The Acts of Famous National Councils of the Reformed Churches in France, 22 (2nd Vitré) · Chapter 12 – Chapter 13
CHAP. XII. Of Univerſities and Colleges.
1.THE Province of Lower Guyenne demanding,Privas of Coll. Art 25. Tonneins p. m. 16. that our Univerſities might be leſſen'd in their number, and reduced unto two, and thoſe well maintained. This Aſſembly did not think fit to diminiſh their number.
2. The Deputies of Sevennes requeſting, that one part of the Univerſity in the Lover Languedoc might be wholly aſſigned to them: This Aſſembly did not think it expedient to grant them their requeſt.
3. The Province of Lower Languedoc reported, that it were expedient to reunite the two parts of their Univerſity, whereof one is at Niſmes, and the other at Montpellier, and that the effecting of it might be left unto their Synod, they calling in the Deputies of the adjoining Provinces to conſult about it. This Aſſembly owneth the needfulneſs of their Propoſal, and for divers good conſiderations it doth at preſent decree this union, ordaining that the whole Univerſity ſhall be eſtabliſhed at Niſmes, and that the Univerſity-Council ſhall be aſſembled as ſoon as may be, they calling in the Deputies of the next adjoining Provinces, which are now mentioned by name, to wit, for Dolphiny Monſieur Felix, for Vivaretz, Monſieur Moze, for Sevennes Monſieur Courant, for Provence Monſieur Morrice, all of them Deputies unto this preſent National Synod; and they being all aſſembled, ſhall furniſh that Univerſity with able Profeſſors, according to the Canons enacted in our former National Synods, and the above-mention'd Univerſity-Council is injoined to take ſpecial care, that the Youth in it be duly inſtructed and incouraged in Learning and Godlineſs under the Diſcipline of their Regents, and that the Profeſſors be faithful in the diſcharge of their Place and Office.
4. The Deputies of Sevenes demanded, that out of the Moneys given by his Majeſty's liberality unto their Province, there might be an addition made of ſome other Sums to the four hundred Livers aſſigned for maintenance of a College, and this to be done in every Province. This Aſſembly anſwered, that no augmentation could be granted on this account. And the ſaid Province of Sevennes was adviſed to conſider well of the demand made by the Church of Anduze, and to take care that the College there ſetled be well maintained.
Tonneins, of Univerſ. 12.5. The Conſiſtory and Common Council of the Town and Church of Gex writ unto this Aſſembly, how that they had and did acquieſce in the Decree of the National Synod of Tonneins concerning their College, and humbly petition'd this Aſſembly to beſtow upon them out of that ſtock of Moneys given our Churches by his Majeſty's liberality a certain Sum towards its maintenance. It was decreed, that the Lord of Candal ſhould give them to this purpoſe yearly an hundred Livers.
6. Foraſmuch as the Houſes upon which the College of Saumur is built were purchaſed with Moneys belonging unto all the Churches,Gap p. m. 46. as it hath been related in this Aſſembly; order is given unto Monſieur Rivett, Paſtor of the Church of Thouars, to make inquiry in whoſe Name that Contract and Purchace was ſigned and ſealed, and to declare it unto the Conſiſtory of the Church of Saumur, who ſhall make report thereof unto the next National Synod.
7. Complaint being made unto this Aſſembly on behalf of the Profeſſors in our Univerſities, it is ordained,… p. m. 37. that for time to time, our Univerſities ſhall be paid quarterly at the four Quarters of the Year out of the three firſt Quarters of the Moneys granted by the King to our Churches.
8. The Univerſity-Councils be injoined to chuſe out the eldeſt Propoſans, and command them to read the Scriptures in the Church before Sermons, and to cenſure ſuch of them as refuſe obedience unto this Canon.
9. In like manner thoſe Univerſity-Councils be expreſly charged to ſee the Laws and Statutes made in our former National Synods for the well-governing of theſe our Univerſities, to be moſt carefully and exactly obſerved and obeyed, that ſo we may hear no more any ill reports of them, but that the Scholars do carry themſelves with all modeſty as becometh their profeſſion, and that they do give diligent attendance on the Greek and Hebrew Lectures, and that they be perſonally preſent at Divinity-Diſputations; and that the ſaid Statutes may be better obſerved, the Provincial Synods in which thoſe Univerſities be erected are charged to depute yearly two Paſtors taken out of thoſe Churches whereunto the Univerſities do belong, who ſhall at ſome certain times, but moſt eſpecially before the ſitting of their Synod, viſit the ſaid Univerſities, and make inquiry whether the Profeſſors and Scholars both of them do faithfully and diligently intend and mind their Duties. And the Deputies of thoſe Provinces ſhall bring into the next National Synod the Laws and Statutes of our Univerſities, which were formerly enacted in our National Synods, and report impartially what they have obſerved of every ones obedience to them.
10. The Univerſity of Montauban requeſted that the Salaries of their Profeſſors might be augmented,Tonneins of Univerſ. 7. becauſe his Majeſty's liberality unto our Churches is augmented. But it was not judged meet to make any farther additions than what had been before ordained for them.
11. Monſieur Joly, Tonneins of Univerſ. 1.Paſtor and Profeſſor in the Church and Univerſity of Montalban, Petitioned that he might have ſome ſmall augmentation unto the hundred Livers, ordered him by the Synod of Tonneins, for his better incouragement in the profeſſion of the Hebrew Language. This Aſſembly not being in a capacity to augment his wages, doth exhort Monſieur Tenans, the other Hebrew Profeſſor, to allow his Collegue, Monſieur Joly, one hundred Livers out of the three hundred aſſigned to him; becauſe though he is in office, yet the main burden thereof lieth upon Monſieur Joly.
12. The Deputies of Higher Languedoc demanded a ſum of moneys for the erecting of two Colleges, the one at Millaud, the other at Pamiers, Ibidem 3.remonſtrating on the one hand the great diſtance of their Churches from the Univerſity of Montauban, and on the other hand the lamentable Poverty of the Church of Pamiers, and thoſe adjoining to it, as alſo, that the Church of Milhaud hath a College of Jeſuits planted in the very bowels of it. This Aſſembly being diſabled from increaſing the number of our Colleges, cannot gratify thoſe Deputies in their deſires. And yet exhorteth the ſaid Province to have a ſpecial regard unto the neceſſities of the Church of Pamiers, and to provide for it, according to their abilities.
13. The Deputies of Anjou joined in a Petition from the Univerſity of Saumur, which was preſented by Monſieur Benoiſt, Gap g. m. 19.Profeſſor of the Greek Tongue. Upon which this Decree paſt, that in as much as 'tis needful that our Univerſities ſhould be ſupplied with Profeſſors in Theology, in caſe of their death, or other diſability for ſervice: The Province wherein that Univerſity ſtands, ſhall convene the Univerſity-Council, and having pitcht upon a Paſtor of whoſe good will and inclination to take upon him the Profeſſors Office they be well aſſured, they may by the Authority of this National Synod remove him from his Church. But the ſaid Paſtor ſhall not however quit it till it be firſt duly provided of another Paſtor, for which purpoſe the ſaid Church ſhall have two Months time allowed them to procure him, and that he may be the ſooner had and obtained, the Province which took away their Paſtor to employ him in the Univerſity, ſhall be aiding and aſſiſting to them in it.
14. In purſuance hereof this Aſſembly out of their particular reſpect to the Univerſity of Saumur, Above App. … Alez. App. 4.which requeſted immediately to be provided of a Profeſſor in Divinity, doth nominate Monſieur de la Coste, Paſtor in the Church of Dijon, and Deputy for the Province of Burgundy, unto that Chair, becauſe of the many and honourable Teſtimonials we have received of his ſingular Piety and deep Learning; and he promiſed obedience unto this Aſſembly, and that he would wholly devote himſelf unto this Imployment, which by their great Wiſdoms he was judged capable of. Whereupon he was exhorted to embrace the Office of a Profeſſor in Divinity in the Univerſity of Saumur, to which he ſhall remove before Winter, and ſhall perform ſome act in that profeſſion before the ſitting of the Provincial Synod of Anjou, in which he ſhall undergo the Examen as in this caſe is ordained, and afterward ſhall be confirmed in his Calling and Office, and ſhall be paid his Wages as Profeſſor from that very day of his diſmiſſion from the Church of Dijon; and that it may be ſupplied according to the Decree beforementioned, this Aſſembly accepts of the motion made by the Deputies of Burgundy to write unto the Synod of Berne, that they would be pleaſed to reſign Monſieur de Chandieu, Paſtor in the Church of Oleron, unto us, and that the ſaid de Chandieu would yield his conſent to come and ſerve the Church of Dijon; which Letters were given unto the ſaid Monſieur de la Coſte, who was now travelling unto Berne about his own private concerns. And becauſe 'tis a matter of great importance to deſign at preſent (by reaſon of unavoidable neceſſities which may ſo fall out) ſome one Paſtor or other that may take upon him the Profeſſors Office, and may be fitted and qualified for it: This Aſſembly intreats and exhorts Monſieur de Chanvernon, Paſtor of the Church of Taillebourg, to diſpoſe himſelf unto this profeſſion, that when upon another vacancy the Lord ſhall call him thereunto, he may be capable of ſerving in it.
15. The Charges brought in upon Accompt by the Univerſity of Saumur, Tonneins of Univerſ. 9.in getting and bringing Monſieur Gomarus, with his Family and Houſhold Goods thither, and to pay him for Salary twelve hundred Livers yearly, as alſo what was expended on a Bedel, Door-keeper, and the Rent of the College, were all allowed unto the Deputies of Anjou.
16. The Province of the Iſle of France not bringing its accounts for their College is born with for this time,Alez. of Univerſ. 17. and their excuſes admitted; but they be injoined to reckon fully with the next National Synod for all moneys received by them for the ſaid College ſince that of Tonneins.
17. The Province of Lower Languedoc not having brought in their Accompts for the Univerſities of Niſmes and Montpettier was judged by this Aſſembly worthy of a very grievous cenſure, and it is ordered that full ſatisfaction be given by them unto the Decree of Tonneins, and they ſhall bring unto the next National Synod, all the Accompts, as well of the paſt moneys received by them, as of what they ſhall hereafter receive till the meeting of the next Synod.
18. In like manner the Province of Higher Languedoc was ſeverely cenſur'd, for not having ſent any Accompt of the Univerſity of Montauban, and we do now declare, that they ſhall loſe their priviledge of being an Univerſity, in caſe they do not bring in all their Accompts from the Synod of Tonneins unto the next National Synod.
19. The Accompt of the College of Normandy was ſeen and verified in their own Province, and brought into this Aſſembly, where it was cloſed up and approved; but they were adviſed hereafter to bring their Acquittances in a better form than at preſent.
20. The Accompt for the College of Brittain was peruſed, accepted, ſhut up, and allowed of for the years 1613, 1614, 1615, and 1616. incluſively.
21. The Accompt for the College of Sevennes was produced, and approved for the years 1614, 1615, and 1616. incluſively.
22. The Accompt for the College of Beziers was ſeen and allowed for the years 1612, 1613, 1614, 1615, and 1616. But it appeared thereby that they had in their hands five and fifty Livers, for which they ſhall be accountable hereafter.
23. The Deputies of Dolphiny declared, that the Accompt for the College of Die was ſeen and ſetled by their Univerſity Council, and was allowed in this Aſſembly for the years 1614, 1615, and 1616.
24. The Province of Poictou is injoined for the future to bring in their Accompts of the College of Niort, according to the Canon of the Synod of Tonneins; and the Accompt was approved for the years 1613, 1614, 1615, 1616. and for January Quarter in this preſent year now current.
25. The Province of Burgundy brought not in the Accompt of their College; but they were born with for this time, however they ſhall be accountable for the whole unto the next National Synod.
26. The Accompt for the College of Rochefoucaut was ſeen and allowed for the years 1612, 1613, 1614, 1615, and 1616. for which time they received one thouſand and ſix hundred Livers, ten Sous. There remain one hundred Livers which have not been imployed by them, for which they muſt be reſponſible unto the next National Synod.
27. The Accompt for the College of Berry was ſeen and cloſed up, and allowed for the years 1614, 1615, and 1616.
28. The Commiſſioners examined the Accompt for the College in the Province of Vivaretz, and becauſe it was found defective, this Aſſembly ordaineth, that the ſaid Province ſhall bring in unto the next National Synod, their Accompts of the years 1614, 1615, and 1616. together with all Bills, and Acquittances, and on default hereof, there ſhall be detained from the ſaid Province the ſums paid, and not imployed to the maintenance of the ſaid College.
29. The Commiſſioners appointed to examine the accounts of the Province of Provence, brought in their report, that the moneys given them for a College have been quite diverted, and imployed about petty A, B, C. Schools, contrary to the intention and decree of the foregoing National Synods, yea and the Deputies of the ſaid Province have not brought with them any Acquittances, for which they were cenſured, and the Deputies of Lower Languedoc which are to viſit that Province upon other affairs, ſhall peruſe thoſe Accompts, and ſhall take care that the moneys deſign'd unto a College be wholly imployed in it, and their Acquittances of what they have received and disburſed for time paſt and to come, ſhall be brought in to the next National Synod, and in caſe of default herein the ſaid Province ſhall forfeit its right unto a College.
30. This Aſſembly cannot approve that the College of Bergerac ſhould neglect to ſend hither its accompt, and they be injoined to do it for the future, and in the mean while the ſum of twelve hundred Livers is continued to them according to the Synodical Decree of Tonneins.
31. Whereas the National Synod of Tonneins had formerly aſſigned four hundred Livers towards the maintenance of the College of Die, this Aſſembly addeth two hundred more, which the Lord of Candal is ordered to pay unto it.
32. The Province of Sevennes having requeſted the priviledge of calling the next National Synod, it was granted them, and that they ſhould ſummon it about three years hence, in a commodious place, and in the Month of May, ſaving that they may anticipate the time for important reaſons, upon which they ſhall conſult with the Lords General Deputies, and their Neighbour Provinces.
CHAP. XIII. The Catalogue of Apoſtates and Depoſed Miniſters.
1. IN the Province of Poictou, James Mettayer born at Chandonnier in the ſame Province, about five and thirty years old, formerly Paſtor of Luſignan, revolted the eight and twentieth day of March laſt, and was declared an Apoſtate by the Synod held at Thouars the eighth of April following, he is a Fellow of mean ſtature, a little black Beard, black-hair'd, and looking down towards the Earth.
2. In the Province of Anjou, Anthony du Perche born at Alencon, heretofore Paſtor in the Church of Mondoubleau, about ſix and forty years old, his hair and beard black, of a middle ſtature, hook nos'd, club-footed, was depoſed from the holy Miniſtry for deſerting of his Church.
3. In the Province of Lower Languedoc, Eſajah Ferrier, heretofore Paſtor in the Church of St. Giles, was ſuſpended the holy Miniſtry by the two former National Synods for his ungodly Converſation, and is ſince revolted, betwixt five and ſix and thirty years of age, a Fellow of mean ſtature, and dark Cheſſnut colour'd hair.
4. In the ſame Province Alexander Sellon was depoſed for the hainous Crimes of Adultery, Perjury, and Slandering, he was born at Niſmes, ſometimes Paſtor in the Church of Vauvert, about thirty five or thirty ſix years old, ſhort of ſtature, red hair'd, little or no beard.
5. In the Province of Provence, Andrew Baſſett, born at Venes in Dolphiny, he revolted whileſt he was Paſtor of the Church de la Coſte, mean of ſtature, about thirty years of age, having a fine, clear red beard, a ſullen illlookt Fellow, frowning when he ſpeaks, roving with his eyes, and lowring with his head towards the ground.
6. In Dolphiny, Joſhua Barbier, heretofore Paſtor in the Church of Livron, black hair'd, a ſquinting, purblind Fellow, ſhort ſighted, tall of ſtature, glib of tongue, about forty years of age, he is now turn'd Apoſtate.
7. In the Province of Sevennes, Peter Cailleteau, heretofore Paſtor in the Church of Pont de Mortvert, about ſixty five years of age, ſhort of ſtature, ſquare ſhoulder'd, broad faced, a dim-ſighted Fellow, he was depoſed for his vicious and ungodly Converſation.