The Acts of Famous National Councils of the Reformed Churches in France, 18 (3rd Rochelle) · Chapter 10
CHAP. X. Of Particular Matters.
1. THE Sieurs Richard Paſtor of the Church of Meuſac and Iſlemade Richeteau Paſtor of the Church of St. Leophary and Charles Paſtor of the Church of Archiac repreſented unto this Synod (the two firſt by word of mouth, the laſt by his Son Miniſter of Villemur) the great Difficulties they met withal in executing that Canon of the Synod of Gap, obliging Paſtors to a perſonal Reſidence on their Churches, which being conſidered by the Provincial Synod of Higher Languedoc, and particularly as relating to the ſaid Miniſters, who now lived in the City of Montauban, the final Judgment on their Caſe was remitted unto this Aſſembly. Monſieur Beraud Paſtor and Profeſſor in that Church and Univerſity, was heard deliver his thoughts about this Affair. And divers Acts being produced and read on both ſides, many of which proved evidently the convenient Houſes and Lodgings that thoſe Churches had provided for theſe their Paſtors (who complained without any juſt ground) though other Acts did offer the contrary. After a mature debate of the whole, this enſuing Decree was made and publiſhed, that the ſaid Richard and Richeteau ſhall both of them remove from the City of Montauban unto their reſpective Churches, which are injoyned to accommodate them with convenient Houſen as ſoon as poſſible, and to augment their Salaries unto a juſt competency, and this at fartheſt within the ſpace of one year: And if the ſaid Churches ſhall refuſe or neglect this their bounden duty, they ſhall be deprived of the Miniſtry of God's Holy Word and Sacraments; and if the ſaid Miniſters ſhall refuſe to reſide in thoſe Habitations provided for them before the year be expired, they alſo ſhall be ſuſpended from their Miniſterial Office. And every one of theſe Plaintiffs and Defendants on both ſides are ſharply cenſured for producing ſeveral Atteſtations, Inquiries, and other ſuch like Acts done and confirmed by and before Publick Notaries, and Secular Judges. And as for Monſieur Charles the Elder, this Aſſembly, conſidering the Age, great Charge, and that Aſſiſtance which he hath promiſed unto his Father-in-law, and that Help which his Son hath promiſed unto him, doth diſpenſe with his perſonal Reſidence in his Church, for ſo long a time as his Church ſhall permit him, and he may live where he now doth. And theſe Miniſters, Charles, Richard and Richeteau, are expreſly forbidden all intermeddling in any ſort whatſoever with the Affairs of the Church and Univerſity of Montauban, unleſs they be duly called and invited to it by the Conſiſtory of that Univerſity.
2. Mr. Charles the Younger ſhall for the future make his conſtant Reſidence in his Church of Villemur; and whereas he pretends, that he was abſolutely given up and reſigned unto the Church of Puylaurens, and that he was only lent unto that of Villemur, This Aſſembly requireth the Provincial Synod of Higher Languedoc and Guyenne to examine the truth of this matter, and till the ſaid Synod determine otherwiſe about him, he ſhall ſerve the Church of Villemur.
3. The Colloquy, Church and Univerſity of Montauban petitioned that Monſieur Beraud might be reſtored to them, and to continue in his Office amongſt them. The Sieurs Beraud, Father and Son, and the Deputies of the Province were all heard ſpeaking in their order to this matter, as alſo Monſieur Bouchereau Paſtor of the Church of Saumur, who pleaded that Monſieur Beraud the Younger had engaged himſelf for one year to be profeſſor in that Univerſity. This Aſſembly conſidering the neceſſities of the ſaid Univerſity of Saumur, decreed that Monſieur Beraud ſhould tarry with them another year, to commence on the fifteenth day of April next coming; which term being expired, Monſieur Beraud the Son ſhall ſerve in the Miniſtry in his Father's ſtead, and perform all the duties belonging unto his Office; and he ſhall then be appropriated to, and fixed in the Church and Univerſity of Montauban, nor may the Provincial, Synod nor Colloquy, nor the ſaid Church provide themſelves of any other for the Miniſtry in that Church, or for the Profeſſion of Theology, during the time of his loan unto the Church and Univerſity of Saumur.
4. The Church of St. Ireney le Perche in the Countrey of Limouſin petitioned this Aſſembly for a Paſtor, that ſo their Ruine and Diſſipation might be prevented, and that they might be holpen with ſome Moneys to make him up a competency for his ſubſiſtence with them. The Aſſembly conſidering that Monſieur Alix was lent unto the Church of Angeau, doth injoyn the Provincial Synod of Berry to examine Monſieur Salomon a Propoſan, and in caſe they find him well qualified, they ſhall ſet him apart to the work of the Miniſtry by Impoſition of hands, and ſend him unto the ſaid Church of St. Ireney le Perche for two years only, in caſe the Church of Orleans be not deſtitute of Paſtors, which is much feared; for both the Paſtors of Orleans and Angeau have been a long time very ſick and like to die. And the ſaid Church of St. Ireney le Perche ſhall be put upon the ſame Roll with the other Churches to draw forth, and receive its portion of the King's Monies.
5. Whereas the Elder of the Church of Villefaignun and Savelles hath petitioned that they might be without any longer delay provided of a Paſtor, the next Synod of Xaintonge is charged to take care of them, and to give order for their ſupply. And in the mean while the Neighbour Miniſters of Xaintonge and Augoulmois are required to viſit and officiate by turns in the ſaid Church.
6. There being great diviſions and contentions among the Paſtors and Profeſſors in the Church and Univerſity of Montauban, and particularly one lately fallen out between Meſſieurs Beraud the Younger, and Duncan firſt Regent of their Colledge, and Competitor for the Profeſſion of the Greek Tongue, and there having been very ill doings, and of dangerous conſequence in their proceedings, their Cauſe being removed from the Colloquies and Synods by the ſaid Duncan and others unto the Court of the Edict in the City of Caſtres. This Aſſembly▪ that paſt evils may be remedied, and ſuch as are future may be prevented, doth enjoyn thoſe Gentlemen concerned in theſe differences, and who are now perſonally preſent in this Synod to be reconciled one unto the other, which was done accordingly. And that the abſent parties might be reunited, Meſſieurs de Gaſque, Gigord, and thoſe Elders deputed by the Province of Lower Languedoc, ſhall take in their way homeward the City of Montauban, and are charged by the Authority of this Synod to accommodate and compoſe all their diſſenſions. And it is farther ordained, That both the ſaid Mr. Beraud the Younger, and Mr. Duncan ſhall deſiſt all purſuits about the Profeſſion of the Greek Tongue, and for peace ſake a third perſon ſhall be choſen into that Office. And whereas the ſaid Duncan was obliged by a ſpecial Article of the ſaid Colloquy to proſecute his Appeal in the Court of the Edict, the Provincial Synod is ordered to inflict a very ſevere Cenſure upon that Colloquy, in caſe that Article be found regiſtred in the Original of their Acts, which for this purpoſe ſhall be produced. And Meſſieurs de Gaſques, Gigord, St. Chapte, and Bergier, as they travel through the City of Caſtres, ſhall acquaint his Majeſties Officers profeſſing the Reformed Religion in that Court, how very prejudicial it will be unto our Churches, if thoſe Academical Differences ſhall come to be impleaded at their Bar, that ſo according to their Zeal and Piety, they may prudently provide for our publick and common benefit, and take care in due time that the Liberties and Priviledges of the Churches be not invaded nor diſſeized.
7. Monſieur de la Vallade is confirmed in his Miniſtry unto the Church of Fontinay, unto which he was formerly preſented, nor ſhall the Province of Guyenne or Bergerac claim any right to recall him; and this Decree paſſed without any oppoſition from the Deputies of the ſaid Church and Province, who declared they had no Commiſſion to redemand him. So that all Agreements and Covenants made betwixt the ſaid Vallade and his Father and the ſaid Church are ratified, and become perpetual. However, this Aſſembly doth not approve of that Form in which they be drawn up, eſpecially with reference unto the Moneys, which they pretend to have furniſhed him; and in caſe the Church of Bergerac ſhould demand him, the Provincial Synod of Xaintonge is impowered with Authority to determine finally of him, and all matters between him and them.
8. The Churches of Maringues and Paillac in Auvergne petitioned this Aſſembly that they might be ſupplied with able Miniſters; and becauſe of their deep poverty, and want of neceſſary means to allow a ſufficient maintenance for a Paſtor, the Synod of Lower Languedoc was enjoyned to lend them a Miniſter for one year, they taking the firſt opportunity of their meeting to apply themſelves thither for one: And that a competency may be the more eaſily provided over and above the four portions out of the King's Money formerly allotted unto thoſe of the Lower Auvergne, there be two more granted to them, and the ſaid Churches of Maringues and Paillac ſhall receive four of them, and the other two ſhall remain with, and belong unto the Church of Iſſoire. And it is farther ordained, That the ſaid Synod of Lower Languedoc ſhall in the mean time chuſe a Propoſan of good hopes, and well qualified, who may be given as ordinary Paſtor unto the ſaid Church of Iſſoire.
9. Monſieur Primroſe Paſtor of the Church of Bourdeaux brought Letters from the Magiſtrates and Miniſters in the Church of Edinborough in Scotland, written and directed to this Aſſembly, and other Letters alſo written by his Majeſty the King of Great Brittain, recalling him home unto his Native Countrey to ſerve the ſaid Church of Edinburgh; and he declared farther, that he had never abſolutely ingaged himſelf either to this Kingdom, nor to any particular Church in it, but had always reſerved a liberty of departure, when as he ſhould be duly recalled. This Aſſembly replied, that they would not in the leaſt abridge him of his liberty, but as he had acquired it, ſo he might uſe it with a good conſcience, yet nevertheleſs they intreated him to conſider well of all circumſtances, and to have a tender care and reſpect unto the Church of Bourdeaux, which by his moſt fruitful preaching and exemplary godly converſation had been exceedingly edified. Whereupon he promiſed ſeriouſly not to abandon the ſaid Church, till it were better ſupplied.
10. The Sieur de la Buiſſonniere deſiring that the Canon about calling the Provincial Synod of Normandy might be explained. This Aſſembly decreeth, that every Colloquy ſhall meet in its courſe in thoſe places which are moſt commodious, and the ſaid Province is injoined to call unto their Synod a Paſtor and Elder out of every Church, and that it could not in any wiſe approve of their former actings being directly repugnant unto our Diſcipline, to call only the Deputies of the Colloquies, and the ſaid Province was cenſured for that irregular practice, and the Higher Normandy is forbidden to Congregate and pack up into one their two Colloquies, as they have done heretofore.
11. The Church of Cormes and that of St. John du Brueil petitioning to be incorporated with the Colloquy of Rovergue, and ſeparated from that of Sauve; This Aſſembly having heard Monſieur Gaſques ſpeaking on behalf of the Lower Languedoc, that they did not oppoſe it; their Petition was granted them, provided that the Synod of Higher Guyenne would carefully inſpect and watch over them.
12. The Church of Foix and Taraſcon complained of their utter inability to maintain a Paſtor by reaſon of the exceſſive poverty of the Inhabitants of thoſe places. This Aſſembly did therefore add two Portions more out of the Kings Money to that which they already had, and intreated Monſieur de Montigny to perſwade Monſieur du Mattellet to accept of the Paſtoral Charge of that Church, and to aſſiſt and incourage him in it.
13. The Petition of the Church of Bourg Argentall was granted, and they ſhall be henceforward incorporated with the Church of Bonlieu in Vivaretz, but on that condition mentioned in the Act of the Provincial Synod of Burgundy, that when as by the good providence of God they may be inabled to maintain a Paſtor of themſelves, that then they ſhall be returned back unto the ſaid Province.
The Deputies of the Lower Guyenne petitioning, that the Decree of their Provincial Synod might be confirmed, that all their Churches might be obliged to put the moneys Collected by them for the poor Exiles of the Marquiſate of Salluces into the hands of Monſieur Bernardin Elder in the Church of Thonneins, that he might be reimburſed the four hundred Crowns lent by him upon his Majeſties Grant of that ſum unto the Deputies aſſembled at Chaſtechelaud, and who had already paid it in to the Brethren of the ſaid Marquiſate. This Aſſembly hath confirmed, and doth now by this preſent Act ratifie and confirm that Decree aforeſaid, and it ſhall be accordingly executed and performed, but ſo that every Church ſhall be taxed according to its ability, and the ſaid Collection thus aſſeſſed ſhall be levied according to the ſaid Rate and Tax.
15. Madam la Faye being fallen blind is recommended to the Charity of the Church of Bourdeaux, which is intreated to continue their wonted Relief and Aſſiſtance to her.
16. Monſieur Haulier Paſtor of the Church du Mas d' Aſſier is injoyned to ride unto Vivaretz, and in obedience to the Synodical Decree made at Gap, to Account with the Church of Annonay, and to give them full ſatiſfaction within ſix months time all delays and excuſes being ſet by.
17. Monſieur Baldran Deputy for the Churches of Bearn petitioned that Monſieur Eſperian, the younger, Miniſter of St. Foy might be reſtored unto their Province and to ſerve in one of their Churches, The Elder of the Church of St. Foy was heard, who produced a Letter written by the Father of the ſaid Monſieur Eſperian, declaring that his Son if he pleaſed might continue where he was. This Aſſembly did not approve that the ſaid Eſperian ſhould be any wiſe obliged unto the Churches of Bearn to the hindrance of his abode at St. Foy; and this was ſo determined by the National Synod of Gap, and is now ratified by this preſent Synod. And the ſaid Eſperian by our authority is now fixed and appropriated to the Church of St. Foy, yet with this reſtriction, that in caſe of great and indiſpenſible neceſſities he may aſſiſt the Churches of Bearn as a Paſtor, as they alſo ſhall in like manner aſſiſt ours by vertue of that holy Ordinance of Communion betwixt the Churches of our Lord Jeſus.
18. Monſieur Durdes Paſtor of the Church of Pamiers, did by his Son acquaint this Synod of that great Affliction God had laid upon him in depriving him of his Eye-ſight, together with very many domeſtick troubles befallen him, partly by Perſecutions in former times, and grievous Sickneſſes; and that the Church of Pamiers is not of ſufficient ability to maintain another Miniſter. Wherefore the Province of Higher Languedoc is enjoyned to deal kindly with him in their Dividends of his Majeſties Liberalities, and to provide for him under his preſſing neceſſities.
19. That all Diſſenſions ariſing in the Church of Xaintes about. Church-Offices, may be prevented for the future, this Aſſembly doth judge fit, that as ſoon as the ſaid Church ſhall be provided of a Paſtor, one third of their Conſiſtory ſhall be changed, and another third at the years end, and the reſidue the year following; and the Election of the two thirds who are to continue and enter into Office ſhall be made by majority of Votes of the ſaid Conſiſtory, and thoſe who have a mind to be diſcharged ſhall enjoy their Liberty. And this Canon was made for the ſaid Church at the requeſt of the Province of Xaintonge, and to be perpetuated in the ſaid Church, but without any prejudice in the leaſt unto other Churches.
20. Our Brethren in the Baylywick of Gex ſhall ſubſcribe the Church-Diſcipline, yet with this Reſtriction, that they ſhall not be obliged unto ſome particular Canons, which ſhall be excepted by name in their ſubſcribed Copies, and this becauſe of their preſent eſtate and circumſtances.
21. The Deputies of Poictou craved reſolution unto this Caſe. Some perſons lately married were tied up from Conjugal performances by Witchcraft, and thereupon ſeparated one from the other, and the Wife was ſince married unto another Man, and afterward her firſt Husband unto another Woman: May theſe perſons be admitted to the Peace and Communion of the Church? This Aſſembly remits the Judgment of the matter of fact unto their Provincial Synod, which is ordered particularly to examine all circumſtances.
22. The Deputies of Lower Languedoc moved this Caſe; whether a Colloquy might refuſe payment of a Donative given by the Provincial Synod unto the Widdow of a deceaſed Miniſter, upon this pretence, that the ſaid Widdow died before the time of paying the ſaid Donative became due, and whether her death may cauſe a Revocation of that Relief from the indigent Heirs of the ſaid poor deceaſed Widdow? This Aſſembly reſolves in the negative, and cenſureth that Colloquy for making a needleſs ſtir and oppoſition.
23. The Church of Rochell having collected eight hundred Livers for our Exiled Brethren of the Marquiſate of Salluces, this ſum of Moneys was ordered to be paid in to the Provincial Deputies of Dolphiny, which was done accordingly, and the ſaid Province ſhall bring in their Account how they diſtribute it unto the next National Synod.
24. The Church of Bourdeaux delivered unto the Provincial Deputies of Dolphiny four hundred Livers collected in it for our Exiled Brethren of the Marquiſate of Salluces, and the ſaid Province is to bring in their Account how they have diſtributed it unto the next National Synod.
25. Monſieur Pynaud brought in his Accounts of Moneys received for the Paſtors in the Province of Aujou, Touraine, and Main. This Aſſembly did not judge ſit to examine the particulars of that Account, but left it unto the Paſtors and Elders deputed by the ſaid Province to make report how many Miniſters and Propoſans they had in their Diſtrict, according as was ordained for the other Provinces.
26. The Province of Xaintonge petitioned that the Church of Bourdeaux might be compelled to perform their promiſe made unto them of giving them a Propoſan inſtead of Monſieur Primroſe. This Aſſembly judging the demand of the ſaid Province to be but equitable, doth yet notwithſtanding exhort it to acquit that Church of its Obligation, becauſe it hath none aſſurance of the Miniſtery of the ſaid Mr. Primroſe, he having obtain'd his Congé and Licenſe of departure from this preſent Synod.
27. The Decree of the Synod of Pons (in Aulnix) made in the year 1605. for the conjunction of the Conſiſtory of Rochell with the Province of Xaintonge in all Eccleſiaſtical and Political Affairs, is confirmed by this preſent Aſſembly.
28. That Petition of the Church of Roffec about its ſeparation from the Church of Vertueil, and being couched upon the Roll of ſeparate and diſtinct Churches, is remanded back unto their Provincial Synod to be finally determined by it.
29. The Petition of the poor Widdow of Monſieur Rouſſepeau is diſmiſſed over to the conſideration of the Provincial Synod of Xaintonge, to whoſe Charity ſhe is recommended, and that Synod is authorized to oblige the Church of Pons to aſſiſt her with ſome relief anſwerable to her neceſſities.
30. A difference aroſe between the Province of Normandy and that of Anjou, Touraine, and Mayne, about the Church of Monjoubert, which is made up of divers Burroughs and Villages lying partly in the County of Perche, and partly in the Dukedom of Normandy, upon which account, one of thoſe Provinces demands the ſaid Church to be incorporated with the Colloquy of Alanſon, and another with the Colloquy of Mayne. This Aſſembly conſidering the preſent State of the ſaid Church, and being very deſirous of its preſervation, and becauſe its Paſtor was preſented to it by the Province of Normandy, and he is now reſiding there, doth decree, that it ſhall continue joyned unto the Colloquy of Allanſon, until ſuch time as the Quarters of Monjoubert and Allieres can maintain a Miniſter of their own. And then thoſe Churches ſhall return unto the Colloquy of Mayne.
31. Monſieur de Bonvouloir at preſent Paſtor of the Church of St. John d'Angely having obtained Licenſe of Departure from the Province of Poictou, upon this condition, that he ſhould reimburſe the Church of Poiré and and Belleville the ſum of four hundred and fifty Livers, which they had ſpent upon him at the Schools and Univerſity: This Aſſembly, at the requeſt of the Deputies of Poictou, ordaineth, That the ſaid Sieur de Bonvouloir ſhall come to account with the ſaid Church within the ſpace of two months about the Moneys they pretend due unto them from him; and before an half year is ended, he ſhall make them full ſatisfaction for all Arrears which he oweth to them, or on default hereof, he ſhall return again, and be ſubject to the Authority of that Province of Poictou, who have full power to diſpoſe of his Miniſtry.
32. The Deputies of Provence demanding of this Aſſembly one or more Paſtors to ſupply their vacant Churches; and this Aſſembly at preſent not knowing where to find them, doth intreat and exhort the Provinces of Dolphiny and Lower Languedoc to aſſiſt thoſe Churches with ſome of their Miniſters, until ſuch time as God ſhall have in his good providence provided a ſufficient number for them.
33. Upon the petition of Monſieur Perrin, this Aſſembly decreed that the Quarters of the upper and neither Cedron ſhall be joyned to the Church of Mombrun, till ſuch time as they can get and maintain a Paſtor of their own.
34. Monſieur Durdes Paſtor of the Church of Pamiers writ Letters unto Monſieur de Beauvois a Gentleman of Normandy, in which he acknowledgeth that the ſaid Gentleman had lent him a certain ſumm of Money during the time of his Exile in London. Theſe Letters ſhall be communicated to him by the Deputies of Higher Guyenne, and the ſaid Durdes ſhall bring in his exceptions againſt them unto the Colloquy of Foix at their next meeting, and in caſe thoſe exceptions of his be not of any force or value, he is injoyned to give full and ſpeedy content and ſatisfaction unto the ſaid Gentleman.
35. The Provincial Deputies of Normandy moved this Caſe from the Church of Caen; Whether a child born in marriage (diſallowed by our Diſcipline) being preſented unto Baptiſm by Godly Sureties, who had formerly preſented others unto this Sacrament, iſſued from the ſame married perſons, might be Baptized. Anſwer was given them, that the Parents fault cannot prejudice the Children; ſo that there is no difficulty at all in the caſe; nor ſhould they make any ſcruple in the leaſt of admitting ſuch Infants unto Baptiſm, eſpecially when as Godly perſons will become Sureties for their Religious Education. Yet nevertheleſs the Church ſhould at the ſame time teſtify that they do not approve of the ſaid Marriage.
36. Monſieur de la Buiſſonniere petitioned in the name of the Colloquy of Caen, that Monſieur le Seneſchal Miniſter of the Goſpel might be at their diſpoſal, notwithſtanding the Provincial Synod had granted him unto the Church of Orbec, contrary to the intention of Monſieur de Laſſon deceaſed, by whoſe Legacy he was educated unto the Miniſtry. The Laſt will and Teſtament of the ſaid Mr. Laſſon deceaſed being produced and read in this Aſſembly, there was this clauſe expreſſed in it, That he had ordained the Churches of Caen and Laſſon ſhould be called together to diſpoſe of that Propoſan, who was maintained at the Univerſity by the Moneys and Legacy he bequeathed to that intent and purpoſe. Wherefore this Aſſembly judged that the ſaid Synod ought not to have preſented the ſaid Le Seneſchall unto the Church of Orbec contrary to the advice and conſent of thoſe two Churches, it being a great prejudice, yea and a downright infraction of the Will of the ſaid Teſtator. However thoſe two Churches are intreated not to be over urgent for the Recalling of the ſaid Paſtor, till that Church of Orbec have time to provide it ſelf of another.
37. Monſieur de la Buiſſonniere informed this Aſſembly of the Inſolencies and Seditious Challenges of a certain Capuchin Fryar, affixed by him to the publick view of the world in ſome publick places of the City of Allanſon, but that for peace ſake he refuſed to do the like in anſwer to him. This Aſſembly commended his modeſty and prudent carriage for time paſt, and exhorts him to perſiſt in it for the future upon the like occurrences. And our General Deputies are ordered to inſert this among others into our Bill of Grievances to be preſented unto his Majeſty, the many Libels and inſolent provoking Challenges made us by our Adverſaries.
38. The Deputies of the Province of Brittany deſired that Monſieur Oyſeau Miniſter of the Goſpel might be remanded back unto them, he having quitted both them and the Church of Nantes, in which he was Paſtor without any Leave firſt had and obtained from either of them. A Letter was read from the ſaid Monſieur Oyſeau, and Monſieur Rivet his Son in Law alledged ſeveral arguments to juſtify his departure from them. But tho this Aſſembly found that the proceedings of the ſaid Mr. Oyſeau were not altogether laudable, yet they did allow him to exerciſe his Miniſtry in the Province of Poictou where he liveth at preſent, and the ſaid Province of Poitou ſhall aſſiſt the Church of Nantes with Miniſters for the full ſpace of one year, to wit Monſieur Rivet, or ſome other for him ſhall preach there ſix months, and tho other ſix any Paſtors whom the ſaid Province ſhall chuſe; and during the ſaid time Monſieur Oyſeau ſhall ſupply their Churches whoſe Paſtors do officiate in the Church of Nantes, and the Church of Nantes ſhall pay theſe Miniſters who are lent them their wages, and Mr. Oyſeau ſhall alſo receive his Salary from thoſe Churches in which he preacheth during their Paſtors abſence.
39. Monſieur Baduel Paſtor of the Town of Caſtillon declared his great poverty, occaſioned by the Confiſcation of his Fathers Eſtate upon the Account of Religion. This Aſſembly did therefore ordain that over and above that portion which he receiveth from his Church there ſhall be another paid him out of the General Stock, and a third Portion more by the Province, to comfort him under his great loſſes and oppreſſions.
40. The Deputies of Provence petitioning that the Province of Dolphiny might pay unto them the reſidue of the ſeventh part of thoſe Moneys which were adjudged them by the National Synod of Gap, and which they had actually received of Monſieur Pallott for the years 1598, 1599, and 1600. Deducting out of it the ſumm of 2250 l. Which the Deputies of Provence do acknowledge they have received; beſides they demanded intereſt for the Moneys detained from them: This Aſſembly having ſeen the Accounts of payments made unto the ſaid Province of Dolphiny ſigned and concluded by the ſaid Pallott the 5th of June, 1601. and having heard Monſieur de la Combé Deputy for the ſaid Province confeſs that he had actually received of the ſaid Pallott the ſum of 3302 Crowns, thirty Sous and eight Deniers, including therein three hunched and fourty Crowns, one Sous and three Deniers, which the ſaid Pallott had reſtored to him ſince the ſaid Account for one half of his right in it: And the ſaid de la Combe requeſted on behalf of his Province, that thoſe of Provence might allow a ſous in the Liver unto him the ſaid de la Combe over and above the 2260 Livers which he the ſaid de la Combe had paid in unto thoſe of Provence. This Aſſembly decreeth that thoſe of Dolphiny ſhall pay in to thoſe of Provence in Money or moneys worth the ſum of 665 Livers, 9. Sous, and one Denier, and then both theſe Provinces ſhall ſign and execute mutual releaſes one unto the other, without any prejudice unto the Decrees of the Synod of Gap, or the Contents thereof.
41. This Aſſembly ordaineth that one half of the ſum of 665 Livers owing by the Province of Dolphiny unto that of Provence ſhall be given to the five Paſtors, who were in actual ſervice during that time the ſaid moneys was in arrears and the Church of Luc ſhall out of hand pay unto Monſieur Megnant their Paſtor all moneys due unto him for the whole time he hath been imployed in the Miniſtry among them. And whereas the Province of Dolphiny demands from that of Provence to be allowed their Charges towards a journey of ſome Commiſſioners they had ſent to Court; this Aſſembly doth not approve thereof in the leaſt, nor ſhall there be ſo much as one Denier defalked from the Province of Provence upon that ſcore.
42. Although the Province of Xaintonge have ordered to the contrary, yet this Aſſembly doth now decree and ordain, That the ſix portions attributed to the ſix Paſtors of the City of Rochell ſhall be detained by the ſaid Church, out of which that Church ſhall be obliged to maintain a Student in Divinity according to their promiſe.
43. Though this Aſſembly had very good and ſufficient reaſons (which were before mentioned in the 19th Article of Appeals) to deprive the Church of Xaintes, for their unworthineſs, of the Miniſtry and Labours of Monſieur Petit, and to lay him by alſo unemployed in the Lord's Harveſt: Yet having ſince obſerved both in that Church and Miniſter a godly ſorrow, and great diſpleaſure for their paſt proceedings, and ſinful miſcarriages; It doth once more preſent the ſaid Monſieur Petit to the Paſtoral Office in the ſaid Church; but with an expreſs charge and injunction upon the ſaid Province, that in caſe either through the Churches or his default, the Diviſions and Contentions be continued, or that any new ones ſhall break but among them, that they ſhall remove him without delay from the exerciſe of his Miniſtry unto ſome other place, where they ſhall conceive he may be more uſeful, and as will be moſt expedient for the general good and edification of the whole Body of thoſe of our Religion.
44. Monſieur du Bois ſhall continue in the Service of his Church of la Vall, according to thoſe Agreements made with him, and approved by the Provincial Synod; only he ſhall ſerve the Church of my Lady Barre for the time appointed; and the ſaid Province ſhall remand the ſaid du Bois, to perform the duties of his Miniſtry more diligently.
45. The Province of Xaintonge is charged to get without delay a ſupply for the Church of Vertueil, and, till it have a ſettled Paſtor of its own, that the Neighbour Miniſters do by turns officiate and diſpenſe all Ordinances of Religious Worſhip to it.
46. The Church of Rochel having at the intreaty and deſire of this Synod promiſed to maintain Monſieur Peyris, who is now a Propoſan, and to take ſpecial care that within ſix months time he ſhould be duly qualified for the Miniſtry of the Goſpel: This Synod doth hereby bind and oblige that Church, which ſhall give him a Call to the Paſtoral Office, in caſe upon a ſtrict Examen he be found capacitated for it, to make reſtitution unto the ſaid Church of Rochel of all that Moneys, which they have disburſed in his Education at School and Univerſity, to fit and prepare him for their ſervice in the Miniſtry.
47. Monſieur Hog complained, that he was put to very great coſts and charges in the neceſſary defence of himſelf againſt the Inſolencies and Aſſaults of the Carmelite Fryars of Rochefoucaud, and humbly deſired that ſome courſe might betaken for his Reimburſement, he being in no wiſe able of himſelf to ſuſtain the loſs. But this Aſſembly diſmiſſed his Petition unto the Synod of his own Province, which is required to conſider it, and give him due ſatisfaction.
48. Whereas the ſum of one hundred Crowns was adjudged unto the Province of Xaintonge for the ſetting up of a Free-School in it, the ſaid Moneys ſhall be imployed upon the Colledge of Rochefoucaud for its ſubſiſtence, and the like ſum ſhall be conferred upon the Province of Lower Guyenne towards the Augmentation of the Colledge of Bergerac.
49. Whereas the province of Dolphiny draweth forth out of the General Stock of our Churches one portion under the name of Monſieur Mercure a Miniſter of the Goſpel, who doth actually ſerve ſeveral Churches both in that Province, and in Vivaretz, it is now ordered once for all, that thoſe particular Churches ſhall not have particular portions aſſigned to them, but ſhall be reputed for one only, becauſe he is ſole Paſtor to them all.
50. The two portions that were adjudged unto Monſieur de la Faye, Paſtor of the Church of Aubenas by the Synod of Gap over and above that other which the Province was to pay, ſhall be continued to him; and this order ſhall hold good till the ſitting of the next National Synod.
51. Whereas there be differences ariſen between the Province of Lower Languedoc and that of Vivaretz, about certain ſums of Money, ordered to be expended in ſeveral Journeys, which were undertaken by the joynt and common conſent of them both, and for the common good and benefit of both thoſe Provinces: This Aſſembly having heard both Parties, ordaineth, That the Province of Vivaretz ſhall be acquitted by that of Lower Languedoc in paying out of their firſt and deareſt Moneys by the Lord of Candall, the ſum of three hundred Livers. And all the Provinces are ſtraitly and expreſly enjoyned, that for the future they do never divert any of the Moneys granted us by his Majeſty unto ſuch Affairs, without the conſent of Miniſters and Churches who are particularly concerned in them; nor ſhall this be done at all, without mature and previous deliberation had about it.
52. A moſt humble petition ſhall be preſented unto his Majeſty, to beſeech him to order that Monſieur Maſela (having been wickedly proſecuted at Law about the Interment of his deceaſed Mother, and put to the vaſt charges of ſeven or eight thouſand Livers in his own defence againſt that unreaſonable and unrighteous Suit,) may have ſome amends and ſatisfaction given him for his great damages.