The Acts of Famous National Councils of the Reformed Churches in France, Synod 23 (Alès) · Chapter 8

The Acts of Famous National Councils of the Reformed Churches in France · Synod 23 (Alès) · Chapter 8

p. 15CHAP. VIII. APPEALES.

1 LEtters from the Conſuls and Conſiſtory of Realmont were preſented by the Sieur Coras one of the Conſuls of the ſaid City unto this Aſſembly, requeſting that Monſieur Voiſyn might be continued in his Miniſtry among them, notwithſtanding the Appeal of the Church of Montauban, and of Pont de Camarez from the Synod of Puy Laurens in the Higher Languedoc, which had lent him unto the Church of Mauvoyſin until the ſitting of the National Synod. This Aſſembly commending the Zeal of the Church of Realmont hath ordained that he ſhall continue in the Service of their Church, and exhorteth them to give all Contentment unto him their ſaid Paſtor according to that Affection which he hath ever born them. And the Colloquies of Albigeois, Lauragais, and Lower Zuercy ſhall help the Church of Mauveſyn out of their Paſtors until the Meeting of the next Provincial Synod, as they have been intreated ſo to do by Monſieur de Maravat. And to this purpoſe the ſaid Colloquies ſhall be aſſembled as ſoon as the Deputies are returned from this Aſſembly, without delay.

2. The Province of Normandy craving an Augmentation of Moneys for the ſetting up of Two Colledges, becauſe of the great extent of the ſaid Province. This Aſſembly could not make any Additions to what had been ordained for them by former National Synods. And as for the Appeal of the Church of Diep from the Decree of the Provincial Synod, which had adjudged the Colledge of that Province unto the Town of St. Lo, it was declared null, and the Decree of the Provincial Synod ratified.

3, The Sieur Gauſſens Paſtor of Ponteau de Mer appealed from the Judgment of the ſame Provinces, for that they would never yield unto the repeared inſtances of himſelf and Father in divers Synods, that he being freed from the Church in which he ſerveth and hath ſerved ever ſince he was in the Miniſtry, and from that Province, he might live nearer his Aged Father, that ſo he might be Comforted and Aſſiſted by him in his declining Age, eſpecially ſith his Reverend Father had at his own Charges bred him up unto the Miniſtry. This Aſſembly having heard the Deputies of the Province arguing to the contrary, and teſtifying of the fruitfulneſs and good ſucceſs of his Miniſtry, and the great Affection which his People bear him, do ordain that according to the Diſcipline of our Church, the Perſon and Miniſtry of the ſaid Gauſſens ſhall remain fixed unto the ſaid Province of Normandy.

4, Whereas the Synod of Vitre had granted Monſieur de la Coſte unto the Univerſity of Saumur to be their Profeſſor in Divinity,2. Vitre. Of Univerſities. 14. Aelow of Univerſ. Act. 12.Acts 12 upon condition that he ſhould undergo an Examin in the Province of Anjou according to the Canons of our Church-Diſcipline, and the Deputies of the Synod of Anjou in Conjunction with ſeveral Miniſters of the Provinces of Poictou, p. 16Normandy, Berry, and Britain having judged by his Examination, and Probationary Lectures on the Old and New Teſtament, and Publick Diſputations that God hath not called him unto that Accademical Profeſſion, and therefore did deſire him to reſt contented with his Miniſterial Calling only, and to exerciſe his Gifts in ſome particular Church of Chriſt, where God's Holy Providence might make uſe of him. Now the ſaid Sieur de Coſte brought in his Appeal from them. This Aſſembly does ratifie the Judgment of the Provincial Deputies of Anjou and of thoſe other Paſtors which were imployed in the ſaid Examin; and yet nevertheleſs for divers reaſons and Conſiderations, and for the Repoſe and Comfort of the ſaid Sieur de la Coſte it doth ordain, that he ſhall be put into the Catalogue of Paſtors, who ſhall be intreated to prepare and fit themſelves for the Publick Profeſſion of Theology againſt the next National Synod, and in the mean while the ſaid Sieur de la Coſte ſhall be at liberty to ſettle himſelf in any Church as he thinks good, and he ſhall receive Three Hundred Livers out of the Common Moneys of our Churches for the Charges of his Journey over and above what he was to have received by Order of the ſaid Deputies who were preſent at his Examination, towards his Maintenance, and till ſuch time as he be provided of a Church he ſhall injoy another ſingle Portion free of all Charges, and Two Hundred Livers more for one whole Year, within which time he is obliged to fix himſelf Paſtor in ſome particular Church, and therein to Exerciſe his Miniſtry.

5. Mrs. Iſabeau de Sales Relict of Monſieur Samuel Touſſain late Paſtor in the Church of Luke now Deceaſed, appealed from the Synod of Lormarin in Provence, for that they had ordered Seventy Five Livers only to be paid her, without giving her any ſatisfaction for what was due unto her ſaid deceaſed Husband for his Journeys on behalf of his Church and Province, nor unto her for the firſt year of her… Widowhood. This Aſſembly honouring the Memory of the ſaid Monſieur Touſſain; and the many Services done by him in his life time unto the Churches, doth now ordain, That the Province of Provence ſhall immediately pay in Four Hundred Livres unto the ſaid Gentlewoman Mrs. Iſabeau de Sales, which ſhall be put out to intereſt in ſafe hands for the Children of the ſaid Sieur Touſſain: And farther there ſhall be payed in unto the ſaid▪ Widow Seventy Five Livers more, which were granted her by the Synod of Lormarin. And the Province ſhall exhibit yearly for the ſpace of Ten Years the Summ of Seventy Five livers towards the maintenance of the Children of the ſaid Sieur Touſſain; and the Church of Luc alſo ſhall pay in unto the ſaid Gentlewoman all Arrearages of Sallary which remain due unto their late Paſtor Monſieur Touſſain her deceaſed Husband, according to the Accompt ſhe hath produced and proved.

6. Mr. Bartholomew Reſſens Paſtor of the Church of Velaux appealed from the Synod of Proven…e, which had proceeded divers ways very unjuſtly againſt him in ſeveral Synods incluſively from the Year 1612, unto the Synod of Aiguieres in the Year 1619. In which they had not only refuſed him his part of the Portions granted unto the Church of Velaux by the National Synod of Privas, but they had alſo over and above oppreſſed him with ſundry and very grievous Burdens, particularly that they ſuſpended him for Three Months time from the Holy Miniſtry; and yet that very ſelf-ſame Aſſembly did a while after re-inſtate him again as before into it, having firſt compelled him to very unbecoming Submiſſions to them, and entertained divers Accuſations againſt him without any Proof or Foundation, yea after that Meſſieurs Brunier, Chambrun, and de St. Caeſaire had given in their Judicial Sentence upon his Cauſe, For theſe Reverend Perſons by Authority from the National Synod of Vitre came unto the Synod of Lormarin held in the ſaid Province in the Month of November, in p. 17the Year 1617, and having heard and examined all matters relating to him, they did abſolve and juſtifie him. Mr. Reſſens having ended, the Deputies of the ſaid Province were heard, and Monſieur Brunier alſo reported what he and his fellow Commiſſioners had done in Obedience to the Commiſſion given them to viſit the ſaid Province by the National Synod of Vitre: Whereupon this Aſſembly doth very ſeverely cenſure that Province of Provence for their Levity, Confuſions and immoderate Paſſions, which were too too evident by the Acts of their Synod at Aiguieres: And therefore diſanulling their Judgment, it doth ordain that all thoſe Acts concerning the ſaid Mr. Reſſens ſhall be raſed out of their Synodical Books: And forasmuch as the ſaid Reſſens hath not carried himſelf with that decorum as he was and is obliged to by the Cannons of our Eccleſiaſtical Diſcipline, and for that he hath failed in his Duty and Reſpects unto Synodical Meetings, and has been too much occupied in worldly Affairs, and diſcovered a very greedy, covetous heart after diſhoneſt gain, which put him upon a very ſhameful Action confeſſed by him openly in this National Aſſembly, which had he not done would otherwiſe have merited his Suſpenſion from the Miniſtry; but foraſmuch as the Lord himſelf hath in much Mercy chaſtiſed him for it, and for that he has made a full, and free and ingenuous Confeſſion, and ſhamed himſelf publickly for this miſcarriage whereby our bowels are moved with compaſſion for him, and hath given us hope that for the future 'twill be a Spur to excite and quicken him unto his Duty, and to be more careful and circumſpect in his walking, for all which conſiderations we contenting our ſelves at preſent with this publick Repremand given him in full Synod, do expreſly forbid him to accept of any Deputation for the future unto Political Aſſemblies, or to appear hereafter as a Delegate perſonally in any one of them. And as for thoſe Accompts lying between him and the ſaid Province, they be diſmiſſed over to the Church of Alez to be audited by them, and having done it, to make Report thereof unto this Aſſembly.

7. Mr. Andrew Guarin Paſtor of the Church of Jonias and Gordes appealed from the Synod of Provence, which had ordained Twenty Crowns unto the ſaid Churches to pay off their great Expences they were inforced to by the Lord of the Soil, who would not ſuffer them to worſhip God in their Temple built on his Land; and he complained farther of the outrages done him (which is alſo come to our hearing) by the Commiſſioners of that Province. Now although this Affair be not of their Nature which are to be brought before the National Synods, yet for divers reaſons this Aſſembly hath took this particularly into its conſideration, and doth condemn the Province of Provence for their uncharitable proceedingss, which ſavour of a baſe Chicanery every way unbecoming the Servants of God; and we do appoint the Colloquy of Gapenſois in Dolphiny to inſpect their Accompts, and to add what they ſhall judge equitable unto the Churches before-mentioned, and that by the Authority of this Aſſembly; which will immediately recommend their afflicted Condition unto our Lords the General Deputies, who ſhall addreſs themſelves unto His Majeſty and the Privy Council for Juſtice againſt their potent Oppreſſor.

8. Monſieur R…phael Gabett Paſtor of the Church of Tulette in Dolphiny appealed from the Judgment of the Synods of Province held at Manoſques the Five and Twentieth of October in the Year 1618. And at Aiguieres the Second of May 1619. Which refuſed to give him Licence of Departure and Honourable Teſtimonials, though they were but his juſt and lawful dues, and had been granted him by the Church of la Code, in which he had ſerved the ſpace of Three years, and alſo by the Synod of Thouart, when he quitted it. And he complained farther, that they denied to reimburſe him the neceſſary Charges he was forced to be at in divers Journeys p. 18to this purpoſe, and that they had rejected moſt unjuſtly this his Appeal, when it was tendred to them. This Aſſembly judging the proceedings againſt the ſaid Monſieur Gabett very unjuſt, and detective in divers points, as was demonſtrated unto the Deputies of that Province, It ordaineth that all the Acts concerning the ſaid Gabet ſhall be raſed out of their Synodical Books, and doth very ſeverely cenſure the ſaid Province, and confirmeth the ſaid Gabett in his Miniſtry at Tulett in Dolphiny, and that the Province of Provence ſhall give him the Teſtimonials demanded by him, and Twenty Livers appertaining to him as Arrearages of his Sallary.

9. Mr. Peter Mercurin Paſtor of the Church of Ciſteron in Provence appealed from the Synod of that Province for denying him a Sight and Copy of their Synodical Acts,… which might informe him of the Arrears due unto him for his …enſion whilſt he was yet Student, and another had not been ſubſtituted in his place; and he complained that they inforced him to yield up unto the Province Twenty Livers which were given him by the National Synod of Vitre. This Affair was diſmiſſed over to the Colloquy of Baronniers in Dolphiny, which ſhould audit his Accompts, and determine finally about them by the Authority of this Aſſembly.

10. Monſieur Boulet a Paſtor of the Church of Vergeres and Condoignac appealed from a Decree of the Synod of Sevennes, confirming the Judicial Sentence of the Province of Lower Languedoc, which had ordered Four Hundred Livers to be paid him by the Churches, and Two Hundred Livers out of the Kings Money including therein the Portion of the ſaid Churches, when as there was more due unto him. This Aſſembly declared that this matter did not belong to the Cogniſance of National Synods; and therefore ratifying the Synodical Decree of Sevennes, it doth Exhort the ſaid Boulet to abſtain from all terms of Law in his Appeal, and in caſe he has any new matter of Objection againſt the Province of Lower Languedoc, he may again apply himſelf unto the Province of Sevennes.

11. Mr. John de la Faye Paſtor of Aubenas appealed from the Synod of Vivaretz held at Chaſteauneuf; which had given leave unto the Church of Aubenas to diſmiſs him, as alſo that he ſhould never any more exerciſe His Miniſtery within the Province of Vivaretz. Hereupon the Informations brought in againſt the ſaid de la Faye by certain Miniſters and Elders Commiſſionated by a Colloquy held at Meyras in Auguſt laſt, were called for and read, and the Deputies of the Province were heard in what they had to declare and offer from their Principals. The Letters alſo of ſome of the Elders in the Conſiſtory of Aubenas and other Inhabitants of the ſaid Town joyning themſelves in that Appeal of Monſieur de la Faye were produced they having to this purpoſe deputed the Sieur de la Borie, de Fons, de Seures, and de la Faiſſe with them unto this Aſſembly. Monſieur du Sault alſo, one of the Elders of the ſaid Church was heard ſpeak, who together with ſeveral other Members of the ſaid Church, Conſiſtory, and Inhabitants of Aubenas demanded that the Decree of the Synod of Chaſteauneuf might be Executed. This Aſſembly ſaw upon the whole very great miſcarriages in every party; and therefore did firſt of all cenſure thoſe Commiſſioners who inſtead of quenching the Fire of Diviſion and Contention, had poured in freſh Oyle to increaſe the Flames, and fomented Quarrels and Law-Suits among them directly contrary to the Rules and Canons of our National Synods. It cenſureth alſo the Provincial Synod for pronoucing Sentence ſo raſhly, when as there were juſt grounds of exceptions againſt the Evidence; and without ever hearing the Confeſſion of the ſaid de la Fay, or Convincing him in the leaſt of his Offence, and for expreſſing immoderate Paſſion againſt him, and foiſting into their Acts Matters of ſmall moment as if they had been great Crimes. It cenſureth alſo the p. 19Elders of that Church of Aubenas in general for divers failures obſerved in their proceedings contrary to our Church-Diſcipline; and particularly thoſe among them, who would prefer the leſſer number unto the greater, and bring in little pettifogging tricks into Conſiſtories, which are Eccleſiaſtical Aſſemblies, a matter of dangerous conſequence, and pernicious unto our Churches. And as for Monſieur de la Faye, this Synod not being able any longer to endure thoſe great faults of which he is guilty by his own Confeſſion, and that he may be excited for the future better to conſult the honour of his Sacred Function, whereunto he is called of God, It doth now ſuſpend him for Two Moneths from all Exerciſes of his Miniſtry; which time expired, The Colloquy of Valentinois in Dolphiny ſhall at the Coſts and Charge of the Church of Aubenas Commiſſionate ſome certain Paſtors and Elders to reſtore the ſaid de la Faye unto his Office in it, and mediate and effect a good and firm Peace and Reconciliation betwixt them all, And in the Name of God, all the Members of the ſaid Church and Conſiſtory who are here preſent are now Exhorted by this Aſſembly to uſe their beſt endeavours that it may be promoted, effected and preſerved, among all their Fellow-Citizens, which alſo they did very ſolemnly promiſe. And that nothing may be wanting to compoſe and heal their differences, and that the Hearts of all may be diſpoſed and ingaged to this Holy Peace and Union, the Sieurs Chauffepied, and Bernard ſhall immediately viſit them, and deal with the Conſiſtory, and the private Members of the ſaid Church to incline and work over their Hearts and Spirits to embrace it.

12. Monſieur de la Garie Miniſter and Profeſſor of Philoſophy at Loſanna brought his Appeal againſt the Synod of Higher Languedoc held at Puylaurent, which would not ſuffer him a Scholaſtick Tryal for the Profeſſors Chair of the Hebrew Tongue in the Univerſity of Montauban, though he offered it, and yet at the ſame time they confirmed Mr. Abel Bicheteau in the ſaid Profeſſorſhip without any previous Examen or Diſputation. However this Aſſembly could not but obſerve an evident default in the ſettlement of the ſaid Monſieur Bicheteau both on his part, and that of the Univerſity of Montauban, and on the Synods alſo which had confirmed him, yet doth it ratifie the Decree of the ſaid Synod of Puylaurent, and fixeth Monſieur Bicheteau in his Profeſſion; and recommends Monſieur de la Garie to the Province of Higher Languedoc, not only to defray the Charges of his Journey hither, as is juſt and reaſonable, but to prefer him alſo unto the Paſtoral Office in ſome vacant Congregation, he ſubmitting himſelf firſt unto an Examination, according to the Decree of the National Synod of Gap. Moreover it enjoyneth the ſaid Province to obſerve more exactly the Canons of our National Synods in the reception of Publick Academical Profeſſors for time coming.

13. Monſieur Iſaac de Rieu Paſtor of the Church of Pont de Royans appealed in his own Name, and in the Name of divers others, Miniſters and Elders, (now abſent) from a Sentence denounc't againſt them in the Synod of Dolphiny held at Briancon the 18th day of June, One Thouſand, Six Hundred and Twenty, about a Commiſſion which they together with the Colloquy of Ambrun had joyntly executed. This Aſſembly not in the leaſt approving the Action of theſe Appealers in granting Letters of Attorney before a Notary Publick unto the ſaid de Rieu, as if there had been a cauſe to be pleaded in a Civil Court of Judicature, It doth diſmiſs them over for the ſubſtance of their buſineſs unto the Synod of Lower Languedoc, which ſhall judge definitely thereof, and the rather becauſe the Provincial Deputies of Dolphiny had not brought with them thoſe Papers which was p. 20neceſſary to diſcuſs it, and becauſe it was utterly unfit that Monſieur de la Croze ſhould upon his own Charges (although he did generouſly offer it) ride into that Province to fetch thoſe Memorials.

14. Monſieur Olhagaray Miniſter in the Church of Mazeres preſented an Appeal of the Colloquy of Foix from the Provincial Synod of Higher Languedoc held at Puylaurent the 18th day of June One Thouſand Six Hundred and Twenty, for that they had defaulked from the Portions belonging to the Church of Foix, which were granted them by the Synod of Rochell, though not mentioned in the laſt Synod of Vitre, and the ſaid Province refuſed to make payment of them. This Aſſembly promiſed to take care of this Matter, when as they ſhould diſtribute the Churches Moneys, and that in the mean while it would make Inquiry into what had been ordained by the former National Synods: And whereas the Deputies from the Council of Higher Languedoc and Guyenne requeſted on behalf of the ſaid Colloquy of Foix, That they might be aſſiſted with ſome Moneys to Erect a Colledge in the City of Pamiers; they were anſwered, That what had been decreed as to this purpoſe by the Synod of Vitre ſhould be confirmed by this of Alez.

15. The Inhabitants of the Town of St. Aignan appealed from a Judgment paſt againſt them in the Synod of Xaintonge, held at Tonnay Charente, by which they were annexed to the Church of St. John d' Angely; but this their Appeal was rejected, becauſe it was of ſuch an Affair as might be finally decided within the Province.

16. Monſieur Philip Pinauld appealed from the Provincial Synod of Anjou, who had conferred his Office of Receiver for the Univerſity of Saumur on Monſieur Bouquett, becauſe he would diſcharge it freely, and demanded nothing for his pains therein, ſaving only for the Tranſcribing of his Accompts. This Aſſembly leaveth the whole Affair to the diſpoſal of that Province, provided they give General Releaſes unto the ſaid Pinault.

17. The Church of Privas appealed from the Synod of Vivaretz held the laſt Auguſt at Chaſteauneuf, for abridging them of their Liberty in the choice of their Paſtors, which they ever had before, and did by the conſent of their Colloquy allwayes chuſe them either from within, or without the Province; whereas now the Provincial Synod takes unto it ſelf an Abſolute Authority of providing for them; and hath farther declared, That the Portion of the Kings Money, which was wont to be payed in unto the ſaid Church, doth now of right belong unto Monſieur Lubac, although he be none of their Miniſter. nor doth them any Service. This Aſſembly blaming the ſaid Province of Vivaretz for thoſe words, of permitting them to chooſe in times paſt, which ſeem to condemn thoſe Worthy Miniſters who ſo affectionately ſerved the Church of Privas in its neceſſity, as if they had been guilty of ſome grievous fault, whereas they be every way worthy of Commendation and Thank, and not of a Toleration or Connivency: And farther blaming that Synod for thoſe words of Abſolute Authority, which it had arrogated unto it ſelf, It ordains that the Church of Privas ſhall enjoy its free Liberty, and may for the future provide it ſelf of a Paſtor any where as the Lord ſhall give them opportunity, taking always with them the Approbation of their Colloquy and Synod. And foraſmuch as this Aſſembly hath heard talk of Monſieur Lubac, an Order ſhall be ſent him, to appear before them, and to give an Account of himſelf. And in the mean while the Portion due unto the ſaid Lubac ſhall be ſtopped in the p. 21hands of the Province of Vivaretz until ſuch time as he ſhall have cleared himſelf of matters laid unto his charge.

18. Several Elders and other the Inhabitants of the Town of Gignac petitioned that they might have a Paſtor appropriated to them, becauſe of thoſe continual aſſaults they meet with from the Adverſaries of the Goſpel; they appealed alſo from the Synod of Lower Languedoc, which had impoſed upon them againſt their wills Monſieur duChacornas to be their Paſtor. And yet contrariwiſe divers Elders and other the Inhabitants of the ſaid Town of Gignac and St. Andrew Petitioned that the ſaid de Chacornas might be confirmed by the Authority of this Synod to be their Paſtor. The Aſſembly reproving thoſe Inhabitants of Gignac for their levity and unſerious temper, which ingageth them in heats and diſputes exceeding prejudicial unto their Conſciences, and repugnant to the Edifying of Gods Church, and Exhorting them to an Holy Union, Concord, and Perſeverance in the profeſſion of the Truth without wavering, did promiſe to provide them a Miniſter for Six Moneths time, who ſhould make it his buſineſs to reconcile and ſettle them, and afterward they ſhall be recommended unto their Province to give them a fixed Paſtor. And whereas they demand aſſiſtance from us towards the maintenance of their Miniſter, all poſſible care alſo ſhall be taken herein for their full ſatisfaction.

19. An Appeal was brought by the Lord of St. Stephens Baron of Gangers from the Judicial Sentence of the Colloquy of Sauve, ratified by the Provincial Synod of Sevennes and Gevaudan held at Meyruez in the MonethMonth of July laſt, by which the ſaid Baron of Gangers was ordered publickly to be ſuſpended from Communion at the Lords Table for the Injuries and Violencies done by him to Monſieur Coder Miniſter of the Church of Gangers, and farther that if the ſaid Lord continued to trouble the ſaid Codur in the Exerciſe of his Miniſtry, that then the Province would eſpouſe his Quarrel, and defend him by all lawful ways Eccleſiaſtical and Civil. And in the ſame Appeal the Conſuls and Inhabitants of Gangers did by their Deputies repreſent how that the ſame Synod had alſo in the ſame manner cenſured them, for that they had given leave to the ſaid Monſieur Codur to withdraw himſelf from them unto a Neighbour Church, until ſuch time as that the Synod had provided better for him. And yet nevertheleſs they were, enjoyned by the Synod to pay him continually his Stipend as if he were actually in ſervice among them; In ſhort, they demanded, that the ſaid Codur might be removed out of their Town and tranſplanted elſewhere. The Appellants being called in, and heard in all what they had to ſpeak or offer, and the Provincial Deputies of Sevennes in the reaſons moving their Synod to paſs ſuch a Sentence on them; and Monſieur Codur alſo being heard in his defence, and pretended Juſtification, and two Elders of the Church of Gangers with Letters from the Conſiſtory requeſting that the ſaid Church might be no longer deprived of Gods Holy Word and Sacraments: This Aſſembly ratified the Judicial Sentence given by the Synod of Meyruez as to the ſuſpenſion of the Lord Baron of Gangers from the Lords Table, and the Publication of it, together with the cenſure paſt on the ſaid Conſuls and other the Inhabitants of Gangers, as being Complices and Partners with their Lord in all his Violencies and Indignities uſed towards their Paſtor; Moreover it cenſureth the Conſiſtory of the ſaid Church for their Levity; manifeſt enough by their Letters and Teſtimonials contradictory one unto another. And as for Monſieur Codur to procure him peace, and to effect he peace of the ſaid Church of Gangers, he ſhall be removed from the ſaid Church, and the Province of Sevennes are ordered either by their Synod, or by he Colloquy of Anduze to ſettle him elſewhere, and in order hereunto they ſhall be aſſembled before New-years day next coming, till which time the ſaid p. 22Church of Ganges ſhall duly pay him his Stipend, and they ſhall alſo ſatisfie him for all his Arrearages fully unto this very day. And whereas the ſaid Monſieur Codur hath met with a world of Fatigues and Troubles by reaſon of his Imployment in Political Affairs to the great hinderance and unſucceſsfulneſs of his Miniſtry, he is intreated never any more to intangle himſelf with them, nor to aſſiſt in Perſon for the future in any of thoſe Political Aſſemblies. And whereas the ſaid Lord Baron of Gangers, the Conſuls and other Inhabitants of Gangers here preſent were exhorted to reconcile themſelves with the ſaid Monſieur Codur, and the Sieur Codur reciprocally to forget the Injuries he had received, and that they would mutually imbrace each other, and live in an Holy Concord and Love, this was freely and chearfully done by all Parties. Whereupon this National Synod to ſtrengthen and conſolidate this Union, and to conciliate them with thoſe who were abſent, did take off the Suſpenſion from die ſaid Baron, and reſtoreth him to the Peace and Communion of the Church, and by this means all Proceſſes both Civil and Criminal on all ſides ſhall ceaſe, and never be uſed more.

20. Monſieur Gallpin Judge of the City of Ʋſez, appealed from the Synod of Lower Languedoc, which had ſuſpended the ſaid Gallpin from the Lords Table, and ordered that the ſaid Suſpenſion ſhould be publiſhed in the Church. Although this Affair be not of their Nature, which according to the Cannons of our Church-Diſcipline ought to fall under the Cogniſance of National Synods, yet for procuring that ſweet Bleſſing of Peace, and for divers other Important Conſiderations, This Aſſembly did enter upon the Debate thereof; and accordingly judged that the Synod of Lower Languedoc had juſt cauſe for ſuſpending the ſaid Galpin from the Lord's Table, and this not upon the account of his Office, for which they did not in the leaſt intermeddle with him; but for that Reproach the ſaid Galpin hath brought upon the Church very unſeaſonably by his Extravagant Actings againſt the Sieur Gondin Viguier (Provoſt) of the City of Ʋſez; and for diſcovering himſelf by the by to be of another Religion than the Reformed, of which he now makes profeſſion. However the Synod for divers reaſons doth not think meet that his Suſpenſion ſhould be publiſhed. And foraſmuch as the principal end of this Aſſembly is to promote an Holy Union among all the Members of our Church, and principally among Perſons whom God hath in his Providence advanced unto publick Office and Honour, The ſaid Monſieur Galpin is exhorted to reconcile himſelf with Monſieur Gondin, and both of them joyntly to take ſuch Rules and Meaſures as may ſecure the Publick Peace and Tranquility of Gods Church, in their reſpective Places and Callings. And the ſaid Galpin and Gondin having teſtified their acquieſcence in this Decree, they were both reconciled, and promiſed to ſurceaſe all Law-Suits and Proceſſes whatſoever, and to live in Amity and Concord together, and that in caſe they ſhould act contrary to theſe their promiſes, that they would ſubmit themſelves unto all Cenſures of the Church; to ſuſpenſion from the Sacraments, yea, and to Excommunication it ſelf, and that the Conſiſtory and Colloquy of Ʋſez, and the Synod of Lower Languedoc ſhould with the higheſt Authority proceed againſt them. Whereupon the Suſpenſion and its publication decreed againſt the faid Galpin by the Synod of Lower Languedoc was taken off, and he was immediately reſtored to the Peace and Communion of the Church.

21. The Sieur Boulet appealed from the Synod of Lower Languedoc held at Ʋſez in March laſt, becauſe he having oppoſed the Election of Monſieur Aſtier to the Office of an Elder, they had cenſured him. This Aſſembly confirms the Judicial Sentence or the ſaid Synod, and doth grievouſly cenſure the ſaid Boulet for retaining ſo long and notorious a paſſion, contrary p. 23to the Laws of Chriſtian Charity, which forbid us to harbour Wrath, and command us to exerciſe Love unto all Gods Children. And Monſieur Aſtier alſo is ſeverely reproved for expreſſing ſo much diſreſpect as he hath done unto the Sacred Miniſtry, which he hath vented in ſcurrilous and opprobrious Language againſt the ſaid Boulet. And finally the Commiſſioners deputed by the Colloquy to meet at Niſmes about this matter they were very ſharply cenſured for waſting their time, and putting the Parties to ſo great charges by their tedious dilatory proceedings, utterly unbecoming their Calling.

22. A great Number of the Inhabitants of the Town of Sauve appealed from the Cenſure inflicted on them by the Synod of Sevennes held at Vigan the 24th day of April in the year Sixteen Hundred and Seventeen, and requeſted that the ſaid cenſure might be raſed, and taken out of the Acts of the ſaid Synod, and the Conſiſtory there joyned with them, as alſo Monſieur Bony contented ſo far, as that they might have another Miniſter, to exerciſe among them, though herein he acted contrary to the Decree of that Synod, which had inhibited them all Inquiries after a Second Paſtor, This Aſſembly judging this Affair not to be of their kind which ought to be tendered unto the National Synods, doth therefore remand them and it back again unto the Province, and either in a Colloquy, or Synod to procure for themſelves another Miniſter, according to the Rules preſcribed by our Diſcipline, and for Peace ſake it does amend the Cenſure of the Synod of Vigan, and ordaineth, That thoſe words inſerted in it, of factions and quarrelſome ſhall be raſed out of it.

23. The Church of Lormarin together with their Paſtor Monſieur Morrice, and Corrigier one of their Elders appealed from the Synod of Provence held at Remoules in May laſt, which having ſuſpended the ſaid Morrice for three Moneths from the Miniſtry, the ſame Synod did ſome few days after reſtore him again: And yet afterwards they compelled them the ſaid Morrice, and Corrigier to beg the pardon of that Synod upon their knees, the Moderator calling upon God in Prayer before hand on purpoſe to expoſe them, when as there was no cauſe at all, nor had there been any on their part for ſo great an Indignity, they having given no provocation which might merit ſuch ignominious uſage. This Aſſembly condemneth the Province of Provence for abuſing our Diſcipline, and expoſing the Sacred Ordinance of Prayer to contempt and ſcorne, and ordereth that their Act of Suſpenſion paſt in the Synod of Remoules be raſed out, of all Books in which it may have been recorded; and the Acts of the ſaid Synod being wholly cleared, and renewal, the Old Copyes ſhall be delivered into the hands of the ſaid Mr. Morrice, and this preſent Act ſhall be read in the next Synod of Provence by Monſieur Huron their Deputy, and entered into the Regiſter of the Synodical Acts of Provence.

See below in the Catalogue of Apoſtates and Depoſed, Act. 9.Acts 924. Mr. Hector Joly appealed from the Synod of Higher Languedoc held at Puylaurent in June laſt for ſuſpending him a whole year from the Miniſtry, and that term expired for ordering him to quit the Province, though they licenſed him if he could, to get himſelf into ſome other Church in another Province. The cauſe of his ſuſpenſion was Adultery: And the Church and City of Montauban complained of the too much Lenity and Indulgence extended by that Synod towards the ſaid Joly, and of their cenſure given forth againſt the Conſiſtory of Montauban. The Deputies of the ſaid Province declared the true grounds of their Synodical actings againſt Joly, and of their cenſure upon the Conſiſtory to be theſe, viz. Becauſe they had neglected their Duty to him, and the formes requiſite and uſual in all our Eccleſiaſtical proceedings. Joly alſo was called in, and ſuffered to ſpeak for himſelf, and to produce by word of Mouth and Writing whatever might make for his Defence and Juſtification. But after p. 24all that could be ſaid by him or for him, This Aſſembly approved the Judicial Sentence of the ſaid Synod of Puylaurent in every Title and Member of it, yea, and in its cenſure inflicted on the Conſiſtory of Montauban, becauſe of the notorious defaults confeſſed by them in their actings. And all matters having been narrowly examined and conſidered; which were alledged by the ſaid Joly, and particularly thoſe Acts now produced by him, he was now found to be really guilty of that Crime whereof he ſtood accuſed, and of very foul and wicked practiſes to palliate and ſtifle it. Inſomuch as his Miniſtry could be no longer uſeful, but muſt needs be a very great and publick ſcandal. For theſe Cauſes this Aſſembly aggravated the Judgment of the Synod of Puylaurent, doth now declare the ſaid Joly to be totally depoſed from the Sacred Miniſtry and interdicts him all manner of Acts, Duties, and Exerciſes appertaining to it. And at his requeſt. the Papers which he had produced out of the Civil Courts were all returned into his own hands.

See below in the Catalogue of the Apoſtates and Depoſed.25. Stephen Girault appealed from the Synod of Xaintonge held at Marennes in July Sixteen Hundred and Seventeen, which had declared him utterly unworthy of that Holy and Honourable Office of a Paſtor in the Church of God, and depoſed him from the Miniſtry, without any hope of ever being reſtored to it, unleſs he did wholly reform his Life and Manners, and become a new Man before the ſitting of this preſent National Synod; and likewiſe he appealed from another Sentence ſince that of the aforeſaid Synod paſt upon him by the Sieurs Conſtans and Roſſel Deputed by the Colloquy of Pons in December, in One Thouſand Six Hundred and Nineteen, to make inquiry into the Life and Converſation of the ſaid Giraud, by which he was ſuſpended for Three Moneths from Communion with the Church of God at the Lords Table, and this his Suſpenſion was ordered to be notified from the Pulpit to the whole Congregation. The Deputies of the Province of Xaintonge were deſired to declare the Reaſons of their rigorous dealings with this Girault, and Girault alſo was heard in all his Apologies for himſelf both by word of Mouth and Writing. In which he confeſt and owned ſome of the Crimes whereof he was accuſed, but confidently extenuated and denied others: This Aſſembly finding the ſaid Stephen Girault convicted of Prophaneneſs and Laſciviouſneſs, Drunkenneſs, Theft, Perjury, contempt of Church-Diſcipline, Slandering, Coveting diſhoneſt gain; in ſhort, a Fellow whoſe Life and Manners have no reſemblance with that of a Servant of God, but directly contrary to him, and one who is utterly unworthy the Name of a Chriſtian. It hath and doth now declare him to be depoſed from the Holy Miniſtry, and totally interdicts him all manner of Acts and Offices belonging to it; leaving it to the judgement of that Church, where he ſhall reſide, whether they will admit him or no as a private Perſon to communion with them at the Lords Table, which yet they ſhall not do till ſuch time as they have had long and undoubted Evidence and Experience of his thorough Reformation and Amendment of Life, and conceive him worthy of ſo great a Favour and Priviledge upon very good and ſatisfactory Grounds and Reaſons.

26. The Colloquy of Rouergue preſented their Appeal by Monſieur Jaques Paſtor of the Church of St. Breueſt, from the Synod of Higher Languedock held at Millaud, by which the ſaid Colloquy was condemned to pay Five Hundred Livers (another Copy has Five Hundred Crowns) unto Monſieur du Luc, for razing the place at Monntelarat it being a matter obtained by ſurprize, and againſt that uſe whereunto the Churches Money is to be imployed. After hearing the Arguments of the ſaid de Luc againſt the ſaid Colloquy, and the reaſons alleadged by the Deputies of the Province, the Aſſembly did not judge this Affair to belong to the Cogniſance p. 25of Synods, and therefore remands it back again to the Cities and Corporations in the Colloquy of Rouergue, that they may give ſatisfaction as they ſhall ſee reaſon for it. The Moneys granted us by the Kings bounty ſhall ſee reaſon for it. The Moneys granted us by the Kings bounty being deſtinated to other and better purpoſes.

27. The Church of Authun and Couches appealed from the Synod of Burgundy, which refuſed to give them Monſieur Textor for their Miniſter, and had cenſured them for that they perſiſted in their Endeavours to procure him. This Aſſembly not being able to invalidate the Judgment of the ſaid Province of Burgundy, becauſe thoſe who are concern'd in it, are not here neither in their Perſons, nor by their Memoirs, yet doth it however enjoyn the ſaid Province to take care, That the ſaid Church of Cauches be ſpeedily ſupplyed with an able Miniſter according to the Canons of our Eccleſiaſtical Diſcipline.

28. The Church of Fouſſay appealed about the maintenance of Monſieur Vatable their Paſtor from the Synod of Poictou; but their Appeal was rejected becauſe it was of the nature of thoſe things which might be determined by Provincial Synods.

29. The Sieur des Maretz appealed from a Decree of the Synod of Vivaretz held at Privas, which had confirmed thoſe Orders of the Colloquy of Rochefoucaut dated the 25th of June, 1619. and that of Privas Dated the 10th of November, 1619. and injoyned him the ſaid des Maretz wholly to quit the Church of Vals as ſoon as they ſhould have paid him the remainders of his Sallary. The Deputies of the Church of Vals petitioned that they might be provided of another Paſtor, and thoſe of the Province produced the reaſons moving them to pronounce that judgment againſt him. Upon the whole, this Aſſembly, although it doth confirm that Ordinance of the Synod of Vivaretz as to the removal of the ſaid des Maretz from the Church of Vals, yet cannot in the leaſt approve of the proceedings of the ſaid Province in their manner of Interdicting him his Miniſtry there: And although he be exhorted to be more careful in preſerving the Honour of his Calling, and to adorn it with that prudence and gravity which well becomes it; yet nevertheleſs do we recommend him unto the ſaid Province of Vivaretz to ſettle him in ſome particular Church, which ſhall be done either by the Colloquy or Synod. And that till he be provided, he may maintain himſelf and Family, the ſaid Province ſhall give him one Portion free of all Rates and Taxes out of the Moneys granted us by His Majeſties Liberality, and Fifteen Crowns in ready Money for the Expences of his Journey, and the Church of Vals ſhall pay him off fully his wages to this very day; and to this purpoſe the Moneys which would otherwiſe accrew unto the ſaid Church of Vals ſhall be detained in the hands of the Receiver of the Province of Vivaretz: And the Sieurs Agar and Richaud are charged by this Aſſembly that they do both of them in their reſpective Places and Capacities uſe their beſt indeavours that the ſaid Church do give all content and ſatisfaction unto the ſaid Sieur des Maretz.

A Canon made againſt thoſe Churches who fill their Conſiſtories with Perſons nearly related by blood or Affinity each to other.30. Monſieur de la Cloche appealed from the Provincial Synod of Britain for detaining from him, as he pretended, Moneys which were owed him by the Church of Nantes. This Aſſembly diſmiſſeth him over to the Province of Anjou, who ſhall judge definitively in this matter according to the Cannons of our Diſcipline.

31. The Church of Chalays appealed from an Order of the Synod of Burgundy held at Gex in the year 1617, about an oppoſition made by Monſieur du Noyer an Advocate againſt the admiſſion of ſeveral Perſons nominated to be Elders, becauſe already the Conſiſtory of that Church was filled up with near Relations, as of Father and Son, Three Brothers in Law, an Uncle and Nephew, and that the ſaid du Noyer having oppoſed p. 26himſelf to this diſorder, they did thereupon ſuſpend him from being an Elder in the ſaid Church. This Aſſembly judgeth that the ſaid oppoſition was very warrantable, becauſe of the many Relations and Kindred that were in it; and that the Colloquy did but right, when they took off the Counſel from the ſaid du Noyer: And though for the preſent it ſuffers the State of the Conſiſtory of the ſaid Church of Chalais to continue, yet, doth it injoyne them for the future to obſerve as much as in them lieth the Conſul given them by the Synod of Burgundy, concerning their change of Elders: So that they had no cauſe at all, nor ought they to have appealed from that Synodical Exhortation.

32. The Church of Valon, la Gorce, and Salvas appealed from the Province of Vivaretz, for denying them help and aſſiſtance by which they might have ſtemm'd and reſiſted thoſe many Evils befallen them by the Perſecution of the Baron of la Gorce; and for not ſuffering them to be incorporated with the Province of Lower Languedoc, which they had moſt earneſtly deſired and requeſted, do ſtill perſiſt in their deſire of being incorporated with it. This Aſſembly cannot conſent that the ſaid Church of Valon ſhould be ſevered from the Province of Vivaretz, for many and weighty Reaſons; and therefore enjoyneth the ſaid Province of Vivaretz to have a moſt eſpecial care of the ſaid Church of Valon in their diſtribution of His Majeſties Money, that ſo they may be aided and ſupported under their many and heavy Burdens and moſt grievous Oppreſſions.

33. The Church of Milhaud brought their Appeal from a Judgment of the Province of Sevennes, which refuſed to repay them the Charges they had been at in maintaining Noel le Gele, formerly a Carmelit, Fryer in the Church of Rome, and ſent by the Church of Maruejols unto that of Milhaud. This Aſſembly judgeth that the Colloquy of Rouergue ſhould defray his Charges, becauſe the ſaid le Gele is dedicated to their Service.

43. The Church of Luke appealing from the Synod of Provence, This Aſſembly judged that their demand of being reimburſt their Charges for the pretended Synod of Thouars could not be admitted, becauſe they did not therein ſuffer alone, but all the Churches bore them Company in the ſaid Province of Provence; nor ſhould there be any words made about the Twenty Crowns, which the ſaid Synod ordered for a Schoolmaſter, becauſe we would not have old Diſſentions long ſince extinguiſhed to be again revived; and it cannot be made appear that the ſaid Summ of Twenty Crowns was ever actually paid: And whereas they demand ſome relief; for the future there ſhall be Conſideration had of them in the Dividends of His Maieſties Bounty.

35. The Church of Montpellier appealed from the Synod of Lower. Languedoc about the Collection made for building the Temple at Caſtelnau; but their Appeal was rejected, and the Decree of that Synod confirmed, on Condition, that the Miniſter who ſhall be ſetled in that Church of Caſtelnau and its Annexed Congregations do reſide not at Montpellier, but at Montferrier, Clappier, or in ſome other place moſt convenient for the Service of that Church, and the Temple ſhall be built at a greater diſtance from Montpellier, and the Elders ſhall be choſen out of the places where the ſaid Church is gathered, or in caſe they dwell at Montpellier, they ſhall not be choſen without the conſent of the Conſiſtory of Montpellier, and if a Collection ſhould be made in that Church for building a Temple in the midſt of the places before-mentioned; The ſaid Church ſhall appoint one of her Elders by name to gather and diſtribute the Moneys ſo Collected according as was ordained by the Synod of Lower Languedoc.

p. 2736. The Deputies of the Province of Burgundy preſented a Letter from Monſieur de Monſenglard Paſtor of the Church of Corbigny, with his Appeal from the Sentence of the Colloquy of Berry held at Corbigny, who notwithſtanding the great and known Poverty of his Church, had by their decree ſtrook off Fifty Livres a year from his Wages, and in caſe he could not bear it, he ſhould be put into the Catalogue of Miniſters that were to be removed, and in purſuance of another Decree of the Synod of Berry and Orleans held at Gergean in July laſt, they moderating ſomewhat of the rigour of the ſaid Sentence, did order the ſaid Sieur de Montſanglard to reſt contented with the Summ of Four Hundred and Fifty Livres, but ye withall, they ratified another part of that Sentence, which was that he ſhould be enrolled amongſt the Paſtors who were to be removed unto other Churches, unleſs his ſaid Church would rather chuſe to complete the Sum of Five Hundred Livres yearly for him, and then the Execution of the ſaid Decree ſhould be forborn till the meeting of the next Synod Letters alſo were read from the ſaid Church of Corbigny declaring their deep poverty, and requeſting a charitable relief for their ſubſiſtence, but they did not make any the leaſt mention of their Appeal. And the Deputies of the ſaid Province of Berry made Report, That the ſaid Sieur de Monſanglard had not brought in any Appeal unto their Synod from that Decree, whoſe Execution is put off till the meeting of the next Synod, nor doth he at all intimate it, nor did the ſaid Church of Corbigny in his or their Letters now lately received by them, intimate that there was any ſuch Appeal of his own foot; but this only that he joyneth in with them in their Common Petition for Aſſiſtance and Relief, as alſo did theſe Deputies for them. This Aſſembly remands the buſineſs of the ſaid Monſanglard unto the Synod of Berry, and as for that Relief requeſted by the ſaid Church, care ſhall be taken of it, when we come to make a Dividend of the Churches Moneys.

37. The Appeal of the Colloquy of Rovergue from the Synod of higher Languedoc concerning Monſieur Combret is declared null.

38. The Appeal of the Colloquy of Ʋſez from the Synod of Lower Languedoc, (which had ordained that the Portions aſſigned to Profeſſors in the Univerſity of Niſmes, being Miniſters of the Goſpel, though not in actual Service becauſe of their ſaid Profeſſorſhip, ſhould be free and diſcharged of all Coſts and Taxes,) was declared to be ill grounded, and the Synodical Decree is now ratified.

39. The Appeal of Monſieur Vulſon la Colombiere from the Synod of Dolphiny held at Gap was declared null and void.

40. The Appeal of Sieur Philippin born at Newcaſtle in Switzerland, See the Liſt of the Depoſed, Act. 9.Acts 9heretofore Miniſter at Caſtel: Dolphin in Dolphiny, but now a depoſed Miniſter is declared null and void.

41. The Appeal of Monſieur Connain from the Synod of Burgundy was rejected.

42. The Appeal of the Conſuls and Magiſtrates of the City of Millhaud from the Synod of higher Languedoc was declared null, as were alſo that of divers Inhabitants of St. Autonine, and that of the Colloquy of Lower Queroy againſt the Church of Montauban.

43. The Appeal of the Churches of St. Andrew, St Marcel and Saumain from the Synod of Sevennes was declared null.

44. The Appeal of Monſieur de Falquerolles from the ſame Provincial Synod was alſo declared null, and that Canon of the ſaid Province aſcertaining the Expences of Deputies unto Political Aſſemblies ſhall be obſerved.

p. 2845. The Appeal of the Church of St. Paul in Lauragais againſt Monſieur de Villemar a Member of the Synod of higher Languedoc held at Puylaurent in June laſt was declared null.

46. The Appeal brought in by Monſieur de Malvolſin in behalf of the Colloquy of Albigeois from the Decree made in the laſt Synod of Puylaurens in the higher Languedoc about diſmembring the Church of St. Amand from that Colloquy, was declared null, becauſe he produced no Memoire from the ſaid Colloquy relating to it.

47. The Appeal of Monſieur Bleuet from a Decree of the Synod of Burgundy about reſtoring a certain Elder in the Church of Beaune was remanded back again to the ſaid Province, that their next Synod might judge of the matter.

48. The Colloquy of the Church of Sancerre appealed from the Synod of Orleans and Berry held at Sancerre in the year Sixteen Hundred and Nineteen, which ordain that the Church of Sancerre ſhould be divided from the ſaid Colloquy, and joyned unto that of Bourbonnois, and the Church of Chilleure ſhould be annexed unto that of Sancerre. Monſieur de Benes gave in the reaſons of the Colloquies Appeal in their Name, and the Deputies of that Province defended the Ordinance of their Principals; upon hearing of both Parties, This Aſſembly abrogated that Ordinance of the Synod of Berry, and leaveth the ſaid Churches in the ſame Condition they were in formerly.

49. The Church of Montauban brought their Appeal againſt the Provincial Synod of Sevennes, for denying them Monſieur Ollyer one of the Miniſters in the Town of Alez to be their Paſtor. The Deputies of the ſaid Church of Montauban were heard ſpeaking for it, the Conſuls, Magiſtrates, and Conſiſtory of the Town and Church of Alez for themſelves alſo, and particularly Monſieur Ollier who reſigned himſelf wholly to the diſpoſal of this Aſſembly; and the Deputies of the Province of Sevennes gave in the reaſons of their refuſal, viz. the ſingular fruitfulneſs and ſucceſs of the Miniſtry of the ſaid Monſieur Ollier among them. After all, the Aſſembly confirmed Monſieur Ollyer in his Paſtoral Office to the Church of Alez according to the Canons of our Church Diſcipline, and adviſeth the Church of Montauban to mind their Duty better for the future than they have done heretofore, in maintaining one or more Scholars, who may ſerve them in caſe of need, without being inforced to rob and ſpoil other Churches.

See below in the Catalogue of Depoſed Miniſters, Act 7. of this Cottelier.Acts 750. Monſieur Matthew Lanſard appealed from the Synod of Lower Languedoc held at Ʋſez in May laſt, which had reſtored the Sieur John Cottelier formerly Miniſter in the Church of Niſmes unto the exerciſe of his Miniſtry, upon condition that he ſhould employ himſelf in ſome other Province, contrary to the Decree of the foregoing Synod in the ſame Province held at Malquel in the MonethMonth of May, 1619; which had depoſed the ſaid Cottelier from the Sacred Miniſtry as a Perſon utterly unworthy ſo Holy and Honourable a Calling. The ſaid Cottelier was called in, and heard ſpeak for himſelf againſt the ſaid Lanſard, and whatever he could urge in his own Defence, and Juſtification; and the Deputies of the Province brought in the Reaſons and Motives both of the one and other Sentence, and of the Enquiry made about him at Niſmes by Commiſſioners ſent thither to that very end and purpoſe. Upon the whole, this Aſſembly did very grievouſly cenſure that Province of Lower Languedoc for reſtoring the ſaid Cottelier again unto the Miniſterial Office, contrary to the Canons of our Church-Diſcipline; and it doth alſo cenſure the Church of Montpellier for ſuffering him to adminiſter the Sacrament of the Lords Supper among them, and other Churches were cenſured, which admitted him to preach in their Pulpits in that Province of Lower Languedoc, at that time when as p. 29he was interdicted all the Duties of a Goſpel Miniſter in that very Province. And foraſmuch as the ſaid Cottelier hath by his Vices and Debauches rendred himſelf utterly unworthy of ſo Sacred a Function, this Aſſembly doth now totally depoſe him from the Holy Miniſtry, without any the leaſt hopes of his ever being reſtored to it.

51. The Appeal of the Colloquy of Albigeois from the Synod of Higher Languedoc held at Puylaurent about Church Rates is diſmiſſed over to the Colloquy of Montpellier in Lower Languedoc.

52. The Appeal of the Church of Realmont againſt that of la Fanaſſe brought in at firſt into the Synod of Puylaurent in the Higher Languedoc, and from thence hither, is now declared null.

53. The Appeal of the Conſiſtory and Church of la Tremblade from the Cenſure and Judgment given againſt them by the Synod of Xaintonge held at Marennes was rejected; becauſe the contents thereof was of that nature, which might be finally determined in their own Province.

54. In like manner the Appeal of the Church of Bruillet in the ſame Province of Xaintonge, and that of Monſieur de la Chauſſee Elder in the Church of St. Claud brought againſt the Synod of the ſame Province held at St. John d' Angely about the Miniſtry of Monſieur Hog was rejected; becauſe the matters of both theſe Appeals might be finally decided within their own Province.

55. The Province of Poictou brought in an Appeal againſt the Univerſity Council of Saumur about their receiving of Monſieur Cameron into the Profeſſorſhip of Divinity, whereunto he was called by them, according to a Decree of the Synod of Anjou. The Deputies of Poictou were heard in their Arguments and Oppoſitions made againſt the Sieur Camerons promotion unto that Chair; and the Deputies of Anjou were heard ſpeak for their Province, and for the Univerſity of Saumur, as alſo Monſieur Vignier, who with the Sieurs de la Buiſſonniter and de la Place had been called in from the Neighbour Provinces by the ſaid Univerſity to examin the ſaid Sieur Cameron. Although this Aſſembly believeth that the ſaid Province of Poictou were ſtirred up unto their Oppoſition by a Godly Zeal, yet notwithſtanding it doth approve and confirm whatever hath been done by the Province of Anjou, by the Univerſity of Saumur, and by all the Commiſſioners of the other Provinces in the Call of the aforeſaid Monſieur Cameron unto the Profeſſion of Theology, and declares it to have been well and lawfully done by (them.

56. Monſieur Mahaut appealed from the Synod of Normandy, for not approving his Call unto the Church of Roan, which had choſen him for their Paſtor, and he had accepted of it, being now out of all Employment, and not related unto any Church. This Aſſembly could not approve of the Church of Roans dealings with the ſaid Sieur Mahaut, no more than it can of their diſtinction made between the moſt eminent Members and the Heads of Families, which they are forbidden to uſe for the future, becauſe of many inconveniencies that may enſue upon it: And yet foraſmuch as the ſaid Sieur Mahaut hath requeſted to be diſcharged from the ſaid Church of Roan, as is evident from the Conſiſtorial Acts of that Church, which were produced, he hath no reaſon to repute himſelf their Paſtor. And that the ſaid Mahaut may have an Anſwer unto his Letters ſent unto this Synod, he is remanded back unto the next Provincial Synod of Normandy, who ſhall diſpoſe of the Perſon and Miniſtry of the ſaid Monſieur Mahaut by vertue of the Authority of this Aſſembly, and in the mean while according to the Decree of the Synod of Normandy he ſhall go and ſerve the Church of Ponteau de Mer.

p. 3057. The Church of Niſmes appealed from the Synod of Lower Languedoc held at Malguiol for denying them Monſieur Chauve to be their Paſtor. Whereupon the Counſellors, Magiſtrates and Conſuls of Niſmes, as alſo the Deputies from Sommieres were called in, and heard in what they had to oppoſe againſt this Appeal of Niſmes, who pleaded their particular Right unto the Perſon and Miniſtry of the ſaid Monſieur Chauve. There were Deputies alſo from the Church of Montauban on the ſame Errand, demanding that he might be conferr'd upon them. This Aſſembly alſo ſounded the inclination of this Reverend Miniſter, who did as ingeniouſly inform them that there is and ever had been a moſt ſincere and mutual Affection and Correſpondence between him and his Church of Sommiers, and that the Lord had poured out a ſingular Benediction upon his poor Labours in it. The Deputies alſo of the Province of Lower Languedoc gave in their Reaſons why they had refuſed him unto the Church of Niſmes. All which having been maturely debated and conſidered, This Aſſembly did confirm Monſieur Chauve in his Miniſterial Relation unto the Church of Sommieres, concurring herein with the judicial Sentence of the ſaid Province, and yet compaſſionating the neceſſities of that Chrch of Niſmes, it doth lend the ſaid Monſieur Chauve to them for one year, to begin from that day he ſhall be choſen by the Church of Niſmes, and that time expired, he ſhall return again unto Sommieres there to fulfill the Miniſtry he hath received from the Lord.

58. The Church of St. Martin de Bobaux appealed from the Synod of Sevennes for having aſſigned them no more than Ten Crowns in liew of all that aſſiſtance which was granted them by the National Synod of Vitre. This Aſſembly ordained that the ſaid Church of St. Martyn ſhall receive a free Portion diſcharged of all Rates and Taxes out of the Moneys appropriated to the ſaid Province of Sevennes.

59. The Church of Ars in the Iſle of Re appealed from the Synod of Xaintonge, becauſe it had ordered Monſieur Cheſnet their Paſtor to be removed from them unto that of St. John de Angely. The Letters of the ſaid Church being read, and the Deputies of the Province, and the Sieur Cheſnet being heard; This Aſſembly confirms his Miniſtry in the Church of Ars, and leaveth the Province of Xaintonge to take care for the Church of St. John d' Angely, and to ſupply its preſent neceſſities by ſome other Perſon.

60. The Lords Magiſtrates, Conſuls, and Conſiſtory of the City and Church of Niſmes brought in their Appeal from the Synod of Higher Languedoc held at Mazieres for denying them Monſieur Chamier to be their Profeſſor in Divinity. The Remonſtrances and Petitions of the Deputies of Lower Languedoc being heard, as alſo the Arguments urged to the contrary by the Lords in the Government of Niſmes, and the Conſiſtory and Council of the Univerſity of Montauban, and the reaſons of the Synod of Higher Languedoc being reported by the Deputies of that Province, declaring the grounds of their Refuſal: This Aſſembly would not alter any thing in the ſaid Univerſity of Montauban, and therefore confirmed Monſieur Chamier in his Miniſtry, and Profeſſorſhip there; and exhorts the Lords Magiſtrates and Conſuls of the City of Montauban, and the whole Church to give full contentment unto the ſaid Monſieur Chamier, that ſo he may be the more incouraged in his great labours among them, and be the more uſeful to him.

61. The Churches of Caen and Santal appealed from the Provincial Synod of Normandy about a certain Summ of Money aſſigned to the Colledge of the ſaid Province: But this Appeal was turned over to the neareſt Colloquy of the Iſle of France.

p. 3162. The Church of St. Pons brought their Appeal from the Synod of Vivaretz, held at Chaſteauneuf, for that it had appointed Monſieur de la Motte to be the Paſtor of their Church together with that of Mirabel, contrary to the deſires of the ſaid Church of Pons, and that Fourſcore Livres which was formerly aſſigned unto both thoſe Churches in common, were now wholly attributed by the ſame Province unto the ſole Church of Mirabel. This Aſſembly conſidering the many difficulties and obſtructions that Monſieur de la Motte conflicts withall in the exerciſe of his Miniſtry in that Church of St. Pons, doth injoyn the Colloquy of Aubenas, to provide the ſaid Sieur de la Motte of another Church, and that they may do it the more eaſily, it ſhall be by way of Exchange, tranſlating ſome other Miniſter into his place, to whom Monſieur de la Motte ſhall be ſubſtituted, and ſo the ſaid Churches of St. Pons and Mirabel may continue incorporated each with the other and mutually enjoy the ſaid Summ of Fourſcore Livres, an augmentation granted them by their Province towards the maintenance of their Miniſter. And in caſe the Colloquy cannot provide a Church for the ſaid Sieur de la Motte, matters ſhall remain in the ſame State as they now be till the ſitting of their next Provincial Synod. And in the mean while the ſaid Church of St. Pons ſhall be aſſiſted and ſupplied by the Paſtors of that Colloquy, each of them preaching to it in his reſpective turn.

63. An Appeal was brought by ſundry of the Inhabitants of St. Lawrence D'aiguze in the Lower Languedoc againſt certain Orders of the Colloquy of Niſmes held at Aimargues in February laſt, and of the Synod of Lower Languedoc held at Ʋſez, in the MonethMonth of May laſt, for reſtoring the Sieur Gabriel Tuffan unto the Holy Miniſtry, from which he was ſuſpended by the Colloquy of Niſmes held at the ſaid Aimargues in July of the year 1619, though he was never duly abſolved from thoſe Crimes of which he was accuſed, and for which he was ſuſpended the Miniſterial Office. The Deputies of Lower Languedoc were heard declaring the Reaſons of their Judicial Sentence, and the Commiſſioners of the Colloquy of Niſmes giving in theirs, and the ſaid Tuffan ſpeak for himſelf; After which, the Aſſembly debated with themſelves the whole Affair, and cenſured the ſaid Province, and particularly their Commiſſioners for their want of gravity, and groſs ſelf-contradiction in all their proceedings:See concerning this Tuffan the 2d. Synod of Charenton, in the Catalogue of Apoſtates. And as for the ſaid Sieur Tuffan he being found guilty of plunging himſelf Head and Ears in State-Matters and Buſineſſes of this World, expreſly contrary to the Precept of the Apoſtle, and having thereby contracted on himſelf much guilt, utterly unworthy a Perſon of his Calling; This Aſſembly ſuſpended him from the Sacred Miniſtry, and interdicted him all the Functions thereof till the ſitting of the next National Synod; by which he may be reſtored, provided that he bring with him ſufficient Teſtimonials to it of his Repentance and Religious Converſation, and of his ſerious improvement of this Publick Reprehenſion. And in caſe the next National Synod cannot be conven'd in the year Sixteen Hundred Twenty and Three, the Synod of the Lower Languedoc may reſtore him unto his Office, but not to ſerve within the Precincts of the Colloquy of Niſmes. And in the mean while a Portion ſhall given him yearly for his ſubſiſtance free of all Rates and Taxes by the ſaid Province. And the Church of Bellegarde together with the annexed Congregations ſhall notwithſtanding this Synodical Sentence paſt upon him, give him the ſaid Tuffan full ſatisfaction for the time that he did them Service as their Miniſter; and the Colloquy ſhall ſee them do it.

64. An Appeal was brought by the Church of Alez about a Pulpit ſet up in the midſt of the Womens Seats, which hath occaſioned divers Quarrels, Batteries, Law-Suits, and Suſpenſions from the Lords Table. p. 32But the Deciſion of it was diſmiſſed over to the Colloquy of Ʋſez in the Lower Languedoc.