The Acts of Famous National Councils of the Reformed Churches in France, 26 (2nd Charenton) · Chapter 19
CHAP. XIX. The Proteſtation of the National Synod upon the Conjunction of the Churches of Bearn with thoſe of France in Church-Diſcipline, and their Submiſſion to the Authority of our National Synods.
4. IN like manner the Synod did ſolemnly proteſt, that they never had any ſuch Intention or Deſign, as to withdraw his Majeſty's Subjects from their Obedience, either to the Laws of his Majeſty, or of his Royal Predeceſſors, nor to ordain any new Judges or Degrees of Appeals, nor to make any Innovations in the leaſt Jot or Tittle to their Prejudice; much leſs was it in our Thoughts to conjoin the Churches of Bearn to theſe of France, without his Majeſty's Permiſſion; but we did, as in Duty bound, believe it a thing already granted by his Majeſty; His Majeſty having expreſly declared in his Anſwer to the Cahier from the Aſſembly of Grenoble, and renewed in the Conference at Loudun, that he would allow and be well-pleaſed with the ſaid Conjunction, as ſoon as Bearn ſhould be reunited unto the Crown of France, which was actually effected in the Year 1620.
5. Upon Report made by the Deputies of the Iſle of France, of their Care and Pains taken to recover the manuſcript Works of Monſieur du Tilloy deceaſed, from them into whoſe Hands they are now fallen, and the Unlikelihood of their ever being publiſhed: The Aſſembly was well ſatisfied with the Indeavours and Inquiries of the ſaid Province.
6. Upon the Remonſtrance of the Province of Anjou, the Printers of Geneva, Sedan and Saumur are adviſed to print moſt correctly the Catechiſms, Confeſſion of Faith, and Liturgy of our Churches, and to ſee that all the Editions of them do intirely agree one with another, that ſo we may have no more Complaints againſt them for the future, about their Omiſſions and Negligence herein.
7. Although the Church of Rochechouard doth of right belong unto the Province of Poictou, yet becauſe of the Weakneſs of the Colloquy of Limouzin, which requireth that the ſaid Church be joined to it: This Aſſembly ordaineth, that the Decree made in the 25th National Synod held at Caſtres, ſhall be obſerved; and that the Deputies of Bearn, as they return homeward by the Way of Limoges and Rochechouard, ſhall take Cognizance of the Differences which have hapned between Monſieur Barthe and the Conſiſtory of Limoges, of which they ſhall give an Account unto the next National Synod.
8. Whereas by reaſon of the late Troubles, and the Difficulties of the preſent Day, the Sieurs Chauve and Bouteroue, (who were commiſſionated by the National Synod of Caſtres, to paſs over unto the Provincial Synod of Provence) have not been called to it: This Aſſembly ordaineth that that particular Paſtor of Provence, who is charged with the Power of ſummoning the next Synod in that Province, ſhall give ſeaſonable Notice of the Time and Place of its Meeting, that ſo they may aſſiſt at it, and execute the Commiſſion which was given them.
9. The Synod of Sevennes ſhall give account unto the next National Synod of the Conduct of Mr. Repaſſeau, and of his Carriage and Actings in the Church of Paillac, which he quitted and forſook during the times of the late Commotions.
10. The Province of the Iſle of France and Church of Paris, having related their Proceedings with Monſieur Richer, formerly Paſtor in the Church of Vandieres: This Aſſembly applauding the Charity of the ſaid Province, and particularly of the Church of Paris towards him, doth confirm the Judgment denounced againſt him by the ſaid Province for his Levity and evil Converſation, notwithſtanding the long-continued Indulgence of that Province to him.
11. Foraſmuch as the Colloquy of Ambrun was not in a Capacity of taking Cognizance of the Cauſe of Mr. Genoyer, which was recommended to them by the National Synod of Caſtres: This Aſſembly commiſſionates the Colloquy of Gapenſois, finally to determine that matter.
12. This Aſſembly having read the Cenſure paſt on Monſieur Perſy, and ordained that it ſhould be razed out of the Acts of the National Synod of Caſtres, doth commiſſionate the Provincial Deputies of Higher Languedoc in their Return homeward, to paſs by Monflanquin, and to take Cognizance of the Fact mentioned in the Acts of the Synod of Lower Guyenne: And in caſe the ſaid Deputies cannot execute their Commiſſion, they ſhall give notice of it unto their Province, which is impowered in that caſe to pronounce a final Sentence.
13. Although the Deputies of Lower Languedoc have faithfully informed this Aſſembly how that through the rich and ſoveraign Mercy of God, Monſieur Peyrat was preſerved from the very Brink and Precipice of Deſtruction, unto which his many Infirmities and ſore Temptations had moſt lamentably expoſed him, and declared the Courſe which the Synod of the ſaid Province had took with him in order to his Recovery, and Re-eſtabliſhment in the Exerciſe of his Miniſterial Office; yet doth it nevertheleſs grievouſly cenſure the Provincial Synod for proceeding to his Reſtoration contrary to the uſual and accuſtomed Forms, and Neglect of the Canons of our Church-Diſcipline.
14. Monſieur Aymard, Deputy of the Province of Sevennes unto the National Synod of Caſtres, having not diſcharged the Commiſſion given him by the ſaid Synod: This Aſſembly cenſuring both the ſaid Aymard for his Neglect, and the Province of Sevennes for not calling him to an Account for it, doth confirm the Judgment paſſed by the Provincial Synod of Lower Languedoc againſt Mr. Tuſtan.
15. This Aſſembly judging the Neglect of the Province of Sevennes worthy of a moſt grievous Cenſure, ordains, that the Act made in the National Synod of Caſtres againſt Monſieur Bony, ſhall abide in full force: And whereas the Colloquy of Montpellier hath took Information of the Facts propoſed, but not decided in the aforeſaid Synod; it is now fully impowered to proceed againſt the ſaid Bony, according to the Diſcipline, in caſe he be found guilty; and if hereafter there be a Default of rendring an account of Commiſſions given to the ſaid Province by the National Synods, the Moderators of thoſe Provincial Synods ſhall be ſuſpended from their Office.
16. The Province of Berry had Audience given them as to thoſe Matters of their Complaints and Petitions. And this Aſſembly ordaineth, that the Decree of the National Synod of Caſtres ſhall ſtand good, and that the other paſt in the Provincial Synod held at Chaſtillon upon Loir; ſhall be razed out of the Body of their Synodical Acts.
17. The Synod not being able to change any thing in that Canon of the National Synod of Caſtres concerning Monks, exhorteth the Provinces to practiſe it with all poſſible Prudence and Charity.
18. The Printers of Geneva and Sedan ſhall be informed by the Church of Paris exactly to obſerve the Citations already added, or that may be hereafter added to the Margents of our Confeſſion of Faith.
19. Foraſmuch as divers Difficulties are ſtarted about the obſervation of that Canon made in the laſt National Synod of Caſtres, which ordered that ancient Paſtors ſhould always be preferr'd before Scholars, who were demanded by particular Churches to be ordained Miniſters unto them: This Aſſembly taking off the Commination pronounced, in caſe of Diſobedience to that Canon, againſt the Moderators of Colloquies and Provincial Synods, and mollifying it in that part thereof, which impoſeth a preciſe neceſſity of giving the Preference unto Paſtors, doth yet notwithſtanding exhort the Provinces to obſerve this Ordinance as much as poſſibly they can, and not to quit it but at ſuch times whenas they ſhall be conſtrained by an evident and moſt urgent Neceſſity ſo to do.
20.*Another Copy writes Noel. Noah Gaultier depoſed by the Synod of Burgundy, appeared in Perſon before this Aſſembly, and demanded his Reſtitution unto the Sacred Miniſtry, preſuppoſing that he had appealed hither, but could not get out his Appeal which he deſigned againſt the Sentence paſt upon him: The Aſſembly being fully informed as well of the Cauſes for which he was put into the Roll of the Depoſed, as of his Actings againſt the ſaid Province, rejected his Petition.
21. George Arband preſenting himſelf before this Aſſembly, and importunately deſiring to be reſtored unto his Miniſtry, from which he had been depoſed by the National Synod of Caſtres: he was told by the Moderator in open Synod, that there would be nothing altered in the Sentence paſt upon him, but that it ſhould abide ſtill in force againſt him.
22. Now that according to the Decree of the laſt National Synod of Caſtres, this Aſſembly proceeded to examine the Reaſons brought by the Deputies of the Provinces upon that Queſtion, Whether it be lawful and expedient to adminiſter Baptiſm on Days of ordinary common Prayers, whenas there is no Sermon preached, and all of them had been duly pondered and debated; the Aſſembly did at laſt conclude, That a Sermon preached either before or after Baptiſm, was not of the Eſſence of that Sacrament, but only a Matter of Order, whereof the Church might determine; and therefore the reſpective Churches and Provinces are left unto their reſpective Uſages and Cuſtoms, provided that they be ſuch as, in their beſt and matureſt Thoughts, will moſt contribute unto their edifying.
23. This Synod ratifying the Judicial Sentence paſt by the Colloquy of Anduze in the Cauſe of Mr. du Cros and Raill, doth yet condemn thoſe bitter Expreſſions uſed by Mr. du Cros in his Letter written againſt George Arbaud, after his Reconciliation with him.
24. The Lord Malet reporting the State of the Proceſs againſt the Sieur Palot, was intreated to continue his Proſecutions vigorouſly, and not to ſuffer the Cauſe to be heard before any other Judges than the Lords of his Majeſty's moſt Honourable Privy-Council, becauſe of the great Prejudice that would otherwiſe redound unto the Churches.
25. Although the Churches of this Kingdom have little cauſe of Satisfaction from the Province of Bearn, by reaſon of their dilatory Proceedings in the Buſineſs of Mr. Mainuelle; yet foraſmuch as it was granted the ſaid Province, that all Judicial Sentences paſt by them to this day, ſhould be valid and not liable to any Retraction; and for that the Church of Geneva doth not renew its Suit againſt the ſaid Mainuelle, and ſeemeth thereby to have buried the Memory of that Fact, of which he was accuſed, in Oblivion; The Synod leaving the ſaid Mainuelle to the Judgment of his own Conſcience, doth injoin him for the future ſo to order his Converſation, that there may be no juſt Occaſions given of new Complaints againſt him.
26. All the Provinces are injoined carefully to obſerve and practiſe the 6th Canon in the Obſervations of the 24th National Synod held at Charenton in the Year 1623, upon our Diſcipline, and that 5th Canon in the Chapter of Particular Matters in the Synod of Caſtres; and by all lawful and poſſible means to reduce them unto their Duty, who cauſe their Children to be inſtructed by the Prieſts of the Romiſh Church, or ſend them to the Colledges of Jeſuits.
27. In caſe his Majeſty ſhall be pleaſed to continue the Grant of his wonted Liberality unto the Churches, out of the Dividend of the Province of Provence, there ſhall be firſt taken out the Monies granted unto Monſieur Durie by the National Synod of Caſtres; and the ſaid Province ſhall be accomptable to him for it from the very firſt day of his Eſtabliſhment in the Church of Beauvoyſin.
28. The Difference between the Provinces of Xaintonge and Poitou, ſhall be referred unto the next Colloquy of the Synod of Anjou, which is alſo impowered to conjoin the Church of Saveilles with that of Villefaignan, in caſe they ſhall judg that of Chefboutonné, whereunto the ſaid Church of Saveille is now joined, may ſubſiſt of it ſelf.
29. Foraſmuch as ſince the Decree of the National Synod of Caſtres concerning Monſieur Caſaux, five Years are now lapſed, and the Province of Higher Languedoc hath not in all this time re-demanded him; this Aſſembly beſtoweth the ſaid Caſaux upon the Province of Lower Guyenne; and he ſhall continue his Miniſtry in that Church in which he hath hitherto ſerved, as their own appropriated Paſtor.
30. According to that Decree of the National Synod of Caſtres, the Churches of Auvergne ſhall carry their Declaration unto the next Synod of Higher Languedoc, who ſhall determine whether they be able to compoſe a new Colloquy: And in the mean while, the Province of Burgundy ſhall continue their Care and Charity to the Church of Paillas, in like manner as it hath done in Times paſt.
31. The Colloquy of Albigeois ſhall exert all their Power, that the Decree of the National Synod of Caſtres be executed againſt thoſe Miniſters in the Province of Higher Languedoc, who reſide not in their Churches, and ſhall apply meet Cenſures to the Tranſgreſſors of the 13th Canon in the firſt Chapter of our Diſcipline, and that by the Authority of this Aſſembly.
32. The Monies promiſed unto Monſieur Chamier, Paſtor of the Church of Montlimard, by the National Synod of Caſtres, towards the printing of thoſe excellent Works of his moſt learned Father, now with God, ſhall be effectually paid in unto him; but I fear it was never done.
33. The Provinces are exhorted to reviſe their Collections, who have compiled the Articles of our National Synods into a Body, that ſo there may be out of them made an Extract of ſuch important Matters as explain the Canons of our Church-Diſcipline; and they ſhall make Report hereof unto the next National Synod.
34. Letters ſhall be written to Monſieur de Sommaiſe (Salmaſius) to intreat him, that he would devote his Studies and Pains to the Service of God's Church, and that he would travel in the Examination and Confutation of the Annals of Cardinal Baronius.
35. That Act promoting Monſieur de Gariſſoles to the Profeſſion of Divinity in the Univerſity of Montauban, having been preſented by the Deputies of Higher Languedoc, was confirmed: And this Aſſembly confirmeth the ſaid Mr. Gariſſoles in his Profeſſorate, and intirely approved of what was done in this Matter by the Commiſſioners who did examine him.
36. This Aſſembly ratifying the Judgment paſſed by the Conſiſtory of Alez in the Cauſe of Monſieur Deſmarais, which was diſmiſſed to them by the National Synod of Caſtres, decreeth, That out of the firſt Monies belonging to the Province of Vivaretz, ſhall be retained part of the Sum due by the ſaid Province unto the ſaid Deſmarais, that ſo he may be ſo far ſatisfied.
37. According to the Decree of the National Synod of Caſtres, out of the firſt Monies to be received by the Churched for three Years, there ſhall be repriſed by the Province of Xaintonge the thirteen Portions and an half granted to Mr. Bellot and Conſtans, and the Acquittances of thoſe two Miniſters ſhall be brought in, and delivered unto the Lord of Candall.
38. Complaint being made of the non-Execution of the 13th Canon, enacted in the 23d National Synod held at Alez in the Year 1620, about delivering the Cup at the Lord's Table by Paſtors only, This Aſſembly judgeth the Province of Lower Languedoc to have incurr'd a Cenſure, for their over-much Indulgence unto the Churches of Montpellier and Niſmes, who have not to this very day conformed to it: And it doth grievouſly cenſure the Conſiſtories of thoſe Churches, and enjoineth them for the future not to quit the Practice of the other Churches of this Kingdom, on pain of being proſecuted with all Eccleſiaſtical Cenſures.
39. Monſieur d'Huyſſeau craving the Execution of that Decree made by the National Synod of Caſtres, which had given him the Sum of two thouſand five hundred Livers in compenſation of his great Expences diſburs'd in the Suit againſt Monſieur Palot; The Aſſembly ordereth the Lord of Candall to pay him in the ſaid Sum out of the firſt Monies which ſhall be divided among the Churches, who ſhall be accomptable to him for it, and deliver up unto him the Acquittance of the ſaid Sieur d'Huyſſeau.
40. Foraſmuch as Mr. Roques hath not preſented himſelf before this Aſſembly, to render accompt of the Monies received by him out of the Collection permitted by his Majeſty for the Cities of Rochel, Montauban and Caſtres; the Province of Lower Guyenne is charged to cite him unto their next Synod, and to examine and finiſh his Accompts by the Authority of this Aſſembly.
41. The Memoirs ſent by the Sieurs Mizauban and Grenouilleau, Commiſſioners appointed by the National Synod of Caſtres to viſit the Churches of Soulés and Labour, being read, and Mr. Guillemin Miniſter in the ſaid Church of Labour, and the Provincial Deputies of Lower Guyenne and Bearn being heard; The Aſſembly ordains, That till ſuch time as it ſhall pleaſe his Majeſty to grant a ſettled Place for Religious Worſhip unto the Faithful dwelling in the Land of Labour, that the ſaid Church ſhall continue joined to the Province of Bearn, that ſo it may be regularly viſited: and till ſuch time as it can ſubſiſt of it ſelf, inſtead of three hundred Livers which were granted by the former National Synods unto the ſaid Mr. Guillemin, he ſhall receive the yearly Sum of an hundred and fifty Livers: and the Scholar named Martill, having been examined in the laſt Synod of Bearn, and found meet and qualified to ſerve the Church of God in the Sacred Miniſtry, ſhall receive for his yearly Portion ſixty Livers: and the Sum of ſeventy five Livers ſhall be paid in to the ſaid Mr. Guillemin in Conſideration of his Sickneſs only, by the Lord of Candall; this Synod not being able to charge it ſelf with the reimburſment of his Expences; becauſe it judgeth it an unreaſonable thing that Paſtors ſhould take long Journies upon none other Errand, than to preſent their Petitions unto the National Synods, which might as well, if not been better done, by inſerting them into the Memoirs of the Deputies of thoſe Provinces of which they be Members.
42. The Complaint of Stephen du Mas againſt Mr. Scoffier Paſtor in the Church of Lunell, is diſmiſſed over to the Conſiſtory of Montpellier, which having heard both Parties, ſhall within one Month after the ſignification of this preſent Act by that Conſiſtory, judg of the pretended Right of the ſaid du Mas by Authority from this Aſſembly.
43. This Aſſembly ratifying the Decree of the National Synod of Caſtres, concerning Mr. Bicheteau. Paſtor in the Church of Vrillac, and Proſeſſor of the Hebrew Tongue in the Univerſity of Montauban, judgeth concerning his Demands notified by his Letters, as alſo by his Son declaring them by word of Mouth, that they are not of their nature, which ought to be tendred unto the National Synods; yet in Conſideration of his great Neceſſities and Loſſes, it was reſolved that he ſhould have a Token of this Aſſembly's Affection and Charity, which ſhould be given him, whenas the Monies appertaining to the Churches came to be divided.
44. The Letters of Dr. Andrew Rivet, Paſtor and Profeſſor of Divinity in the famous Univerſity of Leyden, being read, a Decree paſt, That in the Anſwer which ſhould be returned unto him, he ſhould be intreated to continue his Care and Kindneſs to the Weal of our Churches. And whereas the laid Reverend Profeſſor is upon the point of being ſettled in the Houſe of his Excellency the Prince of Orange, and his Lordſhip the Lord Commiſſioner having remonſtrated, that he could not be there eſtabliſhed without his Majeſty's Licence, the Lord of Champvernon his Brother is intreated to give him notice thereof.
45. The Reverend Paſtors of Xaintonge and the Lower Guyenne, who were appointed to examine the Works of Monſieur Blondell, having made an honourable Report of them, this Aſſembly commended the ſaid Monſieur Blondell for his great Labour, Care and Exactneſs in ſo painful and important a Subject; and exhorts him continually to employ thoſe excellent Gifts and Talents, which God hath ſo abundantly beſtowed upon him, in clearing up the Hiſtory of the five firſt Centuries: And whereas the laſt Synod of Caſtres had promiſed to bear the Charges of the Impreſſion, this Synod doth now aſſure him, that he ſhall be fully ſatisfied in this Particular. And that the after-Writings of the ſaid Mr. Blondell may be ſtrictly peruſed and examined, the Provincial Synod of the Iſle of France is commiſſionated to do it, and to give their Licence and Approbation, that ſo they may be printed.
46. Upon hearing the Report of thoſe Commiſſioners who were appointed to audit the Receivers Accompts of the Monies collected by his Majeſty's Permiſſion, the 7th of February 1626, for relieving the Neceſſities of the Cities of Rochel, Montauban and Caſtres, they declared, that they had ſeen and examined that of Monſieur d'Huyſſeau for the Provinces of the Iſle of France, Normandy, Berry, Anjou, Poitou, Brittain and Xaintonge; and his Receipt amounted to the Sum of ſixty nine thouſand ſeven hundred and thirteen Livers, nineteen Sous, and ſix Deniers; and the Disburſment to ſixty eight thouſand ſix hundred and thirteen Livers, five Sous, and eight Deniers; ſo that there remains in the hands of the ſaid Monſieur d' Huyſſeau, eleven hundred and forty Livers, thirteen Sous, and nine Deniers. The Aſſembly approving the ſaid Audit, orders that Monſieur d' Huyſſeau do pay in the ſaid Debt unto the Lord of Candall, who ſhall divide it between the Churches of Montauban, Caſtres, and Rochel, proportionably to what they have already received, and may hereafter receive, according as it was regulated in the National Synod of Caſtres; in doing of which he ſhall be ſufficiently acquitted and diſcharged of the Monies ſo received and disburſed by him; as he alſo is now thanked for his great Care, Pains and Diligence in his management and execution of the ſaid Office of Receiver. And it was farther voted, that all his Acquittances ſent unto the Churches, ſhall be reſtored to him, if poſſible it can be done; but if it cannot be, they are then declared Null and Void.
47. Report being made unto this Aſſembly, by thoſe Reverend Divines who were commanded to peruſe divers parts of that Treatiſe upon the Euchariſt made by Mr. Faucheur; and how exceeding profitable this moſt Elaborate Work would be unto the Publick, by reaſon of its deep and curious Learning, the moſt worthy Author received the Thanks of the Synod for his ſingular. Diligence and Zeal for God's Glory, and Affection to the edifying of God's Church: And Meſſieurs de Croy, and Gigord, Paſtors of the Churches of Beziers and Montpellier, are ordered to reviſe it; that as ſoon as it hath paſt their Examination and Approbation, it may be immediately printed at the Coſts of the Churches, according to the Intention of the National Synod of Caſtres.
48. Mr. Charron, Deputy from the Church of Bergerac, related the Cauſes which obſtructed the reſtitution of their Colledg: Whereupon this Synod voted a Continuance of that ſame Supply which had been formerly granted them for its Support by the laſt National Synod of Caſtres, and exhorted them to uſe their beſt and utmoſt Endeavours that it may be reſtored betwixt this and the next National Synod. And in caſe they can effect it ſooner, the Provincial Synod of Lower Guyenne is ordered to acquaint the Lord of Candall with it, who ſhall pay in unto them the Monies granted by the Churches for the Maintenance of the ſaid Colledg, proportionably to what he ſhall receive from the Monies of his Majeſty's Liberality. The Synod likewiſe ordaineth, that till the ſaid Colledg be reſtored, the four hundred Livers attributed to the Province of Lower Guyenne for its Colledg, and applied by the laſt National Synod to that of Nerac, ſhall be paid out of the ſame Fund, according to the Intention of the ſaid Synod.
49. The Synod of Burgundy is ordered to examine the Accompts of Mr. Gros, who was commiſſionated to receive the Collection granted by his Majeſty for the Cities of Rochel, Montauban and Caſtres; that ſo, upon the cloſing of them, they may ſend the reſidue of the Monies in his Hands unto the Lord of Candall; who, according to the Sum, ſhall divide it among thoſe Churches, in the ſame manner as he did that of Monſieur d' Huyſſeau, and conformable to the Regulation made in the laſt Synod of Caſtres.
50. Mr. Du Bois, a Paſtor diſcharged by the Province of Normandy, complaining, that contrary to the Decree of the National Synod of Caſtres, the ſaid Province, inſtead of reckoning with him for his Portion aſſigned by the 24th National Synod held at Charenton in the Year 1623 unto him, had ordered that the free Portion granted him by that of Caſtres in the Year 1626, ſhould be paid in unto him by the Receiver of the ſaid Province. The Aſſembly having heard the Report of the Commiſſioners nominated by it to examine his Pretenſions, doth condemn the ſaid Province, for not having followed the Intentions of the ſaid National Synod of Caſtres, and ordaineth, that out of the beſt and cleareſt Monies belonging to the ſaid Province, there ſhall be detained the Sum of eight and fifty Livers, and fourteen Sous, in the hands of the Lord du Candall, who ſhall pay it unto the ſaid Mr. Du Bois, he giving an Acquittance for it. And whereas he hath not touch'd a Denier of his free Portion given him by the National Synod of Caſtres, it ſhall be paid unto him, either by the Lord of Candall, or his Deputy in the Province of the Iſle of France.
51. Whereas the firſt National Synod of Charenton in the Year 1623, had ordained four hundred Livers to be paid in to the Province of Higher Languedoc, now the Lord of Candall out of the firſt Monies that ſhall be diſtributed among the Churches, ſhall reimburſe the ſaid Province of that Sum.