The Acts of Famous National Councils of the Reformed Churches in France, 29 (Loudun) · Chapter 9

The Acts of Famous National Councils of the Reformed Churches in France · 29 (Loudun) · Chapter 9

p. 532CHAP. IX. Of Appeals.

1. MOnſieur Ferrand Paſtor of the Church of Burdeaux, appealed, for that the Synod of Lower Guyenne held at Bergerac, had made a change in their firſt Deputation to the National Synod, having put in another Deputy in his ſtead, whenas ſixteen Members of the ſaid Synod were abſent and out of the way, to the wounding of his Reputation. Whereupon the Deputies of that Province declared, that this Change was made in purſuance of a Rule made in the Synod held at Caſteljalonx, without any the leaſt ſuſpicion had of the Integrity of the ſaid Monſieur Ferrand, whoſe Fidelity and Sincerity was very well known in all the Province and elſewhere. This Aſſembly judged, that the Rule eſtabliſh'd in the ſaid Province is highly laudable, and its obſervation very profitable. Yet nevertheleſs it were to be deſired that the new Election had not commenc'd in the abſence of ſo great a number of p. 533their Members; and the ſaid Monſieur Ferrand is intreated to reſt ſatisfied with the Teſtimony given him by the Deputies of his Province in this Aſſembly, that he hath always demeaned himſelf as a good and Faithful Servant of God.

2. The Churches of Beaune, Thoire, and St. John, appealed from the Judgment of the Synod of Burgundy, which refuſed to diſcharge them of thoſe Sums to which they were taxed as the other Churches of the Province, for the Colledges and Univerſities. After peruſal of the Contents of their Memoirs, and hearing the Deputies of the Provinces, the Aſſembly judged thoſe Churches aforeſaid moſt blame worthy for refuſing to pay the Sums demanded of them, and injoyneth them to ſubmit unto that Order.

3. The Sieur Gaultier, Paſtor in the Province of Xaintonge, brought his Appeal from a Cenſure which he pretended was inflicted upon him by the Synod of that Province held at Mauze, July 5, 1656, becauſe he refuſed to Baptize the Child of the Lord of Cyre, at his Caſtle on an extraordinary Day. The Aſſembly conſidering the Terms of that Cenſure which he produced, mentioned no Cenſure at all, it could not be perſwaded that he had any ground of complaint in the leaſt, nor that ſuch an Appeal ſhould have been brought into this Aſſembly; becauſe Paſtors ſhould in all Affairs of this nature be guided by their Conſiſtories, and the cuſtom of the Provinces. And foraſmuch as this Aſſembly is informed, that the ſaid Gaultier hath been for a long time without a Church, the Province of Xaintonge was commanded to get him ſome Employment.

4. Mademoiſelle d' Argier, Widow of the Deceaſed Paſtor of that Name, complained againſt the Judgment of the Synod of Lower Languedoc, held at Ʋſez, in the Year 1659, which had rejected her Petition, and demand of the Annuity of her Widowhood from the Churches of Cormes and Florenſac; but her Appeal was rejected, becauſe the matters of that nature ought to be finally decided in the Provinces.

5. The Sieur Bourdieu, Paſtor of the Church of Montpellier, having preſented unto this Aſſembly the Evidences and Memoirs of Mr. Peter Caffarel, (Syndic of the Inhabitants in the City of Montpellier, profeſſing the Reformed Religion,) by which he defends himſelf from the Appeals brought by the Sieur John Guillard, and Mademoiſelle Colomb…, and Eſther Thalodiere de Degan, about a difference between them concerning Seats in the Temple: Theſe Differences were remanded back again unto the Conſiſtory of Montpellier, there to be finally determined if they are not ſo already, according to the Ordinances eſtabliſhed in the laſt and in this preſent National Synod of Charenton.

6. There were produced in this Aſſembly the Memoir of Monſieur David Blanc (late Paſtor of the Church of Vernoux, who departed this Life about Two Years ſince,) and preſented by his poor Children in behalf of their Dead Father to defend an Appeal of his from the Provincial Synod of Vivaretz held at Vals, in April 1650. And they complained that the ſaid Synod had removed him from his Church of Vernoux, without ſo much as hearing him ſpeak for himſelf; ſo that he was for ſometimes altogether deſtitute of Employment, and without any Maintenance or Care had for him or his poor Families Subſiſtence. After that the Deputies of the ſaid Province were heard, the Aſſembly did very much blame the Province of Vivaretz, for removing the ſaid Mr. Le Blanc from his Church, without ſuffering him to defend himſelf, and for not providing for his Subſiſtence all the while he was out of imployment; and Ordained that there ſhould be paid in unto his Children within the ſpace of one Year, the Sum of Two Hundred Livres by the p. 534ſaid Province, and by the Churches of Vernoux, and of Velay, each of them One Third. And the Synod of Vivaretz is charged to ſee that the ſaid Sum be paid in to the Children of the ſaid Deceaſed Mr. Le Blanc, within the time prefixed.

7. On ſight of the Letters and Memoirs of Monſieur Thubert the Father, Paſtor of the Churches of Caſſagnoles and Marnjolles, appealing from a Judgment paſt in the Synod held at Alez, in the Year 1658, againſt him, and for refuſing to reſtore him unto his Church of Vezenobres, from whence he was removed without any valid Reaſon given him; and that becauſe he had a right to re-enter into his ſaid Church, they to keep him out, would pay him Fifty Livres a Year for his Life. After that the Deputies of Sevennes had been heard, and that the Memoirs containing the Reaſons and Grounds of the Appeal brought from the ſaid Judgment by the Church of Vezenobre, which was ordered to pay Fifty Livres a Year unto the ſaid Monſieur Thubert. The Aſſembly vacated the ſaid Appeal; and hath alſo vacated the Judgment paſt againſt the ſaid Church, for the Yearly payment of Fifty Livres, and diſchargeth it from the ſaid Payment, without Reſtitution of any part of the ſaid Monies, to be made by the ſaid Monſieur Thubert, in caſe he hath received any.

8. There was an Appeal brought by the Church of Xaintes, from an Act of the Provincial Synod of Xaintonge, held at Cazes, in June, 1659, for that, as they were informed, they had over and beſides the great Catechiſm, which is ordinarily uſed every Lord's Day, ordained another to be uſed between the Morning Sermon, and the great Catechiſm for Children, in a familiar way, by Queſtions and Anſwers; and yet though this be not practiſed in any one Church of the Province, the Church of Xaintes is called upon to conform to Order, and to keep to Uniformity. This Aſſembly being obliged to commend the Zeal and Diligence of the ſaid Church, in providing for their Inſtruction who are committed to its care, judgeth, that it had been much better if the ſaid Province had left this Church in full Liberty; or that when they gave it their Advice upon the difficulty, (which was diſcovered in the Order of the ſaid Church, and that for a long time hath been upheld and maintained in it,) about the time choſen by them for their Catechiſings, the Province it ſelf had found out ſome other means more meet, and fit to produce thoſe good effects and fruits which they have yielded, and which might have been exempted from thoſe inconveniencies which it hath found in the ſaid Church, and whereunto it might have conformed. And therefore exhorteth the ſaid Church, and all other Churches in this Kingdom, to ſtrengthen themſelves, and to be incouraged in this laudable Deſign, and to promote to the very utmoſt of their Power, the inſtruction of particular Members, according to that Canon made and eſtabliſhed in this preſent Aſſembly.

9. The Letters and Memoirs of the Sieurs Vulſon, Des Grands Prez, D… B…f, and Calvet, Doctors of Phyſick, Fellows of the Colledg of Phyſicians, Fellows of the Colledge of Phyſicians at Grenoble, and Profeſſors of the Reformed Religion, were Produced and Read in this Aſſembly, by which they complained of Monſieur Gros, Paſtor of the Reformed Church at La Mure, for having tranſgreſſed the 18th Article of the firſt Chapter of our Eccleſiaſtical Diſcipline, which forbiddeth Miniſters to practiſe Phyſick, and that the Synod of Dolphiny held at Vegnes, in September laſt of this Year, 1659, had not took an effectual courſe to reſtrain him. The Letters alſo of the Sieurs Gros were opened and peruſed, and the Deputies of the Province of Dolphiny were heard ſpeak on this matter. After all Parties had been heard, this Aſſembly not p. 535finding any proof againſt the ſaid Mr. Le Gros, that he had of late tranſgreſſed, nor ſince that Act of the Conſiſtory of Grenoble, June 17, 1659, he was only injoyned preciſely and exactly to obſerve the ſenſe and intention of that Eighteenth Article of our Church-Diſcipline under the Penalties therein contained.

10. The Sieurs de Billieres, Crumel, Codere, and Duraſſus, deputed by a great part of the Inhabitants of Montauban, who ſtile themſelves the Directors of the Heads of Families in the ſaid City, as appeared by a Letter dated the Twenty Fifth of October, 1659, brought divers Complaints and Accuſations againſt Mr. Joſeph Arbuſſy, Paſtor of the Church there, and other Letters againſt the Conſiſtory, and the Senate of that Univerſity; for that he the ſaid Arbuſſy, and the Sieurs Le Clerc and Cauſſade, Advocates Deputed by the Conſiſtory of Montauban, and the extraordinary Council of that Univerſity, (as was evident from their Letters of Commiſſion, and by an Act bearing date the Twenty Ninth of October, 1659,) had forbidden thoſe Heads of Families before-named by Mr. Billieres and his Fellow-Deputies to aſſemble and act together. The Deputies of Lower Languedoc and the Sieur Boudet, Paſtor of Cauſſade, were heard all of them ſpeak for themſelves and for thoſe Perſons, who oppoſed the Synod of Realmont; and all their Aſſertions and Denials having been patiently heard and conſidered; the Aſſembly did upon the whole, appoint Commiſſioners to examin and make good thoſe reſpective Acts, which were produced by both Parties, Plaintiffs and Defendants, that ſo upon a clear and full knowledge of the Cauſe Juſtice might be done. The ſaid Commiſſioners having made their Report, and both Parties having been heard once and again, yea, and divers times upon all that they had to declare, and many Papers having been read over again and again in the Aſſembly, that all the Members of which it was compoſed might have a full and clear Idea of the whole Affair, the plain truth of the matter appeared to be thus; With reſpect to Mr. Billieres and his Conſorts, they have failed in theſe following particulars: 1. That they began their Proſecutions of Monſieur Arbuſſy, upon very ſlight and trifling. Accounts, and by a Cabal which is expreſly forbidden by our Diſcipline. 2. And that they demanded poſitively in a peremptory manner of the Conſiſtory, to call an Aſſembly of the Heads of Families, that they might bring before them their Articles of Accuſation againſt Monſieur Arbuſſy, without ever expecting the Judgment of the Conſiſtory thereupon. 3. That they have appeared before this Aſſembly by a Publick Notary contrary to our Canons. 4. That becauſe the Acts demanded by them were not immediately, nor the next Day delivered to them, they did precipitantly withdraw themſelves from under the Juriſdiction of their Conſiſtory, by appealing from it unto the Provincial Synod. 5. For that ſome of them ſeeing the ſaid Monſieur Arbuſſy going into the Pulpit to Preach, went out of the Church with much irreverence. 6. For that among their Articles againſt the ſaid Mr. Arbuſſy, there were ſome which in themſelves were of no moment, nor worth the mentioning, and others founded upon conjectures without proof; and one in particular urged with that Paſſion and Uncharitableneſs, as in no wiſe became Chriſtians, for they publiſhed a Secret to the World that was never known before, and which when it was throughly inquired into, it could not in the leaſt be proved. And 7. Laſtly, That in the management of the whole Affair, they have diſcovered more Paſſion than Zeal for God's Glory. For theſe cauſes the Aſſembly judgeth that they have deſerved very great Cenſures, and adviſeth them that for the future, they p. 536do not violate the Rules of our Diſcipline and Chriſtian Moderation.

2. As for the Conſiſtory, 'tis evident they have failed in theſe points following: Firſt, Inaſmuch as they have not been ſo careful as they ought, to extinguiſh the Fire of this Contention in its firſt eruptions by ſome charitable condeſcention. Secondly, And that inſtead of counſelling the Sieur Arbuſſy to obey the Order of the Synod of Mauvoiſin, they concluded on the contrary. Thirdly, For that they have ſuffered ſeveral Scripts to be Printed, which are totally prejudicial to our Liberties and Priviledges granted us by the Edicts; and that when they audited their Accounts, who procured the impreſſion of thoſe Scripts, they allowed them all their Charges. And Fourthly, That they having given juſt occaſion unto the Commiſſioners of the Synods of Ʋ ſez and Mauvoiſin, to complain of them. Wherefore this Aſſembly judgeth, that all theſe their Miſcariages be remonſtrated to them with Life and Power, and that they be exhorted to diſcharge that Holy Office and Truſt in which they be imployed, with all requiſite Charity, Prudence and Integrity.

3. And as for the Senate of the Univerſity of Montauban, they alſo were found Faulty: Firſt, In that, when as the Ordinary Univerſity Council had deputed the Sieur Crumel to the Synod of Lower Guyenne, the extraordinary Council aſſembleth not only without the knowledg and conſent of the Ordinary, contrary to the Canon of the National Synod of Alez, but which is worſe, meerly in prejudice, and out of oppoſition to the Rector. Secondly, And that this extraordinary Council did depute the ſaid Sieur Arbuſſy unto the ſaid Synod of Lower Guyenne, for the ſelf ſame matter for which Monſieur Crumel had been Deputed by the Ordinary. Thirdly, Item, And for that ſeveral Scholars being armed with their Swords, and walking up and down the City in this Equippage, they did not check and reſtrain them as they ought, with that Severity which was requiſite. And the Aſſembly paſſed the ſame Judgment upon their Proceedings as upon the Conſiſtory. Fourthly, As for the Provincial Synods of Mauvoiſin and Ʋſez, and Realmont, this Aſſembly ſaith, that although that of Mauvoiſin might according to the ſtrictneſs and rigour of our Diſcipline, have remanded that Affair of Monſieur Arbuſſy aforeſaid, unto the Conſiſtory of Montauban, which had neglected to judge of it; yet is their Prudence applauded, and all their Proceedings about Monſieur Arbuſſy approved. But as for that of Lower Languedoc, it is declared an Incompetent Judge. And as for that of Realmont, their Act in chooſing Monſieur Arbuſſy for Moderator or Aſſeſſor, is diſallowed, not only becauſe he had no Letters of Commiſſion to them, but alſo for that he had buſineſs of importance in that Synod to be determined. This alſo is diſapproved, that they never debated nor opined upon that oppoſition which was made by ſundry Paſtors and Elders againſt the Election of Monſieur Arbuſſy to be their Aſſeſſor. And farther, this is diſapproved, that after the return of the Opponents, immediately the Affair of Monſieur Arbuſſy came under conſideration, inſtead of paſſing on to ſome other matters, whereby they might have re-united the Spirits which were already divided; and for that they choſe another place beſides the Ordinary for their meeting ſeparately from thoſe who were of the oppoſite Party. And as for Monſieur Boudet, Paſtor of Cauſſade, and the other Opponents, they are blamed and cenſured for their departure from the reſt of the Aſſembly, their Action tending unto Schiſm.

p. 537And as for what concerns Mr. Arbuſſy, 'tis evident that he hath failed in theſe enſuing Articles: 1. In uttering very injurious Words againſt thoſe who went cut of Church as he was going to preach. 2. In his uncivil and uncharitable Carriage towards the Commiſſioners ſent by the Synod of Ʋſez unto St. Africk. And 3. For that the Conſiſtory of Montauban having left it to his Diſcretion to preach and adminiſter the Lord's Supper in the Old Church, becauſe that ſeveral Counſellors and other Gentlemen, Members of the Preſidial Court, had proteſted that they could not receive the Communion at his Hands, who was ſuſpended from the Miniſtry by order of the Synod of Ʋzez, yet notwithſtanding he would and did preach and adminiſter that Holy Sacrament. 4. In that he reſolved, and was bent upon it, to be Aſſeſſor in the Synod of Realmont, notwithſtanding the Oppoſition made by 19 Paſtors and 19 Elders, they oppoſing his Election to that Office, becauſe he had not any Letters of Deputation to them, and becauſe of his Suſpenſion. 5. For that in the ſame Synod, whenas the Opponents made ſome difficulty to withdraw, demanding a Debate firſt upon the Election of the ſaid Mr. Arbuſſy unto the Office of Aſſeſſor, he told his Majeſty's Commiſſioner in that Synod, that it belonged unto his Place and Office of right, to cauſe any Perſons whom he thought good, to depart from the Aſſembly. 6. For that he did in his own Name cauſe three things to be publiſhed, which were all of a piece, entirely prejudicial to our Liberties and Priviledges granted us by the Edicts, and this too when he was employed directly about Civil Affairs. 7. For that he being a Member of the Conſiſtory of Montauban, he did not oppoſe the Payment of thoſe Charges for the ſame Script, when as the Account was brought in unto them. 8. For that by the Endeavours of his Uncle a Decree of the Parliament of Tholouſe, having reſtored him to the Exerciſe of his Office, he expreſſed not any the leaſt Diſpleaſure or Repentance for his Sin, which had cauſed him to be ſuſpended as he ought. 9. For that he did not ſubmit unto the Order of the Synod of Mauvoiſin, till Nine Months after it had been notified unto him, and ſtill continued the Exerciſe of his Miniſtry at Montauban, whenas he ſhould have done it at St. Africk, unto which Church he was lent by the Synod for one whole Year. Nor can his Appeal cover this his Offence, becauſe all our Synods are empowred to lend Miniſters unto Churches for a Year, notwithſtanding an Appeal. 10. For that he ſuffered divers Scholars to follow him in the City with their Swords at their ſides. 11. And in ſhort, for that in his whole Conduct he hath diſcovered a very fierce, haughty Spirit, and who, for the attaining of his ends, will boldly paſs over all the Banks and Fences of Order and Diſcipline, yea, and the very Bounds of Chriſtian Moderation, a Vertue well becoming the Miniſters of our Lord Jeſus; he having by ſuch Actions as theſe fomented the Troubles and Diviſions in the Church of Montauban. All theſe Offences of the ſaid Sieur Arbuſſy having been duely and maturely pondered, the Aſſembly concluded, that he could not exerciſe his Miniſtry in the Church of Montauban, nor in any other belonging to the Synod of Higher Guienne, and higher Languedoc, and that he ſhall provide himſelf of ſome other Church in ſome other Province, as the good Providence of God may direct him. Nor ſhall he exerciſe his Miniſtry in any other place, until ſuch time as he be ſetled in ſome particular Church, either by this preſent National, or by a Provincial Synod, or by a Colloquy, or by that particular Church with which he ſhall agree, and to whom he ſhall devote and conſecrate his Miniſtry. Nor ſhall he exerciſe the Office of Profeſſor, nor of Principal in the Colledge of Montauban, and all this for very good Reaſons well known unto this Aſſembly, who deſiring rather to uſe their Charity p. 538than Rigour in their Dealings with the ſaid Mr. Joſeph Arbuſſy, do declare, that the Ceſſation of the Functions of his Miniſtry and other Offices, ſhall be without any Note or Blemiſh of Depoſal from them. And foraſmuch as 'tis very needful, that there ſhould be a good underſtanding maintained among the Faithful in the Church at Montauban, this Aſſembly hath nominated the Sieurs Chamier and Vignier Paſtors, and Pontperdu and Maizomay Elders, Commiſſioners, who ſhall travel unto that City, and labour in this good Work, and in all other matters that may occur unto them, according to thoſe Inſtructions which ſhall be given them. And in the mean while all the Members of that Church are exhorted to receive thoſe aforeſaid Commiſſioners with Spirits well inclined unto Peace, for the Glory of God, the repoſe of their own Conſciences, the Tranquility of the Myſtical Body of Chriſt Jeſus, and that by this Holy Union they may prevent thoſe Judgments which their mutual Diſcord and Animoſities will otherwiſe infallibly pull down upon them.

11. There came unto this Aſſembly Mr. Paul Bely a Member of the Church of Fontenay le Comte, and informed them, that he had appealed from the Decrees of the Provincial Synods of Poictou held at Coutre, in the Year 1654. and at Niort, in the Year 1656. By the firſt of which his Liberty (granted him by the Synod held at Partenay, in the Year 1649. to communicate at the Lord's Table in any other Church beſides that of Fontenay) was taken from him, and for that the Sieur Le Blois Paſtor of the ſaid Church, was acquitted from all thoſe Accuſations which he the ſaid Bely had brought in againſt him at the ſaid Synod of Niort. Whereupon the ſaid Sieurs Joſſaud Paſtor, and Gondran Elder, Deputies in this Aſſembly being ordered to peruſe the Acts of both Parties, and the ſaid Mr. Bely being heard in his Complaints and Demands, and the Sieur Le Bloy in his Defence: All the Deputies did unanimouſly decree, becauſe of ſeveral Anſwers made by him before a Court of Juſtice on a Civil Law Suit, and for ſeveral other Accuſations, all of which were partly decided by the Decrees and Judgments given in the Civil Judicature in favour of Monſieur Bloy againſt the ſaid Bely, and partly rejected by the Provincial Synod of Niort, becauſe they were vain and frivolous, without Foundation, and without Proof; that the Sieur le Bloy was abſolutely juſtified, and the ſaid Bely cenſured for having perſiſted ſo long a time in his unrighteous Law-Suits, and for keeping in his Heart, and teſtifying by his Actions ſo great an Hatred againſt the ſaid Monſieur Le Bloy, and ſo great a Reſentment of paſt matters, by reaſon of the Civil Proceſſes which have been between them. And yet notwithſtanding this Aſſembly making uſe of its Authority and Charity, hath ordained, That the ſaid Bely ſhould diveſt himſelf entirely of all his Reſentments, and accept of the ſaid Monſieur Le Bloy as his Paſtor, and be reconciled with him as becometh a true Chriſtian. And the Sieur Le Bloy is exhorted to embrace the ſaid Bely as his Brother in Chriſt, and as one of the Members of that Flock, which God hath committed unto his Charge, and to forget, as becomes a good Paſtor, all paſt matters. And the Province of Poictou ſhall take care that they do not grant unto the ſaid Mr. Bely hereafter a Liberty of Communicating in the Church of Fontenay, as they had done formerly. Which being declared unto both Parties, they did reciprocally give each other the right Hand of Reconciliation.

12. The Sieur Heſperian came unto this Aſſembly, complaining of a Decree of the Provincial Synod of the Lower Guyenne held at Montpazier, July, 1659. by which, becauſe of the differences between him and Mrs. Mary Betoulle, there were Commiſſioners aſſigned them, who having examined their Papers, did not find any reaſon why they ſhould proceed to a Condemnation of the ſaid Heſperian, but rather to juſtifie p. 539him; yet nevertheleſs he having been, for want of a Decree in the Court of the Edict at Guienne forfaulted, and having two Witneſſes, who were never confronted, he referr'd the whole buſineſs unto the determination of the Province, which had declared, they ſaw no cauſe why the ſaid Heſperian ſhould be condemned; and yet notwithſtanding, till a Decree ſhould be gotten from the Chamber of the Edict, he was ordered to forbear the Exerciſes of his Miniſterial Calling, untill ſuch time as he could be juſtified by the Court of the Edict, after which he might warrantably enter upon his Office; yea, and without wa…ing till the ſitting of another Synod; and that he might be re eſtabliſhed according to our Canons in due Form, the Conſiſtory of Bourdea…x was dep… ted by the Authority of the ſaid Synod to take care of him in this Interim, and to provide him the firſt Church that ſhould be vacant, and that he ſhould like to accept of; and the ſaid Mrs. Betoulle compl…ed of this very ſelf ſame Decree by the Mouth of Monſieur Betoulle a Propoſan her Brother, who hath preſented on her behalf a Letter unto this Aſſembly, maintaining in it, that the ſaid Heſperian ought to be depoſed from his Miniſtry. On hearing the whole matter, this Aſſembly confirmed the Judgment of the ſaid Synod of Montpazier: And whereas the ſaid Heſperian complaineth of Mr. Betoulle Miniſter of the Church of Duras, the Aſſembly hath diſmiſſed thoſe Complaints of his over to the ſaid Province of Lower Guienne, to take Cogniſance of, and give Judgment in them.

13. Whereas the before-mentioned Mr. Heſperian deſired this Aſſembly to interpret their Decree concerning the differences betwixt him and Mrs. Mary Betoulle, and his Juſtification in the Court of the Edict in Guienne. The Aſſembly declared, that it was none of their Intention to tie up the ſaid Mr. Heſperian, that he muſt only obtain his Juſtification from the ſaid Court of the Edict in Guienne; but that if it ſhould ſo fall out, that his Law-Suit ſhould be removed from the ſaid Court, and brought into another, and there he ſhould be abſolved and juſtified, i… ſhould d… as well, and obtain the ſame effect as if it had been ordained in the Chamber of the Edict of Gienne.

14. On peruſal of the Memoirs of the Colloquy of middle Poitou, brought in to defend an Appeal of theirs from a Judgment given by the Colloquy of Lower Poitou held at Chef-Boutonne, whenas their Synod was aſſembled in September, 1659. and which refuſed to diſmember the Churches of Collonge and Fouſſay, that ſo the Colloquy of Middle Poictou might be corroborated: This Aſſembly decreed, that there ſhould be nothing innovated on this account, but things ſhould ſtand as they were.

15. The Committee (appointed to peruſe the Memoirs … L…tters ſent by the Churches of Montendre, Ozillac, and Fonta… to maintain their Appeal from the Judgment of the Synod of Xaintonge held at Marans in the Year 1650. by which Mr. Hamilton was conſtituted Paſtor of the Church of Jarnac. Having brought in their Report, and the Deputies of that Province having given in the Reaſon… prevailing with that Synod to paſs that Judgment which they did. This Aſſembly diſallowing the precipitate Removal of Mr. Hamilton to the Church of Ja…, done before the time …llotted him, doth confirm the ſaid Judgment, becauſe it is evident, that the ſpecial Grounds and Con… it were the knowledge which that Synod had of Mr. Hamilton's indiſpoſitions. And whereas the Church of Ozillac demands our Advice … th…y … remanded back unto their own Province.

16. The Memoirs of the Church of Pons having been repor…l, and their Letter written unto this Aſſembly read, which was indeed a Defence p. 540of their Appeal from the Judicial Sentence of the Synod of Xaintonge held at Mauze, in the Year 1656. by which Monſieur Prioleau was preſented to the Paſtoral Charge of the Church of Rochell; and the Deputies of that Province being heard; this Aſſembly confirming the Cenſure of the ſaid Synod paſt on the Sieur Priouleau for his Conduct with reference to the Church of Pons, doth blame the ſaid Province for not admitting the Appeal of the ſaid Church, and for their approving of the Remittal of thoſe Arrearages due unto the ſaid Priouleau, whereby to facilitate the Execution of their Judgment in removing a Paſtor from his Church, and yet notwithſtanding it doth confirm the ſaid Mr. Prioleau in his Miniſtry to the Church of Rochel.

17. Report was made of the Letters and Memoirs of Mr. Genoyers, Paſtor in the Province of Dolphiny, appealing from a Judgment of the ſaid Province aſſembled at Veynes in 1659. which had diſcharged him of all Employment either within or without the Province, and had took no care for his preſent Subſiſtence, or future eſtabliſhment. Upon hearing the Deputies of the ſaid Province, this Aſſembly rejected the Appeal of the ſaid Mr. Genoyers, and confirmed the Judgment of the ſaid Province; yet nevertheleſs it recommends the ſaid Genoyers unto the Care of that Province to provide a Church for him according to their Prudence, and if it be poſſible; and the ſaid Genoyers is enjoyned abſolutely to ſubmit himſelf to the Orders of his Synod.

18.The Buſineſs of Mr. Morus. My Lord, his Majeſty's Commiſſioner, before the Committee appointed for the Affair of Monſieur Morus had begun to debate it, and bring in their Opinion upon it, declared unto this Aſſembly, that before ever this buſineſs was pleaded, he had permitted both Parties to produce all Evidences that they ſhould ſee fitting and needful for them, and having ſince found in the Hands of the ſaid Committee Writings, Papers, and Copies which were produced by the Sieur Papillon, and which the ſaid Lord Commiſſioner took notice to have been tranſmitted from Holland in Defence of the Synods held at Tergow and Nimeguen againſt Mr. Morus, which ſaid Writings and Letters he the ſaid Lord Commiſſioner had left with the Committee, that they might be the better enabled to make a Report of the whole matter, without ever detaining any of them in his Hands, although he had Order from his Majeſty to ſuppreſs all Letters that were ſent from Holland, or from Foreign Parts without the Kingdom; and that he ſhould not ſuffer them to be divulged or ſold in this City of Loudun; and this he did, that neither the Parties concerned, nor the Synod it ſelf ſhould complain, that without thoſe Paper…, Pieces and Writings, they could not come to a perfect knowledge of the bottom of this Affair, and to judge aright of it. In purſuance hereof, and for theſe Conſiderations before mentioned, the ſaid Lord Commiſſioner declared, that he did now alſo give full Liberty to all the Deputies who were in this Synod Judges of this matter, to peruſe thoſe aforeſaid Papers and Evidences as they ſhould think meet, and according to the Priviledges granted by his Majeſty to his Subjects of the Reformed Religion by the Edicts, and according to the Diſcipline received in our Churches, and approved in France by the Laws and Cuſtoms of the Kingdom; but without allowing them to ſubject themſelves to any Foreign Authority, Juriſdictio… … Judgments; or to ſend Monſieur Morus unto any other Judges than …oſe of his ſaid Kingdom to be tried by them, and to undergo their Judicial Sentence; this being contrary and prejudicial to his Majeſty's Authority, to his Ordinances and Edicts, as alſo to the Weal, and Rights, and Priviledges of his Subjects▪ All which it was his Lordſhips Pleaſure ſhould be inſerted p. 541into the Act containing the Judgment of this National Synod upon this affair.

The Sieur Papillon, Advocate in Parliament, and Elder in the Church of Paris, being admitted to produce his Arguments in defence of thoſe Appeals brought both in his own Name, and in that of Monſieur Beauchamp, an Advocate and Elder alſo in the ſame Church, from the Judgments given in the Synod of the Iſle of France held at Ay in May laſt of this Year now current, 1659, (by which Monſieur Morus was conferr'd upon the Church of Paris to be their Miniſter,) and from thoſe Members of the Conſiſtory of that Church, who had Ordered the ſaid Mr. Morus, to be confirmed in it, notwithſtanding their Appeal, and for refuſing to give him leave, which he had demanded to paſs into Holland according to his promiſe, there to juſtifie himſelf from thoſe Imputations laid upon him; and for that they cenſured him the ſaid Papillon for Appealing from them: He was heard in this Aſſembly, and the Aſſembly took notice of what he urg'd on behalf of his Appeal, and heard him patiently in whatever he had to offer againſt thoſe Judgments aforeſaid. And alſo Monſieur Morus was heard defend himſelf, and explaining matters relating to him, as were the Deputies of the Province of the Iſle of France, and thoſe of the Conſiſtory of the Church of Paris, in defenſe of their Judgment, and in their demand of the Miniſtry of the ſaid Monſieur Morus. And there was heard the Report made by the Committee appointed for a more exact Reading and Verification of all Papers and Writings, and what Judgment had been paſt on the Excuſes and Denials of both ſides; the Examination of this important buſineſs, ate up ſeveral Days. This Aſſembly having rightful Authority to judge herein, (and the rather for that the Synod of Nimeguen, whoſe Act was now Read, had remitted the whole unto the Prudence, Diſcretion and Charity of this Aſſembly, to do in it what it ſhould conceive would moſt contribute to the Glory of God, the advancement of the Kingdom of Chriſt, and the upholding of that Holy Correſpondence, which hath always been betwixt the Reformed Churches of France, and thoſe of the United Provinces,) did take and retain the cognizance of this affair unto it ſelf; and declared, that it found no cauſe obliging it to condemn the ſaid Sieur Morus, nor to blaſt the Reputation of his Perſon or Miniſtry; but on the contrary, that it had ſufficient Reaſons to diſmiſs him, juſtified from all thoſe grievous Slanders and Accuſations which were brought into this Aſſembly againſt him. Wherefore it declareth him innocent of thoſe crimes which were impoſed on him; and having peruſed thoſe advantagious Teſtimonials given him by the Magiſtrate, Paſtors, and Profeſſors of Divinity in the City of Geneva, by the Paſtors and Profeſſors of Divinity in the City of Middleburg, by the Burgomaſters and Curators of the City and Illuſtrious School of Amſterdam, and by divers Paſtors, and ſundry other private Perſons, whoſe Names and Probity are celebrious, and well known to this Aſſembly; and conſidering the great Edification which the Church of Paris receiveth from his Miniſtry, and their vehement deſires urged with the greateſt importunity that he may be continued to them, this Aſſembly doth Eſtabliſh and Confirm him in the ſaid Church to diſcharge the Office, and perform the Duties of an ordinary Paſtor in it. And making Reflections upon what hath been tranſacted in the Synods of La Ferte au Col, and D'Ay, and in the Conſiſtory of the Church of Paris, on occaſion of the ſaid Monſieur Morus, it cenſureth that Synod of La Ferte, for having judged the ſaid Monſieur Morus, when he belonged not unto them, nor was under their Juriſdiction, and only becauſe p. 542an Impeachment againſt him had been brought before them, and for that they never exacted of him in order to his Induction into the Church of Paris, but a ſimple Licenſe of departure from the Curators of the Illuſtrious School of Amsterdam, without making mention of his Teſtimonial from the Church. And the Synod of Ay is cenſured for aſſuming to themſelves a power of judging the competency or incompetency of the Synod of Tergou, over which they had none Authority; and that in ſpeaking of that Synod, they uſed very unbecoming Expreſſions, and reflected unhandſomly upon their Judgment, and confirming the Cenſures iſſued out by the ſaid Synod of La Ferte againſt the Conſiſtory of the Church of Paris, it doth ordain that the Canons of our Diſcipline about the Election and Confirmation of Paſtors ſhall be obſerved with greater exactneſs than hath been done in this Call given unto, and Reception of Monſieur Morus by the Church of Paris. And as for the Sieur Papillon, the Aſſembly hath taken off the Cenſures inflicted on him by the Conſiſtory of the Church of Paris, and doth fully acquit him from it; and declareth that there was no reaſon for denouncing any Cenſure againſt Monſieur Beauchamp. And after grave and ſerious Counſels and Admonitions given unto Monſieur Morus about his Converſation, which was not managed with that circumſpection as was requiſite, and advice unto him to be more careful for the future, that the mouth of Calumny which hath been wide and loud open againſt him may be ſtopped, he was injoyned more particularly to look to it, that he offended no Man by his Words or Writings, and that he labour to the utmoſt of his Power to preſerve Peace, and to calm and reconcile the Spirits of Men of all Perſwaſions to himſelf, and to regain their Love and Amity from whom he is departed.

19. It being repreſented unto this Aſſembly, that their Act made about Morus, Mr. hath been by ſome Perſons miſinterpreted; and that therefore they would be pleaſed to explain their Senſe and Intentions of it. This Aſſembly did explain it ſelf thus; That by thoſe grievous Crimes and Accuſations whereof there is mention made in their Act, they underſtood all matters whatſoever relating to the Purity of Life and Converſation of the ſaid Monſieur Morus, of all which he was abſolutely judged innocent. And as to thoſe other points whereof he was impeached, as ſome ſharp Words ſpoken or written againſt his Brethren, the Aſſembly declareth, that the Remonſtrances and Counſels were given him upon this account; and which having been accepted by him, he was alſo in this reſpect abſolved and Diſcharged.

20. Monſieur Plaſſay, formerly Paſtor of the Church of Niort, preſented himſelf to this Aſſembly, complaining that the laſt Synod of Poictou, held at Fontenay le Conte, had ſuſpended him without any lawful cauſe from his Miniſtry; and for that a Committee of that Synod, did in purſuance of that Suſpenſion, moſt unjuſtly depoſe him, notwithſtanding the Appeal which he had brought againſt his Suſpenſion; and he petitioned that he might be reſtored with Honour unto the Exerciſe of his Office. There joyned with him in this his Complaint and Petition, the Sieurs Bellebat and Triſtan, Deputies of the Heads of Families in the ſaid Church of Niort, and requeſted that he might be reſtored and continued in his Miniſtry among them, as was more amply ſpecified in their Appeal from the Decrees of their Provincial Synods held at Luſignan, in the Year 1657, and at Fontenay aforeſaid, in the Year 1658. Monſieur de la Place, Deputed by a certain number of the Elders of that Church, was heard, oppoſing the Demand both of the ſaid Monſieur Plaſſay, and of thoſe two before-mentioned p. 543Deputies; and craved a Confirmation of the Decrees of thoſe Synods and of their Committee, and complained that the Converſation of the ſaid Monſieur Plaſſay did render him unworthy to be received into the Holy Miniſtry. The Deputies of the Province of Poictou were heard alſo ſpeak whatſoever they thought meet on this occaſion. And the Report of the Committee being made, and Letters and Acts concerning this affair being read, the Aſſembly judged, that thoſe who oppoſed the continuance of Monſieur Plaſſay in his Miniſtry to the Church of Niort, are worthy to be Cenſured, becauſe they have teſtified too much bitterneſs and paſſion againſt the ſaid Mr. Plaſſay, as alſo for that they did not expreſs that tender care which they ought, unto the Edification of the Church of Niort, who profeſſed that they were very well ſatisfied with his Miniſtry, oppoſing themſelves to the ſenſe and ſentiment of the People, and this too in ways diametrically oppoſite to Chriſtian Charity, and the Diſcipline practiſed in our Churches. Moreover the Aſſembly judged the Province of Poictou to have deſerved Cenſure, for having in the ſaid Synod of Fontenay removed Mr. de Coignac from the ſaid Church of Niort, without any cauſe alledged; as they did alſo the Sieur de Plaſſay from it, without hearing either him or the ſaid Church; and for that they ſuſpended him from his Miniſtry with very much precipitancy, without any reaſon aſſigned by the ſaid Synod, yea, and without ſo much as citing him to appear before them: And it injoyneth the ſaid Synod to abſtain from ſuch Proceedings as theſe for the future. And as for thoſe Inhabitants in whoſe Names the Sieurs de Bellebut and Triſtan have here appeared; this Aſſembly diſapproving their Rebellion to the Orders and Canons of our Eccleſiaſtical Aſſemblies, (to which all (Church-Members owe Submiſſion and Obedience,) and thoſe extraordinary courſes they have taken on ſeveral occaſions, by which they have violated the order of our Diſcipline, and that Reverence which they were bound to pay unto their Superiors; and more eſpecially for that to redreſs their grievance, they did, contrary to the Canons of our National Synods, apply themſelves unto Secular Judges to the Civil Magiſtrates, which very fact of theirs is expreſly forbidden by our Diſcipline; whereas they ſhould have contented themſelves with their Appeal unto the Superiour Aſſemblies, which were allowed them; and therefore theſe have incurred the ſharpeſt Cenſures. And whereas Monſieur Plaſſay hath been found by this Aſſembly deeply ingaged in the moſt violent proceedings of thoſe Inhabitants before-mentioned; and among the reſt, in that undue recourſe unto Secular Judges; and that he is convicted of Rebellion againſt our Church Diſcipline, having exerciſed the functions of his Miniſtry, after that he was ſuſpended and depoſed, directly contrary to our Canons; a fact in it ſelf ſo heinous, that it deſerveth the ſevereſt and utmoſt Cenſure. This Aſſembly cannot but condemn theſe Actings of the ſaid Mr. Plaſſay, although 'tis evident he perſiſted but a very little while in his Rebellion, and that he hath forborn the Exerciſe of his Miniſtry for about Fourteen Months or thereabout; and yet being deſirous to ſupport him, it Decreeth, that he ſhall be ſharply cenſured and reproved, but that the Sentence of Depoſition inflicted on him ſhall be taken off, and that he ſhall be reſtored unto the Exerciſe of his Miniſtry, but with this reſtriction, that he do not for Three Months time perform any of the duties thereof, which term being expired, he ſhall enter again upon them in the ſaid Church of Niort, and in which this Aſſembly doth confirm and ſettle him, exhorting him to employ himſelf with the greateſt care and diligence that is poſſible, and to look more narrowly unto his ways and deportments, p. 544and to ſhew forth that gravity which becometh his Calling and Profeſſion, and to ſeek after their Friendſhip, who may be averſe to him. And finally as to Monſieur de Coignac, this Aſſembly confirms him alſo in the ſaid Church of Niort, and could do no leſs, conſidering what it oweth unto his Age and Merit. And that this preſent Ordinance may be notified unto the ſaid Church, the Sieurs Marchand and de la Foreſt Paſtors, and the Sieurs de Thiac, and de Courcelles, Elders in the Province of Xaintonge, are charged to viſit that City, and to endeavour the Peace of that Church, and to reconcile thoſe particular Members of it, which are at variance one with another; and theſe Deputies, together with Mr. de Plaſſay are intreated to do their utmoſt for the effecting of this good work, and that in the mean while, in the preſence of this Aſſembly, they do give mutually to each, the Right Hand of Reconciliation.

The buſineſs of Monſieur Amyraut and D'Huiſſeau.21. The Sieur D'Huiſſeau, Paſtor, accompanied with the Sieurs de Haumont, Benoist, and Favre, did Petition for themſelves, and on behalf of other the Heads of Families in the Church of Saumur, that Monſieur d'Huiſſeau might be confirmed in his Miniſtry unto the ſaid Church; they Appealed alſo from the Decrees of the Firſt Synod held at Beauge, in the Year 1656, and at Saumur, in the Year 1657, and at Previlli, in the Year 1658, and from the Second held at Beauge in this Year 1659, and from the Orders of the Conſiſtory of Saumur, bearing date the 16th and 27th of March, 1659; and they complained of all that had been done in purſuance of thoſe Synodical and Conſiſtorial Decrees. On the contrary part, the Sieur Amyrald, Paſtor and Profeſſor of Divinity in the ſaid Church and Univerſity of Saumur, together with the Sieurs Druet and Royer, as well for themſelves as for the other Deputies of that Conſiſtory, and of divers Heads of Families in the ſaid Church, together with the Deputies of the Province of Anjou, did abet and maintain all the Acts, Ordinances and Decrees of thoſe Conſiſtories and Synods before mentioned: Theſe alſo were heard, declaring the grounds of their Differences. The Committee alſo who were appointed to hear and veriſie the Acts of both Parties, brought in their Report, and at the ſame time, Monſieur**He ſince turn'd Apoſtate. de Bourdin, Paſtor of the ſaid Church, had Audience given him by this Aſſembly. Upon the whole Debate, This National Synod cenſured the Conſiſtory of Saumur, for that inſtead of blaming the Deputies of that Aſſembly of the greateſt part of the Heads of Families held without their Order, the 17th of September, 1655, they did contrariwiſe receive them, and at their inſtant and earneſt Suit, had injoyned the ſaid Sieur D'Huſſeau to withdraw himſelf from the Service of the ſaid Church againſt his Will, and in contempt of a Decree of the Synod of Loudun, held in the Year 1655. And it diſannuls the Decree of the Synod of Beauge, in the Year 1656, who upon this very account had confirmed the Decrees of the ſaid Conſiſtory; yet nevertheleſs it approveth that Order of Suſpending the Sieurs Niot, Perillau and Piger, from their Office of being Elders in the ſaid Church, which was denounc'd againſt them by that Conſiſtory, and ratified by the ſaid Synod of Beauge. Moreover this Aſſembly doth diſanul that Decree of the Synod of Saumur, in the Year 1657, which confirmed another made in the foregoing Synod of Bauge, concerning the Miniſtry of the ſaid Sieur D'Huiſſeau, and diſapproveth their Act in cenſuring the ſaid D'Huiſſeau, for having put in his Appeal to the Synod of Poictou from the Synod of Beauge, (for which he had good grounds, no leſs than a Canon of the National Synod of Charenton, 1644.) and for other cauſes mentioned in the Acts of the ſaid Synod. And this Aſſembly could wiſh, that the ſaid p. 545Synod of Saumur had not approved the ſaid Conſiſtories meeting in other places than thoſe in which they were accuſtomed. Moreover, this Aſſembly blameth that Conſiſtory, for that in ſtead of doing right upon the Complaint of thoſe aforeſaid Gentlemen, the Sieurs D'Huiſſeau, de Haumont, and their Companions,) which was occaſioned by thoſe Writings of Monſieur Amyrald, that publiſhed their Diviſions in prejudice of thoſe Apologies made by the ſaid Synod of Saumur, it cenſured them, and would oblige them to demand Pardon; and upon this account it reverſeth the Decree of the Synod of Preuilly, in the Year 1658. which had confirmed the Judicial Sentence of the ſaid Conſiſtory. This Aſſembly alſo could have wiſhed that the ſaid Conſiſtory, before they had pronounced Sentence of Suſpenſion from the Lord's Supper againſt the Sieurs Benoiſt, Niotte, de Haumont, and Bouchereau, for being the reputed Authors of thoſe injurious Libels, written both againſt them and the Synod of Anjou, and the Sieurs Amyraut, Beaujardin, and others, that they had took a more exact knowledge, whether the forenamed Perſons had been fully convicted. And yet foraſmuch as it hath ſince appeared evidently and plainly unto this Aſſembly, that they were the real Authors of them, they be by this Aſſembly declared worthy of that Cenſure of Suſpenſion which was inflicted on them: However this Aſſembly being very much grieved at this Diviſion which hath ſo long a time troubled the ſaid Church of Saumur, and deſigning to ſettle a good, firm and laſting Peace among them for the future, it doth take off that Suſpenſion denounced againſt the Sieurs Niott, Perilleau, and Mr. Piger deceaſed, and reſtoreth the ſaid Sieurs Niott and Perilleau to their Office in the Elderſhip, and taketh off that Cenſure of Suſpenſion from the Lords Supper denounced againſt the Sieurs Niott, Benoiſt, de Haumont, and Bouchereau; and notwithſtanding that oppoſition made againſt the Call of the Sieurs Druet, Pellet, and Dortonne unto the Office of Elders, this Aſſembly doth confirm them in it. And as to what concerns Monſieur D'Huiſſeau, this Aſſembly wiſheth that he had neither written nor printed any Letters on the account of theſe Differences; however, it diſannulleth that Decree paſt againſt him by the Conſiſtory of Saumur, aſſiſted by the Sieurs Guiraud and La Fay, Miniſters of the Goſpel, the 27th of March laſt, and diſmiſſeth him with Honour back unto his Church of Saumur, and for ſix Months time he is to preach unto it as often as his Strength will ſuffer him, which time the Aſſembly hath regulated to be the Work of one half Week when it comes unto his turn, that ſo it may be known within that time whether he may be able for the future to perform the ordinary Duties of his Miniſtry, as to the full and whole of it, or of a Moiety only. And whenas that time ſhall be expired, or if it be before the ſitting of the Provincial Synod of Anjou, he ſhall then acquaint that Synod fully and plainly of his Intentions. And in caſe he ſhall be then able to exerciſe his Miniſtry either as to the whole, or to a moiety of it, he ſhall be at that time confirmed, and paid his Wages proportionably to the Service which he hath performed, decreeing thoſe ſix Months of Trial: And if that, by reaſon of his Bodily Infirmities he cannot perform the whole, or one half of his Work in Preaching, he ſhall be from that time diſcharged; but nevertheleſs he ſhall ſtill be reputed and taken for Paſtor of the ſaid Church, without Wages, according to his own Propoſals, in which he ſhall have Liberty to preach when-ever he ſhall be requeſted to it, and may when, and as often as he pleaſeth, aſſiſt at Conſiſtories, and other Eccleſiaſtical Aſſemblies, and ſhall enjoy both his deliberative and deciſive Votes, yet without pretending to any right of preſiding in thoſe aforeſaid Conſiſtories, or of being deputed by p. 546the ſaid Church unto their Provincial Synods. This Aſſembly cenſureth alſo the Sieur Niort and others, who ſhrowded themſelves under the Secular Juriſdiction of the Civil Magiſtrate, in contempt of the Canons of our Diſcipline, and for taking the whole Conſiſtory for their adverſe Party, that ſo they might be exempted from its Juriſdiction, for preſenting an Act highly injurious againſt the ſaid Conſiſtory. Moreover this Aſſembly doth condemn and cenſure with the greateſt Severity all thoſe Writings and Prints which have been made and publiſhed by both Parties, as moſt injurious and ſcandalous; and particularly a Letter ſtyled Du Provincial, ſtuft with divers Slanders, not only againſt private Perſons, but alſo againſt the Provincial Synod and Conſiſtory of the ſaid City; and the laſt Synod of Bauge is very much blamed for permitting the Impreſſion and Publication of a Book entituled, Les Pieces Authentiques. And this Aſſembly confirmeth the Judgment of the Synod of Saumur in what concerns the Sieur de Beaujardin, exhorting all Parties to lay by all their Reſentments conceived one againſt the other upon the ſcore of thoſe injurious Words and Writings, and to declare that they have no Intention in the leaſt of harbouring them any more, nor of perſiſting in them; but that contrary wiſe, they do acknowledge one another for Perſons of Integrity and Honour, and exempted from all Blame and Reproach, and in this Quality they ſhall give each other the Hand of Reconciliation. And to prevent all Differences for the future, the Provincial Synod of Anjou is enjoyned to proceed againſt the Tranſgreſſors according to the Rigour of our Church-Diſcipline, even to the laſt Cenſures; and in caſe an Appeal ſhould be entred, the Provincial Synod of Brittaine ſhall take cognizance thereof, and paſs Judgment in it, which ſhall hold good till the meeting of the next National Synod. And as for thoſe differences in the Univerſity of Saumur, this Aſſembly giveth full Liberty unto the ſaid Univerſity of chuſing its Profeſſors in Divinity, proceeding therein according to its ancient Canons; and Monſieur Royer Doctor of Phyſick, is confirmed in his Office of Counſellor to the ſaid Univerſity, and the Sieur Doul in that of Profeſſor of Eloquence, without ſuffering the ſaid Nomination to be made a Precedent; and on this condition, that the ſaid Profeſſor Doul do every three Months keep a publick Act. And this Aſſembly hath likewiſe approved and ratified that Canon of Agreement betwixt the Conſiſtory and the ſaid Univerſity, for taking cognizance of all Affairs depending upon both thoſe Aſſemblies. And that this preſent Decree may be put in Execution, the Sieurs Guitton and de Bourdieu Paſtors, and the Sieur des Champs an Elder, are deputed to paſs over unto Saumur, and to viſit the ſaid Church, which is ordered to defray their Expences.

22. The Sieur John Nicholas a Bookſeller, Deputy from the Company of Merchants and Burgeſſes, Members of the Reformed Church of Grenoble having preſented to this Aſſembly Acts and Memoirs fraught with Complaints againſt the Conſiſtory of the ſaid Church, occaſioned by reaſon of a difference riſen betwixt them and the Attornies in the Parliament and Court of the Edict there about Seats in their Conſiſtory, and demanded on behalf of their Principles the Merchants afore-named, that the 7th Canon in the third Chapter of our Diſcipline might be obſerved, the Subſtance of which was, That neither Deacons nor Elders ſhould claim any Primacy or Dominations the one over another, be it either in their Nomination unto the People, or in their place of ſitting, or in their Order of Voting. And the Provincial Deputies of Dolphiny being heard, and the Committee having made their Report, the Aſſembly remandeth back this Affair to the Conſiſtory of that Church of Grenoble, to judge ultimately therein, according to that Power given p. 547it by the Canons of the National Synods, and the ſaid Conſiſtory is enjoyned to ſee that the ſaid Canon of our Diſcipline be moſt exactly obſerved, and cenſureth thoſe Perſons who oppoſed the ſaid Conſiſtory.

23. The Provincial Deputies of Berry having adviſed the Church of Gergeau of the calling of this preſent National Synod, and ordered them to appear before it, to ſupport their Appeal, entred by them againſt the Judgment of their Provincial Synod held at Blois, by which the Sieur la Tanne their Paſtor was licenſed to quit both that Church and Province, and no Perſon appearing for them, nor ſending any Memoirs in Defence of their Appeal, it was declared null and void.

24. The Sieur du Vals, Paſtor of the Church of Aimargues appealed from the Judgment of the Synod of Lower Languedoc held at Ʋſez, about the Differences held between him and the Sieur de Richeres, Paſtor of the Church of Vielle Ville. This Aſſembly not finding matters as yet ripe for a compleat Deciſion, hath diſmiſſed them over to the Conſiſtory of the Church of Alez, who ſhall judge finally therein, and without Appeal from them.

25. There was an Appeal brought by the Conſiſtory of the Church of Arvel from thoſe Judgments paſt in divers Synods of the Province of Xaintonge about ſome certain Seats in the Temple of the ſaid Church. And the Deputies of that Province were heard, who declared, that they never had any notice given them of the ſaid Appeal, nor that it was to be proſecuted in this Aſſembly: And that the Synod of their Province had not any knowledge of this Affair, but only the contending Parties. This Aſſembly, without demurring on thoſe Judgments paſſed by the ſaid Synod of Xaintonge, remanded back again this Affair unto the Conſiſtory of the ſaid Church of Arvel, there to be determined, according to the Canons made in this and former National Synods: And as for other Affairs mentioned in the Memorial of the ſaid Conſiſtory, relating to the Lady of La Monerie, and the joyning of the Church of Braize to that of Mornac, and that of the Lord of Forgiris to the ſaid Church of Braize, or of Arvel, this Aſſembly hath diſmiſſed them over to the Provincial Synod of Xaintonge.

26. Mr. James Collin having ſent no Memoirs to uphold his Appeal from that Judgment of the Provincial Synod of the Iſle of France held at la Ferte au Col in the Year 1657. by which the ſaid Synod declared, that they met with nothing in that Act of the Conſiſtory of Vitry, dated February the 14th of the ſame Year, which might induce that Conſiſtory to cenſure the ſaid Collin, as he imagineth that they have done, or that he was the Author of thoſe matters contained in the Memorials produced by him againſt the Siuer Anguenet, one of the Paſtors of ſaid Church of Vitry; nor could they find in the ſaid Act any Cenſure againſt him the ſaid Mr. Collin, for which Reaſons they believed that his Appeal was needleſs. All which conſidered, this Aſſembly declared, that the Appeal of the ſaid Mr. James Collin from the aforeſaid Judgment of the Synod of La Ferte au Col, is null and void.

27. Monſieur Paullet, formerly Paſtor in the Church of Ʋſez, but at preſent Miniſter in the Church of Vaux and Province of Lower Languedoc, did exhibit in his own Name, and on behalf of the Magiſtrates, Conſuls, and Common Council, and of divers Heads of Families, Members of the ſaid Church, the Reaſons of their Appeals brought againſt the Judgments of the Synods of Montpellier in the Year 1654. and of Ʋſez in the Year 1659. and of Montpellier in the ſame Year, as alſo why they oppoſed the Call of Paſtors and Elders here undernamed in the ſaid Church of Ʋſez. The Provincial Deputies of Lower Languedoc, and particularly the Sieur de Foiſſac, Elder p. 548in the ſaid Church of Ʋ ſez, Agent for the Conſiſtory, and Aſſembly of the Heads of Families in the ſaid Church, held in their Temple the 28th of September laſt, were heard in their Anſwers unto thoſe Appeals and Oppoſitions before mentioned. The Committee alſo gave in their Report of all Matters, Papers and Acts read and peruſed by them, and which the ſaid Parties had offered, or would produce. Upon the whole, this Aſſembly confirmeth the Judgment of the Synod of Montpellier, in the Year 1654. and declareth the Reaſons and Grounds of that Appeal of Monſieur Paulet to be null and void, and that he ought not to pretend to be reſtored unto the Church of Ʋſez, unleſs .......please scan all 6 occurences found he be called according to the Canons of our Diſcipline; yet nevertheleſs it diſmiſſeth the ſaid Paulet with Honour unto the Service of the Church of Vaux, unto which his Perſon and Concerns are recommended; and the Conſiſtory of the Church of Ʋ ſez is blamed for having brought againſt him injurious and unproven matters, as alſo for threatning the ſaid Paulet with Suſpenſion, in caſe he ſhould ſtand by his Appeal; and for declaring that all other Synods were incompetent Judges in this Affair. Moreover this Aſſembly confirmeth Monſieur Manuel in his Miniſtry to the Church of Ʋ ſez. And as for the Sieurs Lombard and Railly, they ſhall abide in the ſame condition as they be at preſent, until the next Synod of the Province, which may, if it pleaſe, either confirm them in the Miniſtry of the ſaid Church, or diſcharge and give them their Liberty; and this however without approving the Cuſtom of the ſaid Province of ſending Paſtors unto a Church deſtitute for a Year, or a certain time only. And the ſaid Province is enjoyned for the future to conform itſelf unto the practice of the other Provinces, and to the Canons of our Diſcipline. And as for what concerns the Sieurs de Roche, Ravanel, Licon and Folheri, Elders in the Church of Ʋ ſez, although the Conſiſtory have been Faulty in their Call of them unto Office, yet nevertheless this Aſſembly doth confirm them in their ſaid Office, and the rather, for that ſince their Eſtabliſhment they have diſcharged the Duties thereof very profitably, and for ſundry other Conſiderations not now to be mentioned.

28. The Sieur Guenard, formerly Paſtor in the Church of Eureux, appealed from the Judgment of the Synod of Alanſon, held in the Year 1651. by which, for his ſcandalous Life, he was depoſed; but not appearing to make good his Appeal, it was declared null and void.

29. The Sieur German Gaultier appealed from that Judgment of the Synod held at St. Lo for ſuſpending him the Holy Miniſtry: But the ſaid Gaultier, nor any one elſe appearing for him to maintain his Appeal, it was declared null.

30. Monſiur Girard having brought Appeals from the Judgments given in the Synods of the Province of Burgundy, held at Iſſurtille and Buſſy in the years 1649. and 1651. And whenas the the Memoirs of the ſaid Girard were peruſed, and the Copy of that Legacy bequeathed by Mr. Heliot, a Maſter Surgeon deceaſed, had been conſidered, and the Provincial Deputies of Burgundy heard, and the Committee appointed to examin and verifie all Papers produced on both ſides had made their Report, this Aſſembly, by reaſon of the preſent ſtate of the Church of Beaune doth confirm thoſe ſelf-ſame Judgments from which Monſieur Girard had appealed.

31. Monſieur de Fauquembergue, formerly Paſtor in the Church of Senlis, entred his Appeal againſt the Judgment of the Provincial Synod of Charenton, held the 25th of April, 1653. by which he was ſuſpended from the Miniſtry; and from another of the Committee aſſembled at la Ferte Col the 4th of July, 1655. who met by Authority of the Synod of the p. 549Iſle of France held at Charenton, the 22d of April, 1655, by which he was totally depoſed, and from another of La Ferte au Col, in April, 1657, which did not only confirm the ſaid Depoſition, but pronounced and executed a Sentence of Excommunication againſt him. The ſaid Sieur de Fauquembergue was heard declare the Grounds and Reaſons of his Appeal, and of its Defence. The Deputies alſo of the Iſle of France, were heard ſpeak in behalf of their Synod, and the Committee appointed for the examination of this Affair, and all Pleas on both ſides were debated and judged: Wherefore upon the whole, this Aſſembly could not approve of ſeveral irregularities which it had obſerved in divers Proceedings of the Synods of the Iſle of France againſt the ſaid Sieur Fauquembergue, and above all in his Excommunication, which was done without any obſervation of the Forms preſcribed by our Diſcipline; and declareth, that the ſaid Sieur Fauquembergue had deſervedly incurred a Depoſition from the Miniſtry, for the many Troubles and Scandals which he hath cauſed by his diſorderly converſation, and for continuing the Functions of his Calling after that he had been depoſed, and for ſeeking redreſs from Secular Judges, the Civil Magiſtrate, whereby he upheld himſelf in a notorious violation of the Orders and Canons of our Diſcipline. But foraſmuch as he hath humbled himſelf in this Aſſembly, and begged Pardon of God for his Offences, and expreſſed his Sorrow for having ſpoken and written Calumnies and Slanders againſt ſundry Paſtors and Elders of the Church of Paris, and others of the ſaid Province of the Iſle of France and elſewhere; and for that he hath promiſed to forſake all his Law-Suits Commenced againſt ſome of thoſe Paſtors, Elders, and other Perſons, and to prevail with thoſe particular Members of the Church of Senlis, that had joyned with him, to lay down all their Proſecutions: This Aſſembly deſiring to extend favour to the ſaid Fauquembergue, hath taken off from him his Excommunication, and changed his Sentence of Depoſition into a Suſpenſion of Six Months, at the end whereof he may return to the exerciſe of his Miniſtry, bringing with him a Certificate ſufficiently atteſted from the Places of his Abode, of his unblamable Converſation, of which the Synod of the Iſle of France ſhall take cognizance; or in caſe it ſhould not meet within that time, the Church of Rouen may do it. And at preſent this Aſſembly recommends the ſaid Sieur de Fauquembergue and his Family, to the Charity of the ſaid Synod, which is intreated to forgive what is paſt, and to expreſs their Kindneſs to him, by providing him a Church within their Province, excepting always that of Senlis, or to procure him ſome Employment elſewhere. And as for what concerneth the Churches of Senlis and Bethizi, this Aſſembly cenſuring all thoſe who have ſupported the ſaid Sieur de Fauquembergue in his before-mentioned diſorders; and yet nevertheleſs deſiring to pacifie all matters, hath taken tha… Sentence of Suſpenſion from the Lord's Supper, which had been decreed againſt them. And that this preſent Act may be put in Execution, the Sieurs Pages Paſtor of the Church of Caſtell Thierry, and Sarrau, Paſtor of the Church of Meaux, are appointed to viſit the ſaid Church of Senlis, accompanied each of them with an Elder of their reſpective Conſiſtories, and the ſaid Church is to defray their Expences. Theſe things being thus ordered and diſpatched, Monſieur Fauquembergue craved leave of this Aſſembly to retire himſelf unto ſuch a Place as the good Providence of God ſhould direct him; which was freely granted him, and he was commended to the Grace of God.

p. 55032. John Grillemet came unto this Aſſembly to maintain his Appeal from a Judgment of the Conſiſtory of Montauban; and from another given in the Provincial Synod of Higher Languedoc: After that the ſaid Guillemet and the Deputies of that Province had been both heard, the Aſſembly judged that this affair ſhould not have been brought before it, and therefore doth ſend it back again to the Synod of that Province, and to the Conſiſtory of Montauban, whoſe Judgments are now confirmed by the authority of this preſent National Synod; but withal intreateth them both to extend their Charity unto this Appellant.

33. The Church of Eyſſigeac having appealed from the Judgment of the Colloquy of Perigord, and from the Synod of Lower Guyenne, aſſembled at St. Foy, 1645, about the Titles put into the Bands of Matrimony, of the Sieur de Bequay, Attorney in the Praeſidial Court of Agen, and from the Complaints brought againſt Monſieur Eymer, at preſent Paſtor of the Church of Mount St. Proy; which ſaid Complaints were mentioned in a Memorial ſent by the Conſiſtory of the ſaid Church of Eyſſigeac: This Appeal of theirs was declared null: And as for their Complaints, they were ordered to be carried unto the next Synod of Lower Guyenne, who are to take Cognizance of them. And the ſaid Memorial was to this end put into the Hands of the Provincial Deputies of Lower Guienne, being atteſted by the Signatures of Monſieur Beraud, a Paſtor, and of Four Elders.