affair over to the Pastors and Elders of Lower Languedoc, who are ordered by this Assembly to visit the Synod of Provence, and to see that those Churches which have been served by the said Monsieur Codur, do account with him, and give him full satisfaction.

18. The Province of Berry declaring, that the last National Synod of Tonneins had by a special Order appointed the Lord of Kandel to detain by him one portion under the Name of Monsieur Hume, and to be paid into that Province, in which he should be employed as a Pastor; and he being called to the Cure of Souls in the said Province, yet they could never receive a Penny of the said portion, as was evident from the Accompts of the said Lord Du Kandel. Whereupon this Assembly did expressly enjoin him immediately to accompt with the said Province, and to pay them out of hand what is owing to them.

19. David Chauveton, a Scholar, maintained by the Province of the Isle of France, and since received into the Ministry, and ordained Pastor to the Church of Claye, from which, having first obtained license for three Months, he departed to visit his aged and diseased Father, Pastor in the Church of Limeueill in the Province of lower Guyenne, but returned not according to his promise: for which cause the said Province hath censured him, and condemned him to make a full restitution of all their Charges they were at in his preparatory Studies to the Sacred Ministry. Which he not having done, they complained of him unto this Assembly; who considering, that the said Chauveton had served full three Years in the Ministry among them, and that he came back unto the Consistory of Paris, and offered himself to minister as formerly in the Church of Claye, or in any other they would be pleased to provide for him, did nevertheless reprove him for not being punctual to his promise, in returning at the time prefixed, nor sending some lawful excuse for his absence; and the Province of Lower Guyenne could not receive the said Chauveton without the consent and dismission of the Isle of France, whose he was, and therefore ordaineth, that the said Chauveton shall pay within one Year the Sum of three hundred Livers unto the said Province, in lieu of all their Demands from him for Charges they were at in his Education at School and University. And in case he be not able to do it, the Province of Lower Guyenne shall disburse the said Monies for him.

20. The Province of Higher Languedoc made report in this Assembly of the Judgment passed by them in the difference between Monsieur d' Anglade, and the Province of Lower Languedoc, which was remanded to them by the National Synod of Tonneins, and that Monsieur d' Anglade required payment of a certain Sum of Monies owing him as Wages for his Profession of Hebrew in the University of Nismes, and due unto him from the Year 1603, unto that of 1607. By which Judgment of theirs the Province of Lower Languedoc was obliged to pay in unto the said Sieur d' Anglade the Sum of four hundred Livers: but the same Province pleading, that they had no notice given of the time when the Synod of Lower Languedoc was held, this Assembly having considered the whole matter, doth ordain, that the said Province shall be accountable for this unto the next Synod of Cévennes, and shall pay in unto the said Sieur d' Anglade, either in good Bills or in ready Monies, all his Arrears. Which it they do not, the Judgment of the Synod of Higher Languedoc shall stand in force against them, and be fully executed.

21. The Deputies of the Province of Lower Guyenne demanding, that those three free Portions, which were ordained by the National Synod of Tonneins unto the Churches of Souls (taking in that also which was adjudged unto Monsieur Bustonoby, Pastor in Berne, and serving the said Churches of Soul ) might be continued: This Assembly considering, that the Monies formerly given were not employed to maintain a Pastor in actual service, cannot for the present give anymore than two Portions free of all charges, which shall be delivered them by the Receiver of the Province of Lower Guyenne, and farther ordaineth, that because those Churches are at a very great distance from those of the Lower Guyenne, they shall be for the future incorporated with the nearest Colloquy of Berne until the next National Synod, and then the said Churches shall by the Deputies of Berne declare what course they have took in obedience to this Decree, for providing themselves of a Pastor, and of their just and faithful employment of the moneys that have been granted them.

22. The Sieur Piloty came unto this Synod, bringing with him an Order of the General Assembly held at Nismes, by which he was dismissed hither to be recompensed for his losses sustained, and charges expended in securing the Town of Aubenas for the Churches, and this in pursuance of his Oath and Promise made by him unto the first Assembly of Chastelheraut. This Assembly doth not in the least conceive itself obliged to reward him, nor that the moneys in its disposal should be alienated from their proper use to the defraying of such expenses: yet nevertheless considering the great necessities to which this worthy Gentleman is reduced by his good and faithful services done the Churches, whereof he hath valid and sufficient Testimonials, there was granted him for his Journey hither, three hundred Livers, which shall be paid him at sight by the Lord of Candall, and to relieve him under his pressing wants, four Portions, free of all Taxes, on the Province of Cévennes, and this to be continued till the sitting of the next National Synod.

23. John le Febure, Bookseller at Geneva, writ unto this Assembly, humbly requesting it to take cognizance of the great Injury done him in the person of his Daughter, by Monsieur Mainvill the younger, at present Pastor in the Church of Orthez in the Province of Béarn, who had debauched his Daughter. After hearing the Deputies of Béarn, this Assembly exhorted their Synod to enjoin the said Mainvill to go out of hand unto Geneva, and there to clear himself before the Magistrates of that City, of what is laid unto his charge, that so the Holy Ministry may be freed of all Reproaches. And in case he refuse obedience unto their Order, that they punish him according to the Discipline of our Churches, with Suspension from his Sacred Office: and the Informations, and other Papers sent unto this Assembly were deposited with the Deputies of Béarn, and to be produced at the next meeting of their Synod.

24. Whereas the Consistory and Church of Moulins in the Province of Berry, have petitioned this Assembly, that they might be joined unto that of Burgundy, and that Monsieur de la Roche, who was lent them but for six Months, might be settled among them as their own and ordinary Pastor. After that the Deputies of Berry had been heard, this Assembly ordained, that the said Church shall carry their Petition unto the next Provincial Synod of Berry, which is entreated to consider the matter seriously, and to deal in it according to the Laws of Charity.

25. The Deputies of the Isle of France and Champagne made report of the singular success of the Gospel at Langres, and what a fair prospect there is of a far larger harvest, but withal, that they were embarrast with a world of difficulty in setting up the public Exercise of our Religion, unless in the Bailiwick of Sens, which is the one and only place they can meet withal, and they pray, that it may he granted them in lieu of their Meeting-place at Atigny, which is at present, and hath been for a long time altogether useless to them. After that the Deputies of Berry were heard, who informed, that they had no order from their Province as to this matter, and yet were very importunate to retain the Temple for those of Sens; this Assembly ordained, that the said Province of Berry should yield up the said place of the Bailiwick of Sens unto the people of Langres; and in case of refusal, then it doth adjudge the Bailiwick of Sens to be incorporated with the Province of the Isle of France and Champagne, who are fully impowered to make choice of any place, that will most contribute to the edifying of God's Church.

26. Monsieur de la Place, Pastor in the Church of Zion, complained, that David de la Place his Brother, though upon examination he was approved as a person fit and qualified for the Ministry, yet hitherto he hath been wholly neglected by the Province of Britain, who have maintained him as their Proposan, and that therefore he might be set at liberty from them. This Assembly ordaineth, that the Province of Britain shall present him unto some Church within two Months; and in case they do not, then he shall be given for Pastor unto the Church of Lavall in the Province of Anjou, where he shall serve one whole Year, and that expired, he shall be wholly freed from the Province of Britain, who shall forfeit their power of recalling or assigning him unto any other Flock.

27. Monsieur Babat acquainted this Assembly, that it was utterly impossible for him to comply with their Order, enjoining him to reside on the Church of Issoyre, until the next meeting of the Provincial Synod of Cévennes, because he hath not any maintenance at all allowed him for his subsistence, and that of his poor Family. The Deputy of the Lord du Kandel being now in Town, was commanded to pay in unto the said Monsieur Babat immediately one hundred and fifty Livers out of the Portions attributed to the Churches of Auvergne, and the said Babat shall be accountable for this Money unto the next Colloquy of St. Germain, and shall bring with him to it an Elder of the said Churches to see those Accounts so tendered by him audited and accepted, and the Commissioner of the said Province of Sevenues shall take the Acquittance of the said Monsieur Babat for the Moneys so paid by the Lord du Kandel.

28. Monsieur Guerin, Pastor of the Church of Baugency, made report unto this Assembly, how that he and several other persons of the same Province were obliged in great Sums of Money, disbursed for the conservation of the Town and Fortress of Gergeau, during the late Troubles, for which he is now prosecuted at Law, and in danger of Arrests, and to be made a Prisoner during Life, unless it shall please this Assembly to take some effectual and speedy course for payment of this Debt out of the Augmentation-moneys granted unto the Churches by the Treaty of Loudun. This Assembly being informed, that by the Treaty of Loudun a certain Sum of Money was ordered to be paid in to the Lord Marquess of Rosny for this selffame purpose, and that he hath received it, decreed that Letters should be written unto the said Marquess, that he would be pleased out of those Moneys which have been paid in unto him for the reparation and fortifying of Gergeau, to indempnifie the said Monsieur Guerin, and those other Gentlemen bound together with him, and these our Letters shall be put into the hands of the Lord's our General Deputies, that they may themselves deliver them unto him, and prevail with the said Marquess, that the Debt may be paid, and the said Guerin and the rest of the Sureties legally discharged. And the Province of Berry shall join with them in the same demand, and in case they should gain nothing from him, that then the said Province shall inform all the other Provinces, that so the Deputies unto the next National Synod may be charged particularly to consider the Petition of the said Sieur Guerin.

29. The Deputies of Dauphiné brought in their Accompts of Moneys formerly given unto the Protestants exiled from the Marquisate of Saluces, which were examined and allowed, and delivered unto the Scribes of this Assembly, with all the Acquittances, that they might be carried unto Rochelle, and lodged up in the Archives there, and the said Province of Dauphiné was discharged.

30. Monsieur Sonis, Pastor and Professor of Divinity in the Church and University of Montauban, did by Letters petition this Assembly to assist him with a Sum of Money to help to print several Books composed by him. And whereas divers Provinces had it in their Instructions to move, that for the future no recompenses might be given unto any on such occasion, unless they had written at the desire and order of a National Synod: This Assembly applauding the Zeal and Pains, the Diligence and Faithfulness of the said Professor in his Place and Calling, recommends it to the Province of Higher Languedoc to peruse the Manuscript Copies of the said Monsieur Sonis, and to testify their respect unto him, so as that none of his worthy Labors be buried in silence and forgetfulness, but that they be published for the common benefit of God's Church.

31. Mr. Christian and Jacob Huberus, Brethren, and Sons of Monsieur Huberus, Pastor of the Church of Berne in Switzerland, came unto this Assembly, bringing Letters from the Lord's of Berne, and from the said Huberus their Father, demanding great sums of money, which the late Monsieur Sturmius, Father of the Wife of the said Huberus, had lent (partly of his own, partly of what he had borrowed, and stood engaged for unto others) for the good and service of the Reformed Churches in this Kingdom about forty years ago, whereof they tendered in an Account, and several Memoirs relating to it; which having been perused and examined, this Assembly did not believe that the Papers produced did at all oblige our Churches to make satisfaction for any of those great sums; and this shall be notified by Letter from us unto the Lord's of Berne, and to the said Monsieur Huberus; and two hundred Livers were ordered to be paid immediately by the Lord du Kandel, unto these two young Gentlemen, the Sons of Monsieur Huberus, to help to defray the Charges of their Journey hither.

32. Monsieur Solera a Spaniard born, who having forsook his Native Country, retired into France, and hath for a good space of time followed his studies hard in the Church and University of Saumur, and the Deputies of the Province of Anjou understanding by his Testimonials from the Consistory and Professors there, of his progress in Piety, good Learning, and knowledge of Divinity; The Province of Normandy demanded him for their Proposan, and designed to exhibit a Pension to him, till such time as he should be found fit and qualified for the holy Ministry. This Assembly ordained, that the Portion attributed unto the said Province for a second Pastor in the Church of St. Lo, shall be disposed of towards the maintenance of the said Solera; and in case he be called forth unto the Ministry, and be employed in the said Church of St. Lo, or in any other of the same Province, that the said Portion shall be continued to him as unto the other Pastors.

33. Monsieur de la Viale, Deputy for the Province of Higher Languedoc, Petitioned on behalf of Laurence de Fernandez, that the sum of an hundred and twenty Livers, which by the National Synod of Tonneins had been ordered to be paid in yearly to him, might be continued for the future. This Assembly declared, that in as much as the said Fernandez had learnt a Trade, and was Married, and took up his residence at Montauban, the said Relief could not be continued to him: and in case he be pinched with wants, the Church of Montauban shall assist him out of their Poors stock, with their Charities.

34. Peter Mercurin a Provencal, maintained out of the Churches money, ever since the last National Synod of Tonneins until now, presented his Testimonial from the University of Montauban, and Petitioned, that whereas he had been assisted with the supply of an hundred and twenty Livers, that it might be continued to him for some longer time. This Assembly ordered the Lord of Kandel to pay him once for all the sum of sixty Livers, that so he may return home unto his own Province of Provence, and be put upon Employment according to his abilities, and the Decree of the National Synod of Tonneins.

35. Monsieur Suffran, a Pastor in the Province of Lower Languedoc, Petitioned by Letters this Assembly, that the Order of the Colloquy of Lyonnois, and ratified by the National Synod of Tonneins, forbidding him the exercise of his Ministry within the Colloquy of Nismes, might be repealed. This Assembly having received a very good account of the said Suffran from faithful Witnesses, doth grant him his request, and injoineth the Province of Lower Langùedoc to provide him a Church in any Colloquy, as they shall judge expedient.

36. Nicolas Jane having lately abjured in this Church of Vitre the Errors and Idolatries of the Papacy, was recommended to the Province of Normandy, to take care that he might be employed in some way of living as he is best qualified, and the Lord of Kandel is ordered to give him thirty Livers to help carry him into the said Province, whereof he is a Native. And forasmuch as the Deputies of Normandy have informed us, that it will be a full year ere their Provincial Synod do meet, the Colloquy of Caen is entreated to take care of him, till that time, and that some provision be made for him.

37. Monsieur du Bois, a Minister, having been discharged from the Church of Laval, by reason of its poverty, by the Synod of Anjou, was put into the Catalogue of Ministers, who were to be disposed by this Assembly, and in case that it should break up without presenting him to some vacant Congregation, he hath full liberty given him to dispose of himself in any one Province, as the Lord shall be pleased to direct him; and there shall be one Portion out of the moneys of his Majesty's bounty, retained by the Lord of Candall, to be given unto that Province in which he shall be employed, and those moneys of his Majesty's bounty shall be paid in to the said Monsieur du Bois until the first of July, as if he were an actual Pastor in the Church of Lavall: and this in pursuance of that agreement made by that Church with him, but with this Proviso, that he be always employed in a Church whereunto this Assembly shall have adjudged a Portion of those moneys. And the Province shall give advice hereof unto the Lord of Kandel, who shall be accountable for it unto the next National Synod.

38. Monsieur Mahaut having been put into the Catalogue of Pastors, who are to be disposed by this Assembly, was presented by it this day unto the Church of Gisors in Normandy, and the said Church was exhorted to receive him, and to entertain him lovingly, and the Lord, of Kandel shall reserve his portion in his own hands, because the said Mahaut will receive that which is allotted unto the Church of Gisors, wherewith he was well satisfied.

39. The Lord of Vieville requested this Assembly to entreat the Pastors of the Church of Vitre to visit the Church gathered in his House as often as conveniently they can, whereunto the said Pastors did voluntarily consent, and promised that they would go once a Month, but could not quit their own Church upon the Lord's days. The Assembly acknowledging that this affair did properly belong to the cognizance of the Provincial Synod of Britain, yet because it would be a very long time before they met together, intreats the aforesaid Ministers to give that Church in the Lord of Vieville 's House, six Sermons on so many Sundays yearly, and six more on such Days as they shall consider and agree on.

40. The Province of Lower Guyenne complained unto this Assembly, that the three hundred Livers which were granted to Monsieur Bustonoby, by the Synod of Tonneins, are not yet paid by the Lord du Kandel, but were paid by the said Province out of its own Purse. Order was now given unto the Lord du Kandel, to reimburse the said Province out of the moneys remaining in his hands on his last Account.

CHAP. XI. The Dividend made according to the Catalogue of Pastors brought in by the Deputies of every Province.

1. ACcording to the Canons of former National Synods, there was brought into this Assembly the Catalogue of Pastors actually serving our Churches. And forasmuch as the greater part of the Deputies of our Provinces do declare, that divers Churches are unprovided, being destitute of Pastors, some being removed by Death, and others by some other Accident very lately: This Assembly having weighed all circumstances, do now in their distribution of his Majesty's liberality ordain, That there shall be put upon the Catalogue in every Province such Churches as are immediately to be supplied, that so a Portion may be drawn out for every Church, but on this condition, that the Provinces shall make proof unto the next National Synod by Acts of their Provincial Synods duly attested, that the said Churches have been provided for, and at what times. And in case of failure herein, the Moneys so received by them on this occasion, shall be detained for the future from them. Moreover, this Assembly, considering the great Necessities of all the Provinces, hath added to each of them some Other Portions.

2. The Roll of Pastors in actual service, in the Province of Lower Guyenne was perused, and whereas the Deputies remonstrated, that heretofore the Church of Sommieres had never less than two Pastors at once, a Portion was granted them for a second Minister, and another for the Church of Villefort, and a third Portion for the Church of Pecquay, unto which Churches the said Province shall out of hand send them Pastors, and give in full proof of their obedience unto this Order at the next National Synod: And over and above all this, there was granted it a supernumerary Portion, to be appropriated according to the designation of the Deputies of this Province unto the Church of St. Cesarca and its annexed Congregations.

3. The Deputies of Poitou reported, that they had six Churches to provide for, being lately destitute of Pastors, to wit, that of Rochefoucault, Lusignan, Sivray, La Chastaigneraye, Chantonnay, Puisbeliart, and Poire ; for which six Portions were ordained, but on this condition, that they be accountable for these Sums unto that next National Synod; and by way of augmentation, they had given them one Portion supernumerary.

4. Two Portions were appointed the Province of Berry, one for the Church of Bourges, and another for that of Suilly and its annexed Congregations, on this condition, that they be carefully supplied, and that an account hereof be given in unto the next National Synod. And whereas the Deputies demanded another Portion for the Church of Ouchant, at present served by the Ministers of Blois, it being necessary that they should have a Pastor of their own, this Assembly would not grant them, because the said Church may be conveniently supplied by the aforesaid Ministers, and in consideration of the great Necessities of the said Province, there were seven supernumerary Portions appointed for them, whereof two shall be given free of all Taxes and Charges unto Monsieur Guerin, Pastor of Baugency, for divers good and valid Reasons moving this Assembly thereunto.

5. The Province of the Isle of France was enjoined to provide the Church of Langres of a Pastor, to which purpose there was assigned it one Portion, and moreover, because of the multitude of poor Churches in it, there were twelve supernumerary Portions more granted, to be disposed by them for the relief of the most necessitous and indigent Congregations.

6. The Province of Burgundy shall make proof of their Care and Duty in providing for the Church of Noyers an able Pastor at the next National Synod, to which purpose they had one Portion assigned them, and those two formerly granted, were ordered to be continued to the Churches of Maringues and Paillac, and over and above this, seven supernumerary Portions.

7. Pour Portions were granted unto the Province of Saintonge, that the Churches at present destitute of Pastors there might be provided for, viz. a second Pastor for St. John D' Angely, one for Villefaignan, one for Tonnay Boutonnay, and another for Genonsac. And whereas they demand another Portion for Baigne, Chenonceaux and Monlieu, when as they shall have brought in their account for these before-mentioned Portions unto the next National Synod, then care shall be taken about some provision for the said Church, it so be it be supplied by a Pastor. Moreover, the said Province shall have two supernumerary Portions, comprising in them that Moiety granted by the Synod of Tonneins for the relief of Messieurs Rossignol, Gabard, Paris, du Plot, Velez, and Toussain, who were Pastors Emeriti, by reason of their Age and Infirmities, and otherwise very much afflicted with Wants.

8. The Deputies of Higher Languedoc protested, that these ten Churches were become lately vacant by the death of their Pastors, or by some other accident, and that there be several others to be provided for by that Province as soon as may be; to wit, Castelnau, Brassac, Cormies, Aisones, Caumont, Manosques, Pairasque, Figeac, Sevenieres, and la Tronquiere; to everyone of which there was a Portion assigned, provided they were really vacant, and care taken they be supplied. And that Portion and half assigned them by the Synod of Tonneins is continued to them, on this condition, that the whole Portion shall be employed for the relief and assistance of the Church of Leyran, and the half unto Monsieur Aubriot, a Pastor Emeritus.

9. The Province of Anjou declared, that they were just now presenting a Pastor unto the Church of Chasteau du Loir, and another unto that of Mondoubleau; for which cause two Portions have been adjudged to them, and another under the name of Monsieur Gomarus, Professor of Divinity in the University of Saumur, and two supernumerary Portions were added by way of augmentation unto the poorer Churches; and whereas Monsieur de la Coste, late Pastor of the Church of Dijon, is given unto the University of Saumur for a Professor in Divinity, another Portion is also granted the said Province.

10. One Portion was assigned the Province of Cévennes for the Church of Maruejols, and another shall be divided between the Churches of Combes, and St. Basilc.

11. Seven Portions were appointed unto the Province of Normandy, one for the Church of St. Peter on the Dine, another for the second Minister of St. Lo, another for the Church of Cheffreine, another for that of Gaure, another for that of Gisors, another for that of Fescamp, and lastly, another for that of Havre de Grace; all which are lately become vacant by the decease or removal of their Pastors, and these shall be supplied with able Men as soon as possible, whereof the next National Synod shall take cognizance; and six Portions shall be farther added for the relief of the poorer Churches.

12. The Deputies of Vivaretz protested, that these five Churches following are lately destitute of Pastors, and that the Province will see they he supplied out of hand, to wit, St. Savior, La Bastide, de Viral, St. Pons, de Mirabel, Rochers, and lastly, le Poussin. For everyone of these this Synod ordained a Portion, on condition that the Province should notify their Care and Duty in providing able Ministers for them unto the next National Synod; and six Portions more were added, including those two for St. Stephen 's which had been allotted it by former National Synods, and of the four remaining a half Portion shall be given unto Monsieur Chanforan, because of his great poverty.

In the Province of Provence there were three Churches to be provided for, viz. la Coste, Sederac, and la Charse: and that Provincial Synod was ordered to give unto each of them a Pastor, and therefore three Portions were added to them, for which they shall be accountable unto the next National Synod; and there were given them more to be distributed among their poorer Churches six Portions.

14. The Deputies of Lower Guyenne assured this Assembly, that they were now getting Pastors for these Churches following, viz. for Nerac a third Pastor, for Beaune, Benac, Condom, Espiens, Sause de Misne, Hastingues, Bayonne, Le Mas and Caumont, and Pellegrue, all which are lately become vacant; for which there were assigned nine Portions, and the Province shall give account of them unto the next National Synod.

15. Two Portions were laid by for the Province of Dauphiné, to wit, for the Church of Montbrun, and Beaurepaire, and because of the great poverty of divers Churches in the said Province, this Assembly hath granted them seven supernumerary Portions.

16. The Province of Britain had the Privilege of taking out one Portion under the Name of Monsieur Marmet, Pastor of the Church gathered in the House of the Lord Duke of Rohan; and because of the great poverty of the Churches in that Province, there were eight supernumerary Portions more allotted to it, whereof one shall go to the Church of Nants free of all charges, and out of the seven others shall be taken an hundred and fifty Livers to be thus employed, to wit, one hundred Livers to the College of vielle Vigne, and fifty Livers to the relief of the said Church.

17. The Deputies of Lower Languedoc reported, that in the dividend of the Portions for the said Province, there was but one Portion only assigned to Monsieur Scoffier an ancient Pastor and Emeritus, altho' there was formerly allowed him one and an half. This Assembly gave order to the Lord of Kandel, that he should give annually a Portion and half unto the said Scoffier, who shall give an Acquittance for the Money unto the Receiver of the said Province, and this to be continued until the next National Synod.

CHAP. XII. Of Universities and Colleges.

1.THE Province of Lower Guyenne demanding, that our Universities might be lessened in their number, and reduced unto two, and those well maintained. This Assembly did not think fit to diminish their number.

2. The Deputies of Cévennes requesting, that one part of the University in the Lover Languedoc might be wholly assigned to them: This Assembly did not think it expedient to grant them their request.

3. The Province of Lower Languedoc reported, that it were expedient to reunite the two parts of their University, whereof one is at Nismes, and the other at Montpellier, and that the effecting of it might be left unto their Synod, they calling in the Deputies of the adjoining Provinces to consult about it. This Assembly owneth the needfulness of their Proposal, and for divers good considerations it doth at present decree this union, ordaining that the whole University shall be established at Nismes, and that the University-Council shall be assembled as soon as may be, they calling in the Deputies of the next adjoining Provinces, which are now mentioned by name, to wit, for Dauphiné Monsieur Felix, for Vivaretz, Monsieur Moze, for Cévennes Monsieur Courant, for Provence Monsieur Morrice, all of them Deputies unto this present National Synod; and they being all assembled, shall furnish that University with able Professors, according to the Canons enacted in our former National Synods, and the above-mentioned University-Council is enjoined to take special care, that the Youth in it be duly instructed and encouraged in Learning and Godliness under the Discipline of their Regents, and that the Professors be faithful in the discharge of their Place and Office.

4. The Deputies of Sevenes demanded, that out of the Moneys given by his Majesty's liberality unto their Province, there might be an addition made of some other Sums to the four hundred Livers assigned for maintenance of a College, and this to be done in every Province. This Assembly answered, that no augmentation could be granted on this account. And the said Province of Cévennes was advised to consider well of the demand made by the Church of Anduze, and to take care that the College there settled be well maintained.

5. The Consistory and Common Council of the Town and Church of Gex writ unto this Assembly, how that they had and did acquiesce in the Decree of the National Synod of Tonneins concerning their College, and humbly petition'd this Assembly to bestow upon them out of that stock of Moneys given our Churches by his Majesty's liberality a certain Sum towards its maintenance. It was decreed, that the Lord of Kandel should give them to this purpose yearly an hundred Livers.

6. Forasmuch as the Houses upon which the College of Saumur is built were purchased with Moneys belonging unto all the Churches, as it hath been related in this Assembly; order is given unto Monsieur Rivett, Pastor of the Church of Thouars, to make inquiry in whose Name that Contract and Purchace was signed and sealed, and to declare it unto the Consistory of the Church of Saumur, who shall make report thereof unto the next National Synod.

7. Complaint being made unto this Assembly on behalf of the Professors in our Universities, it is ordained, that for time to time, our Universities shall be paid quarterly at the four Quarters of the Year out of the three first Quarters of the Moneys granted by the King to our Churches.

8. The University-Councils be enjoined to choose out the eldest Proposans, and command them to read the Scriptures in the Church before Sermons, and to censure such of them as refuse obedience unto this Canon.

9. In like manner those University-Councils be expressly charged to see the Laws and Statutes made in our former National Synods for the well-governing of these our Universities, to be most carefully and exactly observed and obeyed, that so we may hear no more any ill reports of them, but that the Scholars do carry themselves with all modesty as becometh their profession, and that they do give diligent attendance on the Greek and Hebrew Lectures, and that they be personally present at Divinity-Disputations; and that the said Statutes may be better observed, the Provincial Synods in which those Universities be erected are charged to depute yearly two Pastors taken out of those Churches whereunto the Universities do belong, who shall at some certain times, but most especially before the sitting of their Synod, visit the said Universities, and make inquiry whether the Professors and Scholars both of them do faithfully and diligently intend and mind their Duties. And the Deputies of those Provinces shall bring into the next National Synod the Laws and Statutes of our Universities, which were formerly enacted in our National Synods, and report impartially what they have observed of every ones obedience to them.

10. The University of Montauban requested that the Salaries of their Professors might be augmented, because his Majesty's liberality unto our Churches is augmented. But it was not judged meet to make any farther additions than what had been before ordained for them.

11. Monsieur Joly, Pastor and Professor in the Church and University of Montalban, Petitioned that he might have some small augmentation unto the hundred Livers, ordered him by the Synod of Tonneins, for his better encouragement in the profession of the Hebrew Language. This Assembly not being in a capacity to augment his wages, doth exhort Monsieur Tenans, the other Hebrew Professor, to allow his Colleague, Monsieur Joly, one hundred Livers out of the three hundred assigned to him; because though he is in office, yet the main burden thereof lieth upon Monsieur Joly.

12. The Deputies of Higher Languedoc demanded a sum of moneys for the erecting of two Colleges, the one at Millaud, the other at Pamiers, remonstrating on the one hand the great distance of their Churches from the University of Montauban, and on the other hand the lamentable Poverty of the Church of Pamiers, and those adjoining to it, as also, that the Church of Milhaud hath a College of Jesuits planted in the very bowels of it. This Assembly being disabled from increasing the number of our Colleges, cannot gratify those Deputies in their desires. And yet exhorteth the said Province to have a special regard unto the necessities of the Church of Pamiers, and to provide for it, according to their abilities.

13. The Deputies of Anjou joined in a Petition from the University of Saumur, which was presented by Monsieur Benoist, Professor of the Greek Tongue. Upon which this Decree past, that in as much as 'tis needful that our Universities should be supplied with Professors in Theology, in case of their death, or other disability for service: The Province wherein that University stands, shall convene the University-Council, and having pitched upon a Pastor of whose good will and inclination to take upon him the Professors Office they be well assured, they may by the Authority of this National Synod remove him from his Church. But the said Pastor shall not however quit it till it be first duly provided of another Pastor, for which purpose the said Church shall have two Months time allowed them to procure him, and that he may be the sooner had and obtained, the Province which took away their Pastor to employ him in the University, shall be aiding and assisting to them in it.

14. In pursuance hereof this Assembly out of their particular respect to the University of Saumur, which requested immediately to be provided of a Professor in Divinity, doth nominate Monsieur de la Coste, Pastor in the Church of Dijon, and Deputy for the Province of Burgundy, unto that Chair, because of the many and honorable Testimonials we have received of his singular Piety and deep Learning; and he promised obedience unto this Assembly, and that he would wholly devote himself unto this Employment, which by their great Wisdoms he was judged capable of. Whereupon he was exhorted to embrace the Office of a Professor in Divinity in the University of Saumur, to which he shall remove before Winter, and shall perform some act in that profession before the sitting of the Provincial Synod of Anjou, in which he shall undergo the Examen as in this case is ordained, and afterward shall be confirmed in his Calling and Office, and shall be paid his Wages as Professor from that very day of his dismission from the Church of Dijon; and that it may be supplied according to the Decree beforementioned, this Assembly accepts of the motion made by the Deputies of Burgundy to write unto the Synod of Berne, that they would be pleased to resign Monsieur de Chandieu, Pastor in the Church of Oleron, unto us, and that the said de Chandieu would yield his consent to come and serve the Church of Dijon; which Letters were given unto the said Monsieur de la Coste, who was now travelling unto Berne about his own private concerns. And because 'tis a matter of great importance to design at present (by reason of unavoidable necessities which may so fall out) someone Pastor or other that may take upon him the Professors Office, and may be fitted and qualified for it: This Assembly intreats and exhorts Monsieur de Chanvernon, Pastor of the Church of Taillebourg, to dispose himself unto this profession, that when upon another vacancy the Lord shall call him thereunto, he may be capable of serving in it.

15. The Charges brought in upon Account by the University of Saumur, in getting and bringing Monsieur Gomarus, with his Family and Household Goods thither, and to pay him for Salary twelve hundred Livers yearly, as also what was expended on a Bedel, Door-keeper, and the Rent of the College, were all allowed unto the Deputies of Anjou.

16. The Province of the Isle of France not bringing its accounts for their College is born with for this time, and their excuses admitted; but they be enjoined to reckon fully with the next National Synod for all moneys received by them for the said College since that of Tonneins.

17. The Province of Lower Languedoc not having brought in their Accompts for the Universities of Nismes and Montpettier was judged by this Assembly worthy of a very grievous censure, and it is ordered that full satisfaction be given by them unto the Decree of Tonneins, and they shall bring unto the next National Synod, all the Accompts, as well of the past moneys received by them, as of what they shall hereafter receive till the meeting of the next Synod.

18. In like manner the Province of Higher Languedoc was severely censured, for not having sent any Account of the University of Montauban, and we do now declare, that they shall lose their privilege of being an University, in case they do not bring in all their Accompts from the Synod of Tonneins unto the next National Synod.

19. The Account of the College of Normandy was seen and verified in their own Province, and brought into this Assembly, where it was closed up and approved; but they were advised hereafter to bring their Acquittances in a better form than at present.

20. The Account for the College of Britain was perused, accepted, shut up, and allowed of for the years 1613, 1614, 1615, and 1616. inclusively.

21. The Account for the College of Cévennes was produced, and approved for the years 1614, 1615, and 1616. inclusively.

22. The Account for the College of Beziers was seen and allowed for the years 1612, 1613, 1614, 1615, and 1616. But it appeared thereby that they had in their hands five and fifty Livers, for which they shall be accountable hereafter.

23. The Deputies of Dauphiné declared, that the Account for the College of Die was seen and settled by their University Council, and was allowed in this Assembly for the years 1614, 1615, and 1616.

24. The Province of Poitou is enjoined for the future to bring in their Accompts of the College of Niort, according to the Canon of the Synod of Tonneins; and the Account was approved for the years 1613, 1614, 1615, 1616. and for January Quarter in this present year now current.

25. The Province of Burgundy brought not in the Account of their College; but they were born with for this time, however they shall be accountable for the whole unto the next National Synod.

26. The Account for the College of Rochefoucaut was seen and allowed for the years 1612, 1613, 1614, 1615, and 1616. for which time they received one thousand and six hundred Livers, ten Sous. There remain one hundred Livers which have not been employed by them, for which they must be responsible unto the next National Synod.

27. The Account for the College of Berry was seen and closed up, and allowed for the years 1614, 1615, and 1616.

28. The Commissioners examined the Account for the College in the Province of Vivaretz, and because it was found defective, this Assembly ordaineth, that the said Province shall bring in unto the next National Synod, their Accompts of the years 1614, 1615, and 1616. together with all Bills, and Acquittances, and on default hereof, there shall be detained from the said Province the sums paid, and not employed to the maintenance of the said College.

29. The Commissioners appointed to examine the accounts of the Province of Provence, brought in their report, that the moneys given them for a College have been quite diverted, and employed about petty A, B, C. Schools, contrary to the intention and decree of the foregoing National Synods, yea and the Deputies of the said Province have not brought with them any Acquittances, for which they were censured, and the Deputies of Lower Languedoc which are to visit that Province upon other affairs, shall peruse those Accompts, and shall take care that the moneys designed unto a College be wholly employed in it, and their Acquittances of what they have received and disbursed for time past and to come, shall be brought in to the next National Synod, and in case of default herein the said Province shall forfeit its right unto a College.

30. This Assembly cannot approve that the College of Bergerac should neglect to send hither its accompt, and they be enjoined to do it for the future, and in the mean while the sum of twelve hundred Livers is continued to them according to the Synodical Decree of Tonneins.

31. Whereas the National Synod of Tonneins had formerly assigned four hundred Livers towards the maintenance of the College of Die, this Assembly addeth two hundred more, which the Lord of Kandel is ordered to pay unto it.

32. The Province of Cévennes having requested the privilege of calling the next National Synod, it was granted them, and that they should summon it about three years hence, in a commodious place, and in the Month of May, saving that they may anticipate the time for important reasons, upon which they shall consult with the Lord's General Deputies, and their Neighbor Provinces.

CHAP. XIII. The Catalogue of Apostates and Deposed Ministers.

1. IN the Province of Poitou, James Mettayer born at Chandonnier in the same Province, about five and thirty years old, formerly Pastor of Lusignan, revolted the eight and twentieth day of March last, and was declared an Apostate by the Synod held at Thouars the eighth of April following, he is a Fellow of mean stature, a little black Beard, black-hair'd, and looking down towards the Earth.

2. In the Province of Anjou, Anthony du Perche born at Alencon, heretofore Pastor in the Church of Mondoubleau, about six and forty years old, his hair and beard black, of a middle stature, hook nos'd, club-footed, was deposed from the holy Ministry for deserting of his Church.

3. In the Province of Lower Languedoc, Esajah Ferrier, heretofore Pastor in the Church of St. Giles, was suspended the holy Ministry by the two former National Synods for his ungodly Conversation, and is since revolted, betwixt five and six and thirty years of age, a Fellow of mean stature, and dark Chessnut color'd hair.

4. In the same Province Alexander Sellon was deposed for the heinous Crimes of Adultery, Perjury, and Slandering, he was born at Nismes, sometimes Pastor in the Church of Vauvert, about thirty five or thirty six years old, short of stature, red hair'd, little or no beard.

5. In the Province of Provence, Andrew Bassett, born at Venes in Dauphiné, he revolted whilst he was Pastor of the Church de la Coste, mean of stature, about thirty years of age, having a fine, clear red beard, a sullen illlookt Fellow, frowning when he speaks, roving with his eyes, and lowering with his head towards the ground.

6. In Dauphiné, Joshua Barbier, heretofore Pastor in the Church of Livron, black hair'd, a squinting, purblind Fellow, short sighted, tall of stature, glib of tongue, about forty years of age, he is now turned Apostate.

7. In the Province of Cévennes, Peter Cailleteau, heretofore Pastor in the Church of Pont de Mortvert, about sixty five years of age, short of stature, square shoulder'd, broad faced, a dim-sighted Fellow, he was deposed for his vicious and ungodly Conversation.

CHAP. XIV. The Accounts of the Lord du Kandel Treasurer of the Moneys given unto the Reformed Churches of France by his Majesty for the Maintenance of their Ministers: As also the Dividend made of those Moneys, and decreed by the National Synod of Vitre in the Months of May and June, 1617.

1. THE Commissioners deputed by the Synod, and chosen out of every Province to hear and examine the Accounts of the Lord du Kandel, and to make a Dividend of those Moneys, brought in their Report unto the said Synod, that in hearing and examining the said Accounts, they find the Lord of Kandel to charge himself with the Receipt of five hundred sixty and five thousand five hundred, forty and three Livers, thirteen Sous, and nine Deniers: To wit,

2. For October -Quarter, in the Year 1613. the Sum of five and forty thousand Livers, for the whole Year 1614. the Sum of one hundred and fourscore thousand Livers, and for the whole Year 1615. the like Sum of 180000 li. and for the three first Quarters of the Year 1616. the sum of one hundred and forty four thousand, six hundred Livers.

3. Item, The Sum of two thousand, eight hundred, thirty nine Livers, thirteen Sous, and nine Deniers, which he owed on his last Account when it was liquidated, closed up, and settled in the National Synod of Tonneins, and since appeared to be due when his Account was revised by the Commissioners appointed from his Majesty to that purpose.

4. Item, The Sum of five thousand, two hundred, forty and five Livers detained by him from the Province of Higher Languedoc and Guyenne, which he was to have paid for the Years 1612, 1613, and 1614. according to the Order of the same National Synod.

5. Item, The Sum of seven thousand, three hundred, thirty four Livers detained by him out of the Years aforesaid from the Provinces of Lower Languedoc and Cévennes, being a part of the Sum of eleven thousand one hundred and nine Livers, ordered by the same Synod to be kept back from the said Provinces: The overplus, amounting to three thousand, seven hundred, seventy and five Livers, was remitted unto the said Province by another Decree of the same Synod.

6. More, The Sum of five hundred, twenty and five Livers were detained by him out of those Moneys with which he was to have supplied the Province of Lower Guyenne for the Year 1613. by an Order of the Synod of Privas, and to be paid in unto the Province of Berry.

7. All these particular Sums put together made up the said total Sum of five hundred, sixty and five thousand, five hundred, forty three Livers, thirteen Sous, and nine Deniers.

8. They also made report of the Total Expence in the said Account for October -Quarter in the Year 1613. and the whole Year 1614. and three quarters and an half of the Year 1615. and three quarters of the Year 1616. both for the Pastors and Universities, amounting to the sum of five hundred thirty three thousand seventy eight Livers, nineteen Sous and two Deniers. In which is not comprised the sum of five hundred twenty five Livers, whereof he made a separate disbursement for the Province of Berry, and that added unto the aforesaid sum, makes in all five hundred, thirty three thousand, six hundred and three Livers, eleven Sous, and two Deniers.

9. And his Total Receipt being five hundred sixty five thousand, five hundred forty three Livers, thirteen Sous, and nine Deniers, therefore the said Lord of Kandel oweth the sum of one and thirty thousand, nine hundred thirty and nine Livers, fourteen Sous and seven Deniers, besides the sum of sixty thousand and five hundred and five Livers, fourteen Sous and one Denier, owing by him by forbearance, for not bringing his Acquittances, which he shall produce before our General Deputies, and bring with him their Certificate for his so doing unto the next National Synod. Which said Debt, Monsieur Sulpitius Cuper rendering account for the said Lord du Kandel, declared to have risen out of the sum of three hundred and five Livers, fourteen Sous remaining due unto the Province of Saintonge for the Year 1614. and for that nothing had been paid for the first half quarter of October, in the Year 1615. to the University of Sedan, and College of Bergerac; as also it arose out of a far greater sum taken by reprisal out of the Account aforesaid, which hath been raised and given to the said Lord of Kandel to be recovered by him, that so, if it were once recovered, it might be distributed among all the Provinces, according to the Dividend made by the National Synod of Tonneins, where the Accounts of the distribution were then, as now the Decree of this present Synod shall be given him to this very purpose.

10. Over and above the Debt before mentioned, the said Lord of Kandel oweth for October Quarter of the Year 1616. the sum of forty five thousand Livers, which he shall distribute unto the Churches, according to the Dividend made in the Synod of Tonneins.

11. Moreover, he oweth for the said Quarter the sum of nine thousand six hundred Livers, being an Augmentation granted unto the Churches by the Treaty of Londun, which began the first of July 1616. and the said Lord of Kandel hath accounted for the first July -Quarter, which shall be distributed according to the aforesaid Dividend. And it must be • oted here, that the said Quarter should have amounted unto eleven thousand six hundred and fifty Livers for the said Augmentation, but there had been substracted from it by an Order of Council the sum of sixteen hundred and fifty Livers to make up the Pension promised unto our Lord's the General Deputies.

12. Upon the Debet of the same Account for the three first Quarters of the Year 1616. there shall be taken the sums hereafter specified, one part of which the said Lord of Kandel is ordered to make good payment of, and another part to detain in his own hands till further orders.

13. And first of all, the said Lord of Kandel is ordered to reserve by him the sum of three thousand Livers, which he shall deliver unto that person who undertakes to print the Works of the most Reverend Chamier, and shall take up an Acquittance from him.

14. More, the sum of two thousand one hundred Livers, granted to the Deputies in the Assembly of Rochelle, for defraying the Charges of their Deputies at Court, which sum the said Lord of Kandel shall deliver unto Monsieur Gaultron, a Citizen of Rochelle.

15. More, the sum of seven hundred Livers for defraying the Expences of the Deputies from this present Synod to his Majesty.

16. More, four hundred Livers, ordered to be paid unto our Lord's General Deputies at Court for the like Journeys unto Court.

17. More, the sum of three hundred Livers, paid by the Province of Lower Guyenne unto Monsieur Bustonoby, according to a Decree of the National Synod of Tonneins.

18. For Monsieur Piloty 's Journey, three hundred Livers.

19. A Gratuity to Monsieur Cuper, three hundred Livers.

20. To Samuel du Fresne, two hundred Livers.

21. To the Sons of Monsieur Huberas Pastor of Berne, two hundred Livers.

22. To Monsieur Babat Pastor of Issoyre, an hundred Livers.

23. To the Son of Monsieur Bernardin Molleur one of the Refugees from the Marquisate of Salluces the sum of sixty Livers, paid by the Lord of Kandel unto Monsieur Chambrun Pastor of Nismes.

24. To Monsieur de St. Matthieu, sent by the Lord's General Deputies to the Assembly at Rochelle, by his Majesty's Order, the sum of an hundred and fifty Livers.

25. To Nicolas Jane, formerly a Monk, thirty Livers.

26. To Ascanius Allion, thirty Livers.

27. For three Portions granted to the Churches of Auvergne by the National Synod of Privas, and put upon the Account of the Province of Cévennes, whose Deputies made report, that they had paid them into these Churches, altho' they never had received the Moneys, those Portions amounting to the sum of sixteen hundred and seventy seven Livers, which this Assembly ordered to be kept by the Lord du Kandel in his own hands, until the Provincial Synod of Higher Languedoc have finally decided that Affair.

28. To the Soldiers and Porter of the Castle and Garrison of Vitre, the sum of six and thirty Livers.

29. All these Parcels sum'd up together, do amount to nine thousand, five hundred, fourscore and three Livers, which shall be paid by the Lord of Kandel, who shall reimburse himself on the Debt of his Account, arising from the three first Quarters of the Year 1616.

30. Whereas by a particular Act delivered unto Monsieur Cuper, Deputy of the Lord du Kandel, Mr. Rivett, and Mr. Chauve, Pastors, were charged as debtors for the sum of twelve hundred, sixty and two Livers, which they had distributed according to the Order of this present Synod unto some certain poor Churches, and had given an Acquittance for it, as if it had been received for their own use; This Assembly acknowledged, that it was done upon none other ground than to facilitate the Account of the said Lord du Kandel, and that the said sum was paid in by them unto those particular Churches, according to that Order and Instructions they had from this Synod, and that therefore we do discharge those Reverend Ministers, Rivet and Chauve, and acquit them fully of the said Moneys.

CHAP. XV. A Dividend of Moneys among the Provinces.

1. A Dividend made among all the Provinces of the sum of two hundred twenty five thousand Livers, granted by his Majesty unto our Churches, and this for the present Year and the Years following until the next National Synod, according to which the said Lord du Kandel shall make payment of the said sum, as it was agreed between him at the National Synod of Gap, and the Lord's General Deputies who treated with him by its Authority.

2. Out of which sum of 225000 li. before any dividend be made unto the Provinces, there must be deducted these sums following, which are allotted for the yearly maintenance of our Universities and Colleges.

3. For the University of Die, six hundred Livers.

4. For the College of Bergerac, twelve hundred Livers.

5. For the University of Sedan, four thousand Livers.

6. For the University of Saumur, five thousand one hundred and ninety Livers.

7. For the University of Montauban, three thousand seven hundred and eleven Livers.

8. For the University of Nismes, two thousand two hundred and thirty six Livers.

9. For the Pension of Samuel du Fresne, one hundred fifty seven Livers, and ten Sous.

10. For the Churches and College of Gex, four thousand three hundred Livers.

11. More, to complete the Pensions of our Lord's the General Deputies, three thousand three hundred Livers.

12. All which Parcels amount to the sum of four and twenty thousand six hundred ninety and four Livers, ten Sous, which shall be taken out of an hundred sixty eight thousand seven hundred and fifty Livers, being three quarters of the said sum of two hundred and twenty five thousand Livers.

13. Therefore there remaineth to be distributed for the said three Quarters among all the Provinces, the sum of one hundred thirty nine thousand eight hundred and fifteen Livers, ten Sous, and four thousand eight hundred Livers more to those that have Colleges, among which those are not comprised which have Universities erected and endowed.

14. To the Isle of France for fifty Pastors, four Proposans and twelve supernumerary Portions, in all sixty six Portions, and four hundred Livers for the College, the sum of eleven thousand one hundred forty eight Livers, two Sous.

15. To the Province of Poitou for two and fifty Pastors, three Proposans, and one supernumerary Portion, in all six and fifty Portions, and four hundred Livers for their College, the sum of nine thousand five hundred and nineteen Livers, twelve Sous.

16. To the Province of Lower Languedoc for sixty four Pastors, three Proposans, and one supernumerary Portion, in all sixty eight Portions and four hundred Livers for the College of Beziers, the sum of eleven thousand four hundred and seventy three Livers, sixteen Sous.

17. For the Province of Berry for thirty three Pastors, three Proposans, and seven supernumerary Portions, in all three and forty Portions, and for the College four hundred Livers, the sum of seven thousand four hundred and two Livers, eleven Sous.

18. To the Province of Saintonge for sixty eight Pastors, five Proposans, and two supernumerary Portions, and one for Monsieur Bonnet, in all seventy six Portions, and four hundred Livers for the College, the sum of twelve thousand seven hundred and seventy six Livers.

19. To the Province of Burgundy for twenty four Pastors, three Proposans, and seven supernumerary Portions for those of Maringues and Paillac, in all six and thirty Portions, and four hundred Livers for the College, the sum of six thousand two hundred and sixty two Livers, twelve Sous.

20. To the Province of Vivaretz for nine and twenty Pastors, three Proposans, and six supernumerary Portions, including herein two Portions for the Forest, in all eight and thirty Portions, and four hundred Livers for the College, the sum of six thousand five hundred eighty and eight Livers, six Sous.

21. To the Province of Anjou for eight and twenty Pastors, three Proposans and two Portions supernumerary, in all thirty three Portions, the sum of five thousand three hundred and seventy four Livers, five Sous.

22. To the Province of Higher Languedoc for fourscore and four Pastors, seven Proposans, and one Portion and half supernumerary, in all fourscore and twelve Portions and an half, the sum of fifteen thousand and sixty three Livers, fourteen Sous.

23. To the Province of Lower Guyenne for seventy and seven Pastors, five Proposans, in all eighty two Portions, the sum of thirteen thousand three hundred and fifty three Livers, fourteen Sous.

24. To the Province of Cévennes for fifty three Pastors and three Proposans and two supernumerary Portions, and five other Portions for the Churches of Issoyre and Higher Auvergne, and four Portions for Monsieur Piloty, in all sixty and seven Portions, and four hundred Livers for the College, the sum of eleven thousand and three hundred Livers, and nineteen Sous.

25. To the Province of Normandy for four and forty Pastors, six Proposans and six Portions supernumerary, in all six and fifty Portions, and four hundred Livers for the College, the sum of nine thousand five hundred and nineteen Livers, twelve Sous.

26. To the Province of Provence for fifteen Pastors, three Proposans and six supernumerary Portions, in all four and twenty Portions, and four hundred Livers for the College, the sum of four thousand three hundred and eight Livers, sixteen Sous.

27. To the Province of Britain for eleven Pastors, two Proposans, one Portion for Nants, and eight more supernumerary, in all two and twenty Portions, and four hundred Livers for the College, the sum of nine hundred and ninety Livers, fourteen Sous.

28. To the Province of Dauphiné, for fourscore and three Pastors, eight Proposans, and seven supernumerary Portions, in all ninety and eight Portions, and four hundred Livers for the College, the sum of sixteen thousand three hundred fifty nine Livers, six Sous.

29. To Monsieur du Bois, for one Portion, the sum of one hundred sixty two Livers, seventeen Sous.

Another Dividend of the sum of six and fifty thousand, two hundred and fifty Livers, which is the fourth Quarter, and to be distributed among the Churches only.

1. To the Province of the Isle of France, four thousand three hundred twenty three Livers.

2. To the Province of Poitou, three thousand six hundred sixty eight Livers.

3. To the Province of Lower Languedoc, four thousand four hundred thirty four Livers.

4. To the Province of Berry, two thousand eight hundred and twenty Livers, and ten Sous.

5. To the Province of Saintonge, four thousand nine hundred seventy eight Livers.

6. To the Province of Burgundy, two thousand three hundred and sixty Livers.

7. To the Province of Vivaretz, two thousand four hundred eighty nine Livers.

8. To the Province of Anjou, two thousand one hundred sixty two Livers.

9. To the Province of Higher Languedoc, six thousand fifty eight Livers, ten Sous.

10. To the Province of Lower Guyenne, five thousand three hundred seventy one Livers.

11. To the Province of Cévennes, four thousand three hundred eighty eight Livers, ten Sous.

12. To the Province of Normandy, three thousand six hundred sixty eight Livers.

13. To the Province of Provence, one thousand six hundred eighty Livers.

14. To the Province of Britain, one thousand four hundred forty five Livers.

15. To the Province of Dauphiné, six thousand four hundred and nineteen Livers.

16. A Portion to the Sieur du Bois, sixty five Livers, ten Sous.

Acted and Decreed in the National Synod of the Reformed Churches of France, held at Vitre, the eighteenth day of May, and the days following, in the year of our Lord one thousand six hundred and seventeen.

CHAP. I. Deputies and Officers of the SYNOD.

1 IN which there met for the Province of the Isle of France, Monsieur Peter du Moulin Pastor of the Church of Paris, Isaac de Juigne Pastor of the Church of Vassy, and Thomas Papillon Advocate in the Parliament of Paris, and Elder of the Church there gathered. Monsieur de Marolles Elder in the Church of Vitry was nominated in the Letters of Commission, but absent; however he did by Letters written under his own hand excuse his absence; which Letters were remanded back unto his Provincial Synod to judge of them.

2. For the Province of Normandy, Monsieur Samuel de L' Escherpiere Lord of Riviere Pastor in the Church of Rouen, Daniel Massys Pastor in the Church of Caen, Antony Bridon Esq Lord of Boisleroy Elder in the Church of Fescamp, and James de Montbray, Esq Advocate in the Court of Vires, and Elder in the Church of Condé.

3. For the Province of Britain, Monsieur Ezekiel Marmet Pastor of the Church gathered in the House of My Lord Duke of Rohan, and Philip de Vassaut, Esq Lord of Pennonstet, Elder of the Church of Roche Bernard.

4. For the Province of Orleans and Berry Monsieur Daniel Jammet Pastor in the Church of St. Amand, Nicolas Vigner Pastor in the Church of Blois, John de Bennis Advocate, Elder in the Church of Gien, and Galliot de Gambris Esq Lord of Soussesse Elder in the Church of Romorantin.

5. For the Province of Tourain and Anjou, Monsieur Samuel Bouchereau Pastor in the Church of Saumur, Matthew Cottieres Pastor in the Church of Tours, George Rabboteau Advocate, Elder in the Church of Pruilly, and Monsieur de la Plante Elder of the Church of Saumur being absent, and excusing himself by Letters, his excuses were admitted.

6. For the higher and lower Poitou, Monsieur John Chauffepied Pastor of the Church at Niort, John Carre Pastor of the Church at Castelheraud, Giles Begand Lord of la Begaudiere Elder in the Church of Montague, and Esajah du Mas Esq Lord of Montmartyn, excusing his absence because he fell sick upon the way unto this Synod, his Excuse was admitted.

7. For Saintonge Mr. Daniel Chanet Pastor of the Church or Ars in the Isle of Re; John Constance Pastor of the Church of Pons, Peter Packquet Elder of the Church of Rochefoucault, Peter Fromentin Elder of the Church of St. John D' Angaly.

8. For the lower Guyenne Mr. James du Luc Pastor of the Church of Castlejatoux, James Privat, Pastor of the Church of Chastillon: Francis Joly Counselor and Secretary to the King, and his Auditor in the Chancery of Bourdeaux, and Elder of the Churchthere; and John Guillim de Boutieres Esq Lord of Artigues, Elder in the Church of Grateloup.

9. For Vivaret, Mr. David Agard Pastor in the Church of Valence, Daniel Richard Pastor of the Church of Cheilar, John de Blache Lord of Blesset Elder of the Church in Bouffres, and John de Roure Advocate, Elder of the Church of Aubenas.

20. For the lower Languedoc Mr. Laurence Brunier Pastor of the Church of Usez, Michael le Faucheur Pastor of the Church of Montpellier, Charles de Bouques Lord of Pons, Doctor of the Civil Law, and Elder of the Church of Montpellier, and Antony de Roques Lord of Clausonne Elder in the Church of Montfrin.

11. For the higher Languedoc and Guyenne Monsieur John de Voysin Pastor of the Church of Realmont, and Antony Garissoles Pastor of the Church of Puylaurent, Paul de Luffee Lord of Maraval, Governor of Mavesin, and Elder of the Church there, James du Puy Deputy-Lieutenant in the Seneschalsy of Montauban, and Elder of that Church.

12. For • urgundy Mr. Peter Helliot Pastor of the Church of Arnay le Due, Francis Pereault Pastor of the Church of Mascon, and Noel du Noyer Elder of the Church of Bussy. Monsieur Salmasius was nominated Deputy unto this Assembly, but excused himself by Letters, as also did Monsieur Guichard, and Forest, who beigg Elders were both substituted in his place, whose excuses were remanded back unto their Province that it might judge of their validity.

13. For the Province or Provence Mr. Peter Huron Pastor in the Church of Reis, Elias de Glandevi • Lord of Anjou Elder in the Church of Puymichel.

14. For the Province of Dauphiné, Mr. Paul Guyon Pastor of the Church of Dieu le sit, Peter de la Croze Pastor of the Church in Courtezon, James Bernard Advocate, Elder of the Church in Montlimart; and Moses du Port Elder of the Church de la Meure, the Lord of Champoleon was also nominated in the Letters of Commission, but excused himself by Letters unto this Assembly.

15. For the Province of Cévennes Monsieur Peter Guillamin Pastor of the Church of St. Andrew de Valborgne, Daniel Venturin Pastor of the Church of Vigan, John de Vignoles Lord of Bonnet Elder in the Church of Colegnac, and John Baldwin Doctor of Laws Elder in the Church of la Salle.

16. There came also for the Churches in the Principality of Bearne, Monsieur Peter L' abbadye Pastor of the Church of Paw, and John de la Coste Lord of Padet Elder of the Church of Moneing. In whose Letters of Commission there being wanting the clause of Submission, that Article of the Synod of Vitre was read unto them relating to it. Whereupon they offering their reasons why they could not entirely subject themselves unto the Discipline of our Churches in France, principally because of the present juncture of Affairs. They were admitted to a consultive Vote, under the limitations expressed in that Act of the Synod of Vitre, that it should be left to the Will of the Provinces, Whether they should have a decisive Vote in certain Cases concerning the Churches of this Kingdom, and this by provision only until the next National Synod.

17. The Sieur Chalas one of the General Deputies of the Reformed Churches in this Kingdom near His Majesty was present also in this Assembly according to the Charge given the said Lord's General Deputies in the last general Assembly held at Loudun, and Order of our Church.

After Invocation of the Name of God, the Reverend Monsieur Peter du Moulin was chosen Moderator, Mr. Brunier Assessor, and Messieurs Vignier and Papillon Scribes,

CHAP. II. Remarks and Passages of the First Session.

LEtters were presented from the Lord Duke of Rohan unto this Assembly, whereby he assured them of the continuance of his Zeal and Affection to the Glory of God, and to the weal and happiness of our Churches, for which he had the thanks of the Assembly returned him in their Letters.

2. Messieurs des Maretz and Ollyer Pastors of the Church of Alez petitioning to be admitted into this Assembly, and to assist at the reading of our Confession of Faith, and Church Discipline, it was granted them as also unto two Elders whom the Consistory should appoint, but as for such Ministers as were not commissionated hither by their Churches and all other Persons the Canons of the Third Synod of Rochelle and that last of Vitre should be punctually observed.

3. Everyone of the Deputies in this Assembly took the Oath according to the Decree made in the Synod of Privas that they had not brigued their Deputation unto this place neither directly nor indirectly, neither for themselves nor for any others. And this shall be observed in like manner for the future in all our National Synods.

4. Monsieur • uretin Pastor and Professor in Divinity in the Church and University of Geneva having brought Letters from the Pastors and Professors there fully testifying and expressing their Holy Affection to the Churches of this Kingdom, and of their most near and intimate communion with us, was entreated by this Assembly to give us his presence during his abode in this City, and to take place among us, and to communicate his Counsels and Votes in matters that should be proposed, which he also did. And after mature and exact consideration of the several clauses in those Letters tendered by him, an Answer was made unto them.

5. The Letters of the Lord Duke of Desdiguieres were also presented unto this Assembly, expressing his desire for the advancement of the Kingdom of Jesus Christ, Letters of Thanks were ordered to be sent unto His Excellency.

6. Monsieur Bansillon Pastor in the Church of Aiguemortes having brought Letters from the Lord of Chastillon, and by word of mouth given this Assembly the Protestations of the said Lord after the Heroic Example of his Famous Ancestors to spend himself and Estate in the advancement of Christ's Kingdom, was desired to carry back Letters of Thanks from this Synod unto that Noble Lord.

CHAP. III. An Act of the Oath of Union subscribed by all the Deputyes, both Pastors and Elders.

WEE whose Names are hereunder written Deputies of the Reformed Churches of France assembled in our National Synod in the City of Alez in the Province of Cévennes, knowing by experience of what is past, that there is nothing more necessary to preserve the peace and welfare of the said Churches than an holy Union and inviolable consent both in Doctrine and Discipline, and their dependencies, and that the said Churches cannot long subsist without a good, strict, and mutual Union and Conjunction of one with another, and this better kept and maintained than heretofore. Therefore being desirous 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 which divers Persons ill-affected to our Religion do endeavor its ruin and destruction; for which reason we are more bound than ever to use by an Unanimous consent and agreement such means as will most and best contribute to our just, lawful, and necessary preservation in the aforesaid Union 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 welfare, and for the Service of Their Majesty's sworn and protested, and do swear and protest, promising that we will see these our Protestations ratified in all our respective Provinces, to continue inseparably United and Conjoyned in that Confession of Faith owned and professed by the Reformed Churches of this Kingdom, confirmed, approved and ratified by us all: We swear as well in our own names as in the names of the Churches and Provinces which have Commissionated us to be their Deputies unto this Assembly, that we will live and die in this Confession: Moreover we do profess that we will keep inviolably that Ecclesiastical Discipline, which is Established in the Reformed Churches of this Kingdom, and observe its Cannons for the Government of the said Churches, and the Reformation of manners, owning and acknowledging that it is agreeable to the Word of God, under whose Supreme and Inviolable 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 to our Consciences.

Sworn and Subscribed by

• Peter de Moulin Moderator of the Synod, Minister of the Church of Paris, and Deputy for the Isle of France, Picardy, Champaigne, &c.
• By Lawrence Brunier Assessor, Minister of Christ in the Church of Usez, Deputy for lower Languedoc.
• By Nicholas Vignier Minister of Christ in the Church of Blois, Scribe of the Synod, and Deputy of the Province of Orleans and Berry.
• By Thomas Papillon, Advocate in the Parliament of Paris, and Elder of that Church, Deputy for the Isle of France, and Scribe of the Synod.

Sworn and Subscribed by Isaac de Juigne, Pastor of the Church of Vassy and Deputy for the Isle of France, Picardy, Champaigne, &c.

2. By Samuel de L' Escherpiere, Lord de la Riviere Minister of the Word of God at Roan, by Daniel Massys Pastor of the Reformed Church in Caen, by James de Montbray Elder of the Church of Condé upon Noireau, and by Anthony Bridou Lord of Boissleroy Elder in the Church of Fescamp Deputies for the Province of Normandy.

3. Sworne and subscribed by Paui Guyon Minister of the Word of God in the Church of Dieu le fit, by Peter de la Croze Minister of the Holy Gospel in the Church of Courtozen in the Principality of Orange, by Moses du Port Esq Doctor of Law and Advocate, Elder in the Church of la Mure, By James Bernard Doctor of Law and Advocate, Elder in the Church of Montlimart, Deputies for the Province of Dauphiné.

4. Sworne and subscribed by Paul Huron Pastor of the Church of Riez, by Elijah de Glandeves, Lord of Ajon, Elder in the Church of Puymichel, Deputies for the Province of Provence

5. Sworne and Subscribed by Daniel Venturin, Pastor of the Church of Vigan, by Peter Guillaumine Pastor of the Church of St. Andrew's de Valborgne, by John de Vignoles Lord of St. Bonnet and of Colegnuc Elder of the same Church, by John Baudouin Doctor of the Civil Laws and Elder in the Church de la Salle, Deputies for the Province of Cévennes.

6. Sworne and subscribed by Ezekiel Marmet Pastor of the Church gathered in the House of my Lord Duke of Rohan, by Philip de Vassaut Esq Lord of Penmoncel, Elder in the Church of Roche Bernard, Deputies for the Province of Britain.

7. Sworne and subscribed by Daniel Jamett Pastor of the Church in St. Amand in Bourbonnois, by Galliot de Combis, Lord of Soustelle, Elder of the Church of Romorantin, by John de Benes, Advocate in the Parliament of Paris, and Elder of the Church of Guyan, Deputies for the Province of Orleans and Berry, &c.

8. Sworne and subscribed by Peter Heliot, Pastor of the Church of Arnay le Due, by Francois Perreault Minister of the Gospel in the Church of Mascon, by Noel du Noyer Lord of Joncey, Elder in the Church of Bussy, Deputies for the Province of Burgundy, Lyonnois, Bresse, &c.

9. Sworne and subscribed by Daniel Chanet Pastor of the Church of Ars in the Isle of Re, by John Constance Pastor of the Church of Pons, by Pasquet Elder of the Church of Rochefoucault, by Peter Formentin Esq Lord of Chastinat, Sheriff of the City of St. John d' Angely, Deputies for the Province of Saintonge, Aunix, and Augoulmois

10. Sworne and subscribed by John de Voisin Pastor of the Church of Realmont in Albigeois, by Anthony Garissoles Pastor of the Church of Puylaurent in Lauragais, By Paul de Luffee Lord of Maravaut and Governor of Maulterin in Armagnac, Elder of the same Church, by James du Puy Elder of the Church of Montauban Deputies for the Province of higher Languedoc, and the higher Guyenne.

11. Sworne and subscribed by J. Chauffepied Pastor of the Church of Niort, by John Carre Pastor of the Church of Chastelheraut, by Giles Begaud Lord of la Begaudiere, Elder of the Church of Montague, Deputies for the Province of Poitou.

12. Sworne and subscribed by Samuel Bouchereau Pastor of the Church of Saumur, by Matthew Cottiere Minister of God's Word at Tours, by G. Raboteau Elder in the Church of Pruylly, Deputies for the Province of Anjou, Touraine and le Main.

13. Sworne and subscribed by Peter de Abbadie, Pastor of the Church of Pau, by John de la Coste Lord of Badett Plaisance and of Monheim Elder of the Church in Monheim now mentioned, Deputies for the Principality of Béarn.

14 Sworne and subscribed by John du Luc Pastor of the Church of Castel jaloux, by James Privat Pastor of the Church of Castelle upon the Dordogne, by Francois Joly Elder of the Church of Bourdeaux, by John de Boutiers, Squire of the Kings Body, and Lord of Artigues, Elder in the Church of Grateloup, Deputies for the Province of the lower Guyenne.

15. Sworne and subscribed by David Agard Pastor of the Church of Vaylance, and of Soyon, by Danlel Richard Pastor of the Church of Chedard in Batiere, by John de la Blache Lord of Blesset, Elder of the Church de la Bastie, by John de Rovre Doctor of the Civil Laws, Lord of Esbonaud, Elder in the Church of Aubenas, Deputies for the Province of Vivaretz.

16. Sworne and subscribed by Michael le Faucheur Pastor of the Church of Montpellier, by Anthony de Raques Lord of Claussonnes Elder of the Church of Montfrin, by Charles de Bouques Lord of Pons, Doctor of the Civil Laws, Elder of the Church of Montpellier, Deputies for the Province of Lower Languedoc.

17. Sworne and subscribed by John de Chal'ais General Deputy for the Reformed Churches of France near His Majesty.

The Sieurs Des Marez and Ollier Pastors of the Church of Alez craved admission into this Assembly, and leave to assist at the Reading of our Confession of Faith and Church-Discipline, which was granted not only for themselves but for two Elders also, who should be chosen out of the Body of their Consistory.

And whereas divers other Pastors, who were not commissionated by the Provinces did take upon them to come unto this National Synod, and to sit and tarry in it as Spectators during the whole time of its Sessions, the former Cannons made by the National Synods of Rochell and Vitre were now revived, and ordered to be put in execution against them.

CHAP. IV. Observations upon the Confession of Faith.

1. THE Word Unity which is found in divers printed Copies of the Six and Twentieth Article must be changed into that of Union, according to the former Advice given in the National Synods of Montauban, Saumur and Rochell.

2. The Confession of Faith having been read word by word, and examined in every particular Point and Article thereof was most unanimously approved and sworn to by all the Deputies then present, who did not only promise and protest to live and die in this Faith; but also to procure its observation in their respective Provinces, and to cause it to be sworn by their Principals by whom they were Commissionated.

CHAP. V. Observations on the Church-Discipline.

1 ALL our Churches are Exhorted to govern themselves in the Election, Examination, and Ordination of their Pastors according to that Order prescribed in the Fourth Cannon of the First Chapter: And whereas the Provinces of both the Languedocs and Cévennes have usually begun with an examine, they shall henceforward conform themselves punctually to that Article.

2. The Province of Anjou moved, whether a Solemn Fast ought not to be observed at the Ordination of Ministers. A Decree past that nothing should be innovated in this matter, but the former Customs should be retained; only if there was a particular necessity for it, the Third Canon in the Tenth Chapter of our Discipline shall be most exactly followed.

3. Upon the Ninth Canon of the First Chapter the said Province of Anjou demanded, what is the Duty of that Church or Province which hath a Proposan every way fit for Employment in the Holy Ministry, and hath not a vacant Congregation for him, and he is earnestly importuned by some other Church or Province to be lent unto them. This Assembly ordaineth that the Canon shall be most exactly observed, That no Proposan shall be lent or sent without assigning him to some particular Church to which he shall stand related as their Pastor. And it his own Church or Province cannot employ the said Proposan, they may out of their Charity grant him unto that Church or Province, which desires him of them; where he shall be fixed as their own peculiar Minister.

4. The Provinces are Exhorted to make inquiry in their Synods whether the Eleventh Canon be observed or transgressed; that so the Transgressors of it may be censured according to the former Decrees of our National Synods.

5. Catechising being a most necessary and prositable Ordinance, all the Provinces are enjoined to see the Twelfth Canon more carefully observed in their Churches than it hath been formerly; and the Provinces shall give in an account hereof unto the next National Synod.

6. This ensuing Cannon made by the Synod of Privas shall be read in all Consistories, that so the scandals given by Pastors Transgressors of it may be prevented for the future; and all Consistories shall give in an account thereof unto Colloquies, and Colloquies unto Provincial Synods, and Provincial Synods unto the National.

7. Reading the Eighteenth Canon in the First Chapter of our Discipline, which enjoined Ministers to exhort their People unto all Modesty in their Fashions and Habits, and they themselves to go before them in a good Example they, their Wives, Children and Families refraining all bravery in Apparel; Many Complaints were brought in against divers Ministers, whose Wives and Children transgressed this Holy Canon, and were exceeding vain in their Habits, fashioning themselves according to the World, and were very much estranged from that Modesty commanded and expected from them and all theirs. This Assembly desirous to remedy such a growing and notorious scandal, doth give express charge unto all Moderators of Colloquies and Provincial Synods to correct and reform these Excesses by Censures and severe Reprehensions, and by the Authority of this Assembly to suspend the Refractory from the Sacred Ministry, until such time as they have removed all matters of offense. And that this Canon may be the better observed, License is given unto all private Persons according to our Discipline to inform the Consistories of the aforesaid Excesses, and to demand their Reformation. Which being denied, they may address themselves unto the Colloquies for Censures against these Offenders, and all those who shall abett or countenance them in such their scandalous miscarriages.

8. In those Copies of the Nineteenth Canon, where towards the end of it are these words, To make but one and the self-same Church and Consistory, those words one and the self-same Consistory shall be blotted out.

9. Upon the Fiftieth Canon there was this Observation. Forasmuch as through the corruption of the Age in which we live it may so fall out, That a Minister deposed in one Colloquie or Province may intrude himself into another, and take upon him to preach the Word, before the Meeting of the National Synod, by which all the Churches in this Kingdom may be advised of the said deposed Person. This Assembly doth Exhort all Pastors, and Consistories not easily to admit any Stranger from another Province into the Pulpits, unless they be very well acquainted with him. And as for Apostates, the Pastors of the adjoining Churches in which they revolted live, shall give speedy and public notice of these Apostates, that so none of our Churches or Ministers may be surprised by them.

10. On the Second Canon of the Third Chapter, the Provinces of the higher and lower Languedoc were particularly enjoined to observe the said Canon more carefully for the future.

11. The Second Canon of the Second Chapter shall be thus worded, Regents and School-Masters shall subscribe our Confession of Faith and Church-Discipline, and no Towns nor Churches shall admit of any one without the consent of the Consistory of that place.

12. On the Fifth Canon of the Fifth Chapter a Question was moved by the Province of Provence, Whether a Person that was never called to the Office of an Elder might warrantably read the Word of God, and the Common-Prayers unto the Church in the Ministers absence, especially in lesser Churches, which have no Consistories, nor any Persons fit to read. This Assembly judgeth that the Consistory hath full liberty to choose any one whom it conceiveth meet to read the Scriptures and Prayers, although he be not in the Eldership, provided he be of sufficient years and unblameable Life, and that he have subscribed the Confession of our Faith, and Church-Discipline.

13. At the req • est of the Province of Cévennes to these words in the Sixteenth Canon of the Fifth Chapter, Fathers and Mothers who marry their Children, shall be added these following, Tutors, Guardians, and all other Persons instead of Parents who dispose of their Orphans and Minors in Marriage.

14. These words as much as may be shall be rased out of the Ninth Canon of the Twelfth Chapter. And in all the Provinces Pastors shall be obliged to administer the Cup as well as the Bread unto every individual Communicant without distinction of Persons, as also they shall use meet words in the Administration of both the Elements to quicken the Hearts and Spirits of the Communicants at the Lord's Table. And express Order is given to all Provincial Synods that they take special care that Pastors do not in the least transgress this Canon.

15. On the Third Canon of the Thirteenth Chapter, the Province of Normandy desired, That all the Churches of this Kingdom would conform themselves to their Custom, That Espousals before Marriage should be Celebrated by Ministers with Prayers and Exhortations to the betrothed Persons to prepare them for that Holy Estate whereunto they be called. The Assembly though it praiseth and approveth of this their practice, and of them that observe it, yet did not judge meet to oblige all Persons necessarily thereunto, but leave the faithful unto their liberty.

16. On the Fifth Canon of the same Chapter there was made this reflection. That whereas there is a great difference in divers Copies of our Church-Discipline, that Canon which was made by the National Synod of Privas shall be inserted word for word into the Body of our Discipline, To wit,

17. On the Sixteenth Canon of the Thirteenth Chapter, the Province of Anjou demanded, Whether we should suffer the Banes of Strangers, as Germans, Scots, or any others to be published in our Churches, without having Certificates from their Country, which will be very difficult to obtain, and possibly may be counterfeit. This Assembly leaveth the matter wholly to the prudence of Consistories, and to act therein as will be most expedient, ordaining however that if possible they should get Certificates.

18. On the same Canon the Province of lower Guyenne requested that another might be made for the right ordering of Banes, which are mostly attended with Titles full of vanity. Tins Assembly conceiving that such an Ordinance would not take well with Persons of Quality, doth therefore advise them to keep, as much as possibly they can within the bounds of Christian Modesty and Simplicity.

19. The Seventh Canon of the Fourteenth Chapter shall be couched in these words

20. The Province of Normandy demanding that the Eleven Canon of this Fourteenth Chapter might be a little mollified, This Assembly ordained that it should abide in its full and whole Power, according to what had been decreed in the Synod of Tonneins.

21. On the Sixteenth Canon, Synods, Colloquies and Consistories are Exhorted to watch over Ministers and other Persons, who shall publish their Works, and not first of all communicate them in Manuscript to be perused and approved by the Divines thereunto appointed; and the Transgressors of this Canon shall be most severely censured.

The Articles of our Discipline having been read and diligently considered were sworn to by all the Pastors and Elders Deputed unto this Assembly, both in their private and public Capacities, and they promised for themselves and Provinces to see them faithfully and carefully observed.

CHAP. VI. Observations made on Reading the Acts of the last National Synod held at Vitre.

1. THAT Article enjoining Monsieur Rivett to compose an History of those Remarkable Providences which had befallen our Churches, being read, together with his Excuses by Letters for non-performance, the Provinces not having communicated to him their Memorials as they were ordered; This Assembly commands that Letters shall be dispatched to Monsieur Buffon Lieutenant General of Casteljaloux exhorting him to prosecute this great Work undertaken by him of writing the History of our times, and that he would be pleased before it go unto the Press to impart it unto the Synod of his Province; and all the other Provinces be charged to send unto him their Memoirs.

2. In reading that Canon of Tonneins inserted into the last Synod of Vitre, which gave leave unto Elders in Consistory, the Pastor being excepted against, to suspend a Scandalous Person from the Lord's Table: The Provinces of Berry and Cévennes remonstrating that many and great inconveniencies might fall out by the Execution of such an Ordinance. This Assembly Decreed, That although for good and just causes the Pastor had been excepted against, yet the Elders only by themselves might not proceed to suspend any Person from the Lord's Table, without the Presence and Approbation of a Neighbor Pastor.

3. On that Article concerning Monsieur de Beauchamp, which enjoined the Province of Britain to give him satisfaction for his Pension due unto him for his Four Years Service, Minister in the House of the Lord Duke of Rohan; and the rather, because the said Province had for that whole time received the Portion of the said Monsieur