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

CHAP. XXIII. The Accompts of the Lord of CANDAL.

1 THE Seurs Basnage and le Clerk, Pastors, du Port and du Four Elders having been constituted a Committee to audit the Lord of Candals Accompts, do report, that examining and perusing of them, he makes himself Debtor for the Summ of Four hundred, fourscore and eighteen thousand, eight hundred twenty five Livres, Received for the last Quarter of the year 1619, and for the years 1620, and 1621. And out of the said Moneys he hath disbursed the Summ of Four hundred fourscore and eighteen thousand eight hundred and fifty Livres, ten Sous, and four Deniers. So that there would be owing the said Lord of Kandel the Summ of five and twenty Livres, ten Sous, and four Deniers. But it must be observed that in the said disbursement there is included the Summ of one hundred threescore and nine thousand eight hundred forty and two Livres, two Sous and two Deniers, whereof there was made reprisal in ready Money in the said Account, and not received from the Quarters of October in the years 1619, 1620, and 1621, on these terms that he continued his diligence, care, and labor for the recovery thereof, that so it being got, a Dividend might be made thereof among the Churches; And the said Lord of Kandel shall bring in Evidence unto the next National Synod of his care and diligence for the recovery of the said Moneys, and how he shall have disposed of them.

2. Moreover in the said disbursement there is included the Summ of Six thousand five hundred and eighteen Livres, one Sous, and four Deniers, which was forborne him in four Ar icles of the said disbursement for want of Acquittances from the Receivers of the Provinces of Provence, Britain, and College of Bergerac, which he is ordered to produce before the next National Synod.

3. Moreover the said Lord of Kandel produced the Acquittances of those Parties which had been forborne him on the former Accompts rendered by him unto the National Synod of Alez, by reason whereof the said Parties are now discharged.

CHAP. XXIV. A Dividend made among all the Provinces of the Summ of Two hundred twenty and five thousand Livres granted by His Majesty unto the Reformed Churches of France for the next Year 1624, and in the Years following until the sitting of the next National Synod, according whereunto the said Lord of Kandel is to make these following Payments as it was formerly agreed with him in the National Synod of GAP.

OUT of the Three first Quarters of the said Summ of Two Hundred twenty and five thousand Livres, which amount to Eight Score and eight thousand seven hundred and fifty Livres there must be distributed these Summs following.

The Province of Higher Languedoc, of Normandy, Berry, and Burgundy, petitioning that they might have the Privilege of Calling the next National Synod, this Assembly granted it unto that of Higher Languedoc, which shall Convocate it in May, Sixteen hundred and twenty six.

CHAP. XXV. The Roll of Apostate and Deposed Ministers.

1 JAmes Mahaut formerly Pastor in the Church of Haure de Grace in the Province of Normandy, a middle siz'd Fellow, black Hair, a little Beard, roaving Eyes; about forty years of Age. An Apostate.

2. John Guillemart formerly Pastor in the Church of Chandenier in the Province of Poitou, about Fifty years of Age, having a black Beard, beginning to wax gray, low of Stature, his Eyes looking downward after a Melancholy manner, an Apostate.

3. Anthony le Blanc, born at Beaune, and Minister in the same place, about five and forty years of Age, tall of Stature, a fair flaxen color'd Beard, eagle Nos'd, a thin slender Fellow, small Crane Legs, an Apostate.

4. John Balsull, sometimes Minister in the Church of Pragela in the Province of Dauphiné, about two and thirty years old, low of Stature, black Hair, a Melancholy Fellow, thin and Meagre, his Head stooping downwards, blubber Lips, Deposed for Arminianism by the Synod of Dauphiné.

5. Henry de • ubac formerly Minister in the Church of Privas in Vivaretz, about thirty years of Age, mean of Stature, bald Headed, but that little Hair he hath is a dark brown chestnut color, of a wandering look, his Eyes sunk into his Head, and shaking it upon all occasions, fierce in his Carriage, Deposed by the Colloquy of Valentinois for Adultery and other Crimes.

6. James Repasseau formerly Pastor in the Church of Livron in the Province ef Dauphiné about Five and forty years of Age Deposed by the Synod of the said Province for attempting to commit Adultery, but yet hopes were given him that he might be restored unto the Sacred Ministry after some years of Penance, provided he could then bring valid testimonials of his Godly and Religious Conversation, and of his continued sincere and serious Repentance, which hath been observed by very many to be begun in him already, he lives for the present at Montlimart. He was restored by the National Synod of Castres after ten years of penance.

7. John de Dieu about thirty years of Age, born at Sauve, tall of Stature, fair flaxen Hair, long Visage, great Nose, his Eyes sunk into his Head, his Face very red, Deposed by the Synod of Cévennes for divers Crimes, and since turned Apostate.

8. — Peyreille formerly Pastor in the Church of Cabarede in the Province of Higher Languedoc, five and thirty years old, black Beard, great Head and Nose, short feet, very low of Stature, Deposed by the Synod of that Province for attempting to commit Adultery, for profaning God's Holy Word, and divers other Crimes.

9. John de Fondevill formerly Pastor in the Church d' Osse in the Principality of Bearne, low of Stature, fair flaxen Hair, fierce Carriage, great Eyes, about thirty years old, Deposed by the Colloquy of Olleron for Adultery, Contempt of his Ministerial Calling, extraordinary Vanity, and since Apostate.

10. Samuel Pourrac formerly Pastor in the Church of La Bastide, Villefranche in the Principality of Bearne, middle Stature, red Hair, and yet already turning gray, about Five and fifty years of Age, crump-shoulder, bald-headed, Deposed for Adultery by the Synod of the said Principality held at Nay the last August.

11. Peter Palocquz formerly Pastor in the Church of Luc in the Principality of Béarn, of a low dwarfish Stature, cole black thin Hair, small Crane-Leggs, pur-blind, about eight and thirty years of Age, Deposed by the aforesaid Synod held at Nay for his un-natural and un-dutiful Carriage unto his Aged Parents, for very great and shrewd suspicions of Adultery, from which he could never clear himself, and because in his common Deportments and Conversation he acted as one altogether unworthy the Sacred Ministry.

12. John Perrier formerly Pastor in the Church of Paillac in Auvergne, low of Stature, red Hair, copper-Nos'd, about fifty years old, Deposed by the Synod of Burgundy for deserting his Church, and a great many other Crimes.

All these afore-mentioned Acts, Decsiions, and Canons were past in the National Synod of the Reformed Churches of France, and Principality of Bearne, assembled at Charenton St. Maurice near Paris from the First of September to the First of October, in the year 1623. As also was sworn the Oath of Union in Doctrine and Discipline, and of fidelity to His Majesty, as was practiced heretofore in these National Synods, and in the very words of that Oath framed by the Synod of Alez.

Thus Subscribed by

• Durant, Moderator.
• Bailly, Assessor.
• Faucheur Scribes.
• and de Launay Scribes.

And there was this Appendix written by the hand of the Lord de Launay at the close of this Synod.

A True Copy sent unto the Colloquy in the Land of Chartres attested by the Manual Subscription of De L' Aunay, one of the Scribes of the said Synod, and one of the Deputies for the Province of the Isle of France, and by these Deputies, whose Names follow.

William Rivett. Berlie Pastor of the Church in Quissac. J. Clerc, De Chambrun. Chamier Pastor of the Church at Montlimart. St. Amblier. Jurieu Pastor of Chastillion on the Loir. Villon. Havres. M. de Langle Pastor in the Church of Rouen. P. Paulett Pastor of Vezenobre. D' Avignon Pastor at Rennes. P. Beraud Pastor and Professor in the Church of Montauban. Savoye Pastor in the Church of Castres. Isle Pelletier Pastor in the Church of Vandome. Cottiby Pastor at Poitiers.

CHAP. XXVI. CANONS and DECREES Made and Establish'd in the National Synod of the Reformed Churches of France held at Charenton near Paris, September, l623. inviolably to be observed by all the Churches and Universities in that Kingdom.

CHAP. XXVII. Remarks upon some of the Deputies Commissionated unto this Synod.

1 MOnsieur Durant the Moderator, was first Minister to the Landgrave of Hesse, and after to that Excellent Princess Katharine Dutchess of Barr, only Sister of Henry the Fourth, and at last Pastor of the Church of Paris. He was a very Holy Man of God, a most Eloquent and Zealous Preacher, he was like Lightning and Thunder in the Pulpit. There be Three Excellent Sermons of his in print upon the Nineteenth Verse of the Fifth Chapter, and First Epistle to the Thessalonians. He grew sickly after his return from this Synod, and died in the Year 1626.

2. Peter de Launay, who was the Lay-Scribe in this Synod, was a very Learned Gentleman, and of great Reputation in the Churches of France. He hath written Commentaries upon all the Epistles of Paul in French, which are printed in Two Volumes in Quarto. He Commented also, but under another Name, upon the Prophesy of Daniel, and the Apocalypse of St. John.

3. Adrian Chamier was the Worthy Son of the Great Chamier, the Third Minister successively from his Grandfather, a Pious Minister in Dauphiné. I knew five of his Grandsons, all Learned and Godly Ministers, and Exiles for Christ. The Ministry hath been in this Family for Six Generations, Monsieur Leger, that was a Pastor in the Churches of the Valleys of Piedmont writes, that the Ministry had been in his Family for above Four Hundred years, and that his Grandfather preached when he was above an Hundred Years Old. See Legers Histoire General des Vaudols, Livre 2. pag. 360. Adrian Chamier, was for his great Prudence and Ability to manage Synodical businesses chosen Deputy to several of their National Synods. He succeeded his Father in the Pastoral Office in the Church of Montlimart. Of whom God lending me Life, I shall say more in my Icones.

4. Jurieu, he was the Father of Monsieur Jurieu the Learned Pastor and Professor of Divinity in the French Church, and Illustrious School of Rotterdam.

5. Beraud, he succeeded his Father in both Functions as Pastor of the Church, and Professor of Divinity in the University of Montauban.

6. Monsieur William Rivet, he was Brother to Andrew Rivet Professor of Divinity at Leyden, distinguished from him by the Title of Lord of Champvernon. He would never remove from his Church of Taillebourg. He was very dear unto the House of Tremouille, Deputy to several National Synods, a Man of singular prudence, and dexterity in the management and dispatch of the Synodical Affairs, insomuch that when he died there was a great lamentation for him, because of that great loss the whole Province sustained in his Death. But God made it up in Two years time, by raising up Twenty Ministers capable of doing all Services in their Provincial Synod, as I have been credibly informed by some Ancient and Eminent Pastors of Poitou. He was a Man of great Learning. He hath writ de Justification, and another Book de Invocatione & Adoratione Sanctorum defunctorum. I have seen another piece of his in French of the Authority of the Scriptures, in Quarto, and there is a Fourth in Octavo, Des droicts de Dieu.

Sir Augustus Galland, was the first Commissioner for the King in any of their National Synods. He represented the King in this. I suppose he was born in Béarn or Navar. He was a great Lawyer and Antiquary, his Works are printed in one Folio, viz. Memoirs pour L' Histoire de Navarre & de Flandre, par Guillemot Paris, 1648.

8. Monsieur de Baux Lord of L' Angle, Pastor of the Church of Caen, The Reverend Dr. L' Angle Prebend of Westminster is his Son.

9. Monsieur Mestrezat, Of him see the Second Synod of Charenton, in which he presided.

CHAP. I.

AT the opening of this Synod there appeared the Lord Galland one of the Lord's of His Majesty's Most Honorable Privy Council, and Council of State, and Attorney General for his Dominion of Navarre, as His Majesty's Commissioner, Deputed by His Majesty unto this Assembly with this Letter following.

There appeared in the said Assembly for the Province of Provence the Sieurs Paul Maurice Pastor of the Church of Aiguieres, and James Franc Notary Public, Elder of the Church of Lormarin.

For the Province of Vivaretz, Forest, and Vellay the Sieurs Alexander de Vinay Pastor of the Church of Annonay, and Paul Accaurat Pastor of the Church of Aubenas, and Daniel Arcajon the Kings Notary, and Elder in the said Church of Aubenas, and Daniel Sabatier Elder in the Church of Villeneufve de Berg. These Persons were requested to see that for the future their Provincial Synod suffer not any Letters of Commission or Memoirs which shall be brought before the National Synods by the Deputies of the said Province, to be formed out of their Synodical Assemblies, nor that they be subscribed by any others besides the Moderators, or Assessors, in case the Moderators of the said Synods shall be chosen Deputies.

For the Province of Britain the Sieurs Andrew le Noir Lord of Beauchamp, Pastor in the Church of Belin, and Philip de Vassant, Esq Lord of Martimont, Elder in the Church of Roche Bernard.

For the Province of Cévennes, The Sieurs Nicolas le Blanc Pastor of the Church of Barr, and Lawrens Aymard Pastor of the Church of Lezan, together with Claudius de Gabriac Lord of Beaufort, Elder in the Church of Avez, and Charles de Calvet Lord of Aires Elder in the Church of St Privat.

For the Province of Dauphiné Denis Bouteroue Pastor of the Church in Grenoble, and John Corel Pastor of the Church of Ambrun, with David Chaluett Elder in the Church of Die, and Anthony Brissett Elder in the Church of Montlimart.

For the Province of Burgundy, The Sieurs Peter Bollenatt Pastor in the Church of Avalon, which meets for Religious Worship at Vaux. Alexander Rouph one of the Pastors of the Church of Lions, together with Albert de Mars, Esq Lord of Baleines Elder in the Church of Maringues, and Lazarus du Puy Counselor for the King in the Presidial Court of Berg in the Province of Bresse, and Elder of the Church in the said Town.

For the Province of Higher Languedoc, The Sieurs Peter Ollier Pastor of the Church of Montauban, and Moses de Baux Pastor of the Church of Mazamet together with Mr. John de Portes Doctor of the Civil Law and Advocate in Parliament, Elder of the Church of Castres, and the Lord John Brassar Doctor of the Civil Law, and Advocate in Parliament, Elder in the Church of Montauban, but he was detained by Sickness in the said City, and whereas another was substituted in his place. He also came not for want of Notice given him.

For the Province of Lower Languedoc; The Sieurs John Chauve Pastor of the Church of Sommieres, and Michael le • aucheur Pastor of the Church of Montpellier, with Francis Petit Doctor of the Civil Law, and Advocate, Elder in the Church of Nismes, and Theophilus Ranchin Secretary of the Kings Chamber, and Elder in the said Church of Montpellier.

For the Province of Lower Guyenne, The Sieurs John Mizaubin Pastor of the Church of Sainte Foy, and James du Fort Pastor of La Bastide in Armagnac, together with Mr. John Joan Lord of Loullan, Advocate in the Parliament of Bourdeaux, Elder in the Church of Duras, and Mr. Isaac Grenouelleau Advocate also in the same Parliament and Elder of the Church of Castelsmoron in Albrett.

For the Province of Saintonge the Sieurs John Constance Pastor of the Church of Pons, and David Belot Pastor of the Church de la Rochechalais, together with John Besne Esq Lord of Angoulins Elder in the Church of Rochell, and Elijah Marlat Advocate in the Parliament of Bourdeaux, and Elder of the Church of Mirambeau.

For the Province of Poitou, The Sieur Peter de la Vallade Pastor of the Church of Fontenay la Conte, and Isaac du Soul Pastor of the Church of Lusignan, accompanied with Gilles Begaud Esq Lord of La Begaudiere Elder in the Church of Montague, and James Coxdel Lord of Soignon, Elder in the Church of St. Maixant.

For the Province of Anjou the Sieurs Daniel Couppe Pastor of Loudun, and Stephen le Bloy Pastor of the Church of Angers, without any Elders, because those who were Commissionated fell sick on their Journey; which Excuse was admitted.

For the Province of Orleans and Berry, The Sieurs John Guerrin Pastor of the Church of Baugency, and John Taby Pastor of the Church of La Charite, accompanied with James Pasquier Counselor and Comptroller for the King in the Town of Baugency, and Elder of the Church there, and Peter Longuet Advocate in the Parliament of Paris, and Elder in the Church of Issoudun.

For the Province of Normandy, The Sieur John Baunier Lord of La Fresnage Pastor in the Church of Caen, and Peter Erondelle Pastor in the Church of Roan, Accompanied with Peter du Pertuis, Esq Lord of Eragny, Elder in the Church of Gisors, and Mr. Francis Quillel Lord of La Briere, Counselor and Assessor in the Vi-County of Alenson, and Elder of the Church gathered in that City.

For the Province of the Isle of France, The Sieurs John Mestrezat Pastor of the Church of Paris, and David Blondell Pastor of the Church of Houdan, Accompanied with John de Gravelle, Esq Lord of Beauterne, Elder in the said Church of Houdan, and Isaac d' Huisseau Elder in the Church of Paris.

For the Province of Béarn, The Sieurs Peter Rivall, Pastor of the Church of Nay, and John de Pommarede Advocate in the Parliament of Navarre Elder in the Church of Mourlans, who not having inserted in their Letters of Deputation that clause of submission required by the former National Synods, were told that for this time they were born withal on those Conditions expressly mentioned in the Canons of the last National Synod, but for the future, they should not be admitted into these Assemblies, nor have a consultive Vote in them, excepting only when as the Confession of our Faith should be read, in which indeed and nothing else they retain Union with our Churches.

The Second of October the Lord of Montmartyn General-Deputy for the Churches of this Kingdom unto His Majesty came into this Synod, and took his place, and voted in it according to the Canons of our Churches, and the usual practice of former National Synods.

After Invocation of the Holy Name of God in Prayer, Monsieur Chauve was chosen Moderator, and Monsieur Bouteroue Assessor, and Messieurs Blondel and Petit Scribes.

CHAP. II. The Kings Writt for the Calling of the Synod, and ordering of Matters in it.

AS soon as the Synod was formed, and the Election of its Officers past the Lord Galland presented His Majesty's Letters Patents, which being read, they were transcribed, and the Copy inserted into the Acts of this Synod, the Tenour whereof was as followeth:

CHAP. III. The Lord Commissioners Speech to the COUNCIL.

THIS Commission being read, The Lord Galland declared fully and at large what Orders had been given him by His Majesty, the Sum of which was an Assurance of His Majesty's good Will towards His Subjects of the Reformed Religion, and his Royal promise to preserve them in their Exercise and peaceable profession of it, and that whilst they continued in their Duty and Obedience unto His Majesty he would take care that his Edicts should be strictly and punctually observed. 2. And that the Foundations of their Obedience may be the more firm and solid, His Majesty exhorted his said Subjects of the Reformed Religion to live in a greater Equanimity and Moderation with his other Subjects, though differing from them in Religion. So that the difference in Religion may cause no difference in their Affections, which His Majesty assureth His said Protestant Subjects shall be accurately observed towards them, that so they may not in any manner be troubled or prosecuted upon the pretext and ground of their Religion. 3. The Professors also of the Reformed Religion ought on their part to promise, that they will not hold any Intelligence, Alliances, or Correspondence with Persons abroad and without the Kingdom, but only with His Majesty, Reposing their entire Confidence in His Majesty's Royal Word, Grace and Favor. He added farther, That His Majesty commanded him to acquaint us, that during the Wars he was never minded to abrogate or disannul the Edicts, because he always had a particular regard to the Repose of his Subjects. For immediately upon his being declared Major, he confirmed his Edicts, renewed his Alliances, increased and augmented his Bounty unto the Ministers, and employed in his most important Affairs of State the Lord's and Gentlemen professing the said Religion, and when as some special Occurrences necessitated him to act otherwise, He did notwithstanding express and evidence the Effects of his Clemency by receiving and pardoning whole Communities, and all such of His Subjects as submitted themselves unto his Authority, he gave them a General Amnesty to Indemnifie them. 4. And although the remembrance of those Actions be dead and buried, yet 'tis His Majesty's Pleasure, that the Canon past in the Synod of Realmont be put in Execution, and an Information taken and brought in against those Ministers, who had embracit the Spanish Faction, and that the Deputies unto this Council do Order a Declaration to this purpose to be drawn up, not as if His Majesty intended an Hue and Cry should be issued out after the guilty, or that they should be prosecuted for it, but that all occasions of Troubles may be taken away, and that the Lives and Actions of those who persisted in their Duty may not at all be blemished. 5. The said Lord Commissioner added further, That it was His Majesty's Will as it had been Decreed in the last Synod at Charenton, that Ministers should be confined to the proper Duties of their Calling, and preach unto their People Obedience, and not do as too too many did in the time of the late Troubles, get into Political Assemblies, and intermeddle with Affairs of State. 6. And that Obedience and Subjection unto His Majesty's Authority may be kept up inviolably, and not be corrupted by any Foreign Manners or Way of Living; It is His Majesty's Pleasure, and according to Laws in this case provided, That no Minister shall depart the Kingdom without his Royal Licence first obtained, nor live in a Foreign Land, nor shall these National Councils lend any of their Ministers unto Foreign Princes or Republics, who may importune them to such a Loane, either for a determinate time, or during Life, but they shall remit the demand unto His Majesty, who in such cases will particularly consider his good Neighbors and Allies.

CHAP. IV. The Councils Answer to it.

WHereupon the Council having given thanks to Almighty God for inclining the Kings heart to favor our poor Churches, and to continue his protection to them, they did also render their most humble and unfeigned thanks unto His Majesty, for those most sensible Expressions of His Royal Favor unto His Subjects of the Reformed Religion, for giving us our Peace, and the accustomed Effects of His Goodness and Clemency: And that His Majesty might have a manifest token and evidence of our Obedience unto his Commands, now signified to us, it was immediately and unanimously voted, that a Declaration should be drawn up, as in Conscience we were bound, to discharge our Holy Religion of all blame, and to testify our fidelity and submission unto His Majesty, from whose Authority, Clemency and Justice next and immediately after God, the Churches of France can only hope for support, protection, and preservation; being ready and willing to lay down in His Majesty's Service all that is dear unto us, even our very Lives and Fortunes, professing and calling • od to witness, that this is the Doctrine taught by our Pastors unto their Churches, agreeable to the word of God in the Holy Scriptures, and that Confession of Faith, which is owned and embraced by all the Reformed Churches of France. And the very first Vote which past was this, that notwithstanding there have been ever found among our People professing the Reformed Religion the noblest Instances and Patterns of a true, great, and most Christian patience under the worst of usages and oppressions in all places, and at all times sustained by them, yet nevertheless all and singular the Consistories of our Churches shall continue their Counsels and Exhortations to them of abounding in Christian patience, equanimity and moderation, and to pay unto their Countrymen of the Romish Religion all Offices and Duties of Humanity, Civility and Charity according to the Word of God, and Intendment of His Majesty, who also is most humbly petitioned to cast His Royal Eyes of Compassion upon the deep Afflictions of His Protestant Subjects, who, though they have always labor'd to gain and keep the love and friendship of their fellow-Citizens, and Country-men, are yet notwithstanding in divers places of the Kingdom molested in their Persons, disturbed in the Exercise of their Religion, deprived of their Temples, yea, and see them demolished before their Faces even since the peace, or else given away from them for dwelling houses unto the Rom • sh Priests and Ecclesiastics, and that they be dispossessed of their Burying Places, and the Dead Bodies of very many Persons digged up most ignominiously, that our Ministers have been barbarously beaten, bruised, wounded, and driven away from their Churches, although they have been the most innocent and inoffensive Persons in the World, who neither injured the Public in general, nor any one in particular, as our General Deputies shall more amply and at large make report hereof unto His Majesty.

Moreover the Council doth farther declare, That as the Churches within the Kingdom have ever been united in the profession of one and the same Faith and Acts of Love and Charity, because they are part of the same Mystical Body, whose Members have none other aim or end than with one heart to serve God and the King in peaceable Lives, and Liberty of Conscience, so as for the Churches in other Nations, they never had, nor ever will have any Intelligence, Alliance, or Correspondency with them than what shall be approved by God and His Majesty, desiring always to live in peace under the Wings of His protection.

Farther the Council protesterh, that our Churches had never the least intimation or knowledge that any of their Members professing the Reformed Religion have tamper'd in any Plots or Treasons with the Spaniard, or other Enemies of this Crown, and if it could be proved to them that there be such as were engaged in those pernicious designs and practices, we would be the very first with heart and hand to subscribe unto their Condemnation, and to abhor both them, their Complices and Adherents, as we now do from our very Souls profess our Abhorrency and Detestation both of them, their Doctrine, and practice, who having divers times attempted to Assassinate the Sacred Persons of Kings, do to this very day uphold and mantain Intelligencies and Correspondencies both at home and abroad within and without the Kingdom against their precious Lives, and Imperial Crowns, Dignities, and Regal Authority.

As for that Canon past in the Synod of Realmont, and read now unto us, This Council cannot conceal its grief for the great wrong done unto that Synod, because it was enforced by His Majesty's Commissioner then personally assisting in it to frame an Act, which seems to take for granted that there were some Ministers accused of holding Intelligence with the Spaniard the most implacable Enemy of France, and of our Churches, though in truth there was not so much as one found guilty of that Crime, and the Churches cannot but adore the goodness of God unto them, that after the most diligent and rigorous Inquiries made to this purpose, not one of our Pastors could be impeached, and that the malicious and shameless Calumnies of our most invenim'd and inveterate Adversaries could never fasten or prove their Accusation upon any one particular Person of one Communion. The Event having at last demonstrated that our Churches were condemned most unjustly, and cleared, and proclaimed innocent of all those Accusations before the whole World.

And as for the two following points, This Assembly is resolved to give full contentment unto His Majesty; And whereas our former National Synods have made a Canon about the first, so will this also be as careful to enact another: And the Acts of this Assembly shall answer for the second, so that His Majesty shall ever have Universal Obedience, Subjection, Fidelity, and most Faithful Service from our Churches, whereunto we are obliged by our Natural Duty, the Motions of our Conscience, and the Ordinance of our God.

CHAP. V. The Kings Warrant for Choice of a New General Deputy.

THE Lord Commissioner Galland having been informed of the Death of the Lord Maniald, one of the General Deputies of our Churches unto His Majesty, did on the Five and Twentieth day of September present unto this National Synod this following Warrant, dispatched by Express Order from His Majesty.

This day the Three and Twentieth of August One Thousand Six Hundred and Twenty Six, His Majesty being at Nants, and considering that the term of Three vears was now expired, in which the Lord's of Montmartyn and Maniald, who had been chosen General Deputies for His Subjects professing the P. Reformed Religion, and in that Quality and Office to reside and serve at Court, and to attend upon His Majesty in all his Progress and Motions, and that there must be a new Election of some other Deputies to succeed them in their Office, and considering farther that this Election could not be more conveniently done than in a National Assembly and Council which His Majesty hath permitted His said Subjects of the Reformed Religion to hold in the City of Castres this September next ensuing, that so they may not be put to unnecessary Expence and Trouble, as they would otherwise be, if they should be forced to call another Assembly on this occasion, His Majesty for these considerations, and divers other good and important reasons, relating unto his Service, the Repose and Tranquillity of his Government and Kingdom, hath granted License unto the Deputies which shall be present at the said National Council to treat and choose new Deputies who may reside and serve in that Quality near his Royal Person instead of the said Lord's of Montmartyn, and Maniald, and this in the presence of the Lord Galland one of the Lord's of our Council of State, and Commissioner unto the said National Assembly, and to propose unto him Six Persons, capable, faithful, and most affectionately inclined unto His Majesty's Service, and the Public Peace, that out of them His Majesty may prick two unto the said Office of General Deputies, by means whereof those aforesaid Lord's of Montmartyn and Manyald shall be discharged of their Employment, observing the forms in such cases accustomed; provided always that in the Assembly aforesaid, there shall not be any other Matters debated or handled excepting what concern the Discipline of their Religion as has been determined by His Majesty's Edicts and Declarations. In testimony whereof His Majesty hath commanded me to expedite this present Writt, Signed by His Own Royal Hand, and Countersigned by me one of His Most Honorable Privy Council, and Secretary of State, and of his Commands. Signed Louis, and a little lower, Philippeaux.

CHAP. VI.

THE Assembly consulting upon His Majesty's Writt, and considering that it does not contain an Express Command, but only a simple permission to nominate General Deputies, and that it doth in such a manner restrain the said permission, as that it leaveth unto this Assembly no liberty nor power at all of calling the said Lord of Montmartyn to an Account, who hath from the first time of his Election unto this present day, exercised the said General Deputation, much less to give Instructions unto such as may be Elected unto the said Office. Besides that this Assembly durst not adventure upon the said Election without an open violation of His Majesty's Edicts, Letters Patents, and Sealed Letters, and of our usual, and accustomed Order, and the Solemn Protestation of former Synods, who have expressly declared, that they desired and intended utterly to forbear all cognizance of Affairs of this Nature. And farther that the Churches had been for a very long time together deprived of the Assistance of His Majesty's Bounty, and that it would be needful most humbly to petition him to order his Royal Promises to be observed, and entirely accomplished and fulfilled. For these Causes and Reasons, and particularly that we might keep within the bounds of Order, and to the Ancient practice of the Churches, The Council judged it necessary to make a Deputation unto His Majesty, and voted the Sieurs de Bouteroue and de Baleines to carry their most Humble Petitions unto His Majesty, who were charged with Letters and Instructions unto His Majesty, and to the Chief Ministers of State.

CHAP. VII. A Copy of the Councils Letter sent unto the King.

THE Sence and Experience we have of Your Majesty's Royal Bounty unto our Churches, and of their great Sufferings, notwithstanding this your goodness, through the Non-Execution of your Edicts in the Provinces of your Kingdom, do compel us to depute unto Your Majesty the Sieurs Bouteroue and de Baleines to lay at Your Majesty's feet, together with the sincere protestations of our inviolable fidelity unto Your Majesty's Service, our most humble acknowledgments and thanks for your gracious favors, and our just and necessary requests for the relief and comforting of our poor Churches. We humbly trust that Your Majesty will be pleased to give them a favorable audience, and to grant us our most Humble Petitions, and to accept of the Devout and most hearty Prayers of many Thousands of Godly Persons for Your Majesty's Prosperity, who whilst they lie groaning under the most insupportable pressures in the World do notwithstanding live in a profound Obedience unto Your Majesty's Authority. And from the bottom of our Souls, and with the greatest ardency imaginable we supplicate the Throne of Grace to bless and preserve Your Majesty's Most Sacred Person, and to augment and continue the happiness of Your Majesty's Reign and Government, being always, Most Dread Sovereign,

CHAP. VIII.

THE Eight and Twentieth day of October, The Sieurs Bouteroue and de Baleines Deputies unto the King returned with Letters from His Majesty, and the Lord d' Herbaut Secretary of State, and reported that they had a very favorable Reception from His Majesty, and Ministers of State, and that having presented their Address unto the Lord's of His Majesty's most Honorable Privy Council, they had obtained a Command unto the Parliament of Thoulouse to take away the Modifications put by the said Parliament upon the last Edict of Peace, and were promised that Commissioners should be sent into the Provinces of Saintonge, the Higher and Lower Languedoc, Rochell and the Land of Aunix to see that the Edict be duly executed. They were also assured that the Assignations formerly given unto the Lord of Kandel should be made good and valid; and that they had an order for twelve hundred Livres to defray the Charges of their Journey, besides the Summ of Ten Thousand Livres granted by His Majesty unto this Council to pay their Charges. But as for the restoring of Monsieur du Moulin to the Church of Paris, and a License for holding of a General Assembly, His Majesty was utterly averse unto it, and would in no wise yield thereunto, and we should know more of his mind upon this Article, and of his good intentions as to the nomination of our General Deputies by his Commissioner the Lord Galland. Thanks were given unto our good God that he had granted us to find favor with the King, and the Deputies also which were sent unto His Majesty had the thanks of the Council, and were commended for their Conduct and Dexterity, which was so acceptable unto the King, and Lord's of His Majesty's Council, and approved by this Assembly.

CHAP. IX. A Copy of the Lord Herbaut 's Letter unto this Council.

YOUR Deputies were favourably received by His Majesty, and His Majesty heard with very great satisfaction those Assurances from their Mouths of your Fidelity and sincere intentions to the Public Peace and Tranquillity. When His Majesty granted it unto you, it was with a full purpose inviolably to keep it with you, and farther to give you with the enjoyment thereof all other matters accorded to you by his Edicts. What remains but that on your part, you contribute whatever His Majesty might expect from your Prudence and Conduct, and to measure by what is past that the duration and firm settlement of your Repose doth principally depend on your Obedience, yielding unto his Majesty what is due unto him, and is necessary for your well-being. And you may believe that in so doing his Gracious Favors will be multiplied upon you daily, and that I shall be ready to serve you in all good Offices with His Majesty, that you may resent the comfortable Effects thereof according as you have deserved them. In the mean while, I rest, Sirs,

CHAP. X.

WHEN as the Letter of His Majesty but now recited was read, My Lord Galland the Kings Commissioner, declared that for the reasons given by His Majesty unto the Deputies, and according to the import of the Articles answered by the Council, he could not consent unto the return of Monsieur du Moulin, nor for divers Considerations noted in those Articles now read could he at present give way for the meeting of a General Politick Assembly. His Majesty reserving the grant thereof when as there shall be need of it, and his Affairs of State may well suffer it. And as to the Election of Deputies, His Majesty being not willing that the Affairs of his Subjects of the Reformed Religion should be without Conduct and Order, had immediately upon the Death of the Lord Maniald one of the General Deputies, and from September last, Commissionated a Person of Honor, and qualified for the discharge of that Office to act concurrently with the Surviving Deputy the Lord of Montmartyn until such time as it may be otherwise determined. And since by his Writt of the Tenth of October he had given Licence unto this Synod to proceed unto the Election of Six Persons, well inclined unto his Service, and to the Public, and having no dependence on any one but himself, out of which His Majesty will prick two for the discharge of that Office, therefore he exhorts the Synod to proceed unto the Nomination, and to choose out Persons qualified as before, and hath been usually practiced in such cases, and this should be the rather done now, because the present juncture of Affairs will not permit the calling of a Politick Assembly. Declaring that in case we neglect the said Nomination; The Lord of Montmartyn, and the other Lord nominated by the King will lay down the management of those Offices. It being unreasonable that for want of General Deputies the common Affairs of His Majesty's Subjects professing the Reformed Religion should be abandoned and neglected. And the said Lord Commissioner presented His Majesty's Writt, the tenor whereof is as followeth,

This Tenth day of October, 1626 the King being at St. Germains in Laye, considering that the term of Three years for which the Lord of Montmartyn, and the Deceased Lord Maniald had been nominated to reside and serve at Court, and to attend His Majesty in the quality of General Deputies for His Subjects of the P. Reformed Religion is some while since expired, and that it so falls out that there must be a new Election of some other Deputies to succeed them in their Offices, and considering that this Election cannot be done more conveniently than in the Assembly and National Synod, which His Majesty hath granted to be held by His said Subjects in His City of Castres this last September, that so they might not be put to those great Expences and Incommodities which might betide them in case another Assembly should be called for this purpose, as also for that the Weal and Safety of the Kingdom will not at present comport with a Politick Assembly. His Majesty upon these considerations, and for many other divers and good reasons of great importance to his Service, and the Repose and Tranquillity of His Government doth grant that the Deputies in the National Synod in the presence of the Lord Galland Counselor to His Majesty in his Council of State, and Commissioner unto the said Synod shall consult about the Election of Deputies to reside and serve near His Majesty instead of the Lord's Montmartyn and Hardy one of His Secretaries, nominated by His Majesty in his Writt of the Thirtieth of September last, and to offer unto him Six Persons meet and qualified for the said Employment, whether they be Members of the said Synod or not, provided they be such as are Loyal, and well affected unto his Service, and to the public Peace, and that have no dependence on any Person in the World besides him, that so his Majesty may prick two out of them, who may hold and discharge the said Office of General Deputies. And in so doing the said Lord's of Montmartyn and Hardy our Secretary shall be devested of the said Employment, they observing the forms as in such cases are usual and accustomed. Provided always that in the said Assembly there be nothing else debated but the said Election, and Matters relating to the Discipline of their Religion aforesaid, according to the import of his Majesty's Edicts and Declarations. However this shall not be made a Precedent, his Majesty reserving to himself the power of permitting unto his said Subjects of the P. Reformed Religion to hold a Politick Assembly when as in his wisdom he shall judge it needful; and his Affairs of State can well comport with it. In testimony whereof I am commanded by his Majesty to expedite this present Writt, which he was pleased to Sign with his own Hand, and is Countersigned by me his Counselor and Secretary of State, and of his Commands, and Exchequer. Signed in the Original, Louis, and a little lower, Philippeaux.

CHAP. XI.

THE Writt having been read, the Council voted a Conference to be held about its Contents at my Lord Commissioners Lodgings, and Twelve Persons Deputies of the Council were constituted a Committee to this purpose. Who having made Reports of the whole, The Council considering the change happened in Affairs by the unexpected and sudden Death of the Lord Maniald, and the importunities of the Lord Montmartyn his Colleague to be discharged, of such a Borden, as he saith, is impossible to be born by himself alone, and the pressing necessities of our Churches requiring that some Persons should take upon them the care and management of their Affairs, who might solicit them with renewed vigor, but principally His Majesty's Writt animated by the Exhortations of his Commissioner the Lord Gallanbd, who declared according to that Answer made unto the Address presented by the Deputies, that the state of His Majesty's Affairs would not permit His Majesty to grant us at present a General Assembly, And that in case this Council would not nominate the Deputies, his Majesty himself would do it, even as he had already took course to do it, having by his Writt and Warrant of the Thirtieth of September expressly joined the Lord Hardy in the Commission of the General Deputies with the Lord Montmartyn. For all these reasons, and to avoid an infinite number of visible inconveniencies: The Council proceeded to Elect those Six Persons, which were to be presented to his Majesty, and by plurality of Suffrages were chosen the Lord's Claudius Baron of Gabrias, and Beaufort, Louis de Champagne Earl of Suze, Henry de Clermont d' Amboise Marquess of Gallerande, for the Nobility, and the Lord's Basin Advocate in Parliament living at Blois Texier the Kings Advocate in the Seneschalsy of Armagnac, and Lazaras du Puy Counselor in the Presidial Court of Bourg in Bresse for the Commons, that so his Majesty may out of them choose two, whom he best liketh, to exercise the Office of General Deputies.

But forasmuch as that Canon established in our Churches under the good pleasure of His Majesty for the nomination of the said General Deputies, requireth that every third year by an express Warrant from his Majesty, there should be called a General Assembly, and that before it there should be particular Assemblies held in all the Provinces to prepare their Cahiers, Memoirs, and all other Jurisdictions of the Provinces, and to deliver them unto their hands who shall be deputed unto the General Assembly, which after wards culleth out those Cahiers which most concern the Churches, and are to be presented unto his Majesty for the Advancement of His Service, and the Peace and Repose of His Subjects, And whereas 'tis full Six years ago since the last Politick Assembly, was graciously permitted us by His Majesty, and that the former National Synods held at Alez and Charenton, and this also of Castres conformable to them, have peremptorily decreed that none of our Pastors shall henceforward intermeddle with State-Affairs, or assist personally in Politick Assemblies, which also His Majesty hath approved, The Council, because it would not transgress His Majesty's Declarations, nor the Canons of the Synods before-mentioned, nor cause any prejudice to that Government which the goodness of our Kings have approved in the Churches of this Realm, and which His Majesty hath given us to understand that he will not abolish, declareth that 'tis none of its design nor desire by this Election, whereunto the Churches are necessitated, and the Kings Will obligeth them to prejudice in the least the Rights and Privileges of General Assemblies, to whom the care of State-Affairs doth properly belong, nor shall it bind the succeeding National Synods to act after this manner. Wherefore it chargeth the General Deputies who shall be accepted by His Majesty, to demand at the end of Eighteen Moneths with the profoundest submissions, and importunities imaginable his Majesty's Writt of the Summons for the General Assembly, even as it hath pleased His Majesty to give unto our Churches the firm hopes thereof by His Royal and inviolable promises expressed in plain and formal words in his Writt before-mentioned. And whereas the intendment of this Office is in the name of our Churches, to represent unto His Majesty all those Matters, which concern the Weal and Service of His Majesty, and the Repose and Subsistance of His Subjects, and that to this purpose, it is absolutely needful that there should be Assemblies held in the Provinces, unto which there may be brought all the Complaints, Remonstrances and Propositions of all and everyone of our Churches that from them they may be brought unto the General Assembly, and the whole might be there examined, and deposited into the hands of the General Deputies; and this present Council being an Assembly of another Nature, and having no Commission from the Provinces, it could not furnish the Deputies now Elected with those necessary Memoirs and Instructions. They therefore who shall be retained by His Majesty to discharge and execute this Office shall most humbly petition His said Majesty that he would permit in every Province such an Assembly as soon as possible, in which all Complaints and Remonstrances meet for His Majesty's perusal may be collected and laid at His Majesty's feet by those Lord's aforesaid, our General Deputies, to whom they shall be sent, that so by this means His Majesty may be duly and truly informed of the Deportments and Grievances of all his Protestant Subjects, because there is not anything of greater importance to his Weal and Service than this is. The Council hoping much from His Majesty's great goodness, is emboldened to pass beyond its accustomed Bounds and Order, and to dispense with itself in this particular. Otherwise it would have persisted in its most humble supplications, that it might not be obliged unto the said Election.

The said Lord's General Deputies shall confer with the Ministers of State, (it being a thing of indispensable necessity) how they may hold a correspondency with the Provinces, and the Provinces with them; because without such a correspondency all their actings, yea, and their Office itself would be utterly useless and unserviceable unto the Churches.

Every Province shall draw up a Cahier of the grievances of their Churches, and of particular Persons professing our Religion, which shall be transmitted unto the Church of Paris, which shall compile them into one general Cahier, to be deposited into the hands of the General Deputies.

CHAP. XII. A Remonstrance of the Lord of Angoulins on behalf of the Mayor, Sheriffs, and City of Rochell.

WHEN as the Council had thus decreed in pursuance of His Majesty's Pleasure, that they would proceed unto an Election of General Deputies to reside near His Majesty, the Lord of Angoulins one of the Sheriffs of the City of Rochell, Elder of the Church there, and Deputy for the Province of Saintonge, remonstrated that in all such Actions the Lord's, Mayor, Sheriffs, and free Burgesses of the said City had in all times the Privilege of a Province, and their Deputies did ever appear in Person in all general Politick Assemblies, and in National Synods also, when as the General Deputies were to be chosen, and he petitioned the Council that he might be granted his Vote in the said Election, not only in his Quality as Deputy of the Province of Saintonge, but also in that his particular quality, as Deputy of the said Lord's, the Mayor, Sheriffs, and free Burgesses of the said City, according as he was commissionated with full powers so to do by the said Lord's, which he produced, and were Signed by Gachot Secretary of their Council, the Fourteenth day of the last October. The Deputies of the Province of Saintonge were heard hereupon, who declared that the said Lord of Angoulins being one of their Colleagues, and Deputy together with them, might as such have his voice in the said Election, or otherwise their Province would sustain a very considerable prejudice, if one of its Deputies should be excluded from giving his suffrage in the said Election. The Synod doing right unto the said Petitioner the Lord of Angoulins, and not judging it reasonable that a single Person should have a double Vote in such an Occurrence as this, decreed, that the said Lord of Angoulins should only have one single Voice in the said Election, but however it should be left unto his own choice to take what quality he pleased whether of Deputy for the Province of Saintonge, or of the City of Rochell only. And the said Lord of Angoulins did at that instant, though it should not be drawn in consequence, nor made a precedent for the future, nor prejudice the Rights and Privileges of the said Town and Province, declare that he choose to give his Vote in quality of Deputy for the said City of Rochell. And this present Act was granted him, that he had made the said Declaration.

Forasmuch as there be divers defaults in the Letters of Commission brought by the Deputies of some Provinces; They shall be all exhorted by their Deputies to see that Canon of the Synod of Tonneins executed, which had ordered that the Names and Surnames of all Deputies should be expressly inserted into them: As also to take special heed that all Letters of Commission and Memoirs be in no wise Signed by the Persons Deputed unto the National Synods, nor by those who are substituted in their stead in case of Sickness or Death, or any the like accident, but by the Officers of the Provincial Synods as Moderators, Assessors, and Scribes.

In pursuance of the Canon made in the Synod or Privas, The Provinces are enjoined, to see that the Deputies of every Church do make Oath that they shall not give their Votes nor Suffrages unto such as brigue their Elections and Deputations unto our National Synods.

CHAP. XIII.

THE Confession of Faith being read word by word, and every Article distinctly in its due Order, it was approved and ratified by the Unanimous consent of all the Deputies, both Pastors and Elders, who protested as well for themselves as for their Provinces that they would live and die in the profession of this Faith, teach it in their Churches, and see it inviolably to be observed.

CHAP. XIV. Observations on reading the Church-Discipline.

1 AFter those words in the Fifth Canon of the First Chapter, Without power of administering the Holy Sacraments, these shall be added, nor of solemnizing Marriages.

2 In reading the Nine and Twentieth Canon of the same Chapter, the Council declareth, that by the discord mentioned in that Canon we are to understand not only what is moved by the Pastor, but by the Church, or Members among themselves also.

3. On the first Canon of the third Chapter it was declared, that whosoever accepted the Office of an Elder cannot be constrained to execute it, if before his Reception thereinto, the consent he had once given be again revoked by him.

4. When the sixth Canon of the eighth Chapter was read at the request of the Provincial Deputies of Berry, it was voted, That Provincial Synods should be obliged before they brake up to proceed unto Censures, even as in the like case a Decree had been framed for Colloquies.

5. All our Churches are exhorted faithfully and exactly to observe the ninth Canon of the twelfth Chapter, concerning the Administration of the Cup in the Lord's Supper, and to be accountable for their Obedience to it unto the next National Synod.

6. The eighth Canon of the Ninth Chapter shall be razed but of our Discipline, as being superfluous and unpracticable in our Churches.

7. The same judgment having past on the fourth Canon of the tenth Chapter, it was amended and changed into these words. Churches which have been accustomed to make Public Prayers on some certain days of the Week may continue that order, which for many years they have so happily observed, and other Churches may imitate their good example, when as the Lord shall bless them with Ability and Opportunity, and it may contribute unto their Edification.

8. And Pastors also in the faithful discharge of their duties shall endeavor by their Remonstrances and Exhortations to prevent those great dishonors done unto Almighty God by that general contempt of his Holy Word preached; very many neglecting Sermons and Public Public Ordinances of Religious Worship, yea, and Family-Prayers, of which Omissions a multitude of Heads of Families, Householders, and their Domesticks are exceeding guilty.

9. The eighteenth Canon of the thirteenth Chapter shall be couched in this form, Such as dwell in those places where the Public Exercise of our Religion is not est ablished may cause their banes of Matrimony to be published in the Popish Churches, it being a matter purely political.

10. The Churches are enjoined by this Synod to give in an account unto their Colloquies and Provincial Synods of all Infractions of the sixteenth Canon in the fourteenth Chapter of our Discipline, and Colloquies and Synods are to censure such Offenders, whether they have violated it by printing of Practical or Controversal Treatises.

11. When the twenty fourth, twenty fifth, and twenty sixth Canons of the fourteenth Chapter were read, it was voted, That this ensuing Canon should be made, and read in all the Churches as soon as the Deputies were returned unto their respective Provinces.

CHAP. XV. An Act against Debauchery.

FOrasmuch as the Wrath of God is visibly revealed from Heaven against the Ungodlyness of Men, and is notoriously poured out upon those who being once enlightened from above, and called to the knowledge of the Heavenly Truth have afterward kept it under Hatches through their Unrighteousness, that so they might more freely wallow in the Abominations of this World, and turn the Grace of God into lasciviousness: The National Synod of the reformed Churches of this Kingdom Assembled by His Majesty's Licence in the Town of Gastres, unable to behold, without weeping Eyes, and a wounded bleeding heart, after such dreadful Judgments and Desolations as have befallen us, the reigning Dissolutions and Debauches of those Persons who style and own themselves Members of God's Church, though in very truth and deed they be horrible Profaners of his Holy Name, and dishonorable Professors of our most Holy Religion by their Impious and Licentious Lives, and do as much as in them lieth deny the power of Godliness by their open and shameless ingratitude to his Divine Goodness. Now for the avoiding of God's burning Wrath and Indignation, and more and more to stir up the Bowels of his Fatherly Compassions (which he was pleased to remember for us even in the midst of Judgment, yea, and then also, when as he smote his sinful Heritage with his forest and severest strokes,) and that upon our Conversion and Reformation his special Love and favor may be had and obtained, and that this peace, which against all hopes he hath given a stiff-necked and rebellious People (who have bitterly provoked him to Jealousy, and as it is too too evident have nothing profited by his Rod of Discipline and Correction) may be preserved and continued, This National Synod decreeth, That all the Churches of this Kingdom shall be solicited by the most powerful Motives and Arguments to humble themselves deeply in a most serious Repentance before his Divine Majesty, and utterly to abandon all Vanities, Luxury's, Fantasticalness, and sumptuous Superfluities in Apparel, those unseemly Ornaments and delights of lascivious Curles, Paintings, Naked Breasts, Dances, Balls, Masquerades, Wassaile-Feasts, Carnevalls, and all other unfruitful works of Darkness, that so the Faithful, Reforming their Lives, and producing Fruits worthy of Repentance, may demonstrate themselves by their good Works to be the conscientious Guardians of that precious Jewel or saving Truths, which is deposited with them. And all Consistories are enjoined to exert that Authority given them of God diligently to suppress their Insolencies, who glorying in their shame and ignominy may attempt in aftertimes to continue in any of their disorderly and sinful practices, and should set themselves to resist those Remonstrances, which the Great and Holy God hath or may issue forth against them by his Sacred Word.

And that this most needful Canon may be executed with the greater Faithfulness, Care, and Facility, This Synod doth ordain that it shall be read publicly in all our Churches, and an Account of its Observation shall be given in unto Colloquies and Synods, on pain of being responsible in their own Persons particularly for all its Transgressions and Violations.

The whole Church Discipline having been read, the Deputies of the Provinces promised both for themselves, their Churches and those who had Commissionated them to observe it in their own Persons, and to see it most Religiously observed in their Respective Provinces.

CHAP. XVI. Observations on reading the Acts of the National Synod of Charenton.

1 THIS Council treading in the Steps of the last National Synod held at Charenton, and yielding to the request of divers Provinces, voted a most humble Petition should be presented unto His Majesty, that all our Ecclesiastical Assemblies might enjoy the self-same liberty as they ever had till the Year One Thousand Six Hundred, and Twenty Three.

2. On reading the Third Article of Observations by the said Synod and of our Church-Discipline, it was voted, that the Ancient Custom should be retained for Celebrating the Lord's Supper in the close and issue of the National Synods.

3. The Third Article in the first Chapter of our Church-Discipline made in that Synod, shall hereafter be expressed in these terms. Ministers and their Families shall actually reside, &c. And in obedience to this Canon all Ministers within the Province of the Higher Languedoc, who are already, or may hereafter reside in the City of Montauban shall immediately and without delay conform themselves to that Order of their last Provincial Synod, on pain of being deposed from their Ministry, and the next Provincial Synods shall yield Account unto the next National Synod of their duty, in dealing with, and censuring of such Delinquents.

4. When as the Acts of the National Synod of Charenton were read, This Assembly was informed, that a Decree of theirs concerning Monsieur Codurs his departure into Dauphiné, who was there to be provided of a Church by that Province had never been executed: A Vote passed, that he should personally appear within eighteen days after his reception of this present Summons, before this Assembly, and bring in the reasons of his disobedience: And in case of his refusal, we do declare him suspended from the Sacred Ministry, and farther, that notwithstanding his absence we will proceed to a final Judicial Sentence against him.

5. The Province of the Isle of France is ordered to write unto the Church and University of Sedan, that they would be pleased to resign the Manuscript Works left by Monsieur du Tilloy deceased, that they may be printed, and the worthy labors of that most Excellent Servant of God being published may become the more useful.

6. The Council condescending to the Petitions of Monsieur Perreaud Pastor of the Church of Mascon, and to the desires of the Provincial Deputies of Burgundy, decreed that the Censure voted against him in the last National Synod should be razed out of its Acts.

7. At the request of the Province of Lower Guyenne, and for that Honorable Report and Testimonials they have given of Monsieur Huron, and in hopes that the Church of Bessa whereof he is Minister will be more advantageously edified by him, it was granted that the Act of Censure denouncit against him by the National Synod of Charenton should be razed out also.

8. The Writings delivered by Monsieur Perrin Pastor of the Church of Nyons and by Monsieur de Mirebell deceased unto the Province of Burgundy, and by their Deputies unto this Synod, were all ordered to be suppressed.

9. The Observation of the third Article of General Matters past in the aforesaid Synod of Charenton is recommended unto all the Churches.

10. There were read the Acts and Letters of certain Elders and Heads of Families in the Church of Montlimart, Letters from the Church of Sauve, and from his Highness the Lord Duke of Rohan, and Audience was given unto the Lord's Caron and Mouschamp Deputies of Montlimart, and to the Provincial Deputies of Dauphiné and Cévennes, as also to Monsieur Guerin Commissioned by the aforesaid Lord Duke, and to Monsieur Rossel Pastor of the Church of Montlimart, lent by the last National Synod unto the Church of Sauve till the meeting of this Assembly. Whereupon a Decree passed that Monsieur Rossel should be lent for Three years unto the Church in the Lord Duke of Roan 's House, but with this Condition, that the said Mr. Rossel shall not abandon the Church of Sauve, before it be provided of another Pastor by the Colloquy of Sauve, or by the Province of Cévennes, which is required to get them a supply out of hand, and when as those three years of Loane be expired, both the said Monsieur Rossel, and the Church of Montlimart shall apply themselves unto the Province of Dauphiné, which is impowered by this Assembly to provide for the said Monsieur Rossel and the Church of Montlimart to their mutual comfort and advantage.

CHAP. XVII.

ON reading the Seventeenth Article of General Matters of the last National Synod, divers Deputies related, how that it was generally believed in their Provinces, that the said Synod contrary to the Custom of our Churches had Treated and Debated of State-Matters. Whereupon this Assembly informed them, that it was never the intention of that National Synod to have meddled with an Affair of that Nature, the Cognisance and Decision of which had been always left unto Political Assemblies, which were called by His Majesty's Writt expressly to that end, and farther that the Synod in doing what it did was wholly to testify its Obedience unto His Majesty's Will, notified to them by the Lord Commissioner Galland, and confirmed by the very Letters of His Majesty, declaring absolutely and precisely His Command and Pleasure therein. Moreover, should not our Pastors have yielded that Obedience, they might all of them have been branded for pragmaticalness, and taking upon them the cognizance of Matters Foreign to their profession, which they never once desired, everyone of the Pastors protesting for himself, that they wished from their Souls never for the future to be called unto such Assemblies, whatever Advantages might thereby accrue unto them for His Majesty, And the Judgment past in this case by the Synod of Alez in the first Article of General Matters is an Ample Testimony that they were prejudged against it long before.

12. Whereas the Sieurs Guidon and d' Huysseau. had received Letters of Attorney to prosecute Monsieur Palot, and they were not revoked, but upon condition that the Lord Malat should be associated with them, which the said Lord Malat would not yield unto, now that the said Act of Revocation may not be construed in a sinister Sence, as if the aforesaid Sieurs Guydon and d' Huysseau had been deficient either in diligence or faithfulness, who contrariwise for those self-same Virtues have deserved exceeding well of our Churches. This Synod declareth, that it would have been a singular satisfaction to it in case the said Sieur Malat might have been induced to undertake the prosecution of that Affair which was jointly committed to him, and the aforementioned Sieurs Guydon and d' Huysseau, who were not only always exempted from all Defaults, but also from the very Suspicion thereof, and that all kind of Testimonials and Thankfulness is due and owing them for their Capacity, Carefulness, Diligence, Integrity, and Singular Love and Zeal unto the Weal and Happyness of our Churches, nor cannot in the least be refused them. Wherefore this present Order passed for their discharge shall be inserted into the Acts of this Synod, that it may be carried into all the Provinces, that so none may plead or pretend his Ignorance, and Unacquaintedness with the intentions of this present, and of the last immediately preceding Synod.

Monsieur Palot of St Antonine presented a Petition unto this Assembly on behalf of his Brother Palot, that it would be pleased to cause all processes commencit against him by the Lord Malat to cease, and that Arbitrators might be chosen on both sides with full power to determine the differences betwixt him and the Churches of this Kingdom. Letters also from the Lord Malat were read, informing it of the great progress he had made in the Suit against him. Whereupon the Synod finding the Complaints and Requests of the said Palot to be unreasonable, and that from their former Experience, they could only conclude them done on purpose to gain and spin out time, and to elude if possible the Prosecutions already begun, it voted Thanks to be given unto the Lord Malat for his care and pains, and that he be entreated to continue his Travel and Diligence in this Affair; and the like thanks were ordered unto Monsieur Arnault for his singular Affection to the Weal of our Churches; and the Lord Commissioner Galland was also earnestly desired to befriend our Churches with his kind Assistance at Court; and to speak for us unto the Kings Majesty, that His Gracious Majesty would be pleased to ordain that Justice might be done us.

Letters were read from the Lord's Marbaut, de Massanes, Bigot, and de Launay, Commissioners named by the last National Synod to treat on behalf of all our Churches with Persons capable of bringing the Sieur Palot to give us some reasonable satisfaction. And also Monsieur Mestrezat another of those Commissioners made report, of what had been done herein as we • l by himself as by those others joined in Commission with him. Whereupon all their Actions were ratified and approved.

In reading that Act of the Synod of Charenton containing His Majesty's Answer unto the Sieurs Cottiby and du Bois Saint Martyn Deputed by the said Synod unto His Majesty, in which hope was given unto the Churches, that the Prohibition issued out against Monsieur du Moulin should be taken away, and that he should be restored unto his Ministry in this Kingdom. And a Letter to this self-same purpose from the Church of Paris also, requesting our Intercession with His Majesty, that he would be Graciously pleased to grant unto the Churches the enjoyment of their hopes. The Deputies of the Isle of France joined with them in this their request. Whereupon it was resolved, that His Majesty should be most humbly petitioned to grant leave unto the said Monsieur du Moulin to return into France, and to the Exercise of his Pastoral Office in his aforesaid Church, and the said Monsieur du Moulin shall be required by Letters from this Synod to join with the Churches in their Petition for his return and re-settlement in France, and that he shall address himself also by a particular Petition of his own unto His Majesty, that he may be restored unto his Charge, wherein by the Blessing of God he had such eminent success, that so if it may be, His Majesty by so many importunate Petitioners may be prevailed with to grant us our desires.

The Provincial Deputies of Lower Guyenne and Poitou being heard, it was voted that the Churches of Rochechouart and Limoges should continue joined unto the Province of Lower Guyenne, as they have been heretofore: notwithstanding that they were separated from it by a Decree of the last National Synod, because they cannot subsist if they be divided, nor can the Church of Limoges be united unto Poitou without too much enfeebling the Colloquy of Limousin.

Master Peter Guillemin Pastor in the Church of La Bour presented his Petition unto this Assembly, that the Summ of Three Hundred Livres granted the said Church by the former National Synods may be continued, and that the Summ of Threescore Livres more might be bestowed upon them for the breeding of a young Scholar, who may be hereafter capable of serving the said Church, and to preach in their Language, and that His Majesty may be petitioned, that He would grant according to His Edicts Two Places more for Religious Worship unto the Faithful of the said Country of Labor. It was voted that this Petition in all its Parts and Members should be fulfilled, on this Condition, that the Scholar to be maintained by them be presented unto the next Synod of Lower Guyenne, and that the said Province of the Lower Guyenne do yield an accompt of the said Summ of Sixty Livres unto the next National Synod, as also of the Three Hundred Livres granted unto the said Church of La Bour, and the Pastor there shall be obliged for the future to assist in Person at the Provincial Synods of Lower Guyenne.

After the last Canon was voted, This Assembly recollected that heretofore the National Synod of Tonneins had granted unto Monsieur Busthonoby Pastor of the Churches in Souls the Summ of Three Hundred Livres to defray the Charges of Printing some certain Books in the Biscayan Language, and that since by a Decree of the Synod of Vitre the Province of Lower Guyenne was reimburst the said Summ, which they had beforehand advanced to that purpose. Whereupon Order was given unto the said Province to call in its next Synod the aforesaid Monsieur Busthonoby to an accompt how he did employ and dispose of the said Moneys, and to bring in that Account unto the next National Synod.

CHAP. XVIII. No Minister to Depart the Kingdom without the Kings Leave.

THE Lord Commissioner declaring that it was His Majesty's Will and Pleasure according to Law that none of our Pastors should depart the Kingdom without his Royal License, and that in case any Foreign Princes or States desired that any of our Ministers might be either lent them for a time, or given to them absolutely during Life, that then the said Minister should according to our Laws first obtain His Majesty's Licence for his departure. The Council resigned itself and all the Ministers of our Churches most fully and freely, as they have ever done, unto the Laws of the Land.

This Synod inquiring into the causes obstructing the Execution of those particular Canons that the last National Synod had made for the better Government of the Province of Provence, judged that the said Province did justly deserve a Censure in case it cannot vindicate and acquit itself from all impeachments of neglect herein. And whereas the Sieurs Crubellier and Chambrun who were appointed Commissioners by the Synod of Charenton to visit that Province had been countermanded by Monsieur Recent, the said Recent is enjoined to appear before the next Synod of Lower Languedoc and there to answer unto all Matters that shall be brought in against him, and the said Synod shall suspend him from the Ministry in case he be found to have deserved it. And those Excuses of the Sieurs Crubellier and Chambrun are accepted, but withal, the Reverend Mr. Chauve and Bouteroue, and in case they by some lawful hindrance should be detained, then the Reverend Mr. Le Faucheur and Conel are charged to go unto the next Synod of Provence, and there see the aforesaid Canons of those former National Synods to be put in Execution, and to remedy those disorders, which may and do retard their Observation.

The Agreement made between the said Province, and the Widow of Monsieur Toussains is approved and confirmed.

The Commissioners appointed for remedying the Confusions in the said Province shall give judgment in that case complained of by the Church of Lormarin, and brought before this Assembly.

The Synod confirming the Sentence of the Province of the Isle of France, decreeth that Monsieur du Val shall be numbered among the Pastors that be Emeriti, and that a free Portion shall be assigned and paid in unto him as unto others of the same quality, and under his Circumstances.

That the Twelfth Article in the Chapter of Colleges and Universities may be more accurately observed than heretofore, all Provinces within whose district the said Universities be Erected are earnestly exhorted to put forth their helping hand, that they be reducit into practice, and they shall bring proof of their Obedience yielded to this Canon, unto the next National Synod.

The Province of Guyenne requesting it, this Council doth confirm the R. R. Mr. Alba, and Ferrand in the Pastoral Charge of the Churches of Agen and Bourdeaux.

Report being made by the Commissioners appointed for examining the Memoirs of Monsieur du Bois a Pastor sent by the last National Synod unto the Church of Fontaines and Crossy till the sitting of the next Synod of Normandy, upon the first Article of his Complaints and Demands, he was ordered to apply himself unto the Province of Anjou, and the said Province should bestir themselves so effectually, that he may have full satisfaction, and all his Debts paid him, especially by the Lady de la Barce, and upon the Second that the Province of Normandy shall give him an Account of his Portion, which they received for him under his Name, it being entered under their Dividend. Moreover, they shall either provide him of a Church, or give him an Honorable dismission from the Ministry in their Province, in case there be no vacant Church in it, that demands his Service, Which also shall be notified to him, and that the aforesaid Province hath proceeded to disch • rge him.

CHAP. XIX. A Deposed Minister Restored.

MOniseur James Repasseau presenting Honorable Attestations of His Deportment ever since his Deposition, and with Showers of Tears most humbly petitioning the Synod, that he might reap the fruits and benefits of those hopes which the last National Synod had given him some ground to expect, and that upon evident proofs and tokens of his sincere Repentance, he might be another day restored unto the Exercise of his Ministry, and the Provincial Deputies of Dauphiné being charged by their Synod to intercede for him, and by word of mouth to confirm those good and laudable Testimonials which had been given him by the Church of Montlimard, where he hath ever since resided, and by his Religious and Exemplary Conversation exceedingly edified them. The Synod having tender bowels of Love and Compassion for him, and yielding a just deference to those affectionate entreaties of the Province of Dauphiné, and of the whole Church of Montlimard, in which for these Four last Years he hath made his constant abode to their singular satisfaction, after serious Admonitions given him to stand upon his guard, and diligently to ponder his Paths, and to walk in the House or God with a very Godly Fear, and a most Religious Circumspection for the future, because of the great scandal which was taken by the Church and World, by those within and without at his Sin and Fall, especially his best and dearest Friends having been horribly amazed and astonished at it, This Synod doth now restore him to his Ministry, and to the Exercise of all the Duties and Offices of a Gospel-Minister, and decreeth by this present Canon that his Name shall be razed out of the Roll and Catalogue of Deposed Ministers, that so when as any Church shall give him a Call to work among them, he may re-enter upon his Pastoral Work, and charge with as great Honor and Comfort as he was deprived of it with Grief, Ignominy, and Confusion.

CHAP. XX. APPEALES.

THE Sieur Ginoux brought his Appeal from a Judgment of the Province of Cévennes, and he was patiently heard speaking of those pretended grievances, which occasioned his Appeal, and of that opposition which was made and formed by him and his Party against the Settlement of Monsieur Courant in the Pastoral Office in the Church of Alez, and about the Suspension decreed against him from the Lord's Table by the Consistory of his own Church and the Provincial Synod. The Deputies of Cévennes were heard also speaking in the behalf of their Province. This Synod did hereupon declare that the said opposition was groundless, and confirmed the Decree of the Provincial Synod for the Setting of the said Monsieur Courant in the Church of Alez; and forasmuch as the said Sieur Ginoux doth yield unto those Exhortations and Remonstrances that have been made him, and out of deference to them protesteth that he will relinquish as he now relinquisheth all those Accusations brought by him against Monsieur des Marests and his Colleague Monsieur Courant whom he reckoneth and believeth to be True, Worthy, and Faithful Ministers of the Gospel, Holy and Exemplary in their Lives, of Unblemished and Unstained Reputations. And farther it ordaineth that the said Sieurs des Marests and Courant shall openly and publicly declare before the Consistory of Montpellier that they do reciprocally hold and esteem the said Sieur Ginoux for an honest Gentleman, of good Reputation, and without Reproach; and after this Declaration thus made, the said Consistory shall reconcile them one to the other, and by Authority from this Synod the said Sieur Ginoux shall be received by them unto the Peace and Commmunion of the Church, and that Suspension decreed against him by the Province of Cévennes shall be removed, and taken off the File.

2. Letters were read from the Church of Paris, with its appeal from the Judgment of the last Provincial Synod, and Monsieur Mestrezat and d' H • ysseau with the other Deputies of that Province were heard speaking to it. This Assembly voted a Decree, that the Censure past on the Church of Paris in that Synod of he Isle of France shall be reversed, and that the Church of Paris shall be advised precisely to observe the Canons concerning the re-search of Pastors: Moreover to comply with their instant, urgent Importunities Monsieur Daille is purely and absolutely resigned to them.

3. Whereas John Mellier having opposed the Election and Reception of the Sieur John Celaris into the Office of an Elder, and brought his Appeal unto this Synod, it is remanded back unto the Province of Higher Languedoc, who have full power to determine it.

4. The Synod ratifying the Judgment of the Province of Saintonge, from whence the Church of Montendre had appealed, This Assembly ordaineth, that for the future Provincial Synods shall judge sovereignly and finally in all causes about dismembering and conjoining of Annexed Churches.

5. And therefore according to this Canon the Appeal of the Church of St. Hillary in the Province of Poitou is declared null, notwithstanding what hath been remonstrated to the contrary by the Lord de la Begaudiere.

6. For the same reason the Appeal of the Church of St. Fulgentius in the same Province is disanulled.

7. The same Sentence was given on the Appeal of the Church of Quissac from the Decree of the Province of Cévennes.

8. And for the like reason the Church of Sauve in the said Province having brought an Appeal had it rejected.

9. Although the differences about the distribution of His Majesty's Liberality granted us to our Churches ought not to be brought before these National Synods, yet that the contestations in the Churches of the Lower Guyenne may be terminated, the Deputies of that Province are commanded to confer with the R. R. Mr. Belot and de Baux, Ministers of the Gospel, and with the Sieurs Marlat and la Briere Elders, that in case they should hit upon an expedient of accommodating Matters, it may be ratified by the Authority of this Assembly, not that we would have a precedent made hereof. And once again that Ancient Prohibition against our Ministers is now revived. That not one of them shall touch a Denier of His Majesty's Bounty assigned to; and distributed by the Provinces unto their particular Churches; because the said Churches ought solely to receive it, and it must remain wholly at their disposal, and because our Pastors shall not have an uncertain, but a most certain and determinate Pension for their subsistence from their Churches.

10. The Appeal of Monsieur Perez Pastor of the Church of Cajarre was vacated; and the Assembly enjoined the Province of Higher Languedoc to put forth their hand, that the said Perez may receive for time coming greater satisfaction from his Church than heretofore. And in case the said Church do not fully content him, and pay him his just dues betwixt this and the next Synod of that Province, they shall be deprived of his Ministry, and he shall be assigned to some other Flock; yea and though they should give him all possible satisfaction, yet shall he not be compelled to serve a Church against his Will, whereunto he was not sent but for a time.

11. This Judgment past upon the Appeal of the Church of Angles; that it was very needless, and ill laid, the Sentence of their Province being founded on Equity and Charity.

12. The Appeal of Monsieur Peter Prevost a Pastor Emeritus is declared null.

13. The Church of Bergerac appealed and petitioned, that forasmuch as the Sentence of the Province of Lower Guyenne hath been invalidated, the Twelve Hundred Livres formerly granted unto their College might be continued. The Letters and Memoirs of that Church being read, and the Deputies of that Province heard, this Decree was made, That the Four Hundred Livres given unto every Province for their respectiye Colleges shall be continued unto that of Bergerac until the next National Synod, unto which they shall give a clear and good account of what has been done by them for the re-establishment of their College, on default of which, that Sentence of the Provincial Synod for translating the said College to the Town of Nerac shall be confirmed. And as for the remaining Eight Hundred Livres, Four Hundred of them shall be detained by the Lord of Kandel in his hands, and the other Four Hundred shall be accorded to the Church of Nerac, but on this condition only that the Town of Bergerac do find out some means for the re-establishment of their College. And our National Synods may hereafter give them sensible pledges of their accustomed Love and Kindness.

14. Monsieur des Marests suspended the Holy Ministry by the Province of Vivaretz, petitioned in his Appeals, that they might be obliged to restore him unto the Public Exercise of his Office, and come to an account with him, upon hearing the Deputies of that Province, this Synod voted that his suspension should be removed, and that the said Province should accompt with him for the Moneys owing to him before the Consistory of Alez, and that Monsieur Cuper shall pay him presently in ready Moneys Three Hundred Livres, out of what might accrue unto the said Province, and to repair the want of Charity which those of that Province have been notoriously guilty of towards him, they shall for the future take special care to encourage him in his Ministry.

15. Mr. George Arbaut formerly Pastor of the Church in Boiscoiran appeared in Person before this Synod to maintain his Appeal. But upon hearing the Deputies of the Province of Lower Languedoc, by which he was Deposed, and Monsieur Paulett Pastor of the Church of Vezenobre who gave in Evidence against him on one of the Principal Articles for which he was condemned, the Letters and Acts produced both for and against him having been perused, The Synod confirmed the Judgment denouncit against the said Arbaut, and declareth him forever unworthy of Employment in the Sacred Ministry, and decreeth farther that he shall not be admitted to Communion in the Sacraments, till such time as being touched with a deep remorse, and serious Repentance for his Sin, he do fully, freely, and ingenuously Confess his Offences before that Church, in which he constantly resideth.

16. Monsieur Beraut Pastor of the Church of Montauban, and Professor in that University, appealed from a Decree of the Provincial Synod of Higher Languedoc, and consequentially from the Actions of the Delegates of that Synod, and of the Colloquy of Lower Quercy. Letters from the Magistrates in the Sheriffdom or Montauban were read, as also from the Four Consuls of the said City; The Lord's de la Roche and Bardon Counselors in that Sheriffdom, the Lord's de la Rose and Auglas first and second Consuls, and the R. Mr. Charles a Minister one of those Delegates, were all heard speaking of this Affair, and Monsieur Beraud also declaring his grievances, as also did the Deputies of the Province. The Synod did hereupon take unto itself the cognizance of this Case, and voted that the R. R. Mr. Maurice and le Bloy Ministers of the Gospel, Martimont and Laullan Elders shall to this purpose ride unto the City of Montauban, and joining with the Consistory of that Church, shall inquire into those matters alleged against Monsieur Beraud, and examine Witnesses, and form a Process against him, and proceed to a definitive Sentence, and see that right be done upon those Appeals, and the principal of that Affair as is but just and reasonable.

17. Monsieur Scoffier Pastor of the Church of Lunell brought an Appeal in his own Name, and that of his Sister Mrs. Blandina Scoffier from a Judgment of the Synod of Cévennes, which having been read and perused, This Synod declared that the said Judgment was very unrighteous, and utterly unjustifiable. And that the opposition made by Mrs. Jacquelina Scoffier was ill-grounded, and that the Summ of Four Hundred and Three Livres, One Sous, Four Deniers liquidated by the Consistory of Anduze, Authorized thereunto by the Synod of Cévennes, shall immediately, and without delay be paid by the Receiver of the said Province into the hands of the laid Monsieur Scoffier, to be employed by him for the Relief of his poor Sister Blandina.

18. The Sieurs Guez Pastor, and Bien-nous-vienne Elder of the Church of Aubusson declared the reasons of their Appeal and Complaints against the Province of Berry. And the Deputies of the same Province, and Mr. Texier an Elder delegated by the Consistory of Aubusson produced their Arguments and Allegations to the contrary. After the whole had been heard and debated, the Judgment of the said Province was invalidated, because they ought not to remove a Pastor from his Church without assigning him to some other, much less should they prefer a Scholar unto an ordained Minister. And farther it was decreed, that Monsieur Guez should continue in his Pastoral Office in that Church of Aubusson until the next Provincial Synod, and the differences between the Elders of that Church, and Monsieur Guez, their Pastor, and between those Elders and other Members of that Church are remanded back unto the same Synod. And the Deputies of that Province are commanded to carry unto their Synod the Memoir which was produced in this Assembly, and the Sieurs Salmon and Scoffier are to make inquiry into the truth of those Articles of Accusation contained in the said Memoir, that so the said Synod may do right unto the wronged Parties, and censure the Delinquents.

19. This Assembly ratified the Judgment of the Province of Higher Languedoc, and vacated the Appeal of Monsieur Bicheteau Professor of the Hebrew Tongue in the University of Montauban, and decreed that a free Portion should be assigned him on the Dividend of the said Province, and that he may according to the Canons of former National Synods preach in the Church of Montauban, when as he shall be thereunto requested by the Consistory, and as in prudence and charity they be bound, they shall look more carefully after the General Edification of the Church, and the particular Consolation of the said Monsieur Bicheteau.

20. The Letters and Acts of the Church of Pamiers were tendered by Monsieur du Toc{que} their Deputy, and read in this Council, requesting on behalf of that Church, that the Decree of the Provincial Synod of Higher Languedoc might be reversed, and Monsieur Galliard might be discharged from serving that Church. The matter having been debated, the Synod declared upon the whole, That the Province had judged well, and that the Church had ill appealed; and because of the importance of that Church leave is given it to seek out for a second Pastor, but yet nevertheless Monsieur Galliard should be continued in his Ministry unto that Church until the next Provincial Synod, who shall have a singular regard unto the Honor and Comfort of Monsieur Galliard, and provide him of another Church, in case the Peace and Edification of that of Pamiers shall so require it.

21. Monsieur Peyroll Pastor in the Church of Montpellier is enjoined within five days after this present Act shall be signified to him personally to appear in this City, and to answer unto such questions as this Synod shall desire to be resolved in from his own Mouth, and in case he vefuse Obedience unto this injunction, he shall then be prosecuted with the utmost rigor according to the Discipline.

22. This Assembly ratified the Sentence of the Synod of Higher Languedoc, which had disannulled the Appeal made by Ruinall against the Election of James Canac unto the Elders Office in the Church of St. Afrique, and afterwards reconciled them one unto the other.

23. There were produced and read in open Synod Acts and Letters from divers Inhabitants of the Town of St. Ambroise, appealing from the Judgment of the Synod of Lower Languedoc, as also from sundry other Inhabitants of the same Town, Writing in favor of Monsieur Courroy, Pastor of the Church of the said place. This Assembly confirmed the Sentence of the Colloquy of Usez, and of the Provincial Synod, and censured those Appealers in the Person of their Deputies, for having through their unbridled passion passed Church-Acts out of Consistory, in the Consuls House of their Town, and brought a parcel of frivolous Accusations against Monsieur Courroy their Pastor, and decreeth farther that he be continued Minister unto the said Church of St. Ambroise, and that if he should be removed thence, though it was at his own request, yet shall not the said Church be provided of another Pastor, till the whole Body of them have banished all their disorderly passions and bitterness, and be visibly re-united in one and the same mind, that so they may by all just and peaceable ways seek after a Minister, who may be conceived most proper and fittest to promote their common Edification, and this shall be signified unto that Church by the Deputies of Burgundy, who are charged in their way homeward to pass through that Town of St. Ambroise, and then and there they shall inform the Inhabitants of the Intentions of this Synod, and do their best endeavors to reconcile them among themselves, and to their Worthy Pastor Mr. Courroy, and to know their minds about it, that so they may malse report thereof unto the Synod of Lower Languedoc, which is impowered by this Assembly to use all Lawful and Holy Means for promoting the Peace and Edifying of that Church.

24. The Letters and Memoirs produced by the Consuls of Anduze appealing from a Decree of the Provincial Synod of Cévennes, and from the Consistory of the said Town who wore Parties to it were all examined. And the Deputies of that Province together with the Sieurs Puyredon Deputy Consul and Cheiloit an Elder speaking on behalf of the Consistory, and Monsieur Horle a Minister, were all heard After which the Council rejecting that Appeal, and censuring their proceedings, who had brought it in, and would support it by unusual and undue means, and with Libels of Accusations written out of Consistory, stuffit with matters of no moment, confirmed Monsieur Horle in the Pastoral Office of that Church, and gives it leave to provide themselves of a second Pastor, either within or without the Province, as the Lord shall offer them an opportunity, and farther it decreeth that the said Church shall attend their next Provincial Synod, and gain an Order from it for re-uniting the Church of Tornas, now joined unto that of Lezan, unto themselves, and the said Synod shall comply with them in this their request, and use some other means for the maintenance of that Church of Lezan, when as that of Tornas shall be again incorporated with that of Anduze, as it was heretofore.

25, The Decree of the last Synod of the Isle of France, notwithstanding the Letters and Complaints of Monsieur Richard Pastor, and and of some certain Elders of the Church of Vandieres to the contrary, was confirmed, and the said Richard was enjoined by the Synod to exercise his Ministry in those Churches unto which he was assigned, on pain of being suspended from his Office; and that Province is requested to compassionate his great wants, and to extend unto him their wonted Charities.

26. Whereas Monsieur Razes appealed from a Judgment of the Provincial Synod of Lower Languedoc, This Council rejected his Appeal, and to put a period unto the contentions of the said Razes about the precedency of Monsieur Martyn an Attorney at Bezieres, it decreed, that for the future no businesses of this Nature should ever be presented unto these Assemblies.

27. The Appeal of the Church of Mazamet was also rejected, because it was not of the Nature of those businesses, which ought to be decided in these Councils, and because the Provincial Deputies of Higher Languedoc offered to take care that both the Appealers and their Partners should have full satisfaction given them.

28. The Appeal of Monsieur Rossel Pastor in the Church of Issoire about pecuniary matters, is according to the Canons in that case provided, dismissed over to the Judgment of the Province of Lower Languedoc.

29. The Several Appeals of Monsieur Genoyer Pastor of the Church of Riez in Provence are devolved on the Colloquy of Ambrun, who shall call upon the Church of Luc, to produce what they have to say for themselves, and to threaten them, that notwithstanding their Appeal, in case of their absence, or refusal to obey this Order, and to bring forth the Book of their Consistory, whereby the justice or unreasonableness of what is demanded of them may be discovered, Judgment shall pass upon them.

30. Report was made in full Council of the Contents of Monsieur Sauceux his Memoirs, who appealed from the Judicial Sentences of the Synod of the Isle of France and of their Commissioners sent on their behalf unto the Church of Bayolett; and the Deputies of that Province were heard also: Whereupon without invalidating the Judicial Sentences of that Synod, or of its Commissioners, They were told that the form of their proceedings was wrong; that the said Synod should have cited Monsieur Sauceux to have appeared before them, and have omitted in that Act concerning him, the mentioning of His Majesty's Edict, and that the bottom of the business may be found out, the Council decreed that the Provincial Deputies of Normandy shall in their return homewards pass over unto the Church of Bayolet, and shall examine the said Mr. Sauceux and his Consistory, and after hearing both Parties, they shall pronounce a final Judgment on them.

31. Whereas Monsieur des Maretz Elder of the Church of Oysemont hath sent neither Letters nor Memoirs to defend his Appeal from the Judgment of the Province of the Isle of France, his Appeal was therefore declared null.

32. That Appeal from the Judgment of the Province of Burgundy, brought by the L. L. Renaut and Fronevill in the Name of the Sieur L' Advise, touching a certain Declaration delivered unto the Sieur de Villemenat to be kept by him is declared null.

33. The Lord of Fournivall Elder in the Church of Beaune appealed in behalf of its Consistory from a Decree past in the last Synod of Burgundy held at Issurtilles, which had censured the said Consistory for not observing all requisite Formalities in receiving a Person of the contrary Religion into Fellowship and Communion with us; but his Appeal was declared null, and the said Consistory was censured for appealing unto this Council upon the score of a single Censure.

CHAP. XXI. Discipline Exercised on a Scandalous Minister.

34 PEter Peris formerly Pastor in the Church of Estray in the Colloquy of Aunix complained personally unto the Synod against the Province of Saintonge, for that having discharged him the Service of his Church, they refused him an Attestation of his Life and Doctrine. The Deputies of that Province immediately assigned the reasons of their refusal, grounded upon the scandalous Conversation of the said Peris, and his Method of teaching, which was exceeding offensive unto divers Churches: And the said Peris Apologizing for himself, The Council took thence occasion to interrogate him on divers Articles, of which he was accused, and convicted, as 1. For desertion of his Ministry, 2. Of haunting, and over-much familiar and scandalous Acquaintance and Communion with our Adversaries, particularly with Apostates revolted from the True Religion unto Romish Idolatry, and with Persons cast by the dreadful Sentence of Excommunication for Errors and Blasphemies out of these our Reformed Churches. 3. Of Profaneness, Insolency and Vanity. 4. Of Lyings, Slanderings, and Plottings against our Churches, and several of their Members. And forasmuch as he had about him even now whilst he was under examination a most execrable Libel against His Majesty's Honor, and the Tranquillity of the State, composed by some mutinous Spirits, disturbers of the Public Peace, which was delivered into the hands of His Majesty's Commissioner, the Lord Galland, to dispose of it as his Lordship in his Wisdom should think fit, The Council Deposed the said Peris from the Sacred Ministry, and debarring him all hopes of ever being again restored to it, decreeth that he shall be suspended all Communion in the Sacraments until such time as he giving Glory unto God, and confessing his Offences, shall have manifested to the World the Gracious Fruits of a serious and sound Repentance. And this Act shall be notified unto all the Churches.

35. Mr. Peju a Pastor, Baignou •• n Elder, and Rousseau, all deputed by the Heads of Families in the Church of Mer declared the grievances for which they appealed, and on the contrary the Provincial Deputies of Berry vindicated the Sentence of their Synod, The Letters and Acts also of both Parties were produced, and read both by Monsieur Peju, and by the Province: Upon the whole the Council judged, that the Province ought not to have brought before this Assembly Acts and Memoirs not verified in their Synods, and which were transacted in private Caballs, nor ought they to have hindered the Church of Mer from Assembling to consult about joining with their Pastor in his Appeal; and as for the said Monsieur Peju the Council advised him to stand upon his Guard, and conscientiously to use and exercise that moderation becoming his Age and Calling, and decreed that the two next Pastors to the Church of Mer in the Province of Anjou shall visit that Church, and censure very sharply those of its Members who have threatened and abused the Provincial Synod, and shall commune with them about their desires and wants, that so a report thereof may be made unto the approaching Synod of Anjou, which is impowered to judge of all those Matters which are objected against Monsieur Peju, and to dispose of his Ministry, either by freeing him from the Church of Mer, or continuing him in it, as they shall upon due and diligent Inquiry find will most contribute to the Service and Glory of God, and the Repose and Edification of that Church, unto which the said Monsieur Peju is remanded back again, there to continue his Ministerial Labors, until such time as this Affair shall be finally judged and determined.

36. There were Letters from the Consistories, Heads of Families, and Monsieur Ferrand Pastor of the Church of Bourdeaux, as also from Monsieur Percy Pastor of the Church of Monflanquin, directed unto this National Synod read in it, as also certain Memoirs were produced by the Provincial Deputies of Lower Guyenne. The aforesaid Deputies, and the Sieurs Roberdeau and d' Herbaux sent by the Churches of Monflanquin and of Bourdeaux were all heard: After which the Synod ratified the Judgment of that Province, and finding Monsieur Percy by reason of his Irresolutions and Inconstancy very much deserving Censure, decreed that those Letters and Memoirs should be carried by the Deputies of Lower Guyenne unto their next Provincial Synod where the said Monsieur Percy shall in like manner appear in Person, and give a full account of all his Actions.

37. Monsieur Le Vineux Pastor of the Church of Bazas being Plaintiff, this Synod to do him right ordained that the Province of Lower Guyenne shall restore unto him his Portion granted by the National Synod of Charenton, in consideration of the great damages and losses sustained by him during the last troubles: And whereas that Church of Bazas appealeth from the Judicial Sentence of its Province for▪ depriving it of the augmentation which was formerly given it, The Synod not judging their Appeal worthy to be received, commands that Church to apply itself unto one of the Neighbor Provinces, which shall take cognizance of their Petition, and do them Justice according to the Canons.

38. It being necessary that Monsieur Bony Pastor of the Church of St. John of Gardonengue should in person answer unto those many Articles of which he is impeached and accused; This Synod commanded that within five days after the signifying of this present Act to him, he should come unto this City, on pain of being declared guilty and convicted of those Crimes imposed on him. And the Deputies of the Church of Anduze shall out of hand give him notice hereof.