The Acts of Famous National Councils of the Reformed Churches in France, 18 (3rd Rochelle) · Chapter 1
CHAP. I Names of the Deputies and Synodical Officers.
Monſieur Beraut choſen Moderator.
Monſieur Merlin Aſſeſſor.
Scribes.
Monſieur Andrew Rivet and
Monſieur Roy. —
THERE appeared in it as Deputies from their ſeveral Provinces, the Paſtors and Elders hereafter named.
For the Province of Xaintonge, Aunix and Augoulmois, Monſieur George Pacard Miniſter in the Church of Rochefoucaud, Maſter James Merlin one of the Paſtors of the Church of Rochel, Monſieur Arthur de Partenay Lord of Genouille Elder in the Church of Tonney-boutonne, and Mr. Daniel le Roy Elder in the Church of Xaintes, with Letters from the ſaid Province.Mr. Gigord was a man of moſt ſingular Piety, holy in his Life, happy in his Death. He died full of Peace and Joy in Believing, raviſhed with the conſolations of Gods Spirit.
For the Province of Lower Languedoc, Maſter Chriſtopher de Barjac Lord of Gaſques Paſtor of the Church of Vigan, and Maſter John Gigord Paſtor and Profeſſor in the Church of Montpellier, and Triſtram de Brueis Lord of St. Chappe, Elder in the Church of Niſmes, and Stephen du Vergier Ordinary Preſident in the Chamber of Accounts of Languedoc, Elder in the Church of Montpellier, with Letters of Commiſſion from their Province.
For the Province of Orleans, Berry, Bleſois and Nivernois Maſter Joachim du Moulin Paſtor of the Church of Orleans, and Maſter Nicholas Vignier Paſtor of the Church of Blois, together with the Lords Daniel de St. Quintin Baron of Bellet Elder in the Church of St. Amand, and Michael de Launay Lord de Filaines, Elder in the Church of Blois, Mr. Joachim du Moulin was the godly Father of that excellent man of God Mr. Peter du Monlin.impowered with authority from their Province.
For the Province of the Iſle of France, Picardy, Champagne, Brie, and the Land of Chartres, Maſter Francis de Lauberan Lord of Montigny Paſtor of the Church of Paris, and Maſter Tobias Yoland Paſtor of the Church of Vitry le Francois, and Paul de Charites Lord of Pleſſis Chennelle, Elder of the Church of Chartres, commiſſioned by Letters from their Province.
For the Province of Lower Guienne, Perigord and Limouſin Mr. Paul Baduel Miniſter of the Church of Caſtillon, Mr. Gilbert Primroſe, Paſtor of the Church of Bourdeaux, together with John du Puis, Lord of Cazett, Elder of the Church of Caſtillon, and Mr. Stephen Manial, Elder of the Church of Bourdeaux.
For the Province of Anjou, Touraine and the Maine, Monſieur Abel Bede Paſtor of the Church of Loudun, and Maſter Peter Solomeau Paſtor of the Church of Vandoſme, together with James Ridouett Eſquire Lord of Sanzay, Elder of the Church of Bauge, and Bartholomew de Bruges Elder of the Church of Loudon.
For the Province of Higher Languedoc and Higher Guyenne, Maſter Michael Beraud Paſtor and Profeſſor in the Church of Montauban, Daniel Raphin Paſtor of the Church of Realmont, John de Periott Elder of the Church of Montauban, and Peter Philippin Elder in the Church of St. Antonine.
For the Higher and Lower Vivaretz and Velay, Monſieur John Valeton Paſtor of the Church of Privas, and Maſter Chriſtopher Gammon, Elder of the Church of Nonnay, bringing with them Letters of excuſe for not having ſent the number of Deputies preſcribed by the Canons of former Synods, which were in no wiſe admitted, and therefore the ſaid Province was cenſured: However their Deputies were received for this time; This Aſſembly declaring it ſhould not be made a preſident for future neglects, as alſo that if in time coming they did not ſend the full number of four Deputies, they ſhould have no power of Voting, and this in purſuance of what had been decreed in the National Synod of Gap.
For Provence, Monſieur Daniel Chanforan Paſtor of the Church de la Coſte, and Peter Texier Elder of the Church of Lormarin, with Letters of excuſe for not having ſent the number above-mentioned, which, becauſe of the paucity of Miniſters in their Province, was for this time only received. And they were enjoined for the future to ſend four Deputies, or to incorporate themſelves with ſome other Province.
For the Province of Higher and Lower Poictou, Maſter James Clemencean Miniſter and Paſtor of the Church of Poictiers, and Andrew Rivett Paſtor of the Church of Touars, together with Samuel Mauclerc Lord of Marconny Elder of the Church of Poire and Belleville, and Monſieur Joſeph des Fontaines Elder of the Church of Meſle.
Mr. Perri… writ the Hiſtory of the Albingezſes. He dedicated the Second Part to the Duke of Candale Eldeſt Son of the Duke of Eſpernon, who became a Proteſtant.For the Province of Dolphiny, Mr. John Paul Perrin… Paſtor of the Church of Nians, and John Vulſon Lord de la Columbiere Paſtor of the Church de la Mure, together with Charles de Veze Lord of Coucy, Elder of the Church de Dieu le fit, and Lord of the ſaid place, and Francois de la Combe Elder of the Church of St. Marcellin.
For the Province of Burgundy, Lionnois, Forreſt, Breſſe, Beaujolois and Gex, Monſieur Eſaiah Bayly Paſtor of the Church of Lion, and Daniel de Piotay Paſtor of the Church of Gex, together with John de Jaucourt Lord of Villarnoul, Elder of the Church of Avalon, and Maſter Claudius Cotereau Elder of the Church of Dijon, and Counſellor in the Parliament of Burgundy.
For the Province of Normandy, Mr. John Gueroult Paſtor of the Church of D'Indebeuf, and John Boudrier Lord de la Buiſſonniere Paſtor of the Church of Alencon, and Samuel de L'Eſcherpiere Lord de la Riviere Paſtor of the Church of Rouan, together with Nicholas Le Febvre Elder of the Church of Caen, with their Letters of Commiſſion. The Synod of the ſaid Province, and the Colloquies of the Higher Normandy were all cenſured for leaving the Nomination of their Deputies unto the Colloquy, and for not ſending an equal number of Paſtors and Elders, according to the Canons of our Diſcipline; however the four fore-mentioned Deputies were admitted.
For the Province of Brittany, Maſter Rene de Loſſe, Lord de la Touche, Paſtor of the Church of Blain, and Maſter Peter de la Place Paſtor of the Church of Sion, together with Lewes d'Avangour Lord of Bois de Cargrois, Elder of the Church of Nantes, and Elias de Goulaines Lord de Loudoniere Elder in the Church of Vielle Vigne.
There came alſo with Letters of Commiſſion from the Countrey of Bearn Maſter Iſaac Balldraind Paſtor of the Church of l'Eſcar, and principal of the Colledge of the ſame place, craving admiſſion and priviledge of Voting in this Aſſembly, which was granted him: But the ſaid Churches were exhorted for the future to join an Elder in Commiſſion with that Paſtor, whom they ſhall depute unto our National Synods.
Maſter James Capel called otherwiſe du Tilloy Paſtor of the Church of Sedan, and the Lord Peter de Bury Elder of the ſame, preſented themſelves as Deputies from the Churches of the Sovereignty of Sedan in this Aſſembly, but were not admitted as repreſenting a particular Province, becauſe they were Members of the Colloquy of Champagne, yet it was granted them to aſſiſt in this Aſſembly, when as matters concerning Doctrine and Diſcipline in general were debated, and that they might in their turn propound what did particularly concern their Churches and Univerſity.
Prayers being ended, and the Aſſembly proceeding to the choice of their Moderator, Aſſeſſor and Scribe, there came into the Synod the Deputies of the Commonalty and City of Rochell, demanding to be admitted, and to give their Vote in that Election, as conſtituting a Province together with the other Provinces of the Kingdom, eſpecially when as any Affairs not relating to the Doctrine or Diſcipline of the Churches, but for our common preſervation ſhould be treated. This cauſed a very great debate, and at laſt it being judged that this Aſſembly was purely Eccleſiaſtical, and it being utterly uncertain whether any matters of another nature might be handled in it, it was finally determined, that the Moderator, Aſſeſſor and Scribe ſhould not be choſen but by ſuch perſons as were purely Eccleſiaſtical. However thoſe Deputies were admitted into the Synod, and had their priviledge of Voting in it, according to the Decree at Chaſtelleraut, in caſe other matters fell under conſideration.
Monſieur Beraut was Elected Moderator, and Monſieur Merlin Aſſeſſor, and to Gather and Record the Acts of this Synod, Monſieur Rivet and Roy.
In the Letters of Deputation, that Clauſe of Approbation and Submiſſion unto the Decrees of the Synod in no wiſe to be left out.In reading the Letters of Deputation, it was obſerved, that thoſe of certain Provinces wanted that clauſe which promiſed Approbation and Submiſſion unto the Decrees and Reſolutions of the Synod: Whereupon they were all admoniſhed In no wiſe for the future to omit it, as being very neceſſary for the ratifying the Decrees of theſe Aſſemblies, and of this our Brethren of Bearn are particularly to be informed.
Whereas the Paſtors and Elders of divers Churches, not deputed unto this Synod, were yet very importunate to be admitted to the ſeeing and hearing of all matters tranſacted in it. This Aſſembly conſidering that their number did daily and exceſſively increaſe, which might at laſt cauſe confuſion, and other evil conſequences, in caſe every one ſhould be indifferently received; it was reſolved that entrance ſhould not be granted to any other beſides the Deputies, unleſs when as the General matters of Doctrine and Diſcipline ſhould be debated. And this Order ſhall hold good for the future; nor ſhall they be ſuffered to be preſent at theſe debates, who have no buſineſs calling them unto theſe Synods, unleſs they produce a Certificate of Leave had from their Churches, together with the time limited for their tarrying.
No Appeals ſhall be conſider'd till the 7th day after the meeting and ſitting of the Synod.For as much as divers perſons at the opening of the Synods are very importunate, and thereby diſturb the Order of Affairs, preſſing impatiently the diſpatch of their own particular concerns, becauſe of the Expences they are inforc'd to make by a long Attendance: Notice ſhall be given to the Churches, that for time coming, no Appeals ſhall be medled withal till the ſeventh day after the ſitting of the Synod; that ſo the parties concerned in them may not be over-haſty, and that they may have fit time for their Appearance.
The Anſwers of his Highneſs the Prince Elector Palatine return'd unto the Letters of the Synod of Gap, by which he had been intreated to endeavour the Uniting of the Proteſtant Churches, being read, as alſo thoſe others from the Eccleſiaſtical Senate of the Palatinate, from the Univerſity of Heidelberg, from the Provincial Synods of Holland and Zeland, from the County of Hannaw, and the Claſſis of Lauzanna, Morges, Iverdon, from the Canton of Bearn, and Church of Geneva: This Aſſembly (having found evident Teſtimonials in them of their ſincere affection to the ſeeking and procuring the Common Good,How the Lutherans may be re-united, ſee the Synod of Vitré, part. mat. 27. and of Gap. Gen. matt. 11. and in ſpecial an intire Approbation of the Confeſſion of Faith owned and received in the Churches of this Kingdom) doth render moſt hearty thanks unto God, for vouchſafing us ſo great a benefit, well-hoping, that by their perſiſting in it, the Lord will be pleaſed graciouſly to touch the Hearts of them, who as yet diſſent from us, and diſagree with us, to imbrace it alſo. And all perſons are exhorted to be mighty Wreſtlers with God in humble and ardent Prayers that it may be effected.
The Letters alſo of Monſieur Regnault Paſtor of the Church of Bourdeaux were read, who was charged with thoſe of the Synod of Gap, when he went into Germany about his own private Affairs, to be delivered unto thoſe to whom they had been directed. And becauſe that ſuch a Negotiation was not a little Incommodious to him, and that upon his return, he was ſummon'd perſonally, and at his own charges to appear at Court, and that he was at the Expence of printing the Confeſsion of our Faith: This Aſſembly gives him the Sum of ſeventy Crowns, to reimburſe his Charges, and thanketh him for his care and faithfulneſs in the delivery of thoſe Letters, and for having communicated with Monſieur Piſcator, and brought back with him his anſwers. But order is given unto the Synod of Lower Guyenne to examine him upon ſome certain points mentioned in the aforeſaid anſwers, as for ſtyling himſelf the Meſſenger or Ambaſſador of the Churches▪ and for ſubmitting the Confeſſion of Faith of the Churches of this Kingdom to the Cenſures of Forreign Univerſities; and in caſe theſe can be proved upon him, he ſhall be cenſured. And foraſmuch as the Letters of Monſieur Piſcator have been communicated to others before they were tendered to this Aſſembly, the ſaid Synod ſhall make a ſtrict inquiry into this matter, and know whether Monſieur Regnault were guilty of it or no.