Synodicon in Gallia reformata, or, The acts, decisions, decrees, and canons of those famous national councils of the reformed churches in France being I. a most faithful and impartial history of the rise, growth, perfection and decay of the reformation in that kingdom, with its fatal catastrophe upon the revocation of the Edict of Nants in the year 1685 : II. the confession of faith and discipline of those churches : III. a collection of speeches, letters, sacred politicks, cases of conscience, and controversies in divinity, determined and resolved by those grave assemblies : IV. many excellent expedients for preventing and healing schisms in the churches and for re-uniting the dismembred body of divided Protestants : V. the laws, government, and maintenance of their colleges, universities and ministers, together with their exercise of discipline upon delinquent ministers and church-members : VI. a record of very many illustrious events of divine providence relating to those churches : the whole collected and composed out of original manuscript acts of those renowned synods : a work never be extant in any language.

The Synod of Alez.

SYNOD XXIII. 1620.

In the Name of God. Amen.

Acts of the National Synod of the Reformed Churches in France, and Principality of Bearne held at Alez in Sevennes, the First Day of October, and the Dayes following, in the Year of Our Lord, One Thousand Six Hundred and Twenty.

CHAP. I. Deputies and Officers of the SYNOD.

1 IN which there met for the Province of the Isle of France, Monsieur Peter du Moulin Pastor of the Church of Paris, Isaac de Juigne Pastor of the Church of Vassy, and Thomas Papillon Advocate in the Par∣liament of Paris, and Elder of the Church there gathered. Monsieur de Marolles Elder in the Church of Vitry was nominated in the Letters of Commission, but absent; however he did by Letters written under his own hand excuse his absence; which Letters were remanded back unto his Pro∣vincial Synod to judge of them.

2. For the Province of Normandy, Monsieur Samuel de L' Escherpiere Lord of Riviere Pastor in the Church of Rouen, Daniel Massys Pastor in the Church of Caen, Antony Bridon Esq Lord of Boisleroy Elder in the Church of Fescamp, and James de Montbray, Esq Advocate in the Court of Vires, and Elder in the Church of Conde.

3. For the Province of Brittain, Monsieur Ezechiel Marmet Pastor of the Church gathered in the House of My Lord Duke of Rohan, and Philip de Vassaut, Esq Lord of Pennonstet, Elder of the Church of Roche Bernard.

4. For the Province of Orleans and Berry Monsieur Daniel Jammet Pastor in the Church of St. Amand, Nicolas Vigner Pastor in the Church of Blois, John de Bennis Advocate, Elder in the Church of Gien, and Galliot de Gambris Esq Lord of Soussesse Elder in the Church of Romorantin.

5. For the Province of Tourain and Anjou, Monsieur Samuel Bouchereau Pastor in the Church of Saumur, Matthew Cottieres Pastor in the Church of Tours, George Rabboteau Advocate, Elder in the Church of Pruilly, and Mon∣sieur de la Plante Elder of the Church of Saumur being absent, and excu∣sing himself by Letters, his excuses were admitted.

6. For the higher and lower Poictou, Monsieur John Chauffepied Pastor of the Church at Niort, John Carre Pastor of the Church at Castelheraud, Giles Begand Lord of la Begaudiere Elder in the Church of Mountagu, and Esajah du Mas Esq Lord of Montmartyn, excusing his absence because he fell sick upon the way unto this Synod, his Excuse was admitted.

7. For Xaintonge Mr. Daniel Chanet Pastor of the Church or Ars in the Isle of Re; John Constans Pastor of the Church of Pons, Peter Packquet El∣der of the Church of Rochefoucault, Peter Fromentin Elder of the Church of St. John D' Angaly.

8. For the lower Guyenne Mr. James du Luc Pastor of the Church of Castlejatoux, James Privat, Pastor of the Church of Chastillon: Francis Joly Counsellor and Secretary to the King, and his Auditor in the Chancery of Bourdeaux, and Elder of the Churchthere; and John Guillim de Boutieres Esq Lord of Artigues, Elder in the Church of Grateloup.

9. For Vivaret, Mr. David Agard Pastor in the Church of Valence, Daniel Richard Pastor of the Church of Cheilar, John de Blache Lord of Blesset Elder of the Church in Bouffres, and John de Roure Advocate, Elder of the Church of Aubenas.

20. For the lower Languedoc Mr. Laurence Brunier Pastor of the Church of Ʋsez, Michael le Faucheur Pastor of the Church of Montpellier, Charles de Bouques Lord of Pons, Doctor of the Civil Law, and Elder of the Church of Montpellier, and Antony de Roques Lord of Clausonne Elder in the Church of Montfrin.

11. For the higher Languedoc and Guyenne Monsieur John de Voysin Pa∣stor of the Church of Realmont, and Antony Garissoles Pastor of the Church of Puylaurent, Paul de Luffee Lord of Maraval, Governour of Mavesin, and Elder of the Church there, James du Puy Deputy-Lieutenant in the Senes∣chalsy of Montauban, and Elder of that Church.

12. For ••urgundy Mr. Peter Helliot Pastor of the Church of Arnay le Due, Francis Pereault Pastor of the Church of Mascon, and Noel du Noyer Elder of the Church of Bussy. Monsieur Salmasius was nominated Deputy unto this Assembly, but excused himself by Letters, as also did Monsieur Guichard, and Forest, who beigg Elders were both substituted in his place, whose excuses were remanded back unto their Province that it might judge of their validity.

13. For the Province or Provence Mr. Peter Huron Pastor in the Church of Reis, Elias de Glandevi•• Lord of Anjou Elder in the Church of Puy∣michel.

14. For the Province of Dolphiny, Mr. Paul Guyon Pastor of the Church of Dieu le sit, Peter de la Croze Pastor of the Church in Courtezon, James Bernard Advocate, Elder of the Church in Montlimart; and Moses du Port Elder of the Church de la Meure, the Lord of Champoleon was also nomina∣ted in the Letters of Commission, but excused himself by Letters unto this Assembly.

15. For the Province of Sevennes Monsieur Peter Guillamin Pastor of the Church of St. Andrew de Valborgne, Daniel Venturin Pastor of the Church of Vigan, John de Vignoles Lord of Bonnet Elder in the Church of Colegnac, and John Baldwin Doctor of Laws Elder in the Church of la Salle.

16. There came also for the Churches in the Principality of Bearne, Monsieur Peter L' abbadye Pastor of the Church of Paw, and John de la Coste Lord of Padet Elder of the Church of Moneing. In whose Letters of Com∣mission there being wanting the clause of Submission, that Article of the Synod of Vitre was read unto them relating to it. Whereupon they offer∣ing their reasons why they could not intirely subject themselves unto the Discipline of our Churches in France, principally because of the present juncture of Affairs. They were admitted to a consultive Vote, under the limitations expressed in that Act of the Synod of Vitre, that it should be left to the Will of the Provinces, Whether they should have a decisive Vote in certain Cases concerning the Churches of this Kingdom, and this by provision only until the next National Synod.

17. The Sieur Chalas one of the General Deputies of the Reformed Churches in this Kingdom near His Majesty was present also in this Assem∣bly according to the Charge given the said Lords General Deputies in the last general Assembly held at Loudun, and Order of our Church.

After Invocation of the Name of God, the Reverend Monsieur Peter du Moulin was chosen Moderator, Mr. Brunier Assessor, and Messieurs Vignier and Papillon Scribes,

CHAP. II. Remarks and Passages of the First Session.

LEtters were presented from the Lord Duke of Rohan unto this Assem∣bly, whereby he assured them of the continuance of his Zeal and Affection to the Glory of God, and to the weal and happiness of our Chur∣ches, for which he had the thanks of the Assembly returned him in their Letters.

2. Messieurs des Maretz and Ollyer Pastors of the Church of Alez peti∣tioning to be admitted into this Assembly, and to assist at the reading of our Confession of Faith, and Church Discipline, it was granted them as also unto two Elders whom the Consistory should appoint, but as for such Ministers as were not commissionated hither by their Churches and all other Persons the Canons of the Third Synod of Rochel and that last of Vitre should be punctually observed.

3. Every one of the Deputies in this Assembly took the Oath according to the Decree made in the Synod of Privas that they had not brigued their Deputation unto this place neither directly nor indirectly, neither for them∣selves nor for any others. And this shall be observed in like manner for the future in all our National Synods.

4. Monsieur ••uretin Pastor and Professor in Divinity in the Church and University of Geneva having brought Letters from the Pastors and Pro∣fessors there fully testifying and expressing their Holy Affection to the Churches of this Kingdom, and of their most near and intimate commu∣nion with us, was intreated by this Assembly to give us his presence du∣ring his abode in this City, and to take place among us, and to communi∣cate his Counsels and Votes in matters that should be proposed, which he also did. And after mature and exact consideration of the several clauses in those Letters tender'd by him, an Answer was made unto them.

5. The Letters of the Lord Duke of Desdiguieres were also presented unto this Assembly, expressing his desire for the advancement of the King∣dom of Jesus Christ, Letters of Thanks were ordered to be sent unto His Excellency.

6. Monsieur Bansillon Pastor in the Church of Aiguemortes having brought Letters from the Lord of Chastillon, and by word of mouth given this Assembly the Protestations of the said Lord after the Heroick Example of his Famous Ancestors to spend himself and Estate in the advancement of Christ's Kingdom, was desired to carry back Letters of Thanks from this Synod unto that Noble Lord.

CHAP. III. An Act of the Oath of Union subscribed by all the Deputyes, both Pa∣stors and Elders.

WEE whose Names are hereunder written Deputies of the Refor∣med Churches of France assembled in our National Synod in the City of Alez in the Province of Sevennes, knowing by experience of what is past, that there is nothing more necessary to preserve the peace and wellfare of the said Churches than an holy Union and inviolable consent both in Doctrine and Discipline, and their dependencies, and that the said Churches cannot long subsist without a good, strict, and mutual Union and Conjunction of one with another, and this better kept and maintained than heretofore. Therefore being desirous for the future to remove all seeds of Division, and occasion of partialities between the said Churches, and to obviate all Impostures, Plots, Calumnies, and Practices whatsoever by which divers Persons ill-affected to our Religion do indeavour its ruine and destruction; for which reason we are more bound than ever to use by an Unanimous consent and agreement such means as will most and best con∣tribute to our just, lawful, and necessary preservation in the aforesaid Union under the Authority of Our Sovereign Lord the King, and the Queen Re∣gent his Mother, We have in the name of all those Churches, and for their wellfare, and for the Service of Their Majesties sworne and protested, and do swear and protest, promising that we will see these our Protestations ra∣tified in all our respective Provinces, to continue inseparably United and Conjoyned in that Confession of Faith owned and professed by the Refor∣med Churches of this Kingdom, confirmed, approved and ratified by us all: We swear as well in our own names as in the names of the Churches and Provinces which have Commissionated us to be their Deputies unto this Assembly, that we will live and die in this Confession: Moreover we do profess that we will keep inviolably that Ecclesiastical Discipline, which is Established in the Reformed Churches of this Kingdom, and observe its Cannons for the Government of the said Churches, and the Reformation of manners, owning and acknowledging that it is agreeable to the Word of God, under whose Supream and Inviolable Authority we protest and swear to yield all Obedience and Fidelity to Their Majesties, desiring nothing more, than through the favour of their Edicts to serve our God without any violence offered to our Consciences.

Sworn and Subscribed by

• Peter de Moulin Moderator of the Synod, Minister of the Church of Paris, and Deputy for the Isle of France, Picardy, Champaigne, &c.
• By Lawrence Brunier Assessor, Minister of Christ in the Church of Usez, Deputy for lower Languedoc.
• By Nicholas Vignier Minister of Christ in the Church of Blois, Scribe of the Synod, and Deputy of the Province of Orleans and Berry.
• By Thomas Papillon, Advocate in the Parliament of Paris, and Elder of that Church, Deputy for the Isle of France, and Scribe of the Synod.

Sworn and Subscribed by Isaack de Juigne, Pastor of the Church of Vassy and Deputy for the Isle of France, Picardy, Champaigne, &c.

2. By Samuel de L' Escherpiere, Lord de la Riviere Minister of the Word of God at Roan, by Daniel Massys Pastor of the Reformed Church in Caen, by James de Montbray Elder of the Church of Conde upon Noireau, and by Anthony Bridou Lord of Boissleroy Elder in the Church of Fescamp Deputies for the Province of Normandy.

3. Sworne and subscribed by Paui Guyon Minister of the Word of God in the Church of Dieu le fit, by Peter de la Croze Minister of the Holy Gospel in the Church of Courtozen in the Principality of Orange, by Moses du Port Esq Doctor of Law and Advocate, Elder in the Church of la Mure, By James Bernard Doctor of Law and Advocate, Elder in the Church of Montlimart, Deputies for the Province of Dolphiny.

4. Sworne and subscribed by Paul Huron Pastor of the Church of Riez, by Elijah de Glandeves, Lord of Ajon, Elder in the Church of Puymichel, De∣puties for the Province of Provence

5. Sworne and Subscribed by Daniel Venturin, Pastor of the Church of Vigan, by Peter Guillaumine Pastor of the Church of St. Andrews de Valborgne, by John de Vignoles Lord of St. Bonnet and of Colegnuc Elder of the same Church, by John Baudouin Doctor of the Civil Laws and Elder in the Church de la Salle, Deputies for the Province of Sevennes.

6. Sworne and subscribed by Ezechiel Marmet Pastor of the Church ga∣thered in the House of my Lord Duke of Rohan, by Philip de Vassaut Esq Lord of Penmoncel, Elder in the Church of Roche Bernard, Deputies for the Province of Britain.

7. Sworne and subscribed by Daniel Jamett Pastor of the Church in St. Amand in Bourbonnois, by Galliot de Combis, Lord of Soustelle, Elder of the Church of Romorantin, by John de Benes, Advocate in the Parliament of Paris, and Elder of the Church of Guyan, Deputies for the Province of Orleans and Berry, &c.

8. Sworne and subscribed by Peter Heliot, Pastor of the Church of Arnay le Due, by Francois Perreault Minister of the Gospel in the Church of Mascon, by Noel du Noyer Lord of Joncey, Elder in the Church of Bussy, Deputies for the Province of Burgundy, Lyonnois, Bresse, &c.

9. Sworne and subscribed by Daniel Chanet Pastor of the Church of Ars in the Isle of Re, by John Constans Pastor of the Church of Pons, by Pasquet Elder of the Church of Rochefoucault, by Peter Formentin Esq Lord of Chastinat, Sheriff of the City of St. John d' Angely, Deputies for the Province of Xaintonge, Aunix, and Augoulmois

10. Sworne and subscribed by John de Voisin Pastor of the Church of Realmont in Albigeois, by Anthony Garissoles Pastor of the Church of Puylaurent in Lauragais, By Paul de Luffee Lord of Maravaut and Gover∣nour of Maulterin in Armagnac, Elder of the same Church, by James du Puy Elder of the Church of Montauban Deputies for the Province of higher Languedoc, and the higher Guyenne.

11. Sworne and subscribed by J. Chauffepied Pastor of the Church of Niort, by John Carre Pastor of the Church of Chastelheraut, by Giles Begaud Lord of la Begaudiere, Elder of the Church of Mountagu, Deputies for the Province of Poictou.

12. Sworne and subscribed by Samuel Bouchereau Pastor of the Church of Saumur, by Matthew Cottiere Minister of Gods Word at Tours, by G. Raboteau Elder in the Church of Pruylly, Deputies for the Province of Anjou, Touraine and le Main.

13. Sworne and subscribed by Peter de Abbadie, Pastor of the Church of Pau, by John de la Coste Lord of Badett Plaisance and of Monheim Elder of the Church in Monheim now mentioned, Deputies for the Principality of Bearn.

14 Sworne and subscribed by John du Luc Pastor of the Church of Castel jaloux, by James Privat Pastor of the Church of Castelle upon the Dordogne, by Francois Joly Elder of the Church of Bourdeaux, by John de Boutiers, Squire of the Kings Body, and Lord of Artigues, Elder in the Church of Grateloup, Deputies for the Province of the lower Guyenne.

15. Sworne and subscribed by David Agard Pastor of the Church of Vaylance, and of Soyon, by Danlel Richard Pastor of the Church of Chedard in Batiere, by John de la Blache Lord of Blesset, Elder of the Church de la Bastie, by John de Rovre Doctor of the Civil Laws, Lord of Esbonaud, Elder in the Church of Aubenas, Deputies for the Province of Vivaretz.

16. Sworne and subscribed by Michael le Faucheur Pastor of the Church of Montpellier, by Anthony de Raques Lord of Claussonnes Elder of the Church of Montfrin, by Charles de Bouques Lord of Pons, Doctor of the Civil Laws, Elder of the Church of Montpellier, Deputies for the Province of Lower Languedoc.

17. Sworne and subscribed by John de Chal'ais General Deputy for the Reformed Churches of France near His Majesty.

The Sieurs Des Marez and Ollier Pastors of the Church of Alez craved admission into this Assembly, and leave to assist at the Reading of our Con∣fession of Faith and Church-Discipline, which was granted not only for themselves but for two Elders also, who should be chosen out of the Body of their Consistory.

And whereas divers other Pastors, who were not commissionated by the Provinces did take upon them to come unto this National Synod, and to sit and tarry in it as Spectators during the whole time of its Sessions, the for∣mer Cannons made by the National Synods of Rochell and Vitre were now revived, and ordered to be put in execution against them.

CHAP. IV. Observations upon the Confession of Faith.

1. THE Word Ʋnity which is found in divers printed Copies of the Six and Twentieth Article must be changed into that of Ʋnion, according to the former Advice given in the National Synods of Montauban, Saumur and Rochell.

2. The Confession of Faith having been read word by word, and exa∣mined in every particular Point and Article thereof was most unanimously approved and sworne to by all the Deputies then present, who did not only promise and protest to live and die in this Faith; but also to procure its observation in their respective Provinces, and to cause it to be sworne by their Principals by whom they were Commissionated.

CHAP. V. Observations on the Church-Discipline.

1 ALL our Churches are Exhorted to govern themselves in the Ele∣ction, Examination, and Ordination of their Pastors according to that Order prescribed in the Fourth Cannon of the First Chapter: And whereas the Provinces of both the Languedocs and Sevennes have usually be∣gun with an examin, they shall henceforward conform themselves punctu∣ally to that Article.

2. The Province of Anjou mooved, whether a Solemn Fast ought not to be observed at the Ordination of Ministers. A Decree past that nothing should be innovated in this matter, but the former Customs should be re∣tained; only if there was a particular necessity for it, the Third Canon in the Tenth Chapter of our Discipline shall be most exactly followed.

3. Upon the Ninth Canon of the First Chapter the said Province of Anjou demanded, what is the Duty of that Church or Province which hath a Proposan every way fit for Employment in the Holy Ministry, and hath not a vacant Congregation for him, and he is earnestly importuned by some other Church or Province to be lent unto them. This Assembly ordaineth that the Canon shall be most exactly observed, That no Proposan shall be lent or sent without assigning him to some particular Church to which he shall stand related as their Pastor. And it his own Church or Province cannot imploy the said Proposan, they may out of their Charity grant him unto that Church or Province, which desires him of them; where he shall be fixed as their own peculiar Minister.

4. The Provinces are Exhorted to make inquiry in their Synods whether the Eleventh Canon be observed or transgressed; that so the Transgressors of it may be censured according to the former Decrees of our National Synods.

5. Catechising being a most necessary and prositable Ordinance, all the Provinces are injoyned to see the Twelfth Canon more carefully observed in their Churches than it hath been formerly; and the Provinces shall give in an account hereof unto the next National Synod.

6. This ensuing Cannon made by the Synod of Privas shall be read in all Consistories, that so the scandals given by Pastors Transgressors of it may be prevented for the future; and all Consistories shall give in an ac∣count thereof unto Colloquies, and Colloquies unto Provincial Synods, and Provincial Synods unto the National.

7. Reading the Eighteenth Canon in the First Chapter of our Disci∣pline, which enjoyned Ministers† to exhort their People unto all Modesty in their Fashions and Habits, and they themselves to go before them in a good Example they, their Wives, Children and Families refraining all bravery in Apparel; Many Complaints were brought in against divers Mi∣nisters, whose Wives and Children transgressed this Holy Canon, and were exceeding vain in their Habits, fashioning themselves according to the World, and were very much estranged from that Modesty command∣ed and expected from them and all theirs. This Assembly desirous to re∣medy such a growing and notorious scandal, doth give express charge unto all Moderators of Colloquies and Provincial Synods to correct and reform these Excesses by Censures and severe Reprehensions, and by the Authority of this Assembly to suspend the Refractory from the Sacred Ministry, un∣til such time as they have removed all matters of offence. And that this Canon may be the better observed, License is given unto all private Per∣sons according to our Discipline to inform the Consistories of the aforesaid Excesses, and to demand their Reformation. Which being denied, they may address themselves unto the Colloquies for Censures against these Of∣fenders, and all those who shall abett or countenance them in such their scandalous miscarriages.

8. In those Copies of the Nineteenth Canon, where towards the end of it are these words, To make but one and the self-same Church and Consistory, those words one and the self-same Consistory shall be blotted out.

9. Upon the Fiftieth Canon there was this Observation. Forasmuch as through the corruption of the Age in which we live it may so fall out, That a Minister deposed in one Colloquie or Province may intrude himself into another, and take upon him to preach the Word, before the Meeting of the

National Synod, by which all the Churches in this Kingdom may be ad∣vised of the said deposed Person. This Assembly doth Exhort all Pastors, and Consistories not easily to admit any Stranger from another Province in∣to the Pulpits, unless they be very well acquainted with him. And as for Apostates, the Pastors of the adjoyning Churches in which they revolted live, shall give speedy and publick notice of these Apostates, that so none of our Churches or Ministers may be surprized by them.

10. On the Second Canon of the Third Chapter, the Provinces of the higher and lower Languedoc were particularly enjoyned to observe the said Canon more carefully for the future.

11. The Second Canon of the Second Chapter shall be thus worded, Regents and School-Masters shall subscribe our Confession of Faith and Church-Discipline, and no Towns nor Churches shall admit of any one without the consent of the Consistory of that place.

12. On the Fifth Canon of the Fifth Chapter a Question was moved by the Province of Provence, Whether a Person that was never called to the Office of an Elder might warrantably read the Word of God, and the Common-Prayers unto the Church in the Ministers absence, especially in lesser Churches, which have no Consistories, nor any Persons fit to read. This Assembly judgeth that the Consistory hath full liberty to choose any one whom it conceiveth meet to read the Scriptures and Prayers, although he be not in the Eldership, provided he be of sufficient years and unblame∣able Life, and that he have subscribed the Confession of our Faith, and Church-Discipline.

13. At the req••est of the Province of Sevennes to these words in the Sixteenth Canon of the Fifth Chapter, Fathers and Mothers who marry their Children, shall be added these following, Tutors, Guardians, and all other Persons instead of Parents who dispose of their Orphans and Minors in Marriage.

14. These words as much as may be shall be rased out of the Ninth Ca∣non of the Twelfth Chapter. And in all the Provinces Pastors shall be obliged to administer the Cup as well as the Bread unto every individual Communicant without distinction of Persons, as also they shall use meet words in the Administration of both the Elements to quicken the Hearts and Spirits of the Communicants at the Lords Table. And express Order is given to all Provincial Synods that they take special care that Pastors do not in the least transgress this Canon.

15. On the Third Canon of the Thirteenth Chapter, the Province of Normandy desired, That all the Churches of this Kingdom would conform themselves to their Custom, That Espousals before Marriage should be Celebrated by Ministers with Prayers and Exhortations to the betroathed Persons to prepare them for that Holy Estate whereunto they be called. The Assembly though it praiseth and approveth of this their practice, and of them that observe it, yet did not judge meet to oblige all Persons ne∣cessarily thereunto, but leave the faithful unto their liberty.

16. On the Fifth Canon of the same Chapter there was made this re∣flection. That whereas there is a great difference in divers Copies of our Church-Discipline, that Canon which was made by the National Synod of Privas shall be inserted word for word into the Body of our Discipline, To witt,

Henceforward all promises of Marriage and Espousals shall be made by words de futuro, nor shall such promises be reputed as firm and undissolvable as the words de Praesenti, because the words de praesenti do not promise Marriage, but do effectually accomplish it. Nevertheless those words de futuro shall not be dissolved without very great and law∣ful cause, Wherefore the Custom of some certain Churches is condem∣ned who celebrate Espousals by the Ministerial Benediction of their Pa∣stors

with gift of Bodies by words de praesenti: For by such a Solemnity we cannot but account the Parties to be truly and actually Married, and that the Publication of Banes is thereby preposterous, done after Mar∣riage, and another Solemnization of the Marriage, in Gods Church is needless. However we cannot disapprove of Ministers officiating at Espousals, or that they should pray for, and Exhort the Parties betroathed to mutual Love, Concord, Fidelity, and the Fear of God; but we would have them leave those other Formalities, which serve only to render a Bond indissolvable, which oftentimes we be constrained afterwards to break by reason of Oppositions made at the Publication of the Banes, and for divers other Impediments which may happen. For this cause all the Churches shall hereafter utterly abandon that custom of Solemni∣zing Espousals in the Temple with those Formalities resembling Mar∣riage, and they shall conform themselves unto the other Churches of this Kingdom.

17. On the Sixteenth Canon of the Thirteenth Chapter, the Province of Anjou demanded, Whether we should suffer the Banes of Strangers, as Germans, Scots, or any others to be published in our Churches, without having Certificates from their Country, which will be very difficult to ob∣tain, and possibly may be counterfeit. This Assembly leaveth the matter wholly to the prudence of Consistories, and to act therein as will be most expedient, ordaining however that if possible they should get Certificates.

18. On the same Canon the Province of lower Guyenne requested that another might be made for the right ordering of Banes, which are mostly attended with Titles full of vanity. Tins Assembly conceiving that such an Ordinance would not take well with Persons of Quality, doth therefore advise them to keep, as much as possibly they can within the bounds of Christian Modesty and Simplicity.

19. The Seventh Canon of the Fourteenth Chapter shall be couched in these words

Neither Counsellors nor Attorneys at Law may plead in such Causes as tend to the suppression of the word of God preached, nor to the setting un of Mass, nor in any wise shall they be suffered to give Counsel or Assistance unto the Romish Church-men in those Causes which have a tendency directly or indirectly to the oppression of the Church.

20. The Province of Normandy demanding that the Eleven Canon of this Fourteenth Chapter might be a little mollified, This Assembly ordained that it should abide in its full and whole Power, according to what had bin decreed in the Synod of Tonneins.

21. On the Sixteenth Canon, Synods, Colloquies and Consistories are Exhorted to watch over Ministers and other Persons, who shall publish their Works, and not first of all communicate them in Manuscript to be perused and approved by the Divines thereunto appointed; and the Trans∣gressors of this Canon shall be most severely censured.

The Articles of our Discipline having been read and diligently considered were sworne to by all the Pastors and Elders Deputed unto this Assembly, both in their private and publick Capacities, and they promised for them∣selves and Provinces to see them faithfully and carefully observed.

CHAP. VI. Observations made on Reading the Acts of the last National Synod held at Vitre.

1. THAT Article enjoyning Monsieur Rivett to compose an History of those Remarkable Providences which had befallen our Churches, being read, together with his Excuses by Letters for non-performance, the Provinces not having communicated to him their Memorials as they were ordered; This Assembly commands that Letters shall be dispatcht to Mon∣sieur Buffon Lieutenant General of Casteljaloux exhorting him to prosecute this great Work undertaken by him of writing the History of our times, and that he would be pleased before it go unto the Press to impart it unto the Synod of his Province; and all the other Provinces be charged to send unto him their Memoirs.

2. In reading that Canon of Tonneins inserted into the last Synod of Vitre, which gave leave unto Elders in Consistory, the Pastor being excep∣ted against, to suspend a Scandalous Person from the Lords Table: The Provinces of Berry and Sevennes remonstrating that many and great incon∣veniencies might fall out by the Execution of such an Ordinance. This Assembly Decreed, That although for good and just causes the Pastor had been excepted against, yet the Elders only by themselves might not pro∣ceed to suspend any Person from the Lords Table, without the Presence and Approbation of a Neighbour Pastor.

3. On that Article concerning Monsieur de Beauchamp, which injoyned the Province of Britain to give him satisfaction for his Pension due unto him for his Four Years Service, Minister in the House of the Lord Duke of Rohan; and the rather, because the said Province had for that whole time received the Portion of the said Monsieur Boauchamp out of the Monies given us by His Majesties liberality: And the Letter of the said Minister were read, in which he complained of the Injustice of the said Province, and requested that a particular Church of Anjou might be appointed by the Authority of this National Synod to adjudge unto him the Summ of Eight Hundred Ninety and Eight Livres, Ten Sous, and Nine Deniers which are Owing him, and be detained in the hands of Monsieur Boitereul Receiver of the said Province of Britain. This Assembly decreeth that Monsieur de Beauchamp and Monsieur de Pestere for the Province (the De∣puties of Britain declaring that all Writings concerning this Affair are lodged with him) shall appear before the Consistory of Saumur on the First day of April next, that so their Accounts being Audited the Consistory of the said Church of Saumur may by the Authority of this Assembly finally determine this Matter. And in the mean while the said Summ of Eight Hundred Ninety and Eight Livres, Ten Sous and Nine Deniers shall be stopt in the Hands of the said Receiver of the Province of Britain, to be restored unto the said Monsieur de Beauchamp in case it be found due unto him.

4. Whereas the Provinces had been Exhorted by the Synod of Vitre to consult by what means our Universities might be provided of Professors in Divinity. This Assembly having heard the Opinion of sundry Provinces here tendered by their Deputies, decreed, That for this purpose there should be chosen out a certain number of Pastors in the Actual Service of these Reformed Churches, without burdening our selves with a new Fund, or choosing Scholars, who by reason of their sew years and inexperience are less fit to govern the Youth in our Universities.

5. Monsieur Boucherau having been heard about those complaints made in the Synod of Vitre, concerning the Excessive Rates paid by our Students at Saumur for their Lodging and Diet, This Assembly was fully sa∣tisfied of the groundlessness of those complaints.

6. That Canon forbidding Ministers to preach their own private Sen∣timents on State Affairs being read, and Report made unto this Synod that several Ministers had acted contrary to it in the last political Assembly held at Loudun. This National Synod desirous to stifle all Seeds of Division for∣bore looking into what is past; but for the future it did straitly forbid all Ministers to treat of State-Matters in their Sermons or Pulpit Discourses, on pain of being suspended the Holy Ministry, because the only Subject of their Sermons and publick Preaching should be the Holy Word of God; and the venting of State-Matters by them exposeth the Gospel of Our Lord Jesus unto contempt, and the Provinces shall take special care that an Account hereof be given by their Deputies when they return from the General Politick Assembly, as also of what may be foisted in of this nature into their Writings and Printed Works.

7. These words, as much as may be, shall be razed out of that Canon which had enjoyned the Churches to sing full parts of Psalms, and so con∣form themselves into that Antient Custom in use with us ever since the Reformation.

8. The last Synod of Vitre had injoyned sundry Ministers of the higher Languedoc residing in the City of Montauban, and not in their own Chur∣ches, to depart thence, and to live actually they and their Families in those places where they be fixed Pastors, and that within Three Moneths after Notice given them of this Decree, and in case of disobedience it was ex∣presly declared to them that they should be suspended, yea, and they were then denounced to be Suspended from the Holy Ministry. But now the Letters and Excuses of the Sieurs Richard Pastor of the Church of Muzac and Islemade, of Benoist Pastor of Albai and Realville, and of du Mas Pastor of Verlai, dwelling at Montauban being read, and the Provincial Deputyes of higher Languedoc having been heard speak about them: This Assembly besides their Suspension judgeth those Ministers to be guilty of open Re∣bellion against our Order and Church-Discipline, and to have despised ve∣ry many of our National Synods, and to have abandoned their Flocks, and therefore it declareth them to be Usurpers of the Sacred Ministry; and farther it doth very severely censure that Province of higher Languedoc for suffering such great Disorders so long a time unpunished, and the Consi∣story of the Church of Montauban for permitting them to preach after the Declaration made of their Suspension at Vitre; and farther confirming the aforesaid Sentence, it declareth the said Benoist and Richard to be suspen∣ded the Holy Ministry for Three Moneths to Commence from that very day when as this present Act shall be signified to them, and if in case with∣in Three Moneths time they do not obey the Canons of our National Sy∣nods, and reside personally among their People, they are from this very instant deposed. And as for the Sieur du Mas this Assembly doth as yet grant him one Moneth more after that this Decree shall be notified to him, and in case he be not then Obedient, and reside on his Church, he is, de∣clared suspended from the Holy Ministry, which said Suspension shall con∣tinue upon him till he do conform; and the Portions or Moneys arising from His Majesties Bounty that might accrew unto them as unto other conformable Ministers shall be detained by the Lord du Candal in his own hands until such time as they have intirely satisfied this present Synod and this its Ordinance. But notwithstanding all that's imported in this Cen∣sure Monsieur Gardesy is Excepted, he having a lawful Excuse for his Abode at Montauban, by reason of his great Age, and for his laudable

Travels undertook and sustained by him for the Service of Gods Church in the Flower and Vigour of his Youth: And this present Act shall be Sinned and Authenticated by the Manual Subscriptions of the Moderator, Assessor, and both the Scribes of this Synod, and shall be read and signi∣sied both in the Consistory of the Church of Montauban, and in the re∣spective Consistories of the Churches of those fore-mentioned Ministers by the Deputies of the Province of Lower Guyenne, at the Charges of the Province of Higher Languedoc, and they shall be allowed Six and Thirty Livres to defray their Charges, which shall be payd them in by the Lord of Candal out of the Moneys belonging to the Province of Higher Languedoc. And that Province is commanded to see the Discipline more exactly obser∣ved, especially in the point of Pastors Residence in their Churches.

9. Samuel du Fresne Student in Divinity in obedience to the Order of the last Synod held at Vit••e presented himself before this Assembly, bring∣ing with him Testimonials from the Consistory of the Church of Saumur, certifying of his Piety, Religious Conversation, Soundness in Doctrine, diligence in visiting and comforting the Sick, and of his Silence when admitted to assist at their Consistorial Sessions, and the Rector and Pro••••ssors of the University attesting the same things also, and that on all occasions whether by Theses publickly defended, or private Conferences and Discourses, and by Propositions from the Word of God he hath ma∣nifested his good Learning and Proficiency in the Languages and Divinity: This Assembly giving Credence to his Attestations hath granted to the said Samuel du Fresne the Summ of One Hundred Livres for his Journey hither, and Two Hundred Livres more for his maintenance for One Year, in which time he may be called out unto the Ministry in some one of our Churches.

10. The Sieur Chauveton having been condemned by the Synod of Vitre to pay the Summ of Three Hundred Livres to the Province of the Isle of France, which had maintained him in his Studies, or in case of his de∣fault the Provinces of Lower Guyenne in which he is now Minister was to make satisfaction for him. The Letters of the said Chauveton were read by which he humbly requesteth to be discharged from paying that great Summ, because it was not long of himself, that he returned not within the time prescribed unto his Church of Claye, where he once served, but be∣cause of the many heavy Domestick Burdens that lay sore upon him. And the Province of Lower Guyenne being heard in their Remonstrances made by them upon this Account: The Assembly confirmed the Decree of the former National Synod, and that it might be Executed, the Lord of Candal is ordered to keep the said Summ of Three Hundred Livres in his own hand, out of the Moneys belonging to the Lower Guyeune from the Kings Liberality, that so they may be restored unto the Province of the Isle of France, and Monsieur de Chauveton may be acquitted from all Payment, because of his great Poverty, which was fully notified unto this National Synod.

11. On that Affair of the Sieur d' Anglade concerning Arrearages of Sallary pretended to be due unto him by the Province of Lower Languedoc for his possession of the Hebrew Tongue in the University of Nismes, his Let∣ters having been read, and the Judgment of the Province of Seventies on the Accompt produced by him: This Assembly decreeth Four Hundred Livres unto the said Sieur d' Angtade, to witt, Three Hundred Livres to be paid him out of the Moneys appropriated to the University of Nismes, and owing to him as Professor of the Hebrew Tongue there; and an Hun∣dred Livres more out of the Common Stock of the Province of Lower Languedoc, and these Monies arising from both these Funds shall be paid in unto him by the Lord of Candal.

12. Whereas the Province of Berry hath yielded that the Church of Moulins should be incorporated with the Province of Burgundy, this Act of theirs is confirmed by the Authority of this National Synod: And as to that difference between the said Church of Moulins, and the Province of Berry, about Moneys due unto it from the Province, as Monsieur John Durand their Pastor had made report thereof unto this Assembly: They shall accompt with the Deputy of the said Province at their next Synod, who shall come into Burgundy on purpose to terminate this Affair. And in case they should not agree, the Province of Anjou shall put a final pe∣riod to it by the Authority of this Assembly.

13. Reading that Article concerning the Sieur Guerin Pastor of the Church of Baugencey, who together with divers other Persons of the Pro∣vince of Orleans and Berry stand bound in a very great Summ of Money. The Deputies of the said Province having remonstrated that notwith∣standing all their Urgencies and Importunities with the Marquis of Rosny, and the repeated instances of our General Deputies at Court with the said Lord, they could never get from him so much as one Farthing; by reason whereof the said Monsieur Guerin and his Sureties are in great trouble, and threatned that they shall be compelled will they nill they to make pay∣ment, or else to lie and die in Prison. Wherefore they most humbly pe∣tition this Assembly to have compassion on the said Guerin and his Suretyes, and to continue unto him that self-same Charitable Assistance until the next National Synod, which was granted him in the last. This Assem∣bly would most cordially have complyed with their Desires: But being bound up by His Majesties Order, It cannot divert the Moneys given our Ministers for their Ministerial Labours unto any other Uses.

14. Upon that complaint of John le Febure Bookseller and Citizen of Geneva against the Sieur Menuielle, the younger, at present Minister and Pastor of the Church of Orthez, whose Judgment had bin dismissed to the Synod of Bearn, which also was advised to injoyn him to go unto Geneva, and there to justifie himself from the Crime imputed to him before the Ma∣gistrates of that City, and in default thereof that Synod was to suspend him from the Ministry. Now after hearing the Relation of all passages done at Geneva both before the Magistrate and Consistory at the instance of the said le Febre, and the Mediation of the said Menuielle's Friends to com∣pound the matter with him, and the Letters written by the said le Febure unto the Synod of Bearn, the Shifts and Subterfuges of the said Menueille, and the Reasons inducing the Synod of Bearn not to suspend him being all urged by their Deputies. This Assembly not brooking that a Man blasted in his Reputation, and accused of the Crime of Fornication, should be Countenanced in his Sin, and incouraged in the Functions of the Sacred Ministry to the great Dishonour and Reproach of so High and Holy a Calling, doth once more Exhort the Synod or Colloquie of Bearn to in∣terdict the said Menuielle the Exercise of the Ministry, until such time as he shall have fully cleared himself from the Crime imputed to him. And notice hereof shall be given by Letters in our name unto the Synod of Bearn, as also of some other matters, which we have judged fitting to acquaint them with, according to that Communion which is betwixt us and them, and these matters shall be notified to them by their De∣puties.

15. The Synod of Vitre ordained the Summ of Four Hundred Livres should be delivered unto the Lords our General Deputies for the defraying of several Expences that they should be necessitated to make at Court about Dispatches, Expeditions, and other Extraordinary Charges for the Service of our Churches: And the Lord of Bertreville formerly our Depu∣ty General having sent unto this Assembly an account of the disbursement

of the said Summ made both by himself and the Lord Maniald his Colleague in the Exercise of their Office, as also that they had deposited in the hands of Monsieur de la Riviere Pastor of the Church of Ronen an Hundred Sixty and Eight Livres, being the remainder of the said Summ of Four Hundred Livres. This Assembly returns their most hearty thanks unto the said Lord of Bertreville for his great care and faithfulness, and ordains that the Summ aforesaid of an Hundred Sixty and Eight Livres should be put into the Common Treasury of the Church, and that the like Summ of Four Hundred Livres shall be paid in to the Lords de Favas and Chalais our General Deputies to be used by them on the like occasions, according as the necessity of our Affairs may demand it; and for which they shall be accountable unto the next National Synod.

CHAP. VII. Monsieur Chauves's Report.

16. MOnsieur John Chauve Pastor of the Church of Sommiers made Report how that in pursuance of the Commission given him, and the Sieurs du Moulin, Chameir and Rivet by the National Synod of Vitre to consult together of the most proper and necessary means to procure a good and firm Re-union of all the Churches, which have quitted the Communion of the Church of Rome, they would have Travelled into Holland, and according to the Invitation and Desire of the High and Mighty Lords, The States General of the Confederate Nether∣lands, they would have personally assisted at that General Council of the Reformed Churches held at Dort, which also was signified to the Province of Sevennes by our General Deputies at Court, and by the Church of Paris unto them the said Chauve, du Moulin, Chamier and Rivet: But that af∣terwards they brake off their Journey, and came back again into Languedoc upon the Intelligence which he and Monsieur Chamier received at Geneva, that they were forbidden by His Majesty to go unto that Council, This Assembly approving of what the said Sieur Chauve had done, and thank∣ing him for it, Ordered that the Expences of his Journey should be re∣payed him out of the Common Moneys of our Churches as should also those of Monsieur Chamier. In consequence whereof the said Sieurs Chove and Chamier brought in their Accounts; the Expences of Monsieur Chamier amounted to Two Hundred Eighty Five Livres, and those of Monsieur Chouve to One Hundred Seventy Four Livres, which the Lord Candal was ordered to pay unto them both without delay.

17. The Sieur Paul Bennet remonstrated unto this Assembly how that the last Synod of Vitre had Ordained that he should not be restored unto the Ministry in the Province of Xaintonge, although he were perfectly absolved from that Crime imputed to him, And that since having been ab∣solved, he was thereupon restored unto the▪ Functions of the Sacred Mi∣nistry by the Synod of Poictu acting by Authority derivred from, and in Obedience to that Decree of the said National Synod of Vitre, which yet did not readmit him into the Ministry in the Province of Xaintonge: Now he humbly petitioned this Assembly, That they would be pleased to take off the said Restriction, that so the blott cast upon his Ministry being ex∣punged, he might exercise it with Honour in Xaintonge as formerly, and the Synod of Xaintonge from whence he came joyned with him in the same request which was attested both by their Synodical Act, and viva voce by their Deputies, notwithstanding an Appeal brought by the Colloquy

of the Isles of the said Province of Xaintonge against the said Petition. This Assembly having read the Decree of Vitre, relating to him, did not think meet to make any alteration in it. But ordered that the free Portion of Moneys granted by His Majesty, and due unto the said Bonnet by that Ordinance of Vitre should be pay'd in unto him. And the said Pro∣vince of Xaintonge is once again enjoyned to come to account with him, and to make him good payment.

CHAP. VIII. APPEALES.

1 LEtters from the Consuls and Consistory of Realmont were presented by the Sieur Coras one of the Consuls of the said City unto this Assembly, requesting that Monsieur Voisyn might be continued in his Mi∣nistry among them, notwithstanding the Appeal of the Church of Montau∣ban, and of Pont de Camarez from the Synod of Puy Laurens in the Higher Languedoc, which had lent him unto the Church of Mauvoysin until the sit∣ting of the National Synod. This Assembly commending the Zeal of the Church of Realmont hath ordained that he shall continue in the Service of their Church, and exhorteth them to give all Contentment unto him their said Pastor according to that Affection which he hath ever born them. And the Colloquies of Albigeois, Lauragais, and Lower Zuercy shall help the Church of Mauvesyn out of their Pastors until the Meeting of the next Provincial Synod, as they have been intreated so to do by Monsieur de Maravat. And to this purpose the said Colloquies shall be assembled as soon as the Deputies are returned from this Assembly, without delay.

2. The Province of Normandy craving an Augmentation of Moneys for the setting up of Two Colledges, because of the great extent of the said Province. This Assembly could not make any Additions to what had been ordained for them by former National Synods. And as for the Ap∣peal of the Church of Diep from the Decree of the Provincial Synod, which had adjudged the Colledge of that Province unto the Town of St. Lo, it was declared null, and the Decree of the Provincial Synod ratified.

3, The Sieur Gaussens Pastor of Ponteau de Mer appealed from the Judg∣ment of the same Provinces, for that they would never yield unto the re∣peared instances of himself and Father in divers Synods, that he being freed from the Church in which he serveth and hath served ever since he was in the Ministry, and from that Province, he might live nearer his Aged Father, that so he might be Comforted and Assisted by him in his declining Age, especially sith his Reverend Father had at his own Charges bred him up unto the Ministry. This Assembly having heard the Depu∣ties of the Province arguing to the contrary, and testifying of the fruitful∣ness and good success of his Ministry, and the great Affection which his People bear him, do ordain that according to the Discipline of our Church, the Person and Ministry of the said Gaussens shall remain fixed unto the said Province of Normandy.

4, Whereas the Synod of Vitre had granted Monsieur de la Coste unto the University of Saumur to be their Professor in Divinity, upon condition that he should undergo an Examin in the Province of Anjou according to the Canons of our Church-Discipline, and the Deputies of the Synod of Anjou in Conjunction with several Ministers of the Provinces of Poictou,

Normandy, Berry, and Britain having judged by his Examination, and Pro∣bationary Lectures on the Old and New Testament, and Publick Disputa∣tions that God hath not called him unto that Accademical Profession, and therefore did desire him to rest contented with his Ministerial Calling only, and to exercise his Gifts in some particular Church of Christ, where God's Holy Providence might make use of him. Now the said Sieur de Coste brought in his Appeal from them. This Assembly does ratifie the Judg∣ment of the Provincial Deputies of Anjou and of those other Pastors which were imployed in the said Examin; and yet nevertheless for di∣vers reasons and Considerations, and for the Repose and Comfort of the said Sieur de la Coste it doth ordain, that he shall be put into the Catalogue of Pastors, who shall be intreated to prepare and fit themselves for the Publick Profession of Theology against the next National Synod, and in the mean while the said Sieur de la Coste shall be at liberty to settle himself in any Church as he thinks good, and he shall receive Three Hundred Li∣vers out of the Common Moneys of our Churches for the Charges of his Journey over and above what he was to have received by Order of the said Deputies who were present at his Examination, towards his Mainte∣nance, and till such time as he be provided of a Church he shall injoy another single Portion free of all Charges, and Two Hundred Livers more for one whole Year, within which time he is obliged to fix himself Pastor in some particular Church, and therein to Exercise his Ministry.

5. Mrs. Isabeau de Sales Relict of Monsieur Samuel Toussain late Pastor in the Church of Luke now Deceased, appealed from the Synod of Lormarin in Provence, for that they had ordered Seventy Five Livers only to be paid her, without giving her any satisfaction for what was due unto her said deceased Husband for his Journeys on behalf of his Church and Province, nor unto her for the first year of her•• Widowhood. This Assembly ho∣nouring the Memory of the said Monsieur Toussain; and the many Servi∣ces done by him in his life time unto the Churches, doth now ordain, That the Province of Provence shall immediately pay in Four Hundred Livres unto the said Gentlewoman Mrs. Isabeau de Sales, which shall be put out to interest in safe hands for the Children of the said Sieur Toussain: And farther there shall be payed in unto the said▪ Widow Seventy Five Livers more, which were granted her by the Synod of Lormarin. And the Pro∣vince shall exhibit yearly for the space of Ten Years the Summ of Seven∣ty Five livers towards the maintenance of the Children of the said Sieur Toussain; and the Church of Luc also shall pay in unto the said Gentle∣woman all Arrearages of Sallary which remain due unto their late Pastor Monsieur Toussain her deceased Husband, according to the Accompt she hath produced and proved.

6. Mr. Bartholomew Ressens Pastor of the Church of Velaux appealed from the Synod of Proven••e, which had proceeded divers ways very un∣justly against him in several Synods inclusively from the Year 1612, unto the Synod of Aiguieres in the Year 1619. In which they had not only re∣fused him his part of the Portions granted unto the Church of Velaux by the National Synod of Privas, but they had also over and above oppressed him with sundry and very grievous Burdens, particularly that they suspen∣ded him for Three Months time from the Holy Ministry; and yet that very self-same Assembly did a while after re-instate him again as before in∣to it, having first compelled him to very unbecoming Submissions to them, and entertained divers Accusations against him without any Proof or Foun∣dation, yea after that Messieurs Brunier, Chambrun, and de St. Caesaire had given in their Judicial Sentence upon his Cause, For these Reverend Per∣sons by Authority from the National Synod of Vitre came unto the Sy∣nod of Lormarin held in the said Province in the Month of November, in

the Year 1617, and having heard and examined all matters relating to him, they did absolve and justifie him. Mr. Ressens having ended, the Depu∣ties of the said Province were heard, and Monsieur Brunier also reported what he and his fellow Commissioners had done in Obedience to the Com∣mission given them to visit the said Province by the National Synod of Vitre: Whereupon this Assembly doth very severely censure that Province of Provence for their Levity, Confusions and immoderate Passions, which were too too evident by the Acts of their Synod at Aiguieres: And there∣fore disanulling their Judgment, it doth ordain that all those Acts concer∣ning the said Mr. Ressens shall be rased out of their Synodical Books: And forasmuch as the said Ressens hath not carried himself with that decorum as he was and is obliged to by the Cannons of our Ecclesiastical Discipline, and for that he hath failed in his Duty and Respects unto Synodical Mee∣tings, and has been too much occupied in worldly Affairs, and discovered a very greedy, covetous heart after dishonest gain, which put him upon a very shameful Action confessed by him openly in this National Assembly, which had he not done would otherwise have merited his Suspension from the Ministry; but forasmuch as the Lord himself hath in much Mercy chastised him for it, and for that he has made a full, and free and ingenu∣ous Confession, and shamed himself publickly for this miscarriage whereby our bowels are moved with compassion for him, and hath given us hope that for the future 'twill be a Spur to excite and quicken him unto his Duty, and to be more careful and circumspect in his walking, for all which considerations we contenting our selves at present with this publick Repre∣mand given him in full Synod, do expresly forbid him to accept of any De∣putation for the future unto Political Assemblies, or to appear hereafter as a Delegate personally in any one of them. And as for those Accompts lying between him and the said Province, they be dismissed over to the Church of Alez to be audited by them, and having done it, to make Report there∣of unto this Assembly.

7. Mr. Andrew Guarin Pastor of the Church of Jonias and Gordes ap∣pealed from the Synod of Provence, which had ordained Twenty Crowns unto the said Churches to pay off their great Expences they were inforced to by the Lord of the Soil, who would not suffer them to worship God in their Temple built on his Land; and he complained farther of the outrages done him (which is also come to our hearing) by the Commissioners of that Province. Now although this Affair be not of their Nature which are to be brought before the National Synods, yet for divers reasons this Assembly hath took this particularly into its consideration, and doth con∣demn the Province of Provence for their uncharitable proceedingss, which savour of a base Chicanery every way unbecoming the Servants of God; and we do appoint the Colloquy of Gapensois in Dolphiny to inspect their Accompts, and to add what they shall judge equitable unto the Churches before-mentioned, and that by the Authority of this Assembly; which will immediately recommend their afflicted Condition unto our Lords the Ge∣neral Deputies, who shall address themselves unto His Majesty and the Pri∣vy Council for Justice against their potent Oppressor.

8. Monsieur R••phael Gabett Pastor of the Church of Tulette in Dolphiny appealed from the Judgment of the Synods of Province held at Manosques the Five and Twentieth of October in the Year 1618. And at Aiguieres the Second of May 1619. Which refused to give him Licence of Depar∣ture and Honourable Testimonials, though they were but his just and lawful dues, and had been granted him by the Church of la Code, in which he had served the space of Three years, and also by the Synod of Thouart, when he quitted it. And he complained farther, that they denied to re∣imburse him the necessary Charges he was forced to be at in divers Jour∣neys

to this purpose, and that they had rejected most unjustly this his Ap∣peal, when it was tendred to them. This Assembly judging the procee∣dings against the said Monsieur Gabett very unjust, and detective in divers points, as was demonstrated unto the Deputies of that Province, It or∣daineth that all the Acts concerning the said Gabet shall be rased out of their Synodical Books, and doth very severely censure the said Province, and confirmeth the said Gabett in his Ministry at Tulett in Dolphiny, and that the Province of Provence shall give him the Testimonials demanded by him, and Twenty Livers appertaining to him as Arrearages of his Sallary.

9. Mr. Peter Mercurin Pastor of the Church of Cisteron in Provence ap∣pealed from the Synod of that Province for denying him a Sight and Copy of their Synodical Acts, which might informe him of the Arrears due un∣to him for his ••ension whilst he was yet Student, and another had not been substituted in his place; and he complained that they inforced him to yield up unto the Province Twenty Livers which were given him by the National Synod of Vitre. This Affair was dismissed over to the Colloquy of Baronniers in Dolphiny, which should audit his Accompts, and deter∣mine finally about them by the Authority of this Assembly.

10. Monsieur Boulet a Pastor of the Church of Vergeres and Condoignac appealed from a Decree of the Synod of Sevennes, confirming the Judi∣cial Sentence of the Province of Lower Languedoc, which had ordered Four Hundred Livers to be paid him by the Churches, and Two Hundred Livers out of the Kings Money including therein the Portion of the said Churches, when as there was more due unto him. This Assembly decla∣red that this matter did not belong to the Cognisance of National Synods; and therefore ratifying the Synodical Decree of Sevennes, it doth Exhort the said Boulet to abstain from all terms of Law in his Appeal, and in case he has any new matter of Objection against the Province of Lower Lan∣guedoc, he may again apply himself unto the Province of Sevennes.

11. Mr. John de la Faye Pastor of Aubenas appealed from the Synod of Vivaretz held at Chasteauneuf; which had given leave unto the Church of Aubenas to dismiss him, as also that he should never any more exercise His Ministery within the Province of Vivaretz. Hereupon the Informations brought in against the said de la Faye by certain Ministers and Elders Com∣missionated by a Colloquy held at Meyras in August last, were called for and read, and the Deputies of the Province were heard in what they had to declare and offer from their Principals. The Letters also of some of the Elders in the Consistory of Aubenas and other Inhabitants of the said Town joyning themselves in that Appeal of Monsieur de la Faye were produced they having to this purpose deputed the Sieur de la Borie, de Fons, de Seures, and de la Faisse with them unto this Assembly. Monsieur du Sault also, one of the Elders of the said Church was heard speak, who together with several other Members of the said Church, Consistory, and Inhabi∣tants of Aubenas demanded that the Decree of the Synod of Chasteauneuf might be Executed. This Assembly saw upon the whole very great mis∣carriages in every party; and therefore did first of all censure those Com∣missioners who instead of quenching the Fire of Division and Contention, had poured in fresh Oyle to increase the Flames, and fomented Quarrels and Law-Suits among them directly contrary to the Rules and Canons of our National Synods. It censureth also the Provincial Synod for pronou∣cing Sentence so rashly, when as there were just grounds of exceptions against the Evidence; and without ever hearing the Confession of the said de la Fay, or Convincing him in the least of his Offence, and for expressing immoderate Passion against him, and foisting into their Acts Matters of small moment as if they had been great Crimes. It censureth also the

Elders of that Church of Aubenas in general for divers failures observed in their proceedings contrary to our Church-Discipline; and particularly those among them, who would prefer the lesser number unto the greater, and bring in little pettifogging tricks into Consistories, which are Ecclesiastical Assemblies, a matter of dangerous consequence, and pernicious unto our Churches. And as for Monsieur de la Faye, this Synod not being able any longer to endure those great faults of which he is guilty by his own Con∣fession, and that he may be excited for the future better to consult the honour of his Sacred Function, whereunto he is called of God, It doth now suspend him for Two Moneths from all Exercises of his Ministry; which time expired, The Colloquy of Valentinois in Dolphiny shall at the Costs and Charge of the Church of Aubenas Commissionate some certain Pastors and Elders to restore the said de la Faye unto his Office in it, and mediate and effect a good and firm Peace and Reconciliation betwixt them all, And in the Name of God, all the Members of the said Church and Consistory who are here present are now Exhorted by this Assembly to use their best endeavours that it may be promoted, effected and preserved, among all their Fellow-Citizens, which also they did very solemnly pro∣mise. And that nothing may be wanting to compose and heal their diffe∣rences, and that the Hearts of all may be disposed and ingaged to this Ho∣ly Peace and Union, the Sieurs Chauffepied, and Bernard shall immediately visit them, and deal with the Consistory, and the private Members of the said Church to incline and work over their Hearts and Spirits to embrace it.

12. Monsieur de la Garie Minister and Professor of Philosophy at Losanna brought his Appeal against the Synod of Higher Languedoc held at Puylau∣rent, which would not suffer him a Scholastick Tryal for the Professors Chair of the Hebrew Tongue in the University of Montauban, though he offered it, and yet at the same time they confirmed Mr. Abel Bicheteau in the said Professorship without any previous Examen or Disputation. How∣ever this Assembly could not but observe an evident default in the settle∣ment of the said Monsieur Bicheteau both on his part, and that of the Uni∣versity of Montauban, and on the Synods also which had confirmed him, yet doth it ratifie the Decree of the said Synod of Puylaurent, and fixeth Monsieur Bicheteau in his Profession; and recommends Monsieur de la Garie to the Province of Higher Languedoc, not only to defray the Charges of his Journey hither, as is just and reasonable, but to prefer him also unto the Pastoral Office in some vacant Congregation, he submitting himself first un∣to an Examination, according to the Decree of the National Synod of Gap. Moreover it enjoyneth the said Province to observe more exactly the Canons of our National Synods in the reception of Publick Academical Professors for time coming.

13. Monsieur Isaac de Rieu Pastor of the Church of Pont de Royans ap∣pealed in his own Name, and in the Name of divers others, Ministers and Elders, (now absent) from a Sentence denounc't against them in the Synod of Dolphiny held at Briancon the 18th day of June, One Thousand, Six Hundred and Twenty, about a Commission which they together with the Colloquy of Ambrun had joyntly executed. This Assembly not in the least approving the Action of these Appealers in granting Letters of Attorney before a Notary Publick unto the said de Rieu, as if there had been a cause to be pleaded in a Civil Court of Judicature, It doth dismiss them over for the substance of their business unto the Synod of Lower Languedoc, which shall judge definitely thereof, and the rather because the Provincial Deputies of Dolphiny had not brought with them those Papers which was

necessary to discuss it, and because it was utterly unfit that Monsieur de la Croze should upon his own Charges (although he did generously offer it) ride into that Province to fetch those Memorials.

14. Monsieur Olhagaray Minister in the Church of Mazeres presented an Appeal of the Colloquy of Foix from the Provincial Synod of Higher Languedoc held at Puylaurent the 18th day of June One Thousand Six Hun∣dred and Twenty, for that they had defaulked from the Portions belong∣ing to the Church of Foix, which were granted them by the Synod of Rochell, though not mentioned in the last Synod of Vitre, and the said Pro∣vince refused to make payment of them. This Assembly promised to take care of this Matter, when as they should distribute the Churches Mo∣neys, and that in the mean while it would make Inquiry into what had been ordained by the former National Synods: And whereas the Deputies from the Council of Higher Languedoc and Guyenne requested on behalf of the said Colloquy of Foix, That they might be assisted with some Mo∣neys to Erect a Colledge in the City of Pamiers; they were answered, That what had been decreed as to this purpose by the Synod of Vitre should be confirmed by this of Alez.

15. The Inhabitants of the Town of St. Aignan appealed from a Judg∣ment past against them in the Synod of Xaintonge, held at Tonnay Charente, by which they were annexed to the Church of St. John d' Angely; but this their Appeal was rejected, because it was of such an Affair as might be finally decided within the Province.

16. Monsieur Philip Pinauld appealed from the Provincial Synod of Anjou, who had conferred his Office of Receiver for the University of Saumur on Monsieur Bouquett, because he would discharge it freely, and demanded nothing for his pains therein, saving only for the Transcribing of his Accompts. This Assembly leaveth the whole Affair to the disposal of that Province, provided they give General Releases unto the said Pinault.

17. The Church of Privas appealed from the Synod of Vivaretz held the last August at Chasteauneuf, for abridging them of their Liberty in the choice of their Pastors, which they ever had before, and did by the consent of their Colloquy allwayes chuse them either from within, or without the Pro∣vince; whereas now the Provincial Synod takes unto it self an Absolute Au∣thority of providing for them; and hath farther declared, That the Por∣tion of the Kings Money, which was wont to be payed in unto the said Church, doth now of right belong unto Monsieur Lubac, although he be none of their Minister. nor doth them any Service. This Assembly bla∣ming the said Province of Vivaretz for those words, of permitting them to choose in times past, which seem to condemn those Worthy Ministers who so affectionately served the Church of Privas in its necessity, as if they had been guilty of some grievous fault, whereas they be every way worthy of Commendation and Thank, and not of a Toleration or Connivency: And farther blaming that Synod for those words of Absolute Authority, which it had arrogated unto it self, It ordains that the Church of Privas shall enjoy its free Liberty, and may for the future provide it self of a Pastor any where as the Lord shall give them opportunity, taking always with them the Approbation of their Colloquy and Synod. And forasmuch as this Assembly hath heard talk of Monsieur Lubac, an Order shall be sent him, to appear before them, and to give an Account of himself. And in the mean while the Portion due unto the said Lubac shall be stopped in the

hands of the Province of Vivaretz until such time as he shall have cleared himself of matters laid unto his charge.

18. Several Elders and other the Inhabitants of the Town of Gignac pe∣titioned that they might have a Pastor appropriated to them, because of those continual assaults they meet with from the Adversaries of the Gospel; they appealed also from the Synod of Lower Languedoc, which had imposed upon them against their wills Monsieur duChacornas to be their Pastor. And yet con∣trariwise divers Elders and other the Inhabitants of the said Town of Gignac and St. Andrew Petitioned that the said de Chacornas might be confirmed by the Authority of this Synod to be their Pastor. The Assembly reproving those Inhabitants of Gignac for their levity and unserious temper, which in∣gageth them in heats and disputes exceeding prejudicial unto their Con∣sciences, and repugnant to the Edifying of Gods Church, and Exhorting them to an Holy Union, Concord, and Perseverance in the profession of the Truth without wavering, did promise to provide them a Minister for Six Moneths time, who should make it his business to reconcile and settle them, and afterward they shall be recommended unto their Province to give them a fixed Pastor. And whereas they demand assistance from us towards the maintenance of their Minister, all possible care also shall be taken herein for their full satisfaction.

19. An Appeal was brought by the Lord of St. Stephens Baron of Gan∣gers from the Judicial Sentence of the Colloquy of Sauve, ratified by the Provincial Synod of Sevennes and Gevaudan held at Meyruez in the Moneth of July last, by which the said Baron of Gangers was ordered publickly to be suspended from Communion at the Lords Table for the Injuries and Violencies done by him to Monsieur Coder Minister of the Church of Gan∣gers, and farther that if the said Lord continued to trouble the said Codur in the Exercise of his Ministry, that then the Province would espouse his Quarrel, and defend him by all lawful ways Ecclesiastical and Civil. And in the same Appeal the Consuls and Inhabitants of Gangers did by their De∣puties represent how that the same Synod had also in the same manner cen∣sured them, for that they had given leave to the said Monsieur Codur to withdraw himself from them unto a Neighbour Church, until such time as that the Synod had provided better for him. And yet nevertheless they were, enjoyned by the Synod to pay him continually his Stipend as if he were actually in service among them; In short, they demanded, that the said Codur might be removed out of their Town and transplanted elsewhere. The Appellants being called in, and heard in all what they had to speak or offer, and the Provincial Deputies of Sevennes in the reasons moving their Synod to pass such a Sentence on them; and Monsieur Codur also being heard in his defence, and pretended Justification, and two Elders of the Church of Gangers with Letters from the Consistory requesting that the said Church might be no longer deprived of Gods Holy Word and Sacraments: This Assembly ratified the Judicial Sentence given by the Synod of Meyruez as to the suspension of the Lord Baron of Gangers from the Lords Table, and the Publication of it, together with the censure past on the said Consuls and other the Inhabitants of Gangers, as being Complices and Partners with their Lord in all his Violencies and Indignities used towards their Pastor; Moreover it censureth the Consistory of the said Church for their Levity; manifest enough by their Letters and Testimonials contradictory one unto another. And as for Monsieur Codur to procure him peace, and to effect he peace of the said Church of Gangers, he shall be removed from the said Church, and the Province of Sevennes are ordered either by their Synod, or by he Colloquy of Anduze to settle him elsewhere, and in order hereunto they shall be assembled before New-years day next coming, till which time the said

Church of Ganges shall duly pay him his Stipend, and they shall also sa∣tisfie him for all his Arrearages fully unto this very day. And whereas the said Monsieur Codur hath met with a world of Fatigues and Troubles by reason of his Imployment in Political Affairs to the great hinderance and unsuccessfulness of his Ministry, he is intreated never any more to intangle himself with them, nor to assist in Person for the future in any of those Political Assemblies. And whereas the said Lord Baron of Gangers, the Consuls and other Inhabitants of Gangers here present were exhorted to re∣concile themselves with the said Monsieur Codur, and the Sieur Codur re∣ciprocally to forget the Injuries he had received, and that they would mutually imbrace each other, and live in an Holy Concord and Love, this was freely and chearfully done by all Parties. Whereupon this National Synod to strengthen and consolidate this Union, and to conciliate them with those who were absent, did take off the Suspension from die said Baron, and restoreth him to the Peace and Communion of the Church, and by this means all Processes both Civil and Criminal on all sides shall cease, and never be used more.

20. Monsieur Gallpin Judge of the City of Ʋsez, appealed from the Synod of Lower Languedoc, which had suspended the said Gallpin from the Lords Table, and ordered that the said Suspension should be published in the Church. Although this Affair be not of their Nature, which ac∣cording to the Cannons of our Church-Discipline ought to fall under the Cognisance of National Synods, yet for procuring that sweet Blessing of Peace, and for divers other Important Considerations, This Assem∣bly did enter upon the Debate thereof; and accordingly judged that the Synod of Lower Languedoc had just cause for suspending the said Galpin from the Lord's Table, and this not upon the account of his Office, for which they did not in the least intermeddle with him; but for that Re∣proach the said Galpin hath brought upon the Church very unseasonably by his Extravagant Actings against the Sieur Gondin Viguier (Provost) of the City of Ʋsez; and for discovering himself by the by to be of another Religion than the Reformed, of which he now makes profession. How∣ever the Synod for divers reasons doth not think meet that his Suspension should be published. And forasmuch as the principal end of this Assembly is to promote an Holy Union among all the Members of our Church, and principally among Persons whom God hath in his Providence advanced unto publick Office and Honour, The said Monsieur Galpin is exhorted to reconcile himself with Monsieur Gondin, and both of them joyntly to take such Rules and Measures as may secure the Publick Peace and Tranquility of Gods Church, in their respective Places and Callings. And the said Galpin and Gondin having testified their acquiescence in this Decree, they were both reconciled, and promised to surcease all Law-Suits and Pro∣cesses whatsoever, and to live in Amity and Concord together, and that in case they should act contrary to these their promises, that they would submit themselves unto all Censures of the Church; to suspension from the Sacraments, yea, and to Excommunication it self, and that the Consistory and Colloquy of Ʋsez, and the Synod of Lower Languedoc should with the highest Authority proceed against them. Whereupon the Suspension and its publication decreed against the faid Galpin by the Synod of Lower Languedoc was taken off, and he was immediately restored to the Peace and Communion of the Church.

21. The Sieur Boulet appealed from the Synod of Lower Languedoc held at Ʋsez in March last, because he having opposed the Election of Monsieur Astier to the Office of an Elder, they had censured him. This Assembly confirms the Judicial Sentence or the said Synod, and doth grievously censure the said Boulet for retaining so long and notorious a passion, con∣trary

to the Laws of Christian Charity, which forbid us to harbour Wrath, and command us to exercise Love unto all Gods Children. And Monsieur Astier also is severely reproved for expressing so much disrespect as he hath done unto the Sacred Ministry, which he hath vented in scur∣rilous and opprobrious Language against the said Boulet. And finally the Commissioners deputed by the Colloquy to meet at Nismes about this mat∣ter they were very sharply censured for wasting their time, and putting the Parties to so great charges by their tedious dilatory proceedings, utterly unbecoming their Calling.

22. A great Number of the Inhabitants of the Town of Sauve appea∣led from the Censure inflicted on them by the Synod of Sevennes held at Vigan the 24th day of April in the year Sixteen Hundred and Seventeen, and requested that the said censure might be rased, and taken out of the Acts of the said Synod, and the Consistory there joyned with them, as also Monsieur Bony contented so far, as that they might have another Minister, to exercise among them, though herein he acted contrary to the Decree of that Synod, which had inhibited them all Inquiries after a Se∣cond Pastor, This Assembly judging this Affair not to be of their kind which ought to be tendered unto the National Synods, doth therefore re∣mand them and it back again unto the Province, and either in a Colloquy, or Synod to procure for themselves another Minister, according to the Rules prescribed by our Discipline, and for Peace sake it does amend the Censure of the Synod of Vigan, and ordaineth, That those words inserted in it, of factions and quarrelsome shall be rased out of it.

23. The Church of Lormarin together with their Pastor Monsieur Morrice, and Corrigier one of their Elders appealed from the Synod of Provence held at Remoules in May last, which having suspended the said Morrice for three Moneths from the Ministry, the same Synod did some few days after re∣store him again: And yet afterwards they compelled them the said Morrice, and Corrigier to beg the pardon of that Synod upon their knees, the Mode∣rator calling upon God in Prayer before hand on purpose to expose them, when as there was no cause at all, nor had there been any on their part for so great an Indignity, they having given no provocation which might merit such ignominious usage. This Assembly condemneth the Province of Provence for abusing our Discipline, and exposing the Sacred Ordinance of Prayer to contempt and scorne, and ordereth that their Act of Suspension past in the Synod of Remoules be rased out, of all Books in which it may have been recorded; and the Acts of the said Synod being wholly cleared, and renewal, the Old Copyes shall be delivered into the hands of the said Mr. Morrice, and this present Act shall be read in the next Synod of Provence by Monsieur Huron their Deputy, and entered into the Register of the Synodical Acts of Provence.

24. Mr. Hector Joly appealed from the Synod of Higher Languedoc held at Puylaurent in June last for suspending him a whole year from the Mini∣stry, and that term expired for ordering him to quit the Province, though they licensed him if he could, to get himself into some other Church in another Province. The cause of his suspension was Adultery: And the Church and City of Montauban complained of the too much Lenity and In∣dulgence extended by that Synod towards the said Joly, and of their cen∣sure given forth against the Consistory of Montauban. The Deputies of the said Province declared the true grounds of their Synodical actings against Joly, and of their censure upon the Consistory to be these, viz. Because they had neglected their Duty to him, and the formes requisite and usual in all our Ecclesiastical proceedings. Joly also was called in, and suffered to speak for himself, and to produce by word of Mouth and Writing whatever might make for his Defence and Justification. But after

all that could be said by him or for him, This Assembly approved the Ju∣dicial Sentence of the said Synod of Puylaurent in every Title and Member of it, yea, and in its censure inflicted on the Consistory of Montauban, because of the notorious defaults confessed by them in their actings. And all matters having been narrowly examined and considered; which were alledged by the said Joly, and particularly those Acts now produced by him, he was now found to be really guilty of that Crime whereof he stood accused, and of very foul and wicked practises to palliate and stifle it. Insomuch as his Ministry could be no longer useful, but must needs be a very great and publick scandal. For these Causes this Assembly aggrava∣ted the Judgment of the Synod of Puylaurent, doth now declare the said Joly to be totally deposed from the Sacred Ministry and interdicts him all man∣ner of Acts, Duties, and Exercises appertaining to it. And at his request. the Papers which he had produced out of the Civil Courts were all retur∣ned into his own hands.

25. Stephen Girault appealed from the Synod of Xaintonge held at Marennes in July Sixteen Hundred and Seventeen, which had declared him utterly unworthy of that Holy and Honourable Office of a Pastor in the Church of God, and deposed him from the Ministry, without any hope of ever being restored to it, unless he did wholly reform his Life and Man∣ners, and become a new Man before the sitting of this present National Synod; and likewise he appealed from another Sentence since that of the aforesaid Synod past upon him by the Sieurs Constans and Rossel Deputed by the Colloquy of Pons in December, in One Thousand Six Hundred and Nineteen, to make inquiry into the Life and Conversation of the said Giraud, by which he was suspended for Three Moneths from Communion with the Church of God at the Lords Table, and this his Suspension was ordered to be notified from the Pulpit to the whole Congregation. The Deputies of the Province of Xaintonge were desired to declare the Reasons of their rigorous dealings with this Girault, and Girault also was heard in all his Apologies for himself both by word of Mouth and Writing. In which he confest and owned some of the Crimes whereof he was accused, but confidently extenuated and denied others: This Assembly finding the said Stephen Girault convicted of Prophaneness and Lasciviousness, Drun∣kenness, Theft, Perjury, contempt of Church-Discipline, Slandering, Co∣veting dishonest gain; in short, a Fellow whose Life and Manners have no resemblance with that of a Servant of God, but directly contrary to him, and one who is utterly unworthy the Name of a Christian. It hath and doth now declare him to be deposed from the Holy Ministry, and to∣tally interdicts him all manner of Acts and Offices belonging to it; leaving it to the judgement of that Church, where he shall reside, whether they will admit him or no as a private Person to communion with them at the Lords Table, which yet they shall not do till such time as they have had long and undoubted Evidence and Experience of his thorough Reformation and Amendment of Life, and conceive him worthy of so great a Favour and Priviledge upon very good and satisfactory Grounds and Reasons.

26. The Colloquy of Rouergue presented their Appeal by Monsieur Jaques Pastor of the Church of St. Breuest, from the Synod of Higher Languedock held at Millaud, by which the said Colloquy was condemned to pay Five Hundred Livers (another Copy has Five Hundred Crowns) unto Monsieur du Luc, for razing the place at Monntelarat it being a matter ob∣tained by surprize, and against that use whereunto the Churches Money is to be imployed. After hearing the Arguments of the said de Luc against the said Colloquy, and the reasons alleadged by the Deputies of the Pro∣vince, the Assembly did not judge this Affair to belong to the Cognisance

of Synods, and therefore remands it back again to the Cities and Corpora∣tions in the Colloquy of Rouergue, that they may give satisfaction as they shall see reason for it. The Moneys granted us by the Kings bounty shall see reason for it. The Moneys granted us by the Kings bounty being destinated to other and better purposes.

27. The Church of Authun and Couches appealed from the Synod of Burgundy, which refused to give them Monsieur Textor for their Mini∣ster, and had censured them for that they persisted in their Endeavours to procure him. This Assembly not being able to invalidate the Judgment of the said Province of Burgundy, because those who are concern'd in it, are not here neither in their Persons, nor by their Memoirs, yet doth it how∣ever enjoyn the said Province to take care, That the said Church of Cauches be speedily supplyed with an able Minister according to the Ca∣nons of our Ecclesiastical Discipline.

28. The Church of Foussay appealed about the maintenance of Monsieur Vatable their Pastor from the Synod of Poictou; but their Appeal was re∣jected because it was of the nature of those things which might be deter∣mined by Provincial Synods.

29. The Sieur des Maretz appealed from a Decree of the Synod of Vivaretz held at Privas, which had confirmed those Orders of the Collo∣quy of Rochefoucaut dated the 25th of June, 1619. and that of Privas Da∣ted the 10th of November, 1619. and injoyned him the said des Maretz wholly to quit the Church of Vals as soon as they should have paid him the remainders of his Sallary. The Deputies of the Church of Vals peti∣tioned that they might be provided of another Pastor, and those of the Province produced the reasons moving them to pronounce that judgment against him. Upon the whole, this Assembly, although it doth confirm that Ordinance of the Synod of Vivaretz as to the removal of the said des Maretz from the Church of Vals, yet cannot in the least approve of the proceedings of the said Province in their manner of Interdicting him his Ministry there: And although he be exhorted to be more careful in pre∣serving the Honour of his Calling, and to adorn it with that prudence and gravity which well becomes it; yet nevertheless do we recommend him unto the said Province of Vivaretz to settle him in some particular Church, which shall be done either by the Colloquy or Synod. And that till he be provided, he may maintain himself and Family, the said Pro∣vince shall give him one Portion free of all Rates and Taxes out of the Moneys granted us by His Majesties Liberality, and Fifteen Crowns in ready Money for the Expences of his Journey, and the Church of Vals shall pay him off fully his wages to this very day; and to this purpose the Moneys which would otherwise accrew unto the said Church of Vals shall be detained in the hands of the Receiver of the Province of Vivaretz: And the Sieurs Agar and Richaud are charged by this Assembly that they do both of them in their respective Places and Capacities use their best indeavours that the said Church do give all content and satisfaction unto the said Sieur des Maretz.

30. Monsieur de la Cloche appealed from the Provincial Synod of Britain for detaining from him, as he pretended, Moneys which were owed him by the Church of Nantes. This Assembly dismisseth him over to the Pro∣vince of Anjou, who shall judge definitively in this matter according to the Cannons of our Discipline.

31. The Church of Chalays appealed from an Order of the Synod of Burgundy held at Gex in the year 1617, about an opposition made by Mon∣sieur du Noyer an Advocate against the admission of several Persons nomi∣nated to be Elders, because already the Consistory of that Church was filled up with near Relations, as of Father and Son, Three Brothers in Law, an Uncle and Nephew, and that the said du Noyer having opposed

himself to this disorder, they did thereupon suspend him from being an Elder in the said Church. This Assembly judgeth that the said opposition was very warrantable, because of the many Relations and Kindred that were in it; and that the Colloquy did but right, when they took off the Counsel from the said du Noyer: And though for the present it suffers the State of the Consistory of the said Church of Chalais to continue, yet, doth it injoyne them for the future to observe as much as in them lieth the Consul given them by the Synod of Burgundy, concerning their change of Elders: So that they had no cause at all, nor ought they to have appealed from that Synodical Exhortation.

32. The Church of Valon, la Gorce, and Salvas appealed from the Pro∣vince of Vivaretz, for denying them help and assistance by which they might have stemm'd and resisted those many Evils befallen them by the Persecution of the Baron of la Gorce; and for not suffering them to be in∣corporated with the Province of Lower Languedoc, which they had most earnestly desired and requested, do still persist in their desire of being in∣corporated with it. This Assembly cannot consent that the said Church of Valon should be severed from the Province of Vivaretz, for many and weigh∣ty Reasons; and therefore enjoyneth the said Province of Vivaretz to have a most especial care of the said Church of Valon in their distribution of His Majesties Money, that so they may be aided and supported under their many and heavy Burdens and most grievous Oppressions.

33. The Church of Milhaud brought their Appeal from a Judgment of the Province of Sevennes, which refused to repay them the Charges they had been at in maintaining Noel le Gele, formerly a Carmelit, Fryer in the Church of Rome, and sent by the Church of Maruejols unto that of Mil∣haud. This Assembly judgeth that the Colloquy of Rouergue should defray his Charges, because the said le Gele is dedicated to their Service.

43. The Church of Luke appealing from the Synod of Provence, This Assembly judged that their demand of being reimburst their Charges for the pretended Synod of Thouars could not be admitted, because they did not therein suffer alone, but all the Churches bore them Company in the said Province of Provence; nor should there be any words made about the Twenty Crowns, which the said Synod ordered for a Schoolmaster, be∣cause we would not have old Dissentions long since extinguished to be again revived; and it cannot be made appear that the said Summ of Twenty Crowns was ever actually paid: And whereas they demand some relief; for the future there shall be Consideration had of them in the Dividends of His Maiesties Bounty.

35. The Church of Montpellier appealed from the Synod of Lower. Languedoc about the Collection made for building the Temple at Castelnau; but their Appeal was rejected, and the Decree of that Synod confirmed, on Condition, that the Minister who shall be setled in that Church of Castelnau and its Annexed Congregations do reside not at Montpellier, but at Montferrier, Clappier, or in some other place most convenient for the Service of that Church, and the Temple shall be built at a greater distance from Montpellier, and the Elders shall be chosen out of the places where the said Church is gathered, or in case they dwell at Montpellier, they shall not be chosen without the consent of the Consistory of Mont∣pellier, and if a Collection should be made in that Church for building a Temple in the midst of the places before-mentioned; The said Church shall appoint one of her Elders by name to gather and distribute the Mo∣neys so Collected according as was ordained by the Synod of Lower Languedoc.

36. The Deputies of the Province of Burgundy presented a Letter from Monsieur de Monsenglard Pastor of the Church of Corbigny, with his Ap∣peal from the Sentence of the Colloquy of Berry held at Corbigny, who notwithstanding the great and known Poverty of his Church, had by their decree strook off Fifty Livres a year from his Wages, and in case he could not bear it, he should be put into the Catalogue of Ministers that were to be removed, and in pursuance of another Decree of the Synod of Berry and Orleans held at Gergean in July last, they moderating somewhat of the rigour of the said Sentence, did order the said Sieur de Montsanglard to rest contented with the Summ of Four Hundred and Fifty Livres, but ye withall, they ratified another part of that Sentence, which was that he should be enrolled amongst the Pastors who were to be removed unto other Churches, unless his said Church would rather chuse to complete the Sum of Five Hundred Livres yearly for him, and then the Execution of the said Decree should be forborn till the meeting of the next Synod Letters also were read from the said Church of Corbigny declaring their deep po∣verty, and requesting a charitable relief for their subsistence, but they did not make any the least mention of their Appeal. And the Deputies of the said Province of Berry made Report, That the said Sieur de Monsanglard had not brought in any Appeal unto their Synod from that Decree, whose Execu∣tion is put off till the meeting of the next Synod, nor doth he at all inti∣mate it, nor did the said Church of Corbigny in his or their Letters now lately received by them, intimate that there was any such Appeal of his own foot; but this only that he joyneth in with them in their Common Petition for Assistance and Relief, as also did these Deputies for them. This Assembly remands the business of the said Monsanglard unto the Sy∣nod of Berry, and as for that Relief requested by the said Church, care shall be taken of it, when we come to make a Dividend of the Churches Moneys.

37. The Appeal of the Colloquy of Rovergue from the Synod of higher Languedoc concerning Monsieur Combret is declared null.

38. The Appeal of the Colloquy of Ʋsez from the Synod of Lower Languedoc, (which had ordained that the Portions assigned to Professors in the University of Nismes, being Ministers of the Gospel, though not in actual Service because of their said Professorship, should be free and dis∣charged of all Costs and Taxes,) was declared to be ill grounded, and the Synodical Decree is now ratified.

39. The Appeal of Monsieur Vulson la Colombiere from the Synod of Dolphiny held at Gap was declared null and void.

40. The Appeal of Sieur Philippin born at Newcastle in Switzerland, heretofore Minister at Castel: Dolphin in Dolphiny, but now a deposed Mi∣nister is declared null and void.

41. The Appeal of Monsieur Connain from the Synod of Burgundy was rejected.

42. The Appeal of the Consuls and Magistrates of the City of Millhaud from the Synod of higher Languedoc was declared null, as were also that of divers Inhabitants of St. Autonine, and that of the Colloquy of Lower Queroy against the Church of Montauban.

43. The Appeal of the Churches of St. Andrew, St Marcel and Saumain from the Synod of Sevennes was declared null.

44. The Appeal of Monsieur de Falquerolles from the same Provincial Synod was also declared null, and that Canon of the said Province ascer∣taining the Expences of Deputies unto Political Assemblies shall be ob∣served.

45. The Appeal of the Church of St. Paul in Lauragais against Monsieur de Villemar a Member of the Synod of higher Languedoc held at Puylaurent in June last was declared null.

46. The Appeal brought in by Monsieur de Malvolsin in behalf of the Colloquy of Albigeois from the Decree made in the last Synod of Puylau∣rens in the higher Languedoc about dismembring the Church of St. Amand from that Colloquy, was declared null, because he produced no Memoire from the said Colloquy relating to it.

47. The Appeal of Monsieur Bleuet from a Decree of the Synod of Bur∣gundy about restoring a certain Elder in the Church of Beaune was reman∣ded back again to the said Province, that their next Synod might judge of the matter.

48. The Colloquy of the Church of Sancerre appealed from the Synod of Orleans and Berry held at Sancerre in the year Sixteen Hundred and Nineteen, which ordain that the Church of Sancerre should be divided from the said Colloquy, and joyned unto that of Bourbonnois, and the Church of Chilleure should be annexed unto that of Sancerre. Monsieur de Benes gave in the reasons of the Colloquies Appeal in their Name, and the De∣puties of that Province defended the Ordinance of their Principals; upon hearing of both Parties, This Assembly abrogated that Ordinance of the Synod of Berry, and leaveth the said Churches in the same Condition they were in formerly.

49. The Church of Montauban brought their Appeal against the Pro∣vincial Synod of Sevennes, for denying them Monsieur Ollyer one of the Ministers in the Town of Alez to be their Pastor. The Deputies of the said Church of Montauban were heard speaking for it, the Consuls, Magi∣strates, and Consistory of the Town and Church of Alez for themselves also, and particularly Monsieur Ollier who resigned himself wholly to the disposal of this Assembly; and the Deputies of the Province of Sevennes gave in the reasons of their refusal, viz. the singular fruitfulness and suc∣cess of the Ministry of the said Monsieur Ollier among them. After all, the Assembly confirmed Monsieur Ollyer in his Pastoral Office to the Church of Alez according to the Canons of our Church Discipline, and adviseth the Church of Montauban to mind their Duty better for the future than they have done heretofore, in maintaining one or more Scholars, who may serve them in case of need, without being inforced to rob and spoil other Churches.

50. Monsieur Matthew Lansard appealed from the Synod of Lower Lan∣guedoc held at Ʋsez in May last, which had restored the Sieur John Cottelier formerly Minister in the Church of Nismes unto the exercise of his Mini∣stry, upon condition that he should employ himself in some other Province, contrary to the Decree of the foregoing Synod in the same Province held at Malquel in the Moneth of May, 1619; which had deposed the said Cottelier from the Sacred Ministry as a Person utterly unworthy so Holy and Honourable a Calling. The said Cottelier was called in, and heard speak for himself against the said Lansard, and whatever he could urge in his own Defence, and Justification; and the Deputies of the Province brought in the Reasons and Motives both of the one and other Sentence, and of the Enquiry made about him at Nismes by Commissioners sent thi∣ther to that very end and purpose. Upon the whole, this Assembly did very grievously censure that Province of Lower Languedoc for restoring the said Cottelier again unto the Ministerial Office, contrary to the Canons of our Church-Discipline; and it doth also censure the Church of Montpellier for suffering him to administer the Sacrament of the Lords Supper among them, and other Churches were censured, which admitted him to preach in their Pulpits in that Province of Lower Languedoc, at that time when as

he was interdicted all the Duties of a Gospel Minister in that very Pro∣vince. And forasmuch as the said Cottelier hath by his Vices and Debauches rendred himself utterly unworthy of so Sacred a Function, this Assembly doth now totally depose him from the Holy Ministry, without any the least hopes of his ever being restored to it.

51. The Appeal of the Colloquy of Albigeois from the Synod of Higher Languedoc held at Puylaurent about Church Rates is dismissed over to the Colloquy of Montpellier in Lower Languedoc.

52. The Appeal of the Church of Realmont against that of la Fanasse brought in at first into the Synod of Puylaurent in the Higher Languedoc, and from thence hither, is now declared null.

53. The Appeal of the Consistory and Church of la Tremblade from the Censure and Judgment given against them by the Synod of Xaintonge held at Marennes was rejected; because the contents thereof was of that nature, which might be finally determined in their own Province.

54. In like manner the Appeal of the Church of Bruillet in the same Province of Xaintonge, and that of Monsieur de la Chaussee Elder in the Church of St. Claud brought against the Synod of the same Province held at St. John d' Angely about the Ministry of Monsieur Hog was rejected; because the matters of both these Appeals might be finally decided within their own Province.

55. The Province of Poictou brought in an Appeal against the Universi∣ty Council of Saumur about their receiving of Monsieur Cameron into the Professorship of Divinity, whereunto he was called by them, according to a Decree of the Synod of Anjou. The Deputies of Poictou were heard in their Arguments and Oppositions made against the Sieur Camerons promo∣tion unto that Chair; and the Deputies of Anjou were heard speak for their Province, and for the University of Saumur, as also Monsieur Vignier, who with the Sieurs de la Buissonniter and de la Place had been called in from the Neighbour Provinces by the said University to examin the said Sieur Cameron. Although this Assembly believeth that the said Province of Poictou were stirred up unto their Opposition by a Godly Zeal, yet notwith∣standing it doth approve and confirm whatever hath been done by the Province of Anjou, by the University of Saumur, and by all the Com∣missioners of the other Provinces in the Call of the aforesaid Monsieur Cameron unto the Profession of Theology, and declares it to have been well and lawfully done by (them.

56. Monsieur Mahaut appealed from the Synod of Normandy, for not approving his Call unto the Church of Roan, which had chosen him for their Pastor, and he had accepted of it, being now out of all Employment, and not related unto any Church. This Assembly could not approve of the Church of Roans dealings with the said Sieur Mahaut, no more than it can of their distinction made between the most eminent Members and the Heads of Families, which they are forbidden to use for the future, because of many inconveniencies that may ensue upon it: And yet forasmuch as the said Sieur Mahaut hath requested to be discharged from the said Church of Roan, as is evident from the Consistorial Acts of that Church, which were produced, he hath no reason to repute himself their Pastor. And that the said Mahaut may have an Answer unto his Letters sent unto this Synod, he is remanded back unto the next Provincial Synod of Normandy, who shall dispose of the Person and Ministry of the said Monsieur Mahaut by vertue of the Authority of this Assembly, and in the mean while accor∣ding to the Decree of the Synod of Normandy he shall go and serve the Church of Ponteau de Mer.

57. The Church of Nismes appealed from the Synod of Lower Langue∣doc held at Malguiol for denying them Monsieur Chauve to be their Pastor. Whereupon the Counsellors, Magistrates and Consuls of Nismes, as also the Deputies from Sommieres were called in, and heard in what they had to oppose against this Appeal of Nismes, who pleaded their particular Right unto the Person and Ministry of the said Monsieur Chauve. There were Deputies also from the Church of Montauban on the same Errand, deman∣ding that he might be conferr'd upon them. This Assembly also sounded the inclination of this Reverend Minister, who did as ingeniously inform them that there is and ever had been a most sincere and mutual Affection and Correspondence between him and his Church of Sommiers, and that the Lord had poured out a singular Benediction upon his poor Labours in it. The Deputies also of the Province of Lower Languedoc gave in their Reasons why they had refused him unto the Church of Nismes. All which having been maturely debated and considered, This Assembly did confirm Monsieur Chauve in his Ministerial Relation unto the Church of Sommieres, concurring herein with the judicial Sentence of the said Province, and yet compassionating the necessities of that Chrch of Nismes, it doth lend the said Monsieur Chauve to them for one year, to begin from that day he shall be chosen by the Church of Nismes, and that time expired, he shall return again unto Sommieres there to fulfill the Ministry he hath received from the Lord.

58. The Church of St. Martin de Bobaux appealed from the Synod of Sevennes for having assigned them no more than Ten Crowns in liew of all that assistance which was granted them by the National Synod of Vitre. This Assembly ordained that the said Church of St. Martyn shall receive a free Portion discharged of all Rates and Taxes out of the Moneys appropri∣ated to the said Province of Sevennes.

59. The Church of Ars in the Isle of Re appealed from the Synod of Xaintonge, because it had ordered Monsieur Chesnet their Pastor to be re∣moved from them unto that of St. John de Angely. The Letters of the said Church being read, and the Deputies of the Province, and the Sieur Chesnet being heard; This Assembly confirms his Ministry in the Church of Ars, and leaveth the Province of Xaintonge to take care for the Church of St. John d' Angely, and to supply its present necessities by some other Person.

60. The Lords Magistrates, Consuls, and Consistory of the City and Church of Nismes brought in their Appeal from the Synod of Higher Lan∣guedoc held at Mazieres for denying them Monsieur Chamier to be their Pro∣fessor in Divinity. The Remonstrances and Petitions of the Deputies of Lower Languedoc being heard, as also the Arguments urged to the contrary by the Lords in the Government of Nismes, and the Consistory and Coun∣cil of the University of Montauban, and the reasons of the Synod of Higher Languedoc being reported by the Deputies of that Province, declaring the grounds of their Refusal: This Assembly would not alter any thing in the said University of Montauban, and therefore confirmed Monsieur Chamier in his Ministry, and Professorship there; and exhorts the Lords Magistrates and Consuls of the City of Montauban, and the whole Church to give full contentment unto the said Monsieur Chamier, that so he may be the more incouraged in his great labours among them, and be the more useful to him.

61. The Churches of Caen and Santal appealed from the Provincial Sy∣nod of Normandy about a certain Summ of Money assigned to the Colledge of the said Province: But this Appeal was turned over to the nearest Col∣loquy of the Isle of France.

62. The Church of St. Pons brought their Appeal from the Synod of Vi∣varetz, held at Chasteauneuf, for that it had appointed Monsieur de la Motte to be the Pastor of their Church together with that of Mirabel, contrary to the desires of the said Church of Pons, and that Fourscore Livres which was formerly assigned unto both those Churches in common, were now wholly attributed by the same Province unto the sole Church of Mirabel. This Assembly considering the many difficulties and obstructions that Mon∣sieur de la Motte conflicts withall in the exercise of his Ministry in that Church of St. Pons, doth injoyn the Colloquy of Aubenas, to provide the said Sieur de la Motte of another Church, and that they may do it the more easily, it shall be by way of Exchange, translating some other Minister into his place, to whom Monsieur de la Motte shall be substituted, and so the said Churches of St. Pons and Mirabel may continue incorporated each with the other and mutually enjoy the said Summ of Fourscore Livres, an augmentation granted them by their Province towards the maintenance of their Minister. And in case the Colloquy cannot provide a Church for the said Sieur de la Motte, matters shall remain in the same State as they now be till the sitting of their next Provincial Synod. And in the mean while the said Church of St. Pons shall be assisted and supplied by the Pastors of that Colloquy, each of them preaching to it in his respective turn.

63. An Appeal was brought by sundry of the Inhabitants of St. Lawrence D'aiguze in the Lower Languedoc against certain Orders of the Colloquy of Nismes held at Aimargues in February last, and of the Synod of Lower Languedoc held at Ʋsez, in the Moneth of May last, for restoring the Sieur Gabriel Tuffan unto the Holy Ministry, from which he was suspended by the Colloquy of Nismes held at the said Aimargues in July of the year 1619, though he was never duly absolved from those Crimes of which he was accused, and for which he was suspended the Ministerial Office. The Depu∣ties of Lower Languedoc were heard declaring the Reasons of their Judi∣cial Sentence, and the Commissioners of the Colloquy of Nismes giving in theirs, and the said Tuffan speak for himself; After which, the Assembly debated with themselves the whole Affair, and censured the said Province, and particularly their Commissioners for their want of gravity, and gross self-contradiction in all their proceedings: And as for the said Sieur Tuffan he being found guilty of plunging himself Head and Ears in State-Matters and Businesses of this World, expresly contrary to the Precept of the Apostle, and having thereby contracted on himself much guilt, utterly unworthy a Person of his Calling; This Assembly suspended him from the Sacred Ministry, and interdicted him all the Functions thereof till the sitting of the next National Synod; by which he may be restored, provided that he bring with him sufficient Testimonials to it of his Repentance and Reli∣gious Conversation, and of his serious improvement of this Publick Re∣prehension. And in case the next National Synod cannot be conven'd in the year Sixteen Hundred Twenty and Three, the Synod of the Lower Languedoc may restore him unto his Office, but not to serve within the Precincts of the Colloquy of Nismes. And in the mean while a Portion shall given him yearly for his subsistance free of all Rates and Taxes by the said Province. And the Church of Bellegarde together with the annex∣ed Congregations shall notwithstanding this Synodical Sentence past upon him, give him the said Tuffan full satisfaction for the time that he did them Service as their Minister; and the Colloquy shall see them do it.

64. An Appeal was brought by the Church of Alez about a Pulpit set up in the midst of the Womens Seats, which hath occasioned divers Quarrels, Batteries, Law-Suits, and Suspensions from the Lords Table.

But the Decision of it was dismissed over to the Colloquy of Ʋsez in the Lower Languedoc.

CHAP. IX. GENERAL MATTERS.

1. THIS Assembly being informed of great Divisions fallen out in the Province of Lower Languedoc, through the multitude of Ministers, who are personally present at their Political Provincial Assemblies, and of manifold Inconveniencies arising from the Deputation of Pastors about State-Affairs, and principally by sending them in business unto Court; and designing a remedy for this sad disorder, which doth re••ect upon the Mi∣nistry a world of Reproach and Scorn, and diverteth Pastors from their Studies and Ministerial Duties, and is exceeding chargeable and incommo∣dious unto their Churches; It forbiddeth most expresly all Ministers in that Province, and in all the other Provinces of this Kingdom to accept henceforwards of any Deputations unto Court, or to become the Depu∣ties of others, although they be Persons of the greatest Quality, or to be deputed unto them. And it exhorts the said Province of Lower Languedoc to send their Deputies from Colloquies rather than from the Churches: And it intreateth the next General Assembly to confirm this our Canon, and if possible totally to discharge all Pastors of Churches from intermed∣ling with State-Affairs. And in short it doth injoyn Provincial Synods to take special Notice of such Ministers as shall accept of those De∣putations, and to prosecute them with the severest censures, yea, and to suspend them from their Ministry. And in case the Provincial Synods prove negligent, the National will take cognisance of this their neglect, and call them to an account for it.

2. Monsieur Boucheteau Minister of Gods Holy Word, and the Sieurs de la Begaudiere, de Benes, Joly Bernard, and du Puy Elders were appointed a Committee to audit the Accompts of the Lord du Candal.

3. The Lords de la Riviere, and de Juigne Ministers of the Gospel, and de la Begaudiere, de Benes, Pusquet, di Bouques, and Joly Elders, were nomi∣nated to receive the Accounts of our Colledges and Universities, and to make report thereof unto this Assembly.

4. The National Synod of Vitre having given Commission unto some certain Deputies of divers Provinces joyntly together with our Lords the General Deputies at Court to compel the Sieur Palot to accompt with them for those great Summs he is indebted unto the Churches, and these according to their Commission, having devolv'd it on the Consistory of Paris to take care of this concern; who did to this purpose imploy the Sieurs Guidon, and d' Huisseau Elders of the said Church of Paris. Now the Letters of those two Gentlemen, Monsieur Guidon, and d' Huisseau be∣ing read, as also the Memoirs of what they had done in their prosecution of the said Palot, This Assembly approved and confirmed the Powers which had been granted them by the Lords our General Deputies, and Consistory of the Church of Paris, and it thanketh them for their great pains, and intreat them to continue this their Prosecution, and as a Testi∣monial of our Gratitude, we do paesent them with Two Thousand Livres, which they shall receive out of the first Moneys of the Four and Twenty Thousand Livres, which the said Sieur Palot was condemned in open Court after the Tryal was heard, to pay unto our Churches, for which gratuity the said Sieurs Guidon and d' Huisseau shall being in their Account,

as also of the Overplus of the said 24000 Livrs. But in case the said Summ of 24000 Livres should not be payd by the said Sieur Palot, yet the Summ of 2000 Livres wherewith they be presented by this Assembly may be taken by them out of the clearest Moneys which shall be received from the said Palot. And as for those other great Summs remaining due from him unto the Churches, This Assembly doth freely give and grant unto the said Guidon and d' Huisseau a quarter part of whatever may be recovered by them, provided they pursue the Processes and Suits in Law at their own Costs and Charges, without expecting any other gratification or reimburse∣ment from the Churches. And if perchance the said Gentlemen should not accept of these conditions, and refuse to finish the prosecution of this Affair hitherto undertaken and performed by them, then shall they be re∣imburst of all their pass Expence and Charges, according to the report they shall make of them in all Sincerity and Justice unto the Consistory of the Church of Paris, which shall notifie it unto all the Provinces, and they conjoyntly with our Lords the General Deputies shall make an equal Dividend of the Paper and Accounts relating to those Summs among all the Provinces, that so every particular Province may prosecute the said Palot for their respective Summs in such a way and manner as best pleaseth them. In pursuance of this Decree Letters of Attorney were ordered to be given unto the said Guidon and d' Huisseau by the Deputies of the Isle of France, provided they would by a publick Act of their own Signed and Sealed stipulate to their Approbation and acceptance of this present Synodi∣cal Act and Decree, and promise to go thorough with the prosecution of the said Palot, conformably to the Conditions and Terms propounded and included in it.

5. Forasmuch as there is a most dreadful Deluge of Ungodliness over∣flowing the whole Land, and horribly corrupting all Ranks and Degrees of Men amongst us, which doth call aloud unto us to humble our selves be∣fore God, and the late doleful Changes hapned in the Churches of Bearn, and in divers other Churches and Provinces united and incorporated with us, which are either ruinated, or upon the very brink of ruine and de∣struction do all warn, invite and summon us to turn away Gods Wrath from us by a most serious and speedy Repentance, and sincere Conversion; Therefore this Assembly ordaineth that a Publick Fast shall be solemnly kept and observed in this Church of Alez on Saturday the Fourteenth of November, and on the first Thursday in March next ensuing in all the Re∣formed Churches of this Kingdom.

6. A Motion and Petition from the Province of Normandy, that there might be a special Canon made with reference unto our Proposans; because all former Orders have been ineffectual, and very great Inconveniences do fall out dayly through want of a sufficient knowledge of the Qualities and Conversations of such as we are to receive into the Ministerial Office. This Assembly is of another Opinion, judging that there is no need of any new Canons. But it enjoyneth all the Provinces exactly to observe those which are inserted into the Body of our Discipline, and in the Acts of our National Synods, and not to lay on hands suddenly on any Person. And whereas those said inconveniencies have risen hence, that the Doctors and Professors in our Universities have been over-liberal, and too too favoura∣ble in their Testimonials given to our Scholars, they shall be admonished for time to come never to grant them out of favour or respect to any per∣son contrary to Truth, and Sincerity. And in like manner all the Provin∣ces be forbidden to admit the Scholar of another Province into the Mini∣stry among them, without the express consent and attestation of that Pro∣vince from whence he departeth.

7. The Lord of Candal shall not pay any Money unto any Member of, nor to any Person that comes from the Political Assemblies, without a par∣ticular Order under the hand of the Receiver of the Province, and to be charged on the account of the Provincial Synods. And in case he do other∣wise, those Summs so payed by him shall not be allowed in his Accompts, nor shall those Receivers give him an Acquittance for them.

8. The Moneys granted us by His Majesty shall not be diverted from those Uses to which they were originally intended, our National Synods having ordained that they be distributed among the Ministers, and to the Widows of the poorer Pastors, and to our young Scholars, and Students in Divinity, and to the defraying of Synodical Charges, when as the ne∣cessities of our Churches shall require such Assemblies.

9. The Province of Poictu moved that a Canon might be past for de∣termining the Age of Ministers Children, who are to be received into the number of Scholars Pensioners by the Provinces. This Assembly leaveth it to the prudence of Colloquies and Synods to ascertain it, according to the Decree of the National Synod of Maixant.

10. Mr. James Hubner came unto this Assembly as he had done unto hat last National one held at Vitre, presenting Letters from the Lords of the Canton of Bearne, requesting on behalf of Monsieur Hubner his Father, that he might be reimburst of divers great Summs of Money owing unto Monsieur Sturmius deceased, Father of the Wife of the said Hubner. This Assembly answered him that none of the Writings produced by him did bind or oblige our Churches, but the late King Henry the Great of Glo∣rious Memory, and the late Prince of Conde. And therefore Letters shall be written in the Name of this Assembly unto the Lords of Bearn, to in∣form and certifie them of the Truth of this Matter, and an Hundred Livres were given unto the said Mr. Hubner to pay the Expences of his Journey hither, without ever hoping for the future of drawing any Moneys from our National Synods.

11. Forasmuch as divers Churches are decaying, and will at last be dissolved for want of maintenance for their poor Ministers. All our Chur∣ches are exhorted, That as they love the increase and advancement of Christ's Kingdom they would endeavour to raise a Fund, either by Gifts from the Living, or Legacies from Dying Persons in their last Wills and Testaments, or by any other convenient ways: That so the Sacred and unvaluable Treasure of Gods Word may be alwayes conserv'd among us, and our Off-Spring after us in Generations to come may be Educated and confirmed in the True Religion.

12. The Lord of Candal shall be personally present at our next Natio∣nal Synod, that he may have his Commission confirmed by the Universal approbation of our Churches; and the Lords General Deputies shall see to it, that the said Commission bear not the Title of an Office. And the said Lord of Candal is intreated to give Notice unto the Provinces of the time when he can make payment unto the Provincial Receivers of their Quarter∣ly Dividend, and of the Quantity of the Summ wherewith they may be furnished, and the Copies of his Letters sent them, in which shall be pre∣sented the Transcripts of all Acquittances for Moneys paid by him already, and that he may hereafter pay unto the Pastors. And he shall produce all his Acquittances before the Lords our General Deputies, and the Con∣sistory of the Church of Paris, or such Persons as shall be deputed by them to audit his Accompts, that so they may be verified in our National Sy∣nods. In all which he shall demonstrate his diligence for the payment of the Moneys on all Bills and Orders that have been put into his hands, and in default thereof there shall be Reprisals made on his Accompts.

13. A Motion was made by the Province of Sevennes, that all Publick Notaries professing the Reformed Religion might be forbidden in their ex∣ecuting of Marriage Contracts to make a Gift of the Bodies of betroathed Persons; especially where one is of a contrary Religion, until such time as the Consistory of that Church shall have taken cognisance thereof. This Assembly leaveth it to the prudence of the Province of Sevennes, or any other, where such things as these be practised to make a By-Law, which may most effectually contribute unto their future edifying.

14. That Order passed in the Province of Xaintonge excluding the presi∣dent of the last Provincial Synod from being chosen Moderator in the next, and that he who was deputed unto one National Synod may not be unto the ensuing, was repealed and vacated. Provincial Synods being left in full liberty to nominate any Persons whom they shall judge meetest for both the Employments according to our Church-Discipline.

15. The Province of Burgundy demanded, whether was most expedient to choose Moderators and Deputies for Synods by a low or loud Vote. This Assembly is of opinion, that for the avoiding of many Inconveniences it were best to make those Elections by a low Voice.

16. The Province of Dolphiny moved, whether a Minister might toge∣ther with his Ministry exercise the Profession of Philosophy. This Assem∣bly judgeth that these two Professions are not convenient to be discharged by one Man at the same time.

17. Forasmuch as every particular Church is obliged to raise a certain Stipend for its Pastors, no Minister nor Pastor of any Church shall touch a doit of the Kings Money, but it shall be payd him in by his Consistory, and all Expences in Travel unto Synods and other Ecclesiastical Meetings shall be defrayed by the Churches themselves, that so the Ministers may be freed of all manner of Reproach, and may in no wise be diverted from their Studies, and Duties of their Calling by the care of worldly matters. And Synods shall make inquiry after such as do transgress this Canon, and correct them by all Church-Censures. But this shall not be so understood as if Ministers were hereby debarred the receiving of the Moneys granted us by His Majesty, or to give Acquittance for it, provided they give in an Account thereof unto their Churches. and that they do not make with them any secret Bargain or Covenant for it.

18. The Protestants are Exhorted to make in every Church Collections for the poor persecuted Protestants of the Marquisate of Salluces, and the Moneys so collected shall be put into the hands of Monsieur Gras living at Lions.

19. In all Churches there shall be kept a Register of all Marriages, Bap∣tismes, and Burials.

20. The Pastors and Professors in the Church of Genvea shall be desired, to suffer no new French Translations of the Bible to be printed in their Ci∣ty, nor that any alterations be made in our Liturgy: And that if they have any Annotations for the common received Translation, they would be plea∣sed to print them by themselves, and before they do it, to give notice there∣of unto the Churches of this Kingdom, and to take our advice first in it.

CHAP. X. FORM of EXCOMMUNICATION.

21 THE Province of Poictou requested that there might be another Form of Excommunication framed, of a larger Nature than that in our Discipline, because the horrible Corruptions of the Age we live in do indispensably need it, and call upon us loudly to put it in Execution. Whereupon this Form following was drawn up,

My Brethren, This is the Fourth time that we declare unto you that N. N. hath been suspended the Lords Table for that hainous Crime of N. committed by him, to the great scandal of the Church of God, and yet he continues impenitent and rejecteth all Counsels and Admonitions that have been given him, which suspension and its causes we have fully notified unto you, that you might joyn your Prayers with ours unto the great God to soften his stony heart, and to move him unto Repen∣tance, and to bring him out of the high and broad way of destruction. But notwithstanding our Indulgence to him, and long suffering and for∣bearance of him, although we have prayed, intreated, threatned and adjured him to break off his sinful courses, and to return unto the Lord, and tryed all means to bring him unto Repentance. he yet persisteth in his Ungodliness and Impenitency, and is more obstinate and hardned in his Rebellions against God, and tramples under foot his Holy Word, and scorneth that Discipline which God hath set up in his Church, boasting himself of his Sin, and causeth unto the Church for a very long time a world of grief and trouble, and the Holy and Effectual Name of Jehovah our God to be blasphemed. Wherefore we Ministers of the Word and Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ, whom God hath armed with Spiritual Weapons, Mighty through God to destroy the strong holds of Sin, which oppose and exhalt themselves against him, and to whom the Eternal Son of God hath given an ample Power of binding and loosing in Earth, declaring that what we shall do here be∣low he will ratifie and make it good in Heaven, we being willing to purge and cleanse the House of God, and to free the Church from all Reproach and Scandal, and to glorifie the Name of God by pronouncing an Anathema. upon the Wicked and Godless Sinner; We do in the Name and by the Authority of our Lord Jesus, and by and with the Advice of the Pastors and Elders assembled in the Colloquy at N. and of the Consistory of the Church of N, We have, and do cut off the said N. from the Communion of the Church, we do Excommunicate him, and cast him out of the Society of Gods Saints, that he may be reputed by you as a Publican and Pagan, and that among the faithful he may be an Anathema and Execration. Let his Company be lookt upon as conta∣gious and plaguy, and his Example possess your Souls with terror and horror, and make you tremble under the Mighty Hand of God, and know that 'tis a fearful thing to fall into the Hands of the Living God. And this our Sentence of Excommunication the Son of God himself will ratifie, and may he succeed and prosper it in such an effectual manner, that this proud Sinner being ashamed and confounded before God, may give Glory to him by his Conversion, and that being deliver'd from the power of the Devil, who hath hitherto kept him in Chains and Bon∣dage he may be sorry for his Sin with a Godly sorrow, and turn from

it with a repentance unto life never to be repented of. Let us my well-be∣loved Brethren call upon our God, that he would be pleased to yearn with the bowels of his compassion upon this vile and miserable Creature, and that this horrible Sentence which to our very great regret and grief we pronounce against him, by and with the Authority of the Son of God, may serve to abase and humble him, and to reduce him into the way of Life and Salvation, who hath wandred and strayd as a lost Sheep in the crooked paths of destruction, Amen! Amen! Cursed is he who doth the Work of the Lord negligently. Amen! If any one love not the Lord Jesus Christ, let him be Anathema, Maranatha. Amen!

22. The Province of Xaintonge craved advice, what course we might take with them, who take out from the Courts of Parliament Prohibitions against the Orders and Censures of the Church as if they were intolerable abuses. This Assembly injoyneth all Synods, Colloquies, and Consistories to procede against such Persons as Rebels against the Discipline of our Church, and to inflict upon them the last and heaviest censure of Excommu∣nication provided they have first endeavoured by the ways of Love and Kindness, and Grave Religious Counsels to reduce such Persons unto their Duty, and to subject them unto our Church Orders.

CHAP. XI. The Canons of the Synod of Dort incorporated with those of the Refor∣med Churches of France.

23 A Motion was made in this National Synod that some course should be taken in time to prevent the spreading of the Arminian Er∣rors that have of late so much troubled the Churches of the Netherlands, that they create no trouble to the Reformed Churches of this Kingdom. This Assembly embraced the motion very readily, and approved of it as very laudable, just, and needful for the peace of the Church of God, and for the Conservation of the purity of our Doctrine, and for the farther strengthning of our Union with the Foreign Reformed Churches; and therefore counting the Maladies of the Low-Country Churches a very fair Advertisement and warning unto us, and that we may imitate so ex∣cellent an Example, and prevent the danger threatned us by making use of these self-same means they did for the Expulsion of those Errors out of their Bowels, wherefore, forasmuch as the National Synod of Dort called by the Authority, wise Counsel, and vigilant forecast of their High and Mighty Lordships the States General of the Confederate Netherlands and of all the United Provinces under their Jurisdiction and Government, and in which assisted personally divers great and very Learned Divines from ma∣ny other Reformed Churches of our Lord Jesus, hath been in the Nether∣lands and still is a most effectual remedy for the Reformation of the Church, and the grubbing of Heresies in the Article of Predestination and its depen∣cies. This Assembly after invocation of the Name of God, decreed, that the Articles of the said National Council held at Dort, should be read in full Synod, which being read accordingly, and every Article ponder'd most attentively, they were all received and approved by a common una∣nimous consent, as agreeing with the Word of God, and the Confession

of Faith in these our Churches, that they were framed with singular pru∣dence and purity, that they were very meet and proper to detect the Ar∣minian Errors, and to confound them, for which reason all the Pastors and Elders Deputed unto this Assembly have sworne and protested joyntly and severally that they consent unto this Doctrine, and that they will defend it with the utmost of their power even to their last breath. The Form and Tenour of which Oath, together with the Deputies Names subscribed shall be added to the close of this Article, that the consent may be ren∣dred the more Authentick, and Obliging to all the Provinces. And this Assembly ordaineth that this very Canon be printed, and added to the Canons of the said Council, and that it shall be read in our Provincial Synods, and in our Universities, that it may be approved, sworne, and subscribed to by the Pastors and Elders of our Churches, and by the Do∣ctors and Professors in our Universities, and also by all those that are to be ordained and admitted into the Ministry, or into the Professors Chair in any of our Universities. And if any one of these Persons should reject either in whole or in part the Doctrine contained in, and decided by the Canons of the said Council, or refuse to take the Oath of Consent and Ap∣probation, This Assembly decreeth that he shall not be admitted into any Office or Imployment either in our Churches or Universities. Moreover this Assembly conjureth by the bowels of Divine Mercy, and by the Blood of the Everlasting Covenant all Ministers, Pastors of Churches, to whom the Cure of pretious Souls is committed, that they would walk together evenly and harmoniously in one and the same way, that they abstain from all idle, unprofitable, and curious Questions, that they do not pry into the Sacred Ark of Gods hidden and unrevealed Counsels and Decrees, above or beyond what is recorded in his written Word, the Holy Scriptures of Truth, but rather that they would humbly own and acknowledge their ignorance of those profound and unfathomable Mysteries, than intrude themselves into things unlawful, and that they would so order their Dis∣courses and Sermons concerning Predestination, that it may promote Re∣pentance and Amendment of Life, consolate wounded Consciences, and excite the practice of Godliness; that by this means all occasions of Disputes and Controversies may be avoided, and we may abide united in one and the same Faith with our Brethren of the Netherlands, and other Churches of our Lord Jesus without the Kingdom, as maintaining together with them and contending for one, and the same Faith, assaulted by the same common Enemies, and called to one and the same hope through our Lord Jesus Christ, to whom with the Father and the Holy Ghost be Honour and Glory for ever and ever. Amen.

CHAP. XII. The Forme of the Oath taken in the National Synod, and which is to be administred unto all the Members of Provincial Synods.

I N. N. do Swear and Protest before God, and this Holy Assembly that I do receive, approve and imbrace all the Doctrines taught and decided by the Synod of Dort, as perfectly agreeing with the Word of God, and the Confession of our Churches. I Swear and Promise to persevere in the Profession of this Doctrine during my whole Life, and to defend it with the utmost of my power, and that I will never, neither by Preaching nor

Teachings in the Schools, nor by Writing depart from it. I declare also and I protest that I reject, and condemn the Doctrine of the Arminians, because it makes Gods Decree of Election to depend upon the mutable Will of Man, and for that it doth extenuate and make null and void the Grace of God; it exalteth Man, and the powers of Free Will to his destru∣ction, it reduceth into the Church of God old, ejected Pelagianisme, and is a Mask and Vizard for Popery to creep in among us under that disguise, and subverteth all Assurance of Everlasting Life and Happyness. And so may God help me, and be propitious to me, as I swear all this without any Ambiguity, Equivocation or mental Reservation.

Sworn and Subscribed by

• Peter du Moulin Pastor of the Church of Paris, Deputy for the Isle of Franse, and Moderator of the Synod.
• Laurence Brunier Pastor of the Church of Ʋsez, Deputy for the Province of lower Languedoc, and Assessor of the Synod.
• Nicholas Vignier Pastor of the Church of Blois, Deputy for the Province of Orleans, and Scribe of the Synod.
• Thomas Papillon Elder in the Church of Paris, Deputy for the Isle of France, and Scribe of the Synod.
• Isack de Juigne Pastor of the Church of Vassy, and Deputy for the Pro∣vince of the Isle of France, Picardy, &c.
• Samuel de L'Escherpiere Pastor of the Church of Roan, Daniel Massys Pastor in the Church of Caen, Antony Bridon Elder in the Church of Fes∣champ, James de Montbray Elder in the Church of Conde, Deputies for the Province of Normandy.
• Ezechiel Marmet Pastor in the House of the duke of Rohan, Philip de Vassaut elder in the Church of Roche Bernard, Deputies for the Province of Britain.
• Daniel Jammen Pastor of the Church of St. Amand, John de Bennes El∣der in the Church of Gien. Galliot de Cambirs, Elder in the Church of Romorantin, Deputies for the Province of Orleans.
• Samuel Bouchereau Pastor of the Church of Saumur, Matthew Cottiers Pastor of the Church in Touns. George Rabbotteau Elder in the Church of Pruilly, Deputies for the Province of Touraine.
• John Chauffepied Pastor of the Church of Niort, John Carre Pastor of the Church of Chastelheraud, Giles Begaud Elder of the Church of Mountagu, Deputies for the Province of Poictou.
• Daniel Chanet Pastor of the Church of Ars, John Constans Pastor of the Church of Pons, Peter Pa••quet Elder in the Church of Rouchfoucauld, Peter Promentin Elder in the Church of St. John de Angely, Deputies for the Pro∣vince of Xaintonge.
• James du Luc Pastor of the Church of Casteljaloux, James Privat Pastor of the Church of Chastillion, Francis Joly Elder in the Church of Bourdeaux, John Guillim Elder in the Church of Grateloupe, Deputies for the Province of lower Guienne.
• David Agard Pastor of the Church of Valance, Daniel Richard Pastor of the Church of Cheilar, John de Blache Elder in the Church of Biuffres, John de Rouvre Elder in the Church of Aubenas, Deputies for the Province of Vivaretz.
• Michael le Faucheur Pastor of the Church of Montpellier, Charles de Boaques Elder in the same Church, Anthony de Roques Elder in the Church of Mont∣frin, Deputies for the Province of lower Languedoc.
• John de Voysin Pastor of the Church of Realmont, Antony Garrissoles Pa∣stor of the Church of Puylaurent, Paul de Luppe Elder in the Church of

• Mauvoisin, James du Elder in the Church of Montauban, Deputies for the higher Languedoc.
• Peter Helliot Pastor of the Church of Arnay le Duc, Francis Perreauld Pa∣stor of the Church of Mascon, and Noyer du Noyer Elder in the Church of Bussy, Deputies for the Province of Burgundy.
• Peter Huron Pastor in the Church of Riez, Elias de Glandeves Elder in the Church of Puymitchel, Deputies for the Province of Provence.
• Paul Guyon Pastor of the Church of Dieu le Fit, Peter de la Croze Pastor of the Church in Courtezon, James Bernard Elder in the Church of Montli∣mart, and Moses du Port Elder in the Church of La Mure, Deputies for the Province of Dolphiny.
• Peter Guillamin, Pastor of the Church of St. Andrew de Valborne, Daniel Venturin Pastor of the Church of Vigan, John de Vignoles Elder in the Church of La Salle Deputies for the Province of Sevennes.
• Peter L'abbadie Pastor of the Church of Pau, and John de la Coste Elder in the Church of Moneins Deputies for the Principality of Bearn.
• De Chalas General Deputy for the Reformed Churches of France.
• Touretin Pastor and Professor of Divinity in the Church of Geneva.

24. Whereas the Deputy of the Lord du Candall hath acquainted this Synod, that several of the Deputies unto this present Synod, having no Letters of Order unto the said Lord of Candall to pay them the necessary charges of their Journey in case he should pay them, the Receivers of the respective Provinces might make some difficulty to allow those payments of his unto the said Deputies in his Accompt. This National Synod doth ordain that those Receivers aforesaid shall take the promises and Acquit∣tances of the said Deputies as ready Moneys paid by the said Lord du Candall out of the very first Moneys that be either hath already, or shall here∣after receive for the Churches, and that they shall ho a sufficient discharge for him the said Deputy, and good and valuable in the Audit of his Accompt.

25. The Deputies unto our National Synods, shall hereafter bring with them the Catalogues of all the Churches, and of all the Pastors in actual Service in their respective Provinces, Signed and Subscribed by the Mode∣rators and Scribes of the Provincial Synods: And in case they neglect the doing hereof, there shall be no Respect nor Care had for them in the divi∣dend of the Churches Moneys.

26. All the Provinces, which have Supernumerary Portions assigned to them in the General dividend, shall give an Accompt how they have em∣ployed, and to what use they have put those Supernumerary Sums, in the next National Synod.

27. In pursuance of that debate in this Synod concerning those great Sums of Money remaining due unto the Churches from the Sieur Palot: This Assembly did this Thirteenth day of November pass a Letter of Attor∣ney before a publick Notary, which was delivered unto the Deputies of the Isle of France, with this Express Restriction, that they should not put it into the hands of the Sieurs Guidon and d'Huisseau; till such time as they have agreed and stipulated by some publick act duely executed in Law that they do approve of the Act past in this Assembly, and do solemnly promise, that they will most effectually prosecute the said Sieur Palot, according to the Conditions and Articles mentioned and declared in that our said Act.

CHAP. XIII. PARTICULAR MATTERS.

1 MR. Gasper Martyn Minister of the Church of Saillans in Dolphiny related the great loss sustained by him in the printing of his Book, styled Le Capuchin Reforme, a great number of Copies being left up∣on his hand through the Craft and Knavery of the Booksellers; who ha∣ving printed more Copies than they should, took out their own Number, and leave him to pay the rest, and in truth to stand indebted for the whole Impression. This Assembly highly honouring him for his great sufferings for professing the Truth, and the usefulness of his Works, and in conside∣ration of his present wants, do bestow upon him one Portion free of all Taxes and Charges, which shall be pay'd him until the sitting of the next National Synod, over and above that ordinary Portion allowed the Church of Saillans for him; and Monsieur Turretin was now desired to deal with the Printers and Booksellers of Geneva that the said Mr. Martyn may have satisfaction given him for the dammage he sustaineth by their means.

2. Monsieur James de la Planche having faithfully served the Church of God for Six and Twenty Years in Provence, and being now taken blind, and almost broken by the Pthysick, and borne down with many other Affli∣ctions, occasioned through his past labours and sufferings, and through his declining Age; for which causes he was declared Emeritus by the Synod of that Province, and discharged with a very honorable Testimonial from the Exercise of his Ministry; and now conflicting with great wants, and needing Relief in his Old Age, he petitioned this Assembly that some care might be had of him, and a competent maintenance assigned to him yearly; The Assembly compassionating his Poverty, ordained a Portion free of all Charges for him, which shall be pay'd by the Lord of Candal unto Monsieur Gras at Lions, who shall see that the said Summe be remitted him unto the place of his Abode; and the Summ of Six and Thirty Livres was now given him in hand to defray the Expences of his Journey thither.

3. Mr. John Paul Perrin Minister of Nions in Dolphiny presented him∣self before this Assembly to render an Account of Printing his History of the Vaudois and Albigeois, and he farther declared that he was now writing the General History of the Church from the beginning of the World to this Age in which we live. This Assembly applauding him and thanking him for his Pains and Labours in the before-mentioned History, leaveth it to his prudence and Conscience to judge whether such a Work as he is now undertaking will be of use and benefit unto the Churches, because we would not impose that task upon him which would be needless and un∣profitable. And whereas the said Monsieur Perryn informed us of the numerousness of his Family, and that he had a great charge of Children, and humbly requested tha the might have some Relief from us, especially for the breeding of a Son of his, formerly debauched by the Jesuites, but now through Grace brought home again unto Repentance, a youth of Excel∣lent parts, and yielding great hopes that he may be hereafter eminently useful in the Ministry: The Province of Dolphiny was exhorted to take care of him and his Family according to the Laws of Christian Charity, and the great Merits of the said Monsieur Perrin.

4. Monsieur Albiac Dr. of the Civil Law Living at Velleneusve in Berry petitioned to be reimburst the Summ of Fifty Crowns expended by him in executing a Commission for the Churches of the Four Neighbouring Pro∣vince,

viz. of Lower Languedoc, Dolphiny, Sevennes, Vivaretz: This As∣sembly judgeth, That the Provinces which imployed him ought to see him satisfied, and each of them shall pay him equally their parts of so just a Debt, and the quota of their Moneys shall to this purpose be detained in the hands of the Lord du Candal, that he may be honestly repayed.

5. Mr. Simon Daniel Hosl••ie Pastor of the Church of Villenusve in Berry petitioned that some Relief might be allowed unto his Church, because of the great losses it sustained in the Troubles of Privas, as also to help de∣fray the Expences they shall be at in a Suit at Court about the Consulship of their Town. This Assembly judging that the Moneys gran∣ted us by His Majesty ought not to be diverted unto such uses, doth not∣withstanding recommend their Affair unto our Lords the General Deputies, that they might get right due to them by the Lords of the Privy Council, and because of the Necessities of the said Church there shall be a supernu∣merary portion assigned to them, when we make the publick Dividend.

6. Monsieur Massez Notary Publick and Secretary to the Consul of Mon∣tauban in the Higher Languedoc requesting to be reimburst by the Churches the great Expences he was at in prosecuting the wrongs done him by the Parliament of Tolouse; It being a business of General Concern because of the Notorious Violations of the Edicts granted us by our Kings. This Assem∣bly exhorted the Province of Higher Languedoc to take care that the said Monsieur Massez have satisfaction given him for his past Losses, and that he be indemnified for the future, and that they extend their Charity to him in a most ample and exemplary manner, sith they themselves have judged his case to be of very great Importance to all the Churches.

7. The Magistrates, Consuls, and Consistory of the Town of Privas having represented both by Letters and Word of Mouth by Monsieur Tavernier one of their Elders deputed to us, the great Losses, Dammages, and Afflictions sustained by them since the Death of Monsieur Chambaud, whereby they be now reduced to a most lamentable condition, and wor∣thy of our most tender compassions, which also was confirmed by Letters from the Synod and Political Assembly of Vivaretz, and praying some Cha∣ritable Relief to be Exhibited to them, that so this considerable and po∣pulous Church might not be totally desolated and dissolved. This Assembly ordained, That the Summ of Six Hundred Livres should be given the said Church of Privas for a present supply: And all the Churches of this Kingdom shall by their Deputies here in this Assembly, as soon as they return unto their respective Provinces be exhorted to open the Bowels of their compassion to the said afflicted Church of Privas, and to relieve them by a General Collection upon the Lords Day in their respective Temples. The Moneys of which Collection shall be sent unto the Churches of Lions and Nismes to be distributed by them unto that of Privas. And Letters also shall be writ to the Lord Governour of Montauban, to the Marquesses of La Charse of Montbrun, and other the Parents and Kindred, of the late Deceased Monsieur de Chambaud, desiring them to take special care of the Religious Education of his Children, that they may not be diverted from the True Religion, and trained up in Popish Idolatry, but that they would be pleased to undertake for them, and become their Tutors and Guardians according to the known Laws and Statutes of this King∣dom.

8. The Heads of Families, professing the Reformed Religion, in the Baylywick of Orillac in the Mountains of Upper Auvergne, petitioned that the Portions granted them by the National Synods of Gap and Rochel might be contined to them: This Assembly ordained, that the Portion belonging unto the said Church in the Baylywyck of Orillac shall be given it free and discharged of all Taxes by the Province of Higher Languedoc.

9. Monsieur Casaud Pastor of the Church of Lectoure petitioned on its be∣half for some charitable Relief to raise it up from that woful Ruin and Mi∣sery into which it is now plunged, and to sustain it against its Enemies for the future. This Assembly compassionating the said Church, did order and assign a free Portion out of the Dividend of Higher Languedoc and Guyenne unto it; and one part of the Collection which shall be made in the Higher Languedoc and Guyenne for the Church of Privas shall be given unto the said Church of Lectoure.

10. The Church of Tulette belonging to the Province of Dolphiny, but inclosed on all parts with the County of Venisse humbly requested some relief for its subsistence. Because this is a Church of great importance, very poor, exceeding feeble and unable to resist the many Enemies which do surround it. This Assembly ordained that besides the free Portion which it should receive as well as others out of the Dividend for the said Province of Dolphiny, It shall have also an half portion free out of the Common Stock of all the Churches until the sitting of the next National Synod.

11. Hierome Quevedo a Spaniard, escaped out of the Prison of the In∣quisition demanded some relief that he might live in the profession of the Gospel. This Assembly ordered him an Hundred Livres out of the com∣mon Moneys of the Churches, which shall be put into the hands of the Consistory of Montpellier to pay him Quarterly a Portion, that so he may learn some honest Trade whereby to gain a livelyhood. Which Summ shall be continued to him or taken from him as the Consistory of the Church of Montpellier shall judge of his Deportments.

12. Lawrence Joly one of the Exiled Protestants of the Marquisate of Salluces having brought Letters from the Church of Guillestre (which is composed of the poor Refugees of the said Marquisate) unto this Assembly, did most humbly petition that they might have a Portion of the Moneys granted us by the King for the maintenance of a Pastor, because they are in hopes that it may allure and attract a great many others who are groaning under that sore and heavy persecution in the Marquisate, and doe hunger after the Bread of Life, and ardently desire the Inlargement of Christ's Kingdom, to quit and forsake it. This Assembly in the Divi∣dend of its Moneys will ordain a supernumerary Portion for the said Church of Guillestre.

13. Monsieur Guingonis shall be assisted with Ten Crown out of the common Moneys belonging to the Province of Province. And as for Mr. John Dury Student in Divinity, the Province of Lower Languedoc is order∣ed to provide for him according to the Canons of our National Synods; and in the mean while he shall receive Twenty Crowns out of the Moneys appropriated to the said Province of Lower Languedoc, that so he may quit this Town and remove to Montauban.

14. Anthony Verdier formerly a Priest in the County of Avignon had Six Livres given him that he might depart hence unto Grenoble.

15. The Church of St. Paul Trois Chasteaux demanding some Relief to set up a School among them, and to help build their Temple, were dis∣missed over to the Province of Dolphiny, which is exhorted to have a special care of that Church.

16. Monsieur John Perier Pastor of the Church of Paillac in Auvergne did on behalf of his Church complain against the Provincial Synod of Burgundy, for not giving him the Portions granted by the National Synod of Privas, and requested that they might be joyned unto Sevennes. As for their Incorporation with the Province of Sevennes this Assembly sends them back unto the Synod of Burgundy, to whom they shall deliver this Petition of theirs; and take out thence an Act to be presented unto the next National Synod. And whereas Two Portions were assigned the said Church of Paillac, the one of them shall be free and discharged of all Rates and Taxes whatsoever, and the other shall be of the same Nature with those of the other Churches in the Province of Burgundy.

17. There was ordained the Summ of Forty and Eight Livres to be paid unto the Sieurs Guarin, Ressens, Gabet and Mercurin Pastors, to witt, Twelve Livres to each of them for Eight Days they have tarryed in this Town at the Commandment of this Assembly; which said Summ shall be paid them by the Lord of Candal out of the common Stock of the Churches.

18. Monsieur Blewett remonstrated on behalf of the Church of Martille, the great Expences they have been necessitated and enforced to by reason of the many and frequent changes of Pastors, imposed upon them by the Province of Burgundy which hath utterly disabled them to maintain the said Mr. Blewett, their present Minister. The Province of Burgundy is exhor∣ted to take care of this matter; and 'tis enjoyned to give unto the Church of Isurtille one Portion and half of the Kings Money until such time as they be reimburst of their Moneys expended about the change and removal of their Ministers.

19. Mr. James Joly Pastor of the Church of Milhaud having made report unto this Assembly of the great charge lying upon him, and especially for that the Family of his Brother being destitute of all Relief must now be maintained by him. This Assembly to testifie their Charity and Compassion towards them, ordaineth, That a free Portion shall be assigned the Province of Higher Languedoc, which shall deliver it unto the said James Joly, and this Order shall be in force and continue till the next Na∣tional Synod. And as for the Papers which contain the Acts and Ecclesi∣astical proceedings against Mr. Hector Joly, and were produced in this Sy∣nod, they shall not be restored to him, but shall be kept according to the appointment of this Assembly.

20. The Petitions of the Church of Issoyre were presented by Monsieur le Blanc their Pastor. This Assembly ordained that the concern of the said Church shall be recommended unto our Lords the General Deputies at∣tending upon His Majesty. And the Portions attributed unto the Chur∣ches of Issoyre, and of the Mountains of Auvergne shall be continued them until the next National Synod. And whereas they demand maintenance to be allowed them for a Colledge: This Assembly cannot at present make any alteration in the Decrees of the Synod of Vitre, nor can it possibly re∣store the new Colledge in Auvergne, except Almighty God should out of his Soveraign Mercy be graciously pleased to augment the number of our Churches.

21. The Church of Beaune is ordained to satisfie Monsieur Blewett for his service among them whilst he was their Pastor, and till they do this they shall not be provided of another Minister.

22. The Church of Marseilles, and Monsieur Ressens their Pastor com∣plained that of the Moneys given them by former National Synods, there is a very considerable Summ owing them from the Province of Provence, and this by the Judgment of the University-Council of Nismes; which

was appointed by the Synod of Lower Languedoc, with full and absolute Authority from the National Synod of Vitre to judge of this Affair. This Assembly commissionated the Sieurs Joly, de Benes, and Boisleroy to Audit those Accounts, who reported that they found the Province of Provence indebted unto the Sieur Ressens the Summ of One Thousand Six Hundred Livres, Sixteen Sols and Ten Deniers unto the Seventh of December last, the Rights of the Receiver of the said Province being deducted. This Assembly ordained, That there should be paid unto Monsieur Ressens in ready Money the Summ of Five Hundred Livres by the said Province, and whereas there remaineth due One Thousand, One Hundred, Twenty and Three Livres, Sixteen Sols, and Ten Deniers, this shall be payd him also ei∣ther in ready Money, or Moneys-worth at the next Colloquy of Gapensois, which is ordered to make good payment, and to produce his Acquittances, and farther to allow the said Monsieur Ressens for his Expences in these Expences both at Grenoble and elsewhere in executing the Decree of the said University-Council of Nismes, for which the said Province of Pro∣vence shall give him Thirty Livres.

23. Divers defaults having been observed in the Government of the Churches of Provence, as appeared from the Acts of their Synods which were read openly in this Assembly, and from a particular Inquiry made thereinto, by the Province of Lower Languedoc which Was Commissiona∣ted by the last National Synod of Vitre to visit the said Province. Now that these great Disorders may be prevented and avoided for time to come, these following Canons were first framed, and then injoyned the said Pro∣vince of Provence, to be most exactly observed in every Point and Ar∣ticle by it.

CHAP. XIV. CANONS for the PROVINCE of PROVENCE.

1 THE Provincial Synod of Provence before it breaketh up shall determine of some certain place where the next Synod shall be held, and nominate the Church that shall have the right of calling them together, and that Church by and with the Advice and Consent of the Two nearest Churches shall appoint the time of their meeting.

2. No Person of what Quality or Condition soever shall be admitted in∣to those Synodical Assembles without Letters of Commission from his Consistory. And in the mean while the Consistories are exhorted to receive the Gentry into the Office of Elders, that so they may be capable of be∣ing Deputed unto the Synods.

3. No other Matters shall be treated of, or debated in those Synodical Assemblies but such as be purely Ecclesiastical.

4. The Synodical Offices shall be so distributed as that all Ground and Occasion of Envy, Jealousie, and Discord may be avoided and removed.

5. The Scribes of the Synod shall not couch the Synodical Acts or Arti∣cles in forensical Forms or Terms of Law, but in a Natural plainness and brevity.

6. The Deputies shall not depart from their Synod, till such time as their Acts have been fully concluded on, read and subscribed, and the said Acts shall be read over in the next ensuing Sessions.

7. In all pecuniary matters the Decrees or our National Synods shall be strictly followed, which ordered all Appeals on those Occasions to be dis∣missed over to the next adjoyning Province, whatever the Summ may be. And Pastors are exhorted not to quit their Churches for such Affairs, un∣less their presence at the Debate about them should be of indispensable ne∣cessity; but they shall send their Accounts fairly written, and cleared up with their Acquittances unto the places where they be summoned. And they shall take special care that they be not Sollicitors of any Process, un∣less upon very urgent occasion.

8. And whereas there is not a sufficient Number of Pastors in that Province to form Three Colloquies, and 'twill be very inconvenient there should be but Two, in case a Controversie should arise betwixt both the Colloquies, they shall therefore all meet in one Synod joyntly together, until such time as the good providence of God shall have augmented their Numbers.

9. And that these Canons may be observed in the said Province of Pro∣vence, Monsieur Brunier Pastor of the Church of Ʋsez shall sit in Person in the next Synod of the said Province, and it shall alwayes as often as their Synods be called give timely Notice thereof unto the Provinces of Lower Languedoc and Dolphiny, that they may depute some of their Pastors un∣to the said Synod, as i•• is usually practised in the other Provinces, for the upholding and better conservation of a mutual Correspondence.

24. Whereas a proposal was made of Incorporating the Churches of Provence either with the Province of Lower Languedoc or with that of Dolphiny, and the many difficulties arising about it have perswaded us to lay it by for the present; yet because of the great multitude of Churches and Ministers which are in Dolphiny, and because that the Borders of ma∣ny of them are contiguous with the said Province of Provence, which if united to it would constitute a convenient Synod. The Province of Dol∣phiny is therefore exhorted to consider which of their Churches may be adjoyned unto Provence, and to make report thereof unto the next National Synod.

25. A Petition from the Church of Senerac was presented by Monsieur de Cahuzac, craving Advice and Counsel, how to govern themselves under that Interdiction of the Holy Ministry, and Exercise of the Reformed Re∣ligion thrown out against them, and some Relief for their Pastor. Their case was recommended to the Province of Higher Languedoc, to take care of them according to their necessities; and the Lords our General-Depu∣ties at Court are desired also to use their utmost endeavours for the taking off that wicked Prohibition laid upon them, of Worshipping God accor¦ding to his Appointment.

26. Mr. Paul Daude formerly Pastor in the Church of St. John de Gardon neque but deposed from Ministry by the Province of Sevennes, presen∣ted his Petition to be restored again unto it, according to those hopes given him by the Synod held at la Salle. But when as the Crimes for which he was deposed had been related in this Assembly, It confirmed his Sentence with this addition and aggravation, That he should be for ever Deposed, and never meddle any more with any of the Acts and Functions of the Sa∣cred Ministry, exhorting him withal to betake himself to some other Cal∣ling; for he must not flatter himself with false hopes of being read∣mitted unto this Sacred Office,

27. The Church of Paris complained that whereas they had out of mere bounty quitted to the poorer Churches of the Isle of France, Picardy, and Champagne the Four Portion assigned unto their Pastors, the said Province would now have them absolutely and peremptorily to be at their

disposal, and not suffer the Church of Paris to finger One Farthing of that Money. This Assembly judgeth that according to the distribution made in our National Synods those aforesaid Portions do properly belong unto the Church of Paris, and they shall be wholly and solely at their disposal. But yet we intreat the said Church to extend their usual Charity unto that Province, and generously and christianly to refresh the bowels of its poorer Churches.

28. Monsieur Piloly brought Letters from the Assembly of Loudun, cra∣ving that the Portions granted him by the National Synod of Vitre might be continued to him. This Assembly consulting the Judgment of the said Synod of Vitre, professeth that the whole Representative Body of our Churches is not obliged unto any such Recompenses, nor may the Moneys assigned for the Relief of our poor Ministers be diverted unto such uses, considering the miserable condition whereunto the greatest part of them be now reduced. But yet the said Monsieur Piloly shall have paid him his Four aforesaid Portions unto the First day of January next coming in the year 1621.

29. Monsieur Lubac being summon'd to give an account why he laid down his Ministry in the Church of Privas, and doth not care to exercise it, though he was called thereunto: This Assembly having heard the Re∣port of the whole proceedings upon which the Colloquy of Privas groun∣ded their Sentence of Suspension against him, and which was since con∣firmed in the Synod of Vivaretz, and the said Monsieur de Lubac speaking in his own defence, and clearing himself from the Crimes whereof he was accused, and not understanding plainly and sufficiently the proofs of the said Accusations on the one hand, nor of his Justification on the other doth nevertheless confirm his Sentence of Suspension, and dismisseth this whole Affair over unto the Colloquy of Valentinois in the Province of Dolphiny, And the Sieurs de la Croze and du Port Deputies of Dolphiny, and the Sieur Richard of Vivaretz shall personally assist in it, and revise again all former passages, and take new Informations and particularly hear what Monsieur de Couches Minister of Tournon can either alleadge for or against him, and all this at the sole Costs and Charges of the Province of Vivaretz, which shall be rated by the Colloquy of Valentinois to make pay∣ment unto the said Deputies, that so Monsieur de Lubac may be absolved if innocent, or condemned if guilty by the Authority of this present Synod for the matters already brought in against him, or which may be now afresh offered by the Consistory of Privas, who shall make a careful and faithful Report of all Ecclesiastical Acts that have past on this occasion; that so the Sacred Ministry may be purged and acquitted of all Reproach and Jnjust Reflections: And although the said Monsieur Lubac should be justi∣fied, yet shall he not serve in the Province of Vivaretz any more.

30. Whereas the Lords Governour, Magistrates, Consuls and Consi∣story of the City of Orange petitioned that Monsieur Chambrun might be presented to the Pastoral Office in their Church: The Lords Magistrates, Consuls, and Consistory of Nismes were heard speaking of their Right and Interest both in the Person and Ministry of the said Monsieur Chambrun, moreover the Provincial Deputies of Dolphiny, and of the Lower Languedoc do contend to retain him: and Monsieur de Chambrun desiring to be discharged, and to be at liberty for his Healths sake, which was mightily impaired and broken within these Two last years, and had diverted him very much from the Duties of his Calling: This Assembly having very great Respect and Honour to the Church of Orange, doth grant them the said Monsieur de Chambrun for their Pastor, but with this proviso,

that he shall continue in the Service of the Church of Nismes till such time as they be provided of another Minister.

31. Letters were read from his Excellency the Prince of Orange, and the Lords Curators of the University, and the Burgomaster of the City of ••eyden in Holland, requesting that Monsieur Rivet might be confirmed in his Office of Divinity-Professor in the said University, either, for his Life, or else at least till the meeting of the next National Synod. After hearing the terms on which the Province of Poiclou had consented to the dismission of the said Monsieur Rivett, and the Letter of the Heads of Fa∣milies in the City of Thouars and the Church there, granting Aprolonga∣tion of his terme of two years unto the said University. This Assembly highly valuing the Favour and Honour of such an Illustrious Prince, and his great Merits from all the Reformed Churches, and that most strict and intire Union betwixt the Holy Churches of the Netherlands and ours of France, doth yield that the said Monsieur Rivett shall be continued for two years more unto the Famous University of Leyden, which terme being expired he shall return unto his Church, according to the Agreement past between them.

32. Monsieur Marmet declaring his great poverty, This Assembly know∣ing his eminent Zeal and Piety, have granted him his Request, and dis∣charge him from his Church, leaving him full liberty to accept of any other place whereunto he may be called, and may tend most to the Glory of God, and his own Temporal and Eternal benefit.

33. A Petition from Monsieur Ferrier formerly a Carthusian Monk, but now a Professor of the Reformed Religion, and residing in the Province of Anjou where he was born. This Assembly exhorts the said Province of Anjou to continue unto him his Pension of Eight Pence a Day, and not as they have done to defaulk from it, because of his Age and Quality. And the Province of Britain, where he first quitted his Monastery and Popery are desired to provide him yearly a new Suit of Clothes through∣out.

34. Monsieur Josian having been lent by the Province of Higher Lan∣guedoc unto the Church of Montauban for Six Moneths, and recalled from them by the Church of Castres, whereof he was Minister, before the Ex∣piration of that terme, The Church of Montauban petitioned that he might be lent them for a much longer time, and because of their continual and growing necessity, they desire that Monsieur Garissoles may be lent them also. This Assembly having a very high esteem for the said Church of Montauban, and considering its Necessities and Importance, ordains that Monsieur Josian shall be lent them for Three Months: And notwithstan∣ding all the Excuses and Remonstrances of Monsieur Garissoles not to be removed from the Service of his Church of Puylaurens, yet shall he also be lent unto that of Montauban for Six Months, at the end whereof the said Sieurs Josian and G••rissoles shall each of them return unto their own Churches, nor may that of Montauban make any private bargains or agree∣ments with them.

35. Monsieur Capel Professor of the Hebrew Tongue in our University of Saumur complained, that he having boarded a certain Scholar called du Duc recommedned to him by the Church of Bourdeaux, and now im∣ployed by the Province of Lower Guyenne, yet was not payed for his Diet and Lodging. This complaint of his was ordered to be sent unto the aforesaid Province, or to the Church of Burdeaux, who are both intreated by this Assembly to make him full satisfaction, as they are bound in Con∣science to see it done.

36. The Church of Montauban complained against the Province of Low∣er Guyenne about some certain Scholars, who having renounced Popery; had been maintained by them, but they could never be reimbursed their charges; This complaint of theirs was dismissed over to the Province of Xaintonge, whose Synod should put a full and final period to it.

37. Upon the Remonstrance of the Church of Montauban, That it hath been an Ancient Custom with them, for their Elders to deliver the Cup. This Assembly would not alter any thing in those Decrees, which it had enacted in the Chapter of Observations upon the Discipline; and therefore commandeth all Pastors, without Exceptions, to conform unto our Established Order.

38. Monsieur Raffin Pastor of the Church of Realmont petitioned for some Relief to help him in his defence of the Church of Venez, which is dangerously prosecuted by our Enemies, and Monsieur de Combalasse Pastor of the said Church presented another Petition to the same effect. This Assembly dismissed them both and their Affair unto the Province of Higher Languedoc, who are ordered to assist the said Raffin as they shall judge convenient, and pay in unto the said Sieur Combalasse his Portion free of all Taxes and Costs whatsoever, until such time as the Church of Venez shall injoy the Legacy, bequeathed them by the Lady of Venez lately de∣ceased, and as to the troubles raised against the said Church of Venez they shall be recommended to our Lords the General Deputies at Court.

39. The Request of Monsieur Balarand for the Church of Brassac is dismissed over by the Province of Higher Languedoc, to take care therein according as the Necessities of the said Church, and the great Merits of the said Reverend and Worthy Minister do demand, he having continued his Labours for many years together in the said Province in the Lords Vineyard,

40. The Province of Lower Guyenne, and the Church of Bourdeaux petitioned that some Moneys might be granted them in recompence of their great Charges in defending themselves at Law against the Lord of St. Angel. This Assembly applauded the Zeal of the Church of Bourdeaux but could not give them any Moneys.

41. The Church of Puymiroll presented a Petition craving some speedy Relief for that their whole Town was lately burnt by a most dreadful Fire. This Assembly Exhorts the Province of Lower Guyenne, and the Neighbouring Provinces to assist the said Church of Puymirol by some special Collections. And the afflicted State of the distressed Inhabitants of that Town is recommended to the Lords General Deputies, who shall move it unto His Majesty, that by His Royal Bounty they may be gra∣ciously Relieved.

42. This Assembly, understanding by Letters from the Church of Gignac their sore affliction and straits to which they be reduced by the impe∣tuous Assaults of their Adversaries, have sent the Reverend Monsieur Faucheur Minister of the Gospel, and Professor of Divinity in the Uni∣versity of Nismes to visit, comfort and strengthen them: And the Province of Lower Languedoc is ordered to defray the Charges of his Journey.

43. The Province of the Isle of France repeated afresh their Complaints formerly made by them in the Synod of Vitre against Monsieur Perrery for not satisfying the Decree of that Synod. This Assembly having per∣used the Memoirs offered by the said Perrery in his own defence, and heard the Provincial Deputies of the Higher Languedoc about restoring the

said Perrery to the Ministry by the Synod of Millaud in the year Sixteen Hundred and Seventeen, approveth of what was done by the said Synod, and Intreateth the Province of the Isle of France to rest satisfied with the Summ of Five Hundred Livres in lieu of the whole Debt from the said Perrery, whereof Two Hundred Livres belonging unto the said Province are left in the Lord of Candals hands for them already, and the said Lord shall keep for them Three Hundred Livres more: And in case the said Summ of Three Hundred Livres be not payd into the said Province of the Isle of France, then there shall be Five Hundred Livres detained by the Lord du Candal in his hands for them.

44. The Province of the Isle of France petitioned that the Order of the National Synod of Vitre against the Sieur Richer might be put in Execu∣tion, he having retired into Xaintonge without their consent. After that the Provincial Deputies of Xaintonge had been heard both as to what re∣lates unto the Canon now mentioned, and also unto the said Monsieur Richer, This Assembly ordained that the Canon of Vitre shall be Executed in every Article and Title of it, and that the Accompts of the said Richer might be cleared and closed, they shall be sent unto the Church of Saumur before the First of May next: Yet we earnestly intreat the Province of the Isle of France to deal charitably with the said Richer, and not to exact what they may do in rigour of Law from him.

45. The Province of Dolphiny are intreated to continue the Pension allowed by them to the Widow of Monsieur ••alques.

46 The Church of Baux in Provence exhibited an Information of its deplorable Poverty brought upon them by the outragious Persecutions which they have suffered from the common Enemies of our Religion in their Exercise of it, who put them to unsupportable Expence and Charges. This Assembly ordered th••t for their Relief an half supern••merary Portion out of our Common Stock besides their ordinary Portion should be given them until the meeting of the next National Synod, to whom they shall bring in their Accompt how they have imployed it; and their Affair shall be recommended to our General Deputies.

47. Monsieur Huron petitioned to be discharged from his Ministry in the Church of Riez in Provence: But he was dismissed back unto the Synod of his said Province who should proceed therein according to the Methods and Forms prescribed by our Church-Discipline.

48. The Colloquy of Challons in Burgundy shall judge finally without Appeal of the differences which are risen between the Sieurs Racaud, La Dize, Fornevet and other Persons in Communion with the Church of Beaune.

49. The Province of Sevennes complaining of a Judgment past against them by the Province of Lower Languedoc in favour of Monsieur Serignac about certain Expences of his made in his Journey unto the Synod of Tonneins, they were dismissed over to the Judgment of the Province of Vivaretz, who should order that Party which hath done the wrong, to pay the Charges.

50. The Provincial Deputies of Sevennes making report that Sixty Two Livres, Seven Sous, and Six Deniers are owing to Monsieur Babat at pre∣sent Pastor of the Church of Castagnols from the Churches of Auvergne ac∣cording to the Accompts shut up, and approved by Decree of the Natio∣nal Synod of Vitre. This Assembly ordaineth that the Province of Sevennes do pay him out of hand the said Moneys.

51. A Petition from the Church of Serucrettes in Sevennes. This As∣sembly ordered that their Affair at Court be recommended to the Lords

our General Deputies; and Letters shall be written unto the Lord of Antragues that he would be pleased to accommodate them with some ground on his Lands for the building of a Temple, wherein they may Worship God publickly, and that Churches Portion of the Kings Mo∣neys shall he paid in free of all Charges to it by the Province of Sevennes.

52. The Church of Langres did by their Letters, and by the Mouths of the Deputies of the Isle of France report the great difficulties and troubles they con••••licted with in setting up the Publick Exercise of our Religion, and what Oppositions they had met withal, and still did every day from the Enemies of the Truth. This Assembly to enable that Church to subsist the better, and thereby to enlarge the Kingdom of our Lord Jesus, ordaineth Two Supernumerary Portions to be pay'd unto them, and this to continue until the sitting of the next National Synod.

53. The Church of la Bastide complaining of its deep poverty, and that for Sixteen years together, by reason of it, they could not allow a Farthing towards the maintenance of their Minister Monsieur Lawrence, who was all that time destitute of a Church, till of late that he was pro∣vided for by the Province of Vivaretz. This Assembly commiserating the sore and heavy Tryals of the said Mr. Lawrence, do order that Two Hundred Livres be immediately payd him out of the Common Stock of the Churches, because he was left out in the Catalogue of Pastors lying before the National Synod of Vitre, and that the said Church of la Bastide may not he dissolved but kept up, the Province of Vivaretz is require par∣ticularly to consider whether the Church of Rodes may not be commo∣diously joyned to it, or else to think of some other means meet for its preservation.

54. The Complaint of the Church of Quissac how that some of those Congregations which were formerly annexed to it were now separated and dismembred from it, was rejected, although they were set on by the Province of Sevennes; and the said Province was ordered to take special care that those newly constituted Churches be well kept up by them.

55. That Affair of Monsieur Hommel Doctor of Laws at Valence shall be recommended to our Lords General deputies.

56 Mrs. Jane Nallet Widow of Mr. David Selastian late Minister in the Church of Clermont in ••odeve complained, that the Pension granted her by the Province of Lower Languedoc hath been left out of the Accounts of the said Province, so that she is like to perish for want to Maintenance, and that One Hundred and Twenty Livres due unto her are not payd her. This Assembly ordains that the said Hundred and Twenty Livres be payd the said Gentlewoman out of the first Moneys which the Receiver of the Province of Lower Languedoc shall get into his hands.

57. The Deputies of Bearne declared the necessity of setling a Church in the Country of La Boure, belonging to the Province of Lower Guyenne, and the rather for that they had now in Bearn a young Student in Divi∣nity sit to be imployed in the Sacred Ministry, who could preach to them in their own Language, and Opportunity and Advantage they never had before. This Assembly desiring to inlarge the Kingdom of Our Lord Jesus ordains that Three Hundred Livres a year shall be allowed the Pro∣vince of Lower Guyenne to set up a Church in the aforesaid Country of La Boure, upon condition that they render an account of the Imployment of the said Moneys unto the next National Synod.

58. The Remonstrances of the Churches of Monredon, of L' Isle in Jourdain, St. Severe, St. Seve and Aysseins are disinissed over to the Pro∣vince of Higher Languedoc, who shall look carefully into those matters spe∣cified by them, and act for them as it shall judge most beneficial to them.

59. The Judgement past by the Colloquy of Anduze about the Diffe∣rences and Quarrels that hapned in the Church of St. John de Gardonengues through the dis-placing of their Seats, and which was ratified by the Pro∣vincial Synod of Sevennes, being none of those matters that are to be brought before our National Synods, is remanded back again to the said Province of Sevennes to see it Executed.

60. Concerning that difference fallen out in the Church of Alez since the Decree of this Synod, the Relation of which concludeth the Chapter of Appeals, This Assembly having heard the Magistrates, Consuls, Consistories, and Deputies of the Church, and Companies of the Town, and Monsieur Ollier particularly, did exhort them all to an Holy Concord, and Cordial Union, which that it might be the better effected, the Pen∣sions of both their Ministers shall be equal, so that Monsieur Des Maretz shall not have more than his Colleague Monsieur Ollier, but they shall each of them receive yearly the Summ of Seven Hundred Livres a piece, and that Church shall bear their Charges unto Colloquies and Synods, and all those Acts in the Register of the Consistory prejudicial to the Reputa∣tion of Monsieur Ollier shall be razed, that so all grounds and occasions of Divisions may be removed. And in case this present Agreement should be violated, then the Colloquy of Ʋsez is impowered to judge finally of this matter, and to remove Monsieur Ollier from his Ministry in this Church of Alez, and to dispose of him elsewhere, and that by the Au∣thority of this National Synod.

61. The Provincial Deputies of Anjou reported, that the Portion given by the National Synod of Vitre unto Monsieur du Bois was payed out of the Moneys of that Province, and that the Summs mentioned in the Lord of Candalls Account for the said Portion for the years 1617, 1618, and three quarters of 1619 ought to accrew unto the said Province, because they have already payed them out of their own Purse. This Assembly or∣dains that the Summ of Six Score Livres imployed in the said Account for those years before-mentioned under the Name of Monsieur du Bois, and whose payment hath been forborne, shall be now payd in to the Receiver of the said Province of Anjou, and his Acquittance being produced it shall be allowed the Lord of Candal in his Accompt: And the said Forbearance being now discharged, The Lord of Candal shall keep one Portion in his hands to be delivered unto Monsieur du Bois at the place of his Abode.

62. The Lord of Clausonne acquainted this Assembly, that His Majesty had made him his Lieutenant Governour in the Town and Castle of Lectoure, and therefore he craved our Certificate of his being a Protestant, professing the Reformed Religion, and a Member in full and actual Com∣munion with our Churches. This Assembly could not in reason deny him, especially he being at this Instant a Deputy to it, and one of the Elders for the Province of Lower Languedoc.

63. This Assembly willing to provide, as it had promised a Pastor for the Church of Gignac, and considering its great importance, and ac∣knowledging the singular gifts with which the Holy Ghost hath richly endowed Monsieur Codur formerly Minister in the Church of Ganges, and that he is every way fit and qualified for the Service and Edification of that Great and Populous Church, this Assembly intreats him to go and preach in the said Church of Gignac, until the meeting of the next Provincial

Synod of Lower Languedoc; which he accepted and promised to remove thither as soon as possible. And when that Synod shall meet, the said Church of Gignac having a Pastor settled among them for Life, he shall be at full liberty to retire himself either into the Colloquy of Anduze, or into the Synod of Sevennes, who are ordered to secure a Church for him, or else he may accept of the first Call which the Providence of God may vouchsafe him. And that the said Church of Gignac may be able to sub∣sist, The Portion appropriated to it from among the Churches of Lower Languedoc shall be payd in free of all Taxes and Charges to it by the said Province, and an half supernumerary Portion out of the Common Stock of the Churches.

64. Whereas the Church of Montagnac craveth help and assistance against a process in which they be intangled about the demolishing of their Tem∣ple in the late unhappy Civil Wars. This Assembly recommends unto the Province of Lower Languedoc the said Church, and ordereth them to relieve it out of those great means which God hath given them. And the Lords Deputies at Court are requested to interest themselves particularly in their Affair.

65. The Colloquy of Gex petitioned leave that they might send only but two Pastors and two Elders unto the Provincial Synods: But this their Petition was dismissed over to the Province of Burgundy to decree in it what they judged would be most expedient. And whereas the said Collo∣quy craveth an augmentation unto the Moneys already given them, this Assembly desires them to rest contented, because it could not be granted.

66. The Deputies of the Church of Montauban petitioned that Mon∣sieur Guyon at present Pastor in the Church of Dieu le fit in Dolphiny, might be given them to be their Pastor. Upon hearing of the said Monsieur Guyon, and the Deputies of Dolphiny, this Assembly declared its unwilling∣ness to dispose of the Person of the said Guyon and of his Ministry, espe∣cially sith that his Church in which he is now settled; hath not been in the least acquainted with this motion.

67. The Colloquy of St. German in Sevennes was censured for their levity and rashness in condemning Monsieur Toussain upon so groundless an Accusation, and for their suspending him from the Exercise of his Mi∣nistry; and the Province of Sevennes was censured for conniving at this great Offence. And that the Sacred Ministry may be discharged of all blame and ill reports, the said Monsieur Toussain shall appear in Person at the next Provincial Synod of Lower Languedoc, there either to be justified or condemned as the case requireth, and this according to the Canons of our Church-Discipline.

68. The Letter of Monsieur Marbais was read, and the Assembly re∣mitted his Affair unto the Province of Poictou to give him satisfaction therein.

69. The Church of Nismes did both by Letters, and word of Mouth by the Sieurs Ollivier and Mazaudier petition that Monsieur Jamett might be given them for their Pastor, he being a Person every way qualified in respect of his Gifts and Graces to edifie it, and to repair those sore breaches which the Apostacy and Debauches of some of their former Ministers had caused among them. This Assembly having a special respect unto the Church of Nismes, and considering its great necessities and impor∣tance, because of the vast number of its Members, and the University there erected, though it would not use its absolute Authority in disposing of the Person and Ministry of Monsieur Jamett, yet neither can it bear with his Excuses, nor with the Oppositions made by the Deputies of the

Province of Orleans and Berry, therefore it doth intreat the Church of St. Amand, and the said Province of Berry also, in which he doth at present exercise his Ministry, to consider seriously with themselves of the great importance of that Church of Nismes, and to grant them their re∣quest, as in Christian Charity they be bound, and particularly by reason of that Holy Communion which is between all the Saints, and Churches of this Nation. And Letters shall be dispatcht to His Grace the Lord Duke of Sully, that he would be pleased to give his consent unto this Call.

70. Monsieur de Chasteaumal reported in this Assembly his Fathers many and good services done for the Churches, and the many heavy losses suf∣fered by him for the profession of the Gospel, and the true Reformed Re∣ligion, and requested that a Pension might he allowed a Son of his whom he designeth for the Ministry. Although this Assembly knows that such an Affair as this ought not to he taken notice of by the National Synods, yet because of the Hereditary Piety of the said Lord of Chasteaumal, the Province of Dolphiny is injoyned to consider and honour him, and to be∣stow the first vacant Scholarship in their Province upon his Son.

71. Letters from the Church of Sancerre, and the Deputies of Orleans and Berry, as also from the General Assembly held at Loudun informed this Synod of the great necessities of that Church. Whereupon two supernu∣merary Portions were ordered for their Relief as a Testimony of our un∣feigned Love to that important Church which shall be payd them yearly by the Province of Berry, who for that purpose should receive them in the General Dividend, and make good payment thereof, till the sitting of the next National Synod.

72. Whereas the National Synod of Vitre had granted unto Monsieur Scoffier an Aged and Worthy Minister, declared Emeritus, one supernu∣merary Portion and half for his subsistence, it shall be joyned to the Mo∣neys of the Province of Sevennes, whose Receiver without any further Order shall pay it in free unto him of all Taxes and Costs whatsoever.

73. The Lord of Clausonne acquainting this Assembly with the Po∣verty of the Church of Montfrin in the Lower Languedoc, an half super∣numerary Portion was ordered unto that Church, which shall be numbred in the distribution as one of the Churches in the Province of Lower Languedoc.

74. Monsieur de Anjou representing the Poverty and Necessity of the Church of Puymichel in Provence, a supernumerary Portion shall be granted to it in the General Dividend.

75. The Assembly having ordained that in the last Sessions of this Synod there should be a List brought in of the Churches to whom the Collected Charities should be imparted, and by what Provinces they should be par∣ticularly assisted: Now that this Decree may be the better executed, it was judged meet, that the Collections made in the Provinces of Dolphiny, Lower Languedoc, Province, Sevennes, Vivaretz and Burgundy shall be as∣signed to the Church of Privas. And the Moneys Collected in Higher Languedoc and Guyenne, shall be appropriated to Lectoure. And the Cha∣rities Collected in the Lower Guyenne and Xaintonge shall be given unto Puymirol. And the Collection in the Isle of France, Normandy, Britain and Berry shall be payd into the Church of Netancour, and that of Anjou and Poictou shall go toward the relief of Vendosme. Nor shall these Cha∣rities so Collected be any way prejudicial to that General Collection which we have designed for the Refugees out of the Marquisate of Salluces.

76. It being the bounden Duty of all Pastors personally to reside on their Churches, the Deputies of Lower and Higher Languedoc, and of Sevennes are obliged immediately upon their return home unto their respective Pro∣vinces to notifie unto those Ministers who neglect this their Duty, that they go and reside on their Churches within Three Moneths, on pain of being suspended the Sacred Ministry.

77. That Affair concerning the Children of the Lord de la Reynela whose Uncle and Guardian is the Lord of la Garelaye shall be recommen∣ded to the Lords General Deputies at Court to prosecute it most vigorously and effectually.

78. Upon complaint made by the Widow of Mr. Emanuel Sebastian, Minister of Gods Word, lately deceased: This Assembly ordered that all Arrears of Pension due unto her since her Husbands Death by the Pro∣vince of Sevennes shall be punctually pay'd her out of the first Moneys that come into the Receivers hands of the said Province, and he himself shall pay those just Debts with his own hands immediately unto her.

79. Whereas the Church of Ʋsez hath craved leave to seek for it self a third Pastor either within or without the Province, This Assembly grants it to them, but with this proviso, that they keep close to the Forms pre∣scribed by the Discipline, and that they act nothing herein to the prejudice of their present Ministers, and particularly that they do not in the least diminish that double Honour they ought to have for the Reverend Mon∣sieur Brunier and his Family, whose great labours have been for these ma∣ny years that he hath served them, and yet continue to be, exceeding use∣ful and beneficial to their Souls.

80. The Church of Gignac having been exceedingly perplexed ever since the Call of Monsieur Jacornais unto the Ministry among them, who was recommended to them by the Province of Higher Languedoc, it seemed good unto this Assembly to remove him thence, yet without any Impeachment unto his Credit or Ministry, his Conversation being every way blameless and unreprovable, only he hath met with no incourage∣ment nor maintenance from them, though the said Church of Gignac hath received ever since his presentation to them their Portion of the Kings Money. Wherefore the said Province of Lower Languedoc is in∣joyned to see that the said Jacornais be fully satisfied, and that he have his Sallary payd him until such time as he be provided of another Church, and that it may be done effectually, they shall either detain from the said Church of Gignac what is owing them by the Province, and so force them to reimburse him, or else they shall make it up out of the Common Stock of their Province. And in case the Colloquy of Nismes or any other of that Province shall be Assembled before their Synod, they shall take care to settle the said Sieur de Jacornais in such a Church as in which he may ful••l the Ministry he hath received from the Lord.

81. The Lord of Antrague Picheron complained by Letters of the outrage done unto Captain Peter Stephens. It was ordered that these Let∣ters should be delivered to the Provincial Council of Sevennes, who are to take care about it, and this Affair also shall be immediately recommen∣ded unto the Lords General Deputies.

82. The Sieurs Fitz, Eymar, and Paulett having sojourned in this City a considerable time at the Command of this Assembly, the Province of Sevennes is ordered to reimburse them all their Expences.

83. Susanna Morrice Daughter of Monsieur Morrice Deceased, formerly a Pastor in the Church of Dieu le fit in Dolphiny was dismissed over to the said Province to be relieved in her poverty.

84. Advice being given of divers Defaults in the Province of Lower Languedoc, particularly that the Moderators in one Synod are ever after Assessors in another, contrary to that freedom required by our Discipline in the Election of Synodical Officers; And Secondly, That certain Pastors are Commissionated to receive the Moneys belonging unto Colloquies, which in time may draw Reproach upon the Ministry, and divert our Pastors from their Studies, and other Duties of their Calling. And Thirdly, The way of Communicating one to another by Circular Letters, Matters of Importance instead of calling the Colloquies, and there imparting those Affairs unto them: And Fourthly, The Brigues in the choice of Elders falling out too too often in many of their Churches. Wherefore this Assembly com∣mandeth the said Province of Lower Languedoc to remove those Disorders and to give an Account of their Obedience to this Canon at the next Na∣tional Synod.

CHAP. XV. Of COLLEDGES and UNIVERSITIES.

1 PRofessors of Philosophy in handling Physical or Metaphysical Que∣stions which have a Correspondence with Divinity shall take care that they so do it as not to injure in the least the Principles of our True Religion; and that they infuse not any Scruples contrary to Piety into the tender minds of our Youth. And Doctors and Professors in Divinity shall abstain as much as in them lieth from all Curious and Unprofitable Que∣stions, though much in vogue among the Romish Church-men, nor shall they inlarge in the Confutation of unknown Heresies, nor any more than is barely necessary for the right Interpretation of the Holy Scriptures, in expounding whereof they shall keep themselves to that gravity and sim∣plicity which shineth forth so conspicuously in the Writings of those Fa∣mous Divines, whom the Lord raised up to kindle in the last Century the Flambeau of the Gospel in these and the Neighbour Nations.

2. A Motion was made by the Province of Poictou, that no Professors nor Principals in our Colledges or Universities should practise Physick lest they be taken off from attendance on their Profession; but rather that their Sallaries should be augmented, that so they might apply themselves wholly to the Duties of their Office and Calling. This Assembly foreseeing the dif∣ficulties which will occur in case that such a Canon as is now desired should be framed and enacted, doth therefore leave the matter unto the prudence of our University-Councils, to aft therein as they shall conceive will re∣dound most to the Profit and Honour of the Universities.

3. No Professors of Divinity, although they be Pastors also, unless they be sent with Letters from their Churches, or called by Colloquies and Synods, when as matters relating to their University, or important points of Doctrine be handled, shall ever appear in Colloquies, or Pro∣vincial and National Synods.

4. A Minister may at the same time be Professor in Divinity, and of the Hebrew Tongue. But it is not seemly for him to profess the Greet also, because the most of his Employment will be taken up in the Exposition of Pagan and Prophane Authors, unless he be discharged from the Ministry. Nevertheless Professors in Divinity and of the Hebrew Tongue, which are in Holy Orders, shall ever be reputed Pastors of that Church in which their University is Erected, and where they do ordinarily reside, provided the Church do consent unto it, and shall take their turns in preaching, only they shall be discharged from the Exercise of Church Discipline, and from other burdensome Imployments of the Ministry. And whereas se∣veral Ministers are at this day actual Professors in those Faculties in our U∣niversities, and yet are not reputed Pastors there, though it be the place of their constant and ordinary Residence; they shall be tolerated until the next National Synod, unto which they shall make Report of the Churches consent and choice of them for Pastors where they sojourn, or else they shall be provided of Churches of their own.

5. A Motion was made about reducing the Number of our Universities, that so they might be the better furnished with all needful Professors both in Divinity, and in the other Arts and Sciences. It was not thought good at present to make any change or alteration, lest it should occasion any diffe∣rence, and breach in that good Correspondence, which ought by all means to be kept up among us. But nevertheless the Provinces are exhorted to bring with them unto the next National Synods their mature and well-di∣gested Thoughts on this Subject. As also all those Cities which have U∣niversities Erected in them shall bring into the next National Synod an account of what means they have, or Fund sufficient for the maintenance of a compleat and perfect University.

6. Divers Proposals were set on foot by Monsieur Beraud both from himself, and from the University of Montauban. As for the First, The said Monsieur Beraud is confirm'd in his Professorship of Divinity in that University, because of the laudable Testimonials which the Deputies of Higher Languedoc have given of his Academical Exercises these Two years last past. Yet nevertheless that said Province is censured for not ha∣ving observ'd the Formalities required by our Discipline in the Call of the said Monsieur Beraud unto the Professors Chair in Divinity. Although the said Monsieur Beraud had undergone a very rigorous and severe Examina∣tion, as the Deputies themselves of that Province had attested. For the Second, it is Decreed, That the said Monsieur Beraud over and above the Seven Hundred Livres which he receiveth from the University, shall also have one free Portion out of the Kings Moneys belonging unto the Province of Higher Languedoc, as all other Pastors have which are Ministers in our Universities. And whereas the said Monsieur Beraud hath not injoyed his said Portion ever since his Professorship at Montauban; the Province shall be obliged to restore unto him all his just Dues and Arrears even to this very day, and that out of the very first Moneys which it shall receive from the Lord of Candal, because they have alwaies took up the said Portion un∣der his Name. And whereas there is a loud and general complaint of very bad Payments by that University of Montauban unto its Professors; sith no∣thing appears to the contrary but that the said University hath the same kindnesses and allowances as all our other Universities, therefore it shall rest contented with the Common Order established herein by the former National Synods, which was, that the Moneys assigned unto our Uni∣versities shall be taken out of the three first Quarters of the year from the Common Stock of all the Churches, without leaving them to the last Quarter whose payment is more uncertain.

7. The Wages granted by the University of Montauban unto an Aca∣demical Secretary cannot be allowed, but shall be razed out of their Ac∣compts both as to what is past and to come.

8. Whereas the University of Saumur did together with Commendato∣ry Letters of the Lord Du Pllessis Marly request, that Mr. Cameron might be continued in the Profession of Theology there; and on the other hand the Church of Bourdeaux, and Monsieur Joly on its behalf redemanded him back to the Exercise of his Ministry, among them, according to that Obligation which lieth upon him as their Pastor, and Monsieur Privas Deputy of the Lower Guyenne consented to it by Order of, and Memoirs from the said Monsieur Cameron. This Assembly acknowledging that the said Church of Bourdeaux hath an undoubted right to the Ministry of Monsieur Cameron, yet notwithstanding, because of the pressing and urgent Necessities of the said University of Saumur, which is of mighty concernment to all our Churches in general, It doth now Order and Decree that Monsieur Cameron shall continue in the said Professorship in that University until the next National Synod, and the Church of Bourdeaux is intreated to allow and approve thereof. And during this time the said University shall use her best and utmost endeavours to procure them another Professor in Di∣vinity.

9. The Church of Rochefoucauld demanded an Augmentation for the better support and maintenance of their Colledge. This Assembly, because the Example would be leading, could not grant it; but exhorts the Pro∣vince of Xaintonge to take it into their consideration, and to assist the said Church with a competent Summ of Moneys drawn out of the Common Stock of that Province, that so this Colledge may be kept up, which hath been already so very useful and profitable unto them.

10. The University of Montauban moved for the revision of a Decree past in the National Synod of Privas, and about the Six Deniers allowed in the Livre unto the Receiver of that University. But it was judged unfit to be Debated, and therefore let fall.

11. A Contention having risen between the City of Alez and Anduze about the Colledge Erected in the Province of Sevennes, This Assembly not inclining to make any alterations at present in the Estate of the Pro∣vinces, nor to obstruct that good Union which ought to be kept up, and preserved among the Churches, doth ordain, that the said Colledge (ac∣cording to the Synod of Tonneins) shall continue in the Town of Anduze until the next National Synod, when and unto which the Province of Se∣vennes shall give in a faithful report of the State of the said Colledge, that in case it be not such as makes for the advantage of the Churches, it may be removed elsewhere.

12. The Assembly proceeding to choose Pastors, who may supply the vacant Chairs of Professors in our Universities upon all occasions especially in Divinity, according to a former Decree past by it in its Observations on the last National Synod of Vitre, hath nominated Monsieur du Moulin, Vignier, Bouchereau, Garissoles, Cottieres, Chanvernon, and de la Coste. All which are exhorted to dispose and fit themselves betwixt this and the next National Synod for the said Publick Profession of Divinity.

CHAP. XVI. Of ACCOMPTS.

13 THE University of Saumur brought in their Accompts for the years 1616, 1617, 18. And for the First Quarter of this current Year 1620. And the said Account having been performed with much ex∣actness and fidelity, was accepted of and approved.

14. The said University of Saumur petitioned, that whereas on their faithful Account now brought in by them, there remaineth a certain Summ of Mo∣neys in their Receivers hand, that we would be pleased to leave it with them for inlarging the Classical Seats of the Colledge, they being too few at present for the great number of Scholars in it. This Assembly granted that Three Hundred Livres should be disbursed by them to that use, upon condition, that they give an account how the said Summ was imployed unto the next National Synod.

15. Whereas the University Council of Saumur had granted Twenty Livres a year unto their Printer, they shall be allowed him for what is past; but it shall not be made a presedent for the future.

16. The University of Montauban brought in their Accompts for the years 1614, 1615, 1616, 1617, and 1618, which were approved, though their Expences exceeded their Receipts by 397 Livres, Fifteen Sous.

17. The Province of the Isle of France being obliged to bring in its Ac∣compt for the Colledge of Clermont ever since the National Synod of Ton∣neins, and not having done it, nor for that erected at Charenton, which though tendered was not accepted, because the form of it was not of any force or value, is for the present spared, but with this express injunction that they do bring in unto the next National Synod their Accompts afore∣said in due forme, with all the Evidences and Acquittances, or else they shall lose and forfeit their Priviledge of having a Colledge.

18. The Accounts of the Province of Normandy for their Colledge in the years 1616, 1617, 1618, 1619. were allowed and approved.

19. The Province of Orleans and Berry brought in their Accompt of the Colledge erected at Chastillon upon the Loir, for the years 1616, 1617, 1618, 1619, 1620. which was accepted and approved.

20. The Province of Poictou brought in the Accompt for the Colledge of Niort for the years 1617, 1618, and 1619, which was accepted, allowed and approved.

21. The Colledge of Bergerac in the Lower Guyenne brought in its Ac∣compt from the First of April, 1614, unto the last of March, 1620. And their disbursements did far exceed their Receipts of what Moneys had been given them out of the Common Stock of the Churches.

22. The Province of Vivaretz having divided their Colledge into two, to wit, one at Anonay, the other at Aubenas. That of Annonay accounted for the years 1614, 1615, 1616, 1617, 1618, and 1619, and for Six Moneths of this year now current, 1620. And Aubenas accounted for the years 1615, 1616, 1617, 1618, and for Nine Moneths of the year 1619. And the Accompts of both these Colledges were allowed and approved. But whereas the said Province of Vivaretz desired leave that in lieu of im∣ploying the Four Hundred Livres of the Kings Money which hath been granted them for their Colledges, they may dispose of it to the setting up

of some little Schools: This Assembly would not allow of this change, nor to the Province of Burgundy which made also the very same request.

23. The Province of Lower Languedoc brought in their Accompts for the Colledge of Bezieres for the year 1617, 1618, and 1619, which were allowed and approved.

24. The Accompts of the Colledge of Anduze were brought in by the Province of Seventies, and were exceedingly commended for the years 1617, 1618, and 1619.

25. The Province or Burgundy tendered the Accompt of their Colledge for the years 1617, 1618, and 1619. But because the said Accompt was not in due and valid forme, and that the said Province accompted but for Three Hundred and Fourscore Livres yearly, whereas they should have for Pour Hundred; they were injoyned for the future to bring in their Ac∣counts for the whole and intire Summ, and to justifie them by producing their Evidences and Acquittances from their Provincial Synods, and to pre∣sent them in a better forme unto the next National Synod. And for this once they be indulged.

26. The Colloquy of Gex shall account for the dispensing of their Col∣ledge-Money unto the Provincial Synod of Burgundy, that so their Account may be brought in to the next National Synod, us is done in all the other Provinces of this Kingdom; or else they shall lose their priviledge of a Colledge.

27. The Province of Provence was grievously censured for not bringing in an Account of the Moneys received by them for a Colledge, notwith∣standing the many and frequent warnings given them by the former Natio∣nal Synods, and they be commanded to keep better Order for the future, or else they shall be deprived of those Moneys which had been granted them for their Colledge.

27. The Account of the Colledge of Dolphiny was received, and their Expence very much exceeded their Receipt of the Kings Money. But the said Province is exhorted to produce in their future Accounts all the Evi∣dences and Acquittances, which will prove and justifie them.

28. The Accompt rendred by the University of Nismes for the Moneys distributed by them, and with which they were intrusted by the National Synod of Tonneins was received and approved, except in some few parti∣culars. As on the year 1618, Four Hundred Livres are charged by them for bringing the Houshold Goods and Library of Monsieur Codur Professor of the Hebrew Language from Montpellier unto Nismes, whereas Two Hun∣dred were allowed, and the other Two Hundred razed out. Again Eight Hundred and Fifty Livres given unto Monsieur Fancheur Professor of Di∣vinity, partly, as a gratuity, partly for the removing of his Goods unto their City, Two Hundred and Fifty shall be blotted out. This Assembly however to testifie their great respects for the said Monsieur Fancheur did pre∣sent him with the Summ of Four Hundred and Fifty Livres as a gratuity, that he might increase his Library, and be more chearful and serviceable in his Academical Profession, as also they gave him One Hundred and Fifty Livres to help pay his Charges in the transport of his Houshold Goods from Ʋsez to Nismes. In like manner an Hundred Livres were razed out of their Accompts, which had been ordered by them unto Monsieur Vagumar their Printer to buy his Stamps and Characters. Out of their Accompt for the year 1619, was razed the Summ of Sixty Livres given unto Monsieur Codur, and Monsieur Petit Professors of the Hebrew and Greek Tongues to help defray their Charges unto the Provincial Synod held at Malgutol; as also out of the year 1620, was razed the Summ of Ninety Livres adjudged unto the Sieurs Codur, Petit, and Faucheur to carry them to Ʋsez, and Forty Livres laid out in Printing the Book of a young Scholar. All which parti∣cular

Summs put together, amounted in the whole to Six Hundred and Twenty Livres, and were razed out of their Accompt, and the Province of Lower Languedoc shall detain it in their hands out of the Moneys be∣longing to the said University of Nismes, that they may deduct it, and give allowance for it. Moreover this Assembly cannot allow unto Mon∣sieur Bowdon, who was formerly the Receiver of the said University-Mo∣neys more than One Sous in the Livre, for his pains and trouble in getting it in, and paying it out unto them. And for the future the Receiver shall rest contented with Six Deniers in the Livre for that his Imployment, as all other Receivers for our Universities have. And whereas the Professors of the aforesaid University of Nismes do crave an allowance for the Char∣ges of their Journey and Abode here in seeking to get Monsieur Chamier for Divinity Professor, nothing was granted them on that Score, but the Pro∣vince of Lower Languedoc was ordered to see them satisfied.

29. The Accompt of the Colledge of Britain was received and appro∣ved for the Years 1617, 1618, 1619, and 1620.

CHAP. XVII. General Laws for the Universities of the Reformed Churches of FRANCE.

1 IN every University there shall be a double Council, The one Ordina∣ry, composed only of Pastors of the Churches, and Publick Pro∣fessors, and of the Principal of the Colledge, and the President of this Council shall be the Rector. The other extraordinary, made up of the principal and most Eminent Church-Members to be chosen by the Guild-Hall of the Town; provided that these Electors be Persons professing the Protestant Reformed Religion, or else they shall be chosen out of the Consistories, in case they have not the Power and Priviledge of the Civil Government in their hands; And the Pastors and Publick Professors shall be all Members of this Extraordinary Council. Rut their President shall be freely chosen by them according to the Circumstances of Places and Persons.

2. The ordinary Council shall meet once a Week: The Extraordinary shall be assembled only when as Occurrences and Matters of great Impor∣tance are offered, or at the request of the Ordinary.

3. The Duty of the Extraordinary shall be to choose Professors, and Regents of Classes, to Suspend, and Depose them from their Office, or otherwise to censure them according to their Demerits, and especially those who having been frequently admonished to look diligently unto their Charge are found refractory, and rebel against the ordinary Council. And it shall be one part of the Office of the Extraordinary Council to dispose of the University-Moneys.

4. The Ordinary Council shall have a watchful Eye overall Publick Professors, Regents, and Auditors, that every one performe duely his bounden Duty.

5. The Rector shall be chosen from among the Pastors and Professors, excepting only the Principal, who can never attain that Honour, and the Rector shall continue in Office one year at least, yet the Ordinary Council of the University may choose him again, and prolong his time in the Rectoral Chair if they see good reason for it.

6. All the Members of the Ordinary Council, not one of them excepted shall be subject, yea, and the Rector also, and his Colleagues, unto the Censures which be generally given four times in the Year, before the Cele∣bration of the Lords Supper; as in the Consistories, and the Regents be∣ing assembled together with the Principal, who shall then be president, they shall all be subject unto this Canon.

7. These are called by us our Publick Professors, the Professors of Di∣vinity, of the Hebrew and Greek Tongues, of Philosophy, the Mathema∣ticks, Eloquence, and all others.

8. We shall need Two Professors at least in Divinity, one of which shall Expound the Holy Scripture, without expatiating into Common Pla∣ces. The other shall read Common Places. If God do bless us with Ability we will have a Third, and then one of them shall Expound the Old Testa∣ment, and the other the New: And the Third shall handle Common Places, which he shall have finished at least in Three years time, with that brevity and solidity as becomes a Scholar. And that the Students may be the more profited, our Professors in Divinity shall dictate to them the ge∣neral heads of their Lectures.

9. Doctors and Professors of Divinity shall be chosen by the Extraor∣dinary Council of the University, and presented to the Provincial Synods there to be Examined, Admitted, and Confirmed, according to the Third Canon in the Second Chapter of our Church-Discipline.

10. Every one of them shall read Four Lectures a Week, and shall ex∣ercise their Scholars in Propositions every Week, both in Latin and French, according to that Order, and upon those days, appointed by the Council of the University.

11. There shall be private Disputations in Divinity every Week, and publick ones once a Moneth under every Professor.

12. All Students in Divinity shall be registred by the Rector, they ha∣ving been first of all examined by the Ordinary University-Council, and bringing with them good and valid Testimonials of their Life and Con∣versation, and of their proficiency in Humanity and Philosophy; that so they may be turned back in case they have made no progress nor advance∣ment in that preliminary Learning.

13. And all those aforesaid Students shall be bound to be personally present at all Theological Lectures, Propositions, and Disputations, as also to propose and maintain Thesis, and every one of them shall dispute succes∣sively in his and their respective turns, and according to the Course and Or∣der of their Matriculation: Excepting alwayes the Fresh-men or new Com∣ers, who may be excused from Propositions and Publick Disputations for Six Moneths time, or one year, at the Discretion and Judgment of the Professors.

14. The Divinity Theses for Publick Disputation shall be very brief, yet comprehending, if possible, a full common place: However without load∣ing them with Objections, which may be offered in Dispute, nor with a long Scrol of Arguments, to confirm the Truth, for this would turn the Theses into Volumes.

15. The Student in Divinity that is to maintain a Thesis, before Dis∣putation shall make a brief Supposition in Latin discovering the Design and Tendency of the Thesis, thereby to exercise his Style, and render him∣self the more useful and accomplished.

16. The Scholars shall pass a free and modest Censure upon every Pro∣position in that self same Language in which it was delivered, and in the absence of the Proposan first by the Students in Divinity, next by the Professors and Pastors, and the Pastors and Divinity Professors each of them in their turn shall be Moderators of this Censure.

17. These said Students in Divinity may choose from among themselves a Pretor and Six Assessors, who shall keep the Catalogue of their Colleagues Names and every one in order give Notice of the time of his Exercises, and they may make by-Laws among themselves, which shall be ratified and approved by the University-Council, who also shall see to it, that every one of them do according to this present Order exercise themselves in Disputations and Propositions, and neglect no means for their growth and increase in Wisdom and Learning for their after-serviceableness.

18. All Students in Divinity shall be examined once a year, those at least who receive Pensions from the Provinces or particular Churches, that so we may have a more faithful and just account of them, and thereby to quicken them the more unto their Studies, and to a better improvement of their time and parts.

CHAP. XVIII. A Dividend made among all the Provinces of Two Hundred and Fifty Thousand Livres given by His Majesty to the Reformed Churches of France, and to be received this Ensuing Year, 1621. And the Years following, until the sitting of the next National Synod, according unto which the Lord of Candal shall make Payment of the said Summs, as was covenanted with him at the National Synod of GAP.

OUT of the Three first Quarters of the said Summ of Two Hundred Twenty Five Thousand Pound there must be distributed One Hun∣dred Sixty Eight Thousand, Seven Hundred and Fifty Livres in manner following.

	l.	s.	d.
To the University of Sedan	4000	00	00
To the Colledge of Gex taking in the 3600 l. gran∣ted the King	4300	00	00
To the University of Saumur	5190	00	00
To the University of Nismes	2236	00	00
To the University of Montauban	3151	00	00
To the Colledge of Bergerac	1200	00	00
To the University of Die	0600	00	00
A Supply of Maintenance to our Lords the Gene∣neral Deputies.	3300	00	00
1. To the Province of the Isle of France, Picardy, Champagne, Seventy One Portions for Fifty Pastors in Actual Service, One Church (another Copy reads Eleven Churches) to be provided for, Twelve Supernumerary Portions, Four Proposans, Two Pastors discharged, Two Supernumerary Portions for the Church of Langres, and Four Hundred Livres for the Colledge, in all Eleven Thousand, Three Hundred Thirty and Four Livres, Two Sous, and Two Deniers	11334	02	02

2. To the Province of Poictou for Sixty Portions, to wit for Forty Nine Pastors in Actual Service, Two Pa∣stors discharged, Two Pastors to be provided of Chur∣ches, Three Proposans, Two Supernumerary Portions, and Four Hundred for the Colledge, in all Nine Thou∣sand Six Hundred and Forty Livres, and Two De∣niers.	09640	00	02
3. To the Province of Lower Languedoc Seventy One Portions, viz. for Sixty Two Pastors in Actual Service, Two Pastors professing the Greek and Hebrew Tongues in the University of Nismes, an half supernumerary Por∣tion for Mr. Brunier Pastor of the Church of Ʋsez, an half Portion for the Church of Montfrin, an half Por∣tion for Gignac, one Emeritus, Three Proposans, and One and half supernumerary Portion, and Four Hun∣dred Livres for the Colledge, in all Eleven Thousand, Three Hundred, and Thirty Three Livres, and Eight Sous.	11333	08	00
4. To the Province of Orleans and Berry Forty Seven Portions, for Thirty Two Pastors in Actual Service, three Churches to be provided for, three Proposans, two supernumerary Portions for the Church of Sancerre, and seven supernumerary Portions for the whole Pro∣vince, Four Hundred Livres for the Colledge, in all Seven thousand six hundred thirty and eight Livres, three Sous, and eight Deniers.	07638	03	08
5. To the Province of Xaintonge Eighty Portions for Sixty three Pastors, in Actual Service, three Portions for Monsieur Welsh, Tholouse, Gabard, one Portion for Mon∣sieur Bonnet, which shall yet be payd him, though he ex∣ercise his Ministry in another Province, Eight Portions for Churches to be provided for, Five Proposans, and Relief for the poorer Churches, and Four Hundred Livres for the Colledge, in all Twelve thousand, Se∣ven Hundred and Nineteen Livres.	12719	00	00
6. To the Province of Burgundy Forty one Portions for twenty two Pastors in actual Service, two Churches to be provided for, one Pastor Emeritus, three supernume∣rary Portions particularly assigned to the Churches of Moulins, Paillac, and Maringues, Four Proposans, and Eight supernumerary Portions, one of which is to be payd in to Monsieur Perreauld Pastor of Mascon, One su∣pernumerary Portion for Monsieur Le Planche a Pastor Emeritus in the Province of Provence, and Four Hun∣dred Livres for the Colledge, in all Six thousand seven hundred and thirteen Livres, thirteen Sous.	06713	13	00

7. To the Province of Vivaretz Forty One Portions for Twenty Fight Pastors taking in Messieurs de Lubac and des Maretz, three Proposans, four Churches to be provided for, two Portions supernumerary for la Forrest, one for the Church of Vallon and la Gorce, one for Ville∣neusve in Bery, and by way of Vantage two supernume∣rary Portions more, and Four hundred Livres for the Colledge, in all, Six thousand seven hundred and thir∣teen Livres, thirteen Sous.	06713	13	00
8. To the Province of Anjou thirty six Portions for twenty seven Pastors in Actual Service, two Professors of Divinity, three Proposans, one supernumerary por∣tion for the Church of Veizins, for a Pastor Emeritus, and three supernumerary portions cast in as a vantage for the benefit and casing of the whole Province, in all Five thousand, five hundred forty and three Livres, four∣teen Sous.	05543	14	00
9. To the Province of Higher Languedoc a hundred and one portions for eighty Pastors in Actual Service, four Pastors Emeriti, a supernumerary portion for Monsieur Joly Pastor of Millaud, seven Proposans, nine supernumerary portions, with which particularly were to be relieved the Churches of Lectoure, Minerbois, Plai∣sance, Calvinet, and Foix, according to the Decrees of former National Synods, in all fifteen thousand, five hundred fifty and three Livres, two Sous.	15553	02	00
10. To the Province of Lower Guyenne, Eighty five portions for Sixty eight. Pastors in Actual Service, five Proposans, one portion for the Church of Bourdeaux, two portions for the Sieur Bustonoby, eleven portions for Churches unprovided, and to refresh the bowels of the Poor, and three hundred Livres for the gathering of a Church in the Land of La Bour, in all, thirteen thousand three hundred eighty and nine Livres, seventeen Sous, and nine Deniers.	13389	17	09
11. To the Province of Sevennes Sixty five Portions for Fifty three Pastors, impowering alwayes the said Province to make those portions equal unto all the Pa∣stors, there being a greater number of them, than have portions, One Church to be provided for, five portions for the Churches of Issoyre and the upper Auvergne, one portion and an half for Monsieur Scoffier a Pastor Emeritus, three Proposans, a supernumerary portion for Maruejols, and Four hundred Livres for the Colledge, in all, Ten thousand, four hundred and Nine Livres, and nine Sous.	10409	09	00

12. To the Province of Normandy, Fifty seven Por∣tions for seven and forty Pastors in Actual Service, two Churches to be provided for, a supernumerary portion for the Church of Quillebeauf, six Proposans, six portions supernumerary, and four hundred Livres for the Col∣ledge, in all, nine thousand one hundred seventy eight Livres, three Sous, and eight Deniers.	09178	00	80
13. To the Province of Provence, twenty three Por∣tions for fourteen Pastors in Actual Service, two Churches to be provided for, seven supernumerary portions, where∣of one goeth to the Church of Puymichel, one to that of Velaux, and one to that of Luc, and the half one to the Church of Baux, and Four hundred Livres for the Col∣ledge, in all, three thousand nine hundred forty and one Livres, sixteen Sous.	03941	16	00
14. To the Province of Britain twenty two portions for eleven Pastors Actually in Service, one Church to be provided for, two Proposans, eight supernumerary por∣tions, whereof one shall be given to the Church of Nantz, and Four hundred Livres for the Colledge, in all three thousand seven hundred eighty and seven Livres, sixteen Sous, and eight Deniers.	03787	16	08
15. To the Province of Dolphiny, One hundred and five portions, viz. to Eighty six Pastors, eight Propo∣sans, ten supernumerary portions, out of which there shall be given to the Church of Ambrun one, to Barraux one, to the Church of Guillestre one, one to the Church of Romans, one and half to the Church of Tulette, and Four hundred Livres to the Colledge, and one portion more assigned to Mr. Gaspar Martyn, in all Sixteen thousand, five hundred sixty and nine Livres, two Sous, and six Deniers.	16569	02	06
To Monsieur de la Coste	00154	00	00
To Monsieur du Bois	00154	00	00
The Total Summ of these three First Quarters	168750	00	00

Out of the last Quarter of the said Summ of Two Hundred Twenty Five Thousand Two Hundred and Fifty Livres there belongeth.

	l.	s.	d.
To the Province of the Isle of France	4403	03	07
To Poictou	3721	00	00
To Lower Languedoc	4403	03	08
To the Province of Orleans and Berry	2914	15	08
To the Province of Xaintonge	4962	06	08
To Burgundy	2542	13	08
To the Province of Vivaretz	2542	13	08
To the Province of Anjou	2232	12	00
To the Higher Languedoc	6263	13	08
To the Lower Guyenne	5271	08	04
To the Province of Sevennes	4031	01	04
To Normandy	3534	19	00
To Provence	1426	07	08
To Britain	1364	07	04
To Dolphiny	6511	15	00
To Monsieur de la Coste	0062	00	04
To Monsieur du Bois	0062	00	04
The whole Summ of October Quarter	56250	00	00

CHAP. XIX. The Accompt of the Lord Candal Receiver General of the Moneys given by the King unto the Reformed Churches of France, and the Dividend of the said Moneys as it was Ordered and Decreed in the National Synod of ALEZ, in the Moneths of October and November, of the Year 1620.

1 THE Sieurs Bouchereau Pastor, de la Begaudiere, Joly de Bedennes, Bernard and du Puy Elders having been Commissionated by this National Synod to Audit and Examine the Lord of Candal's Accompt, they made report, that the Lord du Candal had charged himself Debtor for Receipt on his last Accompt to the last National Synod in the Summ of One and Thirty thousand, nine Hundred thirty and five Livres, fourteen Sous, and Seven Deniers.

2. Moreover, that he charged himself with the Summ of Fifty four thousand six hundred Livres for October Quarter in the Year 1616. And for Nine thousand six hundred Livres, being part of the two and twenty thousand five hundred Livres of the Augmentation Moneys granted us by His Majesty at the Treaty of Loudun.

3. Item, He chargeth himself with the Summ of One Hundred fourscore and five Livres, seven Sous, and two Deniers for the Arrears of Moneys which were left in his hand by the Synod of Vitre.

4. And that he had made Reprisal of Fifteen thousand four hundred ninety and eight Livres, seven Sous, and six Deniers out of the half Quar∣ter of October in the Year 1615, and of twelve thousand one hundred and sixty Livres, sixteen Sous out of the October Quarter in the Year 1616, because he could never get the Bills payd, which had been given him, for that the Receivers General had been discharged.

5. He is found Debtor on the Remains of this Accompt the Summ of three thousand two hundred forty and five Livres, nineteen Sous, four Deniers, and saith that this Debt ariseth out of the three thousand Livres which the Synod of Vitre had ordained for printing the Learned Works of Reverend Chamier, and from one hundred fourscore and five Livres, seven Sous and two Deniers, which were on Accompt, and forborne in the Synod of Vitre under the Name of the Deputy of Xaintonge; to whom they were never payed.

6. Which said Summ of three thousand two hundred forty and five Livres, nineteen Sous, nine Deniers, he will free and discharge himself as soon as demanded.

7. And whereas in the said Accompt given in at Vitre there was forborn the said Lord of Candal the Summ of Sixty thousand five hundred and five Livres, fourteen Sous, one Denier, including in it the one hundred, four∣score and five Livres, seven Sous, and two Deniers, as above, now he bringeth in an Acquittance for the said Summ of Sixty thousand five hundred and five Livres, fourteen Sous and one Denier, therefore the for∣bearance and Debt of the said Accompt yielded at Vitre are most effectually payed off and discharged.

8. And the said Commissioners did justifie that the said Lord of Candal had charged himself with the Debt of Six hundred eighteen thou∣sand seven hundred and fifty Livres, for which he hath given credit in the years 1617, 1618, and in the three first Quarters of the Year 1619: But upon Examination of his Accompt, we find that he hath payed in more than was due by ten Sous and six Deniers, whereof he shall be reim∣burst on the Debt.

9. But yet he holds by forbearance on Accompt the Summ of Four thousand twenty nine Livres seven Sous, and six Deniers under the Names of the Commissioners of Provence, the University of Sedan, and of the Sieurs du Bois and du Fresne, whose Acquittances he must produce at the next National Synod.

CHAP. XX. The Account of Moneys ordered by the National Synod of ALEZ to be payd by the Lord of Candal out of the Summ of Three Thou∣sand Two Hundred Forty and Five Livres, Nineteen Sous, Nine De∣niers, for which he is indebted on his last Accompt brought in to that Synod.

	l.	s.	d.
TO Monsieur Scoffer a Minister Emeritus for this present Year 1620. An half Portion ordered him by the National Synod of Vitre.	0114	05	00
To Monsieur du Fresne, for what was given him in lieu, of his Pension, and assigned at the Synod of Vitre.	0300	00	00
To the Commissioner of the Province of Vivaretz for the Church of Privas the Summ of	0600	00	00
To the Sieur Giraud formerly a Pastor in the Synod of Xaintonge the Summ of	0060	00	00
To Monsieur des Maretz Pastor in the Province of Vivaretz the Summ of	0045	00	00
To Monsieur de la Coste	0300	00	00
To Monsieur Laurens Pastor of la Bastide in Vivaretz the Summ of	0200	00	00
To the Commissioner of the Province of Xaintonge for what was owing the said Province by forbearance in the Accompt at Vitre.	0185	07	02
To the Sieurs N.N. the Summ of 846 l. 11 s. 1 d. which they did immediately distribute by Order of that Synod unto several very poor and indigent Ministers.	0846	11	01
Again unto Monsieur de la Coste, over and above the 168 l. which Monsieur de la Riviere payd into the said Lord of Candal 32 Livres, to complete the Summ of two hundred	0032	00	00
To Solpitius Cuper Deputy to the said Lord of Candal the Summ of	0400	00	00

To the said Lord of Candal for what remained due unto him in the heel of his Accompt brought in at the said Synod of Vitre, ten Sous, and six Deniers.	0000	10	06
To the said Lord of Candal for his Taxations of a Sol in the Livre of the said Summ of three thousand two hundred forty five Livres, nineteen Sols, and nine Deniers, which he will pay without any dedu∣ction, the Summ of	0142	06	00
The total Sum is Three thousand two hundred forty five pounds, nineteen shillings and nine pence, equal with the Debt of the said Lord du Candal; which be∣ing payed off the said Lord is acquitted, and his Debt discharged.	3245	19	0

8. The Province of the Isle of France, Normandy, Higher Languedoc and Anjou, demanding that the Priviledge of Calling the next National Synod might be granted to them, this Assembly did bestow it upon the Isle of France. But the said Province is desired to consider well before∣hand whether that the Deputies unto it may be safely and commodiously lodged; which if they cannot do, they shall give Notice thereof unto the Province of Higher Languedoc, who shall in that case have the Right of calling it devolv'd upon them. And as to the time of meeting for the said Synod it is designed in May next two years hence, unless any of the Provinces together with the Lords General Deputies should think it need∣ful either to hasten or defer it, whereof they shall give timely Notice un∣to the Isle of France, as also of those important Reasons for their so doing. But it shall not be held in the year 1623.

CHAP. XXI. The Catalogue of Apostates and Deposed MINISTERS.

1 DAniel Bourguignon formerly Pastor in the Church of Dolot and la Selle, having revolted from the profession of the Truth was Deposed from the Holy Ministry by the Provincial Synod of Orleans and Berry, held at Argenton in the Year 1617. He is about forty years old, red favoured, Copper-Nos'd, of a Laughing Countenance, a little stooping, Gore-bellied Fellow, of a Middle Stature, and Black Beard.

2. Peter Marcha styling himself du Pras, born at Annonay in Vivaretz, an Apostate, about Six and thirty years old, heretofore Pastor in the Church of St. Stephens in Forest, tall of Stature, Chestnut-colour'd Hair, Head lifted up, he was deposed for Adultery by the Province of Vivaretz.

3. John Pressac, alias Martin, born at Montauban, formerly Minister in the Church of Brieteste in Albigeois, an Apostate, of mean Stature, about thirty years old, he hath little eyes, sunk deep into his Head, and purblind, brown Chestnut Hair, pale Visag'd, great Nose, rash and haughty in speaking.

4. N. Laurens, an Apostate born at Montpellier, a little dwarfish Fellow, about thirty years old, bald headed, black Beard, little Eyes, great Lips, pale-Visag'd, formerly Pastor in the Church of Aymargues, in Lower Lan∣guedoc, publickly accused of Adultery.

5. Hector Joly formerly Pastor in the Church of Montauban, in the Higher Languedoc, about Nine and forty years old, pretty tall of Stature, black Hair'd was deposed by this Synod for the hainous Crime of Forni∣cation.

6. Stephen Giraud, heretofore Pastor of the Church of Gemauzac in Xaintonge, about two and thirty years old, high enough of Stature, black Hair, red Fac'd, his Eyes sunk into his Head, was deposed by the Synod of Xaintonge with hopes given him, and a promise of being restored; but he was totally deprived and deposed by this Synod for Drunkenness, Adultery, and Theft.

7. John Cottelier sometimes Minister in the Church of Nismes in the Lower Languedoc, about Five and thirty years, little of Stature, but a well compacted Fellow, bald headed, black Hair, scarce any Beard, high Forehead, he was deposed for Fornication and other Crimes.

8. Paul Daude formerly Minister in the Church of St. John of Gardo∣nenque Deposed by the Sentence of the Provincial Synod of Sevennes, and his Deposition was confirmed in this for divers notorious Crimes; he is a Fellow about two and thirty years of Age, of a flaxen colour'd Hair, red Beard, a long and ghastly Visage, great Nose, Ferrets Eyes, sunk deep in∣to his Head, and yet poreing upon the Earth, and short of Stature.

9. N. Philippin, born at Newcastle in Switzerland, tall enough, and great necked, red Beard, a bald uplifted Head, wide, open Nostrils, lame of his right hand; he was sometimes Pastor of the Church of Chasteau Dauphin, but interdicted the Ministry for divers Natural Infirmities by the Synod of Dolphin, and now a Vagabond.

Done and Decreed in the National Synod of Alez (which sate from the First day of October, till the Second of December,) 1620.

Signed in the Original by

• du Moulin Moderator.
• Brunier Assessor.
• Vignier Scribe.
• Papillon Scribe, and by all the rest of the Deputies

The Synod of Alez began on a Thursday, and ended on a Wednesday. The Original was lodged in the Archives of Rochell.

Notes

• 1620. The 23th. Synod.
• Vitre. Act 4. after the List of the Depu∣tyes.
• Privas, Act. 1. after the Names of the Deputyes.
• But he som∣time after re∣volted.
• The same Oath was Enacted at Tenneins 1014.
• St. Maixant Observat. 2.
• Two other Copies read, our Provinces.
• 1 Paris Act. 34. Orleans Act. 5.
• Ste Foy. Act. 7.
• Ste Foy. Act. 7.
• In the Dis∣cipline Prin∣ted at Que∣ville 1663. It is the 19. Act. in 3. other Copies that I have 'tis the 20. Act.
• †

  See in the the Acts of the Synod of Privas, Ob∣servat. 2. up∣on the Disci∣plie.
• In the Disci∣pline printed at Queville 16. It is the 20. In the latter Editi∣ons it is the 21. Act.
• Ste Foy Act 9.
• Above the 1. Synod of Rochell. Ob∣serv. 59.
• See Synod of Orleans. Act. 22.
• Paris 1. Act. 29.
• 〈◊〉〈◊〉 observ. 〈◊〉〈◊〉 upo•• the 〈…〉〈…〉.
• 2 P•••••• Ob••arv. 2. upon the Synod of ••••••••ins.
• 2. Vitre. Ap∣peal. 2.
• 2. Vitre g•• m. 6 Below of Univers. 12.
• 2. Vitre. g.m. 17. 2 Vitre. g. m. 21.
• 2. Vitre. g. m. 31.
• 2. Vitre. g. m. 38.
• 2. Vitre. p. m. 17.
• 2 Vitre. p. m. 18.
• 2. Vitre. p. m. 22.
• 2. Vitre. p. m. 26.
• 2. Vitre. p. m. 21.
• 2. Vitre. g. m. 41.
• •• Vitre. Ap∣p••••l. 9.
• 2. Vitre. Of Universities. 14. Aelow of Univers. Act. 12.
• 〈…〉〈…〉
• See below in the Catalogue of Apostates and Deposed, Act. 9.
• See below in the Catalogue of the Apo∣states and Deposed.
• A Canon made against those Chur∣ches who fill their Consi∣stories with Persons near∣ly related by blood or Affi∣nity each to other.
• See the List of the Depo∣sed, Act. 9.
• See below in the Catalogue of Deposed Ministers, Act 7. of this Cottelier.
• See concer∣ning this Tuffan the 2d. Synod of Charenton, in the Catalogue of Apostates.
• 2 Vitre. g. m. ••.
• 2 Vitre. g. m. 4.
• St. Maixant. Observ. 2.2 Vitre. g. m. 11.
• 〈◊〉〈◊〉 Maxiant Ob••ervat▪ 5. on the former Sy••••••.
• 1 〈…〉〈…〉 2.
• Poictiers. g. m. 21.
• Privas Ob∣servat. 9. up∣on the Disci∣pline.
• 1. Paris. 2.
• 3. Rochel. Ob∣servat. 17. 2. Vitre. Observat. 10.
• 1. Rochel. Ob∣serv. 18.
• St. Maixant. Appeal. 16.
• Montauban. g. m. 46.
• 2. Pa••is 2. 2. Vitre. 2. Observa•• up∣on the Disci∣pline.
• See the Excommunicat. 〈◊〉〈◊〉 J••••emy Fer••••er in the ••nd of the Synod of T••••nei••s.
• Privas g. m. 15.
• 2 Vitre. Ob∣serv. on the former.
• Gap. p. m. 18 3. Rochell.
• Of this Joly see Castres. AA. 50. Of Appeals. Catalogue of Depositions. Act. 9.
• See App. 24.
• 2 Vitre. g. m. 28.
• Vigeac. 33.
• 2. Vitre. Act. 16.
• 2. Vitre. p. m. 20.
• See above 12. Observat. upon the Dis∣cipline.
• 2. Vitte. p. m. 8,
• 2. Vitre. Ap∣peals.
• 2. Vitre. Act. 17. Of the Dividend.
• See of this Jacornai in the Roll of Apostates in the Synod of Castres.
• See the First Synod of Charinton. Observ. 18. upon this Synod.
• Tonneins of Univers. 6. 2. Vitre. Of Univer. 16.
• 2. Vitre. Of Univers. Act. 29.
• See of this Giraud in the Roll of Apo∣states in the Synod of Castres.
• This Fellow was a most malicious and mischie∣vous Apo∣state. A right Turn-Turk