The Acts of Famous National Councils of the Reformed Churches in France
For the Province of Higher and Lower Poitou, Monsieur Jonas Chesuean, Pastor of the Church of St. Maixant, and Andrew Rivett, Pastor of the Church of Touars, together with Rene de Caumont, Lord of Fiebrun, Elder of the Church of Sansay, and Stephen Chesneuert, Lord de la Miletiere, Elder of the Church of Talmond.
Moreover, the Lord de Mirande one of the General Deputies of the Reformed Churches of this Kingdom appeared personally in this Synod, and had his place and privilege of voting in it, according to the former Decrees passed in favor of those our said Deputies.
There also offered himself Monsieur d'Or, one of the Pastors of the Church of Sedan with Letters from the Mareschall Duke of Bouillon, and from the Pastors of the Principality of Sedan and Raucourt, craving to be received into this Assembly, to have privilege of voting in it, as well as the other Deputies. But the Assembly gave them the self same answer, which had been given them by former Synods, that forasmuch as the said Churches were incorporated with the Colloquy of Champagne, and the Provincial Synod of the Isle of France, they judged it in no wise fit to grant them their demand: Only they were Suffered as other Pastors not deputed unto the Synod to be present when points of Doctrine and Discipline were Debated, but should not be otherwise heard in any other matters propounded by them, than speaking by the mouths of the Pastors and Elders deputed by their Province. And the said Churches were Censured for importuning the reception of this R. person among us, because of their private deputation given to him, after that an Order had past to the Contrary in the last National Synod. And Letters shall be writ unto the Lord Duke of Bouillon to entreat his Highness that the order of our Churches may not in the least be interrupted, but most inviolably observed, yea and in those affairs, which do more especially concern his own Principality.
Prayers being ended Monsieur Merlin was chosen Moderator, and Monsieur Ferrier, Assessor and Monsieur Rivett a Pastor, and the Lord du Pradell an Elder, were chosen Scribes of the Synod.
It was also decreed for the future that Pastors and Elders who were not deputed by their Provinces should not be admitted into the National Synods, but only when as the Confession of Faith, and Discipline should be read and observations made upon them, during the said reading, and that they should be excluded from all other affairs both General and Particular; and this Ordinance should serve as a Declaration of the mind and sense of foregoing Synods about those Articles and Canons relating unto the said Pastors and Elders Non-commissionated. And the Provinces shall be admonished that for great and weighty reasons they do henceforward by their own authority retain at home with them all Pastors of Churches and Elders, who have no deputation from them unto the National Synods, that so the complaints and importunity of those who have no call to sit or vote in them may be obviated and prevented.
CHAP. II. Observations upon Reading our Confession of Faith.
UPON the 14th Article, The Provinces were exhorted to study whether it were not expedient to take away those particular expressions which mention the Heresies of Servetus, and to acquiesce in a general detestation of his Errors, and the rather because they be now extinct, and buried in oblivion. And the Province of Burgundy is ordered to communicate this Decree unto the Reverend Pastors and professors of Geneva for their advice.
The Confession being read with great attention, every word, point and article thereof was unanimously approved and ratified by all the Deputies, who did promise and swear by the holy Name of God that for themselves, and their Respective Provinces, who had delegated them, they should Teach and Preach it, and unviolably keep and observe it.
CHAP. III. Observations upon Reading of our Discipline.
ON the fourth Article of the first Chapter, The Deputies of Lower Languedoc propounded, that the different courses took in divers Provinces about the Choice, Examination, and Ordination of Ministers brought with it a world of Inconveniences, and was the occasion that unworthy persons were in several places admitted into the Ministry. This Synod judged it exceeding needful to Establish an Express Canon, exactly, universally and most uniformly to be observed by all the Provinces; which being prepared, was approved and consented to by the whole Assembly and inserted into the Body of our Discipline in the form following.
2. The 4th article of the first Chapter of our Discipline shall be couched in these words, its beginning being joined with the fifth Article in manner following. A Minister of the Gospel (unless in time of persecution, in which case of great and urgent necessity he may be chosen by three Pastors only, together with the Consistory of the place) shall not be admitted into this holy Office but by the Provincial Synod, or Colloquy, provided that Colloquy be composed of seven Pastors at least; and in case there be not so many to complete it, the Neighbor-Ministers shall be invited to concur in this Election. And the Elected Proposan shall be presented to them with good and valid Testimonials, not only from the Universities and particular Churches, but also from the Colloquy of that Church wherein he hath been longest conversant. The Proposan shall be examined in this method; first by a Proposition, one or more from the Word of God; the Texts whereon his discourse is to be grounded, shall be given him: One of these his Exercises ought to be in French, the other in the Latin Tongue, in case the Colloquy or Synod do judge it meet; and he shall have four and twenty hours time to prepare himself for each of these his. Exercises. If by these he shall have given satisfaction unto the Assembly, then a Chapter of the New Testament in Greek shall be put into his hand, upon which he shall be posed, that it may be known whether he does understand that Language, and can expound it; and afterward, he shall be examined in the Hebrew, whether he can at least read it, and use good Books for the better finding out of God's Sacred Will in the Scriptures. And to this shall be added an Essay of his upon some of the most needful parts of Philosophy; and the whole shall be managed with great tenderness and charity, and without affectation of any thorny or unprofitable Questions. Finally, he shall make a Confession of his Faith in Latin, upon which he shall be examined, and opposed. And if upon the whole he be judged capable, the Assembly shall declare unto him the duties of the Office whereunto he is called, and denounce unto him, in Christ's Name, that Authority, which is now conferred upon him, to preach the Word, and administer the Sacraments in that Church of Christ, whereunto he is now sent, upon his full Ordination. And in conclusion, two Ministers shall be deputed to present him unto the people.
3. The 5th Article shall begin with the words of the fourth. He that shall be presented, shall preach the Word of God publicly on three several Sundays, (but not administer the holy Sacraments) all the people hearing him, that so they may know his manner of teaching, &c. And after these words in the end, Nor shall the Pastor be imposed upon the Church against his will, shall be added this clause, and the difference shall be determined according to the Canon above mentioned at the costs and expenses of the Church which had demanded him.
4. In the 7th Article about the manner of Imposition of hands, towards the end after those words, That so he may well and duly discharge it, shall be added as followeth: And a prayer meet and pertinent to the purpose shall be conceived, in which the Pastor shall insert these or the like words, We beseech thee, O God, to enrich and furnish this thy Servant duly chosen according to the Order established in this thy Church, with the Gifts and Graces of thy Holy Spirits, adorning him abundantly with all Endowments needful for his worthy discharge of this High Calling, to the Glory of thy great Name, the Edification of thy Church, and the Salvation of his own Soul, whom we do now dedicate and cousecrate by this our Prayer unto the Office of a Gospel Minister. At these words the Pastor praying, shall stand up, and lay his hands on the head of the Ordained. Minister, who kneels before him at the foot of the Pulpit. And Prayer being ended, and the new Pastor risen up, the two Ministers deputed by the Synod or Colloquy; shall give him in the presence of all the people the Right hand of Fellowship▪ And this Canon and Form shall be unanimously observed by all the Provinces.
5. On the 11th Article, the Provinces are bound in Conscience to give in a faithful report unto the National Synods, whether the Ministers of their Churches do hold fast the form of sound words in their public Sermons.
6. On the 17th Article Colloquies and Synods shall have a watchful Eye over those Ministers, who study Chemistry, and grievously reprove and censure them.
7. On the third Article of the 7th Chapter, it was advised, that for the future the additions made at the close of Propositions in Colloquies should be omitted, because of the inconveniencies which have happened, and do far exceed the benefit, which we expected from them: And all Pastors shall be censured by Pastors only in presence of the Elders.
8. On the 7th Article of the 8th Chapter, these words, with a Low voice, added by the Synod of Rochelle, shall remain; and it's enjoined, that if any Province do act otherwise, that they conform for the future unto this Order.
9. On the 15th Article of the 8th Chapter, in the distribution of the Provinces, those of the Isle of France, of the Land of Chartres, of Picardy, Champague, Brie, and the Sovereignty of Sedan, petitioning that this Assembly would approve of the Dividing the said Province into two Synods. This Assembly did not think it convenient to authorize that Separation, and commands them to remain United as before, notwithstanding what had been decreed by them in their Provincial Synod, and the repeated Instances of their Provincial Deputies in this present Assembly.
10. On the 6th Article of the 11th Chapter, a Question was propounded by the Province of Higher Languedoc, Whether in case of grievous sickness, and the Child being in apparent danger of death, he might be baptized on Lecture-days, before Sermon began, and whether Baptism might be administered at such times when as there is no Sermon preached, but only public Common-prayers? It was answered, that if the Consistory, or any of the Elders did attest the Malady of the Infant, the Pastor might do it. And if the observation of this Article should beget new difficulties, the Provinces were entreated to come prepared unto the next National Synod, for their assoiling of them.
11. On the twelfth Article of the thirteenth chapter, The Provinces are exhorted to bring their thoughts unto the next National Synod, whether any alterations may be made in it or not.
12. A motion was made about the 20th Article of the same Chapter, whether something might not be relaxed of its rigor out of respect to a great Lord, who had chosen a Popish-Lady, that consented to be Married by one of our Ministers, provided he would not compel her to an open profession of our Religion. Upon which it was decreed, that the said Canon should be exactly and equally observed towards all persons, whatever their quality or condition might be as to the world.
13. Instead of these words, That he may able to protest with a good Conscience in the same 20th Article of the said Chapter, these shall be inserted. And shall with a good Conscience publicly protest before the Church of that place where his said party is well known that she hath renounced, — And whereas the Province of Lower Languedoc requested, that to obviate the levity of such persons, they might not be Married in our Churches, till such time as they had communicated at the Lord's Table: This Assembly not altering that Canon, leaves the affair unto the prudence of the Consistory.
14. On the twenty second Article of the same chapter, it was wholly left to the prudence of the Consistory, to judge and determine in what space of time a Widdower might decently Marry a second Wife, after the death of his first.
15. The Deputies of Vivaretz demanded upon the thirteenth Article of the fourteenth chapter, whether it would not be expedient to fix a set time for their Excommunication, who send their Children unto the Schools of the Jesuits: This Assembly left it wholly to the prudence of Consistories.
16. On the twenty seventh Article of the fourteenth chapter, although the Province of Saintonge had demanded it, yet the Synod did not approve their inserting of those words, to set up May-poles. However the Churches are charged to proceed by all censures against those who do it out of superstition, and commit Insolences and Debauches before them.
17. The Church Discipline having been read was approved by all the Deputies, together with the aforesaid observations on it, and they all promised and swore for themselves and Provinces, to procure to the utmost of their power that it should be carefully and diligently observed.
CHAP. IV. Observations upon the National Synod of Rochelle.
1. THE first Article of general matters, which did not permit the Deputies to carry with them the Acts of Appeals, and of particular matters, was for divers considerations revoked.
2. The Lord's our General Deputies are again charged to require of his Majesty a Declaration for the Naturalizing the poor Fugitives of the Marquisate of Saluces.
3. The excuses made by the Churches of Béarn, for not sending their Deputies unto this Synod were accepted and approved, and Letters of thanks were ordered to be writ them, and to exhort them not to suffer such persons to be Married in their Temples, who wander from the Neighbor Provinces without attestations.
4. The Province of Poitou requesting that some course might be taken to prevent that great abuse committed by Monks, who having quitted their Convents, did rove up and down, hither and thither, from one Church unto another: This Assembly answered, that there could not be any better Expedient found out, than the exact observation of that Canon made in the Synod of Rochelle, which sends them back to the Province where they were born, nor did we judge it convenient to comply with the Province of Berry, who would have a public Stock erected, and set apart for the maintenance of such fellows.
5. Letters shall be dispatched from this Assembly unto Monsieur Tilenus Professor at Sedan, about the matters relating to him, proposed in this Synod.
6. U on hearing the report made by the Deputies of Dauphiné concerning the Labors of Monsieur Chamier on the controversies of these times: This Assembly applauded his great diligence, and gave him advice to pursue the finishing of his whole work, that it may be published to the World entire; Promising that the next national Synod shall take notice of his great charges and expenses, and seal their acknowledgments to him with a pledge and character of their respects and bounty.
7. Letters were sent from Monsieur Perrin, accompanied with others from the Province of Dauphiné, informing us of the progress made by the said Perrin in his History of the Albigenses and Vaudois, whereof the rude draught was now pr • scented. This Assembly approving his method, exhorts him to continue his labor, and to finish it as soon as possible: And Messieurs Ferrier, Durant, Benoist, Castelfranc and Vignier, are entreated to transmit unto him whatever Memoirs they have found out, or can get, that so it may be published suddenly. And this Synod will assist him with their bounty to help to bear his great expenses in books, and for its impression.
8. The Children of poor Ministers are exempted from the rigor of that Article, which had ordered, that no Scholars should be maintained out of the Moneys of the Kings bounty, until such time as they have finished their Studies of Humanity, and begun their course of Philosophy. And 'tis left unto the discretion of Synods and Colloquies, at what age and capacity they shall judge fit to enroll them in the Catalogue of Pensioners.
9. Monsieur Vignier presenting his Theater of Antichrist, composed by him in obedience to the command of the National Synod, received the thanks of this Assembly for his great and worthy pains, and the University of Saumur is ordered to peruse it, and having given their opinion of it, we order that it be Printed together with th • Authors Name.
10. The Province of Dauphiné by the Authority of this Synod is discharged of all accounts of Moneys received from the Provinces, for the poor Fugitives of the Marquisate of Saluces, and their Deputies, who were charged in the Synod of Rochelle, with four hundred Livers gathered in the Church of Bourdeaux, and with eight hundred Livers from the Church of Rochelle, are also acquitted by this Synod. And the aforesaid Province is also discharged of the sum of six hundred sixty five Livers, nine Sous, and one Denier, paid by it unto the Churches of Provence, conformable to the Order of the last Synod.
11. That Article concerning the Synod of Normandy, shall remain as it is, and the Province shall continue to summon to it all its Pastors, according to the Discipline.
12. The Deputies of Saintonge remonstrating that the censure past by the foregoing National Synod on the Consistory of Soubize, and Monsieur Chevalier its Pastor, was grounded on a false accusation, and therefore required that the said Censure might be razed out of the Book of our Acts. This Assembly dismissed the whole unto the Synod of Saintonge, who should hear both the Accusers and Accused, and by the Authority of this Assembly judge finally of that affair, and in case it were found to have been ill-reported, to cast the self-same Censure upon the false Accusers.
CHAP. V. Appeals.
1. JAMES de l'Obel, otherwise du Val, being deposed from the sacred Ministry for the sin of Adultery committed by him, and which he himself had confessed to the Consistory of the Church of Gisors, wherein he served, summoning hither the Pastors and several Elders of the Church of Rouen, came also in Person unto this Assembly with his Appeal from the former sentence of Deposition past in that Consistory against him, and from its confirmation given by the Provincial Synod of Normandy the first of April, 1609. This Synod having heard both the said du Val, and the Deputies of the Province, judgeth that the Consistory of his Church, and the Synod of his Province had proceeded most regularly and rightfully against him, and that therefore He the said du Val had aggravated his crime by his sinful Appeal, and that he shall continue on the Roll of scandalous deposed Ministers, without all hopes of ever being restored to so Sacred an Office more.
2. The Colloquy of Gex appealed from a Decree of the Synod of Burgundy, by which an exchange had been made between the two Churches of Divonne in the Bailiwick of Gex, and that of Issurtelle in the Province of Burgundy of their Ministers, Monsieur Grillet and Gaussant: The Synod ordaining that the Church of Issurtelle should pay the charges that Monsieur Grillett was at in his removal, and that of Divonne or the Colloquy of Gex the charges of Monsieur Gaussant in his. The Synod after hearing of Monsieur du Pan Deputy of that Colloquy, and the Deputies from the Province of Burgundy, judged that the Provincial Synod of Burgundy had by their Decrees done wrong unto the said Church and Colloquy, and therefore chargeth the said Province and its Colloquy to reimburse the injured Church and Colloquy of their Expences, out of the common Moneys belonging unto that whole Province.
3. The same Colloquy appealed about the Tax imposed on it, for bearing the charges of the Assembly of Chastellheraut. But this their appeal was disannul'd, because the said Colloquy had received its part of the moneys granted us by the King, upon condition that the Provinces should be discharged for the expenses of their Deputies unto the said Assembly. And Monsieur du Pan, Deputy for the said Colloquy by consent of the Province of Burgundy, was told, that the portions granted the Pastors in the Bailiwick of Gex, ought to be employed towards their better maintenance, and as an augmentation of their Stipends, on this Condition, that three of them together with as many Elders should always appear in person at their Provincial Synod, and should pay their proportion of expenses which were of necessity to be disbursed about the common affairs of the Province, and the whole to be raised out of the Moneys given us by his Majesty. And this Assembly by its own authority doth ratify that Ordinance of the Provincial Synod concerning the residence of Ministers upon their Churches, and those Churches are bound to provide convenient houses for them.
4. The Judicial Sentence of the Synod of Burgundy, ordaining Monsieur Clark to continue Minister in the Church of Gex, was confirmed; nor may the said Pastor, at the call of any private persons go and serve other Churches, without having first obtained Leave from his Consistory, or of three Elders at least. And the Appeal of divers Pastors who had contradicted the said Colloquy, was rejected and made void.
5. Monsieur Toussaincts Pastor in the Church of Luke in Province, presented himself unto this Synod, pretending his call to be a Member of it, and to have been deputed by the Province who having afterward retracted their choice, he now Appealed from it. The Synod having heard both him, and the Deputies of the Province, and understood that he himself had procured his own discharge from this Deputation, and Had given his free consent to the Election of others, declared his pretensions Null, his claim void, and his journey to be undertook without ground, and that therefore he should bear his own charges: And farther censureth him for his ill proceedings, and ambitious seeking of an office whereunto he had no call, and from which he had discharged himself; and adviseth the Province to take care that for time coming our National Synods be no more troubled by any ambiguities in their Letters of Commission and Deputation.
6. The Consistory of Chaallons upon the Saone complained in their Appeal, of a Censure of the Synod of Burgundy, because they refused to admit a certain Marriage to be solemnized in their Congregation: But this their Appeal was made void, and the Actings of the said Consistory in refusing the celebration of that Marriage judged over rigorous.
7. The Church of Dijon brought their Appeal, because Monsieur Chassegrain their Minister had been adjudged from them unto the Church of Chaallons upon Saone, without their ever being able to redemand the Moneys given by them to the said Monsieur Cassegrain for his pension at Geneva or elsewhere. This Assembly judged, that Considering the long time the said Chassegrain hath lived at Chaallons, without ever being redemanded by those of Dijon and Beaune, that the Province had a power of Disposing of him, and that he is not bound in his own person to make restitution of Moneys that had been bestowed upon him for his Education and Subsistence.
8. The Church of Chaallons upon Saone entered their Appeal in this Synod, because that Monsieur le Blanc formerly their Pastor, but now of the Church of Lions, had his dismission from them by leave of the Colloquy, upon this condition, that he should restore unto them the Moneys wherewith they had Supplied him during his Studies at Geneva, and for the buying of Books, and the overplus of wages received by him above the time he Served among them. Yet nevertheless the afore-mentioned Provincial Synod of Burgundy had discharged him of all payments, and afterwards granted him to the Church of Lions. This Assembly having perused the Memoirs of the Church of Chaallons, heard their arguments, and those of the Synod, and of Le Blanc, did condemn the proceedings of that Church of Chaallons, and Suppressed its Memoirs, because they revived the minuter passages and circumstances of matters long since transacted in Consistories, Colloquies and Provincial Synods, and ordained that the whole series of affairs passed between the said Church and Monsieur le Blanc should be razed out of the Registers of their Consistories and Colloquies; and farther, it approves of the Call of the said le Blanc unto the Church of Lions, who also shall restore fifty Crowns unto the Church of Chaallons upon the Soane disbursed by them (for his maintenance in the University) and the overplus of his wages received by him over and above the time that he served them in the Ministry; And the Church of Lions shall see that this be faithfully performed; and the said sums of Money so received by the Church of Chaallons shall be paid in to that of Dijon in consideration of the charges they were at before hand for the encouraging and promoting the Studies of the Sieur Cassegrain, whose Ministry the Church of Chaallons doth now enjoy: And furthermore there shall be taken out of the Stock of the Province of Burgundy an Hundred Livers, to be added unto the aforesaid sum, for the benefit of the Church of Dijon, unto which the said Sieur le Blanc shall not be obliged to make restitution of the sum of one hundred and fifty Livers received by him for that time in which he was by Decree of the Synod remanded back unto Dijon and Beaune. And further it was ordained that the Moneys before mentioned, which ought to have been restored unto Dijon, shall be employed towards the discharging of the said Churches of Dijon and Beaune from the Heirs of Monsieur Paillard, and the remaining over plus of what was due unto him shall be paid in by equal portions from those two Churches of Dijon and Beaune. And as to what concerns the second place for Religious Worship in the Bailiwick, that which was ordained by the Provincial Synod shall hold good, but only till such time as we may obtain another place in the Bailiwick, and distinct from that of Beanue.
9. The Appeal of the Church of Mure in Dauphiné from the Decree of the Provincial Synod, being about pecuniary matters, is according to the Canon made in the last Synod of Rochelle, turned over to the Neighbor Province.
10. The Appeal of divers Colloquies in the Lower Languedoc from an Order made by that Province for their continuing United in one, and not divided into two Synods, is vacated and made null; and notwithstanding their Arguments drawn from the greaness of their expense, long tarrying, unequal distribution of Offices, and the like, reported by the Deputies of the Province; It is decreed, that they shall abide in the same estate in which they are, and the said Province shall take some effectual course to prevent as much as in them lieth, the inconveniencies above mentioned by them.
11. The Sieurs de Falgueirolles and Paulet Ministers, and de Gasques an Elder, appealing from the Judicial Sentence of the Synod of Lower Languedoc, which had declared, that the Bailiff of Vigan might be admitted into their Synodical Assemblies, only as a mere spectator, though at first he claimed it of right, by virtue of his Office, and as a Magistrate, contrary to that Privilege and Exemption granted unto our Synods and Colloquies by His Majesty. The Synod judgeth that the aforesaid Ministers and Elder had very good warrant for their Appeal, and it abrogates and censures the Judicial Sentence of that Synod.
12. The Church of Sauves appealing from the Decree of the Synod of Lower Languedoc, which had ordered them to pay unto the Widow of Lazaras de Pedon, their late deceased Pastor, her Annuity, beginning from the very day of his death. This Assembly ratifieth the Judicial Sentence of that Provincial Synod, judgeth the Appeal null and void, and ordains, that the said Annuity shall be employed for the benefit of the Orphan Daughter of the said deceased Minister.
13. Henry Dindault (formerly Minister in the Church of Nieuil in Aunix, deposed from the Sacred Ministry, first by the Colloquy of Aunix, and afterward by the Provincial Synod held at Barbezieux, (and the whole process of it was confirmed by the last National Synod held at Rochelle, which had declared him utterly uncapable of ever exercising the Ministry) did now make his Appeal unto this Assembly, and that it might be admitted, appeared in person, professing his repentance for many and grievous sins committed and acknowledged by him, but denying others whereof he also was accused, and importunately demanded a mitigation of the Sentence past upon him by the afore▪ mentioned Synod, and that he might be again restored unto the holy Ministry. This Synod having heard the Deputies of Saintonge declaring the proceedings in their Assemblies against him, the Letters and other Writings of the said Dindault, hearing also his Confessions, Apologies and Protestations, doth ratify and confirm the Judicial Sentence of the said Synod of Saintonge, and declares him forever uncapable of being re-admitted unto the Ministerial Office, and exhorts him unto a true Repentance, and amendment of life: Upon evidences whereof given by him, he may be received unto Communion at the Lord's Table.
14. The people of Marchenoir appealed from the Decree of the Provincial Synod of St. Amand, which had equally imparted the Ministry of Monsieur Chambaran unto them, and the Inhabitants of Lorges, upon condition that those of Lorges should pay one half of his Stipend. This Assembly ordains, that the Article of the Provincial Synod be observed both by them of Lorges and Marchenoir; and in case the Inhabitants of Lorges refuse this condition, that then the extraordinary Sermons shall be preached at Marchenoir. And in the mean while the said Synod is required to observe more carefully the 8th Article in the 5th Chapter of our Discipline, which giveth ample power of judging finally and without Appeal in such cases unto Provincial Synods.
15. The Sieur Quinson, Pastor of the Church of Chartres and Favieres, appealing in their name from a Decree of the Provincial Synod of the Isle of France, held at Charenton, by which the Lord de Bijannettes was left at liberty, either of communicating with the Church of Blainville, whereof he was a Member, or because he was nearer with that of Favieres, he contributing both to the one and other: This Assembly confirms that Decree of the Synod of the Isle of France, and declares the Appeal to be null and void, because the difference is of their nature, which may be finally determined by the Provincial Synods. However, for time coming it is ordained, that no Member shall join himself to another Church without leave first had and obtained from the Colloquy or Provincial Synod, which shall very well weigh and consider of all Motives and Arguments inducing to it.
16. This Assembly took no notice of the Appeal brought by the Province of Lower Languedoc from the Judgment of that of Vivaretz, about the business of Monsieur Rossell, because, according to the Canon of the last National Synod, it might have been finally determined in that Province; as also, because the difference arose from a particular Agreement which the said Rossell made with the Church of Gignac, wherein they had obliged themselves to pay him over and above his Salary, that portion accruing to them from the Moneys granted us by His Majesty. Nevertheless this Synod did expressly prohibit for the future all such Bargains and Agreements, and ordains, that Pastors shall have from their Churches settled and certain Wages, in which payment shall not be reckoned their Augmentation from the Moneys of His Majesty's Bounty. And Ministers shall give Acquittances unto their Churches of all Moneys received from them at the quarterly payments.
17. The Sieur Guibert, Pastor, complaining of a Judgment passed in the Provincial Synod of Saintonge, whereby he was consigned Minister to the Church of Archiac: The Assembly having heard the Deputies of that Province, and the said Guibert also, declared the Decree of the said Province just and equitable, and ordaineth his continuance in the said Church, until such times as by advice of the Colloquy, or of the same Province, he may be elsewhere employed, if need be; but they be exhorted to take care for his comfortable maintenance.
18. The Colloquy of Mayne appealing from a Decree of the Colloquy of Touraine, chosen Umpire between that of Mayne and Anjou, by which the Church of Prinjey and Gallirante had been adjudged to the Colloquy of Anjou; upon hearing the Arguments produced by the said Colloquies, this Assembly revoketh and reverseth the Decree aforesaid, and adjudgeth the Church of Prinjey and Gallirante unto the Colloquy of Mayne.
19. A difference falling out between the Provinces of the Isle of France and Berry, upon this occasion, divers Gentlemen and others formerly Members of the Church of Chartres, had lately joined themselves unto the Church of Basoches and Genouille, gathered in the Colloquy of Blesois, because of its nearness to their Habitations, and more Commodious for them. The Synod hearing the arguments on both sides, and perusing the Memoirs, doth leave the Gentlemen and other persons to their full Liberty, either for Basoches and Genouille or for that of Chartres.
20. The Sieur Beraud Pastor and Professor in the Church of Montauban, and the Sieurs de Novellan and de Vaures, Deputies from that Church unto the last Synod of Higher Languedoc and Guyenne held at Pamiers, appealed, for that the said Beraud was aggrieved by the aforesaid Synod, which having restored the Sieur Benoist to the aforesaid Church, and refused to give him his dismission, though he humbly demanded it, and had ordained that he should be reconciled with the said Benoist, that they might live for the future amicably, in peace, and good correspondence together. And the Sieurs de Novellan and de Vaures appealed for that the said Sieur Benoist was sent back unto the Church of Montauban, as if he were one of their own proper Pastors. Upon hearing the complanits of the Sieur Beraud and the Deputies of the said Church, and the defense made by Monsieur Benoist; and on perusal of divers Acts and Letters written on both sides, and the Provincial Deputies also being heard, producing the Acts on which their Decree was grounded, and relating the Charge and Commission given them as they passed through Moutauban, both from the party favoring Monsieur Beraud, and the party desiring the continuance of the Ministry of the said Benoist: This Assembly observing in all their proceedings more of passion than of reason, ordaineth, that the said Beraud be out of hand reconciled with the said Benoist, and the said Benoist shall testify unto him the great desire he hath for the future of living with him in all Love, Honor and Respect, and entreat him to forget and forgive all past miscarriages: And furthermore, it doth absolutely and fully ratify and confirm that Decree of the Provincial Synod, disannulling the Appeal of the said Deputies, and exhorts them to a mutual reconciliation, and to use their utmost endeavor for the effecting an entire & universal Peace in the said Church. And in case this be not done, the next approaching Provinvincial Synod is charged by virtue and authority of this Assembly, to remove them both from it, and to employ them elsewhere in some other distinct Churches of the Province, and by some other Ministers to serve and supply the Church of Montauban. And the Sieurs Bauconis, Silvius, and de Malleret, are ordered to travel unto Montauban, and to give the said Church a punctual Account of this our Decree in all its circumstances, and the Expences of their Journey shall be defrayed by it. And whereas the Deputies of the said Church do desire that Garissoles and Cabault, Proposans maintained by them, might be examined in this National Synod; and that it would be pleased to give in their Opinions of them, whether they were persons sufficiently qualified for the Sacred Ministry, and capable of assisting their other Pastors; it was resolved, that this matter should be left wholly to the Judgment of their Provincial Synod, who should determine both of their Capacity, and Induction into the said Church, whereunto, however they should not consent, till such time as they had unanimously agreed about the Ministry of Monsieur Benoist; on which condition they might grant the demands of the said Church. And in case it should be a long time before the Synod Assembled, that then the Colloquy of Lower Quercy shall finally determine this Affair, provided that they call in, to act together with them, the Colloquy of Armagnac, that so all sinister thoughts of partiality in their Judicial Sentence may be obviated and prevented And if in pursuance hereof, they shall perceive a design laid for the exclusion of Monsieur Benoist, then they shall not in the least proceed to the Ordination of the said Proposans, nor unto their Instalment in the Church of Montauban.
21. The University of Montauban appealed because the last Synod held at Pamiers refused to admit of Monsieur Gardesie unto the Professors place of the Greek Tongue. This Assembly decreeth, that the Synod, or both the Colloquies which shall judge about the Proposans of the Church of Montauban, shall also take cognizance of this Affair: And in case they do grant the said Gardesie unto that University, and he consent unto it, that then they do dispose of one of the said Proposans, or of some other person, whom they believe will best edify the Church of Mauvoisin, unto its service in the Pastoral work.
22. The Appeal of the Common Council of the City of Montauban on behalf of the Counselors in their Colloquy is dismissed over to the next Political Assembly of the Province.
23. The Sieurs des Baconis, Sylvius and de Malleret in their journey unto Montauban, about the affairs of that Church, are ordered to visit the Churches of Meusac, Islemade, and St. Leophary, and to take knowledge of their Estate, and Proverty, that so they may testify unto the approaching Synod of the Higher Guyenne, whether the Sieurs Richaud and Bicheteau can be maintained by them, and whether they be able to encourage them in their personal residence among them, according to the Decree of the National Synod of Rochelle.
24. Whereas Monsieur Beraud appealed from the Judgment of the Provincial Synod of Higher Languedoc and Guyenne, for their continuing the Sieurs Richaud and Bicheteau in the Curatorship of the University of Montauban since the Decree of the last National Synod, and for their approving of that custom of precedency among the Elders, according to their Seniority in Office: This Assembly expounding the Canon of the aforesaid Synod of Rochelle, declareth that it never intended to set up any ordinary Curators, excepting those that be upon the place, and it only gave leave unto the Consistories, and University Counsels to call in upon extraordinary occasions such persons as they judged best able to advise and assist them; and therefore can in no wise approve of this Intendency ordained by the Provincial Synod. And as for the other point, it cannot allow the Provincial Synods to make orders about precedency, and condemns the said Province for so doing; and farther it does appoint all Consistories to use their prudence in preventing of those disorders and confusions, which may fall out on such punctilio's, and to take care that everyone have that respect paid him which is due unto him.
25. The appeal of the Sieurs Rafin, Perrot, and Phillipy about their expenses unto the last National Synod is sent back unto the Neighbor Province, with full power to determine finally therein, according to the Canon of the same Synod concerning Pecuniary matters.
26. The Sieur Beraud brought in an Appeal of the Colloquy of Armagnas, which complained of the Province of Higher Languedoc and Guyenne, that merely out of conformity to their Neighbors, would send their Deputies to the Synods of Lower Languedoc and Guyenne. This Assembly approving the resolution of the said Synod, Censures the Colloquy for their opposition, and makes null and void their Appeal.
27. Master Claudius Maillard Doctor of Physic, and heretofore Elder in the Church of Orleans appealed from the judgment of his Provincial Synod held at Gien, by which the said Maillard was censured together with his book written by him against his own Pastor Monsieur du Moulin, and because it had ordained that his Censure should be published in the Church before the whole Congregation; the said Maillard pleading that neither his Book nor Person ought to have been censured, but only that formality of his having caused it to be printed; and farther, that the Censure past upon Mr. du Moulin by the same Synod ought also to have been published in the Congregation. Upon perusal of that aforesaid Printed discourse, and published by the said Maillard, and sent by him subscribed with his own hand unto this Assembly, and the several acts produced by him proving his assertions. And Monsieur du Moulin being heard apologizing for himself, and his demand of License to depart from the said Church and Province, both which he had long ere this have quitted, had it not been, that he expected the sitting of this Assembly; and the Deputies of the said Church being heard earnestly requesting his return unto them: The Acts also of the Colloquy held at Baugency being perused, which condemned the Consistory of Orleans, for not deposing of Isaiah Fleureau from his Office, and for not publishing his suspension from the Lord's Table, notwithstanding his Appeal, and finally the act of the Synod before-mentioned, together with what was done about its execution by the Deputies sent from the Synod: After mature deliberation of all these things, this Assembly judged that the said Maillard had do reason at all to Appeal from the sentence of the Synod, considering the greatness of his fault, which is again condemned both in substance and circumstance; and ordaineth that he shall call in all his Books dispersed abroad and suppress them, and judgeth that the said Colloquy ought in no wise to have hindered the Appeal of the said Fleureau: And as for the said Sieur du Moulin, This Assembly approveth the judgment of the Synod, and the proceedings of the Pastors delegated for its execution; but cannot allow of the departure of the said du Moulin, since the denunciation of the said Sentence: And it ordaineth that the said du Moulin, shall be restored unto the Church of Orleans, which is enjoined to love, honor and maintain him; And that an effectual reconciliation may be wrought among them, Messieurs Ferrier, Chauve, de Montdenis and Basnage Ministers, together with the Lord of Fiefbrun an Elder, and the other Elders Deputed with the aforesaid Elders unto this National Synod, are commissioned by it to transport themselves unto the Church of Orleans, and there by Authority of this Assembly, to ordain whatsoever may be judged expedient for the mollifying of those Hearts, and abating of those heats, and reconciling of the divided parties, and the happy re-establishment of the Ministry of the said Sieur du Moulin in that Church, and to inflict such Censures as are meet upon the Refractory and Contumacious Members, which shall oppose and hinder this pacification.
28. The Provincial Synod of Poitou dismissed over unto this Assembly the last Censure of Master Fiacre Picard sometime Minister in the Church of Chastelheraut, who being convicted in the said Synod of several notorious Crimes, was suspended until now from his Office, and commanded to appear in person before this Assembly. The Deputies of the Province gave an account of the Synods judgment past upon him, produced the Accusations brought in against him, and the several proofs and Evidences of them, together with his Letters and Confessions. After which the said Picard was called in, and heard speak in his own defense; some things he owned, and others he denied, whereupon this Assembly confirmeth the judgment past upon him by the Province of Poitou, and farther to shame and humble the said Picard, it Decrees that he shall continue suspended for a full year, and until the next Provincial Synod of Saintonge, unto which he shall give his personal appearance, and bringing with him sufficient Attestations of his good Life and Conversation, approved by the Inhabitants of the places of his abode, he may be re-admitted into the Sacred Ministry, but not to officiate within the Precincts of the Province of Poitou; and as for his request, that we would in some manner relieve him under his great wants: this Assembly granteth unto the Province of Saintonge a supernumerary portion, which may be given to him.
29. The Appeal of divers persons inhabiting the Parish of St. Sulpice within the Marquisate of Royan, who by the Provincial Synod of Saintonge, were adjudged to the Church of Royan, was reported, together with the arguments urged on both sides; This Assembly leaveth the said Inhabitants unto their liberty to join themselves either to the Church of Saujon or Royan, as best liketh them, only adviseth them to choose that which is nearest the place of their abode. And this same order shall be of force with respect to the Village of Petit Pont, and la Maison des Hurtins near unto la Tremblade, that so the Decree of the Synod of Saintonge may be confirmed and established. And the Appeal of the Church of Aruert is hereby vacated.
30. The Appeal of the Sieur Maurice, Pastor in the Church of Orange, complaining or his Provincial Synod for their over much Indulgence unto the Lady d' Aramond is rejected; It being a known case that that same Synod could finally determine in such affairs.
31. The Church of Vertueil and Villefaignon appealed from a Decree of the the Synod of Saintonge, which adjudged Monsieur Perier to be Minister in the Church of Pons for one year, with purpose, as the Deputies of the Province declared, to have continued him there during life, if so be those of Pons should approve of it, who also did most importunately demand it from this Assembly. Upon hearing of all the parties concerned, this Synod ordaineth that the said Monsieur Perier shall be the proper and ordinary Pastor of the Church of Pons, but with this condition, that the said Church do pay unto the Church of Vertueil and her annexed Congregations three hundred Livers, disbursed by them for his maintenance at the University; and those annexed Congregations shall remain united and conjoined as formerly unto the Church of Vertueil: And the Sieur Gomard Pastor of the said Church of Vertueil, shall do the same work at Villefaignon as the said Perier had done before him, to whom also the said Churches shall pay the remaining dues of his Salary.
32. The Appeal of Monsieur Voysin from the Colloquy of Lauragais concerning the maintenance of his Uncles Widow, Madam Voysin, by the Church of Puylaurens, is remanded back unto the Province, to pass a final Judgment on it.
33. The Appeal of Samuel Gautier Lord of Aulnes from the Provincial Synod of Normandy was rejected.
34. The Appeal of the Church of Pamiers from the Decree of the Synod of Higher Guyenne, importing that the said Church should pay yearly the sum of five and forty Livers unto the poor necessitous family of their late deceased • astor Monsieur Fraugier, was read. Whereupon this Assembly, having heard on the one side Monsieur Nouellhan pleading for that Church, and the Deputies of the Province on the other side against them, declared the Appeal Null, but withal ordered that the Province was bound in Prudence and Charity to take some course for their present relief, and future subsistence, either at the sole charges of that Church, or in case of their inability, by the help and assistance of the Province; which also is advised to consult whether it would not be more expedient to continue the Pension as it is now stated, or to pay in at once or twice a good round sum as a settled stock for the discharge of that Pension.
35. Monsieur Welsh a Scotchman Minister in the Province of Saintonge Appealed from the said Province; because that in its last Synod held at Rochelle, they had adjudged his Ministry unto the Church of Jonzac until such time as God should recall him back into Scotland; Which was a grievance to him. This Assembly having read his Letter, and the reasons urged for him, and for the Province against him, approveth the Judgment of the Province, and Decrees that he shall serve in the said Church: However for the Consolation of the said Mr. Welsh it enjoins the next Colloquy to the Classis of Jonzac, or the Synod, to deliberate what will be best expedient both for him and the Church; and in case he be not inclined to serve the said Church of Jonzac, another Church shall be provided for him within the Province, such an one as may be most meet for him, excepting that of Pons, to which he was once presented by this Assembly. And further he is commanded both in Preaching and in the exercise of Discipline to conform unto that order and manner used and accustomed in the Churches of this Kingdom.
36. The Church of Foix and Tarascon complained in their Appeal of the Synod of Higher Languedoc and Guyenne for entering into the common charges a part of two Supernumerary Portions, which had been granted them by the last National Synod. Upon which it was answered that the said Church had done well in appealing, and that it was unjustly Decreed by the said Synod; which is now enjoined by the authority of this Assembly to make restitution of what they had taken from those two aforesaid Portions unto the said Church.
37. The Sieur de Beauvoysin Appealed from the judgment of the Provincial Synod of Lower Languedoc, because of the differences fallen out betwixt him and Monsieur Isaiah Ferrier Pastor in the said Province▪ Upon hearing the state of that whole affair at large, and the method used by the Province, which never refused to accommodate it, but only delayed it, because of the absence of one of the Parties, caused by the proceedings of the other; This Assembly judged the Appeal of the said Beauvoysin to be ill laid, and therefore remands the whole process back again unto the Province; and injoineth both Parties personally to appear at their next Synod, and that Provincial Synod to work out between them a good reconcilement. Upon which the Memoirs brought by the Lord of Puymichel Deputy for Provence were restored to him, that he might put them into the hands of the said Sieur de Beauvoysin.
38. The Colloquy of the Isles in Saintonge Appealed from the Decree of the Provincial Synod, which had rebuked the said Colloquy for over-rigorous censuring the Minister of the Church in St. Just, because of his non-appearance at their Meeting in Soubize, and of the Sieur Petit Deputy from the Synod for publishing that aforesaid Decree in the said Church. This Assembly having heard Monsieur Merlin speak in behalf of the Synod, and Monsieur Bonnet for the Colloquy, judged that the Church of Soubize failed in their Letter of Summons, inserting a clause that the Colloquy had exceeded their power by an over-rigorous censure inflicted on the said Church and Minister; and it approveth the Decree of the Synod against the said Colloquy: But for as much as publication hath not been made of it, we do ordain that it shall be forborne: only Monsieur Petit shall read in the Consistory of the Church of St. Just this present Article, that so the honor of the said Minister maybe repaired.
39. Bertrand Faugier formerly Minister of the Church of Viners in Dauphiné appealed from the Decree of the Synod of that Province, whereby he was Deposed from the Sacred Ministry; but his Appeal was declared null and void, for non-appearance in person at this Assembly.
40. The Appeal of the Church of Lamure in Dauphiné from a Decree of their Provincial Synod being only about Money matters shall according to the Canon made at Rochelle be determined by the next adjoining Province.
CHAP. VI. Of General Matters.
1. NO Church shall seek a Minister for itself out of the Province, unless it have first consulted with the Colloquies or Synod of the Province.
2. The Provinces shall be admonished carefully to observe the tenth Article of the eighth Chapter of our discipline, wherein are declared the proper causes which may be brought by Appeals unto our National Synods, and if any shall hereafter bring those matters before us, which are determinable in Provincial Synods, they shall not be heard. And Provincial Synods shall give notice hereof unto such persons as Appeal without just cause.
3. The Deputies of those Provinces, in which are erected the Mixt Courts consisting of half Protestants and half Papists, are ordered in the name of this Assembly to wait upon the Lord's Presidents, and Counselors of those Mixed Courts professing the Reformed Religion, and to exhort them to persevere in their zeal and good affection to the general welfare of the Churches, and of their poor oppressed Members, who have recourse to them for justice against their oppressors, and Letters shall be written to them to this purpose.
4. The Consistory of Nerac shall in the Name of this Assembly exhort the Lord's Presidents and Counselors professing the Reformed Religion in the mixed-Court of Guyenne to take special care that nothing do pass in their Court to the prejudice of the Edicts and Articles granted to the Professors of our Religion, and that private persons may not be unjustly oppressed. And in case of their neglect, and connivency at such injustice, the Consistory of the said Church shall proceed against them by all Church Censures.
5. The Deputies of Lower Languedoc moved this Question; what course should be taken with those persons against whom the Consistories having proceeded by Church Censures for their delinquencies, according to the Discipline, were yet abetted by their Friends and Kinred, who combining together with them against the Consistories, do forbear hearing of Sermons, neglect Sacraments, and refuse their ordinary contributions towards the maintenance of the Ministry. It was decreed, that they be prosecuted both abettors and abetted with all Church-Censures; and Colloquies, and Provincial Synods ordered are to take special care that these Censures be duly executed.
6. The Deputies of the Isle of France and Picardy propounding it, the Provinces are charged to proceed against such as do by underhand dealings canvass for deputations unto Politcal Assemblies, by all Church Censures. And they who Represent the Provinces shall make oath that they never obtained to be Deputies by any of those unfair practices, and in all Elections of members unto such Assemblies in whatsoever place, Burrough, City, or Province, that they neither have nor shall in any wise give their Votes for them who by such undue courses have demanded, Craftily contrived, or Ambitiously affected, and sought after those Deputations, nor have they, nor will they seek or demand the same for themselves by such or the like ways and means. And in case his Majesty out of his Royal Bounty should defray their charges at those General Assemblies; It is ordained, that the Moneys, so given by him, shall be received by the Treasurer of the Churches, for their benefit; and the Churches shall pay the respective Deputies all the expenses of their Journy.
7. the Provinces are enjoined never to depute unto our General National Assemblies, whether Political or Ecclesiastical, the Professors of Theology, nor shall they be employed in any Deputations unto Court: And whether they shall be sent or not unto our National Synods, it's left wholly to the prudence of the Provinces.
8. Theophilus Bleuitt, otherwise called, de la Comb having been deposed from the Ministry by the Province of Anjou, and his deposition ratified by an act of the last National Synod held at Rochelle, presented himself unto this Assembly craving the favor of re-admission into the Ministry. The Assembly having heard the causes for which he was deposed, and those enormous Crimes whereof he stood convicted, declareth him utterly unworthy of that Sacred Office; yea, that he shall not be so much as suffered to teach School in any of the Reformed Churches of this Kingdom, and forbids him for the future ever to put his foot within any of our Synodical Assemblies more.
9. The Deputies of the Isle of France moving it, this Assembly decreed, that in those Provinces where that Custom was established, of bringing the fifth Penny of all Charities to the Colloquies or Provincial Synods, to be employed in the maintenance of our Proposans, shall continue it as long as they see it expedient: And in case any Churches of the Provinces should oppose themselves against it, they be enjoined to conform unto the practice of the major party, on pain of being deprived of the Ministry. In consequence hereof, the Deputy of Burgundy complaining of the great inconveniencies befallen them by the Exemption of the Church of Lion from this Ordinance, it was again decreed, that the said Church should be subjected to it, as well as the other Churches of that Province.
10. It's left to the prudence of Consistories to judge what Poor are fit to be relieved by every particular Church, and who are to be sent back unto the places of their Nativity, or of their former Residence: And herein to carry it with all Charity both towards the Poor, and those Churches whereunto they do return them.
11. The Deputies of the Lower Guyenne moving it, this Assembly resolved, That Protestant Soldiers, to receive the Relief granted by His Majesty unto those who had been maimed in His Service, might wear the Cross on their Cloaks, not as a Badge of Superstition, but as the Mark and Cognisance of their Afflicted Condition, and they should not therefore be excluded Communion at the Lord's Table: But withal, they be advised to take special care that in Church-Meetings they do avoid all occasions of giving offense unto the weak Members.
12. Ministers in giving their Attestations unto them who would be provided of Offices, as Governors, and Lieutenants of places in our Cautionary Towns, (the places of Surety granted us by the King) or of Offices in the Courts of the Edict, shall be exceeding careful that the 23th Article of General Matters in the National Synod of Rochelle, be fully observed, and those who do act otherwise shall be suspended from their Ministry for one whole year.
13. Divers Provinces complaining of the general contempt of the blessed Gospel of our Lord Jesus, of the Blasphemies, Debauches, and Profaneness universally abounding among us, of the woeful decays of Faith and Charity, threatening us with a deluge of Divine Wrath ready to break in upon us for the ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, and that therefore it's most needful to appoint a day of solemn public Prayer and Fasting to be kept in all the Churches of this Kingdom, for their extraordinary humiliation before God, and the averting of his Judgments from us. This Assembly ordaineth, that it shall be celebrated in all our Churches the first Tuesday of November next ensuing, which will be the fifth day of the same month.
14. That hereafter there may be a General Uniformity in the Churches of this Kingdom in the Administration of the Lord's Supper, and all scruples by reason of difference and singularity arising in weak, but honest hearts, uncapable of distinguishing between the Substance and Circumstance of the Sacred Action may be prevented; all Pastors are enjoined to abstain from any new or private Methods of their own, as of reading the words of Institution between the ordinary long Prayer, and that appointed particularly for this Sacrament, which ought indeed to be read after, nor shall they, whilst reading the words of Institution, uncover the Bread and Wine, nor shall they bring the people up in ranks unto the Table, there to sit or stand, whereas they should cause the faithful to pass one after another up unto it; nor shall the Exhortations or Thansgivings be made till that the Elements have been distributed among the Communicants of every Table; nor shall the Cup be given by the faithful one unto another, it being contrary to the express Letter of a Canon of our Discipline, which ordaineth Pastors, if possible, or if they cannot, the Elders to assist the Pastor tired by the multitude of Communicants in populous Churches, to deliver it. And Colloquies and Synods shall have their Eyes over those who act contrary to this Order, and reduce them to their duty by all befitting Censures.
15. Colloquies and Synods shall use their best discretion in the exercise of Discipline upon those persons, who, that they may inflame our Churches, raise and foment Divisions in them, do get into Offices of Judicature, do plead for those Incendiaries, and procure them Monopolies and secret Subscriptions under Hand and Seal.
16. The province of the Isle of France demanding that the poorer Churches might be relieved out of our common Stock: The inconveniencies having been well considered in case a General Order about this matter should be enacted; This Assembly doth, as that of Rochelle did before it, leave it wholly to the prudence and charity of the several Provinces, to see that what is done herein do make for Edification.
17. The Deputies of Saintonge propounding this Question, Whether a Baptism administered by a deposed Minister at the request, and in the presence of the whole Church, were valid? This Synod judgeth, that in case the deposed Minister had presented his Appeal unto a National Synod, the Baptism were valid, and ought not to be reiterated. But nevertheless, if any such Deposed Minister shall hereafter presume to Administer any public Ordinances, he shall be denounced Excommunicate immediately.
18. The Deputies of Poitou demanding how they should act where the Banes of Marriage were forbidden before the last time of Publishing. This Assembly judged, that in case the opposition were made without Authority from the Civil Magistrates, the Consistories might continue their Publication, but otherwise not, unless the Magistrate should only forbid the Celebration of that Marriage, and not the Publishing of the Banes.
19. The Deputies of Saintonge informed this Assembly that the Printer of Rochelle designed with our approbation a new Impression of the Bible in a Lesser Volume, more Commodious, and that might be easily carried anywhere in the pocket; and forasmuch as divers Godly persons desired there might be an Index added to it of those Texts, which were most proper and pertinent for confirming the Truth, and confuting Error: This Synod approved the undertaking because of its singular usefulness, and entreated Monsieur Merlin to see it accomplished: which also he promised to perform.
20. The Deputies of Poitou craved remedy against that evil custom in divers Churches, of sending their Pastors without Elders unto Colloquies and Provincial Synods. This Assembly replied that no general Order could be well decreed in this Case, and therefore left the whole unto the prudence of the provinces.
21. A Case was proposed, How a Minister might govern himself when enjoined by the Magistrate to press those who were privy to any notorious Crime to reveal it. It was answered, that he was under no obligation of obedience unto such commands, no more than he was to discover the secret passages and transactions of the Consistory. Wherefore all Pastors are admonished to take no notice of any such injunctions, and the Churches are ordered to stand by them in case, for this their refusal, their Ministers should be prosecuted by the Superior Civil Powers.
22. The Province of Anjou made this Proposal, that it were expedient the Provinces should nominate some worthy Ministers particularly to Study controversies, and in every Province someone to be most prepared for the defense of one particular Truth opposed by our Adversaries. The Assembly approved and embraced the motion, and divided the controversies among the Provinces in this ensuing Order. To wit.
- 1. To Poitou, de verbo Dei Scripto & non Scripto.
- 2. To Anjou, de Christo, & Pontifice, & Antichristo.
- 3. To Saintonge, de Ecclesiâ & Conciliis.
- 4. To Orleans and Berry, de Ministrorum vocatione, gradibus, & potestate Clavium.
- 5. To the Isle of France, de Monachis, Clericis & Laiciss.
- 6. To Provence, de Limbo Patrum, Infantium, & Purgatorio,
- 7. To Normandy, de sanctorum beatitudine, Invocatione, reliquis, Angelorum Hierarchiis, cultu & Ministerio.
- 8. To the Higher Languedoc, de Sacramentis in genere, & de veris in specie.
- 9. To the Lower Guyenne, de sacrificio, & Missâ Poncisl • i ••
- 10. To Burgundy, De quinque falsis Sacramentis Pontificiorum, ubi & de Indulgentiis & Jubileo.
- 11. To the Lower Languedoc de Statu primi hominis, peceato, & causâ peccati.
- 12. To Brittany, de precato Originally, Lege & Legis impletione.
- 13. To Vivaretz, de libero arbitrio & praedestinatione.
- 14. To Dauphiné, de justification, bonis operibios, & meri • o in genere & in specie.
And the Provinces shall choose Persons meet and fit for this work, and shall enjoin them to be ready upon all occasions, as oft as necessity requites them, either to defend the Truth, or refute the Adversary.
23. Neither Colloquies nor Synods shall be Assembled in any other form than that prescribed by the Discipline, whatever Authority may be pretended for it. Nor shall any Single Minister give of his own head an Attestation upon any ground or occasion whatsoever, to such who not professing our Religion, may demand it of him, without Warrant first had from his Colloquy or Synod for so doing, on pain of being Suspended from the Ministry of the Word and Sacraments.
CHAP. VII. Concerning Universities and Colleges.
WHereas the Deputies of the Church of Montauban were ordered by the last National Synod held at Rochelle, to bring in a faithful Account of the Moneys assigned to their University, and have given no Satisfaction unto this Assembly about this matter, there appearing divers defects in their said Accounts: This Assembly doth therefore turn them over to the Synod of Higher Languedoc, before which they shall produce the Evidences and Acquittances of those their Accounts; and having audited and cleared them from all defaults, they shall make report thereof unto the next National Synod. And farther, this Assembly declareth, That it is not our Intention that the Wages of Regents in the several Classes, should be put into those Accounts, but only those of the Professors in Divinity, and of the Hebrew and Greek Tongues, and the two Professors of Philosophy. And the Commissioners, who shall be appointed to audit the said Accounts, are to remember, that they allow of no Wages, but only to them who are in actual service, and not to any vacant Professorship. Moreover, they shall over-see the extraordinary Counsels of the University, and give their Judgment whether matters have been well or ill managed, and the said University Counsel shall be only composed of Pastors and Elders named by the Provincial Synod. Finally, we do not judge it reasonable, that the aforesaid Deputies of Montauban should lay claim to any Moneys from the Province, or University, to defray their Charges hither; nor shall the said Province be obliged to allow them one Farthing.
2. A Censure was past upon the Universities of Nismes and Montpellier, for not having brought in their Accounts, (as they were ordered by the last National Assembly held at Rochelle, ) neither to this Assembly, nor to their own Provincial Synod, and the Province was also censured for not calling them to account; and therefore they be enjoined to carry their Accounts unto the Consistory of the Church of Lions, unto which there shall be called two of the Neighbor Pastors within one month after the Meeting of their Provincial Synod. And the same difficulties being found in the Accounts of the University of Sedan, it is also charged to bring them in in good form, and make report of them unto the next National Synod: And whereas there is in that University a Professor of the Laws, which is not instituted in any of our Universities by the Authority of our National Synods, we give them to understand that no Salary, though' allowed by them unto him, shall be comprised or approved in the said Accounts.
3. The Debate about the Government of our Universities having been dismissed over to this National Assembly by that last held at Rochelle, a Decree now passed, that inasmuch as their number could not be diminished at present, without many inconveniencies, those which were erected by the Synod of Rochelle shall be continued, to wit, Montauban, Saumur, Nismes, Montpellier and Sedan; only the number of their Professors shall be thus stated and fixed, at Montauban two Professors in Divinity, whereof one being a Pastor, shall receive for his Salary but three hundred and fifty Livers, and the other seven hundred. One Professor of Hebrew, who being a Pastor, shall receive but two hundred Livers, being half-wages for his professing the Hebrew Language. One Professor in Greek, who shall have four hundred Livers, and two Professors of Philosophy, who shall have four hundred Livers a-piece. And in case the said University shall in a short time be supplied with Professors wholly Academical, and not having any other Employment, to whom complete Wages must be given, then the over-plus wanting to them shall be paid them by the next National in Synod, if the said University be not by their Accounts indebted to us; which • aid Accounts shall be stated from their first Institution, according to the number and quality of their Professors in actual service. And in case the City of Montauban should refuse to maintain that College composed of a Principal and seven Regents, who are now in it, we do declare unto them that their Privilege of being an University, shall be devolved from them upon the Town of Bergerac, which offers a far greater Maintenance.
4. The Universities of Nismes and Montpellier shall receive two thousand five hundred Livers, equally to be divided between them both, that so a Professor of Divinity, and another of the Hebrew and Greek Tongues may be maintained in each of them, and that the other incidental necessary Charges of the said Universities may be defrayed.
5. Five hundred Livers shall be given unto Sedan for the Maintenance of one Professor in Divinity, one of the Hebrew, and another of the Greek Tongue. There shall be maintained at Saumur as many Professors as at Montauban, and their little College also consisting of five Regents. And for their Maintenance, according to the draught already brought in, there is granted them the sum of four thousand one hundred and ninety Livers. All which sums are bestowed upon the said Universities free from the defalkation of a Sous upon the Livers, which the Lord du Kandel hath liberally and generously quitted to them in this Assembly. And all these Orders are only established for the present, and to be in force no longer than till the meeting of the next National Synod; whereunto the Provinces are exhorted to come prepared with their best digested thoughts about this important business.
Those of the Town of Bergerac, assisted by the Deputies of their Province, reported unto this Assembly, that they had raised a Stock of Moneys sufficient to maintain an Academy for the Education of our Youth, and to detain them from going to the Colleges of the Jesuits. This Synod highly applauded their zeal and forwardness, and grants the Privileges of a College unto that already founded by their Collections and good Husbandry. But because of the general complaint of the Provinces, that we have too great a number of Universities, we cannot permit the Erection of any new ones, besides the College of Bergerac, according to the description given us of it, will render those inexcusable, who send their Children unto the Jesuits because, it is as well supplied and furnished with Regents to instruct our Youth in Grammar-Learning and Philosophy, as the best of our Adversaries.
7. The Province of Dauphiné is exhorted to rest contented with their own proper stock, for the same reasons as were alleged in the case of Bergerac, only one hundred Crowns are allotted to them as to those Provinces which have no Universities.
8. My Lord the Duke of Sully acquainting this Assembly with his design of settling a College, for the benefit of the Churches of this Kingdom in the Town of Gergeau, until such time as that of Boisbelle built by him be completely finished. The Synod applauding his noble pious design, consents that there shall be settled upon this Foundation five hundred Crowns yearly, to be taken out of the Moneys granted us by his Majesty's liberality, on this condition, that the said College be governed by the same Laws and Orders with the others formerly erected in this Kingdom.
9. Although the Universities of Montauban, Nismes, Montpellier and Sedan have not done their duties about their Accompts as they were charged by the last National Synod; yet for some certain considerations this Assembly suffers them to receive from the Treasurer General, the Moneys ordered them by the said Synod, but on this condition, that if they do not bring in an exact Account unto the places appointed, they shall forfeit their privileges of being Universities.
10. We leave it to the Prudence of Academical Counsels to determine at what times our young Students having perfected their Course of Philosophy, may be admitted to make their Proposition, without tying them up to a fixed and limited term, because of the vast difference between the parts of some, and the great and apparent progress of others in human learning: And they may judge also whether it be convenient, that the censures past upon our Scholars, should be done in their presence, or in their absence only and to be reported to the Proposan by the Moderator.
11. The Universities and Colleges are enjoined strictly to examine our Students in Philosophy, as soon as they have finished their course of two years, and all Rectors and Professors are forbidden to create them Masters of Arts, unless they be found capable; and this self same order shall oblige Professors of Divinity for their Scholars, that they do not make them Licentiates in Divinity but upon the very self same terms.
12. Those Provinces which had an hundred Crowns a-piece granted them by the last National Synod of Rochelle for the erecting of Schools, and have not produced their Regents Acquittances in this Synod, are charged to bring them unto the next, on pain of losing their Privileges.
13. The Province of Anjou tendering by Monsieur Bouchereau one of their Deputies, the Accompts of Moneys ordained for the maintenance of the University of Saumur: This Assembly having audited them, decreed that the five hundred Livers expended in building of Galleries for conveniency of the Professors and Scholars in their Temple, shall be born by all the Churches of this Kingdom, because of the poverty of that Church, and their faithful and prudent management of the said Moneys received by them. And upon a full view of their Accompts, it appeared, that the Officers, Regents, and several Professors of that University had been paid their Stipends to the first day of April past, and that the Sieurs de Trochorege Professor of Divinity, Birgam Professor of the Hebrew, and des Rochers Principal of the College were paid theirs before hand by way of advance unto the first day of July next coming. And all this being deducted from the Account aforesaid, Master Philip Pineau Receiver of the said Moneys, stands indebted to the said University in the sum of one thousand two hundred, thirty nine Livers, nine Sous, and two deniers, which shall be employed for the maintenance of the said University, in such manner as shall be hereafter ordained. And the evidences of the said Accompts shall be kept by the Province of Anjou, but the Originals shall be transmitted to the Archives of the Church and Consistory of Rochelle.
CHAP. VIII. Of Particular Matters.
1. THE Sieurs Cerizier an Elder, Guerin and the Senior du Moustier Deputies from the Church of Loudun, petitioned that two Ministers might be given them for Pastors out of the Synod of Poitou. This Assembly not approving their searchings abroad in several Synods, especially in that of Poitou, for supplies, hath sent them back to their own Province, to be provided there according to the Discipline. And it being told them, that Monsieur Fleury was at liberty to quit his Church in their Province, they demanding him, he was accordingly given them for their Pastor.
2. The difference between Monsieur Constantine and the Province of Saintonge about Moneys claimed by him from them, is dismissed over to the Synod of Poitou, to be finally determined by them.
3. The Church of Orleans requesting a supply of Moneys to the defraying of those extraordinary Charges they have been at, by reason of their divisions. This Assembly turned them over to their own Province, who should provide for them out of the common Stock distributed among them.
4. The Province of Upper Guyenne shall judge whether the Sieur Girard may Preach in the Church of Mauvoisin, he being employed by its Pastor, without breaking of their Peace: And in case it may be done, the Prohibition past against him in the Synod of Gergeau, shall be taken off the File.
5. Mr. Castelfranc and Benoist, Pastors, and Mr. Barjac an Elder, are ordered by this Assembly to acquaint the Lord's President, Judges and Counselors of the Court of Castres, from their personal knowledge of what past in the Synod of Gergeau, that Monsieur Ferrier, Minister in the Church of Nismes, did neither by word or deed in the least derogate from their true and due honor; and to confirm this their Message, Letters shall be written in the name of this Assembly unto the said Lord's.
6. The Accusation of Ascanius Allion against Monsieur Cante, is again remanded back unto the Province of Dauphiné, to consider of it, and what is to be done in it, after their having heard the new matters of fact, which the said Ascanius pretends to bring in as Evidence against him: And this Assembly orders Monsieur Videl to give him twelve Crowns out of the Moneys collected for the Poor of the Valleys, and six Crowns more to be given by him unto Joshua Faravel of the Marquisate of Saluces.
7. Mr. Roy, formerly an Elder in the Church of Xaintes, renewed again his complaint, for that the Order of the last National Synod about changing the Eldership in the said Church, hath been only in part, and not totally and entirely observed; nor was that Reparation given his Wifes honor, (who had been affronted, when as God-mother she presented a Child to Baptism,) as was ordained by the Provincial Synod of Saintonge. This Assembly judgeth, that for the first of these the Consistory of the said Church is justly consurable, having but in part performed what was enjoined them, and they be once again commanded to fulfil the whole Article; and in case of their not doing it, the Synod is charged to proceed against the said Consistory by all Church Censures. And for the second point complained of by him, this Assembly, by and with Consent of the Deputies of that Province, and of the said du Roy, doth send it back unto the Synod, or to the Delegates of the Colloquies of Saintonge, who shall by Authority from us judge finally of it.
8. The Sieur Rochers, at present Minister of the Church de la Chese in Poitou, representing his very great wants, and complaining both of the Church of Gardonne, and the other Congregations in Perigord annexed to it, for being indebted to him all the Moneys granted us by His Majesty's Liberality, for part of which he gave an Acquittance the same day that he had his Licence of departure by the Colloquy of Perigord, and yet that very part is detained from him by the Province of Lower Guyenne. This Assembly having heard the Deputies of that Province, and the Sieur Charron offering satisfaction should be given him by those particular persons who were behind-hand in Arrearages to him, or else in present ready Money, or in that which was equivalent; it did advise him to accept of the offers made him, and by way of advantage, the Lord du Kandel was ordered to pay him an hundred Livers, which shall be abated in Account from the Province of Lower Guyenne, and shall be deducted by the said Sieur Rochers, if so be that the Province of Saintonge, unto which he is dismissed, do find that there be two years of the King's Bounty owing to him. And whereas the Church of Saueilles is also indebted to him, the Province of Poitou is ordered to examine the matter, and to see that he be fully satisfied.
9. The Church of Marennes petitioning that the Sieur Richer the younger, who was now freed from that Church wherein he Ministred in the Province of Champagne and Brie, might be presented to them for their Pastor: This Assembly grants that the said Richer may preach among them until such time as Monsieur de Chabosselay their Pastor shall return unto them: And the Colloquy of the Isles shall judge of what may be best expedient for the said Church, and whether the said Richer may be confirmed in it; and in case he be not employed there, he shall be at full liberty to dispose of himself elsewhere.
10. The Church of Paris petitioning by the Sieurs Durand and du Pradel, that Monsieur Ferrier might be either sent, or absolutely given them for their Pastor: This Assembly weighing the reasons urged by the Church of Paris for it, and those of the Deputies of Nismes and Languedoc against it, Judgeth that they cannot equitably dispose of the Ministry of the said Ferrier: Yet on the other hand considering the great importance and needs of the Church of Paris, it intreats the Church of Nismes to lend their said Minister Monsieur Ferrier for one year, or to resign him up wholly to them for life, when as they shall be particularly requested to it by the Church of Paris.
11. The Lord's and Pastors of the City and Church of Geneva sent their Letters unto this Assembly, demanding that the Sieurs Chauve and le Faucheur. whom they claimed as their own, might be returned to them, to exercise their Ministry among them. After hearing the Provincial Deputies of the Lower Languedoc and Vivaretz, and understanding they had none other Title to them, than that of their Birth, which also the Churches of France hath unto divers Pastors, that have, and now do actually serve the Church of Geneva; This Assembly judged, that their right unto them was not considerable, and therefore intreats the Lord's and Ministers of the City of Geneva, that they would not for the future lay any claim, or pretend any right unto them, they being lawfully established Pastors in this Kingdom, according to the Discipline of our Churches, by which the Pastors are fixed and appropriated unto their Flocks immediately upon their Ordination. All which shall be notified unto the Seignory and Ministry of the said Church and City of Geneva.
12. The Church of Chastelheraut petitioned this Assembly to provide them a worthy Pastor, they being utterly unable to procure one: It was ordered that they be assisted for six months by the Neighbor Ministers, and by the Colloquy of Higher Poitou, and particularly by Monsieur Clemenceau Pastor of the Church of Poitiers for the first month, beginning with the first of July, and the second by Monsieur Monestier Pastor of the Church of Saujon, by Monsieur Forent Pastor of Chauvigny the third, by Monsieur Mestayer Pastor of Lusignan the fourth, by Monsieur Cuville Pastor of Couche the fifth, and by Monsieur Favre Pastor of Vigean the sixth.
13. Remonstrances were made on the one hand by the Churches of Maringues and Paillac, and on the other by the Church of Issoire, this last complaining that whereas two portions of four had been formerly assigned to them, now in the last National Synod they were taken from them, without their knowledge or ever being heard speak for themselves, and given unto those of Maringues and Paillac, as also that they could never get a Minister, settled among them by the Synod of Lower Languedoc, but only the lone of one, and him too at excessive Rates and Charges. After hearing the Deputies of Lower Languedoc, the Assembly ordained, that for time to come the Churches of Maringues and Paillac should be joined to the Province of Burgundy, and in the distribution of its moneys four portions shall be assigned unto the said Churches according to the decree of the National Synod of Rochelle. And as for the Church of Issoire it shall remain incorporated with the Province of Lower Languedoc until the next National Synod: In which three portions of the Kings Moneys shall be allotted to it. And the two Provinces into which the said Churches are dismissed, shall provide Pastors for them as soon as possibly they can.
14. The affair of the Sieur Drouet Pastor in the Church of Pont le Evesque in Normandy is remitted over to the same Province, he having produced no Appeal from it.
15. The Petition of the Inhabitants of Vertueil craving Relief from the Judgment given against them in this Assembly, for their conjunction with those of Villefaignan, and equally to enjoy the Ministry of Monsieur Comar, is turned over to the next meeting of the Colloquy of Augoumois, which is authorized by this Assembly, after hearing both parties, to determine finally of that affair.
16. The Sieur Solomon a Minister having been lent for two years unto the Church of St. Triers le Perche in Limosin by the last National Synod, and being redemanded by the Church of Vanjaux in the Province of Berry, by whom he was maintained. This Assembly ordaineth that the said Mr Solomon do return within three months unto his said Church of Anjeau at the Charges of the Church of St. Triers, and the Provincial Synod of Guyenne shall provide a Pastor for them as soon as possible they can.
17. A Petition was presented by divers Gentlemen and others, Heads of Families, Members of the Church of Montague, in conjunction with the Deputies of Poitou, Declaring that forasmuch as they were well able without the Church of Vielle Vigne comfortably to maintain a Pastor, they therefore craved that one might be conferred upon them, and that they might be reincorporated with the Province of Poitou. This Assembly ordaineth, that those two Churches of Vielle Vigne and Montague, shall continue united together, and that the Pastor shall alternatively exercise in both Churches his Ministry, and shall appear in person always at the Provincial Synods of Brittany; and both these Churches shall remain in this estate, till that by the common Consent of them both, and of the two Provinces, it be otherwise altered and ordained by Authority of a National Synod.
18. Letters being writ from the Church of Minerbois meeting in the houses of the Lord's de Beaufort and de Paulignan, desiring that they might by the authority of this Assembly be joined unto the Province of Lower Languedoc, and that they might be assisted with some Money from the General stock of the Churches, for the maintenance of that Minister, which shall be assigned them: The Synod having heard the Deputies of both the Provinces of Higher and Lower Languedoc, adjudgeth the said Church unto the Higher Languedoc, and that Provincial Synod is enjoined to provide them of a Pastor, and now from this very hour there shall be one portion given to it as to the other Churches of the said Province, which shall, because of the great number and advantages of its Churches, supply that of Minerbois out of its own Stock, that so an addition may be made unto the said portion, and to what sums may be collected in the said Church to raise a competent subsistence for the Minister that shall be given them.
19. The Letters of Monsieur Aubriot, Pastor of the Church of Maes Saints Puelles, were read, which related his great Poverty, and the lamentable necessities of his Church, and he craved two or three supernumerary portions for his Maintenance in the said Church. This Assembly ordained, that the Province of Higher Languedoc shall add to the portion of the said Aubriot two portions more to be taken out of the Stock of the said Province, without drawing any augmentation to themselves from the general Stock of the Churches; considering that they have two portions drawn forth under the names of two Pastors and Professors in the University of Montauban.
20. The Deputies of Provence propounding several matters not appertaining to this Synod, they were dismissed over to the next Political Assembly.
21. The Deputies of Dauphiné complained that the Sieur Scoffier educated at their Charges in Geneva, was Ordained Pastor to a Church in Berry, and craved that he might be again returned unto Dauphiné. This Affair was dismissed over to the Provincial Synod of Burgundy, with full power of putting a final period to it, whether by making restitution of the Moneys disbursed on him, or by enjoining the said Scoffier to return unto the Province of Dauphiné.
23. The Provinces of Vivaretz and Dauphiné contending about the Church of Soyon, it is decreed that Monsieur Murac, Pastor of the said Church, shall subject himself as a Member of them to the Synods of Vivaretz, until the Church of Valence be provided of a more convenient Meeting-place within the Province of Dauphiné, whereunto the said Murac shall be appropriated; and that portion given under his name shall continue settled on the Church of Soyon. But as long as the Pastor above-mentioned shall actually serve the said Church, the portion afore-said shall be allotted to the easing and benefit of both Churches.
23. The Complaint of the Isle of France being again renewed, for that the two Ministers of the Church of Mantes and Fountainbleau by command from the Lord Duke of Sully, do receive five hundred Crowns out of the portions adjudged that Province. This Assembly ordains, that the said Synod shall remonstrate unto those Ministers once more their duty, and command them accordingly to perform it, otherwise they shall be proceeded against by all Censures. Yet nevertheless, for the support of those Churches, and of the Province also, over and above the two ordinary portions under the names of the aforesaid Ministers, and the five extraordinary granted by the National Synod of Rochelle, there be two portions more by way of vantage decreed to be thrown into the Stock of the said Province, which shall be paid them until the sitting of the next National Synod.
24. Considering the deep Poverty, and great Burdens of the Church of Maringues, by reason of their former very grievous sufferings, over and above the two portions assigned unto their Pastors, a third extraordinary one is now also bestowed upon them until the Meeting of the next National Synod.
25. The two portions formerly granted unto the Church of Aubenac, shall be continued to it, till the Sitting of the next National Synod.
26. Monsieur Poitey having gathered the Acts of our National Synods into one Volume, and tendered it unto this Assembly, humbly craving leave that by our Authority the Copies thereof might be distributed, we approving the Zeal and good Affection of the said Piotey, do not judge it expedient that any Copies thereof should be imparted, because of the ill consequences that may happen hereon, and therefore advise him to rest contented for the present, and to detain by him his worthy Labors for his own private use and benefit.
27. There being a difference between the Higher and Lower Languedoc about the Churches of Cormes and St. John du Brueil; order was given to those of the Higher Languedoc, to demand their remaining Debt of the portions of those two Churches from the Province of Lower Languedoc, which had received their Moneys; and in case they refuse to give them satisfaction, than the Province of Vivaretz, by the Authority of this Synod, shall judge and determine finally of that Affair.
28. The Province of Higher Languedoc is exhorted to consider the Expences that Monsieur Benoist, Pastor of Montauban, has been at in his just defense against the unjust proceedings of his Adversaries.
29. The same Monsieur Benoist presented the Letters of Monsieur d'Islemade, which were recommended to the Lord of Mirande our General Deputy, as also the Affair of the Sieur Piloty, propounded by the Deputies of Lower Languedoc.
30. Whereas the Widow of Monsieur Quinson deceased, complaineth of the Colloquy of Gex, for not paying her the Arrears due unto her of her Annuity; this Complaint is dismissed over to the Province of Burgundy, who shall by their Judicial Sentence put a full and final period to it.
31. The Church of Gien Situated upon the Loire being destitute of a Pastor, and addressing themselves unto this Assembly, petitioned by their Letters and by Monsieur Alix their Deputy, that by our Authority they might be provided. We Considering the necessities and importance of the said Church, Monsieur Francis l' Oyseau, now free of I engagements, is granted to them for their ordinary Minister; who also accepted of the Charge, and was sent unto that Church, who were required to take care for his Comfortable Subsistence, as being a most faithful and eminent Servant of Christ, and one that hath industriously and painfully discharged his Ministry in Sundry and divers places for many years together as appeareth by those honorable Testimonials lying by him, and given him from those Churches.
32. The Church of Poitiers complaining of the Loan of Monsieur Clemenceau their Pastor for one month unto the Church of Chastelheraut, that they could not in the least spare him: This Assembly considering their necessities, doth nominate in his stead the Sieur de la Roche Crese Pastor of the Church of Cuirey.
33. The Deputies of Berry complained in the name of their two Colloquies against that of Orleans, about an agreement made by the Church of Orleans and others with the Sieur Fluereau. This business was dismissed over to the Province of Burgundy, by whose Judicial Sentence a full and final period shall be put unto it.
34. The Churches of Vitray in Brittany and of Lassay in the Maine being at variance about the Ministry of Monsieur Conseil sometimes Pastor in the Church of Puylaurens in Lauragais. This Assembly having heard the Deputies of both Provinces, and what was urged on either hand as argument for them, doth censure the said Conseil for his actings in both those Churches, as also that Church of Lassay for their secret dealings with him to gain him wholly to themselves: yet nevertheless, judging that the Church of Vitre had no just title to the said Conseil by virtue of his private promise past unto them, the Province of Higher Languedoc having transferred him unto that of Anjou, he shall therefore continue Minister in the said Province, and be consigned to the Church of Lassay.
35. Master James Royer sent Letters and a book unto this Assembly, treating of that controversy first started by him in the Church of Geneva, and afterwards continued in that of Metz. The Letters of the Pastors of Geneva relating to this matter being read, and those also of the Consistory of Metz, craving advice from us about that custom of their Elders giving the Cup in the Sacrament unto the Communicants, and reciting the words of Institution at their delivery of it, from the eleventh Chapter of the first of Corinthians, This Synod having already determined what should be done herein by an express Canon inserted into our Discipline (in which nothing shall be changed for whatever Difficulties may arise about the delivery of the Cup;) It cannot by any means approve of the actings of the said Royer, nor at all of publishing the said book, nor the great passion discovered in his Letters And therefore Ordaineth that Letters be written unto the Church of Metz, that by them he be exhorted to follow the things that make for Christian peace and love; and we counsel and advise the said Church in answer to their Request, that forasmuch as Pastors in Populous Churches cannot without excessive toiling themselves deliver the Cup to every individual Member Communicating at the Lord's Table, they may use the help of their Eldership, but withal they shall enjoin them silence, and the Pastors only shall speak when these Sacred Elements are distributed, that so it may be generally and manifestly known, that the adminstration of the Sacraments is wholly appropriated to the Pastoral office.
36. To put an end to the difference between the Sieurs Durdez and de Beaune, this Assembly being very well satisfied that the said Durdez is indebted for those sums of Moneys mentioned in his Letters, entreateth the said de Beaune to rest contented with one hundred Livers, out of one of those portions allotted to the said Durdez.
CHAP. IX. An Order for Calling the next National Synod.
ORDER is given to the Province of Vivaretz to Assemble the next National Synod, and that within two years immediately after the month of May next, and it's left to the prudence of the said Province to choose the place, and to give notice of that day, wherein the Synod shall be opened.
CHAP. X. The Roll of Deposed Ministers.
THeophilus Bluett, and James de l'Obell, who were formerly deposed, their Deposals is new confirmed without any hope of Restauration; and their names were inserted in the National Synod of Rochelle, at the end of General Matters.
Henry Dindault, whose Deposition was confirmed in the Appeals beforementioned in this Synod, he is about five and twenty, or six and twenty years old, low of Stature, Chess-nut coloured hair, pale and meager, low visag'd.
Bertrand Faugier deposed in Dauphiné, sometimes Minister in the Church of Vienna, is of mean stature, black hair, beginning to be gray, fat and corpulent, aged about five and fifty, having a very long and large beard, and a little short-sighted.
James Vidouse deposed in the Lower Guyenne, about five and thirty years old, low of stature, Chess-nut coloured hair, long and large beard, pale, and often winking with his eyes.
One called Senerac, or Serverat, or Sajerac, born at Castres in Albigeois, formerly Minister in the Church of Lombert, in the same Colloquy, is revolted from the Truth of the Gospel unto the Idolatrous Church of Rome; he is a fellow short and thick, black hair'd, he had a full beard, but is now shaven, wrinkling always his forehead, about thirty five years old.
CHAP. XI. Moneys divided among the Churches.
1. THE Moneys gathered for the Poor of the Marquisate of Saluces were deposited in the hands of Monsieur Videl at the General Assembly of Gergeau by the Sieur Chaussepied from the Province of Poitou, amounting to the sum of fourteen hundred four and forty Livers, eight Sous, and six Deniers, and are now in the hands of the Deputies of the Province of Dauphiné.
By the Province of Orleans and Berry, one thousand nine hundred Livers.
By the Province of Brittany, seven hundred and fifty Livers, and three Sous.
By the Province of Normandy, one thousand Livers.
By the Province of Saintonge, one thousand thirty six Livers.
All which said sums of Money shall be delivered into the Consistory of the Church of Grenoble, and distributed according to the advice of those Colloquies named in the Provincial Synod of Dauphiné, and the Accounts of the said distribution shall be brought in to that Synod, and by it tendered unto the next National Synod; and the other Moneys already received, or hereafter to be received from the Provinces, not mentioned in this Act, shall de disposed of in the same manner.
2. The Lord's Governors of our Cautionary Towns are entreated by this Assembly, and shall be exhorted by the Pastors of those Churches whereunto they do belong, to bear their part and share in all charges and expenses for the common public concernments of our Churches, and to bepaid out of the Moneys which are assigned them, and particularly to allow a Sous in the Liver of those Moneys which have been formerly given to our Lord's the General Deputies, who be discharged from that defalcation. As also to bear part in the losses of the years 1604 1605 and 1606 their whole part amounting but to two thousand, four hundred twenty seven Livers, and six Sous.
4. Report being made of what was offered by the Lord's du Pradel, Rocheblave and Ricard about the Commission for Receiving our Moneys granted by his Majesty to the Churches of this Kingdom: This Assembly having well pondered all those matters and circumstances, and heard the Lord du Kandel speaking of the said Commission, which was grounded on the Contract of Gap, which he hath most faithfully discharged, judgeth that they cannot in the least remove the said Lord du Kandel from his Office and Trust, but confirm and continue him in it; yet nevertheless, thanks were returned unto the said Lord's du Pardel, Rocheblanc and Ricard for their singular affection and respect to the well-being of our poor Churches.
4. It is decreed, that the former Order in the distribution of Moneys according to the number of Pastors in each Province, shall be observed, excepting only, when as the poorer Provinces are to be gratified, by reason of the number of their Churches, the portions assigned to them not being sufficient for them.
Henceforward in all Rolls brought from the Provinces unto these National Synods, for their portions of Money to be distributed among them, no other names shall be allowed of Pastors, but such as are in actual service, or that be disabled by age or infirmities, together with those of our Students in Divinity, without mentioning the Churches unprovided for. And it's left unto Synods to take care of the poorer Provinces, to order for them according as they shall see needful.
These Original Acts and Decrees of the National Synod of St. Maixant, begun the 25th of May, and ended the 19th of June, 1609. were thus signed by
-
- Merlin, Moderator.
- Ferrier, Assessor.
-
-
Scribes.
- Rivet and
- Pradel,
CHAP. XII. A Catalogue of the Churches from whom there it Allowance given out of the King's Moneys till the next National Synod.
| 1. THE Province of Saintonge hath sixty four Pastors in actuals service, one portion for Monsieur Picard, six Proposans, in all 71. | 71. |
| 2. Anjou hath 21 Pastors in actual service, three Churches vacant, and three Proposans, in all 27. | 27. |
| 3. The Higher Languedoc hath 74 Pastors in actual service, five Churches to be supplied, two portions for Foix, one portion for Jouarre, seven Proposans, in all 84. | 84. |
| 4. Orleans hath 25 Pastors in actual service, five vacant Churches, and six Proposans, in all 36. | 36. |
| 5. Dauphiné hath sixty four Pastors in actual service, three Emeriti, eight vacant Churches, eight Proposans, in all 83. | 83. |
| 6. Normandy hath thirty Pastors in actual service, two Emeriti, six vacant Churches, six Proposans, and one portion, supernumerary in all 51. | 51. |
| 7. Provence hath seven Pastors in actual service, seven vacant Churches, three proposans, and three supernumerary portions, in all 20. | 20. |
| 8. Brittany hath 8 Pastors in actual service, six vacant Churches, four Proposans, two supernumerary portions, in all 20. | 20 |
| 9. Burgundy hath 29 Pastors in actual service, six vacant Churches, three Proposans, three supernumerary portions, and four portions for Maringues and Paillac, in all 46. | 46. |
| 10. Vivaretz hath twenty three Pastors in actual service, five vacant Churches, three Proposans, one portion for the Church of Vaurdy, two supernumerary for the Church of Aubenas, in all 34. | 034. |
| 11. Lower Guyenne hath 65 Pastors in actual service, two portions for Mr. Baduel, one vacant Church, and five Proposans, in all 73. | 073. |
| 12. The Lower Languedoc hath 95 Pastors in actual service, six Proposans, three portions for Issoire, one supernumerary for Maruegues, in all 105. | 105. |
| 13. Poitou hath one and forty Pastors in actual service, four vacant Churches, three Proposans, in all 48. | 048. |
| 14. The Isle of France, &c. hath 47 Pastors in actual service, two Emeriti, two vacant Churches, seven portions for Mantes and Fountainbleau, six Proposans, in all 64. | 064. |
| In all | 762. |
CHAP. XIII. An Account of the Dividend in the three first Quarters.
| Montauban | 2450. |
| Saumur | 4190. |
| Montpellier | 1250. |
| Nismes | 1250. |
| Sedan | 1500. |
| nbsp | 10640. |
| To our General Deputies at Court | 01650. |
| l. | s. | d. | |
| In Provence | 2508 | 18 | 6 |
| In Brittany | 2508 | 18 | 6 |
| In Burgundy | 5380 | 10 | 6 |
| In Vivaretz | 4055 | 03 | 6 |
| In Lower Guyenne | 8302 | 10 | 6 |
| In Lower Languedoc | 11526 | 16 | 0 |
| In Poitou | 5601 | 08 | 6 |
| In Saintonge | 8141 | 14 | 6 |
| In Anjou | 2982 | 01 | 6 |
| In Higher Languedoc | 9277 | 09 | 6 |
| In Orleans and Berry | 4276 | 01 | 6 |
| For the College of Gergeau | 1508 | 00 | 0 |
| In Dauphiné | 9467 | 01 | 0 |
| In Normandy | 5932 | 15 | 0 |
| In the Isle of France | 7368 | 11 | 6 |
| The total sum is | 88960 | 10 | 0 |
In these sums are included the hundred Crowns given to everyone of the Provinces for their respective Schools and Colleges; to wit; to Provence, Brittany, Burgundy, Vivaretz, Lower Guyenne, Poitou, Saintonge, Berry, Dauphiné, Normandy, and the Isle of France.
| l. | s. | d. | |
| Provence | 0885 | 16 | 06 |
| Brittany | 0885 | 16 | 06 |
| Burgundy | 2037 | 08 | 00 |
| Vivaretz | 1505 | 18 | 00 |
| Lower Guyenne | 3233 | 05 | 04 |
| Lower Languedoc | 4650 | 11 | 09 |
| Poitou | 2126 | 00 | 00 |
| Saintonge | 3144 | 14 | 00 |
| Anjou | 1195 | 17 | 04 |
| Higher Guyenne | 3720 | 09 | 04 |
| Orleans | 1594 | 09 | 04 |
| Dauphiné | 3676 | 03 | 06 |
| Normandy | 2258 | 17 | 00 |
| The Isle of France | 2834 | 13 | 00 |
| The total sum is | 33750 | 00 | 00 |
The Assembly having long waited for news of the Sieurs Ferrier, Fiefbrun and de Malleret, whom they had Deputed unto his Majesty about that affair before mentioned, and committed to their management, but finding that they passed the time limited them, and being now resolved to conclude this meeting, did give order unto the Lord's our General deputies to prosecute that business at Court, and to present his Majesty with our most humble petition about it, and the Lord of Mirande was immediately upon his coming to Paris to acquaint those fore-mentioned Deputies, that as soon as they had spoken with his Majesty their commission was expired, and that the very next day after, they should all of them return to their several homes, and give an account unto the General Deputies, of their long tarrying at Court, and what retarded their answering of this Synods Expectation from them; and our General Deputies shall inform the Provinces of what these Gentlemen have done as to their Deputation. Moreover the Lord's General Deputies shall acquaint the Provinces with all occurrences necessary to be known by us, especially if it be of Common concernment for the Churches.
CHAP. XIV. An Account of those Sums of Money which were given upon particular occasions by the Synod of St. Maixant.
1. To the Sieurs Ferrier, de Fief-brun, and Malleret, Deputed by the Synod unto the King to defray the charges of their journey the sum of 500 l.
2. In Charity to the Wife of Theophilus Bluett, 60 l.
3. To Monsieur Perrin Minister of the Church of Nyons, 150 l. Total Summ 700 l. All which moneys amounting to 700 l. allowing the Lord of Kandel his Sous in the Liver, the Assembly ordered to be deducted from the october Quarter, which is to be paid in to the Provinces the last year 1608.
5. The Lord of Kandel is desired to put 250 l. (of the 500 l. first m • ntioned) upon the account of the Governors, who are to bear one half of our charges in deputations unto Court.
4. Mr. Rivet Pastor of the Church of Touars was ordered to bring in this Ensuing account of the Universities appertaining to the Reformed Churches of this Kingdom unto the next National Synod, in Case they should call for it.
- 1. To the University of Montauban the sum of 3000 l. for two Professors in Divinity at 700 l. Salary by the year, each 1400 l: and for two professors of Philosophy at 400. Salary by the year each the sum of 800 l. For one Professor in Greek 408 l. a year, and for one Professor in Hebrew, 400 Livers a year, which is in all 3000 l.
- 2. To the University of Saumur, The sum of 4190 l. For two Professors in Theology at 700 l. Salary by the year each, 1400 l. For two Professors in Philosophy at 400 l. Salary by the year, each is 300 l. For one Professor in Greek 400 l. For one Professor in Hebrew 400 l. More for the College Erected at Saumur to the first Regent yearly the sum of 360 l. to the second, 300 l. to the third, 200 l. to the fourth, 180 l. to the fifth 150 l. All which sums amount as before to 4190 l.
- 3. To the Academy of Nismes and Montpellier Equally the sum of 2500 l. viz. For two Professors in Theology at 700 l. Salary by the year, each, is 1400 l. For two Professors in Hebrew at 400 l. each a year, is 800 l. More for other necessary occasions of the said Academies 300 l. For which they must be accountable, The whole sum put together amounts unto 2500 Livers Tournois.
- 4. To the University of Sedan the sum of 1500 l. for one Professor in Divinity his yearly Salary, 700 l. For one Professor in Greek 400 l. Yearly. For one Professor in Hebrew the like sum. All which amounts to 1500 l.
- 5. To the College of Gergeau 1500 Livers.
Merlin Moderator.
THE Acts, Decisions and Decrees OF THE XXth National Synod OF The Reformed Churches OF FRANCE, Held in the Town of PRIVAS the fourteenth day of May, In the Year of our Lord 1612.
The Contents of this National Synod.
-
- Cap. 1.
DEputies of the Synod. Synodical Officers. -
- Cap. 2.
Orders about Election of Moderator, and Deputies. Censures upon a Delinquent Deputy, unduly Elected. 3. -
- Cap. 3.
The Oath of Union sworn by all the Deputies. -
- Cap. 4.
Observations upon the Confession. Means for the preservation of Union. 2. A Prohibition unto Printers. 3. Confession approved and sworn. -
- Cap. 5.
Observations upon the Discipline. Canon amended about Novices. 1. Proposans to be examined in the Synod of Burgundy. 3. Modest Habits of Ministers and their Families. 4. A Canon for the Poor. 5. A Case about Suspension and an Appeal. 8. A Case about an Appeal from a Pastor. 11. Whether Condemned Malefactors may Communicate at the Lord's Table. 12. A Case about Marriage-promises. 14. There be sixteen Provinces. 15. The Discipline approved and sworn. -
- Cap. 6.
Observations on the Synod of St. Maixant. A Canon about Ministers Sermons, &c. 1. Two thousand Livers given Mr. Chamier to encourage him in the study of his Panstratia Catholica. 2. Two hundred Livers given Mr. Perrin for his History of the Albigenses. 3. A Canon about Monks Abjuration of Popery. 5. Children may be bapti •• d before Sermon, in case they be very sick. 7. Professors not to assist at Political Assemblies. 8. The Synods of Languedoc censured. 9. -
- Cap. 7.
Of Appeals. Method for healing the Divisions in the Church of Montauban. 5. A Minister imposed upon a Church against his and the Churches will. 6. A penitent Minister suspended. 10. An Appeal of the D. of Lesdiguieres, with its Effects. 11. A negligent Minister censured. 15. Ferrier a Pastor censured. 16. Ferrier a covetous, pragmatical Minister severely censured. 16. An Appeal of a private person from a whole Synod slighted. 19. Elders and Deacons may distribute the Cup at the Lord's Table, but silently. 22. Divisions in the Church of Orleans how composed. 23. A Minister cited, and not appearing unto a Synod, shall be deposed. 24. Intercession for Ferrier, and the Synod affronted by those his Intercessors. 25, 26. A Church, Minister, Colloquy and Synod censured. 27. An Accused Minister suspended, 28. A Book against the Mass suppressed 34. An unqualified Elder. 34. -
- Cap. 8.
The King's Proclamation of Pardon. -
- Cap. 9.
The Synods Declaration against this Proclamation. -
- Cap. 10.
General matters. Inspection of Presses. 1. Of Proposans. 2. A Canon about calling of Converts unto Church-Offices. 4. An Act for the National Fast. 5. -
- Cap. 11.
The Act of Re-union. -
- Cap. 12.
A Warrant for 45000 l. for the Churches. Councillors in the Courts of the Edict censured. 14. A Catalogue of all Pastors and Proposans must be sent from the Provinces to the National Synods. 15. The patience and courage of the Synod. 16. Palot sued. 17. -
- Cap. 13.
Particular matters. A Petition from the Protestants in the Arch-Bishopric of Avignon. 1. Monsieur Chamier desired by two or three Universities at one time to be their Professor in Divinity. 2. Difference between the Churches of Nismes and Valence. 3. Non-residents. 5. A Riot in a Church examined. 16. The misery of the Churches of Gex. 19. The Church of Bergerac censured, 21. Mr. du Moulin hath the thanks of the Synod for his Book of Justification against Tilenus. 26. Pastors removed. 31, 32, 33. -
- Cap. 14.
Of Colleges and Universities. -
- Cap. 15.
Roll of Vagrants and Apostates. -
- Cap. 16.
Lord of Kandel 's Accounts. -
- Cap. 17.
A Dividend of Moneys among the Provinces. -
- Cap. 18.
A Dividend of Moneys among the Universities and General Deputies.
THE Synod of PRIVAS.
Acts of the National Synod held at Privas in Vivaretz, in the Year of our Lord, One thousand six hundred and twelve, begun the 14th of May, and continued for several days after, even until Wednesday the fourth of July.
CHAP. I. Of the Deputies to the Synod.
There appeared as Deputies,
FOR the Province of Vivaretz, Master John de la Faye, Pastor of the Church of Aubenas, Mr. Michael le Faucheur, Pastor of the Church of Annonay, Paul de Chambaud, Lord of St. Quintin, Elder of the Church at St. Fortunate, and Isaac Gautier Advocate, Elder of the Church of Annonay.
For the Churches of the Principality of Béarn, Mr. John d'Abadie, Pastor of the Church of Nay, and Mr. Raymond Thoulouze, Pastor of the Church of St. Gladie, and the Lord David de Brassalay, Elder of the Church of Maslay, and Master David de Saliens, Lord of Hairdultant, Advocate for the King in Navarre, Elder of the Church of Baigter, or Baigle.
For Provence, Monsieur James de la Planche, Pastor of the Church of Lormarin, and Mr. Peter Huron, Pastor of the Church of Riez, Peter de Villeneufve, Lord of Espinouze, Elder in the Church of Riez, and John Feurandy, Elder of the Church of Manosque.
For Dauphiné, Mr. Daniel Chamier, Pastor of the Church of Montlimard, and Mr. John Paul Perrin, Pastor of the Church of Nions, and Mr. John Julian Advocate, Elder in the Church of Grenoble, and Francis de la Comb, Elder in the Church of St. Marcellin.
For Burgundy, Mr. David du Piotay, Pastor of the Church of Gex, and Mr. Anthony le Blanc, Pastor of the Church of Lions, Mr. Job Bonnett Advocate, Elder in the Church of Chaalons, and Humbert Perreau Advocate, Elder in the Church of Bussy.
For Berry, Orleans, Blesois, Dunois and Nivernois, Mr. Stephen de Montsanglard, Pastor of the Church of Corbigny lez St. Leonard, and Mr. Simeon Jurieu, Pastor of the Church of Chastillion upon Loir, and Jerome Groslott Lord de l'Isle, Elder in the Church of Orleans, and Elias du Bois Lord of Seinerreves, Elder in the Church of Chasleaudun.
For the Lower Languedoc, Mr. Andrew de la Faye, Pastor of the Church of St. Germain, and Mr. Peter Rossel, Pastor of the Church of Bedarieux, and Peter de Malmont Advocate, Elder in the Church of Nismes, and John Breny Lord of Hommes-Sargues, Elder in the Church of Albiez.
For the Upper Languedoc, Mr. Bernard de Sonis, Pastor and Professor of Divinity in the University of Montauban, and Mr. Hector Joly, Pastor of the same Church, and Levy de Barjac, Lord of Biraul, Elder in the Church of Brueil, and James du Croix Advocate, Elder in the Church of Castres.
For the Lower Guyenne, Mr. Moses Ricotier, Pastor of the Church of Clerac, and Mr. Moses Ferrand, Pastor of the Church de la Parade, and John de Verteil, Lord of Maleret, Elder in the Church of Bourdeaux, and Stephen Maniald Advocate, Elder also of the same Church.
For the Province of Saintonge, Aulnix, and Augoulmois, Mr. Paul Bonnet, Pastor in the Church of Saujon, and Mr. Samuel Petit, Pastor of the Church of Xaintes, and Samuel de Campet, Baron of Saujon, Elder in the Church of Saujon, and Elias de Glatignon Advocate, Elder in the Church of Angoulesme.
For Poitou, Mr. Isaac de Camille, Pastor of the Church of Cobe, and Mr. George Thompson, Pastor of the Church de la Chastaignoraye, and Moses Suzannes Lord de la Forest Breduliere, Elder in the Church of Marevil, and Peter de Cognac Advocate, Elder in the Church of Fontenay.
For Anjou, Tourain, le Mayne, &c. Mr. Peter Perillan, Pastor of the Church de l'Isle Bouchard, and Mr. John Vigner, Pastor of the Church of Mans, and James de Laufernat, Lord of Villiers, Elder in the Church of Audenay, and Daniel Fevron Advocate, Elder in the Church of Loudun.
For Brittany, Mr. John Parant, Lord of Preau, Pastor of the Church of Vitre, and Mr. Bertrand d' Avignon, Lord of Souvigne Pastor of the Church of Rennes, and Stephen le Maistre, Lord de la Reignelaye, Elder in the Church de la Roche-Bernard, and Gaspard Ezille, Lord of Coign, Doctor of Physic, Elder in the Church of de la Moussay.
For Normandy, Mr. Moses Cartaud, Pastor in the Church of Dieppe, Mr. John Bonvier, Lord de la Fresnaye, Pastor in the Church of Caen, and John de Bradefer, Lord de la Maneville, Elder in the Church of Fontaine Grougny, and Paul du Vivier, Elder in the Church of Bajeux, but absent by reason of his sickness; which excuse was accepted.
For the Isle of France, Picardy and Champagne, Mr. Peter du Moulin, Pastor of the Church of Paris, and Mr. John Carre, Pastor of the Church Despense, and Anthony de Cormons, Lord of Villeneufve, Elder in the Church of Sezanne, and Elias Biggott Advocate, Elder in the Church of Paris.
The second day after the opening of this Synod, there came also unto it James de Jacourt, Lord of Rouvray, Deputy General for the Reformed Churches of France, residing with their Majesty's, who had his privilege of Voting in this Assembly.
After Prayers offered up to God, the whole Assembly elected Mr. Daniel Chamier Moderator, and Mr. du Moulin Assessor, and the Sieurs de Monsanglard and Maniald Scribes.
CHAP. II. Orders about the Election of Moderator and Deputies. A Deputy censured for bringing his Election.
1. LEST in choosing the Moderator any one should give his vote who had by undue ways and crafty designs gotten his Deputation unto these National Synods, it was unanimously resolved by this whole Assembly that the first thing which shall be done in it, before ever the Moderator be chosen, shall be the reading of the Letters of Commission granted by the Provinces unto their Deputies to represent and act for them, and the Pastors of that place in which the Synod shall be Assembled, shall administer the Oath unto the respective Deputies, who shall swear by the Eternal God, that they have not themselves in their own persons, nor do they know that any other for them, or that any of their Colleagues hath Craftily or by any undue means and under-hand dealings procured his or their Deputations.
2. The Deputies of Lower Languedoc moved, that before we passed unto any other business, Inquiry might be made, whether any of the Provincial Deputies, since their Election, had not Committed such Acts as merited Exclusion from this Assembly. The motion was accepted, and order Given for the Examen that the unworthy might be Censured.
3. The Lord of Barjac was Censured for not adhearing to the Resolutions taken in the Assembly of Saumur by plurality of suffrages, Anno 1611. And for joining himself unto their private Cabal, who would have made the Lesser number carry it from the greater, contrary to the Natural Order of all Synods. But the said Lord of Barjac giving public Testimony of his sorrow for this Miscarriage, and protesting seriously for the future never in any wise to depart from the Universally received order of being Concluded by the Majority of Votes, his Censure was taken off, and his offense remitted to him. To prevent all divisions in the Reformed Churches of this Kingdom, this National Synod framed an Act or Oath of Union to be taken by all the Deputies.
CHAP. III. The Oath of Union sworn by all the Deputies of the Reformed Churches of France assembled in the National Synod at Privas in Vivaretz, and subscribed by them all, the day, month and year above-mitten.
WE whose Names are here under written Deputies for the Reformed Churches of France Assembled in a National Synod at the Town of Privas in the Province of Vivaretz, knowing by past-experience, that nothing is more needful to preserve the Weal, Peace, and good Estate of the said Churches than an holy Union and unviolable Concord both in Doctrine, Discipline and their Dependencies, and that the said Churches cannot long subsist without a good, intimate and mutual Conjunction one with the other, and better kept than formerly. Being for this cause desirous to remove all seeds of disunion and occasions of divisions which may hereafter trouble the said Churches, and to prevent all Impostures, Calumnies, private Factions, Plots and Practices, by which divers persons ill-affected to our Religion, do endeavor to dissipate and ruin them: Which quickens us more than ever to find out by joint accord, and Common Consent, the proper and most effectual means of our just, lawful and necessary conservation in the aforesaid Union, under that obedience due unto his Majesty our Sovereign Lord and the Queen his Mother. We have in the Name of all our Churches, and for their good, and for the service of their Majesty's Sworn and Protested, and we do Swear and Protest, (Promising also our utmost Endeavor that these very self-same protestations shall be ratified in and by all our Provinces,) to remain inseparably united and conjoined in that confession of Faith of the Reformed Churches of this Kingdom read in this Synod, approved and ratified by everyone of us, Swearing not only in our own Name, but also in the respective Names of all the Churches of our Provinces, which have Deputed us unto this Synod, that we will live and die in it. As also we Protest in our own and their Names to keep inviolably that Ecclesiastical Discipline Established in the Reformed Churches of this Kingdom, and to see its Canons observed, for the better Government of these our Churches, and the reformation of life and manners: Acknowledging that it is Most agreeable to God's holy Word, whose Authority is Supreme; And we Protest and Swear to yield all obedience and fidelity to their said Majesty's, desiring nothing else, but that under the Protection of their Edicts, we may serve our God with Liberty of Conscience.
CHAP. IV. Observation on Reading the Confession of Faith.
1. WHereas there is mention made in the 14th Article of the Heresies of Servetus, some of the Deputies desired that the specifying of them might be removed, because those his Heresies are now as it were dead and buried, and the Deputies of the Provinces, in pursuance of that Decree past in the last National Synod of St. Maixant, having brought with them the Judgment of their respective Provinces upon this Subject, it was thought meet, that nothing should be innovated in that Article, but that it should be entirely left as we found it.
2. That Union in Doctrine may be preserved among us, and no Errors may be suffered to creep into our Churches: All Pastors in actual service, and all Proposans who are to be received into the Ministry, shall sign this following Article,
I Whose Name is here under-written, do receive and approve the Contents of the Confession of Faith of the Reformed Churches in this Kingdom, and do promise to persevere in it until death, and to believe and teach agreeably thereunto. And whereas some persons contend about the sense of the eighteenth Article, treating of our Justification, I declare and protest before God, that I understand it in the same sense in which it is received in our Churches, approved by our National Synods, agreeably to the Word of God, which is, That our Lord Jesus Christ was obedient to the Moral and Ceremonial Law, not only for our good, but also in our stead, and that his whole Obedience yielded by him thereunto is imputed to us, and that our Justification consists not only in the forgiveness of sins, but also in the Imputation of his Active Righteousness; and subjecting myself unto the Word of God, I believe that the Son of Man came to serve, and that he was not a Servant because he came into the World. I do also promise, that I will never depart from the Doctirne received in our Churches, and that I will yield all Obedience to the Canons of our National Synods in this matter. And this Article shall be religiously observed in and by all the Provinces.
3. Our Printers be forbidden henceforward to print the Confession of Faith with this Title, The Confession of Faith revised and amended by the National Synod.
4 The Confession of Faith being read, and heard, was approved by all the Deputies, who protested that by the Grace of God, they would live and die in it: As was manifest by their Act in swearing the said Union.
CHAP. V. Observations upon Reading of our Church-Discipline.
-
- Article 1.
IN reading and revising the Discipline of our Churches, this National Synod voted, That whereas in the close of the second Canon of the first Chapter, the time and manner of admitting Novices lately converted from Popery to the Reformed Religion, are particularly specified: Now instead of these words, [Unless in a Provincial Synod] these ensuing shall be inserted, Unless by the Advice of Provincial and National Synods; and the said Canon shall be finished with this Sentence, Nor shall they be Ordained by Imposition of Hands no more than if they were unknown persons without the Advice of Provincial and National Synods. -
- Article 2.
On the third Canon of the first Chapter, after these words which do almost conclude it, [And after long experience had of his Repentance and Godly Conversation] There shall be nothing added, but the last clause shall be blotted out; viz. He being found meet and sit, and sufficiently qualified to teach the Church, may be chosen and called unto the Sacred Ministry. -
- Article 3.
The Deputies of Burgundy demanding that they might not be bound by that Canon of the Synod of St. Maixant, that seven Pastors should be present at the Examination of that person, who is called unto the Ministry, because there is so great a distance between the Churches of their Province, which renders its observation impossible and impracticable, as also because the most of their Colloquies are composed but of five Pastors. This Assembly, for many and weighty reasons, would not in the least change that Article; and therefore advised them to defer the Examination of the Candidate until the Meeting of their Provincial Synod. -
- Article 4.
On the eighteenth Canon of the first Chapter, which enjoined Ministers to press their People to Modesty in their Garments, and by themselves and their Families to be patterns of it unto their Flocks, great complaints were made and brought in against many Ministers, not only of their neglects, but also of their opposition to it, and that their Wives and Children were very vain and immodest in their Garbs and Dresses. This Synod earnestly desiring to remove so great a scandal, doth give express order unto all Moderators of Colloquies and Provincial Synods to reform those Excesses by the severest Censures; and the refractory shall, by the Authority of this Synod, be suspended from their Ministry, until such time as they have removed this scandal. And that this Canon may be better and more strictly observed, permission is given unto private persons, according to the Rules of our Discipline, to inform their Consistories of those aforesaid Excesses, and to demand a reformation of them, which in case it be denied; they may address themselves unto the Colloquies, who shall enforce them to it by Censures, even both the Consistories and their Abettors. -
- Article 5.
The fourth Canon of the fourth Chapter shall be couched in these terms: That those disorders may be prevented which daily happen through Certificates given unto the Poor, every Church shall endeavor to maintain its own Poor; and in case any poor person should be constrained through the urgency of his Affairs to travel abroad, then Ministers shall carefully examine him in their Consistories, about the causes of his Journey, and give him Letters directed to the next Church, lying in the right way that he must go, specifying his name, age, stature, hair, and place whereunto, and the cause of his Travel, and that assistance which was given him, together with the date of the day and year; which Letters that Church whereunto he is directed shall keep by it, and give him others unto the next. And all Certificates formerly given shall be torn in pieces. -
- Article 6.
These words shall be added unto the 28th Canon of the fifth Chapter, Unless in case of High Treason, according to the known Judgment of former Synods. -
- Article 7.
Unto the same words in the 30th Canon of the same Chapter, Unless in case of High Treason, these words following shall be added, Revealed unto the Magistrate. -
- Article 8.
The Deputies of the Isle of France demanded an exposition upon the 18th Canon of the fifth Chapter of our Discipline, about Appeals from public Suspensions, that they might know whether a Consistory having decreed a public Suspension against a delinquent Member or Minister, and he appealing from it, they might, notwithstanding his Appeal, yet proceed unto Suspension. This Synod determineth, that the Consistory ought not to proceed any farther, but shall admit of the Appeal, unless it be in case of public Crimes, notoriously known unto the whole Church. And the next Colloquy or Provincial Synod shall judge finally of that Appeal. -
- Article 9.
Express order is given unto the Provinces to see that the 33d Article of the fifth Chapter of our Discipline be punctually observed and obeyed. -
- Article 10.
In pursuance of the Observations made by the National Synod of Rochelle, on the ninth Article of the fifth Chapter of our Discipline, after these words, Pastors and Elders, these shall be added, nor shall there be any Appeals admitted from full Consistories, nor from the greater part of them, yet the said Appeals shall be in force against particular members of the said Consistory, whether Pastors or Elders, provided those Appeals be received by the Consistory, and being approved by it they may proceed farther: Notwithstanding any Appeal brought in to the contrary upon the admission or rejecting of the said Appeals. -
- Article 11.
A Case was moved, whether in those Churches where there is but one Pastor, and an Appeal is brought against him, the Elders may judge of this controversy. This Synod determines, that Elders may judge of all emerging differences, yea so far as of suspension from the Lord's Table, matters of Doctrine and of Excommunication only excepted; In which two points Elders may not judge without their Pastor. -
- Article 12.
The Deputies of Berry demanding how we should carry it towards malefactors accused of unpardonable Crimes by the Civil Laws, and yet giving Laudable Testimonies of their Repentance, did Demand the consolation of communion with us in the Sacrament of the Lord's Supper: This Synod judgeth that the Criminal giving plenary satisfaction unto the Church, he may be received into Communion with us at the Lord's Table, although he cannot expert from the King any Pardon of his Crime: One Jurisdiction not clashing with the other. -
- Article 13.
The 24th Canon of the 5th Chapter shall be thus worded; He whose suspension had been declared unto the Congregation, and afterwards evidencing his repentance before the Consistory by good works, and a godly life, and sufficient Testimonies, shall be received unto the peace and fellowship of the Church upon the acknowledgment of his offense. -
- Article 14.
A difficulty was moved whether Promises of Marriage made in words de Futuro were as obliging and indissolvable as those by words de praesenti. This Assembly judgeth they be not of equal force and virtue, there being as great a difference between words de praesenti and de futuro, as between promise and performance, word and deed. For 'tis a clear case, Espoused persons may on divers accounts be separated, which cannot dissolve a Marriage already consummated, as, difference in Religion, unknown before the promises, impotency fallen out by some accident since the promises: And this is farther evident by the publication of Banes after Betrothings, which is therefore done, that any one may have Liberty to bring in his reasons against it, which are never admitted when Marriages are celebrated, but only when they be designed and promised. And often times it so falls out, that one of the Espoused Parties retracting its promises, takes up a Resolution never to marry, whence it would follow, that if Betrothed persons were bound by words de futuro, then the Innocent and wronged Party should never marry, which would entangle Conscience in very great Temptations; and though God hath ordained, that whom he hath joined together Man shall not in any wise part asunder, yet they may be separated by the Civil Magistrate; And that Authority of the Magistrate will in some Cases oblige us to hold them separated, whom God had once joined together in this holy ordinance. 'It is true that Betrothed Persons in Scripture are called Husband and Wife, not that they be so already in very truth and deed, but only because the Scripture oftentimes styleth things shortly to be done as if they had been already done. And though a Betrothed Wife committing Whoredom be by the Law of Moses as severely punished as a Married Woman that commits adultery, yet it doth not thence follow that she is an Adultoress. For in the same Chapter, a Daughter playing the Whore in her Fathers House is also punished with death. Therefore for these and other causes, and for that the Laws of the Kingdom do decree that Promises of Marriage shall be made in express words de futuro: This Assembly ordaineth, that from henceforward All the Members of our Churches shall Universally and Uniformly conform to the Laws and Customs of this Kingdom, not only as to the bare words, but also as to their sense and meaning, and that the words de futuro shall not be reckoned by the parties as obliging and dissolvable as words de praesenti: So then for time coming the fifth Article in the Chapter of Marriges shall be Couched in these words.Henceforward in Promises of Marriage the words de futuro shall be used, as also in all Espousals, nor shall those words be taken as indissolvable as the words de praesenti, because words de praesenti do not Promise, but effect and perform Marriage, yet those words and Promises de futuro shall never be dissolved without very great and lawful causes.And therefore that Custom of divers Churches, celebrating the Espousals by the Ministry and Benediction of the Pastor, and gift of bodies with words de praesenti, is expressly condemned: For this Synod reckoneth that by this Ceremony the parties be truly and actually joined together in Marriage, and that consequently all Banes are preposterous and useless, because done after Marriage, and the Blessing of the Church thereby rendered altogether needless. Yet we donit count it ill for Ministers to assist at Espousals, nor that they should by prayer implore the Divine Blessing on the intended Marriage, nor that they should exhort the Betrothed Persons to mutual Love, Unity, Faithfulness and the fear of God; only, that they ought to forbear those other formallities, which sometime render a bond indissolvible, which we be afterwards necessitated to break and untie, because of those oppositions which are made at the publishing of the Banes, and for divers other Causes that may then happen. And the Churches of Rouen and Dieppe who solemnize Espousals in the Temple after the same manner as public Marriages, are exhorted to abandon this usage, and to conform unto the received Custom in the Churches and Provinces of this Kingdom. -
- Article 15.
Whereas formerly the 16th Article of the eighth Chapter of our Discipline contained the distribution of the Provinces, it shall be henceforward the 15th, and the Provincial Synods shall be thus distributed.- 1. The Isle of France.
- 2. Normandy.
- 3. Brittany.
- 4. Berry.
- 5. Anjou.
- 6. Poitou.
- 7. Saintonge.
- 8. Lower Guyenne.
- 9. Higher Languedoc.
- 10. Béarn.
- 11. Lower Languedoc.
- 12. Provence.
- 13. Dauphiné.
- 14. Cévennes.
- 15. Vivaretz.
- 16. Burgundy.
-
- Article 16.
The Church-Discipline being read, was unanimously approved by all the Deputies then present, who promised to observe it, and see it observed in their respective Provinces. And this Assembly gave an express charge to Monsieur Valleton, Pastor of the Church of Privas, to get the Confession of Faith, and the Book of Discipline transcribed, that so the Copies of them might be signed and subscribed by all the Deputies of this Assembly, and the subscribed Copy shall be deposited in the hands of the Deputies of that Province which is appointed to summon the next National Synod.
CHAP. VI. Observations made on Reading the Acts of the next National Synod of St. Maixant.
1. IN pursuance of the Decree made by the National Synod of St. Maixant in their Observations on the 11th Canon of the first Chapter of our Church-Discipline, all the Provinces are strictly enjoined, on pain of Censure, to have a very careful Eye over their Ministers, that they preach not up any new Doctrines, and that they affect not in the Pulpit, nor in Writing, nor in any other Discourses, any phrases or modes of speech which be strange and foreign to the Sacred Scriptures, and that they intersperse not Latin, Greek, nor Hebrew sentences in their Sermons, nor surcharge them with many profane Histories. And those Deputies who shall be sent by the Provinces unto the next National Synod, are charged to bring their Memoirs with them, whether this Decree had been observed or not.
2. Monsieur Chamier having presented his Controversial Writings unto this Synod, according as he was enjoined by the last National Synod, he received the thanks of the whole Assembly for the great progress he had made in them, and he was earnestly entreated and encouraged to finish his designed Labors, and that he would be pleased to print the three first Tomes at once, and to assist him in the great and necessary Charges he must needs be at, the sum of two thousand Livers is ordered to be paid him now in hand.
3. Monsieur Perrin also presenting his History of the Albigenses and Waldenses, it was put into the hands of Messieurs Roussett, Cuville, de Preaux, Petit and Joly, Ministers of the Gospel, who were ordered to bring in their Opinion of it, and in consideration of his Charges, this Synod orders him the sum of three hundred Livers.
4. The Provinces which have not observed that Decree of the abovementioned Synod, which forbad all additions to be made at the close of Propositions and Colloquies are exhorted conscientiously to obey it.
5. In the observations made by the same Synod upon the Acts of the former National Synod held at Rochell, in which there was great discourse and debate about Monks, who quitting their Cloisters, did join themselves to the Communion of the Reformed Churches; but Information being now given of divers Scandals arriving from the public declaration made by these Monks in our Churches: This Assembly judged that it was in no wise expedient for the said Monks to make any declarations publicly until such time as we have good experience of their abilities sincerity, and discretion. However their simple and unfeigned Abjurations shall be admitted either publicly or in the Consistories.
6. That Article of the same National Synod about those Remonstrances which should have been made in the Chamber of Nerac, shall be razed.
7. Nothing shall be altered in that Article of the aforesaid Synod, which had approved the administration of Baptism before Sermons, and at the ordinary public Prayers, excepting in that clause, which specifies the lawfulness of this Action, in case there be apparent danger of death, and that the Consistory do attest it, or at least some of the Elders, because this clause seems to favor that Opinion of the necessity of Baptism: And the remaining part of the said Article shall be in force until the next National Synod, and in this Interval the Provinces are charged to Study the point diligently, and to come prepared with the judgments of their respective Consistories, Colloquies and Provincial Synods, and to send them in writing confirmed by solid Arguments; that so after mature consideration had of the whole, the Case may be finally decided by plurality of Votes gathered from the several Deputies of that Synod. And that this may be the more easily effected, Monsieur Sonis, du Moulin, le Faucheur, and la Faye, are nominated to put in writing the reasons both of the one side and other, which have been here urged, and a Copy of them shall be carried hence together with the Acts of this present Assembly unto their Provinces by the Deputies.
8. The Deputies of Berry requesting that some course might be took to avoid the violating of that Canon made at St. Maixant, which forbad all Professors in Divinity to intermeddle with Political Assemblies: This Synod ordaineth, that it be punctually observed, and in case any of them do accept of such a Deputation, whoever he be, shall be punished with Suspension from his Professorship for the space of six months.
9. Information being made of the great disorders in the Provincial Synods of Higher and Lower Languedoc, of the tricks and subtle under-hand dealings (fitter for Attorneys and Petty-Foggers, than for such grave Assemblies) commonly practiced by them, and of the contempt of Church-Discipline, from whence have sprung up very many and grievous scandals: This Synod doth most strictly enjoin all Provincial Synods, and most especially those now mentioned, that for the future they do reform and conduct themselves better, on pain of being dealt withal as violators of the Discipline, and that in the severest manner; and particularly it threatens the Moderators in those Meetings with Suspension from their Charges, in case they connive at them, and do not their utmost to redress these irregular and scandalous actions.
CHAP. VII. Of Appeals.
1. THE Church of Orange complaining by her Deputies, that they were excluded from the Political Assembly held in Dauphiné. This Assembly remands them unto the next General Political Assembly, unto which they shall present their complaint, if they judge meet.
2. Master Gautier complained on behalf of the Church of Annonay, that they had never been reimburst their Expences, which they were necessitated to make in getting supplies, during the absence of their Pastor Monsieur Faucheur, who was deputed to the Assembly of Saumur. This Synod ordereth the Province of Vivaretz to see the said Church of Annonay be paid an hundred Livers, including in that sum the six and thirty already received by them.
3. The Church of Armagnac appealed from a Decree of the Provincial Synod of Lower Languedoc held at Florac, which had imposed on them the Sieur Thevond to be their Pastor against their consent. And the said Mr. Thevond also appealed from the Synod of Montpellier for removing him against his will from Aigues-mortes. This Assembly after, hearing of all Parties; and perusal of the Acts of both these Synods, judgeth that the said Province hath very much transgressed the Discipline, by lending the said Thevond unto the Church of Aigues-mortes, and by restoring the said Pastor unto the Church of Armagnac; and therefore ordaineth, that the next Colloquy or Synod shall provide the said Thevond of another Church, and that he be removed from that of Aigues-mortes, or of Armagnac, and the Church of Armagnac is sharply censured for her strange proceedings in obstructing the return of the Sieur Thevond to them, as also Benezet, Elder of that Church, and his Companions, who without any just cause given, did prosecute the Expulsion of the said Thevond from among them. Moreover, we do very greatly condemn him the said Thevond, for his pragmaticalness, and unnecessary intermedlings with Civil Affairs, as also for his unhandsome actings in the celebration of his Marriage, that he might avoid the Tying of the Point, a notorious Character of his Infidelity and Distrust of God, deserving a Deposal from the Sacred Ministry, and the Sieur Chambrun, Pastor of Nismes, who blessed that Marriage, is liable unto the same censure. But this Assembly contents itself with that softer Reprehension given him by the Colloquy, hoping that it will redound unto his future benefit: And in case he hath not as yet fully satisfied the Censure imposed on him by the said Colloquy, he is ordered immediately to fulfil it, on pain of being suspended from his Ministry.
4. The Deputies of the Church of Aigues-mortes complained of that Article of the Assembly at Saumur, which authorized the prosecution of Monsieur de Berticheres at the instigation of the Lord's General Deputies, and the said Deputies of Aigues-mortes remonstrated that the said Assembly was surprised for otherwise it had been impossible for the said de Berticheres to have been admitted into the said Church. The Synod refused to take cognizance of this Affair, it having been determined by the said Assembly of Saumur; and because it conceived that a subsequent Assembly of the same nature could best judge of its own preceding Sentence, and of whatsoever might be proposed with reference unto that subject; and therefore remands the Plaintiffs thither; but it charged our Lord's the General Deputies at Court, to give order, that this Affair be remanded unto that Assembly there to be determined, and in the mean while nothing shall be innovated or altered in that Article.
5. Monsieur Benoist, Pastor in the Church of Moutauban, and de la Vialle Lieutenant Criminell in the same City appeared in this Assembly, craving Remedies against those Dissensions which have arisen about the Ministry of the said Benoist in the said Church. This Assembly deputed the Sieurs Perrin and Ferrand Pastors, and de Mallerett, Glatignan and Bonnett Elders, to pass over unto Montauban, and after hearing of the several Parties, to find out some means of reconciling them, and to contrive some expedient whereby their Differences may be composed; and upon report of the whole matter by these Deputies, the Synod declared, that of right Monsieur Benoist belongs unto the Church of Montauban, he having been adjudged as such by the National Synod of St. Maixant: Yet nevertheless, in regard of the present Disposition of that Church of Montauban, it decrees the said Benoist to continue in his Ministry of the Churches of Realville and Albyas until the next Provincial Synod; in which, if the said Benoist be not demanded by the Church of Montauban by their general and unanimous Consent, according to the Discipline, the said Provincial Synod is enjoined to provide the said Benoist of some other Church, wherein he shall make his Residence; and the whole shall be so managed, as that the honor of his Ministry may be kept unblemished, because he is not discharged from his Church for any fault committed by him, but merely for the peace of it.
6. The Elder of of the Church of Aulais in Sevennez complaining of the Synod of Lower Languedoc for imposing Monsieur Jarry as Pastor upon their Church against their will, and this testified by him openly in their Synodical Metting: That Province is censured for breaking of our Discipline: And the next Colloquy which shall sit is to provide the Church of Aulais of another Pastor, and the Sieur Jarry of another Church, and the said Province shall defray the Charges of the said Jarry, amounting to the sum of two hundred Livers.
7. The Agreement made betwixt the Church of St. Antonine and that of Verfeuil upon their Appeal brought hither, is approved by this Assembly, which doth also confirm Monsieur Guerin in the Pastoral office of the said Church of St. Antonine.
8. Monsieur Bayly Pastor in the Church of Lions presented in this Assembly an Account of the difference between his Church and the Province of Burgundy: And the Deputies of that Province being heard requesting that the Decree of their Synod concerning the fifth penny of the poor's Money might be observed by the said Church of Lions: This Assembly ordered that they should punctually observe and practice that Canon of the National Synod of Rochell relating to this matter, and it should also be done in and by all the other Churches of that Province.
9. The Colloquies of St. Germain, Anduze, and Saulne demanding A separation from the Synod of Lower Languedoc, that for time to come they might make a distinct Province; The whole affair having been Seriously weighed and considered, as also that the Synod of Lower Languedoc composed of an hundred Pastors and as many Elders, are of an exceeding distance, and that their great number brings the greater Confusion: This Assembly judgeth the said separation to be very needful for their Ecclesiastical meetings; And that for the future, the six aforesaid Colloquies shall be divided into two Provincial Synods, whereof the one shall consist of the Colloquies afore-mentioned, viz. of St. Germain, Anduze and Saulne, and shall be called the Synod of Cévennes and Gevaudan, and the other three Colloquies shall make another Synod called by the Name of the Synod of Lower Languedoc.
10. Monsieur Gautier did by his Proctor Captain Paschal Appeal unto this Assembly from the Judgment given in the Synod of Bagnals against Monsieur Bansillon Fastor of Aiguemortes, who considering his notorious Crimes, had not dealt severely enough with him. This Assembly approveth of his Appeal, and judgeth that the Province for their lenity and gentle Censures of him, are themselves worthy of the sharpest Censures. And therefore it decreeth, that upon this very account, and for what hath been transacted in this Assembly concerning the said Bansillon, and because he hath positively denied those matters, which since his Repentance he owneth and acknowledgeth, that he shall be suspended from his Ministry for the space of three months.
11. An Appeal was brought in the Name of the Lord Mareschal de Lesdiguieres, Viscount of Villemur, from an Order of the Provincial Synod held at Revel, which in pursuance of a Decree past in the preceding Colloquy, had ordained Monsieur Charles, Pastor of the said Town of Villemur, to abide and live there, notwithstanding the instant desires of the people to the contrary. This Assembly having heard the Commissioners deputed to examine this Affair, and perused their Evidences produced by them, and having heard both the said Charles, and the Lord of Bellujon, Governor of the said Villemur sent by the said Lord Mareschal, who also joined with him in this Appeal; it judgeth that the said Sieur Charles hath incurred the Censures of the Church for his pragmaticalness in intermeddling with State-matters, and for carrying unto the said Lord Mareschal a Libel fraught with defamatory Articles against the said Governor de Bellujon; as also for bringing away with him Memorials of the said Mareschal, quite contrary to his intention. And in like manner is the said Governor de Bellujon censured for not having first of all formed his Complaints in the Consistory, and thence gradually prosecuted them in the Colloquy and Synod, according to the Rules of our Discipline, and for that he suffered his Family to separate themselves from the Body of the Church of Villemur, and to go and join themselves in Communion elsewhere. And inasmuch as there is little hopes that the said Charles may for the future live quietly, and exercise profitably his Ministry in that said Church, it is ordered, that the next Provincial Synod shall provide it of another Pastor, and him of another convenient Church, and this without any impairment to his Reputation or Ministry. And these several Parties were mutually reconciled, pledging their words to bury in oblivion the remembrance of all past-matters, and that they would live for time to come in all Brotherly Love and Concord. And whereas the said Charles complained, that the Expences in this Appeal and Cause, were too heavy a burden for his Church, the Province was ordered to provide therein according to Charity.
12. The Sieur Isaac Boiteux Minister in the Church of Bussy in Burgundy appealed; His Father, Mother, and the Pastors of the Church of Geneva joined with him in the said Appeal, craving that he might be restored unto his aged Father, who is a Pastor in the said City of Geneva; their Letters also were tendered unto this Synod, grounded upon this, that he was only a Loane unto the said Province, which yet avows the contrary, and that the said Boiteux promised without any restriction or reservation to serve them during life. But he not appearing in person in this Assembly, the whole affair was dismissed over to the Province of Vivaretz, with full authority from this National Synod to make a final decision of it.
13. The Colloquy of Higher Poitou Appealed, complaining of the Synod of Poitou held at Thouars, for dismembering the Church of Marcillac from their Colloquy, and joining it to the Colloquy of middle Poitou: Upon a full hearing of the matter, this Assembly approved the Judgment of the said Synod.
14. The Sieur Peyrol Pastor in the Church of Montpellier complained of an Order made by the Synod of Lower Languedoc, importing that the Pastors of Montpellier should have a careful Eye over his Sermons in the Church, and Lectures in the School. But the Deputies of the said Province protesting that it was never the Intention of the Synod to make any such Order, or that it should be executed, and that they having razed it out of their Synodical Register, (which also was ratified by the very next subsequent Synod) might well content him. This Assembly judgeth, that this Attestation of the Deputies may suffice him, because for that good and laudable Testimony given him, we believe that the Article was null both before and after the razing of it. And the said Sieur Peyrol is exhorted to undertake courageously, and to discharge faithfully his Professorship of Divinity according to the desire, approbation and expectation of his Province.
15. The Sieur de Sousais appeared personally in the Synod, and having been heard in his defense against the Accusations of the Province of the Isle of France, who proved that he had deserted his Church of Bordes without leave, and that he had been already absent from it the space of eighteen months. This Assembly dismissed the final Judgment of his Case unto the Provincial Synod of Berry, with full Authority to determine it; in which he shall justify himself, as also from all other Crimes whereof he is suspected and accused, and the time and place of that Synods meeting shall be signified to him; till which we judge it also expedient that he shall not exercise his Ministry.
16. The Complaints and Accusations brought in against Mr. Jeremy Ferrier, Pastor of the Church of Nismes, were heard, as he was also in his Defense and Answers. This Assembly over-looking many of his miscarriages, for which he had been dealt withal particularly, and by word of mouth privately reproved, and for which he deserved a very sharp Censure; it doth now admonish and charge him to give glory unto God by a penitential Acknowledgment of his sins committed both in his Office of Pastor and Professor, and in his management of Civil matters, and more especially for his abandoning the Church of Paris without leave from it first obtained, contrary to the promise made by him at his Admission into the Ministry there, that he would always continue in their service: Item, he was reproved for his great neglect of his Professoral Office ih Divinity, which he could not discharge whilst he made several Journeys unto Court, and to Political Assemblies, contrary to what had been decreed in the National Synod of St. Maixant, and for not taking care about the supply of his Place, and discharge of his Office by some fit person during his Absence; and farther, for his intermeddling with the Moneys of the University, And appropriating more of them than was his due, even the sum of three thousand one hundred and three Livers, five Sous, and six Deniers to his own private use. Item, for giving his consent to the publication of Captain Gautier 's Letters, which he should rather have suppressed; they having caused such contentions as lie not now in his power to allay, unless he imbark himself in tricks and shifts utterly unbecoming his Ministerial Calling. For which causes it was ordained, that he should by Letters written with his own hand, give full satisfaction to the Church of Paris, and clear his hands of the aforesaid Moneys belonging to the University; and farther, to obviate and stifle all fears, jealousies, reports and suspicions concerning him, he is expressly forbidden to present himself in any Political Assemblies, be they Provincial or General, for the space of six years. And out of kindness to him, and that the honor of his Ministry may not be blasted, it is decreed, that he shall exercise it in some other Province, as may be judged most conducing to the Glory of God, and the Edification of the Church.
17. The Church of Mussaye brought in their Appeal from a Decree of the Synod of Brittany held at Blain in the month of November last, for that they were deprived of their portion of Moneys granted unto the Churches by the King. This Assembly reverseth that Decree, and ordaineth that the said Church shall enjoy her part and share of those Moneys as well as the other Churches of the Province, and the payment that hath been now made her upon this order shall be allowed in the Accounts of the Receiver of that said Province: And the Lord Baron de le Moussaye is praised for his singular zeal and good affection testified by him in the advancement of God's glory and the Settlement of the Churches.
18. The Province of Lower Guyenne is obliged to see that order of the Synod of St. Maixant better observed; for it ordained that Monsieur Salmon, who was lent by the National Synod of Rochelle for two years unto the said Province, shall be restored unto the Province of Berry: And the said Province of Lower Guyenne is enjoined to Restore the said Monsieur Salmon, or to reimburse the Province of Berry their charges expended by them in his Education at the University: And in case they neglect to execute this Decree, the Receiver General shall detain in his hands three portions of His Majesty's Moneys belonging unto that Province, until such time as this Order be performed. And in case the said Salmon be disobedient, refusing either to return unto them, or make them satisfaction, as is before ordained, he shall be, as he is now declared, suspended from the Ministry.
19. The Appeal of Monsieur Maillard from a Decree of the Provincial Synod of Berry concerning the Sieur Alix, is disannulled: Because an Appeal brought by a private person, who hath no Office in the Church, against a Synod, is utterly unworthy of any consideration.
20. This Assembly remanded back again the Appeal of Monsieur de Montsanglard (Pastor of the Church of Corbigny St. Leonard, from a Decree of the Synod of Berry held at Castillion upon Loir ) unto the same Synod, which is commanded to provide him for his yearly maintenance the sum of five hundred Livers, comprizing in it the Rent-charge of his house. And in case his Church through poverty be not able to pay him so much, then the said Synod shall make it up unto him from the Moneys granted us by His Majesty.
21. The Church of Saint Loo in Normandy complained, that whereas the Inhabitants of Hauteville going to the Church of Havre for the Worship of God, had formerly contributed towards the maintenance of their Pastor; they now were by the Provincial Synod discharged from the said Contribution: This Assembly doth ratify the Decree of the said Synod.
22. The Sieur Mazett, one of the Pastors in the Church of Metz, in the Dukedom of Lorraine, appearing in this Assembly, reported the Divisions fallen out in his said Church on this occasion, that the Deacons having by an ancient Custom distributed to the Communicants the Cup in the Lord's Supper, with these words, This Cup is the Communion in the Blood of Christ, omitted these words, which we bless. Also there were read Letters from the said Church of Metz, containing their Arguments upon which they grounded their observation of that Custom. This Assembly having maturely pondered whatever was said by both Parties, doth confirm the Sentence given by the National Synod of St. Maixant, which allowed Elders and Deacons in case of necessity to deliver the Cup, but without speaking, founding this their Decree upon the example and practice of our Lord Jesus, who only himself spake at his last Supper, but yet permitted his Apostles to distribute among themselves the Bread and the Cup. And as to the abridgment of these words, which we bless, this Assembly judgeth, that none should be employed, but such as can authoritatively utter all the words of Institution. Nor can the Example of the Church of Geneva any ways relieve the Church of Metz, because that at Geneva, in their delivery of the Cup, the Deacons are silent, but not so the Pastors. For which causes, and that the Authority and Reverence due unto this holy Sacrament, may be kept up and maintained, the said Church is exhorted to conform itself in this matter unto the Example and Practice of our Lord Jesus Christ, and to the general Custom of our Churches, and this to be done by the sweetest ways possible, without anything of violence.
23. This Assembly was informed, how that the Consistory of the Church at Orleans, and in particular a certain Elder of it called Mesmein, did, (but with a previous Protestation to declare unto the Supreme Magistrate, and to the Kings Attorney the matters transacted in it) set themselves against an Order of the Provincial Synod held at Blois, ordaining a General Colloquy in pursuance of the Decrees of their former Provincial Synods, as also that the Sieur Eruet Doctor in Physic had writ a Defamatory Libel against that Canon of the Assembly of Saumur, which enjoined all the Provinces to establish Counsels for their mutual safety, and against that Decree of the said Synod held at Blois: This Assembly reproving and condemning all these Proceedings, as being contrary to our Discipline, and to the Union of all our Churches, did Depute the Sieurs du Moulin, la Fresnaye, and Cartaud Pastors, together with the Sieurs Bigot, Manevill, and du Bois Elders, as they return in their way homewards to pass unto Orleans, and there to Assemble the Consistory, and notify unto them the pleasure of this National Synod, which is, that the Canons and orders of Saumur be observed, as best agreeing with our duty unto their Majesty's, and what had been practiced during the life of Henry the Great of Glorious memory; and full Power is given unto the said Commissioners to determine finally in the Name and Authority of this Assembly, of this affair, and to suspend and remove all past excesses in and about it whatsoever, and the Charges of the said Deputies, during their abode at Orleans, shall be defrayed by that Province.
24. The Appeal of Master John de Vassan Pastor of the Church of the Castel upon Loir who stands accused of several Crimes, and suspended by the Commissioners, which were Deputed by the Provincial Synod of Anjou, is dismissed over to the next approaching Synod of that Province, and in case he do not appear in person to justify himself, he is from this very instant declared to be deposed from the Sacred Ministry.
25. The Sieurs d' Arguillon and Barnier two Magistrates of the City of Nismes, together with Arnold Guyrand second Consul, and Vestric Favier a Member of their Common Council, as also the Sieurs Suffren and Chambrun Pastors of the said Church of Nismes deputed by their Consistory unto this Assembly, did instantly and most importunately entreat that their Pastor Monsieur Ferrier might not be removed from them, notwithstanding what had been before resolved about him in this Assembly, as also that he might at their request be restored to them, and that leave might be granted him to assist personally in Political Assemblies, in case he were commissionated thereunto. Whereupon the said Deputies of Nismes being demanded if they had anything to offer from the said du Ferrier, answered, that he had charged them with nothing as from himself. The Assembly having maturely debated the Remonstrances and Petitions of the said Deputies, and applauded their Zeal and great Love to Monsieur Ferrier, gave them to understand, that forasmuch as the causes moving them to transport the said Ferrier out of the Province, were still valid and in being, they could not depart from their former Resolution, which was not taken up on design of reflecting on, or interesting the said Church of Nismes; for which they have as high an esteem and value, as for any other Church of Christ in the Kingdom, and they hope that the whole Church will submit itself unto this Synodical Decree. Whereupon the said Deputies, and particularly the Sieur d' Arguillon speaking first, renewed with great vehemency his desires, adding very injurious words, full of menaces, threatening us with the confusions that would arise hereupon in the Church of Nismes, and that he would give them notice of it. He was seconded, according as it had been concerted among them in private, by the Sieur Vestrie Favier with discourses full of Arrogancy and Threats, with a Protestation of Appeal unto another Synod, and let this do what it pleased, they would never part with the said Monsieur Ferrier, and that he should continue to exercise his Ministry both in Nismes and in the Province also. Accusing this Assembly of passion and partiality in its Judgment: Whereupon the Assembly desiring an Act of Record for such injurious Language, and to know whether the said Deputies would avow or disavow it, the said Vestrie returning again into the Synod to evidence his owning of all his former discourses, gave us Memoirs of them stuffed with falsehoods and calumnies, all subscribed and attested with his own hand; the which Copy was ordered to be safe kept, and forth-coming, in case of need, at the next National Synod.
26. And the Sieurs Suffren and Chambrun are sharply censured for becoming the Bearers of such Libellous and injurious writings against this Assembly, to whom it was declared that they might and ought to have excused themselves from any conjunction in such a Deputation; because by their departure from the City of Nismes, the whole Church was left without a Pastor; and this their offense was judged so grievous, and their contempt of this Assembly so intolerable, that they deserved a very long suspension from their Ministry. Yet nevertheless out of pure respect unto the Church of Nismes, and that it may not be left destitute of its Ministers: The Synod doth Mercifully pardon them their offense, and enjoins them most strictly upon their return unto Nismes to do their utmost that this Synodical decree be put in execution against the said Ferrier, and that they do their utmost endeavor to prevent whatever Murmurings or troubles may hereupon fall out, and that they keep their Church in peace. And in Case after the dissolution of this Assembly they presume to act contrary to what is now commanded them, the next Colloquy of Lions is authorized to proceed against them, and all other Pastors and Elders, Complices with them in the same Rebellion, even to suspension, yea and deposition from their respective charges. And as for Monsieur Ferrier this Assembly will provide him a Church out of the Province, which shall be signified unto him; and if after notice given him he continue to preach at Nismes or within the Province, He is from this very instant declared suspended from the Ministry, and not to be restored but by the next National Synod.
27. The Church of Vallence Appealed from the Provincial Synod of Vivaretz held at Annonay, and from the Synod of Dauphiné held at Veyners, for removing from them the Sieur Murat their Pastor. The Memoirs and Acts of the said Synods, and of the Colloquy of Nismes being read, and both parties having been heard speak upon this present Case: Monsieur Murat was sharply Censured for his over-forwardness in closing with the Invitations of the Church of Nismes, and for urging by dishonest ways the Church of Vallence to give him his Dismission, and this extorted also under the pretence, and with the plausible Attestation of his singular prudence. And the Church of Nismes is severely censured for all its proceedings, and particularly that contrary to the Decree of St. Maixant in the first Article of General Matters; it sought a Pastor for itself out of the Province without first consulting with their Colloquy or Synod. And the Synod of Vivaretz also was blamed for acting contrary to the Discipline, in judging (notwithstanding the Appeal of the Church of Vallence, lay neglected by them) that the said Murat was at liberty. And the Provincial Synod of Dauphiné held at Veyners is also censured, for suffering themselves to be surprised and inveigled into this present Act, and passing too slight a Judgment on it, whereas they should have been more reserved, and done as the Colloquy of Nismes, which dismissed the whole Affair unto this Assembly. For these causes, and after mature deliberation upon the whole, this Assembly enjoineth the said Murat to return unto his Church of Vallence within three months, and in case of contravention unto this Ordinance, we do presently denounce him suspended from the Ministry.
28. Monsieur Isaiah Ferrier appeared in person before this Assembly (he was Minister of St. Giles in Lower Languedoc ) to answer those Accusations which were brought against him by the Sieur de Beauvoysin, who appealed from the Synods of Vigan and Baignols; and that the truth of those Accusations might be proved, Commissioners were ordained to receive and examine them; who having heard them, and seen the Evidences produced by the said Sieur de Beauvoysin, and upon their Report made of them, and of matters confessed by the said Ferrier, the Assembly pronounced this Sentence, viz. that the said Ferrier be suspended from the holy Ministry until the next National Synod. And forasmuch as among those many Articles of which he stands accused, several cannot be fully proved, because of Processes yet hanging in the Court of Castres: The Assembly doth order the said Ferrier to appear before the Synod of Vivaretz, and to justify himself, if he can, in their presence; and the said Synod shall transmit his Defense of himself, whatever it be, over unto the next National Synod, that so he may be either restored, or more severely censured; and in case he cannot justify himself between this and the next National Synod, he is now, as he shall then be denounced, Deposed from the Ministry of the Gospel. And in case he should be restored by the National Synod unto the Ministry, yet shall he not be sent back unto his Church of St. Giles, nor to any other in that Colloquy. Nevertheless there shall be allowed him betwixt this time and the next National Synod, a yearly portion of the King's Moneys towards his subsistence. And also the Province of Lower Languedoc is sharply censured for their long connivance at so great a wickedness, and for not doing their duty in endeavoring to suppress the scandal, and thoroughly to purge the House of God from such defilements.
29. The Appeals of the Sieur Conain from the Decree of the Synod of Parey le Moyneau, as also that of the Sieur Truchis, (who yet did not send his Appeal unto this Assembly) are declared null and void, and the Judgments past in the Provincial Synods of Burgundy against them are by this present Act ratified and established.
30. The Appeal of the Church of Avalon from the Province of Burgundy being not prosecuted by any one in this Assembly is declared Null.
31. The Appeals of the Colloquy of Gex from the Synod of Bussy, and also that of Pont du Velle, were wisely and rightly judged by the Synod of Burgundy, and the said Colloquy, is exhorted to conform itself for the future unto the Orders thereof.
32. The Church of Manosques appealled from an Ordinance of the Synod of Provence held at Lire, September