The Lord Commissioners Speech to the COUNCIL Proposals of the Lord Commissioner THIS Commission being read The Lord Galland declared fully and at large what Orders had been given him by His Majesty the Sum of which was an Assurance of His Majesties good Will towards His Subjects of the Reformed Religion and his Royal promise to preserve them in their Exercise and peaceable profession of it and that whilest they continued in their Duty and Obedience unto His Majesty he would take care that his Edicts should be strictly and punctually observed 2. And that the Foundations of their Obedience may be the more firm and solid His Majesty exhorted his said Subjects of the Reformed Religion to live in a greater Equanimity and Moderation with his other Subjects though differing from them in Religion So that the difference in Religion may cause no difference in their Affections which His Majesty assureth His said Protestant Subjects shall be accurately observed towards them that so they may not in any manner be troubled or prosecuted upon the pretext and ground of their Religion 3. The Professors also of the Reformed Religion ought on their part to promise that they will not hold any Intelligence Alliances or Correspondence with Persons abroad and without the Kingdom but only with His Majesty Reposing their intire Confidence in His Majesties Royal Word Grace and Favour He added farther That His Majesty commanded him to acquaint us that during the Wars he was never minded to abrogate or disanul the Edicts because he alwayes had a particular regard to the Repose of his Subjects For immediately upon his being declared Major he confirmed his Edicts renewed his Alliances increased and augmented his Bounty unto the Ministers and imployed in his most important Affairs of State the Lords and Gentlemen professing the said Religion and when as some special Occurrences necessitated him to act otherwise He did notwithstanding express and evidence the Effects of his Clemency by receiving and pardoning whole Communities and all such of His Subjects as submitted themselves unto his Authority he gave them a General Amnesty to Indemnifie them 4. And although the remembrance of those Actions be dead and buried yet 't is His Majesties Pleasure that the Canon past in the Synod of Realmont be put in Execution and an Information taken and brought in against those Ministers who had embrac't the Spanish Faction and that the Deputies unto this Council do Order a Declaration to this purpose to be drawn up not as if His Majesty intended an Hue and Cry should be issued out after the guilty or that they should be prosecuted for it but that all occasions of Troubles may be taken away and that the Lives and Actions of those who persisted in their Duty may not at all be blemished 5. The said Lord Commissioner added further That it was His Majesties Will as it had been Decreed in the last Synod at Charenton that Ministers should be confined to the proper Duties of their Calling and preach unto their People Obedience and not do as too too many did in the time of the late Troubles get into Political Assemblies and intermeddle with Affairs of State 6. And that Obedience and Subjection unto His Majesties Authority may be kept up inviolably and not be corrupted by any Foreign Manners or Way of Living It is His Majesties Pleasure and according to Laws in this case provided That no Minister shall depart the Kingdom without his Royal Licence first obtained nor live in a Foreign Land nor shall these National Councils lend any of their Ministers unto Foreign Princes or Republicks who may importune them to such a Loane either for a determinate time or during Life but they shall remit the demand unto His Majesty who in such cases will particularly consider his good Neighbours and Allies CHAP. IV. The Councils Answer to it The Answer made unto what had been proposed by the Kings Commissioner WHereupon the Council having given thanks to Almighty God for inclining the Kings heart to favour our poor Churches and to continue his protection to them they did also render their most humble and unfeigned thanks unto His Majesty for those most sensible Expressions of His Royal Favour unto His Subjects of the Reformed Religion for giving us our Peace and the accustomed Effects of His Goodness and Clemency And that His Majesty might have a manifest token and evidence of our Obedience unto his Commands now signified to us it was immediately and unanimously voted that a Declaration should be drawn up as in Conscience we were bound to discharge our Holy Religion of all blame and to testifie our fidelity and submission unto His Majesty from whose Authority Clemency and Justice next and immediately after God the Churches of France can only hope for support protection and preservation being ready and willing to lay down in His Majesties Service all that is dear unto us even our very Lives and Fortunes professing and calling â—od to witness that this is the Doctrine taught by our Pastors unto their Churches agreeable to the word of God in the Holy Scriptures and that Confession of Faith which is owned and embraced by all the Reformed Churches of France And the very first Vote which past was this that notwithstanding there have been ever found among our People professing the Reformed Religion the noblest Instances and Patterns of a true great and most Christian patience under the worst of usages and oppressions in all places and at all times sustained by them yet nevertheless all and singular the Consistories of our Churches shall continue their Counsels and Exhortations to them of abounding in Christian patience equanimity and moderation and to pay unto their Countreymen of the Romish Religion all Offices and Duties of Humanity Civility and Charity according to the Word of God and Intendment of His Majesty who also is most humbly petitioned to cast His Royal Eyes of Compassion upon the deep Afflictions of His Protestant Subjects who though they have alwayes labour'd to gain and keep the love and friendship of their fellow-Citizens and Countrey-men are yet notwithstanding in divers places of the Kingdom molested in their Persons disturbed in the Exercise of their Religion deprived of their Temples yea and see them demolished before their Faces even since the peace or else given away from them for dwelling houses unto the Româ—sh Priests and Ecclesiasticks and that they be dispossessed of their Burying Places and the Dead Bodies of very many Persons digged up most ignominiously that our Ministers have been barbarously beaten bruised wounded and driven away from their Churches although they have been the most innocent and inoffensive Persons in the World who neither injur'd the Publick in general nor any one in particular as our General Deputies shall more amply and at large make report hereof unto His Majesty Moreover the Council doth farther declare That as the Churches within the Kingdom have ever been united in the profession
dear Brother Monsieur * * * One Copy calls him Halnar and in two other Coples Saluart Salnar Minister in the Church of Castres styled Hamonia Confessionum as being most useful and needful for these our times judging also that it would do singular good Service if it were rendred into our French Tongue and therefore the Province of Higher Languedoc is charged by this Synod to get it translated and to prefix an Epistle Commendatory to the said Book in the Name of their faid Province XV. The Church of Vitré requesting our Advice in this case Whether Witnesses should be confronted deposing a Crime committed by the Delinquent who does obstinately and upon his Oath deny the very Matter of Fact This Assembly judgeth That all occasions of new Quarrels may be avoided which may probably arise from such Confrontations the Witnesses shall not be confronted unless of their own accord they do freely consent unto it or unless that the last and greatest Censures must of neccessity be used which indeed cannot be executed till such time as the Delinquents shall have been well and duly convicted and this cannot be done unless that he confess and own his Offence or that the Witnesses do avow it constantly to his face XVI The Article about our Catechism shall remain in its full power till the next National Synod whereunto the Provinces shall come well instructed that so we may advise whether Mr. Calvin's Catechism may be retained or that a shorter one consisting only of the Apostles Creed the Lord's Prayer and the Ten Commandments shall be taken up and used in the Ordinance of Catechising XVII The Deputies of Poictou propounded this Case A certain Marriage was dissolved by Authority of the Official because of the Husband's Impotency sometime after the Woman being publickly married in the Church it fell out the Man also was re-married but in the Romish Church he being now touched with Repentance demandeth to be received unto the Peace and Communion of our Church This Assembly adviseth that before his re-admission his Wife shall be interrogated whether she be well satisfied with him that so it may be known whether he hath not abused God's holy Ordinance of Marriage because he had been once before judged impotent and if he be now found such we advise the deferring of his Reception till we have had more ample proof of his Repentance But if it be otherwise he having according to our Discipline repaired his fault of being married in the Church of Rowe shall be restored to the Peace and Communion of the Church Nevertheless this Assembly judgeth that the Consistory should be censured not only for not using its Authority to hinder the Woman to suddenly after her Marriage contracted and solemnized from running to the Official who presently ordered her a Separation but also for not persisting in their Admonitions to the Husband that he should not so easily and readily consent as he did unto a dissolution of the said Marriage because such a Separation ought not to have been till after three Ecclesiastical Sentences had thrice gradually intervened as is usual even in the Church of Rome XVIII Claudius Merchant formerly Minister in the Church of Beauriers and Civray in the Province of Berry having been accused and convicted of Adultery before this Assembly we do depose him from his Charge and Ministry for being a scandalous Person utterly unworthy of it Moreover we do ordain That this his said Deposition shall be published in those places where he exercised his Ministry but without mentioning the Woman only in general this shall be declared that 't is for a very gross and heavy Sin for a most grievous Scandal Finally he shall not be admitted in any place of his Residence unto the Sacrament of the Lord's Supper till he have first done Publick Penance for this notorious Scandal given by him unto the Church altho' the particular Crime committed by him shall not be specified in the Church And the Consistory of the Church De la Roche posé shall be censured for putting him into Office among them before they had sufficient Attestations concerning him XIX Divers Gentlemen complaining by the Deputies of Augoumois that in those places where there is but one Sermon in the Week their Ministers do resufe coming on the Week-days to Preach and Baptize their Children which are then born unless they bring them at the appointed Times for Religious Worship This Assembly adviseth That to prevent all Clamours and Complaints for the future the Consistory shall appoint one Day in the midst of the Week for an extraordinary Assembly and so provide for all emergent necessary Duties XX. The Churches shall be informed that by the Ninth Article of the Secret Articles the King promiseth to dispense with the Degrees of Consanguinity and Assinity between Persons of the Reformed Religion so that we need not have recourse unto the Pope for Dispensations Wherefore in such Cases they may apply themselves unto His Majesty by our Agent at Court XXI Our Brother the Deputy of Poictou propounded this Case That a certain Person having quitted his Benefice did yet notwithstanding receive a Pension from his Curate that enjoys it This Assembly adviseth that he be admonished either to relinquish such a Pension or else wholly to employ it unto Pious Uses XXII Whereas the Deputy of Anjou hath demanded that the Church of La Gravelle may be declared a Member of the said Province because 't is inclosed within its bounds the Assembly judgeth That inasmuch as our Brother De Cherpon Minister of it had been mostly incouraged in his Studies by the Liberality of the Lord De la Val and that the far greater part of the Members of that Church are Brittains it being distant from Brittany but one small League that therefore the said Church shall be reputed to belong to the Province of Brittany and the rather because of the paucity of Ministers in it And this Order shall be in force no longer than the time of Monsieur Cherpon's Residence at and Relation to the ' foresaid Church of La Gravelle * * * In my Copy it wrs Noturi◠which I lookt upon as an Error of the French Scribe for Norwich XXIII Our Brother Monsieur Mary Minister of the Church of Norwich in England but living at present in Normandy shall be obliged to return unto his Church upon its first Summons yet because of the great Success of his Ministry in these parts his Church may be intreated to continue for some longer time his absence from it XXIV Monsieur De Feugeray Pastor in the Church of Rouen having informed this Assembly of the great importance of that Church and how necessary it is that it should be provided of able Ministers we being at present destitute of all help for them do advise the Province of Normandy to enquire in their respective Classis whether they may not find two Churches so nigh one unto the other
our Churches And this Assembly ordered the said Lord de Rouvray to return for us and for all the Churches our most humble thanks unto their Majesties who have by this their extraordinary Bounty laid new obligations upon us to call upon our God with the greatest Ardency in our Prayers that he would bless and prosper their Majesties Persons Crown and Government And the said Grant was deposited in the hands of the Sieur Bonnet Pastor and Deputy of Xaintonge who was to lodge it safely in the Archives of Rochel whereof he shall give advice by Letters under his own hand unto the said Lord de Rouvray The Copy of that Warrant This first day of October One thousand six hundred and eleven the King being at Paris assisted by the Queen Regent his Mother in Council having been well informed for what considerations the late King of glorious memory had by a Warrant of the third of April One thousand five hundred ninety and eight granted unto his Subjects of the P. Reformed Religion the yearly sum of five and forty thousand Crowns to be employed in some secret Concerns of theirs And although His present Majesty be not obliged by those secret Articles Warrants and Answers unto Memoirs made in favour of those his said Subjects to increase or augment the said sum yet nevertheless desiring as much as in him lieth to gratifie and favour his laid Subjects and that he may-give them a sense of his good will and love to them His Majesty by the advice of the aforesaid Lady the Queen Regent and of his meer grace and liberality doth grant unto those of the said P. Reformed Religion the above-mentioned sum of five and forty thousand Crowns and over and above the same another yearly sum five and forty thousand Livers as an Act of Bounty which said Moneys he wills and o future it be issued out of the General Fonds of his Treasury by vertue of this present Warrant which to this purpose he hath signed with his own hand and is counter-signed by me his Councillor in his Council of State and Secretary of his Commandments Signed Louis and Lower Philippeaux 12. This Assembly giveth full power to the Lords our General Deputies to pass a contract with the Lord du Candal about the Receipt and management of the five and fourty thousand Livers Augmentation Money and if possible they shall make but one only Contract of the two sum to wit of that first granted and of the aforesaid Augmentation and of their Receipt always reserving the right of our Churches 13. The sâ—me General Deputies are charged to oppose themselves formally against all persons whatsoever that shall endeavour at Court to obtain any Relief to the detriment of the body of the Churches in this Kingdom and contrary to the Union sworn by us and advice shall be given hereof unto the Churches that so the Pastors more especially and the Consistories may do their duty in suppressing such like motions and Enterprises as being scandalous and menacing the Churches with great confusions 14. This Assembly injoyneth all the Consistories of those places where the Courts of Parliament and Chambers of the Edict are established to remonstrate unto the Counsellors professing our holy Reformed Religion their timorous luke-warmness in not opposing and resisting the Verification and Recording of those Letters of Abolition it being their special duty to have opposed them and to have demanded that their Act of Opposal might be recorded Moreover the Consistories of those self-same Towns are exhorted to present unto the said Parliaments and Chambers of the Edict the General Declaration of this National Synod concerning those Letters of Abolition 15. This Assembly ordaineth that for the future the Provinces shall send unto the National Synods a Catalogue of their Pastors in actual service and of the Proposans maintained by them attested by the Manual Subscription of the Moderators and Scribes of their Synods Otherwise there shall be no reckoning made of the Rolls brought in when as the Moneys given us by his Majesty shall come to be distributed 16. This Assembly yielding to the necessity of the times and observing that whatsoever Petitions and Addresses have been made unto their Majesties by our extraordinary Deputations are always ill resented and misconstrued and became so very unpleasing and distastful to their Majesties that they would never vouchsafe a kind or acceptable answer to them therefore it doth at present conceive it best for us to keep our selves unto the ordinary ways of humble Petitions and Remonstrances by the mouths of our General Deputies Hoping that the goodness and clemency of the King and of the Queen Regent his Mother and that the Justice of our Lords in the Privy Council will by this means the former having been disliked by them grant that we shall at last reap and receive the fruit and benefit of them And to this purpose the said General Deputies shaving rendred our most humble thanks unto their Majesties for their gracious favours conferred upon their most Loyal and most Humble and most Dutiful Subjects of the Reformed Religion and particularly for the Augmentation of fifteen thousand Crowns a year granted to our Ministers are charged most humbly to Petition their Majesties that they would be pleased to exempt them from that necessity which is imposed upon them and now with greater severity than ever and contrary to that Liberty of Conscience promised us of stiling our selves of the pretended Reformed Religion Because we had rather and more willingly suffer the greatest torments than stand obliged to condemn with our own mouths our most holy Religion And their Majesties also shall be requested to grant leave unto us in all Cities and Towns where there be a number of families of our Religion to keep lesser Schools for the Education of our Children and that those Restrictions and Modifications annexed unto the answer given to that article in our last complaint and Bill of Grievances may be taken off the file This being a matter which can never be dismembred nor severed from our Liberty of Conscience And whereas contrary to the hopes conceived at first by the Churches when they sent their Commissioners from every Province this Assembly is fully assured from all quarters that the far greater part of our demands and remonstrances have been rejected and that they have been all turned over to the Privy Council and that it may be truly said that after all the great coyl and noise made nothing hath been yielded us except a few Burying places and those also in divers places to the detriment and disadvantage of our Religion the said Deputies are charged to complain thereof unto their Majesties and most humbly to petition that it may be remedied and redressed and to this purpose the Memoirs of the Provinces and Churches groaning under these oppressions shall be put into their hands that so some effectual course may be taken for their relief and by such methods as they shall
Majesty and to our Lords his Ministers but that they repose themselves firmly on his Royal Word trusting always in his Majesty's Goodness that he will hinder and prevent the Designs and Attempts of ill-minded Men who would contrary to the Tenour of his Edicts persecute his poor Subjects because they be of the Reformed Religion 19. And to the intent that our Churches may never be impeached of contributing unto any Alterations and Changes whereby the Publick Peace should be broken This Assembly recommends unto all Pastors an exacter Observation of our Ecclesiastical Discipline and of the Stile of God's holy Word and of our Confession of Faith than heretofore and doth according to our Canons in all these Articles expresly interdict and forbid them the utterance of any bitter Words or Expressions whenever they declare their Faith and Hope against any Person or Opinion whatsoever And it doth also most humbly supplicate his Majesty to interpose his Royal Authority that those of the Romish Religion who do licentiously depart from their Duty may be reduced to the Obedience of his Edicts and that his poor Subjects of the Reformed Religion may not for the future as they have been upon all Occasions hitherto be loaden with the most outragious and atrocious Abuses and Reproaches And we do farther recommend unto all our Churches and their respective Members the observation of our Discipline and particularly that no one do publish any Book till it have been first perused and examined and approved by them who are commissionated thereunto and that none take upon them to violate the Judicial Sentences of the Civil Magistrate concerning Divorces And the Province of Sevennes hath and doth protest that it had never any such Design or Purpose for so doing 20. And whereas there is a Crime imputed unto our Churches about the Residence of their Pastors and the Exercise of their Ministry as if some of them had acted contrary to the tenth Article of January 1561 which yet is very false for not one of them hath ever attempted to preach forcibly in any Place Yea and secondly that Edict of January was only provisional made for that time and hath been since abrogated by the subsequent Edicts particularly by the one and fortieth Article of that Edict made in the Year 1570 and by that of Nants made in the Year 1598 and which by his then Majesty was declared to be a clear plain general and absolute Law by which it was his Will and Pleasure that all his Subjects should be governed And thirdly The Pastors do not exercise the Duties of their Calling in any other Places besides those which are allowed them by the 78th 79th 80th and 81st Articles of the Edict last mentioned And fourthly Our Lords of the Council and the Parliaments and the several Commissioners for the Execution of that Edict have from the beginning made out Orders where and in what Places the publick Exercise of our Religion should be established and performed and did always consider that the most part of those Places were but so many Quarters and Members of one and the same Church served by one and the same Pastor And fifthly That the Pastors never preach out of those Quarters unless in the case of Absence or Sickness or of some other lawful hindrance of their Brethren And lastly By the sixth Article of the Edict of Nants explained by the first of the secret and particular Articles it is granted that our Ministers may reside in any Places of the Kingdom indifferently Wherefore we most humbly petition that his Majesty would maintain them in that Liberty granted them by his Edicts and revoke all Orders and Decrees of his Privy-Council which are derogatory to them 21. Moreover forasmuch as our Pastors do not receive their Maintenance in a way of begging nor from the Poors Box nor from Legacies bequeathed to pious Uses and destinated for the Relief of the Poor but only from a voluntary Contribution of their Flocks or by an Assessment made upon them according to the forty fourth Article of Particular Matters conformably to those Agreements past between them and their Pastors at their first coming And that according to the Discipline the fifth Penny of all Alms is particularly assigned to the maintenance of our Professors Regents Scholars and other such like Persons whole Poverty renders them meet and proper Objects of those Charities without ever diverting the Monies of this natu them but according to the Order of Provincial or National Synods His Majesty is most humbly beseeched to keep up in our Churches the Observation of this ancient Order established by the Discipline and authorized by his Edicts and whereof there was never any Complaint yet formed and that he would be pleased to interdict his Officers the disannulling or changing of Agreements past and made between the Pastors and their Churches about their Salaries when they first took upon them the Cure and Charge of their Souls 22. And sith what hath been done in the case of Mr. Petit relateth to the Execution of this Order and to the Canons of former National Synods his Majesty is most humbly requested to approve thereof 23. Finally forasmuch as the Declaration made by the Synod of Nismes is neither as to its Substance nor Terms in which it is framed and expressed any other Matter than the first Article of the eleventh Chapter of our Discipline bottom'd upon our Confession of Faith Catechism and other Expositions of the Belief of our Churches and for that the Arguments produced on behalf of the Opus operatum and the Decision made by the Church of Rome which is directly opposite unto our Faith aforesaid do formally condemn it his Majesty having by his Edicts allowed of it is most humbly intreated to grant that his Subjects of the Reformed Religion may still enjoy and be always secured in the full enjoyment of the Liberty of their Consciences according to his Sacred and Royal Promises that so they may all unanimously with one and the same Heart and the self-same Vows and Prayers unanimously imploy themselves in the Service of God and of his Majesty CHAP. V. Deputies sent with a Letter unto the King 24. THere were chosen by Plurality of Voices in the Assembly the Sieurs Ferrand Gigord and Cerizy to carry unto his Majesty the most humble Thanks and Petitions of the Churches who were furnished with their Instructions and Letters unto his Majesty and to our Lords the Ministers of State 25. A Copy of the first Letter written by the Synod unto the King SIRE THE Great God whose lively Image you are accepting indifferently and irrespectively the Prayers and Homages of all his Creatures we believed that your Majesty would not he displeased with our Boldness in laying ours at your Feet your Majesty having granted us the Priviledge of assembling our selves in this Place And 't is to acquit our selves of this necessary Duty Sire that we have sent the Sieurs Ferrand Gigord
if it be done out of contempt and through fear of being obliged to renounce all Idolatry after divers admonitions given them and they not reforming they shall be cut off from the Body of the Church but if it be through infirmity they shall be born withal for some space of time till they be more established in the Faith CAN. XII Such as care not to come unto our publick Christian Congregations but only upon those days when the Sacrament of the Lord's Supper is Celebrated shall be reproved and admonished of their duty and to this purpose they shall join themselves unto one certain particular Church N. B. This last Clause is only in my Edition of Paris and Rouen 1663. CAN. XIII The Faithful who make a trade of hearing the Word of God in one Church and of receiving the Sacraments in another shall be censured and by the advice of the Colloquy or Provincial Synod they shall be appointed to join themselves unto that Church which is nearest and most convenient for them N. B. Provincial Synod is only in my Parisian and Quevilly Edition CAN. XIV Chap. XIII Of Marriages Although it hath not been the Custom to administer the Lord's Supper in the greatest part of our Churches more than four times a year yet it were to be desired that it might be oftner so that the Reverence which is needful for this holy Sacrament could be kept up and observed Because it is most profitable for the Children of God to be exercised and grow in Faith by the frequent use of the Sacraments and the Example of the Primitive Church doth invite us to it And therefore our National Synods shall take that care and order in this matter as is requisite for the weal and happiness of our Churches CHAP. XIII Of Marriages CANON I. SUch as are under Age shall not Contract Marriage without the Consent of their Parents or of those other Persons under whose power they be Howbeit if their said Parents should be so unreasonable as not to yield unto so sacred and needful an Ordinance yea and refuse their consent meerly out of hatred to Religion the Consistory shall advise the Parties to apply themselves unto the Civil Magistrate CAN. II. Such as are of Years and in possession of their Estates shall be admonished by the Minister in the publick Church-Assemblies not to make any Promise of Marriage but in the presence of their Parents Friends Neighbours and Persons in reputation for Godliness And such as do otherwise shall be censured for their lightness and contempt of the said admonition And it were very meet that those Promises of Marriage were performed with solemn Prayers CAN. III. The Faithful that are of Age although they have been Married shall notwithstanding so far honour their Parents as not to Contract Marriage without having first acquainted them therewith and in case of failure herein they shall be censured by the Consistory CAN. IV. Fathers and Mothers professing the Reformed Religion whose Children being Idolaters would marry themselves unto Idolatrous Women shall be advised if possibly they can do it to hinder their said Children from Contracting such Marriages especially if they be not as yet emancipated from under their Authority and Fathers shall employ their Paternal Power to prevent and hinder them but and if they cannot so far prevail yet at passing the Marriage Contracts they shall protest their abhorrency of that Idolatry into which their Children will deeper plunge themselves And this being done the Parents may consent unto the Promises and Conditions about the Dowry and other such like matters and they shall give in evidence unto their Consistory of those endeavours they have used to hinder such Marriages CAN. V. For time to come all Promises of Marriages and Espousals shall be performed by words de futuro which shall not be counted as indissolvible as words de praesenti Because words de praesenti do not so much promise Marriage as in effect consummate it Yet nevertheless those promises by words de futuro shall not be dissolved without very great and lawful causes Wherefore the Custom of those Churches is condemned which celebrateth Espousals betrothings by the Ministry and Benediction of their Pastors with gift of Body and words de praesenti For by such Solemnity the Parties are truly and actually conjoined in Marriage so that the Banes are preposterous and published after the Marriage is Consummated and a second Benediction is rendred needless and superfluous True indeed 't is not thought evil that Pastors should assist at Espousals and pray and exhort the Parties unto mutual love faithfulness and the fear of God provided that they forbear all other formalities which are of none other use than to make a Bond indissolvible which oftentimes we are constrained to break again upon oppositions made when the Banes are published and because of other accidental hinderances For these reasons also those Churches which solemnize Espousals in their Temples with the same publick Benediction as at Marriage are exhorted to lay down this their Custom and to conform themselves unto our Churches in all the other Provinces of this Kingdom N. B. The addition unto this Canon which is Printed in another Character is only found in my Parisian and Quevilly Editions of the Discipline yet grounded upon very many Acts of several National Synods See Syn. of Poictiers Art 2. of Partic. Matters 1560. The Syn. of Saumur 1597. Art 25. concerning Observations upon the Discipline The Synod of Privas 1612. Art 9. of Observations upon the Discipline The Syn. of Alez 1620. Art 14. of Observations upon the Discipline CAN. VI. In Consanguinities and Affinities the faithful may not Contract Marriage but with the Kings Licence according to the Edict CAN. VII It is utterly unlawful to Petition the Pope for a Dispensation of the Impediments of Marriage which is already or may be hereafter accomplished because in so doing there would be an owning of his Tyranny Yet we may warrantably address our selves unto the King for a Dispensation in degrees not prohibited by God nor by the Civil Government CAN. VIII Spiritual Kindred as they be called are not at all comprehended nor understood by those words of Consanguinity and Affinity in the Kings Edict nor do they hinder any Marriage-Contracts CAN. IX It is not lawful for any Man to Marry the Sister of his Deceased Wife for such Marriages are prohibited not only by the Laws of the Land but by the word of God And although by the Law of Moses it was ordained that when the Brother died without Children his Brother should raise up Seed unto him yet that Law enacted for the Children of Israel was temporary relating only to the preservation of the Tribes of that People But the Marriage of a Sister of a Betrothed and Deceased Wife is of another Nature because that Alliance was not Contracted by a Commixture of Blood therefore such a Marriage may be admitted and approved Yet notwithstanding
of humanity and Consanguinity CAN. XVI Neither Ministers nor other Members of the Church may print any Books composed by themselves or others concerning Religion nor may they at all publish them until they have first Communicated them unto the Colloquy or if need be unto the Provincial Synod And in case the matter be urgent requiring speedy dispatch unto the Universities or to two Pastors appointed by the Synod who shall attest under their own hands that they have perused and examined the said Writings CAN. XVII They that handle the Histories of holy Scripture in Poems are admonished not to blend or intermingle Poetick Fables with them nor to give unto God the names of a false God nor to add unto nor take any thing from the Sacred Scriptures but they shall confine themselves as near as they can unto the words of it CAN. XVIII Neither the Canonical nor other Books of the Bible shall be transformed into Comedies or Tragedies CAN. XIX Churches which have Printers belonging to them shall advise them not to print any Books concerning Religion or the Discipline of the Church without having first Communicated them unto the Consistory because of those manifold Inconveniencies which have formerly happened upon this account And neither Printers nor Booksellers nor Hawkers shall sell any Books of Idolatry or that be Scandalous stuffed with Ribauldry or Impiety which tend to the corrupting of good Manners CAN. XX. Although Priests cannot lay any just claim or title unto Tyths in regard of their Ministry yet nevertheless they must be paid because of the King's Command and for the avoidance of Scandal and Sedition CAN. XXI According to his Majesties Edict the Faithful shall be exhorted to give none offence by working upon Holy-Days CAN. XXII All Usuries shall be most strictly forbidden and suppressed and matters of Loan shall be regulated according to the Kings Ordinance and the Rule of Charity CAN. XXIII All violence and injurious words against the Members of the Church of Rome as also against Priests and Monks shall not only be forborn but also as much as may be shall be totally suppressed CAN. XXIV Swearers who in passion or levity do take God's holy Name in vain and others who blaspheme the Divine Majesty shall be most severely censured and if after the second admonition they be not reclaimed they shall be then suspended from the Lord's Table And all Outragious Blasphemers Forswearers and such like Persons shall in no wise be tolerated in Church-Communion But immediately for their first offence shall be suspended the Lord's Supper and if they continue in their Ungodliness they shall be publickly Excommunicated CAN. XXV The Churches shall admonish the Faithful of both Sexes to retain Modesty and that most especially in their Habits and shall take care that all Superfluities heretofore committed in them may be retrenched But yet our Churches shall not make any Decree about it because it is an affair properly belonging unto the Civil Magistrate yet may they endeavour by their Remonstrances that his Majesties Edict concerning these matters be more diligently observed CAN. XXVI No Person shall be deprived of Communion at the Lord's Table for wearing any fashion of Apparel which is ordinarily and usually worn in this Kingdom But under this head those ought not to be comprised which carry with them a notorious Badge of Lasciviousness dissolution or over-curious novelty such as naked Breasts Painting and the like with which Men and Women cloath and abuse themselves And Consistories shall do their utmost to suppress these Impieties and shall proceed against the Refractory by Suspension from the Lord's Table N. B. That Clause in the middle of this Canon Printed in another Letter is found in my Parisian and Quevilly Editions of the Discipline yet injoined by the National Synods held at St. Foy 1578. Canon 21. of General Matters The second of Rochel 1581. Art 41. Explaining the 26 Canon in the last Chapter of the Discipline and the Synod of Montauban 1594. Canon 45. of General Matters CAN. XXVII All Dances shall be supprest and such as make a Trade of Dancing or make Custom of being present at Dances having been sundry times admonished in case they prove contumacious and Rebellious they shall be Excommunicated and all Consistories are charged to see that this Canon be most heedfully kept and observed and in the name of God and by the Authority of this Synod that it be read publickly in their Churches And Colloquies and Provincial Synods are exhorted to have an observing eye on those Consistories which shall not perform their duty in this particular that they may be censured N.B. Provincial Synods is left out by pure omission from my other Editions but those of Paris and Quevilly CAN. XXVIII Mummings and Juglings shall not be suffered nor Wassail-days nor keeping of Shrovetide nor Players at Heypass nor Tumblers nor Tricks of Goblets nor Puppet-Plays and Christian Magistrates are exhorted not to permit them because they do feed curiosity and cause a great deal of waste and loss of time Moreover it shall not be lawful for the Faithful to go to Comedies Tragedies Interludes Farces or other Stage-Plays acted in publick or private because in all Ages these have been forbidden among Christians as bringing in a corruption of good Manners but then most of all when as the Sacred Scriptures come to be profaned Yet nevertheless when as in a Colledge it shall be found profitable for Youth to represent any History it may be tolerated provided always that the subject matter thereof be not comprised in the holy Scripture which was never given us for matter of sport but purely to be Preached for our Instruction and Comfort And this also shall be done very rarely and with advice of the Colloquy which shall first have the sight and perusal of the Composition CAN. XXIX All Plays forbidden by the Kings Edicts as Cards Dice and other Games of hazard avarice lasciviousness notorious loss of time or scandal shall be suppressed and the Persons reproved and admonished in the Consistories and censured according to Circumstances No Lotteries can be approved although they were or were not allowed by the Civil Magistrate and the godly Magistrates professing the Reformed Religion are exhorted to restrain them N. B. This last Clause of the Canon is only in my two Editions of Paris and Quevilly CAN. XXX It is a thing purely indifferent to be present at those Feasts and Banquets which are made by those of the Popish Religion when as they are Espoused Married or their Children are born However the Faithful are admonished to use them for edification and seriously to ponder with themselves whether they be Masters of so much strength as to resist the dissolutions and other evils committed at them and especially whether they can reprove them And under these Feasts those are not to be comprised which Priests make at the Celebration of their first Mass for it is utterly unlawful for any one who
order now his Majesty willeth and intendeth that notwithstanding it his said Edict of Nantes shall take place in all the Towns and Jurisdictions brought under his obedience by the said Lord Admiral as for all other places of his Kingdom ARTICLE XXII In pursuance of the Edict for reducing the Lord Duke of Joyeuse the said Religion may not be at all exercised in the City of Tholouse nor in the Suburbs thereof nor within four Leagues round nor nearer to it than the Towns of Villemur Carmain and the Isle of Jordain ARTICLE XXIII Nor may it be restored and set up again in the Towns of Alet Fiac Auriac and Montesquiou but yet and if any of the said Religion should petition for a place where it might be exercised the Commissioners which shall be deputed by his Majesty to execute his Edict or other Officers shall out of the places assigned for every one of those Towns assign a commodious place and of safe access to them and which shall not be in distance removed from the said Towns above one League ARTICLE XXIV The Exercise of the said Religion may be restored even as it was granted by the Edict of Nantes within the Jurisdiction of the Court of Parliament of Tholouse excepting always in the Bailywicks Seneschalsies and their Precincts whose principal Seat was reduced under his Majesty's obedience by the said Lord Duke of Joyeuse for which the Edict of 1577. shall stand good and be observed Yet notwithstanding 't is his Majesty's intention and purpose that the said Exercise shall be continued in the borders of the said Bailywicks and Seneschalsies where it was in the time of the said reduction and that the priviledge of Fiefs shall take place in the said Bailywicks and Seneschalsies according to the intendment and import of the said Edict ARTICLE XXV The Edict made for the Reduction of Dijon shall be observed and according to it there shall be no other Exercise of Religion than that of the Catholick Apostolick and Roman Church in the City and Suburbs thereof nor in four Leagues round ARTICLE XXVI The Edict likewise for Reduction of the Lord Duke of Mayenne shall be observed according unto which the said pretended Reformed Religion may be exercised in the Towns of Chaalon Seure and Soissons in the Bailywick of the said Chaalons and in two Leagues of the borders of Soissons for the term of six Years to begin from the first day of January 1596 which being expired the Edict of Nantes shall be observed as in all other parts of the Kingdom ARTICLE XXVII Those of the said Religion of whatsoever quality shall be permitted to come and go freely unto and from the City of Lions and unto the other Cities and places of the Government of Lyonnois notwithstanding any Prohibitions to the contrary made by the Syndicks and Sheriffs of the said City of Lion and confirmed by his Majesty ARTICLE XXVIII There shall be but one place of Bailywick ordained for the Exercise of the said Religion in the whole Seneschalsie of Poictiers over and besides those which are at present established and as for the Fiefs the Edict of Nantes shall be followed The said Exercise also shall be continued in the Town of Chauvigny But the said Exercise may not be restored in the Towns of Agen and Perigueux although that by the Edict of 1577. it might have been ARTICLE XXIX There shall be but two places of Bailywicks for the Exercise of the said Religion in the whole Government of Picardy as it hath been before declared and the said two places may not be given within the Bailywicks and Governments reserved by the Edicts made for the Reduction of Amiens Peronne and Abbeville Yet notwithstanding the said Religion may be exercised in the Houses of Fiefs throughout the whole Government of Picardy according as it was decreed in and by the Edict of Nantes ARTICLE XXX There shall be no Exercise at all of the said Religion in the City and Suburbs of Sens and there shall be ordained but one place of Bailywick for the said Exercise in the whole Circuit of the said Bailywick however this shall not in the least prejudice the priviledge of Houses of Fiefs which shall hold good according to the Edict of Nantes ARTICLE XXXI In like manner the said Exercise may not be in the City nor Suburbs of Nantes nor shall there be any one place of Bailywick ordained for the exercise of the said Religion within three Leagues round of the said City yet notwithstanding it may be done in the Houses of Fiefs according to the Edict of Nantes ARTICLE XXXII 'T is his Majesty's Will and Pleasure that his said Edict of Nantes shall be observed from this very instant as to what concerns the Exercise of the said Religion in those places where by the Edicts and Grants made for the reduction of some Princes Lords Gentlemen and Catholick Cities it was prohibited only for a time and till further order And as for those places where the said Prohibition was limited to a fixed certain time the said time being passed the Prohibition shall cease and be of no force ARTICLE XXXIII There shall be given unto those of the said Religion a place for the City Provostship and Viscounty of Paris within five Leagues at farthest of the said City in which they may enjoy the publick exercise thereof ARTICLE XXXIV In all those places where the said Religion shall be exercised publickly the People may be assembled and called together even by found of Bells and they may do all Acts and Duties of the said Religion as the exercise of Discipline the holding of Consistories Colloquies National and Provincial Synods by his Majesty's permission ARTICLE XXXV Ministers Elders and Deacons of the said Religion shall not be constrained to answer before a Court of Justice in quality of Witnesses about matters which were revealed to them in their Consistories when as Censures were to be inflicted unless it were for any matter concerning the King's Person or the preservation of the State and Government ARTICLE XXXVI The Professors of the said Religion who live in the Country may lawfully go unto the exercise thereof in the Cities and Suburbs and other places where it shall be publickly established ARTICLE XXXVII Those of the said Religion may not keep any Publick Schools unless in those Cities and places in which the publick exercise thereof is permitted them and those provisions which were formerly granted them for the erection and maintaining of Colleges shall if need so require be verified and obtain their full and entire effect ARTICLE XXXVIII It shall be lawful for Parents professing the said Religion to provide for their Childrens Education in such a manner as best pleaseth them and to substitute one or more Tutors and Guardians to them by their last Will and Testament or by a Codicil or any other Declaration passed before a Notary or written and signed with their own Hands the Laws Ordinances and Customs
to do any thing for the advancement of Religion unless it were to diminish the numbers of the Churches belonging to those of the Pretended Reformed Religion by interdicting such as had been built contrary to the Orders of the said Edict and by suppression of the Mixt Chambers which were erected only provisionally God having at last granted to our People the injoyment of a perfect Peace and we also not being occupied with those cares to protect them against our Enemies and being able to improve this Truce which we effected for this very end that we might wholly apply our selves to seek out such means whereby we might accomplish successfully the design of the said Kings our Father and Grandfather upon which also we entred as soon as we came unto the Crown we now see and according to our Duty thank God for it that our Cares have at last obtained that end we had propounded to our selves inasmuch as the far greater and better part of our Subjects of the said Pretended Reformed Religion have embraced the Catholick And inasmuch as hereby the Execution of the Edict of Nantes and of whatsoever else hath been ordained in favour of the said Pretended Reformed Religion is become useless we have judged that we could do nothing better towards the total blotting out of the remembrance of those Troubles Confusions and Mischiefs which the progress of that false Religion had caused in our Kingdom and which occasioned that Edict and several other Edicts and Declarations which had preceded it or had been in consequence thereof Enacted than totally to revoke the said Edict of Nantes and the special Articles which in pursuance of it had been conceded and whatsoever else had been done in favour of that said Religion I. We therefore make known that for these Causes and others thereunto us moving and of our certain knowledge full power and Royal Authority we have by this present perpetual and irrevocable Edict suppressed and revoked we do suppress and revoke the Edict of the King our said Grandfather given at Nantes in the Month of April one thousand five hundred eighty and two in its whole extent together with those special Articles ordained the second day of May following and the Letters Patents expedited thereupon and the Edict given at Nismes in the Month of July one thousand six hundred and twenty nine we declare them void and as if they had never been together with all Grants made as well by them as by other Edicts Declarations and Decrees to those of the said Pretended Reformed Religion of what kind soever they may be which shall in like manner be reputed as if they had never been And in consequence hereof we will and 't is our pleasure that all the Temples of those of the said Religion situated within our Kingdom Countries Lands and Lordships of our subjection shall be immediately demolished II. We forbid our said Subjects of the said Pretended Reformed Religion any more to assemble themselves for exercise of their said Religion in any Place or Private House under any pretence whatsoever yea and all real Exercises or such as were in Lordships although the said Exercises had been maintained by the Decrees of our Council III. In like manner we forbid all Lords of every degree the Exercise of their Religion in their Houses and Mannors whatsoever may be the Quality of their said Mannors and that upon pain of Confiscation of Bodies and Goods for those of our said Subjects who shall so exercise their said Religion IV. We command all Ministers of the Pretended Reformed who will not turn from it and embrace the Catholick Apostolick and Roman Religion to depart our Kingdom and the Lands of our Dominion within a Fortnight after the publication of this our present Edict and not to tarry beyond that time or during that said Fortnight to Preach Exhort or perform any Function of their Ministry upon pain of being sent to the Gallies V. Our will is that such of the said Ministers who shall change their Religion shall during their whole life continually injoy and their Widows also after them as long as they remain unmarried the same Exemption from Taxes and Lodging of Souldiers which they injoyed during the time of their Ministry and farther we will pay also unto the said Ministers as long as they live a Stipend which shall exceed by one third the Wages they received for their Ministry and their Wives also as long as they abide Widows shall injoy the one half of their said Stipend VI. If any of the said Ministers desire to become Advocates or would proceed Doctors of the Laws 't is our will and we declare it That they shall be dispensed as to three Years studying prescribed by our Declarations and having undergone the usual Examination and thereby judged capable that they be promoted Doctors paying one half only of those Fees customarily paid to this purpose in every University VII We forbid all Private Schools for the Instruction of the Children of those of the said Pretended Reformed Religion and generally all other things whatsoever that may bear the sign of Priviledge or Favour to that said Religion VIII And touching the Children that shall be born of those of the said Pretended Reformed Religion Our Will is that for time to come they be baptized by the Curates of their Parishes Commanding their Fathers and Mothers for that purpose to send them to their Churches on penalty of being fined five hundred Livers or a greater summ and those Children shall henceforth be brought up in the Catholick Apostolick and Roman Religion And we most strictly Command all the Judges of those respective places to see that this be Executed IX And that we may express our Clemency towards those our Subjects of the said Pretended Reformed Religion who are withdrawn from out of our Kingdom Countries and Lands of our Dominion before Publication of this our present Edict we will and give them to understand that in case they return within the space of four Months from the day of its Publication they may and it shall be lawful for them to enter into the possession of their Estates and to injoy them even as they might have done if they had been always at home whereas contrarily such as within that time of four Months shall not return into our Kingdom or Countries or Lands of our Dominion their Estates abandon'd by them shall be and remain Confiscated according to our Declarations of the twentieth day of August last past X. And we do most straitly again repeat our Prohibitions unto all our Subjects of the said Pretended Reformed Religion that neither they nor their Wives nor Children do depart our said Kingdom Countries or Lands of our Dominion nor transport their Goods and Effects on pain for Men so offending of their being sent to the Gallies and of Confiscation of Bodies and Goods for the Women XI We will and give them to know that all Declarations published against the
reform provided that he give not any Sign or Token of his Approbation a Gentleman may not hinder People from entring into the Chappel of his Castle when as Idolatry is Established by Publick Authority 8. Quest Whether we may feign to perform the abusive Sinful Will of a Testator that so we may remove the Abuse Answ Altho there would be no Sin in it to frustrate the abusive Sinful Intention of the Testator by detaining the Revenues ordained by him for chanting Masses yet notwithstanding this feigning and dissembling will be always evil and must be condemned when a Man doth make Semblance of paying Service unto Devils 9. Quest Whether we may limit or keep back those Gifts and Alms bequeathed by a Testator Answ We are not forbidden to bequeath any part of our Estate unto pious Uses after our decease no more than to give it away during our Lives provided we do it not out of Ambition to get a Name and renown by so doing For it cannot be said that a Man is in quest of Glory when as he shall oblige his Heir to do well according to that Estate he shall leave him as he himself would have done if he had lived longer To alledge that he never used to do thus in his life time it is a Bar put upon a Man's Liberty that he should have no Power freely to dispose of his own Goods If the Heir be dissatisfied woe unto him 10. Quest Whether we are bound to approve of that Minister who hath been examined by Persons of Judgment and Experience Answ As a Church is free to prove and try the Life and Doctrine of a Minister before they accept and receive him So neither is there any Tie nor Obligation upon them to the contrary but that they may confide and acquiesce in those who are qualified to examine him and have had a long time knowledge of him and so can best judge who and what he is Otherwise the Faithful in Foreign parts would be destitute of all means whereby to be supplied with able Pastors if this Door were shut up 11. Quest Whether a Pastor may forsake his Church and a Church their Pastor Answ A Pastor may not of his own head forsake his Flock but in case they will not make use of him he is free and may warrantably leave them because ho cannot be a Pastor without a People nor hold and exercise his Office among them against their Wills and Consent by meer force Or in case the Church should not count his Labours among them profitable or if he should have a Call unto another Church which hath greater need of him he may with the general Consent of his Flock freely go thither and serve it And look as every Pastor is bound to serve the Church of God especially his own so likewise is One Church bound to help another And would to God this mutual Assistance were better practiced for then we should be more enlargedly useful and beneficial one unto another 12. Quest Whether a private Christian may exercise the Office of a Minister unto his own Family Answ A Godly Man being the Head and Master of his Family ought to serve guide and instruct it according to the Measure of his Gifts and Graces and may so far supply the Pastor's Office and perform his Duty in it as to teach sound Doctrine and inculcate wholsome Counsels to it But forasmuch as also Persons indifferently are not allowed to Preach the Word and Administer the Sacrament it is but just and reasonable that a Man should first try and examine himself and be well assured that he is called of God before he attempt or take upon him so great and weighty an Office Yet nevertheless every particular Family ought to be a Little Church of Christ 13. Quest Whether it be lawful to hold a Commander's Place in any of the Popish Guilds and Fraternities Answ The immoderate Desire of Gain from all Quarters hath caused a multitude of Cases to be started by Conscience As this in particular which now lieth before me Whether it be lawful to hold a Commander's Place or Office in any of the Popish Guilds and Fraternities To which I answer That because there is a Foundation of Masses annexed unto such Offices and Commanderships and for that such Places are not in the King's gift but settled upon the Members of such and such a Guild and Fraternity who are recommended to it and for that they do all take an Oath repugnant to the true Reformed Religion they cannot with a safe Conscience hold it For were there no other Evil in it yet there is this that Sith they do not apply the Profits and Emoluments of the Commandership unto those very uses to which they were designed they be but Thieves and Robbers 14. Quest Whether it be lawful to antedate a Contract Answ Provided there be no falshood in it contrary to the Agreement in the Policy or Instrument private Persons are no more forbidden to antidate a Deed of Sale in which there is no Fraud than to change their Names or to date a Letter from Paris which was written at Lions In case it should be alledged that this would be a cheating the King of his Gabel and Impost I answer this is nothing to the Purpose because the Question is not moved about the Detention of Tribute but only how to avoid without Fraud a most violent Extortion and tyrannical Pillage But in case an Oath should be tendered unto the Parties then I must tell them that the Name and Honour of God should be more precious to them than all the Riches of the World 15. Quest Whether it be lawful and when I may put out my Money unto Interest Answ I would never advise any Man to put out his Money to Interest if he can employ it any ways else Yet when as a Man 's whole Estate doth lie in ready Money he may very well contract with such and such Persons that upon such and such terms it may be lawful for him to receive benefit and profit thereby But he must be very careful that he do not let loose the Reins to demand and take excessive Gains as is the Custom and Practice of too too many nor should he grieve or grind the Face of that poor Man with whom he hath contracted nor endammage the publick Interest by his own private Benefit Wherefore upon the whole I dare not approve of any Interest till I do first know how and upon what Terms Articles and Conditions and with what Persons you do transact herein CHAP. X. Orders and Decrees concerning Marriages Made by the Authority of the National Synod of Vertueil held in the Year l567 But drawn up at the Desire of the Fathers in this Synod by the R. Mr. Calvin Minister of God's Holy Word Pastor and Professor in the Church and Vniversity of Geneva These Orders were tacked together with Mr. Calvin's Answer to the forementioned fifteen Cases of Conscience
broken with the din and complaints of their being surprized and of an usurped domination over Conscience and of reproaches for precipitancy and connivency as we are informed hath been the issue of that at Privas And in short we should think it best to leave your Confession alone immoveable and not as you often do dig it up and lay open this Foundation which though for the present it may be done with a good Intention and with laudable moderation yet may in after times produce a world of licentiousness Above all we most instantly request this of your Piety totally to extinguish those Accessory questions which being altogether needless and unprofitable do extreamly indanger Gods Church and are naturally apt to engender Heresies or Atheism among the ignorant people We very much fear that the Printing of Tilenus his book will be a great stumbling block and hindrance to this work and therefore we judged it necessary to obstruct the publication of its answer and are in great trouble what other lawful course we may take for the justifying of our Dear Brother whom he hath so grievously impeached However if it shall be thought good for the weal of the Church that he be silent and there be no more invectives or mutual recriminations left standing on the File we hope some other Expedients may be found out to salve the honour and the reputation of our Brother especially since the controversie is not about any point in it self fundamental which is to be defended but occasionally and in disputation where all sort of arguments and ways of proving though they be not always good and receiveable do not consequentially import a simple and absolute assertion because had it not been for their serviceableness to confirm the conclusions they had never been at all mentioned And we cannot think it any wise convenient to redeem the honour of a private dispute from the Laughter and Scorn of the Enemies of Truth by letting in upon us a swarm of perilous and curious Questions together with horrible scandals and scruples perplexing and tormenting Conscience Let 's labour rather to extirpate these animosities and to draw these divided Spirits nearer in love one unto the other And then the offendor who in our opinion cannot with any Conscience judge so unworthily of our Brother will be the first as in duty bound to acquit and clear him exchanging his Invectives into Brotherly admonitions We receive frequent and mournful relations of that accursed Practice of Duels yea and among persons of our Religion and tho we believe this violent and brutish Sin is so strongly rooted as to elude and reject all remedies yet because of its atrociousness and enormity we desire your holy Synod to consuls of the last and Soveraign Remedy even that dreadful power which the word of God hath given unto his Church to draws out the Spiritual Sword against such notorious delinquents without connivency dispensation or respect of persons that by its implacable severity against those daring Rebels the Lord blessing his own ordinance their feet which ran swiftly to shed innocent blood may be hereafter stopped and restrained At least let us weep and groan before the Lord that this evil may never be imputed to us that we may be delivered from the guilt of so much Blood as hath been wickedly spilt among us that it may never lie at our doors nor our Consciences may ever reproach us for having lent our heart or hands unto that murdering spirit and that we may never be marked with this brand of infamy which is peculiar to the enemies of God to have been Executioners of his vengeance upon themselves Finally most Honoured and Dear Brethren knowing the great care you have for us and how much you are allarumed with reports of Plots and Preparatives for War against us we give you to understand that through grace excepting Gods ordinary discipline of fears and threats he doth yet keep us in peace and lengthens out our tranquillity by which we are taught continually to conside in him who quickneth the dead and not to be puffed or lifted up with pride and carnal security but Religiously to improve our repose unto his service and glory and the general aid and benefit of all the Churches And we thank you heartily for your kind acceptance of our affection expressed in sending so great a number of your Scholars to Study in our University which is a very great honour to us and we shall do our utmost endeavours by all means to fit them for your future service by moulding them into the form of sound words and into that doctrine which is according to godliness weaning and withdrawing them as much as in us lieth from that vanity of Jesuitical knowledge wherein to our great grief so many gallant hopeful wits have through vain curiosity and affectation been wretchedly insnared especially in the endless Mazes and Labyrinths of Metaphysical terms and questions the true Siminaries of all novelties and heresies Help us as we shall you in united Prayers unto the throne of grace you have been exceeding helpful to us this way in our frequent distresses and we conserve the Memory thereof by us and ever shall as of a most pretious Jewel And may the most blessed God continue his divine grace and favours to you and us perfecting his strength in our infirmities uniting all our hearts in a perfect charity and grant us to keep the Faith unto the end and to finish our course with joy and to lay hold of Eternal Life and that we may all be to the praise and glory of his grace through our Lord Jesus Christ to whose power and Spirit we do with all our hearts recommend your holy Synod and all your Churches in general Subscribing our selves most sincerely Most Honoured and Dear Brethren Your most humble and most affectionate Brethren in the Lord the Pastors and Professors in the Church and University of Geneva and in their Names S. Goulart J. Diodati A Letter from the Lord of Plessis Marli unto the National Synod of Tonneins Sirs I Could not let the ' Deputies of this Province part from me without giving you assurance of my most humble and faithful service and to intreat you notwithstanding all the tricks and wickedness of this age to believe that I am speaking to you as one who is quitting this world and hath nothing left him to dispatch but his own Epitaph which through divine grace shall never give the lie to my past life and after all I shall never take my own private Interests for the Rule of my Life or actions nor so abound in my own sence as to counteract the common Resolutions of our Churches whose prudence I have always found safest because Conscience is its eye and guide Sirs All good men expect two principal blessings from your holy Synod the first is that you would be pleased by your Authority once for all to suppress those unnecessary Questions which trouble the
Treasure constantly defended which God also will cause her evermore to defend so as no Counsel nor Force shall be ever able to prevail against it Now to this one God Father Son and Holy Spirit be Honour and Glory for ever and ever Amen Errors Rejected The Orthodox Doctrine having been Explained the Synod Rejects their Errors CANON I. WHO teach that the Perseverance of True Believers is not an effect of Election nor a gift of â—od purchased by the Death of Christ but it s a Condition of the New Covenant which Man before his Election and peremptory Justification as they call it must of his free will accomplish for the Sacred Scriptures witnesseth that it floweth from Election and is given unto the Elect by vertue of the Death Resurrection and Intercession of Jesus Christ Rom. 11.7 The Election hath obtained it and the others are hardned Also Rom. 8.31 32 33 34. He that hath not spared his only Son but given him for us all how shall he not also give us with him all other things Who shall lay any thing to the charge of â—ods Elect It is God that will justifie Who will condemn It is Christ that is dead yea rather who is risen again from the Dead and who sitteth at the right hand of God and who also maketh Intercession for us Who shall separate us from the Love of Christ Shall it be Oppression Or Tribulation Or Famine Or Peril or Sword Yea in all these things we are more than Conquerors through him who hath loved us CANON II. Who teach That God doth indeed provide for the Believer strength enough and power sufficient for perseverance and that in case he do his Duty God will preserve him However let all things be supposed which may be needful to perseverance in Faith and which God will make use of for his preservation yet still it depends upon the Liberty of Mans Will whether he will persevere or not This Opinion is bare-fac't Pelagianisme and whilst the Professor of it would make Man free they make him Sacrilegious Besides it is against the perpetual consent of the Gospel-Doctrine which removes from Man all grounds of boasting and ascribes the Glory of this benefit to the Grace of God only And it thwarteth the Testimony of St. Paul who saith 1 Cor. 1.8 that God will confirm us unto the end that we may be blameless in the day of Our Lord Jesus Christ CANON III. Who teach that the Faithful and Regenerate may not only fall totally and finally from Justifying Faith and from Grace and Salvation but also that they often do so and perish Everlastingly for this Opinion doth not only annihilate the Grace of Justification and Regeneration but also the perpetual keeping of the Lord Jesus Christ contrary to the express words of the Holy Apostle St. Paul Rom. 5.9 10. If Christ died for us when we were Sinners much more than being now justified by his Blood shall we be saved from Wrath by him And against the Apostle St. John 1 Ep. 3.9 Whosoever is born of God sinneth not for the Seed of God abideth in him and he cannot sin because he is born of God and against the vvords of Jesus Christ John 10.28 29. And I give unto them Eternal Life and they shall never perish nor shall any pluck them out of my hand my Father vvho hath given them unto me is greater than all and no one can take them out of my Fathers hands I and my Father are one CANON IV. Who teach that Believers and Regenerate Persons may sin the sin unto Death that is they may commit that unpardonable sin against the Holy Ghost Although the beloved Apostle and Disciple of Our Lord in the fifth Chapter of his First Epistle after that he had spoken in the sixteenth and seventeenth verses of those vvho commit the Sin unto Death and forbidden all Prayers for them added in the eighteenth verse We knovv that vvhosoever is born of God sinneth not but he that is begotten of God keepeth himself and that vvicked one toucheth him not CANON V. Who teach That none can have in this Life without special Revelation any certainty of their perseverance For by this Doctrine the faithful are deprived of the most solid substantial comfort which is to be had in this Life and are abandoned to the diffidence and wavering floating opinions and doubts of the Romish Church But the Sacred Scriptures every where deriveth this Assurance not from any special or extraordinary Revelation but from the proper marks of the Children of God and from his infallible Promises especially from the Apostle St. Paul Rom. 8.38 No Creature can separate us from the Love of God which he hath shown us in Jesus Christ our Lord 1 John 3.24 He that keepeth his Commandments abideth in him and God in him And by this vve knovv that he abideth in us by his Spirit vvhich he hath given us CANON VI. Who teach That the Doctrine of Assurance of Perseverance and Salvation is a Pillovv for the Flesh to sleep on more securely and is in and of it self injurious unto Godlyness Good Works Prayers and all Holy Duties and Religious Exercises And on the contrary it is a laudable thing to be diffident and doubtful But such Persons bevvray their Ignorance and are mere Strangers to the efficacy of Divine Grace and to the operation of the Holy Ghost dvvelling in the Elect and contradict the Apostle St. John vvho doth in express terms assert the contrary 1 John 3.2 Beloved novv are vve the Children of God but vvhat vve shall be is not yet knovvn But this vve knovv that vvhen he shall appear vve shall be like unto him for vve shall see him even as he is And they must be more abundantly convinced by the Examples of Gods Saints both in the Old and New Testament who although they were assured of their Perseverance and Salvation did not thereupon neglect dayly Prayers or other Acts Duties and Exercises of True Piety and Religion CANON VII Who teach That there is no difference between a Temporary Faith and that which is Saving and Justifying excepting the duration of it For the Lord Jesus himself doth manifestly remark three other differences between those who believe but for a time and true Believers when as he saith Matth. 13.20 and Luke 8.13 and the verses following That those are they who receive the Seed in stony ground and these in good ground or in an honest heart that the former had no root but these have a firm root the one brought no fruit but these produced their fruits constantly and perseveringly in divers degrees and measures CANON VIII Who teach that it is no absurdity to say that when as the first Regeneration is extinct a Man may be born again yea he may be often new born For by this Doctrine the Seed of God by which we be new born is made corruptible directly contrary to the Witness of St. Peter Ep. 1. cap. 23. Being
that the said Bastide was at present a Prisoner resolved That his Majesty should be most humbly petitioned to grant unto him as well as to all other his Subjects of the Reformed Religion the Enjoyment of the Benefit of his Edicts and to send him before his proper Judges and in the mean while it decreeth that he shall be removed from the Province of Higher Languedoc and that from this very Instant the Exercise of his Ministry shall cease and be at an end in the said Church of St. Africk and the said Province is commanded to provide out of hand another Pastor for it CHAP. V. Deputies and a Letter sent from the Synod unto the King 34. MOnsieur Amyraud a Pastor and de Villars an Elder were chosen by plurality of Suffrages to lay at his Majesty's Feet the most humble and thankful Acknowledgments and Petitions of the Churches and they had their Instructions given them and Letters unto his Majesty and to our Lords the Principal Ministers of State 35. A Copy of the Letter written by the Synod unto the King SIRE Mr. L'abadie was ordered and did accordingly draw up this Letter YOVR Majesty having graciously permitted us to assemble in this Place as soon as we had lifted up our Hands to God in Thanksgivings for giving us to find Favour in your Majesty's sight our next Care was to render unto your Majesty as to the most lively Portraiture of God in Earth our most humble and thankful Acknowledgments and we hope that as God whom your Majesty represents doth hear the Prayers of his Children and compassionateth them in their Afflictions and Complaints and mitigateth their Dolours so your Majesty will be pleased to receive together with the most humble Acknowledgments of our Duty the Petitions of your poor afflicted Subjects afflicted in very many and sundry Ways and who using none other than these innocent Means of Petition do betake themselves for Sanctuary unto your Majesty's Royal Goodness and confide wholly in your Majesty's most Royal Clemency May it therefore please your Majesty to suffer the Sieurs Amyraud and de Villars to throw themselves at your Feet and to repeat in your Majesty's hearing the sincere Protestations of our most humble Fidelity and Subjection to your Service and to acquaint your Majesty with the manifold Violations of your Edicts almost in all the Provinces of your Kingdom whilst we in our own Names and of many thousands of devout Souls professing our holy Religion and on whose behalf through the Favour of your Majesty's Paternal Bounty we are now assembled in this National Synod do continue our Vows and Prayers unto God for the Prosperity of your Sacred Person the Stablishment of your Scepter the upholding of your State the Triumph of your Armies and his Benediction upon your Royal Bed as being From Charenton September 13 1631. SIRE Of your Majesty The most humble the most obedient and most faithful Subjects and Servants The Deputies of the National Synod assembled by your Permission at Charenton and in the Name of them all Mestrezat Moderator of the Synod Jamett Assessor Blondell Scribe and Armet Scribe CHAP. VI. A Copy of the Cahier of our Complaints and of the Infractions of his Majesty's Edicts presented to his Majesty from the Synod by the Sieurs Amyraud and de Villars To the King SIRE YOUR most humble and most obedient Subjects of the Reformed Religion assembled by your Majesty's Permission in the National Synod at Charenton do freely acknowledg that we want both Conceptions and Expressions by which we may sufficiently and worthily express our just sense and feeling of those many and illustrious Testimonies of your Majesty's Paternal Affection to us and therefore we do pour out incessantly our most fervent and devoutest Prayers unto the Throne of Grace that the Lord our good God would be graciously pleased to preserve your Majesty's most Sacred Person and the Tranquillity of your Dominions And we do absolutely consecrate our Lives and Fortunes unto your Majesty's Service according to the Duty taught us by our most holy Religion and our Birth which is to expose them for the Honour of our Soveraign upon all Occasions 2. And forasmuch as it hath pleased your Majesty to confirm by divers Declarations those Edicts made in our Favour yea and to place them in the Rank and Classis of Fundamental Laws of your Kingdom we most humbly supplicate your Majesty to ordain that they may be as exactly observed and punctually executed 3. Particularly for what concerns the Establishment of our Churches in those Places where hitherto we could never obtain that Benefit notwithstanding all our Care and Diligence to get it executed and that those which are desolated through the Infelicities of the late Troubles and the Rigors of that Decree made in your Majesty's Council the last May out of favour to the Lord Bishop of Valence and his Complices may be once again re-edified For the Execution of such Decrees causeth many thousands of devout Souls deprived of the Exercise of their Religion to mourn and groan before God continually 4. This Desolation Sire is therefore the more worthy of your Royal Compassions because it is extream for in Vivaretz there be nine and twenty Churches wholly destitute of all Religious Worship and in Sevennes nineteen and in the Land and Isles of Ré and Olleron there be twenty four besides those which decay through the many cunning Obstructions brought against the rebuilding of the demolished Temples in Xaintonge Burgundy Brittain Berry Normandy Poitou and the Lower Guyenne whose Number indeed is not so great but however their Damage is inestimable And Sire all the Provinces demand no new Favour of your Majesty but only what hath been formerly granted them by your Edicts 5. Therefore is it that your Majesty is most humbly requested to revoke those Decrees aforesaid and to ordain that nothing may be innovated against ancient Practice and Possession and that our Ministers may preach in all Places where they shall be called according to the Duties of their Office and that they may serve in divers Churches at the same time which shall be all established or re-established conformably to the Edicts and Declarations of your Majesty 6. And forasmuch as very many Ministers in divers Provinces particularly in that of Languedoc are troubled not for uttering any undutiful or disrespectful Words but for Preaching though with the greatest Moderation and according to that Liberty of Conscience which is our Priviledg and Property conformable to our Confession of Faith and the Discipline of our Churches your Majesty is therefore most humbly intreated that all Prosecutions commenc'd against them may cease as having none other Foundation than the groundless Passions of the Commissioners and Officers and that upon this account your Attorney General may be silenced and a Prohibition may be granted out against them from ever troubling any of our aforesaid Ministers in discharging the Duties of their Calling and Exercise
County of Vaux and that the Provincial Deputies of Burgundy had delivered in their Opinion concerning him this Synod could not grant him his Request yet nevertheless received with Joy the good News of his Repentance and Conversion unto the Lord and he was exhorted to confirm himself more and more in it and to continue in the Grace of God 14. The Province of Lower Guyenne is injoined to make use of their Authority upon Monsieur Perery and to see that he do actually reside with his Flock and in case he continue refractory and disobey their Order that they do then immediately censure him according to the utmost Rigor and Severity of our Discipline 15. The Practice of the 3d Article of General Matters in the last National Synod is recommended unto all the Churches 16. Complaints having Been brought against divers Pastors Non-Residents in the Colloquy of Lower Quercy unto the last National Synod and those Complaints together with the Letters of those Ministers apologizing for themselves having been dismissed to the Colloquy of Albigeois and the Synod of Higher Languedoc to judg of their Case now the Sentence pass'd upon them was revised in this present Synod and this Assembly being willing to support and incourage them in their Ministry did once more ordain the Colloquy of Albigeois to renew their Informations and to examine afresh the pretended Inability of those Churches and to urge and induce them by all kind of Arguments and those the most forcible to perform their Duties and to bring in an Account hereof unto the next National Synod 17. The Appeal of the Church of Nerac which refused to defray the Charges the Church of Agen were at in the Removal of Monsieur Vignier is dismissed over to the Judgment of the Province of Lower Guyenne because it is not of the Nature of those Affairs which do depend upon National Synods 18. That Judgment given by the Province of Dolphiny in the Cause of Monsieur Aymier is ratified by this present Synod 19. Forasmuch as the Province of Vivaretz hath given their Consent unto it this Assembly permitteth for this time that the Church of St. Estienne in Forest be incorporated with the Province of Burgundy 20. The Promise made by the last National Synod unto the Province of Bearn about the Ministers born in it and imployed in divers Churches of this Kingdom is again confirmed and the said Province is exhorted to acquiesce and rest satisfied therewith 21. Whereas the Adjunction of the Church of Valence unto that of Soyon is indispensably needful for the Subsistence of this latter the Synod injoineth the said Church to incorporate it self with it as it hath done formerly and this Act shall be notified unto them by the Deputies of Lower Languedoc of Sevennes and Provence as they return in their way homeward 22. The Deputies of Vivaretz remonstrated that the Article concerning Monsieur Perrier's Account was left out in that Copy of the last National Synod which was brought down unto their Province and that it were sit the said Accompt should be revised This Assembly ordaineth that the said Province do apply it self unto that of Dolphiny which shall summon the said Perrier before them and judg finally of the Merits of the said Remonstrance 23. The Synod of Lower Guyenne shall cite Monsieur Bustanoby before them that he may accompt with them about the Imployment of the three hundred Livers delivered unto his deceased Father by the National Synod of Castres and they shall make Report thereof unto the next National Synod A penitent Minister seeking and petitioning to be restored is denied but with Advice to betake himself to some other Calling 24. SAmuel du Fresné deposed from the sacred Ministry by the Consistory of Vienna and Synod of Higher Languedoc presenred himself unto this Assembly and with a Shower of Tears implored the Pardons and Bowels of the Church whom he had offended by his Fall But upon Perusal of the Acts of his Deposition and the 51st Article of the Discipline which depriveth them of all Hopes of Restoration who are fallen into such Crimes of which he stands convicted The Assembly advised him to betake himself to some other Calling and to repair the Scandal he had given by his Perseverance in true Repentance and the Practice of Godliness 25. Forasmuch as in that Information brought in against the said du Fresné there were several over-curious Questions and very ill-becoming the Gravity of Ecclesiastical Persons the Province of Higher Languedoc is charged to make Remonstrance thereof unto the Parties who drew up those Articles of Information against him and to put to their helping-Hand that no such Matters be done for the future 26. Whereas the Holy Apostle in the 8th Verse of the 3d Chapter to the Romans saith expresly that their Damnation is just who say Let us do Good that Evil may come thereof and that 't is neither consisting with Reason nor the Integrity of our Christian Profession to prefer the Consideration of our little temporal Losses and Concerns unto the Duties of Conscience This Assembly cannot therefore admit of those Excuses alledged by the Consistory of the Church of Rochel for neglecting the Execution of the first Article of General Matters in the foregoing Synod and therefore doth once more renew its Injunction that all the Churches do conform themselves unto the Practice thereof and judgeth the Consistory of the said Church of Rochel worthy of the sharpest Censures and farther ordaineth that Letters be written unto the Faithful in the said City to convince them of the Greatness of their Sin and of the Scandal which their Connivency and unsufferable Cowardice hath given unto all the Churches of this Kingdom and they be adjured by the Compassions of the Living God and the Religious Resentments of sincere and devout Christians to hold keep and observe strictly precisely and inviolably the sincere Profession of God's Saving Truth in its Purity and Power without swerving or derogating from it by any Actions either directly or indirectly contrary thereunto 27. All our Universities are exhorted to conform themselves as much as in them lieth unto the Observation of that Article of the last National Synod which recommended the Profession of Metaphysicks to the Professors of Philosophy CHAP. XIII Bearn incorporated with the Churches of France 28. THE Deputies of the Province of Bearn having declared that their Synod doth accept the Union of the Churches of this Kingdom under the Conditions granted them by the National Synod of Charenton in their Observations upon the first Article of that of Castres and that they do from this Instant submit themselves unto all our National Synods that shall be held hereafter and they promise also that they will allow of all Appeals brought by the Pastors Elders and Churches of their Principality unto these our National Synods and farther that they consent for the future to exercise their Discipline in all Points according to the Canons of the Discipline
Maeil Elder in the Church of Dieppe being chosen by the common Votes of the Pastors Elders and Heads of Families there and sent unto the Deputies of the Province of Normandy to move and intreat them to request that Mr. Texier who was freed from the Church of Mauvesin in the Province of Higher Languedoc might be given to them absolutely and the said Lords Deputies having introduced him into the Assembly to make his Demand in which also they joined with him After that Mr. Texier had been heard on the one part declaring how that for the Ingratitude of his Church he accepted of the Call given him by the Church of Dieppe upon Condition that his Province should judg it reasonable to set him at Liberty and with Design to oblige his Church by the Authority of the National Church to give him a full Satisfaction and on the other part the Deputies of Higher Languedoc complained that they were not in due time and place acquainted with his Intention and requesting that the Right of their Province might be intirely secured it having many Churches to be supplied which were destitute of Pastors and particularly the Church of Mauvesin which had sufficiently assured the said Texier that he should be paid the Arrears of his Wages The Assembly decreed that he should apply himself unto his Synod which is exhorted to see that he be fully satisfied and in case he be set free from his Church and that he cannot be commodiously provided for within his Province that then leave shall be given him to depart where he best liketh 3. The Assembly conserving to the Province of Berry the Right they have hitherto had over the Church of la Selle ordaineth that as long as it shall be supplied by the Pastors of the Isle of France it shall be under the Jurisdiction of the said Province which shall continue their Contributions towards the Subsistence of the Colledg of Chastillon 4. Forasmuch as the Assembly is not now in Possession of any Fund out of which those who have Recourse unto it might be relieved by its Charities Monsieur Falquet whose Necessities are very great is recommended unto the Province of Berry to be assisted and comforted by them either by allowing him some certain Portion out of their Alms or by recommending his afflicted Condition to be relieved by the more rich and populous Churches 5. The Deputies of the Province of Vivaretz relating the extream Poverty whereunto Monsieur Zuccond a Pastor emeritus hath been for several Years last past reduced by reason of his great Sicknesses Losses Expences and Imprisonments suffered from the Lord of Chanal and la Motte and that the precedent National Synods had in Consideration of his great Afflictions granted him a free Portion out of the Monies of his Majesty's Liberality and requested this Assembly that they would be pleased to vouchsafe him some sensible Tokens of their Charity and Compassion Answer was made them that forasmuch as the Churches had no Monies at all of their own nor now to be disposed by them the said Province was exhorted to take care of him for his comfortable Subsistence and Relief from among themselves 6. Whereas the Province of Sevennes had formed a Complaint against Monsieur James Pasquier Pastor in the Church of St. John de Breuil this Affair was turned over to the Judgment of the Province of Higher Languedoc 7. The Deputies of Bearn requesting that the Divisions which have been judged and condemned in the Church of Morlas maybe totally and effectually remedied and that there may be an End put unto the Complaints brought in by Monsieur Fabas against his Province and sundry particular Persons on the one hand and of divers others against him on the other that therefore some Deputies may be sent with an express Charge to take Knowledg of and give a final Judgment on all those Articles which could not possibly be examined or clearly inspected into in this Place and at so great a Distance The Assembly accepting the Offer of the Deputies of the Province of Bearn promising to bear their Charges who should to this Purpose be sent unto them did nominate the Sieurs Ferrand and Charles Pastors and Charron an Elder to receive the Information drawn up at the Request of Monsieur Rival by the Lord D'abbadie the Decrees past in Parliament against the Lords D'abbadie Rival and others who by Order of their Colloquy had admitted unto Communion at the Lord's Table some particular Persons of Morlas and generally all Papers whatsoever which have given Birth and Fewel unto this Fewd and Contention that so they may proceed to a final Judgment on the remaining Matters yet under Debate and Controversy And they shall bring in their Accompt hereof unto the next National Synod 8. To regulate the Pretensions of the Churches of Alanson St. Aignan and Mans about the Donative given for their Benefit by the Lady de la Harangere and destined to the Maintenance of some poor Scholars This Assembly ordaineth that according to the Tenor of the said Legacy the Administration of the Monies arising from it ought to be left in the Hands of the Church of Alanson and those two other Churches shall agree with it about the choice of him to whom the Pension shall be exhibited and that the first of these three Churches which shall be unprovided may proceed to receive and imploy him and that the Son of Monsieur Vignier Pastor of the Church of Mans who hath already received some Fruits of the aforesaid Pension shall injoy it and be preferred before all others in the Injoyment of it 9. Forasmuch as the Sieur de la Milletiere hath sent unto the Pastors deputed by the Provinces the first Part of a Book written by him intituled Les Moyens de la Paix Chrestienne en la Reunion des Catholiques Evangeliques sur les differends de la Religion divisé en quatre parties and the Title of the first Volume La Refutation de la procedure de Monsieur Daillé en son Examen and Letters also in which he asserts that he is moved hereunto by the sole Spirit of God for to reconcile the Differences in Religion He takes for granted that what he hath offered or may hereafter offer will be received without any Contradiction by all the Churches and presupposeth that all our first Reformers and their Successors were abused and do abuse themselves through a Misunderstanding which cannot be discovered but by them who shall admit his new conceited Lights And whereas he hath been too long even for the space of three Years tolerated and that the Church of Paris hath used all Endeavours to reduce him unto his Duty and that in the Articles contained in his first Script he hath designedly concealed his Opinions though under the very Phrases used by the Doctors of the Romish Religion and with which they are accustomed to express their own Sentiments and that in the second which he hath sent abroad
of smaller or greater Numbers as the matter shall require 3. That particular Churches their respective Elders and Members ought to have a reverential regard to their Judgment so given and not dissent therefrom without apparent Grounds from the Word of God 7. Of our Demeaner towards the Civil Magistrate 1. We do reckon our selves obliged continually to pray for God's Protection Guidance and Blessing upon the Rulers set over us 2. That we ought to yield unto them not only Subjection in the Lord but support according to our Station and Abilities 3. That if at any time it shall be their pleasure to call together any Number of us or require any account of our Affairs and the state of our Congregations we shall most readily express all dutiful regard to them herein 8. Of a Confession of Faith As to what appertains to soundness of Judgment in matters of Faith we esteem it sufficient That a Church acknowledg The Scriptures to be the Word of God the perfect and only Rule of Faith and Practice and own either the Doctrinal Part of those commonly called the Articles of the Church of England Or The Confession or Catechisms Shorter or Larger compiled by the Assembly at Westminster or the Confession agreed on at the Savoy to be agreeable to the said Rule 9. Of our Duty and Deportment towards them that are not in Communion with us 1. We judge it our Duty to bear a Christian Respect to all Christians according to their several Ranks and Stations that are not of our Perswasion or Communion 2. As for such as may be ignorant of the Principles of the Christian Religion or of Vicious Conversation we shall in our respective places as they give us opportunity endeavour to explain to them the Doctrin of Life and Salvation and to our utmost perswade them to be reconciled to God 3. That such who appear to have the Essential Requistes to Church-Communion we shall willingly receive them in the Lord not troubling them with Disputes about Lesser Matters As we assent to the forementioned Heads of Agreement so we unanimously resolve as the Lord shall enable us to practise according to them CHAP. XIV 10. Article of General Matters THere was a Report made in the Synod of a certain Writing both Printed and Manuscript holding forth this Doctrin Mr. De la Place that the whole Nature of Original Sin consisted only in that Corruption which is Hereditary to all Adam's Posterity and residing originally in all Men and denieth the Imputation of his first Sin This Synod condemneth the said Doctrin as far as it restraineth the Nature of Original Sin to the sole Hereditary Corruption of Adam's Posterity to the excluding of the Imputation of that first Sin by which he fell and interdicteth on pain of all Church-Censures all Pastors Professors and others who shall treat of this Question to depart from the common received Opinion of the Protestant Churches who over and besides that Corruption have all acknowledged the Imputation of Adam's first Sin unto his Posterity And all Synods and Colloquies who shall hereafter proceed to the reception of Scholars into the Holy Ministry are obliged to see them sign and subscribe this present Act. 11. Forasmuch as that Religious Adoration given by the Church of Rome to their pretended Consecrated Host hath in its Publick Service and when-ever it is carried in Procession unto the Sick for its sole Foundation this false Supposition That it is by the Priests Consecration properly made the self same Body which was taken out of the Womb of the Blessed Virgin by the Eternal Son of God and united unto his Divine Person unto which belongeth both before and since his Incarnation the Empire of Glory and Religious Worship most strictly and properly so called and not unto his Humanity separated from it That the Church of Rome neither rendreth to nor requireth for its Consecrated Host any other Adoration than that of Latria and the Professors of our Religion are in this Point of another Faith believing this Host after Consecration to be that very self-same insensible and inanimate matter which it was before and cannot if they will follow the Dictates of their own Consciences and the prime Fundamental Verities of Christianity ascribe Divine Adoration unto a thing which by Nature is not God nor transfer the Glory of the Eternal God from him unto the basest of Creatures This Synod therefore doth adjure all of them by that Profession they make of serving the Lord in Purity and Sincerity and by that irreparable Prejudice they do the truth by their rash and inconsiderate oppugning of it and to their own Consciences which are shamefully betrayed by them and to their Countrymen of the Romish Communion whom they confirm in their Superstitions and to the weaker Christians among our selves whom by such a vile Example utterly unbecoming that worthy Name that is called upbri them they learn to prevaricate in Religion that they would once again return unto themselves and mourn bitterly in the Presence of the Great God and of our Saviour Jesus Christ for that by this Sin of theirs they have profaned his Glory And the Synod ordaineth that when as the Host shall be carried in Procession or to the Sick by those of the Romish Church every one do withdraw himself from the sight of it that so no Scandal may be given unto their Neighbours And whereas some who do not step out of the way do feed themselves with this frivolous Imagination that they may tarry and see it tho they do not as those of the Romish Church let out their Thoughts to a Religious Adoration of the Host yet if their bodily Presence be voluntary at it it is a kind of Approbation of it And whereas some out of a sordid servile Spirit do comply with the received Custom in taking off their Hats when as the Host passeth by which say they is not for its sake or any Reverence to it but only out of Respect and Honour to the Curate or Vicar who carrieth it or of the Persons which accompany it this is sinful because they do not conform themselves to their Intention whom they pretend to gratifie and they yield only a Civil Salutation where the Romish Church ordaineth Religious Worship to be payed and performed bestowing it on another Object besides that proposed by her which Acts of theirs are directly contrary to the received Maxims of Civility among all Men in that they honour tho not as the Church of Rome professeth to do the Lord of Glory but in his Presence and to his Contempt a Priest who saith he is called to serve him and this in that very proper Act of Worship yielded by him as he pretendeth unto his God Besides this is contrary to all Christian Sincerity which requireth our Actious to be true Copies and Transcripts of our Hearts and not fallacions Feignings of that which is not only not in our Intentions but is formally contrary
Thursday and part of the Day following When the said de la Milletiere importunately demanding that now in his turn he might oppose and produce the Arguments in defence of his Opinions confirmed as he pretended by the Council of Trent tho this was far wide from what he at first requested yet was it freely granted him And he having continued Writing till Evening and for that it was needful he should be answered Monsieur Amyraud spent a great part of the Fryday night and of the Saturday Morning in making a Reply unto him Whereupon the said de la Milletiere finding that the time allotted him was expired the Fryday Evening he came and demanded a longer time for continuing the Conference Which the Synod did once more refuse him especially because that he had fully opened his Intentions and in formal Words declared that by that Writing subscribed with his own Hand he never promised to submit his Doctrin but Himself and Person to the Judgment of the Assembly who taking as in truth they could not but take this distinction such an one as it was in any other Sense than a notorious Scorn of their Just and Charitable Endeavours for his Eternal Welfare They told him plainly that neither they nor any of their Commissioners would waste a moment more of their precious time about him and adjured him by the Mouth of the Sieur Garrissoles their Moderator to give Glory unto God and to relinquish his most impious Designs and added farther that they did as the National Synod of Alanson had done before them declare that for divers Years past he was not to be reputed a Member of our Reformed Churches After which the said de la Milletiere demanded a Copy of the Conference collation'd with the Original and Sign'd by Monsieur Amyraud and the Two other Commissioners that he might make such Reflections on it as he thought best which was readily accorded him by the Synod But before the said Copy was finished on Monday the 23d of January the said de la Milletiere accompanied with one de Nardeau Huisser des Eaux Forests de France Overseer of the Waters and Forests of France living at Paris came unto Charenton and applying himself to Monsieur Blondel one of the Scribes delivered to him by the Hands of the said Nardeau an Act subscribed with his own Hand summoning the Synod to cause the said Conference began at Charenton by their Commissioners whom he all accused but especially Monsieur Amyraud of Ignorance and False Dealing to be continued in Paris And Secondly in case of Refusal that then they consign unto them the Acts signed by the said Commissioners that he might examine them at his leisure and pleasure Which said Summons being brought in and reported to the Synod by Monsieur Blondel a Vote past that Copies of those Acts Collationed and Subscribed by the said Commissioners and by Monsieur Amyraud should be delivered unto the said de la Milletiere according to his desire And that Monsieur Amyraud should be in readiness to refute him in case he should attempt as he threatned to make any further opposition by his Scribbles against that sound and saving Doctrin of Justification professed in all the Protestant Churches And whereas by these last actings of his the said de la Milletiere hath discovered himself to be immovably fixed in his Designs of impugning the Truth professed in all the Churches of this Kingdom which he now treateth as his avowed Adversaries and that for these Twelve Years last past notwithstanding all Admonitions and Remonstrances made him he hath wholly estranged himself from our Communion altho he hath frequently assisted at the Sermons which have been during all that time and still are Preached at Charenton This Synod confirming the Decree of the last National Synod held at Alanson in the Year 1637. doth now ordain that on the next Lord's Day being the Nine and Twentieth of this Instant January after the Morning Sermon is ended and before the last Prayer is poured out before God the said Sieur de la Milletiere shall be denounced by the Pastor from the Polpit in the Face of the whole publick Assembly an Excommunicate Person and cut off from the Body of our Reformed Churches and not at all to be reputed a Member of them A Copy of the Act of Excommunication to be Published the 29th of January 1645. against the Sieur De la Milletiere Most dear Brethren YOV have seen with very much Regret how Theophilus Brachet Sieur de la Milletiere hath made it his business for several Years by his Publick Writings to combat the Faith professed in all our Churches and you have been a long time grieved in your Souls for his scandalous Actings and Proceedings which are directly contrary to the bounden Duty of a Person educated from his Cradle in the knowledge and profession of the True Religion now utterly despised by him He had rather abound in his own Sense and suffer himself to be seduced by his own Prejudices than yield the least tittle of Deference and Respect unto those Remonstrances and Admonitions which the Christian Charity of the Consistory of this Church did in the first place make him and which were again and again repeated to him by the express Order of the National Synod of Alanson held in the Year 1637. and with this particular Clause That in case he did not return unto himself and give Glory unto God within the space of Six Months by renouncing of his corrupt Opinions and desisting from his sinful Practices that he should be no more owned nor acknowledged for a Member of our Reformed Churches those just and needful Admonitions having wrought no Impressions upon his Heart nor hitherto produced their long desired and much expected Fruit and Effect but that he is since the more hardened obstinate and inexcusable The National Synod of the Reformed Churches in this Kingdom which is now breaking up in this place desirous to apply a proper Remedy to so long a continued Scandal and as much as in it lieth to procure your Edification doth now ratisie and confirm that Decree of the former Assembly held at Alanson and declareth to you by our Mouth that the said Sieur De la Milletiere who hath been for Ten Years together suspended from the Lord's Table and Communion with the Church of God in that most holy Sacrament and hath been ever since the Year 1638. cut off from the Number of the Faithful of our Confession ought not any longer to be reckon'd or reputed by you as a Member of the Reformed Amen This very Act was accordingly pronounced at the Close of the Morning Sermon upon the Lord's Day January 29. 1645. by Mr. Theophilus Rossel Pastor of the Church of Xaintes in the Church of Charenton before that great and numerous Congregation ARTICLE II. The Petition of Monsieur du Mais upon the account of his Services unto the Churches of Auvergne is dismissed over to the Province
to debate of these very matters we doubt not in the least but that he will allow us to receive those Letters and Memoirs which contain their Informations and Instructions to us In short our whole Religion being grounded upon the Word of God and this Word teaching us to fear God and honour the King we never perform any Act of Religious Worship to that Great God who created us in which we do not offer up a Prayer with our most ardent Vows for the Supreme Power here on Earth and particularly for all that are in Authority over us and upon all occasions that occur unto us we do leave Impressions hereof upon the Souls of the Faithful who are Members of our Churches in our Sermons And we are well assured that before the breaking up of this Synod your Lordship my Lord Commissioner shall see not in one single Exhortation only but in many those inviolable Inclinations we have unto the Weal and Happiness of the Government and that Obedience which we are all unanimously resolved to render unto the Will and Laws of our Prince when as they be not contrary to that of the Law of God who is the King of Kings And as his Majesty hath hitherto been pleased to favour us with our Liberty of serving God according to that Light we have received and in the Purity of the Gospel and whereas my Lord Commissioner hath now declared to us his Majesty's good Pleasure to uphold us favourably in this Liberty under the Protection of his Edicts and to exert that Authority which God hath put into his Hands to secure us from their Attempts who would deprive us of it and as we have no ground nor cause to complain of Oppression and Persecution so also we shall not make use of any such Terms as are expressive of them and we shall upon all Occasions give clear and ample Evidence of that respect we bear unto our Sovereign and we shall take a most especial care for keeping the Publick Peace of which our Actions Words and Writings and these Last shall never be published but according as we are allowed by the Edicts and regulated by the Canons of our Discipline and by the Decrees of our National Synods shall by the Grace of God be most valid and authentick Sureties for us as they have been in times past so for the future And as we shall never render our selves unworthy of his Majesty's favour so we hope that he will continue to extend unto us the Honour of his Love and good Will and that he will ordain all Governors of his Provinces Places and Fortresses and all Officers in Parliament and all other Courts of Judicature where Justice is administred to see that his Edicts be carefully executed that so there being no violation of them on their parts we also on ours may never have any occasion for the future of complaining to his Majesty who next and after God is our only Sanctuary to whom we may betake our selves for Refuge against all Injustices and Oppressions And as for what is past there being very many Places in this Kingdom where the good Intentions of his Majesty have not been followed and where those of our Religion have been disturbed in the Exercises of it and have suffered very great Violences in their Families in their Children in their own Persons and in their Estates in sundry and divers ways contrary to what is granted us by the Edict And the inferiour Judges have been so far from doing us right that even they have been the very Persons who have encouraged the Animosity of many others against us Our King being the Image and Vicegerent of God and who will undoubtedly endeavour to resemble him as in the Independency of his Power and Glory of his Majesty so also in his Justice and Clemency He therefore cannot but approve that afflicted persons do make their Addresses to Heaven to be supported under their Sufferings and comforted in their Afflictions so we also should have recourse unto his Royal Throne for Support under our Burthens and Redress of our Grievances and the Conservation of our Invaded Liberties and Properties And whereas his Lordship my Lord Commissioner was pleased to say That his Majesty hath greater reason to complain by far of his Subjects of the Reformed Religion for their Infractions and Transgressions of the Edict as if they had either in Languedoc or any where else attempted to restore the Preaching of Gods Word by overt Actions by mere Force and Violence contrary to the publick Peace and the General Laws of the Kingdom we profess that the hearing of this Relation was a most sensible Grief and Sorrow to us We do not complain in the least of your Lordship my Lord Commissioner for you did but follow those very Orders and Instructions which were given you We receive with all possible respect and humility whatever comes from his Majesty because we reverence his Authority and because we have many Pledges and Tokens of his Kindness and Love unto us But we are exceedingly grieved and concerned that those who are near his Majesty do us very ill Offices and slander us unto him representing our Actions in very odious colours so that in stead of informing him that the Exercise of our Religion hath been violently abolish'd and removed from very many places where it was permitted by the Edicts and that our Temples have been demolished by main Force and in an Hostile manner they have dispersed wicked false Stories of us at Court as if we had some new and unlawful Enterprizes and Designs in our Heads Besides we have another thing of very hard digestion that whereas the Canons of our Discipline do expresly forbid those of our Communion to send their Children unto Jesuits and to other professed and avowed Enemies of our Religion because that through their fiery and inconsiderate Zeal for their own they turn every Stone and use all sort of means to prevent them from that Duty they owe unto God and to their Parents yea and to his Majesty himself and we being allowed the Exercise of our Discipline as well as of our Religion why should we be counted blame-worthy for our care in the Religious Education of our Children and for our just Severity in censuring their sinful negligent Parents And whereas some of ours are accused for reproaching and other injurious Carriage towards such Persons as have quitted our Communion for that of the Church of Rome we are so far from approving of those Actions towards them that 't is well known we require all our Members to pray for them and to labour by all pious means to reduce them into the good way of Eternal Salvation But we profess our utter Ignorance of any such Abuses offered unto our Revolters And in stead hereof this we know that there be open Violences done unto those godly Persons who do forsake the Communion of the Romish Church and joyn themselves unto ours And we hope
as by the Grace of God we do make profession of Christianity and of a purer Reformed Religion so also do we hope that God will enable us by his Grace to excel all other his Majesties Subjects in a most perfect Loyalty and Obedience To which let me but add one word more that as we have formerly besieged Heaven with the importunate battery of our Vows and Prayers for his Majesty who now reigneth over us and as we upon God's gracious Answering of us did render to his Divine Majesty most solemn and abundant Praises and Thanksgivings so also shall we continue as long as we live to beg of the King of Kings that he would be pleased to preserve our King and that to the many Victories with which he hath favour'd his Arms he would superadd this ' vantage-Mercy to give him to establish his Kingdom in a long and profound Peace to bless his intended Marriage and that he may see the happy Fruits and Pledges thereof And having Reigned many long Years in all Prosperity and Felicity he may transmit the Scepter received from his Fathers unto the Issue of his own Body who may weild it in all Righteousness as long as the Sun and Moon endure CHAP. V. The Marquess of Ruvigny Sworn General Deputy 1. THIS Assembly acknowleding the Kindness of his Majesty in choosing the Lord Marquess of Ruvigny to succeed in the place of the Marquess of Arzilliers Deceased and to discharge the Office of General Deputy for the Churches of this Kingdom 'till such time as his Majesty should be pleased to grant Liberty for the Calling and Meeting of this Assembly unto which his Majesty permitteth the Nomination of such Persons as are to be presented unto this important Charge and the Lord Commissioner having told us from the King that this Assembly had full Liberty to deliberate about what concern'd the Office of the said Lord of Ruvigny who presented his Majesties Writ for his Election and designation to it offering to resign up his Office unto this Assembly Now after that he had received the Thanks of this Assembly for his great care and pains taken by him for the weal of the affairs of the Reformed Churches of this Kingdom this Assembly believed that they could not make a more advantagious Choice than of the Person of the said Lord of Ruvigny who hath been already so very useful and helpful to them Wherefore by a most unanimous Consent of all the Deputies of this Synod he was appointed and they do appoint him to exercise the Office of General Deputy in the Reformed Churches of this Kingdom near his Majesty And this Assembly being well assured by the Lord Commissioner that it would be acceptable to his Majesty if he were confirmed in the said Office they administred unto him the Oath which is requisite and accustomed to be taken and then granted him both his deliberative and decisive Votes as all his Predecessors before him ever had in the said Office and his Writ was again returned to him whose Tenour was as followeth 2. THis Third Day of August in the Year of our Lord One Thousand Six Hundred Fifty and Three the King residing then in Paris and being to provide a General Deputy for his Subjects of the Protestant Reformed Religion that Office being lately void through the Death of the Lord Marquess of Arzilliers after that his Majesty had cast his Eyes upon many of his Subjects he judged that he could not better fill it up than with the Person of the Marquess of Ruvigny Lieutenant General of his Armies who is a Professor of the said Protestant Reformed Religion and endowed with many good and laudable Qualities and who hath given signal Testimonies of his Fidelity and Affection on divers Occasions and of his Abilities and Capacity for his Majesties Service and his Majesty condescending to the most Humble Petition of his said Subjects of the Protestant Reformed Religion he hath chosen and appointed the said Lord of Ruvigny to be the General Deputy of those of the said Protestant Reformed Religion and is well pleased that he reside near his Person and follow his Court in the said Quality and to present unto his Majesty their Petitions Narrations and most Humble Complaints that so he may take such course in it as he shall judge convenient for the Benefit of his Service and the Relief and Satisfaction of his said Subjects of the Protestant Reformed Religion In testimony whereof his said Majesty hath commanded me to expedite this present Writ unto the said Lord of Ruvigny which he was pleased to sign with his own Hands and caused to be countersigned by me his Counsellor and Secretary of State and of his Commandments Signed LOVIS And a little Lower by the King PHELIPPEAVX 3. The Assembly expounding the Act by which the Lord Marquess of Ruvigny was constituted General Deputy declareth that their Intention is that his Lordship shall give his Judgment in all Affairs whatsoever that shall be treated and debated in it excepting those in which he shall be personally and particularly concerned or do relate unto his Office of General Deputy 4. The Sieurs Eustache Pastor and de Mirabel were ordered by this Assembly to go immediately to Court and to prostrate at his Majesty's Feet our most Humble Duties Submissions and Thanks and they were intrusted with Letters unto his Majesty to the Queen to his Eminency to the Lord High Treasurer to the Lord of Vrillieres Secretary of State in whose Division are those of the Reformed Religion and to my Lord of Herual Controller General 5. A Copy of the Synods Letter sent unto the King Sire THE Wisest of Kings to his Command of Fearing God joyned that of Honouring the King they be Two Duties inseparably linked together For Kings in this World do in some Sense hold the very place of God and are his most lively Portraitures in Earth and the steps and degrees of their Thrones do not raise them above the Generality of Mankind but to draw them nearer Heaven These Sire be the Fundamental Maxims of our Creed which we learnt in our Infancy and endeavour to practise during our whole Life and to devolve as an Inheritance unto our Flocks and those Favours which your Majesty vouchsafeth to pour down upon us every Day do more abundantly augment our Obligations to you among which we count this the first and chiefest that your Majesty assureth us by the Mouth of the Lord Commissioner of your Paternal Affection to your Subjects of the Reformed Religion and that you design to continue the effects of your wonted kindness to us as also this priviledge which you have granted us of Meeting together in this place which being a most singular mark of your Goodness we want Words great and emphatical enough whereby to express our resentments and gratitude and how deeply we stand ingaged by this new Favour to devote and consecrate unto your Majesties Service our Lives and Fortunes And the
Castell Thierry and Sarrau Pastor of the Church of Meaux are appointed to visit the said Church of Senlis accompanied each of them with an Elder of their respective Consistories and the said Church is to defray their Expences These things being thus ordered and dispatched Monsieur Fauquembergue craved leave of this Assembly to retire himself unto such a Place as the good Providence of God should direct him which was freely granted him and he was commended to the Grace of God 32. John Grillemet came unto this Assembly to maintain his Appeal from a Judgment of the Consistory of Montauban and from another given in the Provincial Synod of Higher Languedoc After that the said Guillemet and the Deputies of that Province had been both heard the Assembly judged that this affair should not have been brought before it and therefore doth send it back again to the Synod of that Province and to the Consistory of Montauban whose Judgments are now confirmed by the authority of this present National Synod but withal intreateth them both to extend their Charity unto this Appellant 33. The Church of Eyssigeac having appealed from the Judgment of the Colloquy of Perigord and from the Synod of Lower Guyenne assembled at St. Foy 1645 about the Titles put into the Bands of Matrimony of the Sieur de Bequay Attorney in the Praesidial Court of Agen and from the Complaints brought against Monsieur Eymer at present Pastor of the Church of Mount St. Proy which said Complaints were mentioned in a Memorial sent by the Consistory of the said Church of Eyssigeac This Appeal of theirs was declared null And as for their Complaints they were ordered to be carried unto the next Synod of Lower Guyenne who are to take Cognizance of them And the said Memorial was to this end put into the Hands of the Provincial Deputies of Lower Guienne being attested by the Signatures of Monsieur Beraud a Pastor and of Four Elders CHAP. X. General Matters 1. THE Assembly being informed by the Province of Lower Languedoc that some Pastors do read the Texts of their Sermons in other Translations differing from that which is commonly used in our Churches this Assembly decreeth that no Person shall dare use any other Version than that which is ordinarily used whether in Reading the Scriptures or taking their Texts out of it 2. As to that Proposal made by the Deputy of the Province of Burgundy concerning the administration of the Poor's Mony and the rendring of Accompts by those who have had the Management thereof This Assembly judgeth that the cognizance and direction of this matter belongeth unto the Consistory according to the Order established by our Discipline and that whosoever doth violate those Canons by remâ—â—ing this Affair from our Ecclesiastick Assemblies ought to be prosecuted with all kind of Censures as Contemners of our Canons and Rebels to the Consistories 3. The Provincial Deputies of Burgundy demanding upon the Sixteenth Article of the Thirteenth Chapter of our Discipline how they should judge of their place of Abode who contract Marriage that so they may warrantably publish their Banes This Assembly was of Opinion that there could not be a General Canon made which should oblige all the Churches because that the Customs of particular places though different one from another are to be followed Therefore the cognizance of this matter is remitted to the prudence of Provincial Synods Colloquies and Consistories which shall observe and follow the Customs in every particular District 4. The Deputies of the same Province made report of the little care that was observed in several parts of their Province to sanctifie the Lord's Day and that by very many Persons it was imployed in Worldly Businesses Sports and Pastimes depriving themselves of Religious Exercises and Ordinances and suffering themselves to be led aside by Sinful Examples unto Plays and Dissolutions This Assembly touched to the quick with a most sensible grief for so great a Profanation provoking God to pour down his most dreadful Vengeance upon the Sons of Men doth exhort all the Faithful to spend this Sacred Day of Rest in the performances of Holy Duties and to those divine ends whereunto it is appointed by exercising themselves in all publick and private Duties of Religion particularly in the Reading Hearing and Meditation of God's Holy Word and Prayer and that they do not only Religiously abstain from their ordinary Week-days labour but also from all Companies Meetings Sports and Recreations which will estrange their Hearts and Affections from the Worship of God and from that Devotion which we are most especially obliged to upon these Holy Sabbaths of Christs own Institution And our Provincial Synods are injoyned upon this occasion to make such Canons as they shall judge needful and every individual Member of our Churches are most strictly commanded conscientiously to observe and obey them 5. The Province of Bearn desired that they might be impowered with authority to practise those Canons which they had already established and which they might hereafter also as to the times and places of Celebrating Marriages This Assembly granted them their Request and gave also the same Authority unto all other Provincial Synods and forbiddeth all Ministers to Marry any Persons in their Churches excepting at the Hours accustomed for such Solemnities 6. The Two and Thirtieth Article in the last Chapter of our Discipline which forbiddeth Duels under the severest Censures even of Excommunication it self shall be read in all the Churches and reinforced with most close and vehement Exhortations that so this Hellish Sin may be banished from out the Hearts and Societies of the Faithful as being expresly forbidden by the word of God and declared by his Majesty's Edicts to have merited the deepest brand of Infamy and all Consistories are injoyned to put forth their Power in prosecuting the Refractory with all kind of Censures 7. Whereas diverts Provinces have complained of that great difference which is observed in the Printed Copies of our Discipline this Assembly Ordaineth that there shall be drawn up another most exact and correct according to the Decisions of our National Synods in whose Margin shall be inserted the Canons and Observations extracted out of those Synods which shall be judged most needful And Monsieur Amyraud Pastor and Professor in the Church and University of Saumur is charged with this Task and he shall use the labours of Monsieur Blondel Gaultier and Catelau and shall communicate his Work unto the Consistories of Saumur Paris and Rochel and with then Approbation it shall be Printed 8. In executing that Article of the National Synod of Charenton in the Year 1631 when as any Members of the Augustane Confession commonly called Lutherans shall offer Children into Baptism not having before-time communicated with us this Assembly decreeth that the Consistories shall take a particular notice of their Inclinations whether they joyn themselves unto our Church-Assemblies with a true peaceable Spirit of Charity as is required by
wronged Party shall produce before the Consistory and then the Consistory shall declare unto him that Liberty which God in his holy Word hath given him But in regard of our present difficulties the Ministers of this Kingdom are advised not to re-marry the said Parties to whom this Liberty of providing themselves elsewhere hath been granted And as for the Delinquent Party there shall be very great and mature Deliberation used before she have any Liberty at all allowed Her CAN. XXX If it should fall out that after Marriage-Promises have past and before its accomplishment a betrothed Woman be found to have played the Whore either before or after the said Promises and that it was unknown to him who had promised her Marriage a definitive Sentence being given by the Magistrate upon it the Consistory may proceed to bless a new Marriage And the betrothed Woman shall have the same Liberty if it be found that her betrothed Husband had committed Fornication after he had made her Promises of Marriage CAN. XXXI Women whose Husbands are gone away and have absented themselves a long time about Mercantile affairs or for other Causes if they demand Licence to be Married again they shall have recourse unto the Civil Magistrate CAN. XXXII As for the Wives of Priests and Monks who turn Apostates and return unto their old Idolatry chanting Masses or re-entring into their Cells from which they had formerly departed they shall be admonished not to cohabit with their said Husbands during their Apostasie that God's Ordinance of Marriage may not be loaden with reproach and infamy nor may they marry any other until such time as their first Marriage shall be dissolved by the Civil Magistrate CHAP. XIV Chap. XIV Of Particular Orders Of particular Orders and Advertisements CANON I. NO Person shall be received into Communion with the Church till such time as be have first publickly renounced all the Superstitions and Idolatries of the Romish Church and in particular the Mass CAN. II. No godly Man shall be allowed to intermeddle with any matters conjoined with Idolatry such as those they call the Baisemains or Le Dedans de Leglise nor to cause Masses and Vigils to be said nor to ordain Monks who be solely ordained to this purpose But to hold Priories Revenues Rents Chanteries and Tithes and to pay the profits of them unto the Popish Ecclesiasticks for as much as they be Temporal Lords it is a thing indifferent and they that will do it may take their Liberty Nevertheless the Faithful shall be advised not to intermeddle with these matters if they find any abuses in them or an appearance of evil Consequences of all which Consistories and Colloquies shall pass a prudent judgment CAN. III. Such as by unlawful means as by Papal Bulls or a sum of money shall buy or hold Benefices or such as in like manner shall directly or indirectly maintain Idolatry shall be denounced Persons utterly unworthy of Communion with our Churches in the holy Supper of the Lord nor shall they be admitted to it And as for Benefices of which any one may have an Advowsonage whether by Presentation from the Lord of the Mannor a Lay-Patron or by the Bishops Gift the Faithful are advised not to accept of them though tender'd to them if there be a tacit or express condition of any service to be performed unto the Idol CAN. IV. Printers Booksellers Painters and other Artificers and in general all the Faithful and particularly such as bear Office in the Church shall be admonished that they do not in the least act any thing in their Calling that tends directly to countenance the Superstitions of the Church of Rome and as for secret Acts and the Censure incurred by them their judgment is left unto the Consistory CAN. V. Notaries Scrivenors and others who by the Duty of their Callings are obliged to sign and seal indifferently all matters which are brought unto them they shall not be censured for receiving Testaments passing Contracts and expediting Letters which concern Idolatry nor Judges for their judging Causes concerning Ecclesiastical Estates and the Execution of the Edict CAN. VI. Arbitrators shall not in any manner of way intermeddle with things which concern Idolatry either directly or indirectly CAN. VII Neither Counsellors nor Attorneys at Law shall plead in those Causes which tend to the suppression of the Ministry of the Gospel or to the setting up of Mass nor shall they in any manner of way whatsoever be allowed to give their advice or assistance unto the Romish Churchmen in those Causes which do either directly or indirectly tend unto the oppression of a Reformed Church CAN. VIII Neither Bishops nor Officials nor Arch-Deacons as they be now Constituted have of right any Civil or Ecclesiastical Jurisdiction However because the Faithful are sometimes constrained to appear before them for obtaining their own just dues which otherwise would be detained from them in case they he turned over to them by the Civil Magistrate to whom they shall first make their applications they may warrantably enough have recourse unto them CAN. IX Godly Advocates ought not in any wise to plead in the Officials-Court unless in those Cases in which they be necessitated to prosecute the right of their Clients before them according to the last foregoing Canon CAN. X. It is not in it self unlawful to exercise civil Jurisdictions as to act as Attorneys for and under Ecclesiastical Persons unless in such Cases which they call spiritual CAN. XI The Faithful may not take out or cause to be Executed any Monitory or Writ of Excommunication from the Church of Rome CAN. XII Forasmuch as it is neither lawful not expedient to heat the Popish Preachers nor any others who have intruded themselves without a lawful Call the Flocks shall be hindred by their Pastors from going to them and such as shall go they shall be called into the Consistory and Censured according to the nature of their offence CAN. XIII Lords Gentlemen and others shall be admonished according to the Discipline of our Church not to entertain in their Houses any scandalous or incorrigible Persons and above all that they do not suffer any Priests to sing Mass or to dogmatize and debauch their Domesticks nor shall they admit of any such again into their service if they have once discarded them CAN. XIV Fathers and Mothers shall be exhorted to be very careful of their Childrens Education which are the Seed-Plot and promising hopes of God's Church And therefore such as send them to School to be taught by Priests Monks Jesuits and Nuns they shall be prosecuted with all Church-Censures Those also shall be Censured who dispose of their Children to be Pages or Servant unto Lords and Gentlemen of the contrary Religion CAN. XV. They whose Brethren Sisters or other Kindred have quitted their Monasteries to serve God in liberty of Conscience shall be exhorted to relieve them and to provide for them according to the duties