strict and severe exercise of the Discipline and for not executing the Judgment of the Colloquies and Synods of their Province given forth on this occasion And the said Consistory is enjoyned to see to it that the said Gouze and all his Partners do make satisfaction as in reason they are bound unto the said Sieur Loupiat for the injuries they have done him And in case they so do the said Loupiat shall be intreated to desist from all prosecutions at Law against the said Gouze but in that matter we leave him to his liberty And the said Loupiat at the next Election shall be received into the Eldership according to the Canons of our Discipline And as for the said Gouze we do not conceive him qualified at present for the Office of an Elder 36. The Province of Lower Languedoc assembled at Florac to provide a Pastor for the Church of Meruez fit for their service did lend the Sieur Ollier Pastor of the Church of St. Andrew de Valborgne Whereupon the said Church brought their Appeal into this National Synod Which having heard the whole matter did approve of the Loan made by the aforesaid Provincial Synod but withal gave them to understand that when as the six Months for which he is lent shall be expired that then the said Sieur Ollier shall return again unto his Church of St. Andrew de Valborgne CHAP. VIII His Majesties Proclamation of Pardon BEFORE we proceed unto General matters we shall first exhibit his Majesties Letters Pattents concerning their Pardon who have held Provincial Political Assemblies since that National one which was convened at Saumur in the year 1611. LOUIS by the Grace of God King of France and Navarre To our Beloved and Trusty Counsellors sitting in our Court of Parliament and of the Edict Greeting When God called us to the Government of this Kingdom to Wear the Crown and weild the Scepter of our Ancestors we took up a fixed resolution to follow that form and order in management of State Affairs which was Established by the Deceased King our most Honoured Lord and Father whom God absolve Believing that we could not better secure the Kingdom which he had left us than by imitating his example who had raised it from the deepest desolation to the highest Pinnacle of Glory And we have met with that success and happiness herein that none of our Subjects have had any the least occasion to complain of us For we have took such an effectual course in the Administration of our Government that we have given general satisfaction unto all Persons whom God hath Subjected to us and particularly unto those of the Pretended Reformed Religion for we have not only graciously answered their Petitions and Bills of Grievances which they had presented to us but we have also sent divers Persons of Quality into all the Provinces of this Kingdom with Commissions and Authority to see the Edict of Nantes executed in all its Articles and particular Orders and other Priviledges Granted and Accorded in the Reign of our Deceased Lord and Father to them and in all other cases whatsoever in which it might be executed that so by this means we might free them from all fears and apprehensions of troubles which have been formerly the grounds and pretences used by those our said Subjects for holding extraordinary Assemblies without our Royal Permission and would have made others of a different perswasion to suspect and grow jealous of them Wherefore we being most desirous to provide against those evils and to preserve that Peace Union and good correspondence most Happily Established and kept up by the Edict and its exact observation we do by and with the Advice and Consent and in the presence of the Queen Regent our most Honoured Lady and Mother and of the Princes of our Blood and with the Princes and Officers of our Crown and being fully assured of the good Will in general of our said Subjects of their zeal and fidelity to our service and designing to deal favourably with them We have of our mere and special Grace Plenary Power and Royal Authority remitted and abolished we do remit and abolish by these Presents their offence committed by them who have called or assisted in person at those Assemblies aforesaid which have been held without our Permission in sundry Provinces of this Kingdom and also of all matters fore-passed or done in Consequence of them and we will that they be all fully acquitted cleared and discharged from them and we expresly forbid our Attorney general and his Substitutes in any wise to make any Inquiry Suit or Prosecution for them Yet nevertheless that we may prevent for the future the Licentious calling of such Assemblies forbidden by the Edicts and special Orders made on these accounts by the Late King our most Honoured Lord and Father in the Obedience of which 't is our Will and Pleasure that those our said Subjects shall continue and in pursuance of the eighty second Article of the Edict of Nantes and of the Ordinance of the fifteenth of March 1606. at also of that Answer given the nineteenth of August next following unto their Bill of Grievances presented by the General Deputies of the said Religion the Extracts of which are fastned unto these Presents under the Seal of our Chancery We have prohibited and do prohibit and forbid all those our said Subjects of the said Religion for the future to make any Congregations or Assemblies for treating or debating of holding any publick Assemblies without having first got our Royal License and Permission expresly to this purpose upon pain of being punished at breakers of our Edicts and Disturbers of the publick Peace However we do give them full Liberty of holding their Consistories Colloquies and Provincial and National Synods at hath been formerly granted to them but with this condition that they admit none other persons into them but Ministers and Elders to treat of their Doctrine and Church-Discipline upon pain of losing their Priviledge to hold these Assemblies and on all Moderators of answering for it in their private and personal Capacities And we do command that these our present Letters Pattents be read and recorded and that you cause those our said Subjects to enjoy the benefit of their contents and farther that you see them exactly and punctually observed in the whole extent of your Jurisdiction without permitting or suffering them in the least to be transgressed Moreover we command and enjoin all Governors and Lieutenant Generals Particular Governors and their Lieutenants in the Governments of our Provinces and Cities of their Jurisdiction and the Mayors Bayliffs Sheriffs and Consuls of them to see that they be very carefully kept and observed And the first of our Beloved and Faithful Counsellors and Master of the Ordinary Requests of our Houshold and Counsellors in our Court of Parliament in those places and others our Justices and Officers to make informations of those transgressions aforesaid and to give us
Pastors and Elders Deputed unto this Assembly have sworne and protested joyntly and severally that they consent unto this Doctrine and that they will defend it with the utmost of their power even to their last breath The Form and Tenour of which Oath together with the Deputies Names subscribed shall be added to the close of this Article that the consent may be rendred the more Authentick and Obliging to all the Provinces And this Assembly ordaineth that this very Canon be printed and added to the Canons of the said Council and that it shall be read in our Provincial Synods and in our Universities that it may be approved sworne and subscribed to by the Pastors and Elders of our Churches and by the Doctors and Professors in our Universities and also by all those that are to be ordained and admitted into the Ministry or into the Professors Chair in any of our Universities And if any one of these Persons should reject either in whole or in part the Doctrine contained in and decided by the Canons of the said Council or refuse to take the Oath of Consent and Approbation This Assembly decreeth that he shall not be admitted into any Office or Imployment either in our Churches or Universities Moreover this Assembly conjureth by the bowels of Divine Mercy and by the Blood of the Everlasting Covenant all Ministers Pastors of Churches to whom the Cure of pretious Souls is committed that they would walk together evenly and harmoniously in one and the same way that they abstain from all idle unprofitable and curious Questions that they do not pry into the Sacred Ark of Gods hidden and unrevealed Counsels and Decrees above or beyond what is recorded in his written Word the Holy Scriptures of Truth but rather that they would humbly own and acknowledge their ignorance of those profound and unfathomable Mysteries than intrude themselves into things unlawful and that they would so order their Discourses and Sermons concerning Predestination that it may promote Repentance and Amendment of Life consolate wounded Consciences and excite the practice of Godliness that by this means all occasions of Disputes and Controversies may be avoided and we may abide united in one and the same Faith with our Brethren of the Netherlands and other Churches of our Lord Jesus without the Kingdom as maintaining together with them and contending for one and the same Faith assaulted by the same common Enemies and called to one and the same hope through our Lord Jesus Christ to whom with the Father and the Holy Ghost be Honour and Glory for ever and ever Amen CHAP. XII The Forme of the Oath taken in the National Synod and which is to be administred unto all the Members of Provincial Synods I N. N. do Swear and Protest before God and this Holy Assembly that I do receive approve and imbrace all the Doctrines taught and decided by the Synod of Dort as perfectly agreeing with the Word of God and the Confession of our Churches I Swear and Promise to persevere in the Profession of this Doctrine during my whole Life and to defend it with the utmost of my power and that I will never neither by Preaching nor Teachings in the Schools nor by Writing depart from it I declare also and I protest that I reject and condemn the Doctrine of the Arminians because it makes Gods Decree of Election to depend upon the mutable Will of Man and for that it doth extenuate and make null and void the Grace of God it exalteth Man and the powers of Free Will to his destruction it reduceth into the Church of God old ejected Pelagianisme and is a Mask and Vizard for Popery to creep in among us under that disguise and subverteth all Assurance of Everlasting Life and Happyness And so may God help me and be propitious to me as I swear all this without any Ambiguity Equivocation or mental Reservation Sworn and Subscribed by Peter du Moulin Pastor of the Church of Paris Deputy for the Isle of Franse and Moderator of the Synod Laurence Brunier Pastor of the Church of Vsez Deputy for the Province of lower Languedoc and Assessor of the Synod Nicholas Vignier Pastor of the Church of Blois Deputy for the Province of Orleans and Scribe of the Synod Thomas Papillon Elder in the Church of Paris Deputy for the Isle of France and Scribe of the Synod Isack de Juigne Pastor of the Church of Vassy and Deputy for the Province of the Isle of France Picardy c. Samuel de L'Escherpiere Pastor of the Church of Roan Daniel Massys Pastor in the Church of Caen Antony Bridon Elder in the Church of Feschamp James de Montbray Elder in the Church of Conde Deputies for the Province of Normandy Ezechiel Marmet Pastor in the House of the duke of Rohan Philip de Vassaut elder in the Church of Roche Bernard Deputies for the Province of Britain Daniel Jammen Pastor of the Church of St. Amand John de Bennes Elder in the Church of Gien Galliot de Cambirs Elder in the Church of Romorantin Deputies for the Province of Orleans Samuel Bouchereau Pastor of the Church of Saumur Matthew Cottiers Pastor of the Church in Touns George Rabbotteau Elder in the Church of Pruilly Deputies for the Province of Touraine John Chauffepied Pastor of the Church of Niort John Carre Pastor of the Church of Chastelheraud Giles Begaud Elder of the Church of Mountagu Deputies for the Province of Poictou Daniel Chanet Pastor of the Church of Ars John Constans Pastor of the Church of Pons Peter Paâ—quet Elder in the Church of Rouchfoucauld Peter Promentin Elder in the Church of St. John de Angely Deputies for the Province of Xaintonge James du Luc Pastor of the Church of Casteljaloux James Privat Pastor of the Church of Chastillion Francis Joly Elder in the Church of Bourdeaux John Guillim Elder in the Church of Grateloupe Deputies for the Province of lower Guienne David Agard Pastor of the Church of Valance Daniel Richard Pastor of the Church of Cheilar John de Blache Elder in the Church of Biuffres John de Rouvre Elder in the Church of Aubenas Deputies for the Province of Vivaretz Michael le Faucheur Pastor of the Church of Montpellier Charles de Boaques Elder in the same Church Anthony de Roques Elder in the Church of Montfrin Deputies for the Province of lower Languedoc John de Voysin Pastor of the Church of Realmont Antony Garrissoles Pastor of the Church of Puylaurent Paul de Luppe Elder in the Church of Mauvoisin James du Elder in the Church of Montauban Deputies for the higher Languedoc Peter Helliot Pastor of the Church of Arnay le Duc Francis Perreauld Pastor of the Church of Mascon and Noyer du Noyer Elder in the Church of Bussy Deputies for the Province of Burgundy Peter Huron Pastor in the Church of Riez Elias de Glandeves Elder in the Church of Puymitchel Deputies for the Province of Provence Paul Guyon Pastor of the Church of
that when the Dragoons had done their part as effectually as they could the Intendant with the Bishops and the Military Commander do once again assemble these miserable Inhabitants totally ruined and exhort them to obey the King and become Catholicks adding in case of obstinacy most terrible Threats And the new Converts never failed in this juncture to execute what they had promised to entice and seduce them from the true Religion This they could do the more successfully because the Reformed had yet some kindness for and confidence in them 4. When the Master of a Family thinking to get rid of the Dragoons had obeyed and signed an Abjuration yet for all this he was not freed from his Tormentors unless that his Wife Children and the meanest of his Servants did not also follow his example And if Wife or Children or any of his Domesticks escaped their hands and fled for their Lives they renewed their Persecutions upon him till such time as he had brought them back again which being sometimes utterly impossible their change of Religion did not in the lead benefit or avail them The Form of Abjuration imposed upon the Protestants when they turn'd Papists and which they stiled The Mark of the Beast I here offer to my Reader 's perusal THE Mark of the Beast OR The Profession of the Catholick Apostolick and Romish Faith which the Protestants in France were inforced to make and subscribe through the Violence of Persecution in France In the Name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Ghost Amen I do believe and profess with a firm Faith all and every thing and things contained in that Creed which is used by the holy Church of Rome to wit I believe in one God the Father Almighty who hath made Heaven and Earth and all things visible and invisible And in one Lord Jesus Christ the only begotten Son of God and born of the Father before all Ages God of God Light of Light True God of the True God Begotten not made of one substance with the Father by whom all things were made who for us Men and our Salvation came down from Heaven and was Incarnate by the Holy Ghost of the Virgin Mary and was made Man and was Crucified also for us under Pontius Pilate he suffered and was buried and the third day he rose again according to the Scriptures and ascended into Heaven and sitteth on the right hand of the Father and he shall come again with Glory to judge both the quick and the dead whose Kingdom shall have no end And I believe in the Holy Ghost the Lord and Giver of Life who proceedeth from the Father and the Son who with the Father and the Son together is Worshipped and Glorified who spake by the Prophets And I believe one Catholick and Apostolick Church I acknowledge one Baptism for the Remission of Sins and I look for the Resurrection of the Dead and the Life of the World to come Amen I receive and embrace most firmly the Apostolick and Ecclesiastical Traditions and the other Observations and Constitutions of the same Church In like manner I receive the holy Scripture but with that sence which the holy Mother Church hath and doth now understand it to whom it doth belong to judge of the true sense and interpretation of the Sacred Scriptures and I shall never take it nor interpret it otherwise than according to the unanimous Consent of the Fathers I profess also that there be truly and properly seven Sacraments of the new Law instituted by our Lord Jesus Christ and needful for the Salvation of Mankind although not alike needful to every one to wit Baptism Confirmation the Eucharist Penance Extreme Vnction Orders and Marriage and that they do confer Grace And that Baptism Confirmation and Orders cannot be reiterated without Sacriledge I receive and admit also the Ceremonies received and approved by the Catholick Church in the solemn Administration of all these for-mentioned Sacraments I receive and imbrace all and every thing and things which have been determined and declared concerning original Sin and Justification by the holy Council of Trent I likewise profess that in the Mass there is offered unto God a true proper and propitiatory Sacrifice for the living and the dead and that in the most holy Sacrament of the Eucharist there is truly really and substantially the Body and Blood togâ—â—her with the Soul and Divinity of our Lord Jesus Christ and that in it there is made a Change of the whole substance of the Bread into his Body and of the whole substance of the Wine into his Blood which Change the Catholick Church calls Transubstantiation I confess also that under one only of those two Elements whole Christ and a true Sacrament is received I constantly affirm that there is a Purgatory and that the Souls there detained are relieved by the Suffrages of the Faithful In like manner the Saints reigning with Jesus Christ are to be Worshipped and Invocated and that they offer up Prayers unto God for us and that their Relicks are to be honoured I do most stedfastly avow that the Images of Jesus Christ and of the Ever-Virgin Mother of God and also of the other Saints ought to be had and retained and that due honour and veneration must be yielded to them Moreover I affirm that the power of Indulgences was left unto the Church by Jesus Christ and that their usage is very beneficial unto Christians I acknowledge the Holy Catholick Apostolick and Roman Church to be the Mother and Mistress of all other Churches And I promise and swear true Obedience to the Pope of Rome Successor of Blessed St. Peter Prince of the Apostles and Vicar of Jesus Christ. In like manner I receive and profess without doubting all other things left defined and declared by the holy Canons and General Councils and especially by the most holy Council of Trent And withal I do condemn reject and accurse all things which are contrary and whatever Heresies have ken condemned rejected and accursed by the Church And swearing upon the Book of the Gospels he must say I promise vow and swear and most constantly to confess God aiding me and to keep intirely and inviolably unto the death this self-same Catholick Faith out of which no Person can be saved which I do now most willingly and truly profess and that I will endeavour to the utmost of my Power that it shall be held taught and preached by my Vassals or by those who shall belong unto my charge So help me God and these holy Gospels So be it I of the Parish of do Certifie unto all whom it may concern that having acknowledged the falseness of the Pretended Reformed and the truth of the Catholick Religion of my own free will and without any Compulsion I have made Profession of the Catholick Apostolick and Roman Religion in the Church of in the hands of In Testimony of the Truth hereof I have signed this Act
or others that may sing Masses for the Dead is he to be deposed from his Office We answer Let him be first heard in the Consistory speak for himself before they proceed unto his Deposal XXVII It was demanded Whether the Word of God might be preached publickly without Authority from the Civil Magistrate Answer was given That there should be special care had of the Time and Publick Peace and above all that there be no Tumults nor Sedition XXVIII The Churches of Paris Orleance and Rouan are deputed by this present Synod to Protest against the Popish Council now held at Trent and of the Nullity of all its Decisions and Decrees and their Protestation shall be done either by Printed Books or Oral Remonstrances unto the King's Majesty or by any other way as they shall judge needful XXIX It is now Decreed That the Deputies of the Provinces when they go to Court shall take with them our Confession of Faith and consult among themselves how to present it unto His Majesty together with the Petitions of our Churches and to this purpose they shall make Application unto those Lords who they know to be Favourers of our Cause and Religion XXX Whereas divers Persons do solicite this National Synod to supply the Congregations who have sent them hither with Pastors they are all answered That at present we are utterly unable to gratifie them and that therefore they be advised to set up Propositions of the Word of God and to take special care of Educating hopeful young Men in Learning in the Arts Languages and Divinity who may hereafter be imployed in the Sacred Ministry and they are most humbly to Petition the Lord of the Harvest to send Labourers who may get it in XXXI May he be admitted to communicate in the Bread only at the Lord's Table who hath an Antipathy against Wine Yes he may provided that he do his utmost to drink of the Cup but in case he cannot he shall make a Protestation of his Antipathy The End of the Synod of Poictiers THE ACTS DECISIONS and DECREES OF THE III. National Synod OF THE Reformed Churches of Christ IN The KINGDOM of FRANCE HELD At ORLEANCE in the Year of our LORD 1562. The Contents of this Synod Chap. I. A Moderator and two Scribes chosen Chap. II. General Matters The Synod to be called the General or National Church-Council of the Kingdom Chap. III. Discipline exercised upon Delinquents Chap. IV. Various Matters Cases of Conscience c. THE Synod of Orleance 1562. Synod III. SYNOD III. Articles of the National Synod held at Orleance the Twenty fifth Day of April in the Year One thousand five hundred sixty and two after Easter in the Second Year of K. Charles IX CHAP. I. Monsieur De Chandieu was a very learned French Divine His Works are 1. The Marks of the True Church 2. De L'Vnique Sacrifice 3. Contra les Traditions c. in Follo He was Lord of Chandieu and Baron of Chabot chosen by the Church of Paris to be their Pastor at Twenty Years of Age and Moderator of this National Synod at Twenty three A Gentleman of eminent Piety and Gravity He was desired by the King of Navary to be his Pastor and upon his Death removed to Geneva where he was called to the Pastoral Office in that City and discharged it with very great fidelity He never took any Wages for his Work in the Ministry He wrote himself Sadeel which is the Hebrew of Chandieu The Field of GOD. He died of an Hectick Fever in the 57th Year of his Age saith Mr. Du Thou but he was mistaken for it was in the 63d Anno 1591. Melchior Adams hath writ his Life among his Theolog. Exteri ANthony de Chandieu Minister in the Church of Paris chosen President Robert le Macon Lord La Fountaine Minister in the Church of Orleance and Peter Sevin Deacon of the Church of Paris chosen Scribes by General Consent of the Deputies CHAP. II. General MATTERS This Synod bears the Name and has the Authority of a General Council by the Advice of the Assembly I. THE Ministers and Elders Convocated in this Assembly of Orleance for the General Council of France following the Determination of the last Synod held at Poictiers are of Opinion That the present Assembly should have and bear the Name and Authority of the Council General of the Deputies of this Kingdom notwithstanding that several Deputies are absent who shall be sufficiently informed of Matters debated and resolved in this Council together with the Reasons for which notwithstanding their absence we were constrained to proceed without them all which shall be more largely declared in the next General Council where also shall be heard the Reasons of those absent Deputies for their Non-attendance and their Arguments if need be against the Decisions of the present Council Ministers of Princes and great Lords shall sign the Confession of Faith II. The Princes and other great Lords following the Court in case they would have Churches instituted in their Houses shall be desired to take such for their Pastors as are Ministers in Churches truly Reformed bringing with them sufficient Testimonials of their Lawful Call unto the Ministry who shall before their Admission subscribe the Confession of Faith of the Churches in this Kingdom and our Church-Discipline And that the Preaching of the Gospel may be more successful the said Protestant Lords shall be requested every one of them to erect a Consistory There shall be a Consistory in their Houses composed of the Ministers and other Persons most eminent for Piety in their said Family by which Consistory all Scandals and Vices shall be supprest and the Rules of Discipline observed Moreover those Ministers shall be present at Provincial Synods if it may possibly consist with their occasions And that this may be effected the Council hath ordained That the Province in which the Synod shall be assembled shall be obliged to call them to it And those Ministers especially or a part of them shall be there present being deputed by the rest unto the General Synods together with their Elders who may inform the said General or Provincial Synods of their Lives and Conversation And in case the said Lords and Princes have divers Houses they shall be advertis'd None to have preheminence over another that none of their Ministers may pretend domination or preheminence over another according to that Article of our Church-Discipline in this case expresly provided And when as the said Lords and Princes shall reside in those Houses of theirs where there is a Church already formed we desire for the preventing of all Divisions that the Church in their Family would joyn itself unto the Church of that place and for that time to make but one Assembly III. Whenas the Lord's Supper shall be celebrated in the close of every Synod according to the Fourth Article of our Church-Discipline in the Acts of the First National
shall be written unto die Provincial Synod of the Isle of France that they summon these aforesaid Gentlemen before the Colloquy of Beauvoisin and remonstrate to them their Offences but to deal gently and sweetly with them And in case upon their appearance they should reject their Admonitions they shall be proceeded against as Rebels and Schismaticks according to the Canons of our Discipline Art XIII As to the business of Cozin's before-mentioned Monsieur de Saule shall be intreated by the Assembly to answer our English Brethren and to send them Cozin's Book and the Remarks which have been made upon it Art XIV Monsieu de Beze is ordered to answer in the Name of this Synod the Letters of our Brethren of Zurich and to acquaint them with our Synodical Decrees Art XV. The Province of Berry is charged to call the next National Synod two Years hence or before in case of necessity CHAP. VIII The Vagrants styling themselves Ministers but deposed 1. BEauguyot 2. Arbaud 3. John Garambois alias Baremboin 4. Denis Lambert 5. Simon Savin or Savineau calling himself Monsieur De la Marchâ— 6. Monsieur Peter Granade going also by other Names as Sacalay Mercure Salcadry or Secudry All these before-mentioned Articles were Decreed and Verified in the National Synod of the Deputies from all the Provinces of this Kingdom at Nismes May 8. 1572. Signed in the Original John de la Place Moderator THE ACTS DECISIONS and DECREES OF THE IX National Synod OF THE Reformed Churches of Christ IN The KINGDOM of FRANCE HELD At St. Foy the Great in the Province of Perigord the 2d Day of February and ended the 14th day of the same Month in the Year of our Lord 1578. being the 4th Year of the Reign of Henry the Third King of France and of Poland THE CONTENTS of this SYNOD CHap. I. Synodical Officers chosen The Duke of Bouillon sits in it representing the King of Navarre Chap. II. General Matters Care of the Religions Education of the Youth Of Catechising Publicly Pennance No Church-Officers who have Popish Wives Of Attestations Chap. III. An Act for a National Fast About Common-Prayers Ministers Expences to Synods and Colloquies Of God-mothers Chap. IV. Several Cases of Conscience as about Marrying the Aunt of a dead Wife and a very strange Case about Marriage Holding the Temporalities of Benefices Fashions and Habits Ministers way not together with their Ministery Practice Physick c. Chap. V. An Act for calling the next National Synod Canon about Beneficed Persons Chap. VI. A Commission given to several Divines to assist at a Treaty of Vnion between all the Reformed Churches in Europe Chap. VII The Prince of Conde brings the first Appeal unto the National Synods Chap. VIII Discipline exercised upon a scandalous Minister Ap. 5.8.9 Censure upon an ungrateful Church-Ap 10. Fregeville censured Chap. IX A Roll of Ministers provided for and disposed unto Vacant Churches Remarks upon Monsieur Merlin the Moderator THE Synod of St. Foy 1578 Synod IX SYNOD IX Of the Ninth National Synod of the Reformed Churches of France held at St. Foy the Great in Perigord on the 21st day of February and ended the 14th day of the same Month in the Year of our Lord 1578. being the 4th Year of the Reign of Henry the Third King of France and of Poland CHAP. I. Art I. AFter Prayers made by the Pastor of that Church Master Peter Merlin Minister of the Word of God and Pastor of the Church gathered in the House of the Right Honourable Guy Earl of Laval was by general Suffrages chosen Moderator and Mr. Francois Oyseau Minister of the Church of Nantes and Mr. William de la Jaille Minister of the Church of Saujon were chosen Scribes of the Synod Art II. There was present and voted in it the most Noble and Illustrious Lord Henry de la Tour afterward Duke of Bouillon and Mareschal of France Viscount of Turenne Earl of Montfort Baron of Mountague c. representing as Lieutenant-General His Majesty the King of Navarre in the Province of Guyenne Art III. There fate also in this Synod the Judges Magistrates and Consuls of the said City of St. Foy CHAP. II. General MATTERS I. NO Province shall claim any Primacy or Preheminence over another II. The Deputies of every Province are charged to adâ—ise and press their respective Provinces to look carefully to the Education of their Youth and to see to it that Schools of Learning be erected and Scholastick Exercises as Propositions and Declamations be performed that so their Youth may be trained up and prepared for the Service of God and of his Church in the holy Ministery III. Synods and Colloquies shall proceed against ungrateful Persons to their Ministers by all consures according to the 27th Article of our Discipline under the Title of Ministers IV. Colloquies and Synods shall use their best and utmost diligence that the Tenth Article in the Chapter of Ministers be most punctually observed concerning Forsakers of their Ministery who upon slight and trivial Grounds do abandon it and their Churches For the Widows and Orphans of Ministers see the Synod of Vertueil General Matters 22. V. The Provincial Synods shall keep a Memorial of the Widows and Children of deceased Ministers especially of those who died in their Churches Service that so they may be relieved and maintenance may be given them out of the common Stock of the Churches in their respective Provinces according as their necessities shall require VI. The Synod of Upper Languedoc shall ordain two or three of their Assembly and such as they esteem best fitting for that Service to answer the publick Writings of our Adversaries and in their Replies and Refutations they shall deport themselves according to the Canons of our Discipline in that case provided with all Gravity Piety Civility and Moderation Concerning publick and private Catechisings VII Churches shall be admonished more frequently to practice Catechisings and Ministers shall Catechise by short plain and familiar Questions and Answers accommodating themselves to the Weakness and Capacity of their People without Enlargements or handling of common Places And such Churches as have not used this Ordinance of Catechising are hereby exhorted to take it up Yea and all Ministers shall be obliged to Catechise their several Flocks at least once or twice a Year and shall exhort their Youth to submit themselves unto it conscientiously And as for their Method in preaching and handling the Scriptures the said Ministers shall be exhorted not to dwell long upon a Text but to expound and treat of as many in their Ministery as they can fleeing all Ostentation and long Digressions and heaping up of parallel Places and Quotations nor ought they to propound divers Sences and Expositions nor to alledge unless very rarely and prudently any passages of the Fathers nor shall they cite prophane Authors and Stories that so the Scriptures may be left in their full and sovereign Authority In publick Penance the
Countries approved XXXVII The Confession of Faith presented by the Churches of both Languages Dutch and French in the Low Countries hath been approved by this Synod and the Provincial Deputies have promised in the Name of their Churches to subscribe it if need be And it was consulted on by this Assembly A Project of Universal Confession of Faith for all the Protestant Churches what means would be most proper to re-unite the several Confessions of all those Nations which agree in Doctrine into one common Confession and which may be hereafter approved by all these Nations And this pursuant to the Project laid down in the late Conference at Neustadt September 1577. XXXVIII The next National Synod shall be called by the Province of Anjou about one year hence and the said Province shall give Notice thereof unto the Counties of Maine Loudunois and Touraine they being all incorporated into one with itself as also to all other the Provinces three Months before the Day and Place of Meeting Done at Figeac this 8th of August 1579. The End of the Synod of FIGEAC CHAP. IV. Remarks upon the DEPVTIES 1. MR. James Covet he in the Civil Wars retired into Switzerland and there writ against Socinus one of the first Books that was writ against his Heresie He was sometime Minister of the Church of Paris 2. Cayer he afterwards apostatized 3. Monsieur de la Faye the Moderator There was one of his Name but whether it were he I am not certain that was Pastor in the Church of Geneva a very learned Man THE ACTS DECISIONS and DECREES OF THE XI National Synod OF THE Reformed Churches of Christ IN The KINGDOM of FRANCE HELD For the second time in the City of ROCHEL and Year of our Lord 1581. This Synod should have been Assembled at Loudun in the Province of Anjou but for some other Reasons was transferred unto Rochel The CONTENTS of this SYNOD CHap. 1. Names of the Deputies Synodical Officers chosen Chap. 2. Of General Matters The Deputies promise perseverance in the Vnity of Faith One Minister enough to ordain another Roll of Apostate Ministers Ministers practising Physick condemned Great Lords to observe the Discipline Canons about Ministers 7. to 11. Elders may read Prayers in the Church Parity of Elders and Deacons Of Certificates 16. The King of Navar Prince of Conde and all Lords desired to contribute to the Educating of Youth for the Ministery Acts Sufferings and memorable Events about the Churches to be Collected and Registred Gadding Professors censured Chap. 3. A Case about Censuring of Apostates resolved The Case of Lapsed Members inhabiting in another Church Publick Penance for Fornication how to be inflicted 25. Subordination of Synodical Meetings 28. A Book called the History of France censured 29. Brocard's Book upon Geness condemned Canons about the just Number of Deputies unto Synods 30.31 Dancings and other Dissolutions condemn'd Holding of Benefices by Bulls from Rome censured Impropriaters censured Care about Ministers Maintenance 36. Ministers out of the Kingdom to be called home 39. Psalm Books to be brought by all unto the Temples that all may Sing An Explication of the Canon about Habits The 14th Canon of Marriages explained 42. Vsuries condemn'd Printers to take care what Books they sell A Case resolved about Marrying the Widow of his Wife's Brother Licenses to Marry may be taken from the King tho' not from the Pope Baptism not to be deferr'd 47. Protestants must not be present at Apostates Marriages 48. Call of the next National Synod 1581. Synod XI THE II. Synod of Rochel SYNOD XI The Eleventh National Synod of the Reformed Churches of France held at Rochel the second time instead of the City of Loudun in Anjou on Wednesday the 21th of June and ended the 10th of July in the Year 1581. In the 8th Year of the Reign of Henry the Third King of France and Poland CHAP. I. The Catalogue and Names of the Deputies THere appeared as Deputies of the Provinces unto this Synod the Pastors and Elders whose Names are hereafter registred Videlicet I. For the Province of Anjou Touraine the Maine Perche Vandômois and Loudumois Monsieur de la Plante Minister of the blessed Gospel of our Lord Jesus in the Church of Pringay and Mathurin Peju his Elder in company with him II. For the Province of Poictou Monsieur Alexander de L'estang-Godion Minister of God's holy Word in the Church of Coue or Codue and Monsieur de Faux Minister of the Gospel at Chastel-herauld accompanied with Monsieur Colin Doctor of Physick and Elder of the Church in Fontenay III. For the Isle of France Monsieur de Beaulieu Minister of the Gospel in the Church of N. B. neither of my four Copies do note his Church yet there was a Gentleman of this Name Pastor of the Church of Senlis in this very Province in the Year 1603. which I suppose to be the same without an Elder IV. For the Province of Normandy Monsieur de la Four Minister of the Gospel and Pastor of the Church of Christ in the City of Rouan He came unto the Synod alone without an Elder Mr. Beraud was also the first Professor of Divinity in that University according to my Catalogue of its Professors V. For Xaintonge Monsieur dec Monstier Minister of God's Holy Word in the Town of St. John de Angely in company with the Sieur Paboul Elder of the Church of Pons VI. For the Province of Higher Languedoc and Higher Guienne Monsieur Michael Beraud Minister of the Gospel in the Church and City of Montauban accompanied with Monsieur Bais Elder in the said Church VII For the Province of Perigord Gascony and Limousin Monsieur Berjat or Debordat Minister of God's Holy Word in the Church of Bergerac and Janicon Dedon Elder of the Church of Duras VIII For the Province of Britain Monsieur Nicholas Bernier Minister of the blessed Gospel of Christ Jesus in the Church of Vitre accompanied with Monsieur de Roussiere Elder of the Church in Vielle Vigne IX For the Province of Augolmois Monsieur La Croix Minister of the Word of God in the Church of Jarnac without an Elder X. For the Province of Champagne Monsieur Capell Minister of God's Holy Word in the Church of Sedan and Monsieur Pasquier Elder of the Church at Troys in Champagne XI The Province of Burgundy and Berry were absent but excused their absence by Letters XII For the Lower Languedoc Monsieur Brunier Minister in the Church of Vsez accompanied with Monsieur Fortin an Elder XIII The Provinces of Dolphiny Provence Forest and Auvergne were all of them absent and which was very much admired they had not the Civility to excuse their absence by any Letters written and sent from their respective Synods unto this National Assembly XIV Prayer being ended Monsieur de Nort Minister of the Gospel in the Church of Rochel was voted Moderator and Monsieur de la Place Minister of Pringey Assessor and
not from the unchangeable Election unto Glory any other Benefit or Experience or Assurance than vvhat may flovv from a mutable and contingent Condition But besides that this is a most gross absurdity to suppose a Certainty vvhich is uncertain it is also repugnant to the common Sence and Experience of the faithful who together with the Holy Apostle rejoyce in the Sence and Feeling of their Election praising God for this Divine Benefit according to the Counsel of our Lord Jesus for that their Names be vvritten in the Book of Life Luke 10.20 vvhich is in Heaven In short they oppose the Sence of their Election to the fiery darts and temptations of the Devil challenging him thus Who shall lay any thing to the charge of God's Elect Rom. 8.32 CANON VIII Those vvho teach that God out of his Just and Soveraign vvill only hath not decreed to leave any one in fallen Adam and in that common Estate of Sin and Condemnation and to pass them by in the Communication of Grace necessary to vvork Faith and Conversion For this is firm and immutable Rom. 9.18 He vvill have Mercy on vvhom he vvill and vvhom he vvill he hardneth Item Matth. 13.11 To you it is given to know the Mysteries of the Kingdom of Heaven but unto them it is not given Item Matth. 11.25 26. I give thanks unto thee O Father Lord of Heaven and Earth for this that thou hast hid these things from the wise and prudent and hast revealed them unto Babes and little Children It is even so O Father for such is thy good pleasure CANON IX Those that teach that the cause wherefore God sendeth the Gospel rather to one Nation than to another is not the Sole and Soveraign good will and pleasure of God but because one Nation is better and more worthy than another to whom the Gospel is not communicated For Moses doth in plain words contradict it speaking thus unto the Children of Israel Deut. 10.14 15. Behold the Heavens and the Heaven of Heavens belong unto Jehovah thy God the Earth also and all that is in it but Jehovah delighted in thy Fathers only to love them and hath chosen their posterity after them to wit you from among all People as is evident this day And Jesus Christ Matth. 22.28 Woe unto thee Chorazin woe unto thee Bethsaida for if these Miracles had been done in Tyre and Sydon which have been done in the midst of you they would have repented in Sackcloth and Ashes CHAP. II. Of the Death of Jesus Christ and Mans Redemption by it CANON I. GOD is not only Soveraignly Merciful but also Soveraignly just And his Justice requireth as it is revealed to us in his Word that our Sins committed against his Infinite Majesty be not only punished with Temporal but also with Eternal Punishments in Soul and Body Nor can we avoid those dreadful punishments unless the Justice of God be fully satisfied CANON II. Now we being utterly unable of our selves to satisfie Divine Justice and to deliver our selves from the Wrath of God God out of his boundless Mercy hath given us his Onely Son to be a Surety for us who was made Sin and a Curse upon the Cross for us and in our stead that he might make satisfaction for us CANON III. This Death of the Son of God is the One Onely and most perfect Sacrifice and Satisfaction for our Sins whose worth and value is Infinite and which is abundantly sufficient to expiate the Sins of the whole World CANON IV. And this Death is of so great a Value and Dignity because the Person who suffered it is not only a True Man and perfectly Holy but is also the Onely Son of God of the self-same Eternal Essence with the Father and the Spirit For such a one must our Saviour needs be because he felt in his Death the Sence of Gods VVrath and Curse which we had deserved by our Sins CANON V. Moreover the Gospel-promise is that whosoever believeth in Jesus Christ crucified shall not perish but have Everlasting Life Which promise ought to be preached and tendered indifferently unto all Nations and Persons to whom God in his good pleasure shall send the Gospel and together with it the great Command of Faith and Repentance CANON VI. And whereas many who are called by the Gospel do not repent nor believe in Christ Jesus but perish in their Infidelity this cometh not from any defect or insufficiency in the Sacrifice of Jesus Christ offered upon the Cross but the fault is in and from themselves CANON VII But all that truely Believe and are delivered and saved from their Sins and Everlasting destruction through Jesus Christ this singular benefit is derived to them from the mere Grace of God only which he oweth no Man and it was given them from all Eternity in Jesus Christ CANON VIII For such was the most free Counsel and most gracious will and purpose of God the Father that the quickning Power of God and the saving efficacious Vertue of his Sons most pretious Death should extend it self unto all the Elect to give them and them onely Justifying Faith and thereby infallibly to bring them unto Salvation That is to say God would that Jesus Christ by the Blood of his Cross wherewith he confirmed the Nevv Covenant should efficaciously redeem all those and none other out of every Nation Kingdom People and Language vvho from all Eternity vvere chosen unto Salvation and vvere given him by the Father that he should give them Faith vvhich as all other Gifts of the Holy Ghost he hath acquired for them by his Death and purge them by his Blood from all Sin both Original and Actual committed before and after Faith that he should keep them faithfully unto the end and finally present them before the Father glorious vvithout any spot or blemish CANON IX This Council proceeding from the Everlasting Love of God towards his Elect hath been powerfully accomplished from the beginning of the World unto this very day The Gates of Hell having in vain opposed it and it shall be also alwayes in succeeding Ages accomplished yea in such manner that the Elect shall be in their appointed time gathered into one and there shall be alwayes upon Earth in one place or other a Church of Believers founded in the Blood of Jesus Christ which will bear a constant Love unto its Saviour who as the Bridegroom for his Dearly Beloved Bride hath yielded up the Ghost upon his Cross which also shall persevere in his Service and shall praise and glorifie him now in time and to all Eternity Errors Rejected The Orthodox Doctrine having been Explained the Synod Rejecteth their Errors CANON I. WHO teach that God the Father destinated his Son unto the cursed Death of the Cross without any certain or determined Counsel to save any one particular Sinner so that the Necessity Utility and Dignity of the Impetration of Christ Jesus his Death might have been wholly saved and
to attain the saving Knowledge of God and to return unto him that he doth not so much as make a right use of it in Natural and Civil things but rather doth in divers wayes soyl and pollute it and holds it under Hatches through Unrighteousness by doing whereof he is left inexcusable before God CANON V. And as it is with the light of Nature even just so it is with the Decalogue which God particularly gave unto the Jews for it doth indeed discover the hainousness of Sin and doth more and more convince the Conscience of it but not propounding any Remedy nor imparting any Strength or Power whereby to get rid of this Misery and being weak as to the Flesh it leaves the Transgressor under the Curse so that he cannot possibly obtain any saving Grace CANON VI. This gift then which neither the Light of Nature nor the Law of God can give is wrought effectually by the vertue of the Holy Ghost through the preaching of the Word or Ministry of Reconciliation to wit the Gospel concerning the Messias by whom it hath been and still is the good pleasure of God to save all Believers both under the Old and New Testament CANON VII God revealed this Secret of his Will under the Old Testament to very few But since under the New Testament that the partition Wall of difference between People is broken down and removed God hath manifested it unto more Persons The Cause of which Dispensation must not in the least be attributed to the Dignity of any one Nation above another or because they do better Husband and improve the Light of Nature but wholly and solely to the most free â—race and Love and good pleasure of God And therefore those who be made partakers of so great a favour infinitely above their Deserts should ever acknowledge it with all humbleness of Heart and Thanksgiving But others who be destitute of this Grace they should with the Apostle adore the Severity and Justice of Gods Judgments but not pry into them over-curiously CANON VIII And as many as are called by the Gospel are called in good earnest For God doth by his Word declare most truly and seriously what is well-pleasing to him to wit that all who are caled by him should come unto him and therefore he most seriously promiseth that all who come and believe in him shall have rest unto their Souls and Everlasting Life CANON IX And whereas many being called by the Ministry of the Gospel do not come nor convert themselves unto God the Gospel is not in fault nor is Jesus Christ who is offered in the Gospel nor is God who by the Gospel calleth them and doth also bestow divers gifts upon them but the fault is their own and to be found in themselves who are called some of whom through their carelessness do not receive the Word of Life and others indeed do receive it but not into their hearts and therefore after the flashy joyes of a temporary Faith they turn back again and others do choak and strangle the Seed of the Word by the Thorny Cares and Pleasures of this present World and yield no fruit This was the Doctrine preached by our Saviour in the parable of the Sower CANON X. And whereas others called by the Ministry of the Gospel do come and are converted this must not be ascribed unto Man as if he himself by his own free will made himself to differ from others who are as well provided with sufficient Grace for Believing and Conversion For this is the main butteress that under-props and supports the proud Heresie of Pelagius but it must be only attributed unto God who as he hath chosen his own from all Eternity in Jesus Christ so also doth he effectually call them in their time giveth them Faith and Repentance and having delivered them from the power of darkness he doth translate them into the Kingdom of his dear Son that so they may show forth his Vertues who hath called them out of their Darkness into his marvellous Light That they may not boast nor glory in themselves but in the Lord. And this is the true Apostolical Doctrine legible in their Holy Writings CANON XI Moreover when as God executeth this his good pleasure upon the Elect and doth convert them he doth not only procure that the Gospel be preached outwardly to their Ear only nor doth he only powerfully illuminate their Understandings by the Holy Ghost that so they may know and discerne aright the things which are of Gods Spirit but by the Effectual Power of the same Spirit of Regeneration he pierceth even into the most inward Recesses of their Souls he opens their heart which was fast shut softens their heardned heart circumciseth the foreskin of their Souls infuseth new Qualities into the Will and causeth this dead Will to live yea and to become lively of Evil Good of unwilling stubborn and perverse most obedient he works upon it and fortifies it that as a good Tree it may produce good Fruits CANON XII This is that Regeneration which is so much celebrated in the Holy Scriptures this is that Renovation and new Creature this is that first Resurrection from the Dead this is that quickning which God worketh in us without us Nor is this at all done by mere teaching only striking the Ear or by moral perswasion which is made up of perswasive Arguments or by any other the like means so that after God hath done his part it remains in the power of Man to be regenerated or not to be converted or not No but it is an Operation totally supernatural most efficacious and yet at the same time most sweet admirable secret and unutterable which according to the Scriptures inspir'd of God the Author of this Operation is as to its efficacy not in the least inferiour to the Glorious Work of Creation or the Resurrection of the Dead so that they in whose hearts God worketh after this wonderful manner are most certainly infallibly and efficaciously regenerated and do actually believe and then their Will being already renewed is not only excited and moved of God but being excited of God it doth also work together with him so that we may well enough say that Man believeth and repenteth by reason of that Grace which he hath received CANON XIII The Faithful during this Life cannot fully comprehend the manner of this Operation but yet they may be very well satisfied sith they know and feel that by this Grace they do from their heart believe in and love their Saviour CANON XIV So then Faith is the gift of God not because it is offered of God unto the free Will of Man but because in very truth it is bestowed upon inspired and infused into Man and also not only because God giveth the power of believing and then waits till the Will of Man consenteth and doth actually believe but because that he who worketh both to will and to do yea who worketh
of one and the same Faith and Acts of Love and Charity because they are part of the same Mystical Body whose Members have none other aim or end than with one heart to serve God and the King in peaceable Lives and Liberty of Conscience so as for the Churches in other Nations they never had nor ever will have any Intelligence Alliance or Correspondency with them than what shall be approved by God and His Majesty desiring always to live in peace under the Wings of His protection Farther the Council protesterh that our Churches had never the least intimation or knowledge that any of their Members professing the Reformed Religion have tamper'd in any Plots or Treasons with the Spaniard or other Enemies of this Crown and if it could be proved to them that there be such as were ingaged in those pernicious designs and practises we would be the very first with heart and hand to subscribe unto their Condemnation and to abhor both them their Complices and Adherents as we now do from our very Souls profess our Abhorrency and Detestation both of them their Doctrine and practise who having divers times attempted to Assassinate the Sacred Persons of Kings do to this very day uphold and mantain Intelligencies and Correspondencies both at home and abroad within and without the Kingdom against their pretious Lives and Imperial Crowns Dignities and Regal Authority As for that Canon past in the Synod of Realmont and read now unto us This Council cannot conceal its grief for the great wrong done unto that Synod because it was enforced by His Majesties Commissioner then personally assisting in it to frame an Act which seems to take for granted that there were some Ministers accused of holding Intelligence with the Spaniard the most implacable Enemy of France and of our Churches though in truth there was not so much as one found guilty of that Crime and the Churches cannot but adore the goodness of God unto them that after the most diligent and rigorous Inquiries made to this purpose not one of our Pastors could be impeached and that the malitious and shameless Calumnies of our most invenim'd and inveterate Adversaries could never fasten or prove their Accusation upon any one particular Person of one Communion The Event having at last demonstrated that our Churches were condemned most unjustly and cleared and proclaimed innocent of all those Accusations before the whole World And as for the two following points This Assembly is resolved to give full contentment unto His Majesty And whereas our former National Synods have made a Canon about the first so will this also be as careful to enact another And the Acts of this Assembly shall answer for the second so that His Majesty shall ever have Universal Obedience Subjection Fidelity and most Faithful Service from our Churches whereunto we are obliged by our Natural Duty the Motions of our Conscience and the Ordinance of our God CHAP. V. The Kings Warrant for Choice of a New General Deputy THE Lord Commissioner Galland having been informed of the Death of the Lord Maniald one of the General Deputies of our Churches unto His Majesty did on the Five and Twentieth day of September present unto this National Synod this following Warrant dispatched by Express Order from His Majesty This day the Three and Twentieth of August One Thousand Six Hundred and Twenty Six His Majesty being at Nants and considering that the term of Three vears was now expired in which the Lords of Montmartyn and Maniald who had been chosen General Deputies for His Subjects professing the P. Reformed Religion and in that Quality and Office to reside and serve at Court and to attend upon His Majesty in all his Progress and Motions and that there must be a new Election of some other Deputies to succeed them in their Office and considering farther that this Election could not be more conveniently done than in a National Assembly and Council which His Majesty hath permitted His said Subjects of the Reformed Religion to hold in the City of Castres this September next ensuing that so they may not be put to unnecessary Expence and Trouble as they would otherwise be if they should be forced to call another Assembly on this occasion His Majesty for these considerations and divers other good and important reasons relating unto his Service the Repose and Tranquillity of his Government and Kingdom hath granted License unto the Deputies which shall be present at the said National Council to treat and choose new Deputies who may reside and serve in that Quality near his Royal Person instead of the said Lords of Montmartyn and Maniald and this in the presence of the Lord Galland one of the Lords of our Council of State and Commissioner unto the said National Assembly and to propose unto him Six Persons capable faithful and most affectionately inclin'd unto His Majesties Service and the Publick Peace that out of them His Majesty may prick two unto the said Office of General Deputies by means whereof those aforesaid Lords of Montmartyn and Manyald shall be discharged of their Imployment observing the forms in such cases accustomed provided alwayes that in the Assembly aforesaid there shall not be any other Matters debated or handled excepting what concern the Discipline of their Religion as has been determined by His Majesties Edicts and Declarations In testimony whereof His Majesty hath commanded me to expedite this present Writt Signed by His Own Royal Hand and Countersigned by me one of His Most Honourable Privy Council and Secretary of State and of his Commands Signed Louis and a little lower Philippeaux CHAP. VI. The Synods deliberation upon the Writt THE Assembly consulting upon His Majesties Writt and considering that it does not contain an Express Command but only a simple permission to nominate General Deputies and that it doth in such a manner restrain the said permission as that it leaveth unto this Assembly no liberty nor power at all of calling the said Lord of Montmartyn to an Accompt who hath from the first time of his Election unto this present day exercised the said General Deputation much less to give Instructions unto such as may be Elected unto the said Office Besides that this Assembly durst not adventure upon the said Election without an open violation of His Majesties Edicts Letters Patents and Sealed Letters and of our usual and accustomed Order and the Solemn Protestation of former Synods who have expresly declared that they desired and intended utterly to forbear all cognisance of Affairs of this Nature And farther that the Churches had been for a very long time together deprived of the Assistance of His Majesties Bounty and that it would be needful most humbly to petition him to order his Royal Promises to be observed and entirely accomplished and fulfilled For these Causes and Reasons and particularly that we might keep within the bounds of Order and to the Ancient practice of the Churches The Council judged
well suffer it And as to the Election of Deputies His Majesty being not willing that the Affairs of his Subjects of the Reformed Religion should be without Conduct and Order had immediately upon the Death of the Lord Maniald one of the General Deputies and from September last Commissionated a Person of Honour and qualified for the discharge of that Office to act concurrently with the Surviving Deputy the Lord of Montmartyn until such time as it may be otherwise determined And since by his Writt of the Tenth of October he had given Licence unto this Synod to proceed unto the Election of Six Persons well inclined unto his Service and to the Publick and having no dependance on any one but himself out of which His Majesty will prick two for the discharge of that Office therefore he exhorts the Synod to proceed unto the Nomination and to choose out Persons qualified as before and hath been usually practised in such cases and this should be the rather done now because the present juncture of Affairs will not permit the calling of a Politick Assembly Declaring that in case we neglect the said Nomination The Lord of Montmartyn and the other Lord nominated by the King will lay down the management of those Offices It being unreasonable that for want of General Deputies the common Affairs of His Majesties Subjects professing the Reformed Religion should be abandoned and neglected And the said Lord Commissioner presented His Majesties Writt the tenour whereof is as followeth This Tenth day of October 1626 the King being at St. Germains in Laye considering that the term of Three years for which the Lord of Montmartyn and the Deceased Lord Maniald had been nominated to reside and serve at Court and to attend His Majesty in the quality of General Deputies for His Subjects of the P. Reformed Religion is some while since expired and that it so falls out that there must be a new Election of some other Deputies to succeed them in their Offices and considering that this Election cannot be done more conveniently than in the Assembly and National Synod which His Majesty hath granted to be held by His said Subjects in His City of Castres this last September that so they might not be put to those great Expences and Incommodities which might betide them in case another Assembly should be called for this purpose as also for that the Weal and Safety of the Kingdom will not at present comport with a Politick Assembly His Majesty upon these considerations and for many other divers and good reasons of great importance to his Service and the Repose and Tranquillity of His Government doth grant that the Deputies in the National Synod in the presence of the Lord Galland Counsellor to His Majesty in his Council of State and Commissioner unto the said Synod shall consult about the Election of Deputies to reside and serve near His Majesty instead of the Lords Montmartyn and Hardy one of His Secretaries nominated by His Majesty in his Writt of the Thirtieth of September last and to offer unto him Six Persons meet and qualified for the said Imployment whether they be Members of the said Synod or not provided they be such as are Loyal and well affected unto his Service and to the publick Peace and that have no dependance on any Person in the World besides him that so his Majesty may prick two out of them who may hold and discharge the said Office of General Deputies And in so doing the said Lords of Montmartyn and Hardy our Secretary shall be devested of the said Employment they observing the forms as in such cases are usual and accustomed Provided alwayes that in the said Assembly there be nothing else debated but the said Election and Matters relating to the Discipline of their Religion aforesaid according to the import of his Majesties Edicts and Declarations However this shall not be made a Precedent his Majesty reserving to himself the power of permitting unto his said Subjects of the P. Reformed Religion to hold a Politick Assembly when as in his wisdom he shall judge it needful and his Affairs of State can well comport with it In testimony whereof I am commanded by his Majesty to expedite this present Writt which he was pleased to Sign with his own Hand and is Countersigned by me his Counsellor and Secretary of State and of his Commands and Exchequer Signed in the Original Louis and a little lower Philippeaux CHAP. XI THE Writt having been read the Council voted a Conference to be held about its Contents at my Lord Commissioners Lodgings and Twelve Persons Deputies of the Council were constituted a Committee to this purpose Who having made Reports of the whole The Council considering the change hapned in Affairs by the unexpected and sudden Death of the Lord Maniald and the importunities of the Lord Montmartyn his Colleague to be discharged of such a Borden as he saith is impossible to be born by himself alone and the pressing necessities of our Churches requiring that some Persons should take upon them the care and management of their Affairs who might sollicite them with renewed vigour but principally His Majesties Writt animated by the Exhortations of his Commissioner the Lord Gallanbd who declared according to that Answer made unto the Address presented by the Deputies that the state of His Majesties Affairs would not permit His Majesty to grant us at present a General Assembly And that in case this Council would not nominate the Deputies his Majesty himself would do it even as he had already took course to do it having by his Writt and Warrant of the Thirtieth of September expresly joyned the Lord Hardy in the Commission of the General Deputies with the Lord Montmartyn For all these reasons and to avoid an infinite number of visible inconveniencies The Council proceeded to Elect those Six Persons which were to be presented to his Majesty and by plurality of Suffrages were chosen the Lords Claudius Baron of Gabrias and Beaufort Lewes de Champagne Earl of Suze Henry de Clermont d' Amboise Marquess of Gallerande for the Nobility and the Lords Basin Advocate in Parliament living at Blois Texier the Kings Advocate in the Seneschalsy of Armagnac and Lazaras du Puy Counsellor in the Presidial Court of Bourg in Bresse for the Commons that so his Majesty may out of them choose two whom he best liketh to exercise the Office of General Deputies But forasmuch as that Canon established in our Churches under the good pleasure of His Majesty for the nomination of the said General Deputies requireth that every third year by an express Warrant from his Majesty there should be called a General Assembly and that before it there should be particular Assemblies held in all the Provinces to prepare their Cahiers Memoirs and all other Jurisdictions of the Provinces and to deliver them unto their hands who shall be deputed unto the General Assembly which after wards culleth out those Cahiers
not only alwayes exempted from all Defaults but also from the very Suspicion thereof and that all kind of Testimonials and Thankfulness is due and owing them for their Capacity Carefulness Diligence Integrity and Singular Love and Zeal unto the Weal and Happyness of our Churches nor cannot in the least be refused them Wherefore this present Order passed for their discharge shall be inserted into the Acts of this Synod that it may be carried into all the Provinces that so none may plead or pretend his Ignorance and Unacquaintedness with the intentions of this present and of the last immediately preceding Synod Monsieur Palot of St Antonine presented a Petition unto this Assembly on behalf of his Brother Palot that it would be pleased to cause all processes commenc't against him by the Lord Malat to cease and that Arbitrators might be chosen on both sides with full power to determine the differences betwixt him and the Churches of this Kingdom Letters also from the Lord Malat were read informing it of the great progress he had made in the Suit against him Whereupon the Synod finding the Complaints and Requests of the said Palot to be unreasonable and that from their former Experience they could only conclude them done on purpose to gain and spin out time and to elude if possible the Prosecutions already begun it voted Thanks to be given unto the Lord Malat for his care and pains and that he be intreated to continue his Travel and Diligence in this Affair and the like thanks were ordered unto Monsieur Arnault for his singular Affection to the Weal of our Churches and the Lord Commissioner Galland was also earnestly desired to befriend our Churches with his kind Assistance at Court and to speak for us unto the Kings Majesty that His Gracious Majesty would be pleased to ordain that Justice might be done us Letters were read from the Lords Marbaut de Massanes Bigot and de Launay Commissioners named by the last National Synod to treat on behalf of all our Churches with Persons capable of bringing the Sieur Palot to give us some reasonable satisfaction And also Monsieur Mestrezat another of those Commissioners made report of what had been done herein as weâ—l by himself as by those others joyned in Commission with him Whereupon all their Actions were ratified and approved In reading that Act of the Synod of Charenton containing His Majesties Answer unto the Sieurs Cottiby and du Bois Saint Martyn Deputed by the said Synod unto His Majesty in which hope was given unto the Churches that the Prohibition issued out against Monsieur du Moulin should be taken away and that he should be restored unto his Ministry in this Kingdom And a Letter to this self-same purpose from the Church of Paris also requesting our Intercession with His Majesty that he would be Graciously pleased to grant unto the Churches the injoyment of their hopes The Deputies of the Isle of France joyned with them in this their request Whereupon it was resolved that His Majesty should be most humbly petitioned to grant leave unto the said Monsieur du Moulin to return into France and to the Exercise of his Pastoral Office in his aforesaid Church and the said Monsieur du Moulin shall be required by Letters from this Synod to joyn vvith the Churches in their Petition for his return and re-settlement in France and that he shall address himself also by a particular Petition of his ovvn unto His Majesty that he may be restored unto his Charge vvherein by the Blessing of God he had such eminent success that so if it may be His Majesty by so many importunate Petitioners may be prevailed vvith to grant us our desires The Provincial Deputies of Lower Guyenne and Poictou being heard it was voted that the Churches of Rochechouart and Limoges should continue joyned unto the Province of Lower Guyenne as they have been heretofore notwithstanding that they were separated from it by a Decree of the last National Synod because they cannot subsist if they be divided nor can the Church of Limoges be united unto Poictou without too much enfeebling the Colloquy of Limousin Maister Peter Guillemin Pastor in the Church of La Bour presented his Petition unto this Assembly that the Summ of Three Hundred Livres granted the said Church by the former National Synods may be continued and that the Summ of Threescore Livres more might be bestowed upon them for the breeding of a young Scholar who may be hereafter capable of serving the said Church and to preach in their Language and that His Majesty may be petitioned that He would grant according to His Edicts Two Places more for Religious Worship unto the Faithful of the said Countrey of Labour It was voted that this Petition in all its Parts and Members should be fulfilled on this Condition that the Scholar to be maintained by them be presented unto the next Synod of Lower Guyenne and that the said Province of the Lower Guyenne do yield an accompt of the said Summ of Sixty Livres unto the next National Synod as also of the Three Hundred Livres granted unto the said Church of La Bour and the Pastor there shall be obliged for the future to assist in Person at the Provincial Synods of Lower Guyenne After the last Canon was voted This Assembly recollected that heretofore the National Synod of Tonneins had granted unto Monsieur Busthonoby Pastor of the Churches in Soules the Summ of Three Hundred Livres to defray the Charges of Printing some certain Books in the Biscayan Language and that since by a Decree of the Synod of Vitre the Province of Lower Guyenne was reimburst the said Summ which they had beforehand advanced to that purpose Whereupon Order was given unto the said Province to call in its next Synod the aforesaid Monsieur Busthonoby to an accompt how he did imploy and dispose of the said Moneys and to bring in that Accompt unto the next National Synod CHAP. XVIII No Minister to Depart the Kingdom without the Kings Leave THE Lord Commissioner declaring that it was His Majesties Will and Pleasure according to Law that none of our Pastors should depart the Kingdom without his Royal License and that in case any Foreign Princes or States desired that any of our Ministers might be either lent them for a time or given to them absolutely during Life that then the said Minister should according to our Laws first obtain His Majesties Licence for his departure The Council resigned it self and all the Ministers of our Churches most fully and freely as they have ever done unto the Laws of the Land This Synod inquiring into the causes obstructing the Execution of those particular Canons that the last National Synod had made for the better Government of the Province of Provence judged that the said Province did justly deserve a Censure in case it cannot vindicate and acquit it self from all impeachments of neglect herein And whereas the Sieurs Crubellier
Plants which have been sent you from divers Provinces of this Kingdom that through your well-deserving Pains and Counsels they may be prepared and made fruitful Ministers of the Gospel of our Lord Jesus And to these our Thanks we shall add our most ardent Prayers unto God that he would pour out upon you his most precious and saving Blessings and that he would always make you a most eminent Example of his Grace and Mercy in the Churches of his dear Son covering you and your Common-wealth wherein you live with the Wings of his Protection to the Glory of his Providence and to the Honour of his Holy Name as also to the Consolation of our Churches In whose Name we are From Castres this 6th of September 1626. Most Honoured Lords and Brethren Your most humble and most affectionate Servants in the Lord the Pastors and Elders of the Reformed Churches of France assembled in our National Synod and for them all The Superscription was thus To our Lords the Pastors and Elders in the Church of Geneva at Geneva Chauve Moderator Bouterove Assessor Scribes of the Synod O. Blondel Petit A Letter from the Church of Paris to our most Honoured Lords the Pastors and Elders assembled in the National Synod at Castres Most Reverend and very Honoured 'T IS with very great regret on our part that we are enforced to complain unto you against our Province but we have too just cause for out so doing We have ever held a fair and Christian Correspondence and Fraternal Union with it And indeed Sirs if it had been only our own particular Interest that was concerned we should much rather have chosen to suffer all manner of ill Usages than to have interrupted you in your most holy and important Occupations But the Honour of our Functions and the Glory of our God and the Advancement of the Kingdom of the Lord Jesus Christ are all concerned Therefore we implore with the greater freedom the Assistance of your Charity and the Help of your Fatherly Protection because we are well assured of your Zeal to the Well-being and Edification of our Church You know Sirs that great Affliction wherewith our â—od hath of late visited us in calling unto himself that most excellent Person Monsieur Durant whose Gifts and Graces and singular ministerial Abilities were universally known throughout the whole Kingdom During his Sickness which lasted near sour Months and six Months since his Decease those two astors which were left us were so surcharged with hard Labour that they both fell dangerously Ill and must have infallibly funk under the weight of their Burden had they not been extraordinarily assisted and supported by God As soon as God had took into his Joys our late famous Pastor we faw immediately the great necessity we had to relieve and ease those two which survived and this was the unanimous Prayer and Desire of the whole Church It was utterly impossible for us to find in our Colloquy a Minister every way qualified for us for besides that none of those Pastors had a Voice strong enough for our Auditory and those other Abilities requisite for the edifying so great a People There were some afflicted with Sickness and divers Churches were destitute of Pastors and so far were we from being holpen by them that several of the Neighbour-Churches have importuned us to lend them our help To assemble a Synod for their and our Relief was out of our Power For besides the bitterness of the Season the rigour and sharpness of the Winter we were then in the very hottest and deepest of the late Trouble and without any hopes of Peace which since our good God out of his infinite Mercy hath bestowed upon us Being then obliged to provide for our selves elsewhere we were not in any great trouble on whom to sasten our Eyes for so had the gracious Providence of God ordered it that in the extremity of Monsieur Durant's Sickness Monsieur Daillé preached three Sermons to us which so much affected our whole Church that from that instant it was the common Discourse that as God afflicted us on the one Hand so did he seem to comfort us on the other by pointing out unto us such a Person as might he easily and speedily obtained by us because the Province of Anjou was well enough provided of able Pastors and of divers Proposans of very great Hopes Monsieur Durand resting from his Labours in Abraham's Bosom we believed it our Duty to concur with those ardent Desires that many of our Members had expressed for Monsieur Daillé and the rather because we were well inform'd of his singular Piety Probity and rare Learning who by reason of those excellent Gifts and Graces of God's Holy Spirit in him had been already sought after far and near by many of the greatest and most famous Churches in the Kingdom But the Lord out of his abundant Goodness had reserv'd him for us And that we might handsomly and regularly proceed in giving him a Call to the Pastoral Office in our Church we resolved at first to demand him by way of Loan as we can easily prove by our Letters written unto the Church of Saumur and to the said Monsieur Daillé and by the Acts of our Consistory But the Person whom we deputed to Saumur and to whose Prudence and wise Conduct we had confided this Affair having been refused as to the Loan advised us by an express Messenger that there was more hopes of gaining him as an absolute Gift because the Church of Saumur could more easily procure it self a fettled Pastor than borrow one for a few Months Whereupon he demanded of us new Letters and a more ample Commission The Quality of the Person imployed by us in this Negotiation and our most pressing urgent Necessity made us resolve to demand the Ministry of Monsieur Daillé purely and absolutely We in the mean while taking it for granted that our Synod would have approved and consented to what we had done as we on our parts were disposed to break off the whole Treaty in case they could make it appear that we were out and mistaken in our Choice and that there could be any thing opposed against the Doctrine Life and Conversation of him to whom we had sent our Call As soon as we had notice that our Synod should be assembled we to render all due Honours to it delegated the Sieurs Mestrezat Bigot and d' Huysseau to it and charged them to make report of our Conduct in this Affair and to petition that Assembly to approve of the calling Monsieur Daillé into Office among us though at that time we had no promise of him made us by the Church of Saumur We well hoped that those Reverend Gentlemen would have considered the great importance of our Church and the Kindnesses they continually receive from it and that they would have comforted us in our Affliction and would have praised our Proceedings or at least would
you have most worthily discharged yea and in those very National Synods which we have permitted to be convocated by our Subjects of the said Reformed Religion at Charenton aforesaid in the Year 1623 and in our City of Castres in the Province of Albigeois in the Year 1626. We therefore conceived we could not make a better choice than of your self being well satisfied that you will continue to give us the Proofs and Testimonies of your Affection to our Service For these Causes we have commissionated and deputed and we do commissionate and depute you the said Lord Galland by these our present Letters Patents signed with our own Hand unto the said Synod and order you forthwith to transport your self unto the said Synod in the Town of Charenton and therein to assist in Person as our Representative and to propose and resolve on such Matters as have been commanded you according to the Memoirs and Instructions we have delivered into your Hands taking special Care that none other Businesses be then or there treated and debated but such as of right ought to be consulted and determined on in those Assemblies and which are permitted by our Edicts and in case they should attempt any thing contrary thereunto you shall hinder it and by Interposal of our Authority suppress and stifle it and speedily give us Notice and Advice thereof that we may immediately apply such Remedies as will be most needful And for doing hereof we do now impower you by this our Commission and special Commandment in these our present Letters Patents For such is our Will and Pleasure Given at Monceaux the sixteenth Day of August in the Year of Grace one thousand six hundred thirty one and of our Reign the two and twentieth Signed in the Original LOVIS And a little lower by the King Phelippeaux And sealed with the great Seal in yellow Wax CHAP. III. The Lord Galland's Speech to the Synod 23. THE aforesaid Letters Patents having been read by the Lord Galland his Majesty's Commissioner he made this Speech unto the Synod That the King having buried in the Grave of Oblivion all former Actions which had fallen out in the last Troubles to the great Affliction of the Kingdom his Majesty gave him in charge to assure his Subjects of the Religion of his Royal Affection and good Will towards them and that whilst they continued within the Bounds of Duty and abstained from all bitter Reflections against the Government and Repose of the Publick and from all Intelligences and Correspondencies either with Natives or Foreigners and were sorely addicted to the Service of his Majesty they should experience the Kindnesses of a good Father and of a good King in his Majesty and injoy the free Exercise of their Religion and the Liberty of calling and holding their Synods Provincial and National But whereas in divers Years last past the Orders given by him and accepted of by his said Subjects have been differently interpreted His Majesty desireth by reviving them to take away for the future all Grounds of Misconstruction and Misunderstanding 24. Therefore in the first Place His Majesty requireth that whereas Commissioners were established in all Synodical Assemblies both National and Provincial by his Letters Patents in the Year 1623 founded upon the Practice observed in the Primitive Church and the Government of the best-ordered Kingdoms there shall be an intire and absolute Obedience yielded hereunto by his said Subjects of the Reformed Religion and that they do refrain and forbear all Protestations and Remonstrances to the contrary 25. In the second Place By those aforesaid Orders and agreeable to the Laws of the Kingdom it was decreed and enacted That no Strangers should be admitted into the Pastoral Office in any of the Churches which are reserved for natural French-men and Ancients of the Kingdom in bar of whom and to whose Prejudice divers Strangers have been received Wherefore his said Majesty renewing his Ordinance aforesaid doth inhibit his said Subjects to admit into the Ministry any one except a French-man born and as for others who have been admitted since the Year 1623 contrary to it his Majesty promiseth to dispense with them provided Application be made unto him for that Grace And whereas some have made Exceptions against this his general Resolution on behalf of those Ministers who are born in those Kingdoms and Common-wealths or Cities which are the Allies of his Majesty or under his Royal Protection the said Lord Commissioner declared That by Strangers we were to understand all sorts of Persons without Exception who were not born in the Kingdom or out of his Majesty's Dominions and Government although they were Natives of such Kingdoms Common-wealths and Cities as were his Majesty's Allies or under his Protection 26. In the third Place All Ministers are forbidden to depart the Kingdom without his Majesty's Licence and particularly Monsieur Salbert Minister in the Church of Rochel hath not only gone out of the Kingdom without his Majesty's Permission but in Contempt of his Royal Authority Wherefore the said Prohibitions are once more reiterated and reimposed and the said Salbert is injoined by his Majesty to reside in that Place appointed him and he is expresly forbidden all Exercise of his Ministry either in publick or private nor may this National Synod put him upon the Roll of Ministers to be presented by it unto vacant Churches 27. In the fourth Place By the National Synods of Charenton and Castres all Ministers were expresly forbidding to intermeddle with State-Matters yet notwithstanding Monsieur Beraud Minister of Montauban and Professor of Divinity in that University did not only intermeddle with State but military Affairs and was so bold as to maintain by a Book which he read unto his Auditory That Ministers have a Call to bear Arms and to shed Blood which is a Doctrine quite contrary to the Word of God the Decrees of Councils and the Laws of the Kingdom and the more dangerous in this Doctor because he instils these his wicked Notions into the tender Minds of Youth committed to his Charge and Education and 't is much to be feared that he will continue to poison them by such or the like Instructions which are foreign and contrary to the publick Peace and Tranquillity And therefore the said Manuscript is judged unworthy of publick View as being cross to the Word of God And his Majesty hath ordered its Suppression forbidding all Printers and Booksellers either to print or sell it and commandeth all the Members of this present National Synod to censure and condemn both it and its Author CHAP. IV. The Moderator's Reply to this Speech 28. THE Lord Commissioner having finished his Speech Prayers were offered up to God for the Preservation of his Majesty's Sacred Person for the Prosperity of his Government for the Settlement of the publick Peace of the Nation and for the Glory of his Crown And most humble Thanks were rendred unto his Majesty for the Continuance of his
well as in the Pres des Clerks by the Ladies Princes yea and by Henry the Second himself This one Ordinance only contributed mightily to the downfal of Popery and the propagation of the Gospel It took so much with the genius of the Nation That all ranks and degrees of Men practised it in the Temples and in their Families No Gentleman professing the Reformed Religion would sit down at his Table without praising God by singing Yea it was a special part of their Morning and Evening Worship in their several Houses to sing God's Praises The Popish Clergy raged and to prevent the growth and spreading of the Gospel by it that mischievous Cardinal of Lorrain another Elymas the Sorcerer got the Odes of Horace and the filthy obscene Poems of Tibullus and Catullus to be turn'd into French and sung in the Court Ribaldry was his Piety and the means used by him to expel and banish the singing of divine Psalms out of the prophane Court of France The Holy Word of God is duly truly and powerfully Preached in Churches and Fields in Ships and Houses in Vaults and Cellars in all places where the Gospel-Ministers can have admission and conveniency and with singular success Multitudes are Convinced and Converted established and edified Christ rideth out upon the white Horse of the Ministry with the Sword and Bow of the Gospel Preached Conquering and to Conquer His Enemies fall under him and submit themselves unto him O! the unparallell'd success of the plain and zealous Sermons of the first Reformers Multitudes flock in like Doves into the Windows of God's Ark. As innumerable drops of dew fall from the Womb of the Morning so hath the Lord Christ the dew of his Youth The Popish Churches are drained the Protestant Temples are filled The Priests complain that their Altars are neglected their Masses are now indeed solitary Dagon cannot stand before God's Ark. Children and Persons of riper years are Catechised in the Rudiments and Principles of Christian Religion and can give a comfortable account of their Faith a reason of that hope that is in them By this Ordinance do their pious Pastors prepare them for Communion with the Lord at his holy Table Here they communicate in both kinds according to the Primitive Institution of this Sacrament by Jesus Christ himself Sect. 7. Though the Churches of God walked in the Comforts of the Holy-Ghost and were multiplied throughout the whole Kingdom yet were they exercised with Fiery Tryals and underwent most cruel and inhumane Sufferings Satan stormed that his Kingdom was assaulted weakned and subverted this boileth up his Revenge and causeth him to throw out Floods of Wrath against the Church travelling under the pangs of Reformation Hence the Saints of God are imprisoned arraigned for their Lives and condemned by merciless unrighteous Judges for their Profession of the Truth unto the Flames Others are murdered in cold Blood and massacred without any legal forms of Justice in the least And yet in the sight of those cruel Deaths and most barbarous Executions the first National Synod is called and celebrated in the Metropolis of the Kingdom at the very Doors of the Court God inspiring with Zeal and Courage the Pastors of several Churches to meet and consult together about the arduous and most important Businesses of the Reformed Religion Sect. 8. Two things among others were dispatch'd in this Council 1. They publish the Confession of their Faith and tell the King and Kingdom what they believe and practise This was put into the Hands of their Young King lately come to the Crown upon the Death of his Father who though he had sworn to see that famous Martyr of Christ Annas du Bourg Counsellour in the Parliament of Paris burnt yet was at a Tilt by Count de Montgomery a Protestant wounded with a Launce in the Eye and died before he could perform his Oath How Francis the Second entertained this Confession when it was tender'd him is not my Business to relate I shall only give my Reader the Confession itself and I do the rather lay it before him because it is a brief System of the Protestant Religion constantly read at the opening of all their Synods and because of the frequent References unto it in and by all those National Synods which I now publish Sect. 9. The Confession of Faith held and professed by the Reformed Churches of France received and enacted by their first National Synod Celebrated in the City of Paris and Year of our Lord 1559. ARTICLE I. WE believe and confess That there is but one God only whose Being only is simple spiritual eternal invisible immutable infinite incomprehensible ineffable who can do all things who is all-wise all-good most just and most merciful ARTICLE II. This one God hath revealed himself to be such a one unto Men first in the Creation preservation and governing of his works secondly far more plainly in his word which from the beginning he revealed to the Fathers by certain Visions and Oracles and then caused it to be put in writing in those Books which we call the Holy Scripture ARTICLE III. All this holy Scipture is contained in the Canonical Books of the Old and New Testament the Catalogue whereof followeth The five Books of Moses namely Genesis Exodus Leviticus Numbers and Deuteronomy Item Joshua Judges Ruth the first and second Book of Samuel the first and second Book of Kings the first and second Book of Chronicles otherwise called the Paralipomena one Book of Esdras Nehemiah Hester Job the Psalms Solomon's Proverbs or Sentences Ecclesiastes the Song of Songs Esaiah Jeremiah with the Lamentations Ezekiel Daniel Hosea Joel Amos Obadiah Jonas Micah Nahum Habakkuk Zephaniah Haggai Zachariah Malachi Item the Holy Gospel according to St. Matthew according to St. Mark according to St. Luke and according to St. John as also the second Book of St. Luke otherwise called The Acts of the Apostles Item the Epistles of St. Paul the Apostle to the Romans one to the Corinthians two to the Galatians one to the Ephesians one to the Philippians one to the Colossians one to the Thessalonians two to Timothy two to Titus one to Philemon one Item the Epistle to the Hebrews the Epistle of St. James the first and second Epistle of St. Peter the first second and third Epistle of St. John the Epistle of St. Jude and the Apocalypse or Revelations of St. John ARTICLE IV. We acknowledge these Books to be Canonical that is we account them as the most certain Rule of our Faith and that not so much because of the common consent of the Church but because of the Testimony and Perswasion of the Holy Ghost by which we are taught to distinguish betwixt them and other Ecclesiastical Books upon which although they may be useful yet we cannot ground any Article of Faith ARTICLE V. We believe That the Doctrine contained in these Books is proceeded from God from whom only and not from men it deriveth
be published against the true Religion they shall be sent unto them that they may be answered And there shall be a Colloquy in each Province appointed unto this peculiar business carefully to peruse all Manuscripts before they be Printed and what is published and to disperse the Copies CAN. XVI No Minister shall claim or exercise any Primacy or Jurisdiction over another CAN. XVII Ministers shall preside by turns in their Consistories that so none may claim a Superiority over his Fellow and none of them shall give any Testimony in matters of importance without having first Communicated unto his Brethren and Collegues in the Ministry CAN. XVIII That Custom used in some places of deputing certain Ministers from the Provincial Synods to visit the Churches shall be for time to come totally suppressed and abolished That order which hath been used until now being sufficient enough for taking cognisance of Scandals And this manner of erecting new Offices and Employments is condemned because of its dangerous consequence as also all names of superiority are rejected such as Elders of Synods Super-intendents and the like And all Advertisements for assembling Colloquies or Synods or concerning any businesses which depend upon them shall be directed unto the Church and not to any particular Minister in it And if accidentally they have been so superscribed and for some certain Considerations addressed unto any one of the Ministers or Elders they who have received them shall present them unto the Consistory that so advice and deliberation may be taken of them CAN. XIX No Minister together with the holy Ministry shall be a Practitioner in Law or Physick yet out of Charity he may give Counsel and assistance to the poor of his Flock and of his Neighbourhood provided always that he be not thereby diverted from his Calling nor derive any gain from his practice unless in times of trouble and persecution and when he cannot exercise his Calling in his Church and cannot be maintained by it And those who shall thus employ themselves in Law or Physick or in any other Worldly distracting business shall be exhorted wholly to forbear it and totally to devote themselves unto the duties of their Calling as Ministers and to the study of the Scriptures And all Colloquies and Synods are admonished to proceed according to the Canons of our Discipline against the refractory and such as be willfully disobedient as also against those who spend so much of their time in teaching youth that it is an hinderance to them in the principal duties of their Ministerial Office And all Consistories Colloquies and Provincial Synods shall have a most especial care and regard that this Canon be punctually observed and to suspend such as do transgress it from their exercise of the Ministry CAN. XX. Ministers shall exhort their People to be modest in their Apparel they themselves also giving in this particular a good example unto the World by their own their Wives and their Children's forbearing all bravery in their Habits CAN. XXI Princes and great Lords following the Court that would have a Church erected in their Houses shall be desired to chuse their Ministers out of those Churches which be duly reformed and can spare them a Pastor and of whose lawful Call unto the sacred Ministry they may be well assured and this with the good will and consent of the Colloquies or Synods These shall in the first place subscribe the Confession of Faith of the Churches in this Kingdom and our Ecclesiastical Discipline And that the Preaching of the Gospel may be the more successful they shall be every one of them desired to constitute in their Families a Consistory composed of the Minister and of the best approved persons for Godliness in their said Family who shall be chosen Elders and Deacons by which Consistory all Vices and Scandals in that Family shall be suppressed and the common Discipline of our Churches shall be maintained Moreover if it be possible for them they shall personally appear at Provincial Synods To which purpose Powers shall be given unto the Church that convocates the Synod of that Province to call them to it And the said Ministers by name or some one or other of them according as they shall be deputed by the rest shall make their personal Appearance at the National Synods in company with their Elders who may inform the Synod of their Lives and Conversations And if several of them meet together none shall claim any preheminency or jurisdiction over his Brethren according to that Canon of our Discipline made on this behalf And when as the said Princes and Lords shall sojourn in their Houses or other places in which a Church is already constituted that all divisions may be avoided they shall be desired to conjoin the Church of their Families together with the Church of that place to make but one Church as shall be advised in an amicable Conference with the Ministers of both Churches that so what may be most expedient may be followed CAN. XXII It shall not be lawful for the Pastor to desert his Flock without leave first had and obtained from the Colloquy and Provincial Synod of that Church to which he was first given CAN. XXIII Deserters of the Sacred Ministry shall be finally Excommunicated by the Provincial Synod unless they do repent and return again unto their Charge which God had committed to them CAN. XXIV Ministers shall not be Vagrants nor have liberty to intrude themselves of their own Authority into any place which best pleaseth them CAN. XXV The Minister of one Church shall not preach in another without the consent of its Minister unless he were absent in which case the Consistory shall authorize him and if through persecution or any troubles the Flock should be dissipated the strange Minister shall endeavour to assemble the Elders and Deacons which if it cannot be done yet nevertheless he may warrantably preach that so the dispersed Flock may be reunited CAN. XXVI That Minister who intrudeth himself into a Church although he get the People's Approbation yet shall he not be approved of by the Neighbour Ministers or any others but the cognisance of his Case shall be devolved upon the Colloquy or Provincial Synod CAN. XXVII Ministers shall not be sent unto other Churches without authentick Letters or some other sufficient Testimonials from those places from whence they last came which shall be put into the Consistories hands of that Church whereunto they be sent and there carefully to be preserved CAN. XXVIII No Minister who reports himself forsaken of his Church of persecuted shall thereupon be received by another Church until he have first produced valid Certificates of his holy and unblameable Conversation unto the Colloquy or Synod and the whole Affair shall be remitted to the prudence and discretion of the Colloquy or Provincial Synod CAN. XXIX When as a Minister who hath orderly obtained his Licence of departure from that Church in which he last served
Inhabitants to be brought in to them those Accusations and Informations which are made against them that it may be known and judged whether those Actions be triable in the Provosts Courts or not that so afterward according to the quality of the Crimes they may be by those Chambers remanded back unto the ordinary or judged by the Provosts according to law and reason they observing the Contents of this our present Edict And those Presidial Judges Provosts of Mareschals Vice-Bailiffs Vice-Seneschals and others who judge Soveraignly and without Appeal shall be bound respectively to obey and satisfy those Commands which shall be made them by the said Chambers and all even as they have been accustomed to be done in the said Parliaments upon pain of being deprived of their Offices LXVIII The Proclamations Bills of Siquis and Outropes of Inheritances by which a Decree is prosecuted shall be made in those places and at the hours accustomed if it may be done according to our Ordinances or else in the publick Markets provided that there be a Market in that place in which the said Inheritances do lie but where there is none they shall be made in the nearest Market Town of the Jurisdiction of that Court where a Delivery by Judgment is to be made And the Bills shall be set up and affixed upon the Posts in the said Market and at the entrance of the Auditory of the said place and by this means the said Proclamations shall be good and valid and they may proceed to the interposal of a Decree without stopping at the Nullities which may be alledged on this account LXIX All Deeds Papers Writings Evidences which have been taken away shall be restored and returned back on both sides unto their rightful Owners and Proprietors although the said Papers or the Castles and Houses in which they were kept had been taken and possessed by special Commissions from the late King now dead our most Honoured Lord and Brother-in-Law or by Commissions from our selves or by Command of the Governours and Lieutenants-General of our Provinces or by the Authority of the heads of either Party or by any other means and pretext whatsoever LXX The Children of those persons who had departed the Kingdom since the late King Henry the Second our most Honoured Lord and Father-in-Law upon the account of Religion and the troublesome times ensuing although the said Children were born out of the Kingdom shall be reputed True Frenchmen and Natives of the Kingdom and we have declared and declare them to be such nor have they any farther need of Letters of Naturalization or other provisions from us besides this present Edict notwithstanding all Ordinances to the contrary from which we have derogated and do derogate upon Condition that the said Children born in Foreign Countries shall be obliged within the term of ten years after the publication of this present to come and dwell in the Kingdom LXXI Those of the said pretended Reformed Religion and others who have followed their Party and had farmed before the troubles any Office or Demesn or Gabell or Foreign Imposition or other Rights appertaining to us which they could not injoy because of those troubles shall be acquitted and discharged even as we do now acquit and discharge them of all receits whatsoever of the Income of the said Offices or which they may have paid any where else than into the Receit of our Treasury notwithstanding all Obligations made and passed by them on this occasion LXXII All Places Towns and Provinces of our Kingdom the Countries Territories and Lordships under our Jurisdiction shall use and enjoy the same Priviledges Immunities Liberties Franchises Fairs Markets Jurisdictions and Assises Seats of Justice as they did before the troubles began in the Month of March one thousand five hundred and eighty five and in the preceding years notwithstanding all Letters to the contrary and the Disposals of the said Lordships to other Persons provided that this was done meerly and solely upon the account of the said Troubles Which Assizes and Seats of Justice shall be revived and restored in those Towns and Places in which they were before LXXIII All Prisoners formerly detained by the Authority of Justice or by any other means yea and the Slaves in the Galleys for and upon the account of the said Religion shall be inlarged and set at full Liberty LXXIV Those of the said Religion may not be hereafter surcharged nor oppressed by any ordinary or extraordinary Taxes more than the Catholicks nor above the proportion of their estates and abilities And the Parties which shall complain of their being over-burdened shall appear before the Judges to whom the Cognisance of these matters doth appertain And all our Subjects both of the Catholick and pretended Reformed Religion shall be indifferently discharged of all Taxes which had been imposed both upon the one and other during the troubles by them who were of the contrary Party and not consenting as also the Debts contracted and not paid and expences made without their consent however they shall not be able to redemand the moneys which had been imployed in payment of the said Taxes LXXV Nor is it our intention that those of the said Religion nor others who have followed their Party nor the Catholicks who were remaining in the Towns and Places possessed and held by them and which stood up for them shall be prosecuted for the payment of Taxes Aids Grants Increase and the little Tax imposed by Henry the Second Utensils Reparations and other Impositions and Subsidies fallen and imposed during the Troubles fallen out before and till our coming unto the Crown whether by the Edicts Commands of the late Kings our Predecessors or by the Advice and deliberation of the Governours and States of the Provinces Courts of Parliaments and others from which we have discharged and do discharge them by forbidding the General-Treasurers of France and of our Revenue the Receivers-general and particular their Agents and Dealers and other Intendants and Commissioners of our Revenues to search after molest or disturb them any manner of way whatsoever whether directly or indirectly LXXVI All Chieftains Lords Knights Gentlemen Officers Corporations and Communalties and all others which have aided and succoured them their Widows Heirs and Successors shall be quitted and discharged of all moneys which were taken up and levied by them and their Orders whether they were moneys Royal how great soever the summ might be or the moneys of those Cities and Communalties and of particular Persons their Rents Revenues Plate Sale of Houshold Goods of Ecclesiastical Persons or others Trees Timber whether of and belonging to the Crown or to other Persons Fines Booties Ransoms or moneys of another nature taken by them upon the account of the troubles began in March 1585. and the other troubles foregoing until our Arrival to the Crown without that either they or their Agents imployed by them in the levying of the said moneys or who ever gave them
any or supplied them by vertue of their Orders shall be hereafter or at present sued for and they shall be acquitted both they and their Agents from all management and administration of the said moneys they producing for their discharge within four Months after the publication of this present Edict made in our Court of Parliament in Paris Acquittances duly expedited by the Chief Commanders in the said Religion or of those who were Commissionated by them to audit and finish those Accompts or of those who bore Office and Command in those said Corporations and Towns during the said troubles Moreover they shall be acquitted and discharged of all Acts of Hostility raising and leading of Souldiers coining and valuing of money done in Obedience to the Orders of the said Chief Commanders melting up and taking of Artillery and Ammunition making of Gun-powder and Salt-Peter Surprizals of Fortifications Dismantlings and demolishing of Towns Castles Boroughs and Villages Attempts upon them burnings and demolishments of Churches and Houses Establishment of Justice Judgments and their Executions whether in matters Civil or Criminal Policy and Reglements made about them Voyages and Intelligences Negotiations Treaties and Contracts made with all Foreign Princes and Communalties and Introduction of the said Strangers into the Cities and other parts of our Kingdom and generally of all that hath been done acted and negotiated during the said troubles since the Death of the late King Henry the Second our most Honoured Lord and Father-in-Law by them of the said Religion and others who have followed their Party as if it had been particularly exprest and specified LXXVII Those also of the said Religion shall be discharged of all general and provincial Assemblies made and held by them whether at Mantes or since that time at any other place until now as also of Councils by them Ordained and established for the Provinces of Ordinances and Reglements made in the said Assemblies and Councils placing and increase of Garison Assemblies of Men of War levy and raking of moneys whether in the hands of general or particular Receivers Collectors of the Parishes or otherwise in whatsoever way and manner it might be done Decrees about Salt Continuance or new erection of Tolls Customs and their receits at Royall and upon the Rivers of Charante Garonne the Rhone and Dordonne Armings and Fights at Sea and all accidents and excesses fallen out about paying the said Tolls and Customs and other moneys Fortifying of Towns Castles and Places Impositions of moneys and services receits of those moneys rejection of our Receivers and Farmers and other Officers setting up of others in their Places and of all Unions Dispatches and Negotiations made both within and without the Kingdom And generally of all that hath been done deliberated written and ordained by the said Assemblies and Council without suffering those who have given their advice Signed Executed caused to be Signed and Executed the said Orders Reglements and Deliberations to be sued nor their Widows Heirs and Successors neither now nor for the future although the particularities be not here amply declared And our General-Attorneys and their Substitutes and all those who may claim any Interests in whatsoever fashion or manner it might be shall for ever forbear all Prosecutions notwithstanding all Decrees Sentences Judgments Informations and Proceedings done to the contrary LXXVIII Moreover we do approve strengthen and authorize those Accounts which have been heard examined and shut up by the Deputies in the said Assembly We will that they and their Acquittances which were brought in by those Accountants shall go and be carried into our Chamber of Accounts in Paris three Months after the Publication of this Edict and shall be put into the hands of our Attorney-General to be delivered in and kept in the Books and Registers of our Chamber that upon all needful occasions there may be recourse had unto them nor shall those Accompts be ever revised nor those Accomptants be bound to appear nor shall there be any Correction of them unless in Case of omitting the receit or of false Acquittances And our Attorney-General shall not at all act or proceed although there be very many defects and the formalities have not been duly kept nor observed And we forbid our Officers in the Chamber of Accompts in Paris and in all the other Provinces in which they be established to take any manner of Cognisance whatsoever of them LXXIX And as for those Accompts which have not been yet brought in we will that they be Audited Examined and shut up by our Commissioners who shall be deputed by us who shall without any difficulty pass and allow all the parts payed by the said Accomptants by vertue of the Orders made by the said Assembly or others that were in Power LXXX All Collectors Receivers Farmers and all others shall be duly and legally discharged of all summs of money which they have paid in to the said Agents of the said Assembly of whatsoever nature they may be until the last day of this Month. And 't is our Will and Pleasure that all their Accompts which shall be brought into our Chamber of Accompts shall be passed and allowed purely and simply by vertue of the Acquittances which shall be produced by them And if any shall be hereafter expedited and delivered they shall be all null and those who shall accept or deliver them shall be condemned in a Mulct and Fine for mis-employment of them And if in some Accompts already rendred there shall be found rasures and charges we have upon this respect removed and taken them away we have restored and do restore the said parts intirely by vertue of these Presents without any need for all abovementioned of particular Letters or other matters except the Extracts of this present Article LXXXI The Governours Captains Consuls and Persons Commissionated to recover moneys to pay the Garisons of the places held by those of the said Religion to whom our Receivers and Collectors of the Parishes may have lent moneys upon their Bills and Obligations whether it were by Compulsion or out of obedience to the Commands which were given them by the General Treasurers of all these necessary summs for the maintenance of the said Garrisons until that time when we agreed about the state of that Accompt which we dispatched in the beginning of the year 1596. and the augmentation we have since granted they shall be acquitted and discharged and for what is already paid to the purpose above mentioned although and for what is already paid to the purpose above mentioned although that the said Schedules and Obligations do not expresly mention them which shall be yielded up unto them as if they had been null And that they may be satisfied the General-Treasurers in every Generality shall furnish the said Collectors by their particular Receivors of our Taxes with Acquittances and by the Receivers-General their Acquittances for the Receivers particular and for the discharge of the said General-Receivers
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
Prisons with many worthy Ministers detaining them many Months and whole Years together yea and often inflicted upon them severer punishments SECT XXIX But they did not stop here they proceed farther To deprive the Reformed of all Offices and Employments and in general of all means of gaining a Livelyhood An infinite number of Protestants being dispersed in all parts of the Kingdom it could not be but that many Families of them must subsist by serving the publick either in Offices Arts Trades or one Faculty or other according to their Education and Callings Henry the Fourth was so much convinced of the necessity and justice of this very thing that he made it an express Article and perhaps the most distinct and formal one of all the rest which are contained in his Edict and therefore the Persecutors thought themselves obliged to use their utmost endeavours to elude and evacuate it Here then they began with Arts and Trades which under several pretences they rendred almost inaccessible unto the Protestants by the many difficulties they met with in attaining to their Mastership in them and by the excessive expences they must be at to be received therein For every Candidate who would set up his Trade was forced to this effect to commence and carry on tedious Law-Suits under the weight of which they sunk and were over-whelmed they being in no wise able to hold out the prosecution of them But this not being sufficient enough to ruine them out cometh a Declaration in the Year 1669. by which they be reduced to one third in those Towns where the Protestants were the greatest number of Inhabitants and they were forbidden to receive any of the Religion into their company till this diminution was made Thus at one stroke one dash of the King's Pen all Pretenders are totally excluded Some time after they drive all the Reformed from the Consulships and other municipal Offices in Cities Which was in effect to deprive them of all knowledge of their proper Affairs and Interests and wholly to invest the Catholicks with them In 1680. The King issued out an Order depriving them in general of all kind of Offices and Employs whatsoever from the greatest to the meanest They were rendred uncapable of serving in the Custom houses in the Guards Treasury or Post-Office of being Messengers Coach-men or Waggoners or any thing of this nature In the Year 1681. By a Decree of Council all Notaries Attorneys Solicitors and Serjeants professing the Reformed Religion were rendred utterly uncapable of these Imployments in any part of the Kingdom In the Year 1682. All Lords Gentlemen of the Reformed Religion were ordered to discharge their Officers and Servants of the said Religion and not to make use of them in any case and this upon no other reason than this because they were Protestants In the Year 1683. All Officers belonging to the King's Houshold and those of the Princes of the Blood were also rendred uncapable of holding their Places The Counsellors and other Officers in the Courts of Aids and Chambers of Accounts and those in County Courts Bailywicks in the Courts Royal of the Admiralty in the Provost's and Marshals Court in the Treasury Excise and all Offices of the Toll and such like businesses were ordered to leave their Places that the Catholicks might enjoy them In the Year 1684. All Secretaries belonging to the King and great Officers of France whether Real or Honorary ones yea and their very Widows were deprived by a Revocation of all their Priviledges of what nature soever they were They also deprived all those that had purchased any Priviledges for exercising any Professions as Merchants Surgeons Apothecaries Vintners and all others without exception Yea they proceeded to this excess that they would not suffer any Midwives of the Reformed Religion to do their Office and expresly ordained for the future That the Protestant Women when they were in Travel should receive assistance from none but Roman Catholicks It cannot be express'd how many particular Persons and Families they reduced every where by these strange and unheard of methods to ruine and misery SECT XXX But because there were yet many which could sustain themselves other Methods of Oppression must be invented To this end they issued out an Edict from the Council by which the New Converts as they call them were discharged from paying any of their Debts for three Years This for the most part fell sore and heavy upon the Reformed who having had a more particular tie of interest and business with these pretended Converts because of their Communion in Religion were reckoned their chiefest Creditors By this Order they had found the Secret to recompence those that changed at the charge of those who continued firm and this they did likewise by another way For they discharged the New Converts of all Debts which those of the Religion had contracted in Fellowship with them So that the poor Protestants must pay all Horrible Injustice Cruel hellish Oppression Add to this The Protestants are prohibited to sell or alienate their Estates on any pretence whatsoever the King disannulling and vacating all Contracts and other Acts relating to that Matter if it did not appear that after these Acts they had stayed in the Kingdom a whole Year so that the last Remedy of helping themselves with their Estates in extream necessity was now wholly taken from them There remained yet a Sheet-Anchor for the poor Protestants and that was all which was left them to save themselves in this storm to retire into other Countreys where they might get their living by their labours since it was not permitted them in France But the King by repeated Edicts forbad them to leave the Kingdom upon very severe Penalties This rendred their case desperate for they saw themselves reduced to that horrible necessity of being starv'd to death to die of famine And yet the cruelty of their Enemies did not stop here For there remaining some gleanings in the Provinces tho' very few and those as thin lean and blasted as the Ears of Corn in Pharaoh's Dream The Intendants in their respective Districts had express order to load the Reformed with Taxes which they did in this manner Either by laying upon them the Tax of the new Catholicks who were discharged thereof on favour of their conversion or by laying exorbitant Taxes which they call Duties that is to say He who in the ordinary Roll was assessed at forty or fifty Livers was charged by this Imposition with seven or eight hundred Thus had they nothing more left for all was a Prey to the griping Covetousness and brutish Cruelty of Inhumane Intendants They levied their Taxes from them by the effectual quartering of Dragoons upon them or by close Imprisonment from whence they were never freed till such time as they had paid down the utmost farthing SECT XXXI These were the two first Engines which the Popish Clergy used against the poor Reformed in that Realm But now followeth
that most pious Bishop of Norwich Dr. Joseph Hall gave this Character of him That he was one of the most learned Men that Scotland ever bred He had been formerly Minister of Bourdeaux thence translated to the Professor's Chair of Divinity at Saumur and lastly unto Montauban where he died in the year 1625. But more of him in my Icones 5. Peter Berault the Son of Michael a Son not unworthy his Father who founded the University 6. Anthony Garrissoles who died in the Lord Anno 1651. 7. Paul Charles though he was called to the Professorship in Divinity after Monsieur Garrissoles yet entered he into his rest two years before his Reverend Collegue viz. 1649. 8. John Verdier he died in the year 1668. 9. Andrew Martell he went into exile with his Brethren in the year 1685 and was called to be Professor of Divinity in the University of Berne in Switzerland where he is yet living In his time the University was removed from Montauban to Puy-Laurens in Languedoc in the year 1660. 10. Anthony Peres was called in to succeed Monsieur Verdier immediately upon his death This very learned and godly Divine died in my Neighbourhood in the year 1686. here in King-street near Bunhil fields London This University of Montauban the first and eldest Protestant University of France had subsisted the just age of a Man and then purely out of a design to facilitate its Ruine it was removed in the year 1660. to Puy-Laurens The University of Saumur had its foundations shaken in the year 1675. though it had a quiet and uninterrupted possession of threescore and ten years and was grounded upon the Edict of Nantes and confirmed by other Edicts of Henry the Fourth and of his Son and Successor Lewis the Thirteenth Henry the Fourth comprehended them both in the Gift he made them Anno 1599. And in the Articles of Peace granted by Lewis the Thirteenth to the City of Montauban they were again ratified and he formally promised to continue his Bounty which in truth was no bounty but a Debt for the Reformed compounded with his Father to pay their Tithes to the Popish Parish Priests which they did honestly and justly provided the King would allow such a summ of 135000 l. in good money unto them for their Ministers Schools Colleges and Universities And in his Answer to their Bill of Grievances in the second year of his Reign and of our Lord 1611. Article 19. He granted to the Universities of Saumur and Montauban the same Priviledges Immunities and Prerogatives as the other Universities in the Kingdom enjoyed according to the will and intention of King Henry the Fourth expressed in his Answer to the Bill of Grievances presented him by the Reformed Article the Fourth Yet all these Engagements and Obligations both of Honour and Conscience could not contain the present King nor his Council within any Bounds But that all the Schools Colleges and Universities of the Reformed must be dissolved dissipated and they be utterly ruined SECT XXXIII But we shall proceed one step farther and discover in this short Abridgment how the Faith and Patience of God's Saints was farther tryed and exercised in France before the last deluge of Popish Fury was poured out upon them There were new Laws and Orders as so many new Engines and Racks invented to torment them This is the fourth method devised by them The first of these Orders which appeared was touching the manner of Burial and Interring the dead In those places where the exercise of our Religion was actually established the number of Attendants was reduced to thirty Persons and to ten where it was not Orders were also issued out to hinder the Communication of one Province with another by Circular Letters or any other way whatsoever though it were about matters of Alms and the distributions of Charity There were likewise Prohibitions made of holding Colloquies in the Interval of Synods excepting in two Cases viz. to provide Ministers for Churches destitute upon the Death of their Pastors and the censuring of greater Scandals They despoiled also those places which they called Exercises de Fief of all the Characters and Priviledges of a Temple as the Bell Pulpit and other things of that nature They forbad also the Reception and Ordination of Ministers in any Synods or to have their Decisive Vote in them or to Register them in the Catalogue of those Churches to which they appertained One Decree forbiddeth the singing of Psalms in their private Houses yea and another to forbear singing in their Temples when as their Consecrated Host was carried by in Procession One Decree forbids all Marriages at such times as they be prohibited by the Church of Rome viz. Lent and the Ember Weeks c. By another Decree their Ministers are not suffered to Preach at any considerable distance from their Residence lest they should have the sorry priviledge of an annexed Congregation a poor plurality For one Church being of it self utterly unable to maintain a Minister sometimes two or three would join together to make up a Competency for his subsistence Other Decrees forbid their setling in any places unless sent unto them by their Synod though the Consistories had given them a solemn Call according to their usual Forms Another Decree comes forth to hinder Synods from sending to any Churches more Ministers than were there in the preceding Synod Another Decree prohibits all Proposans Students in Divinity to study in Foreign Universities Other Decrees banish all Foreign Ministers not born in the Kingdom though they had been Ordained in France and spent the greatest part of their Lives in it out of it Another Decree forbad all Ministers and Candidates for the Ministry to reside in those places where Preaching was forbidden or nearer to them than six Miles Another Decree forbad the People to assemble in the Temples under pretence of praying reading or singing of Psalms except in the presence of a Minister placed there by the Synod There was one Decree and that a most ridiculous one Enacted That all the backs of the Seats in their Temples must be removed that so they might be reduced to most accurate and decent Uniformity Another Decree to hinder richer Churches from assisting the weaker in maintaining of their Ministers and other necessities Another Decree obligeth Parents to give their Children who had changed their Religion great Pensions Another forbiddeth Marriages betwixt Persons of different Religions notwithstanding their Scandalous Cohabitation Another prohibiteth those of the Reformed Religion from that time to entertain in their Houses any Domestick Servants who were Roman Catholicks Another maketh them uncapable of being Tutors or Guardians and consequently did put all Minors whose Fathers died in the Profession of the Protestant Religion under the Power and Education of Roman Catholicks Another forbiddeth Ministers and Elders to hinder any of their Flock either directly or indirectly to embrace the Roman Religion or to disswade them from it Another forbiddeth Jews and
in presence of these Witnesses whose names are hereunto subscribed this day of the Month of _____ and in the year of our Lord SECT XLVII When these poor Wretches had signed this Abjuration and hoped thereby to be at rest they were far enough from it for their Consciences flew in their Faces and many of them were driven unto despair Yet their Persecutors never ceased tormenting them they must own and attest it before the World that they embraced the Roman Religion freely voluntarily and of their own accord and that no Violence was offer'd them to move or induce them to turn from the Reformed Religion And if after this they scrupled to go to Mass to communicate after the Popish way to tell over their Chaplet of Beads or if a Sigh escaped from them indicating their Grief and Sorrow for their great Sin in forsaking the Truth immediately there were great Fines laid upon them and their old Guests the Dragoons are sent back again to beat up their quarters and they must entertain afresh those old Guests who had wearied them out of their Faith and Life I have by me a Letter from Mets giving an account of the state of the poor Protestants upon their Abjuration which may not be unacceptable to the Reader My Dear F. YOUR's of the Thirteenth of September is come to my hands by which I perceive you are well informed of all things relating to those Holy Missionaries our Dragoons You cannot for all that imagine what it is to fall into the hands of such Apostles Of all the Families of * * * * * * There were in that Church 10000 Communicants Mets there are left but two Persons which have not subscribed viz. Madamoiselle Goffin who is a Prisoner in the Nunnery of the Female Preachers and Madamoiselle Ferry Sister to Monsieur Le Bachelier the Counsellour who is also clapt up in the Nunnery of St. Clare These are the only two Persons who have refused Subscription yet do not persuade your self into that Opinion that because they have subscribed therefore they must needs be of the Roman Religion nay the very contrary is true for we were never more estranged from it I shall deal plainly with you we ought not to be blamed for our weakness in subscribing for had all the Ministers of France now exiled the Kingdom been resident in it and lain as we have at the cruel mercy of Dragoons I am certainly persuaded that not five in an hundred could have stood it out but must have subscribed as well as we Do not then believe that such as have subscribed have changed their Religion I can give you full evidence that they were never more zealous for the Reformed Religion than now I know we have too too much neglected your Advices but the most eminent among us were too secure even our Ministers themselves who because of the profound peace in which we lived had made Purchaces and richly furnished their houses with the best of Goods And if after all this we have had the Misfortune to expect that ill Hour and Lot of Subscription 't was because there was no means left of saving our selves and whereas we be condemned for our foolish confidence in those golden Promises That neither by word or deed we should be in the least hurt upon the score of Conscience I must reply it was because the Passages on the Frontiers being so strictly guarded we could not possibly escape for on this side of the Kingdom all were so narrowly watched that a poor Cat could not meet with an Hole by which to creep out You writ to me concerning Monsieur N. pray when you see him tell him that Madam N. his Sister-in-law lodgeth at my house with her Family and that already three of her Sons are departed the Kingdom She is one of the sweetest Gentlewomen that may be the Lord bless and assist her in all her designs She ran the same risk with the rest but is little concerned for it There be daily brought into the Prisons of this City Persons of Vitry Chalons and Sedan who are Condemned unto the Gallies or to perpetual Duress Finally on our side we have no means left us of escaping so that we must absolutely resign our selves to the will of our God 'till he open a Door for us Yet I beseech you do not believe that Worldly considerations as of goods and estates do detain us here No no could we but have had liberty of departure we had long e'r this gone away though only with our Shifts about us yea tho' we had left our Children behind us But it is not God's will that we should yet quit this place nay 't is his will that we be patient and that we hinder our Childrens falling into such hands as would educate them in Idolatry in a false Religion and in an aversion for our selves also I must add that we had no preservative from subscribing it was wholly impossible to avoid that Subscription against the Protestant Reformed Religion tho' as yet we are not obliged to go to Mass but expect once more the Dragoons with their Swords in their hands to drive us to it We know we have subscribed but we know also we have not changed our Religion and through Grace we shall never change it I may assure you that so great were our Oppressions that they might have oblig'd us to have been Turks as well as Papists and to have wore a Turban had it been as high again as the Triple Crown Our wisest Catholicks for these last six Months have told us That we should shortly be of one Religion but never be of one belief And they had reason for what they said For we were never more fixed in our Religion than now Sometimes for fashions sake we go unto their Sermons but return extreamly dissatisfied with those Discourses and more confirmed in our first Faith than before Poor Monsieur de Chevenix lies very ill the Curate of his Parish was with him to oblige him to Confession but he positively told him he would not confess himself to any but God who alone could forgive him his sins and not to any mortal creature who was as much a sinner as himself Afterwards he was visited by the Archbishop who would have obliged him to communicate before death which he also as stiffly refused The Archbishop acquainted him with the King's Orders concerning such who being sick refuse to communicate e'er they die He replied that he cared not a Rush for them and that he would never communicate after the Popish manner I know not what may happen hereafter but at present he is mending and I believe he will perfectly recover But the Ordinances of the King or rather of the Clergy are That the sick shall communicate before death and in case they do not their dead Carkasses shall be drawn upon the Hurdle and then thrown into the Common Jakes and all their Goods confiscated and if they
recover they shall however be condemn'd unto the Gallies and all their Goods confiscated You may see by this to what a woful pass we are reduced till the Lord our good God shall be pleased to turn the Wheel better for our advantage Our whole Family here salutes you We are wholly busied in gathering in the Vintage but never with less pleasure inasmuch as we know not for whom we toil our selves Monsieur Ancillon hath left Hannaw for Berlin whither he is called to be their fourth Minister Madamoiselle Morgue with two of her Sisters are gotten safely out of the Kingdom after that they had been hid from the Dragoons Farewel Octob. 2. 1686. I am Yours E. N. B. Monsieur Chevenis who is mentioned in this Letter was a venerable and ancient Gentleman a person of eminent Prudence illustrious for Learning and Godliness and Counsellor to the King in the Court of Metz. He persisted faithful to death and when dead they dragged most inhumanly his dead Carkass upon a Hurdle and buried it in a Dunghil He hath a Brother a very Reverend Minister of the Gospel refugied in this City of London SECT XLVIII Whil'st the Dragoons do thus ravage and ruinate the Provinces causing Terrors and Desolations where ever they come Orders are dispatched to all the Frontier Countries and Sea-port Towns strictly to guard the Passages and to stop all persons who are departing the Kingdom So that there was no hope lest of saving themselves by flight None could pass unless he brought with him a Certificate from the Priest of his Parish or the Bishop of the Diocess in which he lived that he was a Roman Catholick Others are put in Prison and treated like Traytors to their King and Country All Ships of Foreigners lying in the Ports and Havens of the Kingdom are diligently searcht for Passengers the Coasts Bridges Passages unto Rivers and the Highways are all strictly guarded night and day and the neighbouring States are imperiously required not to harbour any more Fugitives and to dismiss or send back again such as they had already received and Attempts were also made to seize and carry away some who had escaped into foreign Countries I have lying by me a Letter from Geneva giving a doleful Account of the poor Refugees who had fled thither Possibly the Reader will not be displeased at the reading of it From Geneva Nov. 1685. SIR IT 's a good while ago that the French Protestants began to secure themselves both here and in Switzerland yet it was but very slowly e'er they retired hither there being not on this side of France those conveniencies for them as in England and Holland However their number increased with their Persecutions and this Honour is due unto Geneva that tho' at first whil'st we supposed there was not an indispensable necessity upon our Protestant Brethren for their flight we seemed somewhat cold as to their reception yet having at last too great cause to believe it I may speak it without vanity that Geneva exercised a charity towards these Fugitives which will recommend her to posterity I shall give you an undeniable proof hereof and that presently Ever since the first Troubles at Montauban and the great consternation of the other Provinces Geneva never failed to receive and relieve with Monies and other Supplies all that had recourse unto her and for more than two Months together there passed not a day over our heads in which Geneva did not daily receive and supply 30 50 80 90 Personâ— of all Ages of both Sexes and of all Conditions But as we had an occasion of satisfaction from the Charity of Geneva so we must also avow that it was utterly impossible not to be affected with such a multitude of pitiful Objects as daily presented themselves unto us and especially since the passages were guarded some arriving disguis'd on foot in a deplorable condition who would they have left their God might have been as to this World very happy Women and Maids came to us in the Habits of Men Children in Coffers packt up as Cloaths others without any other precaution at all than in their Cradles tied about their Parents necks some passing this others that way all stopping either at the Gates or Churches of the City with Cries and Tears of Joy and Sorrow mingled together some demanding where are our Fathers and Mothers others where are our Wives and Children not knowing where to find them nor having learnt any News of them from the time they departed from their Houses In short every one was so affected with these miserable Objects that it was impossible to refrain from weeping Some had no sooner passed the first Barricado but prostrating themselves upon their Knees sung a Psalm of Thanksgiving for their happy deliverance tho' poor Creatures they had not wherewithal to get themselves a Meal's meat and might have gone to Bed that Night supperless had not the Lord of his great goodness extraordinarily provided for them Thus we spent two Months every day affording us new Adventures fresh and eminent Examples of Self-denial and that divers-ways I shall give you a few Instances Among others a Lady of great quality the Mother of ten Children whose Husband Monsieur d' Arbaud had revolted from the truth at Nismes this Lady I say forsook eighteen thousand Livers of yearly Revenue without ever having been able to make a Purse to defray her Journey and maugre all the Cares and Endeavours of her Husband and the Bishop brought with her nine of her Children and the youngest of them about seven Years of age yet when she came here she had but two Crowns left her to maintain herself and them It was but two days since that I bad Adieu to my Lord the Baron of Aubaye who forsook above five and twenty thousand Livers of yearly Revenue for the Gospel and all his Stock was but thirty Pistols I gave Letters of Recommendation to the Baron of Temelac who is banisht for eight and twenty Years This Nobleman forsook eight thousand Livers of good Rents and departed hence with a very small Supply to seek some Employment where ever he can meet it for his subsistence My Lord de * * * * * * One of the mostillustrious Noblemen of Languedoc Bougi departed hence some few days ago with eight or ten Gentlemen for Germany I cannot reckon unto you an infinite number of other persons whose Names are unknown to me Six or seven came hither about five days since who seemed to be the Servants of a Commander of Malta bearing upon his Breast the great Cross There came also a far greater Troop who met at the Passes a multitude of poor People with their Wives and Children that had been stopt by the Guards these force a passage for them with themselves and conveyed them with their Baggage hither in safety The City of Lyons hath given illustrious Examples of remorse of Conscience in particular no longer than
were most cruelly disciplin'd A Lady of eminent Quality gave this Relator this Account That when they had seized all her Estate clapt her up in Prison Arraign'd and Condemn'd her to Death for Murdering five of her Children because she had conveyed them away that they might not be trained up in Popery they took her two youngest one of five and the other of two years and put them into Nunneries They could never get that of five to kiss a Crucifix or bow to their breaden God though they kept her from meat and drink eight and forty hours and having scourged the poor young Heretick unmercifully they returned her with her young Sister whom they had also tormented with Famine and Whipping to the poor Mother in whose Arms one of these Innocent Lambs died a few hours after That very day the Edict was published the Attorney-General and some other Magistrates send for the Protestant Heads of Families who lived in Paris to appear before them and when they came they declared to them That it was the King's absolute Will and Pleasure that they should change their Religion that they were no better than the rest of his Subjects and that if they would not do it willingly his Majesty was resolv'd to compel them to it At the same time by Letters under the Privy-Seal they banished all the Elders of that Consistory together with some others in whom they found more constancy and resolution and they dispersed them into those places which were remotest from all Commerce and Business and have since used them with unparallel'd Cruelties When as the diligence of Mr. Attorney-General and the City Magistrates succeeded not answerably to their desires and expectations Monsieur Seignelay Secretary of State would try what influence he had in his division at Paris Wherefore he gets together about an hundred or sixscore Merchants with some others unto his House and having shut the doors he forthwith presents them a Form of Abjuration commanding them in the King's Name to sign it declaring that they should not stir out of the doors till they had yielded a full obedience The Contents of this Form were That they did not only renounce the Heresie of Calvin and enter into the Catholick Church but also that they did it voluntarily without any force or compulsion This was done after a most imperious manner and with the tone of authority Yet notwithstanding some had the courage to speak tho' they were soon cut short with this reply They were not called to dispute but to obey So that they all signed before they went out SECT LIV. With some of the Ministers they dealt very treacherously fawning upon them with kind words and counterfeit civilities wheedling them into a good opinion of those respects and loves they never had nor intended for them This proved a great and dangerous Snare to two worthy Ministers among others as will appear from this following Letter written to an eminent French Minister in London from Paris October 19. 1685. From Paris Octob. 19. 1685. Monsieur my most honoured Brother SInce you are owner of so much goodness as to interest your self like a kind Brother in those Affairs which particularly concern us and forasmuch as we can avow our Affections for you to be great and sincere and our fellow-feeling of all your Sufferings to be real and very sensible it is but just that when our Brother Du gives you an Account of the state of our Family we should also at the same time acquaint you with that of our Consciences You may then understand my most dear Brother that no sooner was the King's Declaration published which abolishing the Edict of Nants obliged all the Ministers within a Fortnight's time to depart the Kingdom but Monsieur and my self went immediately to seek and take places for our selves and Families in the Brussel's Coach as my Brother went to that of Calais But two or three days after being informed that neither our Wives nor Children should have the liberty of leaving the Kingdom with us and that we should meet with an hundred difficulties in our departure and that we must needs have Certificates from our Intendants which was utterly impossible for us to procure in that short time was now left us we together with divers others went and waited upon Monsieur de la Renie who is the Judge and Civil Magistrate of this City who gave us a Certificate according to the King's Edict which yet in the issue was useless and unprofitable Monsieur de la Renie being particularly acquainted with Monsieur treated us with a great deal of civility and desired us seriously to reflect upon that perplexed condition into which we and our Families were plunged and that we would examine our selves whether with a good Conscience we might not tarry in the Kingdom and whether our presence would not also contribute to the consolation of a multitude of gracious Souls groaning under the pressures of their Afflictions who had been abandon'd by their fugitive Pastours according to the general Complaints brought in against them from all quarters Hereupon we drew up several Projects I formed mine Monsieur framed his and they were both so contrived that any one might easily judge we should never be suffer'd on those terms to live in the Kingdom And to speak the truth they were not approved by my Brother Du who drew up another the Copy whereof we now send you but we must confess most dear Brother that we have found it to be of dreadful consequence and most dangerously insnaring to us But Du having resolutely maintained that we had no other way left us of abiding in the Kingdom than by signing this Writing and if we would not yet he himself would alone in his own person present it to my Lord Bishop of Meaux we did at length sign it Monsieur and my self tho' with extreme repugnancy and with this very restriction that Du should retrieve it out of the hands of the Bishop of Meaux as soon as he had read it which Du solemnly promised us he would do My Lord Bishop perus'd our Writing and having told Du that he conceiv'd the King would never grant us what we desired in it we believ'd our selves oblig'd all three jointly to take our leaves of the Bishop and of Monsieur de la Renie because we were two days after to avoid the Kingdom My Lord Bishop of Meaux dismist us very civilly But Monsieur de la Renie made us a long discourse about our Writing given in to the Bishop of Meaux and that Conference which our Brother had with him telling us among other passages that the King took notice of our Measures that he had approved and praised them that he had a better opinion of us by far than of a great many others who had yet gone beyond us but that the King desired us to continue our Conferences with the Bishop of Meaux and that the King having learnt our intention of going
to Fountainbleau that we might wait upon the Bishop of Meaux which was a truth had the kindness for us as to order him to come to Paris and if after our Conferences ended with my Lord Bishop of Meaux we could not with a good Conscience hold Communion with the Church of Rome he would then give us when ever we should desire it a Licence for our selves and Families to depart the Kingdom and that finally my Lord of Meaux would charily preserve our Writing which had been presented unto his Majesty We all three accepted the Proposals And had several Conferences with the Bishop of Meaux But this very day we are urged to come to a Resolution and upon our refusal of signing the new Formulary we are plainly told That it is ill done of us to recoil after that of our own accord we had advanced so far and they farther tell us That our own Writing obligeth us to far greater matters than the new Formulary and that we declare in the very beginning of it That of all Evils Disunion is the greatest and that by this our Confession neither Transubstantiation nor any of those other Points debated by us could be a bar to our Re-union and that in effect we do formally re-unite ourselves by our very Writing and that by submitting our selves to the Conduct of Bishops and of their pitiful Curates we do subject our selves to the whole Ecclesiastical Discipline and that we intreating the Higher Powers who went unto Mass to believe our Sentiments to be the same with theirs who desired the Cup we were engaged at the same time to do as they did even to wait for that Reformation which was universally desired and which the King incessantly pursued as having resolv'd that the Cup should be delivered unto the People in the Sacrament And thus they boast we are caught by our own Writing which was left imprudently enough in the hands of my Lord Bishop of Meaux and which they say also at the same time is in the King 's This is the truth of our present Estate and for which we conjure you most dear Brother to send us as soon as possible your advice lest c. WE whose Names are here-under written being fully perswaded that among Christians there cannot be a greater mischief than to be divided one from another especially when as the providence of God has made us all Subjects to our King who is the most glorious Monarch in the whole World and being unmeasurably grieved that we are bound to depart his Kingdom and to subject our selves unto the authority of strangers whom we can never own for our Soveraign Lawful Princes Do declare That from this very day we can promise my Lord the Bishop of Meaux that we will subject our selves to the Sermons and Even-Songs used in the Catholick Church thereby giving a sensible demonstration of our Union with the Archbishops Bishops and Curates of France We also intreat That we may be absolutely believed to be in the same Sentiments with the Higher Powers who in conformity to the Liberties of the Gallican Church gave in divers Articles as our Historians relate to my Lord Cardinal de Joyeuse concerning the Council of Trent and until such time as they may be established by the King's Authority and signed by the most Reverend Clergy of France in the sence of the second Article of the last Edict verified in Parliament the 22d of this instant October we most humbly beseech his Majesty to grant us the liberty of abiding within his Kingdom in quality of poor private persons we calling God to witness by our Oaths That we will do nothing against his Majesty's Declarations but contrariwise we shall endeavour by our example to keep the People within those bounds of Fidelity and Obedience which we all owe unto the King and our Superiours I suppose those Articles were the same which had been demanded by the Cardinal of Lorrain and the other French Ambassadours in the Council of Trent as they be mentioned by De Mezeray in his 3d Tome p. 1470. viz. That an Ecclesiastick Person should hold but one Benefice That the Mass being finished Prayers might be celebrated in the Vulgar Tongue That the People might Communicate in both kinds That all Pastors should be capable and obliged to Preach and Catechise That the abuse crept in among the Common People in the Worshipping of Images might be removed SECT LV. Now the Ministers have left the Kingdom and vast multitudes of their People steal away after them as well as they can But the King and Haman the French King and his Cabal sit down and drink whil'st that Paris as Shushan of old and all other places in which the Reformed remain are in great perplexities In every Province whithersoever the King's Commandment and his Decree came there was great Mourning among the Protestants Fasting Weeping and Wailing and many lay in Sackcloth and Ashes Yet among the Sighs and Groans or God's poor Saints who mourn for the Desolations of Zion the Ruines of their Temples and Sanctuary the loss and reproach of their Solemn Assemblies the Prophanations of their Holy Sabbaths their deprival of Religious Ordinances the banishment of their Pastors the dissipations of their Churches and the total extirpation of the pure Evangelical Religion and cannot be comforted the Popish Clergy the Monks and Jesuits have their Jubilees and Triumphs and the Pope sends a Letter to the King congratulating him for his Zeal against the Hereticks in his Kingdom and for repealing the Edict of Nantes It spake this Language The Pope's Letter to the French King congratulating him for Abolishing the Edict of Nantes Innocent the XIth to our dearest Son in Christ Lewes the XIVth the most Christian King of France Our dearest Son in Christ SInce above all the rest of those illustrious Proofs which do abundantly declare the natural inbred Piety of your Majesty that Noble Zeal and worthy the most Christian King is most conspicuous with which being ardently inflamed you have wholly abrogated all those Constitutions that were favourable to the Hereticks of your Kingdom and by most wise Decrees set forth have excellently provided for the Propagation of the Orthodox Belief as our beloved Son and your Ambassadour with us the Noble Duke de Estrées hath declared to us We thought it was incumbent on us most largely to commend that excellent Piety of yours by the remarkable and lasting Testimony of these our Letters And to congratulate your Majesty that Accession of immortal Commendation which you have added to all your other great Exploits by so illustrious an Act of this kind The Catholick Church shall most assuredly record in her Sacred Annals a Work of such Devotion towards her and celebrate your Name with never-dying Praises But above all you may most deservedly promise to your self an ample Retribution from the Divine Goodness for this most excellent Vndertaking and may rest assured that we shall never cease to pour
LVIII There were nine and twenty National Synods celebrated by these Churches within the space of one hundred Years they met in this order and at the times and places mentioned in this ensuing Catalogue 1. At Paris May 25. 1559. 2. At Poictiers March 20. 1560. 3. At Orleans April 25. 1562. 4. At Lyons Aug. 10. 1563. 5. The 2d at Paris Octob. 21. 1565. 6. At Vertuil Septemb. 1. 1567. 7. At Rochel April 2. 1571. 8. At Nismes May 8. 1572. 9. At St. Foy Feb. 2. 1578. 10. At Figeac Aug. 2. 1579. 11. The 2d at Rochel June 28. 1581. 12. At Vitré May 26. 1583. 13. At Montauban June 15. 1594. 14. At Saumur May 13. 1596. 15. At Montpellier May 26. 1598. 16. At Gergeau May 9. 1601. 17. At Gap May 18. 1603. 18. The 3d of Rochel March 1. 1607. 19. At St. Maixant May 26. 1609. 20. At Privas May 23. 1612. 21. At Tonneins May 2. 1614. 22. The 2d of Vitré May 18. 1617. 23. At Alez Octob. 1. 1620. 24. At Charenton Septemb. 1. 1623. 25. At Castres Septemb. 15. 1626. 26. The 2d of Charenton 1631. 27. At Alanson May 27. 1637. 28. The 3d of Charenton 1654. 29. At Loudun Novemb. 10. 1659. The next National Synod was appointed to be held in the City of Nismes but when that will be Peloni Palmoni the wonderful Numberer can only and most certainly inform us THE ACTS DECISIONS and DECREES OF THE First National Synod OF THE Reformed Churches of Christ IN The KINGDOM of FRANCE HELD At PARIS in the Year of our LORD 1559. The Contents of the Acts in this Synod Chap. I. The Lord of Callonges Minister in the Church of Paris Moderator Eleven Churches send their Deputies to the Synod Chap. II. General Matters The first Draught of the Church-Discipline in Forty Canons Chap. III. Particular Matters Twenty Five Cases of Conscience resolved 1559. First Synod THE First National Synod Henry the Second died the tenth of July 1559. SYNOD I. In the Name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Ghost The Decrees of the National Synod celebrated in Paris the Five and Twentieth Day of May in the Year of our Lord One thousand five hundred fifty and nine and in the Sixteenth Year of Henry the Second King of France CHAP. I. Monsieur De Morell Lord of Callonges was at that time Minister of the Church of Paris Publick Matters FRancis de Morell otherwise called De Callonges presided and there assisted at it on behalf of the Reformed Churches of France the Pastors of Diep and St. Lo in Normandy of Paris of Angiers of Orleans of Tours of Chastelherand of Poitiers of Xaintes of St. John d' Angeli and Marennes CHAP. II. The First CANON I. NO Church Discipline Cap. 6. Art 1. nor Church-Officer be he Minister Elder or Deacon shall Claim or Exercise any Jurisdiction or Authority over another In every Synod there must be a President chosen His Office in the Synods II. A Moderator shall be chosen by general Consent in every Synod who shall give Notice of the Days and Places of Meeting and of the Sessions of the Synod And he shall gather the Suffrages and declare which is the greater Number and pronounce the Synodical Decisions Moreover he shall see that Order be observed in Speaking without confusion and impose Silence on such as are eager and contentious and in case of Disobedience he shall cause them to withdraw that Advice may be taken how to Censure them Moreover he shall preside at the Censure of every Person and make the Remonstrances As also to give Answers in case of Counsel demanded or unto Letters sent unto the Synod yet therein always observing the Advice of the Assembly And he himself also shall be subject unto Censures The Office of the Moderator shall expire with the Synod and the next Synod is at liberty to chuse him or any other A Pastor may bring with him an Elder unto the Synod III. Ministers that are sent unto the National Synod may bring with them one or two Elders or Deacons but not more and those chosen by the Body of their Consistory who also shall have their Votes in the Synod As for the Elders and Deacons of that Church where the Synod shall be assembled they may be present also and speak in their Order yet to avoid confusion two of them only shall have Power of Voting in it And no Person shall depart from the Assembly without leave first had and obtained IV. National Synods shall meet according to the Necessities of the Churches and in them there shall be an amicable and brotherly Censure of all its Members The Lord's Supper to be administred at the end of every National Synod and at the closing up of the Synod the Lord's Supper shall be celebrated to testifie their Union not only by the Ministers and Elders of the Synod but in general with that whole Church V. The Ministers with one Elder and Deacon at the least from every Church in all the Provinces of this Kingdom shall meet together once a Year and choose such a Time and Place as shall be most convenient for their Synodical Assembly The manner of Receiving a Minister VI. No Minister for the present shall be chosen by one only Minister or by his Consistory but by two or three Ministers and their Consistories or by the Provincial Synod or by the Colloquy which in those Places where they be already established shall be if possible called together for this purpose And the Elect-Minister shall be presented unto the People for their Approbation but in case there be opposition the Consistory shall judge thereof and if neither part do consent the whole shall be Reported to the Provincial Synod which shall take Cognisance thereof as well for Justifying of the Minister as for his Reception provided the major part of the Consistory and People do consent thereunto No Minister may be sent unto the Synod wâ—â—hout sufficient â—owers VII Ministers shall not be sent from the Churches without Authentick Letters or some other sufficient Testimonials from those Places whence they come and if having no such Commission they should offer themselves to be Received they shall not be Admitted unless their Conversation be fully known and upon what Account they have quitted their Church And in case of opposition they shall be dealt with as was before determined The Elect Deputy must subscribe the Confession of Faith VIII The Deputies Elect shall subscribe our Confession of Faith both in their own Churches in which they were chosen as in those also from which they be sent and their Election shall be confirmed by Prayers and Imposition of Hands by the Ministers yet without Superstition or Opinion of Necessity How Intruders into the Ministry are to be proceeded against IX Such as shall intrude themselves into the Ministry in those Places where the Ministry of the Word of
Assembly provided they may come without danger of infecting it The other Copies read it thus That the Wives of Unbelievers may be admitted unto our Church-Meetings provided the Church be not endangered by them That Man who suffers his Child to be baptized by a Popish Priest is not to be received to the Lord's Supper but conditionally It 's not lawful to Appeal unto Ecclesiastic Judges XXII And to another Case propounded by the same Brother this answer was given That the Husband of an Unbelieving Wife was not excusable unless that to the utmost of his power he had hindred his Child's being baptized by a Popish Priest and therefore inasmuch as he was wanting unto his Duty he shall not be received into Communion with the Church at the Lord's Table XXIII Neither the present Bishops nor their Officials nor Arch-Deacons have of right any Jurisdiction Civil or Ecclesiastical Wherefore it is not lawful for Believers to cite any one in any Case to Judgment before them or to appear in Person to answer unto their Citations without a Protestation against their Power of Judging in Matters belonging unto Conscience But as to Civil Causes because we be compelled oftentimes to appear before them that we may recover our Right which otherwise could never be obtained we may Address ourselves unto them as we would unto a Thief that Robs upon the Highway to obtain some Kindness from him However it is more desirable that every one would totally forbear in such Matters XXIV Such as will have their Banes published by the Parish-Priests may do it because it is a thing meerly Civil XXV As for such who waiting upon their Masters enter with them into the Popish Churches though they do not in the least bend their Knee yet because the Weak are scandalized they shall be reproved And whereas they do commonly alledge the Examples of Naaman and the Duke of Saxony they shall be born withal when they give as publick Testimony and Evidence not to defile themselves with or consent unto that Idolatry which is committed in those Temples whereinto they enter as the Duke and Naaman did The End of the First Synod May 28th 1559. Thus Subscribed in the Original By Francis Morell Moderator Elect for and in the Name of all the Deputies unto this Synod THE ACTS DECISIONS and DECREES OF THE II. National Synod OF THE Reformed Churches of Christ IN The KINGDOM of FRANCE HELD At POICTIERS in the Year of our LORD 1560. Contents of the Synod of Poictiers Chap. I. Synodical Officers chosen Chap. II. A Memorial for the States of France Chap. III. Observations upon and Emendations of the Church-Discipline in Nine Articles Chap. IV. Sixteen new Canons added to the Discipline Chap. V. General Matters Chap. VI. Particular Matters in which Two and Thirty Cases of Conscience are Resolved THE Synod of Poictiers 1560. Synod II. SYNOD II. General Matters Articles of the Second Synod held at Poictiers the tenth Day of March in the Year of our Lord One thousand five hundred and sixty The first Year of Charles the Ninth a little before Easter and in the first Year of the Reign of Charles the Ninth CHAP. I. Monsieur Le Bailleur Moderator Monsieur Reland Scribe LE Bailleur chosen President Roland Scribe CHAP. II. A Memorial to be presented unto the States of FRANCE MEMORANDUM Extract out of the C. of the Fr. Ch. of L. WHenas the States of France shall be assembled at the Day appointed there shall be this propounded unto the King's Majesty to the Queen Mother and to the Princes of the Bloud That they cannot be in a Capacity to satisfie the Requests tendered by the King of Navar at Orleance till such time as there be a lawful Counsel established for his Majesty Because there will otherwise be no Security for the performance of any Contracts and Ordinances that may pass between the King and his Subjects or between the Subjects themselves as hath been at all times done and by those of the last Assembly who declared That none could be his Majesty's Privy-Counsellors nor in his Council of State for any of his Affairs unless they had been appointed and approved according to Law For the Powers of those in being expired at the Death of the late King so that they are now only in the nature of a Committee nor can they be reckoned among those Counsellors whose Commission is irrevocable as is theirs who are Counsellors in Soveraign Courts and such like invested with ordinary Jurisdiction And at present his Majesty hath no Will in Law being a Minor nor hath his Majesty constituted them of his Council nor hath the Queen Mother any Power to make them such Wherefore none other but the States of the Kingdom can nominate unto the Princes of the Bloud those Persons whom they judge sit to be Counsellors of State nor do the said States hereby in the least design or intend to revoke the Power and Authority of their Highnesses the Princes of the Bloud but only they desire this That they would be pleased to take their Advice in providing fit and worthy Persons Persons of Quality and Honour to take upon them as Privy-Counsellors the Management of the Affairs of this Kingdom who shall be recommended to them and chosen from among the Nobility and Lawyers Nor do the said Estates intend to propose or answer any thing till such time as the said Council be thus constituted by the Wisdom of their Highnesses the Princes of the Bloud and be confirmed according to Law And they do protest That if any thing be attempted or ordained by any others that they will Appeal from them unto the next Assembly of the States which shall be lawfully called of the Nullity of their Powers and Actings And farther they do require That the Lord High Chancellor L'Hospital do forbear acting in his Office as Chancellor because he hath not been nominated and recommended by the Estates nor thereupon chosen and appointed by their Highnesses the Princes of the Bloud CHAP. III. Observations Corrections and Additions to the Church-Discipline couched and comprised in the Acts of the first National Synod of the Reformed Churches of France held at Paris May 25th 1659. ARTICLE I. WHereas the Third Article of our Church-Discipline began with these words Every Minister shall come accompanied unto the Synods Provincial or National with one Elder or Deacon of their Churches or more and they shall all have their Votes in those Synods There shall be this added as is now decreed That Ministers who come unto the National Synod may bring with them one or two Elders or Deacons but not more chosen by their Consistory who shall have their Votes in the said Synod And the Elders and Deacons or others of that Church where the Assembly shall be held may be present at the Debates and in their order they may give in their Opinions and Arguments upon the Question debated but two of them only
Brethren having been heard on this Affair reporting his continual Rebellions against the Consistory of the said Church for near six Months together The Council doth injoyn the Consistory to call the said Joequin before them and to give him a very severe Reproof for the sorementioned Crimes and in case of his Contempt and continued Rebellion to depose him from his Office of Deacon without delay as also to cut him off from the Communion of the Church and to denounce him publickly Excommunicate until such time as he shall have given publick satisfactory Evidences of his Repentance The End of the Synod of Orleance Thus Subscribed in the Original Chandieu Lord of La Roche President of the Council Le Masson Lord of La Fountaine Scribe of the Council THE ACTS DECISIONS and DECREES OF THE IV. National Synod OF THE Reformed Churches of Christ IN The KINGDOM of FRANCE HELD At LIONS in the Year of our LORD 1563. THE CONTENTS of this SYNOD CHap. I. Moderator chosen Chap. II. Of Synods in Five Canons Chap. III. Of Consistories in Five Canons Chap. IV. Of Censures Two Canons Chap. V. Of Ministers Three Canons Chap. VI. Of Baptism Three Canons Chap. VII Of Marriage Four Canons Chap. VIII Of Interest for Money Chap. IX Of Hereticks and Schismaticks and Vagrants Chap. X. Of the Lord's Supper Chap. XI General Matters Chap. XII A Case of Conscience about the Marriage of Cousin-Germans Chap. XIII A Book Censured See also Cap. 9. Chap. XIV Particular Matters A Delinquent Minister Censured Chap. XV. Advice to the States of Languedoc Chap. XVI Very many curious Cases of Conscience resolved Chap. XVII Memorials for the Service of the Churches Chap. XVIII Distinction of the Provinces Nine at first Chap. XIX Books Censured Chap. XX. Vagrants and Deposed Ministers Registred Chap. XXI Cases of Conscience 1. About Marriage 2. Consistories 3. Baptism 4. And the Lord Supper Resolved by Mr. Calvin and sent unto the National Synod of Lyons at their desire THE Synod of Lions 1563. Synod IV. SYNOD IV. Articles concluded on in the National Synod held at Lions the tenth of August 1563 in the third Year of the Reign of King Charles the Ninth CHAP. I. Mr. Virett was a most Eloquent Preacher and Calvin's Colleague at Geneva See the Catalogue of his Works in Du Verdier's Bibliotheque M R. Peter Virett Minister in the Church of Lions was chosen Modederator and Scribe CHAP. II. Observations Additions and Annotations upon the Church-Discipline Of SYNODS ARTICLE I. AT the Opening of all National and Provincial Synods the Canons of our Church-Discipline shall be read and for the future Provincial Synods shall send unto the National those Articles and Canons composed by them for the Government of their respective Provinces and all the Churches in their District ARTICLE II. The Canons of the three former National Synods held at Paris Poictiers and Orleance shall be reduced into a Body and this Order shall constantly be observed at the end of every National Synod ARTICLE III. Every Sentence of Excommunication confirmed by the Provincial Synod shall be for the future stable and valid IV. None other Articles of Discipline shall be divulged but those which were composed by common Consent of all the Deputies ARTICLE V. The Deputies of the Provinces shall not depart from the National Synod without carrying home with them the Resolutions and Decrees of the Synod signed and attested by the Moderator and Scribe CHAP. III. Of CONSISTORIES ARTICLE VI. ALtho' it may be convenient in weighty and important Business of the Church to call into gether with the Consistory some of the most discreet and judicious Members of the Church though they be not in actual Office in the Consistory yet nevertheless there ought not to be any other ordinary Assembly or Form of Council for Church-Matters excepting the Body of the Consistory which hath been chosen and settled by the Church to these very ends and purposes who be Persons in publick Offices which the others are not ARTICLE VII A Civil Magistrate may be a Member of the Consistory provided it do not hinder him in the Exercise of his publick Office nor be prejudicial to the Church VIII Professors of Divinity may be admitted Members of Consistories and deputed unto Synods ARTICLE IX Consistories are left at liberty to receive as Members into them both Father and Son and two Brothers at the same time unless there be something which may hinder it of which the Provincial Synod shall take Cognisance ARTICLE X. Although the Body of the Consistory may advise and admonish disagreeing Persons to terminate their Controversies and Suits at Law yet that very Consistory shall never consent to be the Judge or Arbitrator of those Controversies betwixt Persons at Variance about worldly Goods and Estates but in case any Members of the Church not of the Consistory shall be employed as Arbitrators in those Differences then the Members of the Consistory may assist them with their particular Advice but always in their private Capacities CHAP. IV. Concerning CENSVRES ARTICLE XI IF any Officer of our Reformed Churches shall have committed Idolatry in times of Persecution they shall be deposed from their Office and before they be admitted to communicate at the Lord's Table they shall do publick Penance And as for private Persons who have offended in the same manner they also shall undergo such a Penance as the Consistory shall judge meet The whole to be managed with Christian Moderation according to the Discipline ARTICLE XII Ministers who scandalize the World by marrying basely and unworthily the Brethren in this Synod are all of one Mind and Advice That Consistories shall proceed against these Delinquents in such a manner as may prevent all Scandals for the future CHAP. V. Of MINISTERS ARTICLE XIV MInisters though settled in one Church may be lent unto other Churches for some time for their Instruction and Comfort And whenas our Proposans are called unto the Ministry they shall be settled in some one particular Church there constantly to remain yet Synods shall have Power to remove Ministers from one Place to another for some certain Reasons and Considerations provided their Churches do consent unto it according to the Discipline ARTICLE XV. Here must be inserted the Fifth Canon of the National Synod of Orleance viz. Ministers shall not quit their Churches nor joyn themselves unto any other without the Authority of the Provincial Synod or consent of the Neighbour-Ministers or that Church unto which they were sent XVI Whenas a Minister is to be chosen not only the Consistories of that Church but the Neighbour-Ministers also shall with the Colloquy pursue that Election CHAP. VI. Of BAPTISM ARTICLE XVII MInisters shall admonish their Flocks to compose themselves withall possible Reverence at the Administration of both the Sacraments ARTICLE XVIII Women alone shall not be admitted to present Children unto Baptism ARTICLE XIX If a Person come to Years of Discretion was never baptized and shall
the sprinkling of Water into a Charm or Inchantment Article VIII The Principle in his sixth Reason is ill applied for although the Vertue and Verity of Baptism be not always conjoyned with the Sign yet we may not therefore say that Baptism may be quitted and totally forborn We do sincerely confess that a Man may be Partaker of the Grace promised in Baptism who did never partake of the Water of Baptism but must we thence infer that Baptism may be lawfully omitted God forbid What he adds about the evil Administration of Baptism especially as to the Gospel Form and Manner of it containeth a double Errour for we never did confess that the bare sprinkling of Water by one without a Call or Office in the Church of God was Baptism or that it had its Evangelical Form there where there was no Evangelical Minister Article IX He hath couched his seventh Argument somewhat rudely and discovers a bitter Spirit But let him make the most of it we absolutely deny that the recalling of Men to the observation of the Primitive Rule of Baptism is Rebaptising We repute as null and void this spurious Baptism by private and uncommissionated Persons And altho' we do not tie up the Grace of God to the hand of a poor Man yet notwithstanding that Baptism administred by Man must be annexed unto his Quality or else the Authority of Jesus Christ must be trampled under foot Article X. He corrupts by his eight Argument that Text of St. John marreth and perverts the sence thereof for the Question is not about the External Sign but the Internal Vertue the true spiritual Washing Article XI The Similitude urged by him in his ninth Reason is null for the Lord Jesus hath not rejected this Sacrament nor wholly abandoned it to be dispensed by all sort of Persons whatsoever but he hath deposited a Commision with his Ministers who are to to dispense it Article XII The Comparison of Circumcision with Baptism in his tenth Reason might be admitted provided that Circumcision had been only administred by Priests but whenas a private Person poureth Water we deny that this is that formal Baptism which was by our Lord Jesus Moreover let this be noted by the way that when the Israelites and Edomites cut themselves off from the Church though they retained Circumcision yet they did but prophane it and 't was none other than a piece of Juggling for God accounted those Nations as Uncircumcised Article XIII His eleventh Reason is far wide of the Mark For tho' we confess that we be but once regenerated but once spiritually new-born yet we must needs say that this imaginary Baptism doth not in the least signifie or seal our new Birth Article XIV As to his twelfth Reason we very well know that was the Opinion of St Augustine upon this Point but he is not to be assented and consented in all his Assertions We ourselves do own that he who was ill baptized ought not to be again rebaptized and we add this also That if a private Person who hath no Call from God shall of his own will and fancy usurp that Office which doth not belong unto him his Baptism is but a meer Piece of Farcery and therefore null And this Answer may also suffice for his thirteenth Argument Article XV. In his fourteenth Argument he hath made Mr. Calvin in the Passage quoted from him to speak contrary to his known and printed Judgment and perverted the very sence of his Words for he does not in that place treat of the Ministry but of the Vertues and Merits of the Ministry for 't is as if he had said That all the Vices of the most debauched Minister could not derogate at all from the Vertue of Baptism Article XVI We deny his fifteenth Argument which is That the Hand and Sign of our Lord Jesus Christ will be owned in the sprinkling of Water by a Person uncalled and uncommissioned by him Article XVII What Calvin had said as to his sixteenth Argument was enough to prove the Nullity of such a Baptism But if any one should be dissatisfied he declareth that this was his meaning and that it was an absurd simple and foolish action to go and perswade any one that he would not have Baptism by Women to be reiterated Article XVIII His sevententh Argument is a meer Paralogism for he wants the Judgment to distinguish betwixt the â—orgiveness of Sins given by Jesus Christ and the Token thereof which he committed unto his Apostles Article XIX To his eighteenth Argument we say That Popish Baptism is grounded upon the Institution of Chrâ—st because the Priests as perverse as they are and totally corrupt are yet the ordinary Ministers of that Church in which they so tyrannically demean themselves Article XX. His nineteeth Argument needs no answer unless it be That the word Rebaptize is â—â—isappâ—â—ed â—â—th iâ— was never questioned but that such an Apish Trick as this Mock-baptism might be reformed Article XXI His twentieth Argument proveth just nothing and therefore we let it pass And if it be said that we have handled this Brother too roughly who moved this Question let him but bethink himself how Magisterial he was in his Dictates as if it was his Province only to oppose Superstitions and Abuses and especially for his audacious condeming of St. Cyprian with the whole Council of Carthage And had he but better considered the whole he would have been more moderate And because we love and honour him we wish that he would exercise his Parts and Wits upon Questions more profitable and less curious Concerning the LORD's SVPPER THe Brethren of Geneva being demanded Whether Pastors at the Lord's Table should only distribute the Bread and Wine unto the People do give this Answer That it were certainly best if it might be conveniently done at all times but it seems for the present impossible and for the future wholly impracticable For in case God should multiply the number of his People of Believers and Churches and there being so great a scarcity of Pastors we see no Inconveniency in it that Deacons and Elders being the Arms and Hands of the Pastor after that he hath consecrated the Sacramental Elements and distributed the Bread and Cup to them that are nearest to him may come into his relief and assistance and distribute them also unto those who are more remote from him An End of these Answers and of this National Synod of Lions Signed in the Original P. VIRETT President of the Council THE ACTS DECISIONS and DECREES OF THE V. National Synod OF THE Reformed Churches of Christ IN The KINGDOM of FRANCE HELD The second time in the City of Paris and Year of our Lord 1565. THE CONTENTS of this SYNOD CHap. I. Election of Moderator and Scribes Chap. II. General Matters Morellius his Works Examined Chap. III. Manner of Proceeding in Ecclesiastical Censures Chap. IV. A Case of Conscience Whether beneficed Persons may be admitted to the Lord's Table
Chap. V. Of Vagrants Debauched Persons and Councils Chap. VI. Of Imposition of Hands Sureties in Baptism c. Chap. VII Vniformity in Common Prayers No Marriages without Certificates Loane of Ministers Synods and Colloquies Chap. VIII An Abjuration made by a Socinian Chap. IX Secret Promises of Marriage and several Cases of Conscience about Absolution Churches Ingratitude Age of Communicants of Marrying the Sister of a deceased Spouse Accounts of the Poors Money Divorces Chap. X. Method in Calling of National Synods Chap. XI General Advertisements unto the Churches about Printers Elders Books Schollars Lord's Supper Ministers in Noble Mens Houses Censures on Lords Censure upon a certain Book The Second Synod of PARIS 1565. Synod V. SYNOD V. Articles Decreed in the National Synod held the second time at Paris the twenty fifth of December 1565 and in the fifth Year of the Reign of King Charles the Ninth CHAP. I. NIcholas de Galars Minister of the Church of Orleance being chosen President and Lewis Capel Minister of Meaux and Peter Le Clere Elder of the Church of Paris Scribes after the Invocation of the Name of GOD. CHAP. II. An Explication of the Canons of the CHVRCH-Discipline and an Addition of several others General MATTERS I. FOrasmuch as the Church of God ought to be governed by a good and holy Discipline and that no other may be introduced but what is grounded upon the Word of God the Ministers and Elders deputed from the Provinces of this Kingdom to confer about Ecclesiastical Affairs and met together in the Name of the Lord after diligent Perusal of the Book and other Writings of M. J. Morelly concerning the Polity and Discipline of the Church and sufficient Conferences had with him from the Holy Scriptures about it do by this present Act condem his said Books and Writings as containing evil and dangerous Opinions subverting that Discipline which is conformable unto the Word of God and at this day received in the Reformed Churches of this Kingdom and whereas delivering up the Government of the Church unto the People he would bring in a new tumultuary Conduct and full of Confusions upon it from whence would follow many great and dangerous Inconveniencies which have been remonstrated unto him and he once and again admonished to abandon these Matters which yet he will not do but persists in his Assertions saying That he is perswaded those his Opinions are built upon God's Holy Word We having divers times exhorted him to approve and consent unto that Order which is received and conserved in these our Churches as appointed by our Lord Jesus Christ and his Apostles and proved to him from their Sacred Writings because we hope that the Lord will be gracious to him and also because he does not differ from the Church in any of the fundamental principal Articles of our Faith the Brethren of this Assembly supporting him with Christian Charity are of Opinion that he be received to the Peace and Communion of the Church provided that as he hath formerly promised by Writing and now again protested to ratifie and sign with his own Hand this his Promise so that for time to come he do carry himself peaceably and subject himself to the Order and Discipline established in the Reformed Churches of this Kingdom without ever any manner of ways publishing those his said Opinions neither by Word of Mouth nor Writing contrary to the said Discipline or to a Treatise in confirmation of it which may shortly be printed provided also that according to his former Promises and at the request of the Lords of the City and Church of Geneva to whom he hath not yet given sufficient Satisfaction though he is bound in Duty to reconcile himself unto them which is evident from his own Letters that he do once more by new Letters of his own Writing confess and acknowledge to have offended them and do beg their Pardon because that being an Inhabitant of their said City he did contrary to the Orders of the Seignory print and publish his said Book without having first demanded and obtained their License and being called both by them and the Consistory of that Church to give an account of that his Contempt he did not appear at the day assigned him These conditions being performed by him and the Consistory of that Church whereunto he shall joyn himself must take knowledge whether he hath fulfilled them or no and they accordingly may receive him as a Member of the Church and admit him into Communion with them or else proceed against him by Ecclesiastical Censures CHAP. III. The manner of Proceeding in Ecclesiastical Censures II. FOrasmuch as Sins committed in the Church ought to be corrected by the Word of God and according to the Rule of Charity and all Sins are not alike grievous and scandalous some being more enormous others of a lesser nature some secret and others publick we must therefore according to their quality and aggravations accommodate the Censure and Reprehension so then secret Sins whereof the Sinner by means of Brotherly Admonitions shall be brought unto Repentance and hath reformed them shall not be brought into the Consistory but those only which these first means cannot reform nor amend or Sins publickly known the cognisance of which belongs unto the said Consistory who must proceed to the Reformation of them by proper and convenient Censures considering these sins with all their circumstances that so according as the case requireth they may apply either a severe and rigorous Reprehension or a more moderate one in the Spirit of Meekness as may be most expedient to bring the Sinner to Repentance who to this end shall by the Authority of the Consistory be for some time deprived of the Lord's Supper if it be needful that so he may be humbled Excommunication must not be used but in extream necessity or finally excommunicated and totally cut off from the Body of the Church according to that Order hereafter declared if so be he shew himself rebellious to the Holy Admonitions and Censures inflicted on him and continue obstinate and impenitent But inasmuch as this is the last and most rigorous of all Remedies it shall never be used but in case of extremity when all fair and gentle Means have proved ineffectual And whereas even unto this day in divers places this distinction between this last Excommunication and temporary Suspension or simple Privation of the Lord's Supper hath not been observed as it ought that both the one and the other may be duely used the Ministers and Elders interpreting these words of Excommunication and Suspension from the Lord's Table The words Excommunication and Suspension explained No Minister of his private Authority can deprive a Man of the Lord s Supper do give it as their Opinion That no Person should be deprived or suspended the Lord's Table by the single Authority of the Pastors or of any other but only by the Consistory which shall prudently consider
sworn a Promise of Marriage unto a Maid or Woman shall depart unto another Country and the Maid or Woman shall make her Complaints of it craving to be discharged from her Promise because of his disloyalty Let inquiry be made upon what occasion he left the City whether it be lawful and with the Consent of his Partner who is now the Plaintiff or whether it was not for Debauchery and because he was unwilling to accomplish the Marriage And if it appear that he had no sufficient reason for so doing and that he did it out of a wicked Intent let inquiry be made into what place he is withdrawn and how notice may be given him to return within a prefixed day and to perform his promise of Marriage unto his Partner and if upon notice given he do not appear then let Proclamation be made on three Sundays a Fortnight's distance intervening betwixt each Proclamation the last being made on the sixth Lord's-day and if he do not appear at the time assigned then let the Maid or Woman be declared free and set at liberty from him and let the delinquent Man be banished for his disloyalty In case he do appear let him be compelled to accomplish the Marriage out of hand But and if it cannot be known into what Country he is gone and that the Maid or Woman and his Friends and nearest Relations shall swear that they are all ignorant where he is then let the same Proclamations be made as if he had notice given him that the Maid or Woman is discharged acquitted and liberated from him But in case there was a just cause for his absence and that he had advised and acquainted his Partner with it then let the Maid or Woman use all possible diligence by her self and his Friends to recal and induce him to return and if he do not return within the Year then let Proclamations be made as was before directed in the fourth Article Article IX And let the same Course be taken with a Maid or Woman that shall offend as the Man excepting always that the Husband shall not be obliged to wait a full Year altho his Wife had lest him with his Knowledge and Consent unless he had given her leave for to be absent a longer time Article X. If a Maid being duely tied by promise of Marriage is frauduiently transported out of the Territory of this Republick that she might not accomplish the Marriage let inquiry be made whether some one or other in the City hath not aided nor assisted in this rape that so they may be compelled to return her under such a Penalty as shall be judged meet and if she be under Guardians and Trustees they also shall be enjoined to see her forth coming if possible Article XI If a married Woman have abandoned her Husband and he be silent and make no complaint of it or if the Wife thus forsaken of her Husband shall dissemble it without a word 's speaking and this afterwards come to light let them be cited both into the Consistory there to inform how matters have gone that so all scandals may be prevented and that no deceit nor collusion may be tollerated nor what is worse winked at and the true state of the Matter being come to light an effectual course may be taken to prevent all voluntary Divorces which Men and Women of their own head-strong Wills and without Authority of the Civil Magistrate would give unto one another Yet nevertheless the Wife at the request of her Husband shall be compelled to follow him when and wheresoever he pleaseth to remove his habitation whether it be out of choice or necessity provided he be not a debauched Person who will carry her God knows whether into some strange and unknown Country but if it be into a Land at some reasonable distance where he will make his residence and in some convenient place to follow his Calling and to live as an honest Man she must follow him Let all matrimonial Matters concerning personal Conjunction be first transacted in the Consistory but not Matters concerning Estate or Dower And here let there be a most friendly Agreement and Correspondency in God's Name But if there should need any judicial Sentence to be pronounced then let them go unto the Council and acquaint their Lordships with the Sence of the Consistory who may after judge finally in the Case The End of the Synod of Vertueil THE ACTS DECISIONS and DECREES OF THE VII National Synod OF THE Reformed Churches of Christ IN The KINGDOM of FRANCE Held At Rochel in the Province of Aulnix and Year of our Lord 1571. THE CONTENTS of this SYNOD CHap. I. Moderator and Scribes Chap. II. General Matters Observations upon the Confession of Faith Hereticks in Poland and Transylvania opposed Cozain's Works condemned and the Bishops of England desired to suppress his and the Books of some other Hereticks Erastus condemned Three Originals of the Confession kept one at Rochel another in Bearn and the third at Geneva Chap. III. Observations upon the Discipline Form of Ordination Alterations and Emendations of several Canons of the Discipline Chap. IV. Continuation of those Observations A Motion for answering the Books of our Adversaries approved by the Synod Chap. V. Catalogue of Vagrant Chap. VI. A particular Matter about Elders and Deacons A Motion of the Lord High-Admiral made unto the Synod Chap. VII General Matters Of the Consistory Of Delinquents Of Provincial Synods and Baptism Chap. VIII Four Observations upon the Discipline Of the Lords-Supper Marriages More Observations upon the Discipline Chap IX Canons about Marriage Particular Orders Chap. X. Orders about Publishing of Books c. Chap. XI Particular Matters Chap. XII Matters relating to Monsieur Mercure The Church of Taillebourg A Case of Conscience from the Province of Poictou The Churches of Languedoc not conforming exactly to the Discipline THE First Synod of Rochel 1571. Synod VII SYNOD VII In the Name of GOD Amen CHAP. I. Canons ordained in the National Synod held at Rochel the second Day of April One thousand five hundred seventy and one in the Eleventh Year of the Reign of Charles the Ninth Theodore de Beza Minister of Geneva was chosen Moderator N. des Gallars and de la Rougeraye Scribes CHAP. II. General MATTERS Observations upon the Confession of Faith I. FOrasmuch as the kind Acceptance and Entertainment of Christian Doctrine is the true Foundation of Church Discipline we have decreed to open this Synod by Reading the Confession of Faith Received in the Churches of France II. Forasmuch as our Confession of Faith is Printed divers ways The Synod declareth this to be the true Confession of Faith of the Reformed Churches in France which beginneth with these words We believe that there is but one God which Confession was drawn up in the first National Synod held at Paris May the 25th 1559. These Hereticks were Davidis Gentilis Blandrata Socinus c. III. The Confession being read
Monsieur de Beza acquainted the Assembly of those Heresies disperst abroad in Poland and Transylvania by divers Persons against the Unity Divinity and humane Nature of our Lord Jesus Christ receiving the Errors of ancient Hereticks particularly of Samosatenus Arrius Photinus Nestorius Eutyches and many others yea and of Mahomet himself also Whereupon the Synod unanimously voted their Detestation of all those abominable Errors and Heresies and adviseth all Pastors Elders and Deacons and generally all the Faithful vigourosly to oppose their Admission into the Churches of France IV. Information was also given concerning the Errors of Cozain by the Minister of Normandy and Monsieur de Chandieu and Monsieur de L'estang were ordered to examine the Table of the said Cozain and to bring in a Report of it and finally it was condemned rejected and detested And the English Bishops shall be desired to suppress the Books of the said Hereticks which began to be in vogue among them V. The Nine and twenty Articles of the Confession of our Faith and the others concerning Church-discipline being read and propounded by the Minister of Bourdeaux notice was given concerning a certain Physitian who maintained the Supremacy of the Magistrate as Head of the Church and had published certain Writings under his own Hand and Name containing the Reasons of his Opinion Whereupon the whole Assembly ratified the said Articles of it's Confession and rejected the Error of the said Physitian and of all others who would abolish Church-discipline confounding it with the Civil Government of the Magistrate It condemns also those Errors proceeding from the afore-mentioned Tenent VI. Moreover the Synod ordered Monsieur de Beza to answer them who impugned the aforesaid Articles of our Faith and the Discipline of our Church and in special the above-mentioned Physitian and our Brother the Minister of Bourdeaux shall deliver unto Monsieur de Beza the Points Collected by him that must be answer'd and the whole shall be communicated to the Brethren of Geneva Union must be placed instead of Unity in the Art concerning these two words in the 26. Art see Synod of Nismes g. m. Art 20. And the 3d. Synod of Rochel Art 8. concerning divers Obsenric in the Confession of Faith VII Instead of Vnity there shall be replaced the Word Vnion in the six and thirtieth Article of our Confession of Faith And whereas the Deputies of the Isle of France and Brie do conceive it needful that the said Article be explain'd in that Clause of it which treats of the Participation of Christ's Substance in the Sacrament of his Supper After a long Conference it was at last resolved That the Synod approving the said Article rejecteth their Opinion who will not receive the Word Substance By which word the Synod doth not understand any Confusion Commixture or Conjunction after a carnal Manner nor in any wise Natural but a most true and intimate Conjunction after a spiritual Manner by which Jesus Christ is so far made ours and we his that there is no Conjunction of Bodies either Natural or Artificial which can be so close and intimate nor is this our fence and meaning as if by the Conjunction of Christ's Person and Substance with ours there did result a kind of third Person and Substance No but this only That by his Vertue all that is in him needful for our Salvation is hereby most freely and intimately given and communicated to us Nor do we consent with them who say that we communicate in his Merits Gifts and Spirit without his being at all made ours But with the Apostle in his Epistle to the Ephesians admiring this Supernatural and to our reason incomprehensible Mystery we do believe that we are made Partakers of his Body delivered to the death for us and of his Blood shed for us so that we are Bone of his bones and Flesh of his flesh and that we receive him together with all his Gifts by faith wrought in us through the incomprehensible Vertue and Efficacy of his Holy Spirit and thus do we in this Sence understand these Words of our Lord speaking Who so eateth the Flesh and drinketh the Blood of the Son of Man hath everlasting Life Item I am the Vine you art the Branches and we must abide in him that we may bring forth much Fruit and that we are Members of his Body and of his Flesh and of his Bones And as we derive our death from the first Adam because we participate of his Substance so must we as truly partake of the second Adam Christ Jesus that we may derive life from him And therefore all Pastors and the Faithful in general are required not to yield unto the contrary Opinions because what is now asseretd by us hath firm footing in the express Word of God Three Original Copies of the Confess 〈◊〉 of Faith the 〈◊〉 at Rochel 〈◊〉 2d 〈…〉 and the 〈…〉 VIII Finally when as the Confession of Faith was read and ended the whole Synod decreed that without any Additions there should be three Copies fairly written in Parchmin whereof one should be kept in this City of Rochel another in Bearn and the third at Geneva and all three should be subscribed by the Ministers and Elders Deputies of the Provinces of this Kingdom in the Name of all the Churches Moreover her Majesty the Queen of Navarre and my Lords the Princes of Navarre and Conde and the other Lords here present in this Synod are also requested to subscribe it with their own hands CHAP. III. Observations upon the Church-discipline Tuesday the Third of the same Month. I. THE Discipline being read it was judged needful that under the Head of Ministers there should be made this following Addition viz. The most diligently that may be II. Under the fourth Head to these words It shall be granted because of our present Circumstances shall be added the Ninth Article of the Synod of Vertueil III. Under the Eight shall be added Although the Vsage of Imposition of Hands be good and holy yet it shall not be reputed necessary as if it were of the Substance of Ordination The Form of Ordination IV. The Form of Ordination was drawn up by Monsieur de Chandieu in these following Words The Minister who presenteth to the People the Person to be Ordained shall briefly treat of the Institution and Excellency of the Ministery alledging for this purpose these or the like Texts of Holy Scripture viz. 4. Eph. 11. Luke 10.16 John 20.22 2 Cor. 5.19 120. 1 Cor. 4.1 Exhorting every one to take special heed that both Minister and People discharge their proper Duties The Minister shall acquit himself with the greater care and diligence in his Calling because he knows of what high price and excellent account it is with God And the People shall with all Reverence receive the Message of God brought unto them by this his Embassador The Form of Prayer at Ordination was first framed in the Synod
Churches But in case of lesser miscarriages after publick Satisfaction given by them unto the Congregation they may be restored by the Provincial Synod but to serve in another Province and not otherwise There were present at this Synod of Rochel Joane by the Grace of God Queen of Navar the high and mighty Prince Henry Prince of Navar the high and mighty Prince Henry de Bourbon Prince of Conde and the most illustrious Prince Lewis Count of Nassau and Sir Gaspar Count de Colligny Admiral of France and divers other Lords and Gentlemen besides the Deputies who were Members of the Church of God At Rochel in the Month of April 1571. in the 12th Year of the Reign of Charles the 9th King of France Subscribed thus Theodore de Beza Moderator of the Synod Nicholas de Galars and Scribes Elected John de la Rogeraye Scribes Elected The End of the Synod of Rochel Mr. Beza's Life is written by Melchior Adamus where you have a Catalogue of his Works THE ACTS DECISIONS and DECREES OF THE VIII National Synod OF THE Reformed Churches of Christ IN The KINGDOM of FRANCE HELD IN The City of Nismes in Languedock the Sixth Day of May and in the Year of our Lord 1572. THE CONTENTS of this SYNOD CHap. I. Monsieur de la Place Moderator and Scribe Chap. II. Observations upon the Discipline Confession of Faith and last Synod of Rochel Chap. III. A Case about Apostates turn'd Persecutors More Observations upon the Disciplines and Canons made Chap. IV. Method of dealing with Contentious Persons quarrelling with Doctrine Discipline Worship Catechising and Marriage Chap. V. Manner of Electing Ministers Chap. VI. General Matters Various Cases of Conscience about Elders Colloquies Rights to a Minister Marriages restoring of Apostates Magistrates c. to the Churches Peace Of Marriage-Promises a great Case Art 8. Incest Creating of Doctors of Divinity Banes opposed by those of the Romish Religion A Father's Composition with the Murderers of his Son Whether Dignities and Knight-hoods may be counted among Beneficed Persons and such admitted to the Lord's Supper Chap. VII Particular Matters about the Province of Normandy Cozain's Books Ramus du Rozier Bergeron and Morellius History of the Albigenses to be translated by Monsieur D'Alier Chap. VIII Catalogue of Vagrants THE Synod of NISMES 1572. Synod VIII SYNOD VIII CHAP. I. Canons Ordained in the National Synod held at Nismes the Sixth of May One thousand five hundred seventy two in the Twelfth Year of the Reign of Charles IX John de la Place President and Scribe AFter Invocation of the Name of GOD John de la Place was elected President and Scribe CHAP. II. Observations upon the Discipline the Confession of Faith and the last National Synod of Rochel I. IT 's unanimously resolved That the Seventh Article of the Discipline shall abide in its full Power II. Instead of those words extracted from the Acts of the National Synod of Rochel in the Year 1571. We reject their Opinion who will not receive the word Substance See Synod of Rochel Gen. Mat. art 6. shall be put Without prejudicing those Forreign Churches who for reasons best known to themselves do not use the word Substance we retain the word Substance in that sence expressed in the Article And then towards the close in lieu of those words That we may derive Life from him shall be inserted That by Mystical and Spiritual Communication with him we may derive that true eternal life And the Lord's Supper is principally ordained for the Communication of it althô the same Lord Jesus be offered to us both in his Substance and Gifts in the Ministry of his Word and Baptism and received by Believers 'T is the Fourteenth Article in the Chapter of Baptism and Book of Discipline III. It was resolved that the Ninth Article concerning Baptism shall abide in its full power And the Ministers of Province shall be admonished to carry themselves with more condescension and not to raise so many Difficulties about Names IV. It 's also resolved That the Fourth Article concerning the Lord's Supper shall remain unchanged CHAP. III. See the First Synod of Rochel Particular Matters Art 1. V. THE Churches of Poictou upon reading the Canon concerning Delinquents demanded What course should be taken with those who in times of Persecution having revolted had been censured by the Church but could never be regained yea and were become Enemies and Persecutors so that if they should be mentioned by Name in the Publick Congregation in order to Excommunication How we are to use Excommunication See the Second Synod of Paris Art 2. of Particular Matters they would certainly grow worse and would rage more bitterly against the Church and do her more and greater mischief as was manifest by woful experience The Synod upon Advice answered That Excommunication was ordained for them who are Members of the Church and not for those who are not and that its natural design and tendency is for her edification and not for her destruction that so the Flock of Christ may not be infested by scabbed Sheep and that the Person thus cut off being humbled and confounded for his sin may be finally recovered and received and that others terrified by his example may be preserved And that when Apostates are mentioned by Name in the Church 't is not properly an Excommunication of them for they have already abandoned her Communion but 't is to declare their Rebellion and Apostasie that so the whole Church may beware of them as of incorrigible Offenders yet nevertheless the best endeavours shall be used for their reduction and reformation and God shall be intreated whilst there is any hope to give them Repentance unto Life And if any such are found who instead of humbling and repenting do harden themselves in their sins and growing worse and more furious do plot and conspire the destruction of the Church or of its Pastors especially understanding that they are to be mentioned by their Names in the Publick Congregation it were far better to forbear all Naming of them it being but a meer formality and our End may as well be obtained by some other means which is by Notifying unto the People those desperate Apostates that every one may shun and avoid their Conversation And this may be done with ease and safety by the Elders and Deacons who shall inform their several Quarters of it that so none may pretend ignorance And whoso converse familiarly with these contumacious Rebels shall be censured according to the Canons of our Discipline Moreover this may be confirmed by the General Doctrine of the Ministers who without naming any Person may give sufficient Notice of them and those prudent Intimations may be advantagiously improved And Ministers and Consistories are warned in Proceedurs of this nature to use all moderation and prudence because that Church-Censures and Canons of Discipline are only used for edification and not for destruction remembring often that
Cause and Sin must he confessed VIII There shall be no publick Penance done in the Church without express Confession of the Cause and Crime committed by this publick Penitent They shall not be chosen Elders nor Deacons who have Popish Wives IX For the future none shall be chosen if possible into the Eldership or Deaconry whose Wives are of a contrary Religion according as the Apostle Paul hath ordained Nevertheless that the Church may not be deprived of the Service of divers godly and well-deserving Persons who by reason of past ignorance have Wives of another Religion they may for this present necessity be tolerated provided they do their endeavour by Instructions and Counsels to convert their Wives and to bring them into Communion with the Church X. Neither Ministers nor Elders may give Attestations without an express and punctual Declaration of the Places and Persons Names and the way which they intend to travel who obtained these Certificates at their hands And if any Attestations are presented to them without these Circumstances they are required to vacate and tear them in pieces and those who granted them shall be censured in the next ensuing Colloquy or Synod CHAP. III. An Act for a National FAST IX FOrasmuch as the Times are very Calamitous and that our poor Churches as are daily menaced with many and sore Tribulations and for that Sins and Vices of all sorts are risen up and growing in upon us in a very fearful manner a general Day of Prayer and Fasting shall be published that our People may humble themselves before the Lord and all the Churches of this Kingdom shall observe it on one and the self-same Day which shall be Tuesday the 25th of March next following and if it may be done the Lord's Supper shall also be administred in all the Churches on the ensuing Sabbath XII According to the 2d Article in the Chapter of Consistories and Book of Discipline about Common-Prayers The Churches shall be exhorted where Morning and Evening Common-Prayers are publickly used to conform themselves unto those others which have none and where this Custom was never introduced And Ministers shall advise all Governors of Families to Worship God by Morning and Evening Prayers in and together with their respective Housholds and Families XIII Churches refusing to defray the Expences of their Ministers in going to Classes and Synods Churches shall defray their Ministers expences at Collâ—quies and Synods shall be admonished of their Duty and in case of non-performance and that their Ministers be inforced to travel to those Sessions at their own Costs and Charges they shall be deprived of their Ministers unless they remind themselves of their Duty and reimburse them those Sums they had so expended Moreover Colloquies shall reassume their disused Exercise of Propositions on the Word of God as they were formerly handled to their very great Profit and Edification That so Ministers may better know their Duty and grow in the Study and Understanding of the Holy Scripture and be more Methodical in their Sermons and Divinity Discourses XIV God-mothers shall be equally bound to the Religious Education of those Children for whom they be Sureties as their God-fathers And Ministers shall charge them to see that they conscientiously fulfil their Promises XV. The Synod having been acquainted that in divers Places during the Celebration of the Lord's Supper Ministers do vary in their Expressions it judgeth that nothing shall be innovated in particular Churches but that herein they be left unto their Liberty for the present only the Provinces shall be advertised to come prepared about this Matter unto the next National Synod XVI His Majesty shall be Petition'd to approve of those Marriages which have been celebrated among us during the last Civil Wars according to the Tenor of the former Edict against the Laws of the Romish Church in that particular Article of Consanguinities and Affinities CHAP. IV. Cases of CONSCIENCE A Man may nâ—t marry his dead Wife's Aunt XVII IT being Queried Whether any one might Marry the Aunt of his deceased Wife Answer was given That such a Marriage was altogether Incestuous and in case any Church had permitted it the said Church deserved Censure See the Synod of Bergeraâ— Art 2. XVIII This Case being propounded A Maid was betrothed unto a Man by words de presentl and with the usual requisite Solemnities The Resolution of this Case was to be given by the Magistrate but afterwards this Man happens to be condemned unto the Gallies during Life yet by some how or other he escapeth out of them and returning home doth demand and summon his betrothed Spouse to marry him according to her Promise What shall be done herein The Synod doth advise That because Marriage is a mixt Alliance the Parties concerned shall apply themselves unto the Magistrate according to whose Decree the Church shall be governed XIX Although the holding Temporalities of Benefices in France be an indifferent Matter yet the Faithful are admonished to intermeddle as little as may be with such Purchases because of their evil and dangerous Consequences and Consistories and Colloquies shall use a great deal of Prudence in their Opinions and Actings in and about them Scripture-stories must be handled with modesty by Poets XX. Such as shall put into Verse or Poems Scripture-stories are admonished not to blend nor mingle Poetical Fables with them nor to ascribe unto God the Names of false Gods nor to add or diminish from the Sacred Scriptures but to confine themselves strictly to the Scripture-Terms Modesty in Apparel See the Synod of Paris Gen. Mat. Art 33. XXI That Article concerning the immodest Habits and Fashions of Men and Women shall be observed with the greatest Care imaginable And both Sexes are required to keep Modesty in their Hair and every thing else that no Scandal may be given to our Neighbour See the Synod of Bergerac Art 9. upon reading the Discipline XXII A Minister may not together with his Ministery practice Physick But yet out of Charity he may give his Advice and Assistance unto the sick Members of his Church and to the Neighbourhood without diverting himself from his Function nor shall he draw Advantage from it unless in time only of Trouble and Persecution when as he cannot exercise his Ministery in his own Church XXIII Fathers and Mothers are exhorted to be exceeding careful in Instructing their Children which are the Seed and Nursery of the Church and they shall be most bitterly censured who send them to the Schools of Priests Jesuits and Nuns As also the Gentry shall be reproved who place them Pages or Domesticks in the Houses of Lords and Noble-men of the contrary Religion XXIV Such as commit enormous Crimes as Incests Murders or the like shall be without any more ado cut off from Communion at the Lord's Table and their Suspension shall be published in the Church XXV If there arise any difference between a Church and
its Minister and that Church having been twice informed which is suffered of the Day and Place when the Colloquy and Synod shall meet refuseth to appear The said Colloquy or Synod may proceed farther and determine finally about that difference notwithstanding the Absence of one of the Parties The Union of the Church must not be quitted for any Persecution XXVI The Churches and particular Persons shall be admonished never to depart from the Sacred Union of the Church whatever Persecutions may befal them nor shall they procure for themselves a separate Peace and Liberty distinct from the whole Body of our Churches And in case of failure â—â—â—â—in they shall be censured as the Colloquy or Synod shall judge expedient XXVII Appellants from Provincial Synods unto the National shall be bound personally to appear at those very National Synods â—â—â—â—as Appâ—â—al unâ—â— Synods must â—â—ther appear in Person or send their most â—â—â—le Meâ—â—â—rs or to send thither their most ample Memoirs and in case of default the Sentence of the National Synod shall he ratified And this Rule shall hold good in all Appeals from Consistories unto Colloquies and from Colloquies unto the Provincial Synods XXVIII Ministers shall be bound to Assist personally at Colloquies and Provincial Synods If Pâ—â—stors do not attend on Colloquies and Provincial Synods they may be deposed by them or to send their Memoirs and lawful Excuses and in case of disobedience to this Order the said Colloquy or Synod may judge difinitively of their neglect and dispose of their Persons CHAP. V. XXIX THE Province of higher Languedoc is ordered to call the next National Synod in the beginning of May 1579. However the said Province is intreated if the Lord be pleased to grant the Churches any further liberty to have respect unto the Conveniences of the far distant Provinces Which also their Deputies have promised shall be done XXX The fourth Canon in the Chapter of the Lord's Supper shall be couched in these words Beneficed Persons who bear the Name and title of their Benefices and do either directly or indirectly communicate with Idolatry and receive the Revenues of their Benefices either immediately with their own hands or mediately by the hands of others shall not be admitted to communion with us at the Lord's fable But such as enjoy those Benefices by his Majesty's Gift or Toleration and are downright Professors of the true Religion and do visibly own and maintain it they shall have the same priviledge with all other Members of our Churches to sit down with us at the Lord's Table Only they shall be exhorted to apply the Revenue of their aforesaid Benefices unto pious Vses And the Management of this Exhortation is left wholly to the Prudence of the Colloquies and Consistories CHAP. VI. XXXI UPon perusal of the Memoirs and Instructions produced in a late Assembly of many Deputies from sundry famous Reformed Churches Kingdoms and Provinces who met at Francfort and were invited thither by the most Serene and Illustrious Prince Elector John Casimir Prince Palatine and Duke of Bavaria in which were laid down several Means Expedients and most proper and effectual Remedies for uniting all the Reformed Churches of Christendom in one common bond of Union as also for suppressing and terminating the Differences which are risen up and fomented by their common Adversaries among them and for hindring some hot-headed and bigotted Divines from condemning and as they had menaced and protested they would condemn and pronounce an Anathema against the greatest and soundest part by far of the Christian Reformed Churches Now that such imprudent and wicked Designs might be obviated and prevented they did after mature Advice and Consultation had among themselves unanimously resolve and agree to draw up a Petition unto their most Illustrious Highnesses the Princes of the Empire who adhering to the Confession of Ausbourg Moreover they had given an express charge that one uniform Confession of Faith should be framed which was to be taken and accounted as the general and common Confession of all Protestants and to send several Copies of it unto all those Kingdoms and Provinces in which those Churches were gathered to be examined and approved by them and to be crowned with their joynt common and unanimous Consent and Approbation And they had also agreed upon the time when and place where the Deputies of those Kingdoms and Provinces might be convocated and particularly they had invited the Churches of this Kingdom to send thither some prudent Persons of great Experience well approved for their Piety and and Integrity and impowered by all the Churches with ample Authority to treat agree and decide all Points of Doctrine and other Matters concerning the Union Peace and Conservation of the Churches and of the pure Worship of God This present National Synod of the Reformed Churches of this Kingdom blessing God for so good a Motion for such an excellent Proposal and applauding the Care Diligence and good Counsel of those worthy Deputies in the fore-mentioned Assemblies and approving the Remedies and Expedients propounded and prescribed by them doth now ordain that if the Copy of the said Confession be sent timely enough unto us it shall be examined in each of our Provincial Synods or in some other place and manner as will best consist with the Conveniences of our respective Provinces and in the mean while four Ministers most verst in all Ecclesiastical Affairs are constituted a Committee to intend this business to-wit Mr. Anthony de Chandieu Mr. John de Estre Ministers of the Word of God in the Church of Paris and Mr. Peter Merlin Minister of the Church of Vitre in Britain and Monsieur Gabert late Minister of the French Church at Francfort and they be expresly charged and commanded to meet at the day and place appointed with their Letters of Deputation and with a most full and ample Commission from all the Ministers and Elders deputed by the Provinces of this Kingdom and there will accompany them the most illustrious Lord Viscount of Turenne that so they may do all Matters as were above designed But in case the Provinces should neither have opportunity nor conveniency to examine the said Confession in their respective Synods 't is lest unto their Prudence and soundest Judgment to agree and come to a conclusion about all those Matters which shall be debated by them whether they be Points of Doctrine or any other Articles relating to the Peace Union Weal and Happiness of all the Churches XXXII These same Commissioners deputed as in the immediately foregoing Article unto the Conference in Germany are ordered to peruse that Treatise of Monsieur de Chandieu Intituled La Confirmation de la Discipline des Eglises Francoises and to prefix their manual Approbation of it and to dedicate it with a Preface unto the Church of Christ and to hasten with as much Expedition as they can its Publication XXXIII Monsieur Esnard having according to the Commission given him
another where their Crime is not known they shall only testify their Repentance privately before the Consistory but with this Condition that in case they return to that former Church whereunto they belonged they shall then and there also make a publick Acknowledgment of their Offence XXIV Publick Penances shall be undergone personally and by those only who have publickly offended the Sinner openly and sincerely with his Mouth from his Heart testifying his Repentance XXV Whoredoms when committed and come to publick â—â—owledge shall by their Actors be publickly acknowledged with evident Tokens of Repentance XXVI This Clause by the greater part shall be razed out from the end of the 17th Article of Figeac and there shall be this only inserted known by the greater part XXVII Both those Canons of the Tenth National Synod and of our ancient Discipline concerning the time of meeting for Colloquies and Provincial Synods shall remain in full force so that they be wholly left unto their Liberty to do therein as they may most conveniently XXVIII Forasmuch as Provincial Synods depend upon the National Colloquies also shall for the same Reasons be subject unto the Provincial Synods and Consistories unto Colloquies XXIX The National Synod of the Reformed Churches of this Kingdom assembled in this City of Rochel under the Authority of the King's Edicts having seen a certain Book Intituled The History of France printed in this City upon divers complaints made unto us from all parts of the Kingdom against it and having took Cognisance of the proceedings of the Consistory of this Church against the find Book hath found that in many places the Author speaks exceeding irreverently and irreligiously of divine Things and that it is a heap of idle vain and prophane Matters full of Falshoods Lies and Calumnies to the great prejudice of God's glorious Power to the disadvantage and dishonour of our Holy Doctrine and Reformed Religion to the Dissamation of divers godly Persons dead and living And therefore hath thought good to advertise all the Churches that they beware of the said Book and inasmuch as in them lieth to disapprove it And this Synod doth judicially declare the Author of the said Book if he own himself a Protestant unworthy of our Holy Communion and not to be admitted to the participation of the Sacraments until such time as he shall have acknowledged his offence and by convenient means such as the Suppression of his History shall have repaired the Scandal that he hath given unto the Churches XXX The Synod also having seen and examined another Book written in Latin upon Genesis by a certain Fellow called James Brocan of Piedmont printed in this City hath declared and doth declare it to be fraught with Impieties and horrible Profanations of the Sacred Scriptures and pernicious Errors especially in Matters of Revelation of Revelation Prophecy and therefore exhorts all the Faithful to keep themselves carefully from being seduced by it XXXI The first Article of Provincial Synods being read it was decreed That all Ministers should attend in Person at their Provincial Synods or should excuse themselves by Letters in case of absence the causes whereof should be judged valid or otherwise by those Assemblies XXXII The third Article concerning National Synods shall abide in its full power But for the benefit of all our Churches there shall be this clause added That for time to come if possible it may be done there shall be two Ministers and two Elders deputed from every Province unto them XXXIII Forasmuch as Dancings and other Dissolutions do sprout up and increase every where yea and in these our Reformed Churches it was thought good to exhort the Consistories that for God's sake they would conscientiously observe the Six and twentieth Article of particular Orders decreed in the Synod of Figeac and in the Name of God and by the Authority of this present Assembly that it be read publickly in the Churches and all Colloquies and Synods are hereby expresly charged to censure those Consistories that neglect their Duty in this particular XXXIV All those who by unlawful means as by Papal Bulls or ready Money shall purchase or hold Benefices and such as cause Idolatry to be upheld and maintained either directly or indirectly shall be excluded Communion at the Lord's Table XXXV As to what concerns Impropriators and Farmers of Benefices the ancient Canons of our Discipline shall hold good and be in full force power and vertue against them Yet nevertheless the Deputies shall bring with them from their respective Provinces whatever Difficulties have occurr'd about those matters that so they may be debated in the next National Synod And whereas our Brethren of Languedoc Gascony and Perigord have desired have for the welfare of their Churches to censure such Farmers the business is left unto the prudence of their Provincial Synods XXXVI That Churches may not hereafter upon the death or removal of their Pastors be dissolved the Ministers who preside in the Colloquy for a new Election shall first of all enquire of every Elder in other Churches of the Colloquy what and how much Maintenance they exhibit unto their Pastors and what care they take for paying in unto them their promised Stipends that so provision may be made for them by the Authority of the Colloquies XXXVII These words The most eminent shall be blotted out from the 33d Article of Figeac XXXVIII Synods and Colloquies shall consult how to six the Limits and Extent of that Church wherein a Minister shall exercise his ordinary Calling XXXIX Ministers belonging to the Churches of France and now living abroad without the Kingdom shall be recalled by their respective Provinces XL. Forasmuch as there is a notorious contempt of Religion visible in all places yea also in our Religious Meetings we advise that Notice be given unto all Persons to bring with them their Psalm-Books into the Churches and that such as contemptuously neglect the doing of it shall be severely censur'd and all Protestant Printers are advised not to sunder in their Impressions the Prayers and Catechism from the Psalm-Books XLI The 17th Article of particular Orders concerning Habits was thus explained This Synod declareth That such Habits are not to be allowed in common wearing which carry with them evident marks of lasciviousness dissolution and excessive new-fangled Fashions such as painting slashing cutting in pieces trimming with Locks and Tassels or any other that may discover our Nakedness or naked Breasts or Fardingales or the like sort of Garments with which both Men and Women do wickedly cloath and adorn themselves And Consistories shall do their utmost endeavour to suppress such Dissolutions by their Censures and in case the Delinquents are contumacious and rebellious they shall proceed against them even to Excommunication XLII As to the 14th Canon concerning Marriages this Synod doth not judge it contrary to the 24th Article enacted by the Assembly of Estates at Blois for in that Orders only were given unto Notaries and Scriveners how
that they may be combin'd into one and by this means gain a Minister for the Church of Rouen or if this don't like them they may contrive some better expedient And this course also shall be taken by the Province of Xaintonge for the supply of the Church of Xaintes XXV This Assembly prays and intreats the Province of Brittany to lend Monsieur De la Melluniere unto the Church of Vitré and at the same time to make provision for the Church of Cuisit where he is at present XXVI The Lord Du Plessis presented himself in the Name of the King of Navarre unto this Assembly proposing from His Majesty That there might be sent unto him being now on the other fide of the Loire certain Deputies Persons of Quality and Understanding who might be near His Majesty to acquaint him with the true State of our Churches and that he also might reciprocally communicate unto the Churches all Matters of Importance tending to their welfare and preservation This Assembly is of Opinion That all the Churches be exhorted effectually to comply with His Majesty's Demands and in order thereunto to name one or two Deputies to be dispatcht unto him in the Name of the Churches and this to be done out of hand and the Province of the Isle of France is to see it done without delay Means for uniting the German and French Churches Synod of Gap Gen. Mat. art 11. Synod of Rochel art 4. after the choice of Moderator and Assessor XXVII A motion being made for an Union and Agreement betwixt the Churches of Germany and ours this Assembly adviseth That Monsieur De Chandieu be solicited to undertake a Journey for the effecting of it and in case the said Monsieur De Chandieu have just Excuses for not accepting the Employ Monsieur De Seire shall be intreated to supply his place XXVIII Monsieur Salnar is intreated to write in the Name and by the Authority of this Synod unto the Princes and Divines of Germany and he shall confer with the Lord Du Plessis about the subject matter of his Letters and the said Letters shall be sent to Monsier De Chandieu to be represented by him XXIX Monsieur De Chassincour is intreated by this Assembly to continue his Office at Court and the Churches are exhorted to perform their Duties to him whereof the Brethren of the Isle of France are order'd to give him notice XXX The Deputy of Lower Languedoc demanding that our Brother Vilette Minister in the Church of La Sala may be removed thence and translated unto Montpellier because of that great Service he may do there and that his Church may be some otherways provided This Assembly leaveth the decision of this matter unto his Provincial Synod which after due consideration had of all Circumstances shall determine of it XXXI Monsieur Laurence Bouchart formerly Minister of Privas in Lower Languedoc deposed for his scandalous Crimes having appealed unto this Assembly it examined the Causes of his Deposition and all the Proceedings in and about it and now judgeth that he cannot be restored unto the Minstry whatever Testimonials of Repentance may be produced by him XXII To the Case propounded by the Deputies of Berry Whether his Marriage should be tolerated who had espous'd his Wife's Niece and that had some Years after his said Marriage joyned himself unto our Religion and communicated with us at the Lord's Table and hath had several Children by this Wife This Assembly answereth That by the 14th Verse of the 18th Chapter of Leviticus such a Marriage is incestuous and that therefore in no wise can it be tolerated and that they provoke not the Wrath of God more heavily against them they ought to separate one from the other And whereas these Persons committed this sin in the time of their Ignorance we advise that they privately confess it unto the Consistory where they shall be admonished counselled and comforted from the Word of God XXXIII Complaint being made by divers Persons of the Censure passed on Brocard's Exposition of the Book of Genesis in the last Synod of Rochel where he was condemned for Impiety and Prosanation of God's Holy Word and blaming it as too strict and rigorous tho' some would acquit him of Impiety because he agrees with us thoroughly in all the Articles of Faith This Assembly doth confirm the afore-mentioned Censure judging that that Doctrine is not only impious which is contrary to the Articles of Faith but that also which perverts the true sence and meaning as his doth of the Holy Scriptures because they be the true Foundation of the Christian Doctrine Yet that satisfaction may be given them who are displeased at the Censure past on this Book of Brocard's there shall be extracted out of it a Catalogue of his grossest Errors and communicated abroad for their perusal and information XXXIV Monsieur De Bellefleur appealing from the Sentence given against him in the Synod of Higher Languedoc by which his Treatise against the Discipline of our Churches was condemned this Assembly having read his Treatise and the Answers made unto it doth confirm the said Saentence past against the said Bellefleur To whom notwithstanding a Letter shall be dispatcht in the Name of this Assembly and the Answer of our Brother Monsieur Berault shall be communicated to him in which if he do not acquiesce the next Colloquy or Synod shall denounce him Schismatick XXXV The Deputy of Higher Languedoc related the Affair of Arias and Bourgade complaining that they were too severely censured by their Pastors Berault and Gironnin whereupon the Synod came unto this Resolution That the Piovince shall be informed that they have full Power and 't is their Duty to judge definitively of it and that the Censures given by the Consistory of Montauban and the Provincial Synod against them shall be in force and if the said Plaintisss be not quiet nor demean themselves peaceably and modestly according to their Duty The Colloquy of Lower Quercy calling in two other Ministers from the Neighbour-Colloquy shall in the Name and Authority of this Synod judge definitively of this Fact XXXVI The Province of * * * Higher Lower Languedoc is appointed by this Assembly to convoke and assign the Time of Meeting for the next National Synod which is once for all ordained two Years hence in the Month of May. May 16. 1583. Thus Signed by Peter Merlin Moderator And René Pineau Scribe The End of the Synod of VITRE THE ACTS DECISIONS and DECREES OF THE XIII National Synod OF THE Reformed Churches of Christ IN The KINGDOM of FRANCE HELD At Montauban in the Year of our Lord 1594. THE CONTENTS of this SYNOD CHap. I. Deputies unto the Synod Synodical Officers chosen The Lord's Supper to he received by all the Deputies in the conclusion of the Synod Chap. II. 7. Observations upon the Confession of Faith and its Approbation Chap. III. 21. Observations upon the Discipline being so many Additions and
that he only accepted of that Call for a time and with this express condition That his Father were contented with it this Assembly doth assign the said Mark Antony unto the Church of Villemure in the Colloquy of Lower Quercy to serve them as their own peculiar Pastor yet on these Terms that he shall assist the said Church of Maruejoles by the space of three Months during which time the Colloquy of Givaudan and the Province of Lower Languedoc shall use their best endeavour to provide another Pastor for the Church of Maruejoles which Church also is ordered to satisfie the said Mark Antony Bennet within six Weeks of his Return all his Arrerages and the whole Stipend of the Quarter now current and in case of failure herein by them the said Bennet is left in full liberty to leave them immediately and to betake himself to the Service of his own Church of Villemure he advising with his Colloquy and they approving it according to the Discipline XVI Divers Provinces having consulted this Assembly what course they should take with those who challenge and with those who accept the Challenge to fight a Duel as also how to deal with the challenged who killing their adverse Party have since obtained His Majesties Pardon or have been afterward legally justified and discharged the Synod made this Decree That every such Person should be suspended the Lord's Table and this their Suspension shall be out of hand published to the Congregation and before ever they be re-admitted to the Churches Peace and Communion they shall undergo Publick Penance for those their Offences XVII The Consuls and Elders in the Church of Montauban petitioned this Assembly that during Monsieur Berault's absence their Church might be supplied for that Year by Monsieur De la Nove Minister of Beaufort in Anjou Answer was given them that according to our Discipline it could not be done 'till such time as both the Church and Province to which he stood related had been first acquainted with it And therefore they should send Letters unto that Church and Province and to the Lady Vaux and to the Lord Du Plessis intreating them because of the great importance of the Church of Montauban that they would be pleased either to grant or at least to lend their Pastor Monsieur De Nove unto the Church of Montauban during Monsieur Beraud's absence And till that the Synod of Anjou have gratified the said Petitioners the Colloquy of Lower Quercy shall take care that the said Church of Montauban be not left destitute without a Pastor but that they do from time to time send able Ministers unto them CHAP. VII The Roll of the Vagrants Deserters and Deposed Ministers 1. THE Vagrants are Isaac and Moyses Bouchars who wander up and down sowing false Doctrines they were of Poitiers the Elder of them is a little dapper Fellow red Face and Beard roaving Eye the younger is much of the same stature but blackish Beard pale and sad and roaving Eyes as his Brother 2. Costa or La Costa of Bearn who preacheth here and there without any Ordination He is a Fellow of low Stature a black Beard a swarthy Countenance a notorious Lyer Impudent and a Thief 3. Commission is given to Master Villette and Master Chalais Deputies of Lower Languedoc to make speedy enquiry about Monsieur Du Croix late Minister of Perigueux who hath forsook his Ministry for the Practice of Physick Vincentius Cordatus being sixty Years of Age a tall lubberly Fellow The DEPOSED 4. In the Province of Higher Languedoc and Higher Guyenne Master Bernard Vaissy for preaching false Doctrine 5. Master Gaspar Olaxa a Spaniard for raising Troubles and Seditions in the Church of Castres 6. Master Peter Beaupoil otherwise going by the Name of Dumont or Damont 7. Master James Caza of Normandy Master Gabriel Roul otherwise La Sales De Coucher in Rouargue A Schism having fallen out in the Church of Saint Foy upon the score of the said Roul the Ministers of this Synod who are to meet in the Assembly of St. Foy are impower'd with full Authority from it 1594. Synod XIII to hear and judge fully and finally of that business Because of the Necessities and Dispersions of the Churches on the other side of Loire the Province of Anjou is appointed to call the next National Synod unto the City of Saumur in the Month of May two Years hence And forasmuch as the Province of Lower Languedoc to whom by Order of the last Synod held at Vitré it belonged to convocate this next ensuing Synod hath parted with its Right in favour to and for the benefit of that Province these things considered the next Synod shall be intreated to appoint that the National Synod which shall succeed it may be assembled and held within the Bounds of the Lower Languedoc Given at Montauban the 28th of June in the Year of our Lord 1594. The Original Acts of this Synod are kept in the Archives of the City Rochel and are thus signed Beraud Moderator Gardesy and Scribes of the Synod Rotan Scribes of the Synod The End of the Synod of Montauban THE ACTS DECISIONS and DECREES OF THE XIV National Synod OF THE Reformed Churches of Christ IN The KINGDOM of FRANCE HELD At Saumur the 15th Day of June in the Year of our Lord 1596. THE CONTENTS of this SYNOD CHap. I. Deputies Names An observation past on Monsieur Rotan a Deputy Moderator and Scribes chosen The Lords Supper to be celebrated June 16. Chap. II. Observations and Approbation of the Confession Chap. III. 26. Observations upon the Discipline Provinces to take care of Proposans 4. Colledges and Vniversities to be erected 5. Crimes which may expose Penitents to Publick Infamy or Death not to be confessed by them in their Publick Penance 8. Pastors to be sent alternatively unto Synods 11. Ministers not deputed unto Synods shall have no Votes 13. Gypfies Children may be baptized 15. Baptism must be administred in a Church 16. Two Names unto a Child indifferent 17. Marriage Promises de futuro indissolvable 18. The Discipline approved and sworn Chap. IV. General Matters A Caveat against a Scot who would reconcile both Religions 1. Latin Disputations better for Vniversities than Colloquies 3. Church-Members Names to be Registred 11. Ministers may preach on Holy-days 13. Duellers 14. The Vnion betwixt the Churches of France and the Netherlands to be maintained 15. None admitted to the Lord's Table living among the Papists without a Certificate from the Elders 16. The King and Constable's Letters to the Synod 18. Frauds of a Geneva Book-seller 19. A Case about Ministers being Deputies unto Politick Assemblies 20. Whether Contracts of Marriage should be seen before Publication of Banes 21. Idolatry to be abjured before Persons be admitted to Communion with us 22. The Local Magistrates of the Reformed Religion may assist at Colloquies and Synods 23. May a Protestant Judge swear a Papist upon his crucifix 24. Hautyn to print the Bible 25.
D'Espoir a Copy of his Churches Petition that so he may return them an Answer within two Months time by the way of Paris and the Province of Higher Languedoc are charged in their next Synod to know of the said D'Espoir whether the matters contained in that said Petition be true or not and if true they shall enjoyn him out of hand to perform one of those Conditions proposed by the said Church in their Petition and the Province shall give an Account of the whole Affair to the next National Synod XXXI The Decree of the National Synod of Montauban shall be observed in that matter concerning Monsieur Berault Minister of the Gospel and the Deputies of Lower Languedoc are to acquiesce in it XXXII The Deputies of the Province of Poictou requesting That the Church of Luneré in Normandy might be exhorted to pay Monsieur Vatblè who was formerly their Minister his Arrerages owing to him This Synod hath given in charge to the Deputies of Normandy that pursuant to the Memoirs deposited in their hands by the said Vatblé they endeavour to procure him all satisfaction possible XXXIII The Memoirs of Limoges presented by the Deputies of Gascony are sent back again unto the Assembly of Loudun And the Case propounded in those Papers about Marriages contracted with a party of contrary Religion is fully determined by our Discipline which forbids the Blessing of those Marriages in our Churches where one of the Persons refuseth to quit its Idolatry CHAP. VII The Catalogue of the Deposed THE Deposed were Monsieur * * * Cahier was wheedled off from the Reformed Religion with the never-performed Promises of being made an Abbot He was deposed for writing two Books in which he asserted the Necessity and Lawfulness of Publick Stews and Brothel-Houses and that Fornication and Adultery were not forbidden in the Seventh Commandment but only the Sin of Onan 2. For Magick which he had practised This Wretch had one Vertue he never loved nor was beloved by the Jesuites He was once favoured but after slighted and neglected by the Sorbonists A most slovenly nasty Fellow in his Apparel and way of Living Peter Cahier of the Isle of France Vielbancque in Languedoc Peter le Roy otherwise Boilem in Normandy Godfrey de Vaux in Dolphiny and John Cornille The Provinces shall be advised to beware of a certain pernicious Heretick called Anthony de L'Escale who roves up and down scattering his Errors both by Writings and Discourses The Province of Lower Languedoc is charged to convene the next National Synod in the City of Montpellier the First of May in the Year 1598. The Acts were thus Signed by Dominick de Losse Moderator of the Synod Vincent chosen to Collect the Acts of the said Synod The End of the Synod of Saumur THE ACTS DECISIONS and DECREES OF THE XV. National Synod OF THE Reformed Churches of Christ IN The KINGDOM of FRANCE HELD At Montpellier the 26th of May in the Year of our Lord 1598. THE CONTENTS of this SYNOD CHap. I. Names of Deputies Synodical Officers chosen A Decree that every Province should choose four Deputies who in case of sickness of the first Deputies might supply their places in the National Synod An Exception for the Deputy of Provence Chap. II. Observations upon the Confession Advertisement unto Printers Chap. III. Observations upon the Discipline Distinction between the inability and Ingratitude of a People to their Minister 4. Case of the Emeriti and their Widows 5. Certificates given to the Poor 9. A Case of Conscience moved by the Church of Castres 11. National Synods to be Triennial 12. No Funeral Doles 13. Marriage-Promises to be made either by words de futuro or de praesenti 15. A Case about one who married the Widow of him who in his first Marriage had married his Sister 16. A Case about Certificates to be married in another Church for fear of Witchcraft 17. Widows not to marry till Seven Months after their Husbands death 18. The Marriage of Madam the King's Sister 19. A Case about Incest 20. Whether a Man convicted and condemned by the Civil Magistrate for a Capital Crime which yet he stiffly denieth may be admitted to the Lord's Table 21. A Case about purchasing Lands to keep up the Popish Worship 23. A Case about Advocates and Proctors 24. About Printers 25. And Lotteries 28. Penance for Harlots 30. Chap. IV. Appeals Judgment in Points of Doctrine appropriate unto the Ministry 4. Chap. V. General Matters A Committee of Ministers to revise the Copies of the Discipline Reconcilers of both Religions to be rejected 2. The Liturgy not to be altered Mr. Beza's Scripture Songs to be sung in the Churches 3. Censure of Books Apparatus ad fidem Catholicam Avis pour la Paix de L'Eglise Elenchus Novae Doctrinae 4. A Case sent by a Soveraign Prince unto the Synod for resolution 5. Another Case depending on it 6. Another about Wounds 7. Another about Marriage-Promises 8. Monsieur Chamier's Advice to the Synod when he brought the Edict of Nants unto it 14. A distribution of the King's Money given the Churches 16. Ministers abroad cited home unto the Kingdom by the National Synod 17. Chap. VI. Particular Matters Letters to the Dutch Churches Monsieur Berand to answer Perron and Monsieur de Montigni Cahier 3. Franc a deposed Minister petitioning to be restored is rejected 6. Ministers for Madam 7. Cassegrain's Answer to Perron slighted by the Synod 10. Peyrol not duly qualified for the Ministry 11. Poor Ministers 14 15 16. Complaint of the Town of Aubenas 23. Ministers in one Church quarrelling are both removed 26. The Court of Castres hath the Thanks of the Synod 31. Chap. VII Private Acts. Chap. VIII Extracts from the Acts of the mixt Assembly of Chastel-heraut An Act for calling the next National Synod THE Synod of Montpellier 1598. Synod XV. SYNOD XV. Acts and Articles of the National Synod held at Montpellier the Six and Twentieth Day of May in the Year of our Lord One Thousand five hundred ninety and eight CHAP. I. Deputies and Officers of the Synod Monsieur Berault was chosen President Monsieur De Montigny Assessor And Scribes Monsieur De Macifer and Monsieur Cartau There assembled at it the Pastors and Elders whose Names are underwritten FOR the Isle of France Picardy and Champagne Monsieur Francis de Lauberan Lord of Montigny Minister in the Church of Paris and Moyses Cartau Elder of the said Church For Orleans Berry Blezou and Dunois Master Michael le Noir Minister of Chastillon on Loire and Esaias Fleureau Elder in the Church of Orleans For Dolphiny and the Principality of Orange Master Andrew Caille Minister of Grenoble and Master William Vallier Minister of Die and Master Sebastian Julian Minister of Aurange and Master Felix Elder in the Church of Montlimart For Normandy and Brittany Master William Claud Picheron Minister at Ponteau de Mer without an Elder For the Higher Languedoc and the
Catalogue was read of the Churches now in being whose Number was found 760 to wit in the Isle of France Picardy Champagne and Brie 88. Normandy 59. Brittany 14. Burgundy 12. Lyonnois 4. Forest Dolphiny and Provence 94. Vivarets 32. Lower Languedoc 116. Higher Languedoc and Higher Gnyenne 96. Lower Guyenne 83. Poictou 50. Xaintonge 51. Anjou 21. Orleans 39. Which is for each of them 52 Crowns 37 Sous and 10 Deniers  Cr. s. d. For the Isle of France 4631 34 10 For Normandy 3105 15 09 For Brittany 0736 50 08 For Burgundy 0538 56 10 For Lyonnois 0210 31 06 For Forest 0105 15 10 For Dolphiny and Provence 4997 22 * * * 3 7 For Vivaretz 1664 12 08 For Lower Languedoc 6105 15 09 For Higher Languedoc 5052 37 * * * 10 6 For Lower Guyenne 4368 22 * * * 25 3 For Poictou 2631 34 08 For Xaintonge 2684 12 07 For Anjou 1105 15 09 For Orleans 2052 38 00 And all the Churches shall be obliged to send their Accounts of Moneys paid by them unto their Pastors who have actually served them and the said Accounts shall be then accepted if the Acquittances be signed by those Ministers owâ—n hands who received the Moneys and the over-plus of this Money remaining shall be returned unto the Synod to be disposed of according to their Orders and by the Ministers to be relieved we understand such also who through Age or Sickness are uncapable of discharging the Duties of their Calling and farther we leave it to the Prudence of the Provinces what Allowances to make unto their Proposans and to the Widow sand Orphans of their deceased Ministers and to maintain as many of them as they shall judge expedient whose Names and Number also shall be inserted in these Accounts aforesaid and their Acquittances subscribed with their own hands shall be brought unto the National Synod And the Provinces shall give a demonstration of their care in erecting Academics and yield up their Accompts in like manner as was before ordained The Receivers of this Money shall be nominated by the Provinces And the Assembly of Chastelheraut shall be intreated to give us their Advice for the best and speediest course of getting the said Moneys And this Order shall hold good until the next National Synod which shall be called by the Province of Normandy in the Month of June three Years hence and the Synod next after that shall be held in Dolphiny XVII Letters shall be sent in the Name of this Synod unto all French Ministers abroad out of the Kingdom requiring them to return unto the Service of their Churches upon the first Summons who shall furnish them with necessary Supplies for their Journeys and whereas divers have departed without leave first obtained from their Provinces because of the Troubles and Persecutions the Synod orders that they return forthwith as in Duty they are bound unto their respective Churches God having now blessed us with Peace And hereupon the Church of Paris according to this Article required Monsieur D'amours to return back unto his Province XVIII As soon as the Edict shall be published those extraordinary Times of Prayer ordained in the Churches shall cease and the Churches are requested particularly to remember in their Prayers unto the Throne of Grace those of the Low Countries 1598. Synod XV. CHAP. VI. Particular MATTERS I. LEtters shall be written unto the Churches of the Low Countries expressing our Grief for that their Deputies came not unto this Synod according to the Advice that was given them as also to intreat them to inform us of the time when their Synod shall be convocated and the Province of Normandy is ordered to send the Deputies unto it II. Monsieur Chesneau shall write to Monsieur de la Planche intreating him to deposit with the Church of Paris those Papers which belonged to that Apostate Cahier and are in his Custody and Monsieur L'Esperient shall make enquiry what are become of those Manuscripts of his that were in Bearn and if possibly they may be retrieved to send them also unto the Church of Paris III. Monsieur Berault is appointed to answer the Writings of du Perron and Monsieur de Montigny those of Cahier and as for other Books publisht against us that Article of the Discipline relating to this head shall be punctually observed and the Charges of their Impression shall be defrayed out of the Moneys granted us by the King and allowed by producing an Attestation from the Colloquies IV. The Province of Normandy is intreated to mediate with the Church of Lunere that their former Pastor Monsieur Vatable be paid his Arrears otherwise they shall be censured according to the Discipline V. Upon hearing the Differences between the Churches of Boislebec and Gurville with Monsieur de Videt d'Espoir and having pondered all Circumstances this Synod determines That of Right he belongs unto the said Churches because he was maintained by them for four Years together yea and when they were driven away one from the other into Foreign Lands and for that the Term ordained in such a Case by the Discipline is not yet expired However in consideration of his Age and numerous Family and the distance of Places and the conveniences he hath near Pamiers as also that without great damage unto himself he cannot remove the Synod declares for his comfort that he may live in the City of Pamiers upon condition that within six Months the Province do furnish those said Churches with a Pastor and the Church of Pamiers shall bear the one half of his Charges in Travel which also is censured for enforcing the said Monsieur de Videt to enter himself into Bonds to them in the Sum of sixty Crowns for re-imbursing them the Expences of his Journey in case he should not tarry with them VI. Monsieur Franc petitioning to be restored unto the Ministry was told by this Assembly That because of the number and heinousness of his Crimes deserving Corporal Punishment and marked with a brand of Infamy and for that he gave in but a very sorry Evidence of his Repentance to us that therefore he ought not to be restored However he wax advised not to slacken his Studies but to take up with some other Calling VII Madam the King's Sister requesting That Monsieur de la Touche might be given for four Months in the Year to the Church in her Family this Assembly consented to it until the next National Synod and this shall be inserted in the Letters of this Assembly unto that Princess that our Synods shall always carefully provide the most able Ministers for the conduct of her Church and if Monsieur de Feugerau's Health will permit him he shall serve her Highness in that Quality the whole time his Province advising and consenting to it And the other seven Ministers waiting upon her Royal Highness shall bear no other Title than that of ordinary Pastors and Ministers VIII This Synod
him who hath the Grant and in case the said Assembly shall meet it shall give Notice thereof unto the Colloquy wherein the Vacancy is and also inform the said Colloquy of the vacant place and place of abode of him that hath the said Grant And when they give their Attestation they shall cause the Union of Mantes to be signed by him who brings the King's Grant for the vacant Government according as it hath been ordained in all such Cases The Form of Attestation agreed upon in the General Assembly to be given by Colloquies or Synods unto them whom His Majesty shall recommend unto vacant Governments in our Cautionary Towns WE Ministers and Elders met together in Colloquy in the Province of N. do certifie unto His Majesty That Monsieur N. de N. applied himself unto us desiring our Attestation of his sincere Profession of the Reformed Religion he being chosen by His Majesty unto the Command of such a Place N. lately vacant by the Death of N. We therefore do attest and certifie That the said Monsieur N. doth actually profess the Reformed Religion communicates with us in the Sacraments living Religiously as a Man fearing God and discharging the Duties of his said Profession with a good Conscience For which reasons we give him this our Certificate by these Presents which we hope will be of use and advantage to him according to his desire Dated c. The Province of Normandy is graced with the Priviledge of calling the next National Synod which shall be held within Three Years in the beginning of June And the succeeding National Synod shall be held in the Province of Dolphiny These Acts and Articles were thus subscribed De Montigny Assessor Moyses Cartaut Scribe The End of the Synod of Montpellier THE ACTS DECISIONS and DECREES OF THE XVI National Synod OF THE Reformed Churches of Christ IN The KINGDOM of FRANCE HELD At Gergeau the 9th Day of May in the Year of our Lord 1601. THE CONTENTS of this SYNOD CHap. I. The Deputies of the Provinces We Officers of the Synod Chap. II. 3. Observations on the Confession of Faith Chap. III. Observations on the Discipline The fifth Penny of the Poors Money to be laid by for our Proposans 18. Rules for Disputes with our Adversaries 23. The Churches of Sedan incorporated with the Synod of the Isle of France 31. The Discipline approved and sworn Chap. IV. Appeals Affairs of Monsieur D'amours a very eminent Minister 1 2 3. Severity of Discipline upon Monsieur Gerard a Minister 22. A censured Minister restored 24. The Case of Farmers of Tythes 29. Chap. V. General Matters No recompence to them who write without the Authority of the National Synod 1. Attestation from their Churches when they remove their Law-suit s into the Courts of the Edict 2. Vnordained Preachers not allowed 4. The Sacramental Elements to be given by the Pastor only 7. The Court of Madarn to be supplied with able Ministers 10. Letters to the Professors of Leyden 14. Four Books to be perused Elenchus Novae Doctrinae Apparatus ad Fidem Catholicum Avis pour la paix de L'Eglise and Veu par le Roy. Chap. VI. Particular Matters A Case of Conscience Whether Lords of Benefices may repair the Fabricks of the Popish Temples in which Mass is said 11. The Names of Romish Ecclesiasticks who were inverted to be conserved 12. Advice given unto the Consuls of Montpellier 20. An answer to Monsieur Casaubon 21. A Letter to the Lord du Plessis 23. Care taken of a worthy Minister 25. An Answer to the Dukes of Bouillon and Tremouille 27. A Case about an Incestuous Marriage 28. Passages between the King and the Synod 31 32. The Synod ordereth Letters to the King about Geneva 36. Schools and Colledges to be erected 37. A Dividend of Moneys 40. Palot Receiver-General of the Churches Money dodgeth with them 42. Chap. VII The Roll of Vagrants and Deposed Ministers An Act for calling the next National Synod Palot sends 3000 Crowns to the Synod 1601. Synod XVI THE Synod of Gergeau SYNOD XVI Acts of the National Synod of the Reformed Churches of France held at Gergeau the Ninth Day of May in the Year of our Lord One Thousand six hundred and one CHAP. I. Of the DEPVTIES Monsieur Pacard was chosen Moderator Monsieur Lieuin Lord of Beaulieu Assessor Monsieur Chamier and Scribes Monsieur Mercier Scribes There assembled in it the Pastors and Elders hereafter named FOR the Isle of France Picardy and Champagne Monsieur Antony de la Fay Minister and Pastor of the Church of Paris Monsieur John Lieuin Lord of Beaulieu Minister of the Church of Auverne in Vexin le Francois and Monsieur Josia Mercier Lord of Bordes Elder of the Church of Paris and Peter de * * * Alias De Naudet Neuelet Lord of Doscher Elder in the Church of Vitry For the Province of Orleans Berry Blefoiis and Nivernois Monsieur Adam D'Orival Minister of the Church of Sancerre and Joachim Du Moulin Minister of Orleans together with Monsieur Samuel de Chambaran Elder of the Church of Romorantin and Claudius Mesland Elder of the Church at Orleans For the Province of Normandy Monsieur Rene Bouchard Pastor of the Church of Rouau and John Eude Pastor of Bayeux together with Monsieur James du Hamel Lord of Parke Elder of Alencon and William de Maintu Elder of Boislebecque For the Province of Brittany at present united with that of Normandy there came the Tenth of May Monsieur John Parent Pastor of the Church of Vitre For the Province of Dolphiny and Principality of Orange Monsieur Daniel Chamier Pastor of Mountlimart and John Perryn Pastor of St. Bonnet with Monsieur Mark D'Vre Elder of Courtaison and Francis de la Combe Elder of St. Marcelin For the Province of Lower Languedoc Monsieur John Gigard Pastor of Montpellier and Simeon Codur Pastor of Vsez together with Monsieur Isaac Chairon Elder of Nismes For Lower Guyenne Monsieur John Nodon Lord of Montbaron Pastor of Issejac and Jeremiah Bauconis Pastor of Tonius with Monsieur Christopher Forton Elder in the Church of Bourdeaux For Poictou Monsieur James Clemeneau Pastor of Poictiers and Andrew Rivet Pastor of Touars with Monsieur Isaac Vettors Elder of the Church of Poictiers For the Higher and Lower Vivaretz Monsieur John Valeton Pastor of Privas and Daniel Mison Elder of Salenac For Xaintonge Augoumois and Aunix Master George Pacard Pastor of Rochefoucald and Monsieur Laurence Polette Pastor of Ironsac with Monsieur Peter Bernard Lord of Janserac Elder of the Church of Cognac For Anjou Touraine and Mayne c. Master Francis Greliere Lord of Macifer Pastor of Saumur and M. Abel Bede Pastor of Loudun together with Monsieur John Doucher Elder of the Church of Anger 's For Provence Master Peter Chalier Pastor of Seines and Monsieur Honore Brignoles Elder of Brignoles For Burgundy Forest Beaujolois c. Master Peter Colinet Pastor of Paray le Moyneau and Anthony
up his Innocency and justify himself fully before the World and therefore did ordain him to produce the Evidences of his Innocency and Integrity before the next Provincial Synod of Poictou that it may be thence transmitted unto the next National Synod and then all requisite care should be taken about the razing of the aforesaid Censure 3. Upon the difference between the five Colloquies of Xaintonge and that of Aunix This Assembly judgeth that it is but just and reasonable that the Colloquy of Aunix should bear a fourth part of the Charges of the Provinces of Xaintonge notwithstanding the determination of the Provincial Synod of Poictou to the contrary 4. The appeal brought by the Church of Beaune and Vannés from the Decree of the Provincial Synod of Burgundy past in favour of Monsieur Manissier is made null and void because the said Church appeared not to prosecute it 5. That debate on behalf of Monsieur Claudius Jobart concerning Festivals and which had been inserted among the appeals in the Synod of Gergeau shall be transfer'd unto the head of particular matters in the said Synod the aforesaid Jobart protesting that he never brought any appeal against the Province of Burgundy 6. The Church of Orleans complaining that it was oppressed by a Decree of the Synod of Gergeau which had adjudged unto the Church of Gergeau the Moneys granted by his Majesty which belonged to it till the meeting of this present Assembly This Assembly considering all circumstances finds no reason to alter the Decree of the aforesaid Synod And for time coming ordaineth that the Provincial Synod shall do in it as they think fit 7. Upon the difference between the Synods of Poictou and Xaintonge about the Churches of Montignac Marsillac and Villefagnon The Churches of Montignac and Marsillac are adjudged unto the Province of Poictou and that of Villefagnon is left to its oâ—n choice to which of the Provinces it will be Incorporated but being once Incorporated the said Church shall not at its pleasure depart from it And this their choice once made shall be notified unto the next Synod of both the Provinces However the Province of Xaintonge shall retain their right in the Minister of Marsillac Proposans may not Preach nor Administer the Sacrament without Imposition of hands See Act. 6. of the 3d. Synod of Rochel 8. Letters shall be written to the Pastors and Professors in the Church of Geneva intreating them not to send our young Students in Divinity to Preach and Administer the Sacraments in Country Villages before Ordination principally the Students who are hereafter to be employed in the Churches of this Kingdom because it 's contrary to our Discipline and to the Practice and Custom of the Primitive Church and for that we feel already the inconveniences hereof 9. If Deacons of the Church of Bearne in Switzerland should come into this Kingdom and have not been first duely examined and ordained by imposition of hands or have not had elsewhere any Pastoral charge and should yet notwithstanding as they have done in other places take upon them to exercise the Ministerial office Of the Deacons of Bearne coming into France and exercising the Ministry to Preach the Word to administer the Sacraments as the Mode of some Forraign Churches is so to do they shall first subject themselves to a new examination here and be received into the Ministry among us in that very self same manner as Proposans are who never were Ordained And for other persons who were duely examined and to whom the right hand of Fellowship hath been given in Forreign Churches and are now called to a Pastoral Charge in some one of our Churches in this Kingdom they shall be admitted by the Provincial Synods according to the manner prescribed by our Discipline 10. The Church of Paris shall be censured for not revising that Book styled Apparatus ad fidem Catholicam not the others as they were injoined by the last Synod at Gergeau And that Church which is charged to call the next National Synod is now by this appointed to review and examine those books 11. The differences fallen out between the Synods of Higher Languedoc and Lower Guyenne concerning the Churches of Montagnac Leyrac and some others and which had been dismissed by the last Synod of Gergeau unto the Provincial Synod of Xaintonge and by that of Xaintonge to the decision of this Assembly shall be thus determined Full power is again given unto the said Synod of Xaintonge to perform that Article of the National Synod of Gergeau and to this purpose the said Province of Xaintonge shall take care that notice be given unto the said Provinces of the time and place of their next Synod 12. In pursuance of that Decree of the national Synod of Gergeau the Province of Normandy shall give full satisfaction unto Monsieur Vatablé for whom nothing at all hath been yet done 13. The Article of the Synod of Gergeau being read which ordered Letters to be written unto the Duke de Lesdiguieres about the 17000 Crowns See the Synod of Montpel partic matt 17. And the Synod of Gergeau partic matt 5. being Moneys of the Churches of Lower Languedoc We have thought fit that both the Articles of the Synods of Monpellier and Gergeau relating to this matter be razed out Provided that the Deputies of Languedoc have first of all the sight and perusal of those Acquittances pretended to by his Lordship 14. Whereas differences have sprung up between the two Provinces of the upper and neither Languedoc about the Churches of Cormes and St. John du Brueil The Decree made in the Synod of Gergeau for their determination is now again confirmed by this present Assembly and they be censured who did not according to their duty put in execution the said Decree And therefore the Deputies of both these Provinces shall give notice unto those Churches to appear in the Colloquies and Provincial Synods of the Nether Languedoc 15. John Mussidan Bordaires presented his humble Petition unto this Synod requesting that his name might be blotted out of the Catalogue of Vagrants into which it was inserted by the last Synod of Gergeau and that he might be permitted to make a Proposition from some text of the Holy Scripture in order to his re-admission into the Ministry This Assembly having received several relations from divers of our brethren concerning his insufficiency for so great and weighty a Calling did advise him to lay by all hopes and thoughts of re-entring into this Sacred Office because the Lord did not think him fitly qualified for it nor would own or accept of his service in it But that he might not be totally disheartned the Province whereunto he retires himself is intreated to assist him with their Charities and to employ him as a Schoolmaster in the teaching of youth 16. The Synod willing to express their affectionate respects to Monsieur Berger and intending as the former Synod of Gergeau to
a Professorship in the Universities determined 6. Pecuniary matters may be determined by another Province 8. two Deputies shall be sent and no more from contending Churches 12. Such at Marry Popish Wives shall bear no Office in the Churches 13. Two Canons about Monkes 15 16. The Baptism of Midwives null 18. Three cases about Marriage 19 20 21. Orders about Scholars Pensioners 24 Elenchus novae Doctrinae supprest 25. Professors of Divinity shall finish their course in three years 31. Cases about accused persons 37 39. Chap. VI. Of Accompts A Dividend of 135000 Crowns among the Churches and Universities and General Deputies Chap. VII Other Accompts of Moneys to be paid by the Lord of Candal Chap. VIII Memorials and Instructions given to the Lords General Deputies Chap. IX Appeals Two divided Churches healed 1 2. The Appeal of a Deposed Minister rejected 15. A great contention composed 19. Chap. X. Particular matters 3. Non resident Pastors ordered to their Churches 1 2. A great contention composed 6. Monsieur Primrose Pastor of the Church of Bourdeaux recalled into Scotland 9. Dissentions in a Church made up 19. A case of Witchcraft 21. A case about a Donative 22. Moneys of two Churches for the Exiles of Salluces 23 24. A case about a Childs Baptism 35. The Insolency of a Capuchin Fryer 37. A poor Minister relieved 39. Censures taken off from a Church and Minister 43. A Petition to the King 52. Chap. XI Particular matters relating to the Isle of France Chap. XII The Roll of Deposed Ministers Chap. XIII Orders about Legacies Chap. XIV Political Acts the King's Letter to the National Synod 4. Chap. XV. The Lord of Candals Accompt The Third Synod of ROCHELL SYNOD XVIII 1607. In the Name of God Amen Acts of the National Synod of the Reformed Churches in the Kingdom of France held at Rochell the first day of March and continued till the two and twentieth day of April in the Year of our Lord One thousand six hundred and seven CHAP. I Names of the Deputies and Synodical Officers Monsieur Beraut chosen Moderator Monsieur Merlin Assessor Scribes Monsieur Andrew Rivet and Monsieur Roy. THERE appeared in it as Deputies from their several Provinces the Pastors and Elders hereafter named For the Province of Xaintonge Aunix and Augoulmois Monsieur George Pacard Minister in the Church of Rochefoucaud Master James Merlin one of the Pastors of the Church of Rochel Monsieur Arthur de Partenay Lord of Genouille Elder in the Church of Tonney-boutonne and Mr. Daniel le Roy Elder in the Church of Xaintes with Letters from the said Province Mr. Gigord was a man of most singular Piety holy in his Life happy in his Death He died full of Peace and Joy in Believing ravished with the consolations of Gods Spirit For the Province of Lower Languedoc Master Christopher de Barjac Lord of Gasques Pastor of the Church of Vigan and Master John Gigord Pastor and Professor in the Church of Montpellier and Tristram de Brueis Lord of St. Chappe Elder in the Church of Nismes and Stephen du Vergier Ordinary President in the Chamber of Accounts of Languedoc Elder in the Church of Montpellier with Letters of Commission from their Province For the Province of Orleans Berry Blesois and Nivernois Master Joachim du Moulin Pastor of the Church of Orleans and Master Nicholas Vignier Pastor of the Church of Blois together with the Lords Daniel de St. Quintin Baron of Bellet Elder in the Church of St. Amand and Michael de Launay Lord de Filaines Elder in the Church of Blois Mr. Joachim du Moulin was the godly Father of that excellent man of God Mr. Peter du Monlin impowered with authority from their Province For the Province of the Isle of France Picardy Champagne Brie and the Land of Chartres Master Francis de Lauberan Lord of Montigny Pastor of the Church of Paris and Master Tobias Yoland Pastor of the Church of Vitry le Francois and Paul de Charites Lord of Plessis Chennelle Elder of the Church of Chartres commissioned by Letters from their Province For the Province of Lower Guienne Perigord and Limousin Mr. Paul Baduel Minister of the Church of Castillon Mr. Gilbert Primrose Pastor of the Church of Bourdeaux together with John du Puis Lord of Cazett Elder of the Church of Castillon and Mr. Stephen Manial Elder of the Church of Bourdeaux For the Province of Anjou Touraine and the Maine Monsieur Abel Bede Pastor of the Church of Loudun and Master Peter Solomeau Pastor of the Church of Vandosme together with James Ridouett Esquire Lord of Sanzay Elder of the Church of Bauge and Bartholomew de Bruges Elder of the Church of Loudon For the Province of Higher Languedoc and Higher Guyenne Master Michael Beraud Pastor and Professor in the Church of Montauban Daniel Raphin Pastor of the Church of Realmont John de Periott Elder of the Church of Montauban and Peter Philippin Elder in the Church of St. Antonine For the Higher and Lower Vivaretz and Velay Monsieur John Valeton Pastor of the Church of Privas and Master Christopher Gammon Elder of the Church of Nonnay bringing with them Letters of excuse for not having sent the number of Deputies prescribed by the Canons of former Synods which were in no wise admitted and therefore the said Province was censured However their Deputies were received for this time This Assembly declaring it should not be made a president for future neglects as also that if in time coming they did not send the full number of four Deputies they should have no power of Voting and this in pursuance of what had been decreed in the National Synod of Gap For Provence Monsieur Daniel Chanforan Pastor of the Church de la Coste and Peter Texier Elder of the Church of Lormarin with Letters of excuse for not having sent the number above-mentioned which because of the paucity of Ministers in their Province was for this time only received And they were enjoined for the future to send four Deputies or to incorporate themselves with some other Province For the Province of Higher and Lower Poictou Master James Clemencean Minister and Pastor of the Church of Poictiers and Andrew Rivett Pastor of the Church of Touars together with Samuel Mauclerc Lord of Marconny Elder of the Church of Poire and Belleville and Monsieur Joseph des Fontaines Elder of the Church of Mesle Mr. Perriâ— writ the History of the Albingezses He dedicated the Second Part to the Duke of Candale Eldest Son of the Duke of Espernon who became a Protestant For the Province of Dolphiny Mr. John Paul Perrinâ— Pastor of the Church of Nians and John Vulson Lord de la Columbiere Pastor of the Church de la Mure together with Charles de Veze Lord of Coucy Elder of the Church de Dieu le fit and Lord of the said place and Francois de la Combe Elder of the Church of St. Marcellin For the Province of
Burgundy Lionnois Forrest Bresse Beaujolois and Gex Monsieur Esaiah Bayly Pastor of the Church of Lion and Daniel de Piotay Pastor of the Church of Gex together with John de Jaucourt Lord of Villarnoul Elder of the Church of Avalon and Master Claudius Cotereau Elder of the Church of Dijon and Counsellor in the Parliament of Burgundy For the Province of Normandy Mr. John Gueroult Pastor of the Church of D'Indebeuf and John Boudrier Lord de la Buissonniere Pastor of the Church of Alencon and Samuel de L'Escherpiere Lord de la Riviere Pastor of the Church of Rouan together with Nicholas Le Febvre Elder of the Church of Caen with their Letters of Commission The Synod of the said Province and the Colloquies of the Higher Normandy were all censured for leaving the Nomination of their Deputies unto the Colloquy and for not sending an equal number of Pastors and Elders according to the Canons of our Discipline however the four fore-mentioned Deputies were admitted For the Province of Brittany Master Rene de Losse Lord de la Touche Pastor of the Church of Blain and Master Peter de la Place Pastor of the Church of Sion together with Lewes d'Avangour Lord of Bois de Cargrois Elder of the Church of Nantes and Elias de Goulaines Lord de Loudoniere Elder in the Church of Vielle Vigne There came also with Letters of Commission from the Countrey of Bearn Master Isaac Balldraind Pastor of the Church of l'Escar and principal of the Colledge of the same place craving admission and priviledge of Voting in this Assembly which was granted him But the said Churches were exhorted for the future to join an Elder in Commission with that Pastor whom they shall depute unto our National Synods Master James Capel called otherwise du Tilloy Pastor of the Church of Sedan and the Lord Peter de Bury Elder of the same presented themselves as Deputies from the Churches of the Sovereignty of Sedan in this Assembly but were not admitted as representing a particular Province because they were Members of the Colloquy of Champagne yet it was granted them to assist in this Assembly when as matters concerning Doctrine and Discipline in general were debated and that they might in their turn propound what did particularly concern their Churches and University Prayers being ended and the Assembly proceeding to the choice of their Moderator Assessor and Scribe there came into the Synod the Deputies of the Commonalty and City of Rochell demanding to be admitted and to give their Vote in that Election as constituting a Province together with the other Provinces of the Kingdom especially when as any Affairs not relating to the Doctrine or Discipline of the Churches but for our common preservation should be treated This caused a very great debate and at last it being judged that this Assembly was purely Ecclesiastical and it being utterly uncertain whether any matters of another nature might be handled in it it was finally determined that the Moderator Assessor and Scribe should not be chosen but by such persons as were purely Ecclesiastical However those Deputies were admitted into the Synod and had their priviledge of Voting in it according to the Decree at Chastelleraut in case other matters fell under consideration Monsieur Beraut was Elected Moderator and Monsieur Merlin Assessor and to Gather and Record the Acts of this Synod Monsieur Rivet and Roy. In the Letters of Deputation that Clause of Approbation and Submission unto the Decrees of the Synod in no wise to be left out In reading the Letters of Deputation it was observed that those of certain Provinces wanted that clause which promised Approbation and Submission unto the Decrees and Resolutions of the Synod Whereupon they were all admonished In no wise for the future to omit it as being very necessary for the ratifying the Decrees of these Assemblies and of this our Brethren of Bearn are particularly to be informed Whereas the Pastors and Elders of divers Churches not deputed unto this Synod were yet very importunate to be admitted to the seeing and hearing of all matters transacted in it This Assembly considering that their number did daily and excessively increase which might at last cause confusion and other evil consequences in case every one should be indifferently received it was resolved that entrance should not be granted to any other besides the Deputies unless when as the General matters of Doctrine and Discipline should be debated And this Order shall hold good for the future nor shall they be suffered to be present at these debates who have no business calling them unto these Synods unless they produce a Certificate of Leave had from their Churches together with the time limited for their tarrying No Appeals shall be consider'd till the 7th day after the meeting and sitting of the Synod For as much as divers persons at the opening of the Synods are very importunate and thereby disturb the Order of Affairs pressing impatiently the dispatch of their own particular concerns because of the Expences they are inforc'd to make by a long Attendance Notice shall be given to the Churches that for time coming no Appeals shall be medled withal till the seventh day after the sitting of the Synod that so the parties concerned in them may not be over-hasty and that they may have fit time for their Appearance The Answers of his Highness the Prince Elector Palatine return'd unto the Letters of the Synod of Gap by which he had been intreated to endeavour the Uniting of the Protestant Churches being read as also those others from the Ecclesiastical Senate of the Palatinate from the University of Heidelberg from the Provincial Synods of Holland and Zeland from the County of Hannaw and the Classis of Lauzanna Morges Iverdon from the Canton of Bearn and Church of Geneva This Assembly having found evident Testimonials in them of their sincere affection to the seeking and procuring the Common Good How the Lutherans may be re-united see the Synod of Vitré part mat 27. and of Gap Gen. matt 11. and in special an intire Approbation of the Confession of Faith owned and received in the Churches of this Kingdom doth render most hearty thanks unto God for vouchsafing us so great a benefit well-hoping that by their persisting in it the Lord will be pleased graciously to touch the Hearts of them who as yet dissent from us and disagree with us to imbrace it also And all persons are exhorted to be mighty Wrestlers with God in humble and ardent Prayers that it may be effected The Letters also of Monsieur Regnault Pastor of the Church of Bourdeaux were read who was charged with those of the Synod of Gap when he went into Germany about his own private Affairs to be delivered unto those to whom they had been directed And because that such a Negotiation was not a little Incommodious to him and that upon his return he was summon'd personally and at his own charges
Civil Magistrate and in case any refuse obedience hereunto they shall be prosecuted by all Church-censures 45. Some moved how expedient it would be that our Academies were regulated according to the number of our Provinces and that the summs now demanded for augmentation of the Regents and Professors Sallaries was too great and particularly for that of Saumur But this Synod not having time enough at present to debate this matter doth require all the Provinces to consider of it against the meeting of the next National Synod And that our weaker and poorer Churches may be more comfortably relieved and supplied Those Churches who are better able to maintain a Colledge without any assistance from others or the publick are desired to bring in an Account of what can be done by them That so we may make the best estimate we can how to compleat and perfect our Universities And the Provinces next adjoining to our Universities are requested to have a most careful eye over them and to be responsable for them unto the next National Synod and of the diligence or neglects of duty by its Officers and Professors And till that time we do not judge meet to grant any augmentation to that of Saumur 46. The Deputies of divers Provinces moving that there might be particular Colledges erected in their respective Provinces for the educating of Youth in Humanity before they were sent unto our Universities This Assembly granteth them their request and that the eleven Provinces which have no Academy shall have each of them the summ of 100 Crowns for this very purpose And these Provinces are charged to bring in an Account unto the next National Synod how they have employed the said Moneys 47. Monsieur Vignier is intreated to study well that controversie about the great Antichrist and to bring in his work unto the next National Synod CHAP. VI. An Account of the Dividend of one hundred five and thirty thousand Livers given by his Majesty every year unto the Reformed Churches of this Kingdom Out of which great summ the Lord of Candal and his Commissary Monsieur de Visouze shall make payment of these lesser summs here under mentioned in manner and form following and at the times appointed and this according to those Articles of Agreement made betwixt him and the Lords General Deputies of our Churches in the National Synod of Gap 1603. To the Universities  L. S. D. To the University of Montauban 3333 6 8 To that of Saumur 3333 6 8 To that of Montpellier 1500 0 0 To that of Nismes 1833 0 0 To that of Sedan 2400 0 0 To the L. L. General Deputies To the Lords General Deputies officiating at Court for us 1650 Livers being one half of 3300 Livers which added to 10200 Livers taken out of the lesser Accompt do make up 13500 Livers which is their allotted yearly Sallery The remaining moitay of the said 3300 Livers the Lord of Candal is to receive out of the Moneys ordered for the payment of our Garisons and by him to be paid into the said L. L General Deputies To Ministers To the Province of Provence there shall be paid in the summ of 2181 l. 12 s for 17 Churches including in it 300 l. overpluss assigned to them To the Province of Brittany the summ of 2403 l. for 19 Churches including in it 300 l. overpluss assigned to them To the Province of Burgundy the summ of 4727 l. 4. s for 40 Churches including in it the sum of 300 l. overpluss To the Province of Vivaretz the summ of 3399 l. 2 s for 28 Churches including in it also 300 l. overplus To the Lower Guienne the summ of 8269 l. 4 s for 72 Churches including in it the like summ of 300 l. To the Lower Languedock the summ of 11842 l. 10 s for 107 Churches To the Province of Poictou the summ of 5613 l. for 48 Churches taking in the 300 l. overpluss To the Isle of France Picardy Champagne and Beausse the summ of 7827 l. 10 s for 68 Churches including the 300 overpluss To the Province of Xaintonge the summ of 7937 l. 6 s for 69 Churches taking in the 300 l. overpluss To the Province of Anjou for 29 Churches the summ of 3209 l. 16. s To the province of Higher Languedoc and Higher Guienne for 94 Churches the summ of 10404 l. 10 s To the Province of Orleans and Berry for 36 Churches the summ of 4284 l. 10 s including the 300 l. over pluss To the Province of Dolphiny the summ of 8933 l. 10 s for 78 Churches taking in the 300 l. overpluss To the Province of Normandy the summ of 6166 l. 6 s for 53 Churches taking in the 300 l. overpluss And this whole summ shall be paid in by three equal portions unto the Universities the Lords General Deputies and to the Receivers of the Provinces at the time and manner following Viz. The portions of the Isle of France Picardy Brie Champagne Beausse Normandy Anjou Orleans Poitiers Lower Guyenne Higher Languedoc and Higher Guienne the Universities in the said Provinces being included into the hands of their Receivers who shall be appointed by them The first payment to be made the first of July next coming the second on the second day of October following and the third on the last of January in the year 1608. And for the Isle of France Picardy Brie and Champagne in the City of Paris For Normandy in the City of Rouan For Orleans and Berry at Orleans for Poictou at Poictiers for the Lower Guienne at Bourdeaux for Higher Guienne and Higher Languedoc at Montauban and for Anjou in the City of Tours including in it the University of Saumur And the portions due unto the Provinces of Provence Lower Languedoc Brittany and Xaintonge into the hands of the Receivers who shall be appointed by them at three equal payments the first at the end of July the second at the end of October and the third at the end of February in the year 1608. viz. for Lower Languedoc and the Universities of Montpellier and Nismes in the City of Montpellier for Brittain at Nants for Xaintonge at Rochel for the Provinces of Burgundy and Dolphiny and Vivaretz in the City of Lions The two first payments shall be maid at the Fairs in August and Allhollantide of this present year and the last upon twelfth day immediately after And the said Provinces shall be obliged to appoint and name in every one of those before mentioned Cities a particular House whereunto the said Lord of Candal may come and make payment of the said Moneys October Quarter for Ministers shall be paid out of the Moneys of the said Quarter by the said Lord of Candal  L. S. D. To the Province of Provence for 17 Churches 0756 18 6 To the Province of Brittany for 19 Churches 0846 00 0 To the Province of Burgundy for 40 Churches 1781 00 0 To the Province of Vivaretz for 28 Churches 1246 14 0 To Lower Guienne
Paris And the two Writings prepared upon the aforesaid Memoirs presented to and answered before his Majesties Council together with the Letters Patents for the executing of those Answers with which Writings to wit Memoirs of Castelheraud Letters of Exemption and the Original of the answered Writings Monsieur de Mirande was intrusted to whom those who may need them shall apply themselves And the said Monsieur de Crois was acquitted and discharged of all those Writings and he farther engaged to put into the hands of the said Monsieur de Mirande the other Writings which remain at Paris and particularly those concerning our Affairs with Monsieur Palott of all which upon his delivery of them he shall be discharged These Acts were subscribed by Beraud Moderator Merlin Assessor Scribes Andrew Rivett and Roy The End of the Third Synod of Rochel THE Acts Decisions and Decrees OF THE XIXth National Synod OF The Reformed Churches OF FRANCE Held in the Town of St. Maixant in the Province of Poictou In the Year of our Lord 1609. The Contents of the Synod of St. Maixant 1609. The 19th Synod Cap. 1. DEputies to the Synod The Provinces of Dolphiny and Vivaretz censured Deputy of Sedan excluded Synodical Officers chosen A Canon about Pastors not deputed Cap. 2. Observations on the Confession approved and sworn Cap. 3. Observations on the Discipline A Canon for receiving proposans into the Ministry 2 3 4. Ministers not to study Chymistry 6. A Case about Baptizing of sick Children Notes on the 20th Article of the 14th Chapter 12. the Discipline sworn Cap. 4. Observations on the National Synod of Rochel Of Monks quitting their Convents 4. Monsieur Chamier commended 6. Mitigation of a Canon in favour of the Children of poor Ministers 8. Monsieur Vignier commended for his Theatre of Antichrist 9. Cap. 5. Of Appeals A deposed Minister never to be restored 1 13. A Deputy and no Deputy 5. the case of Monsieur le Blanc Minister of Lions 8. The Widdow of a deceased Minister shall be paid her Annuity from the day of his death 12. A difference between two Ministers composed 20. Three Churches to be visited 23. Divisions in the Church of Orleans cemented 27. A scandalous Minister censured 28. Cap. 6. General matters A Case of Conscience 4. Canon about briguing for Deputations unto Synods 5. A deposed Minister most severely censured 7. An Order for maimed Souldiers having the Cross on their back 10. Of Attestations 11. Act for a National Fast. 12. A subtle and crafty Schismatick to be carefully watched 14. A Case about Baptism administred by a deposed Minister whether valid 16. What to do when Marriage-banes are forbidden 17. A Pocket-Bible designed for the Press 18. Whether a Minister may press a person to discover a secret crime unto the Magistrate 20. Ministers appointed to study some particular Controversies in the several Provinces Cap. 7. Of Universities The Universities of Montauban Nismes and Montpellier censured 1 2. The Duke of Sully's Colledge of Boisbelle 8. Cap. 8. Particular Orders Letters unto the Judges in the mixt Court of Castres 5. A poor Minister relieved 8. the Seignory of Geneva can pretend no right to the Natives of their City Ministers in France 11. Complaints against the Ministers of Mants and Fontainbleau 23. Copies of the Acts of the National Synods not to be communicated 26. A Controversie moved by de Royer and terminated by this Synod 35. Cap. 9. An Order for calling the next National Synod Cap. 10. The Roll of deposed Ministers Cap. 11. Moneys divided among the Churches Cap. 12. A Catalogue of the Churches having portions out of the King's Money Cap. 13. Account of the Dividend for the three first Quarters Cap. 14. Account of Moneys given upon particular occasions THE Synod of St. Maixant In the Name of God! CHAP. I. The Acts of the National Synod of the Reformed Churches in the Kingdom of France held at St. Maixant the 25th of May and divers days following in the Year of our Lord One thousand six hundred and nine wherein presented themselves as Deputies from all the Provinces the Pastors and Elders who are hereafter named to wit FOR Provence Provence Monsieur Peter Chalier Pastor of the Church of Seynise and Bartholomew Recener Pastor of the Church or Merindol together with Elias de Glandevez younger Son of the House of Puymichell Lord of St. Ajon Elder of the Church in Puymichell and Peter Texier Elder of the Church of Lormarin or Rouangis For the Province of Dolphiny Dolphiny Master John Vulson Lord de la Columbiere Pastor of the Church de la Mure and John Felix Pastor of the Church of Grenoble together with Charles Martyn Lord of Champoleon Elder of the Church of Champoleon and Francois de la Combe Elder of the Church of St. Marcelin chosen in the last Synod of their Province and the said Lord de Champoleon not appearing Monsieur Jacob Videl Elder of the Church of Brianson presented himself who was chosen in the preceding Synod but was not informed of the alteration made in its last Sessions Whereupon this Assembly judged the said Province worthy of Censure for not having acquainted the said Videl with their change And there having been given an honourable Testimony unto the said Videl by the Deputies of the Province he was admitted to give his deliberative Vote until the coming of the aforementioned Lord de Champoleon after which he may return to his own home but the expences of his jourrley shall be defrayed by the Province Yet at his intreaty the Synod gave him his choice either to tarry or depart Vivaretz and Vellay For the Province of Vivaretz and Vellay Monsieur Daniel Richard Pastor of the Church of Choillar and John du Roure Elder of the Church of Aubenas who Reporting the excuses mentioned also in the Letters of their Province for their repeated failure in the number of their Deputies they not sending four the Synod did not at all approve of them but upon promise made by them in the name of their Province to perform their duty in time to come they were on this condition admitted for this time though censure was past upon the Province and accordingly executed on them the said Deputies that for the three first days of Session they should be deprived of their deliberative Votes in it Lower Languedoc For the Province of Lower Languedoc Monsieur Jeremy Ferrier Pastor of the Church of Nismes and Monsieur John Chauve Pastor of the Church of Sommiers together with William Girard Lord of Moussac Elder of the Church of Nismes and John James du Crois Lord de la Combe Elder of the Church of Mompellier For the Province of Lower Guyenne â—erigort and Limousin Monsieur Jeremy Bauconis Pastor of the Church of Tonneins and Isaac Sylvius Pastor of the Church of Clerac together with John de Vertueil Lord of Mallerett Elder in the Church of Burdeaux and Jacob des Mais
Afflicted Condition and they should not therefore be excluded Communion at the Lord's Table But withall they be advised to take special care that in Church-Meetings they do avoid all occasions of giving offence unto the weak Members Advice for Pastors about Attestations to be granted unto Officers in Garrisons or Courts of the Edict 12. Ministers in giving their Attestations unto them who would be provided of Offices as Governours and Lieutenants of places in our Cautionary Towns the places of Surety granted us by the King or of Offices in the Courts of the Edict shall be exceeding careful that the 23th Article of General Matters in the National Synod of Rochel be fully observed and those who do act otherwise shall be suspended from their Ministry for one whole year 13. Divers Provinces complaining of the general contempt of the blessed Gospel of our Lord Jesus of the Blasphemies Debauches and Prophaneness universally abounding among us of the woful decays of Faith and Charity threatning us with a deluge of Divine Wrath ready to break in upon us for the ungodliness and unrighteousness of men and that therefore it 's most needful to appoint a day of solemn publick Prayer and Fasting to be kept in all the Churches of this Kingdom for their extraordinary humiliation before God and the averting of his Judgments from us This Assembly ordaineth that it shall be celebrated in all our Churches the first Tuesday of November next ensuing which will be the fifth day of the same month 14. That hereafter there may be a General Uniformity in the Churches of this Kingdom in the Administration of the Lord's Supper and all scruples by reason of difference and singularity arising in weak but honest hearts uncapable of distinguishing between the Substance and Circumstance of the Sacred Action may be prevented all Pastors are enjoyned to abstain from any new or private Methods of their own as of reading the words of Institution between the ordinary long Prayer and that appointed particularly for this Sacrament which ought indeed to be read after nor shall they whilst reading the words of Institution uncover the Bread and Wine nor shall they bring the people up in ranks unto the Table there to sit or stand whereas they should cause the faithful to pass one after another up unto it nor shall the Exhortations or Thansgivings be made till that the Elements have been distributed among the Communicants of every Table nor shall the Cup be given by the faithful one unto another it being contrary to the express Letter of a Canon of our Discipline which ordaineth Pastors if possible or if they cannot the Elders to assist the Pastor tired by the multitude of Communicants in populous Churches to deliver it And Colloquies and Synods shall have their Eyes over those who act contrary to this Order and reduce them to their duty by all befitting Censures 15. Colloquies and Synods shall use their best discretion in the exercise of Discipline upon those persons who that they may inflame our Churches raise and foment Divisions in them do get into Offices of Judicature do plead for those Incendiaries and procure them Monopolies and secret Subscriptions under Hand and Seal 16. The province of the Isle of France demanding that the poorer Churches might be relieved out of our common Stock The inconveniencies having been well considered in case a General Order about this matter should be enacted This Assembly doth as that of Rochel did before it leave it wholly to the prudence and charity of the several Provinces to see that what is done herein do make for Edification 17. The Deputies of Xaintonge propounding this Question Whether a Baptism administred by a deposed Minister at the request and in the presence of the whole Church were valid This Synod judgeth that in case the deposed Minister had presented his Appeal unto a National Synod the Baptism were valid and ought not to be reiterated But nevertheless if any such Deposed Minister shall hereafter presume to Administer any publick Ordinances he shall be denounced Excommunicate immediately 18. The Deputies of Poictou demanding how they should act where the Banes of Marriage were forbidden before the last time of Publishing This Assembly judged that in case the opposition were made without Authority from the Civil Magistrates the Consistories might continue their Publication but otherwise not unless the Magistrate should only forbid the Celebration of that Marriage and not the Publishing of the Banes 19. The Deputies of Xaintonge informed this Assembly that the Printer of Rochel designed with our approbation a new Impression of the Bible in a Lesser Volume more Commodious and that might be easily carried any where in the pocket and forasmuch as divers Godly persons desired there might be an Index added to it of those Texts which were most proper and pertinent for confirming the Truth and confuting Error This Synod approved the undertaking because of its singular usefulness and intreated Monsieur Merlin to see it accomplished which also he promised to perform 20. The Deputies of Poictou craved remedy against that evil custom in divers Churches of sending their Pastors without Elders unto Colloquies and Provincial Synods This Assembly replied that no general Order could be well decreed in this Case and therefore left the whole unto the prudence of the provinces A Minister may not press any to discover a secret Crime unto the Civil Magistrate 21. A Case was proposed How a Minister might govern himself when injoyned by the Magistrate to press those who were privy to any notorious Crime to reveal it It was answered that he was under no obligation of obedience unto such commands no more than he was to discover the secret passages and transactions of the Consistory Wherefore all Pastors are admonished to take no notice of any such injunctions and the Churches are ordered to stand by them in case for this their refusal their Ministers should be prosecuted by the Superiour Civil Powers 22. The Province of Anjou made this Proposal that it were expedient the Provinces should nominate some worthy Ministers particularly to Study controversies and in every Province some one to be most prepared for the defence of one particular Truth opposed by our Adversaries The Assembly approved and embraced the motion and divided the controversies among the Provinces in this ensuing Order To wit 1. To Poictou de verbo Dei Scripto non Scripto 2. To Anjou de Christo Pontifice Antichristo 3. To Xaintonge de Ecclesiâ Conciliis 4. To Orleans and Berry de Ministrorum vocatione gradibus potestate Clavium 5. To the Isle of France de Monachis Clericis Laiciss 6. To Provence de Limbo Patrum Infantium Purgatorio 7. To Normandy de sanctorum beatitudine Invocatione reliquis Angelorum Hierarchiis cultu Ministerio 8. To the Higher Languedoc de Sacramentis in genere de veris in specie 9. To the Lower Guyenne de sacrificio
hundred and fifty Livers and three Sous By the Province of Normandy one thousand Livers By the Province of Xaintonge one thousand thirty six Livers All which said sums of Money shall be delivered into the Consistory of the Church of Grenoble and distributed according to the advice of those Colloquies named in the Provincial Synod of Dolphiny and the Accounts of the said distribution shall be brought in to that Synod and by it tender'd unto the next National Synod and the other Moneys already received or hereafter to be received from the Provinces not mentioned in this Act shall de disposed of in the same manner 2. The Lords Governors of our Cautionary Towns are intreated by this Assembly and shall be exhorted by the Pastors of those Churches whereunto they do belong to bear their part and share in all charges and expences for the common publick concernments of our Churches and to bepaid out of the Moneys which are assigned them and particularly to allow a Sous in the Liver of those Moneys which have been formerly given to our Lords the General Deputies who be discharged from that defalcation As also to bear part in the losses of the years 1604 1605 and 1606 their whole part amounting but to two thousand four hundred twenty seven Livers and six Sous 4. Report being made of what was offered by the Lords du Pradel Rocheblave and Ricard about the Commission for Receiving our Moneys granted by his Majesty to the Churches of this Kingdom This Assembly having well pondered all those matters and circumstances and heard the Lord du Candal speaking of the said Commission which was grounded on the Contract of Gap which he hath most faithfully discharged judgeth that they cannot in the least remove the said Lord du Candal from his Office and Trust but confirm and continue him in it yet nevertheless thanks were returned unto the said Lords du Pardel Rocheblanc and Ricard for their singular affection and respect to the well-being of our poor Churches 4. It is decreed that the former Order in the distribution of Moneys according to the number of Pastors in each Province shall be observed excepting only when as the poorer Provinces are to be gratified by reason of the number of their Churches the portions assigned to them not being sufficient for them Henceforward in all Rolls brought from the Provinces unto these National Synods for their portions of Money to be distributed among them no other names shall be allowed of Pastors but such as are in actual service or that be disabled by age or infirmities together with those of our Students in Divinity without mentioning the Churches unprovided for And it 's left unto Synods to take care of the poorer Provinces to order for them according as they shall see needful These Original Acts and Decrees of the National Synod of St. Maixant begun the 25th of May and ended the 19th of June 1609. were thus signed by Merlin Moderator Ferrier Assessor Scribes Rivet and Pradel CHAP. XII A Catalogue of the Churches from whom there it Allowance given out of the King's Moneys till the next National Synod 1. THE Province of Xaintonge hath sixty four Pastors in actuals service one portion for Monsieur Picard six Proposans in all 71. 71. 2. Anjou hath 21 Pastors in actual service three Churches vacant and three Proposans in all 27. 27. 3. The Higher Languedoc hath 74 Pastors in actual service five Churches to be supplied two portions for Foix one portion for Jouarre seven Proposans in all 84. 84. 4. Orleans hath 25 Pastors in actual service five vacant Churches and six Proposans in all 36. 36. 5. Dolphiny hath sixty four Pastors in actual service three Emeriti eight vacant Churches eight Proposans in all 83. 83. 6. Normandy hath thirty Pastors in actual service two Emeriti six vacant Churches six Proposans and one portion supernumerary in all 51. 51. 7. Provence hath seven Pastors in actual service seven vacant Churches three proposans and three supernumerary portions in all 20. 20. 8. Brittany hath 8 Pastors in actual service six vacant Churches four Proposans two supernumerary portions in all 20. 20 9. Burgundy hath 29 Pastors in actual service six vacant Churches three Proposans three supernumerary portions and four portions for Maringues and Paillac in all 46. 46. 10. Vivaretz hath twenty three Pastors in actual service five vacant Churches three Proposans one portion for the Church of Vaurdy two supernumerary for the Church of Aubenas in all 34. 034. 11. Lower Guyenne hath 65 Pastors in actual service two portions for Mr. Baduel one vacant Church and five Proposans in all 73. 073. 12. The Lower Languedoc hath 95 Pastors in actual service six Proposans three portions for Issoire one supernumerary for Maruegues in all 105. 105. 13. Poictou hath one and forty Pastors in actual service four vacant Churches three Proposans in all 48. 048. 14. The Isle of France c. hath 47 Pastors in actual service two Emeriti two vacant Churches seven portions for Mantes and Fountainbleau six Proposans in all 64. 064. In all 762. CHAP. XIII An Account of the Dividend in the three first Quarters For our Universities Montauban 2450. Saumur 4190. Montpellier 1250. Nismes 1250. Sedan 1500. nbsp 10640. To our General Deputies at Court 01650. To the Pastors of Churches  l. s. d. In Provence 2508 18 6 In Brittany 2508 18 6 In Burgundy 5380 10 6 In Vivaretz 4055 03 6 In Lower Guyenne 8302 10 6 In Lower Languedoc 11526 16 0 In Poictou 5601 08 6 In Xaintonge 8141 14 6 In Anjou 2982 01 6 In Higher Languedoc 9277 09 6 In Orleans and Berry 4276 01 6 For the Colledge of Gergeau 1508 00 0 In Dolphiny 9467 01 0 In Normandy 5932 15 0 In the Isle of France 7368 11 6 The total sum is 88960 10 0 In these sums are included the hundred Crowns given to every one of the Provinces for their respective Schools and Colledges to wit to Provence Brittany Burgundy Vivaretz Lower Guyenne Poictou Xaintonge Berry Dolphiny Normandy and the Isle of France The Quarter of October for our Pastors  l. s. d. Provence 0885 16 06 Brittany 0885 16 06 Burgundy 2037 08 00 Vivaretz 1505 18 00 Lower Guyenne 3233 05 04 Lower Languedoc 4650 11 09 Poictou 2126 00 00 Xaintonge 3144 14 00 Anjou 1195 17 04 Higher Guyenne 3720 09 04 Orleans 1594 09 04 Dolphiny 3676 03 06 Normandy 2258 17 00 The Isle of France 2834 13 00 The total sum is 33750 00 00 The Assembly having long waited for news of the Sieurs Ferrier Fiefbrun and de Malleret whom they had Deputed unto his Majesty about that affair before mentioned and committed to their management but finding that they passed the time limited them and being now resolved to conclude this meeting did give order unto the Lords our General deputies to prosecute that business at Court and to present his Majesty with our most humble petition about
more advantagiously promote the common Weal of our Churches the repose and happiness of the State and the establishment of their Majesties Authority And the like Letters to the same purpose shall be written to the Lords of Chastillion of Parabere to the Dukes of Rohan and of Sully to the Dukes of Soubize and de la Force and to the Lord du Plessis from this Assembly to acquaint them with our desires and invitations in the name and behalf of all our Churches to joyn in with the Lords Dukes of Bouillon and de les Diguieres and that as we had exhorted these so we do earnestly exhort their Lordships also to quit and forego their own particular Resentments and Discontents and that as formerly they have so they would be pleased now and evermore to testifie their zeal and affection for the Weal and Repose of our poor Churches and that they would demean themselves with a generous frankness and integrity in their mutual Correspondence and Re-union one with the other that being united in a perfect Bond of Charity they may with conjoyned Forces promote and advance the Kingdom of our Lord Jesus Letters also shall be written unto the Lady Dutchess of Tremouille intreating her in the name of all our Churches to continue her endeavours in mediating the said Peace and Re-union and to give her thanks for her singular care in the Education of her Children in the True Religion and in the Fear of God and in Love and Affection to our Churches hoping and praying that they may hereafter prove excellent and useful Instruments of God's glory and of the Churches good And it shall be protested to all and every one of those Lords in the name and behalf of our Churches in the said Letters directed to them of our Intention and Resolution to consider honour and value them according to their Families Qualities Dignities and Merits as being the most honourable Members of our Body And the said Letters shall be presented them to wit unto the Lords of Bouillon and of les Diguieres of Chastillion and to the Lady Dutchess of Tremouille by the immediate hands of our General Deputies Those for the Lord Duke of Rohan and my Lord of Soubize by the Lords Barons of Saujon and Bonnet Deputies for the Province of Xaintonge who shall also acquaint them particularly from this Assembly with our sentiments desires and designs exhorting them to approve of them and to consent unto them and they shall be intreated to declare freely their thoughts of the whole that so the General Deputies may be out of hand advised and allured of it The Letter to the Lord Duke of Sully shall be tendered by Monsieur de l'Isle Grossat Deputy for the Province of Berry That to the Lord de Plessis by the Sieurs Perillau Vigneux and Ferrand Deputies of the Province of Anjou That for the Lord de la Force by the Sieurs de Brassalay and du Hau Deputies of Bearne That for the Lord de la Parabere by the Sieurs de Cuville and Cognac Deputies of Poictou And all these Gentlemen are charged with one and the same Message as above-mentioned only they may make such additions as their zeal and dexterity shall judge to be most conducing to the Weal and Perfection of so glorious a work Moreover this Assembly intreateth and exhorteth that for God's sake and the glory of his great name and their own salvation and for the peace and welfare of the Nation yea it adjures by all that is desirable or commendable the whole Body of our Communion in general and every faithful Soul in particular to divest themselves of all Animosities whatsoever and to lop off immediately all dissolutions and dissentions lest they should be the causes of the dissipation of the Churches of God in this Kingdom which have been planted in the Blood of infinite Martyrs and preserved by the Zeal and Concord of our Fathers and that they would at length open their Eyes and see and consider that the Churches Enemies bottom all their designs of ruining us upon our own Intestine Dissentions and that by reason of these we are become very little and exceeding despicable with our Adversaries And all Pastors and Elders of Churches are enjoyned diligently to procure the Re-union of the respective Members of their Flocks and to lend one another their helping-hand to effect so good a work and mightily to insist upon it in their puâ—lick Sermons and private Exhortations and Remonstrances And in case they should meet with contempt scorn and reproach in the discharge of this their duty and that any one through an obdurate perverseness should shew himself implacable and irreconcilable This Assembly according to that Authority which the Great God gives unto the Ministers of his holy Word denounceth to them the dreadful Judgments of God and wisheth that they may be had in Execration among and by all the Faithful yea all the ensures of the Church shall be exerted against such Refractory persons and the utmost rigour of our Discipline shall be inflicted and executed upon them lest the good Name of God should be blasphemed through our sins and that we may not contract upon our selves the guilt of the Churches desolation but rather that b the Bond of Peace and Fraternal Union the Church of God may send forth a sweet perfume among our Adversaries and his holy Name may be blessed and glorified by the Children of men 9. And whereas in the prosecution of the said Re-union the several persons before mentioned to be employed in it must needs be at considerable Expence this Assembly leaveth that Affair unto the prudence of our Lords the General Deputies who shall apply themselves to the Lord of Candall with this our Order to disburse Moneys for their necessary Charges And the Lords the General Deputies at Court are ordered to complain unto their Majesties that the Moneys granted by them by way of Augmentation unto our Churches are not paid nor have we the disposal or management or receipt of them and they shall again by word of mouth renew their former Instances and vigorously importune that the said Augmentation-Moneys and all other sums belonging to us may be put into such hands as shall wholly depend upon our Churches that so according to the Warrants granted us for the said Moneys and according to the Promise made us they may be paid in unto us without any defalcation or diminutions and that our poor Churches may be cased of that Penny in the Liver which the Receivers attribute unto themselves and their condition bettered if may be And as to what sums have been advanced by the aforesaid Lords Deputies notice shall be given thereof unto the Provinces CHAP. XII A Warrant signed for 45000 l. for the Churches FRiday the 22th of June the Lord de Rouvray produced in this Assembly the Original Grant of Augmentation of five and forty thousand Livers which it hath pleased His Majesty to bestow upon
to be kept by Monsieur Ligonnier in his hands was declared null and rejected and the act of that Synod was ordered to be put in execution and made effectual 42. The Sieur Collinet appealing from the decree of the Provincial Synod of Burgundy this Assembly ordained that that Province should defray the expences of his journey to Court because he was sent thither to carry the verbal process of the Churches of Chaalons Paray c. 43. The Consistory of Mornac appealed from the Decree of the Synod of Xaintonge which had ordained that the said Church should pay unto the Sieur Cocque their Pastor his arrears due unto him from them but this their appeal was rejected by this Assembly who also injoin the said Church to make full payment unto him of his just dues or otherwise they should be deprived of the Sacred Ministry of the Gospel by the next Colloquy of the Isles or by the Provincial Synod who have all authority given them so to do from this Assembly 44. The Sieur Suffran appealed from the Colloquy of Lionnois which had suspended him from his Ministry to which he saith he submitted purely out of fear This Assembly having heard the Deputies of that Colloquy and the arguments of the said Suffran comprised in a Script of His presented to us finds the Colloquy to have judged prudently and piously in every particular of their Sentence and ordaineth that he be provided of a Church as soon as may be in the Province of Lower Languedoc or in some neighbour Province and that in the mean while a portion of Moneys allotted unto the Pastors shall be detained in the hands of the Lord du Candal to be paid unto him With this condition that when as he shall be provided of a Church that portion shall be put upon the score of the Province wherein it lieth and he officiates CHAP. VIII General Matters 1. THE Province of Higher Languedoc and Guyenne proposed that a most humble Petition might be tender'd by them unto their Majesties that they would be pleased to grant unto their Ministers a full maintenance This Synod is of opinion that it were more proper for a Politick Provincial Assembly to make this request than for us which are but an Ecclesiastical 2. The same Province moved another case Whether Consistories might be allowed to give in evidence unto the Civil Magistrate against insolent and outragious persons abusing their Pastors or Elders who called them according to the Duty of their Places before them This answer was returned that that Canon of our Discipline forbidding the discovery unto a Civil Judicature of matters transacted in the Consistory ought not to be restrained to the sole confessions of Crimes but is to be understood in the most comprehensive sence of all things whatsoever excepting only such riots and outrages whose fact being notorious it may be lawful to inform the Magistrate of But as for outragious words of what kind soever they may be Consistories shall apply the censures of the Church to redress and reform them 3. The Province of Higher Guyenne requested that there might be a particular Canon made for removing Elders from their office in the Churches 1614. The 21th Synod and that the time of their coming in and going out might be fixt and limited This Assembly Judgeth that this matter should be left to the prudence of Provincial Synods But nevertheless it ordaineth that if an Elder be deputed unto a National Synod by his Province he shall continue in his office tho the term thereof be expired until such time as he have discharged the trust reposed in him and shall have given an account unto the Province of those affairs concredited to him and dispatched by him in that National Synod 4. Forasmuch as divers Provinces have remonstrated that by Reason of the continuance and growth of ungodliness we be daily threatned with the most dreadful Judgments of God and that there is an indispensable necessity of extraordinary prayers unto the throne of Grace for the prosperity of their Majesties and for imploring the good blessing of God upon the beginning and progress of the Kings personal Government who will be very shortly declared Major and that the publick weal of the State may be promoted the Peace and Union of our Churches more firmly stablished that therefore we be called out to celebrate a publick Fast in all the Churches of this Kingdom This Assembly for these causes now-mentioned doth appoint the fourth day of this next September to be observed generally in all the Churches of this Kingdom as a day of Solemn Prayer Humiliation and Fasting And as for those extraordinary Prayers which are used 't is left unto the Churches prudence where they be in use either to continue them or lay them down 5. The Deputies of Berry demanding some alteration in that Canon of the National Synod of Rochell concerning Monks 3 Rochel g. m. 16. See St. Maixant ob 4 upon the same Synod who forsaking their Convents were to be sent back unto their respective Provinces Because it lays a very burdensom charge upon the poor Churches which are utterly unable to Support under it This Assembly Judged it not their duty to make any change in that Canon only it adviseth the Provinces to be very circumspect in their reception of such persons and in the dispensation of their charities lest they become a charge unto the Provinces which do already need relief 6. At the request of the Provincial Deputies of Burgundy and Orleans 2 Syn. of Vitré g. m. 38. our Lords the General Deputies are intreated and exhorted and also by this Assembly to get those Letters Patents for exempting the Pastors of our Churches from all taxes and other subsidies verified they having been already granted And the Deputies of the Provinces in this Synod are charged to carry back this same Petition unto their Mixt Provincial Assemblies that so they may joyn their most humble requests with those of the General Assembly in case it be not done before the time of their meeting 7. The Province of Dolphiny desired that those words Prestre and Préstrise in the 5th Section of our Catechism might be changed into those of Sacrificateur and Sacrificateure because none questioned their sence and meaning and for that words were received by common usage The Assembly did not Judge it any wise convenient to alter these words 8. At the request of divers Provinces it was ordained that our National Synods should not only not innovate any thing in the confession of Faith Catechism Liturgy and Discipline of our Churches unless the matter had been first Proposed by one or more Provinces but also unless it were a thing of very great importance nor should that be resolved on till such time as all the Provinces being duely informed of it had first debated it at home in their respective Synods and if it so happen that any of them shall have considered of it before the
to the Decree of the National Synod of Privas the Province of Normandy have payed their debt unto Monsieur Vatablé and the Moneys were deposited for him into the hands of the Deputies of Poictou See the 5th Article after the Roll of names 2 Vitré obs 7. upon the Synod 36. The Letters of the King of great Britain received at the opening of this Assembly and those from the Church of Geneva and those which were since its Session sent from his Highness the Prince Elector Palatine and from the Lord Mareschal Duke of Bouillon to it being read as also the Letters of Monsieur Moulin and Tilenus treating of the difference between them The Assembly deputed certain Pastors to peruse the Inventory transmitted us from the Professor Tilenus and Monsieur du Moulin's Confession of Faith about the effects of the Personal Union who made report that the said Inventory contained certain terms and modes of speech that were uncouth and improper yet imputed unto the said Monsieur du Moulin as his and extracted out of a Conference held with him at Paris whereof they could not make any Judgment unless they had sight of the Original or at least of a Copy of its Acts exactly and well collationed And as for the confession of the said Monsieur du Moulin sent unto this Assembly they do find it for its substance orthodox and wide enough from all suspicion of Eutychianism Nestorianism Samosatenianism and Ubiquitism Wherefore that this difference may be totally extinguished and a most sincere reconciliation effected between the divided Parties this Assembly ordained that all the Printed Copies of the Professor Tilenus his Book and that Manuscript before mention Styled the Inventory as also the Latin and French Books written by the said Monsieur du Moulin relating unto this Question shall be sent to Saumur and deposited with the Lord du Plessis Marly that so the remembrance of this contention may be for ever buried in oblivion And Monsieur du Moulin and the Professor Tilenus are exhorted by this Assembly to meet together on the same day and at the same place in Saumur where the Pastors of the neighbouring Churches together with the Pastors of that Church and the Professors of that University may be summoned in together who with the said Lord du Plessis shall endeavour a firm Union in Doctrine between these two persons and a sincere forgetfulness of all Matters past betwixt them And in the mean while Monsieur du Moulin is exhorted to continue his labors in his Church with that same zeal and greatness of Spirit as heretofore and to take courage and comfort unto himself from that Approbation and Testimonial which hath been and is still given him for the orthodoxy of his Faith and soundness of his Doctrin And report shall be made of these methods and means used by us unto His Majesty the King of great Britain to his Highness the Prince Elector Palatin to the Lord Duke of Bouillon in our Letters of answer to them particularly together with our humble requests unto his Majesty of great Britain to his Electoral Highness the Prince Palatin and to the Lord Mareschal Duke of Bouillon that they would be pleased by their Authority to oblige the said Monsieur Tilenus personally to ingage in this Interview and conference and to command that the before-mentioned Printed Books and Manuscripts which may have past out of this Kingdom into their Dominions may be all called in and suppressed And this also shall be inserted in our answer unto the Church of Geneva 37. This Assembly ordaineth that the portion of the Sieur du Moulin Pastor of the Church at Orleans shall be discharged of all Taxes and Costs upon the Provinces See the 4th Article after the names of the Deputies and paid in unto him full and free 38. Master Hume formerly Pastor of the Church of Duras having found on his return home from Scotland and England his said Church provided of another Pastor and the Province not calling him unto another Church he is declared free by this Assembly to serve in any other place where God shall call him either in the same or in any other Province of this Kingdom 39. This Assembly having been read and heard the Letters and arguments of Achilles Bonhout which prevailed with him not to remove his son from the Jesuites school and that the consistory of the Church of Lions cannot in the least compel him to it doth Judge them null and commands the said Consistory to inflict upon him and all others that shall be guilty of the like scandal the severest Censures of the Church according to our Discipline 40. The Church of Metz by their Letter bearing date the tenth of May and received the second of June petitioned this Assembly to send them such a Pastor out of the Churches of this Kingdom as It Judged would most contribute to their Edification and if It thought good either Monsieur Chevillette Minister of Vitry or Monsieur de la Cloche Minister of the Church of Moysi both of them in the Isle of France This Assembly left the consideration of this matter unto the said Province and prayed them in their next Synod to gratifie the Church of Metz CHAP. X. Of Colledges and Vniversities 1. MOnsieur Joly one of the Pastors of the Church of Montauban made report in this Assembly that for divers months last past he hath took upon him the profession of the Hebrew Language and for the benefit of the University and the assistance of Moniseur Tenant he desires to continue in it requesting that the hundred Livers remaining of the four hundred assigned unto Professors of the holy Language might be granted him Monsieur Tenant receiving only three hundred of those four The Council of the University having joyned with the said Joly in his Petition this Assembly granted them their demand and exhorted the said Monsieur Joly to acquit himself worthily of this his new Employment which he also promised See above 12. obs upon thè former Syn. 2. Monsieur Elias Alba Mayor of Bergerac having on behalf of the Corporation of the said Town performed the Condition proposed to them by this Synod and brought an Act of the Town-house dated the twelfth day of this month by which the whole Bench and Common-Council of that Town assembled together do give him full power to declare that upon our Order for payment of the sum of 1500 Livers out of the Moneys granted by His Majesty unto the Churches of this Kingdom they would yield up their whole Right in the King 's Writ of Grant of the said sum unto the disposal of this holy Synod which also is most humbly petitioned by them to give them the Grant thereof for the maintenance of their Colledge This Assembly commending their submission unto the Ordinance of our Churches and in consideration of their Importunity and for the benefit of their Colledge doth grant unto them the sum of twelve
was before declared Out of which summ deducting the Sous in the Liver which amounted to 141 l. 19 s there remained 2697 l. which was divided among the Provinces in manner following  L. S. D. To the Province of Lower Guyenne 299 10 00 To the Province of Higher Languedoc 303 00 00 To the Province of Sevennes 194 08 00 To the Lower Languedoc 194 09 00 To Provence 78 14 00 To Vivaretz 134 15 00 To Dolphiny 314 8 00 To Burgundy 199 16 00 To the Isle of France 237 15 00 To Normandy 190 18 00 To Brittany 74 18 00 To Anjou 105 9 00 To Poictou 197 00 00 To Xaintonge 265 14 00 To Berry 134 14 00 Another Dividend of the summ of 11109 Livers out of one part and of 5245 Livers of another which the said Lord du Candal oweth and ought to have kept in his hands by Order of the Synod of Privas from the Dividends allotted unto the Provinces of Lower Languedoc Sevennes and the Higher Languedoc out of the years 1612 1613 and 1614. amounting to the summ of 16354 l. Out of which there must be deducted the payments made by him in obedience to the Orders of the Synod of Privas and which he is to pay by Order of this present Synod First unto the University of Die 3000 l. To Monsieur Chamier 2000 l. to the Sieur Perrin 300 l. besides what hath been remitted unto Monsieur Gigord 3775 l. And to re-imburse Monsieur le Gras for the expences of the Colloquies of Lionnois 389 l. 6 s And for what the said Lord du Candal hath paid more than he received for the years 1604 1605 and 1606. and for the Sous in the Liver out of the summ paid unto the said Sieur Gras 57 l. 15 s And the remaining summ is 6831 l. 19 s which shall be divided among the Provinces in manner following  L. S. D. To the Isle of France 576 1 0 To Provence 189 0 0 To Berry 324 1 0 To Brittany 180 1 0 To Sevennes 477 1 0 To Vivaretz 324 1 0 To Poictou 450 1 0 To the Lower Guyenne 720 2 0 To Xaintonge 639 1 6 To Normandy 459 1 0 To the Lower Languedoc 468 1 6 To Burgundy 288 1 0 To Anjou 252 1 0 To Higher Languedoc 729 1 0 To Dolphiny 766 2 0 Another Dividend among the Provinces of the summ of 18000 l. granted by his Majesty unto the Reformed Churches of this Kingdom and this shall serve not only for this present year but as a standard for the following years untill the next National Synod whereby the Lord du Candal and the Sieur de Vissouze shall make their payments out of the said summ at the terms as shall be hereafter fixed and conformably to the Articles of Agreement formerly drawn up and signed between him and the Deputies of the National Synod of Gap in the year 1603. when he first entred into Office and according to that Order given to our Lords the General Deputies at the last National Synod of Privas Out of which summ before any Dividend be made unto the Churches there shall be drawn forth these following summs for the service of our Universities Colledges and Proposans The Dividend of the Universities  L. S. D. For the University of Sedan by an express Order 4000 00 00 For the Churches of Gex 3600 00 00 For the Sieur Constantine Regent at Bergerac 100 00 00 For the Colledge of Bergerac 1200 00 00 For three Proposans sent unto Montauban at the charge of 120 l. each 360 00 00 To the University of Montauban 100 l. ordered unto Monsieur Joly for his Professing Hebrew 100 00 00 And to Monsieur de Vissouze his right 51 13 00 For two Professors in Divinity 1400 00 00 To the Professors of Hebrew 400 00 00 To the Greek Professor 400 00 00 To the two Professors in Divinity 800 00 00 To the first Regent 100 00 00 For the University of Saumur 600 00 00 More to the same only deducting out of it four Deniers in the Liver 4771 10 00 For what was granted them by the present Synod and employed by them according to their Decree 600 l. including in it 81 l. 10 s for the 4 d. in the Liver 600 00 00 Thus disbursed to the two Professors of Philosophy 1400 00 00 To the Professor of Hebrew 400 00 00 To the Greek Professor 400 00 00 To two Philosophy Professors 800 00 00 To the first Regent 460 00 00 To the second Regent 300 00 00 To the third Regent 200 00 00 To the fourth Regent 180 00 00 To the fifth Regent 150 00 00 For the Universities of Nismes and Montpellier including the four Deniers in the Liver of the said Sieur de Vissouze the summ of 4236 13 04 For the University of Die including the aforesaid four Deniers the summ of 0406 13 04 There remaineth to be divided among all the Provinces the sum of 159973 11 0 Thus 1. To the Province of the Isle of France for 48 Pastors 14 Proposans and 12 supernumerary portions in all 64 portions for their Colledge 400 l. the sum of 12970 02 8 2. L. 10416 S. 16 D. 8 For Normandy for 40 Pastors six Proposans and five supernumerary portions in all 57 portions and for the Colledge 400 l. the sum of 10318 12 4 3. Brittany for eleven Pastors two another Copy saith three Proposans six another Copy saith seven supernumerary portions in all 20 portions the sum of 04328 03 4 4. Anjou for 24 Pastors 3 Proposans one supernumerary portion in all 28 portions the sum of 05499 09 0 5. Poictou 47 Pastors three Proposans and an half portion for Chauvigni in all fifty portions and an half and for the Colledge 10318 12 4 6. Xaintonge 68 Pastors five Proposans and a half supernumerary portion in all 73 portions and a half and the Colledge the sum of 14836 00 0 7. Berry for 29 Pastors 3 Proposans 4 portions supernumerary including those of Moulins in all 36 portions and the Colledge 07470 14 0 8. Burgundy for 19 Pastors 14 Proposans 2 portions for Mariagues and 7 supernumerary in all 32 portions 600 l. for those of Gex and 400 l. for the Colledge the sum of 07285 02 8 9. 15719 17 0 Dolphiny for 66 Pastors 8 Proposans 4 portions supernumerary in all 78 the Colledge the sum of 19719 17 0 10. Vivaretz for 26 Pastors taking in the portion of the Sieur Murat Pastor of Valence 3 Proposans and six supernumerary portions 7264 06 0 including two portions for Forest in all 35 and the Colledge the sum of 07274 06 0 11. Provence for 11 Pastors 3 Proposans 1 portion for the Sieur Maurice the Elder a Pastor Emeritus and six supernumerary in all twenty one portions and the Colledge the sum of 04524 11 0 12. 131666 11 0 Lower Languedoc for 62 Pastors 3 Proposans and the Colledge of Beziers the sum of 13666 11 0 13. Sevennes for
concord of our Churches in that Doctrine which notwithstanding the many evil times have past over us hath been preserved until now in its purity among us The other is that by continuing the Oaths injoyned by the last Synod of Privas you take the most proper and effectual course to heal the wounds which our unhappy divisions have these years last past made in the Vnion of our Churches and I see no Expedient more likely to suceed than unanimously and with joynt consent to agree and pitch upon one General end whereunto all and every one shall direct and aim I Salute most humbly every Member of your Assembly and beseech God Almighty to assist and fortify you by his holy Spirit for his own glory and for the Vnion Restauration and Propagation of his Church From Saumur April 20. 1614. Your most humble and most affectionate Servant Du Plessis The Duke of Rohan's Letter to the National Synod Assembled at Tonneins Sirs THOSE strong obligations which the Churches of France have laid upon me do ingage me to seek out all occasions whereby to testifie my gratitude 'T is this which causes me to write at present and to crave this favour of you to believe that I shall never forget those assistances I received from you in the last Synod of Privas and particularly from divers Churches of this Kingdom yea and from those I have never known Certainly Sirs I shall Confess it freely that the effects of your kindnesses have exceeded my services yet I hope that for the future you will know you have not have obliged an ungrateful person And that what you have kept for me shall be always chearfully employed for your selves We are fallen into such a time as need extraordinary Prayers unto God for his Guidance and Counsel We have been much afflicted since the Assembly of Saumur by divisions sown and fomented among us The Synod of Privas knowing it to be the most compendious Course for our Ruine did indeavour to prevent it But divers persons being unacquainted with our malady then there could not be a thorough cure effected But now every one knows it and may contribute something thereunto For my part I think it no difficult matter for us to use the true Remedy which consists in an entire re-union of all our Members that so we may be but one Body and the more fit to serve God the King and our Country and the more able to divert our enemies from enterprizing upon us from whom also we might take away the very will of doing it by its impossibility This Sirs is a work well-worthy of your Assembly I exactly conformed to the desires of the last Synod and I do now again renew my promises of observing your Orders not only in that but in whatsoever else you shall judge to concern the glory of God whom I ardently beseech that he would preside in your Councils and to give me that grace never to abuse his favours conferred upon me but that employing whatever I have received from his divine Majesty to the advancement of his Kingdom I may consecrate the remainder of my days unto his service My Lord Baron of Montausier hath particular orders from me to acquaint you with my intentions and proceedings and especially with that journey of the Lord of Hautefontain taken by my command unto his highness the Prince I desire you would believe him in what he shall inform you as if it were my self and I shall always approve my self to you all generally and particularly Sirs From St. John d' Angely this 24. of April 1614. Your most Humble and most Affectionate to do your service Henry of Rohan A Letter from the Lord of Caumont to the National Synod of Tonneins Sirs I Well hoped to have had strength enough to have been personally present with you and to have injoyed the honour and contentment of saluting your Holy Assembly and to have given you my self by word of Mouth the assurance of my fidelity and affection unto whatsoever the service of my God obligeth me for the support of his Churches and the advancement of his Glory But being at present detained by important businesses which the Sieur de Mailléz shall inform you of I intreat you therefore most humbly to be pleased with my absence and to believe that no person in the World is more ready to expose his life and the Lives and Estate of all his with greater chearfulness and willingness for Gods cause and yours than I shall be to adventure mine and the lives and fortunes of all mine And I pray God that by his Holy Spirit he would be pleased to preside in the midst of you and to conduct your Holy Wills in such manner as he knows to be most expedient for his Glory the Weal Repose and Conservation of his Church whereof having the honour to be a Member I shall ever remain in its Communion and subject my self wholly in all things unto it under the priviledge of the Edicts and the authority of their Majesties intreating you to lay your Commands upon me and to be assured that in whatsoever I may serve the publick and every one of you in particular you shall have evidence of my obedience and loyal affection The Lord follow you most Reverend Sirs with his choicest Favours and Benedictions I am From Paris May 2. 1614. Your most Humble and Affectionate Servant Caumont A Letter from the Lord of Chastillon to the National Synod of Tonneins Sirs MY past actions which through Divine Grace no Man hath just cause to complain of are I believe sufficient proofs of that care I ever had for the re-union and good intelligence of the great men of this Kingdom professing the true Religion and the fear of God as also of that respect I paid unto the desires of the last National Synod of Privas intimated to me by their Letters and what I have since done both at Court for our general concerns and since my return in this Province to conserve your Lives and Priviledges enjoyed by you during the reign of the late King will testifie that the true blood of the late renowned Lord Admiral de Chastillon is in my Veins and that I have managed all publick affairs fallen into my hands with all uprightness and justice as the Sieurs Gigord and Codur who have been Eye-witnesses of my deportments can more fully inform you if they please Sirs this my Letter drives at none other end than to let you see what deference I have for you and that my whole life shall be employed in the service of the Churches and I beseech you to believe that besides it and the service of the King and your preservation and advancement there is nothing in this world more dear unto me And if I can do you in my station any particular service either here or elsewhere you shall always find me ready for it Had it been as easy for me to have been personally present with you as
the Church of Loudun Anger 's Touars of the Isle Bouchart and Saumur and the late Monsieur Craig Professor of Divinity in the University of Saumur had been called in by him unto his Assistance in this affair from which at last there resulted a good Accord between both the Parties who were mutually reconciled in points of Doctrine notwithstanding that some harsh words if rigorously taken and badly understood might be drawn contrary to their avowed sense and sentiments Thanks were ordered in the name of this Synod to be returned unto the Illustrious Lord Du Plessis and to the R. Reverend Monsieur Rivet our Moderator now present and the same also should be rendered unto his Collegues by the Deputies of their Province and special notice hereof should be given by every one of them unto their Synodical Assemblies that so thanks might be offered up unto God unanimously and as it were with one mouth and humbly to beg of his most glorious Majesty that this sacred Concord might not only be confirmed by an uniform judgment between these two Eminent Members but also betwixt all the rest of our Body However afterward Tilenus deserted the Communion of our Churches and died in that of the Arminians 8. Letters shall be written from this Assembly unto the Lord Mareschall Duke of Lesdiguieres Gap g. m. â— Tonneins p. m. 39. intreating him to recommend unto his Royal Highness the Duke of Savoy the poor Protestants banished out of the Marquisate of Saluces beseeching him that he would be pleased to permit them out of his Royal Favour to return unto their Houses and Inheritance and that he would grant unto them their former Liberty of Conscience in the Service and Worship of God CHAP. VI. Appeals 1. AN Appeal being brought by the Church of St. Fulgent from the Sentence given out against them in the Provincial Synod of Poictou held at Touars which had ordained that Monsieur de la Beguadiere should continue with the Church of Montague This Assembly having seen the Memoirs of the said Church of St. Fulgent produced by the Provincial Deputies of Brittain and heard the said de la Begaudiere speak for himself judgeth that the Appeal ought not to be admitted and confirmeth the Decree of the said Provincial Synod of Touars yet it doth also ordain that the Province of Poictou ought to consider the necessity of that Church of St. Fulgent lest it should be at last dissipated for want of a Pastor 2. The Church of Rochefoucault Tonneins p. m. 8. appealing from a Decree of the Provincial Synod of Xaintonge held at Rochel which had ordained that the Colledge there established should be transferr'd unto the Town of Pons and the City and Church of St. John d' Angely appealing from the said Ordinance and demanding that the Colledge might be fixed with them This Assembly judgeth that the said Province ought not to have made the said Translation and therefore confirmeth unto the Church of Rochefoucault the Colledge until the sitting of the next National Synod when in case it shall appear that the said Colledge hath not been well-maintained nor the youth duly educated and instructed The said Synod may remove it unto that place where they conceive it will be most beneficial to the Church and Province and the Church of St. John d' Angely are exhorted to erect of themselves a Colledge since God hath blessed them with means and ability for so doing and the National Synod taking notice of their duty in this particular shall give them such Incouragement as in its wisdom shall be judged needful 3. Alez Observ upon this Synod Monsieur Beauchamp Pastor of the Church of Belin appealed from the judgment of the Province of Brittain and his Appeal was received although his affair were of that kind which might be decided finally by the Neighbour Province This Synod therefore amending the Judgment of the aforesaid Province ordaineth That Supplicatory Letters shall be written unto the Lord Duke of Rohan that the Intendant of his Houshold do perform the Agreement which was made with the said Monsieur Beauchamp and in case it be not done that then the Province shall see him satisfied because that during these four years wherein the said Sieur Beauchamp hath officiated as Minister in the Family of the said Lord Duke the Province received that portion of Moneys from the Kings Bounty which belonged to the said Monsieur Beauchamp This Mahaut afterward revolted 4. The Sieur Mahaut had his Appeal admitted against the Judgment of the Province of Brittain although he was freed from it and set in the Catalogue of Pastors to be disposed of and provided for by this National Synod and in case before the breaking up of this Assembly he be not presented unto a Church he shall be wholly at his own Liberty to dispose of himself in any Province of this Kingdom where God shall be pleased to call him And the Lord of Candal is requested to retain in his hands a portion belonging unto Ministers to be paid into that Province where ever he shall be imployed as a Pastor And for as much as the Province of Brittain hath received in his name the moneys granted us from his Majesty's Bounty they shall make him restitution and reimburse him all the arrears of his portion free of all Costs Taxes and Charges whatsoever deducting only what he hath received of that money from the time in which he quitted the Church of La Mussaye until now 5. The Church of St. Martyn appealed from a Decree of the Synod of Sevennes which had separated it from the Churches of Brenons and La Molouze This Assembly approved of that their Decree but yet injoineth the said Province to take care that the Ministry of the Gospel of Christ be constantly kept up in the Church of St. Martyn and that they do give them all necessary supplies out of the monies of his Majesties Bounty assigned unto the said Province 6. Monsieur Clemenceau Pastor of the Church of Poictiers appealing from the Synod of Poictou which in prejudice to the Colloquy of Higher Poictou had ordered 50 l. to be taken out of the 150 Livers assigned by the said Colloquy to the Son of the said Sieur Clemenceau and given unto the Son of Monsieur de Faure Pastor of the Church of Aubenas This Assembly ratifying the judgment of the said Colloquy reverseth that of the Synod which is injoined out of their own stock attributed to them to raise fifty Livers for the young le Favre Tonneins Observ 7. on the former Synod 7. The Church of Niort appealing from the Judgment of the Province of Poictou which refused to allow them their charges which they had disbursed in getting a supply during the absence of Monsieur Chauffepied their Pastor who was sent unto the last political Assembly This Synod declares that this affair is of that kind which ought to be finally determined by a Neighbour Province but yet
Synod ordaineth that the Province of Sevennes shall provide two Pastors for them to be sent unto them immediately one of which shall reside in the Town of Issoyre and the other shall serve the Churches of the Mountain according as it shall be prescribed them by the said Province And that those two Pastors may have a comfortable maintenance this Synod continuing the Decree of the former National Synods which had appointed four Portions free of all charges for those Churches of the Vpper Auvergne doth add a fifth for their Incouragement Which five Portions shall be received by the said Province and paid into the very hands of those Pastors to each of them the sum of five hundred Livers And the remaining Portions shall be distributed by those Provinces towards the necessities of those said Churches and all this to be duly and continually performed untill the meeting of the next National Synod Below p. m. 25. Alez p. m. 20. And in the mean while the respective Members of those Churches shall be pressed to contribute towards the maintenance of their Pastors and they shall give an account of their duty herein unto the next National Synod And whereas the said Monsieur Babat requests that he may be discharged from the service of those Churches he was ordered to continue the exercise of his Ministry among them until the meeting of the approaching Synod of Sevennes by which in case he then desire it he may be set at liberty and another substituted in his place However till the sitting of that Provincial Synod the said Babat shall wholly serve the Town Issoyre as its proper Pastor and the Colloquy of St. Germain shall give another Pastor to supply the Churches of the Mountain And forasmuch as the said Babat hath been at great expences in travelling unto this Synod and to the Assembly of Rochell the Lord of Candal is ordered to pay him an hundred Livers out of the mass of moneys belonging to all our Churches And as for that demand of the Deputies that a Fund might be given them for the raising and fixing of a Colledge at Issoyre This Assembly cannot do it because that having eased many persons among them of the charge in maintaining their Ministers they may very well as in Conscience they are bound and we also exhort them to do take care of this matter themselves CHAP. IX The King's Letter to the Synod Above Art 5. after the Catalogue of Deputies THE third of June Messieurs Hesperien and Bouteroue Pastors and Balene and Moussac Elders deputed by this Assembly unto the King returned hither and notified unto us with how much kindness and favour they were received by his Majesty and having declared to him their Commission and delivered their Memoirs and Instructions he heard and answer'd them very graciously as appears by his Majesty's Letter brought with them unto this Assembly and they had the thanks and applause of all the Deputies in it for their most affectionate care faithfulness and diligence in the discharge of their Commission And because it very much imported our Churches to be particularly informed of that good will and love his Majesty bears them that so they may be in an extraordinary manner stirred up to praise and bless the Lord for it and own and acknowledge themselves to be more strictly obliged to fidelity and perseverance in their obedience and subjection due unto his Majesty and to pray more heartily for the augmentation of his Majesty's Prosperity and Grandeur This Assembly ordained that the Letter which it pleated his Majesty to write us should be transcribed and Copies thereof sent abroad among the Churches which is here inserted word for word in this present Article By the KING To our Dear and Well-beloved the Deputies of our Subjects of the pretended Reformed Religion assembled in their Synod at Vitré DEar and Well-beloved we received your Letters of the one and twentieth day of this Month by which we have sensible experience of your Zeal and Affection for our Service and for that of the Common-weal participating as you have done in the common joy of all our Subjects for the Peace and Settlement of the Kingdom which we have so happily procured for them whereof we were also more particularly informed by your Deputies sent unto us for this same purpose from whom we have gladly received the fresh assurances and protestations made by you of persevering in your Loyalty and Obedience to us as you have done heretofore and you may be very well assured that we will be always careful to maintain and preserve you in all your priviledges formerly granted to you And we will give you all in general and every one of you in particular new tokens of our Love and good will upon all occasions which shall occur unto us Given at Paris the 29 th of May 1617. LOUYS Phelippeaux 2. The Deputies of Xaintonge demanded a Decree Nymes 11. that no Colloquy might hence forward separate any particular Congregation which was annexed to conjoin it unto another without the previous advice and authority of a Provincial Synod This Assembly finding their demand very Equitable did Ordain that this should be an Universal Canon binding all Colloquies and Churches 3. Divers Persons of Quality having moved it that inasmuch as our Mechanicks are obliged by the Kings Edict to forbear working on the Festivals of the Romish Church over and besides the Lord's day It is left unto the prudence of Consistories to Congregate the People on such Holy-Days either to hear the word Preached or to join in common publick Prayers as they shall find to be most expedient See Synod of Saumur Art 13. of g. m. And whereas Complaints are made us that in some Churches before Sermon they sing part of the Psalm and reserve the last Verse for conclusion of the Exercise This Assembly injoins all the Churches to sing * * * This last Clause was rased out in the seventh Obs of this Synod by that of Alez out the whole pause and to conform themselves as much as may be to the ancient Order 4. Monsieur de Bertreville our General Deputy came unto this Synod the sixth day of June and took his place in it according to the Canons of our National Synods and had his Vote of deliberation and decision and sware and subscribed the Oath of Union of the Reformed Churches of this Kingdom 5. The Lord of Bertreville our General Deputy declared to us Tonneins g. m. 6. that the King's Letters Patents though granted for exempting our Ministers from payment of Taxes were not as yet verified nor delivered into his hands nor unto his Colleague the Lord of Maniald This Assembly doth earnestly intreat them to use all needful means to get them dispatcht as soon as possible 6. Whereas the National Synod of Tonneins had injoined all the Provinces to consider of a Proposal made by several great Persons both at home and abroad Tonneins g.
Richard Pastor of the Church of Cheilar John de Blache Lord of Blesset Elder of the Church in Bouffres and John de Roure Advocate Elder of the Church of Aubenas 20. For the lower Languedoc Mr. Laurence Brunier Pastor of the Church of Vsez Michael le Faucheur Pastor of the Church of Montpellier Charles de Bouques Lord of Pons Doctor of the Civil Law and Elder of the Church of Montpellier and Antony de Roques Lord of Clausonne Elder in the Church of Montfrin 11. For the higher Languedoc and Guyenne Monsieur John de Voysin Pastor of the Church of Realmont and Antony Garissoles Pastor of the Church of Puylaurent Paul de Luffee Lord of Maraval Governour of Mavesin and Elder of the Church there James du Puy Deputy-Lieutenant in the Seneschalsy of Montauban and Elder of that Church 12. For â—urgundy Mr. Peter Helliot Pastor of the Church of Arnay le Due Francis Pereault Pastor of the Church of Mascon and Noel du Noyer Elder of the Church of Bussy Monsieur Salmasius was nominated Deputy unto this Assembly but excused himself by Letters as also did Monsieur Guichard and Forest who beigg Elders were both substituted in his place whose excuses were remanded back unto their Province that it might judge of their validity 13. For the Province or Provence Mr. Peter Huron Pastor in the Church of Reis Elias de Glandeviâ— Lord of Anjou Elder in the Church of Puymichel 14. For the Province of Dolphiny Mr. Paul Guyon Pastor of the Church of Dieu le sit Peter de la Croze Pastor of the Church in Courtezon James Bernard Advocate Elder of the Church in Montlimart and Moses du Port Elder of the Church de la Meure the Lord of Champoleon was also nominated in the Letters of Commission but excused himself by Letters unto this Assembly 15. For the Province of Sevennes Monsieur Peter Guillamin Pastor of the Church of St. Andrew de Valborgne Daniel Venturin Pastor of the Church of Vigan John de Vignoles Lord of Bonnet Elder in the Church of Colegnac and John Baldwin Doctor of Laws Elder in the Church of la Salle 16. There came also for the Churches in the Principality of Bearne Monsieur Peter L' abbadye Pastor of the Church of Paw and John de la Coste Lord of Padet Elder of the Church of Moneing In whose Letters of Commission there being wanting the clause of Submission that Article of the Synod of Vitre was read unto them relating to it Whereupon they offering their reasons why they could not intirely subject themselves unto the Discipline of our Churches in France principally because of the present juncture of Affairs They were admitted to a consultive Vote under the limitations expressed in that Act of the Synod of Vitre that it should be left to the Will of the Provinces Whether they should have a decisive Vote in certain Cases concerning the Churches of this Kingdom and this by provision only until the next National Synod 17. The Sieur Chalas one of the General Deputies of the Reformed Churches in this Kingdom near His Majesty was present also in this Assembly according to the Charge given the said Lords General Deputies in the last general Assembly held at Loudun and Order of our Church After Invocation of the Name of God the Reverend Monsieur Peter du Moulin was chosen Moderator Mr. Brunier Assessor and Messieurs Vignier and Papillon Scribes CHAP. II. Remarks and Passages of the First Session LEtters were presented from the Lord Duke of Rohan unto this Assembly whereby he assured them of the continuance of his Zeal and Affection to the Glory of God and to the weal and happiness of our Churches for which he had the thanks of the Assembly returned him in their Letters 2. Messieurs des Maretz and Ollyer Pastors of the Church of Alez petitioning to be admitted into this Assembly and to assist at the reading of our Confession of Faith and Church Discipline it was granted them as also unto two Elders whom the Consistory should appoint but as for such Ministers as were not commissionated hither by their Churches and all other Persons the Canons of the Third Synod of Rochel and that last of Vitre should be punctually observed Vitre Act 4. after the List of the Deputyes 3. Every one of the Deputies in this Assembly took the Oath according to the Decree made in the Synod of Privas that they had not brigued their Deputation unto this place neither directly nor indirectly Privas Act. 1. after the Names of the Deputyes neither for themselves nor for any others And this shall be observed in like manner for the future in all our National Synods 4. Monsieur â—uretin Pastor and Professor in Divinity in the Church and University of Geneva having brought Letters from the Pastors and Professors there fully testifying and expressing their Holy Affection to the Churches of this Kingdom and of their most near and intimate communion with us was intreated by this Assembly to give us his presence during his abode in this City and to take place among us and to communicate his Counsels and Votes in matters that should be proposed which he also did And after mature and exact consideration of the several clauses in those Letters tender'd by him an Answer was made unto them 5. The Letters of the Lord * * * But he somtime after revolted Duke of Desdiguieres were also presented unto this Assembly expressing his desire for the advancement of the Kingdom of Jesus Christ Letters of Thanks were ordered to be sent unto His Excellency 6. Monsieur Bansillon Pastor in the Church of Aiguemortes having brought Letters from the Lord of Chastillon and by word of mouth given this Assembly the Protestations of the said Lord after the Heroick Example of his Famous Ancestors to spend himself and Estate in the advancement of Christ's Kingdom was desired to carry back Letters of Thanks from this Synod unto that Noble Lord. CHAP. III. An Act of the Oath of Union subscribed by all the Deputyes both Pastors and Elders The same Oath was Enacted at Tenneins 1014. WEE whose Names are hereunder written Deputies of the Reformed Churches of France assembled in our National Synod in the City of Alez in the Province of Sevennes knowing by experience of what is past that there is nothing more necessary to preserve the peace and wellfare of the said Churches than an holy Union and inviolable consent both in Doctrine and Discipline and their dependencies and that the said Churches cannot long subsist without a good strict and mutual Union and Conjunction of one with another and this better kept and maintained than heretofore Therefore being desirous for the future to remove all seeds of Division and occasion of partialities between the said Churches and to obviate all Impostures Plots Calumnies and Practices whatsoever by which divers Persons ill-affected to our Religion do indeavour its ruine and destruction for
the great losses it sustained in the Troubles of Privas as also to help defray the Expences they shall be at in a Suit at Court about the Consulship of their Town This Assembly judging that the Moneys granted us by His Majesty ought not to be diverted unto such uses doth notwithstanding recommend their Affair unto our Lords the General Deputies that they might get right due to them by the Lords of the Privy Council and because of the Necessities of the said Church there shall be a supernumerary portion assigned to them when we make the publick Dividend 6. Monsieur Massez Notary Publick and Secretary to the Consul of Montauban in the Higher Languedoc requesting to be reimburst by the Churches the great Expences he was at in prosecuting the wrongs done him by the Parliament of Tolouse It being a business of General Concern because of the Notorious Violations of the Edicts granted us by our Kings This Assembly exhorted the Province of Higher Languedoc to take care that the said Monsieur Massez have satisfaction given him for his past Losses and that he be indemnified for the future and that they extend their Charity to him in a most ample and exemplary manner sith they themselves have judged his case to be of very great Importance to all the Churches 7. The Magistrates Consuls and Consistory of the Town of Privas having represented both by Letters and Word of Mouth by Monsieur Tavernier one of their Elders deputed to us the great Losses Dammages and Afflictions sustained by them since the Death of Monsieur Chambaud whereby they be now reduced to a most lamentable condition and worthy of our most tender compassions which also was confirmed by Letters from the Synod and Political Assembly of Vivaretz and praying some Charitable Relief to be Exhibited to them that so this considerable and populous Church might not be totally desolated and dissolved This Assembly ordained That the Summ of Six Hundred Livres should be given the said Church of Privas for a present supply And all the Churches of this Kingdom shall by their Deputies here in this Assembly as soon as they return unto their respective Provinces be exhorted to open the Bowels of their compassion to the said afflicted Church of Privas and to relieve them by a General Collection upon the Lords Day in their respective Temples The Moneys of which Collection shall be sent unto the Churches of Lions and Nismes to be distributed by them unto that of Privas And Letters also shall be writ to the Lord Governour of Montauban to the Marquesses of La Charse of Montbrun and other the Parents and Kindred of the late Deceased Monsieur de Chambaud desiring them to take special care of the Religious Education of his Children that they may not be diverted from the True Religion and trained up in Popish Idolatry but that they would be pleased to undertake for them and become their Tutors and Guardians according to the known Laws and Statutes of this Kingdom 8. The Heads of Families professing the Reformed Religion in the Baylywick of Orillac in the Mountains of Upper Auvergne petitioned that the Portions granted them by the National Synods of Gap and Rochel might be contined to them This Assembly ordained that the Portion belonging unto the said Church in the Baylywyck of Orillac shall be given it free and discharged of all Taxes by the Province of Higher Languedoc Gap p. m. 18 3. Rochell 9. Monsieur Casaud Pastor of the Church of Lectoure petitioned on its behalf for some charitable Relief to raise it up from that woful Ruin and Misery into which it is now plunged and to sustain it against its Enemies for the future This Assembly compassionating the said Church did order and assign a free Portion out of the Dividend of Higher Languedoc and Guyenne unto it and one part of the Collection which shall be made in the Higher Languedoc and Guyenne for the Church of Privas shall be given unto the said Church of Lectoure 10. The Church of Tulette belonging to the Province of Dolphiny but inclosed on all parts with the County of Venisse humbly requested some relief for its subsistence Because this is a Church of great importance very poor exceeding feeble and unable to resist the many Enemies which do surround it This Assembly ordained that besides the free Portion which it should receive as well as others out of the Dividend for the said Province of Dolphiny It shall have also an half portion free out of the Common Stock of all the Churches until the sitting of the next National Synod 11. Hierome Quevedo a Spaniard escaped out of the Prison of the Inquisition demanded some relief that he might live in the profession of the Gospel This Assembly ordered him an Hundred Livres out of the common Moneys of the Churches which shall be put into the hands of the Consistory of Montpellier to pay him Quarterly a Portion that so he may learn some honest Trade whereby to gain a livelyhood Which Summ shall be continued to him or taken from him as the Consistory of the Church of Montpellier shall judge of his Deportments 12. Lawrence Joly one of the Exiled Protestants of the Marquisate of Salluces having brought Letters from the Church of Guillestre which is composed of the poor Refugees of the said Marquisate unto this Assembly did most humbly petition that they might have a Portion of the Moneys granted us by the King for the maintenance of a Pastor because they are in hopes that it may allure and attract a great many others who are groaning under that sore and heavy persecution in the Marquisate and doe hunger after the Bread of Life and ardently desire the Inlargement of Christ's Kingdom to quit and forsake it This Assembly in the Dividend of its Moneys will ordain a supernumerary Portion for the said Church of Guillestre 13. Monsieur Guingonis shall be assisted with Ten Crown out of the common Moneys belonging to the Province of Province And as for Mr. John Dury Student in Divinity the Province of Lower Languedoc is ordered to provide for him according to the Canons of our National Synods and in the mean while he shall receive Twenty Crowns out of the Moneys appropriated to the said Province of Lower Languedoc that so he may quit this Town and remove to Montauban 14. Anthony Verdier formerly a Priest in the County of Avignon had Six Livres given him that he might depart hence unto Grenoble 15. The Church of St. Paul Trois Chasteaux demanding some Relief to set up a School among them and to help build their Temple were dismissed over to the Province of Dolphiny which is exhorted to have a special care of that Church 16. Monsieur John Perier Pastor of the Church of Paillac in Auvergne did on behalf of his Church complain against the Provincial Synod of Burgundy for not giving him the Portions granted by the National Synod of Privas and requested that
Decree of that Synod 2. Vitte p. m. 8 This Assembly having perused the Memoirs offered by the said Perrery in his own defence and heard the Provincial Deputies of the Higher Languedoc about restoring the said Perrery to the Ministry by the Synod of Millaud in the year Sixteen Hundred and Seventeen approveth of what was done by the said Synod and Intreateth the Province of the Isle of France to rest satisfied with the Summ of Five Hundred Livres in lieu of the whole Debt from the said Perrery whereof Two Hundred Livres belonging unto the said Province are left in the Lord of Candals hands for them already and the said Lord shall keep for them Three Hundred Livres more And in case the said Summ of Three Hundred Livres be not payd into the said Province of the Isle of France then there shall be Five Hundred Livres detained by the Lord du Candal in his hands for them 44. The Province of the Isle of France petitioned that the Order of the National Synod of Vitre against the Sieur Richer might be put in Execution he having retired into Xaintonge without their consent After that the Provincial Deputies of Xaintonge had been heard both as to what relates unto the Canon now mentioned and also unto the said Monsieur Richer This Assembly ordained that the Canon of Vitre shall be Executed in every Article and Title of it and that the Accompts of the said Richer might be cleared and closed they shall be sent unto the Church of Saumur before the First of May next Yet we earnestly intreat the Province of the Isle of France to deal charitably with the said Richer and not to exact what they may do in rigour of Law from him 45. The Province of Dolphiny are intreated to continue the Pension allowed by them to the Widow of Monsieur â—alques 46 The Church of Baux in Provence exhibited an Information of its deplorable Poverty brought upon them by the outragious Persecutions which they have suffered from the common Enemies of our Religion in their Exercise of it who put them to unsupportable Expence and Charges This Assembly ordered thâ—t for their Relief an half supernâ—merary Portion out of our Common Stock besides their ordinary Portion should be given them until the meeting of the next National Synod to whom they shall bring in their Accompt how they have imployed it and their Affair shall be recommended to our General Deputies 47. Monsieur Huron petitioned to be discharged from his Ministry in the Church of Riez in Provence But he was dismissed back unto the Synod of his said Province who should proceed therein according to the Methods and Forms prescribed by our Church-Discipline 48. The Colloquy of Challons in Burgundy shall judge finally without Appeal of the differences which are risen between the Sieurs Racaud La Dize Fornevet and other Persons in Communion with the Church of Beaune 49. The Province of Sevennes complaining of a Judgment past against them by the Province of Lower Languedoc in favour of Monsieur Serignac about certain Expences of his made in his Journey unto the Synod of Tonneins they were dismissed over to the Judgment of the Province of Vivaretz who should order that Party which hath done the wrong to pay the Charges 50. The Provincial Deputies of Sevennes making report that Sixty Two Livres Seven Sous and Six Deniers are owing to Monsieur Babat at present Pastor of the Church of Castagnols from the Churches of Auvergne according to the Accompts shut up and approved by Decree of the National Synod of Vitre This Assembly ordaineth that the Province of Sevennes do pay him out of hand the said Moneys 51. A Petition from the Church of Serucrettes in Sevennes This Assembly ordered that their Affair at Court be recommended to the Lords our General Deputies and Letters shall be written unto the Lord of Antragues that he would be pleased to accommodate them with some ground on his Lands for the building of a Temple wherein they may Worship God publickly and that Churches Portion of the Kings Moneys shall he paid in free of all Charges to it by the Province of Sevennes 52. The Church of Langres did by their Letters and by the Mouths of the Deputies of the Isle of France report the great difficulties and troubles they conâ—â—licted with in setting up the Publick Exercise of our Religion and what Oppositions they had met withal and still did every day from the Enemies of the Truth This Assembly to enable that Church to subsist the better and thereby to enlarge the Kingdom of our Lord Jesus ordaineth Two Supernumerary Portions to be pay'd unto them and this to continue until the sitting of the next National Synod 53. The Church of la Bastide complaining of its deep poverty and that for Sixteen years together by reason of it they could not allow a Farthing towards the maintenance of their Minister Monsieur Lawrence who was all that time destitute of a Church till of late that he was provided for by the Province of Vivaretz This Assembly commiserating the sore and heavy Tryals of the said Mr. Lawrence do order that Two Hundred Livres be immediately payd him out of the Common Stock of the Churches because he was left out in the Catalogue of Pastors lying before the National Synod of Vitre and that the said Church of la Bastide may not he dissolved but kept up the Province of Vivaretz is require particularly to consider whether the Church of Rodes may not be commodiously joyned to it or else to think of some other means meet for its preservation 54. The Complaint of the Church of Quissac how that some of those Congregations which were formerly annexed to it were now separated and dismembred from it was rejected 2. Vitre Appeals although they were set on by the Province of Sevennes and the said Province was ordered to take special care that those newly constituted Churches be well kept up by them 55. That Affair of Monsieur Hommel Doctor of Laws at Valence shall be recommended to our Lords General deputies 56 Mrs. Jane Nallet Widow of Mr. David Selastian late Minister in the Church of Clermont in â—odeve complained that the Pension granted her by the Province of Lower Languedoc hath been left out of the Accounts of the said Province so that she is like to perish for want to Maintenance and that One Hundred and Twenty Livres due unto her are not payd her This Assembly ordains that the said Hundred and Twenty Livres be payd the said Gentlewoman out of the first Moneys which the Receiver of the Province of Lower Languedoc shall get into his hands 57. The Deputies of Bearne declared the necessity of setling a Church in the Country of La Boure belonging to the Province of Lower Guyenne and the rather for that they had now in Bearn a young Student in Divinity sit to be imployed in the Sacred Ministry who could preach to them in their
own Language and Opportunity and Advantage they never had before This Assembly desiring to inlarge the Kingdom of Our Lord Jesus ordains that Three Hundred Livres a year shall be allowed the Province of Lower Guyenne to set up a Church in the aforesaid Country of La Boure upon condition that they render an account of the Imployment of the said Moneys unto the next National Synod 58. The Remonstrances of the Churches of Monredon of L' Isle in Jourdain St. Severe St. Seve and Aysseins are disinissed over to the Province of Higher Languedoc who shall look carefully into those matters specified by them and act for them as it shall judge most beneficial to them 59. The Judgement past by the Colloquy of Anduze about the Differences and Quarrels that hapned in the Church of St. John de Gardonengues through the dis-placing of their Seats and which was ratified by the Provincial Synod of Sevennes being none of those matters that are to be brought before our National Synods is remanded back again to the said Province of Sevennes to see it Executed 60. Concerning that difference fallen out in the Church of Alez since the Decree of this Synod the Relation of which concludeth the Chapter of Appeals This Assembly having heard the Magistrates Consuls Consistories and Deputies of the Church and Companies of the Town and Monsieur Ollier particularly did exhort them all to an Holy Concord and Cordial Union which that it might be the better effected the Pensions of both their Ministers shall be equal so that Monsieur Des Maretz shall not have more than his Colleague Monsieur Ollier but they shall each of them receive yearly the Summ of Seven Hundred Livres a piece and that Church shall bear their Charges unto Colloquies and Synods and all those Acts in the Register of the Consistory prejudicial to the Reputation of Monsieur Ollier shall be razed that so all grounds and occasions of Divisions may be removed And in case this present Agreement should be violated then the Colloquy of Vsez is impowered to judge finally of this matter and to remove Monsieur Ollier from his Ministry in this Church of Alez and to dispose of him elsewhere and that by the Authority of this National Synod 61. The Provincial Deputies of Anjou reported that the Portion given by the National Synod of Vitre unto Monsieur du Bois was payed out of the Moneys of that Province and that the Summs mentioned in the Lord of Candalls Account for the said Portion for the years 1617 1618 and three quarters of 1619 ought to accrew unto the said Province because they have already payed them out of their own Purse This Assembly ordains that the Summ of Six Score Livres imployed in the said Account for those years before-mentioned under the Name of Monsieur du Bois and whose payment hath been forborne shall be now payd in to the Receiver of the said Province of Anjou and his Acquittance being produced it shall be allowed the Lord of Candal in his Accompt And the said Forbearance being now discharged The Lord of Candal shall keep one Portion in his hands to be delivered unto Monsieur du Bois at the place of his Abode 62. The Lord of Clausonne acquainted this Assembly that His Majesty had made him his Lieutenant Governour in the Town and Castle of Lectoure and therefore he craved our Certificate of his being a Protestant professing the Reformed Religion and a Member in full and actual Communion with our Churches This Assembly could not in reason deny him especially he being at this Instant a Deputy to it and one of the Elders for the Province of Lower Languedoc 63. This Assembly willing to provide as it had promised a Pastor for the Church of Gignac and considering its great importance and acknowledging the singular gifts with which the Holy Ghost hath richly endowed Monsieur Codur formerly Minister in the Church of Ganges and that he is every way fit and qualified for the Service and Edification of that Great and Populous Church this Assembly intreats him to go and preach in the said Church of Gignac until the meeting of the next Provincial Synod of Lower Languedoc which he accepted and promised to remove thither as soon as possible And when that Synod shall meet the said Church of Gignac having a Pastor settled among them for Life he shall be at full liberty to retire himself either into the Colloquy of Anduze or into the Synod of Sevennes who are ordered to secure a Church for him or else he may accept of the first Call which the Providence of God may vouchsafe him And that the said Church of Gignac may be able to subsist The Portion appropriated to it from among the Churches of Lower Languedoc shall be payd in free of all Taxes and Charges to it by the said Province and an half supernumerary Portion out of the Common Stock of the Churches 64. Whereas the Church of Montagnac craveth help and assistance against a process in which they be intangled about the demolishing of their Temple in the late unhappy Civil Wars This Assembly recommends unto the Province of Lower Languedoc the said Church and ordereth them to relieve it out of those great means which God hath given them And the Lords Deputies at Court are requested to interest themselves particularly in their Affair 65. The Colloquy of Gex petitioned leave that they might send only but two Pastors and two Elders unto the Provincial Synods But this their Petition was dismissed over to the Province of Burgundy to decree in it what they judged would be most expedient And whereas the said Colloquy craveth an augmentation unto the Moneys already given them this Assembly desires them to rest contented because it could not be granted 66. The Deputies of the Church of Montauban petitioned that Monsieur Guyon at present Pastor in the Church of Dieu le fit in Dolphiny might be given them to be their Pastor Upon hearing of the said Monsieur Guyon and the Deputies of Dolphiny this Assembly declared its unwillingness to dispose of the Person of the said Guyon and of his Ministry especially sith that his Church in which he is now settled hath not been in the least acquainted with this motion 67. The Colloquy of St. German in Sevennes was censured for their levity and rashness in condemning Monsieur Toussain upon so groundless an Accusation and for their suspending him from the Exercise of his Ministry and the Province of Sevennes was censured for conniving at this great Offence And that the Sacred Ministry may be discharged of all blame and ill reports the said Monsieur Toussain shall appear in Person at the next Provincial Synod of Lower Languedoc there either to be justified or condemned as the case requireth and this according to the Canons of our Church-Discipline 68. The Letter of Monsieur Marbais was read and the Assembly remitted his Affair unto the Province of Poictou to give him
of Orleans Elijah du Bois Esq Lord of Senelieres Elder of the Church of Chasteaudun and John du Four Counsellor to the King and his Judge in the Sessions of Blois and Elder of the Church there For the Province of Anjou Mr. John Vigneux Pastor of the Church of Mans Isaac le Pelletier Pastor of the Church of Vandome George Rabboteau Advocate and Elder in the Church of Pruilly and Samuel Pruchieur Lord de la Mesnerie and of the Waters and Forests in the Sheriffdom of Anjou Elder of the Church of Bange For the Province of the Higher and Lower Poictou Mr. Isaac Caville Pastor of the Church of Cove James Cottiby Pastor of the Church of Poitiers Claudius Gourjault Esq Lord of Venoars Elder in the Church of â—usignun and Michael des Roulins Esq Lord of Bois St. Martyn Elder in the Church of Mouschamp For the Province of Xaintonge Mr. William Rivett Lord of Chauvernown Pastor of the Church of Taillebourg Theodore de â—ignon Judge Assistant in the Town of Rochefoucaut and Elder of the Church there and John Thomas Judge of Mirambeau Elder of the Church there as for Michael le Blanc Pastor of the Church of Rochell and deputed at the same time together with the said Lord of Chauvernown he fell sick just as he came to Paris and departed this Life on Wednesday the Thirteenth of this instant September and was buried the next day in the Church-yard of Charenton aforesaid For the Province of the Lower Guyenne Mr. John Alba Pastor of the Church of Tonneins James Berdolin Pastor of the Church of Duras Seigneron Buffoon formerly Lieutenant in the Seneschally of Castlejaloux Elder of the Church there and Mathias Capduroy Advocate in the Parliament of Bourdeaux and Elder of that Church For the Province of Lower Languedoc Solomon Crubelier Pastor of the Church of Vauvert and John Faucheur Pastor of the Church of Nismes and Professor of Divinity in that University James â—esquet Doctor of the Civil Law and Advocate Elder in the Church of Montpellier and du Mas Doctor of the Civil Law and Advocate Elder in the Church of Lunel absent never came unto the Synod For the Province of Higher Languedoc and Guyenne Mr. Peter Beraud Pastor and Professor of Divinity in the Church and University of Montauban Peter Savoys Pastor of the Church of Castres John Mauzy the Kings Attorney in the Judicature of Ville â—ongue Elder in the Church of Puylaurens and James Herauldy Doctor of the Civil Law and Advocate Elder in the Church of Figeac For the Province of Burgundy Mr. Isaiah Bayly Pastor of the Church of â—ions James Clerk Pastor of the Church of Sessy Peter de L' Oriol Esq Lord of Zarlac Elder in the Church of Bourg and Albert de Mars Esq Lord of Balenes Elder in the Church of Maringues absent and did not come unto this Synod For the Province of Dolphiny Mr. James de Chambrun Pastor of the Church of Orange Adrian Chamier Pastor of the Church of Montlimart Moses du Port Esq Captain and Constable of the Castle of Lamure Elder of the Church there and Daniel Bois Advocate in the Parliament of Grenoble and Elder of the Church in that City For the Province of Sevennes Mr. James Berlie Pastor of the Church of Quissac Paul Paulett Pastor of the Church at Vazenobre Andrew du Crois Esq Lord of Vazenobre and Elder of the Church of St. German and Calbergue and Anthony Despeces Doctor of the Civil Law and Advocate Elder in the Church of Alez For the Province of the Isle of France Mr. Samuel Durant and Mr. John Mestrezat Pastors of the Church of Paris Peter de Launay Counsellor and Secretary to the King Elder of the said Church and James de Herouard Esq Lord of â—osseuse Elder in the Church of Baillolett The Lord of Montmartyn Deputy General for the Reformed Churches in this Kingdom to His Majesty took his Place and sate personally in this Synod according to the Canon of our Churches in this case provided Eight Dayes after the opening of the Synod there came and craved admission into it The Sieurs Bertrand d' Avignon Lord of Souvigne Pastor of the Church of Rennes and John de Gennes Lord of la Baste Elder in the Church of Vitre Deputies for the Province of Britain and being demanded the reasons of their delay and late coming they answered that it arose hence that their Provincial Synod could not be held early enough because that His Majesty having given Order to some particular Persons to send an Officer who might assist in Person in it they put off his Nomination and Commission so long that they have lost all this time which Excuses of theirs were accepted by the Assembly Twelve dayes after the Synod had sate there came into it Mr. John D' Isserotte Pastor of the Church of Moneings Deputy for the Principality of Bearn who declared that the Letters of Convocation unto this present Synod came not into their Province but very lately so that they could not assemble their own Synod timely enough for the Deputies to meet at the opening of this Assembly and that Mr. Samuel Campaigne Elder in the Church of Olleroon who was deputed together with him fell sick just as they were beginning their Journey so that he had not time to acquaint the other Person with it who was ordered in case of such an Accident to succeed him in this Office and therefore he humbly requested this Synod to accept of these his Excuses which it also did and gave him his priviledge of sitting and voteing in it But forasmuch as in his Letters of Commission the clause of submission was couched in those very self-same terms and under those conditions wherewith the Deputies of the said Principality had been hitherto admitted into these Assemblies and that the Synod of Alez had suffered those Conditions because of the juncture of Affairs then and by provision only until this present Synod therefore this Assembly doth ordain in pursuance of the limitations and restrictions made in the foregoing National Synods the Provinces shall have full liberty to require that the said Sieur D' Isserotte may not in some cases concerning the Churches of this Kingdom not be permitted either his deliberative or decisive Vote and that before the breaking up of this Synod he do produce the reasons why the Churches in the Principality of Bearne have so long deferred their full and intire subjection to the Discipline of the Churches in France and of which this Assembly will consider and give judgment The Sixteenth day after the Synod had sate there came unto it for the Province of Vivaretz Mr. Joseph Villou Pastor of the Church of Chambon Solomon Faure Pastor of the Church of Privas Anthony Perrottin Advocate Elder in the Church of Villeneusve de Berg and John Faure Lord of Champlas Elder in the Church of Tournon near Privas who related that through the delays and difficulties caused by the Governours and
Observations on reading the Acts of the National Synod of ALEZ 1 WHereas in their Reflections on our Ecclesiastical Discipline the said Synod of Alez had enjoyned all the Provinces to see that the Twelfth Canon in the First Chapter of the Discipline concerning Catechising should be strictly observed This Assembly repeats the same injunction and chargeth the Provincial Synods to make report unto the next National Synod whether this Canon hath been carefully observed or not 2. And as the said National Synod of Alez so doth this also Decree and Enioyn all Consistories to read that Canon made at Privas about Moderation in the habits of Pastors and their Families and it doth enjoyn all Colloquies and Synods to put forth their helping hand for its better observance and to see that all Consistories do read it once a year in their Assemblies and to make report hereof unto the next National Synod 3. On that Canon of the same Synod injoyning Pastors to deliver the Cup as well as the Bread at the Lords Table Divers Provinces requesting that those words As much as may be which had been razed out by the Synod of Alez from the Ninth Canon of the Twelfth Chapter of our Discipline might be again restored This Assembly considering that the far greatest part of the Churches in this Kingdom do conforme themselves unto that Canon of the said Synod and that very many Churches both abroad and at home have since acquiesced in it that also such an observation as this contributes more to the Dignity and Reverence of the Sacrament of the Lords Supper and tends very much unto the Edification of the Communicants therefore doth it injoyne all the Churches to observe most uniformely that Canon of the said Synod of Alez CHAP. VII Reflections on their Observations passed upon the Acts of the Notional Synod of VITRE 4 THat Canon prohibiting Ministers intermedling with State-Matters in their Pulpits and Sermons framed by the Synod of Vitre and reinforced by that of Alez shall be read in their Consistories and all Provincial Synods are expresly charged to see that it be put in Execution and to bring good proof of their Obedience Care and Diligence as to its observation unto the next National Synod 5. On that Canon commanding Pastors to reside in their Churches This Assembly decreed that after the Twelfth Canon in the First Chapter of our Church-Discipline there shall be this immediately inserted All Ministers shall actually reside in their Churches on pain of being Deposed from their Ministerial Office CHAP. VIII On the Chapter of APPEALS This Codur Apostatized afterward in his Old Age and was therefore Deposed by the Synod of Loudun 1659 6 WHEN as that Canon was read concerning the Church of Ganges and Monsieur Codur formerly Pastor of it The Assembly understanding by the Provincial Deputies of Sevennes that the said Province could not in all this time provide a Church for the said Codur It doth now decree that the said Province shall present him unto one between this and their next Synod and in case of their neglect the said Codur is injoyned to wait upon the Synod of Dolphiny which is ordered by this Assembly to assign him a particular Church where he may profitably imploy himself in the Ministry and not rust in Idleness See of this Tuffan Syn. of Alez Appeal 63. and the Roll of Apost in the second Synod of Charenton 7. The Canon concerning the Church of St. Laurence and Monsieur Tuffan their late Pastor suspended by the Synod of Alez and whose Suspension was prolonged till the sitting of this Synod but under this condition that he might be restored unto his Ministerial Office if so be the calling of this National Synod had been deferred for any longer time This Assembly being informed by the Deputies of Lower Languedoc that the said Tuffan hath ever since his suspension demeaned himself with very much Humility and Modesty and suffered very great hardships in the late troubles for which reasons he had been restored unto his Office in the last Synod held at Vsez according as it had pleased the aforesaid Synod of Alez to concede it had the said Province then and there received the News of the Calling of this Assembly Wherefore this Assembly approving fully the Decree of the Synod at Vsez and confirming the said Tuffan again in his Ministry doth overlook that Formality omitted by the said Synod which should have tarried till the time prescribed by the Synod of Alez were totally expired and farther it doth mitigate the rigour of the Canon of that Synod and permits the Synod of Lower Languedoc to assign unto the said Tuffan a particular Church in the Colloquy of Nismes or any one near unto it but still with the consent of the said Colloquy CHAP. IX On the Chapter of GENERAL MATTERS 8 THAT Canon concerning Attestations given unto Proposans shall be read in Consistories Colloquies and in all University Councils and the Provincial Synods shall so exert their Power that it be most strictly observed 9. That Canon about Means and Maintenance for our Ministers and the keeping up of the Holy Ministry shall be read in all Consistories which are exhorted to procure its Execution and Observation as much as in them lyeth 10. On those words in the form of Excommunication In the Name and by the Authority of our â—ord Jesus and by the Authority of the Pastors and Elders assembled in Colloquy and of the Consistory of this Church The Provinces of Anjou and Poictou demanded whether a particular Consistory might not proceed to Excommunication without the advice and consent of the Colloquy This Synod judged according to our Church Discipline that Consistories might warrantably do it provided there were no Appeal Yet nevertheless because of the great importance of this Action the Consistories are exhorted to get it strengthened by and with the Approbation of the Colloquy at least with the advice of the Neighbour-Pastors if it may be had 11. The Province of Berry requesting that the said Forme might be inserted into the Body of our Discipline and that another Forme might be drawn up to be joyned with it for the Restauration of a Penitent Excommunicate The Synod leaving it to the prudence of Ministers and Consistories to use such a Form in the Reception of Penitent Excommunicates as they shall judge most convenient for Places and Persons ordaineth that the aforesaid Form of Excommunication shall be incorporated with our Discipline and placed immediately after the Seventeenth Canon of the Fifth Chapter and those words which before concluded it shall be razed out viz. Vsing this or any other Form as shall be advised by the Consistory Instead whereof shall be inserted these My Brethren this is the Fourth time c. CHAP. X. On the Chapter of PARTICULAR MATTERS 12 ON that Canon about composing an History of the Albingenses This Assembly having been well informed of the Learning and Abilities of the Sieur du
the grant of the half supernumerary Portion for the future which was allowed them by the Synod of Alez The Letters of the said Elders having been perused and the Deputies of the Province heard This Assembly confirms the past Payments and ordains that for the future the supernumerary Portions granted unto the said Province shall be wholly at their own disposal 37. Monsieur Le Pin Elder in the Church of Issurtille appealed from the Judgment of the Synod of Burgundy held at Gex in this present year but his Appeal was declared null and desert 38. That Appeal of the Elders of Aubenas and Annonay from the Judgment of the Provincial Synod of Vivaretz which had reunited the Colledge parted before betwixt those Two Cities and resettled it at Privas was declared null and void CHAP. XIV Of GENERAL MATTERS 1 THE Sieurs de Chambrun and Mestrezat Ministers of the Gospel de Jarlan and Rabboteau Elders who together with our General Deputies had been commanded by this Synod to wait upon His Majesty being now returned made report that they delivered unto the Lord Chancellor unto the Lord de la Vieuville and to the Lords Principal Secretaries of State the Letters of this Assembly of whom they had a very gracious and kind Reception and every one of those Lords assured them of the Kings sincere intentions to conserve the peace of the Kingdom and particularly for His Subjects of the Reformed Religion provided that they persisted in their Duty and Obedience and farther they advised the Pastors and Elders of this Synod upon their return unto their respective Provinces who had sent them that they would deal effectually with them to continue in their due Obedience After this they were introduced into His Majesties Presence who was then attended with My Lord Chancellor and the other Lords of the Privy Council to whom they delivered the Letter of this Assembly and assured His Majesty in the Name of this Assembly and of all the Reformed Churches of this Kingdom whom they represented of their Loyalty Submission and Obedience whereunto they were obliged by their Birth Religion and Benefits conferred upon them by His Majesty And farther they returned their most humble thanks unto His Majesty for that Peace he was pleased to vouchsafe unto his Subjects of the Reformed Religion and did with a most profound Humility petition His Majesty that they might through his Royal Goodness and Justice evermore enjoy and possess it Whereupon His Majesty did with his own Mouth give us this Answer That if his Subjects of the Reformed Religion did carry themselves well and lived in that Duty and Obedience which God and Nature required of them he would continue to them the Priviledges of his Edicts and that My Lord Chancellor should tell us his mind more amply and at large After which My Lord Chancellor bespake them in these words That His Majesty having been well informed of the Actions and Deportments of the Synod till now was exceedingly satisfied But that His Majesty would discover unto them his mind upon two points the first whereof concerned Foreign Pastors That it was His Majesties Will That the Churches should not serve themselves in the Ministry of any other Persons than such as were born in the Kingdom and were his Natural Subjects for some private reasons which he needed not to tell them but one of them was very evident because his Natural Subjects who are such by their Birth would be more tied unto his Service than any Foreigners The other related to the last Synod held at Alez yet was it not in the least intended by His Majesty to impair or alter the Liberty of the Churches with reference to their Faith or the Exercises of their Religion either in Doctrine or Discipline but it was very displeasing unto His Majesty that the National Council of the Reformed Churches in this Kingdom held at Alez should oblige all Pastors by their Corporal Oath to approve a Doctrine defined in a Foreign State And that though His Majesty giveth protection to the Religion yet you must not mistake him he intends it not for a Novel and Exotick Faith When as his Lordship had finished his Discourse The said Deputies did most humbly petition His Majesty graciously to hear them upon those two points which His Majesty having favourably granted They declared as to the first That it was true That now as for a long time ago the Churches of this Kingdom had made use of some Foreign Ministers but that they ever had this honour to have kept themselves within the limits of all Duty and Service to His Majesty and that during the War His Majesty had left unto the Churches their Pastors without informing himself of their Country or Nation But since His Majesty did us the favour as to acquaint us with his Will and Pleasure in a time or Peace that we must have no Strangers to officiate in our Churches it would be so far from preserving our Churches that it would leave some of them destitute and some others desolate and allay very much of the tast and sweets of that ê™eace we now enjoyed Moreover that among those of the Church of Rome in this Kingdom there were a multitude of Ecclesiasticks of other Nations which enjoyed the most honourable and profitable Benefices and Dignities of the Gallican Church wherefore His Majesty was most humbly petitioned that he would be pleated not to make this severe distinction between his Subjects so as to permit those of one Religion to use Strangers and to deny it unto the other And as for the Second Point It was a truth that the Synod of Dort made up of the Deputies of divers Reformed Churches had decided some certain points of Doctrine whereby to oppose the Errors which troubled the Churches of the Netherlands But that this Decision did most harmoniously agree with the Confession of Faith in the Churches of this Kingdom and which had been presented to His Majesties Predecessors So that the substance of the Doctrine asserted arid maintained by that Synod was not new and that there was nothing novel in it excepting its Formality and Application as a Fence and Boundary to keep out divers Errors that were then rising and breaking in upon us So that His Most Excellent Majesty was most humbly intreated not to believe that his Subjects had any such design as to make him the Patron and Protector of a Novel and Foreign Doctrine After that the Deputies had finished their Discourse they were commanded to withdraw that His Majesty might consider and deliberate about what had been said by them and being a while after called in again My Lord Chancellor told them as to the first head that His Majesty having heard the Matters that were propounded by them would not remove the Foreign Pastors from their Flocks in this Kingdom who were now in Office and at present actually imployed But it was his pleasure that for the future no more should be
Council that the Moneys granted by his Bounty unto the Churches might be assigned on some particular Tally for this year That a long time was spent before he could find any success of his endeavours But at last they would give him Orders and Assignations which in truth he refused to accept because he knew them to be naught and worth nothing And that finally about the end of the last April they had given him others which he was constrained to take because he saw the Lords of the Council fixed in their resolutions of giving him none other That indeed these latter Assignations were a little better than the former but it would be a very great while before any payment were made that it would be at least Six or Eight Moneths before the first Summ would become due that the whole Assembly knew they would not grant him any Order or Tally for the last year 1622 yea and His Majesty had revoked his former grant of Moneys to the Churches for the year 1621 and employed them elsewhere to some other purposes And as for the Arrears due unto us in the foregoing years he had took all care possible and used the utmost diligence to recover them but with very little or no success that he had brought in his Accompts and prayed the Assembly to constitute a Committee to audit and close them The Assembly having most heartily thanked the said Lord of Candal for his singular care respects and kindnesses upon all occasions expressed unto the Churches and desired the continuance of his Love did nominate Messieurs de Basnage and Le Clark Pastors du Port and du Four Elders to peruse and examine his Accompts And whereas a world of inconveniencies will befal our Churches by so long delay of paying in the Moneys granted us by His Majesty for this year now current the Synod deputed the Sieurs de L' Angle a Pastor and du Port an Elder and the Lords of Montmartyn and Candal to wait upon His Majesty and on the behalf of this Assembly most humbly to beseech him to grant some other Assignations and Orders for the more speedy paying in of His Majesties Great Bounty unto our Churches and that as a Token of His Royal Goodness and Liberality he would be pleased to add some other Summs to us instead of those which have been taken from us in the last foregoing years we having received not so much as one farthing or doibt for them 15. A few dayes after the said Deputies being returned from the King they made Report in this Assembly how Graciously they had been received by His Majesty who assured them that in case his said Subjects of the Reformed Religion continued in their Duty and Obedience he would alwayes give them all possible content And the same Expressions of kindness they received also from the Lords of His most Honourable Privy Council who ordered out of hand Forty Thousand Livres to be payed in unto them they yielding up unto their Lordships the old Warrants for the like Summ but as for what was requested about reimbursing us the years past by fixing those Summs due unto us on some other Tallies and Assignations their Honours were pleased to say There was no reason why they should promise it 16. The Province of Anjou requested that the University of Saumur might not any longer be left destitute of Professors in Divinity but that some speedy care and course might be taken to send Monsieur Cameron to be Professor of that faculty in it The Lord Commissioner and Deputy for His Majesty unto this Synod declared that it was the Will and Pleasure of His Majesty that those two Gentlemen Mr. Gilbert Primrose and Mr. John Cameron should not be preferred neither of them to any Publick Office either of Pastors in the Churches or of Pastors and Professors in the Churches and Universities of this Kingdom not because of their Birth as being Foreigners but for some private Reasons of State relating to his Service And the said Lord of Galland presented us His Majesties Letters Written and Signed with His Own Hand Lewes and a little lower de L' Omeny Dated the Twenty Fifth day of this present Moneth The Assembly understanding this to be His Majesties pleasure would not put it to the Vote Whether they should be continued or not in their Ministry but deputed the Sieurs Cottiby Minister of the Gospel and du Bois and St. Martyn Elders together with the Lord of Montmartyn General Deputy to carry unto His Majesty a Petition from this Assembly wherein this Assembly did most humbly beseech His Majesty that as he had lately with his own Mouth most graciously promised so His Majesty would be pleased to give Order that all our Ministers might as fully injoy the fruit and benefit of his promise CHAP. XV. N. B. What picque the King of France had against Monsieur Cameron as I cannot tell so I shall not write my guesses and conjectures about it because they may be and may not be true Mr. Cameron if he had designed what afterwards some others attempted a coalition of both the Religions Protestant and Popish yet certainly was no Papist yea far enough from their Doctrine and Worship But he had angred the Jesuits not so much as his Reverend Colleague and Countreyman And this was the true reason why Monsieur Primrose was necessitated to quit Bourdeaux and France when as Cameron was permitted to tarry and return to Bourdeaux and was preferred unto the Professors Chair in Divinity afterwards at Montauban On Whitsunday in the year 1619. Father Arnoux the Jesuit preaching before the King Queen and Court of France in the Castle of Amboise attempted a Task impossible to whiten Blackamores to wash or wipe his Church clean and especially his own Order from an indelible blot viz. That they held it lawful to kill Kings This the Jesuit with a boldness and audaciousness which is the proper Talent of their Society would have some how or other evaded He assures that Royal Auditory with the greatest confidence that it was never the Doctrine of their Catholick Church never believed by these good Fathers that Subjects might lawfully rebel against their Sovereigns yea that it doth anathematize all those who teach and preach that the Sacred Persons of Princes may be lawfully made away and murdered yea that the whole Society of Jesuits doth condemn detest and as much as hi them lieth doth anathematize all Advisers Abettors and Aiders of Rebels against their King upon any pretext vvhatsoever His Majesty and that vvhole illustrious Auditory vvere overjoyed at this free and liberal Declaration of the Jesuit and quitted the Sermon as they said very much edified And His Majesty told it publickly that he had great reason to be pleased with the Fathers of the Society and that Father Arnoux had in the Name and stead of them all plainly and fully enough condemned the Book of Mariana Monsieur Primrose vvas present at this Sermon and
Scribes In pursuance of the Canon made in the Synod or Privas The Provinces are injoyned to see that the Deputies of every Church do make Oath that they shall not give their Votes nor Suffrages unto such as brigue their Elections and Deputations unto our National Synods CHAP. XIII The Confession of Faith approved THE Confession of Faith being read word by word and every Article distinctly in its due Order it was approved and ratified by the Unanimous consent of all the Deputies both Pastors and Elders who protested as well for themselves as for their Provinces that they would live and die in the profession of this Faith teach it in their Churches and see it inviolably to be observed CHAP. XIV Observations on reading the Church-Discipline 1 AFter those words in the Fifth Canon of the First Chapter Without power of administring the Holy Sacraments these shall be added nor of solemnizing Marriages 2 In reading the Nine and Twentieth Canon of the same Chapter the Council declareth that by the discord mentioned in that Canon we are to understand not only what is moved by the Pastor but by the Church or Members among themselves also 3. On the first Canon of the third Chapter it was declared that whosoever accepted the Office of an Elder cannot be constrained to execute it if before his Reception thereinto the consent he had once given be again revoked by him 4. When the sixth Canon of the eighth Chapter was read at the request of the Provincial Deputies of Berry it was voted That Provincial Synods should be obliged before they brake up to proceed unto Censures even as in the like case a Decree had been framed for Colloquies 5. All our Churches are exhorted faithfully and exactly to observe the ninth Canon of the twelfth Chapter concerning the Administration of the Cup in the Lords Supper and to be accountable for their Obedience to it unto the next National Synod 6. The eighth Canon of the Ninth Chapter shall be razed but of our Discipline as being superfluous and unpracticable in our Churches 7. The same judgment having past on the fourth Canon of the tenth Chapter it was amended and changed into these words Churches which have been accustomed to make Publick Prayers on some certain days of the Week may continue that order which for many years they have so happily observed and other Churches may imitate their good example when as the Lord shall bless them with Ability and Opportunity and it may contribute unto their Edification 8. And Pastors also in the faithful discharge of their duties shall indeavour by their Remonstrances and Exhortations to prevent those great dishonours done unto Almighty God by that general contempt of his Holy Word preached very many neglecting Sermons and Publick Publick Ordinances of Religious Worship yea and Family-Prayers of which Omissions a multitude of Heads of Families Housholders and their Domesticks are exceeding guilty 9. The eighteenth Canon of the thirteenth Chapter shall be couched in this form Such as dwell in those places where the Publick Exercise of our Religion is not est ablished may cause their banes of Matrimony to be published in the Popish Churches it being a matter purely political 10. The Churches are injoyned by this Synod to give in an account unto their Colloquies and Provincial Synods of all Infractions of the sixteenth Canon in the fourteenth Chapter of our Discipline and Colloquies and Synods are to censure such Offenders whether they have violated it by printing of Practical or Controversal Treatises 11. When the twenty fourth twenty fifth and twenty sixth Canons of the fourteenth Chapter were read it was voted That this ensuing Canon should be made and read in all the Churches as soon as the Deputies were returned unto their respective Provinces CHAP. XV. An Act against Debauchery FOrasmuch as the Wrath of God is visibly revealed from Heaven against the Ungodlyness of Men and is notoriously poured out upon those who being once enlightned from above and called to the knowledge of the Heavenly Truth have afterward kept it under Hatches through their Unrighteousness that so they might more freely wallow in the Abominations of this World and turn the Grace of God into lasciviousness The National Synod of the reformed Churches of this Kingdom Assembled by His Majesties Licence in the Town of Gastres unable to behold without weeping Eyes and a wounded bleeding heart after such dreadful Judgments and Desolations as have befallen us the reigning Dissolutions and Debauches of those Persons who style and own themselves Members of Gods Church though in very truth and deed they be horrible Profaners of his Holy Name and dishonourable Professors of our most Holy Religion by their Impious and Licentious Lives and do as much as in them lieth deny the power of Godliness by their open and shameless ingratitude to his Divine Goodness Now for the avoiding of Gods burning Wrath and Indignation and more and more to stir up the Bowels of his Fatherly Compassions which he was pleased to remember for us even in the midst of Judgment yea and then also when as he smote his sinful Heritage with his forest and severest strokes and that upon our Conversion and Reformation his special Love and favour may be had and obtained and that this peace which against all hopes he hath given a stiff-necked and rebellious People who have bitterly provoked him to Jealousie and as it is too too evident have nothing profited by his Rod of Discipline and Correction may be preserved and continued This National Synod decreeth That all the Churches of this Kingdom shall be sollicited by the most powerful Motives and Arguments to humble themselves deeply in a most serious Repentance before his Divine Majesty and utterly to abandon all Vanities Luxury 's Fantasticalness and sumptuous Superfluities in Apparel those unseemly Ornaments and delights of lascivious Curles Paintings Naked Breasts Dances Balls Masquerades Wassaile-Feasts Carnevalls and all other unfruitful works of Darkness that so the Faithful Reforming their Lives and producing Fruits worthy of Repentance may demonstrate themselves by their good Works to be the conscientious Guardians of that pretious Jewel or saving Truths which is deposited with them And all Consistories are injoyned to exert that Authority given them of God diligently to suppress their Insolencies who glorying in their shame and ignominy may attempt in aftertimes to continue in any of their disorderly and sinful practises and should set themselves to resist those Remonstrances which the Great and Holy God hath or may issue forth against them by his Sacred Word And that this most needful Canon may be executed with the greater Faithfulness Care and Facility This Synod doth ordain that it shall be read publickly in all our Churches and an Account of its Observation shall be given in unto Colloquies and Synods on pain of being responsible in their own Persons particularly for all its Transgressions and Violations The whole Church Discipline having been read
of the Years 1625 and 1626 without any diminution and for the Years One thousand six hundred and twenty one and twenty two a certain Sum out of that Stock and Fund which is in the disposal of the Synod and that such of them as are Pastors and have no Sallery from their Churches shall be paid that Portion which was allotted and settled on them as upon the other Pastors but with this difference that there shall be nothing deducted for Costs or Taxes out of it 3. This Synod having maturely considered the Reasons inducing the last National Synod of Charenton to supress the Profession of the Greek Tongue in those Universities which are maintained by our Churches hath thought good once again to restore It but with this Condition that the Professors shall explain unto their Scholars the most elegant Treatises of the Fathers And whereas Mr. Weems Principal at Montauban hath craved leave that at the same time he teacheth the Greek Tongue he may also teach the Mathematicks and Metaphysicks unto the Colledg his Petition was dismissed over to the Council of that University who should do therein as their Prudence should direct them 4. As for those Demands made by Monsieur Petit Professor of Divinity at Nismes on behalf of that University the Synod ordains 1. That for the Years 1621 and 1622 the Professors there must rest satisfied with what they have already received and patiently bear their part in the common Incommodities suffer'd by the Churches And for the Years 1625 and 1626 they shall receive their full Sallaries out of the first and clearest Monies of his Majesty's Liberality 2. That those of the aforesaid Professors who have the grant of a free Portion as the Sieurs Petit and Codour shall receive it from the Hands of the Lord of Candall's Deputy in the Province of Lower Languedoc 3. That the Sieur Codour Professor of the Hebrew Tongue shall come down unto the same Terms with the Professors of the said Language in our other Universities and he may not demand a greater Sallary than hath been granted and paid them until now 5. All the Provinces are exhorted to examine in their Synods Whether our Universities may not be removed from one place unto another or whether they may not be reduced to a lesser Number than they are at present that so the next National Synod may decree therein what will be most expedient for the whole Body of our Churches 6. Such Pastors as are employed in the Profession of the Hebrew Tongue shall over and above their ordinary Stipend as Pastors receive also their Wages as Professors And as for Professors of Divinity who serve the Churches of our Universities and receive some kind of Maintenance from them because of their ordinary Ministry among them there shall be an half Portion granted to them which they shall receive also but with deduction of their Pension promised them by their respective Churches 7. Two hundred and ten Livers shall be the yearly Sallary of the Regents in the fifth and sixth Glasses of the Colledg of Saumur 8. The Synod gave leave unto the Province of Sevennes to settle their Colledg in that Corporation which would contribute most towards its Maintenance 9. That the Right of our Churches may be preserved and our Universities in this Kingdom may be provided for Letters were ordered to be written unto Dr. Andrew Rivet to dispose and perswade him to serve as Professor in one of our Universities and the like Letters shall be written to the Lords Curators of the University of Leyden to acquaint their Lordships with the Desires of this Council and intreat them to set Dr. Rivet at liberty And the Church of Paris is charged to see those Letters delivered into their Hands to whom they be directed and to receive their Answer and make Replies unto them as they judg meet 10. That the Colledg in this City of Castres may be preserved the Council ordained that the said Colledg shall until the next National Synod enjoy the Sum of four hundred Livers yearly which Monies were detained in the Hands of the Lord of Candall out of the Monies given unto the Colledg of Bergeras without any the least prejudice unto the Grant formerly made unto the Province of Lower Guyenne in favour of the Towns of Bergerac and Nerac 11. The University of Nismes having not brought in their Accompt of the Monies they had received and employed since the last National Synod shall carry it unto the next Synod of Sevennes which is ordered to audit and finish it up by the Authority of this Assembly 12. The Province of Higher Languedoc brought in their Accompts by the Hands of Monsieur Bardon who was constituted Receiver for the said Province and Paymaster of the University of Montauban for the Years 1619 1620 1623 and 1624 but gave no Accompt for the Years 1621 and 1622 nor of the Years 1625 and 1626 because he had not received any thing in those Years by reason of the Troubles and Wars that were then in being and it appears upon the closing up of his Accompt that there is due unto him the Sum of two thousand one hundred and fifty nine Livers nineteen Sous and eight Deniers proceeding in part from eight hundred and eleven Livers paid by him unto the Professors for their Wages in the Year 1621 and for another Disbursement paid unto the said Professors for their Wages in the Year 1625 and for seven hundred Livers paid in to Madamoyselle Chamier for the Year of her Widowhood for which Sum of two thousand one hundred and fifty nine Livers nineteen Sous eight Deniers there was a Fund ordered for his Reimbursment viz. the very first Moneys that are to be distributed among the Churches And the said Accomptant and all others also were injoined for the future not to make the Expences in their Accompts greater than their Receipt appointed them by the National Synods on pain of Radiation 13. The Province of Anjou having in Obedience to the Decree of the Synod of Charenton given in unto the Colloquy of Higher Poictou the Accompts of Moneys received for the Maintenance of their University at Saumur three quarters of the Year 1620 and for the compleat Years 1621 1623 and 1624 and for the first quarter of the Year 1625 it appeared by that Accompt that they had paid five and twenty Livers four Sous and six Deniers more than they had received and it appeared by the said Accompt that they had received nothing for the whole Year 1622 and yet nevertheless they had disbursed for three quarters of the said Year as the Acquittances of that Disbursment did evidently prove there being also no Moneys received for the Profession of Divinity which was then vacant Wherefore the said Accompt was allowed and approved and the Censure against them in the Acts of the Synod of Charenton taken off and the Sums detained from them by the Decree of that Synod were now again rendred
Ressent 547. La Motte Antony de Creze 548. Curban Claudius Marshall 549. Joran Andrew Guerin 550. Lormarin Peter Maurice 551. Riez Andrew Genoyer 552. La coste James Bayly 553. Merindol James Malat. 554. La Charce Andrew Beruard 555. Grasse Peter Mercurin 556. Luc John Durier 557. Soderon John Bernard 558. Manosques Paul Guardinar 559. Velaux James Rescent Fourteenth Province and Provincial Synod of Orleans and Berry divided into three Colloquies having twenty nine Churches and thirty Pastors 1st The Colloquy of Sancerre Gien and Nivernois 560. St. Leonard near Corbigny Stephen Monsanglard 561. Chastillon on the Loing Simon Jurieu 562. Gien upon the Loir Daniel Jamet 563. Chastillon on the Loir Louis Margone 564. Bruion Bennet de la Roche 565. Henry Chemont Dantigny enjoyeth the Ministry of Isaac Babaud 566. Sawerre Paul Alard a Rocheller 567. La Charité John Taby 568. La Scelle and Dolat Anne Poat 569. Despueilles Elijah Semeele 2d Colloquy of Orleans and Blaisois 570. Blois Nicholas Vignier and Paul Testard 571. Romorantin Jacob Brun. 572. Cheleure and Boudara David Horace 573. Boisgency John Guerin 574. Basoches and Denouville Jerom Belon 575. Orleans James Imbert and Durand 578. Chasteaudun James Lancy 579. Dangeau Lewes Tuissard 3d Colloquy of Bourbonnois 580. Argenton Bliseus Saluon 581. St. Amand and Belet Lewis Scoffier 582. Delise Peter Falquet 583. Moudun René Bedé 584. Ambusson William Vignon 585. Gergeau destitute 586. Bourges destitute 587. La Chastre and St. John Verin destitute 588. Suilly destitute Fifteenth and last Province and Provincial Synod of France is the Province of Normandy divided into five Colloquies having thirty five Churches and forty Pastors 1st Colloquy of Roan 589. Roan hath John Maximilian de L'anglé Peter Erondelle and David Primrose 590. Orbes Abraham le Seneschal 591. Quillebaeuf William Cacherat 592. Saucourt Charles De lossat 593. Pont Levesque Stephen Fudes 594. Eureax Peter le Tellier 2d Colloquy of Caux 595. Dieppe Abdias de Mondenis and Moyse * * * The Son of this Cartaud sâ—â—â—â—â—ed his Father and in the Year 1685 he turn'd Apostate Cartaud 596. Boislebec James de Larrey 597. Luncrey and Basqueville Isaac de la Balte 598. Seintet Isaac de la Motte 599. Fescum David Guellode 600. Haure de Grace John Baudowin 3d Colloquy of Caen. 601. Caen John le Boniver Lord of la Fresnay John de Ballehache and Samuel Bochart 602. Baali Samuel Bajeux 603. Bayeneux John le Breton 604. St. Vast Stephen le Sage 605. Trencens Antony le Genevois 606. Geffosse David Chanduret 607. Les Essars John Tappin 4th Colloquy of Falaise 608. Atis Peter Morin 609. Presnat David Bourgat 610. Mezieres Peter Baulran 611. Vire William Blanchard 612. St. Silvain Noah Gallot 613. Condé upon Noireau John Blanchard 614. Falaise Peter Baycux David de Caux a Pastor without a Church 5th Colloquy of Constantin 615. Ste mere Eglife Benjamin Banage and Antony de Lassleur 616. Dulé Mark Maurice 617. St. Lo Vincent Soler 618. Groussy Jeremy Charitier 619. Gaure Jehoiachin le Moyne 620. Cheffresne Isaac de Vennes 621. Chassagne Luke Boquet 622. La haye dupuy destitute 623. Serizi destitute There is in this Province a sixth Colloquy viz. the Colloquy of Alencon but it and its Churches are both omitted in this Catalogue Sixteenth Province and Provincial Synod is the Province of Bearn Which Province being in the Principality of Bearn did always appear by two Deputies chosen by their Synod in the National Synods of the Reformed Churches of this Kingdom and were in this of Castres represented by the Lords Peter de Rivall Pastor in the Church of Nay and John de Pommerede Advocate in the Parliament of Navarre Elder in the Church of Morlas but the said Deputies did not bring with them the Roll of the Churches and Pastors in their Province so that they could not be registred CHAP. XXXVIII A Letter of the Church of Geneva to the National Synod of Castres Most Reverend Honoured and Dear Brethren THere has not been a National Synod of the Churches for these many Years last past held in France but that we have made tenders of our Duties to them because of that strict and intimate Communion we have with them all in our common Lord. We have also new Ingagements unto Thankfulness and to abound in Thanksgivings for the infinite Mercies of our God which are Day by Day and from one Year unto another accumulated upon and continued to his Churches the Lord renewing his tender Compassions so miraculously in their Preservations But if ever we had any cause for so doing 't is now that we are in a most extraordinary manner obliged to it for his gracious Providence shines forth with a most admirable Lustre in the defence of your Churches and particularly in the free enjoyment of your Religious Assemblies so that at the many strange Accidents which have befallen you for divers Years together and the Tempests with which the Kingdom of France hath been assaulted and battered the sore and grievous Afflictions of many of our Brethren having astonished our Souls and overwhelmed our Hearts with Sorrows had made us almost despair of ever seeing the comfortable returns of Peace unto your Realm and of Repose and Settlement for your poor afflicted Churches and the Exercise of your most excellent Discipline than which a better was never practised in the Christian World And now in this Calm the Divine Wisdom gathers his Children as the Hen doth her Chickens under his Wings and reneweth the Face of his Church in your Congregations as the Eagle doth his Youth And this Mercy should be the more prized and esteemed by us because it is not in this Day a common Favour and Benefit vouchsafed of God unto all those whom he had once honoured with the knowledg of himself in the Gospel For besides that the subversion of so many Provinces the dismal Desolations or those sometimes flourishing Churches in Germany Bohemia Moravia and the Valtoline are yet continued and the Dissipations and Dispersions are still growing and augmenting and the Judgments of God from Heaven are following one upon the neck of another one dreadful Ravage calling upon another to make haste Therefore we lie prostrate night and day at the Feet of our Heavenly Father adoring his rich Grace in Christ Jesus for setting bounds unto the Fire of his Wrath so that all his Churches are not totally devoured by it And we most ardently beseech his Divine Majesty that as he keeps the Hearts of Kings in his own Hands so he would be pleased to inspire your King with Counsels of Favour and Peace for his People and tender Love unto your Churches that under his Government and Authority the Name of God may be celebrated with Liberty of Conscience and Truth may bring forth Faith in the World and Righteousness from Heaven may yield the Fruit of True and Saving Peace Moreover we do also carry upon our Hearts unto the Throne
Holy Work and as you have been made a Spectacle to Men and Angels so do you persist to hold forth the Light of the Gospel in all Pureness and to fight the good Fight with the Weapons of Righteousness on the right Hand and on the left taking all possible Care that no Root of Bitterness do spring up which under the Shadow and Pretext of subtle Questions may weaken or diminish the Union of all your Members and whom 't is most indispensably needful you should firmly cement in an Uniformity of Confession to avoid those dreadful Distractions which will infallibly arise from a Diversity of Opinions and Affections All the Reformed Churches as far as ever we could learn were filled with Joy at those solid Declarations made in your National Synods against revived Pelagianism and at that singular Care taken by those venerable and Holy Councils to exclude it out of your Churches Now he that lowed those Tares in God's Field is not asleep but is still at Work wherefore there is need of continual Watchings there must be no relaxing of your Circumspection lest you should lose the things which you have wrought But we may forbear insisting any longer on this Argument nor is there any reason that we should exhort you to continue in your godly Purposes and Resolutions Sith your great Zeal is a most powerful Example to excite others It 's enough that we have thus opened our Hearts unto your Reverences and have largely experienced the harmonious Uniformity of your Holy Thoughts and Intentions And forasmuch as by these late Troubles some famous Universities have to our unspeakable Grief suffered very sad Eclipses and Interruptions we shall do our best and utmost Endeavour to keep burning that little Candle which the Goodness of our God hath lighted up in our poor Candlestick And our most honoured Magistrates have resolved to continue their Incouragement and Maintenance of our School and University which from its first Foundation had none other Design or End than to prepare Instruments who might be another Day capable of edifying God's Church And they conceive themselves at this time more especially concerned and obliged to serve your Churches because 't is but the Repayment of an old Debt We owing the Original of our Academy unto the worthy Labours of some of your most eminent and famous Ministers besides your favourable Respects have been exceeding serviceable to it in its Growth and Progress and they do receive with singular Consolation the Assurances of your good Will both from the Letters of the last Synod at Charenton and from your sending of Students hither to whose Advancement in Learning and Godliness we shall most willingly contribute whatever God hath imparted to us that so we may return them to you well improved and furnished with those requisite Talents for the Ministry in the Temple of the Lord. Moreover we do return you our most hearty Thanks for your kind Remembrance had of our Church in times past and we do bless the Lord for the Expressions of his Majesty's Love and Kindness towards our City which is a Continuance of those Royal Favours we have ever received from the Crown of France and consonant to his former Declarations that he would not exclude the Natives of this Town in case according to your excellent Discipline they should be called out unto the Ministry in the Churches of his Kingdom And we are so very well satisfied of your Love unto us that it the aforesaid Declaration should not be notified unto some of the Churches yet by your means it shall be so for the future and this will be a renewed Pledg and Confirmation of your ancient fraternal Charity and Affection to us Whereupon we do most affectionately salute in the Lord your Holy Synod and tender you our most humble Service intreating the Continuance of your good Will unto us and that you would strive together with us in your Prayers for us as we do continually recommend you unto our God the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ and to the Word of his Grace and to his Spirit of Consolation and all your Churches Persons Labours and your whose sacred Assembly to his most blessed Protection beseeching the great Shepherd of Souls that he would daign to preside in the midst of you and make you perfect in every good Work to do his Will working in you what is well pleasing to him and accumulate upon you his best and most Heavenly Benedictions to the Glory of his Holy Name And subscribe our selves Most Honoured Lords and Brethren Your most affectionate Brethren and most humble Servants in the Lord the Pastors and Professors in the Church and University of Geneva and in the Name of them all Prevost Diodati B. Turretin Du-Pan The Superscription was thus To our most Honoured Lords and Brethren the Pastors and Elders of the Reformed Churches of France assembled in their National Synod at Castres The Answer of the Pastors and Elders in the National Synod of Castres unto the Letter of the Right Reverend Pastors and Professors of Geneva Most Honoured Lords and Brethren AMong the Consolations which the Goodness of our God hath granted us in this Place this which we have received from your Communion in Spirit with us and those cordial Affections which you have expressed to us have been therefore the more acceptable because that as we rejoice in the Lord so we cannot but be thankful to him for that after so many Troubles and Desolations we be yet permitted to assemble from all Corners and Quarters of this Kingdom to the upholding settling and confirming of his Holy Worship You also are come in by your Letters to bear your Parts in this sacred Harmony augmenting by the Union of your Hearts with ours the rich Blessing which the Prophet hath compared to that precious Oil poured out upon the Head of Aaron and to the Dew which descends from Mount Sion and this too with such an Efficacy that the bare hearing of your sweet Consolations and Holy Counsels hath by a most secret and powerful Motion sensibly operated upon us and raised up the Spirit of Jesus Christ our Head in us who doth unite us though many Members into one Body in the Lord. We do therefore imbrace you in our God and accept thankfully of your Prayers and Holy Affections giving Thanks unto our Heavenly Father that as you have piously confess'd it he made us an Example of his Compassions and having saved us out of divers Perils and Distresses he hath preserved us our Lives by no less a Miracle than that of old when as he preserved the Bramble-Bush from being consumed in the midst of those Flames of War which ravaged our whole Country Nor can we sufficiently adore his singular Loving Kindnesses that although the Sins of his People had so far provoked his Wrath as to throw down all our Fences and to demolish all our Fortresses and to wither that Arm of Flesh in which we had so
have suffered us to have finished what we had begun since we had entred upon it But contrariwise we were censur'd by them and they rejected our Call of Monsieur Daillé without ever giving us any reason for it This most honoured Sirs did exceedingly astonish us and is very bitter to us that after so many Travels we should be blamed for that Action of which we protest before God Angels and your Holy Assembly we had none other end than the Glory of God and the Advancement of his Kingdom nor durst we believe that our Synod could have been guilty of such an Excess unless the Interests and Pretensions of some particular Persons had not been predominant For we are not convinced of having violated any Canon of our Church-Discipline whereas on the contrary those Gentlemen under the pretext of establishing it do sap and undermine its very Foundations For the Discipline having prudently ordained that no Church may call a Pastor from another Province till it have first communicated it unto the Provincial Synod hath thereby provided for two things first For the publick Edification of our Churches and for the maintaining of an holy Union between all the Churches of this Kingdom it doth permit a Church to chuse and call a Pastor to it from out of another Province And if this be permitted unto all the Churches and many of them have made use of this Priviledg it ought more especially be allow'd unto this Church of Paris whose Importance is sufficiently known This hath been our practice ever unto this day nor till now was it contradicted by any Person For thus was Monsieur du Moulin called off from the Service of her Royal Highness the Dutchess of Barr deceased and thus did we call Monsieur Durant from her Highness the Dutchess of Deuxponts The other is that the Discipline would hinder Churches from calling rashly and unadvisedly such Persons whose Doctrine was unsound or Lives scandalous or in whom there was an Insufficieney So that if any Church should call such Persons the Provincial Synod might very justly and warrantably obstruct and hinder it But when-as nothing can be urg'd against the Person called the Synod hath no power to hinder that Call such an absolute Power being condemned by the Word of God And 't is very improbable that the Composers of our Discipline should ever harbour such a Thought or Intention as to impose this Yoke upon our Churches or that they would place Pastors of Churches in worse Circumstances than Scholars who being sought after by Churches and presented unto Synods cannot be rejected whenas they have those Qualities which are requisite for their imployment in the Sacred Ministry Therefore in our Opinion we have not in the least swerved from the Canons of our Discipline For we have called a Person admitted into the Pastoral Office already in our Churches and who hath discharged his Duty with Applause and Commendation and not a Stranger utterly unknown to us And we gave notice of it unto our Synod as soon as possibly we could and craved their Approbation But contrariwise our said Synod breaketh the Links in the golden Chain of Communion between us and our Churches and would deprive us of that Blessing and Franchise wherewith our Discipline hath endowed us and of which we have had the Possession and Enjoyment to this present Day and this without alledging of any other Reason besides their meer and bare Will and Pleasure For in case these Gentlemen should pretend Ignorance of Monsieur Daillé and that they do not in the least know him We answer that they might better have been acquainted with him and inform'd themselves concerning him than to have deprived us of so great a Blessing and to reject a Person whom having once the happiness of his Acquaintance they would most highly caress esteem and value Besides were there any force in this Argument all Pastors might be rejected who are called from out of the Province But should they say the Synod disapproved absolutely of this Call because we were over-hasty in it and that we did not in the first place consult with them about it We answer That we imparted this Affair unto them as soon as possibly we could and in case we did it not sooner it was not out of any disrespect unto them These Gentlemen do very well know with how much Humility and cordial Affection we are wont to treat and deal with them But this must be imputed to the unhappiness of the Times and that Affliction wherewith God had visited us And suppose we had failed in this Particular which yet they will never be able to convince us of What Zeal what Charity is this to punish our Miscarriage with the loss of God's Glory and the Edification of so considerable a Church as ours is And if God had not out of his great Goodness excited the Charity and moved the Compassions of Churches far distant from us the Condition of our Church had been most lamentable for our Synod made no better Provision for us than to send us unto our Colloquy And whenas we thought of addressing our selves to it the very first Church from whom we demanded help gave us this answer That it could not afford us any till such time as the Colloquy had prescribed them the manner How thereby deluding our very Demand For you know Sirs how rarely our Colloquies are held and the trouble we have now-adays to assemble them Therefore whenas the Church of Saumur had the Charity to consent that Monsieur Daillé should come and serve us and the Synod of Anjou imitating their Zeal agreed to this Removal we did not make any scruple of calling Monsieur Daillé to our Assistance in which also the Blessing of God is very visible For this Church receiveth a most singular Edification by his Ministry and we are full of hopes that it will be continued and be daily more and more useful and fruitful and that we have exceeding great cause of praising God for putting it into our Hearts to make such a Choice We beseech you then most Honoured Sirs that considering our Sincerity and Zeal in this Affair but above all the Glory of God and the Edification of our Church you would be pleased to confirm this our Choice and to roll away that Reproach wherewith some would blast our Honours and Office and to take off that Censure which hath been denounc'd against us and to admonish our Province to carry it with more Love towards us In doing whereof you will inspire us with new Courage in the midst of those Travels sustained by us for the Service of our Church and of many others to whom upon all Occasions we are ready to perform all kind of good Offices And we beseech God most Honoured Sirs to preside in your Council by his Holy Spirit to preserve your Persons and to shower down his Blessings upon your Labours Being Paris August 20.1626 Your most humble and most
obedient Brethren the Pastors and Elders in the Reformed Church of Paris and for all Drelincourt Pastor Bigot Tardif Dinets Massanes Millet Raillard and Mandat Elders And in the Margin We most earnestly beseech you to give Audience to Monsieur Mestrezat who is ordered more particularly to report this Affair unto you The End of the Synod of Castres SYNODICON IN Galliâ Reformatâ OF THE Acts Canons Decisions and Decrees OF THE Four Last National Synods OF THE Reformed Churches OF FRANCE The Second Part of the Second Volume By JOHN QVICK Minister of the Gospel LONDON Printed by J. D. for Thomas Parkhurst and Jonathan Robinson 1691. THE Acts Canons Decisions and Decrees OF THE Twenty sixth Synod HELD BY The Reformed Churches OF FRANCE and BEARN The second Time at CHARENTON Under the Authority and Permission of LOUIS XIII King of FRANCE and NAVARRE In the twenty second Year of his Reign begun September the 1st and ended Friday the 10th of October In the Year of our Lord 1631. The General CONTENTS of these Synodical Acts in several Chapters Chap. I. THE Lord Galland the King's Commissioner The King 's Writ for calling the Synod Deputies Names Election of Synodical Officers Chap. II. The King's Letters Patents and Commission to the Lord Galland Chap. III. The Lord Galland's Speech to the Synod Chap. IV. The Moderator's Reply to this Harangue Chap. V. Deputies and a Letter sent from the Synod unto the King Chap. VI. The Cahier or Bill of Grievances sent by the Synod to the King Chap. VII The Deputies Return from Court with the King's Answer and Letter to the Synod Chap. VIII Election of General Deputies Chap. IX Monsieur Beraud admitted at Deputy to sit and vote in the Synod Chap. X. A second Letter from the Synod unto the King Chap. XI The General Deputies make Report of their Audience and the King's Answer to that Letter Chap. XII The Sieurs Bouteroue and Basnage admitted as Deputies to sit and act in the Synod Chap. XIII The King's Letter unto the Lord Galland about it Chap. XIV Approbation of the Confession of Faith Chap. XV. Observations upon the Discipline Chap. XVI Observations upon the National Synod of Castres Chap. XVII A great Debate about incorporating the Churches of Bearn with those of France opposed by the Lord Commissioner Chap. XVIII The Synod's Reply unto his Lordship Chap. XIX The Synod's Protestation upon this Conjunction of the Churches of Bearn with those of France Chap. XX. General Matters Chap. XXI An Act for a publick National Fast Chap. XXII An Act in favour of the Lutheran Brethren Chap. XXIII Particular Matters Chap. XXIV Of Vniversities and Colledges Chap. XXV An Act for an Assessment upon the Provinces for maintaining the Vniversities Chap. XXVI A Dividend of our borrowed Charities to maintain the Vniversities Chap. XXVII The Provinces Accompts about their Maintenance exhibited to the Colledges and Vniversities Chap. XXVIII The Lord of Candall's Accompts Chap. XXIX A Dividend of sixteen thousand Livers among the Provinces Chap. XXX A blank Dividend Chap. XXXI Roll of Apostate and deposed Ministers Chap. XXXII An Act for calling the next National Synod at Alanson Chap. XXXIII Remarks upon three of the Deputies The Second Synod of CHARENTON 1631. the 26th Synod SYNOD XXVI 1631. In the Name of God Amen Acts and Decrees of the twenty sixth National Synod held by the Reformed Churches of France and Bearn the second time at Charenton St. Maurice near Paris in the Province of the Isle of France under the Authority and Permission of Lewes the Thirteenth King of France and Navarre in the twenty second Year of his Reign begun September the 1st and ended Friday the 10th Day of October in the Year 1631. CHAP. I. The Lord Galland the King's Commissioner The King 's Writ for calling the Synod Deputies Names Election of Synodical Officers Article 1. AT the opening of this Assembly the Lord Galland Counsellor to his Majesty in his most honourable Privy Council and Council of State and Attorney General for his Dominion of Navarre appeared in Person as Commissioner deputed by his Majesty unto it and presented his Majesty's Warrant signed with his Sign Manual for the convocating of it 2. This 29th Day of January in the Year of our Lord 1631. The King being at Paris upon the most humble Petition of his Subjects of the pret Reformed Religion that they might be permitted to meet and assemble in a National Synod there not having been one held since that of Castres in the Year 1626. His Majesty being very willing to gratify those his Subjects aforesaid and to give them some Marks of his Royal Favour hath granted and permitted and doth grant and permit unto those his aforesaid Subjects the Power and Priviledg of holding a National Synod the first Day of September next at Charenton near Paris but with this Condition that none other Matters shall be debated in it but such as are allowed them by his Majesty's Edicts and that the Lord Galland Counsellor to his Majesty in his Privy Council and Council of State and Attorney General for his House of Navarre shall assist personally in the said Synod as his Majesty's Commissioner as hath been accustomed and practised heretofore In Testimony whereof his Majesty hath commanded me to issue out this present Writ which he was pleased to sign with his own Hand and commanded it to be countersigned by me his Counsellor and Secretary of Estate and of his Commandments and of his Treasury Signed in the Original LOVIS And a little lower Phillippeaux 3. There appeared on Behalf of the Churches in the several Provinces of this Kingdom the Pastors and Elders whose Names are hereafter mentioned For the Province of Burgundy the Sieurs Peter Boullenat Pastor of the Church of Vaux and Alexander Rouph Pastor of the Church of Lyons together with the Lords Timothy Armet Advocate in the Privy Council Elder in the Church of Conches and Lazarus du Puy Counsellor for the King in the Presidial Court of Bourg and Elder of the Church gathered in that Town 4. For the Province of Provence the Sieurs Paul Maurice Pastor of the Church at Aiguires and Peter de Peyre Lord of Retardet Elder in the same Church 5. For the Province of Orleans and Berry the Sieurs Daniel Jamett Pastor the Church of Gien upon the Loir and James L'amy Pastor of the Church of Chasteaudun accompanied with Master Claudius Bernard Elder in the Church of Chastillon upon the Loir and Bailiff of the said Town and Henry du Four Doctor of Physick Elder in the Church of Blois 6. For the Province of Poictou the Sieurs Isaac de Cuville Pastor of the Church in Couhé and John le Masson Pastor of the Church of Civray together with the Lords René de Lauvrignac Esq Lord of Miauvray Elder of the Church of St. Maixant and Giles Begaut Lord of la Begaudiere Elder in the Church of Montague 7. For the Province of Xaintonge
the Lords William Rivet Lord of Champrernown Pastor of the Church of Taillebourg and Peter Richer Lord of Vaudelincourt Pastor of the Church of Marennes accompanied with the Lords Denys Pasquett Esq Lord of Large Baston Elder in the Church of Angoulesme and Charles Constant Comptroller for his Majesty in the Election of St. John d'Angely and Elder of the Church in that City 8. For the Province of Brittain the Sieurs Josua de la Place Pastor of the Church of Nantes assembling for Religious Worship at Suffé without an Elder for the Lords Daniel de la Tousche Lord of la Ravardiere Elder in the Church of Ploer and Daniel Chastaigner Lord of la Grolliere Elder in the Church of Vielle vigne who was substituted in his Place did both send their Letters of Request that they might be dispensed with for their non-Attendance at the Synod and their Excuses were admitted and accepted 9. For the Province of Lower Guyenne the Sieurs James de Berdoline Pastor of the Church of Duras and Charles d'Aubus Pastor of the Church of Nerac accompanied with the Lords John de Mazilieres Advocate in the High Court of Parliament of Bourdeaux Lord of Grave and Elder in the Church of Nerac the Lord John Aymé de Friginet Advocate also in the same Parliament and Elder of the Church of Bergerac was chosen but fell sick and therefore was excused and in his stead there appeared Isaac de Geneste Lord of la Tour Advocate in the same Parliament and Elder in the Church of la Sauvetat who was substituted by the Suffrages of the Provincial Synod in his stead 10. For the Province of Vivaretz the Sieur Daniel Richard Pastor of the Church of Cheilar and Louis Santel Advocate and Elder of the same Church The Province excused it self for sending but two Deputies and their Excuses were admitted for this time and they were injoined for the future never to omit the Clause of Submission which was not sound in their Letters of Deputation tendred by them unto the Council 11. For the Province of Sevennes the Sieurs Moses Blasehon Pastor of the Church of St. Andrew de Valborgne and Antony Vincent Pastor of the Church of Merneys together with Stephen de Billanges Lord of Blanqfort and Elder in the Church of Vigan and Claudius d'Airebeldoze Esq Lord of Clairan Elder in the Church of Canoblet 12. For the Province of Anjou the Sieurs Matthew Cottiere Pastor of the Church of Tours and Moses Amyraud Pastor of the Church of Sanmur and Professor of Divinity in that University together with the Sieurs Philip Niett Counsellor of the King and Warden of his Majesty's Salt-garners in the said City of Saumur and Elder of the Church there and Josiah Poize Advocate in Parliament Elder of the Church at Previlly 13. For the Province of Dolphiny the Sieur Peter Pittard Pastor of the Church of Alben with the Sieur Francis de Montauban de Rambault Esq Lord of Villars Elder in the Church of Gap and the Sieur Stephen Gilbert Advocate Elder in the Church of Die the Sieur Denis de Bouteroue Pastor of the Church of Greenoble though chosen â—id not appear because of his Majesty's Prohibition yet afterwards he obtained leave to assist in this Council as will appear by its Acts and Records 14. For the Province of Lower Languedoc the Sieurs Michael le Faucheur Pastor of the Cuurch of Montpellier and John de Croy Pastor of the Church of Bezieres together with the Sieurs Peter Cheyron Advocate and Elder in the Church of Nismes and Andrew Bruneau Advocate and Elder in the Church of Bagnols 15. For the Province of Higher Languedoc the Sieur Timothy Delon Pastor of the Church of Montauban with the Sieurs Peter de Villette Lord de la Jongniere Elder in the Church of St. Antonine and Paul Constans Counsellor for the King and Elder in the Church of Montaubon Master Peter Beraud Pastor of the aforesaid Church of Montauban and Professor of Divinity in that University did not appear at first because of his Majesty's Prohibition but afterward when it was taken off he did accordingly take his Place in this Council 16. For the Province and Principality of Bearn there appeared the Sieurs Peter Labadie Pastor of the Church of Pau and John de Pommerade Advocate in the Parliament of Navarre Elder of the Church in Morlas 17. For the Province of Normandy the Sieurs Abdias de Mondenis Pastor in the Church of Dieppe together with Laurence le Fevre Advocate in the Parliament of Normandy and Elder in the Church of Rouan and John Cardell Lord of Marettes Counsellor of the King and his Comptroller in the Election of Alencon and Elder of the Church in the same Place and the Sieur Benjamin Basnage Pastor of the Church of Quarentin though chosen yet did not at first appear because of his Majesty's Prohibition but as soon as it was taken off he came and took his Place in the Synod as will appear in the following Acts. 18. For the Province of the Isle of France the Sieurs John Mestrezat Pastor of the Church of Paris and David Blondell Pastor of the Church of Roussy together with the Sieurs John de Gravelles Esq Lord of Banterne Elder in the Church of Houdan and Charles Mayland Advocate Elder in the Church of Montdidier 19. The fifteenth Day of September the Lord Marquess of Clermont General Deputy for the Churches of this Kingdom unto his Majesty came according to the usual Order of these National Synods and took his Place in it having Precedency given him according to his Degree and Quality and as it was afterward decreed in the eleventh Article of General Matters 20. Prayers having been offered up unto God Monsieur Mestrezat Pastor of the Church of Paris was by Plurality of Votes chosen Moderator and Monsieur Jamet Assessor and Monsieur Blondel Pastor and Monsieur Armet an Elder Scribes of the Synod CHAP. II. The King's Letters Patents 21. AS soon as the Officers of the Synod were chosen his Majesty's Letters Patents were read a true Copy whereof is here inserted 22. Louis by the Grace of God King of France and Navarre to our beloved and trusty Counsellor in our Privy Council and Council of State and Attorney General for our House of Navarre the Lord Galland Greeting We having given leave unto our Subjects professing the pret Reformed Religion to hold a National Synod at Charenton near our City of Paris the first Day of September next in which the Deputies of all the Provinces in this our Kingdom shall meet and consult about Matters concerning their Religion and we being to choose a Person sufficiently qualified and of approved Loyalty who may be present in the said Council as our Representative and Commissioner and calling to Mind the many Services you have done us in sundry and very weighty Imployments with which we have intrusted you both at home and abroad within and without the Kingdom all which
Favour and Royal Benignity towards the Churches who have none nor desire to hold any Intelligence or Correspondence with Strangers but do protest unanimously that they will next and immediately under God depend wholly and solely on his Majesty's Protection and Soveraign Authority And it was resolved that as to the first Particular propounded by the Lord Galland his Majesty's Commissioner that although the Cause of sending those Royal Commissioners into our Ecclesiastical Synods was from divers false Reports spread abroad and taken up against those Synods most unjustly and to their great prejudice and damage and that it had occasioned the former National Synods most humbly to petition his Majesty that he would be pleased to leave the Churches in their ancient State of Liberty yet forasmuch as his Majesty hath ordained that no more Petitions should be presented him to this purpose the Churches do acquiesce in his Majesty's Pleasure sith he will have this his Ordinance inviolably observ'd and this Synod doth yield an intire Obedience to the King's Will and the Order prescribed by his Majesty whereof the Churches hope to reap the Fruits promised them in their Establishment and better Subsistence for the future and approbation of their Innocency and the rather because the last National Synods of Charenton and Castres have already tasted of them and been in a more especial manner aided by the Prudence Equanimity and good Conduct of his Lordship the Lord Galland Therefore a Decree past That conformably to his Majesty's Intention our Synodical Assemblies should subject themselves to a precise observation of his Majesty's Declaration made in the Year 1623 about sending Commissioners unto Synods and Colloquies And his Majesty shall be most humbly petitioned to enjoin those his Commissioners whom he shall be pleased to send into the Provinces not to abuse his Majesty's Name or Authority to the raising of new Difficulties which may deprive the Churches of the Effects of his Royal Bounty 29. And whereas his Majesty by his Declaration of the Year 1623 hath forbidden our Churches to receive into the Pastoral Office such Persons as are born in foreign Countries out of his Jurisdiction and divers Provincial Synods conceived that those Persons were excepted who were born in those States allied unto his Majesty and under the Covert of his Royal Protection wherein also they were confirmed by the Commissioners in whose Presence and no where else some few of those Ministers had been received Now our said Lord Commissioner having at this instant assured us that as it was his Majesty's Intention to comprehend under the name of Strangers all Persons born out of the Kingdom without exception so also that he is pleased to deal favourably with all those who have been admitted since the Year 1623 and to repute them as his natural born Subjects this Assembly intreateth the said Lord Commissioner to continue his good Offices unto our Churches and chargeth the Deputies which shall be sent unto his Majesty to present him our most humble Requests that those aforesaid Pastors may be comprized in that his Act of Grace and that for the future all others so born may be instituted and inducted into the Pastoral Cure of our Churches in the Presence of his Commissioners as if they had been natural born Frenchmen 30. And as for the third and fourth Articles in his Lordship's Speech the Synod hath upon very just Grounds intreated his Lordship to assure his Majesty that the Churches sixing themselves more and more in the observation of those Reglements taken up in the two last National Synods and with which his Majesty is fully satisfied will take all possible care that no Complaints upon those Accounts may be ever hereafter brought unto his Majesty And as for that particular Business of Monsieur Salbert this Assembly deferring all Obedience to his Majesty's Pleasure and leaving the said Salbert in that Estate wherein he is at present doth yet notwithstanding judg themselves bound by the Laws of Charity to have recourse unto his Majesty's Goodness on his behalf And therefore we most humbly beseech his Majesty out of his innate Clemency to remove the Tokens of his just Indignation against him and to let him share and participate in that same Royal Favour which he has vouchsafed and extended unto others involv'd with himself in the Miseries of the late Troubles 31. And whereas a certain Book hath been seen by us bearing Monsieur Beraud's Name whose Preface is already condemned by the Lords of his Majesty's most Honourable Privy-Council and that we are required to examine and censure both it and him After hearing of the said Professor Beraud he did ingenuously acknowledg himself the Author of it but also that it was extorted from him by mere Force and through the Malignity of the Times in the late Confusions and that it was never in his Thoughts or Intention to grant a License unto Ecclesiastical Persons to shed Blood and those Words of which he is accused having occasioned an Exposition quite contrary to his Judgment he declareth with all possible Sincerity and as in the Presence of God that he disapproveth of the Ambiguity in which those Expressions are there couched and detesteth from his very Soul the Consequences which are thence deduced protesting that his Belief is intirely conformable to that of the Reformed Churches in this Kingdom which have according to the holy Scriptures decided in our former National Synods that Pastors should in no wise intrude themselves into the Administration of State-matters because they he wholly alien and foreign to their Profession and therefore the Argument is more valid that they cannot without contradiction to God's holy Word and the Confession of our Churches founded upon it stretch out their Hands to draw Blood from any one or engage in any military Factions This Assembly therefore confirming the Decrees of former National Synods and grievously censuring the said Beraud for having rashly and to ill purpose used those scandalous Expressions tending to establish an erroneous Doctrine declared once again That it doth reject and condemn that Proposition extracted out of the Book of the said Beraud and forbiddeth him and all other Professors in our Universities and Ministers in our Churches to teach or write any such Doctrine for time to come upon pain of incurring all Ecclesiastical Censures 32. And as for those sharp Words mentioned by his Lordship the Commissioner the Churches are utter Strangers to them having declared the Word of God with all Modesty and Meekness however they have been ill handled in divers Places and tho oftentimes our Adversaries have most licentiously perverted the most innocent Expressions of our Faith to render us more odious and criminal 33. The Lord Galland his Majesty's Commissioner requiring that Monsieur Bastide may be removed from the Church of St. Africk in the Province of Higher Languedoc because his Deportments in the said Church have been destructive to the Publick Peace and Tranquillity The Assembly being informed
the Provinces but with these Conditions First That they be not bound to send more than two Deputies unto our National Synods Secondly That Judicial Sentences past by and in the Province until now shall not be revoked nor reversed Thirdly That Pastors serving in the said Province shall not be translated into another Province Fourthly That the Appeals of private Persons may not be received in these National Synods The Synod absolutely granting the two first Conditions doth nevertheless exhort the said Province to send equal number of Deputies with the other Provinces unto the National Synod whenas his Majesty shall be pleased to permit one to be held in the Provinces bordering on that of Bearn And as for the two other Conditions provided that the said Deputies shall promise on behalf of their Province to own the Authority of our National Synods and to take out their Appeals in the Form specified Canon the 10th of the 8th Chapter of our Discipline the Synod yieldeth unto their Demand assuring them that it will take a most particular Care of their Edification and as it intendeth not to lose its Right unto divers Pastors born in the Provinces of the Higher and Lower Guyenne who are now actually employed in that of Bearn so also it will never use it to their evident Prejudice but in every Matter and especially in that of removing Pastors either from the Churches they are now serving or from out of the Province the National Synod will give full proof of their fraternal Charity and Affection Article 2. Upon this Debate the Lord Galland his Majesty's Commissioner remonstrated That the Conjunction of the Churches of Bearn with those of this Kingdom and particularly their Submission unto the Discipline of the Reformed Churches of France and the Power of appealing from Bearn unto the National Synods here were Matters of that Nature that they could not be done without the King's Permission because such Conjunctions depend upon Soveraign Authority that the late King Henry the Fourth of happy Memory had already determin'd this Question having in the Years 1602 and 1604 permitted the Churches of Bearn to assist at the National Synods of France hereby to conserve an Union in Doctrine but he also decreed that they should bring in their Cahiers of Complaints distinct from those of France And in the Year 1615 whenas the Political Assembly of Grenoble demanded this Union it was denied in that Answer given to the 22d and 23d Articles in these Words That the late King did never permit nor approve of the Vnion of the pret Reformed Churches of Bearn with those of France nor will his Majesty now permit it until such time as the said Principality shall be re-united and re-incorporated with the Crown of France But yet in the mean while the Deputies of Bearn may bring in their Petitions by themselves which shall be answered according to Reason Against which Answer the Assembly of Rochel having took great Exceptions and in a particular Article at the Conference of Loudun in the Year 1616 there was returned an Order little differing from the Cahier of Grenoble so that the Land of Bearn not having since had any Permission from the King to join it self unto the Churches of France it cannot be done but must be confined to the plain and simple terms of Petition Besides the Consequences of this Union have been formerly resented for the Churches of Bearn shrowded with the shadow and hope of a powerful Assistance were transported to such dismal Excesses as make a very mournful History in that of our Times And all Authors are agreed that the Land of Bearn was originally a Member of the Kingdom of Navarre lying on the other side of the Pyrenean Mountains though subject to our Kings of the Merovingian Line as is evident from Gregory of Tours who relateth that the Bishops of the said Territory came unto the Council of Agde in the Year 506 and to that of Mascon in the Year 588. And the Lord of Bearn acknowledged the Kings and Kingdom of France for his supream Lord and did Homage to them and to their Sovereign Authority But in the Year 1512 Louis the twelfth King of France to make some Compensation for and to sweeten the Loss of the Kingdom of Navarre usurped by Ferdinand King of Arragon granted unto John of Albret and Katharine of Navarre his Wife that the Land of Bearn should enjoy its Charters and Priviledg of Soveraignty until such times as it should be otherwise determined by meet and competent Judges And since that the Country of Bearn hath been accounted a Principality distinct from the Kingdom and independent without any reservation That in the Year 1571 Jane Queen of Navarre set up a Church-Discipline whose Execution is limited within the Bounds of that Principality and the Laws are all enacted and sworn to by the States of the Country and maintained to this very day from the observation whereof the Subjects cannot withdraw themselves nor without the permission of their Prince may they take upon them to constitute Judges in Church or State much less to enlarge the Bounds of Appeals whenas by the Laws of Bearn they are to be terminated by its Provincial Synods and within the Country it self as is in like manner done in the City of Metz and Principality of Sedan And should this Conjunction be admitted Causes would be drawn out of the Province which would be an Innovation of dangerous Consequence to his Majesty's Authority and to this little Province and contrary to its Union which hath preserved the Country in its Laws Forts Customs and domestick Prerogatives The Deputies of Bearn to give some colour unto this Union say That this Union was permitted by the King that it hath been exercised by his Majesty since the uniting of Bearn with the Crown of France that it was approved by the said Lord Commissioner in the National Synod of Castres in the Year 1626. But here are divers Mistakes The Truth is that Henry the Fourth of happy Memory and the King now reigning most gloriously have not permitted nor promised the Union of the said Churches nor was it permitted by the Cahier of the Year 1615. But the Answer unto the Union demanded was deferred till after the Country was united with that of France so that the victorious Arms of his Majesty having subjected the Land of Bearn to his Obedience and the Union of the Country made by his absolute Authority notwithstanding all former Grants and Priviledges the Subjects are bound to have recourse anew unto his Majesty And although by the Cahiers of the Year 1615 the Union of the Churches was put off till the Union of the State yet none may therefore assert that because the State is united with the Crown of France the Union of the Churches must therefore of Right be made also but that it may be obtained there is need of a new Address unto his Majesty that he would by his Sovereign Authority
Causes over to the Provinces to be finally decided by them CHAP. XX. General Matters Article 1. IT having been reported in this Assembly that the Magistrates in divers Places have commanded the Professors of our Religion to hang their Houses and light out Candles on that Festival that goes by the Name of the Holy Sacrament and that several Persons thrô a deplorable Infirmity have so much forgotten themselves as to observe an Ordinance which obliges their Consciences to yield unto the Creature that self-same Honour which is due unto the Creator This Assembly wanting Words with which it may express its just Grief and Resentment for such an inexcusable Cowardliness doth adjure the Consciences of those Persons who have fallen into Sins so repugnant unto true Piety by the Fear of the Living God by the Zeal of his Glory by the Bowels of his Mercy in the Son of his dearest Love and by that special Care the Faithful ought to have of their Salvation that they would revive their Zeal and shew themselves Loyal Followers of the Faith and Constancy of their Fathers and testify by their Perseverance in Well-doing the Sincerity and Soundness of their Repentance and of their Affection to the Service of God Moreover the Consistory of those Places where such Scandals do fall out is injoined to rebuke them with an holy Vigour who give such an evil Example and all Synods are to proceed against them with all Ecclesiastical Censures and if they be Pastors and Elders who by their Connivance and Dissimulation have or for the future may favour such Offenders they shall not only be suspended but deposed also from their Offices CHAP. XXI An Act for a Publick National Fast 2. FOrasmuch as after a most desolating Drought which hath reduced the greatest part of the Provinces of this Kingdom to an extream Famine the Hand of God lifted up against us is not yet called back but continueth to visit his People by contagious and mortal Diseases which have overspread the whole Land and are every day more and more growing upon us This National Synod of the Reformed Churches of France assembled by his Majesty's Permission at Charenton acknowledging that the Wrath of God is revealed from Heaven and poured but upon the Face of the Earth because of the Ungodliness of Men and of the Impenitency and Hardness of their Hearts to prevent the dreadful Judgment of this great and righteous Judg who resisteth the Proud and giveth Grace unto the Humble and to turn away the Floods of his Vengeance and to excite the Bowels of his fatherly Compassions and to impetrate from his Divine Bounty the continuance of his gracious Favours for the Prosperity and Repose both of Church and State doth exhort all the Faithful to bring forth Fruits worthy of Repentance and to cast off the unfruitful Works of Darkness and to return unto the Lord with broken humble and contrite Hearts And to this purpose it ordaineth That a Fart shall be celebrated in all the Churches of this Kingdom the first Day of January next following which shall be signified by the publick reading of this present Act. 3. Forasmuch as divers Provinces have craved Advice how we shall proceed against those Persons who occasion scandalous Reports prejudicial to the Peace of the Church and may hereafter propound Terms of Accommodation by mingling and blending of both Religions into one This Assembly recommendeth unto all the Churches the observation of that Canon which was made two and thirty Years ago in the National Synod of Montpellier whose Tenour followeth Syn. Montpel gen mat v. Forasmuch as 't is the Duty of all the Faithful heartily to desire the Reunion of all the Subjects of this Kingdom into the Vnity of Paith for the greater Glory of God for the Salvation of millions Souls and the singular Repose of the Common-wealth yet because of our Sins this being a Matter rather of our Desires than Hopes and that under this Pretext divers profane Persons do openly attempt to blend and mingle both Religions together All Ministers shall admonish seriously their Flocks not in the least to hearken unto any such Notions it being utterly impossible that the Temple of God should hold Communion with Idols as also for that such Wretches design only by this Trick to debauch easy credulous Souls from the Belief and Profession of the Gospel And whoever attempts such a Reconciliation be it either by Word or Writing shall be most severely censured CHAP. XXII An Act in favour of the Lutheran Brethren 4. THE Province of Burgundy demanding Whether the Faithful of the Augustane Confession might be permitted to contract Marriages in our Churches and to present Children in our Churches unto Baptism without a precedaneous abjuration of those Opinions held by them contrary to the Belief of our Churches This Synod declareth That inasmuch as the Churches of the Confession of Ausbourg do agree with the other Reformed Churches in the principal and fundamental Points of the True Religion and that there is neither Superstition nor Idolatry in their Worship the Faithful of the said Confession who with a Spirit of Love and Peaceableness do join themselves to the Communion of our Churches in this Kingdom may be without any abjuration at all made by them admitted unto the Lord's Table with us and as Sureties may present Children unto Baptism they promising the Consistory that they will never sollicit them either directly or indirectly to transgress the Doctrine believed and professed in our Churches but will be content to instruct and educate them in those Points and Articles which are in common between us and them and wherein both the Lutherans and we are unanimously agreed 5. If any Persons shall be hereafter deputed unto the Court by the National Synods during their sitting they shall be accountable for all Monies received by them for the defraying their Expenses whether those Sums do arise from their respective Churches or from his Majesty's Liberality that so whatever good Monies come in clearly unto the Churches being remitted into their common Stock may be disbursed to their common Profit and Advantage by Order of these Synods 6. Whereas contrary to his Majesty's Royal Word given unto the Deputies of the National Synod of Charenton in the Year 1623 That Strangers employed in the Service of the Churches of this Kingdom should be continued those Reverend and Learned Pastors Mr. Martinius and S. Sharpius are commanded to depart the Province of Dolphiny The Lord Commissioner is intreated immediately to issue out Letters Patents that may effectually hinder the execution of those new Orders and that all Foreigners received into the Ministry among us both before that time and since may not in any wise be molested or obstructed in performance of the Duties of their Charge and Calling 7. The Lord Commissioner declaring that it was his Maiesty's Intention that for the future our National Synods should beheld in this Place and nowhere else This Assembly in
all humility submitting to his Majesty's good Pleasure and hoping that he will be graciously pleased to permit our ancient establish'd Order to take place doth earnestly intreat the Lord Commissioner to present our most humble Petitions unto his Majesty that he would be pleased to grant that our next National Synod may be held at the end of three Years in the Town of Aâ—anson in the Province of Normandy 8. Hereafter no Monies belonging unto the Churches shall be diverted to the printing of any Books unless such as shall be written by express Order of our National Synods 9. The Deputies unto this Synod having been on their Journey hither put unto extraordinary Expences by reason of the Contagion which reigneth universally in all parts of the Kingdom this Assembly exhorts all the Provinces to have respect unto it and therefore have rated the Charges of every day's Travel going and coming at an hundred Sous which is eight Shillings and eight Pence per diem 10. The Province of Burgundy having made report of the deplorable Necessities whereunto the Ministers and Pastors of Churches in the Colloquy of Gex are reduced for want of the Monies granted heretofore by his Majesty's Bounty for their Maintenance not one of their People contributing any thing towards their Subsistence This Assembly touched with a just Resentment of such base Ingratitude doth injoin all the Churches of that Colloquy to return unto their Duty and maintain their own Pastors or else they shall be deprived of the Ministry of the Blessed Gospel of our Lord Jesus and this according to the 34th Canon in the first Chapter of our Discipline 11. Whenas the Lords General-Deputies shall assist in Person in these National Synods they shall take place above all the Deputies of the Provinces 12. The Synod enjoineth all the Provinces to distribute with their wonted Charity those supernumerary Portions attributed to them that they may redound unto the Benefit of the poorer Churches and of the more necessitous Ministers 13. The Consistory of the Church of Paris is ordered to administer the accustomed Oaths unto the Lords General-Deputies immediately upon their being accepted by his Majesty and to keep by them a Copy of their Warrant 14. The Lord Commissioner remonstrated that through the Prerogatives of Precedency claimed in the Churches of Noblemens Houses divers Quarrels had arisen and several Murders had been committed therefore his Majesty hath ordained That in such Places where the Publick Worship of God according to our Religion is exercised the Proprietors of those Houses may not under colour of that Propriety pretend to any Place of sitting than is otherwise due unto them by reason of the Dignity of their Birth or the Honour of their Offices and forbids all Ministers to pray for them in Publick by their particular Names or Qualities Whereupon his Lordship the Commissioner being intreated that after we had prayed for his Majesty it might be lawful for us in general terms to pray for those Lords under whose Justice the Church of that Place was gathered He replied that he would in no wise hinder it 15. The Deputies for the Province of Sevennes may receive their part of the Monies granted us by his Majesty's great Liberality for the defraying of our necessary Expences in this Synod without their having recourse unto the Lord of Candall's Deputy for it provided that they be accountable for that Sum so received unto their Province And all the other Provincial Deputies may likewise do the same if they please 16. After many and divers Delays and Shiftings this Assembly being at last come to a Treaty with Sir John Palot Counsellor and Secretary to the King about the Monies claimed by the Pastors of the Reformed Churches in this Kingdom from him the said Palot for which a Suit was brought against him before his Majesty's most honourable Privy-Council and divers preparatory Decrees had out against him This Assembly hath commissionated and deputed the Lords Marquess of Clermont and Galland General-Deputies of our Churches the Lord of Candall Receiver-General of the Monies granted by his Majesty's great Bounty unto these Churches the Lords Banage and de Champvernon Pastors De Maschelieres Dupuy Gilbert and Beraud Elders and have given them full Power to treat with the said Sir J. Palot about the Monies so claimed by our Pastors on such Conditions and Clauses as they shall judg most advantagious unto our Pastors aforesaid and to sign Contracts and Articles of Agreement before Publick Notaries this Assembly promising that they will stand to approve and ratify whatever shall be so determined by the said Lords Commissioners 17. This tenth day of October in the presence of the said Lords Commissioners before-named by this Assembly to treat with the before-named Sieur Palot upon the Suit commenc'd against him for Monies claimed by our Churches from him After that the Contract pass'd by the said Lords was read in the Assembly it was agreed to approved and signed by the Moderator Assessor and Scribes thereof And there having been a thousand Livers promised unto the Lord Malat by a separate Act and with which he remained fully satisfied he was duly discharged of those Powers formerly given him for prosecution of the said Palot and lie shall deliver into the Hands of the Lords General-Deputies all the Papers Decrees and Memoirs in his custody concerning this Affair 18. The Lord of Candall having received from the said Sir John Palot the Sum of eight thousand Livers in pursuance of the Agreement made with him the said Sum shall be paid out in that manner as hath been ordered by this Assembly Nor may the Deputies of the Provinces lay any Claim or Pretence whatsoever of Right to the receiving of the said Monies 19. This Assembly authorized the Consistory of the Church of Paris to treat with the Lord Mallet and to discharge him from all Prosecutions of the Sieur Palot and to satisfy him for his past Travel and Pains to the Sum of thousand Livers which shall be paid him by the Lord of Candall and this in full of all Demands Debts Dues or Pretensions whatsoever either for himself or his late deceased Uncle the Lord Mallet the said Mallet bringing in an Inventory unto the Lords General-Deputies and depositing it with them of all Papers Decrees and Memoirs in his keeping concerning this Affair CHAP. XXIII Particular Matters Article 1. MR. * * * He is called in another Copy Lavent in a third Lavand Laurence heretofore Pastor in the Province of Bearn presenting himself in this Assembly with an Attestation of his Life Carriage and Conversation for these two Years now last past and most humbly and importunately petitioning to be restored unto the Holy Ministry This Assembly did not judg his Request meet to be granted but advised him to apply himself to some other Calling than the Ministry of the Gospel and to use such means for a Livelihood as the Providence of God may trace out and direct
him to Article 2. Forasmuch as Monsieur Eymard abusing the Leave granted him by his Church of Veyne in Dolphiny hath for several Months withdrawn himself into the Province of Lower Guyenne and is there since imployed in the Holy Ministry This Assembly censuring the Church of Berbignieres for calling him unto their Service and condemning the said Province for their too great Facility in admitting and supporting him doth injoin the said Eymard to appear before the Synod of Dolphiny which if the good Providence of God do permit will be assembled the next Year and he shall give an Account unto them of all his Actions and Deportments and in case he refuse Obedience and Submission unto their Judgment he shall be then as he is now at this Instant denounced suspended from the sacred Ministry Article 3. Mr. Harvey Deputy from the Church of Bourdeaux presented himself to this Assembly with Letters and Memoirs from the said Church petitioning that Monsieur Vignier might be conferred upon them for their Pastor There was read also an Act of Opposition made against this Call by several Heads of Families of the said Church and divers Letters also of the said Mr. Vignier and Letters from the Church of Nerac There were heard also the Lords of Aulous and of Massilieres petitioning on behalf of the Church of Nerac that the said Mr. Vignier might be bestowed on them for their Minister and the Lord Berdolin also spake in behalf of the Province Whereupon the Assembly bestowed Monsieur Vignier upon the Church of Nerac to be their peculiar Pastor and ordered the Church of Nerac to reimburse that of Bourdeaux of those just and reasonable Expences they had been at in their Endeavours for the getting of the said Mr. Vignier and the Church of Bourdeaux hath leave given it to provide for it self either within or without the Province according to the Forms prescribed by the Discipline and in case the said Church should meet with any Pastor at Liberty and one who may contribute beneficially to their Edification the said Church is now impowered to treat with him Article 4. The Church of Valance shall carry its Declaration unto the Synod of Lower Languedoc which shall judg whether the said Church ought to be rejoined to that of Soyon and the Province of Vivaretz Article 5. For the future the Church of Sr. Estienne in Forest shall be reputed a Member of the Synod of Vivaretz Article 6. Mr. Constantin Pastor of the Church of Rochefoucauld presented himself unto this Assembly with Letters from his Mother petitioning that he might be discharged the Service of the said Church and drawn out of the Province of Xaintonge and a Letter also was read from the Consistory of the Church of Nismes unto the said Province to the same purpose and the Act of Dismission granted the said Constantin by the Church of Rochefoucauld After hearing of the Deputies of Xaintonge and a mature Debate of all Arguments pro and con this Assembly did consent that the said Mr. Constantin should be set at Liberty but did exhort him to make Conscience of keeping to his Calling and readily to embrace all Opportunities of serving the Church of God Article 7. The Deputies of the Province of Bearn having moved that their Right unto divers Scholars whom they at their own Charges had educated for the Ministry and were now imployed in the Pastoral Office in Churches of this Kingdom might be conserved This Assembly did assure them that the Interest of the said Province should be equally regarded with that of the other Provinces and that the Churches of this Kingdom should be always ready upon all Occasions to communicate unto them the sensible Effects of their Charity and Affection to their Preservation ☞ The Commissioners nominated by the Synod to examine that Book made by Monsieur d'Aubus intitled Bellarmin Reformed having made their Report of it the Assembly considering that it would do good Service and contribute greatly to the Edification of the Readers approved the printing of its first Part and exhorteth the said Monsieur d'Aubus to imploy those excellent Gifts which God hath so abundantly poured out upon him to the Advancement of his Kingdom and promised that if God did enable the Churches with a Supply of Monies they would be at the Charges of the first Impression But this Act as Monsieur Bollenat one of the Deputies unto this Synod relateth in his Copy of its Acts was afterwards razed out and that also by Order of the very Synod Article 8. Because of the great Importance of the Church of Nismes and its present urgent Necessities and for that the Provincial Deputies of Lower Languedoc have yielded their Consent unto their Petition This Assembly permits the Lord Cheyron Elder of the said Church to discover to it any Pastor by whose Ministry the said Church may be edified that so it it be possible they may be provided of a third Pastor during the Session of this Synod and in case he cannot find one Leave is given unto the said Church to get it self a Pastor any where either within or without the Province Article 9. Because of the Inability of the Colloquy of Rovergue and of the small Numbers of its Pastors the Colloquy of Albigeois is ordered to take care that the Church of St. Affrique be supplied till the Meeting of the next Provincial Synod of Higher Languedoc Article 10. Leave is given by this Assembly to Mr. Bastide a Minister freed from his Service in the Church of St. Affrique and Province of Higher Languedoc to address himself unto any other Church or Province in this Kingdom in which he may exercise his Ministry and make his Abode as may be best for his Advantage Article 11. The Synod being informed of the Innocency of Monsieur de Monbreueil and touched with a deep Sense of his many and great Sufferings doth order the Lords General Deputies to take a most especial Care of his Concern and to sollicit the expediting and ratifying of those Attestations given him by the Churches of Paris Nantes and Rennes who have had a perfect Knowledg of his Life and Deportments that so he may be fully justified and discharged Article 12. The Sieur Cottiere having presented a Summary of Books composed by him and of one especially treating of the ancient Faith of the Churches in the three first Centuries This Assembly being fully informed of those many excellent Gifts with which God had indowed him and applauding his Zeal and great Affection for the Advancement of Christ's Kingdom doth exhort him to continue the devoting of himself and Labours to the Defence of God's Truth and to carry his Writing unto the Synod of Anjou which is expresly ordered to peruse them and having approved of them to take care about their Impression and the Churches shall defray the Charges thereof Article 13. Mr. Perrier formerly Receiever of the Monies given by his Majesty's Liberality unto the Churches in the Province of
Vivaretz making Report that the said Province was indebted to him the Sum of two thousand one hundred Livers paid by him before-hand unto the Churches for the Relief of their Pastors as is manifest from the Finito of his Account rendred unto the Synod held at Mirabel in the Year 1625. This Assembly to do him Justice upon his Complaint decreed That if he will be pleased to quit his Expences Damages and Interest for Forbearance claimed by him and the Province of Vivaretz restoring him to his Office of Receiver upon the same Conditions that were accorded unto the present Possessor of it that then he shall pay himself the whole Principal in the two next ensuing Years and as for the Arrearages due unto him provided he do make them appear to be real Debts and that he hath not been satisfied for them out of the Obligation given him by the said Province upon the Lands of Toulant and Baffre they also shall be put upon Account in Order to his Satisfaction Article 14. The Province of Higher Languedoc and Monsieur Berauld one of its Deputies were censured for violating the Canons which had taken Care that the Pastors of particular Churches should be deputed unto Synods alternatively and that none should be received into Provincial Synods without Letters of Commission and that no Professors of Divinity should appear in Synods although they were Pastors without being sent thither by their Churches or called by the Synods whenas Matters relating to their Universities or important Points of Doctrine were handled and debated Article 15. The Lords General Deputies are ordered to assist the Churches of Bearn in their Petition presented unto his Majesty for the re-establishing of their Colledg Article 16. Mr. Robertson Principal of the Colledg of Rochefoucauld reporting the considerable Sums he had advanced out of his own Pocket towards the Maintenance of the said Colledg This Assembly ordained That out of the Monies belonging to the Province of Xaintonge upon the Account of that Colledg the Lord of Candall shall keep in his own Hands so much as shall be found due unto the said Mr. Robertson who was praised for his Angular Affection unto the publick Weal of the Churches and is intreated to continue his Affection good Service and Faithfulness therein as formerly Article 17. This Assembly ratifying what was done by the Consistory of Montpellier in the Cause of Monsieur Ginmoux which had been turned over to them by the Synod of Castres in the Year 1626 judgeth that the Complaints of the said Ginmoux were groundless and this shall be signified to him by Letters Article 18. The Deputies of Normandy and Xaintonge petitioning that some certain Sum of Monies taken out of the Churches Stock might be imployed towards the Redemption of many poor Protestants kept in hard Captivity by the Turks This Assembly having no Power to grant them their Request because of that small Stock which is at its Disposal doth advise them to petition all the Churches in those and the Neighbour-Provinces to contribute their Alms liberally for the Comfort and Deliverance of those poor afflicted Christians whole Misery is extream and cries aloud for the Bowels of our Compassion Article 19. The Lady Dutchess of Tremouille having by Letters recommended Mr. Jouars unto the Care of this Assembly and demanded that the Call she had given him to be her Pastor might be ratified by our Authority A Vote passed that the said Lady should be commended for her Piety and exhorted by Letters more and more to continue her Zeal for the Glory of God and the Advancement of his Kingdom Article 20. Mr. Godfroy the Civilian Professor of the Laws in the University of Geneva having writ unto this Assembly that he would compose a Body of Church-History which would discover the Untruths in the five first Volumes of Cardinal Baronius and this in Compliance with that Motion made him by the National Synod of Castres in the Year 1626. A Vote passed that the Thanks of this Assembly should be returned him by Letters and that he should be intreated to bless the Churches with the Fruits of his Promises as soon as possible Article 21. Report being made in this Assembly of the grievous Persecutions undergone by Monsieur de Surville Pastor of the Church of Vigan the Sum of three hundred Livers was immediately voted him for his present Subsistence and to be paid in to him by the Lord of Candall out of the best and clearest Monies in his Hands and out of the rest which we hope to recover another Sum of three hundred Livers more and that one supernumerary Portion out of the Dividend for the Province of Sevennes shall be offered to him free of all Taxes and Charges Article 22. This Assembly considering the Expences that Mr. Chambauld hath been necessitated unto by means of the Accusation brought against Mr. Louis du Bois Order was given unto the Province of Vivaretz to inquire into the Truth of his Complaints that in case they be made good and verified the said Province shall betwixt this and the next National Synod give him one free Portion more to be added unto those supernumerary ones already assigned to him Article 23. The Lord of Candall having freely remitted the Sum of eight hundred Livers which were his proper Right and due unto him from the Sous in a Liver out of the Sum of sixteen thousand Livers granted by his Majesty unto the Churches for defraying the Expences of this Assembly and he having also quitted out of the Reprisals which he might have taken in his Accompt the Sum of fifteen hundred Livers This Assembly did unanimously render his Lordship their most hearty Thanks for his generous and Christian Charities to our poor Churches And there was voted out of the said Sum of fifteen hundred Livers three hundred Livers to be given unto Monsieur de Tremblay Pastor in the Church of Paulin and three hundred Livers more were to be delivered unto Monsieur de la Fon Pastor of the Church of Glenat and Calvinat in Consideration of their pressing Wants and fifty Livers to Daniel Chabord for his Assistance who came on purpose to this Synod to implore our Help towards the Redemption of his Son who hath been ever since the last Troubles kept in Slavery aboard the Gallies and the other eight hundred Livers remaining of the said fifteen hundred shall be paid in to the Lord Ramboullet Elder of the Church of Paris to be imployed by his Agent at Marseilles for the Comfort and Deliverance of the Faithful who for Religion and a good Conscience Kept by them have been there detained in Chains ever since the last Commotions Article 24. Forasmuch as Mr. Duncan hath served in the Profession of the Greek Tongue in the University of Saumur by Order of the Provincial Synod of Anjou which had divided the said Profession betwixt him and Mr. Benoist who did formerly enjoy it This Assembly ordainineth that one half of the Wages
that by his means they may as soon as possible have the Honour of waiting upon and Saluting His Majesty and Present Him with the Letters of this Assembly and shall follow His Orders when and after what manner they ought and may speak unto the King and to the Lord Cardinal and to the Lord Chancellor And having paid their Duties to the King the Lord Cardinal and to our Lord the Principal Ministers of State they shall give them to understand with what Respect and Thankful Acknowledgments we have received from the mouth of the Lord de St. Marc His Majesty's Commissioner in this Assembly those assurances given us in His Majesty's Name for preserving us the Privilege of His Edicts and to continue to us His Royal Favours But they shall not conceal that all the Members of this Assembly were exceedingly surprized and astonished that immediately after those aforesaid Assurances given us by the Lord Commissioner he made such Proposals to them as had no agreement at all with these Promises of His Majesty's good Will unto us as when He declared That he was charged by the King to forbid all Ministers to serve their annexed Congregations which tends to the utter Ruine of the far greatest part of our Churches and depriveth a vast multitude of the Professors of our Religion of their Spiritual Consolation As also when he propounded as from the King That it was his Majesty's desire That we should ratisie Baptism Administred by Midwifes and others who have no Call so to do which is formally contrary to our Belief They shall also insist on this That His Majesty be acquainted and from their own Mouths with that Rigorous Decree of the Council concerning the hanging forth of Tapistry and Adorning of our Houses on that Festival which they call by the Name of The Holy This being a matter directly contrary to the Edicts made in our Favour They shall take care also to Petition our Lord the Cardinal and the Lords of the Council and especially the Lord de Buillon That they would be pleased to supply this Assembly with Moneys for the defraying of our Charges and Expences during the Sessions thereof as hath been always accustomed to be done by His Majesty And the rather because for a very long time notwithstanding His Majesty's Promise we have not received one Farthing of His Bounteous Liberality The Assembly leaveth it to the Prudence of these our said Deputies either to prolong or shorten their abode at Court according to the Success of their Negotiation and they be ordered to acquaint us upon all occasions of what is necessary to be done by us CHAP. XXVI 3. Monsieur Ferrand's Speech made unto my Lord the Cardinal Duke of Richelieu My Lord SIth that in our days and under the Incomparable Wisdom of Your Government Peace and Justice are so Gloriously preserved that the Greatest Monarch of the Vniverse is not only known to be the Just King but also the King of the Just by the strict Observation of His Edicts and Sacred Orders The Ministers and Elders Assembled in a National Synod under the Favourable Authority of His Majesty and the Good Counsels of Your Eminency have took the Boldness to send us unto His Majesty as to the Common Father of His Subjects to render to Him Their most unfeigned Thanks and to Present Him Their most Humble Requests and in all Humility to demand His Royal Protection against those Violences which do every day Rob and Spoil us of His Favours and have most expresly charged us to Implore on this Account the Succours and Assistance of Your Eminency And that Experience we have formerly had hereof filleth our Hearts with Hopes for the future Because the Stedfastness of God and the King's Word are visible in the Face of Your Eminency You being Their most lively Protraiture We cannot be ignorant My Lord That Your Eminency is that Intelligence who moves this admirable Monarchy with the greatest Regularity That Assistant Spirit of this Great Body which heretofore was like one of the Floating Islands but now Your most Admired Conduct hath bound it so fast with the Chains of the Royal Authority that in the Greatest and most Astonishing Tempests it abideth firm and immovable And it will be with France as with the Land of Licia which tho' subject unto Storms and dreadful Earthquakes yet no sooner are those Tempestuous Winds which caused them dissipated but that the Inhabitants thereof do enjoy for Forty Days together 〈◊〉 most Wonderful Calm and Tranquility but these days of our Tranquility shall be Prophetical a Year for a Day and may Your Eminency's Life be prolonged to a full Century of those Years And we do protest in the Presence of God that we own our selves bound Eternally to Obey His Majesty by the Laws of our Birth and Conscience and for His Majesty's Favours continually accumulated upon us And therefore we do Address our Prayers without intermission unto the Sovereign Lord of Heaven and Earth that he would be pleased to keep his Anointed as the Apple of his Eye His Majesty being the very Heart and Life of His Kingdom and that he would take from our days to add unto His and to add unto Yours also My Lord whom we reckon next to God and the King our surest Sanctuary hoping for some Rays and Beams of Your Eminency's good Will to be imparted to us that may quicken us under those disconsolating Troubles with which we are menaced and be a most meet and proper Remedy for those Afflicting Evils which press in sore upon us from every part and quarter of the Land And Your Eminency's Reward for this signal goodness of Yours extended to us will be the continuance of that Glory You have most justly acquired in all Christendom and we shall beg of God in our Prayers and may the Divine Majesty actually fullfil them to pour down upon Your Eminency an abundant Confluence of his best Blessings and that we may obtain this Consolation to be believed by Your Eminency that with all sincerity of Heart and Soul we are My Lord Your Eminency's most Humble and most Obedient Servants Banage Moderator of the Synod Coupe Assessor Blondel and de Launay Scribes CHAP. XXVII A Copy of the Bill of Grievances presented unto His Majesty by the Sieurs Ferr and Pastor of the Church of Bourdeaux Gigord Pastor of the Church of Montpellier and De Cerisy an Elder Deputed by the National Synod of Alanson May the 7th 1637. unto the King SIRE THe Deputies of Your Subjects of the Reformed Religion Assembled by Your Majesty's Permission in a National Synod at Alanson do most Humbly Petition That according to Your wonted Goodness and Justice continued to them You would be pleased to vouchsafe us the enjoyment of Your Edicts and Declarations of Peace which have to their very great prejudice been broken and violated in every Article and particularly in divers places of Your Kingdom nor can we get our Damages repaired
enjoyment of their respective Functions and that your Majesty would be pleased to Abrogate and Revoke all Decrees and Judgments given to the contrary 18. In the year 1617. by the Edict of Restauration made in Favour of the Reformed Churches of Bearn Confirmed by Your Warrant for the Peace of Monpellier Your Majesty was pleased to maintain those Churches aforesaid of Bearn in the Liberty and full Enjoyment both of their Doctrine and Discipline without Changing or Innovating of any Article or Canon in either of them yet nevertheless Your Court of Parliament of Navarre in prejudice of their Liberty of Ordaining and Deposing of Continuing or Removing their Pastors from those Churches unto others where they be sent by their Synods doth forbid them to Proclame or Celebrate any Fasts without its permission or to make Appeals in matters purely Ecclesiastical elsewhere than unto the said Parliament or to Toll any Bell at any time for the Convocation of our Church Assemblies in that Province as is evident from the Decrees of the said Parliament Wherefore Your Majesty is most Humbly Requested to continue unto those Churches their Liberty granted them in those matters and to forbid the said Parliament of Navarre from intermeddling with such things for the suture and that You would be pleased to Abrogate and Disannul all those Decrees which have been made on this occasion 19. Your Majesty was pleased by all Your former Declarations made in favour of Your said Subjects to promise the continuance of that Bounty granted them by the late King Henry the Great of Glorious and Immortal Memory and divers times since Confirmed by Your Majesty for the Maintenance of our Ministers and Universities which was in Compensation of the Tythes paid by Your Subjects aforesaid unto the Popish Parish Curates Yet nevertheless for divers years last part they have been totally deprived of this Liberality And whereas several Assignments were made them for the former years there is yet remaining due unto them a very considerable Sum And although this Favour hath been again and again Promised and was Granted to them in the year 1629. whenas the Towns of the Lower Languedoc submitted themselves to Your Majesty's Authority and the said Promise was since confirmed by Your Majesty's Answer at Montauban to our Bill of Grievances we then tendered You yet nevertheless those very Assignations given them for the year 1627. have been revoked nor have there been any given them for the following years therefore Your Majesty is most Humbly intreated in pursuance of Your Royal Promises to continue unto Your Subjects aforesaid the enjoyments of those former Favours and Liberalities and to ordain and cause them to be paid all Arrears due for the years past and to continue them for the future The End of the Bill of Grievances CHAP. XXVIII The Copy of a Letter from the Pastors and Professors of Geneva sent unto the National Synod of Alanson touching the Doctrine and Books of the Sieurs Amyraud and Testard Messieurs and our most Honoured Brethren THe Return of another Holy Synod to be held by you giveth us a new ground of adoring the infinite Mercy of our God who having for divers Ages chosen your Nation above many others wherein to erect his Kingdom with the Glorious Ensigns of sundry and long continued Combats and Sufferings and with the peculiar Priviledges of Purity Union and a Holy Discipline doth now also in these woful turbulent times through that Clemency and Equity which he hath inspired into your Sovereign Lord the King vouchsafe unto you that excellent means for your Subsistence and the Conservation of his unvaluable Gift the Blessed Gospel among you even your Synodical Meetings whereby your way and course may be kept even without stumbling and your Possession of the Divine Faith safe and lasting And verily all Ages have judged this Ordinance the only Powerful Profitable and most Effectual means for the preservation of the Church and the Reducing of it back again when fallen from unto its first pure and holy Principles But yet the best Canons that were ever framed and established have not been so constantly practised nor observed as among you tho' it is our daily Prayer and we hope in God that through his Divine Grace those of your Discipline shall be continually observed for many Ages That part we have in your Communion and which we have by reason of your singular Affection to us causeth us to recognize so great a mercy with thankfulness and the rather because the dangers of the times had left us quite hopeless of it And tho' considering your Eminent Abilities Prudence Zeal Godliness and Knowledge we can contribute very little if any thing besides our Consent Prayers and Vows unto God for you yet in as much as you ever accepted kindly of our Lines we shall presume once more with our wonted freedom to unbosom our selves to you and to give you the thoughts of our Hearts upon the present State of your Churches according to that general knowledge we have of it and so leave on Record as we are perswaded the mutual Harmony of our Sentiments and inward motions with yours This offers it self first unto us that when we contemplate your condition and compare it with that of very many other Churches which for a long time together have been lying and groaning under deep and extream Oppressions both Corporal and Spiritual we cannot but bow the knee of our Souls before the Throne of the Heavenly Majesty who changeth Times and ruleth Hearts and turneth them as the Rivers of Waters which way soever he pleaseth who bringeth into Temptation supporteth under it and granteth a joyful issue and deliverance from it and who hath shortned the days of your Trial having seen as 't is reasonable for us to believe the promptitude of his Gracious Remnant among you for Repentance and Conversion and their improvement of the day of their Visitation and hath therefore put a period to your Desolations and not suffered the Fiery Trials of some of your Members to be without seasonable refreshments nor those terrors which had generally possessed you to be without the dawnings of some renewed Hopes and Comfort And we cannot but unite our Affections and Zeal with yours whereby to invite you and our selves to Consecrate this inestimable Mercy of your Peace vouchsafed you of God to the Glory of his Great Name the Celebration of his Wonders and to the renewal and reinforcement of our Obedience and Service to him that as you have been the first in these last General Calamities of the Churches in deliverance so you may also have this advantage above them all to walk before them in a most illustrious example of a Serious and Holy usage of it employing your selves Religiously in all thankfullness unto God who is the Sole and Sovereign Author of it and demeaning your selves according to your bounden Duty in all Obedience and Subjection to the Instruments thereof and in an inoffensive peaceable
fears that it will ever take with or go down in your Churches or Spirits and makes us believe that all these little Projects will be resolved into their first Principles of wind and smoak to the sole prejudice of the Vanity of the Undertakers Accept most Reverend and Honoured Brethren in good part these thoughts so freely Communicated to you from your Loyal Sister which owes you her All and can pay you but Little excepting the deep sorrows of her heart for the general Calamities of the Church and her continual Sighs and Cries unto Almighty God for the Peace thereof and that he would be pleased to return with his Majesty and Glory unto the many thousands of Israel and re-edifie his ruinated Zion and above all to continue his Grace Protection and Benediction upon you All with whom she is most intimately united and perfectly conjoin'd in the firmest and most antient bonds of an Holy Love which together with her most earnest Cares and devoutest Prayers she doth continually offer up unto the Divine Majesty for the Health and long Life of your Sovereign Lord the King for the prosperous success of his Affairs for the re-establishing of Peace and Tranquillity in his Kingdom in which both ye and we are so very much concerned and by means whereof we cannot but hope that our poor afflicted Brethren in Foreign Provinces may also through the Grace of God meet with Peace and Settlement May the good hand of the Almighty make your Assembly a blessed Instrument of your Peace Union and Perseverance in the Truth and fullfil all our Desires and Prayers for the Consolation of all his Churches and that you may be the first who shall enjoy the Fruit of your Labours by the Witness of God's Holy Spirit in your Hearts and the happy effects of your Holy and Prudent Debates and Counsels We conclude all with the tender of our most Humble Faithful and Cordial Services and Affections and of our most intire Union with you in Spirit which we most humbly beg of the Lord to Sanctifie and Consummate in its full and total Perfection in the Kingdom of his Glory Your most Humble and most Affectionate Brethren and Servants in the Lord the Pastors and Professors in the Church and University of Geneva and for them all From Geneva April 26. 1637. Diodati Tronchin Chabray Prevost and Pauleint CHAP. XXIX The Testimonials of divers Doctors and Universities unto the Treatise of Monsieur Rivett against the Books of the Sieurs Amyraud and Testard To the most Honoured and our most Excellent Colleague Andrew Rivett Professor of Divinity WE did read with singular delight your Remarks on the Writings of Monsieur Amyraud Pastor and Professor at Saumur which we had seen sometimes before and we have found them exactly agreeing both with the Holy Scripture in all Articles of Faith and in those wherein our National Synod of Dort had declared its Judgment and therefore we approve of your Writing as being very Learned and Moderate and count it Worthy of Praise from all Orthodox Divines and we doubt not in the least but that this your Labour will be most acceptable unto the now approaching National Synod of France and will be useful and serviceable for the suppressing and putting a period by due and proper ways unto these late Controversies which some certain Pastors affected and addicted unto Novelties have to their shame raised in the French Churches to the great Offence of very many Godly Persons From Leyden March 14. 1637. Your Reverences most Affectionate Colleagues Johannes Polyander Antonius Wallaeus Antonius Thysius and Jacobus Triglandius Extracts out of a Letter sent by Mr. John Bogerman to Mr. Andrew Rivett from Franequer Feb. 7. 1637. HAving thus concerted that Affair among our selves we now Write you our present Judgment which in this Paper is Transmitted to you begging of God with all our heart That he would bless your Holy Labours and behold in the Son of his Love your distressed Churches of France which have been hitherto as a Pure and Chaste Virgin and have kept inviolably their Oath of Fidelity unto the Truth but now-a-days begin to be troubled with impure Errors and of a very dangerous Heterodoxy My Colleagues could not read that French Book of the Professor Amyraud because they don't understand the French Tongue therefore did I most Faithfully make those Extracts which you see out of his Writings Our ears could not suffer with any Patience those Novelties of a double Predestination unto Salvation and of a certain general knowledge by the light of Nature of the Mercy of God to all Men and of another particular knowledge of the same Mercy unto particular persons of a double Decree of God without any knowledge of Christ The good Lord be merciful unto these Brethren and according to his infinite goodness grant that they may have but one and the same Mind and the same Language with all the Churches of Christ and may he ever watch over you to keep and preserve you for many long years yet to come to the Glory of his Great Name and the Edification of his Church To that most Excellent Person our most Dear Brother in Jesus Christ Master Rivett Greeting SIR HAving received your Writing together with the Books of this 21. of January we perused them very diligently and were grieved in our hearts that the Seeds of new troubles were sowen in your Churches of France Thus Satan who is always the same and like himself endeavours by vile Errours to obscure the Lustre of the Truth and continually discovers himself a most mortal Enemy of the Grace of God And Oh that our most Gracious God whose great Benignity towards us deserveth our everlasting Praises would deign to preserve your poor Churches of France from all their Enemies and from those woful troubles attending on them These Attacks of the Adversary are ill-boding signs of some sad Events which may betide them unless they be resisted with singular Prudence and an immovable Resolution in their first beginnings and that they be stifled in the Birth For what is it that Men are hammering out of this multitude of Errors but a certain new Arminianism Pelagianism and Socinianism That odd and ridiculous Opinion of Vorstius concerning the changeable Decrees is once again digged out of its Grave and brought upon the publick Theatre yea and that spurious Doctrine of the Jesuits condemned by the School-men themselves appears bare-faced before the World Alas How many points incompatible one with another are there to be found in Monsieur Testard his Book For his latter Theses subvert the former and so far are these Pamphlets from conciliating Peace that to the contrary we believe the Adversaries are more exasperated by them animated and strengthened to Combat with us and that Saying of Monsieur Beza may be justly applied to this Script He would have forged a Peace but he hath forged out Dissention Sir You are very well acquainted with the Man and therefore
was To our Dear and Well-beloved the Pastor's and Elders Deputies of the pretended Reformed Religion Assembled by our Permission in a National Synod at Charenton 10. On Tuesday the Tenth Day of January the Assembly being informed that his Highness the Prince was arrived immediately dispatched the Sieurs Vincent Chabrol Panieure and de Clesle unto Paris and to pay their Reverence unto his Highness who returning the next day made Report how Kindly they were received by his Highness who graciously Offered his best Services for the Maintenance of the Edict made in favour of the Churches which was a most particular Joy unto the whole Assembly and obliging us to Hope well from the Favour of that great Lord. 11. The Letters written by the Pastors and Professors of Geneva from their Church and University to Congratulate the good effects of the last National Synod and the Convocation of this now Sitting as also another particular one from Monsieur Diodati about the Edition of his French Translation of the Holy Bible and one from Dr. Andrew Rivet Pastor and Professor of Divinity at Leyden then residing at the Hague in the Court of his Highness the Prince of Orange and from the Three Professors of Divinity in the aforesaid University of Leyden concerning the Conformity of Doctrin Taught and Professed in the Churches of the Low Countries to and with that Preached and Confessed in the Churches of this Kingdom were all delivered unto the Lord Commissioner Sealed who having first Opened and Perused them permitted the Reading of them but then immediately retained the Originals to be sent unto the King and in his Name declared that it was his Majesties Will and Pleasure that no Answer should be returned unto them by the Synod which was Obeyed accordingly 12. The Lord Marquess of Clermont having exercised the Office of General Deputy for the Churches ever since the Year 1627 did now Petition his Majesty to be Discharged by reason of his Indisposition and his Majesty having granted him his Request and appointed the Lord Baron of Argiliers to Succeed him and Ordered the Lord Commissioner to acquaint the Synod with it and with his gracious Intentions for the Weal of the Churches The Synod was filled with great Joy for that his Majesty had Committed this Important Trust of our General Deputy unto so well an accomplish'd Person whose Noble Birth Vertue and Piety did every way qualify him for it But it having been ever since the Year 1631. customary for the Churches to present Six Persons unto the Ring Three out of the Nobility and Three others of the Commonalty out of which number his Majesty might prick and chuse any Two who were best pleasing to him and that now this Office of Solliciting at Court the Affairs of our poor Churches is devolved upon one Person only who may be disabled from attending it by Sicknest or some other Accidents which may intervene and hinder it the Assembly yielding a profound Deference a most entire Submission and Obedience unto his Majesty's declared Will and Pleasure did yet notwithstanding most humbly Petition his Majesty to grant us the Restitution of our ancient Practice approved by the Kings his Predecessors that another Person from among the Commons might be constituted in case of the Lord Baron of Argilier's Sickness or of any other Impediment that might happen on his Part to take the care of and sollicit the Affairs of our Churches 13. As the Synod was drawing up a Bill of the Churches Grievances and particularly of the Infractions of the Edict in all the Provinces both before and since its Convocation the Lord Commissioner informed them That though it was his Majesty's Pleasure this Assembly should not in the least deliberate of any State-matters publickly yet he would not hinder them from drawing up such a Bill by a select Committee chosen thereunto who might do it in private out of the Memoirs with which the respective Deputies were charged by their Provincial Synods at their Departure or that since their Arrival at this Town they might have received either from the Churches or from particular Persons who were concerned and had notified those Wrongs that were done them by Letters Whereupon the Synod did plenarily submit unto this Order prescribed them by the Lord Commissioner 14. The Lord Commissioner acquainting the Synod how that the Lord de la Vrilliere Principal Secretary of State had assured him that the Decree for remanding all Causes concerning the Professors of our Religion unto the Courts of the Edict was dispatched and that a Fund of 16000 Livres for defraying the Expences of this Assembly was also assigned he had the most humble and hearty Thanks of the Assembly rendred to him and he was farther intreated to continue more and more to do all good Offices unto the Churches and to get expedited a Decree of Supersedeas which may stop the Violence of our Ill-Wishers and may secure us some Repose till such time as his Lordship the General Deputy do take into his Hands the management of our Affairs which was readily granted by the Lord Commissioner 15. The Sieurs de L' Angle and Cottiby Pastors were joyned in Commission with the Sieurs de Morande and Pellue to present unto their Majesties the Bills of our Churches Grievances and they had Letters also to the King and the Queen Regent to my Lord the Duke of Orleans to my Lord Chancellor to my Lord High Treasurer and to my Lord Emery Comptroller General and to the Lord de la Vrilliere Secretary of State And this Committee are ordered to give the most hearty Thanks of all the Churches unto the Lord Marquiss of Clemont and to assure him of our perpetual Gratitude arid that we shall always remember the great Care and Pains he took for us during his Office of General Deputy and that we will never be wanting in our Prayers unto God for him and his best Blessings upon him And the said Committee were ordered to receive the Sum of 1600 Livres assigned by his Majesty for the defraying our Synodical Charges After that this Committee shall have paid their Duties in the Name of this whole Assembly to both their Majesties and their most Honourable Privy Council the Sieurs of Morande and Pellue shall remain at Paris waiting the coming of the Lord General Deputy and Salute his Lordship from the Assembly and consign unto him the Conduct of our Affairs and in the mean while they shall employ themselves wholly in solliciting the speedy Dispatch of those which are most urgent and admit of no Delay And in case his Lordship our General Deputy do not come to Paris within a Fortnight they shall tarry there till he do And it being in no wise just or equitable that they should lie there upon their own Charges the Assembly granteth that out of the Sum of 1600 Livres assigned by his Majesty for defraying of out Expences they shall draw out for their own Service the Sum
confirm the Covenant of Grace propounded to us in the Gospel Ministry Answ Yes Quest How many Sacraments do you believe that there be in the Christian Church Answ Two Baptism and the Lord's Supper Quest Do you desire to be instructed in the Nature and Use of Baptism which you now demand of this Church of Christ Answ Yes Then the Minister shall say Our Lord sheweth us in what Poverty and Misery we are all born when he telleth us that we must be born again For if our Nature must be renewed that it may enter into the Kingdom of God then 't is evident that it is universally depraved and accursed whereof he admonisheth us that we may be humbled and displeased with oar selves and by this means doth he prepare us earnestly to petition for his Grace by which all that Corruption and Malediction of our first Nature may be abolished And we are not capable of receiving it till we be first emptied of all Confidence in our own Vertue Wisdom and Righteousness that so we may pass Sentence of Condemnation upon all that is in us And look as he remonstrateth unto us our miserable Estate so also doth he comfort us with his Mercy promising to regenerate us by his Holy Spirit unto newness of Life which will be the earnest of our entrance into his Kingdom This Regeneration consisteth of two Parts First that we deny our selves not following our own Judgment Will and Pleasure but resigning our Hearts and Understandings to be led Captive by the Wisdom and Righteousness of God and so mortifying our selves and all our fleshly Members here below we do then follow the Divine Light and take up our Complacency in Obedience unto his good Will and Pleasure revealed to us in his Holy Word and subject our selves to the Guidance and Government of his Holy Spirit Now the Accomplishment of both these is in our Lord Jesus whose Death and Passion is of such Vertue that by communicating in it we are as it were dead to Sin that so our carnal Affections and the Desires of our Flesh may be mortified In like manner by the Vertue of Christs Resurrection we rise up unto newness of Live which is of God inâ—smuch as his Holy Spirit doth guide and govern us and work in us those Works which are well-pleasing to him Yet the first and chiefest Point of our Salvation is that by his Mercy he freely pardons all our Sins not imputing them unto us and blotteth out the remembrance of them that so they may not be brought in Judgment against us All these Benefits are conferred upon us when he is pleased graciously to incorporate us into his Church by Baptism for in this Sacrament he testifieth unto us the Forgiveness of our Sins And to this purpose hath he ordained the Sign of Water thereby to signifie unto us That as this Element cleanseth away the Filth of the Body even so will he wash and purifie our Souls that there may not appear the least Spot upon them In the next place it holdeth forth unto us our Renovation which standeth as was said before in the Mortification of our Flesh and in that Spiritual Life which he effecteth in us So that we receive a double Grace and Benefit from God in our Baptism provided we do not disannul the Vertue of this Sacrament by our Ingratitude First That we have a most certain Token and Testimony that God will be a propitious Father to us not imputing our Sins and Offences to us Secondly That he will assist us by his Holy Spirit that we may be enabled to combat with the Devil Sin and the Desires of our Flesh until we have won the Victory and so enjoy the Liberty of his Kingdom which is a Kingdom of Righteousness For as much then as these two things be accomplished in us by the Grace of our Lord Jesus it followeth that the Vertue and Substance of Baptism is treasured up in him And indeed we have no other Laver but that of his Blood nor any other Renovation but what is in his Death and Resurrection which as he communicateth his Riches and Benedictions to us by his Word so also doth he distribute them abroad among us by his Sacraments And in this appeareth the wonderful Love of God towards us that these Graces bestowed on us having before the Incarnation of our Lord Redeemer been as it were locked up among the Jewish People and the Partition-Wall which separated between Jews and Gentiles being broken down by his Death he hath and doth shed abroad upon Mankind the saving Waters of his Grace in such abundance that now there is neither Jew nor Greek neither Male nor Female neither Circumcision nor Uncircumcision nor any outward Condition of Men that can exclude them from that great Salvation which is in him and which the Lord Jesus will have preached unto all Nations And the Covenant of his Peace is now ratified by Baptism according to the Commission which he hath given unto his Apostles saying Go ye and preach unto all Nations baptizing them in the Name of the Father of the Son and of the Holy Ghost Quest And is it not true my Brother that you desire to be Partaker of this Grace by Baptism Answ Yes Quest But forasmuch as he that entreth into the House of God must look unto his ways lest he should prophane the Sanctuary and presume according to that Saying of the wise Preacher to offer the Sacrifice of Fools and ungodly Persons and that he ought to be clean purged from all Leaven of Error and Malice do you not detest from your Heart all Errors contrary to that sound Doctrin taught in our Churches Answ Yes Quest Forasmuch as we are now about to administer the Sacrament of Baptism unto you do you not protest to live and die in the Faith of our Lord Jesus which you have now confessed before us and to adorn it with an Holy Life and Conversation and to direct all your Thoughts Words and Actions to the Glory of God and the Edification of your Neighbour and to submit your self to the Order and Discipline of our Church in Conformity whereunto this Holy Ordinance must be inviolably maintained Answ Yes This being done the Minister shall add Let us call upon God that he may be entreated to give his Blessing to this present Holy Ministration O Lord our God! The most wise and merciful God! We praise and bless thy Holy Name for that Grace which thy good Hand hath deigned to bestow upon this thy Servant who lay in the profound Darkness of the Shadow of Death but is now enlightned by thee thou having caused the Day-Spring from on high with his quickening and saving Brightness to arise and shine in upon him drawing him from a most deplorable hardness of a stony Heart to mollifie and soften him delivering him from the Bonds of Death and restoring Life unto him Lord as thou hast took away the Veil that was upon his
Face and called him to the Knowledg of thy self the only True God and Jesus Christ whom thou hast sent and animated him with a Spiritual Courage to make a publick Confession this Day of thy Holy Faith and that Hope which thou hast begotten in his Soul and granted him this Grace to offer himself in thy Presence unto this Holy Sacrament of Baptism the Seal of thy Covenant the Pledg of the Remission of our Sins and the Token of our Admission into thy House by a Supernatural New Birth So most blessed God we beseech thee to dart in upon him more and more the Beams of thy Mercy to forgive him all his Sins to purge his Conscience with the precious Blood of the Lamb without Spot who taketh away the Sins of the World O cause him Lord to feel the Almighty Vertue of his Propitiation Let thy Holy Spirit sanctifie him and make him a new Creature that he dying unto Sin may live unto Righteousness and putting off the Old Man with his Works he may put on the New Man who is renewed in Righteousness and true Holiness And as we are now pouring upon his Head the Waters of thy Sacrament so we beseech thee more especially to pour down upon him the Gifts and Graces of thy Holy Spirit Receive him into the Number of thy Domesticks and honour him with the Adoption of thy Children Give him Grace that during his whole Life he may devote himself entirely unto thy Service and yield that Obedience and Religious Worship to thee which is thy Due and his Duty And let him persevere faithfully in thy Holy Covenant for ever-more that as we do now receive him in thy Name into the Communion of thy Church Militant so thou mayest another Day exalt him into the Bosom of thy Church Triumphant and gather him at his Death unto that general Assembly of the First-born whose Names are written in Heaven Hear us O merciful Father that this Baptism which we do now administer to him according to thy Sacred Ordinance may produce its Fruit and Vertue in him as thou hast declared in thy Holy Gospel to us for the sake of thy dear Son in whom thou art well-pleased even our Lord Jesus Christ who hath commanded us to call upon thee saying Our Father which art in Heaven c. Then the Minister addressing himself to the Sureties who present the Catechumen shall say My Brethren As you have charitably employed your selves in the Instruction and Edification of this our Brother and are Witnesses of tha Baptism which he shall now receive through our Ministry so do you not promise before God and this Sacred Assembly to continue more and more to strengthen and confirm him in the Faith and to stir him up unto all good Works Answ Yes This done the Minister speaking unto the Catechumen who upon his Knees waiteth for Baptism shall say Forasmuch as we have received these Evidences of your Faith pouring Water upon him N. I Baptize thee in the Name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Ghost Amen The Conclusion of the Form of Baptizing Strangers from the Covenant of God whether Pagans Jews Mahometans Anabaptists or any other Infidels who had not been before baptized 11. If in Churches served by divers Pastors any one of them be disabled either through Age or some other Infirmity from administring the Cup yet shall he always distribute the Bread in the Lord's Supper unto the Communicants and this Canon shall be observed in all the Provinces without exception 12. Whereas in many of the greater Churches of this Kingdom it hath been found requisite for their more general edifying to handle the Sunday's Catechisms by way of Common-Places in Divinity and not by familiar Questions and Answers And to promote their Instruction who are well grown in years they have substituted extraordinary Catechisings on certain Days immediately preceding the Lords Supper we approving their Practice do notwithstanding exhort the rest of the Churches to conform themselves unto the Order prescribed by the Discipline as much as possibly they can And in case they cannot every Lords Day Catechise their Children yet shall they chuse out some days of the Week peculiarly for this Exercise especially before the Sacrament of the Lords Supper is to be administred and the Provincial Synods are ordred to see this punctually observed in every Church of their Jurisdiction and to give an Account thereof unto the next National Synod 13. To explain that Canon of our Discipline which bindeth Pastors in their ordinary Course of Preaching to expound some one particular Book of Holy Scripture from the beginning to the end thereof this Assembly declareth that the Intention of the National Synod which decreed that Canon was not thereby to debar or hinder any Pastors from edifying their Churches by expounding of any Books or Texts of Scripture particularly chosen on extraordinary occasions as of the Lords Supper c. nor to impose upon them any necessity of prosecuting the Exposition of the same Book which was the Subject of their Lord's Day Sermon upon the Week Days in which the far greatest Part of the People are taken up with the Occupations of their Secular Callings and Families that they cannot attend upon such Sermons and so would be deprived of their chiefest Edification but in this respect to leave all Pastors to their Liberty 14. Henceforward the Moderators in Synodical Assemblies and the Deputies which shall be sent from the Provinces in their Name to assist in National Synods shall be chosen as the Canons of our Discipline have determined not by the Churches but by Plurality of Suffrages of the Provinces And in case any absent Person should be elected yet this shall not abridge the Pastors of their Liberty in Voting 15. For the better Understanding the Third Canon of the Ninth Chapter of the Discipline This Assembly declareth that the Memoirs wherewith every Province intrusteth their respective Deputies ought to be resolv'd in their Provincial Synods by plurality of Votes and signed in the said Assemblies by the Moderators and in case this be omitted there shall be no more regard had unto them than unto Motions made by Private Persons who had no Order nor Commission and propounded such matters of their own Head 16. Upon the Eighth Canon of the Ninth Chapter of the Discipline it was decreed that the Moderator of the Synod having propounded the Matters of Discipline which are to be debated shall defer the giving of his Suffrage till all the Deputies have given theirs and he having gathered their Votes shall then at last have the Casting Voice CHAP. X. Observations made on Reading the National Synod of Alenson held in the Year 1637. 1. IN compliance with that Petition of the Deputies of Vivaretz and of the Church of St. Stephen in Forest which had agreed in a particular Treaty made with the Church of Bonlieu and by Consent of the Province of Burgundy that the said Church
needful for the Peace and Welfare of the Church of Vitre in Brittain that the Sieurs Petre and Jortain its Pastors should be removed from it because of the Misunderstandings and Divisions which have been between them for many Years together Moreover the Province of Anjou requested that the Church gathered at Terchant which was only joyned for some time to that of Vitre by the National Synod held there in the Year 1583 might be reincorporated with that of Laval because the said Church of Terchant lieth and is situated in the County of Laval and was from its first Foundation United to and a Member of that of Laval The Deputies of the Province of Brittain were also heard speak on behalf of their Synod who reported how opposite the Intentions of the Lady of Montmartin were unto this Separation because the Discords between the Pastors had divided the Body of the Church of Vitre which being at length tired with their Contentions and Debates in which they have been unavoidably ingaged through their Means did entreat by Letters the Lady Dutchess of Trimouille to get them discharged from their Ministry in it This Synod Decreeth that according to the desire of the said Lady Dutchess those Two Pastors who have hitherto served in the said Church of Vitre shall be transferred elsewhere And that Monsieur Jortan shall be sent unto the Church in the Isle of Gast and Lassay provided the said Monsieur Jortane and the Church do Consent unto it and the Church of Vitre shall be provided of a Pastor adorned with Gifts and Graces meet for their Edification And as for that of Terchant and Vieuville the Sieurs Basnage and de L'Angle together with the Sieurs Guesdon and Caillard or in case of their Lawful Hindrance then two other Pastors and Two Elders Members of the Colloquy of Constantin taking with them the Memoirs and Acts brought hither unto this Synod from the Church of Vitre shall pass over to it at the Charges of the said Church and shall proceed to Censure those Persons whom they find guilty of these Divisions And they shall send Monsieur Petre to the Church of Terchant and la Vieuville and that they may effectually compose the Discords which do trouble the Church of Vitre they shall endeavour to gain the Consent of the Lady of Montmartyn for the settling of Monsieur Petre in the said Church of Terchant and to yield unto the Dismembring of the said Church from that of Vitre and dispose the said Lady to follow the Intention of this Assembly And they shall give an Accompt hereof unto the next National Synod 23. Monsieur Huron Pastor of the Church of Barbigneres sent Letters with his Appeal from the Synod of Lower Guyenne which had interdicted him the publishing of some certain Discourses of his about State Affairs because they did not conceive them to be any wise Edifying unto the Church of God This Assembly Declareth that the said Appeal ought not to be admitted nor can it be of right brought before it and farther the said Huron is injoyned to acquiesce in the judgment of his Province 24. Monsieur Charron Advocate in the Parliament of Bourdeaux and Elder of the Church of Bergerac Complained and Appealed from the Synod of Lower Guyenne by the Mouth of the Lord of Pyrarede with whom he had deposited his Memoirs This Assembly reversing the Judgment of that Provincial Synod taketh off the Censure which was inflicted on him by the Colloquy of Perigord there being an Error in it and declareth that the Consistory of Bergerac hath acted very ill in their Proceedings and that the Sieur Jacob Tourneau having carried himself so unnaturally and unhumanly to his own Father as is publickly and notoriously known to the whole World ought not to have been chosen unto the Office of an Elder in that Church of Christ 25. The Synod of Higher Languedoc shall judge finally of that Appeal brought by the Church of Saint Foy which was condemned by the Synod of Lower Guyenne to pay the Arrerages due unto the Heirs of the Sieurs Hesparian and Mizaubin their Deceased Pastors for their Work and Service in the Ministery among them 26. The Appeal of Monsieur Crane shall be signified unto the Consistory of St. Maixant and by them carried unto the Synod of Xaintonge who shall by the Authority of this Synod pass a final Judgment on it 27. Mr. Giles Marchand Advocate in the Parliament of Rouen presented a Petition unto this Assembly requesting that there might be some Alteration made in the Government of the more Populous Churches of this Kingdom and he Complained that because he had insisted on such like Proposals he was Suspended from the Lord's Supper by the Consistory of the Church of Rouen and this Sentence of Suspension was Ratified by the Authority of the Provincial Synod of Normandy Answer was return'd him in these Words that the National Synod injoyned him to abandon these his Designs and Fancies which could never be effected according to his Intentions And inasmuch as he hath promised to acquiesce in what shall be here Ordained if he do let him be again admitted to Communion with the Church at the Lord's Table 28. The Sieur de Coutures Appealing from a Judgment given by the Isle of France and not sending any Memoirs to abet and maintain it his Appeal is declared null and void 29. Le Sieur Toussaints de Roussannes Appealing from the Synod of Lower Guyenne for giving leave to the Sieur de Blancard to sit ordinarily among the Elders in the Church of la Fite which they did out of respect to his Old Age and many Infirmities and because of those considerable Services he had done the Church of la Fite and not sending any Memoirs to sustain his Appeal it was declared null 30. Those Appeals of the Churches of Navarrins and Ortez from the Judicial Sentence pronounced in the Synod of Bearn held at Lambeze are declared null 31. Monsieur Rondel who had been Deposed from his Office of Elder by Sentence of the Consistory of Vitre which also was Confirmed by another of the Provincial Synod of Brittain having Appealed from them shall declare his Grievances unto the Sieurs Basnage and de L'Angle who are Commissionated by this Assembly to remedy those disorders in the Church of Vitre and to judge finally of those matters without any Appeal from them 32. The Sieur Aymin at present Pastor in the Church of Manosques Appealed from the Synod of Dolphiny held in the Year 1642 at Nyons which had by their Decree removed him from his Ministry in the Church of Die and given him liberty to provide himself elsewhere either within or without the Province according as the good Providence of God should direct him The Assembly having heard him open particularly his Grievances and the Answers made unto them by the Deputies of that Province doth Confirm the Decree of the said Synod of Nyons and at the request of those
acquaint the United Brethren what Entertainment and Acceptance the Reading of it had with their respective Assemblies which was done accordingly and to general satisfaction And because the Reader of the Acts of this Third National Synod of the Reformed Churches in France held at Charenton may not have seen and may be desirous to see what this Syncretism was between those Brethren in England I have here inserted them from my own Manuscript and printed Copies CHAP. XIII Heads of Agreement Assented to by the United Ministers in and about London formerly called Presbyterian and Congregational Preface to the Reader ENdeavours for an Agreement among Christians will be grievous to none who desire the flourishing State of Christianity it self the success of these Attempts among us must be ascribed to a presence of God so signal as not to be concealed and seems a hopeful pledge of further Blessings The favour of our Rulers in the present established Liberty we most thankfully acknowledge and to them we are studious to approve our selves in the whole of this Affair therefore we declare against any intermedling with the National Church-Form Imposing these Terms of Agreement on others is disclaimed All pretence to Coercive Power is as unsuitable to our Principles as to our Circumstances Excommunication it self in our respective Churches being no other than a declaring such Scandalous Members as are irreclaimable to be incapable of Communion with us in things peculiar to visible Believers And in all we expressly determine our purpose to the maintaining of Harmony and Love among our Selves and preventing the inconveniences which Human Weakness may expose to in our use of this Liberty The General Concurrence of Ministers and People in this City and the great Disposition thereto in other Places persuade us this happy work is undertaken in a Season designed for such divine Influence as will overcome all Impediments to Peace and convince of that Agreement which has been always among us in a good degree though neither to our Selves nor others so evident as hereby it is now acknowledged Need there any Arguments to recommend this Vnion Is not this what we all have Prayed for and Providence by the directest Indications hath been long Calling and Disposing us to Can either Zeal for God or Prudent Regards to our Selves remisly suggest it seeing the Blessings thereof are so important and when it s become in so many respects even absolutely necessary especially as it may conduce to the Preservation of the Protestant Religion and the Kingdoms Weal a Subserviency whereto shall always govern our Vnited abilities with the same disposition to a concurrence with all others who are duly concerned for those National Blessings As these considerations render this Agreement desirable so they equally urge a watchful care against all Attempts of Satan to dissolve it or frustrate the good effects thereof so manifestly destructive to his Kingdom Therefore it's incumbent on us to forbear Condemning and Disputing those different Sentiments and Practices we have expresly allowed for to reduce all distinguishing Names to that of United Brethren to admit no Vncharitable Jealousies or Censorious Speeches much less any Debates whether Party seems most favoured by this Agreement Such Carnal regards are of small moment with us who herein have used Words less accurate that neither side might in their various Conceptions about lesser matters be contradicted when in all substantials we are fully of one Mind and from this time hope more perfectly to rejoyce in the Honour Gifts and Success of each other as our common good That we as Vnited may contribute our utmost to the great Concernments of our Redeemer it 's mutually resolved we will assist each other with our Labours and meet and consult without the least shadow of separate or distinct Parties Whence we joyfully expect great Improvements in Light and Love through the more abundant supplies of the Spirit being well assured we herein serve that Prince of Peace of the increase of whole Government and Peace there shall be no end HEADS of AGREEMENT These following Heads of Agreement have been resolved upon by the United Ministers in and about London formerly called Presbyterian and Congregational not as a Measure for any National Constitution but for the Preservation of Order in our Congregations that cannot come up to the common Rule by Law Established 1. Of Churches and Church-Members 1. We acknowledg our Lord Jesus Christ to have one Catholick Church or Kingdom comprehending all that are united to him whether in Heaven or Earth And do conceive the whole Multitude of Visible Belieers and their Infant Seed commonly called the Catholick Visible Church to belong to Christ's Spiritual Kingdom in this World But for the notion of a Catholick Visible Church here as it signifies its having been collected into any formed Society under a visible human Head on Earth whether one Person singly or many collectively we with the rest of Protestants unanimously disclaim it 2. We agree that particular Societies of Visible Saints who under Christ their Head are statedly joyned together for ordinary Communion with one another in all the Ordinances of Christ are particular Churches and are to be owned by each other as Instituted Churches of Christ tho differing in apprehensions and practice in some lesser things 3. That none shall be admitted as Members in Order to Communion in all the special Ordinances of the Gospel but such Persons as are knowing and sound in the Fundamental Doctrins of the Christian Religion without scandal in their Lives and have a Judgment regulated by the Word of God and are Persons of visible Godliness and Honesty credibly professing cordial Subjection to Jesus Christ 4. A competent number of such visible Saints as before described do become the capable Subjects of stated Communion in all the special Ordinances of Christ upon their mutual declared Consent and Agreement to walk together therein according to Gospel Rule In which Declaration different degrees of Explicitness shall no way hinder such Churches from owning each other as Instituted Churches 5. Tho parochial bounds be not of Divine Right yet for common Edification the Members of a particular Church ought as much as conveniently may be to live near one another 6. That each particular Church hath right to chuse their own Officers and being furnished with such as are duly qualified and ordained according to the Gospel Rule hath authority from Christ for exercising Government and of enjoying all the Ordinances of Worship within it self 7. In the Administration of Church Power it belongs to the Pastors and other Elders of every particular Church if such there be to rule and govern and to the Brotherhood to consent according to the Rule of the Gospel 8. That all Professors as before described are bound in duty as they have opportunity to joyn themselves as fixed Members of some particular Church their thus joyning being part of their professed Subjection to the Gospel of Christ and are instituted means of
great importance which is fitting you should be acquainted with now at the beginning of this Synod that so it may be the better ordered and ended the sooner I received in my Letters very lately an Express and particular Order concerning some certain Articles and Orders of which I before spake viz. That there is an Abuse committed by the Provinces in sending and communicating by their Deputies Letters from Strangers This his Majesty declareth to be contrary to his Edicts and prejudicial to the publick Peace and his own Service Wherefore I am commanded to be very careful and to provide herein that among your deliberations none other matters be debated but such as ought of right to be so by all the Deputies of the Provinces of this Kingdom and those Matters only which concern the Provinces and that you neither receive any Letters from nor hold any Correspondency with Strangers in any way or manner or for any cause or business whatsoever and you be most strictly forbidden to receive any Writings of what quality soever coming from Foreign Countries and not under his Majesties Jurisdiction nor may any one dare during the sitting of this Synod to publish or spread them abroad in this Town of Loudun And in case such a thing should happen and that such Papers are found I am injoyned immediately to suppress them and to proceed rigorously against such as vend or distribute them as is meet I should and to inflict such Penalties as I shall judge fit And farther I am most expresly and directly commanded to do what in me lieth for the shortning and speedy ending of this Synod Which Order I received in the last Dispatch that came unto this Town CHAP. IV. The Answer of Monsieur Daille the Moderator of the Synod unto the Speech of the Lord Commissioner AS soon as my Lord Commissioner had ended his Speech Monsieur Daille who was Moderator of the Synod made this Answer following in the Name of the whole Assembly unto his Lordship My Lord THE long interruption of these Holy Assemblies have made us but too sensible of their singular usefulness and how needful they be unto our Churches And this hath augmented our Joys to see that God hath at last touched the Heart of his Majesty our Sovereign Lord with that goodness as to grant us this present Synod And without doubt My Lord you observed Yesterday upon Reading the Letters of Commission from the respective Provincial Synods how deeply they were affected with the Mercy for they could not refrain the Expressions of their Sense and Resentment of it even in their Dispatches We therefore having received this singular favour from his Majesty do own and acknowledge it to be a mere and pure Act of his Grace and Clemency and take it as a Pledge and Earnest of his Majesties Good Will unto us and sincere purposes of keeping inviolate his Edicts Unto this his Majesty hath added another and more especial favour in pitching upon your Lordship to represent his Person in this Assembly even you my Lord who for Piety and Integrity for Faith and Vertue are renowned not only in our Churches but in the World it self In so much that the worst and greatest Adversaries of our Religion being won with the luster of that Justice and Uprightness which have ever shined forth in your Administration of that high Dignity and Office possessed by you these many Years in the first and chiefest Parliament of France do desire and continually demand that your Lordship may be their Judge and Reporter of their Causes and do account themselves happy in case they can obtain it Certainly my Lord his Majesty could never have made a more advantagious Choice for us and we render your Lordships our most humble Thanks that overlooking your great Age your many and weighty Affairs the tedious incommodities of Travel and of the Season of the Year your Lordship hath accepted of this Commission and closed with this opportunity which the good Providence of God hath put into your Hands for the Service of his Majesty and for doing all good Offices to our poor Churches which God knoweth have great need of so Fast and Faithful a Friend as your Lordship near his Majesty We need you my Lord and we intreat your Lordship that you would be pleased to testifie it with all Efficacy imaginable unto his Majesty and to his Ministers the Innocency the Simplicity of our Conduct that the Jealousies which our Ill-Wishers do suggest unto him against these our Assemblies may be abated and removed Our National Synods are in no wise prejudicial to his Majesties Service yea the very contrary is true for their first and principal use is to confirm us the more stedfastly in our Religion the First and most Illustrious Article whereof you know my Lord for you have been educated in it from your Infancy is the belief of the Sovereign Authority of Kings over all Persons whatsoever without Exception in their Dominions and of that indispensable Obligation lying upon all their Subjects to yield them in all things all Honour Service and Obedience not only out of Fear but for Conscience sake and such an intire and profound Submission that their respects are extended and performed unto all Officers acting by and under them and their Order and in whose Employments and Ministry there shineth forth any Beam of Royal Authority This Doctrin the Holy Apostles learnt us to be subject unto Kings and those who be Commissionated by them This Doctrin we received from the Primitive Christians that the King is next and under God and that there is no middle power intervening between God's and hiâ— and after that Service we owe unto our God there is none more Sacred or inviolable than his In the very first Sessions of this Synod your Lordship shall see every one of us subscribe this Holy Creed just as we have expounded it in our common and publick Confession and we trust that God will so enable us by his Grace that we shall more and more justifie the Confession we now make of it by a most constant and inviolable Fidelity in his Majesties Service And in the mean while we shall offer up our most ardent Prayers unto our God for the Health of his Majesty's most Sacred Person for the Prosperity of his Family for the happy Success of his Designs and for the Peace and Glory of the Kingdom But my Lord forasmuch as by the Orders of your Commission your Lordship hath presented to us divers points and of very great importance we beseech your Lordship to give way unto this Assembly to consider of them distinctly that our Answers may be returned with that Humility and Reverence which is owing by us unto the Will and Pleasure of his Majesty our Dread Sovereign And afterwards the Deputies did by the Mouth of their said Moderator add as followeth My Lord WE do acknowledge in the First place that it was a most signal effect of his Majesty's
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
rather because your Majesty hath superadded another favour to your former which is indeed inlinked with it to wit your gracious permission of us to proceed to the Election of a General Deputy according to the priviledg granted us by the Kings your Predecessors But Sire you having with your own Royal Hand conferr'd upon us the Lord Marquess of Ruvigny we were so well provided for that we most humbly beseech your Majesty to continue him unto us in this Office This is Sire what the Sieurs Eustache and de Mirabel are charged to deliver unto your Majesty and whom pre have nominated to lay at your Feet our Homages Submissions and most sincere protestations of our inviolable Fidelity together with our continual Prayers unto the Throne of Grace for the Preservation of your Majesties most Sacred Person for the Prosperity of this Kingdom for the Establishing of Peace and for the happy accomplishment of your Marriage as being Sire Of your Majesty The most Humble the most Obedient and most Faithful Subjects and Servants the Pastors and Elders Assembled by your Majesties Permission in a National Synod at Loudun and for all of them Moderator Daille Assessor J. M. de Langle Scribes John de Brissac Loride des Galinieres A Copy of the Letter written unto the Queen Madam WHen as during the King's Minority the Supream Government of this Kingdom was put into your Hands those of our Religion who live dispersed in all parts of the Kingdom have received so many marks and Evidences of your Majesties Goodness and Protection that the Remembrance thereof will be perpetually engraven upon our Hearts in the deepest sense of gratitude and acknowledgments And since his Majesty our Sovereign Lord was declared Major of Years to Govern and his Vertues have out-run his Years your Majesty Madam hath so assisted him with your good Counsels that we all know and confess that you contributed most of all to maintain us in our Repose and in the injoyment of those Priviledges which were given us by the Edicts of our Princes And now the late Grant of our Assembling in this National Synod is in part the fruit of those good Inclinations your Majesty hath for us wherewith we are so deeply affected that we cannot forbear the Expressions of our Thankfulness And therefore Madam we have given in charge unto our Deputies whom we have sent unto the King to wait also upon your Majesty and to assure you not only of your sincere Dutifulness unto your Majesty wit are here assembled but also of all those Persons who have deputed us and are represented by us and that the remembrance of your Benefits shall never be blotted out of our Souls And we most humbly Petition your Majesty that you will be pleased always to ingage us unto Thankfulness by continuing to us the Fruits of your Royal Goodness and that you would daign to inrich us with the occasions of our incessant publishing your Praises that as we now do so we may always wrestle with our God for the showring down of his best Blessings from Heaven upon your Majesty and he will hear us Madam for we cry unto him daily that you may have length of Days an uninterrupted Prosperity that your Glorious Designs of settling Peace in France and a perpetual Peace between the Two Crowns which have been so long at variance may be at last atchieved The great God Madam will bless your Care and Labours in getting a Spouse for our King which may briâ—◠〈◊〉 a Posteâ—â—â— like unto that your Majesty hath given unto the late King his Father and which may be the genuine and worthy Offspring of so many Royal Monarchs from whose Blood they be descended and to whom the Empire of France and Spain may be subjected And to say no more Madam our God will give your Majesty to see that by our inviolable Fidelity and Obedience unto your Commands there are none among the Subjects of this most populous Kingdom who are more than our selves Madam Of your Majesty The most Humble and the most Obedient Subjects and Servants the Pastors and Elders assembled in a National Synod of Loudun and in the Name of all Moderator Daille Assessor J. M. de L'Angle Scribes John de Brissac Lorile des Galinieres A Copy of the Letter written unto his Eminency My Lord ALthough that next and after God it is of his Majesty's Grace and Favour that we enjoy this Priviledg of meeting together in a National Synod yet also are we principally obliged unto the Goodness of your Eminency and to the Wisdom of your Counsels For besides that this great Kingdom is governed by them and that 't is by the Cares of this important Ministry committed by his Majesty unto your Eminency that our Churches do enjoy the Protection of his Edicts as we have been informed by my Lord de Magdelaine his Majesty's Commissioner in our Assembly and by your Letters written to the Lord Marquess of Ruvigny our General Deputy of your Eminency's most favourable Inclinations for us in this Occurrenc Therefore my Lord no sooner were we met together but we poured out our Souls in the presence of the Lord Jesus our Saviour and rendred him our most Solemn Sacrifice of Thanksgiving that he had at length inclined his Majesty's Heart to grant us what we had so ardently desired and our very next Thought was to depute some of our Body unto his Majesty with the most humble Thanks of our Hearts and then also unto your Eminency to testifie our Gratitude unto you We have therefore my Lord given in charge to the Sieurs Eustache and Mirabel sent by us unto Court to throw themselves in our stead at his Majesty's Feet to wait also upon your Eminency as from its and to assure your Eminency that all the Churches of this Kingdom who have deputed us unto this Synod will retain an everlasting remembrance of this your Favour together with in inviolable resolution of giving you the undoubted Evidences of our Sense and Resentment of it by our uncorruptible Fidelity in his Majesty's Service and in a most respectful Obedience unto those Orders we shall receive from him by the Mediation of your most excellent Ministry Moreover we do hope my Lord that your Eminency will give a favourable Audience unto our Deputies in those most humble Requests they have to tender to you for us and that you would be pleased to obtain of his Majesty that we may sensibly feel the benign Influences of his Goodness and Royal Protection and that you would daign always to accept those Requests which shall be presented to you by the Lord Marquess of Ruvigny whom his Majesty hath permitted and his commendable Qualities and Services have obliged us to confirm in his Office of General Deputy and that we may not be denied those Gratifications which these our National Assemblies have always received from our Kings and which even your Eminency its self hath procured for us All our Churches my
they represented that they would observe it themselves and see that it should be exactly observed in their Provinces CHAP. VIII Observations upon reading the last National Synod of Charenton in the Year 1644. 1. THE Provincial Deputies of Lower Languedoc and Sevennes demanding that something might be changed in that Decree of the National Synod of Charenton in the Year 1644. which empowred Consistories with full Authority to judge Sovereignly and without Appeal of those differences arising upon the Account of Seats erected in our Temples And the Consistory of Montpellier having sent Memoirs and demanded quite contrary to them a Confirmation of the said Decree This Assembly waving the Decrees of Provincial Synods made in prejudice of the Ordinances of the National Synod of Charenton and which have not been as yet put in execution by their Consistories and are now vacated and disannulled by this present Assembly it doth judge that there ought not to be any change made in that Decree of the said National Synod of Charenton but ordaineth only That in case the Difficulties be so great as that they cannot be composed by the particular Consistory then it may call in the most considerable Heads of Families belonging to their own Church or of the Neighbour Consistories to be corroborated by their United Counsels and to judge Sovereignly without Appeal concerning those Seats and to prosecute with Church-Censures all such Persons as will not submit unto their Orders and particularly those who shall attempt to remove a business of this nature from our Ecclesiastical Assemblies Moreover it declareth and judgeth as did the last National Synod held at Charenton in the 7th and 11th Articles of Appeals That there be fewer Inconveniences in leaving all Seats free and in common than in affecting them unto particular Persons who being meerly private Persons cannot of right lay claim unto any preheminence before others And all the Churches are exhorted to do what in them lieth to make all places common 2. Forasmuch as True Piety and Holiness depend upon the right knowledge of the Mysteries of Religion this Assembly ratifying that Decree made in the last National Synod of Charenton which was to this effect That whereas in several Great Churches of this Kingdom it was requisite for their general Edification that the Sunday's Catechisms should be handled not by familiar Questions and Answers but by Common-places And that their Instruction might be facilitated who were grown in Years they had substituted extraordinary Catechisings upon some certain days of the Week preceding the Lord's Supper their Practice being approved all the Churches of this Kingdom are exhorted to conform themselves to that Order prescribed by the Discipline as far as God shall enable them and in case they cannot Catechise their Children on every Sabbath-day they shall then chuse out some particular Day of the Week for this Exercise especially before the Celebration of the Lord's Supper And Provincial Synods are charged to take knowledge whether every particular Church in their District do perform their Duty herein or no and to give an Account thereof unto the next National Synod This Decree is again revived and 't is now ordered that it shall be exactly observed in all our Churches which shall take such care and course in their respective Consistories as they shall judge will best contribute to the Instruction of the Faithful and in those Churches which have two Sermons on the Lord's Day the Second Sermon shall be turned into an Exposition of the Catechism by way of Common-Place adapting their Discourses to the meanest Capacities And in those Churches and Towns where there is more frequent Preaching as on every day of the Week there is in some they are exhorted to exchange one or more of these Sermons into familiar Catechistical Exercises and such as be more populous and dispersed into divers quarters they are exhorted to hire a fit Person n to instruct the Children in all the Quarters of those Cities and of the Country or at least to chuse out in every Quarter such Elders as are Men able and willing to do this good Service unto the Church of our Lord Jesus And all Fathers and Mothers shall take an especial Care of the Religious Education of their Children teaching them themselves and committing them to Godly Ministers who may form their tender years unto Godliness And all Colloquies and Synods are enjoyned to take Cognizance once a year of the Observation of this Order by Pastors and Consistories And in case there should occur any difficulty to obstruct and hinder this good Design Provincial Synods are empowred with Authority to judge of it and whatever shall be determined and ordained by them shall be executed notwithstanding any Appeal that may be made from them and put in practice till the meeting of the next National Synod unto which an Account of the whole shall be given And that Pastors may acquit themselves more carefully of this most needful part of their Ministry and may have the more time for their private Studies and better prepare themselves for their publick Work in the Pulpit and give more satisfaction unto their Auditories by a clear judicious and solid Explication of the Sacred Scripture Those Churches whose Ministers are obliged to preach oftner than three times in the Week are entreated to discharge them of some part of this Exercise that they may be the better qualified for their Work and may apply themselves more profitably to the Instruction of the Youth by familiar Catechisings And Synods and Colloquies shall see unto it that Pastors and their Churches do all of them endeavour the Advancement of their Members Edification and the Glory of God and of the Gospel 3. Monsieur Drelincourt Pastor of the Chrch of Paris having given an Account of his Works undertook in Obedience to the Counsel of the last National Synod held at Charenton received the Praise and Thanks of this Assembly for those his Learned Labours already published in Defence of the Truth and for Consolation of the Faithful which have been very beneficial to them and he is exhorted to continue his painful Studies and to print those other Treatises as soon as they be finished which are now in his Hands 4. There was read an Article of the last National Synod concerning the Differences of the University of Die with Monsieur Aymin a Minister and the Letters also of the Professors in the said University were perused in which they complain of the many Troubles he hath put them to upon the score of the Judgments passed in the Consistory of Lion March 21. 1638. and March 7. 1643. notwithstanding they had been all repealed in that last National Synod and which self-same Decree was Confirmed by a Judicial Sentence of the Supreme Court of Requests May 12. 1656. into which the said Aymin had driven them And another Report was made how he threatned them with farther Prosecutions upon the same Account This Assembly censureth the
the said Article in which case they shall be admitted to stand Sureties And the like regard shall be had and observed as to Marriages 9. The Province of Bearne demanded whether they might suffer the Lord's Supper to be administred on any other day besides the Christian Sabbath This Assembly judgeth that although Religious Worship be not tied up to the circumstances of time and place yet nevertheless it was needful because of the Importance of so sacred a Ceremony that it be celebrated if possible only upon the Lord's Day and not on any other unless upon very great and weighty considerations whereof the Provincial Synods Colloquies and Consistories shall take cognizance 10. That for the future Deputations unto National Synods may be compleat over and above those Canons already made This Assembly Ordaineth that such Persons who being deputed shall be absent from them shall inform this Synod of the causes of their absence and of that care they had taken to give notice unto those who were substituted in their Places to appear for them and the Synod of that Province shall judge herein But and if they shall not give this Notice and Information the Provinces are injoyned strictly to inspect the matter and to proceed against such Defaulters without sufficient Reason by suspending them from their Offices And an Account hereof shall be given unto the next National Synod 11. The Provinces having rendred an Account of the care taken by them to oblige their Pastors to reside on their respective Churches This Assembly confirmeth the former Canons on this occasion and enjoyneth all Synods and Colloquies to concern themselves in it and upon an exact knowledg of the state of their Churches and Pastors they be charged to proceed against the Refractory with all kind of Censures 12. It being reported to this National Synod that the word Damnation in the Tenth Section of the Catechism hath been changed in the sundry Editions of our Psalms into that of Condemnation The Synod judging those Two Words for Substance to signifie one and the same thing doth leave the Printers at liberty to use which of them they best like 13. To prevent that diversity found in the Editions of the Bible and Psalms of our Liturgy and Catechism This Assembly Ordaineth that every Province shall remark and observe those Changes which have been made and what others may be needful to be done that they may be sent unto the Consistory of Paris which shall chuse out of them according to their Prudence and notifie them unto the Provincial Synod of the Isle of France which shall issue out those Orders necessary for a more correct Edition of the Holy Bible Psalms Liturgy and Catechism unto which the Printers shall conform themselves in their future Impressions Moreover the Consistories of those Places where there is a Printing-Press are charged to be very careful in this matter and the Sieurs Bochard of Caen Jassaud of Castres De Chandieu Eustache Taby Boudan Bernard De Veloux Le Blois Guitton Amyraud Daille Gommare Dize Riccotier Cazamajor and Homel Pastors are appointed a Committee to see this present Act put in Execution 14. Forasmuch as the Sins of Men especially of those whom God hath separated from the World by a most Holy Profession and whom he hath honoured above all others with the Glorious Title of his Children do very often and lowdly summon the Church of God unto extraordinary Humiliation Publick Prayers Fastings and Repentance This Assembly recommendeth unto the Provinces the Observation of that Article of our Discipline which enables the Provincial Synods to proclaim publick Fasts every one of them within their Divisions according as they shall judge needful And ordaineth that the Province which hath the Priviledge of calling the National Synod shall take care to publish a National Fast to be universally observed in all the Churches of this Kingdom according to the Intelligence it shall receive from the other Provinces and especially from those that border nearest to it according to the same Article of the Discipline that so the fierce Anger and Judgment of God may be prevented and avoided 15. Such as defer the Baptizing of their Children shall be sharply censured according to the Rigour of our Discipline and if any Children are come unto Years of Discretion and were never Baptized they shall be first Catechised and well instructed in the Principles of Christian Religion before they be admitted unto Baptism 16. The Deputies of the Isle of France having remonstrated the wicked Practices of some Professors of our Religion such be forbidden upon pain of the last and greatest Censures to lend their Names unto Persons of the Romish Communion that they may draw their Affairs tho but indirectly and in which they have in effect no concern at all before the Courts of the Edict 17. The Deputies of the Province of Brittaine requesting it this Assembly ordaineth that in case Errors be not divulged among the Common People they who undertake to refute them shall write in the Latin Tongue 18. The Provincial Deputies of Normandy petitioning for it this Assembly ordained That all Consistories shall take care that those Portions of the Holy Scripture be read and Psalms sung during the Celebration of the Lords Supper which are most suitable to the Nature of that Ordinance that so the Devotion of our Communicants may be raised add inflamed and not flatted nor diverted 19. A motion was made that whereas many particular Churches of ours had an undoubted Right to exercise our Religion by vertue of the Edicts in sundry Cities Towns and other places in the Country and yet do meet together for Religious Worship in very ill and unconvenient places this Assembly exhorteth all the Churches either to accommodate them better or to build new Temples which may be more fit and commodious and only to employ them in Religious Uses and the Sacred Exercises of our Religion And all Lords and Gentlemen Members of the said Churches are more particularly exhorted to promote this excellent Work as much as in them lieth 20. At the Request of the Provincial Deputies of Dolphiny all Colloquies are exhorted to cause the Acts of all our National Synods to be transcribed that so they may be useful to them in their Exercise of Church-Discipline 21. The Provincial Deputies of Xaintonge and Poistou moving it that that Canon of our Discipline and Decrees of our National Synods which forbad the publishing of any Treatise of Religion till it had been first examined and approved by those Persons who were appointed to it by the Provincial Synod might be extended unto Sermons also and to any other kind of Writings in matters of Religion Their Desire was granted them accordingly 22. This Assembly being informed that in certain Provinces Pastors are given unto Churches for an Year by way of Tryal and that they be removed from their Cures with too great Facility This Assembly condemning these Disorders enjoyneth all the Provinces to conform
trieth your Reins and offer your selves to be inrol'd in the number of his Menial Servants and Gospel-Ministers Our great Lord Redeemer neither loveth the World nor the things of the World The design and end of his Coelestial Empire is to make all Men new Creatures and he serves himself of the Doctrin of the Cross that thereby be may Crucifie the World in you and you unto the World Sirs your own Consciences must needs reproach you that it is an affront unto the pure Eyes of his Glory that it saddens the Spirit of his Holiness that it must needs irritate his indignation when the Sons of the Prophets shall present themselves before him in the garb and habit of the World stuffed up and big-swoln with Vanities Pride and Indecencies and attended with its wonted Excuses Artifices and Deportments The Mysteries which our most blessed Saviour delivers unto his Servants that they may dispense them unto his People retain nothing of Earth savour nothing of this lower World they are all Divine and Heavenly And you cannot but acknowledge that it would be a darkning of their Lustre a Profanation of their Glory to manage them with impure Hands to vend and expose them in a strange Language and to search rather from the Wisdom of the World a Buttress to support their Authority than from the Eternal Verities of God's Wisdom and from the Lights of the Sacred Scriptures If none but the Spirit of God can reveal and manifest unto us the things which are given us of God is it possible we should make any considerable Progress and Proficiency in this Holy Study when we shall intend and prosecute it with the Spirit of the World and with Hearts filled and prepossessed with its Vanities To be short Sirs you be destinated unto an Employment in which there be no Advancements made but by Prayer and Prayers are never heard nor answered by God farther than they be sincere and they be not in the least sincere where the Hearts are not guided and purified by the Truth of God's Holy Word and Spirit who dictateth our Prayers and quickens and sanctifieth our Affections Do you imagin Sirs that God will give you his Holy Spirit without whom you are nothing and can do nothing unless you ask him of God And are you then qualified and fitted for Prayer a most holy Duty whenas your Spirit is stuffed up occupied and distracted with your Youthful Lusts and replenished with the provoking Objects of your Vanity Or can you bring unto this Sacred Ordinance to this most Religious Exercise that Attention Assiduity and Perseverance which is needful to the getting of gracious Answers and Returns from Heaven when as the better and far greater part and portion of our Time is wasted and consumed in worldly Companies and Conversations Certainly Sirs you will find it exceeding difficult to disintangle your selves from those Impressions you have first received and to empty your selves of the Vanities you have imbibed that you may be at Liberty to reflect and meditate upon God's Holy Word My Dear Brethren Honour and adorn that Profession whereunto you be devoted and it will reflect Beams of Honour again upon you Consider Sirs what is decent and becoming you and God will communicate what is needful for you to every one of you Let his Name and Glory be the principal Mark and Butt of your Condition and Studies and it will bring down toe choicest and chiefest Blessings of God upon you Let your Lives and Conversations be accompanied and crowned with all the Vertues and Graces of Reformed Christians with that Humility which becometh the Servants of God with that universal Modesty and Simplicity which God requireth from the Ministers of his Sanctuary in their Lives Actions Habits Language Behaviour and in your whole Course And then Sirs this your Sanctification will be most acceptable unto God and saving unto your selves it will bring your Profession into Credit and Reputation it will attract upon you the best Blessings of Heaven it will render your Studies and Employments prosperous successful edifying The Churches will be the better for you and the Kingdom of our Lord Jesus will be promoted and advanced by you In pursuance of an Order of the same Synod Messieurs Guitton and Bourdeau being at Saumur to pacifie the differences which were between some Members of that Church and Messieurs Amyraut and D'Huisseau Monsieur Guitton made this Speech Messieurs and most dear Brethren MY most honoured Colleagues together with my self were ordered by the Nationol Synod which was lately held and dissolved at Loudun to visit this Church and to assemble the Heads of its Families into this Consistory and to read unto you the Judgment of that venerable Assembly about the Differences fallen out among you and to endeavaur by the Grace of God and your Obedience your re-union which if already most happily begun between your two Pastors upon whose account you were divided and to ratifie that reconciliation of the Deputies of both Parties which you had sent unto it You shall hear their Judgment and the Act of our Commissions The Sieurs D'Huisseau Pastor accompanied with the Sieurs de Haumont Benoist and Favre did petition for themselves and on behalf of others the Heads of Families in the Church of Saumur that Monsieur d'Huisseau might be confirmed in his Ministry unto the said Church They appealed also from the Decrees of the first Synod held at Beauge in the Year 1656. and at Saumur in the Year 1657. and at Preuilly in the Year 1658. and in the second held at Beauge in this year 1659. and from the Orders of the Consistory of Saumur bearing Date the 16th and 27th Day of March 1659. And they complained of all that had been done in pursuance of those Synodical and Consistorial Decrees On the contrary part the Sieur Amyrald Pastor and Professor of Divanity in the said Church and University of Saumur together with the Sieurs Druett and Royer as well for themselves as for the other Deputies of that Consistory and of divers Heads of Families in the said Church together with the Deputies of the Province of Anjou did abet and maintain all the Acts Ordinances and Decrees of those Synods and Consistories before-named They were also heard declaring the Grounds of their Differences The Committee also who were appointed to examin and verifie the Acts of both Parties brought in their Report and at the same time Monsieur de Bois jardin Pastor of the said Church had Audience given him by the Assembly Upon the whole Debate this National Synod censured the Consistory of Saumur for that in stead of blaming the Deputies of the Assembly of the greater part of the Heads of Families held without their Order the 17th of September 1655. they did contrarywise receive them and at their instant earnest Suit had enjoyned the Sieur D'Huisseau to withdraw himself from the Service of the said Church against his Will and in contempt of
got out of God's Ark and the Deluge is about thee Where wilt thou pitch the Sole of thy Foot Go then as the Dove and return unto thy place Salvation is not to be had any where else Thou knowest it as well as I. Whether art thou gone Where art thou a going Dost not thou know that Jesus Christ only hath the Words of Eternal Life Thinkest thou to find it any where else Why Man He only is the Way the Truth and the Life Thou hast changed thy Riligion thou hast quitted thy Party thou hast abandoned thy Flock Good God what hast thou done O Friend I forbear to speak my Fears But once again What hast thou done Thou hast quitted the Rich Pearl with the Cock in the Fable for a Grain of Wheat See from whence thou art fallen and consider I beseech thee Dear Friend what thou hast gotten by thy Fall Thou embracest a Religion patch'd up of Human Ceremonies Thou knowest it well a Religion which is an Hodge-podg of Jewish and Pagan Ceremonies blended together Thou hast thrown thy self into its Arms thou liest in its Bosom thou wearest its Livery and art marked with its Marks And thou very well knowest why and wherefore Thou wast remiss in thy Duty Thou wast not payed thy Sallary This was thy frequent Complaint Thou idle and slothful Servant oughtest thou to forsake thy Lord's Service and his Flock Thou wast not serious enough nor caredst to take pains in thy Calling Instead of studying and giving thy self to reading thou hauntedst wicked Companies which thou knowest corrupt good Manners and being such an one thy self thou couldst not chuse better Birds of a Feather will Flock together More I might say but I spare thee Well Man what hast thou done Consider I beseech thee and I adjure thee to it by the Bowels of our ancient Friendship that 't is the true Religion which thou hast forsaken and that only in which Salvation is to be had and that the very Church of Rome her self believeth all the Articles that the Reformed Church believeth And I can speak it and thou knowest it as well as I that in case she were divested of all her Jewish Ceremonies and Human Inventions and of Men's Traditions which are set up in the room of God's Word the Romish Religion would be no longer Roman but Reformed What then hast thou done Thou hast took the Shadow for the Substance the Ceremonies for the Truth I protest unto thee upon my Soul that thou art out of the way Friend Give me thy Hand and I will once more set thee in the right way and thou shalt taste how gracious the Lord is to them that fear him that he is ready to forgive most willing to shew Mercy and if thou hast recourse unto him by Prayers and Supplications in the Name and Merits of his Dear Son thou shalt certainly obtain the Remission of thy Sins thro his Name My Friend thou hast joyned thy self to the Communion of Idols and art a Partner with Idolaters and dost thou think in their Communion to work out thy Salvation Be not deceived God will not be mocked No Idolaters shall enter into the Kingdom of Heaven Ah! dost not thou know that our Religion which thou hast quitted giveth the Glory of Man's Salvation unto the Christ of God only That it ascribeth the Salvation of Believers to the Lord Jesus only That it preacheth nothing else but what the Elect Apostle of the Gentiles preached even Jesus Christ and him Crucified That it putteth Confidence in none but God And as David seeketh for none in Heaven but God That it adoreth no Creature whatsoever but adoreth God only Father Son and Spirit Three Persons in one God That it invocateth God only because besides him there never was nor never will be any that can help save and deliver That with the blessed Virgin she calleth him her God and her Saviour That it teacheth not the Doctrin of Devils nor forbiddeth Marriage nor to obstain from Meats which God hath created to be used by the Faithful and those who have not known the Truth with Thanksgiving That it is not Sacrilegious to rob the People of the Cup against the express Commandment of God That it reacheth God to be a Spirit and that such as worship him must worship him in Spirit and in Truth That it teacheth to fear God and to honour the King whom may the Lord of his Mercy long preserve To sanctifie the day of Rest but not Festivals which are only Men's Inventions To keep Promise and Covenant tho to a Man's Loss and Hurt Rather to serve God than Men And forasmuch as God hath spoken the Word that he will not give his Glory unto another nor his Praise unto Graven Images it teacheth all to ascribe Glory unto God only and to give him the Thanks of all our Mercies because he is the sole Author and Donour of them Our Religion doth not take away any of God's Commandments nor suffereth any Images to be made nor Pictures to be hung up that they should be served and adored A Religion neither addeth to nor taketh any thing from the Holy Word of God for it well knows that such as do so the Plagues written in that Word shall be inflicted on them and their Names shall be blotted out of the Book of Life It teacheth with St. Paul that the Divine Scriptures can make us wise unto Salvation and with St. John that the Blood of Jesus cleanseth us from all Sin and that there is none other Purgatory for our Sins than Christ's Blood Time would fail me and I should but waste it if I told thee That the Death of the Son of God is our Life his Wounds our Health and that there is none other Sacrifice for Sin than that one only and never to be repeated Sacrifice of his Death Friend our Religion teacheth that by this Sacrifice we have the Remission of all our Sins and that where the Remission of Sins is there is no more Oblation for Sin and therefore no Mass Take heed unto thy self Friend for if thou sinnest wilfully after Admonition after that thou hast received the knowledge of the Truth know of a Truth that there is no more Sacrifice for Sins Do not then count the Blood of the Covenant a prophane thing for thou knowest that 't is a most fearful thing to fall into the Hands of an incensed God Be zealous therefore and Repent In short thou knowest that all the Doctrins of our Religion are contained in thâ— Holy Scriptures and yet thou hast quitted it What hast thou done Thou art return'd unto Babylon from which God hath brought thee forth in the Loyns of thy Fathers that thou mightst not participate in her Sins nor in her Plagues Thou hast return'd with the Dog unto thy Vomit and with the Sow that was washed to wallow in the Mire My Friend my Bowels are troubled for thee Believe and follow my Counsel Awake and
received Whereupon His Majesty taking the words out of the Lord Chancellors Mouth repeated it himself I will not that one of them that is now in the Ministry of their Churches be turned out Afterward My Lord Chancellor continuing his Discourse told them That as for the second point that His Majesty left us wholly at liberty to judge of our Doctrine and would not himself have the cognisance of it but only gave us to understand that no Man should be obliged to pin his Faith upon anothers Sleeve or to swear unto the Faith of a Stranger but that every one should believe as he would Whereupon these Deputies judging and believing that this Answer did not m the least prejudice them nor our Churches because no Person in the Reformed Churches swears unto anothers Faith after they had once again returned Thanks unto His Majesty for all His Favours and protested afresh of their most humble Obedience and inviolable Affection to His Majesties Service they departed And having before their return hither waited upon the Chancellor privately and rendred him thanks as also to the Lords de Pisieux and d' Herbant for that Audience and very kind reception they had by their means from His Majesty they were informed by them that His Majesty was very well pleased with them and that he retained his Intentions of keeping the Peace provided his Subjects of the Reformed Religion continued in their Obedience 2. When as the Deputies had ended their Report the Lord Galland Commissioner and Deputy for the King in this Assembly related what was given him in charge by His Majesty upon these two aforesaid points This Synod yielding all Obedience to His Majesties Will in what concerns the admission of Strangers for the future doth yet resolve to take all opportunities of petitioning His Majesty that our Churches may enjoy the same liberty they ever had in this matter And as for the second point concerning the Oath The Synod declareth that the Intention of that of Alez was not in the least to wound His majesties Authority of which they will be alwaies most tender and sollicitous nor did that National Synod design to bring into this Kingdom any Foreign Customs or Strange Doctrines or New Opinions but only to testifie the Union of the Reformed Churches of this Kingdom with those of the Low Countries in certain points of Doctrine which have been in all times entertained and embraced by them and for their substance are comprehended in our Confession of Faith but upon which there fell out some Controversies in the Netherlands However that they may give all possible contentment and satisfaction unto His Majesty This present Synod considering that the City of Dort is a Dependance and Member of a Foreign Common-wealth it doth ordain that the Reference had in the said Oath unto that City shall be taken away nor shall it for the future be administred in the Churches and Universities of this Kingdom And the said Oath shall be hereafter taken in that form as is exprest in the close of the Canons decreed in this present Synod which by its special Order were printed and inserted into these present Acts. 3. The Province of Normandy moved that a Canon might be ordained to oblige all Pastors to visit once a year the respect Families of their Churches and to take notice of their progress in Piety and to press them to it by the most quickning motives Although this Synod doth not judge it necessary to make any New Canons on this occasion yet nevertheless doth it exhort all Pastors and Consistories carefully to oversee the Flocks committed to their charge according to the Rule of Gods Word and the Example of those Worthy Ministers who have been noted and renowned for their diligence and faithfulness in the House of God 4. That same Province also requested that the Moneys given us by His Majesties liberality might not for the future be distributed by the number of Pastors but of Churches This National Synod as that of Privas before it decreeth That the former course and practice shall stand and that the said Portions shall be distributed according to the number of our Ministers but withal it exhorteth the Provinces in their particular distribution of the said Moneys to have a special regard and compassion for the poor and weaker Churches 5. The Province of Anjou petitioned the Synod that some expedient might be found out for setling of a certain Maintenance upon our Universities But there could not be at present any thing done in it 6. The Province of Lower Guyenne moved whether it might not be expedient to add some Marginal Notes unto those Texts in our French Bibles and to be published in the next Impression of the Holy Bible which our Adversaries accuse us to have falsified and corrupted This Assembly did not judge it needful because our Translation of the Sacred Scriptures hath been sufficiently defended by our own Divines as will appear to any one that will but take the pains to consult their Learned and Orthodox Writings upon this Subject 7. The Province or Lower Languedoc demanding License for our Pastors to continue their receiving of Moneys belonging to the Colloquies This Assembly did very sharply reprove and censure the said Province for acting contrary to that Canon made at Alex and forbiddeth all Ministers so much as to intermeddle with that Receipt and the Deputies of the said Province immediately upon their return home are charged to give notice of this present Ordinance unto them and if any one of them for the future dare violate it this Assembly declareth him from this very instant suspended the Sacred Ministry which suspension shall continue upon him till the sitting of the next National Synod before which he shall appear in Person to give an account of his Actions And the Moderators of Colloquies and Synods are commanded to exert all their Power that this Canon be observed or else they shall answer for it in their own private Capacities 8. The Province of Burgundy moved that for the future no Church nor Minister might be admitted to bring in any Proposal or Petition unto the National Synod but by the way of the Provincial Synods and the Deputies of their Provinces This Assembly accepted and approved of the motion as agreeing with the Sentiments and Canons of former Synods and made it into a Canon 9. The Province of Dolphiny requesting of this Synod that some certain Persons might be selected to collect out of the Writings of the Fathers such passages as will be of use in that Controversie of Church-History This Synod because there have been published a vast number of Books on this Subject and a multitude of Collections already made by divers of our Orthodox Divines doth not judge it needful to imploy any one particularly on such a Task But yet withal it exhorts all them to whom God hath given those Abilities that they would improve them so as to frame and compose a faithful
Lord do expect and wait for this Fruit of your Eminency's great Goodness and whatever shall be received by us it shall be as a most refreshing Shower that shall cause our Hearts to fructifie more abundantly yea and the Hearts of all those of our Religion in that Love and Affection which they have ever had and which our Religion and our Interest inspireth us to have above all other his Majesty's Subjects for his Service and to have the Praise of being true Frenchmen firmly devoted to the Advancement of the State and to that respect which all France oweth unto your Eminency But whatever may be my Lord we invocate incessantly our common Redeemer that he would preserve your Eminency's Person in all Prosperity and bless your Counsels given unto his Majesty and cause them for the future as they have in times past to succeed to the Advantage of the State the Glory of his Majesty and the immortal Honour of your Eminency These are their Vows and Prayers who will conserve inviolably the Quality which they have ever had to be my Lord of your Eminency The most Humble and most Obedient Servants the Pastors and Elders Assembled in a National Synod at Loudun and for them all Daille Moderator c. 6. The Sieurs Eustache and Mirabel who were Deputed from this Assembly unto his Majesty being returned from their Journey gave an Account of their Deputation and delivered Letters from the King his Eminency and the Lord de la Vrilliere unto this Assembly and they received the Praise and Thanks of it for their Care and Labour A Copy of His Majesty's Letter DEar and Well Beloved We were very glad at the Receipt of your Letters dated the 18th Instant and to hear from the Mouths of your Deputies the Sieurs Eustache and de Mirabel the Thanks you have rendred us for our permitting you to hold this National Synod in our Town of Loudun and the Protestations of your inviolable Fidelity and Obedience to us and being well satisfied therewith we were willing to give you the knowledge of it by this our Letter and to exhort you to persist in your Godly Purposes and Duties and to afford us upon all occasions which may offer themselves for our Service the Evidences of your good Conduct And we farther assure you that whilst you continue your selves within the Bounds we require from your Synod and upon all other Occurrences which you may meet withal to maintain as much as in you lieth the publick Peace and Tranquility you shall also receive from us all good and favourable Usage and we shall be delighted to protect you under the benefit of our Edicts and of those of our most Honoured Lord and Father the late King as we have done until now and as we shall yet again once more assure you more particularly by your Deputies whom we return unto you very much satisfied In the mean while we do the more willingly allow the Continuation of the Lord Marquess of Ruvigny in the Office of General Deputy for your Churches near our selves because we are fully perswaded that he will always acquit himself with Care and Faithfulness of that Employ Given at Tholouse the Tirteenth Day of November One Thousand Six Hundred Fifty and Nine Signed LOVIS And a little Lower PHELIPPEAVX The Superscription was To our dear and well-beloved the Pastors and Elders Deputed unto the Assembly of the National Synod of our Subjects of the Protestant Reformed Religion held at Loudun Copy of his Eminency's Letter Sirs YOur Deputies delivered me the Letter which you took the pains to write me I owe you Thanks for your Civilities and the more because his Majesty being perswaded as he is of your inviolable Fidelity and of your Zeal for his Service 't is but needless and superfluous to mention any good Offices for you with his Majesty I pray you to believe that I have a very great Esteem for you as you do deserve it being such good Servants and Subjects of the King I have nothing more but to leave my self to what shall be related of me by your own Deputies and by the Dispatches of the Lord de la Vrilliere I remain Sirs Your most Affectionate to do you Service The Cardinal Mazarin The Sieur de la Morinaye was Deputed by this Assembly with Letters to my Lord Chancellor and to my Lord de Bertueil Comptroler General of the Exchequer and ordered to ride unto Paris and there to take up the Sixteen Thousand Livres Gratuity which his Majesty hath been pleased to bestow upon this Assembly for defraying the Expences of it's Deputies to which purpose the Orders of the Accomptants and the Assignment of my Lord High Treasurer was delivered into his Hands which was under Signed by the Sieur Eustache 7. The Assembly considering that since the Death of the Sieur Bazin General Deputy of our Churches for the Third Estate unto the King that there is no one to supply his Place so that my Lord Marquess of Ruvigny our General Deputy is even born down with the Duties of his Office at Court which is a very great Inconveniency to our Churches it was decreed That a most humble Petition should be tender'd unto his Majesty that he would be pleased to put us again into the Possession of this Priviledge And the Assembly hoping that this their Petition would not be unacceptable unto his Majesty and my Lord Commissioner not in the least opposing it was resolved that we should proceed immediately unto the Election of such Persons as should be presented unto his Majesty according to the usual Forms Which being done it was found that the Sieurs Loride des Galinieres Advocate in the King's Council and in Parliament Jassaud Advocate in the mixt Court of Castres and des Forges Le Coq Counsellor and Secretary to the King had the Plurality of Votes Whereupon it was decreed that my Lord Marquess of Ruvigny shall be intreated to notifie it unto the King as soon as possible together with the most humble Petition of this Assembly that his Majesty would be pleased to chuse one out of these Three according to Custom and to assign him the Salary which his Majesty and the Kings his Predecessors have given unto those who have exercised the said Office of General Deputy 8. Letters being Addressed to this Assembly by the Pastors and Professors of Divinity in the Church and University of Geneva and other Letters from the Pastors and Professors of Divinity in the Churches and Universities of the Cantons of Zurich Berne Basil and Schapheusen joyntly Signed by them they were delivered unto my Lord Commissioner who having first perused them did afterwards order them to be communicated unto the Assembly and to be read in it The Contents of which were large Expressions of their Affections to the Peace of the Churches of this Kingdom and their Joy at the Liberty which it hath pleased the King to give us and the Priviledge of Assembling
in this Place their Prayers for the Glory of his Majesty Prosperity of his Government and the Blessings of God upon his Marriage And my Lord Commissioner declaring that he could not permit us to return any Answer to them the whole Assembly submitted its self unto his Majesty's Orders 9. A Copy of another Letter written unto the King Sire HAving happily concluded the Synod which your Majesty was pleased by your Gracious License to permit us convocate in this Town we have deputed the Sieure Dize a Pastor and de Foissac an Elder to lay at your Majesty's Feet our most humble Thanks 〈◊〉 from us unto your Majesty and our sincerest Protestations for continuance of our Obedience and Fidelity in your Service who being the Pourtraiture of God our Religion which commands us to fear him doth also enjoyn us entirely to submit our selves unto your Sovereign Authority But over and above these Sentiments which Nature and our Religion have inspired into us those Favours Sire which we daily receive from your Majesty are so mighty that we are sensibly obliged and engaged with the greatest Ardour and Pleasure to devote unto your Service our Lives and Fortunes It is true Sire that those Edicts which the Kings your Predecessors were pleased to grant us and your Royal Goodness to confirm unto us are broken in all your Provinces But Sire as we are fully assured of your Majesty's good Intentions so we ascribe those Infractions unto their particular Passion who do hate us And we most humbly petition your Majesty to hear our Complaints presented to you in this Bill of Grievances which we presume by our Deputies to tender to you and hope your Majesty will favour us with a gracious Answer we knowing very well that as your I hrone is glorious with an infinite number of Triumphs so is it invironed with Justice and Equity And these Verities Sire are the fairest Flowers in your Crown and render you the Father of that People over whom you are the Sovereign and give you a Nobler Dominion and far more absolute Empire in your Subjects Hearts than that which you exercise over your Armies and Provinces and these oblige all true Frenchmen to bless God for so just and good and glorious a Reign and we more than others do bless his holy Name for it beseeching God in a more especial manner with all the powers of our Souls to preserve your Sacred Majesty to grant a happy Success to all your Designs and Enterprises and to maintain your Government in all Peace and Prosperity These Sire are the most ardent Vows of those who he in very Truth and Deed Of your Majesty Sire The most Humble the most Obedient â—nd most Faithful Subjects and Servants the Pastors and Elders assemble by your Majesties Permission in a National Synod and for them all Daille Moderator J. M. de Langle Assessor Scribes Loride des Galinieres And De Brissac A Copy of another Letter unto his Eminency My Lord WE acknowledg our great Debt unto your Eminency for 't is to your Counsels that we stand obliged for our assembling and holding of this Synod and for the time allotted us for the regulating of our Affairs We send the Sieurs Dize Pastor and de Foissac an Elder unto his Majesty to present him our Bill of Grievances and to render unto your Eminency my Lord our most Humble Thanks for your Favours And we most humbly beseech your Eminency to accept of our profound Respects and those Assurances we give you of our Thankfulness We hope that your Eminency will continue unto us the effects of your Justice and Protection and that we shall always have occasion of publishing to the World your Goodness and to beg of God in all our Prayers that he would accumulate upon your Eminency his most precious Benedictions We are My Lord Of your Eminency The most Humble and the most Obedient Servants the Pastors and Elders assembled by his Majesty's Permission in the National Synod of Loudun and for them all Moderator Daille Assessor J. M. de L'Angle Scribes De Brissac Loride des Galiâ—â—â—es CHAP. VI. Notes on the Confession THE Confession of Faith being Read was signed by all the Deputies who did for themselves and their Provinces unanimously and solemnly protest that they would persevere in the inviolable Profession of it till Death CHAP. VII Observations on Reading of the Discipline THE Deputies of the Province of Xaintonge demanded that a longer time than Two Years of Probation might be allotted unto Priests and Monks who have renounced their Superstitions and Idolatries and joyned themselves unto our Communion before they were admitted into the Holy Ministry because of the many Scandals arising from their ill Conduct The Assembly was of Opinion that there needed no longer time of Probation than those Two years determined by the Second Canon in the First Chapter of our Discipline But that all Churches and Colloquies should be advised not to be precipitant nor over hasty in their seeking and receiving of such Persons but yet to get as full and evident Proofs of their Sincerity as they shall judge necessary till the time prescribed by our Discipline be expired which is the least that in Reason or Prudence can be demanded 2. The Provinces of Xaintonge and Poictou demanding that this Assembly would take some order to prevent those Inconveniences which may fall out in the examination of Proposans in Fortified Consistories A Decree was made that the Canons in the Second Article of the First Chapter of our Discipline and the Acts of the National Synods held at Charenton in the Year 1631 shall be exactly observed and that our Proposans as long as God giveth us means and opportunity shall be examined in Colloquies and Synods and no where else unless it be upon very great and considerable Grounds and Reasons and in case of urgent and indispensable Necessity for which the Churches shall be accountable unto the Provincial Synods and these unto the National and what hath been done in this matter by the Consistories of Paris and Saumur is approved of as being conformable unto those aforementioned Canons 3. The Deputies of Provinces of Sevennes and Lower Lauguedoc proposed op the Fifth Article of the First Chapter of our Discipline that the Age of Students in Divinity might be certainly fixed before they be by Ordination received into the Holy Ministry that so the many inconveniencies which have been observed in divers Places through the heats and inexperience of their Youth may be prevented This Assembly did not judge meet to make any change in the Canon of our Discipline But doth seriously advise all the Provinces to admit none unto examination unless such Persons of whose Piety Gravity and Prudence they have good and sufficient Testimonials which shall not be given them by Pastors and Professors but with very great Circumspection 4. That Order in the Seventh Article of the First Chapter of our Discipline about the manner of