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

CHAP. XI. Particular Matters.

1. THE Deputies of the Province of Berry complained against Monsieur du Prat Pastor of the Church of D'Angeau, that whereas he hath been settled in their Province for above Six Years, yet in all this times he would never own the Authority of their Synod, nor submit himself unto it: This Assembly decreed, that he should appear in person at the next Synod of that Province, and give a Reason of this his Carriage, and undergo its Judgment; and in case he pretend any Grievance, he shall appeal unto the Synod of Anjou, who shall by Authority from this Assembly take Cognizance and give Judgment in it; but till the meeting of that Synod of Anjou, he shall stand bound by the Judgment of that of Berry.

2. The Provincial Deputies of Normandy moving, that this Assembly would in their Wisdoms take some care to remedy those Disorders, which are fallen out in the Church of Alanson through the long continuance of Elders in their Office: And a Memoir being read, containing the Requests of some certain Members of the said Church, that there might be a certain time limited when Elders should quit their Office, that so they may not perpetuate themselves in it. This Assembly remanded back their Petition unto the Synod of Normandy, according to the Canon of the National Synod of Tonneins, which assigned the cognizance of such matters as these unto Provincial Synods, and that Provincial Synod shall take care in it according to their Prudence, having first made an exact inquiry into the true state of the said Church.

3. Monsieur Gualtier, Pastor in the Province of Saintonge, presented himself to this Assembly, declaring, that he had finished his work upon the Discipline of our Church, as he had written the last National Synod held at Charenton; and that he had another design in Hand, which was a Treatise of the Harmony of the Articles of our Confession of Faith, Liturgy and Church Discipline, with that of the ancient Church, and in special with the Decisions of the Councils of the Gallicane Church. The Assembly applauded his Zeal, and ordered him to apply himself unto his Province of Saintonge, to which he shall produce his work, and they shall dispose of it according to the Canons of our Discipline. And in the mean while, he and his Labors were recommended unto God, praying that the Father of Lights would enrich him with all needful gifts to the accomplishing of his great design, and to shour down his Heavenly Benediction upon his Person and Undertaking.

4. The Sieurs Priouleau, Pastor of the Church of Rochelle, Berual Elder, le Toncille, and de la Chapeliere, Heads of Families in the said City, appeared as Deputies from that Church, with a Petition unto this Assembly, requesting that Monsieur Gilbert, Pastor of the Church of Mesle might be confer'd upon them as their Minister, and they backed their Petition with very many and weighty Arguments. The Deputies of the Church of Mesle were heard, who did as importunately Petition that their Minister the aforesaid Monsieur Gilbert might be continued with them: And the Provincial Deputies of Poicton, persisting in that Resolve made in their last Synod of their Province, that they did not judge it any way fit to grant them their Request. Now although this Assembly doth highly value that Church of Rochelle and it's Petitions, yet nevertheless, it doth not count it reasonable to deprive the Church of Mesle of a Pastor, who is so very useful and needful to them.

5. This Assembly did for divers causes thereunto moving them, without intending it a Precedent for the future, receive the Informations given by one part of the Elders and Heads of Families in the Church of Calais, although they ought according to the Canons of our Discipline to have been carried unto the Synod of the Isle of France, and took cognizance of those Troubles wherewith that Church hath been agitated about the settling of a Second Pastor in it. The Sieurs Tricotel and Peter du Croix, a Deacon in the Quarter of Guisnes, and James Barrizeau, of the Lower Town of Calais, Deputies from another part of that Church, had audience given them; and there were read Letters and Memoirs from Monsieur de Montigny Pastor, who was sent unto the said Church by the Synod held at Ay this present Year. The whole Affair having been heard and debated, a Decree past that the Sieur de Montigny, shall, if it so please him, exercise his Ministry in the said Church, till the meeting of the next Synod of that Province, which will be within Six Months at the farthest: And before that time, the Church of Calais shall choose a Pastor by plurality of Votes, in a lawful Assembly, called and directed by their Consistory, according to the order of our Discipline, either fixing their choice upon the Sieur de Montigny, who received a most Honorable Testimony in this Assembly, or upon any other, whom they shall judge most proper for their Edifying. And by th'Authority of this Assembly, one of the Pastors of Dieppe, and Monsieur Pinet, Pastor of the Church of Amiens, are ordered to take with them an Elder out of their respective Churches, and as soon as possible, to pass over to the Town of Calais, (the Church of that Place bearing their Charges,) and to do their utmost endeavors for the removal of those disorders in it, and for the sweetening and reuniting of their disturbed and divided Spirits, and to censure those that are unruly among them, and have incurred Censure according to our Discipline. And all and every particular Member of the said Church are enjoined to render unto the Sieurs Tricotell and de Montigny, and to their Consistory that Respect and Obedience which is due unto them.

6. The Assembly having heard the Sieur Baruel, Elder in the Church of Privas, speaking for Monsieur Accaurat, Pastor of the said Church, about those Differences betwixt him and the Province of Vivaretz, for payment of the Salary owing to him for his Service done in the Churches of Valz and Albenas in the said Province; and the Deputies of that Province being heard speak in its behalf, the Differences betwixt both those Parties were sent unto the Synod of Dauphiné, as being the next adjoining Province, which shall put a full and final Period to them by th'Authority of this Assembly.

7. The Provincial Deputies of Vivaretz demanding that the Church of La Bastide de Virac, which was ever annexed unto that of La Gorce, and a Member of their Synod, but hath for some time since separated from them, and incorporated itself with the Province of Lower Languedoc, might be obliged to rejoin itself unto the Province of Vivaretz, and to the said Church of la Gorce. The Assembly decreed that the Province of Vivaretz should address itself unto that of Lower Languedoc, and demand it of that Synod; and in case there be any Contestation about it, the Synod of Cévennes shall by the Authority of this Assembly determine and put a final period unto those Differences.

8. Although the Church of Valence be situated in the Province of Dauphiné, yet shall it remain united with that of Soyon, according to that Decree of the National Synod of Alanson; and to regulate their Contributions for Maintenance of the Ministry, and other Charges of that Church, they shall apply themselves unto the Synod of Vivaretz, and shall be discharged of all Contributions imposed on them by the Province of Dauphiné, that only excepted to the University of Die, unto which they have voluntarily and of their own accord yielded.

9. The Churches of Issoire, Paillac, Sirac, La Gazelle, and Joinctes, shall continue united to the Province of Burgundy. And whereas the Deputies of that Province, and those of Cévennes, have represented that those Churches are not of ability to maintain a Minister, and that this Assembly would express a noble act of Charity to make some kind of Provision for them, a Vote passed that there should be Yearly given to them for the Encouragement of their Minister, the Sum of Three Hundred Livres, which shall be thus paid, 50 l. by the Church or Paris, 40 l. by that of Rouen, 35 l. by that of Lion, 30 l. by that of Monepellier, 25 l. by that of Bourdeaux, 25 l. by that of Rochelle, 20 l. by that of Caen, 20 l. by that of Castres, 20 l. by that of Grenoble, 15 l. by that of Nismes, 15 l. by that of Dieppe, and 10 l. by that of Montlimer. And these Churches are all ordered to send their respective Quot • 's at Easter unto the Church of Lion, who shall see it paid in unto the Pastor, in actual Service of those aforesaid Churches of Issoire, Paillac, &c. and the Church of Lion shall give an account of their Receipt and Disbursment of the said Monies unto the Synod of Burgundy. And this Ordinance shall be in force till the Sitting of the next National Synod.

10. The Deputies of the Church of Rochell having been refused in their Demand of Monsieur Gilbert for their Pastor, informed this Assembly, that they had received new Orders to petition for another Minister. And the Assembly having nominated Two Pastors of their own Body to confer with them, and to find out some means for their satisfaction, and to provide for them according their desires; but there occurring insuperable Difficulties, in the way of supplying them from another Province, and the Committee ordered to confer with them, making their Report, that they did freely leave it unto the Judgment of this Assembly to bestow upon them any one of the Pastors in the Province of Saintonge, who might be detach'd with the greatest ease from their Churches, and Travel most profitably in the Edifying of that of Rochell, which now declared that they would wholly acquiesce in such a Person as should be chosen and recommended by this Assembly, they being not inclined to one more than unto another. The National Synod receiving this their Proposition with great joy, doth now present unto the Church of Rochelle, Monsieur Mesnil, formerly Minister in the Church of St. Just, to be the ordinary and peculiar Pastor of the Church of Rochell, he being now freed from his former care by the Judgment of this Colloquy. And this Assembly hopeth that he will be a very acceptable, useful Minister unto them. And till such time as that Church of St. Just can be provided of another Pastor, the Colloquy or Synod of the Province, shall take special care for their Supply, according to the Order established by the last provincial Synod.

11. The Assembly having heard Monsieur de Vaussoudan, Pastor of the Church at Saint Aignan, complaining on behalf of that, and the Church of Mans, of a Judgment past in the Provincial Synod of Normandy, held at Rouan, the Fifteenth of May, 1658, and the Days ensuing, which upon Letters written to him by the Synod of Anjou, and by the Church of Mans, had declared that Election void, which the Churches of Saint Aignan and Mans had made of Monsieur de L'arpents Son, to receive the Pension given by the Deceased Lady of La Haerangere, for maintaining of a Proposan. They also heard the Sieur de la Croix du Val, Deputy from the Church of Alanson, together with the Provincial Deputies of Normandy and Anjou, on all those Differences about that Legacy, and about the pretensions which the said Sieur de L'arpent, and the Sieurs du Val and Alix had unto it. The Contract also of this Gift passed by the said La Harangere, the Twentieth Day of June, 1598, together with the Decree of the National Synod of Alanson, held in the Year 1637, and the Judgments of the Synod of Normandy, in the Years 1656, and 1658, were all read and perused. Upon the whole, the Assembly ordained that the Decree of the National Synod of Alanson, in the Year 1637, shall be duly executed according to its form, intendment and tenor. And when as there shall be any vacancy, and a Proposan is to be chosen, who is to receive the Pension given by the said Lady, then the Deputies of the Churches of St. Aignan and Mans, shall go unto the City of Alanson, to agree with that Church about the Proposan, on whom the said Pension is to be conferred: And in case of Disagreement between those Churches aforesaid about this Election, in which those of St. Aignan and Mans, shall have but one Vote, the Election shall be done alternatively; to wit, the first time by the Church of Alanson, which shall have the preeminency; but the time the Churches of St. Aignan and Mans conjointly, shall take place before that of Alanson, and thus consecutively one after another: And in this choice and nomination, those aforesaid Churches shall see that the Will of the said Lady of La Harangere be faithfully observed, who expressly ordered, that the Children born in lawful Marriage, of the Sieurs Bourdieu, de Bloic, de Portevize, and du Hamel, being Proposans and destinated to the Holy Ministry, should be prefer'd before all others, whether those Children born or to be born, were descended from their Sons or Daughters. Nor may any Proposan chosen to receive the said Pension, enjoy it any longer than the term of Four Years. And when as the said Proposan shall be found fit and qualified for the Ministry, and be admitted thereinto, the Church of Alanson shall have the first choice to retain him in their Service, and next the Church of St. Aignan, and lastly, the Church of Mans; and in case neither of these Three should pitch upon him for their Minister, he shall then be assigned unto one of the nearest Churches. Moreover this Assembly doth for certain Reasons Ordain, that the said Sieur L'arpent shall receive the said Pension for Four Years, commencing from the Day of his Election; which Term being expired, they shall proceed unto a new Election, according to the Canon aforesaid. And this Assembly hath discharged, and doth now discharge the said Church of Mans of all Demands, Claims and Pretensions whatsoever that might be brought against it upon the account of those Sums, which either Mr. Vignier the Father, or his Son have received for that Pension during several Years, excepting only what the said Churches may demand of the Heirs of the said Mr. Vignier. And in case there should be any difference between the Churches of St. Aignan and Mans about those Elections, which they are bound to make, they shall be composed and terminated by the Synod of Anjou. And the said Sieur de L'Arpent, and all other Proposans receiving the said Pension, shall be bound to give Security, that in case through their default or neglect, they do not attain to be Ministers of the Gospel, or that they change their purpose, and divert to some other Studies and Employment, they make Restitution of the Monies they have thus received, and this agreeable to the Canons of our National Synods.

12. This Assembly having heard Mr. Le Croix du Val, Deputy from the Heads of Families in the Church of Alanson, who declared that he was sent by them to oppose a Proposition set on foot by some particular Members of the said Church, and to be tendered unto this Assembly, about changing of their Consistory, and its ancient Order; and that being come unto this City, he met with the like Proposition made to their Provincial Synod of Normandy, held in the Year 1655; and the Assembly having perused the Memoirs of the Deputies of that Province, had remitted the whole affair unto the Synod of that Province Yet nevertheless having waited to see if any one should move about this matter, and observing that none had done it, he that he might discharge the Trust committed to him, did tender unto this Assembly according to his Duty, the Letters and Memoirs with which he was charged, and opened before this Assembly the cause of his Deputation, and the Arguments they had against any such Alteration; and he did in behalf of those Heads of Families Petition, and doth now again Petition, that the Deputies of the said Province may declare whether they be ordered to set on Foot that new Proposition, and whether they intend to speak of it; who answered, that they had no such design, because that Affair had been remanded back unto their Provincial Synod. The Assembly hath dismissed over the Letters, Memoirs, and the Act now presented by the said Sieur de la Croix du Val, (Deputed by the Heads of Families in the Church of Alanson ) together with the Cognizance and Judgment of this Affair unto the Provincial Synod of Normandy, according as was before decreed.

13. The Assembly being informed of the great Disorders in the Church of Sauvetat, by reason of the difference between the Sieur de Carbon, and the Inhabitants of that Town, who compose the Church in that place: Letters were voted to be written unto the Lord Duke of La Force, to entreat his Grace, that he would be pleased by his Prudence and Authority to terminate those unhappy Dissensions, which menace that poor Church with no less than its utter Ruin and Destruction.

14. The Assembly having received honorable Testimonials from divers parts of the singular worth of Monsieur Charles, Pastor of the Church of Gap, and taking into consideration his numerous Family, great Deserts, and low Estate in the World, and the Inabilities of his Church, doth highly applaud his Zeal, Pains, Care, Diligence and Perseverance in his Masters Service, having served the Lord and his Churches most faithfully for many years, and eminently in this Church; wherefore, that he may have a competent Maintenance to supply his Necessities, this Assembly judgeth him every way worthy of the Cares and Respects of his Province, and of his own Congregation, which is commended for the Tokens of their Love and Affection to him for his own, and his Subsistence. And whereas the said Church did agree and bargain at first with him to pay him, during his Life, the yearly Sum of Three Hundred Livres only, they are now most earnestly entreated to extend their Charity and Thankfulness unto him, and to augment his Maintenance, by raising it up unto Four Hundred Livres a Year for his Life.

15. The Province of Vivaretz, received the praise of this Assembly for their fervent kindness to Monsieur Chenat, formerly Pastor of the Church at La Gorce, but now employed in the Service of that of Charenton; and it is most earnestly exhorted to continue the yearly Sum of 150 Livres to him for the comfortable Subsistence of this good Servant of Jesus Christ, whose Labors and Travels have been very great in the Work of the Lord.

16. The Memoirs and Letters of Monsieur Gabet, Pastor of the Church at Osselon, having been read and examined in this Assembly, his Affair was dismissed over to the Province of Dauphiné, which was commended for their Charity and Support extended to him, and the said Province was entreated to continue their Cares for the Comfort, and Repose of this poor Minister, and to hear him in those matters which he shall offer to them, and to judge of them according to their Prudence and Equity; and also to reprove him for that ill Language where-with he hath soiled his Papers sent unto this Assembly.

17. The Inhabitants of the Islands of La Voutte, professing the Reformed Religion, sent Letters Signed by De Bois unto this Assembly, petitioning, that they might be absolutely separated from the Church of La Voute, and joined unto that of Livron, and that they might continue to pay in their Contributions to it: Several Members of the Church or Consistory of Livron abetted them in their Demand. The Deputies of Dauphiné were desired to give their Judgment in the case, who replied, they had no order to oppose it: But the Provincial Deputies of Vivaretz did oppose this Petition of those Inhabitants of La Voute, and of the Consistory of Livron. Upon the whole Debate, the Synod not finding this Affair as yet ripe for a Decision, did dismiss it over to the Provincial Synod of Lower Languedoc, who should pass a final Sentence therein by the Authority of this Assembly.

18. The Church of Loudun petitioned the Assembly to discharge them from their Contribution of the Fifth Penny of the Poors Money paid in towards the Maintenance of our Universities, in consideration of those extraordinary Charges they are obliged to be at in upholding their Lesser Schools, which have been of singular Use and Benefit even to the Neighbor Provinces. Whenas the Provincial Deputies of Anjou were heard, and those also of Britain, who reported with how much che • rfulness they had contributed their Sixty Livres yearly for supporting their Lesser Schools, but that at present their Design was to bestow this Money upon that in the Town of Vitre; the Assembly could not grant unto the said Church their Petition. But in case the Province of Britain do satisfy the Synod of Anjou, that they have effectually employed the said Sum of Sixty Livres as before, towards the upholding the Lester Schools in the said Town of Vitre; then the Province of Anjou shall allow in account unto the Church of Loudun the like Sum to be employed to the same use and purpose.

19. That Book of the Sieur de la Fite Solon Pastor of the Church of Orthez in the Province of Béarn, entitled, Disputationes de Vindiciis Gratiae, being presented to this Assembly for its Approbation, was remanded back to the Synod of the same Province, who should examine and approve it according to the Canons of our National Synods.

20. In reading the Memoirs sent unto this Assembly (from Monsieur Clerk, Pastor in the Church of Coulonges in the Bailiwick of Gex ) about divers Contestations between him as Son and Heir of Mr. James Clerk his Father, Pastor also in the said Bailywick of Gex, and the Widows and Heirs of divers other Pastors in the said Bailywick, with and against the Churches in the said Bailywick and the Provincial Synods of Burgundy, and particularly in that of Gex, held in the Year 1656. and that of Arnay le Due, in the Year 1658. This Assembly observing that the occasion of all their Debate was a pecuniary matter, dismissed it over to the Province of Dauphiné to put a final Period to it.

21. The Provincial Deputies of Cévennes demanded on behalf of the Widow of Monsieur Rossel, formerly Pastor in the Church of Sauve, but since presented to the Family of the late Duke of Rohan by the Natinal Synod of Castres, that he might receive the same Pension for her year of Widowhood, as was paid her Deceased Husband yearly during his Life, by Order of the Province of Cévennes: The Assembly resolved, that a Letter should be written to the Lady Dutchess of Rohan about this business; and the Consistory of the Church of Paris is charged to apply themselves to the said Lady Dutchess, that some Satisfaction may he given this poor Widow, and to acquaint the Consistory of Anduze with it; and the Sieurs Daille and Loride des Galinieres, Elder in the Church of Paris, are ordered to deliver this Letter unto the said Lady Dutchess.

22 Monsieur Chamier Pastor, informed this Assembly of the state of the Church in St. Hyppolyte, by reason of the Departure of Monsieur de Mejannes their Pastor from it, and of an Order that was made for its being served by another at the Charges of the said Sieur de Mejannes till the next Synod. The Deputies of the Province of Cévennes were heard speak unto this matter, who professed that they were surprised at this Relation, and that any person should attempt against an Order of their last Synod, which was made upon very good and sufficient Grounds, and in which Monsieur de Mejannes himself had acquiesced. And they wire the more affected at this, because the Parties concerned are neither heard, nor cited to appear and plead for themselves. And they protested farther, that they had no Commission at all from their Province to intermeddle in this business; and they humbly desired the Synod, that there might be no Debate about it. And the said Sieur de Mejannes was also heard, and the Acts of the Synod of Alez, of Florac, and of Vignan were all read and perused. Upon the whole, this Assembly disapproved that too great Facility of the Church and Pastor, in demanding and yielding to such a Separation, which was every way prejudicial both to the one and other, and of dangerous consequence to our Churches, if such Examples should be allowed. And the Consistory of Montpellier is ordered to send Mr. Eustache unto the Church of St. Hippolyte, accompanied with one of their Elders, to reconcile Monsieur Mejannes with his Flock, and that it may be effected, they should propound to their Consideration his great Services, eminent Zeal, and most excellent Gifts with which God hath adorned him; and since that this Assembly doth give him such an ample Testimonial, the said Church shall be obliged according to their wonted Charity to take care of their Pastor, and to make Provision for his comfortable Subsistence; and according to former Decrees, they shall allow him a Colleague, for their better Edification; or else to release him of some part of his Ministerial Labors, as it hath been ordered in the Canons of General Matters by this Assembly. And if any Difficulties occur, which may obstruct the Accomplishment of this good Design, this Affair shall be removed unto the next approaching Synod of the Province of Cévennes, unto whom the Person and Ministry of the said Sieur de Mejannes are recommended; and till that the said Synod do meet, Monsieur de Mejannes shall continue to exercise his Ministry in the said Church; and all Charges and Expences about this business shall be defrayed by that Church of St. Hippolyte.

23. Monsieur Thourond, Pastor of the Church of Stofhouse, complained against the Provincial Synod of Lower Guyenne, for not performing their Promise of re-imbursing him his Charges, expended by their Order in securing the Peace and Welfare of their Churches: This Assembly blamed the said Province for their Remissness in paying so just a Debt, and to a person, whose Zeal, Sincerity and Diligence have deserved a far more grateful Acknowledgment. And everyone of those particular Churches, which have not satisfied the Orders of their Province, are enjoined to pay in to the said Mr. Thourond their particular Assessments before the meeting of their next Synod, upon pain of the greatest Censures. And in case they should neglect it, the next Synod is commanded to take the most certain and expeditious course for re-imbursing of the said Mr. Thourond within three Months after the expiring of that Synod, and to make an Addition of other Monies, besides what they had agreed with him, as shall be found needful to indemnifie him from all Interests, which he was forced to pay by borrowing of Monies for the Service of the said Province.

24. Letters were read from the Church of Lanez, gathered within the District of Hastingues, and the Provincial Deputies of Béarn and the Lower Guyenne, were heard speak about the matters contained in them: This Assembly having debated the matter, did decree, that for the future the said Church of Lanez should be joined unto the Province of Béarn, which shall take an especial care of it. And the like Judgment was given for the Churches of Mauleon and Moulay. And whereas the Church of Lanez hath petitioned for a share in the Legacies bequeathed by the Lady Rouly unto the Church of Orthez, this their Petition is remanded back unto the next Synod of Béarn: And in case the Church of Geaune should desire to be incorporated with the Synod of Béarn, they shall present this their Petition unto the Province of Lower Guyenne, which is entreated to consider seriously of the matter, and to grant them what will be most subservient to their edifying.

25. The Sieurs de L'Angle Pastor, and de Guesdon, Elder in the Church of Rouen, moved that there might be some Change made in the Distribution of Offices in their Province of Normandy, and the said Sieurs Bochart Pastor, and de la Roquette an Elder, seconded them in their Motion, because they found themselves overcharged as to Rates and Taxes: And that the Distinction of the Higher and Lower Normandy might be suppressed, especially as to these matters. The Assembly, having maturely debated this Affair, judged, that it was no ways fit at present to make any change herein; and ordered, that the Canons of the National Synod of Charenton in the Year 1644. should be of Force as to all past matters, and that all Offices shall be born till the next Synod of that Province, by the Colloquies of Rouen and Caux for one Moiety, and for the other Moity by the other Classes, who shall choose a particular Receiver to receive all their Contributions, and to send them unto the Receiver General residing at Rouen. And in case those Difficulties, (brought unto this Assembly) between the Higher and Lower Normandy, about their being over-rated on both sides should continue, then are they for the future to address themselves unto the Consistory of the Church of Paris, which shall judge thereof by the Authority of this Assembly, the said Consistory having first well-considered the Ability and Inability of both Parties.

26. The Sieurs de L'Angle Pastor, and Guesdon an Elder in the Church of Rouen, requested this Assembly to re-enforce by its Authority the Counsels of their Provincial Synod unto the Churches of their Province, for contributing to the Subsistence of their College at Quevilly. Whereupon a Decree past, that all the other Churches in the said Province of Normandy should furnish the Sum of Three Hundred Livres towards the maintenance of that College.

27. At the Request of the Synod of Higer Languedoc and Guyenne, which had given a very Honorable Testimony to the Piety and great Learning of Monsieur Balthuzar (who was formerly his Majesty's Counselor and Advocate in the Presidial Court of Auxerne ) and which hath already raised and settled a Fund of Three Hundred Livres for his Maintenance; and the Assembly having heard that very advantageous Report, which the Committee of Ministers appointed to examine those Four Diatrebes presented by the said Mr. Balthazar, had made of them, it applauded the Zeal of that Province of Higher Languedoc. And that the said Mr. Balthazar may be enabled to follow his Studies without Distraction, and prosecute his great Work undertaken against Cardinal Baronius, it decreeth, that the yearly Stipend of Seven Hundred and Fifty Livres shall be settled upon him, and paid in unto him by these Churches of this Kingdom, to wit, by those of the Higher Languedoc Three Hundred Livres, by those of the Isle of France One Hundred Livres, by those of Lower Languedoc One Hundred Livres, by those of Normandy Fifty Livres, by those of Saintonge Thirty Livres, by those of Dauphiné Thirty Livres, by those of Lower Guyenne Thirty Livres, by those of Poitou Thirty Livres, by those of Berry Twenty Livres, by those of Burgundy Twenty Livres, and by those of Anjou Fifteen Livres.

28. My Lord Commissioner having received Letters from Monsiur de la Urilliere, notifying his Majesty's Pleasure, that the Sieur Gaillard, Pastor of the Church of Montauban, who is now prosecuted for Criminal matters, might by the authority of this Assembly be removed from his Church. The Assembly requested the Lord Commissioner to take it into his consideration, that because the said Gaillard was absent, and for that this Assembly hath little or no knowledge of his Deportments, it is not at present capable o • Judging his Case, and that he would be pleased, that order might be given our Deputies unto his Majesty, to infor • • he • selves punctually of all matters relating to him, and that they, together with the Church of Montauban, do deliberate and resolve on the best means for his Majesty' • s satisfaction, and in case he be innoc ••• , to 〈◊〉 his Majesty with it, and to demand his Royal Protesting 〈…〉 but if through Levity, or Inadvertency, • e may h ••• s • er • ed from his Duty, that then they do with the profoundest Sub •• issions implore his Majesty's Clemency for him, as being 〈◊〉 Person • o • altogether unworthy of his Majesty's Grace and Favor.

29 The Sieurs Chamier and * Homel, Pastors, together with the Sieurs de P •• pe ••• and M •• son •• . Elders, shall ride unto the City of Castres, to compose the differences between Monsieur de Brugeres, Counselor in the Court of the Edict, and the other Presidents and Counselors in the same Court of that City, who are of, our Communion▪ And the Expences of the said Deputies from Montauban unto Castres, and during their Abode in it, shall be defrayed by their respective Provinces.

30. The Assembly remembering that the last National Synod had pro •• sed Monsieur Chamier Four Hundred Livres, being the Remainders of a greater Sum granted him by some of the former National Synod • , as also that there had been a like grant of Three Hundred Livr •• unto Monsieur de l • Fitte Solon; It was now decreed, that in case there be any M •• ies in the Hands of the Lord du Kandel, that then the said Minister • Chamier and de la Fitte Solon, shall be paid the Sums before any other Person whatsoever.

31. This Assembly having an entire confidence in the Consistory of the Church of Paris, that they will appoint Persons well qualified, to receive and manage the Monies which were formerly, entrusted with them, and for which they have a new Commission given them, and that they will use herein as great circumspection as might be required from Persons of their Reputation, for Candor, Prudence and Godliness, and that they will be as careful in this affair, as if it were their own particular concern, declareth, that its none of its intention • , that the said Consistory should be Sureties and responsible for their solvability, who are or shall be appointed by them to this effect. And this Declaration shall hold good for all other Consistories that have the like Commissions.

CHAP. XII. Of Universities.

1. THE Provincial Deputies of Saintonge moved, that in every Province there might be Two Persons ordered to prepare and fit themselves for the Profession of Divinity, and that our University Councils might be obliged to pitch upon one of them to fill up the vacant Chairs of Divinity. But this Assembly did not judge meet to make any Alteration in the former Canons, which left the extraordinary Councils of our Universities at liberty to choose the Professors of Divinity, without restraining them to this or that designed Minister; and therefore they should procure and settle in such important Charges such Persons as they were directed to by the Canons of our National Synods, and in particular by those of Alez, Charenion, and Al •• son.

2. All the Deputies of our Provinces, with one common consent, complaining of the great Corruptions crept in among the Scholars in our Universities, especially among the Students in Divinity, of their wearing long Hair, Cloaths after the new fangled Fashions of the World, with wide floating Sleeves, Gloves stuffed with Silk and Ribbans, that they frequented Taverns, haunted the Company of Women, walked abroad with their Swords, that their Style savor'd more of the Romance than of God's Holy Word, and many other Vanities and Excesses of this Nature. The Assembly touched with a most sensible grief for these great Disorders, and zealously concerned for the House of God, doth most earnestly exhort the Professors, and all other Governors in our Universities, as also the Consistories of those Churches in which they are, to exert all their care, power and authority for the suppression of these Abuses, which redound to the disgrace of our Religion, and give great Scandal unto Persons fearing God, and open the Flood Gates to a deluge of Profaneness to break in upon the Sanctuary: And farther it enjoineth them to suspend the Refractory from the Lord's Table, and to blot their Names out of the Matricular Book of Students, and to deprive Proposans of all hopes of ever being admitted to the Ministerial Office. And all Scholars are most straitly enjoined, and most especially Students in Divinity, to refrain from all those Abuses before-mentioned, and to keep themselves at the greatest distance from those things which are contrary to Modesty and true Sanctity, which Virtues should shine forth conspicuously in their Lives, whom God calleth to be Pastors in the Church of Christ: And that there may be no sinister Opinions conceived of them, they be commanded to perfume the House of God betimes with the sweet Odours of an early Religious Conversation, every way becoming that Sacred Employment whereunto they be designed, upon pain of Exemplary Punishments for their Rebellion. Moreover this Assembly Ordaineth, that those Provincial Synods to whose care and charge our Universities are entrusted, and in which they be erected, shall depute every Year some Pastors to inspect and visit them, and to take notice what progress is made by our Scholars in their Studies of Philosophy and Divinity, and by the authority of our Lord Jesus Christ and of this Assembly, to redress wha • ever Disorders shall be particularly notified to, or observed by them. And to this end those Visitors Commissionated by this Assembly, shall as soon as possible they can, go and visit them; to wit, the Sieurs Gitton and de Bourdieu, Pastors, and des Champs, an Elder, shall visit that of Saumur; the Sieurs Chamier and Vegnier, Pastors, de Pontperdu and Maisonnet, Elders, shall visit that of Montauban; the Sieurs de Boudan and de Messannes, Pastors, and the Sieurs de St. John Gardonongues and de Pontperdu, Elders, shall visit that of Nismes; and the Sieurs Homel and January, Pastors, with the Sieurs de Mirabel and Baruel, Elders, shall visit that of Die. And these Visitors shall give notice unto all Students in Divinity, that they read the Scriptures publicly in the Desk before Sermons in all our Church-Meetings.

3. The Deputies of several Provinces complained of the great Rates that Scholars paid for their Diet, Lodging and Washing in the Towns of our Universities; and that Professors and Regents did demand of them over and above their Sallaries, for Lectures and Tuition. This Assembly Ordained, that the Commissioners appointed about the affairs of the Church of Saumur should carefully confer with the Directors of that University and the Consistory there, concerning this matter, and to take the most convenient course they could for the moderating of Expences. And all the Provinces are advised to send unto those Directors of that University their Opinions about it, that so the grievances complained of may be redressed. And the Directors of that University are herein to use their utmost care and diligence.

4. That custom practiced in the University of Die, of inspecting the Manners and Education of their Scholars in the true Religion, and of examining their proficiency in Human Learning, and of giving them a public Prize, is highly applauded; and this Assembly exhorteth all other Colleges and Universities of our Communion, to imitate and follow this their most commendable Example.

5. The Sieurs Damiere, Cregut, Verdier, and Martel, Pastors, having been Elected by the University Councils of Nismes, Die and Montauban, and afterward established in the Professors Office of Divinity in those Universities, this Assembly ratifieth those Acts, and confirmeth them in their respective Chairs: And ordereth, that the Canons of our Discipline and National Synods shall be most Religiously observed about the Examining of them, who shall be chosen to the Profession of Divinity.

6. The Provincial Deputies of Cévennes moved that the Province of Lower Languedoc might be obliged to pay Four Hundred Livers a Year towards the Maintenance of the College of Anduse, from the time of that Treaty held with them in the Conference at Quissac, in the Year One Thousand, Six Hundred, Forty and Five; and they offered in case they should so do, that they would deduct from what they had already paid in. Moreover that this Assembly would be pleased to discharge them of their Yearly Contribution to the Universities of Die and Nismes, or to make some other Provision for the Subsistence of the said College of Anduze. The Letters and Memoirs of the Consistory of Anduze were Read, and the Provincial Deputies of Lower Languedoc were heard: Upon the whole, this Assembly dismissed their Demand of Four Hundred Livres from the Synod of Lower Languedoc to the consideration of the Province of Higher Languedoc, which shall judge finally thereof without Appeal by th'Authority of this Assembly. And as for their other Requests, it was not thought meet to discharge that Province of Cévennes of those Contributions to which they stand obliged (by the foregoing Synods) unto our Universities, and leaveth the care of providing Maintenance for their College of Anduze to their own and Neigbours Prudence.

7. This Assembly censureth, (as they have too justly deserved it,) the Council of the University of Montauban, for not having brought in their Account of Monies paid in by the Provinces unto that University, and Ordaineth, that they do bring them every Year unto their Provincial Synod, there to be audited and concluded, and from thence to be presented unto the National Synod according to Rule. And whereas the Provinces of Lower Guyenne and Béarn are indebted considerable Sums unto the said University of Montauban, they be in like manner Censured, and are most expressly enjoined to take that care, and to settle that good order among them for the future, that the public Professors in our Universities may be statedly and regularly paid; and they shall inflict the severest Censures upon such as shall refuse or disobey this Canon.

8. And the like Judgment was past upon the Province of Normandy, which was found indebted in very considerable Sums unto the Universities of Saumur, Die and Montauban, which this Assembly could not reflect on without a most sensible Displeasure: And therefore doth enjoin it to use all Expedients necessary for the discharging of this debt, on pain of the greatest Censures.

9. Mademoiselle Charles, Widow of the Deceased Monsieur Charles, late Pastor and Professor of Divinity in the University of Montauban, Petitioned this Assembly that it would cause her to be paid the Arrears of Sallaries due unto her Husband; as also that Pension which had been ordered him by the Synod held at Saint Antonine, in the Year 1650, for the Maintenance of his Son, till such time as he should be called unto the Sacred Ministry; as also that Sum of Money which was adjudged him by the Synod of Pont du Camares, in the Year 1654. The Sieurs Jassaud, Pastor of the Church of Castres, and Brassart, Elder in the Church of Montauban, and Syndic of that University, having promised to use their best endeavors that the said Gentlewoman might be satisfied, the Assembly Decreed, That both the Church and University of Montauban, and the Church of Castres, should pay in unto the said Gentlewoman all those Arrearages owing unto her Deceased Husband, as also whatever Sums besides has been ordered by the Synods of St. Antonine, and Pont de Camares; which Decrees of theirs are now ratified and reinforced by this present Ordinance.

10. There shall be paid unto Mademoiselle Bicheteau, the Widow of the Deceased Mr. Bicheteau, Professor of the Greek Tongue, the Sum of One Hundred Livres, which had been appointed to him by the Synod of Pont de Camarez.

11. The University of Montauban presented no Account, for which it was severely Censured; and it was ordered to liquidate their Accounts in the Synods of Higher Languedoc, who shall bring them in unto the next National.

12. The University of Nismes having brought in no Accounts, is ordered to carry them unto the Synod of Lower Languedoc.

13. There is due unto the University of Saumur, whose Accounts were brought in, accepted and approved,

Here must be excepted an Account brought in by Monsieur de L'Erpiniere, which was never seen by the Province of Anjou, nor approved by this Assembly.

14. There is due unto the University of Die

Always to be excepted Four Hundred Livres paid by them the 19th Day of June, 1642. and Four Hundred Livres more paid unto this University the 27th of May, 1642.

Here must be excepted those Sums of Money in the Hand of Monsieur Eustache.

Excepting always an Account sent to the Consistory of Rochelle by the said Province.

This said Province of Die shall give an Account unto the Synod of Dauphiné, and that to the next National Synod of their Receipt and Employment of the Monies given them by the National Synods.

CHAP. XIII. The Accompts of the Lord du Kandel.

THE Lord of Kandel, Counselor to his Majesty in his most Honorable Privy Council and Council of State, having presented unto this Assembly the Account of Receipts and Disbursments done by the late Lord of Kandel his deceased Father, and by himself since that given in unto the Deputies of the National Synod held by his Majesty's permission at Charenton, which was there closed and settled the 16th Day of February, 1645. And a Committee having been appointed to examine the said Accounts, and brought in their Report unto this Assembly, it was observed that the said Lord of Kandel gave in no Account of the Arrears of Rent upon the Chamber of the City of Paris from the Quarter of April, 1651. unto this present Day; and that there is placed to Account of Receipt the bare Sum only of Three Hundred Fourscore and Twelve Livres of Emoluments accruing from the Commission of Real Seisures in the Sheriffs Court of Soissons, since the last foregoing Account: Nor also is there anything charged to Account, as received from the Emoluments of another such Office in the Presidial Court of Chasteau Thierry, Noyon, Beauvais and Calais, altho it was evident by the former Accounts, that the said Offices did yield yearly Profits: Nor is there anything set down as received for those of La Ferte Milon, Mouchi, Le Castel, Pierrefonds, Coussy, Chastillon upon Marne, Neuilly, St. Frond, Surene, Estapes, Vertus, Bulloigne, Magny, Montmiral, Chaumont, and the Provostship of Augny, Chaalons, Epernay and Fismes; all which joined to the former, make up the full Number of One and Twenty Offices, whose Revenue amounted to Threescore and Four Thousand Six Hundred Livres: And the Mark of Gold Provisions, and Seals, to Fifteen Hundred Seventy and Seven Livres, two Sous, and Six Deniers, which yield no Product nor Profit unto the Churches; insomuch that it were far better to sell and dispose of them at any rate, though much less than their yearly Value, than to keep them as now they are. For we have no account in whose Hands they are, nor who doth manage them, and receive the Profits of them in any of those Presidial Courts. Besides, there was one thing more observable in the Accounts of the late Lord of Kandel, that the Churches were indebted to him the Sum of Seven Thousand Eight Hundred and Eighteen Livres, Four Deniers, comprizing therein Two Thousand Five Hundred Seventy and Four Livres, Ten Sous for Interest. Moreover, in that former Account it was said, that the late Lord of Kandel stood obliged to bring in unto this Synod the Acquittances for the Colleges of Nerac, of Berry, of Rochefoucault, amounting to Three Thousand Four Hundred Nine and Six Livres, which the said Lord of Kandel having not done, there must be deducted this Sum, together with its Interest, from that Day in which the said Lord of Kandel Deceased was said to have paid it. And this was allowed in Disbursment. Nor may this be omitted, that the said Deceased Lord of Kandel had placed to the last account of Disbursments, and would have it allowed him, several Sums of which there was no clear Proof nor Evidences Moreover it was made appeat, that the said Deceased Lord had deposited in his Hands that Order granted by his Majesty for Sixteen Thousand Livres, to defray the Charges of the National Synod held at Alanson in the Year 1637. of which he gave in no account unto the National Synod of Charenton, 1644. nor is there a tittle hereof mentioned in this present Account now brought in by the Lord of Kandel his Son. The Assembly not having that Information, which of necessity it must have for the clearing up of these Articles, and so consequentially not being able at present to examine and finish the said Account, which is now presented by the said Lord of Kandel, it doth commissionate and authorize the Sieur Loride des Galinieres, Advocate in his Majesty's Privy Council and Council of State, and in the Parliament of Paris, for, and in its Name, and under the Orders of my Lord General Deputy of the Reformed Churches of France near his Majesty, and with the Advice of the Consistory of the Church of Paris, and of those Pastors of other Churches which may then be in the City of Paris, in case any one shall happen to be there whenas this Affair shall be negotiated to examine the Account presented by the said Lord of Kandel, or any other Account which he shall bring in hereafter, and to debate and allow the Articles of the said Account, and to give Acquittances for the Receits, Disbursments, and Reprizals in it. And to cause the said Lord of Kandel to resign unto them the One and Twenty Letters of Provision for the Office of Commissioners of real Seizures in those Courts before-mentioned, and to dispose of them at any rate, whether in the Total, or in Parcels, and this to the use and profit of the Churches. The Monies of which Sale shall be received by him, who shall be appointed thereunto by my Lord the General Deputy, with the Advice and Consent of the Consistory of the Church of Paris, that so an Account may be given thereof unto the Churches. And until such time as the said Offices shall be sold off, this Assembly doth authorize the said Sieur Loride des Galinieres, under the Orders of the said Lord General Deputy, by and with the Advice of the said Consistory of Paris, to constitute such Persons at they shall find able to manage the said Offices in those Courts aforesaid, that so the yearly Profit of them may be received for the benefit of our Churches. And they shall make diligent Enquiry into the said Courts, who hath last had the Management of those Offices, and if there be in the Hands of the said Officer any Emoluments accruing from them, they shall be demanded from him. And whenas the Account brought in by the said Lord of Kandel shall have been examined and closed up, according to the Order before appointed, in case the said Lord of Kandel shall be found in Arrearages of Debt unto the Churches, the said Sieur Loride is commissionated and empowered by Authority from this Assembly, according to the Orders and Advice before-mentioned, to prosecute the Lord of Kandel for the payment of the said Debt on account, and to take up from him into his own Hands that Contract of Rent-Charge upon the Chamber of Paris, and to receive all Arrears that are now due, or may hereafter happen to be due, and to give account thereof unto the Churches. And in case it should be requisite that the said Lord of Kandel should make a Declaration in the Name of any particular Person for the Churches Profit, because of the said Rent, the said Loride, under the Orders of my Lord General Deputy, shall consult with the Consistory of Paris, and put the said Rent under his Name, if they think meet. But and if anything should become due unto the said Lord of Kandel, he shall be paid out of Monies coming in from the Sale of the Offices for Commissions of Fines and Seizures, and from the Rent issuing out of the Chamber of Paris, and this according to the value of Monies now current. And if, upon review of those accounts aforesaid, there should happen to be any Contestation, that it may be composed, and quietly transacted, the said Loride is commissionated and fully empowered by this Assembly, to give large and valid Acquittances and Releases; and in case of necessity, to prosecute the matter before the Judges in any Civil Court of Judicature, and to sell and alienate the said Offices, or to put in any one to execute them, as also to dispose of the said Rent-Charge on the Chamber of Paris, with all its Circumstances and Dependencies, or to Mortgage the said Rent, and the annual Income of the said Sales. Always provided, and not otherwise, that he follow the Orders before prescribed. And the said Loride shall give advice hereof unto all the Provincial Synods, by Letters, which he shall send from time to time to one of the Principal Churches of the Province, that so they may be acquainted with the Success and Issue of this Affair.

CHAP. XIV. An ACT for the Public National Fast, which is to be Celebrated the 25th Day of March, in the Year 16 • 0.

ALthough it hath pleased God to grace his Majesty, our Sovereign Lord, with that Blessing, as to terminate a long and bloody War by a most glorious Peace, which hath been always his design and purpose, and that thereby is offered unto all his good Subjects an ample and general Occasion of Joy and Thankfulness: Yet nevertheless we cannot but see with Grief and Horror, how that Atheism, Impiety, Blasphemy, Unrighteousness. Debauchery, Uncleanness, and all other Sins both against the First and Second Table of the Divine Law are daily multiplied, and march bare-faced, as if the Sons of Men would by their bold and presumptuous Ungodliness, even brave, d •• e and provoke the Justice of God, and kindle against themselves the Fire of his most dreadful Wrath and Vengeance, so that we have too much cause of Fear, lest the Benignity of God yielding unto his just Indignation by reason of the Impenitency of Sinners, he should at last pour out the Vials of his Fury upon the Land, without sparing of his poor Church, which though separated from the World by the Purity of its Profession, is too often plunged in the Vices and Corruptions of that Age in which it liveth. Wherefore the National Synod of the Reformed Churches of France, assembled by his Majesty's permission in the Town of Loudun, knowing that there is none other way nor means to avert the Judgments of God, than by giving speedy and evident Tokens of a most serious Repentance, of a most sincere and extraordinary Humiliation, doth ordain a Solemn Fast to be kept and observed in all the Churches of this Kingdom on Thursday the 28th of March next coming, that Thanks may be rendered to Almighty God for the Peace, which himself the God of Peace hath vouchsafed us, and to obtain from his Divine Goodness, that it may be attended and followed with all kind of Benedictions, and that ardent Prayers may be offered up to God for the Health and Prosperity of his Majesty's Sacred Person, who gave him in as a Return of Prayers unto his praying people, that the Lord would be pleased to crown his Enterprizes with Success, to fulfil his Desires, to augment the Glory of his Crown, and the Weal of his State and Government, and to wrestle with God for the yearning Bowels of his Compassions upon us, which we have forfeited by the multitude and aggravations of our sins, and importunately to beseech him, that he would extinguish the Fire of his Indignation, which menaceth his poor Churches with the severest Chastisements, hoping and believing that upon our sincere Conversion to him, and deep Abasement and Humiliation in Sackcloth and Ashes before his most terrible Majesty, he will return to us with his infinite Mercies, and for the sake of his Dear Son, by whose Name we are called, to cause the Light of his Loving Countenance to shine upon his Church, and to receive us graciously, which will be our Salvation. And this Act shall be read and published in all the Churches, that all persons in Communion with us may take notice of it.

CHAP. XV. A Dividend of the Sum of Sixteen Thousand Livres granted by the King to the Deputies of the National Synod, of which everyone shall receive Two Hundred Sixty and Two Livres.

CHAP. XVI. Tho Roll of Deposed and Apostat Pastors who have changed their Religion.

1. JOhn Cordeil, formerly Minister in the Church of Vertueil in Dauphiné, a Fellow low of Stature, great Head, and Bald before, his Hair mixed with gray, great uplifted Eyes, high red-color'd Visage, a great short Neck, Grave in his Going, but inclining to Stupidity, a loud and clear Voice, and dull Laughter.

2. Sebastian D'aubus, heretofore Minister of Commonde, and Professor of Philosophy at Montauban, about Six or Seven and Forty Years old, his Face is marked with little black Spots, his Hair black and curled, even to the Crown of his Head, a Fellow of mean Judgment.

3. Philip Codure, formerly Minister and Professor at Nismes, about Seventy Years old, or somewhat more, his Hair gray, tawny color'd Face, high raised Eye-brows, his Eyes sunk into his Head, a frowning ill-looked Fellow, slow of Speech, dull and heavy in his Gate, gross and tall of Stature.

4. John de la Porte, Pastor of St. Andrew's de Val borgne, in the Province of Cévennes, deposed by the last Provincial Synod held at Alez, for Desertion of his Church and Calling, Aged about Five and Twenty Years or thereabout, a middle size Fellow, pale white Face, and Chestnut-color'd Hair.

5. Bordat, formerly Pastor of the Church in the Island of Barrieres, and Province of Lower Guyenne, about Seventy Years of Age, the Moustaches of his Beard thick and trussed up, low of Stature, and somewhat fat, a very red-favor'd Fellow.

6. Balde alias Bellecourt, Sixty Years old or more, a great and fat Fellow, born in the Province of Dauphiné, he was bred a Monk, renounced Popery and his Monastic Profession; but is since returned with the Dog unto his Vomit; he is Grave in his Deportment, a Man of little Sense or Reason.

7. William Martin, some time since Minister at Montoire, in the Province of Anjou, Aged about Forty, his Hair Flaxen, wide Mouth, a middle Stature Fellow. This Wretch like Judas, sold his Christ and Gospel for a sorry Sum of Silver, and turned Papist at Tours, being bought out of his Religion for Eight Hundred Livres; and it is very much questioned whether he had half the Money. There was a very Serious Letter written him immediately upon his Revolt by an Unknown Person, and which he himself Published, and I have here below subjoined it for the Readers Information.

CHAP. XVII. An Act for Taxing the Expences of the Deputies, and for their Payment.

BY reason of the dear Rates and high Prices of Victuals, the Journeys of the Deputies are at the Request of divers Provinces, Taxed at Six Livres a Day for each of them, which Sum shall be paid them respectively by the Churches out of the Tax for our Universities, within Two Months after their Return: And in default of Payment, the Deputies of the Churches who shall not have gotten their part and portion, shall be deprived of their Consultive Vote in the Provincial Synod; and Deduction shall be made of his Majesty's Liberality out of this Sum.

CHAP. XVIII. An Act for calling the next National Synod.

THE Right and Privilege of calling the next National Synod, belongeth according to the Canons of our Discipline, unto the Province of Power Languedoc: And this Assembly Ordaineth, that with the good Pleasure of his Majesty it shall he convoked about Three Years hence in that Order prescribed by our Discipline, and the Deputies shall meet from all the Provinces of this Kingdom, at the City of Nismes.

CHAP. XIX. An Act for the validity of all Acts which shall be Delivered and Signed.

CHAP. XX. Commissions Executed.

WHen as the National Synod held at Loudun, November 10, 1659, was broken up; the Sieurs Guitton and du Bourdieu, went unto Sanmur according as they were ordered; add Monsieur Guitton made this Speech in the University.

In pursuance of an Order of the same Synod Messieurs Guitton and Bourdeau being at Saumur, to pacify the differences which were between some Members of that Church and Messieurs Amyraut and D'Huisseau, Monsieur Guitton made this Speech.

CHAP. XXI. A Letter written by an Unknown Person, to Mr. Martin, upon his Apostasy from the Reformed Religion.

CHAP. XXII. Remarks upon the Deputies.

1. MR. Boschart, Pastor of the Church of Caen, a Man of vast Learning, and reputed one of the most able Scholars in all France. His Hierozoicon and Phaleg proclaim his Worth to the whole World. Christina Queen of Sweedland invited him into that Kingdom, and he was for some time a Professor in the University there.

2. Peter de la Musse. Here is a Marquess of that Name in London, a faithful Confessor for Christ, having forsaken his Estate, are embraced the Cross, rather than part with his Religion, and his God, and I think the same Deputy.

3. Monsieur Mussard, Minister in the Church of Lions, but a Native of Geneva, he married Mr. Beza 's Granchild. By a Trick of the Jesuits, which he told me, he was outed of the Church of Lions. The Cardinal of Villeroy Archbishop of that City and Diocese, had an esteem and value for him: For he was a Person of great Worth, an excellent Scholar, and a most eloquent Preacher. The French Church of London invited him over to their Service, and he died in the Pastoral Office of it. There be Printed of his Works a Volume of Sermons in French, in Quarto. 2. Historia Deorum satidicorum, 4 to. And 3. Les Conformites des Ceremonies Modernes avec les anciennes. His Modesty made him not put his Name to his Works. But he himself told me he was the Author of them. Les Conformites doth speak English; for I have seen the Translation in a Booksellers Shop.

4. Monsieur de Bourdieu, Pastor of Montpellier, this reverend and ancient Servant of the Lord Jesus resides in London, and Preacheth though 95 Years old.

5. Monsieur Guitton, Pastor of the Church of Zion, fled here upon the Revocation of the Edict of Nantes into England, and was some time in London; but since for want of Employment left the Kingdom, and retired, I think, into the Netherlands.

6. Monsieur Amyraud, the Famous Professor of Saumur. His Learned Writings are well known. I shall say more of him, God willing, in my Icones.

7. Monsieur Daille, Pastor of the Church of Paris. A most Learned and Eloquent Preacher. My Worthy and Reverend Friend Mr. Soreton, an eminent Nonconformist Minister in Devon, translated his Commentary upon the Colossians into English. His Book of the Right Use of the Fathers, was translated into English, and highly valued. He writ against Brachet Sieur de la Millitiere, a Tool of Richlieu 's to compound and reconcile, if possible, the Two Religions. Millitiere at last turned Apostate. He hath a most accurate Treatise, De Imaginibus Apology des Eglises Reformees, and a great many other things, of which and him I shall give an Account at large in my Icones.

8. Monsieur Homel, Pastor of the Church of Sojon, a most pious and zealous Preacher; he died a constant and Faithful Martyr. His Execution was most barbarous, being broken upon the Wheel, and left under Torments for several Hours, before his Inhuman Persecutors would give him the Coup de Grace, as they call it, the last Blow upon the Breast, to put an end to his Torments. But God filled him under his greatest Sufferings with the Consolations of his Spirit. I have writ a larger Narrative of his Martyrdom, and shall insert it into the Life of the Great Chamier; for a Great Grandson of the Famous Chamier suffered about the same time, unless my memory fail, me, with him.