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. IV. Particular MATTERS.

I. WHereas Monsieur de Tourfillant formerly denosed from the Ministry, hath most humbly petitioned, that he may be restored to it; this Assembly having seriously considered the enormity of his Crime of which he had been accused and convicted before the Civil Magistrate, and that as yet he retains his old Inclinations to the self-same sin; yea, and that his suppli∣catory Letters do rather justifie him, than exprese his Contrition and Repen∣tance, as is evident to any one who doth but cursorily read and peruse them, therefore it is ordained, that he shall not be re-admitted to the Exercise of the Gospel-Ministry.

II. The Brethren Deputies of Normandy desired our Resolution in this diffi∣cult Case: A Widow of the Church in — was contracted to a Man by words de praesenti, and duly informed by the Ministers of that Church to which she belonged of the importance of such Promises; yet nevertheless a while after to his very great grief, she separates herself front this her Spouse by Sentence of the Official, pleading for herself, That she was ignorant of the meaning of those words de praesenti and futuro, and afterward marries another Person, according to the manner of the Romish Church, not at all regarding the Remonstrances given her either by Ministers, or by him to whom she was first contracted, before and after her last Espousals. This Assembly judgeth, That the first Promise in itself, and of right is indissolvable; and that therefore the Second Marriage is of right null and void. So that the Man first contracted to her, according to the liberty given us by our Lord Jesus should declare, that he doth repudiate and reject the said Wise, because the had violated her Faith given to him, and is joyned unto another. And after such a declaration (if so be the Delinquent Parties return unto their Duty according to our Discipline) the Consistory may approve and confirm the Second Marriage, and the rather because a Child begotten in the said Marriage hath been baptized in our Church, the Father having devolv'd his Right in it upon the Surety who presented it.

III. The Differences fallen out on the Promises of Marriage between Mon∣sieur John Herisson and Mary the Daughter of Monsieur Moutier Minister of Orbec, are dismissed to the Colloquy of Beauvoysie, where they shall be fully and smally determined, and the Brethren of Feugeray and Paris, because they well understand the Matters of Fact relating to it, shall be present thereat. This present Synod having given no Judgment in the Case, because the'fore-mentioned Parties were never summon'd to, nor appeared before this Synod, and for divers other particularities and circumstances relating to this Affair, which merit a longer and more diligent enquiry, than the time allotted for our Sessions would admit of.

IV. As touching the matter proposed by our Brethren the Deputies of Augoumois, What is to be done with the Church of Angoulesme, who for re∣fusing Maintenance unto their Pastor, had together with all the Haeads of its respective Families been deprived of their Minister, and of Communion at the Lord's Table, by the sole Authority of their Provincial Synod, until such time as they had given full satisfaction unto their said Minister. It is decreed by the Authority of this Assembly, That this whole Affair shall be dismissed unto the Synod of Xaintonge, which shall duly summon both Parties to appear before them; and having heard them, shall put a final period, by their Sen∣tence, unto all their Differences.

V. Our Brother, the Deputy of Picardy, demanding Advice on this diffi∣culty: A Woman refuseth to cohabit with her Husband, pretending that he was a Monk, thô she was well acquainted with it long before she married him, and adds scoffingly, when she is exhorted to re-unite herself to him, That they must be married; as if they had never been. It is the Judgment of this Synod, That for this deserting of her Husband she shall be proceeded against by all Church-Censures; and the Husband is advised, if he think it fitting, to summon her before the Civil Magistrate.

VI. Master Julian de Lande an Apostate, who being formerly displaced, with Reputation to himself, from the Sacred Ministry, hath since revolted from the true Religion, and wallows in Debauchery and Idolatry, refusing to hearken to the Advice and Orders of his Consistory, and hath drawn also a Nephew of his into Apostasie, this Assembly ordaineth, That the Sentence of Excommunication be publickly denounced against him, and that without delay.

VII. This Synod having understood of the Revolt and Apostasie of one Crosse, formerly a Minister in the Province of Normandy, and that he is plun∣ged Head and Ears in Idolatry, persisting obstinately therein: As also the defection of one Saint Martin from the Truth, who was a Minister of the Gospel in the same Province: This Synod remits these Matters of Fact relating to both these Revolters unto their own Provincial Synod, with full Power to proceed against them both, according as it shall judge most expe∣dient for the good and edification of the Church.

VIII. The Deputy of Higher Languedoc having formed a Complaint against the Colloquy of Armagnac, for separating itself from the Province of Higher Languedoc, and joyning itself unto the Condonnois, thereby to make up one entire Province a part from the other. This Assembly ordaineth, That it shall be remonstrated to the Colloquy of Armagnac, that by this their sepa∣ration they act contrary to the Distinction of Provinces established by the for∣mer National Synods, and that they ought to return unto their first condition, and become, as heretofore, One Synod with that of Languedoc; and this Order shall be observed until tho meeting of the next National Synod, whereunto the Colloquy of Armagnac shall be summoned to exhibit their Rea∣sons for this their separation; and if upon mature deliberation it be found ne∣cessary, the said Distinction shall be then ordained.

IX. Monsieur Le Sage, Minister of Mimbré in Maine, being re-demanded

by the Province of Normandy, this Assembly defers the Judgment of this Af∣fair till the next National Synod; because the Province of Anjou had no No∣tice given it of the Difficulties propounded by the Deputies of Normandy; as also, that the said Le Sage may have warning given him to prepare his An∣swer to them.

X. The Remonstrance of the Deputy of Augoumois, being heard upon an Appeal from their Synod, by our Brother Monsieur De la Croix, Minister of Jarnac; which Synod forbad the said De la Croix the Practice of Physick together with his Ministry, and having also heard the Reasons urged by the said De la Croix for his said Practice, as his Abilities for it, the Publick be∣nefit by it, and the great Charge lying on him by his numerous Family: This Synod ratifies the Sentence given against him, according to our Disci∣pline, by his own Provincial Synod. And the Consistory or Jarnac are to procure another able Physitian to dwell there; and the said De la Croix shall be admonished wholly to addict himself unto his Ministry, and as for his Pra∣ctice of Physick, that he do fully conform himself unto the Articles of our Discipline.

XI. The Lady De la Blanchardaye, hath liberty granted her, to get a Mi∣nister that may set up the true Worship of God, and Exercise of the true Re∣ligion in her House, called, The Wood of Mayne, provided that the Neigh∣bouring Colloquy do allow and approve of the said Minister; and in the mean while our Brother Le Fresne shall continue to discharge his Office in the Church of Lacay; and in case he cannot do it, because of the aforesaid Establishment, the Colloquy or Provincial Synod shall provide another Church for him.

XII. All the Provinces are desired to take Notice in what place Monsieur Du Croy, formerly Minister of Perigueux, may be now residing, and whe∣ther he doth exercise his Ministry or not, and that Province wherein he is found, shall be intreated to exhort him instantly to return unto his own Church.

XIII. Forasmuch as those of Higher Languedoc have permitted some of their Members, to Farm Tythes, and other Ecclesiastical Goods upon this Condition, that they give them a certain Sum of Money. This Assembly ordains, That for time coming, this rigorous manner of dealing shall be wholly disused; only that the said Farmers be exhorted according to their Duty, to contribute some considerable Portion of their Gain, towards the Relief of the poor Churches, whereunto the said Revenue was originally de∣signed.

XIV. This Assembly gives its Approbation to that excellent Work of our dear Brother Monsieur* 1.1 Salnar, Minister in the Church of Castres, styled, Hamonia Confessionum; as being most useful and needful for these our times; judging also, that it would do singular good Service, if it were rendred into our French Tongue; and therefore the Province of Higher Languedoc is char∣ged by this Synod, to get it translated, and to prefix an Epistle Commen∣datory to the said Book, in the Name of their faid Province.

XV. The Church of Vitré requesting our Advice in this case, Whether Witnesses should be confronted, deposing a Crime committed by the Delin∣quent, who does obstinately, and upon his Oath deny the very Matter of Fact? This Assembly judgeth, That all occasions of new Quarrels may be avoided, which may probably arise from such Confrontations, the Witnesses shall not be confronted, unless of their own accord they do freely consent unto it, or unless that the last and greatest Censures must of neccessity be used, which in∣deed cannot be executed till such time as the Delinquents shall have been well and duly convicted, and this cannot be done, unless that he confess and own his Offence, or that the Witnesses do avow it constantly to his face.

XVI. The Article about our Catechism shall remain in its full power till the next National Synod, whereunto the Provinces shall come well instructed,

that so we may advise whether Mr. Calvin's Catechism may be retained, or that a shorter one consisting only of the Apostles Creed, the Lord's Prayer, and the Ten Commandments shall be taken up, and used in the Ordinance of Catechising.

XVII. The Deputies of Poictou propounded this Case: A certain Marri∣age was dissolved by Authority of the Official, because of the Husband's Im∣potency: sometime after the Woman being publickly married in the Church, it fell out the Man also was re-married, but in the Romish Church; he be∣ing now touched with Repentance, demandeth to be received unto the Peace and Communion of our Church. This Assembly adviseth, that before his re-admission, his Wife shall be interrogated, whether she be well satisfied with him, that so it may be known whether he hath not abused God's holy Ordinance of Marriage, because he had been once before judged impotent; and if he be now found such, we advise the deferring of his Reception, till we have had more ample proof of his Repentance. But if it be otherwise, he having according to our Discipline repaired his fault of being married in the Church of Rowe, shall be restored to the Peace and Communion of the Church. Nevertheless, this Assembly judgeth, that the Consistory should be censured, not only for not using its Authority to hinder the Woman to suddenly after her Marriage contracted and solemnized, from running to the Official, who presently ordered her a Separation; but also for not persisting in their Ad∣monitions to the Husband, that he should not so easily and readily consent as he did, unto a dissolution of the said Marriage; because such a Separation ought not to have been, till after three Ecclesiastical Sentences had thrice gradually intervened, as is usual even in the Church of Rome.

XVIII. Claudius Merchant, formerly Minister in the Church of Beauriers, and Civray, in the Province of Berry, having been accused and convicted of Adultery before this Assembly, we do depose him from his Charge and Mi∣nistry, for being a scandalous Person utterly unworthy of it. Moreover, we do ordain, That this his said Deposition shall be published in those places where he exercised his Ministry; but without mentioning the Woman, only in general this shall be declared, that 'tis for a very gross and heavy Sin, for a most grievous Scandal. Finally, he shall not be admitted in any place of his Residence, unto the Sacrament of the Lord's Supper, till he have first done Publick Penance for this notorious Scandal given by him unto the Church, altho' the particular Crime committed by him shall not be specified in the Church. And the Consistory of the Church De la Roche posé, shall be censured for putting him into Office among them, before they had sufficient Attestations concerning him.

XIX. Divers Gentlemen complaining by the Deputies of Augoumois, that in those places where there is but one Sermon in the Week, their Ministers do resufe coming on the Week-days to Preach and Baptize their Children which are then born, unless they bring them at the appointed Times for Religious Worship. This Assembly adviseth, That to prevent all Clamours and Complaints for the future, the Consistory shall appoint one Day in the midst of the Week for an extraordinary Assembly, and so provide for all emergent necessary Duties.

XX. The Churches shall be informed, that by the Ninth Article of the Secret Articles, the King promiseth to dispense with the Degrees of Consanguinity and Assinity between Persons of the Reformed Religion; so that we need not have recourse unto the Pope for Dispensations. Wherefore in such Cases they may apply themselves unto His Majesty by our Agent at Court.

XXI. Our Brother the Deputy of Poictou propounded this Case: That a certain Person having quitted his Benefice, did yet notwithstanding receive a Pension from his Curate that enjoys it. This Assembly adviseth, that he be admonished, either to relinquish such a Pension, or else wholly to employ it unto Pious Uses.

XXII. Whereas the Deputy of Anjou hath demanded that the Church of La Gravelle may be declared a Member of the said Province, because 'tis inclosed within its bounds; the Assembly judgeth, That inasmuch as our Brother De Cherpon, Minister of it, had been mostly incouraged in his Studies by the Li∣berality of the Lord De la Val, and that the far greater part of the Members of that Church are Brittains, it being distant from Brittany but one small League, that therefore the said Church shall be reputed to belong to the Pro∣vince of Brittany, and the rather because of the paucity of Ministers in it. And this Order shall be in force no longer than the time of Monsieur Cherpon's Re∣sidence at, and Relation to the 'foresaid Church of La Gravelle.

* 1.2XXIII. Our Brother Monsieur Mary, Minister of the Church of Norwich in England, but living at present in Normandy, shall be obliged to return unto his Church upon its first Summons, yet because of the great Success of his Mi∣nistry in these parts, his Church may be intreated to continue for some lon∣ger time his absence from it.

XXIV. Monsieur De Feugeray, Pastor in the Church of Rouen, having in∣formed this Assembly of the great importance of that Church, and how ne∣cessary it is that it should be provided of able Ministers, we being at present destitute of all help for them, do advise the Province of Normandy to enquire in their respective Classis, whether they may not find two Churches so nigh one unto the other, that they may be combin'd into one, and by this means gain a Minister for the Church of Rouen; or if this don't like them, they may contrive some better expedient. And this course also shall be taken by the Province of Xaintonge, for the supply of the Church of Xaintes.

XXV. This Assembly prays and intreats the Province of Brittany to lend Monsieur De la Melluniere unto the Church of Vitré, and at the same time to make provision for the Church of Cuisit, where he is at present.

XXVI. The Lord Du Plessis presented himself in the Name of the King of Navarre unto this Assembly, proposing from His Majesty, That there might be sent unto him, being now on the other fide of the Loire, certain Deputies, Persons of Quality and Understanding, who might be near His Majesty, to acquaint him with the true State of our Churches, and that he also might re∣ciprocally communicate unto the Churches all Matters of Importance tending to their welfare and preservation. This Assembly is of Opinion, That all the Churches be exhorted effectually to comply with His Majesty's Demands, and in order thereunto, to name one or two Deputies to be dispatcht unto him in the Name of the Churches, and this to be done out of hand; and the Province of the Isle of France is to see it done without delay.

* 1.3XXVII. A motion being made for an Union and Agreement betwixt the Churches of Germany and ours, this Assembly adviseth, That Monsieur De Chandieu be solicited to undertake a Journey for the effecting of it; and in case the said Monsieur De Chandieu have just Excuses for not accepting the Employ, Monsieur De Seire shall be intreated to supply his place.

XXVIII. Monsieur Salnar is intreated to write in the Name, and by the Authority of this Synod, unto the Princes and Divines of Germany, and he shall confer with the Lord Du Plessis about the subject matter of his Letters and the said Letters shall be sent to Monsier De Chandieu, to be represented by him.

XXIX. Monsieur De Chassincour is intreated by this Assembly, to continue his Office at Court, and the Churches are exhorted to perform their Duties to him, whereof the Brethren of the Isle of France are order'd to give him notice.

XXX. The Deputy of Lower Languedoc demanding, that our Brother Vi∣lette, Minister in the Church of La Sala, may be removed thence, and tran∣slated unto Montpellier, because of that great Service he may do there, and that his Church may be some otherways provided. This Assembly leaveth the decision of this matter unto his Provincial Synod, which after due consi∣deration had of all Circumstances, shall determine of it.

XXXI. Monsieur Laurence Bouchart, formerly Minister of Privas in Lower Languedoc, deposed for his scandalous Crimes, having appealed unto this As∣sembly, it examined the Causes of his Deposition, and all the Proceedings in and about it, and now judgeth that he cannot be restored unto the Minstry, whatever Testimonials of Repentance may be produced by him.

XXII. To the Case propounded by the Deputies of Berry, Whether his Marriage should be tolerated, who had espous'd his Wife's Niece, and that had some Years after his said Marriage joyned himself unto our Religion, and communicated with us at the Lord's Table, and hath had several Children by this Wife? This Assembly answereth, That by the 14th Verse of the 18th Chapter of Leviticus, such a Marriage is incestuous, and that therefore in no wise can it be tolerated, and that they provoke not the Wrath of God more heavily against them, they ought to separate one from the other. And whe∣reas these Persons committed this sin in the time of their Ignorance, we ad∣vise, that they privately confess it unto the Consistory, where they shall be admonished, counselled, and comforted from the Word of God.

XXXIII. Complaint being made by divers Persons of the Censure passed on Brocard's Exposition of the Book of Genesis, in the last. Synod of Rochel, where he was condemned for Impiety and Prosanation of God's Holy Word, and blaming it as too strict and rigorous, tho' some would acquit him of Im∣piety, because he agrees with us thoroughly in all the Articles of Faith. This Assembly doth confirm the afore-mentioned Censure, judging that that Do∣ctrine is not only impious which is contrary to the Articles of Faith, but that also which perverts the true sence and meaning, as his doth, of the Holy Scriptures; because they be the true Foundation of the Christian Doctrine. Yet that satisfaction may be given them, who are displeased at the Censure past on this Book of Brocard's, there shall be extracted out of it a Catalogue of his grossest Errors, and communicated abroad for their perusal and infor∣mation.

XXXIV. Monsieur De Bellefleur appealing from the Sentence given against him in the Synod of Higher Languedoc, by which his Treatise against the Di∣scipline of our Churches was condemned, this Assembly having read his Trea∣tise, and the Answers made unto it, doth confirm the said Saentence past a∣gainst the said Bellefleur: To whom notwithstanding a Letter shall be di∣spatcht in the Name of this Assembly, and the Answer of our Brother, Mon∣sieur Berault, shall be communicated to him; in which, if he do not acquiesce, the next Colloquy or Synod shall denounce him Schismatick.

XXXV. The Deputy of Higher Languedoc related the Affair of Arias and Bourgade, complaining, that they were too severely censured by their Pastors Berault and Gironnin; whereupon the Synod came unto this Resolution, That the Piovince shall be informed, that they have full Power, and 'tis their Duty to judge definitively of it, and that the Censures given by the Consistory of Montauban, and the Provincial Synod against them shall be in force; and if the said Plaintisss be not quiet, nor demean themselves peaceably and modestly according to their Duty: The Colloquy of Lower Quercy calling in two other Ministers from the Neighbour-Colloquy, shall in the Name and Authority of this Synod judge definitively of this Fact.

XXXVI. The Province of* 1.4 Lower Languedoc is appointed by this Assem∣bly to convoke and assign the Time of Meeting for the next National Synod; which is once for all ordained two Years hence in the Month of May.

May 16. 1583.

Thus Signed by

• Peter Merlin, Moderator, And
• René Pineau, Scribe.

Notes

• * 1.1

  One Copy calls him Hal∣nar, and in two other Coples Sa∣luart.
• * 1.2

  In my Copy it wrs Noturi••, which I lookt upon as an Er∣ror of the French Scribe, for Norwich.
• * 1.3

  Means for u∣niting the German and French Chur∣ches. Synod of Gap, Gen. Mat. art. 11. Synod of Ro∣chel, art. 4. after the choice of Mo∣derator and Assessor.
• * 1.4

  Higher