The Acts of Famous National Councils of the Reformed Churches in France, 16 (Jargeau) – Half title 17

The Acts of Famous National Councils of the Reformed Churches in France · 16 (Jargeau) – Half title 17

p. 2081601. Synod XVI.THE Synod of Gergeau.

SYNOD XVI.

Acts of the National Synod of the Reformed Churches of France, held at Gergeau, the Ninth Day of May, in the Year of our Lord One Thouſand ſix hundred and one.

CHAP. I. Of the DEPƲTIES.

Monſieur Pacard was choſen Moderator.

Monſieur Lieuin, Lord of Beaulieu, Aſſeſſor.

Monſieur Chamier, and Scribes.

Monſieur Mercier, Scribes.

There aſſembled in it the Paſtors and Elders hereafter named.

FOR the Iſle of France, Picardy, and Champagne, Monſieur Antony de la Fay, Miniſter and Paſtor of the Church of Paris; Monſieur John Lieuin, Lord of Beaulieu, Miniſter of the Church of Auverne in Vexin le Francois; and Monſieur Joſia Mercier, Lord of Bordes, Elder of the Church of Paris; and Peter de **Alias, De Naudet.Neuelet, Lord of Doſcher, Elder in the Church of Vitry.

For the Province of Orleans, Berry, Blefoiis, and Nivernois, Monſieur Adam D'Orival, Miniſter of the Church of Sancerre; and Joachim Du Moulin, Miniſter of Orleans, together with Monſieur Samuel de Chambaran, Elder of the Church of Romorantin; and Claudius Meſland, Elder of the Church at Orleans.

For the Province of Normandy, Monſieur Rene Bouchard, Paſtor of the Church of Rouau; and John Eude, Paſtor of Bayeux, together with Monſieur James du Hamel. Lord of Parke, Elder of Alencon; and William de Maintu, Elder of Boiſlebecque.

For the Province of Brittany, at preſent united with that of Normandy, there came the Tenth of May Monſieur John Parent, Paſtor of the Church of Vitre.

For the Province of Dolphiny, and Principality of Orange, Monſieur Daniel Chamier, Paſtor of Mountlimart; and John Perryn, Paſtor of St. Bonnet, with Monſieur Mark D'Ʋre, Elder of Courtaiſon; and Francis de la Combe, Elder of St. Marcelin.

p. 209For the Province of Lower Languedoc, Monſieur John Gigard, Paſtor of Montpellier; and Simeon Codur, Paſtor of Ʋſez; together with Monſieur Iſaac Chairon, Elder of Niſmes.

For Lower Guyenne, Monſieur John Nodon, Lord of Montbaron, Paſtor of Iſſejac; and Jeremiah Bauconis, Paſtor of Tonius; with Monſieur Chriſtopher Forton, Elder in the Church of Bourdeaux.

For Poictou, Monſieur James Clemeneau, Paſtor of Poictiers; and Andrew Rivet, Paſtor of Touars; with Monſieur Iſaac Vettors, Elder of the Church of Poictiers.

For the Higher and Lower Vivaretz, Monſieur John Valeton, Paſtor of Privas; and Daniel Miſon, Elder of Salenac.

For Xaintonge, Augoumois, and Aunix, Maſter George Pacard. Paſtor of Rochefoucald; and Monſieur Laurence Polette, Paſtor of Ironſac; with Monſieur Peter Bernard, Lord of Janſerac, Elder of the Church of Cognac.

For Anjou, Touraine, and Mayne, &c. Maſter Francis Greliere, Lord of Macifer, Paſtor of Saumur; and M. Abel Bede, Paſtor of Loudun; together with Monſieur John Doucher, Elder of the Church of Angers.

For Provence, Maſter Peter Chalier, Paſtor of Seines; and Monſieur Honore Brignoles, Elder of Brignoles.

For Burgundy, Forest, Beaujolois, &c. Maſter Peter Colinet, Paſtor of Paray le Moyneau; and Anthony Brocard, Elder of the Church of Dijon, and Preſident of the Exchecquer in that Parliament and Province.

And for Lyonnois, Monſieur Levis Turquet, Elder of the Church at Lyon.

For the Province of Higher Languedoc, and Higher Guyenne, there came the Tenth Day of May, Maſter Michael Beraud, Paſtor of the Church of Montauban; and Maſter John Gardeſy, Paſtor of Villemur; with Monſieur John de Lupe, Lord of Maraval, Elder of the Church of Puy Caskay; and Henry le Renier, Lieutenant particular in the Seneſchalſee of Armagnac, and Elder of the Church of Lectoure.

Moreover, there appeared for Sedan, Maſter Euſebius Gantois, Miniſter of the Church of Sedan; and Anthony Drelincourt, Elder of the ſaid Church.

Prayers being ended, Maſter George Pacard, Paſtor of Rochefoucauld, was choſen Preſident of the Synod; and Maſter John Lieuin, Lord of Beaulieu, Aſſeſſor, he was Paſtor of the Church of Auverne; and Maſter Daniel Chamier, Paſtor of Monlimard, and Joſiah Mercier, Lord of Bordes, Elder of the Church of Paris, were by common Suffrages choſen Scribes.

CHAP. II. Obſervations on Reading the Confeſſion of our Faith.

I. ON reading the Confeſſion of Faith, the Title of the Epiſtle to the Hebrews was noted to have been changed in the laſt Impreſſions of the Geneva Bibles; wherefore Letters were ordered to be written unto our Brethren of Geneva about it, and about ſeveral Annotations affixed on the Sacred Text in thoſe Bibles.

II. The Confeſſion of Faith being read, the Paſtors and Elders did all unanimouſly proteſt to live and die in the ſaid Confeſſion, and that it is the Doctrine taught in the Churches of their Provinces.

p. 210III. Monſieur Chamier propounded, That the Jeſuits, and other Doctors of the Romiſh Religion, having charged our Doctrine, eſpecially among the People, with divers Calumnies, it were convenient to juſtifie it from thoſe Slanders, by printing an Apology together with this Confeſſion, as hath been done in England and Germany: It was decreed, That whoſo of our Brethren would undertake it, ſhould bring it with them unto the next National Synod.

CHAP. III. Obſervations made on Reading of our Diſcipline.

I. BEginning with the firſt Article after thoſe words, Of their Doctrine, ſhall be added, And if they be fit to teach.

II. Inſtead of thoſe words in the third Article, During the times of their Ignorance, ſhall be put, The times past.

III. The fourth Article ſhall be couched in theſe words, A Miniſter of the Goſpel ſhall be choſen by the Colloquy, or if it may be by the Provincial Synod, and in Times of Perſecution, or other great Calamity, by two or three Miniſters together with the Conſiſtory.

IV. In the ſame Article, inſtead of theſe words, The ſaid Election ſhall be ſuſpended, ſhall be placed, The ſaid Reception ſhall be delayed.

V. And that Article ſhall be thus concluded, As alſo the Paſtor ſhall not be impoſed upon a Church against his will.

VI. After theſe words in the fifth Article, To another Church, there ſhall be put, For to be employed in the Holy Miniſtry; and a little lower, theſe ſhall be ſubjoyned, And alſo they ſhall examine them, if ever, &c.

VII. There ſhall be this addition made unto the beginning of the Eighth Article, The Ceremony of Impoſing Hands in Ordination, and receiving Miniſters, ſhall be always obſerved.

VIII. Provincial Synods, Colloquies, and Conſiſtories, are all charged to ſee, that the 12th Article in every part and tittle of it be moſt punctually obſerved; and there ſhall be this clauſe added to it, Nor ſhall their Doctrine be handled in the manner of Scholaſtick Diſputation, and they ſhall carefully avoid an intermixture of Languages; and alſo Conſiſtories, Colloquies, and Provincial Synods ſhall ſee to it, that in the ordinary courſe of their Miniſtry, they beginning with a Text or Portion of Scripture, ſhall not break off, till they have finiſhed the whole Paragraph.

IX. After theſe words in the 18th Article, Phyſick, ſhall be added in both places, Nor the Civil Law, and in the end of that Article, Whereunto Provincial Synods, Colloquies, and Conſiſtories, ſhall bear a most vigilant and careful eye, yea, and may ſuſpend them from the Miniſtry.

X. After theſe words in the 43d Article, Great and ſmall, theſe alſo ſhall be added, Of whatſoever rank or degree they are.

XI. The word As ſhall be left out in thoſe words of the 44th Article, As thoſe who being convicted of Hereſie.

XII. Theſe words ſhall be razed out of the 4th Article, Even ſuch as enjoy Eccleſiaſtical Revenues.

XIII. Touching the execution of that clauſe of that aforeſaid Article, it was decreed, That Miniſters ſhould inform their Churches, that the Fifth Penny of all Moneys collected for the Poor, is to be laid by for the maintenance of our Propoſans.

p. 211XIV. This addition ſhall be made to the end of the Fifth Article, In which the Paſtors ſhall be preſent, both as Judges and Orderers of the ſaid Propoſitions.

XV. Richer Churches, and great Lords ſhall be intreated to erect Libraries for the benefit of their Miniſters and Propoſans.

XVI. This addition ſhall be made to the fifth Article of the third Chapter, According to the appointed Form.

XVII. After the word Ordinary in the ſixth Article, theſe ſhall be added, By the Schollars that are Propoſans.

XVIII. There ſhall be this addition to the firſt Article of the fourth Chapter, And according to what had been decreed and ordained by the Conſiſtory.

XIX. The word Puniſhment ſhall be changed into that of Cenſure, in the end of the fifteenth Article of the fifth Chapter.

XX. theſe words ſhall be ſtruck out of the ſixteenth Article, And in caſe of Appeal, that ſaid Appeal ſhall be notified unto the Church, without mention made of the Perſon, or declaration of the Cenſure ordained by the Conſiſtory.

XXI. This addition ſhall be affixed to the end of the twentieth Article, Althô he had been puniſhed by the Magiſtrate.

XXII. This alſo ſhall be inſerted into the thirty firſt Article, For adminiſtring of Marriage, and the Sacraments.

XXIII. This following Order ſhall be the fourth Article of the ſixth Chapter, Diſputes about Religion with our Adverſaries, ſhall be ſo managed on our part, that we be not the firſt Aggreſſors; and in caſe it be a Verbal Diſputation, they ſhall only ſtand to the deciſion of the Sacred Scriptures, which is our Rule, and not to the Writings of the Fathers, who are no competent Judges in Points of Doctrine; nor ſhall they undertake any regular Diſpute without Articles of Agreement firſt mutually given and ſubſcribed; nor ſhall they enter upon any publick Diſputations, without adviſing previouſly with their Conſiſtories, and a certain number of Miniſters, who ſhall be thereunto choſen by the Colloquies and Provincial Synods; nor ſhall they enter on a general Conference or Diſpute, without the conſent of all the Churches aſſembled in a National Synod. And in caſe any Miniſters do otherwiſe, they ſhall be denounced Deſerters of, and Apoſtates from the Ʋnion of our Churches.

XXIV. This following addition ſhall be counted the ſixth Article of the ſeventh Chapter. And a Cenſure ſhall be given among themſelves by the Paſtors and Elders in the **Breaking.ſhutting up of every Colloquy.

XXV. Theſe following words ſhall be added to the ſecond Article of the Eighth Chapter, Churches having ſeveral Miniſters, ſhall ſend them by turns.

XXVI. Theſe words ſhall be inſerted into the fourth Article, Shall be deprived of the Miniſtry.

XXVII. To the ſixth there ſhall be this inſerted, The Days, Hours, and Places; as alſo, he ſhall gather the Votes of every Member: And to the cloſe of that Article theſe words ſhall be added, And after this ſelf-ſame manner the Moderators of Colloquies ſhall be governed.

XXVIII. This ſhall be inſerted into the ſeventh, They ſhall have like Votes as the Paſtors.

XXIX. The eighth Article ſhall be ſtruck out, and transferr'd unto the following Chapter, where alſo the word Provincial ſhall be razed, and That of Confeſſion of Faith inſerted.

XXX. This ſhall be put into the tenth Article, The change of Paſtors from one Province unto another, and of one Church unto another, and of the Churches of one Colloquy unto another.

XXXI. In reading the Diviſion of the Provinces, and after hearing Monſieur Gantois, Miniſter in the Church of Sedan, who was ſeconded in his Diſcourſe p. 212by his Elder, it was decreed, That the Churches of the Principality of Sedan and Rancourt for time coming, ſhall be united to the Synod of the Iſle of France, Picardy, and Champagne, and be reputed Members of the Colloquy of Champagne.

XXXII. The Province of Orleans and Berry demanding, That Bourbonnois might be incorporated with their Province; and the Deputies of Burgundy and Lyonnois oppoſing this their motion, it was decreed, That the ſaid contending Provinces ſhould bring with them the Memoirs and Opinion of thoſe of Bourbonnois unto the next National Synod, that there it may be regulated.

XXXIII. This addition ſhall cloſe up the third Article of the Ninth Chapter, And that there may be no default, three or four Paſtors, and as many Elders ſhall be nominated, that in caſe the first named Paſtors ſhould be hindred from their Journey, there may be others to ſupply their places.

XXXIV. This Article ſhall follow next in order unto the fourth, The firſt Act in the first Seſſions of our National Synods, ſhall be the reading our Confeſſion of Faith, and the Book of Diſcipline.

XXXV. Towards the cloſe of the fourth Article of the tenth Chapter, in ſtead of Aboliſhed, there ſhall be read Removed.

XXXVI. Theſe words ſhall be added to the ninth Article of the eleventh Chapter, Provided that the Sureties undertake for its maintenance, and alſo that there be no preſumption.

XXXVII. The third Article of the 12th Chapter ſhall be couch'd in theſe words, Prieſts, Monks, and other Eccleſiaſticks of the Romiſh Religion, ſhall not be admitted to the Lord's Supper, till they have, first in the face of the whole Church acknowledged, and repented of their former Life and Profeſſion.

XXXVIII. The fourth Article ſhall be thus worded, Incumbents bearing the Stile and Title of their Benefices, and others intermedling with Idolatry directly or indirectly, whether they receive the Profits thereof with their own, or by the hands of others, ſhall in to wiſe be admittted to communicate with us at the Lord's Table. And the reſt ſhall be razed out.

XXXIX. The fifth Article of the thirteenth Chapter ſhall be put into theſe words, It's left to the diſcretion of the Churches, either to uſe the words de praeſenti, or de futuro in Marriage-Promiſes. However, ſuch Promiſes, be they de praeſenti, or de ſuturo, are in themſelves indiſſolvable, unleſs in caſe of ſome lawful Impediment. And the Article next in order unto this, ſhall be that which begins thus, As concerning Conſanguinities.

XL. The eighth Article ſhall be conceived in theſe words, Spiritual Kindreds, as they be termed, are not compriſed under the Titles of Conſanguinity and Aſſinity in the King's Edict, nor upon theſe Accounts may the Parties be hindred from contracting Marriage.

XLI. This clauſe ſhall be inſerted into the twelfth Article, Promiſes of Marriage ſhall neither be receiv'd nor publiſhed in the Church, &c. Item, He ſhall renounce all Idolatry, Superſtition, and particularly the Maſs.

XLII. This ſhall be the firſt Article of the fourteenth Chapter, in theſe words, No one ſhall be received into the Communion of our Churches, till he have first renounced all the Superſtitions and Idolatries of the Church of Rome, and particularly the Maſs.

XLIII. Theſe words ſhall be razed out of the cloſe of the fifth Article, Ʋnleſs in caſe of aboliſhing the Preaching of God's Word, and ſetting up of Maſs

XLIV. To the fourteenth Article this ſhall be ſubjoyned, And ſuch as ſend their Children to the Schools of Prieſts, Monks, Jeſuits, or Nuns, ſhall be proſecute… …ith all Cenſures of the Church.

p. 213XLV. Theſe words ſhall be ſtruck out of the 26th Article, Poinecons de Houpe, and Fardingals, as hath been decreed in former Synods.

XLVI. Theſe words ſhall be razed out of the 28th Article, Or the ſetting up of Maypoles.

XLVII. Becauſe of the great Inconveniences of Lotteries ſet up in divers places of this Kingdom, the 30th Article ſhall be finiſhed with this clauſe, Lotteries alſo ought in no wiſe to be approved, whether they be appointed by the Magiſtrate or not, and Godly Magiſtrates are intreated by their Authority to ſuppreſs them. After theſe words, Notorious Avarice, theſe following ſhall be inſerted into the ſame Article, Obſceneneſs, or loſs of time.

XLVIII. Such as challenge, or put others upon challenging to fight a Duel, and they alſo who accept the challenge, &c. Theſe words ſhall be put into the 33d Article.

XLIX. 'Tis left to the liberty and prudence of Conſiſtories, after what manner to proceed againſt the ungrateful Members of their Churches, whether by thoſe compulſory ways allowed us by his Majeſty, or by particular Obligations, or by Church-Cenſures, even by ſuſpenſion from the Lord's Table, after grave and ſolemn Admonitions and Summons have been given theſe Delinquents by their Conſiſtories, or any other courſe they ſhall judge adviſable.

L. The Paſtors and Elders deputed from their Provinces unto this Aſſembly, have ſworn and proteſted in the Name of their Provinces, to cauſe the Diſcipline ordained by this Synod, to be uſed and obſerved to the utmoſt of their power.

CHAP. IV. Of APPEALS.

I. AN Appeal being brought by the Town and Conſiſtory of St. John d' Angely, from the Synod of Xaintonge, who had appointed Monſieur D'amours, (he in no wiſe belonging unto the ſaid Church of St. John) to ſerve the Church of Chaſtleheraut, until the meeting of the National: this Aſſembly declareth, That the Appeal was ill laid, and the Ordinance of that Synod good and valid. And whereas the ſaid D'amours complaineth of the Terms couched in that Ordinance, and of the Letters written in the Name of the ſaid Synod, this Aſſembly judgeth, That the ſaid Monſieur D' Amours was the true and lawful Paſtor of the ſaid Church of St. John, for the time in which he ſerved them, as this was ever the ſence and judgment of the ſaid Synod of Xaintonge.

II. Whereas both the Church of Paris and Lions do lay claim unto the ſaid Monſieur D'amours, as theirs, and engaged to them: This Aſſembly having heard the ſaid D'amours open the whole Affair, and weighed the Arguments on both ſides, doth find that he is not obliged either to the one or other, but is at full liberty to accept of any Church preſented to him by the Synod.

III. And foraſmuch as the Church of Chaſtelheraut have preſented their Petition, That the ſaid Monſieur D'amours ſhould be ſetled among them; after hearing what was urged to the contrary by the Church of St. John, and the declaration of the ſaid Sieur D'amours, leaving himſelf wholly to the diſpoſal of this Aſſembly, it is decreed, That the ſaid Sieur D'amours ſhall be given unto the Church of Chaſtelheraut.

p. 214IV. The Conſiſtory of Havre de Grace, appealing from an Order of the Synod of Normandy, which had ordained our Brother Monſieur**Another Copy calls him Ma…. Dinnis. de la Mathennie, Paſtor of Cricquetot, to be their ſole Paſtor, he having ſerved them faithfully in the Miniſtry, ever ſince he firſt gathered their Church, and and that the two Churches ſhould be united into one, and their Paſtors Joynt-Paſtors, and that the Churches ſhould make but one common Purſe for their maintenance: And the demand of thoſe of Cricquetot being heard, urging, that the ſaid Monſieur de la Mathennie was firſt of all ſent unto them, and that they always had, and would continue to him his Stipend. It was voted, That the ſaid Monſieur de Mathennie ſhould continue with the Church of Cricquetot, and thoſe of the Havre have ſix Months time given them to provide themſelves of another Paſtor; during which time the ſaid de la Mathennie ſhall remain as he hath done in the Town of Honſleur, and ſhall ſerve both the Churches; and as to the Annexation of the Church of Beauvillier, it ſhall be determined by the Colloquy of Caux, and the Church of Hauvre is exhorted according to their Duty to pay double Honour unto the ſaid Monſieur de la Mathennie, as they have done heretofore.

V. The Appeal of Maſter Michael Mercier, from the Synod of the Iſle of France, Picardy, and Champagne, was rejected, becauſe he appeared not in Perſon to proſecute it in this Aſſembly, and that Order of the Church of Paris ratified by their Provincial Synod, concerning the Exerciſe of Religion in the place ordained by His Majeſty, is approved alſo and confirmed by the Conſent and Authority of this preſent National Synod.

VI. The Sentence paſt by the Synod of Lower Guyenne, againſt Meſſieurs Chauveton, and Baduel is ratified, and becauſe of the great importance of that Affair, we do further decree, That he of the two who ſhall firſt endeavour his Reſtoration unto the Church of Bergerac, ſhall be totally depoſed from the Miniſtry.

VII. The Appeal of the Church of Nerac, about the concern of Monſieur John Renaut is declared null, and the Sentence of the Synod of Lower Guyenne confirmed, and how the ſaid Monſieur Renaut ſhall be for time coming diſpoſed of, is left wholly to the Wiſdom of that Synod. But ſince that, the ſaid Renaut was yielded up entirely unto the Church of Nerac.

VIII. The Appeal of the Church of Chaume from the Synod, of Poictou was not admitted, becauſe the matter in debate between them is of the nature of thoſe things which ought to be determined in their own Province.

IX. The Appeal of the Colloquy of Poictiers from that Order of the Synod of Poictou is good and valid, and it is decreed, That Monſieur Meneſtoier Paſtor of the Church of Sancay, Monſtreuill, Bonninll, and L' Artillier, ſhall incorporate himſelf with the Colloquy of Poictiers.

X. Monſieur de la Millie reappealing from an Order of the Synod of Poictou, who had ſetled Monſieur Favre in the Paſtoral Charge of the Church of Vigean, this Aſſembly approveth that Order, and the Province is exhorted to take care, that the Church of the ſaid de Melliere be provided for as ſoon as poſſible.

XI. That Judgment of the Synod of Lower Languedoc, from which the Church of Macilargues, and de Nager had appealed is confirmed. And Letters ſhall be diſpatched unto the ſaid Synod, requeſting them out of hand to provide an able Miniſter for the Church of Macilargues.

p. 215XII. An Appeal was brought by the Church of Niſmes, from a Judgment of the Synod of Lower Languedoc, which had given Monſieur Terond to the Church of St. Martyn; whereupon this Aſſembly decreed, That in caſe the Church of Niſmes did not ſend the ſaid Monſieur Terond unto his own Colloquy, within the ſpace of one Year, that then he ſhould be wholly ſetled in the Church of St. Martyn, nor ſhall that Church be provided of any other Miniſter for a full Year, unleſs the ſaid Monſieur Terond be recalled back again, in which caſe all his Charges ſhall be defrayed by thoſe of Niſmes.

XIII. The Church of Niſmes appealed from the Synod of Dolphiny, becauſe they refuſed to grant them Monſieur Chamier, though carneſtly deſired by them, to be Profeſſor of Divinity in their Univerſity. This Aſſembly is of Opinion, That the ſaid Sieur Chamier cannot be removed from the Church of Montlimard, without the expreſs conſent of his Church and Province.

XIV. The Appeal of the Elders in the Church of Chaſtillon upon the Loire, from the Cenſures of the Synod of Orleans and Berry is rejected, and they ſhall be again cenſured by Letters from this Aſſembly more ſharply.

XV. That Order of the Synod of Dolphiny concerning Monſieur Felix, from which the Church of Niort hath appealed, is confirmed.

XVI. The Church of Cognac appealed from an Order of the Synod of Xaintonge about Monſieur de la Nuſſe. The Aſſembly examining the matter, finds that of Right the ſaid de la Nuſſe belongs to the Church of Cognac but becauſe of the Covenants between them, it decrees, That the ſaid Sieur de la Nuſſe ſhall at the ſole Charges of the Church of Nerac come and ſerve one Year in the Church of Coignac, during which time thoſe of Nerac ſhall endeavour to procure for the Church of Coignac, ſuch a Miniſter as ſhall be approved by the Colloquy of Augoumois; and in caſe of their non-obſerving this Order, Monſieur la Nuſſe ſhall be wholly appropriated to the Church of Coignac.

XVII. Monſieur Bourguignon appealing from the Synod of the Iſle of France, enjoyning his return unto his own Province; this Aſſembly conſidering the great Services done by him unto the Church of God, and his manifold Loſſes, have, and do adjudge him abſolutely unto the Church of Mets.

XVIII. The Father of Monſieur Olivier appealing from the Synod of Higher Languedoc, it was ordered, That the ſaid Olivier ſhall be ſetled in the Church of Lectoure; and Letters ſhall be written unto the Father to this purpoſe.

XIX. Upon the Appeal of the Church du Pont de Vele from the Synod of Burgundy, this Aſſembly found that Monſieur Caſſegrain belonged to the Church of Dijon, but conſidering the great importance of the ſaid Church du Pont de Vele, the ſaid Caſſegrain ſhall ſerve them four Months, within which term that ſaid Church is to provide itſelf of a Paſtor; and Monſieur Maneſſier is diſmiſſed over to the Province, who ſhall take care of him.

XX. Maſter Claudius Joubert appealing from the Order of the Synod of Burgundy, this Aſſembly ratifieth the Order of that Synod, and leaves the Churches at liberty to have Publick Prayers and Sermons on the Romiſh Holy-days, if it like 'em.

XXI. The Church of Romorantin having appealed from the Synod of Orleans and Berry, it was ordained, That Monſieur Chartier ſhould be continued in the ſaid Church, provided they did fully ſatisfie him all Arrears of Salary for his paſt Labours among them, within four Months; but if that p. 216time be laps'd, he ſhall be given away from them unto the Church of Aubuſſon.

XXII. Monſieur Girard formerly Miniſter of Mauvoiſin, and the Conſiſtory of Montauban appealed from the Synod of Higher Languedoc; now, although upon a ſtrict enquiry made into the Crimes whereof the ſaid Girard was accuſed by that Synod, it does not appear unto this Aſſembly that he was guilty of them, yet becauſe that there is too great reaſon that their Sentence paſt upon him ſhould be confirmed, we do order, That he be ſuſpended from the Miniſtry; and we do alſo ratifie the Cenſure given by the Colloquy of Puy Caſquay againſt him; and whereas thoſe of Montauban did ſuffer and encourage him to preach among them ſince his Suſpenſion, they have thereby incurred Cenſures themſelves. And this Aſſembly doth further ordain, That the ſaid Girard ſhall be removed from Montauban, nor ſhall he preach at Mauvoiſin, upon pain of being depoſed: And till ſuch time as the Church of Mauvoiſin can be provided of a Paſtor, thoſe of Montauban are hereby charged to take care for their conſtant ſupply, and to aſſiſt and help them till the next Meeting of their Provincial Synod. Since this Decree, the National Synod gave way, that the Province of Higher Languedoc ſhould preſent the ſaid Girard unto the Church of Cageac and Quercy.

XXIII. Upon the Appeal of Monſieur du Faur, Governor of Gergeau, from the Synod of Orleans and Berry, this Aſſembly ordaineth, That Monſieur du Moulin ſhall perſonally reſide with his Church in the City of Orleans: But foraſmuch as thoſe of Orleans have been ſo very much aſſiſted in their Needs by the Church of Gergeau, therefore the Moneys granted by His Majeſty, and which in the Dividend ſhould have been conferr'd upon the Church of Orleans, ſhall for time coming be employed towards the maintenance of the Miniſter of Gergeau, until ſome further courſe be taken in it by the next National Synod.

XXIV. This Aſſembly having conſidered the Appeal of Monſieur de Bargemont, judgeth, That he did well deſerve a very ſharp Cenſure, but no Suſpenſion; and therefore the Colloquy of Aunix is reproved by us, and the ſaid De Bargemont ſhall be reſtored unto his Miniſtry, and the approaching Synod of Xaintonge is required to aſſign him unto ſome vacant Congregation.

XXV. The Differences between the Colloquies of Xaintonge, and that of Aunix, are left to the deciſion of the next Synod of Poictou.

XXVI. The Church of Rochel having appealed from the Synod of Xaintonge, Letters ſhall be written to them in the Name of this Aſſembly, to intreat them, that ſith for the preſent they do not want the Miniſtry of Monſieur Petit, and that he is employed elſewhere in the Province, that they would be pleaſed to yield up their Right and Intereſt in him unto the Church of Barbezieux, and forgive the Moneys they had disburs'd about his maintenance; for which great favours both the Church of Barbezieux, and Monſieur Petit ſhall make them their moſt thankful Acknowledgments.

XXVII. This Aſſembly ratifies the Acts of the Synod of Xaintonge in the buſineſs of Monſieur Roſſignot.

XXVIII. The Differences between the Synods of Xaintonge and Poictou, about the Churches of Montignac, Marillac, and Villefagnan, is diſmiſſed over to the Churches of Loudun and Saumur to be finally decided by them.

XXIX. This Aſſembly judging of the Appeal of the Lower Guyenne, decreeth, That the Farmers of Church-Tythes, provided they meddle not with any thing of Idolatry, ought not to be debarr'd from Communion at the Lord's Table, and the ſaid Synod is reproved for going beyond the bounds of our Diſcipline in that caſe.

p. 217CHAP. V. Of General MATTERS.

I. IT was reſolved, That thoſe who had been appointed by the National Synod to anſwer the Writings of our Adverſaries, ſhould be re-imburſt all Charges they were at in Printing their Works: But ſuch as were appointed by a particular Province unto ſuch a Task, that Province ſhall take care to defray their Expences. And therefore in purſuance of this Order, the Province of Higher Languedoc and Guyenne are required to give ſatisfaction unto Monſieur Sonis, for his Coſts and Trouble in Printing his Books againſt Spend.

II. Whereas divers Abuſes be committed in giving Atteſtations for the removing of Law-Suits from Inferiour Courts, to the Courts of the Edict; all the Faithful are enjoyned to take out Atteſtations, if poſſible they can, from their own Churches; and the Paſtors of Churches in which the Courts of the Edict be eſtabliſhed, are hereby forbidden to give any Atteſtations unto Strangers, unleſs they be ſuch as are perſonally known to them or their Elders.

III. Miniſters and Elders ſhall not count that they be appealed from, unleſs ſuch Appeals had been allowed of by the whole Conſiſtory.

IV. We judge it an unfitting Practice to be introduc'd into our Churches, however, it be common among ſome other Forreign Churches of Chriſt, to ſend out Propoſans into Country Villages, there to preach whole Months upon Tryal, before Ordination.

V. Whenas Impoſition of Hands is given Miniſters at their Ordination, they ſhall be no more ſent for one Year only unto a Church; but that Order preſcribed by our Diſcipline, ſhall for the future be moſt ſtrictly obſerved.

VI. Miniſters and Churches are left in full liberty, whether they will or not appoint, that the Paſtors aſſiſt in Perſon at Betrothings and Marriage-Promiſes.

VII. It is decreed by this Aſſembly, That the Bread and Cup in the Holy Euchariſt ſhall be diſtributed by none but the Miniſters and Elders, who ſhall with their own hands put them into the reſpective hands of every individual Communicant.

VIII. Provincial Synods are ordered to take an eſpecial care, that the Widows and Orphans of poor Miniſters deceaſed in the Service of their Provinces be provided for.

IX. Altho' the Faithful may be ill reported of, yet in caſe they be not by the Conſiſtory ſuſpended from the Lord's Table, they ſhall be admitted Sureties for Infants at Baptiſm.

X. The Letters of her Royal Highneſs the Dutcheſs of Bar, and only Siſter of our King, directed unto this Aſſembly being read, wherein ſhe demanded a Supply of Miniſters for her Court: it was voted, That the Church in her Royal Highneſs's Houſe, ſhould be ſupplied from the firſt Day of July next, unto the firſt Day of October following, by the Province of Normandy; and from the firſt of October, to the firſt of April next following, by the Church of Sedan, and from the ſaid firſt of April 1602, by the other Provinces, who in their turns ſhould each of them ſend a Miniſter, who ſhall be in actual Service ſix Months, according to this Order now declared, viz. The Lower Languedoc, Orleans, Dolphiny, Anjou, the Higher Languedoc, Poictou, the Lower Guyenne, Xaintange, Vivaretz, and Burgundy, unleſs the ſaid Church be not before-hand provided of two able Paſtors, particularly appropriated p. 218to it. And her ſaid Royal Highneſs ſhall be by our Letters ſent to her expreſſy to this purpoſe, adviſed to get them; and that the Moneys ſhe beſtows upon the Schools of Bearn, may be employed by her Royal Highneſs, towards the maintenance of a competent number of Propoſans. And that the Church in her Royal Highneſs's Court may not at any time be left unprovided, the Provinces are all obliged to ſupply her with two Miniſters, that in caſe one ſhould be detained by ſome lawful lett or hindrance, the other may be always ready to ſerve in his ſtead.

XI. In anſwer to the Letters of the Churches of the Low Countries, this Aſſembly decreeth, That the Province of Normandy ſhall continue to give them Notice of the Time and Place of our National Synods.

XII. Letters ſhall be written to Monſieur de la Fontaine, intreating him to uſe his endeavours for begetting a right underſtanding between Dr. Sutcliffe, Saravia, and our Churches.

XIII. It is decreed, That for time coming, the Province authorized to convene the National Synod, ſhall be ſo impowered to publiſh the General Faſt, which is to be obſerved in all our Churches upon emergent Providences.

XIV. Letters ſhall be written to the Doctors and Profeſſors of Divinity in the Univerſity of Leyden, intreating them not to ordain our French Propoſans, Students in their Univerſity; but whenas they have finiſhed their Courſe of Theology to ſend them into France, that here being called unto the Miniſtry, they may receive Impoſition of Hands in the face of our Churches.

XV. The Book entituled, Elenchus Novoe; Doctrinoe, is diſmiſſed over to the peruſal of the Provincial Synod of Dolphiny, and in caſe they approve of it, and prefix a Preface to it, it may be Printed.

XVI. The Church of Paris is required to examine Three Books, the one called Apparatus ad Fidem Catholicam; the other, Advice for the Peace of the Church; and the third having this Title, Seen by the King: And in caſe the Propoſitions which ſome have extracted out of them, be not contained in them, then the Acts of the Synod of Montpellier, relating thereunto, ſhall be razed out, and the Provinces by the Authority of this Aſſembly, are enjoyned to raze them out.

CHAP VI. Particular MATTERS.

I. THE Differences between the Synods of Higher Languedoc, and Lower Guyenne, concerning the Churches of Nerac, Leyrac, and others of the Lower Armagnac, which had been ſent up to this Aſſembly by the laſt Synod of Montpellier, it being impoſſible now to determine them, becauſe the Deputies of the Lower Guyenne had neither Orders nor Inſtructions about them, are remanded back unto the next Provincial Synod of Xaintonge, finally to determine them, and that by the Authority of this Aſſembly. And the ſaid Synod of Lower Guyenne, for not ſending Inſtructions unto their Deputies concerning thoſe Affairs is hereby cenſured.

II. The Province of Normandy reporting the extream Poverty of the Church of Lunere, being utterly diſabled from ever ſatisfying their old Debt unto Monſieur Vatble, the ſaid Province is exhorted to do their utmoſt endeavour, that it may be ſatisfied by them.

III. That Decree of the Synod of Montpellier, concerning Monſieur de L' Eſpoir, having never been put in execution, this Aſſembly enjoyneth the Province of Higher Languedoc to ſee it executed; and in caſe of their neglect, p. 219that then the ſaid M. de L'Eſpoir ſhall return to the Church of Boſlebec. Since this Ordinance, the Deputies of Higher Languedoc agreed with thoſe of Normandy, to re-imburſe the Church of Boſlebec, whatever Charges they may be at in getting a Paſtor, one half whereof was to be born by thoſe of Pamiers, and another half by the ſaid Province of Higher Languedoc; or elſe to maintain for them for two Years ſpace a Propoſan in the Univerſity of Montauban, or if they pleas'd to give them an hundred Crowns, to be employed by them to this very purpoſe, in ready Money.

IV. The Demand of Monſieur Caille is turn'd over to the Synod of Dolphiny, to take care about it.

But this Article was ſtruck out by the following National Synod of Gap.V. Letters ſhall be once more written to the Duke de L'Eſdigueres, about the 17000 Crowns belonging to the Churches of Lower Languedoc: and the Article of the Synod of Montpellier declaring thoſe Moneys to have been raiſed towards the maintenance of Propoſans, ſhall be corrected and amended.

VI. In purſuance of what was decreed by the ſame Synod of Montpellier, the Churches of Cormes, and of St. John du Bruil, ſhall be incorporated with the Colloquy of Vigan; and the Synod of Lower Languedoc ſhall ſee that this Order be obſerved.

VII. The Church of Lions deſiring a Paſtor, and that one may be given them out of Dolphiny, which hath ſeveral of their Miniſters reſiding in the Churches of that Province; it's ordered, That the ſaid Province of Dolphiny do furniſh that Church of Lyons, and if poſſible, to lend them, at leaſt, for ſome Months, Monſieur Chamier.

VIII. The French Tranſlation of The Harmony of Confeſſions, done by deceaſed Monſieur Saluart, is diſmiſſed to the Synod of Higher Languedoc, to be peruſed by them, and if they judge it expedient, then to Print it; but with the Latine Annotations of Monſieur Goulart.

IX. The Province of the Iſle of France demanding Meſſieurs de L'Eſtang, and de la Valleé to be reſtored to them, who are now in Poictou, have a Grant given them to proſecute their Right in the next Provincial Synod of Poictou.

X. This Aſſembly judging Monſieur Pellart to belong of Right unto the Iſle of France, ordaineth the Church of Marans, in which he now ſerveth, to yield up unto thoſe of the Iſle of France, ſuch a Propoſan as they ſhall beſt like of, within four Months; otherwiſe, that time being laps'd, the ſaid Monſieur Pellart ſhall be ſurrendred unto the ſaid Province.

XI. To the Caſe propounded by the Deputy of Brittany, this Aſſembly gives it in as their Judgment, That the Lords and Gentlemen, Patrons of Churches and Chappels wherein Maſs is ſung, cannot with a good Conſcience repair them; no, although by not doing it they forfeit their Right of Patronage and Preſentation to them.

XII. The Churches are admoniſhed to Regiſter the Names of thoſe Romiſh Church-men which have been converted ſince the laſt National Synod, and are daily brought over to the Reformed Religion, and to give in an Account of them unto the Church of Montauban.

XIII. The Church of Janſac is admoniſhed to conform itſelf unto the reſt of our Churches, about the wearing of Garlands at Eſpouſals.

XIV. To the Petition of the Faithful of Auvergne, this Anſwer was given, That the Lower Auvergne ſhould be aſſiſted by the Lower Languedoc, and the Higher Auvergne by the Higher Languedoc, both as to Paſtors, and in the ſhare of His Majeſty's Moneys.

XV. The Church of Villevigne re-demanded by the Province of Brittany, ſhall remain united to the Synod of Poictou, until the next National Synod.

XVI. Monſieur Jarry is left in full liberty, either to fix at the Church of Meſuez, where he now is, or to go unto that of Mauvezin.

XVII. The Petition of Monſieur Lazarus de Robert, Miniſter of Gaureé, and Briqueville is remanded back unto the Synod of Normandy.

p. 220XVIII. Monſieur**He hath four Copies but five Names viz. Eude, Andre, Hinde, Inde, and Dades. Eude ſhall abide where he is at preſent, in the Church of Bayeux.

XIX. The Provinces of Lower Languedoc and Dolphiny are exhorted to in continue their aſſiſting of the poor Churches of Provence, with the Loan of Paſtors.

XX. Letters ſhall be written to the Conſuls of Montpellier, entreating them, that thoſe Outrages offered the Spaniſh Families, which for this laſt hundred Years have took up their fixed Habitation in their City, may ceaſe; as alſo, unleſs there be expreſs Laws to the contrary, to receive them into the honourable Offices of the City, that ſo the Peace and Union of the Church, and its Members with them may be conſerved. And this ſelf-ſame Exhortation was given them by the laſt Synod of Montpellier.

XXI. The Letters of Monſieur Cauſabon being read in this Aſſembly, an Anſwer was ordered to be ſent him, expreſſing our Joy for his conſtancy in the true Religion, and exhorting him unto perſeverance in it.

XXII. Monſieur Colinet, Deputy of Burgundy, informing this Aſſembly of the great diligence uſed by Monſieur Caſſegrain, in diſcharging the Duties of his Miniſtry, to the ſingular advantage of his Church, and that he hath wonderfully profited by the Admonitions of the Synod of Montpellier; this Aſſembly declares themſelves very well ſatisfied with the ſaid Monſieur Caſſegrain, and adviſeth him to continue labouriouſly in his Calling unto the end.

XXIII. In our Anſwer to the Letter of the Lord du Pleſſis, this clauſe ſhall be inſerted, That we adviſe him to ſend his Book unto Geneva, becauſe of the advantage of Libraries, and Letters ſhall be ſent unto our Brethren the Paſtors there, recommending to them the Examination, and Verifying of all the Quitations in it.

XXIV. Letters ſhall be ſent to the Church of Metz intreating them to joyn themſelves unto the Province of the Iſle of France, Picardy, and Champagne.

XXV. In conſideration of the great Services done for the Church of God by Monſieur Berger, Miniſter of the Church of Chaſteaudun, and becauſe of his great Afflictions, worthy of the deepeſt Compaſſions, the Synod of that Province is ordered to provide a Paſtor for that Church of Chaſteaudun, and then the ſaid Monſieur Berger ſhall be diſcharged from it, yet nevertheleſs he ſhall be maintained by the Contribution of the Provinces, and that of Orleans is to bear one third of the Charges.

XXVI. This Synod does not count the demand of the Church of Bourdeaux reaſonable, which requires Monſieur Primroſe to be given them for their Paſtor, becauſe he cannot be taken from the Church of Mirambeau, whereunto he is appropriated.

XXVII. Whereas the Lords Mareſchal de Bouillon, and Duke de la Tremouille, and thoſe of the Aſſembly of Saumur have written in favour of Monſieur Pallot, anſwer ſhall be return'd them, that we cannot ſupply him out of the Moneys belonging to the Churches, and which were aſſigned for the maintenance of the Miniſters, and that therefore we humbly intreat them to take ſome other courſe for his ſubſiſtance.

See the Synod of Montpellier, Obſervation upon the Diſcipline, art. 20XXVIII. The Brethren in the Colloquy of Becauſſe, having by their Letters propounded the Caſe of an Inceſtuous Marriage, which had been decided in the Synod of Montpellier: This Aſſembly for divers Reaſons doth ratifie the Judgment of that Synod, provided, that it be made appear, that when the Marriage was firſt ſolemnized, the Woman had not then attained her Five and twentieth Year, and that ſhe was under the power of her Father and Mother, all which ſhall be verified in the next Synod of the Iſle of France, whereunto the ſaid Parties are ordered to for this purpoſe to make their perſonal appearance; and thoſe our Brethren are reproved for ſpeaking ſo ſlightly and p. 221irreverently, which did not in the leaſt become them, of that Synodical deciſion.

XXIX. The demand of Monſieur Vaiſſe to be removed into the Province of Higher Languedoc, becauſe of his Wife's Indiſpoſition, is diſmiſſed over to the Synod of Lower Languedoc, who ſhall order therein as is moſt agreeable to the Rules of Chriſtian Charity.

XXX. Letters ſhall be written unto Monſieur Couet, deſiring his preſence in this Aſſembly, before its diſſolution.

XXXI. The Deputies of the Aſſembly of Saumur informing us, that they had his Majeſty's Command to break up, this Aſſembly after mature deliberation had about it, ordains that Monſieur Chamier, and de Maravat, ſhall be ſent in our Names unto his Majeſty, humbly to intreat his Majeſty, That the ſaid Aſſembly may, with his good pleaſure, be yet continued for ſome time longer.

XXXII. And theſe Deputies being return'd, and relating his Majeſty's Intention, who declared, That he would be peremptorily obeyed in that his Command, for the breaking up of their Aſſembly; but he would, however, permit them one or two Deputies near his Majeſty's Perſon, who ſhould upon all occaſions tender him their Complaints and Requeſts, and that they might nominate and appoint them, he granted them another Aſſembly: Whereupon it was reſolved, That his Majeſty ſhould be moſt humbly petitioned, That the ſaid Aſſembly might be held at St. Foy, the fifth Day of October next, whereunto the Provinces were charged to ſend their Deputies, furniſhed with the Memoirs of their reſpective Churches and Diviſions. And every Province ſhall ſend thither one Deputy at leaſt, that they may be nominated, the ſaid Provinces are authorized to anticipate the time of keeping their Synods and Colloquies, and the Gentry and Corporations ſhall be all ſummon'd to them. The Church of Paris is appointed to uſe all diligence in getting the Writ of Summons promiſed by his Majeſty from the Court, and to expedite with all ſpeed the Calling of the ſaid Aſſembly, together with the Letters Mandatory unto the Lord Mareſchal d' Ornano, to allow of their ſitting.

XXXIII. This Aſſembly receiving no Anſwer from Monſieur Couet, he not being at Paris, and having heard Monſieur Colinet, Deputy from the Province of Burgundy declare, That he had no expreſs Order to demand him, but inaſmuch as he belonged unto that ſaid Province, altho' his Synod could not provide him with a Church at preſent, yet he ought not to be taken from it, without the conſent of the Province: It leaveth both Parties to agree lovingly among themſelves, and impowers the Church of Paris to endeavour, if they can, the getting the ſaid Monſieur Covet for their Paſtor, they giving alſo due ſatisfaction unto the Province of Burgundy.

XXXIV. This Aſſembly judgeth, That three Paſtors ſhall make up the Quorum of a Colloquy, and that all Acts done by theſe Three, ſhall be reputed lawful and valid, yea, even to the Suſpenſion of Miniſters.

XXXV. The Differences riſen betwixt the Colloquies of Puy Gaſquay, and Lower Quercy, about the Church of Mets and Verdun, is diſmiſſed over to the next Synod of Higher Languedoc, finally to be decided by it.

XXXVI. Letters from the Seignory of the City, and Paſtors of Geneva being preſented by Monſieur de Sully-Anjou-man. This Aſſembly ordereth, That our Deputies at Court do take the moſt fitting time to recommend the Churches of Geneva, and thoſe adjoyning unto his Majeſty.

XXXVII. Whenas the Provinces ſhall in their reſpective Synods make a Dividend of thoſe Moneys aſſigned them for his Majeſty's Grant unto us, they ſhall conſult of ſome courſe for the erecting of Schools and Colledges, as alſo how to maintain thoſe which be already erected, within their Diviſion. p. 222And as for Univerſities, the Decree of the Synod of Montpellier ſhall ſtand good for thoſe of Saumur, Montauban Niſmes, and Montpellier, over and beſides which, there ſhall be given from the General Funds of the ſaid Moneys, the Sum of Five hundred Crowns per Annum, for the furtherance and encouragement of that at Sedan, and the Neighbour-Provinces. And the Colloquy of Quercy is charged to take ſpecial Care, that Montauban be furniſhed with moſt able Profeſſors, who may reputably and conſcientiouſly perform their Duties; as alſo the other Colloquies are to put too their helping hand, that the like be done for their Univerſities. And that the ſaid Univerſities may not be compelled to diſmiſs their Profeſſors for want of maintenance, this Aſſembly doth ordain for the time paſt and to come, that they ſhall be payed their Quota and Proportions by advance of one Year, not at all to be allowed in the next. And that all Fraud herein may be prevented, that Decree of the Synod of Montpellier ſhall be moſt exactly obſerved; to wit, that both the Churches and Univerſities ſhall bring unto the next National Synod an Accompt of all the Moneys received by them, together with the Acquittances of the Paſtors and Profeſſors in actual Service.

This Article being injurious to the poorer Churches, was corrected in the next National Synod.XXXVIII. This Aſſembly declareth, That the Moneys granted by His Majeſty, are granted for the Relief of the Churches, and maintenance of the Miniſtry: notwithſtanding which Order, the Diviſion for time to come ſhall be made by Poll; ſo that if divers Churches be ſerved but by one Miniſter, they ſhall be counted but for one Church; and the Church which hath divers Paſtors ſhall have a Dividend according to the number of its Paſtors.

XXXIX.See the Synod of Rochel, G. Ma…. art. 39. The richer and more potent Churches are exhorted to have reſpect in their Provincial Synods, ſo to divide and diſtribute His Majeſty's Money, that the poorer Churches may be comforted and relieved by it.

XL. A new Dividend being made of the Moneys granted us by His Majeſty, deducting the Sums ordained for the Univerſities of Saumur, Montauban, Niſmes, and Montpellier, by the laſt Synod of Montpellier, and the Sum of Five hundred Crowns to that of Sedan, the reſt amounting to the Sum of Nine and thirty thouſand five hundred Crowns, was diſtributed in this manner: To the Province of Anjon, Tourain, Le Main, Vendomois, Loudunois, and Lower Perche, for 28 Churches there ſhall be diſtributed 1468 Crowns, 46 Sols, and 4 Deniers. To the Province of Normandy, for 51 Churches the Sum of 2675 Crowns, and 14 Sols. To the Province of the Iſle of France, Picardy, and Champagne, for 68 Churches the Sum of 3566 Crowns, 58 Sols, and 8 Deniers. To the Lower Languedoc, and Lower Auvergne, for 116 Churches 6084 Crowns, 50 Sols, and 8 Deniers. To the Province of Orleans, Berry, Bleſois, Nivernois, and Bourbonnois, for 40 Churches 2098 Crowns, 15 Sols, and 4 Deniers. To the Province of Dolphiny and Orange, for 92 Churches, 4826 Crowns, 52 Sols, and 8 Deniers. To the Province of Vivaretz, and Vellay, for 30 Churches 1533 Crown, 40 Sols. To the Province of Higher Languedoc, Higher Guyenne, and Higher Auvergne, for 95 Churches 4983 Crowns, 16 Sols, and 8 Deniers. To the Province of Burgundy, Lyonnois, and Forest, Beaujolois, Maconnois, and Breſſe, for 28 Churches 1468 Crowns, 45 Sols, 4 Deniers. To the Province of High and Lower Poictou, for 50 Churches 2622 Crowns, 46 Sols, and 8 Deniers. To Provence, for 20 Churches 1049 Crowns, 16 Sols, and 8 Deniers. To the Province of Brittany, for 15 Churches 786 Crowns, and 40 Sols. To the Province of Lower Guyenne, for 70 Churches 3671 Crowns, 53 Sols, and 4 Deniers. To the Province of Xaintonge, Aunix, and Augoumois, for 50 Churches 2622 Crowns, 46 Sols, and 8 Deniers. The Number of all the Churches is 753. and dividing their whole Sum among their reſpective Miniſters, is 52 Crowns, 32 Sols, and 4 Deniers to each of them.

p. 223XLI. Letters were read from the Governour, Mayor, and Conſiſtory of St. John d' Angely, directed unto this Synod, complaining, That Monſieur D' Amours was taken from them againſt their Wills, and ſent to the Church of Chaſtleheraut. This Aſſembly decrees, That what had been already ordained in the Affair of Monſieur D' Amours, ſhould hold good; and Meſſieurs Gardeſy, Banconis, and Forton were charged to paſs over to St. John, and in caſe that ſaid City did not treat Monſieur De la Vitamerie, according to his worth; the Synod of Xaintonge were enjoyned to make better Proviſion for him.

XLII. Monſieur Palot, Commiſſioner-General for receiving the Moneys granted us by His Majeſty, having not appeared in Perſon, nor by Letter in this Aſſembly, as he was deſired, and had promiſed to inform us of what had been done about the Receipt and Disburſements of the ſaid Moneys. This Synod gives orders unto Monſieur Chamier, Pollot, Rivet, Perrin, de Marevat, Le Venier, La Combe, D' Euvre, to viſit and diſcourſe the ſaid Palott, in the Name of this Synod, and to re-mind him of his Duty, and the Church of Paris is required to take care, that the ſaid Palott be farther proſecuted, according to Inſtructions that ſhall be given them.

CHAP. VII. The ROLL of Vagrants.

1. THE Vagrants are, one that goes by the Names of Rochempre, alias Darcey, alias Abraham Cheron, alias Peter de la Roche; this Fellow intruded himſelf into the Miniſtry in Normandy, he is of but mean Stature, hath a weeping Tone, brown Hair.

2. As alſo one called Muſſidan, alias John Bourdirier, who had been depoſed in Vivaretz.

3. Alſo one named Des Hameux, who had been declared Vagrant by the Provincial Synod of Anjou.

The Province of Dolphiny is appointed to call the next National Synod three Years hence, ſaving that in caſe of neceſſity, and that Province do judge it ſo, by reaſon of extraordinary Occurrences, they may convene it ſooner.

Reviſing that Article concerning the maintenance of Monſieur Berger, before-mentioned, it was decreed, That in lieu of a General Contribution towards it by all the Provinces, that of Orleans ſhall give him in a double Portion, from the Moneys granted us by His Majeſty, to what is aſſigned unto each ſingle Paſtor, which Quota of his ſhall be allowed them in their Accounts, to be preſented by them at the next National Synod.

Thoſe of Vivaretz complaining of Taxes impoſed on by the Provinces of Higher and Lower Languedoc, towards the defraying of Charges ſpent about Buſineſſes, whereunto they had never been invited. The Aſſembly ordains, that for what is paſt it ſhall be valid; but for the future, that the Moneys of His Majeſty's Grant, which were purely Church-Moneys, ſhall not be diverted from their primary deſign, which was the maintenance of our Miniſters, and in particular, that the Provinces ſhall not uſurp upon one another's Right.

p. 224Monſieur Palott, before-named, having ſent unto this Aſſembly a little before its diſſolution, the Sum of Three thouſand Crowns in ready Money, it was divided among the Provinces and Univerſities, defalking one Sol in the Livre, upon the whole remaining Debt, for the Years 1598, 1599, and 1600, according to the Accompts ſent by the ſaid Monſieur Palott for every Province, and this without prejudice to the Accompt of the ſaid Palott, or approbation of it.

Dated at Gergeau the 25th of May, 1601. Signed thus,

George Pacard, Moderator, choſen by the Synod.

De Beaulieu, Aſſeſſor.

Scribes.

Daniel Chamier,

Joſias Mercier,

The End of the Synod of GERGEAU.

THE Acts, Deciſions and Decrees OF THE XVII. National Synod OF The Reformed Churches OF FRANCE, Held in The Town of Gap, and Province of Dolphiny, In the Year of our Lord 1603.