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. XI. Particular Matters.

1. THE Deputies of the Province of Berry complained against Monsieur du Prat Pastor of the Church of D'Angeau, that where∣as he hath been setled in their Province for above Six Years, yet in all this times he would never own the Authority of their Synod, nor sub∣mit himself unto it: This Assembly decreed, that he should appear in person at the next Synod of that Province, and give a Reason of this his Carriage, and undergo its Judgment; and in case he pretend any Grievance, he shall appeal unto the Synod of Anjou, who shall by Au∣thority from this Assembly take Cognizance and give Judgment in it; but till the meeting of that Synod of Anjou, he shall stand bound by the Judgment of that of Berry.

2. The Provincial Deputies of Normandy moving, that this Assembly would in their Wisdoms take some care to remedy those Disorders, which are fallen out in the Church of Alanson through the long continu∣ance of Elders in their Office: And a Memoir being read, containing the Requests of some certain Members of the said Church, that there might be a certain time limited when Elders should quit their Office,

that so they may not perpetuate themselves in it. This Assembly re∣manded back their Petition unto the Synod of Normandy, according to the Canon of the National Synod of Tonneins, which assigned the cognizance of such matters as these unto Provincial Synods, and that Provincial Synod shall take care in it according to their Pru∣dence, having first made an exact inquiry into the true state of the said Church.

3. Monsieur Gualtier, Pastor in the Province of Xaintonge, presented himself to this Assembly, declaring, that he had finished his work upon the Discipline of our Church,* 1.1 as he had written the last National Synod held at Charenton; and that he had another design in Hand, which was a Treatise of the Harmony of the Articles of our Confession of Faith, Liturgy and Church Discipline, with that of the ancient Church, and in special with the Decisions of the Councils of the Gallicane Church. The Assembly applauded his Zeal, and ordered him to apply himself unto his Province of Xaintonge, to which he shall produce his work, and they shall dispose of it according to the Canons of our Discipline. And in the mean while, he and his Labours were recommended unto God, praying that the Father of Lights would enrich him with all need∣ful gifts to the accomplishing of his great design, and to shour down his Heavenly Benediction upon his Person and Undertaking.

4. The Sieurs Priouleau, Pastor of the Church of Rochel, Berual El∣der, le Toncille, and de la Chapeliere, Heads of Families in the said City, appeared as Deputies from that Church, with a Petition unto this As∣sembly, requesting that Monsieur Gilbert, Pastor of the Church of Mesle might be conferr'd upon them as their Minister, and they back'd their Petition with very many and weighty Arguments. The Deputies of the Church of Mesle were heard, who did as importunately Petition that their Minister the aforesaid Monsieur Gilbert might be continued with them: And the Provincial Deputies of Poicton, persisting in that Resolve made in their last Synod of their Province, that they did not judge it any way fit to grant them their Request. Now although this Assembly doth highly value that Church of Rochel and it's Petitions, yet nevertheless, it doth not count it reasonable to deprive the Church of Mesle of a Pastor, who is so very useful and needful to them.

5. This Assembly did for divers causes thereunto moving them, with∣out intending it a Precedent for the future, receive the Informations given by one part of the Elders and Heads of Families in the Church of Calais, although they ought according to the Canons of our Dis∣cipline to have been carried unto the Synod of the Isle of France, and took cognizance of those Troubles wherewith that Church hath been agitated about the settling of a Second Pastor in it. The Sieurs Tricotel and Peter du Croix, a Deacon in the Quarter of Guisnes, and James Barrizeau, of the Lower Town of Calais, Deputies from another part of that Church, had audience given them; and there were read Let∣ters and Memoirs from Monsieur de Montigny Pastor, who was sent un∣to the said Church by the Synod held at Ay this present Year. The whole Affair having been heard and debated, a Decree past that the Sieur de Montigny, shall, if it so please him, exercise his Ministry in the said Church, till the meeting of the next Synod of that Province, which will be within Six Months at the farthest: And before that time, the Church of Calais shall choose a Pastor by plurality of Votes, in a lawful Assembly, called and directed by their Consistory, according to the or∣der of our Discipline, either fixing their choice upon the Sieur de Mon∣tigny, who received a most Honourable Testimony in this Assembly, or

upon any other, whom they shall judge most proper for their Edifying. And by th'Authority of this Assembly, one of the Pastors of Dieppe, and Monsieur Pinet, Pastor of the Church of Amiens, are ordered to take with them an Elder out of their respective Churches, and as soon as possible, to pass over to the Town of Calais, (the Church of that Place bearing their Charges,) and to do their utmost endeavours for the removal of those disorders in it, and for the sweetning and re∣uniting of their disturbed and divided Spirits, and to censure those that are unruly among them, and have incurred Censure according to our Discipline. And all and every particular Member of the said Church are injoyned to render unto the Sieurs Tricotell and de Mon∣tigny, and to their Consistory that Respect and Obedience which is due unto them.

6. The Assembly having heard the Sieur Baruel, Elder in the Church of Privas, speaking for Monsieur Accaurat, Pastor of the said Church, about those Differences betwixt him and the Province of Vivaretz, for payment of the Sallary owing to him for his Service done in the Churches of Valz and Albenas in the said Province; and the Depu∣ties of that Province being heard speak in its behalf, the Differences betwixt both those Parties were sent unto the Synod of Dolphiny, as being the next adjoyning Province, which shall put a full and final Period to them by th'Authority of this Assembly.

7. The Provincial Deputies of Vivaretz demanding that the Church of La Bastide de Virac, which was ever annexed unto that of La Gorce, and a Member of their Synod, but hath for some time since separated from them, and incorporated it self with the Province of Lower Lan∣guedoc, might be obliged to rejoyn it self unto the Province of Vivaretz, and to the said Church of la Gorce. The Assembly decreed that the Province of Vivaretz should address it self unto that of Lower Langue∣doc, and demand it of that Synod; and in case there be any Contesta∣tion about it, the Synod of Sevennes shall by the Authority of this Assem∣bly determine and put a final period unto those Differences.

8. Although the Church of Valence be situated in the Province of Dolphiny, yet shall it remain united with that of Soyon, according to that Decree of the National Synod of Alanson; and to regulate their Contributions for Maintenance of the Ministry, and other Charges of that Church, they shall apply themselves unto the Synod of Viva∣retz, and shall be discharged of all Contributions imposed on them by the Province of Dolphiny, that only excepted to the University of Die, unto which they have voluntarily and of their own accord yielded.

9. The Churches of Issoire, Paillac, Sirac, La Gazelle, and Joinctes, shall continue united to the Province of Burgundy. And whereas the Deputies of that Province, and those of Sevennes, have represented that those Churches are not of ability to maintain a Minister, and that this Assembly would express a noble act of Charity to make some kind of Provision for them, a Vote passed that there should be Yearly given to them for the Incouragement of their Minister, the Sum of Three Hundred Livres, which shall be thus payed, 50 l. by the Church or Paris, 40 l. by that of Rouen, 35 l. by that of Lion, 30 l. by that of Monepellier, 25 l. by that of Bourdeaux, 25 l. by that of Rochel, 20 l. by that of Caen, 20 l. by that of Castres, 20 l. by that of Grenoble, 15 l. by that of Nismes, 15 l. by that of Dieppe, and 10 l. by that of Mont∣limer. And these Churches are all ordered to send their respective Quo∣t••'s at Easter unto the Church of Lion, who shall see it paid in unto the Pastor, in actual Service of those aforesaid Churches of Issoire, Pail∣lac, &c. and the Church of Lion shall give an account of their Receipt

and Disbursment of the said Monies unto the Synod of Burgundy. And this Ordinance shall be in force till the Sitting of the next Natio∣nal Synod.

10. The Deputies of the Church of Rochell having been refused in their Demand of Monsieur Gilbert for their Pastor, informed this As∣sembly, that they had received new Orders to petition for another Minister. And the Assembly having nominated Two Pastors of their own Body to confer with them, and to find out some means for their satisfaction, and to provide for them according their desires; but there occurring insuperable Difficulties, in the way of supplying them from another Province, and the Committee ordered to confer with them, making their Report, that they did freely leave it unto the Judgment of this Assembly to bestow upon them any one of the Pastors in the Province of Xaintonge, who might be detach'd with the greatest ease from their Churches, and Travel most profitably in the Edifying of that of Rochell, which now declared that they would wholly acquiesce in such a Person as should be chosen and recommended by this Assem∣bly, they being not inclined to one more than unto another. The Na∣tional Synod receiving this their Proposition with great joy, doth now present unto the Church of Rochel, Monsieur Mesnil, formerly Minister in the Church of St. Just, to be the ordinary and peculiar Pastor of the Church of Rochell, he being now freed from his former care by the Judgment of this Colloquy. And this Assembly hopeth that he will be a very acceptable, useful Minister unto them. And till such time as that Church of St. Just can be provided of another Pastor, the Colloquy or Synod of the Province, shall take special care for their Supply, according to the Order established by the last provincial Synod.

11. The Assembly having heard Monsieur de Vaussoudan, Pastor of the Church at Saint Aignan, complaining on behalf of that, and the Church of Mans, of a Judgment past in the Provincial Synod of Normandy, held at Rouan, the Fifteenth of May, 1658, and the Days ensuing, which upon Letters written to him by the Synod of Anjou, and by the Church of Mans, had declared that Election void, which the Churches of Saint Aignan and Mans had made of Monsieur de L'arpents Son, to receive the Pension given by the Deceased Lady of La Haeran∣gere, for maintaining of a Proposan. They also heard the Sieur de la Croix du Val, Deputy from the Church of Alanson, together with the Provincial Deputies of Normandy and Anjou, on all those Differences about that Legacy, and about the pretensions which the said Sieur de L'arpent, and the Sieurs du Val and Alix had unto it. The Contract also of this Gift passed by the said La Harangere, the Twentieth Day of June, 1598, together with the Decree of the National Synod of A∣lanson, held in the Year 1637, and the Judgments of the Synod of Normandy, in the Years 1656, and 1658, were all read and perused. Upon the whole, the Assembly ordained that the Decree of the Na∣tional Synod of Alanson, in the Year 1637, shall be duly executed ac∣cording to its form, intendment and tenour. And when as there shall be any vacancy, and a Proposan is to be chosen, who is to receive the Pension given by the said Lady, then the Deputies of the Churches of St. Aignan and Mans, shall go unto the City of Alanson, to agree with that Church about the Proposan, on whom the said Pension is to be conferred: And in case of Disagreement between those Churches a∣foresaid about this Election, in which those of St. Aignan and Mans, shall have but one Vote, the Election shall be done alternatively; to wit, the first time by the Church of Alanson, which shall have the

preheminency; but the time the Churches of St. Aignan and Mans con∣joyntly, shall take place before that of Alanson, and thus consecutively one after another: And in this choice and nomination, those aforesaid Churches shall see that the Will of the said Lady of La Harangere be faithfully observed, who expresly ordered, that the Children born in lawful Marriage, of the Sieurs Bourdieu, de Bloic, de Portevize, and du Hamel, being Proposans and destinated to the Holy Ministry, should be preferr'd before all others, whether those Children born or to be born, were descended from their Sons or Daughters. Nor may any Proposan chosen to receive the said Pension, injoy it any longer than the term of Four Years. And when as the said Proposan shall be found fit and qualified for the Ministry, and be admitted thereinto, the Church of Alanson shall have the first choice to retain him in their Service, and next the Church of St. Aignan, and lastly, the Church of Mans; and in case neither of these Three should pitch upon him for their Minister, he shall then be assigned unto one of the nearest Churches. Moreover this Assembly doth for certain Reasons Ordain, that the said Sieur L'arpent shall receive the said Pension for Four Years, commencing from the Day of his Election; which Term being expired, they shall proceed unto a new Election, according to the Canon aforesaid. And this Assembly hath discharged, and doth now discharge the said Church of Mans of all Demands, Claims and Pretensions whatsoever that might be brought against it upon the account of those Sums, which either Mr. Vignier the Father, or his Son have received for that Pension during several Years, excepting only what the said Churches may de∣mand of the Heirs of the said Mr. Vignier. And in case there should be any difference between the Churches of St. Aignan and Mans about those Elections, which they are bound to make, they shall be composed and terminated by the Synod of Anjou. And the said Sieur de L'Ar∣pent, and all other Proposans receiving the said Pension, shall be bound to give Security, that in case through their default or neglect, they do not attain to be Ministers of the Gospel, or that they change their purpose, and divert to some other Studies and Employment, they make Restitution of the Monies they have thus received, and this agreeable to the Canons of our National Synods.

12. This Assembly having heard Mr. Le Croix du Val, Deputy from the Heads of Families in the Church of Alanson, who declared that he was sent by them to oppose a Proposition set on foot by some par∣ticular Members of the said Church, and to be tendred unto this Assem∣bly, about changing of their Consistory, and its ancient Order; and that being come unto this City, he met with the like Proposition made to their Provincial Synod of Normandy, held in the Year 1655; and the Assembly having perused the Memoirs of the Deputies of that Pro∣vince, had remitted the whole affair unto the Synod of that Province Yet nevertheless having waited to see if any one should move about this matter, and observing that none had done it, he that he might discharge the Trust committed to him, did tender unto this Assembly according to his Duty, the Letters and Memoirs with which he was charged, and opened before this Assembly the cause of his Deputa∣tion, and the Arguments they had against any such Alteration; and he did in behalf of those Heads of Families Petition, and doth now a∣gain Petition, that the Deputies of the said Province may declare whether they be ordered to set on Foot that new Proposition, and whether they intend to speak of it; who answered, that they had no such design, because that Affair had been remanded back unto their Provincial Synod. The Assembly hath dismissed over the Letters, Me∣moirs,

and the Act now presented by the said Sieur de la Croix du Val, (Deputed by the Heads of Families in the Church of Alanson) together with the Cognizance and Judgment of this Affair unto the Provincial Sy∣nod of Normandy, according as was before decreed.

13. The Assembly being informed of the great Disorders in the Church of Sauvetat, by reason of the difference between the Sieur de Carbon, and the Inhabitants of that Town, who compose the Church in that place: Letters were voted to be written unto the Lord Duke of La Force, to intreat his Grace, that he would be pleased by his Prudence and Authority to terminate those unhappy Dissentions, which menace that poor Church with no less than its utter Ruin and Destructi∣on.

14. The Assembly having received honourable Testimonials from di∣vers parts of the singular worth of Monsieur Charles, Pastor of the Church of Gap, and taking into consideration his numerous Family, great Deserts, and low Estate in the World, and the Inabilities of his Church, doth highly applaud his Zeal, Pains, Care, Diligence and Per∣severance in his Masters Service, having served the Lord and his Churches most faithfully for many years, and eminently in this Church; wherefore, that he may have a competent Maintenance to supply his Necessities, this Assembly judgeth him every way worthy of the Cares and Respects of his Province, and of his own Congregation, which is commended for the Tokens of their Love and Affection to him for his own, and his Subsistence. And whereas the said Church did agree and bargain at first with him to pay him, during his Life, the yearly Sum of Three Hundred Livres only, they are now most earnestly intreated to extend their Charity and Thankfulness unto him, and to augment his Mainte∣nance, by raising it up unto Four Hundred Livres a Year for his Life.

15. The Province of Vivaretz, received the praise of this Assembly for their fervent kindness to Monsieur Chenat, formerly Pastor of the Church at La Gorce, but now employed in the Service of that of Cha∣renton; and it is most earnestly exhorted to continue the yearly Sum of 150 Livres to him for the comfortable Subsistence of this good Servant of Jesus Christ, whose Labours and Travels have been very great in the Work of the Lord.

16. The Memoirs and Letters of Monsieur Gabet, Pastor of the Church at Osselon, having been read and examined in this Assembly, his Affair was dismissed over to the Province of Dolphiny, which was com∣mended for their Charity and Support extended to him, and the said Province was intreated to continue their Cares for the Comfort, and Repose of this poor Minister, and to hear him in those matters which he shall offer to them, and to judge of them according to their Pru∣dence and Equity; and also to reprove him for that ill Language where-with he hath soiled his Papers sent unto this Assembly.

17. The Inhabitants of the Islands of La Voutte, professing the Refor∣med Religion, sent Letters Signed by De Bois unto this Assembly, peti∣tioning, that they might be absolutely separated from the Church of La Voute, and joyned unto that of Livron, and that they might conti∣nue to pay in their Contributions to it: Several Members of the Church or Consistory of Livron abetted them in their Demand. The Depu∣ties of Dolphiny were desired to give their Judgment in the case, who replied, they had no order to oppose it: But the Provincial Deputies of Vivaretz did oppose this Petition of those Inhabitants of La Voute, and of the Consistory of Livron. Upon the whole Debate, the Synod not finding this Affair as yet ripe for a Decision, did dismiss it over to the

Provincial Synod of Lower Languedoc, who should pass a final Sentence therein by the Authority of this Assembly.

18. The Church of Loudun petitioned the Assembly to discharge them from their Contribution of the Fifth Penny of the Poors Mony paid in towards the Maintenance of our Universities, in consideration of those extraordinary Charges they are obliged to be at in upholding their Lesser Schools, which have been of singular Use and Benefit even to the Neighbour Provinces. Whenas the Provincial Deputies of Anjou were heard, and those also of Brittaine, who reported with how much che••rfulness they had contributed their Sixty Livres yearly for supporting their Lesser Schools, but that at present their Design was to bestow this Mony upon that in the Town of Vitre; the Assembly could not grant unto the said Church their Petition. But in case the Province of Brittaine do satisfie the Synod of Anjou, that they have effectually employed the said Sum of Sixty Livres as before, towards the uphold∣ing the Lester Schools in the said Town of Vitre; then the Province of Anjou shall allow in account unto the Church of Loudun the like Sum to be employed to the same use and purpose.

19. That Book of the Sieur de la Fite Solon Pastor of the Church of Orthez in the Province of Bearn, intituled, Disputationes de Vindiciis Gratiae, being presented to this Assembly for its Approbation, was re∣manded back to the Synod of the same Province, who should examin and approve it according to the Canons of our National Synods.

20. In reading the Memoirs sent unto this Assembly (from Monsieur Clerk, Pastor in the Church of Coulonges in the Baylywick of Gex) about divers Contestations between him as Son and Heir of Mr. James Clerk his Father, Pastor also in the said Bailywick of Gex, and the Widows and Heirs of divers other Pastors in the said Bailywick, with and against the Churches in the said Bailywick and the Provincial Synods of Burgundy, and particularly in that of Gex, held in the Year 1656. and that of Ar∣nay le Due, in the Year 1658. This Assembly observing that the occasion of all their Debate was a pecuniary matter, dismissed it over to the Province of Dolphiny to put a final Period to it.

21. The Provincial Deputies of Sevennes demanded on behalf of the Widow of Monsieur Rossel, formerly Pastor in the Church of Sauve, but since presented to the Family of the late Duke of Rohan by the Nati∣nal Synod of Castres, that he might receive the same Pension for her year of Widowhood, as was paid her Deceased Husband yearly during his Life, by Order of the Province of Sevennes: The Assembly resolved, that a Letter should be written to the Lady Dutchess of Rohan about this business; and the Consistory of the Church of Paris is charged to apply themselves to the said Lady Dutchess, that some Satisfaction may he given this poor Widow, and to acquaint the Consistory of Anduze with it; and the Sieurs Daille and Loride des Galinieres, Elder in the Church of Paris, are ordred to deliver this Letter unto the said Lady Dutchess.

22 Monsieur Chamier Pastor, informed this Assembly of the state of the Church in St. Hyppolyte, by reason of the Departure of Monsieur de Mejannes their Pastor from it, and of an Order that was made for its being served by another at the Charges of the said Sieur de Mejannes till the next Synod. The Deputies of the Province of Sevennes were heard speak unto this matter, who professed that they were surprized at this Relation, and that any person should attempt against an Order of their last Synod, which was made upon very good and sufficient Grounds, and in which Monsieur de Mejannes himself had acquiesced. And they wire the more affected at this, because the Parties concerned are nei∣ther

heard, nor cited to appear and plead for themselves. And they protested farther, that they had no Commission at all from their Pro∣vince to intermeddle in this business; and they humbly desired the Sy∣nod, that there might be no Debate about it. And the said Sieur de Me∣jannes was also heard, and the Acts of the Synod of Alez, of Florac, and of Vignan were all read and perused. Upon the whole, this Assembly disapproved that too great Facility of the Church and Pastor, in de∣manding and yielding to such a Separation, which was every way pre∣judicial both to the one and other, and of dangerous consequence to our Churches, if such Examples should be allowed. And the Consistory of Montpellier is ordered to send Mr. Eustache unto the Church of St. Hip∣polyte, accompanied with one of their Elders, to reconcile Monsieur Me∣jannes with his Flock, and that it may be effected, they should propound to their Consideration his great Services, eminent Zeal, and most excel∣lent Gifts with which God hath adorned him; and sith that this As∣sembly doth give him such an ample Testimonial, the said Church shall be obliged according to their wonted Charity to take care of their Pa∣stor, and to make Provision for his comfortable Subsistence; and ac∣cording to former Decrees, they shall allow him a Colleague, for their better Edification; or else to release him of some part of his Mi∣nisterial Labours, as it hath been ordered in the Canons of General Mat∣ters by this Assembly. And if any Difficulties occur, which may ob∣struct the Accomplishment of this good Design, this Affair shall be re∣moved unto the next approaching Synod of the Province of Sevennes, unto whom the Person and Ministry of the said Sieur de Mejannes are re∣commended; and till that the said Synod do meet, Monsieur de Mejan∣nes shall continue to exercise his Ministry in the said Church; and all Charges and Expences about this business shall be defrayed by that Church of St. Hippolyte.

23. Monsieur Thourond, Pastor of the Church of Stofhouse, complain∣ed against the Provincial Synod of Lower Guyenne, for not performing their Promise of re-imbursing him his Charges, expended by their Or∣der in securing the Peace and Welfare of their Churches: This Assem∣bly blamed the said Province for their Remissness in paying so just a Debt, and to a person, whose Zeal, Sincerity and Diligence have de∣served a far more grateful Acknowledgment. And every one of those particular Churches, which have not satisfied the Orders of their Pro∣vince, are enjoyned to pay in to the said Mr. Thourond their particular Assessments before the meeting of their next Synod, upon pain of the greatest Censures. And in case they should neglect it, the next Synod is commanded to take the most certain and expeditious course for re-im∣bursing of the said Mr. Thourond within three Months after the expiring of that Synod, and to make an Addition of other Monies, besides what they had agreed with him, as shall be found needful to indemnifie him from all Interests, which he was forced to pay by borrowing of Monies for the Service of the said Province.

24. Letters were read from the Church of Lanez, gathered within the District of Hastingues, and the Provincial Deputies of Bearn and the Lower Guyenne, were heard speak about the matters contained in them: This Assembly having debated the matter, did decree, that for the fu∣ture the said Church of Lanez should be joyned unto the Province of Bearn, which shall take an especial care of it. And the like Judgment was given for the Churches of Mauleon and Moulay. And whereas the Church of Lanez hath petitioned for a share in the Legacies bequeathed by the Lady Rouly unto the Church of Orthez, this their Petition is re∣manded back unto the next Synod of Bearn: And in case the Church of

Geaune should desire to be incorporated with the Synod of Bearn, they shall present this their Petition unto the Province of Lower Guyenne, which is intreated to consider seriously of the matter, and to grant them what will be most subservient to their edifying.

25. The Sieurs de L'Angle Pastor, and de Guesdon, Elder in the Church of Rouen, moved that there might be some Change made in the Distri∣bution of Offices in their Province of Normandy, and the said Sieurs Bochart Pastor, and de la Roquette an Elder, seconded them in their Mo∣tion, because they found themselves overcharged as to Rates and Taxes: And that the Distinction of the Higher and Lower Normandy might be suppressed, especially as to these matters. The Assembly, having ma∣turely debated this Affair, judged, that it was no ways fit at present to make any change herein; and ordered, that the Canons of the Na∣tional Synod of Charenton in the Year 1644. should be of Force as to all past matters, and that all Offices shall be born till the next Synod of that Province, by the Colloquies of Rouen and Caux for one Moiety, and for the other Moity by the other Classes, who shall chuse a particu∣lar Receiver to receive all their Contributions, and to send them unto the Receiver General residing at Rouen. And in case those Difficulties, (brought unto this Assembly) between the Higher and Lower Norman∣dy, about their being over-rated on both sides should continue, then are they for the future to address themselves unto the Consistory of the Church of Paris, which shall judge thereof by the Authority of this Assembly, the said Consistory having first well-considered the Ability and Inability of both Parties.

26. The Sieurs de L'Angle Pastor, and Guesdon an Elder in the Church of Rouen, requested this Assembly to re-inforce by its Authority the Counsels of their Provincial Synod unto the Churches of their Province, for contributing to the Subsistence of their Colledge at Quevilly. Where∣upon a Decree past, that all the other Churches in the said Province of Normandy should furnish the Sum of Three Hundred Livres towards the maintenance of that Colledge.

27. At the Request of the Synod of Higer Languedoc and Guyenne, which had given a very Honourable Testimony to the Piety and great Learning of Monsieur Balthuzar (who was formerly his Majesty's Coun∣sellor and Advocate in the Presidial Court of Auxerne) and which hath already raised and setled a Fund of Three Hundred Livres for his Main∣tenance; and the Assembly having heard that very advantagious Re∣port, which the Committee of Ministers appointed to examin those Four Diatrebes presented by the said Mr. Balthazar, had made of them, it applauded the Zeal of that Province of Higher Languedoc. And that the said Mr. Balthazar may be enabled to follow his Studies without Distraction, and prosecute his great Work undertaken against Cardinal Baronius, it decreeth, that the yearly Stipend of Seven Hundred and Fifty Livres shall be setled upon him, and paid in unto him by these Churches of this Kingdom, to wit, by those of the Higher Languedoc Three Hundred Livres, by those of the Isle of France One Hundred Li∣vres, by those of Lower Languedoc One Hundred Livres, by those of Normandy Fifty Livres, by those of Xaintonge Thirty Livres, by those of Dolphiny Thirty Livres, by those of Lower Guyenne Thirty Livres, by those of Poictou Thirty Livres, by those of Berry Twenty Livres, by those of Burgundy Twenty Livres, and by those of Anjou Fifteen Livres.

28. My Lord Commissioner having received Letters from Monsiur de la Ʋrilliere, notifying his Majesty's Pleasure, that the Sieur Gaillard, Pastor of the Church of Montauban, who is now prosecuted for Criminal

matters, might by the authority of this Assembly be removed from his Church. The Assembly requested the Lord Commissioner to take it into his consideration, that because the said Gaillard was absent, and for that this Assembly hath little or no knowledge of his Deportments, it is not at present capable o•• Judging his Case, and that he would be pleased, that order might be given our Deputies unto his Majesty, to infor•• ••he••selves punctually of all matters relating to him, and that they, together with the Church of Montauban, do deliberate and re∣solve on the best means for his Majesty'••s satisfaction, and in case he be innoc••••••, to 〈◊〉〈◊〉 his Majesty with it, and to demand his Royal Protesting 〈…〉〈…〉 but if through Levity, or Inadvertency, ••e may h•••••• s••er••ed from his Duty, that then they do with the profoundest Sub••••issions implore his Majesty's Clemency for him, as be∣ing 〈◊〉〈◊〉 Person ••o•• altogether unworthy of his Majesty's Grace and Fa∣vour.

29 The Sieurs Chamier and * Homel,* 1.2 Pastors, together with the Sieurs de P••••pe•••••• and M••••sonn••••. Elders, shall ride unto the City of Castres, to compose the differences between Monsieur de Brugeres, Counsellor in the Court of the Edict, and the other Presidents and Counsellors in the same Court of that City, who are of, our Communion▪ And the Expences of the said Deputies from Montauban unto Castres, and du∣ring their Abode in it, shall be defrayed by their respective Pro∣vinces.

30. The Assembly remembring that the last National Synod had pro∣••••sed Monsieur Chamier Four Hundred Livres, being the Remainders of a greater Sum granted him by some of the former National Synod••, as also that there had been a like grant of Three Hundred Livr•••• unto Monsieur de l•• Fitte Solon; It was now decreed, that in case there be any M••••ies in the Hands of the Lord du Candal, that then the said Mi∣nister•• Chamier and de la Fitte Solon, shall be payed the Sums before any other Person whatsoever.

31. This Assembly having an intire confidence in the Consistory of the Church of Paris, that they will appoint Persons well qualified, to receive and manage the Monies which were formerly, intrusted with them, and for which they have a new Commission given them, and that they will use herein as great circumspection as might be required from Persons of their Reputation, for Candor, Prudence and Godliness, and that they will be as careful in this affair, as if it were their own parti∣cular concern, declareth, that its none of its intention••, that the said Consistory should be Sureties and responsible for their solvability, who are or shall be appointed by them to this effect. And this Declaration shall hold good for all other Consistories that have the like Commis∣sions.

Notes

• * 1.1

  Monsieur Lar∣roq. did after effect, and Print it.
• * 1.2

  Monsieur Ho∣mel did after∣ward suffer Martyrdom.