The Acts of Famous National Councils of the Reformed Churches in France, 25 (Castres) · Chapter 24
CHAP. XXIV. Diſcipline Exerciſed upon a Vitious Miniſter.
53. WHereas James Jolly ſometimes Paſtor of the Church of Milhaud appealed from a Sentence paſt againſt him by the Synod of Higher Languedoc, which had depoſed him from the Holy Miniſtry: Upon hearing the Deputies of that Province, and the ſaid Jolly himſelf, who having been divers times ſummon'd to clear himſelf of the Crimes laid unto his charge, though to no purpoſe, for he could never do it: The Synod ratified the Sentence paſt againſt him in every article and particular; and becauſe the qualities of his Crimes proved upon him are very hainous and atrocious, as tempting and ſolliciting of Women to Adultery, abominable and profane Speeches, profeſſed reſolves and purpoſes to Apoſtatize from the True Religion, and Bleſſed Goſpel of our Lord Jeſus, perſwading and enticing, like the Devils, other Miniſters of Chriſt to joyn with him in his Revolt and Apoſtacy, from all which horrible and ſcandalous Accuſations he was bound in Honour and Conſcience to purge himſelf, and had he been innocent, or had he but the leaſt ſpark of Grace, or one grain of the fear of God been leſt in him, he would have done it: Moreover the ſaid Jolly having diſcourſed with a great deal of impudence, hardneſs and ungodlineſs in the very preſence of the Synod, and betook himſelf unto buſineſs utterly inconſiſtent with the Sacred Calling of a Miniſter, for which, had he none other guilt upon him, he would have merited a Depoſal from that Honourable Office, The Synod ſeized with a juſt horror at his impenitency, and aggravating the Sentence of his Provincial Synod, denounceth the ſaid Jolly utterly unworthy, and altogether uncapable of any imployment in the Sacred Miniſtry of the Goſpel, depoſeth him, and doth now from this Inſtant declare him to be depoſed from the Miniſterial Function, and for ever uncapable of being reſtored to it, and depriveth him of all Communion in the Sacraments, unto which he ſhall not be admitted, 'till we have had a very long proof, and ſome years Tryal and Experience of his Repentance and Reformation, and that he have publickly and penitently acknowledged thoſe great and hainous ſcandals he hath given unto the Church of God; and in caſe he perſiſt in his Rebellions, then the Conſiſtories and Colloquies being aſſembled together ſhall deliver him over unto the Devil by that dreadful Sentence of Excommunication.
54. The Overſeers of the Poor in the Church of Anduze appealed from a Decree of the Synod of Higher Languedoc, and the Lord Aldebert Judge of Sauve complained againſt the Sieur John Bony Paſtor of the Church of St. John of Cardonengue. Maſter Cailou was heard ſpeak in behalf of the Church of Anduze, and Mr. Aldebert the younger opened the reaſons of their Appeal, and Mr. Bony together with the Provincial Deputies Apologized for themſelves againſt thorn. The Council having accurately conſidered all the Accuſations and Matters of Offence included in thoſe proceedings, judgeth that Mr. Bony deſerveth a very heavy Cenſure for notorious Avarice and diſhoneſt Gain, the guilt of which is apparent and viſible upon him, for that he diſpoſed of the Goods of Pernette Andouyne to his own and his Childrens profit, contrary to the Will and Teſtament ſhe had once made in favour of the poor Members of the Church of Anduze. Moreover the Council declareth that the ſaid Maſter Bony cannot with a good Conſcience detain and appropriate unto his own uſe the Goods aforeſaid, but ought immediately to reſtore them; and to this purpoſe he was exhorted to chooſe Arbitrators as the ſaid Overſeers of the Poor would alſo to compoſe the differences between them, and to agree upon the terms of reſtitution: And it was farther intimated to him, that in caſe the Execution of this Decree were in the leaſt hindred or delayed by him the ſaid Bony, that the next Colloquy of Niſmes was Authorized to proceed againſt him, and to Depoſe him from the Miniſtry. And foraſmuch as he hath expreſt his Repentance with grief, and ſhame for his Sin, and promiſed the Synod to give full ſatisfaction as before, and for that he hath patiently and penitently borne the Suſpenſion from his Office inflicted on him ſome Moneths ago, The Synod doth reſtore him to the Exerciſe of his Miniſtry. And whereas Monſieur Aldebert before-mentioned had been ſuſpended from the Lords Table, that Cenſure, together with his being taxed for a Calumniator, are both ordered to be taken off from him, but he ſhall be firſt publickly reproved in the Perſon of his Son for that exceſſive Paſſion manifeſted by him in his Accuſations, Proſecutions, and bitter Expreſſions in his Letters, all which exaſperated the Province of Higher Languedoc againſt him, and were the true meritorious cauſes why he was ſo ſeverely judged by them. And both of thoſe Gentlemen Bony and Aldebert are exhorted to a mutual reconciliation, and forgetfulneſs of what is paſt, and particularly the ſaid Aldebert is adviſed to demean himſelf for the future with more Candor and Charity towards the ſaid Bony: And in caſe there ſhould happen any new matter of Accuſation againſt him, that he do proſecute him according to the Forms and Canons of our Church Diſcipline. Moreover Maſter Melucis and Berle Paſtors, and Witneſſes to the aforeſaid Teſtament ſhall be examined by their next Provincial Synod about their hand in this matter, that ſo they may be dealt withal according to their demerits. And whereas Monſieur de Surville another Miniſter could have given in a material Evidence againſt the ſaid Bony, but was ſworn to Secrecy, he alſo ſhall be called to an account, and Juſtice ſhall be done upon him.