The Acts of Famous National Councils of the Reformed Churches in France, 17 (Gap) – Half title 18

The Acts of Famous National Councils of the Reformed Churches in France · 17 (Gap) – Half title 18

p. 2251603. The 17th. Synod.The Synod of GAP.

SYNOD XVII 1603.

In the Name of God. Amen.

Acts of the National Synod held by the Reformed Churches of France at Gap, the firſt day of October, and continued to the four and twentieth of the ſame Month in the Year of our Lord One thouſand ſix hundred and three.

CHAP. I.

Monſieur Chamier was choſen Preſident.

Monſieur Ferrier Aſſeſſor.

Scribes.

Monſieur Vignier, and

Monſieur Roy

THERE appeared in it as Deputies for their reſpective Provinces, the Paſtors and Elders, whoſe names are here under written.

For the Iſle of France, Picardy and Champagne.For the Iſle of France, Picardy and Champagne, Monſieur Peter du Moulin Miniſter in the Church of Paris, and Gedeon Petau Lord of the Mollette, Elder of the Church of Houdan.

For Brittany Monſieur Francis L'Oyſeau Miniſter of the Church of Nantes.Brittany.

Orleans and Berry.For Orleans and Berry Monſieur Nicholas Vignier Miniſter of the Church of Blois, and Samuel de Chambaran Miniſter of the Church of Baugency, Lorges and Marchenoir.

Tourain, Anjou & Maine.For Touraine, Anjou and the Maine, Monſieur John Eleury Miniſter of the Church of Bougay, and Peter de la Primaudaye Lord de la Bareé Elder of the Church of Chaſteau du Loir.

For the upper and nether Poictou Monſieur John Bonnavet Miniſter of the Church of Luſſon, Poictou.and John Chauffepied Miniſter of the Church of Niort, and René de Lumont Lord of Fiefbrun Elder in the Church of Sanſay.

Xaintonge, Aunix, &c.For Xaintonge, Aunix, &c. Monſieur Samuel L'Hommeau Miniſter in the Church of Rochell, and Arthur de Partenay Lord of Genouillé, and Querray Elder in the Church of Tonné Boutonné, and Daniel Roy Elder in the Church of Xaintes.

Gaſcony, Perigord and Limouſin.For Gaſcony, Perigord and Limouſin Monſieur Antony Renaud Miniſter of Bourdeaux, Peter Eſperian Miniſter of the Church at St. Foy, James du Brueil Lord de la Garde Elder of Tonneins, and Peter du Bazats Elder in the Church of Bourdeaux.

For Vivaretz and Vellay.For the upper and nether Vivaretz and Vellay, Monſieur Peter Labat, Miniſter in the Church of Vabon, la Gorce and Salvais, John de la Faye Miniſter of the Church D'Aubenac, and James Oliver Elder in the Church of Villeneufve de Berg.

p. 226For the Lower Languedoc, Monſieur Jeremiah Ferrier Miniſter and Profeſſor of Divinity in the Church of Niſmes, Iſaiah Bailly Miniſter, in the Church of St. Martin, d' Anduze, and John de Barjac Lord of Gaſque, Elder in the Church of St. Martin, Lower Languedoc.and John d' Aguerre Elder in the Church of Sauve.

Higher Languedoc and higher Guyenne.For the Higher Languedoc and Guyenne, Monſieur Bernard Sónis Miniſter and Profeſſor of Divinity in the Church of Montaubon; John Joſion Miniſter in the Church of Caſtres, and the Lord Du Bovry Governor of the Iſle of Jourdan, and Elder of the Church there, and Daniel de Belujon Elder of the Church in Villemure.

Burgundy, Lyonnois, &c.For Burgundy Lyonnois, &c. Monſieur Peter Collinet, Miniſter of the Church of Parrey; Samuel de Trucis Elder of the Church of Bourg in Breſſe, and Job James Bonnet Elder in the Church of Chaalons upon Saone.

For Provence, Provence.Monſieur Anthony the Croaſe Miniſter of the Church in Cabiers; and Peter de Villineufve, Lord d' Eſpineuſe, Elder of the Church.

Dolphiny and the Principality of Orange.For Dolphiny, and the Principality of Orange Monſieur Claude Perron Miniſter, in the Church of Pragelet, Daniel Chamier Miniſter of the Church of …ontlimart; and Jacob Archmart Elder of the ſame, and Jacob Videl Elder in the Church of Brianſon.

For Normandy there was no Deputy, but Monſieur du Moulin was entruſted with their Memoirs by the Brethren of that Province.

The Lords of St. Germain and des Bordes General Deputies for our Churches at Court, and Mr. Joſeph des Fountaines commiſſionated by Monſieur Palott to give in his Accounts of the King's Moneys granted our Churches, were perſonally preſent in this Synod.

The Lords of St. Germain and des Bordes appeared in their Quality of General Deputies, according to the Office conferred upon them by the General Aſſembly of St. Foy, and Mr. Joſeph des Fontaines was deputed by the ſame Aſſembly of St. Foy, and to audit the Accounts of Monſieur Palott.

Prayers being ended, Monſieur Chamier was choſen Moderator, and Monſieur Ferrier Aſſeſſor, and the Sieurs Vignier and Roy Scribes.

The Provinces which have not ſent their full number of Paſtors and Elders ordained by our Diſcipline, are excuſed for this time, but for the future they ſhall all o… them conform unto the Canon of the Synod of Montpellier, otherwiſe they ſhall forfeit their right of Sitting and Voting in our National Synods.

The Powers given before Publick Notaries unto the Deputies of Brittany, and atteſted by ſecular perſons, is tolerated for the preſent; but that Province is required to abſtain from them for time to come; and are ordered to get their Letters of Commiſſion ſigned by the Moderator and Scribes of their Provincial Synod.

Monſieur**In another Copy he is written Givoult. Gueran Miniſter of the Church of Dindeveuf, Deputed by the Province o… Normandy, excuſed his abſence from this Synod, which was accepted; but that Province ſhall be cenſured by Letters from us for their neglect in not ſending other Deputies.

CHAP. II. Obſervations upon the Confeſſion of Faith.

1. THE Province charged to call our National Synod is charged alſo to bring with it the Original Confeſſion of Faith, which ſhall to this purpoſe be ſubſcribed by this Aſſembly, and ſent unto that Province.

2. The Synod reading over the Confeſſion of Faith, and explaining the 18th, 20th, and 22d. Articles of the ſaid Confeſſion concerning our Juſtification p. 227before God, expreſſeth its deteſtation of thoſe Errors which are now-a-days broached to the contrary, and in particular their Errors, who deny the Imputation of Chriſt's Active and Paſſive Obedience (by which he hath moſt perfectly fulfilled the whole Law) unto us for Righteouſneſs.Our Righteouſneſs by the Imputation of Chriſts active and paſſive Obedience. And therefore Provincial Synods, Colloquies and Conſiſtories ſhall have a careful Eye on thoſe perſons who be tainted with that Error, be they Miniſters or private Chriſtians, and by the Authority of this Aſſembly ſhall ſilence them; and in caſe of a wilful ſtubborn perſiſtency in their Errors, to depoſe them, if they have a Paſtoral Charge in the Church; from the Miniſtry. And Letters ſhall be writ unto Maſter Piſcator to intreat him not to trouble the Churches with his new-fangled Opinions; as alſo from this Aſſembly to the Univerſities of England, Scotland, Leyden, Geneva, Heydelberg, Baſil and**In another Copy Ziguen. Herborne (in which Piſcator is Profeſſor,) requeſting them to joyn with us alſo in this Cenſure. And in caſe the ſaid Piſcator ſhall pertinaciouſly adhere unto his Opinions, Maſter Sohnius and Ferrier are to prepare an Anſwer to his Books, and that it be ready againſt the Meeting of the next National Synod. And this Article ſhall be read, and in all points moſt exactly obſerved by the Provincial Synods.

3. The Provinces are exhorted ſeriouſly to debate in their Synods how to word the five and twentieth Article of our Confeſſion, and to bring with them their matureſt thoughts about it unto the next National Synod, becauſe in expreſſing our Faith about the Catholick Church, mentioned in the Creed, we have nothing in our Confeſſion concerning the Church Militant and Viſible. As alſo they are intreated to conſider whether it would not be fit to ſubjoyn ths word Pure unto thoſe of the True Church, which is in the nine and twentieth Article.

The Call of our firſt Paſtors and Reformers was extraordinary, & not from the Church of Rome.4. The queſtion being moved, whether in Treating of the Call of our firſt Paſtors and Reformers, it were expedient that we ſhould lay the ſtreſs of their Authority for Preaching and Reforming, upon that Call and Ordination, they had in the Church of Rome, or no. This Synod doth judge that we ought according to the one and thirtieth Article, to found it principally upon their extraordinary Vocation, whereby they were by an inward powerful impulſe from God raiſed up and commanded to exerciſe their Miniſtry, rather than to charge it upon the ſorry Relicks of a corrupted Call and Ordination in the Romiſh Church.

5. That Article treating of Antichriſt, ſhall be the one and thirtieth in order in our Confeſſion of Faith, and ſhall be thus worded. Whereas the Biſhop of Rome hath erected for himſelf a temporal Monarchy in the Chriſtian World, and Uſurping a Soveraign Authority, and Lordſhip over all Churches and Paſtors, doth exalt himſelf to that degree of Inſolency, as to be called God, and will be adored, arrogating unto himſelf All Power in Heaven and in Earth, and to diſpoſe of all Eccleſiaſtical matters, to define Articles of Faith, to authoriſe and expound at his pleaſure the ſacred Scriptures, and to buy and ſell the Souls of men, to diſpenſe with Vows, Oaths and Covenants, and to inſtitute new Ordinances of Religious Worſhip.

And in the Civil State, he tramples under foot all Lawful Authority of Magiſtrates, ſetting up and pulling down Kings, diſpoſing of Kings and of their Kingdoms at his pleaſure: We therefore believe and maintain that he is truly and properly The Antichriſt, the Son of Perdition, predicted by the Holy Prophets, that great Whore cloathed with Scarlet, ſitting upon ſeven Mountains in that great City, which had dominion over the Kings of the Earth; and we hope and wait that the Lord according to his promiſe, and as he hath already begun will confound him by the Spirit of his Mouth, and deſtroy him finally by the brightneſs of his coming.

6. The word Superintendant in the two and thirtieth Article is not to be underſtood of any ſuperiority of one Paſtor above another, but only in general of ſuch as have office and charge in the Church.

p. 2287. The words ſubſtance and nouriſh ſhall remain unchanged in the ſix and thirtieth Article, according as it hath been decreed by the Synods of Rochel in the year 1571. and of Niſmes in the year 1572.

8. The Confeſſion of Faith being read was ſworn and ſubſcribed by all the Deputies in the names of their reſpective Provinces, and they did farther moſt ſolemnly ingage by their promiſe never to depart from it, and proteſted that this was that very doctrine which was taught in all their Churches.

9. The Provinces are exhorted for the future at the opening of their Synods to read this Confeſſion of Faith, and our Book of Diſcipline. And Monſieur Chamier is appointed to draw up an Apology for this our Confeſſion, and to bring it with him unto the next National Aſſembly.

CHAP. III. Obſervations upon reading of the Diſcipline.

No private Ordination.1. THE Province of the Iſle of France ſhall be exhorted to be more careful in and about the Election and Ordination of their Paſtors, and that Impoſition of hands be given them not privately in a clandeſtine manner by a Conſiſtory or Colloquy, but ſolemnly and publickly in the face of the whole Church; and that the fourth Article in the firſt Chapter of our Diſcipline, be more religiouſly obſerved by them and all the Provinces.

Uniformity in Ordination.2. According to the Tenor of the ſeventh Article in the ſame chapter, it is Decreed that all the Churches ſhall obſerve one and the ſame form in Ordination of Paſtors, by which the Perſon to be Ordained ſhall during that action, be humbly on his knees, and this ordination ſhall be adminiſtred on the Lord's day, or on ſome certain day of the week, in which there is held a ſolemn Aſſembly. And theſe evil cuſtoms practiſed in ſome Churches, of ſuffering the Perſon ordained to get into the Pulpit, and of permitting another beſides the Preacher to give Impoſition of hands, are juſtly condemned by this Synod.

3. The eighth Article ſhall be moſt carefully obſerved, and to this purpoſe, there ſhall be depoſited a Copy of our Confeſſion and Diſcipline in every Provincial Synod, Colloquy and Conſiſtory.

See the 5th Obſervation upon the Diſcipline in the Synod of Rochell.4. All Provincial Synods, Colloquies and Conſiſtories are injoyned as they would avoid the greateſt Cenſures, to have a ſtrict Eye over ſuch who act contrary to the eleventh Article of the firſt Chapter of our Diſcipline, and to ſuſpend them from the Miniſtry, and they alſo ſhall be liable to the ſame cenſures who leaving the true and genuine fence of Scripture expounded by it ſelf, do rather pitch upon the gloſſes of Fathers and Schoolmen, and launch out into Allegories, Larding their Sermons with Philoſophical Diſcourſes, quoting the Fathers, and bringing their Books with them into the Pulpit; and they alſo who in time of Lent, or on ſuch noted ſeaſons do chuſe the ſelf ſame Texts with the Popiſh Preachers.

5. The twelfth Article of the ſame Chapter. The form of Catechiſing, according as now uſed in moſt of our Churches, ſhall not be changed. And whereas ſome chooſe a particular Text, and accommodate it to that particular ſection of the Catechiſm, they would treat of, we deſire they would not alter our eſtabliſht Order, but conform themſelves, as the reſt do, unto it.

6. Upon the ſame twelfth Article, Miniſters and Conſiſtories are left to their own diſcretions, whether in thoſe general Catechiſings, which are uſually p. 229had both publickly and privately before the Sacrament of the Lord's Supper, they will further examine every individual perſon or not, and therein to conſult what will moſt contribute to the Spiritual benefit of their Catechumens.

7. The third Article of the ſecond Chapter ſhall be couched in theſe words. Provincial Synods, in which are our Univerſities, ſhall chooſe their own Doctors, Paſtors, and Profeſſors of Divinity, whoſe ability, ſhall be proved by publick Lectures, on ſome ſpecial Text out of the Original Hebrew and Greek Bible, given to them for that purpoſe, and by diſputations in one or two days following, as may be moſt adviſeable. And being approved, in caſe they were never in the Miniſtry, the right hand of fellowſhip ſhall be given them, they having firſt of all promiſed to diſcharge their Office with faithfulneſs and diligence, and to handle the ſacred Scriptures with all ſincerity according to the analogy of Faith, and the confeſſion of our Churches, which ſhall be ſubſcribed by them.

8. On the fourth Article of the ſecond chapter. The fifth penny in all collections for the poor ſhall be laid up for the maintenance of Propoſans. And this ſhall be an Univerſal order throughout the Provinces.

9. On the firſt Article of the third chapter. That cuſtom obſerved in ſome Churches, of ordaining Elders by impoſition of hands ſhall be aboliſhed.

10. On the fourth Article of the fourth Chapter. The Provinces are required to ſee that this Article be punctually obſerved in every part and clauſe of it, and in caſe of tranſgreſſion, Provincial Synods and Colloquies ſhall cenſure thoſe Elders and Deacons exceeding ſharply.

11. On the eight and twentieth Article of the fifth Chapter. Theſe words, which conclude that article, Unleſs it be by the advice of the Conſiſtory, ſhall be razed out.

12. The thirtieth Article of the fifth Chapter ſhall run in theſe words. When Crimes are privately confeſſed by Penitents unto their Miniſters, that they may be holpen with their Counſel and Comfort, Miniſters are forbidden to diſcover them unto Magiſtrates, leſt the Miniſtry ſhould thereby he blamed, and ſinners hindred from Repentance, or making a free confeſſion of their Offences. [And this ſhall be a ſtanding Canon in all Crimes revealed to them, excepting thoſe of High Treaſon.]

13 On the third Article of the ſeventh Chapter. The Brethren of Burgundy demanding, whether thoſe Propoſitions made by Paſtors in their Colloquies ſhould be done in a Scholaſtick or Popular manner? This Aſſembly judgeth, that they ought rather to hold of the Schools, becauſe the deſign and end for which they be inſtituted is, that Miniſters ſhould give a ſatisfactory proof of their uſefulneſs, and proficiency in their Studies, and Miniſterial labours among their people: So that their Doctrine ought to be well opened and proved, and a ſhort application only made unto manners. As concerning thoſe additions which are afterward ſubjoyned by the Paſtors, they ſhall be managed with all ſoberneſs, and in as much as may be to the edification of the whole Church. And this Article ſhall be exactly obſerved by all Colloquies.

14. Upon the fifteenth Article of the eighth chapter. The Brethren of Brittany ſhall conſider whether they can provide a ſufficient Number of Paſtors to make up a Provincial Synod: And in caſe they cannot, care ſhall be taken in the next National Synod to incorporate them with ſome convenient Province.

15. The Church of Metz ſhall be intreated by Letters from this Aſſembly to ſend a Deputy unto ſome one of our Eccleſiaſtical Aſſemblies, and to join themſelves unto one of the neareſt Provincial Synods of this Kingdom.

16. A Declaration from the Churches of Nivernois, Bourbonnois & La Marche having been preſented by the Brethren of Berry; it was ordained p. 230that thoſe Churches ſhould be Incorporated with the Synod of Berry.

17. The Paſtors and Churches in the Baylywick, of Gex are exhorted to conform themſelves in all things unto the Diſcipline of our Churches, and that they may more eaſily be enur'd unto it, a decree paſſed in this Synod for their being Incorporated with the Province of Burgundy at preſent, and in the next National Synod farther care ſhall be had of them.

18. In the third Article of the ninth Chapter, theſe words. As much as may be ſhall be razed, and in the ſame Chapter the laſt clauſe of the ſeventh Article, after theſe words, The Provinces having, ſhall alſo be blotted out.

19. On the eleventh Article of the ſame Chapter. Monſieur l'Oyſeau was charged to inquire whether the Acts and Papers of our National Synods were at Vitré or not. And Monſieur Ferrier was to make inquiry whether they were not in Languedoc, and to ſee that they be ſent, unto that Province which is impowered to call the next National Synod, and in caſe they be not ſent unto it, the ſaid Province ſhall intreat thoſe before-named Gentlemen Mr. l'Oyſeau and Bayly that they would ſeek diligently for them.

20. The word Common after that of piety in the firſt Article of the tenth Chapter ſhall be razed out, and in the ſecond Article of the ſame Chapter theſe words alſo, As much as may be. And the Churches are exhorted to a ſtrict obſervation of it.

21. Upon the fourth Article. Some of the Brethren, becauſe of divers inconveniencies which have already, and may hereafter happen through oppoſitions made againſt this Article, moved, that whereas the continuing of publick ſolemn Prayers, which had been appointed in the times of trouble and calamity, drew with it a contemptuous neglect of Sermons, and of the Worſhiping of God in their private houſes, and a ſuperſtitious opinion of their preſent neceſſity now in times of peace: that therefore the Paſtors of Churches ſhould be adviſed to diſpoſe their people by degrees to the obſervation of this Article, and the Conſiſtories ſhould wiſely conſider of what herein would moſt contribute unto edifying.

22. Upon the fifth Article of the ſame Chapter, the Deputies of Lower Languedoc moved this doubt, whether Paſtors ought to attend at Funerals. This Aſſembly conſidering the condition of our Churches, and the manner of Burying, doth leave it wholly to their diſcretions.

23. The ſixth Article of the eleventh Chapter ſhall hold good, according as it was formerly decreed by the National Synods of Poictiers and Saumur. And as for Preaching in the houſes of Gentlemen when their Children are Baptized, Miniſters ſhall Act therein prudentially, and in ſuch a manner as will moſt promote the edification of their Churches. And as for that word Infirmity, 'tis not to be underſtood of the Infants, but of their Parents.

24. Inſtead of thoſe words in the tenth Article of the ſame Chapter, It were well, theſe ſhall be inſerted, It ought to be.

25. On the fifth Article of the twelfth Chapter. The Churches are required punctually to obſerve it.

26. On the fifth Article of the thirteenth Chapter. All kind of cenſures ſhall be inflicted upon the breakers of Marriage-promiſes, whether expreſſed in words de praeſenti or de futuro.

27. On the ſix and twentieth Article of the ſame Chapter, to the word ratified which is in the cloſe of that Article, there ſhall be this added, and bleſſed.

28. On the firſt Article of the fourteenth Chapter, after theſe words, Till he have firſt renounced there ſhall be added, publickly.

The Diſcipline being read, all the Deputies of the Provinces did ſwear unto its obſervation, and that they would ſeriouſly and ſincerely indeavour that it ſhould be religiouſly obſerved in their reſpective Provinces in all its Articles.

p. 231CHAP. IV. Obſervations made on reading the Acts of the Synod of Gergeau.

1. THE Town and Church of St. John d' Angely deſiring that the Decree of the National Synod of Gergeau might be diſanul'd, and that Monſieur d' Amours might be reſtored to them; This Aſſembly doth ratify that Decree of the aforeſaid Synod, and ordaineth farther, that the ſaid d' Amours ſhall remain with the Church of Chaſtelheraut, and chargeth the Province of Xaintonge to provide out of hand another Paſtor for the Church of St. John.

2. Monſieur de Bargemont petitioning by Letters, that the Cenſure inflicted on him by the Synod of Gergeau might be reverſt, and razed out of the Acts of the ſaid Synod. This Aſſembly replied, that they were very deſirous that the ſaid de Bergemont would clear 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 o…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.Acts 68. 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.

p. 2329. 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.

p. 23316. The Synod willing to expreſs their affectionate reſpects to Monſieur Berger, and intending as the former Synod of Gergeau to ſeal and teſtify their great love and care for him, and for his better ſubſiſtence (the Deputies of the Provinces of Orleans and Berry having informed us of his deplorable condition.) It doth ordain that over and above the two Portions aſſigned him from the Kings Money in the late dividend at Gergeau, two other Portions ſhall be added towards his relief by the Province of Berry.

The favourable Opinion of the Book of the Euchariſt writ by the Lord du Pleſſis.17. The Paſtors and Profeſſors in the Church of Geneva having read, according to the deſire of the late Synod at Gergeau, the book of the Lord du Pleſſis upon the Euchariſt, and given a very honourable teſtimony to it: This National Synod doth render unto his Lordſhip their hearty thanks for his great zeal and affection to the truth of God, and for his worthy labours in the defence thereof, and orders that it be printed out of hand, believing that the Lord will give his bleſſing to it.

18. The difference between the Provinces of Vivaretz and of both the Languedoc's concerning Moneys aſſeſſed by theſe latter upon that of Vivaretz ſhall be finally determined, and to this purpoſe the Decree made in the late Synod of Gergeau is now ratified, becauſe the Brethren of Vivaretz have brought nothing againſt it, but what had been anſwered over and over. And this Article ſhall be in full force as to thoſe 3000 Crowns which had been raiſed by thoſe Provinces before the Synod of Gergeau.

19. Maſter Gabriel Raoul preſented himſelf perſonally before this Synod, humbly deſiring his re-admiſſion into the ſacred Miniſtry from which he had been depoſed by the Provincial Synod of the Lower Guyenne held at**Niſmes. Aymet, which Sentence was ratified by the Miniſters aſſembled at St. Foy, with the Authority of the National Synod of Montauban in the year 1594. After that the ſaid Raoul had been patiently and for a long time heard ſpeaking what he could in his own defence, and that the Acts of the ſaid Synod of Aymet had been reviewed, as thoſe alſo of the Paſtors aſſembled at St. Foy, declaring the enormous crimes whereof the ſaid Raoul was guilty, and after reading the Certificates of ſeveral Colloquies, Churches and Godly perſons, unanimouſly proclaiming him a perſon utterly unworthy of Imployment in the Goſpel-Miniſtry, as alſo that Act of the National Synod of Saumur confirming his depoſal. This Aſſembly ratified thoſe Judicial Sentences paſt upon him by the foregoing Synods, and declared the ſaid Raoul utterly unworthy of ever being re-admitted into the ſacred Miniſtry; and farther adviſeth him to humble himſelf deeply before the Lord in a moſt bitter Repentance for his hainous offences, and for time to come to live Holily and Chriſtianly in a private and ſecular life, and to betake himſelf to the practice of Phyſick in ſome Church of Chriſt. In the mean while all the Papers relating to his depoſal, and the Certificates given him by ſeveral of his Friends, Miniſters of the Goſpel, ſhall be depoſited, with the Church of St. Foy, to be forthcoming upon all occaſions. And whereas he begged an Atteſtation from this Aſſembly, we declare that none other can or ſhall be given him than what is expreſſed in the very words of this Act. And the Province whereunto he ſhall retire for Habitation and Imployment, is required to take notice what uſe and benefit he ſhall make of the good Counſels that have been here given him, and what his after Converſation is, and accordingly to give in their Opinion whether he be fit or no to be received as a private Member into Communion with our Churches.

p. 234CHAP. V. Of Appeals.

1. THE Church of Xaintes appealed from the Judgment paſt againſt them by the Provincial Synod of Xaintonge, about Monſieur Primroſe, ho was given by that Synod for Paſtor unto the Church of Bourdeaux, Meſſieurs Renaud Miniſter of the Church of Bourdeaux, and Roy Elder in the Church of Xaintes, having been both heard, Monſieur Roy declared, that the …hurch whom he repreſented would deſiſt from their Appeal, provided the …hurch of Bourdeaux would ſecure them another Miniſter, or that the Province would do it, or that they might be aſſiſted for a time with one of the Miniſters of Rochell. This Aſſembly doth confirm the Call of Monſieur Primroſe unto the Church of Bourdeaux, yet reprehends the carriage both of Monſieur Primroſe, and that Church of Bourdeaux in his Call, and ordaineth that the ſaid Church do perform their promiſe engaged to the Provine of Xaintonge, of giving them a Propoſan meet to be imployed in the Miniſtry. And the ſaid Province is enjoyned to take ſpeedy care that the Church of Xaintes be ſupplied with an able Paſtor, beſides him who at preſent laboureth among them, becauſe of the great importance of that Church.

2. The Inhabitants of Elbaeuf appealing from the Decree of the Synod of Normandy, which had incorporated them with the …hur…h of Beauroger. This Aſſembly giveth leave unto thoſe Inhabitants of Elbaeuf to joyn themſelves unto the Church of Quevilly, provided that they continue their Contributions to the Church of Beauroger, leſt tha… by their departure from it, they ſhould cauſe its diſſolution.

3. The Church of Poictiers appealed from that Decree of the Synod of Poictou, which would have reinſtated Monſieur de la Dugnie in his Office of Elder. This Aſſembly judgeth that the ſaid Church did well in making their Appeal from that Synodical Ordinance; and that Provincial Synod ſhal be cenſured for giving Judgment that the ſaid de la Dugnie, notwithſtanding theſe offences whereof he was guilty, and which were owned in the very Judicial Decree of that Synod, ſhould be reſtored.

4. The Elders of the Colloquy of Niſmes appealing from the Decree of the Synod of Lower Languedoc, by which an hundred and ſixty Liv…rs of the Moneys granted us from …he King's Bounty had been aſſigned over unto Monſieur de Falgueroles, in conſideration of his many and great Employments; this their Appeal was rejected and made null; and the Decree of the ſaid Synod ratified and confirmed.

5. Monſieur Sohnius appealed from the Decree of the Synod of Higher Languedoc, which had ordered, that becauſe the ſaid Sohnius was not ordinary Paſtor in the Church of Montauban, therefore he ſhould not participate in the Moneys granted us by his Majeſty. This Aſſembly cenſuring the Province of Higher Languedoc for derogating from the Ordinance of Gergeau, by which four Paſtors were aſſigned unto the Church of Montauban, it doth ratifie and confirm that Ordinance before mentioned at Gergeau, and declares that the ſaid Maſter Sohnius ought to receive his ſhare in the ſaid Moneys equally with the other Paſtors which are in actual ſervice.

6. Monſieur Berauld appealed from the Decree of the Province of Higher Languedoc, which would in the diſtribution of his Majeſties Royal Bounty, that in all Colloquies and Synods the number of Paſtors and Elders ſhould be equal. This Aſſembly judgeth that the ſaid Maſter. Berauld had ſufficient cauſe for his Exception againſt it, and to appeal from them unto this Synod, and therefore the Antient Order eſtabliſhed in our Synods and Colloquies, ſhall be obſerved according to the Diſcipline, without any other particular p. 235Regulation concerning it, that ſo all ſuſpicion and occaſion of differences in our Churches by ſuch an innovation may be cut off and prevented. And all Miniſters are adviſed in ſuch caſes to manifeſt their Self-denial, and how far they be eſtranged from Covetouſneſs, and that they do prefer the publick before their own private benefit and advantage.

7. Monſieur Berauld appealing from the Decree of the Conſiſtory of Montauban, confirmed by the Synod of Higher Languedoc, importing, that Miniſters had no power to call into the Conſiſtory the Miniſters of other Churches to conſult together with them about Church-affairs without the previous advice and conſent of the Conſiſtory. This Appeal is rejected and made void, and this National Synod ratifieth the Decree of the Provincial Synod of the Higher Languedoc in what concerns Ordinary Conſiſtories: However it intends not by this act to abridge Miniſters of their priviledge (when they be deſired to give ſome private advice) conſulting with ſuch of their Brethren as they ſhall judge fit to call into the Conſiſtory.

8. Monſieur Paul de la Ville appealed from the Synod of Vivaretz, for decreeing an Excommunication againſt him, unleſs he did immediately withdraw his Son from out of the Jeſuits Colledge in Tournon: This Aſſembly approving the juſt ſeverity of the Synod of Vivaretz againſt the ſaid de la Ville, doth expreſly forbid him ever to ſend his Son back to Tournon; and in caſe of his obedience unto this our Order, that then he be reſtored unto his Office of Elder in the Church, and that all cenſures denounc't againſt him ſhall ceaſe and be diſannulled.

9. Maſter Lawrence Brunier, and Mr. Simeon Codur formerly Miniſters in the Church of Uſez, Appealed from the Sentence of the Synod of Lower Languedoc, whereby the ſaid Maſter Simeon Codur for the facts ſpecified in the Decree of that Synod, was ſuſpended from the Sacred Miniſtry for the term of a full year; which being expired, he might officiate as Paſtor in ſome other Church of any other Province, by atteſtation and diſcharge had and obtained from that Synod: And the ſaid Maſter Lawrence Brunier is ſuſpended the Sacred Miniſtry for three months time, after which the Colloquy of Niſmes is to provide a Church for him but out of the Colloquy of Uſez. Which appeal both the ſaid Miniſters, Mr. Lawrence Brunier and Simeon Codur had once retracted and revoked, but yet ſince have took up, and again revived it. Farther alſo there preſented themſelves as Parties to this Appeal the Lady Margarita de Brahier, and Suſanna de Sallette Wife of the ſaid Maſter Lawrence Brunier, complaining that the ſaid Synod of Lower Languedoc, had not took any the leaſt care for the reparation of her honour, wronged as ſhe pretends by the ſaid Codur. This Aſſembly having read the acts of the ſaid Synod of Lower Languedoc, and the proceedings of Brunier and Codur, one againſt the other, and the accuſations of the ſaid Lady againſt Codur, and having examin'd the ſaid Codur upon all thoſe Articles whereof he was accuſed by the ſaid Mr. Lawrence Brunier and his Wife, who preſſed them home upon his Conſcience, as alſo that the ſaid Codur did apply himſelf to both their Conſciences, charging them to give glory unto God by a free, full and ſincere confeſſion of the Truth: This Aſſembly did in the firſt place judge the Provincial Synod of Lower Languedoc worthy to be cenſured for their tumultuous and diſorderly departure from the place of their meeting, and for proceeding in this affair contrary to the Diſcipline, and for producing before us Acts, which were never ſigned by the Moderator and Scribe of their Synod, as in courſe they ſhould have been, and for getting thoſe ſubſcriptions out of their Synodical Seſſions. And as for the ſaid Codur, although he cannot be fully and plainly convicted in every particular of the matters laid unto his charge, yet nevertheleſs this Aſſembly judgeth that there is cauſe enough for confirming, as it now doth confirm in every point and article the ſentence of the ſaid Synod of Lower Languedoc concerning the ſuſpenſion of the p. 236ſaid Codur from the Miniſtry, and the excluding him from the Province of Lower Languedoc: as alſo it doth confirm the ſuſpenſion of Mr. Lawrence Brunier for three Months, becauſe of that exceſſive animoſity manifeſted by him in his proſecution of the ſaid Codur; however it reſtores the ſaid Brunier unto the Colloquy of Uſez, to be imployed by them immediately, if they think meet: But becauſe of the great diviſions which are in the Town of Uſez, the ſaid Brunier ſhall not exerciſe his Miniſtry in it, unleſs the next National Synod ſhall otherwiſe determine for him, who may reſtore him, if they pleaſe, unto the Town and Church of Uſez, on their petition for him. And that the honour of Mrs. Suſan de Sallette, Wife of the ſaid Brunier, may be repaired, which was damnified by imprudent words uttered againſt her by the ſaid Codur, the ſaid Codur is injoined to acknowledge his offence, and the ſcandal given by him, here before this whole Aſſembly, and ſhall ask pardon of the ſaid Brunier, and ſhall further declare that he believeth the ſaid Gentlewoman to be a perſon of great vertue and honour, and that he is ſorry to have ſpoken any thing prejudicial to it, and that he hath ſcandalized the Church of God by it. All which the ſaid Codur ſhall not only proteſt in this Aſſembly, but alſo in the Conſiſtory of Uſez, where he ſhall give the ſame ſatisfaction unto the ſaid Miſtreſs Suſan de Sallette, begging her pardon in the preſence of the Elders and Deacons of that Church, and of the Lady Marguarita Brahier if ſhe pleaſe to be there, and of ten or twelve other perſons, ſuch as the ſaid Brunier and his Wife will chooſe. And hereupon all Proſecutions at Law before the Magiſtrates both of the one and other ſide, whether directly or indirectly had or done, ſhall immediately and eternally ceaſe. And if either of them contradict this decree, he is hereby declared totally depoſed from the Holy Miniſtry. And the ſaid Maſter Lawrence Brunier and Simeon Codur acquieſced in this Ordinance, and the ſaid Codur having made his acknowledgment, in the form preſcribed him unto the ſaid Maſter Lawrence Brunier and his Wife, they were reconciled together, and like loving Brethren did mutually give each other their hands. And that Peace may be made in the Church of Uſez, this Aſſembly orders Meſſieurs Renaud, Eſperien, Sohnius and Gigord to viſit that Church, and to diſpoſe their minds unto it. And that no new Controverſies may hereafter ariſe upon the ſcore of the Writings and Proceedings relating to this buſineſs, they ſhall be all lodg'd in the hands of Monſieur Chamier.

10. An Appeal was brought by the Church of Puylaurens and Monſieur Voyſin the Miniſter, from a Decree of the Synod of higher Languedoc, ordaining the ſaid Voyſin to return unto the Colloquy of higher Quercy, and to ſerve the Churches of St. Clere, Blenac and Calvinett. This Aſſembly rejecteth and maketh void this Appeal, and confirms the Decree of the Synod of Higher Languedoc, but on this condition, that thoſe Churches laſt-mentioned do fully ſatisfie within three months the Church of Puylaurens all thoſe expences they have laid out upon the ſaid Voyſin.

11. The Colloquy of Albigeois appealed from the Synod of Higher Languedoc, becauſe they had now adjudged the Church of Mazamet and St. Amand, which formerly belonged to the Colloquy of Albigeois, unto the Colloquy of Lauragais, This Aſſembly leaveth the Churches to their full Liberty, and to chuſe that Colloquy which lieth moſt commodiouſly for them. And in conſequence hereof the Church of Mazamet joined it ſelf unto the Colloquy of Lauragais, according to their deſire and choice. And in the next National or Provincial Synod the Church of St. Amand ſhall declare into which Colloquy of theſe two, it will be Incorporated.

12. Monſieur de Clermont and the Church of Pringey appealed from the Synod of Anjou and Touraine, which had adjudged Monſieur le Bloy to the Church of Angers, notwithſtanding the right Monſieur de Clermont pretended to have in the ſaid le Bloy, who had been Educated for the Miniſtry at his ſole p. 237charges. This Aſſembly, becauſe of the importunity of the Church of Angers, hath confirmed the Call given by them unto the, ſaid le Bloy, but on this condition, that the Church of Pringey ſhall be provided of Monſieur Douchet, who is now in England, immediately upon his return, or of ſome other able Paſtor, by the Church of Angers.

13. The Church of Montlimard appealed from the Synod of Dolphiny about the Erecting of a Colledge in the Town of Die. This Aſſembly ordereth the Provincial Synod of Dolphiny to put a final period unto this Controverſie.

14. The Churches in the Principality of Orange brought their Appeal againſt the Province of Dolphiny, for three portions of the King's money, to be attributed unto the Churches of the ſaid Principality, as it had been decreed in the Synod of Gergeau. This Aſſembly doth Ordain, that according to the Dividend made at Gergeau, the Churches in the Principality of Orange ſhall receive three portions of the moneys aſſigned unto the Province of Dolphiny, and that without allowance of any charges, unleſs what had been expended in the recovery of them. And this Order ſhall be of force unto this day; but for the future, they ſhall be provided for by that new diſtribution, which ſhall be made in this Aſſembly.

15. The Elders of the Churches of Lue, Tarbies and Brignoles appealed from the Colloquy and Synod of Provence, which had ordained that the moneys laid out upon Monſieur Baptiſt Beliſte, ſhould be redemanded from thoſe ſaid Churches, it having been disburſed wholly and ſolely for his particular Maintenance This Aſſembly judgeth that it's moſt agreeable to found reaſon that the charges of Journeys ſhould be born by the whole Province, and come out of the publick purſe; but as for ſuch Expences as were done for expediting and forwarding of particular buſineſs relating unto thoſe particular Churches, they ought in Conſcience and Juſtice to be defrayed by thoſe Churches.

15. The Appeal brought by Joſeph Pallott, from the Decree of the Provincial Synod of Higher Languedoc, is diſmiſſed over to the deciſion of that Province, which is hereby fully impowered to determine finally of it.

CHAP. VI. Of General Matters.

1. THE Petition tendered by our Brethren of the Marquiſate of Saluces Exiled for the Goſpel's ſake from their Houſes and Inheritance was read, and 'twas judged reaſonable,Concerning the Faithful of the Marquiſate of Saluces refuge it, the Province of Dolphiny. that the Churches of the ſaid Marquiſate ſhould be preſerved and confirmed in their Union and Communion of Faith and Diſcipline which they have ever had with the Churches of this Kingdom. And therefore the King's Majeſty ſhall be moſt humbly intreated to recommend them to the Duke of Savoy, that the Liberty granted them by his Edicts may be continued and confirmed to them. And Letters alſo to this purpoſe ſhall be written from this Aſſembly unto the Duke of Savoy, and to the Duke de les Diguieres, and the Churches of the Valleys ſhall be exhorted to joyn themſelves into a ſtricter Bond of Union, as they have done in times of former troubles, one with the other.

Paſtors muſt not be Nonreſidents.2. All Paſtors ſhall be obliged to a perſonal Reſidence in their Churches, and who ſo live at a diſtance from them, ſhall within three months time at the fartheſt, after notice given them to this purpoſe, retire unto them, on pain of being ſuſpended from their Miniſtry. And the Deputies ſhall immediately upon their return, acquaint their reſpective Provinces with this Decree; that ſo the Provincial Synods may put to their helping hand for its better obſervation.

3. For as much as divers Miniſters not deputed unto this National Synod, p. 238do carry themſelves with very little reverence or reſpect unto it;1603. The 17th Synod. that ſuch inconveniencies for the future may be avoided, it is ordained, That if any Paſtors not delegated by their Provinces unto theſe National Aſſemblies, do notwithſtanding appear in them, they ſhall have no place of ſitting, nor be admitted into them, unleſs it be when matters of a moſt general and publick concern as to Doctrine and Diſcipline are treated and debated, and then alſo for no longer time than thoſe Aſſemblies ſhall judge meet and fit.

Concerning Hautyus Printing of the Bible at Rochel.4. The Paſtors and Profeſſors in the Church of Geneva complained of our Bibles printed at Rochell. This Aſſembly having reviſed the Decree of the Synod of Saumur, by which the priviledge of Printing thoſe Bibles was granted unto Monſieur Hautin deceaſed; And for as much as the ſaid Impreſſion is very much advanced, and that from all parts our Ears are filled with great complaints of the ſcarcity and dearneſs of thoſe Bibles printed at Geneva, and of the bad Paper, and worſe Letter uſed by them in their laſt Edition in Quarto: It was adviſed to diſpatch Letters to our Brethren of Geneva, deſiring them not to take it amiſs, that we continued the Printing of our Bibles at Rochell, according to the unanimous deſire of all the Churches in this Kingdom; and in the mean while our Printers at Rochell ſhall be exhorted to haſten their ſaid Impreſſion, and to vend it at as low a price as poſſibly they can: and Monſieur l'Hommeau is requeſted to add a good Index to it.

That Article concerning Antichriſt ſhall be inſerted into the Body of our Confeſſion.5. Divers Paſtors and Members of ſeveral Churches remonſtrated in this Aſſembly, how they had been troubled and proſecuted for calling the Pope Antichriſt in their private and publick diſcourſes. This Synod proteſting that this was the common Faith and Confeſſion of all our Churches, and of this preſent Synod, That the Pope is the Great Antichriſt, and one of the principal cauſes of our ſeparation and departure from the Church of Rome, and that this Confeſſion was contained in, and extracted out of the holy Scriptures, that it had been ſealed with the blood of a world of Martyrs. Therefore all the Faithful, be they Paſtors or private Chriſtians, are exhorted conſtantly to perſiſt in the profeſſion of it, and openly and boldly to confeſs it; yea and this very Article ſhall be inſerted into the body of the Confeſſion of our Faith, and the General Deputies of our Churches at Court are required to petition his Majeſty, that none of his Officers in any Soveraign, or other Inferiour Courts of Judicature may be ſuffered to infringe our Liberty of Conſcience granted us by his Edicts, of making a free Confeſſion of our Faith, and that none of them may trouble or vex us, as divers of them have done for this very matter. And who ſo are now proſecuted and moleſted on this account, or may be hereafter, they ſhall be ſupported and defended by the whole Body of the Churches in the beſt manner that can be, according to that firm Bond of Union, which is eſtabliſhed among us. And Letters ſhall be written to our Lords the Judges in the Mixt Courts, to exhort them vigorouſly to maintain this Article of our common Confeſſion.

Concerning thoſe words Pretended Reformed.6. A general Caſe was propoſed, Whether the Faithful might lawfully uſe in publick Acts and Inſtruments before Magiſtrates, theſe words, Of the pretended Reformed Religion, eſpecially if thoſe Magiſtrates be of a contrary Religion to us. This Aſſembly thinks fit, that an humble Addreſs be preſented to his Majeſty, intreating him, that we may not be forced to ſpeak or act any thing contrary to our Conſciences; and in the mean while all the Faithful are exhorted to abſtain from that word of Pretended, it being repugnant to our Faith, and to that ſincere, and free, and open confeſſion we are bound to make of it.

Whether a private Chriſtian may appropriate unto himſelf a place of Burial, and erect Monument upon Pillars?7. This Caſe was propounded by our Brethren of Xaintonge, Whether a private perſon might appropriate unto himſelf a place of Burial, and erect upon Pillars or any other way a Monument unto himſelf, and whether the Lords of the Mannor, or other Gentlemen, may ſet up their Eſcutcheons in our Temples. As to what concerns our Churches, This Aſſembly ordaineth, That p. 239in matters of Sepulchres the ancient plainneſs and ſimplicity ſhall be retained, nor ſhall any private perſon appropriate any ſpot of ground unto himſelf in particular, becauſe we expreſs hereby our Communion as with the Saints in their Death, ſo in our hope and expectation of a bleſſed Reſurrection; And the ſame plainneſs and modeſty ſhall be obſerved in our Temples, leaving however unto Colloquies and Conſiſtories to act on ſpecial occaſions as they ſhall judge meet.

The Form of Certificates that ſhall be given unto Officers of the Mixt Courts, and to Govenours of places.8. The Atteſtations granted unto Officers in the mixed Courts (where they be one half Proteſtants, and the other Papiſts) ſhall run in the ſame form with thoſe given unto Governors, as it was expreſſed and inſerted into the acts of the Synod of Montpellier in theſe terms We Miniſters and Elders aſſembled in the Colloquy of N. in the Province of N. do teſtifie, that whereas Monſieur N. hath applied himſelf unto us, for our Atteſtation of his being a Proteſtant, profeſſing the Reformed Religion, he being choſen by his Majeſty, for the Government of N. vacant by the death of Mr. N. lately deceaſed, we do atteſt and certifie unto the Kings moſt excellent Majeſty that the ſaid Monſieur N. doth make open and actual profeſſion of the Reformed Religion, and that he communicateth with us in the Holy Sacraments, and is a perſon of a Godly life, and well reported of, performing all the duties belonging to his ſaid profeſſion; and therefore we do give him this our Teſtimonial, for his uſe and ſervice, as in reaſon and Conſcience we ſtand obliged.

9. Meſſieurs Berron and Videl demanding that out of the Common ſtock of Moneys granted us by his Majeſty there might be drawn the ſumm of Six thouſand Crowns for the founding an Univerſity at Die: and whereas the Deputies of the Town of Die proteſted, that they ſought not a penny of the ſaid Moneys for themſelves, only that other Churches having Academies they had none, and that the neceſſities of their Churches did require one. This Aſſembly, having conſidered the whole, judgeth that there cannot be granted unto the ſaid Town of Die any farther ſumm than was at firſt demanded by their Deputies.

10. Our Brethren of the Church of Die requeſting that Monſieur Chamier might be conſtituted by this Synod the Profeſſor of Divinity in their intended Academy; This Aſſembly doth confirm that Article of the Synod of Gergeau, whereby it was ordained that Monſieur Chamier ought not without the expreſs conſent of the Churches of his Province be removed from his Church of Montlimart.

11. Our Brethren of Dolphiny deſired that ſome means might be contrived for a Conference and Union with the Lutheran Churches in Germany, Means of Union with the Lutherans. See the Synod of Vitré. part M. Act. 27. and the 3d. Synod of Rochel, Act. 4. after the choice of the Moderator.Acts 27Acts 4that ſo the Schiſm between us & them might be removed. This Aſſembly deſirous to ſee the fruits of ſuch a noble project, ordereth Letters to be diſpatcht to the Orthodox Univerſities of Germany, England, Scotland, Geneva, Baſil, and Leyden, and to Meſſieurs des Gourdon and de Fontaines in London, intreating them to travel with us in the effecting of this Holy Union; and that Princes may be ingaged to put forth their authority herein, that ſo we may all be more firmly united among our ſelves in the Confeſſion of one and the ſame Doctrine.

12. This Caſe was propounded. A Propoſant, never called nor ordained unto the Miniſtry, takes upon him to baptiſe a Child. Is this baptiſm valid? This Synod judgeth that the ſcandal given unto the people be carefully taken away; And foraſmuch as that baptiſm is of no force, the Child ſhall be brought into the Church of God by true Baptiſm, according to the deciſion of the Synod of Poictiers.

13. This Caſe was moved. Whether an Oath might be lawfully taken before the Magiſtrate, by laying the hands on, and kiſſing of the Bible. This Aſſembly judging that Ceremony to be of dangerous conſequence, declareth that it ought not to be uſed; but that whoſo are called out to ſwear, ſhall content themſelves with the bare lifting up of their hands.

14. The Province of the higher Languedoc moved, whether diſputations p. 240in Theology might be introduced among our Miniſters in their Colloquies and Provincial Synods. This Aſſembly following the Decree of the Synod of Saumur diſmiſſeth ſuch diſputes over unto the Schools, and judgeth their uſage …angerous among Miniſters.

Another Copy hath of the Lower Guy…nne.15. That Order made by the Province of Anjou againſt a Lord, of miſrule choſen by the Lawyers, is approved and confirmed by this National Synod.

16. If any of the Brethren have obſerved in the Writings of our Authors ſomewhat deſerving cenſure, they be deſired to inform the Provincial Synods of it, which are ordered to convene as ſoon as may be after the breaking up of this National Aſſembly.

Every Province to maintain a ſelect number of Scholars.17. Every Province ſhall be bound to maintain a certain number of Scholars, named to this purpoſe, out of the dividend of our Moneys granted us by his Majeſty: which ſaid Scholars ſhall be obliged to ſtudy either in the Univerſities of this Kingdom, or elſe where at the Order of the Province that maintains them. And the ſaid Scholars ſhall not be admitted into the Miniſtry in their reſpective Provinces without producing good and ſufficient Teſtimonials of their Learning and Godlineſs, ſigned by the Paſtors and Profeſſors of thoſe Univerſities, wherein they have ſtudied.

18. Meſſieurs Sohnis, Beraud, Gigort, Ferrier and Chamier, are appointed a Committee, to draw up a Body of Laws for the right ordering of our Schools and Univerſities, which ſhall be preſented by them unto the next National Synod. And in the mean while that the order already ſet up in the Univerſity of Montaubon may be confirmed, the Paſtors, who at the breaking up this Synod, ſhall return unto it, and others that live near it, ſhall paſs over unto Montaubon, and exhort the Conſuls in the name of this Aſſembly to put to their helping hand together with their Paſtors and Profeſſors, that it may be duely obſerved.

19. When as a Profeſſors place in an Univerſity comes to be vacant it ſhall be lawful for the other Profeſſors together with the Paſtors and Conſiſtory thereof to nominate another Perſon by way of Proviſion, who till the meeting of the Provincial Synod, may read Lectures, and perform the duties of that office.

20. That Article of the Aſſembly of St. Foy concerning Counſellors reſigning their places in the Mixt Courts ſhall be exactly obſerved by all the Provinces: becauſe it contributes abundantly to the better conduct of all our Affairs.

21. This Aſſembly ordaineth that the ſumm of Nine Thouſand Livers which had been aſſigned unto Monſieur de St. Germain out of the ſmall income of the years 1602 and 1603. ſhall be intirely paid him by Monſieur Palot, if he hath not yet done it, although there had been but Six thouſand Livers order'd him by the Aſſembly of Saint Foy. And that the ſumm of four thouſand, five hundred Livers which was ordered by the ſaid Aſſembly unto Monſieur Bordes, ſhall be alſo intirely paid him by the ſaid Palot for every one of thoſe years, if it be not as yet done, although he was not mention'd in the Account of the year 1602. nor in that of the year 1603▪ and there had been ordered him only twelve hundred Livers. And the ſaid ſums ſhall be paid by the ſaid Palot unto thoſe two Gentlemen before any other moneys payable either to Miniſters or Governors, without any allowance or defalcations made by the ſaid Palot for Taxes or Values of Moneys; As alſo the ſum of 2000 Livers a year, ordained unto Monſieur des Fontains for his pains taken in auditing the Accounts of the ſaid Palot and which as Wages had been payed him by the ſaid Monſieur Palot for both theſe years, 1602 and 1603. and ſhall be allowed unto the ſaid Palot in the firſt place before all other moneys of the ſaid Churches and Garriſons, all this notwithſtanding any debates whatſoever formed to the contrary by the General Deputies, who hereafter may be ordained to reſide near his Majeſty, who alſo ſhall be paid their reſpective Compoſitions preferably to all others out of the Moneys of the ſaid Churches.

22. Monſieur de St. Germain and Monſieur des Bordes General Deputies p. 241for our Churches at Court have the thanks of this Aſſembly for their faithfulneſs and diligence in the diſcharge of their Office, as alſo the like thanks is rendred to Monſieur des Fontains for his pains taken with Monſieur Palot in auditing his Accounts, according to the Commiſſion given him by the Aſſembly of St. Foy.

23. Our Univerſities are adviſed to do their utmoſt endeavour in getting a publick Library, and in particular, the King of Spains Bible in many Languages Printed at Antwerp.

24. Our Univerſities ſhall bring in their Accounts together with all their Acquittances from the Synod of Montpellier unto the next National Synod. And becauſe of the great importance of the Univerſity of Sedan, and its ſingular uſefulneſs unto our Churches; This Aſſembly out of the Dividend of Moneys granted to our Univerſities, doth farther add over and above what was given it by the Synod of Gergeau the ſumm of three hundred Crowns more.

25. There having riſen up great Differences about the Deputation of Monſieur Du Bourg unto the King, who was ſent by the Provinces of the Higher and Lower Guyenne, and that of Higher Languedoc, of Normandy, the Iſle of France, and the Church of Paris. Theſe Provinces and that Church in particular are very ſharply cenſured for acting contrary unto what had been determined in the Aſſembly of St. Foy, and thereby ſowing the Seeds of diviſion among us; and the ſaid Du Bourg ſhall be admoniſhed to look to it, that he bring no inconveniencies by his manner of proceedings upon our Churches and that ſuch like troubles may be for the future prevented and avoided (becauſe they be contrary to, and deſtructive of our Union,.) all the Provinces ſhall be warned that for the future they do not grant any authority unto any one ſingle Church or Perſon to diſpoſe of affairs, which may be of general concernment unto their Provinces, without having firſt communicated them unto them reſpective Provincial Synods, or Political Aſſemblies.

CHAP. VII. Of Particular Matters.

1. THe Province of Berry deſired ſome courſe might be taken, firſt, with thoſe Churches, who arrogating to themſelves all the Moneys of his Majeſties bounty, did grant out of it but ſorry, niggardly penſions; and ſecondly with thoſe who complain of their grievances in the inequality of payments to which their Provinces were taxed; and laſtly, about the aſſiſtance and relief which is to be Miniſtred unto Churches in their firſt riſe and gathering. This Aſſembly, devolved the whole upon the prudence of that Province in which theſe caſes might fall out, and to act according to the rule of Charity in and about them.

2. The ſame Province of Berry prayed that the Synod of Burgundy might be injoined to cenſure Monſieur Textor by the authority of this Aſſembly for quitting the Church of Lorges, he not having obtained leave neither from his Church nor Province: As alſo for that he neglected to give notice of it unto this Aſſembly. The whole buſineſs was diſmiſſed over to the next Synod of the Iſle of France, there to be determined.

3. The complaint of the Colloquy of Niort againſt the other Colloquies of the Province of Poictou, about the third part of all expences to be defrayed by that Province, is turn'd over to the judgment of the Synod of Xaintonge.

4. The Church of Mauvaiſin demanded that Licenſe might be given to Monſieur Girard to Preach occaſionally among them. This Aſſembly confirming p. 242the decree of the Synod of Gergeau, doth expreſly forbid the ſaid Girard in any wiſe to Preach at Mauvaiſin.

5. Monſieur Bourg complaining that Monſieur Forton and ſome of the Elders in the Church of Bourdeaux had in divers places ſlanderouſly reported of him that he intended to revolt from the profeſſion of the true Religion; This Aſſembly not crediting ſuch relations, and being perſwaded that he will conſtantly and faithfully perſevere in the profeſſion of the Goſpel of our Lord Jeſus, doth remit the cogniſance of this affair unto the Conſiſtory of the Church of Bourdeaux, which is ordered to look into it with more than ordinary care and diligence.

6. The Lord Vicount of Paulin and the Church of Compagnac deſiring it, we grant that the ſaid Church ſhall be conjoined with the Colloquy of Quercy.

7. The Churches of Dauphiny are charged to notifie unto the other Provinces when it may be needful to aſſiſt the poor Fugitives baniſhed the Marquiſate of Saluces, and from the Valleys of Piedmont and Savoy.

8. The Provinces of Anjou, Poictou and Normandy ſhall by turns ſupply the Church of Rennes with a Paſtor, until ſuch time as it ſhall pleaſe God to give a fixed one unto them; and the Colloquy of Lower Poictou ſhall begin, Anjou next, and laſt of all Normandy.

He was Miniſter of Fentenay.9. The little book of Monſieur de la Vallee concerning a perſon poſſeſſed by the Devil ſhall be read and examined by the Synod of Xaintonge, and if they judge ſit, let it be imprinted.

10. The next Provincial Synod of Dolphiny is charged to moderate the Taxes laid upon the Church of Montlimar by the Colloquy of Die, the ſaid Church complaining of its being over-rated.

11. For as much as the Paſtors and Elders of the Church of Bergerac have petitioned that Monſieur Beraud the younger might be permitted to continue the exerciſe of his Miniſtry among them, and that Monſieur de Beraud his Father gives way unto it, as appears by letters under his own hand: This Aſſembly confirms the Call of the ſaid Beraud the ſon unto the Miniſtry of the Church of Bergerac, for ſo long time as his Father can diſpenſe with him, conſidering the great need he will have of him now in his declining years.

12. Monſieur Heſperian is confirmed in the Miniſtry of the Church of St. Foy, and Letters ſhall be ſent unto his Father from this aſſembly, deſiring his conſent unto it.

13. This Synod approves that Order eſtabliſhed in the Baylywick of Gex, concerning their Supreme Conſiſtory in Matrimonal Cauſes, and nothing therein ſhall be innovated.

14. The Churches of the Baylywick of Gex ſhall have their ſhare in the Moneys granted us by the King until the next National Synod, and in the mean while their Paſtors ſhall diſpoſe their people to contribute ſomething towards the common charges of the Churches.

15. The Deputies of the Iſle of France ſhall tender unto their next Provincial Synod the Letters and Memoirs of Monſieur du Perche ſent by him unto this Aſſembly, that ſatisfaction may be given the ſaid du Perche for what he pretends owing to him from their Province, and to this purpoſe notice ſhall be given him of the time and place of their meeting by the Church of Paris.

16. Letters were read from the Church of Vertueil whereupon this Aſſembly ordered, that immediately Letters ſhould be written to the Lords Commiſſioners for executing his Majeſties Edict in Dolphiny, recommending that Church unto them, that ſo it may be named the firſt Town of the Baylywicks of Dolphiny, as it was ordered at the Synod of Grenoble in the year 1602. and that the Town of Briancon might be reputed the ſecond.

17. Letters from our Brethren in the Valley of Barcelona, craving advice how to govern themſelves under their apprehenſions of being deprived by the Duke of Savoy of their pretious Liberty to profeſs the Goſpel, and worſhip p. 243God according to his holy Will preſcribed in the Scriptures. This Aſſembly deſiring moſt ſincerely their Conſolation, doth earneſtly exhort them to a ſtricter Union with the other Valleys of Piedmont, aſſuring them of all Offices of Chriſtian Charity, in caſe they ſhould be perſecuted or baniſhed, they being Members of our own Body, united with us in the ſame Doctrine and Diſcipline.

Concerning the ſetling of our Religion at Iſſoire.18. Letters from the Church of Iſſoire being read; this Aſſembly ordered the General Deputies at Court vigorouſly to endeavour that the exerciſe of our Religion might be eſtabliſhed according to the Edict in the ſaid Town of Iſſoire, and in other places of the lower Auvergne; and the Colloquies of St. Germain and Anduza in the lower Languedoc ſhall ſupply them with Miniſters: And that this their Eſtabliſhment may be the better and ſooner effected, they ſhall have four Portions of the Moneys granted us by the Kings Majeſty, out of that Sum appointed for the lower Languedoc. And in order hereunto the ſaid Colloquies of St. Germain and Anduze ſhall aſſemble themſelves within a Month after the breaking up of this Aſſembly to conſult together about thoſe Miniſters who are to ſerve and ſhall be ſent into the Lower Auvergne; and thoſe Churches there ſhall in the mean while do their utmoſt endeavour to get themſelves furniſhed with able Miniſters. And the Province of Higher Languedoc ſhall have the ſame care and kindneſs for the aſſiſtance and relief of the Churches of the …igher Auvergne.

19. The poor, fallen Chriſtians in the Marquiſate of Saluces demanding Counſel what courſe they ſhould take after this their great Offence: This Aſſembly ordered that Letters ſhould be ſent them to forſake thoſe places, where they be conſtrained to participate in Idolatry, and to accompany their baniſhed Brethren in bearing the Croſs of Chriſt.

20. The Univerſities ſhall be once again exhorted to get for themſelves if poſſible a publick Library,See this Art. 24. of gen. mat. and in it the great Bible of Antwerp.

21. The General Deputies of our Churches at Court are ordered by this Aſſembly to do their utmoſt for the repoſe and welfare of the diſtreſſed Valleys of Chaſteau-Dauphin.

22. Monſieur Claudius Jobard Citizen and Inhabitant of Geneva complained againſt the Province of Burgundy, for wrong done in their publick Synodical Acts at Ullim unto Maſter David Peaget Miniſter in the Baylywick of Gex, when as by the Colloquy of Gex, who had inſpected and examined that matter, the ſaid Peaget was juſtified and abſolved of the Crimes imputed to him, and that the Miniſters of Geneva, and Doctor Polanus Profeſſor of Divinity in the Univerſity of Baſil had given laudable Atteſtations under their Hands of his Godly Life and Converſation. This Aſſembly conſidering the raſhneſs of the Sentence denounc'd againſt the ſaid Peaget, and that too in his abſence by the Synod of Burgundy, orders that it be razed out of the Acts of their Synod, and that he be reſtored to his good Name with Honour.

23. Monſieur des Bordes ſhall take care of the Buſineſs relating to the City of St. Ambroiſe, and to write unto their Conſuls for Advice in what manner he is to act for them.

24. The Synod of higher Languedoc is charged to proſecute Monſieur Hollyer, and ſee that he do appear in perſon at the Provincial Synod of Vivaretz, and demand leave both of his Church, and Province, from which he is departed without their Conſent, contrary to the Diſcipline.

25. The Complaint of Monſieur Deſparlay Vice-Seneſchal of the higher Guyenne ſhall be preſented unto His Majeſty by our General Deputies: And in the mean while he is deſired to quit his Law-ſuit begun with the Magiſtrates of the City of Lectoure.

26. Meſſieurs Sonis, Joſion, Chauffepied, du Bourg, and de… la Garde are ordered to take the City of Orange in their way homeward, and to appeaſe p. 244the troubles ſtirred up in that Church and City; and to aſſure them that upon our reading their Letters and thoſe of Monſieur Blacon's, this Aſſembly confirming the Union of that Church with the other Churches of this Kingdom, had charged their General Deputies to beſtir themſelves as the neceſſity of their Affairs did require, in their behalf, and that Letters to this purpoſe ſhould be written unto His Majeſty, mediating with him for their Indemnity, and future preſervation.

27. The Church of Beaulne ſhall pay Monſieur Caille the Sum of 560 Livers, which it is indebted to him, and bound to ſatisfie him fully by Decree of the former Synod of Burgundy, held the laſt year; and that Synod ſhall ſee their Decree accompliſhed.

28. Monſieur de la Faye relating the extream poverty of the Church of Aubenac, A Decree concerning the Church of Aubenac. See the Synod of St. Maixant, partic. mat. 25.and their utter inability for theſe two laſt years paſt to maintain their Miniſter: This Aſſembly ordaineth, that the ſaid Monſieur de la Faye ſhall receive an Hundred Crowns before any others out of the firſt Moneys that come in clearly unto the Province of Vivaretz, and are payable to it for this preſent year, and the remainder of thoſe that are paſt. Becauſe the ſaid Province of Vivaretz hath received two Portions more than is due unto it upon the account of Miniſters in actual ſervice. And for time to come the ſaid Monſieur de la Faye ſhall receive three Portions of thoſe Moneys aſſigned unto that Province, and that preferably to all others, without any deductions for Coſts, Taxes, or bad Moneys to be allowed by him. And to this purpoſe the Province of Vivaretz ſhall have two Portions given it over and above the number of Paſtors actually imployed in its ſervice.

29. Monſieur Ganthois Miniſter and Deputy of the Church of Sedan complained of the Synod of the Iſle of France, Picardy and Champagne, that whereas by a Decree of the National Synod of Gergeau they were allowed four Paſtors, they had retrenched their number; and farther they remonſtrated how greatly incommodious it was unto them by reaſon of exceſſive Charges, and tireſome long Journeys to be perſonally preſent at their Provincial Synods, which ordinarily were held at ſome place near Paris. This Aſſembly ordaineth that for time paſt both parties ſhall bring and give in their Accounts according to the Allotment for four Paſtors made at Gergeau: An Order for the Church of Sedan.and for time to come the ſaid Church of Sedan ſhall remain incorporated with that Synod, as it had been by the Ordinance of Gergeau, but it ſhall be diſpens'd with all as to its preſence in the ſaid Provincial Synod, provided they attend on the meetings of the Colloquy of Champagne, and in caſe of Appeals from the ſaid Colloquy, that they ſend theſe by the Deputies of the ſaid Colloquy, who ſhall perſonally appear in the Provincial Synod. And the ſaid Colloquy of Champagne is further injoined to give unto the Church of Sedan its Dividend of the Moneys aſſigned that Colloquy by the Synod of Gergeau, and to act conformably to this our Order until the next National Synod.

30. That Book of Monſieur Ferrier Intituled foreign ſhall be reviſed by himſelf, and communicated to our Brethren the Paſtors of Geneva, before it be reprinted the ſecond time.

31. The Provinces are charged to collect the Memoirs of thoſe Memorable Events which have fallen out theſe Fifty years laſt paſt, and to ſend them unto Monſieur d' Aubigny in Poictou, to be inſerted by him in his Hiſtory of this preſent Age.

32. The Province of the Iſle of France complaining that Five Hundred Livers were drawn out of the whole Sum allotted them by the Dividend of Gergeau, An Order of 500 Livers for the Miniſters of Mantes and Fontainebleau, out of the Moneys of His Majeſty's Bounty, and aſſigned unto the Province of the Iſle of France. See St. Maixant. partic. mat. 22.and particularly aſſigned towards the Maintenance of two Miniſters in their Province: This Aſſembly judging it a matter of dangerous conſequence for any Miniſters to be thus preferr'd above their Brethren, enjoyneth p. 245the ſaid Province of the Iſle of France not in the leaſt to regard it, and forbiddeth thoſe Miniſters on pain of the greateſt Cenſures to draw out their Penſions by any other way, than what is uſual and common to all the Churches. However for the incouragement and accommodation of thoſe two aforeſaid Miniſters, Paſtors in the Churches of Mantes and Fountain-bleau, two Portions more are ordained the Iſle of France, over and above thoſe adjudged to it for Miniſters in actual ſervice.

33. The Province of Vivaretz ſhall make a preſent Gift of an Hundred Livers unto the Province of Lower Languedoc, out of the 372 Livers which they pretend to be owing them by that of Vivaretz; and the Accompts of both theſe Provinces ſhall be audited in the next Provincial Synod of the Lower Languedoc; and in caſe thoſe of Vivaretz refuſe this condition they ſhall be bound to make a full payment of the ſaid 372 Livers.

34. The Church of Lyons petitioning for an able Paſtor, fit to undergo ſo weighty and important a charge: This Aſſembly ordaineth that Monſieur Bailly do exerciſe his Miniſtery there until the next National Synod.

35. Becauſe of the inability of the Church of Saumur to do it, therefore the remainder of Moneys due unto that Church out of the Sum allotted towards the Maintenance of their Univerſity, ſhall be employed in the purchaſe and building of a Colledge meet for their Academical Exerciſes.

36. That the differences betwixt thoſe of Provence and Dolphiny may be finally compoſed; this Aſſembly ordaineth that thoſe of Dolphiny do bring in their Accounts, and pay unto the Provencals the ſeventh part of all thoſe Moneys which the ſaid Province of Dolphiny hath received for the years 98, 99, 1600. and the ſeventh part of the Aſſignations remaining as yet unpayed for thoſe years, deducting only from the ſaid Moneys the Sum of two hundred Livers, remaining in their Hands, and to be allowed them upon pretence of Charges.

An Order for the Church in the Court of Madame.37. A motion was made for providing the Church in the Court of Her Royal Highneſs His Majeſties Siſter with an able Paſtor; and Monſieur du Moulin Miniſter in the Church of Paris informing this Aſſembly that the Church of Metz hath aſſiſted the ſaid Church with two Miniſters, who have each of them ſerv'd his Quarter, and that he the ſaid du Moulin is to ſerve the third and next Quarter, beginning the firſt of May, according as the Church of Paris had been injoined; therefore, the Church of Rouan having three Miniſters, and well able with much eaſe to undergo this task, it is Ordained that the ſaid Monſieur du Moulin, and Monſieur de la Riviere Miniſter in the Church of Rouen ſhall in their turn ſerve the ſaid Church, and that Monſieur de la Riviere ſhall begin with the next year 1604. and Monſieur du Moulin the year enſuing.

38. Our Brethren of Anjou demanded that Monſieur Renaud might be conſtituted Profeſſor of Divinity in the Univerſity of Saumur. This Aſſembly grants it, provided that he and his Church of Bourdeaux do conſent thereunto.

39. Differences having riſen betwixt the Provinces of Dolphiny and Provence about Accounts of Moneys employed by the Deputies, who had met at the Synod of Saumur from both theſe Provinces; this Aſſembly moſt earneſtly intreats them before their departure hence to compound the matter among themſelves; and that it may be effected, Monſieur de Lhomeau and Monſieur de Grenoville are appointed to hear the differences, and to make report of the whole unto this Aſſembly; which being done by them, and heard by the whole Synod, that ſo a final period might be put unto theſe unhappy differences, which had been of too long a continuance, It was ordained, that thoſe of Dolphiny ſhould be accountable unto them of Provence, for the ſeventh part of thoſe Sums actually received by them in the years 1598, 1599, and 1600. and for the ſeventh part of the Aſſignations, which p. 246are yet unpaid, only deducting from the whole the Sum of two Hundred Crowns remaining in their Hands, and to be allowed them in lieu of charges and all other pretenſions whatſoever.

40. Conſidering the Importance of the Univerſity of Sedan, and the great Service it hath done, and ſtill does unto a great part of our Churches, this Aſſembly ordaineth that in the Dividend of our Moneys granted us from …is Majeſty's Bounty, there ſhall be an Addition of three Hundred Crowns more to thoſe five Hundred aſſigned to it by the Synod of Gergeau.

41. The Provinces are deſired to conſider againſt the next National Synod, whether the Word Damnation, attributed unto our Lord, in the tenth Section of our Catechiſm may be retained or changed.

42. Monſieur des Fontaines left the Original Accounts of Monſieur Palot in the Hands of our General Deputies, who are charged to get them Copied out, and ſent unto Rochell, together with other Papers to be preſerved in the Archivès there.

43. The Province of Xaintonge is ordered to Convene the next National Synod in the City of Rochell in the Month of May, and in the year 1605. unleſs there ſhould fall out ſome other General Aſſembly in the mean while.

44. The Aſſembly proceeding to a new Election of General Deputies for the Churches, according to the regulation made in the Aſſembly of St. Foy, among all that were recommended by the Deputies of the Provinces, It choſe only theſe two, the Lord of St. Germain, and the Lord of Bordes, ordering that they be continued in this their Office, becauſe of their good report, and general ſatisfaction given by them unto the Provinces and Churches in their former adminiſtration; who having accepted this Office, did Swear the Union preſcribed at Mantes, and ſolemnly promiſe to employ themſelves with all faithfulneſs to the utmoſt of their power in the diſcharge of the Duties thereof, according to their Commiſſion given them at Saint Foy.

45. The Sum of five and forty Thouſand Crowns coming in unto us this year from the Moneys of His Majeſty's Bounty, after mature conſideration had of the State of our Univerſities and Churches, they were diſtributed in manner following.

CHAP. VIII. A Dividend of the Sum of 45000 Crowns both for our Ʋniverſities and Churches.

For the Univerſities.

All the Provinces ſhall have for their reſpective Churches according to the Number of Miniſters in actual Service, and of the Propoſans they were obliged to maintain.

p. 247For the Provinces.

p. 24846. All the ſaid Provinces ſhall bring unto the next National Synod the Accounts of their Adminiſtring of theſe Moneys, divided among them, for the uſe of their Paſtors, and Unprovided Churches, and of the Propoſans, whom they ſtand obliged to maintain, that ſo the ſums granted, but not imployed by them, may be reſtored unto the Synod.

47. Thanks ſhall be returned, and are now rendred unto the Lords de St. Germain, & des Bordes, our General Deputies at Court, for their ſingular fidelity and diligence in the diſcharge of their Truſt, as alſo unto Monſieur des Fontaines for his great pains in bringing Monſieur Palot to Audit his Accounts, according to the Commiſſion given him by the Aſſembly of St. Foy.

CHAP. IX. Here follows the Account of what was granted to Monſieur Palot and to Monſieur du Candal.

1. THIS Aſſembly grants unto Monſieur Palot, that he ſhall firſt chooſe his Aſſignations out of the years 1598, 1599 and 1600, that ſo he may be reimburſt of the Moneys advanced by him in the years aforeſaid, without advancing one upon the other, according as was ordained by the Commiſſioners.

2. This Aſſembly counts it unreaſonable to give unto the ſaid Palot any Intereſt for the Moneys ſaid to be advanced by him, nor does it think fit to grant him that preference demanded by him for his confuſed and general advances, that ſo he ſhould be reimburſed out of the firſt and beſt Moneys remaining due for the years 98, 99, 1600, 1601, 1602.

3. This Aſſembly reſtoreth unto the ſaid Palot the ſum of 1599 Crowns, payed by him in the year 99, by vertue of an Order from the Aſſembly of Samur, upon condition, that he reimburſe himſelf out of the remaining Moneys of the years 98, 99, 1600, belonging to the Miniſters and our Cautionary Towns, he deducting from it the portions of the Higher and Lower Guyenne, unleſs he would rather chooſe to recover it from the Parties themſelves, as it was ordered by the Commiſſioners.

4. This Aſſembly cannot allow of, nor part with the 2000 Crowns paid unto the Deputies of the Aſſembly at Saumur, in the year 1601, for that half year in which they did no Survice, nor can they allow upon the years 1601, and 1602, and 1603, the ſum of 1800 Crowns unto Monſieur de Parabelle, which had been ordered him out of the remainders of the years 98, 99, and 1600.

5. Nor can it grant at preſent unto the ſaid Palot, out of the clear Incomes of the years 1601, and 1602, a reſtitution of thoſe dividends, which have been razed out of his Accounts, becauſe he keeps the laſt quarter ſtill in his own hands to reimburſe himſelf, nor in particular for thoſe portions, whereof he once had the firſt payment granted him by this Aſſembly.

6. Yet notwithſtanding that Order of Counſel regulating the Taxations of the ſaid Palot at 1200 Crowns for the years 1601, 1602, and 1603. this Aſſembly doth think fit to give him for the years 1601, and 1602, a penny in the Liver for Moneys already and actually paid, provided that within ſix days after his being at Lyons, he do pay the Arrears due unto our Churches, from the two firſt Quarters of the years 98, 99, 1600, 1601, and 1602, and to every one of the Provinces their particular ſhares of the 4847 Crowns, owing p. 249by him upon the third Quarter of the year 1601, and of the 5528 Crowns, which he ought to pay upon the third Quarter of the year 1602, as alſo what he oweth us for reimburſing him a penny farthing in the Liver for the bad Moneys of former years, according as the Accounts ſhall be ſtated immediately betwixt all the Provinces, and Him the ſaid Palot, in the preſence of Monſieur des Fontaines; with this expreſs condition, that if the ſaid Palot do not at the time mentioned pay in at Lyons the ſums aforeſaid, that then the Churches ſhall not be bound to allow him the penny in a Liver, but onelyonly two deniers and an half (which is not a full farthing in the Liver) according to the Order before-mentioned. And as for the remaining ſums of the third and fourth Quarters of the years 1601, and 1602, the ſaid Palot ſhall make payment of them according to the Covenants paſt betwixt him and this Aſſembly, not including in this Reſolution either Provinces of the Higher Languedoc, or Lower Guyenne.

CHAP. X. An Account of the Dividend of One hundred and five and thirty thouſand Crowns, given by His Majeſty every year unto the Reformed Churches of France, according to which the Lord Iſaac du Candall, and Monſieur de Viſouze ſhall make payment of each particular ſum at the time hereafter appointed for the year next coming, 1604, and this in purſuance of that Agreement made with the ſaid Lord of Candall, and the Deputies Aſſembled in this preſent National Synod held at Gap in Dolphiny, before Monſieur Roſtrain His Majeſty's Publick Notary.

p. 250A Dividend among our Univerſities.

And all theſe Sums ſhall be paid by the ſaid Lord of Candall unto thoſe Univerſities at the Terms prefixed, before any other payments whatſoever.

And what remains of the overplus of three quarters, ſhall be equally paid in to each of the Provinces, according to the Accompt before-appointed, by three equal portions, at the Terms prefixed, allowing him a Sous in the Liver.

What ſhall become due unto the Provinces of the Iſle of France, Normandy, Orleans, Anjou, Poitou, Higher and Lower Guienne, ſhall be paid into the Conſiſtories of Paris, Rouen, Orleans and Poitiers; and for the Higher Languedoc and Guienne unto Mr. J. Bardon; and what ſhall be due unto the Province of Burgundy, unto Mr. J. Le Gras Merchant, in the City of Lions.

And in caſe it ſhould ſo fall out, that our Lords the General Deputies ſhould not receive either the whole, or part of their Aſſigned Stipend from the Leſſer Accompt, according to agreement: It is now reſolved, that what may be wanting to make it good, one half of it ſhall be taken out of the Total Sum of 135000. Livers, which were to be paid in unto the Provinces in the three Quarters, and ſhall be deducted from every one of the Provinces; with the allowance of a Sous in the Liver unto the Lord of Candal; and the other half ſhall be deducted out of the Moneys appointed by His Majeſty for payment of the Garriſons; and to this purpoſe an Order ſhall be given unto the ſaid Lord of Candal, and our General Deputies ſhall be paid before all other perſons.

And this ſame courſe ſhall be taken for all pay…ents in the year 1605. And this Rule ſhall be in force till the Meeting of the next National Synod.

p. 251CHAP. XI. A Roll and Catalogue of all the Reformed Churches of France, as well thoſe which are actually ſupplied with Paſtors, as of thoſe which ſhall be before the Meeting of the next National Synod to be held at Rochell in the Year 1607. otherwiſe the Provinces will be enforced to make Reſtitution of thoſe Moneys ordained for them out of the Stock given us by His Majeſties Royal Bounty. There was tackt unto this Roll the Names of thoſe Paſtors and Propoſans who are to be maintained by the Provinces.

The Firſt Roll of Paſtors and Propoſans in the Iſle of France, Picardy, Beauſſe, and Champagne.

There were threeſcore and two Portions ordered unto all theſe Paſtors, being ſix and forty in actual ſervice, and ten Churches deſtitute of Miniſters, three of which belong to the Colloquy of Champagne, and ſix Propoſans, one of which ſhall be appropriated to the ſaid Colloquy. The whole Sum for thoſe ſixty and two Portions amounted to 3748 Livers, ſeven Sous, and ſix Deniers.

The Second Roll of the Paſtors and Propoſans in the Province of Brittany.

p. 252Yet when the Synod of Gap ſate, there were no more than ſeven Pastors in actual ſervice, and four Churches and four Propoſans to be provided for and maintained, ad fifteen Portions were allotted them out of the Kings Moneys; but ſince God increaſed the number of their Ministers, and this Province had aſſigned it 906 Crowns, 48 Sous, 4 d.

The Third Roll of the Churches, Paſtors, and Propoſans in the Province of Orleans, Berry, Blaiſois and Nivernois.

Mr. Berger was Emeritus, and had four Portions aſſigned for his ſubſistence.

Mr. Granier liveth at Sancerre. There be ſix Churches and ſix Propoſans to be provided for.

The Fourth Roll of the Churches, Pastors and Propoſans in the Province of Anjou, Tourain and Maine.

Monſieur de Leſſard is Emeritus. In all twenty Pastors, four Churches deſtitute, and three Propoſans; ſo there was aſſigned to this Province of Tourain and Anjou twenty ſeven Portions, which amounted to 1632 Crowns, fourteen Sous, and nine Deniers.

The Fifth Roll of the Churches, Paſtors and Propoſans in the Province of the Upper and Nether Poictou.

In all thirty nine Paſtors, eight Churches to be provided for, and three Propoſans, which made up fifty Portions for the whole Province of Poitou, amounting to 3022 Crowns, 40 Sous, and 10 Deniers.

The Sixth Roll of the Churches, Paſtors, and Propaſans in the Province of Xaintonge, Aulnix, and Augoulmois.

There be forty eight Paſtors in the whole Province of Xaintonge, ſix Churches deſtitute, and ſix Propoſans, without including Mr. Herauld lent unto the Church of Marſillac; ſo that it had ſixty Portions, amounting to 3627 Crowns, and 13 Sous.

The Seventh Roll of the Churches, Paſtors, and Propoſans in the Province of Lower Guienne.

In all forty eight Paſtors, ſix Churches deſtitute, and five Propſans, which make up ſixty Portions for the Lower Guienne, amounting in all to 3627 Crowns and 13 Sous.

The Eighth Roll, of the Churches, Paſtors and Propoſans in the Province of Higher and Lower Vivaretz and Vellay.

Mr. Peter Raillet is Emeritus. In all there be ſeventeen Paſtors in this Province, and there were allotted two ſupernumerary Portions for the Church of Aubenas, ſix Churches deſtitute, three Propoſans, ſo that it had twenty eight Portions amounting to 1692 Crowns, 42 Sous, and one Denier.

The Ninth Roll of the Churches, Paſtors, and Propoſans in the Province of Lower Languedoc.

In all eighty four Paſtors, ſix Churches deſtitute, four Paſtors for the Lower Avergne, and ſix Propoſans to be provided for, which make One hundred portions, amounting to 6045 Crowns, 21. Sous, 11 Deniers, for the Province of Lower Languedoc.

The Tenth Roll of the Churches, Paſtors and Propoſans in the Province of Higher Languedoc, and Higher Guienne.

Miniſters, Emeriti, 1. Mr. Nadal, 2. Mr. Tayaut, 3. Mr. Grave, 4. Mr. Cauſſe, 5. Mr Goudon. The Province of Higher Languedoc, and Higher Guienne had in all 64 Paſtors, 6 Churches, and 6 Propoſans to be provided for; and 4 Paſtors more for the Higher Auvergne, which makes 80 Portions in all for that Province, amounting to 4836 Crowns, 17 Sous, and 11 Deniers.

The Eleventh Roll, of the Churches, Paſtors and Propoſans in the Province of Burgundy, Lyonnois, Foreſt, La Breſſe, and Beaujolois.

There was granted to the Province of Burgundy 26 Portions for 13 Paſtors, in which the Church of Lyons is comprehended for one, and four Paſtors for the Colloquy of Gex, ſix Churches deſtitute of Miniſters, and three Propoſans. Which 26 Portions do amount in the full and whole unto the ſum of 1571 Crowns, 47 Livers, and 8 Deniers.

The Twelfth Roll, of the Churches, Paſtors and Propoſans in the Province of Provence.

There were ſixteen Portions granted to the Province of Provence for ſeven Paſtors, and two Propoſans, which made in all 967 Crowns, 17 Sous, and ſix Deniers.

The Thirteenth Roll, of the Churches and Paſtors, and Propoſans in the Province of Dolphiny.

There be two Paſtors Emeriti in the Province of Dolphiny, viz. 1. Mr, Mallet, 2 & Mr. Dinſon. In the whole Province there be 59 Paſtors, 4 Churches deſtitute, and 8 Propoſans to be maintained; There be 3 for the City, and Principallity of Orange, ſo that the ſaid Province had 71 Portions, which amounted to 4292 Crowns, 12 Sous, and 9 Deniers.

The total Sum of the Paſtors, Propoſans and Churches of the ſaid 13 Provinces is 440.

The Province of Normandy was not caſt into this Accompt.

There be 54 Churches deſtitute of Paſtors.

There be Miniſters in actual ſervice, 478.

There be Miniſters Emeriti, 11.

There be 46 Propoſans.

Although the Province of Normandy did not ſend any Deputies unto this National Synod, ſo that there was no Catalogue taken of its Churches, Paſtors and Propoſans, as there was of all the other Provinces: Yet this National Synod of Gap did adjudge unto the ſaid Province 46 Portions, which amounted to 2420 Crowns, 23 Sous and 10 Deniers; out of which Moneys that Province is to aſſiſt it's Churches, maintain its Propoſans according to the number of its Colloqies.

All theſe Articles, Decrees and Canons before-mentioned, were reſolved, voted and paſſed in the Seventeenth National Synod of Gap; which ended the 23d day of October, 1603. And thus Signed in the Original.

Chamier, Moderator.

Ferrier, Aſſeſſor.

Scribes.

Vignier and

Roy

CHAP. XII. Remarks upon the Deputies of this Synod.

1. MR. Daniel Chamier, was the Son of a worthy Miniſter in Dolphiny, who, riding to a Provincial Synod, was drowned. His Son Daniel is, in common diſcourſe among the French Miniſters, ſtyled the Great Chamier. A man of vaſt Learning, great Prudence, and indefatigable Induſtry; very dear unto, and highly eſteemed by their National Synods, to which he was frequently deputed, choſen Scribe in that of Gergeau, and Moderator in two National Synods, of Gap and Privas. He was killed at the Siege of Montauban (where he was Paſtor and Profeſſor of Divinity) with a Canon Bullet, having a C on it (being the Hundredth that was ſhot againſt the Town) upon the Lord's Day, the day, as he ſaid, of his reſt; and indeed, God took him into his Eternal reſt, as he did Elijah, by Horſes of Fire, and Chariots of Fire. He hath ſo Learnedly confuted the Papiſts in his Panſtratiâ Catholica, that none among them ever undertook to Anſwer it. There be alſo printed his Epiſtolae Jeſuiticae, and his Corpus Theologiae, and in French, La Confuſion des diſputes Papiſts. There is alſo an Anſwer of his to ſome Queſtions of Cotton the Jeſuite. But of him more in my Icones.

2. Ferrier, who was Aſſeſſor in this Synod, was an Infamous Apoſtate; He Writ Hypotypoſes Theologicae.

3. Monſieur Vignier, who was one of the Scribes, was the very Learned Son of a moſt Learned Father. His Theatre de l'Antichriſt was a grievous tormenting Boyl unto the Papiſts. He Writ a Diſſertation in Latine about the Venetians Excommunication by Paul V. againſt Cardinal Baronius. And Theſes de Satisfactione Chriſti.

THE Acts, Deciſions and Decrees OF THE XVIIIth National Synod OF The Reformed Churches OF FRANCE, Held the Third time in The City of Rochel, on the 1ſt, day of March, In the Year of out Lord 1607.