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.

SECT. XIX.

This Edict was observed even as all others which had been given by the former Kings, no farther than it pleased them. Many Complaints were brought in by their Deputies of its Non-performance and Violations. Some small Redresses of their many Grievances, to stop their mouths, were now and then given them. But Lewes dying in the Year 1642, and this present King succeeding his deceased Father, there was a Declaration in their fa∣vour published by the Queen Regent and Council in his Name, July 8. 1643.

And the Reformed having stood by him in those difficult times, (when the late Prince of Condé designed for the Crown) and secured it upon his head, this important Service drew from him the ensuing Edict, given at St. Germans en Laye, May 21. 165••.

The Declaration of Louis the Fourteenth confirming the Edicts of Paci∣fication,

Given at St. Germans in Laye, May 21. 1652.

LOUIS, by the grace of God King of France and Navarre,

To all Per∣sons who shall see these Presents, Greeting.

The late King, our most honoured Lord and Father, whom God absolve, having acknowledged, that it was most needful for preserving the Kingdoms peace, that his Sub∣jects of the pretended Reformed Religion should be maintained in the full and intire enjoyment of those Edicts made in their favour, and that they should enjoy the free exercise of their Religion; did therefore take a most especial care by all convenient means to hinder their being troubled in the enjoyment of those Liberties, Prerogatives and Priviledges granted them by those said Edicts; and having to this purpose immediately upon his coming unto the Crown by his Letters Patents, dated May 22. 1610. and since his Majority by his Declaration of the 20th of November, 1615. de∣clared, that he would that those said Edicts should be executed, that so he might thereby ingage his said Subjects to continue in their Duty. Now we following the example of so great a Prince, and imitating him in his good∣ness, we are willing to do the like: Having for those very same Motives and Considerations by our Declaration of the Eighth of July, 1643. willed and ordained, that our said Subjects of the pretended Reformed Religion shall enjoy all Grants, Priviledges and Advantages, especially the free and full exercise of their said Religion, according to the Edicts, Declarations and Orders made on this account for them. And for as much as our said Subjects of the said pretended Reformed Religion have given us certain proofs of their affection and fidelity, particularly on those occasions which occur'd unto them, to our very great satisfaction, Be it known, that we for these Causes, and at the most humble Petition presented to us by those our said Subjects professing the said pretended Reformed Religion; and after that we had caused it to be debated in our presence, and with our Council, We, by their advice, and from our certain knowledge, and Royal Autho∣rity, have commanded, declared and ordained, and we do command, de∣clare and ordain, and 'tis our will and pleasure, that our said Subjects of the pretended Reformed Religion shall be maintained and preserved, as in∣deed we do now maintain and preserve them in the full and entire enjoy∣ment of the Edict of Nantes, other Edicts, Declarations, Decrees, Articles, and Warrants, done and dispatched in their favour, registred in Parlia∣ments, and Chambers of the Edict, particularly in the free and publick exercise of the said Religion in all those places in which it was accorded them, notwithstanding all Letters and Decrees either of our Council, or of the Sovereign Courts, or other Judgments to the contrary. We willing that the transgressors of those our Edicts shall be punished and chastised as distur∣bers of the publick peace. And we command our beloved and faithful Offi∣cers in our Courts of Parliament, Chambers of the Edict, Bailiffs, Senes∣chals, their Lieutenants, and other our Officers to whom it shall appertain, every one in his place, that they do cause these Presents to be registred, read, and if need be, published; and that the Contents of them be kept, observed and maintained according to their form and tenor. And because there will be need of this present Declaration in many and divers places, we will, that unto Copies duly collationed by one of our beloved and faithful Counsellors and Secretaries there shall be as much faith given as to this pre∣sent

Original. For such is our pleasure. In testimony whereof we have caused our great Seal to be put unto these Presents.

Given at St. Germain in Laye, the 21st day of May, and in the Year of Grace 1652. And of our Reign the Tenth.

Signed, LOƲIS. And a little lower,
By the KING.
Phelippeaux. And sealed with the great Seal.