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

CHAP. III. An Act for a National FAST.

IX. FOrasmuch as the Times are very Calamitous, and that our poor Churches as are daily menaced with many and sore Tribulations, and for that Sins and Vices of all sorts are risen up, and growing in upon us in a very fearful manner, a general Day of Prayer and Fasting shall be published, that our People may humble themselves before the Lord, and all the Churches of this Kingdom shall observe it on one and the self-same Day, which shall be Tuesday the 25th. of March next following, and if it may be done, the Lord's Supper shall also be administered in all the Churches on the ensuing Sabbath.

XII. According to the 2d. Article in the Chapter of Consistories and Book of Discipline, about Common-Prayers, The Churches shall be exhorted, where Morning and Evening Common-Prayers are publicly used, to conform themselves unto those others which have none, and where this Custom was never introduced; And Ministers shall advise all Governors of Families to Worship God by Morning and Evening Prayers, in and together with their respective Housholds and Families.

XIII. Churches refusing to defray the Expences of their Ministers in going to Classes and Synods, shall be admonished of their Duty, and in case of non-performance, and that their Ministers be enforced to travel to those Sessions at their own Costs and Charges, they shall be deprived of their Ministers, unless they remind themselves of their Duty, and reimburse them those Sums they had so expended. Moreover, Colloquies shall reassume their disused Exercise of Propositions on the Word of God, as they were formerly handled to their very great Profit and Edification. That so Ministers may better know their Duty, and grow in the Study and Understanding of the Holy Scripture, and be more Methodical in their Sermons and Divinity Discourses.

XIV. God-mothers shall be equally bound to the Religious Education of those Children, for whom they be Sureties as their God-fathers. And Ministers shall charge them to see that they conscientiously fulfil their Promises.

XV. The Synod having been acquainted, that in divers Places during the Celebration of the Lord's Supper, Ministers do vary in their Expressions, it judgeth that nothing shall be innovated in particular Churches, but that herein they be left unto their Liberty for the present, only the Provinces shall be advertised to come prepared about this Matter unto the next National Synod.

XVI. His Majesty shall be Petition'd to approve of those Marriages which have been celebrated among us during the last Civil Wars, according to the Tenor of the former Edict against the Laws of the Romish Church, in that particular Article of Consanguinities and Affinities.

CHAP. IV. Cases of CONSCIENCE.

XVII. IT being Queried, Whether any one might Marry the Aunt of his deceased Wife. Answer was given, That such a Marriage was altogether Incestuous, and in case any Church had permitted it, the said Church deserved Censure.

XVIII. This Case being propounded, A Maid was betrothed unto a Man by words de presentl, and with the usual requisite Solemnities; but afterwards this Man happens to be condemned unto the Gallies during Life, yet by some how or other he escapeth out of them, and returning home doth demand and summon his betrothed Spouse to marry him according to her Promise. What shall be done herein? The Synod doth advise, That because Marriage is a mixed Alliance, the Parties concerned shall apply themselves unto the Magistrate, according to whose Decree the Church shall be governed?

XIX. Although the holding Temporalities of Benefices in France be an indifferent Matter, yet the Faithful are admonished to intermeddle as little as may be with such Purchases, because of their evil and dangerous Consequences, and Consistories and Colloquies shall use a great deal of Prudence in their Opinions and Actings in and about them.

XX. Such as shall put into Verse or Poems Scripture-stories, are admonished not to blend nor mingle Poetical Fables with them, nor to ascribe unto God the Names of false God's, nor to add or diminish from the Sacred Scriptures, but to confine themselves strictly to the Scripture-Terms.

XXI. That Article concerning the immodest Habits and Fashions of Men and Women, shall be observed with the greatest Care imaginable. And both Sexes are required to keep Modesty in their Hair, and everything else, that no Scandal may be given to our Neighbor.

XXII. A Minister may not together with his Ministry practice Physic: But yet out of Charity he may give his Advice and Assistance unto the sick Members of his Church, and to the Neighbourhood, without diverting himself from his Function, nor shall he draw Advantage from it, unless in time only of Trouble and Persecution, when as he cannot exercise his Ministry in his own Church.

XXIII. Fathers and Mothers are exhorted to be exceeding careful in Instructing their Children, which are the Seed and Nursery of the Church, and they shall be most bitterly censured, who send them to the Schools of Priests, Jesuits and Nuns: As also the Gentry shall be reproved, who place them Pages or Domesticks in the Houses of Lord's and Noble-men of the contrary Religion.

XXIV. Such as commit enormous Crimes, as Incests, Murders, or the like, shall be without anymore ado cut off from Communion at the Lord's Table, and their Suspension shall be published in the Church.

XXV. If there arise any difference between a Church and its Minister, and that Church having been twice informed (which is suffered) of the Day and Place when the Colloquy and Synod shall meet, refuseth to appear, The said Colloquy or Synod may proceed farther, and determine finally about that difference, notwithstanding the Absence of one of the Parties.

XXVI. The Churches and particular Persons shall be admonished never to depart from the Sacred Union of the Church, whatever Persecutions may befall them, nor shall they procure for themselves a separate Peace and Liberty distinct from the whole Body of our Churches. And in case of failure •••• in, they shall be censured as the Colloquy or Synod shall judge expedient.

XXVII. Appellants from Provincial Synods unto the National shall be bound personally to appear at those very National Synods, or to send thither their most ample Memoirs; and in case of default, the Sentence of the National Synod shall he ratified. And this Rule shall hold good in all Appeals from Consistories unto Colloquies, and from Colloquies unto the Provincial Synods.

XXVIII. Ministers shall be bound to Assist personally at Colloquies and Provincial Synods, or to send their Memoirs and lawful Excuses; and in case of disobedience to this Order, the said Colloquy or Synod may judge difinitively of their neglect, and dispose of their Persons.

CHAP. V.

XXIX. THE Province of higher Languedoc is ordered to call the next National Synod, in the beginning of May, 1579. However the said Province is entreated, if the Lord be pleased to grant the Churches any further liberty, to have respect unto the Conveniences of the far distant Provinces. Which also their Deputies have promised shall be done.

XXX. The fourth Canon in the Chapter of the Lord's Supper shall be couched in these words, Beneficed Persons who bear the Name and title of their Benefices, and do either directly or indirectly communicate with Idolatry, and receive the Revenues of their Benefices either immediately with their own hands, or mediately by the hands of others, shall not be admitted to communion with us at the Lord's fable. But such as enjoy those Benefices by his Majesty's Gift or Toleration, and are downright Professors of the true Religion, and do visibly own and maintain it, they shall have the same privilege with all other Members of our Churches, to sit down with us at the Lord's Table: Only they shall be exhorted to apply the Revenue of their aforesaid Benefices unto pious Uses. And the Management of this Exhortation is left wholly to the Prudence of the Colloquies and Consistories.

CHAP. VI.

XXXI. UPon perusal of the Memoirs and Instructions produced in a late Assembly of many Deputies from sundry famous Reformed Churches, Kingdoms and Provinces who met at Francfort, and were invited thither by the most Serene and Illustrious Prince Elector John Casimir, Prince Palatine and Duke of Bavaria ) in which were laid down several Means, Expedients, and most proper and effectual Remedies for uniting all the Reformed Churches of Christendom in one common bond of Union, as also for suppressing and terminating the Differences which are risen up and fomented by their common Adversaries, among them, and for hindering some hot-headed and bigotted Divines from condemning, and as they had menaced and protested they would condemn and pronounce an Anathema against the greatest, and soundest part by far of the Christian Reformed Churches. Now that such imprudent and wicked Designs might be obviated and prevented, they did after mature Advice and Consultation had among themselves, unanimously resolve and agree to draw up a Petition unto their most Illustrious Highnesses, the Princes of the Empire, who adhering to the Confession of Ausbourg; Moreover, they had given an express charge, that one uniform Confession of Faith should be framed, which was to be taken and accounted as the general and common Confession of all Protestants, and to send several Copies of it unto all those Kingdoms and Provinces, in which those Churches were gathered, to be examined and approved by them, and to be crowned with their joint, common and unanimous Consent, and Approbation. And they had also agreed upon the time when, and place where the Deputies of those Kingdoms and Provinces might be convocated, and particularly they had invited the Churches of this Kingdom to send thither some prudent Persons of great Experience, well approved for their Piety and and Integrity, and impowered by all the Churches with ample Authority to treat, agree, and decide all Points of Doctrine, and other Matters concerning the Union, Peace, and Conservation of the Churches, and of the pure Worship of God.

This present National Synod of the Reformed Churches of this Kingdom, blessing God for so good a Motion, for such an excellent Proposal, and applauding the Care, Diligence, and good Counsel of those worthy Deputies in the fore-mentioned Assemblies and approving the Remedies and Expedients propounded and prescribed by them, doth now ordain, that if the Copy. of the said Confession be sent timely enough unto us, it shall be examined in each of our Provincial Synods, or in some other place and manner as will best consist with the Conveniences of our respective Provinces, and in the mean while four Ministers most verst in all Ecclesiastical Affairs are constituted a Committee to intend this business, to-wit, Mr. Anthony de Chandieu, Mr. John de Estre, Ministers of the Word of God in the Church of Paris, and Mr. Peter Merlin, Minister of the Church of Vitre in Britain, and Monsieur Gabert, late Minister of the French Church at Francfort, and they be expressly charged and commanded to meet at the day and place appointed with their Letters of Deputation, and with a most full and ample Commission from all the Ministers and Elders deputed by the Provinces of this Kingdom, and there will accompany them the most illustrious Lord Viscount of Turenne, that so they may do all Matters as were above designed.

But in case the Provinces should neither have opportunity, nor conveniency to examine the said Confession in their respective Synods, 'tis lest unto their Prudence and soundest Judgment to agree and come to a conclusion about all those Matters which shall be debated by them, whether they be Points of Doctrine, or any other Articles relating to the Peace, Union, Weal and Happiness of all the Churches.

XXXII. These same Commissioners deputed (as in the immediately foregoing Article) unto the Conference in Germany, are ordered to peruse that Treatise of Monsieur de Chandieu, Intituled, La Confirmation de la Discipline des Eglises Francoises, and to prefix their manual Approbation of it, and to dedicate it with a Preface unto the Church of Christ, and to hasten, with as much Expedition as they can, its Publication.

XXXIII. Monsieur Esnard having according to the Commission given him in the Month of June, the last Year, 1577. by divers Churches of this Kingdom, rendered an account of his said Commission unto this Assembly, produced and read the Acts, and made an ample Relation of what was done and transacted in that general Synodical Meeting at Frankford, in Germany, the last September, 1577. in which were gathered the Deputies of the Reformed Churches of Christendom, and in which he assisted also as a Deputy from our Churches: This Assembly was very well pleased with his whole Negotiation, accepted and approved of it, and doth now discharge him of his said Commission, and all Instructions, and Blanks signed and given him by our Churches, relating to his said Commission, were vacated and disannulled, as being altogether needless for the future, and all Duplicates of the said Commissions and Instructions, which he was bound under his own Hand and Seal to observe and follow, were in like manner cancelled and disannulled; that so he might be entirely acquitted, freedand discharged, and we do also now discharge him, without ever demanding any Matter, or farther account from him for the future.

CHAP. VII. Appeals and Particular Matters.

II. His Grace the Duke of Rohan requesting by Letters, that this Assembly would grant Monsieur de Claville, Minister of the Church of Loudun, to be Pastor of the Church in his House and Family, or at least to serve it in course four Months every Year, and that the Sieur de la Tousche, Minister of St. Fulgent may take up his Residence at Monchamp. The Ministers of those Churches being now absent, it was thought good to dismiss this Affair unto the Provincial Synods, to which those Churches do appertain, that they may judge of it, that his said Grace the Duke of Rohan may be gratified in his demands by those Synods.

III. Monsieur De Spina, Minister of the Gospel shall be sent Pastor unto the Church of Angers, only the Churches of Paris and Saumur have still their Right in him reserved to them. And in case that through the difficulties of the Times he should not be able to subsist at Angers, the Neighbor Classis, or Colloquy to that City shall take care of his maintenance, and provide it for him, and they may also lend him, as they shall see good for the Glory of God.

IV. Monsieur du Lygne shall be lent six Months longer unto the Church of Agen, in which time the Province of Anjou shall do their Duty to redemand him, and there shall be a Church given him, wherein to exercise his Ministry, and to make provision for his Subsistence. And in case the said Provincial Synod should not recall him within the term prefixed, he shall be fully settled in the said Church of Agen.

CHAP.VIII.

V. JOhn Bonniot, or Bouquier, styling himself Gaultier, exercising the Ministry at present at San Bouchard, near unto Great St. Foy, because that he hath temerariously intruded himself into the Ministry, without any Call, for that he hath forged divers Letters, clipped his Majesty's Coin, melted down his Clippings into base Silver Lingots, and vended them to several Goldsmiths in the City of Sedan, for which the Civil Magistrate inflicted corporal Punishment upon him in the said City, all which he could not but acknowledge and confess to be true before this Assembly; For these Causes the said Bonniot, or Bouquier is deposed from the Sacred Ministry, as a Person uncapable, and utterly unworthy of it, and shall be continued on the Roll of Vagrants, and shall do public Penance in the said Church of San Bouchard. However because of his deep Poverty, and great and numerous Family of Children, we do License him to keep School, and to instruct Youth, but with this Proviso, that the Ministers of the Places, where he shall live, do watch over him and his Deportments with a very strict and careful Eye.

VI. An Appeal was brought by Monsieur De la Jaille, and the Church of Saujon, who complained of the Wrongs done them by the Provincial Synod of Saintonge held at Saujon, which had adjudged him Pastor unto the said Church of Saujon, without obliging it to defray his Expences in coming to it. This Assembly ordereth, that the Colloquy or Synod of that Province shall censure the said Church, and Monsieur Royan the Minister, for their pragmatical intermeddling in a Business not appertaining to them.

VII. Monsieur Boucquet shall write unto the Colloquy of Aunix, that Monsieur Baron may be returned unto the Church of La Guerche, in the Province of Anjon, there to exercise his Ministry, in Obedience to the Call given him.

VIII. The Synod of the Isle of France shall make an exact Enquiry into the Life, Writings, and Conversation of Monsieur Gibbon, sometime Minister of Deippe, that Judgment may pass upon him accordingly.

IX. Forasmuch as Mr. Bernard Giraud hath been divers times recalled by his Church of Marceoill, in Poitou, and by the Synod of Poitou, he shall be censured for his disobedience to this Summons, and also for that he quitted his Church at first, and this according to the Canons of our Discipline: And the Colloquy of Annix shall in like manner be censured for admitting him among them without any testimonial Letters of Dismission. For which cause this Assembly will remove the said Giraud elsewhere.

X. This Assembly will take special care of Monsieur Christian for his Subsistance. But in the mean while, the Church of Poitiers shall be severely censured for their default of Duty, baseness and ingratitude to this Reverend Man of God, who was one of their first and most ancient Pastors, and who laid the very Foundations of their flourshing Church. And the said Church shall be summoned to the next Synod, and enjoined to give him full Contentment and Satisfaction, and to pay him all Arrerages owing to him for time past, and to relieve him now in his old Age.

XI. The Province of Anjou shall be obliged to provide for the Safety of Monsieur Daniel, a Minister of the Gospel, who was formerly sent unto them, and is now remanded back unto them by this present Assembly, and that Church which shall call him unto their Service, shall reimburse him those Expences he was at, during the last Persecution.

XII. Monsieur Daniel shall exercise his Ministry in the House and Court of his Excellency the Prince of Condé, but only for some Months in the Year; which being expired, he may be redemanded by his own Church and Province. And the Church of Bergerac shall likewise lend Monsieur de Borda their Minister unto the said Prince for four Months more of the same Year; And this shall hold till such time as some other course be taken. And Monsieur Martin shall be the ordinary Minister of his Excellency's House and Family.

XIII. Monsieur de Malescot, who was the first Minister of the Church of Montague, in the County of Perche, shall be summoned by the Province of Poitou, unto which he doth belong, to return unto the said Province according to the Canons of our Discipline, however without any prejudice unto the said Church of Montague; and the said Province of Poitou is ordered to receive those Informations of the Province of the Isle of France, concerning the Deportments of the said Malescot, his Writing, and his Way, and Manner of Preaching.

XIV. The Brethren of the French Church of London, in the Kingdom of England, sent Letters unto this Assembly, petitioning that Messieurs de Villiers, Minister of the Church of Rouan, and de la Fontayne, Ministers of the Church of Orleans might be given to them for their Pastors. Their Request was granted, and these worthy Ministers of the Gospel were lent unto the said Church, till such time as their own dissipated Flocks might be recollected; and then they should return, and be restored unto their former Churches respectively.

XV. On sight and perusal of the Writings of Mr. Anthony Fregeville, of the Town Realmont, this Assembly judgeth them utterly unworthy of any Answer, because they are stufft with Errors, Lyes and Calumnies; and farther, the Sentence past upon him by the Provincial Synod was ratified, and whereas he was only suspended from the Lord's Table, it is now ordered, that his said Suspension shall be publicly notified unto the whole Church: And in case he continue to sow and spread abroad his Errors and Follies either by Word or Writing, he shall be cut off from the Body of the Church by the Sword of Excommunication, as a notorious Disturber of the Repose and Union of the Church.

XVI. Monsieur Giraud is sent unto the Town of Mas, in Agenois, to exercise his Ministry in the Church of Calonges, which is now annexed to that of Mas according to the Letters and Request of my Lady of Calonges, and of the said Church of Mas, in Agenois.

CHAP. IX. The Roll of MINISTERS provided for, and disposed by this present SYNOD.

Mr. Merlin the Moderator of this Synod, was Minister in the Family of that famous Nobleman the Lord De Coligni, High Admiral of France, who miraculously escaped with his Life in that horrible Massacre at Paris, on St. Bartholomew 's Day, 1572. He leapt out of a Window, and hid himself in an Haylofft, where an Hen came and lay an Egg by him three days successively, with which he was sustained, till the Lord opened a Door for him to get out of this bloody City. He was afterward Minister of the Church of Vitre. He was dim-sighted, a very pious and prudent Man. He hath commented upon Job and Esther in Latin. He was a very dear Friend of Mr. Snape and Mr. Cartwright, two Eminent English N. C. Ministers, and who read his Exposition on Job, and made some Animadversions on it, in the Isle of Jersey. He presided also in the National Synod of Vitre, 1583.

CHAP. I. The Names of the Deputies unto this Synod.

THere appeared as Deputies from the Provinces unto this Synod, the Pastors and Elders, whose Names arc hereunder written.

1. For the Province of the Isle of France, Monsieur de la Maison Neuv Minister in the Church of Paris, and his Commission bore date the 28th of June, 1579.

2. For the Province of Burgundy Mr. James Covet, Minister in the Church of Villarmont, and Monsieur du Chasteuverd, Elder of the Church of Dijon, Their Commission was dated May the 15th, 1579.

3. For Champagne Monsieur Teuans, Minister of the Gospel in the Church of Recours, without an Elder. His Letters of Deputation bore date the 28th of May, of this self-same Year.

4. For Saintonge Monsieur John Cochois, Minister at Jonzac, and Guy Filleul Esq Lord or La Cousture, Elder of St. Fort. His Commission was signed the 22d day of July, 1579.

5. For Britain Monsieur du Gricq, Minister of Morlais. His Commission was dated the 2d day of April of the same Year.

6. For Gascegny and Perigord Monsieur Trumpols, Minister of La Motte, and Monsieur Francois de la Novoeille, Elder in the Church of Jersac. Their Commission was dated the 29th of July.

7. For Anjou, the Maine, Loudunois, and Touraine, Monsieur de Clairville, Minister of Loudun. And his Letters of Deputation were dated the 26th day of June.

8. For Normandy Monsieur Echeron, Minister of God's Holy Word and Sacraments in the Church of Ponteau de Mer, and his Commission was dated the 23d of March.

9. For the Upper Languedoc and Guienne Monsieur de Raisse, Minister of Figeac, and Monsieur Rousset Minister of the Church in Mazamet. Their Commissions were dated the 24th of April, and the 19th of June.

10. For the Lower Languedoc, Monsieur Perron Minister of Merues, and his Commission bore date the 22d day of April.

11. For Augoumois Monsieur de la Billitierre, Minister of Aubeterne, and his Commission was dated the 23d of July.

12. For the Province of Poitou Monsieur Cayer. Minister of Poitiers, and Monsieur de St. Eustache, Elder in the Church of Niort. Their Commission was dated July the 6th.

13. For Provence Monsieur de Poussilles, Elder in the Church of Forceilinis. His Letters of Deputation were dated the 22d day of July.

14. For the Principality of Béarn Monsieur de la Pierre, Minister in the Church of Navarrins. And his Commission bore Date the 21st day of July; which was also ratified and authorised by the Letters of the King of Navarre, dated the thirtieth of the same Month.

15. The Province of Picardy excused its absence by Letters of the 8th of June.

16. For the Churches of Berry, Beauce, and the adjacent Countries, Monsieur John Miner, born at Orleans, and Elder — his Commission was dated the 25th of July.

17. The Province of Dauphiné excused its absence by Letters of the 23d of July.

18. The Province of Vivaretz was absent, but sent no Letters of Excuse.

19. The Province of Lower Anvergne and Forest absent.

20. There sat also in this Synod the Noble Anthony de Paramelle, Lord of St. Colombe, Viguier, and Governor of the said Town of Figeac.

21. After Prayers were ended, the Assembly chose Monsieur de la Faye, Pastor of the Church of Paris, Moderator, and Monsieur Couit Assessor, and Monsieur Francois de la Nouaille, Scribe.

CHAP. II. General MATTERS.

ARTRTICLES.
• I. FOrasmuch as the first and principal End of Marriage was the Procreation of Children, and to be a Preservative from Fornication; he then that is a known Eunuch, shall not be married in any of our Reformed Churches.
• II. No Man shall marry the Aunt of his deceased Wife: For such Commixtures are incestuous; and altho' the Civil Magistrate may permit it, yet such a Marriage shall not be solemnized in any of our Churches. And all Pastors are warned carefully to observe this Canon.
• III. Such as Apostatize from the Reformed Religion unto Popery, and embrace the Idolatries of the Romish Church, and all Endeavors used to reclaim them proving useless and unsuccessful in case they persist in their Apostasy, they shall be declared Apostates publicly before the Congregation, unto which they did belong.
• IV. In giving Names unto Children, let all Preciseness on the one hand, and Superstition and Scandal on the other be avoided: Because Matters of this nature should have a perpetual tendency to the Churches edifying. So that when Parents or Sureties do offer Children unto Baptism, and desire their own Names to be put upon them, this their Request shall be granted; provided they be not Names prohibited in the close of the Ninth Canon of Baptism, as the Names of God, Angel, or Office, or such as be notoriously ridiculous.
• V. Colloquies and Provincial Synods shall most humbly entreat and exhort Kings, Princes, Great Lord's, and all Impropriators of Church-Lands, and all our opulent and wealthy Churches,, to lay by and dedicate some considerable Portion of their yearly Incomes, Estates, and Revenues towards the maintenance of Students in Divinity, and of poor Scholars of excellent and hopeful Parts, who may be hereafter employed in the Sacred Ministry. And that this Canon may be observed, this Assembly will give the first Example, and doth now order that Letters shall be written unto those most Illustrious and Noble Personages, and to our richest Churches, inviting them unto this most needful Contribution; and these Letters shall be signed in the Name of this National Synod, by the Moderator, Assessor, and Scribe.
• VI. National and Provincial Synods shall be held once every Year for time coming, and Colloquies twice a Year; but by this Canon we do not intend to abridge the Provinces (who can better do it) of their Privilege in observing the first established Order.
• VII. Pastors shall ever come unto these Ecclesiastical Assemblies accompanied with an Elder; and in case they be sent alone, there shall be no regard had unto Memoirs, as in like manner it shall be with the Elders, if they come singly.
• VIII. Pastors shall diligently exhort all Sureties of both Sexes seriously to weigh and consider their Promises engaged at Baptism; and Parents shall be advised to choose such Sureties for their Children, as are well instructed in Religion, and of exemplary Life and Conversation; or at least such, as if need be, may be able to educate their Children in the knowledge and fear of God.
• IX. Upon Repentance and Satisfaction given unto the Church, all Crimes and Offences shall be razed out of the Books of Consistories, except such who for their Contumacy and Rebellion had been censured with Suspension from the Lord's Supper, or Excommunication.
• X. Consistories shall not give in Evidence against any Person, by Act, or any other way unto the Magistrate: And the Members of those Consistories shall not reveal any Person the Confessions of Penitents, who voluntarily, and of their own accord, or by Admonitions given them, shall have confessed and acknowledged their Offences.
• XI. Forasmuch as divers sickly Persons are Communicants at the Lord's Table, and some for fear of Infection scruple to take the Cup after them, Pastors and Elders are advised to use their best prudence and discretion in this case.

CHAP. III.

XII. A Woman having been joined in Marriage unto one who was formerly a Monk or Priest, and since returned unto his former Profession, may not marry another Man, until such time as her first Marriage be dissolved, and the Sentence of Dissolution shall be pronounced, as of Right it ought, by the Magistrate.

XIII. Pastors are left unto their liberty to use either the accustomed words, or any other words in the Administration of the Lord's Supper; it being a matter indifferent, provided they be such as tend unto edification.

XIV. In the case of Benefices, to which there is a Right of Patronage, by presentation from the Lord of the Manor, or by the interposal of the Bishop of the Diocese, the Faithful must be advised not in the least to retain them, though they were freely given them without any Condition express or implicit of Service unto the Idol.

XV. Farmers of the Temporalities of the Clergy, of their Rents, Tithes, and such-like Matters, shall observe the Nineteenth Article of the last National Synod held at St. Foy, which was to intermeddle as little as may be with such Concerns, because of divers Abuses and Inconveniences that might happen about them. Which ceasing, those of the Reformed Religion may lawfully farm them. And all Consistories are desired to take Notice of it.

XVI. Parents professing the Reformed Religion, having Idolatrous Children of a Religion contrary to their own, who would take them Wives Idolaters like themselves, shall be advised to use their utmost endeavor to turn away their Children from such a Marriage, especially if as yet they be Minors, and not emancipated from under their Paternal Authority. But in case they cannot prevail upon them, whenas the Marriage-Articles shall be signed, they shall openly protest their abhorrency of that Idolatry into which their Children do so wickedly plunge themselves, and afterwards may give their Consent to the Promises and Conditions concerning the Portion, and other such-like Matters.

XVII. Consistories are advised to take care, that Public Penances be used very seldom, and with a great deal of prudence, and only for public notorious Crimes, really committed, which are come to the knowledge of the far greater part of the Church, and in this case the scandalous sin itself shall be particularly confessed.

XVIII. Neither the Canonical nor Apocryphal Books of the Holy Bible shall be transformed into Comedies of Tragedies.

XIX. No Church, nor Province shall make any Ordinance, unless for Substance it be conformable to the General Articles of our Church-Discipline.

XX. No Church shall pretend Title or Right unto any Minister, because of his particular Promise given them, without the Authority of the Colloquy of Provincial Synod.

XXI. In case a Minister be destitute of a Church in his own Province and Colloquy, and shall lend his Service unto another Church out of his Province, which hath desired him so to do till the next Synod; and if that Synod when convened, cannot employ him in its own Province, he shall then be the peculiar Minister of that Church, which had demanded him, provided it be done with the full content of the Church. And this Canon shall bind for the future, but without any prejudice to the time past.

XXII. In the first Article concerning Elders and Deacons, after these words, The Duties of their Office shall be read, there shall be this addition, And a particular Prayer shall be expressed, conceived, and offered up to God for them.

XXIII. In the first Article concerning Delinquents, after these words, Cutting him off in the Name; and by the Authority of our Lord Jesus Christ, shall be added, And of his Church.

XXIV. Whereas divers Persons professing the Reformed Religion, do by their own Authority and Right possess Tythes, which formerly were appropriated unto Church-men in Holy Orders, they shall be advised to employ them wholly to pious Uses, such as the Maintenance of the Ministry, Relief of the Poor, Education of Scholars, who be the Seminary of the Church, and in no wise unto their private Profits, on pain of being suspended the Lord's Supper, in case of non-observing this holy, just, and reasonable Counsel.

XXV. That Article concerning Burials, without Exhortations and Prayers at the Graves, shall be punctually observed; and such as act contrary to it shall be severely censured.

XXVI. Ministers and Consistories are hereby admonished to see that Canon concerning Dances to be most strictly observed, which is the 20th under the Title of Particular Orders, forbidding expressly all Dances; and also they shall prudently distinguish between such as be contumacious Rebels against this holy Advice, and those who by their discontinuance of Dancing do manifest their having profited by it.

XXVII. Suspended Persons from the Lord's Table shall not be admitted to present Children unto Baptism in quality of Sureties, during the time of their Suspension.

XXVIII. There shall be no change made in the present Division of the Provinces, with reference to their particular Synods. Yet are they advised, all of them, so to assign the Places of their Synodical Assemblies, as will be most commodious for them.

XXIX. Churches that in singing Psalms do first cause each Verse to be read, shall be advised to forbear that childish Custom, and such as have used themselves unto it shall be censured.

XXX. Whereas divers Persons during Public and Family Prayers, do neither uncover their Heads, nor bow their Knees, expressing thereby the great pride of their Hearts, and scandalizing such as fear the Lord, that this their Irreverence may be amended and reformed, all Pastors, Elders, and Governors of Families are advised and required to see carefully unto it, that during the time of Prayer, everyone in their Churches and Families without exception, be they high or low, noble or base, do testify the humbleness of their Heart, by those fore-mentioned outward marks of humility, unless they be hindered by unavoidable necessity or malady, in which cases we leave them to the direction of their particular and respective Consciences.

XXXI. In the Exercise of of Church-Discipline, all Formalities and Terms of Law commonly used by the Civilians shall be forborne. And forasmuch as divers Persons, that they may avoid the Censure of their Crimes, do ordinarily appeal from one Ecclesiastical Assembly unto another, and then at last to the National Synod, which is thereby more encumbered in the deciding their businesses than of any other: This Synod doth ordain, That for time to come, whatever Differences arise in any Province, shall be definitively determined by that very Provincial Synod, and no Appeal from it to be admitted; excepting what concerns the Suspensions and Deposings of Ministers, Elders, and Deacons, and the removal of a Minister from one Province unto another, and Points of Doctrine; in which cases they may be brought by degrees at last to the National Synod, where they shall be finally judged and determined.

XXXII. The Holy Word of God condemning that Custom introduced into certain Reformed Churches, of enquiring into, and generally censuring of Faults in the Public Congregation both of Men and Women before the Lord's Supper; those Churches that have used it are exhorted to forbear it for the future, and in Point of Censures to acquiesce in the observation of that Order established in our Discipline, and practiced by all other the Reformed Churches of France. And such Churches as shall refuse so to do, shall be censured.

XXXIII. That the Ingratitude of divers Churches towards their Ministers (who therefore deserve justly to be deprived of them) may be hereafter prevented: This Assembly doth ordain, That every Church shall advance a Quarter's Stipend beforehand unto their Pastors, of that Annual Maintenance they had engaged to pay them. And in case three Months be lapsed, and his Quarteridge unpaid, after Complaints made unto the Consistory, or the more eminent Members of that Church, the said Pastor may withdraw himself from the Service of his said Church, appealing from its Consistory unto the two nearest Ministers, before whom he shall declare the causes of his departure, that so he may be discharged from all Calumny; and the Pastor thus ungratefully dealt withal, shall not be obliged to tarry for the Judgment of any Colloquy or Synod, unless one of those Assemblies do meet in the same Month of his departure. And that ungrateful Church shall not be provided of any other Pastor, till it shall have first given plenary satisfaction unto its former Minister. And he must in the mean while remember not to engage himself to any Church out of his Province, unless he have first obtained License from his own Provincial Synod.

XXXIV. The Censure incurred and merited by the ungrateful Members of particular Churches shall be inflicted on them by their own Consistories according to our Discipline.

XXXV. The 11th Canon in the Chapter of Marriages shall be thus explained:

XXXVI. All the Provinces are desired to take Notice, that a certain Minister called German hath been deposed from his Ministry, and declared a Vagrant for good and just Cause, by the Provincial Synod of Orleans and Berry, whose Sentence shall abide valid. Saving always to the said German power to justify himself before the National Synod, if he think fitting.

XXXVII. The Confession of Faith presented by the Churches of both Languages, Dutch and French, in the Low Countries, hath been approved by this Synod, and the Provincial Deputies have promised in the Name of their Churches to subscribe it, if need be. And it was consulted on by this Assembly, what means would be most proper to re-unite the several Confessions of all those Nations which agree in Doctrine, into one common Confession, and which may be hereafter approved by all these Nations. And this pursuant to the Project laid down in the late Conference at Neustadt, September 1577.

XXXVIII. The next National Synod shall be called by the Province of Anjou, about one year hence; and the said Province shall give Notice thereof unto the Counties of Maine, Loudunois, and Touraine, they being all incorporated into one with itself, as also to all other the Provinces, three Months before the Day and Place of Meeting.

CHAP. IV. Remarks upon the DEPUTIES.

1. MR. James Covet; he in the Civil Wars retired into Switzerland, and there writ against Socinus, one of the first Books that was writ against his Heresy. He was sometime Minister of the Church of Paris.

2. Cayer; he afterwards apostatized.

3. Monsieur de la Faye the Moderator. There was one of his Name, but whether it were he, I am not certain, that was Pastor in the Church of Geneva, a very learned Man.

CHAP. I. The Catalogue and Names of the Deputies.

THere appeared as Deputies of the Provinces unto this Synod the Pastors and Elders, whose Names are hereafter registered, Videlicet.

I. For the Province of Anjou, Touraine, the Maine, Perche, Vandômois, and Loudumois, Monsieur de la Plante, Minister of the blessed Gospel of our Lord Jesus in the Church of Pringay, and Mathurin Peju his Elder in company with him.

II. For the Province of Poitou, Monsieur Alexander de L'estang-Godion, Minister of God's holy Word in the Church of Coue or Codue, and Monsieur de Faux, Minister of the Gospel at Chastel-herald, accompanied with Monsieur Colin, Doctor of Physic, and Elder of the Church in Fontenay.

III. For the Isle of France, Monsieur de Beaulieu, Minister of the Gospel in the Church of — [ N. B. neither of my four Copies do note his Church; yet there was a Gentleman of this Name, Pastor of the Church of Senlis in this very Province, in the Year, 1603. which I suppose to be the same.] without an Elder.

IV. For the Province of Normandy, Monsieur de la Four, Minister of the Gospel, and Pastor of the Church of Christ in the City of Rouan. He came unto the Synod alone, without an Elder.

V. For Saintonge, Monsieur dec Monstier, Minister of God's Holy Word in the Town of St. John de Angely, in company with the Sieur Paboul, Elder of the Church of Pons.

VI. For the Province of Higher Languedoc, and Higher Guienne Monsieur Michael Beraud, Minister of the Gospel in the Church and City of Montauban, accompanied with Monsieur Bais, Elder in the said Church.

VII. For the Province of Perigord, Gascony, and Limousin, Monsieur Berjat, or Debordat, Minister of God's Holy Word in the Church of Bergerac, and Janicon Dedon, Elder of the Church of Duras.

VIII. For the Province of Britain, Monsieur Nicholas Bernier, Minister of the blessed Gospel of Christ Jesus in the Church of Vitre, accompanied with Monsieur de Roussiere, Elder of the Church in Vielle Vigne.

IX. For the Province of Augolmois, Monsieur La Croix, Minister of the Word of God in the Church of Jarnac, without an Elder.

X. For the Province of Champagne, Monsieur Capell, Minister of God's Holy Word in the Church of Sedan, and Monsieur Pasquier, Elder of the Church at Troys in Champagne.

XI. The Province of Burgundy and Berry were absent, but excused their absence by Letters.

XII. For the Lower Languedoc, Monsieur Brunier, Minister in the Church of Usez, accompanied with Monsieur Fortin, an Elder.

XIII. The Provinces of Dauphiné, Provence, Forest, and Auvergne were all of them absent, and which was very much admired, they had not the Civility to excuse their absence by any Letters written and sent from their respective Synods unto this National Assembly.

XIV. Prayer being ended, Monsieur de Nort, Minister of the Gospel in the Church of Rochelle was voted Moderator, and Monsieur de la Place, Minister of Pringey Assessor, and Monsieur de Lestang-Godion, Minister of Coue, in Poitou, and Monsieur de Chauveton, Lord of Beauvois and Minister of the Church of St. Martins in the Isle of Re, were also voted to be Scribes.

CHAP. II. General MATTERS.

I. ALL the Deputies protested in the Name of the Churches of their respective Provinces, that they would persevere in the Union of that Doctrine, and Confession of Faith, which was formerly subscribed in the National Synod held in this City, in the Year, 1571. and now exhibited, read and recognized in this Assembly. Moreover, the said Deputies certifyed and declared, that they had not the least notice given them of any manner of opposition to it, but a general Acquiescency in the said Doctrine and Confession of Faith in all their Churches. For which they did unanimously praise God.

II. The Book of Discipline being read, It was ordained that the fourth Article in the Chapter of Ministers should remain entire as it was, excepting that instead of three or four Ministers required to present the new elected Minister unto the Ministry, one only should be sufficient.

III. In the Margent of the 5th. Article, this shall be inserted, That the said Article was only appointed for such a time, when as a Province had no Churches constituted in it, and not for the present Day, when as, blessed be God, every Province in the Kingdom hath divers of them.

IV. These were declared Apostates by the Isle of France, and their Declaration approved of by this National Synod, Toussainct le Gibou in Normandy, Launay in Brie: And Panctier in Picardy, a Deserter, Grenet, a Minister of La Garnache, in Lower Poitou, a Vagrant; and Quenet in the Colloquy of Usez, and Monsieur Beazer, was ordered to make inquiry about one called du Plessis.

V. The 22d. Article of the Synod of St. Foy, concerning Ministers who Practice Physic, having been read, was Approved, as being consonant to the Word of God. And this Assembly being informed that divers Ministers do more employ themselves in Physic, than in the Duties of their Ministry, The Deputies of the Province in which they live, were ordered to exhort them to intend and mind their Ministry, and to yield plenary Obedience unto God's Word in this Article, or otherwise the Colloquies and Synods shall proceed against them according to the Rules of our Discipline.

VI. Princes and great Lord's shall be advised to observe the Articles of our Discipline, and to send their Ministers to our National and Provincial Synods and Colloquies.

VII. The 12th. Article of our Discipline, and the 21th. and 33d. of the Synod of Figeac were thus confirmed. 'It is the Judgment of this Assembly, that a Pastor being duly discharged from his Church, if the Colloquy or Provincial Synod in which he served do not within a Month provide him another Congregation, he may accept of the first Call given him by any other Province; and this according to the Canons of our Discipline.

VIII. The 15th. Article of our Discipline, concerning Ministers was confirmed, but with this Proviso, That these words, Composed of six at the least, shall be left out.

IX. And that the said Article may be the better understood, After these words, Who shall have intruded into a Church, this shall be added, Altho' he had been afterwards chosen by the People.

X. And whereas in the 16th. Article, it was thus written, The Reasons, it shall be added, And the Reasons being well examined.

XI. And to that of Professors shall be added, Regents and School-masters.

XII. Elders in the Pastor's absence, may warrantably perform that Duty of public Common-Prayer, especially if they have been thereunto appointby the Consistory.

XIII. Whereas in the 6th. Article concerning Elders and Deacons, it is said that no Elders shall pretend to Primacy, Let this be added, neither in Election, nor Precedency, nor in order of Suffrages, nor in any other thing belonging to their Office of Elders.

XIV. The 7th. Article concerning Elders and Deacons shall be most diligently observed.

XV. Ministers and Elders are required to use their utmost Endeavor, that the Twelfth Article in the Chapter of Consistories be punctually observed.

XVI. Advise was taken on the Third Article of Consistories, which treats of Certificates given unto Passengers, That for time coming good and vallid Causes moving us hereunto, The first Certificates shall neither be kept nor broken, until such time as they be come unto their journeys end mentioned in them, and then and there the said Certificates shall be detained and cancelled, and Certificates shall be given very rarely unto any Persons.

XVII. The Tenth Article of Figeac shall be closed up with this Addition, If it be not with Consent of the Consistories, no Offences shall be discovered to the Civil Magistrate.

XVIII. His Majesty the King of Navar, and his Higness the Prince of Condé, and other Lord's professing our Holy Reformed Religion shall be most humbly desired to contribute liberally towards the Maintenance of poor Scholars and Proposans designed for the Ministry. And all Churches are exhorted to press this Duty vigorously upon their richer and more substantial Members, that so every Colloquy may be able at least to give Subsistance unto one Proposan, and if it can be conveniently, the fifth Penny of all Charity-monies shall be allotted to this very purpose.

XIX. That the 13th. Article of Consistories may be executed, concerning a Collection of all memorable Acts relating to the Church's Sufferings, it is thought meet that every Colloquy do depute a Minister, to whom all the Churches shall send their Memoirs, that they may be brought unto the Provincial Synod, and thence unto the National.

XX. Such Professors as range abroad to hear the Word in one Church and receive the Sacrament in another, shall be admonished of their Duty to fix themselves to some particular Church of Christ, and in case of neglect, they shall be censured.

XXI. In the first Article concerning Delinquents, next after these words, Nor the Cause of it, shall be added this, nor in like manner the Restitution, and these words shall be razed out, Lest they be defamed.

CHAP. III.

XXII. IT being desired that the 3d Article of the Synod of Figeac might be explained; the Assembly voted, that towards the close of it, there should be this Addition, viz. That it was left wholly to the Prudence of the Consistory, whether they would mention by name or not, those who had a long time since revolted; but as for them who were but of late Apostates, Censures shall be pronounced against them according to the Tenor of that Canon, unless that by such a Personal Denunciation of those Sinners the Consistory might foresee some great and notable Danger like to betide the Church: In which case nothing shall be done without the Advice of the Provincial Synod.

XXIII. If the Members of one Church fallen into Idolatry happen to take up their abode in another, where their Crime is not known, they shall only testify their Repentance privately before the Consistory, but with this Condition, that in case they return to that former Church, whereunto they belonged, they shall then and there also make a public Acknowledgment of their Offence.

XXIV. Public Penances shall be undergone personally, and by those only who have publicly offended; the Sinner openly and sincerely with his Mouth from his Heart testifying his Repentance.

XXV. Whoredoms when committed, and come to public •• owledge shall by their Actors be publicly acknowledged with evident Tokens of Repentance.

XXVI. This Clause, by the greater part, shall be razed out from the end of the 17th. Article of Figeac, and there shall be this only inserted, known by the greater part.

XXVII. Both those Canons of the Tenth National Synod, and of our ancient Discipline concerning the time of meeting for Colloquies and Provincial Synods shall remain in full force, so that they be wholly left unto their Liberty to do therein as they may most conveniently.

XXVIII. Forasmuch as Provincial Synods depend upon the National, Colloquies also shall for the same Reasons be subject unto the Provincial Synods, and Consistories unto Colloquies.

XXIX. The National Synod of the Reformed Churches of this Kingdom assembled in this City of Rochelle, under the Authority of the King's Edicts, having seen a certain Book Intituled, The History of France, printed in this City, upon divers complaints made unto us from all parts of the Kingdom against it, and having took Cognisance of the proceedings of the Consistory of this Church against the find Book, hath found that in many places the Author speaks exceeding irreverently and irreligiously of divine Things, and that it is a heap of idle, vain and profane Matters, full of Falshoods, Lies and Calumnies, to the great prejudice of God's glorious Power, to the disadvantage and dishonor of our Holy Doctrine and Reformed Religion, to the Dissamation of divers godly Persons dead and living. And therefore hath thought good to advertise all the Churches, that they beware of the said Book, and inasmuch as in them lieth to disapprove it. And this Synod doth judicially declare the Author of the said Book (if he own himself a Protestant) unworthy of our Holy Communion, and not to be admitted to the participation of the Sacraments, until such time as he shall have acknowledged his offense, and by convenient means, such as the Suppression of his History, shall have repaired the Scandal that he hath given unto the Churches.

XXX. The Synod also having seen and examined another Book written in Latin upon Genesis, by a certain Fellow, called. James Brocan of Piedmont, printed in this City, hath declared, and doth declare it to be fraught with Impieties, and horrible Profanations of the Sacred Scriptures, and pernicious Errors, especially in Matters of Revelation of Revelation Prophecy, and therefore exhorts all the Faithful to keep themselves carefully from being seduced by it.

XXXI. The first Article of Provincial Synods being read, it was decreed, That all Ministers should attend in Person at their Provincial Synods, or should excuse themselves by Letters in case of absence, the causes whereof should be judged valid, or otherwise, by those Assemblies.

XXXII. The third Article concerning National Synods shall abide in its full power. But for the benefit of all our Churches, there shall be this clause added: That for time to come, if possible it may be done, there shall be two Ministers, and two Elders deputed from every Province unto them.

XXXIII. Forasmuch as Dancings and other Dissolutions do sprout up and increase everywhere, yea, and in these our Reformed Churches, it was thought good to exhort the Consistories, that for God's sake they would conscientiously observe the Six and twentieth Article of particular Orders decreed in the Synod of Figeac, and in the Name of God, and by the Authority of this present Assembly, that it be read publicly in the Churches, and all Colloquies and Synods are hereby expressly charged to censure those Consistories that neglect their Duty in this particular.

XXXIV. All those who by unlawful means, as by Papal Bulls, or ready Money shall purchase or hold Benefices, and such as cause Idolatry to be upheld and maintained, either directly or indirectly, shall be excluded Communion at the Lord's Table.

XXXV. As to what concerns Impropriators and Farmers of Benefices, the ancient Canons of our Discipline shall hold good, and be in full force, power, and virtue against them. Yet nevertheless the Deputies shall bring with them from their respective Provinces, whatever Difficulties have occur'd about those matters, that so they may be debated in the next National Synod. And whereas our Brethren of Languedoc, Gascony and Perigord, have desired have for the welfare of their Churches to censure such Farmers, the business is left unto the prudence of their Provincial Synods.

XXXVI. That Churches may not hereafter upon the death or removal of their Pastors be dissolved, the Ministers who preside in the Colloquy for a new Election, shall first of all inquire of every Elder in other Churches of the Colloquy, what, and how much Maintenance they exhibit unto their Pastors, and what care they take for paying in unto them their promised Stipends, that so provision may be made for them by the Authority of the Colloquies.

XXXVII. These words, The most eminent, shall be blotted out from the 33d Article of Figeac.

XXXVIII. Synods and Colloquies shall consult how to six the Limits and Extent of that Church, wherein a Minister shall exercise his ordinary Calling.

XXXIX. Ministers belonging to the Churches of France, and now living abroad without the Kingdom, shall be recalled by their respective Provinces.

XL. Forasmuch as there is a notorious contempt of Religion visible in all places, yea also in our Religious Meetings, we advise that Notice be given unto all Persons, to bring with them their Psalm-Books into the Churches, and that such as contemptuously neglect the doing of it, shall be severely censured; and all Protestant Printers are advised not to sunder in their Impressions the Prayers and Catechism from the Psalm-Books.

XLI. The 17th Article of particular Orders concerning Habits was thus explained: This Synod declareth, That such Habits are not to be allowed in common wearing, which carry with them evident marks of lasciviousness, dissolution, and excessive new-fangled Fashions, such as painting, slashing, cutting in pieces, trimming with Locks and Tassels, or any other that may discover our Nakedness, or naked Breasts, or Fardingales, or the like sort of Garments, with which both Men and Women do wickedly clothe and adorn themselves. And Consistories shall do their utmost endeavor to suppress such Dissolutions by their Censures, and in case the Delinquents are contumacious and rebellious, they shall proceed against them even to Excommunication.

XLII. As to the 14th Canon concerning Marriages, this Synod doth not judge it contrary to the 24th Article enacted by the Assembly of Estates at Blois; for in that Orders only were given unto Notaries and Scriveners, how they should carry and behave themselves; wherefore leaving unto Notaries to follow their ordinary business in the way and manner prescribed to them, nothing hinders but that the Church may make Espousals by words de proesenti.

XLIII. All excessive and scandalous Usuries shall be severely forbidden and condemned.

XLIV. After these words, The Superstition of the Romish Church, in the second Article of particular Orders, there shall be these added: And the said Printers and Booksellers are exhorted not to sell any scandalous Books relating to Idolatry, or Impudicity, or such at have a tendency to corrupt good manners.

XLV. As to that Case propounded, Whether a Man might lawfully marry the Widow of his Wife's Brother? we judge, That over and above what has been determined by others formerly in this matter, that there is a secret affinity between such Parties, because in the sight of God, the Man and Wife are accounted but one flesh, and therefore decency and civility will not permit it.

XLVI. It is in no wise lawful for any Member of our Churches to address themselves unto the Pope for Dispensations to marry within the degrees prohibited, and to remove any present or after Impediments, which may or do occur in that holy Estate; because in so doing there is an owning and subjection to his Tyrannical Authority. But yet in degrees not forbidden by the Word of God, which are now forbidden by our Civil Magistrate, we may lawfully address ourselves unto the King tor his License.

XLVII. The Faithful shall be admonished both in Sermons and private Conferences not to defer Baptizing their Children, unless there be some very great cause inducing them thereunto.

XLVIII. None of our Members in Communion with us, shall assist at their Weddings or Wedding-Feasts, who that they may marry a Popish Wife, do revolt from the Reformed Religion. But as for those who have a long while ago left the Profession of our Religion, or have been ever Papists, it's left to the prudence of the Faithful to consider what will be most expedient for them; and if they go, let them take heed of approving the Evil in those Meetings, and that they bear no part in the Dances, and other Dissolutions which are commonly found and committed at them.

XLIX. For time to come, neither Ministers, nor any other of the Faithful shall print or publish any of their Writings, or private Works, without having first obtained the express leave and approbation of their respective Colloquies.

L. There shall be this clause added to the 12th Article of Figeac: And the said Fathers shall make it appear unto the Consistory, that they have been diligent in their Duty, to hinder as much as in them lay the said Marriages.

LI. The Province of Brittany is ordered to convoke the next National Synod, and shall give Notice thereof three Months before unto all the Provinces, as also to the Ministers of Béarn, Metz, and Sedan, and to the Ministers of Princes, professing the Reformed Religion.

CHAP. I. The DEPUTIES.

There appeared in this Synod on behalf of the Provinces, and as their Representatives the Pastors and Elders hereafter named, viz.

1. FOR the Province of the Isle of France, the Land of Chartres, Picardy, and Brie, Monsieur Matthew Virell, Minister in the Church of Marchais in Beavoisis, within the said Isle of France, accompanied with Claudius de Hames, Lord of Felnoy, Elder of the Church at Dieppe.

2. For Champagne, and the Land of Messin, there should have served Mr. Fleuret, Minister of the Church of Esparnon in Champagne, but he fell sick by the way, and sent Letters of excuse unto the Synod, which were accepted. But the Province was censured for not sending an Elder with the said Minister.

3. Fox Normandy M. William Feuguero, Minister of Basqueville, and John de Lamare Deacon of the Church of Veinieres.

4. For Britain M. Peter Merlin, Minister of the Church gathered in the House of the Earl of Laval and Vitre; and M. Mathurin L' Hommeau, Lord of Gravier, Minister in the Church of Rennes, and William le Moine, Elder in the Church of Vitre.

For Orleans and Berry M. William Sauvage, Minister of the Church, of Mer upon the Loire; and Christopher — Elder of the Church at Chastelnaudun.

6. For Anjou, Tourain, Le Main, Vandomois, Loudunois, and the lower Perche John Malesousse, and De la Durelleric, Ministers of Chasteau-Gontier, Rene, Pineau, Minister in the Church of Craon in Anjou, and Mathurin Peju, Elder of the Church at Augers.

7. For the upper and neither Poitou M. Nicholas Gorre Minister of Flontenay le Conte, and Peter Guittaud, Elder in the Church of Chastel-heraud.

8. For Saintonge, Aunix, the City and Government of Rochelle, Andrew de Mazieres, called also Peter de la Place, Minister at Thoire in Aunix aforesaid, and Jerome Faureau, Elder in the Church of Rochelle.

9. For Augoumois, M. Guy du Pou, Minister of Vertueil, without an Elder.

10. The Deputies of Gascogny, Perigort, and Limousin were absent, but excused themselves by Letters, because they wanted timely Notice of the sitting of the Synod, and there was no Money gathered to defray the charge of their Journey.

11. The higher and lower Vivaretz and Vellay were absent without excuse.

12. For the lower Languedoc, Nismes, Montpellier, Usez, Basques, Beziars, and Givaudan inclusively, M. John de Grores, Minister of Nismes, and Andrew D'Alguillonnet Elder of the same Church.

13. For the higher Languedoc And Guienne, M. John Gardesi, Minister of St. Antonin ill Quercy, and M. Amand le Gros, Elder in the Church of Castres M. Gardesi was a severe Nathan to Henry the Fourth.

14. For Bourbonnois and lower Auvergne, Lyonnois, Forest, La Marche, and and Beaujolois there were no Deputies, they being absent, nor did they send any excuse.

15. The Deputies of Provence were indeed absent, but sent their Reasons for it, which were not accepted.

16. The Deputies of Burgundy were absent, and inexcusable.

17. The Deputies of Dauphiné and Orange were absent, but excused themselves by their Letters.

18. There appeared also, and sat and voted in this Synod the Deputies of the Churches in the Low Countries, who brought with them their Letters of Commission, viz. Michael Forest, Minister of the French Church at Machlin, and Doctor Joannes Boulins, Minister of the Church of Gant, and John Charan Minister of the Church of Bruges.

19. After Invocation of the Name of God, M. Peter Merlin Minister of the Gospel, and Pastor of the Church at Vitre and Laval, was chosen Moderator, and Master Matthew Virel Minister in the Church of Marchais in Beauvoisis Assessor, and M. Renatus Pineau Minister in the Church of Craon, and Mr. Jerome Faureau Elder in the Church of Rochelle, were appointed Scribes unto the Synod, to Collect and Register all its Acts.

CHAP. II. Canons made and decreed in the National Synod held at Vitre in Brittany, at the Castle of the Lord De la Vall, on Monday the 16th Day of May, in the Year of our Lord One thousand five hundred eighty and three; Monsieur Merlin being President, and Monsieur Pineau Scribe.

General MATTERS.
• I. OUR Brethren of the Low Countries having requested that some good course might be taken, and means used that the Deputies of their Churches might for time to come be present at our National Synods, and ours at theirs. This Assembly doth now ordain, That as often as the Synods of the said Low Countries shall be convened, two Provinces of this Kingdom shall be obliged to send their Deputies; to wit, two Ministers and one Elder, who shall be expressly named by those two Provinces in every National Synod, and their Charges born by all the Provinces of this Kingdom, and for this present approaching Synod of the Low Countries, the Provinces of the Isle of France and Normandy are appointed to send the Deputies.
• II. And whereas the Brethren their Deputies have tendered unto this Synod the Confession of Faith, and Body of Church-Discipline owned and embraced by the said Churches of the Low Countries; this Assembly having humbly and heartily blessed God for that sweet Union and Agreement both in Doctrine and Discipline, between the Churches of this Kingdom and of that Republic, did judge meet to subscribe them both; and it did also request those our Brethren their Deputies reciprocally to subscribe our Confession of Faith, and Body of Church-Discipline; which in obedience to the Commission given them by their Principals, they did accordingly; thereby testifying that mutual harmony and concord in the Doctrine and Discipline of all the Churches in both Nations.
• III. Moreover, this Assembly having to its great grief understood the miserable Condition of the greater part of the Churches in the Low Countries, how that they be exceedingly pestered with divers Sects and Heresies, as of David George, Anabaptists, Libertines, and other Errors contrary to the purity of God's Word, and against which they cannot use those Remedies that are most desired: And yet on the other hand, this Synod did exceedingly rejoice at the glad Tidings of their care and diligence in opposing and refuting those Anti-scriptural Heresies, subversive of Divine Doctrine, Order and Discipline, and it did most earnestly entreat them to persevere in the confutation and condemnation of them, as it would also on its part cordially join with them in so doing, and would give, as it doth now give an unquestionable proof thereof, by subscribing unto their Confession of Faith, and Church-Dilcipline.
• IV. And forasmuch as this holy Union and Concord established between the Churches of France and those of the Low Countries seems necessarily to demand their mutual Loves and Assistance: This Assembly doth judge meet, that the Churches of both the Nations shall lend and borrow their Ministers reciprocally, according as their respective Necessities shall require.
• V. That all Contentions may be avoided, this Assembly doth ordain, That everyone shall be assessed in that Church of which he is a Member, towards all Charges ordinary and extraordinary, without any respect had to the distinction of Provinces.
• VI. A Case was propounded, Whether a Man might lawfully marry another Woman, his Wife being alive, but infected with Leprosy? This Synod judgeth according to the Rule given us by our Lord Jesus, That no Man may marry another Woman his Wife as yet living, unless she were an Adulteress. And therefore he that demands this License to re-marry, must give himself to Prayer and Fasting, and contain himself during his Wife's Life, and he must conscientiously give all possible assistance and relief unto her necessities.
• VII. The observation of the 33d Article of the 5th Chapter of the Discipline shall be carefully recommended to all the Churches in every Province. That Article begins thus: In every Church their shall be Memoirs conserved of.
• VIII. It being demanded, Whether the usual Form of Prayer should be recited at the Baptism of Infants born out of Matrimony, and in Adultery or Incest, because there are in it those words, Begotten of Father and Mother whom thou hast called into thy Church. This Synod judgeth, that there should be no difficulty nor dispute had or made about it; because, that under the Name of Father and Mother, are not only comprised the more immediate and next Parents that begat them, but also their Ancestors to a thousand Generations. And this also should be considered, that though' the Parents be faulty, yet they are not therefore totally excluded God's Covenant.
• IX. The 4th Article in the Chapter of Marriages, asserting that Promises of Marriage made by words de praesenti are indissolvable, shall not be changed. And in case of any Offence taken by one of the Parties thus espoused, and that he or she refuse to perform the said Marriage, the refuting Person shall be urged unto it by Ecclesiastical Censures, yea even by Excommunication itself, unless the offending and deserting Party have never communicated at the Lord's Table; in which case all Admonitions having been given duly in the Consistory, his or her obstinacy shall be on three several Lord's Days publicly denounced and signified unto the People. And on the fourth, they shall be publicly informed, that we do repute such a Person by name no Member of our Church. And this being done, if the deserting Person do still persist in his obstinacy, the innocent Party shall be dismissed unto the Magistrate, that he may be set at liberty; who having obtained it by his Authority he may marry whom he pleaseth, provided it be in the Lord, and his Marriage shall be publicly blessed and solemnized in the Church. And the deserting Party shall not be received into Communion with us, nor be suffered to marry any other, until we have had by a long space of time a sufficient proof of his Repentance, and that he hath given due satisfaction to the Church.
• X. It being queried, Whether the Names of Children born out of Marriage should be recorded in our Baptismal Register. The Answer was, Yes, that they might be owned; except such as are born of incestuous Parents; that so the memory of so foul a Crime may be forever buried in the Grave of Oblivion. And in this particular case the Mother only shall be named, and the Person that presents the Child unto Baptism; and whenever illegitimate Births are registered, it shall be expressly mentioned, that they were born out of Marriage.
• XI. A Father, though' suspended from the Lord's Table, yea, and excommunicated, may and ought to be present at the Baptizing of his Child.
• XII. No Thieves, nor Murderers, nor any others guilty of notorious wickedness punishable by the Civil Magistrate, shall be received into Church-fellowship with us, least the Church should incur blame by it, as if it were a Receptacle and Sanctuary of impious Persons.
• XIII. What is to be done in this case: Whenas a most heinous Crime is committed, which deserveth exemplary punishment, yea, Death itself, and it be known unto the Consistory, or someone particular Member of it, but the Criminal hath not been called before the Consistory, nor hath privately demanded their Advice or Counsel, shall he to discovered unto the Magistrate or no? This Synod is of Opinion, That he ought not to be impeached, unless before a Magistrate of our Religion, and it shall be done by way of Intelligence, and not by that of a Delator or Accuser.
• XIV. Whereas the greater part of our People do very much offend God by their contempt of Baptism, either forsaking the Assembly, or carrying themselves exceeding irreverently during the Administration of that holy Sacrament, it hath upon mature Advice been judged fitting, that for the future Baptism be administered before the singing of the last Psalm, or at least before the last Blessing be given; and the whole Congregation shall be solemnly admonished to give equal Honor to both the Sacraments, the same unto Baptism that they do unto the Lord's Supper. Because Jesus Christ is offered with all his Benefits both in the one and other Sacrament.
• XV. Gentlemen, and others enjoying Right of Patronage, shall not be urged to forsake their just Titles; only they shall be admonished, that whatever profit accrues unto them thereby, that it be employed to pious Uses, as for the maintenance of God's holy Service in his Church, to help defray the Charges of Colloquies, and of the Poor.
• XVI. Henceforward that Church in which the National Synod is celebrated, shall be obliged so to order their Affairs, that their appointed time of celebrating the Lord's Supper may fall in with the closing up of the Synod, that so the Deputies may testify that holy Union between all the Churches of this Nation, by their mutual Communion then, and at that time, and in that Church at the Lord's Table.
• XVII. The Deputies of Anjou proposed this Case: Whether it were lawful to accompany a Popish Bride unto their Church. Advice was hereupon given, that this should be done as seldom as possible, and provided there were not in that Company any Dissolutions, by Minstrels, or other Vanities and Disorders which are customary in such Processions. And the same Resolution was given in the Case of accompanying the Corps of deceased Papists at Funerals unto their Graves, that it was in no wise lawful to be present at them, if there were any kind of Idolatry or Superstition committed in them.
• XVIII. The Deputy of higher Languedoc propounded this Case: A Godly Woman is married to a Man of the contrary Religion, who will have her wear that Apparel which is unbecoming Christian Modesty, and in case, of Noncompliance with her Husband's Commands, there arise Quarrels and great Disserences between them, may she be tolerated in the usage of those Habits? This Assembly is of Opinion, that to avoid the above-mentioned Inconveniencies she may be born withal, excepting on those Days when the Lord's Supper is celebrated, or she presents a Child to be baptized, in which she shall clothe herself modestly, and so testify her Humility and Christian Modesty.
• XIX. Our Brother, the Deputy of Lower Languedoc, presented to us this Case, that certain Persons professing the Reformed Religion, having been according to the Order of our Discipline censured for their Miscarriages, obtained a Prohibition from the Civil Magistrate, forbidding all farther Proceedings. This Synod hath advised hereupon, That a Public Declaration shall be made of the Incompetency of this Judge who granted the Prohibition; and if notwithstanding this, they will yet proceed in their Contentions, an Appeal shall be then made unto the Chamber of the Edict, and the Church shall prosecute the Censure they have commenced; and in case the Minister be troubled for it, we judge it necessary that the whole Body of the Consistory do unanimously defend him. And this self-same Resolution shall serve as an Answer to what was propounded by our Brethren of Anjou, that some Magistrates would compel them to give in Writing an Account of Matters debated and resolved on in their Consistories.
• XX. That Church in which the National Synod did last meet, is ordered to send the Acts of the said Synod unto the Province which is obliged to convocate the next Synod.
• XXI. It was resolved, That a Seal should be made for the use of the National Synod, that all Letters of Importance written in its Name may be sealed by it; and this Seal shall constantly be sent unto that Province in which the next is to be celebrated.
• XXII. This Assembly seriously considering the many Judgments with which we be threatened, as of War, Pestilence, and Famine, the foul Apostasies of divers Professors, the little Zeal and Reformation in the generality of our People, It doth Ordain a Public Fast to be celebrated most solemnly in all the Churches of France, on the last Week in July, according to the conveniencies or our Churches.
• XXIII. The Observation of the 28th Article of the fifth Chapter of the Discipline, is lest to the prudence of the respective Consistories.
• XXIV. The Deputies of the Isle of France demanding what course is to be taken with ungrateful Persons to their Ministers, and such as refuse to contribute to the defraying of Ecclesiastical Expences. This Assembly adviseth, That because of the Calumnies and Reproaches unto which the Churches are exposed, the Duty of such Persons shall be pressed upon them by lively Remonstrances and Exhortations, and if it be thought needful, it shall be done in the Assembly of the principal Heads of the Families belonging to the Church. However they shall not for this be kept back from the Sacrament of the Lord's Supper.
• XXV. Our Brethren, the Deputies of Anjou, craved Advice in this Matter, Whether a Minister delegated by his Provincial Synod, unto the Synod Colloquy of another Province upon business common to them both, ought to have his deliberative Voice? This Assembly answereth, Yes, and not only as to that particular Affair upon which he came, but also in all others, excepting what may concern himself only, during the whole Sessions.
• XXVI. The Deputies of Poitou demanded, Whether it were expedient that Ministers should visit Persons sick of the Plague. This Assembly leaves the decision of this Case unto the Prudence of the respective Consistories; only judging, that if it be done at all, it must be upon a very urgent cause, that so a whole Church be not exposed to danger for the sake of a single Person: Unless Visit may be so managed as to be without danger of Infection, he speaking at a distance to the diseased Party. However, we give it as our Counsel unto the Minister, who foreseeth the approaching danger, that in the ordinary course of his Preaching he do prepare his Church to a patient submission unto this terrible Providence, and that by proper and pertinent Texts of Scripture he do in his Sermons comfort and revive their drooping and desponding Spirits.
• XXVII. The Articles of Discipline ordained for the Conduct of our People shall be read publicly, and Colloquies may make an Extract of such Articles as they shall judge needful to be known by all, which shall be read publicly at some extraordinary season, as the prudence of the Consistory shall determine.

CHAP. III. Containing the Canons which were removed, Observations changed in, and added to those in the Body of our Church-Discipline.

• CHap. I.
  4. At the Fourth Article of the first Chapter, the Second Section, after those words, The whole shall be related, you must add, Unto the Colloquy or Synod.
• CHap. VII.
  At the end of the Seventh Article, instead of saying, According to the Form which hath been ordained, it shall be said, As followeth. And there shall be brought and inserted here all the said Form, which is at the end of the Articles of our Discipline.
• CHap. XIII.
  The 13th Article shall be removed unto the Chapter of the Colloquies.
• CHap. XXI.
  The One and twentieth Article was wholly razed, and instead of it, there was this placed: Lord's and Princes demanding of a Church a Minister to serve theirs for some certain time, shall be careful not to demand him of that which hath but one. And he shall not be granted them without leave first had from his Church and Colloquy.

  The Twenty third Article is wholly razed.

• CHap. XXVI.
  The Sixth, and Twenty third Article shall be totally razed; and instead of it there shall be this substituted: If that a Minister intrude into a Church, although he were approved by the People, yet shall he not be approved by the Neighbor-Ministers or others, but the Cognisance of this Matter shall be refer'd unto the Colloquy or Provincial Synod.
• CHap. XXXI.
  The One and thirtieth Article shall be wholly razed out, and to the end of the Thirty third Article there shall be this Addition made, Or to the Colloquy, in case the Churches be of one and the same Colloquy.
• CHap. XXXIV.
  The Four and thirtieth Article shall be wholly razed out and formed a new after this manner: Ministers may with their own consent be lent by the Consistory, if it make for the Churches edifying; and yet this Loan shall not be without consulting two or three Ministers, or the Colloquy, if it be for any longer time than six Months.
• CHap. XXXVI. & XLV.
  The Six and thirtieth, and the Five and fortieth Articles shall be wholly razed out.
• CHap. XLVII.
  Towards the close the Seven and fortieth Article, instead of these words, That so by those worldly Cares he may not he diverted from his Work, there shall be this inserted, That so he may be freed from all suspicion of Covetousness.
• CHap. LV.
  Towards the end of the Fifty fifth Article, in lieu of those words. The Consistory shall judge, this shall be inserted, Those who ordered the Deposition shall take Cognisance of it.
• CHap. LVI.
  The Fifty sixth Article shall be thus worded: National Synods shall be informed by the Provinces of their deposed Ministers, that so they may not be entertained by them.
• CHap. LVII.
  In the Fifty seventh Article, instead of National, read Provincial Synod.
• CHap. LIX.
  After Vagrants in the Fifty ninth Article, there shall be inserted, Apostates, and in the end of that Article there shall be this clause, And a Catalogue of these shall he brought from the Provinces unto the National Synods.
• Chap. II.
  4. After these words in the Fourth Article, To be employed in the Ministry, this shall be added, Ever preferring the Children of poor Ministers, if ingenious, whereof the Colloquies shall take special care.
• Chap. III.
  6. The Sixth Article of the Third Chapter shall be thus read, but the decision of Points of Doctrine is principally reserved unto Ministers and Pastors of Churches.
• Chap. V.
  20. The twentieth Article of the Fifth Chapter shall be wholly razed; because 'tis included in the One and twentieth, and Two and twenty foregoing Articles, the Four and twentieth shall be also blotted out.
• Chap. VIII.
  6. In the Sixth Article of the Eighth Chapter, next after these words, And one of the Pastors shall be President, there must be added, Together with one or more Scribes.
• CHap. XII.
  Artie. To th of the Twelfth Article there shall be this added, And where the Province becomes ingrateful, the Deputy thereof shall make report of it unto the Provincial Synod, which shall provide for them.
• Chap. IX.
  6. To the sixth Article of the Ninth Chapter there must be added, And Ecclesiastical.
• CHap. VIII.
  In the Eighth Article after these words, Ample Memoirs, shall be added, With lawful excuses for their absence.
• CHap. XI.
  To the last clause of the Eleventh Article these words shall be added, Which shall beforehand be advised to prepare for it.
• Chap. X.
  3. To the third Article of the Tenth Chapter, in the close of it, shall be this added, As much as may be done, considering the conveniency of Times and Places.
• CHap. V.
  And to the Fifth Article these words shall be added, And such as accompany the Dead unto their Graves, are exhorted to demean themselves with all Christian Modesty, meditating according to the Nature of the present Object, upon the Misery and Brevity of this present Life, and that blessed Hope of Immortality in the World to come.

  And the Tenth Chapter shall be closed up with this Article, Forasmuch as Mourning lieth not in the Habit but Heart, the Faithful shall be advised to comport themselves with all Modesty, shunning all Ambition, Hypocrisy and Superstition.

• Chap. XI.
  11. In the Eleventh Article of the Eleventh Chapter, instead of these words, Attributed unto God in the Scripture, shall be added, As Immanuel and all others.
• Chap. XIII.
  7. In the Seventh Article of the Thirteenth Chapter instead of those words, The Synods do esteem, shall be inserted, They do declare.
• CHap. VIII, IX.
  Between the Eighth and Ninth Articles this shall be placed, The betrothed Person may not marry the Mother of his deceased Spouse.
• CHap. X, XI.
  Between the Tenth and Eleventh Articles this shall be inserted, A Man shall not after the death of his Wife marry her with whom he had committed Adultery whilst she was living, unless the Consistory have first had Cognisance of the same, and maturely considered thereof.
• CHap. XXII.
  After these words in the Two and twentieth Article, Solemnly married, there shall be this addition, Whether that their Offence were known before or after the solemnizing of the Marriage. And those words shall be razed, If they demand to be. And in the same Article this word also shall be blotted out, And forasmuch, and these shall be inserted, Although this had been avoided before the Celebration of the Marriage, yet he shall proceed to, &c.
• CHap. XXII. XXIII.
  This Article shall be placed between the Two and twentieth, and the Twenty third, That those Inconveniences may be avoided, which ensue upon a long delay of solemnizing Marriage, all Pastors of Churches, and others in whose Power the espoused Persons are shall he advertis'd not to defer the celebrating of their Marriage above six weeks after their Espousals.
• Chap. XIV.
  1. This word Much shall be left out, and the last clause of the first Article. And to the Fourth Article these shall be added, Unless in case it be for suppressing the Preaching of God's Word, and the setting up of Mass.
• CHap. XIX.
  These words excessive and scandalous shall be left out of the Nineteenth Article.
• CHap. XXI.
  The word Excommunication shall be left out in the close of the One and twentieth Article, and instead of it this shall be inserted, Suspension from the Lord's Supper.
• CHap. XXIV. XXV.
  This ensuing Article shall be placed betwixt the Twenty fourth and Twenty fifth: Swearers and Blasphemers of the Name of God shall in no wise be tolerated in the Church, but they shall be admonished with the greatest seriousness to desist from those sins; and in case of non-forbearance, they shall be prosecuted with all Church-Censures, as the Consistories in their Wisdoms may judge most fit.

CHAP. IV. Particular MATTERS.

I. WHereas Monsieur de Tourfillant formerly denosed from the Ministry, hath most humbly petitioned, that he may be restored to it; this Assembly having seriously considered the enormity of his Crime of which he had been accused and convicted before the Civil Magistrate, and that as yet he retains his old Inclinations to the self-same sin; yea, and that his supplicatory Letters do rather justify him, than exprese his Contrition and Repentance, as is evident to any one who doth but cursorily read and peruse them, therefore it is ordained, that he shall not be re-admitted to the Exercise of the Gospel-Ministry.

II. The Brethren Deputies of Normandy desired our Resolution in this difficult Case: A Widow of the Church in — was contracted to a Man by words de praesenti, and duly informed by the Ministers of that Church to which she belonged of the importance of such Promises; yet nevertheless a while after to his very great grief, she separates herself front this her Spouse by Sentence of the Official, pleading for herself, That she was ignorant of the meaning of those words de praesenti and futuro, and afterward marries another Person, according to the manner of the Romish Church, not at all regarding the Remonstrances given her either by Ministers, or by him to whom she was first contracted, before and after her last Espousals. This Assembly judgeth, That the first Promise in itself, and of right is indissolvable; and that therefore the Second Marriage is of right null and void. So that the Man first contracted to her, according to the liberty given us by our Lord Jesus should declare, that he doth repudiate and reject the said Wise, because the had violated her Faith given to him, and is joined unto another. And after such a declaration (if so be the Delinquent Parties return unto their Duty according to our Discipline) the Consistory may approve and confirm the Second Marriage, and the rather because a Child begotten in the said Marriage hath been baptized in our Church, the Father having devolv'd his Right in it upon the Surety who presented it.

III. The Differences fallen out on the Promises of Marriage between Monsieur John Herisson and Mary the Daughter of Monsieur Moutier Minister of Orbec, are dismissed to the Colloquy of Beauvoysie, where they shall be fully and smally determined, and the Brethren of Feugeray and Paris, because they well understand the Matters of Fact relating to it, shall be present thereat. This present Synod having given no Judgment in the Case, because thefore-mentioned Parties were never summoned to, nor appeared before this Synod, and for divers other particularities and circumstances relating to this Affair, which merit a longer and more diligent enquiry, than the time allotted for our Sessions would admit of.

IV. As touching the matter proposed by our Brethren the Deputies of Augoumois, What is to be done with the Church of Angoulesme, who for refusing Maintenance unto their Pastor, had together with all the Haeads of its respective Families been deprived of their Minister, and of Communion at the Lord's Table, by the sole Authority of their Provincial Synod, until such time as they had given full satisfaction unto their said Minister. It is decreed by the Authority of this Assembly, That this whole Affair shall be dismissed unto the Synod of Saintonge, which shall duly summon both Parties to appear before them; and having heard them, shall put a final period, by their Sentence, unto all their Differences.

V. Our Brother, the Deputy of Picardy, demanding Advice on this difficulty: A Woman refuseth to cohabit with her Husband, pretending that he was a Monk, though she was well acquainted with it long before she married him, and adds scoffingly, when she is exhorted to re-unite herself to him, That they must be married; as if they had never been. It is the Judgment of this Synod, That for this deserting of her Husband she shall be proceeded against by all Church-Censures; and the Husband is advised, if he think it fitting, to summon her before the Civil Magistrate.

VI. Master Julian de Lande an Apostate, who being formerly displaced, with Reputation to himself, from the Sacred Ministry, hath since revolted from the true Religion, and wallows in Debauchery and Idolatry, refusing to hearken to the Advice and Orders of his Consistory, and hath drawn also a Nephew of his into Apostasy, this Assembly ordaineth, That the Sentence of Excommunication be publicly denounced against him, and that without delay.

VII. This Synod having understood of the Revolt and Apostasy of one Cross, formerly a Minister in the Province of Normandy, and that he is plunged Head and Ears in Idolatry, persisting obstinately therein: As also the defection of one Saint Martin from the Truth, who was a Minister of the Gospel in the same Province: This Synod remits these Matters of Fact relating to both these Revolters unto their own Provincial Synod, with full Power to proceed against them both, according as it shall judge most expedient for the good and edification of the Church.

VIII. The Deputy of Higher Languedoc having formed a Complaint against the Colloquy of Armagnac, for separating itself from the Province of Higher Languedoc, and joining itself unto the Condonnois, thereby to make up one entire Province a part from the other. This Assembly ordaineth, That it shall be remonstrated to the Colloquy of Armagnac, that by this their separation they act contrary to the Distinction of Provinces established by the former National Synods, and that they ought to return unto their first condition, and become, as heretofore, One Synod with that of Languedoc; and this Order shall be observed until though meeting of the next National Synod, whereunto the Colloquy of Armagnac shall be summoned to exhibit their Reasons for this their separation; and if upon mature deliberation it be found necessary, the said Distinction shall be then ordained.

IX. Monsieur Le Sage, Minister of Mimbre in Maine, being re-demanded by the Province of Normandy, this Assembly defers the Judgment of this Affair till the next National Synod; because the Province of Anjou had no Notice given it of the Difficulties propounded by the Deputies of Normandy; as also, that the said Le Sage may have warning given him to prepare his Answer to them.

X. The Remonstrance of the Deputy of Augoumois, being heard upon an Appeal from their Synod, by our Brother Monsieur De la Croix, Minister of Jarnac; which Synod forbad the said De la Croix the Practice of Physic together with his Ministry, and having also heard the Reasons urged by the said De la Croix for his said Practice, as his Abilities for it, the Public benefit by it, and the great Charge lying on him by his numerous Family: This Synod ratifies the Sentence given against him, according to our Discipline, by his own Provincial Synod. And the Consistory or Jarnac are to procure another able Physician to dwell there; and the said De la Croix shall be admonished wholly to addict himself unto his Ministry, and as for his Practice of Physic, that he do fully conform himself unto the Articles of our Discipline.

XI. The Lady De la Blanchardaye, hath liberty granted her, to get a Minister that may set up the true Worship of God, and Exercise of the true Religion in her House, called, The Wood of Mayne, provided that the Neighbouring Colloquy do allow and approve of the said Minister; and in the mean while our Brother Le Fresne shall continue to discharge his Office in the Church of Lacay; and in case he cannot do it, because of the aforesaid Establishment, the Colloquy or Provincial Synod shall provide another Church for him.

XII. All the Provinces are desired to take Notice in what place Monsieur Du Croy, formerly Minister of Perigueux, may be now residing, and whether he doth exercise his Ministry or not, and that Province wherein he is found, shall be entreated to exhort him instantly to return unto his own Church.

XIII. Forasmuch as those of Higher Languedoc have permitted some of their Members, to Farm Tythes, and other Ecclesiastical Goods upon this Condition, that they give them a certain Sum of Money. This Assembly ordains, That for time coming, this rigorous manner of dealing shall be wholly disused; only that the said Farmers be exhorted according to their Duty, to contribute some considerable Portion of their Gain, towards the Relief of the poor Churches, whereunto the said Revenue was originally designed.

XIV. This Assembly gives its Approbation to that excellent Work of our dear Brother Monsieur Salnar, Minister in the Church of Castres, styled, Hamonia Confessionum; as being most useful and needful for these our times; judging also, that it would do singular good Service, if it were rendered into our French Tongue; and therefore the Province of Higher Languedoc is charged by this Synod, to get it translated, and to prefix an Epistle Commendatory to the said Book, in the Name of their said Province.

XV. The Church of Vitre requesting our Advice in this case, Whether Witnesses should be confronted, deposing a Crime committed by the Delinquent, who does obstinately, and upon his Oath deny the very Matter of Fact? This Assembly judgeth, That all occasions of new Quarrels may be avoided, which may probably arise from such Confrontations, the Witnesses shall not be confronted, unless of their own accord they do freely consent unto it, or unless that the last and greatest Censures must of neccessity be used, which indeed cannot be executed till such time as the Delinquents shall have been well and duly convicted, and this cannot be done, unless that he confess and own his Offence, or that the Witnesses do avow it constantly to his face.

XVI. The Article about our Catechism shall remain in its full power till the next National Synod, whereunto the Provinces shall come well instructed, that so we may advise whether Mr. Calvin 's Catechism may be retained, or that a shorter one consisting only of the Apostles Creed, the Lord's Prayer, and the Ten Commandments shall be taken up, and used in the Ordinance of Catechising.

XVII. The Deputies of Poitou propounded this Case: A certain Marriage was dissolved by Authority of the Official, because of the Husband's Impotency: sometime after the Woman being publicly married in the Church, it fell out the Man also was re-married, but in the Romish Church; he being now touched with Repentance, demandeth to be received unto the Peace and Communion of our Church. This Assembly adviseth, that before his re-admission, his Wife shall be interrogated, whether she be well satisfied with him, that so it may be known whether he hath not abused God's holy Ordinance of Marriage, because he had been once before judged impotent; and if he be now found such, we advise the deferring of his Reception, till we have had more ample proof of his Repentance. But if it be otherwise, he having according to our Discipline repaired his fault of being married in the Church of Rowe, shall be restored to the Peace and Communion of the Church. Nevertheless, this Assembly judgeth, that the Consistory should be censured, not only for not using its Authority to hinder the Woman to suddenly after her Marriage contracted and solemnized, from running to the Official, who presently ordered her a Separation; but also for not persisting in their Admonitions to the Husband, that he should not so easily and readily consent as he did, unto a dissolution of the said Marriage; because such a Separation ought not to have been, till after three Ecclesiastical Sentences had thrice gradually intervened, as is usual even in the Church of Rome.

XVIII. Claudius Merchant, formerly Minister in the Church of Beauriers, and Civray, in the Province of Berry, having been accused and convicted of Adultery before this Assembly, we do depose him from his Charge and Ministry, for being a scandalous Person utterly unworthy of it. Moreover, we do ordain, That this his said Deposition shall be published in those places where he exercised his Ministry; but without mentioning the Woman, only in general this shall be declared, that 'tis for a very gross and heavy Sin, for a most grievous Scandal. Finally, he shall not be admitted in any place of his Residence, unto the Sacrament of the Lord's Supper, till he have first done Public Penance for this notorious Scandal given by him unto the Church, altho' the particular Crime committed by him shall not be specified in the Church. And the Consistory of the Church De la Roche pose, shall be censured for putting him into Office among them, before they had sufficient Attestations concerning him.

XIX. Divers Gentlemen complaining by the Deputies of Augoumois, that in those places where there is but one Sermon in the Week, their Ministers do resufe coming on the Week-days to Preach and Baptize their Children which are then born, unless they bring them at the appointed Times for Religious Worship. This Assembly adviseth, That to prevent all Clamours and Complaints for the future, the Consistory shall appoint one Day in the midst of the Week for an extraordinary Assembly, and so provide for all emergent necessary Duties.

XX. The Churches shall be informed, that by the Ninth Article of the Secret Articles, the King promiseth to dispense with the Degrees of Consanguinity and Assinity between Persons of the Reformed Religion; so that we need not have recourse unto the Pope for Dispensations. Wherefore in such Cases they may apply themselves unto His Majesty by our Agent at Court.

XXI. Our Brother the Deputy of Poitou propounded this Case: That a certain Person having quitted his Benefice, did yet notwithstanding receive a Pension from his Curate that enjoys it. This Assembly adviseth, that he be admonished, either to relinquish such a Pension, or else wholly to employ it unto Pious Uses.

XXII. Whereas the Deputy of Anjou hath demanded that the Church of La Gravelle may be declared a Member of the said Province, because 'tis enclosed within its bounds; the Assembly judgeth, That inasmuch as our Brother De Cherpon, Minister of it, had been mostly encouraged in his Studies by the Liberality of the Lord De la Val, and that the far greater part of the Members of that Church are Britons, it being distant from Brittany but one small League, that therefore the said Church shall be reputed to belong to the Province of Brittany, and the rather because of the paucity of Ministers in it. And this Order shall be in force no longer than the time of Monsieur Cherpon 's Residence at, and Relation to the 'foresaid Church of La Gravelle.

XXIII. Our Brother Monsieur Mary, Minister of the Church of Norwich in England, but living at present in Normandy, shall be obliged to return unto his Church upon its first Summons, yet because of the great Success of his Ministry in these parts, his Church may be entreated to continue for some longer time his absence from it.

XXIV. Monsieur De Feugeray, Pastor in the Church of Rouen, having informed this Assembly of the great importance of that Church, and how necessary it is that it should be provided of able Ministers, we being at present destitute of all help for them, do advise the Province of Normandy to inquire in their respective Classis, whether they may not find two Churches so nigh one unto the other, that they may be combined into one, and by this means gain a Minister for the Church of Rouen; or if this donit like them, they may contrive some better expedient. And this course also shall be taken by the Province of Saintonge, for the supply of the Church of Xaintes.

XXV. This Assembly prays and intreats the Province of Brittany to lend Monsieur De la Melluniere unto the Church of Vitre, and at the same time to make provision for the Church of Cuisit, where he is at present.

XXVI. The Lord Du Plessis presented himself in the Name of the King of Navarre unto this Assembly, proposing from His Majesty, That there might be sent unto him, being now on the other fide of the Loire, certain Deputies, Persons of Quality and Understanding, who might be near His Majesty, to acquaint him with the true State of our Churches, and that he also might reciprocally communicate unto the Churches all Matters of Importance tending to their welfare and preservation. This Assembly is of Opinion, That all the Churches be exhorted effectually to comply with His Majesty's Demands, and in order thereunto, to name one or two Deputies to be dispatched unto him in the Name of the Churches, and this to be done out of hand; and the Province of the Isle of France is to see it done without delay.

XXVII. A motion being made for an Union and Agreement betwixt the Churches of Germany and ours, this Assembly adviseth, That Monsieur De Chandieu be solicited to undertake a Journey for the effecting of it; and in case the said Monsieur De Chandieu have just Excuses for not accepting the Employ, Monsieur De Seire shall be entreated to supply his place.

XXVIII. Monsieur Salnar is entreated to write in the Name, and by the Authority of this Synod, unto the Princes and Divines of Germany, and he shall confer with the Lord Du Plessis about the subject matter of his Letters and the said Letters shall be sent to Monsier De Chandieu, to be represented by him.

XXIX. Monsieur De Chassincour is entreated by this Assembly, to continue his Office at Court, and the Churches are exhorted to perform their Duties to him, whereof the Brethren of the Isle of France are ordered to give him notice.

XXX. The Deputy of Lower Languedoc demanding, that our Brother Vilette, Minister in the Church of La Sala, may be removed thence, and translated unto Montpellier, because of that great Service he may do there, and that his Church may be some otherways provided. This Assembly leaveth the decision of this matter unto his Provincial Synod, which after due consideration had of all Circumstances, shall determine of it.

XXXI. Monsieur Laurence Bouchart, formerly Minister of Privas in Lower Languedoc, deposed for his scandalous Crimes, having appealed unto this Assembly, it examined the Causes of his Deposition, and all the Proceedings in and about it, and now judgeth that he cannot be restored unto the Ministry, whatever Testimonials of Repentance may be produced by him.

XXII. To the Case propounded by the Deputies of Berry, Whether his Marriage should be tolerated, who had espous'd his Wife's Niece, and that had some Years after his said Marriage joined himself unto our Religion, and communicated with us at the Lord's Table, and hath had several Children by this Wife? This Assembly answereth, That by the 14th Verse of the 18th Chapter of Leviticus, such a Marriage is incestuous, and that therefore in no wise can it be tolerated, and that they provoke not the Wrath of God more heavily against them, they ought to separate one from the other. And whereas these Persons committed this sin in the time of their Ignorance, we advise, that they privately confess it unto the Consistory, where they shall be admonished, counseled, and comforted from the Word of God.

XXXIII. Complaint being made by divers Persons of the Censure passed on Brocard 's Exposition of the Book of Genesis, in the last. Synod of Rochelle, where he was condemned for Impiety and Prosanation of God's Holy Word, and blaming it as too strict and rigorous, though' some would acquit him of Impiety, because he agrees with us thoroughly in all the Articles of Faith. This Assembly doth confirm the afore-mentioned Censure, judging that that Doctrine is not only impious which is contrary to the Articles of Faith, but that also which perverts the true sense and meaning, as his doth, of the Holy Scriptures; because they be the true Foundation of the Christian Doctrine. Yet that satisfaction may be given them, who are displeased at the Censure past on this Book of Brocard 's, there shall be extracted out of it a Catalogue of his grossest Errors, and communicated abroad for their perusal and information.

XXXIV. Monsieur De Bellefleur appealing from the Sentence given against him in the Synod of Higher Languedoc, by which his Treatise against the Discipline of our Churches was condemned, this Assembly having read his Treatise, and the Answers made unto it, doth confirm the said Saentence past against the said Bellefleur: To whom notwithstanding a Letter shall be dispatched in the Name of this Assembly, and the Answer of our Brother, Monsieur Berault, shall be communicated to him; in which, if he do not acquiesce, the next Colloquy or Synod shall denounce him Schismatic.

XXXV. The Deputy of Higher Languedoc related the Affair of Arias and Bourgade, complaining, that they were too severely censured by their Pastors Berault and Gironnin; whereupon the Synod came unto this Resolution, That the Piovince shall be informed, that they have full Power, and 'tis their Duty to judge definitively of it, and that the Censures given by the Consistory of Montauban, and the Provincial Synod against them shall be in force; and if the said Plaintisss be not quiet, nor demean themselves peaceably and modestly according to their Duty: The Colloquy of Lower Quercy calling in two other Ministers from the Neighbor-Colloquy, shall in the Name and Authority of this Synod judge definitively of this Fact.

XXXVI. The Province of Lower Languedoc is appointed by this Assembly to convoke and assign the Time of Meeting for the next National Synod; which is once for all ordained two Years hence in the Month of May.

CHAP. I Of the DEPUTIES.

THere appeared for the Higher Languedoc, and the Higher Guyenne, Master Michael Berault, Minister of the Church of Montauban; and Master John Gardesy, Minister in the Church of St. Antonin; and Master Bernard Lovis, Minister of Lectoure; and Master Anthony D'Arroles, Elder of the Church of Figedo; James Thomas, Elder of the Church of Montauban; and John Bertrand, Elder in the Church of Renel and Lauragais.

For Xaintonges, Aulnis, Augoulmois, Master John Baptist Rotan, Pastor and Doctor in the Church of Rochelle; Master German Chauvetan, Lord of Beauvais, Minister in the Church of St. Martin 's in the Isle of Ree, chosen extraordinarily by the Colloquy of Aunis, and approved by the Synod; and Elijah Festineau, Elder in the Church of St. John D'Angely.

For Lower Guyenne, Gascony, Perigord, and Limousin; Master James Lamqert, Minister of St. Foy; and Amanien de Beaupuy, Elder in the Church of Toneins.

For Poitou, Master Francis Lóyseau, Minister of Thouars; and the Lord De la Cheuratiere, Elder in the Church of Lusson, who also by Procuration appeared for the Province of Brittany.

For Berry, Orleans, Dunois, and Nivernois, Master John Berger, Minister of Chasteaudun, without an Elder, for which they excused themselves; and their Excuses were admitted, though they were exhorted to come better assisted next.

For Lower Languedoc, Master William Andrew de Villette, Minister of Vallerague; and John Chalais, Elder in the Church of Nismes.

For Anjou, Touraine, Le Maine, Vendosmois, M Felix du Tronchay, Minister of Beaufort in Valee, and Monsieur Peter Coignee de la Plante, Elder of the Church in Saumur.

For Provence there appeared no one. And the exiled Members of the Churches there, which had refug'd themselves in the Lower Languedoc, excusing themselves by the Deputies of that Province, the Synod resolved, that Letters of Consolation from it should be written to them.

Forasmuch as the Deputies of Vivaretz and Vellay were absent and without excuse on their part, the Synod ordained Censures against them; as also that they be advertised by the same hand, to send their Messengers unto the General Assembly convened at St. Foy.

Notwithstanding their Excuses, the Deputies of Dauphiné shall be most severely censured because of their absence, as also of the Isle of France.

Those of Normandy did not appear, but only excused their absence by Letters, for which they shall be grievously censured.

Those of Lyonnois and Lower Auvergne, did earnestly crave excuse by their Letters, and their Excuses were received and approved.

The Deputies of Burgundy being absent, and no Letters of Excuse on their behalf, shall be severely censured.

After Prayers Master Michael Berault was chosen Moderator, and Master John the Baptist Rotan Assessor, and Mr. John Gardesy and James Thomas Scribes, to Collect and Register the Acts of this Synod.

It was also decreed, That the Lord's Supper should be celebrated in this Church before the breaking up of the Synod, to testify our Union in Doctrine and Church-Discipline.

CHAR II. OBSERVATIONS made upon reading the Confession of Faith of our Churches.

1. THE Printers shall be informed, that instead of Invincible, they do place Invisible in the first Article, because the Text of Scripture from whence 'tis quoted doth require it.

2. In the 18th Article the word peaceably, shall be changed into that of Peaceable, according to the Original, and because the Adjective is more full and significant than the Adverb.

3. In the 24th Article, instead of this, That there is, there shall be altered according to the Original these words, Whereby Men are turned out of the true way of calling on God.

4. The word Unity in the 26th Article shall be left out, and that of Union placed in its stead, as better explaining the Antithesis; which is, Those that keep themselves secret, and worship God alone by themselves.

5. To the 28th Article, as it is in some other, so in all Copies for the future, the word Virtue shall be added to that of Efficacy, for the better explaining of the sense, and in imitation of the Apostle, who joineth both those words together in the close of the first Chapter to the Ephesians.

6. The Printers shall be informed for the future, never to forget or omit those words in the 38th Article, they being the express words of Institution by our Lord himself, Take and eat, and drink ye all of it.

7. That their Insolency may be restrained, who reject this word Substance both in our Confession of Faith, and Form of Celebrating the Lord's Supper, the Churches shall be informed, that this present Synod doth ratify the Resolutions formerly decreed on this Point in the Synods of Rochelle and Nismes.

The aforesaid Confession of Faith having been read in its several Articles orderly and distinctly, was confirmed and approved by all the Deputies of France, in the Name and behalf of all the Churches.

CHAP. III. Observartions made in reading of our Church-Discipline.

1. THis following addition shall conclude the 2d Article of the Chapter of Ministers, And Imposition of Hands shall not be given them, no more than unto Persons of whom we have not the least knowledge, unless it were in a Provincial Synod.

2. The 18th Article shall be closed up with this addition, As against them also whoso much employ themselves in the teaching of Youth, that they are thereby hindered from performing the principal Duties of their Office.

3. After the 21st Article there shall be this ensuing addition made, Consistories erected in the Palaces of Princes, and other great Lord's, shall be distinct from the Consistories of the Churches of those places where for a time they make their abode, unless it be in a matter of common concern unto both the Consistories, or in case of some very great and notorious scandal given unto the whole Church by a Domestic relating to the said Prince or Lord; or in any other Affair in which the two Consistories shall see meet, that there should be a mutual concurrence and conjunction.

4. After those words, with special Prayers, in the first Article of the third Chapter there shall be this added, And their Names shall be by an audible clear Voice mentioned in the Consistory. And after these words, If there be no opposition, you must add, They shall be publicly received on the third Sunday standing before the Pulpit with solemn Prayers.

5. There shall be added to the end of the first Article of the fifth Chapter, these words, As also in all other Church-Meetings.

6. This following addition shall be made to the end of the 16th Article, And in case of an Appeal, the said Appeal shall be notified without naming of the Person, or declaring the Censure inflicted by the Consistory.

7. Instead of those words publicly known, in the 21st Article, shall be inserted Notoriously.

8. Towards the close of the 27th Article these words shall be added, However, 'tis left unto the prudence of the Consistories to use otherwise, if they shall judge it more expedient for the Churches edification.

9. This shall be added to the 28th Article, If any Persons professing the Reformed Religion shall Appeal their Pastors, Elders, or the whole Body of the Consistory before the Civil Magistrates, to force them to give in evidence against those Delinquents, who have confessed their sins to them, they shall be proceeded against by all Church-Censures, yea even to excommunication itself.

10. There shall be this ensuing clause added to the end of the 4th Article of the 6th Chapter: And if any particular Church or Churches refuse Payment of their Contributions to the defraying of those Expences, which are unavoidably contracted by Journies and Attendance in Synodical and other Ecclesiastical Assemblies, kept and held up for the common good and service of all the Churches, they shall be deprived of the Ministry of the Gospel, and be reputed, and accounted Deserters of that holy Union, which ought to be maintained among us for our general preservation. Only Notice shall be given them hereof, some competent space of time before, that they may not complain of being not warned, nor duly admonished of their Duty, and that they are surprised. And all Ministers in such Churches are interdicted the Exercise of their Ministry upon pain of being denounced Schismatics.

11. After the word Memoire in the second Article of the ninth Chapter, you must add these, signed by one Pastor and one Elder.

12. Alter these words, And the removing of Ministers from one place unto another in the 10th Article of the 8th Chap. these shall be added, And from one Church unto another.

13. After these words in the 3d Article of the 9th Chapter, With a sufficient Testimonial, these shall be added, Signed by the Moderator and Scribe of the Provincial Synod.

14. After these words, Both Ministers and Elders, in the third Line of the 11th and last Article of the same Chapter, you must add these, Of Matters only, which have happened during that Action.

15. After those last words in the 2d Article of the 10th Chapter, Who shall cease to have, shall be censured, add these following, As those also who do not uncover their Heads during the time of singing, from the beginning of that Ordinance to the end.

16. After these words, Instructed in the true Religion, the 4th Article of the 11th Chapter shall be thus concluded, The Children also of Gypsies, (the French call them Bohemians ) and Saracens may be baptized in our Reformed Churches upon the Terms before-mentioned, and provided there be no ground to believe they have been already baptized; and after that the Sureties have been previously and seriously admonished to bethink themselves how they may discharge that Obligation and Promise which they make unto the Church.

17. This ensuing Article shall be the 8th in the 11th Chapter of our Discipline, No Member of another Church shall be admitted a Surety for any Child at Baptism, unless he bring with him an Attestation from his own Church.

18. After those words in the 15th Article, Being signed by the Child's Godfather, and by the Minister who baptized him, these shall be added, And whenever Children shall be presented unto Baptism, the Parents or Sureties shall bring with them a Paper in which are writ down the Names of those Children, and of their Fathers and Mothers, and of their Godfathers and Godmothers, and of the day of their Birth.

19. The 20th Article of the 13th Chapter of Marriages shall be thus concluded, And the Marriage shall be publicly solemnized and blessed in the Congregation of the Faithful by the Ministry of the Pastors, and not of any Elder or Deacon.

20. The 31st Article of the 14th Chapter shall be placed in order before the 21st, and thus couched, All Swearers, who in passion or hastiness do take the Name of God in vain, and others who affront the Divine Majesty shall be most sharply reproved, and if after one or two Admonitions they do not refrain, they shall be suspended the Lord's Table. And all outrageous Blasphemers, Forswearers, and suck-like Persons shall in no wise be tolerated in the Church, but upon the first Offence shall be punished with Suspension from the Lord's Supper, and if they continue in this their Ungodliness, they shall be publicly excommunicated. And this Assembly voted unanimously, That when the Deputies of the Provinces shall be returned to their several respective homes, they shall cause this Article to be read in all the Churches, in the Audience of all the People.

21. The Articles of our Discipline having been all read over one by one, they were all approved and ratified by the joint and common Consent and Suffrages of all the Provincial Deputies in the Name of all our Churches, and in this self same Form in which they are couched by the former and this present National Synod. And this Synod declareth farther. That the Copies of it corrected and amended by the Commissioners authorized thereunto, shall be hereafter followed and observed, both as to Number of Articles, and Terms and Words by which they be expressed; that so such as shall take the pains to transcribe it may conform themselves exactly to those said Copies of our Discipline.

CHAP. IV. Of General MATTERS.

I. IN every Province there shall be chosen some sit Person to answer the Writings of our Adversaries; (not that by this Canon we intend to abridge any other of our Brethren of their liberty to use those Gifts and Abilities which God hath given them for his Churches Service): And this shall be done at the sole Charges of that Province in which the Answer is made. And if any Person shall presume to print his Book before he hath first communicated it unto his Colloquy, or Synod, according to our Discipline, he shall be most severely censured, and his Work shall be suppressed.

II. The Colloquies shall be exceeding careful, that that Article of our Discipline concerning the Maintenance of poor Scholars designed for the Ministry be diligently observed, and that they make Report of it unto their Provincial Synods, and the Provincial Synods shall give account thereof unto the National, that so it may be manifested how they have performed their Duty in this particular. But forasmuch as the Expedients contained in that Article arc not sufficient for this end, and the Churches Stock is very mean and low, the farther Consideration hereof is refer'd unto the General Assembly at St. Foy.

III. Reserving liberty unto the Church for a more exact Translation of the Holy Bible, our Churches imitating the Primitive Church, are exhorted to receive and use in their Public Assemblies the last Translation revised by the Pastors and Professors of the Church of Geneva. And Thanks shall be presently given unto Monsieur Rotan, and by Letters unto our Brethren of Geneva, who have at the desire of our Churches so happily undertook and accomplished this great and good Work: and they be further entreated to amplify their Notes for the clearer and better understanding of the remaining dark places in the Sacred Text: and Ministers in the respective Provinces are ordered to collect those difficult passages, and to make Report of them unto the next National Synod, who shall consider which most needs explication.

IV. A Resolution being took in the last National Synod of Vitre, at the desire of the Deputies of Saintonge, that they should consider, whether Mr. Calvin 's Catechism ought to be changed; it is now decreed, that it shall be retained, and Ministers shall not be permitted to expound any other; yet this Explication shall be done by familiar Questions and Answers: And as for general Catechisings, which are usually done before the Lord's Supper, all People without exception shall be catechised in such a manner as every Church judgeth best sitting for their instruction.

V. To the Case propounded by the Deputies of Anjou and Tourain, this Assembly replies, That there is no need of an express particular Form of Prayer at the Ordination of Ministers. However, that Article concerning their Ordination shall abide in its full force, and be carefully observed.

VI. There shall be nothing changed in the 4th Article of the 10th Chapter of our Discipline. Nevertheless, that all Abuses may be prevented either by Pastors or Churches, the Colloquies may appoint two or three Ministers, who shall transport themselves upon the place, to remedy and redress them, and in case of failure by the Colloquies, the Provincial Synods shall provide against such neglects and omissions.

7. Whenas a Minister complains of his Churches Ingratitude, and the Church on the other hand shall lay the blame on its Pastor, there shall be no Notice taken of either of them, unless it be in a case of very great and enormous wickedness, for which the Pastor meriteth Suspension or Deposition from his Office, and that Sentence shall be pronounced by the Provincial Synod. And then also some effectual course shall be taken to provide against the afore-mentioned Ingratitude: And the Churches shall be censured for concealing so long a time what ought to be more early discovered.

VIII. Forasmuch as the Ingratitude of divers Persons, in not contributing to their Minister's Subsistance, is more notorious than ever, and that this crying sin threatens the Churches with a total dissipation, after mature deliberation we do decree, That in case these ungrateful Wretches having been several times admonished by their Consistory do persist obstinately in this their sin, their Consistory shall deprive them of Communion with the Church in the Sacraments.

IX. Colloquies shall be exhorted to observe carefully the 38th Article in the first Chapter of our Discipline.

X. Colloquies and Synods shall take special heed, that Pastors reside as much as possible on their Churches.

XI. The Churches are advised to see to it, that their Deacons or Readers do not read publicly the Apocrypha, but the Canonical Books of Holy Scripture.

XII. Whenas there shall be any considerable Sum of the Churches Money given to their Poor, lying by in Stock, and there be no present urgent occasion for its distribution, the Deacons may put it out to Interest upon good security, and receive such profit for its Loan as is allowed by his Majesty Laws, and those of Charity, but with this Proviso, that both the Deacons and Consistory do immediately call it in, whenas there is special need of it.

XIII. The 13th Article of the fifth Chapter of the Discipline shall abide in full force, and none shall use the Formalities or Ceremonies commonly observed in taking Oaths before the Magistrate.

XIV. The Deputies of Saintonge demanding, Whether the Names of Apostates should be publicly declared, because of that danger we are thereby exposed to? we advise, that the 19th Article of the fifth Chapter of our Discipline be kept up in its full power, and that all Consistories look carefully, and prudently to its better observation.

XV. All Ministers are exhorted to be earnest with God in their public Prayers for the Conversion, Preservation, and Prosperity of the King; and whenever they be at Court, and have access unto His Majesty, they shall do their Duty in reminding him seriously of the great Concerns of his Soul's Salvation. And the Pastors ordinarily residing at Court, or in its Neighborhood, shall be writ unto by this Synod, more especially, to put this our Counsel into Practice.

XVI. Letters shall be sent from this Synod unto Madam the King's Sister, congratulating her Perseverance, and advising her Highness to continue faithful unto the last.

17. The Deputies of Saintonge propounded this Case, Whether we should rest satisfied with a general Confession published in the open Church by the Penitent, he not specifying his particular Offence. This Assembly adviseth, That there be nothing altered at present in the 22d Article of the Discipline, but that it be conformed to as much as may be. Only the Provinces are required to bring their better thoughts on this Subject, unto the next National Synod.

XVIII. Whereas divers Persons would compel Consistories to depose before the Civil Magistrate Matters told in Consistory; a Memorial shall be prepared and presented by the General Assembly of Saint Foy, to take this Matter into their most serious Consideration, and to procure a Grant from His Majesty, for the conservation of the Liberties of Consistories.

XIX. There shall be no alteration made in the Forms of Public Prayers and Administration of the Sacraments, the whole having been prudently and piously ordained, and for the most part in plain and express Terms of holy Scripture.

XX. The Provinces are all reproved for neglecting their Duty, in preserving the Memoirs of remarkable Events which have fallen out in this Kingdom, and their Deputies are charged upon their return, to advertize their Colloquies hereof, that so a better account may be given of this Article unto the next National Synod.

XXI. A Breviate shall be prepared and presented to the Assembly of Saint Foy, complaining against those of the Isle of France, and divers others, who in the Name of all our Churches have prosecuted the Verification of the Edict of 1577; whenas it was expressly contrary to the Resolution took in the last Assembly held at Mantes in December 1593.

XXII. Churches that have neglected their Duty of paying the Quota towards the last Assembly held at Mantes, and other Assemblies elsewhere, and to this also, which is now shortly to be held at Saint Foy, shall be summoned once more by the Deputies of their Provinces to bring in out of hand their respective Proportions, and in default hereof, their said Deputies shall immediately upon their return, by the Authority of this Synod, deprive them of the Ministry of God's Holy Word and Sacraments, with an Interdiction unto all Ministers from officiating among them.

XXIII. The Union made in the Assembly at Mantes shall be sworn by all Churches, either in the Guild-halls of their respective Towns, or in their Temples, as shall be judged most convenient.

XXIV. The Deputies of Saintonge requiring Advice about the Circular Letters written from one Church unto another, and from one Colloquy and Synod unto another, it was ordained, That no Letters shall be of any Credit, unless signed jointly by one Pastor and Elder, or by two Elders where there is no Pastor. And they shall be directed in their Superscription either to the Consistory, or particularly unto the Pastors, that they may be prudently communicated unto the Consistory, or to any part of the Elders, according to the occurrence of Affairs.

XXV. The Deputies of Higher Languedoc demanding, Whether over and above the Propositions made of course by Ministers in Colloquies, it were convenient, that there should be a Theological Disputation held by the said Ministers in one of the Sessions of that Colloquy? It is ordered, That the Provinces do come prepared against the next National Synod, with their thoughts about it, that so, if it be judged meet, a General Decree may be established for it.

XXVI. If Churches sail a second time to defray their Pastors Charges in travelling unto Colloquies and Synods, they shall be deprived of their Ministers. And in case Ministers neglect twice following to come unto those Meetings, they shall be suspended from their Ministry, unless they have lawful excuse for their absence, and their respective Colloquies or Synods shall judge of it.

XXVII. The Churches are all exhorted diligently to observe the Fifth and Sixth Articles of the Tenth Chapter of our Discipline, and particularly those of Lower Languedoc, where many such abuses are committed contrary to the aforesaid Articles. And the Churches of the said Province are required to be more exact in their observation of them than formerly.

XXVIII. However, Parents and Sureties may bring Infants late into the Church, yet their Baptism shall not be delayed, unless the Assembly shall be departed; because Children ought not to be punished for their Parents sins, who yet together with their Sureties shall be severely censured for their slothfulness, and neglect of Sermons, to which they have not vouchsafed their presence.

XXIX. All the Churches shall be exhorted to see, that the Article decreed in the Synod of Vitre, concerning the Administration of Baptism before singing the last Psalm, or at lead before the Blessing, be carefully and inviolably observed.

XXX. (No Sureries shall present Children unto Baptism by their Proxies, unless it be Kings and great Princes, who by reason of their weighty Occupations cannot always be upon the place, when Baptism is administered.) And Protestants who by their Proxies present Children unto Baptism in the Popish Churches shall be most sharply reproved, as being Persons who consent unto Idolatry.

XXXI. Ministers are advised to make no difficulty at those Names given Children in Baptism, though' not mentioned in the Holy Scripture, provided always that there be nothing indecent in them.

XXXII. Such as receive from His Majesty's Royal Bounty a Sine Curâ, a Benefice without Cure of Souls, shall be exhorted to dispose of a considerable part of its Revenue to pious and charitable Uses, as towards the Maintenance of God's own holy instituted Worship and Relief of the Poor; otherwise, we will proceed against them by Suspension from the Lord's Table.

XXXIII. The 9th Canon in the 12th Chapter of our Discipline, binding Pastors as much as possible to distribute the Cup at the Lord's Table, shall be in full force.

XXXIV. Elders of the Church shall communicate together with the Pastors at the Lord's Supper in the first place, and the residue of the People in such order as the Consistory judgeth most expedient for the Churches edification.

XXXV. Altho' the Parties cannot obtain the Consent of Parties, yet if they that have that of the Magistrate unto their Marriage, by his Judicial Sentence, the Pastors in our Churches may celebrate such Marriage, unless there lie an Appeal in the Case.

XXXVI. To the Case propounded by the Deputy of Berry and Orleans, this Synod returns its Answer, That the Churches shall declare it publicly, that whosoever whispereth in private, that he is a Protestant, and of the Reformed Religion, altho' he do not make an open profession thereof, that this Person is to be accounted no better than an Infidel, until such time as he he have totally renounced the Superstitions and Idolatries of the Romish Church.

XXXVII. The Deputies of Saintonge having declared the Inconveniences arising in several Churches, from Promises of Marriage expressed by words de praesenti, and that it were better that for time coming, all such Promises should be uttered in words de futuro: The Decision of this difficulty is remitted over to the next National Synod, whereunto the Provinces are required to come with due preparation.

XXXVIII. The 12th Article of the 13th Chapter of the Discipline is remitted over to the consideration of the next National Synod, and in the mean while Mr. Beza and Mr. Daueau are entreated to couch in Writing their Arguments about it, that they may be perus'd and examined by that Synod, that so we may know, Whether it be lawful for a Brother to marry the Widow of his Wife's Brother.

XXXIX. When divers Persons in our Churches are afflicted with that Plague of Impotency by those who tie the Point; the Pastors shall remonstrate to them in their Sermons, that the cause of this Evil is Unbelief in some, and weakness of Faith in others; and that Charms used to untie them are detestable, as also the means used by others in consulting Witches, the Devils Ministers; this Remedy being worse than their Disease: whenas Fasting, Prayer, and Reformation of Life thorough the Blessing of God would effect the Cure.

XL. In the Form of Excommunication pronounced publicly at the Lord's Table, next after the word Idolaters, there shall be added, All Sorcerers, Charmers, and Enchanters; as also upon another account, after the word Mutinous, there shall be added Murderers.

XLI. Whereas Public Notaries in divers Churches, keep open Doors on the Lord's Day, and pass all manner of Contracts and Transactions, whereby very many Souls are taken off together with themselves from the Religious Sanctification of the Lord's holy Sabbath. It is decreed by this Synod, That for time to come, the said Notaries shall pass no manner of Contracts on the Lord's Day, unless it be Contracts of Marriage, Last Wills and Testaments, Articles of Agreement between dissenting Parties, and the amicable terminating of vexatious Law-Suits, and such other business as cannot possibly be delayed; under which head fall in Matters of Necessity and Mercy, and such Contracts may be dispatched on the most Holy Days, provided always, that such Writings be not drawn up, nor executed during the time of Divine Service, and of the Public Worship of God, and their Offices shall be shut, if possible, whilst they be thus employed.

XLII. Nothing shall be changed in the first Article of the 14th Chapter of our Discipline: but all endeavors shall be used to prevent those Abuses which are usually committed.

XLIII. The Deputies of Gascony demanded, Whether it were lawful to take a new Lease of the Lands and Demeans belonging to the Popish Church-men, upon condition of bringing them their Rent home unto their Convents, and other Houses of those Ecclesiastics? To which it was answered, That there was no inconvenience in it, provided, that it were not in any matters relating unto Idolatry, as the carrying of Incense, Wax to make Torches, and other such-like things.

XLIV. The second Article in the 14th Chapter of our Discipline, concerning Patronages, shall not be altered. Yet notwithstanding Lay-Patrons may enjoy their Privilege of laying claim by Protestation unto their Rights and Emoluments, that so their Title to them may be preserved, grounding their Protestation upon this, that the present Collation is contrary to our Religion, against which they dare not in Conscience act. And this is according to the Edicts of Pacification: And this Affair shall be further debated in the Assembly of St. Foy.

XLV. The 26th Article of the same Chapter shall remain entire, only the word Poincons, a Houpe, shall be left out, and because now that Habit is wholly out of Fashion among us, and such as paint and show their naked Breasts, shall be dealt with more severely than heretofore, and weaker Persons shall be born withal as much as possibly we can for their edification, or in case they be censured, it shall only be by a simple suspension from the Sacrament, that so they may be reduced unto Christian Modesty.

XLVI. The Deputies of Saintonge moved well, and this Synod decrees upon it, that whosoever are received hereafter Members into Communion with our Churches shall subscribe, if they can write, the Act of their Reception, and a Register shall be kept in all the Churches of their Names, and of the time of their Deaths.

XLVII. Upon another motion of those Deputies it was decreed; That exiled Members from their Churches refug'd in another, shall yet notwithstanding contribute to the subsistence of their ancient Pastors, if so be they are fled only with an intention of returning to their former Habitations, but in case they resolve to remove elsewhere, it is not reasonable they should be compel'd thereunto.

XLVIII. Upon another motion of the same Deputies, concerning Proposans (Candidates for the Ministry) who having been for some time maintained at the Churches Charges, in order to their future Service in the Ministry, not meeting with a Call unto it, or having since upon other grounds altered their minds, and took up another Vocation: the Synod made this Decree, That if through want of will on their side, they were not employed in the sacred Ministry, they shall be bound to make restitution unto those Churches, which had furnished them with necessary Supplies towards their Education, as soon as God shall enable them.

XLIX. The present Synod returns Thanks unto Monsieur Beraud, Rotan, and the other Pastors, for their pious endeavors in maintaining the Truth, at the Conference held at Mants, with Monsieur De Perron, and other Popish Theologers, and ratifies their whole proceeding; and that offer made by them to continue the said Conference at the pleasure and commandment of His Majesty. In pursuance whereof the Synod hath nominated twenty Pastors, out of whom twelve shall be chosen to confer with those of the Romish Church, that so the Provinces may have notice, and come prepared for the said Conference: And in case the Provinces would recommend any other, they are required to do it speedily, and shall acquaint the said Beraud and Rotan with it. The twenty Persons nominated, are, Monsieur Rotan of Saintonge, Monsieur Ceovt of Bourgogne, Monsieur De L'Estang Godion of Poitou, Monsieur D'aneau of Higher Languedoc, Monsieur Pacard of Saintonge, Monsieur De la Noue of Anjou, Monsieur Constance of Lyonnois, Monsieur Cazenave of Béarn, Monsieur De la Banserie of Normandy, Monsieur De la Faye of Geneva, Monsieur De Beaulieu of France, Monsieur Des Al • ues of Tourain, Monsieur Chamier of Dauphine, Monsieur De Chambrise of Brittany, Monsieur Ricotier the Son of Gascony, Monsieur Gigord of Lower Languedoc, Monsieur Berault of the Higher Guyenne, Monsieur Baron of England, Monsieur Melanez of Gascony, and Monsieur Junius of Leyden in Holland.

L. The Province of Lower Languedoc demanding our Advice, What course should be taken with those Ministers, who having been deposed, did afterwards live soberly and religiously, without giving any the least offense, though' a long time had past since their Deposition; whether it were lawful to employ them again, in the Dispensation of the Word and Sacraments, in that self-same Province where they had been deposed, or not? This Synod answers, That it is in no wise expedient, because contrary to the very Letter of the Canons of our Discipline.

LI. The same Deputies having moved, That there might be nothing innovated as to the Observation of Holy-days, such as Christmas, and the rest; the Synod doth accord unto it.

LII. This Assembly having seen Monsieur Daneau 's Answer unto the first part of Bellarmine 's Works, doth judge them worthy to be made public, whereof Notice shall be given our said Brother by Letters from this Synod; and he is entreated to intimate in his Preface, that he designed brevity in his Answer, because others had been more large and ample.

LIII. Monsieur De Serres having requested by his Letters written to this Synod, that some learned Men might be, appointed to revise his Collection out of the Fathers, a Work undertaken by him, to prove our Religion to be the most Ancient Catholic Religion, and the Romish to be New and Particular. This Synod hath ordained, That the said De Serres shall cause three Copies of his Collection to be fairly transcribed, whereof one shall be sent into the Lower Languedoc, and from thence into the Higher Languedoc, Guyenne, and Gascogny; another into Saintonge, and from thence into Poitou, and the Churches beyond the River of Loire; and the third shall be sent unto Geneva, that care may be taken about its Impression. And till it be thus revised, the said Monsieur De Serres is expressly ordered neither to print nor publish anything of the said Collection.

LIV. The Synod being informed, that several Sums of Money were collected in the Churches for their Service, whereof no account hath been rendered. This Synod ordereth, That all Receivers of those Collections made in the said Churches, do bring in their Accompts of those Moneys unto the next National Synod, notwithstanding any Agreement past between these Receivers, and particular Churches to the contrary. And the Province of Lower Languedoc shall give Notice to Monsieur De Serres, and John Chalais, that they come and yield up their Accounts, and pay in the remaining Moneys in their hands, at the time appointed them before the six Ministers, and six Elders, or other Persons well skilled in matters of Account, which shall be deputed by the Synod of Lower Languedoc; and these Accounts shall be audited in the City of Monpellier. And in case the said Monsieur De Serres refuse so to do, he shall be suspended from the Ministry, and the said John Chalais from the Sacrament: And both of them are required to appear in Person before the next National Synod. But De Serres died the very day before it sat.

LV. The Deputies of Higher Languedoc demanding, Whether Sinners who had committed certain Crimes, for which by Sentence of the Magistrate they were punished with Brands of public Infamy, ought also to be censured by the Church, so far as to do public Penance in the face of the whole Congregation. The Synod resolved affirmatively, because they be two distinct Matters, the Jurisdiction of the Civil Magistrate, and the Ecclesiastical Cognisance taken by Consistories, this relating to the Conscience, and the interior concerns of the Soul, and that only to the Body and outward Man.

CHAP. V. Of APPEALS.

I. WHereas the Church of Rochelle hath brought an Appeal from the Province of Poitou, about Monsieur Esnard, whom the said Church claims for its Minister, by Virtue of an Order granted it by the National Synod, celebrated in the Year 1581. It is now decreed, That because the. said Church hath not produced the Grant of that Synod, Monsieur Esnard shall remain where he is at present in the Province of Poitou; and moreover, the said Church shall be censured for having used Terms of Law in the said Appeal.

II. An Appeal being brought by the Colloquy of Angoulesme against the Church of St. Mesme, about a Judgment past in the Synod of Saintonge: this Assembly doth confirm that Judgment in the whole, and in every part of it denounced by the said Synod; which is also charged by the Authority of this Assembly, to censure Monsieur De Bargemont, and his Associates, for troubling us with their Impertinencies.

III. The Church of Cognac, and Monsieur De Bargemont having appealed from a Judgment given in the Synod of Saintonge held at Pons. This Assembly decreeth, That the said Monsieur De Bargemont shall be appropriated to the Church of Segonsac with this Proviso, that he serve alternatively the Church of Coignac, and Segonsac, and that the Church of Segonsac do give him full satisfaction for all his Arrerages within the prefixed Term of Six Months from the first of July next. And if the Church of Coignac refuse their Consent unto this Condition, then the said De Bargemont shall appertain solely to the Church of Segonsac: And if it so fall out, that the said Church of Segonsac be wanting unto their Duty, and which is now re-enforced upon them, the said de Bargemont shall be at liberty to be confer'd on any other Church, excepting that of Cognac.

IV. An Appeal being brought by Monsieur Cazaux, and the Consistory of Mauvoisin, from an Order made in the Provincial Synod of the Higher Guyenne: After that Monsieur de Fontenailles, and the Church of Castillon were heard, this National Synod did confirm that Order of the Provincial Synod hold this present Year at Lectoure, and in case the said Church of Castillon cannot thoroughly effect the purport of that Order, then the said Sieur de Cazaux shall be at liberty to serve the Church of Mauvoisin.

V. Appeals being brought by Monsieur Beraut, Minister of God's Holy Word, of the one part, and by Messieurs, the Consuls and Elders of the Church of Montauban on the other part, from an Order of the Synod of Higher Languedoc, about the space of time granted unto the said Berault, for attending his private domestic Concerns, and the looking after his Estate lying at a distance from the City of Montauban. This National Synod confirmeth that Order of the aforesaid Provincial Synod, for the full term of One Year, to be granted the said Monsieur Beraut, for attending his necessary private Businesses, which shall begin from the Day of his Departure. And he is desired as a Testimony of his Respect and Love unto his Church, to leave his Family in the said City, or at least within the Province; as also his Church is admonished to pay in unto him during his absence his Salary, as a Token and Pledge of their great and unfeigned Respects unto their Pastor the said Monsieur Beraut; and both the said Monsieur Beraut, his Church and the Colloquy shall carefully and unanimously endeavor that his place be supplied, and all the requisite Duties of his Pastoral Office be acceptably discharged by some other worthy Minister in his Church, during that Year of his absence.

VI. An Appeal being brought by the Churches of Montauban and Venez, for that by the Synod of Higher Languedoc held at Montauban and Lectoure, Monsieur de Castlefranc, Minister of the Gospel, was consigned to the Church of Realmont, and yet the Isle of France doth pretend a Right unto the said Monsieur de Chastlefranc; This Synod declares, That the Province of the Isle of France, had nothing to do with the said Monsieur De Chastlefranc; and whereas Monsieur de Chastlefranc doth also make his Appeal unto this Synod: we decree, That the Churches of Montredon and Venez have a Right to claim him as their own peculiar Minister, nevertheless the said de Chastlefranc shall officiate in the Churches of Montredon, Venez, and Realmont, conjointly at each of them six Months together, during which time this Synod doth order, that the Church of Realmont shall provide themselves of an able Pastor, otherwise they shall be proceeded against by the sharpest Censures, as is usually done in such Cases by their Colloquy. And if it so fall out, that the said Church of Realmont do need the Labors of the said Monsieur de Chastlefranc, he is entreated to assist them as far as his strength will suffer him.

VII. The Church of Monpellier having brought an Appeal from the Provincial Synods of Lower Languedoc, who had disposed of Monsieur de Villette to the Church of Valleragne. This Assembly doth confirm the Judgment of the said Provincial Synod, and declareth, That the said Church of Monpellier cannot of Right lay any Claim to the said Monsieur de Villette.

CHAP. VI. Particular MATTERS.

I. THE Deputies of the Province of Gascony, Perigord, and Limousin, desiring that the Churches of Coudonnois and Landers might be joined to the Provincial Synod of Agenois, Perigord and Limousin; and being opposed herein by the Remonstrances of the Deputies from the Province of Higher Guyenne, and most especially by the Pastor of the Church of Lectoure, Mr. Bernard Ennis, in the name and behalf of the Colloquy of Armagnac: After mature consultation, it was resolved, That the Synods of the Higher Guyenne and Gascogny should remain as they are in their present establishment; not but that in time coming, and in case necessity so require it, there may be made an alteration, and the Churches of Armagnac which are now divided from their Colloquy, shall reader an Account unto the next National Synod of their separation from it, till which they shall remain incorporated with it.

II. The Churches of Augoumois shall be joined to the Provincial Synod of Saintonge and Aunix, for the perfecting a sixth Colloquy, according to the equal division of those said Churches.

III. The Church of Bergerac shall be sharply censured by Letters from this Assembly; for that by theirs to us they professed a Resolution not to subject themselves to the fourth Article of the tenth Chapter pf our Discipline.

IV. Those of the Isle of France shall be severely censured, for proposing to this Assembly, a politick Union with those of the Romish Gallican Church, in defense of the Liberties of the Gallican Church against the Pope: And Letters shall be dispatched unto those fore-mentioned Persons, to acquaint them, that their Proposition was judged utterly unworthy our consultation, and they shall be farther censured for demanding competent Judges both of the one and other Religion, to decide the Points in controversy between us; as also for demanding, that neither National nor Provincial Synods be convened, unless on very great and weighty occasions, and that very rarely.

5. The Church of Aymet complaining, That Monsieur Balarand their Pastor absented himself from them, and was settled in the Church of Castres, without any lawful dismission from them. After that the Provincial Deputies of Gascony had been heard, as also the said Monsieur Balarand, and the Petition of the ancient Deputy from the City and Church of Castres, and after reading the Act of Dismission given unto the said Balarand by those of the Church of Aymet, subscribed by those self-same Persons, who have now written to those of the City of Castres, and yet some of them have since signed a Revocation of that Grant; this Synod doth assign the said Monsieur Balarand unto the Church of Castres, to be their ordinary Pastor, but on these conditions, First, That the Church of Aymet be provided of an able Pastor within six Months, or sooner, it may be, by the Colloquy of Perigord, or Synod of Gascony, at the sole Charges of the aforesaid Church of Castres, according to the offers made by Monsieur Bassol their Deputy. Secondly, That the Judge of Castres do cause all Prosecutions to cease against Monsieur de la Garime, and Monsieur de la Grange for having deposed Master Gaspar Olaxa, who was ejected by Authority of the Colloquy of Albigeois, and the Provincial Synod held at Montaban. And in case our Advice concerning the said de la Garime, and la Grange, be not entirely observed, this National Synod doth declare, That those of the Church of Castres on whom it was incumbent to effect it, shall be censured, even with suspension from the Lord's Table; and farther, that they be utterly unworthy of ever enjoying the Ministry of their Pastor Monsieur Balarand, and the Colloquy of Albigeois are ordered from us to meet in any other place than the City of Castres, and to see to it, that this our present Decree be effectually observed, and that the said Monsieur Balarand be transferred from the City of Castres, and to see to it, that this our present Decree be effectually observed, and that the said Monsieur Balarand be transferred from the City of Castres to serve in some other Church elsewhere.

VI. The Province of Higher Guyenne having complained of the wicked Conversations, and scandalous Lives of Master Gravel, and Vieux Banque, it was decreed, That the Ministers of Upper Quercy shall summon the said Graver, and Vieuxbanque, to appear without delay, in two Months time personally in this City of Montauban, where the Minister of the Upper Quercy producing sufficient Evidence, that they had summoned the said Graver and Vieuxbanque to appear, together with the Information of the Crimes charged on them, which if clearly proved on them, the Ministers of this City and Colloquy, by the Authority of this National Synod shall suspend or depose them, as they see cause from the Ministry, and in case of their non-appearance, they shall be immediately suspended, and this their Suspension published in the Churches.

VII. The Province of Tourain, Anjou, and Main, craving Advice how to dispose of Monsieur Le Bloy, Minister of St. Aignan, this Synod doth ordain, That the said Le Bloy shall continue in the said Church, provided that within six Months the said Church do give him full satisfaction in paying him the Salary they had promised him, and in cause of failure therein, he shall be consigned unto the Church of Preuilly, according to the Order of the Provincial Synod of Touraine.

VIII. Whereas the Church of Bourinquet doth inform us, That their Pastor Monsieur De la Finer is removed from them by the Pastors of the Province commissionated by this present Synod to inspect that Affair, who have thereby left them totally destitute without a Minister, this Assembly doth ordain, That the said Sieur de la Finer shall abide with his Church, exercising all the Duties of his Office, until such time as they be provided of another, and the Colloquy of Lower Quercy shall take that Task upon them, and the said Sieur de la Finer shall be presently paid all his Arrears, and that said Church of Bourinquet shall supply all his Wants for the future, and in case of non-performance on their part, then the said Sieur de la Finer shall be free and fully discharged from them.

IX. This Assembly, at the Request of the Deputies of Lower Languedoc, doth think meet, That our Brother Monsieur Boulet do stand related unto Condoignac and Vergessers, but with this Condition, that he exercise his Ministry in his former Church, until such time as they be provided of another.

X. At the desire of the Magistrates of the City and Church of Rochelle, as also of the whole Province of Saintonge, this Assembly ordaineth, That Letters be sent forthwith to the Syndics and Church of Geneva, earnestly entreating, that the Seignory and Consistory of that famous Church and City would be pleased to give up their Right in our honored Brother Monsieur Rotan, for the Service of the Church of Rochelle, because of his singular usefulness and fruitful Labors in that Church, and his great serviceableness in that Province, yea, and to all the Reformed Churches of France. Yet Rotan was afterward deeply suspected for prevaricating in Religion.

XI. Complaints being made by the Province of Saintonge, against Master Esperient and Cahier, this Assembly orders, That the Province of Saintonge do inform the Synod of Béarn about the said Esperient, because he belongs to it, that he may give satisfaction to them; and that the Sieur Cahier shall be written to in the Name of this Assembly, that he personally appear before the Synod of Saintonge, which is impower'd with full Authority by this present Synod, to hear and judge of the whole Fact.

XII. The Province of Lower Languedoc demanding Advice about Mr. John Corneille, it is decreed, That the Province shall be sharply reproved for their so long suffering and sparing the said Corneille in his Errors and wicked Actions, and in particular the Magistrates and other Persons in the Church of Orange, who prosecuted so vigorously his Restoration unto the Ministry. For which cause this Synod confirmeth the Deposition of the said Corneille, and ordains that he be silenced forever, and that the Magistrate and Consistory of Orange be reproved for permitting him to pray publicly during his Suspension, as also we give warning that it is dangerous to employ him in the teaching of Youth.

XIII. Sharp and Comminatory Letters shall be written unto the Colloquy of Auvergne, and to Monsieur De Montcassin, that if they do not satisfy and reimburse Monsieur Lambert his Expences, in getting the King's Orders for the maintenance of the afore-mentioned Ministers, this Synod on their refusal will proceed against them as Delinquents, and particularly against Monsieur Montcassin, because he became bound for the Payment of that Money, as appears by the very Act of the Provincial Synod held in this City of Montauban in the Year 1593: And in case they do not give satisfaction before the breaking up of this Assembly, Process shall be issued out against them, as we have written them.

XIV. Forasmuch as in the conclusion of this Synod the Colloquy of Higher Rouargue have returned no Answer to it, the • efore in pursuance of the Resolution before taken it is decreed, That Monsieur de Villette and Chalais, when they return into their Province of Lower Languedoc, shall interdict the Exercise of the Ministry in all the Churches of that Colloquy, and particularly Monsieur de Montcassin shall be suspended and silenced for not performing his Promise.

XV. Mr. William Benet acquainting this Assembly, That he had discharged his Duty in educating his Son Mark Antony in good Learning, in order to his being employed in the Ministry of the Gospel to his great comfort, and yet without his privity and consent his said Son had accepted of a Call unto the Church of Marvejoles in the Province of Lower Languedoc: After hearing what could be alleged for themselves by the Deputies of that Province, as also the Plea of the said Mark Antony for himself, that he only accepted of that Call for a time, and with this express condition, That his Father were contented with it; this Assembly doth assign the said Mark Antony unto the Church of Villemure, in the Colloquy of Lower Quercy, to serve them as their own peculiar Pastor; yet on these Terms, that he shall assist the said Church of Maruejoles by the space of three Months, during which time the Colloquy of Givaudan, and the Province of Lower Languedoc, shall use their best endeavor to provide another Pastor for the Church of Maruejoles, which Church also is ordered to satisfy the said Mark Antony Bennet, within six Weeks of his Return, all his Arrerages, and the whole Stipend of the Quarter now current; and in case of failure herein by them, the said Bennet is left in full liberty to leave them immediately, and to betake himself to the Service of his own Church of Villemure, he advising with his Colloquy, and they approving it, according to the Discipline.

XVI. Divers Provinces having consulted this Assembly what course they should take with those who challenge, and with those who accept the Challenge to fight a Duel, as also how to deal with the challenged, who killing their adverse Party, have since obtained His Majesty's Pardon, or have been afterward legally justified and discharged, the Synod made this Decree, That every such Person should be suspended the Lord's Table, and this their Suspension shall be out of hand published to the Congregation, and before ever they be re-admitted to the Churches Peace and Communion, they shall undergo Public Penance for those their Offences.

XVII. The Consuls and Elders in the Church of Montauban petitioned this Assembly, that during Monsieur Berault 's absence, their Church might be supplied for that Year by Monsieur De la Nove, Minister of Beaufort in Anjou: Answer was given them, that according to our Discipline it could not be done, 'till such time as both the Church and Province to which he stood related, had been first acquainted with it. And therefore they should send Letters unto that Church and Province, and to the Lady Vaux, and to the Lord Du Plessis, entreating them, because of the great importance of the Church of Montauban, that they would be pleased either to grant, or at least to lend their Pastor Monsieur De Nove unto the Church of Montauban, during Monsieur Beraud 's absence. And till that the Synod of Anjou have gratified the said Petitioners, the Colloquy of Lower Quercy shall take care, that the said Church of Montauban be not left destitute without a Pastor, but that they do from time to time send able Ministers unto them.

CHAP. VII. The Roll of the Vagrants, Deserters, and Deposed Ministers.

1. THE Vagrants are Isaac and Moses Bouchars, who wander up and down sowing false Doctrines, they were of Poitiers, the Elder of them is a little dapper Fellow, red Face and Beard, roaving Eye; the younger is much of the same stature, but blackish Beard, pale and sad, and roaving Eyes as his Brother.

2. Costa, or La Costa of Béarn, who preacheth here, and there without any Ordination. He is a Fellow of low Stature, a black Beard, a swarthy Countenance, a notorious Liar, Impudent, and a Thief.

3. Commission is given to Master Villette and Master Chalais, Deputies of Lower Languedoc, to make speedy enquiry about Monsieur Du Croix, late Minister of Perigueux, who hath forsook his Ministry for the Practice of Physic.

Vincentius Cordatus, being sixty Years of Age, a tall lubberly Fellow.

The DEPOSED:

4. In the Province of Higher Languedoc, and Higher Guyenne, Master Bernard Vaissy for preaching false Doctrine.

5. Master Gaspar Olaxa a Spaniard, for raising Troubles and Seditions in the Church of Castres.

6. Master Peter Beaupoil, otherwise going by the Name of Dumont or Damont.

7. Master James Caza of Normandy, Master Gabriel Roul, otherwise La Sales; De Coucher in Rouargue.

A Schism having fallen out in the Church of Saint Foy, upon the score of the said Roul, the Ministers of this Synod who are to meet in the Assembly of St. Foy, are impower'd with full Authority from it, to hear and judge fully and finally of that business.

Because of the Necessities and Dispersions of the Churches on the other side of Loire, the Province of