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.

CHAP. XIX. The Protestation of the National Synod upon the Conjunction of the Churches of Bearn with those of France in Church-Discipline, and their Submission to the Authority of our National Synods.

4. IN like manner the Synod did solemnly protest, that they never had any such Intention or Design, as to withdraw his Majesty's Subjects from their Obedience, either to the Laws of his Majesty, or of his Royal Predecessors, nor to ordain any new Judges or Degrees of Appeals, nor to make any Innovations in the least Jot or Tittle to their Prejudice; much less was it in our Thoughts to conjoin the Churches of Bearn to these of France, without his Majesty's Permission; but we did, as in Duty bound, believe it a thing already granted by his Majesty; His Majesty having expresly declared in his Answer to the Cahier from the Assembly of Gre∣noble, and renewed in the Conference at Loudun, that he would allow and be well-pleased with the said Conjunction, as soon as Bearn should be re∣united unto the Crown of France, which was actually effected in the Year 1620.

5. Upon Report made by the Deputies of the Isle of France, of their Care and Pains taken to recover the manuscript Works of Monsieur du Tilloy deceased, from them into whose Hands they are now fallen, and the Unlikelihood of their ever being published: The Assembly was well satisfied with the Indeavours and Inquiries of the said Province.

6. Upon the Remonstrance of the Province of Anjou, the Printers of Geneva, Sedan and Saumur are advised to print most correctly the Cate∣chisms, Confession of Faith, and Liturgy of our Churches, and to see that all the Editions of them do intirely agree one with another, that so we may have no more Complaints against them for the future, about their Omissions and Negligence herein.

7. Although the Church of Rochechouard doth of right belong unto the Province of Poictou, yet because of the Weakness of the Colloquy of Li∣mouzin, which requireth that the said Church be joined to it: This As∣sembly ordaineth, that the Decree made in the 25th National Synod held at Castres, shall be observed; and that the Deputies of Bearn, as they re∣turn homeward by the Way of Limoges and Rochechouard, shall take Cog∣nizance of the Differences which have hapned between Monsieur Barthe

and the Consistory of Limoges, of which they shall give an Account unto the next National Synod.

8. Whereas by reason of the late Troubles, and the Difficulties of the present Day, the Sieurs Chauve and Bouteroue, (who were commissio∣nated by the National Synod of Castres, to pass over unto the Provincial Synod of Provence) have not been called to it: This Assembly ordaineth that that particular Pastor of Provence, who is charged with the Power of summoning the next Synod in that Province, shall give seasonable No∣tice of the Time and Place of its Meeting, that so they may assist at it, and execute the Commission which was given them.

9. The Synod of Sevennes shall give account unto the next National Synod of the Conduct of Mr. Repasseau, and of his Carriage and Actings in the Church of Paillac, which he quitted and forsook during the times of the late Commotions.

10. The Province of the Isle of France and Church of Paris, having re∣lated their Proceedings with Monsieur Richer, formerly Pastor in the Church of Vandieres: This Assembly applauding the Charity of the said Province, and particularly of the Church of Paris towards him, doth confirm the Judgment denounced against him by the said Province for his Levity and evil Conversation, notwithstanding the long-continued In∣dulgence of that Province to him.

11. Forasmuch as the Colloquy of Ambrun was not in a Capacity of taking Cognizance of the Cause of Mr. Genoyer, which was recommend∣ed to them by the National Synod of Castres: This Assembly commissio∣nates the Colloquy of Gapensois, finally to determine that matter.

12. This Assembly having read the Censure past on Monsieur Persy, and ordained that it should be razed out of the Acts of the National Sy∣nod of Castres, doth commissionate the Provincial Deputies of Higher Languedoc in their Return homeward, to pass by Monflanquin, and to take Cognizance of the Fact mentioned in the Acts of the Synod of Lower Guyenne: And in case the said Deputies cannot execute their Commissi∣on, they shall give notice of it unto their Province, which is impowered in that case to pronounce a final Sentence.

13. Although the Deputies of Lower Languedoc have faithfully inform∣ed this Assembly how that through the rich and soveraign Mercy of God, Monsieur Peyrat was preserved from the very Brink and Precipice of De∣struction, unto which his many Infirmities and sore Temptations had most lamentably exposed him, and declared the Course which the Synod of the said Province had took with him in order to his Recovery, and Re-establishment in the Exercise of his Ministerial Office; yet doth it ne∣vertheless grievously censure the Provincial Synod for proceeding to his Restoration contrary to the usual and accustomed Forms, and Neglect of the Canons of our Church-Discipline.

14. Monsieur Aymard, Deputy of the Province of Sevennes unto the National Synod of Castres, having not discharged the Commission given him by the said Synod: This Assembly censuring both the said Aymard for his Neglect, and the Province of Sevennes for not calling him to an Account for it, doth confirm the Judgment passed by the Provincial Sy∣nod of Lower Languedoc against Mr. Tustan.

15. This Assembly judging the Neglect of the Province of Sevennes worthy of a most grievous Censure, ordains, that the Act made in the National Synod of Castres against Monsieur Bony, shall abide in full force: And whereas the Colloquy of Montpellier hath took Information of the Facts proposed, but not decided in the aforesaid Synod; it is now fully impowered to proceed against the said Bony, according to the Disci∣pline, in case he be found guilty; and if hereafter there be a Default of

rendring an account of Commissions given to the said Province by the National Synods, the Moderators of those Provincial Synods shall be sus∣pended from their Office.

16. The Province of Berry had Audience given them as to those Mat∣ters of their Complaints and Petitions. And this Assembly ordaineth, that the Decree of the National Synod of Castres shall stand good, and that the other past in the Provincial Synod held at Chastillon upon Loir; shall be razed out of the Body of their Synodical Acts.

17. The Synod not being able to change any thing in that Canon of the National Synod of Castres concerning Monks, exhorteth the Provin∣ces to practise it with all possible Prudence and Charity.

18. The Printers of Geneva and Sedan shall be informed by the Church of Paris exactly to observe the Citations already added, or that may be hereafter added to the Margents of our Confession of Faith.

19. Forasmuch as divers Difficulties are started about the observation of that Canon made in the last National Synod of Castres, which ordered that ancient Pastors should always be preferr'd before Scholars, who were demanded by particular Churches to be ordained Ministers unto them: This Assembly taking off the Commination pronounced, in case of Diso∣bedience to that Canon, against the Moderators of Colloquies and Pro∣vincial Synods, and mollifying it in that part thereof, which imposeth a precise necessity of giving the Preference unto Pastors, doth yet notwith∣standing exhort the Provinces to observe this Ordinance as much as possi∣bly they can, and not to quit it but at such times whenas they shall be constrained by an evident and most urgent Necessity so to do.

20. Noah Gaultier deposed by the Synod of Burgundy, appeared in Person before this Assembly, and demanded his Restitution unto the Sa∣cred Ministry, presupposing that he had appealed hither, but could not get out his Appeal which he designed against the Sentence past upon him: The Assembly being fully informed as well of the Causes for which he was put into the Roll of the Deposed, as of his Actings against the said Province, rejected his Petition.

21. George Arband presenting himself before this Assembly, and im∣portunately desiring to be restored unto his Ministry, from which he had been deposed by the National Synod of Castres: he was told by the Mo∣derator in open Synod, that there would be nothing altered in the Sen∣tence past upon him, but that it should abide still in force against him.

22. Now that according to the Decree of the last National Synod of Castres, this Assembly proceeded to examine the Reasons brought by the Deputies of the Provinces upon that Question, Whether it be lawful and expedient to administer Baptism on Days of ordinary common Prayers, whenas there is no Sermon preached, and all of them had been duly pon∣dered and debated; the Assembly did at last conclude, That a Sermon preached either before or after Baptism, was not of the Essence of that Sacrament, but only a Matter of Order, whereof the Church might de∣termine; and therefore the respective Churches and Provinces are left unto their respective Usages and Customs, provided that they be such as, in their best and maturest Thoughts, will most contribute unto their edi∣fying.

23. This Synod ratifying the Judicial Sentence past by the Colloquy of Anduze in the Cause of Mr. du Cros and Raill, doth yet condemn those bitter Expressions used by Mr. du Cros in his Letter written against George Arbaud, after his Reconciliation with him.

24. The Lord Malet reporting the State of the Process against the Sieur Palot, was intreated to continue his Prosecutions vigorously, and not to suffer the Cause to be heard before any other Judges than the Lords

of his Majesty's most Honourable Privy-Council, because of the great Prejudice that would otherwise redound unto the Churches.

25. Although the Churches of this Kingdom have little cause of Sa∣tisfaction from the Province of Bearn, by reason of their dilatory Proceed∣ings in the Business of Mr. Mainuelle; yet forasmuch as it was granted the said Province, that all Judicial Sentences past by them to this day, should be valid and not liable to any Retraction; and for that the Church of Geneva doth not renew its Suit against the said Mainuelle, and seemeth thereby to have buried the Memory of that Fact, of which he was accu∣sed, in Oblivion; The Synod leaving the said Mainuelle to the Judgment of his own Conscience, doth injoin him for the future so to order his Conversation, that there may be no just Occasions given of new Com∣plaints against him.

26. All the Provinces are injoined carefully to observe and practise the 6th Canon in the Observations of the 24th National Synod held at Cha∣renton in the Year 1623, upon our Discipline, and that 5th Canon in the Chapter of Particular Matters in the Synod of Castres; and by all lawful and possible means to reduce them unto their Duty, who cause their Chil∣dren to be instructed by the Priests of the Romish Church, or send them to the Colledges of Jesuits.

27. In case his Majesty shall be pleased to continue the Grant of his wonted Liberality unto the Churches, out of the Dividend of the Pro∣vince of Provence, there shall be first taken out the Monies granted unto Monsieur Durie by the National Synod of Castres; and the said Province shall be accomptable to him for it from the very first day of his Establish∣ment in the Church of Beauvoysin.

28. The Difference between the Provinces of Xaintonge and Poitou, shall be referred unto the next Colloquy of the Synod of Anjou, which is also impowered to conjoin the Church of Saveilles with that of Villefaig∣nan, in case they shall judg that of Chefboutonné, whereunto the said Church of Saveille is now joined, may subsist of it self.

29. Forasmuch as since the Decree of the National Synod of Castres concerning Monsieur Casaux, five Years are now lapsed, and the Province of Higher Languedoc hath not in all this time re-demanded him; this As∣sembly bestoweth the said Casaux upon the Province of Lower Guyenne; and he shall continue his Ministry in that Church in which he hath hi∣therto served, as their own appropriated Pastor.

30. According to that Decree of the National Synod of Castres, the Churches of Auvergne shall carry their Declaration unto the next Synod of Higher Languedoc, who shall determine whether they be able to com∣pose a new Colloquy: And in the mean while, the Province of Burgundy shall continue their Care and Charity to the Church of Paillas, in like manner as it hath done in Times past.

31. The Colloquy of Albigeois shall exert all their Power, that the De∣cree of the National Synod of Castres be executed against those Ministers in the Province of Higher Languedoc, who reside not in their Churches, and shall apply meet Censures to the Transgressors of the 13th Canon in the first Chapter of our Discipline, and that by the Authority of this As∣sembly.

32. The Monies promised unto Monsieur Chamier, Pastor of the Church of Montlimard, by the National Synod of Castres, towards the printing of those excellent Works of his most learned Father, now with God, shall be effectually paid in unto him; but I fear it was never done.

33. The Provinces are exhorted to revise their Collections, who have compiled the Articles of our National Synods into a Body, that so there may be out of them made an Extract of such important Matters as ex∣plain

the Canons of our Church-Discipline; and they shall make Report hereof unto the next National Synod.

34. Letters shall be written to Monsieur de Sommaise (Salmasius) to intreat him, that he would devote his Studies and Pains to the Service of God's Church, and that he would travel in the Examination and Confu∣tation of the Annals of Cardinal Baronius.

35. That Act promoting Monsieur de Garissoles to the Profession of Divinity in the University of Montauban, having been presented by the Deputies of Higher Languedoc, was confirmed: And this Assembly con∣firmeth the said Mr. Garissoles in his Professorate, and intirely approved of what was done in this Matter by the Commissioners who did examine him.

36. This Assembly ratifying the Judgment passed by the Consistory of Alez in the Cause of Monsieur Desmarais, which was dismissed to them by the National Synod of Castres, decreeth, That out of the first Monies belonging to the Province of Vivaretz, shall be retained part of the Sum due by the said Province unto the said Desmarais, that so he may be so far satisfied.

37. According to the Decree of the National Synod of Castres, out of the first Monies to be received by the Churched for three Years, there shall be reprised by the Province of Xaintonge the thirteen Portions and an half granted to Mr. Bellot and Constans, and the Acquittances of those two Ministers shall be brought in, and delivered unto the Lord of Candall.

38. Complaint being made of the non-Execution of the 13th Canon, enacted in the 23d National Synod held at Alez in the Year 1620, about delivering the Cup at the Lord's Table by Pastors only, This Assembly judgeth the Province of Lower Languedoc to have incurr'd a Censure, for their over-much Indulgence unto the Churches of Montpellier and Nismes, who have not to this very day conformed to it: And it doth grievously censure the Consistories of those Churches, and enjoineth them for the future not to quit the Practice of the other Churches of this Kingdom, on pain of being prosecuted with all Ecclesiastical Censures.

39. Monsieur d'Huysseau craving the Execution of that Decree made by the National Synod of Castres, which had given him the Sum of two thousand five hundred Livers in compensation of his great Expences dis∣burs'd in the Suit against Monsieur Palot; The Assembly ordereth the Lord of Candall to pay him in the said Sum out of the first Monies which shall be divided among the Churches, who shall be accomptable to him for it, and deliver up unto him the Acquittance of the said Sieur d'Hu∣ysseau.

40. Forasmuch as Mr. Roques hath not presented himself before this Assembly, to render accompt of the Monies received by him out of the Collection permitted by his Majesty for the Cities of Rochel, Montauban and Castres; the Province of Lower Guyenne is charged to cite him unto their next Synod, and to examine and finish his Accompts by the Autho∣rity of this Assembly.

41. The Memoirs sent by the Sieurs Mizauban and Grenouilleau, Com∣missioners appointed by the National Synod of Castres to visit the Chur∣ches of Soulés and Labour, being read, and Mr. Guillemin Minister in the said Church of Labour, and the Provincial Deputies of Lower Guyenne and Bearn being heard; The Assembly ordains, That till such time as it shall please his Majesty to grant a settled Place for Religious Worship unto the Faithful dwelling in the Land of Labour, that the said Church shall con∣tinue joined to the Province of Bearn, that so it may be regularly visi∣ted: and till such time as it can subsist of it self, instead of three hun∣dred Livers which were granted by the former National Synods unto the

said Mr. Guillemin, he shall receive the yearly Sum of an hundred and fifty Livers: and the Scholar named Martill, having been examined in the last Synod of Bearn, and found meet and qualified to serve the Church of God in the Sacred Ministry, shall receive for his yearly Portion sixty Livers: and the Sum of seventy five Livers shall be paid in to the said Mr. Guillemin in Consideration of his Sickness only, by the Lord of Can∣dall; this Synod not being able to charge it self with the reimbursment of his Expences; because it judgeth it an unreasonable thing that Pastors should take long Journies upon none other Errand, than to present their Petitions unto the National Synods, which might as well, if not been better done, by inserting them into the Memoirs of the Deputies of those Provinces of which they be Members.

42. The Complaint of Stephen du Mas against Mr. Scoffier Pastor in the Church of Lunell, is dismissed over to the Consistory of Montpellier, which having heard both Parties, shall within one Month after the signification of this present Act by that Consistory, judg of the pretended Right of the said du Mas by Authority from this Assembly.

43. This Assembly ratifying the Decree of the National Synod of Ca∣stres, concerning Mr. Bicheteau. Pastor in the Church of Vrillac, and Pro∣sessor of the Hebrew Tongue in the University of Montauban, judgeth concerning his Demands notified by his Letters, as also by his Son decla∣ring them by word of Mouth, that they are not of their nature, which ought to be tendred unto the National Synods; yet in Consideration of his great Necessities and Losses, it was resolved that he should have a Token of this Assembly's Affection and Charity, which should be given him, whenas the Monies appertaining to the Churches came to be di∣vided.

44. The Letters of Dr. Andrew Rivet, Pastor and Professor of Divini∣ty in the famous University of Leyden, being read, a Decree past, That in the Answer which should be returned unto him, he should be intreat∣ed to continue his Care and Kindness to the Weal of our Churches. And whereas the laid Reverend Professor is upon the point of being settled in the House of his Excellency the Prince of Orange, and his Lordship the Lord Commissioner having remonstrated, that he could not be there esta∣blished without his Majesty's Licence, the Lord of Champvernon his Bro∣ther is intreated to give him notice thereof.

45. The Reverend Pastors of Xaintonge and the Lower Guyenne, who were appointed to examine the Works of Monsieur Blondell, having made an honourable Report of them, this Assembly commended the said Monsieur Blondell for his great Labour, Care and Exactness in so painful and important a Subject; and exhorts him continually to employ those excellent Gifts and Talents, which God hath so abundantly bestowed up∣on him, in clearing up the History of the five first Centuries: And whereas the last Synod of Castres had promised to bear the Charges of the Impression, this Synod doth now assure him, that he shall be fully satisfi∣ed in this Particular. And that the after-Writings of the said Mr. Blon∣dell may be strictly perused and examined, the Provincial Synod of the Isle of France is commissionated to do it, and to give their Licence and Approbation, that so they may be printed.

46. Upon hearing the Report of those Commissioners who were ap∣pointed to audit the Receivers Accompts of the Monies collected by his Majesty's Permission, the 7th of February 1626, for relieving the Neces∣sities of the Cities of Rochel, Montauban and Castres, they declared, that they had seen and examined that of Monsieur d'Huysseau for the Provinces of the Isle of France, Normandy, Berry, Anjou, Poitou, Brittain and Xaintonge; and his Receipt amounted to the Sum of sixty nine thousand

seven hundred and thirteen Livers, nineteen Sous, and six Deniers; and the Disbursment to sixty eight thousand six hundred and thirteen Livers, five Sous, and eight Deniers; so that there remains in the hands of the said Monsieur d' Huysseau, eleven hundred and forty Livers, thirteen Sous, and nine Deniers. The Assembly approving the said Audit, or∣ders that Monsieur d' Huysseau do pay in the said Debt unto the Lord of Candall, who shall divide it between the Churches of Montauban, Castres, and Rochel, proportionably to what they have already received, and may hereafter receive, according as it was regulated in the National Synod of Castres; in doing of which he shall be sufficiently acquitted and dischar∣ged of the Monies so received and disbursed by him; as he also is now thanked for his great Care, Pains and Diligence in his management and execution of the said Office of Receiver. And it was farther voted, that all his Acquittances sent unto the Churches, shall be restored to him, if possible it can be done; but if it cannot be, they are then de∣clared Null and Void.

47. Report being made unto this Assembly, by those Reverend Di∣vines who were commanded to peruse divers parts of that Treatise upon the Eucharist made by Mr. Faucheur; and how exceeding profitable this most Elaborate Work would be unto the Publick, by reason of its deep and curious Learning, the most worthy Author received the Thanks of the Synod for his singular. Diligence and Zeal for God's Glory, and Affe∣ction to the edifying of God's Church: And Messieurs de Croy, and Gi∣gord, Pastors of the Churches of Beziers and Montpellier, are ordered to revise it; that as soon as it hath past their Examination and Approbation, it may be immediately printed at the Costs of the Churches, according to the Intention of the National Synod of Castres.

48. Mr. Charron, Deputy from the Church of Bergerac, related the Causes which obstructed the restitution of their Colledg: Whereupon this Synod voted a Continuance of that same Supply which had been for∣merly granted them for its Support by the last National Synod of Castres, and exhorted them to use their best and utmost Endeavours that it may be restored betwixt this and the next National Synod. And in case they can effect it sooner, the Provincial Synod of Lower Guyenne is ordered to ac∣quaint the Lord of Candall with it, who shall pay in unto them the Mo∣nies granted by the Churches for the Maintenance of the said Colledg, proportionably to what he shall receive from the Monies of his Majesty's Liberality. The Synod likewise ordaineth, that till the said Colledg be restored, the four hundred Livers attributed to the Province of Lower Guyenne for its Colledg, and applied by the last National Synod to that of Nerac, shall be paid out of the same Fund, according to the Intention of the said Synod.

49. The Synod of Burgundy is ordered to examine the Accompts of Mr. Gros, who was commissionated to receive the Collection granted by his Majesty for the Cities of Rochel, Montauban and Castres; that so, upon the closing of them, they may send the residue of the Monies in his Hands unto the Lord of Candall; who, according to the Sum, shall divide it among those Churches, in the same manner as he did that of Monsieur d' Huysseau, and conformable to the Regulation made in the last Synod of Castres.

50. Mr. Du Bois, a Pastor discharged by the Province of Normandy, com∣plaining, that contrary to the Decree of the National Synod of Castres, the said Province, instead of reckoning with him for his Portion assign∣ed by the 24th National Synod held at Charenton in the Year 1623 unto him, had ordered that the free Portion granted him by that of Castres in the Year 1626, should be paid in unto him by the Receiver of the said

Province. The Assembly having heard the Report of the Commissioners nominated by it to examine his Pretensions, doth condemn the said Pro∣vince, for not having followed the Intentions of the said National Synod of Castres, and ordaineth, that out of the best and clearest Monies be∣longing to the said Province, there shall be detained the Sum of eight and fifty Livers, and fourteen Sous, in the hands of the Lord du Candall, who shall pay it unto the said Mr. Du Bois, he giving an Acquittance for it. And whereas he hath not touch'd a Denier of his free Portion given him by the National Synod of Castres, it shall be paid unto him, either by the Lord of Candall, or his Deputy in the Province of the Isle of France.

51. Whereas the first National Synod of Charenton in the Year 1623, had ordained four hundred Livers to be paid in to the Province of Higher Languedoc, now the Lord of Candall out of the first Monies that shall be distributed among the Churches, shall reimburse the said Province of that Sum.

Notes

• Another Copy writes Noel.