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 VI. Particular MATTERS.

I. THE Differences between the Synods of Higher Languedoc, and Lower Guyenne, concerning the Churches of Nerac, Leyrac, and others of the Lower Armagnac, which had been sent up to this Assembly by the last Synod of Montpellier, it being impossible now to determine them, because the Deputies of the Lower Guyenne had neither Orders nor Instructions about them, are remanded back unto the next Provincial Synod of Xaintonge, fi∣nally to determine them, and that by the Authority of this Assembly. And the said Synod of Lower Guyenne, for not sending Instructions unto their Deputies concerning those Affairs is hereby censured.

II. The Province of Normandy reporting the extream Poverty of the Church of Lunere, being utterly disabled from ever satisfying their old Debt unto Mon∣sieur Vatble, the said Province is exhorted to do their utmost endeavour, that it may be satisfied by them.

III. That Decree of the Synod of Montpellier, concerning Monsieur de L' Espoir, having never been put in execution, this Assembly enjoyneth the Province of Higher Languedoc to see it executed; and in case of their neglect,

that then the said M. de L'Espoir shall return to the Church of Boslebec. Since this Ordinance, the Deputies of Higher Languedoc agreed with those of Nor∣mandy, to re-imburse the Church of Boslebec, whatever Charges they may be at in getting a Pastor, one half whereof was to be born by those of Pamiers, and another half by the said Province of Higher Languedoc; or else to main∣tain for them for two Years space a Proposan in the University of Montauban, or if they pleas'd to give them an hundred Crowns, to be employed by them to this very purpose, in ready Money.

IV. The Demand of Monsieur Caille is turn'd over to the Synod of Dol∣phiny, to take care about it.

V. Letters shall be once more written to the Duke de L'Esdigueres, about the 17000 Crowns belonging to the Churches of Lower Languedoc: and the Article of the Synod of Montpellier declaring those Moneys to have been rai∣sed towards the maintenance of Proposans, shall be corrected and amended.

VI. In pursuance of what was decreed by the same Synod of Montpellier, the Churches of Cormes, and of St. John du Bruil, shall be incorporated with the Colloquy of Vigan; and the Synod of Lower Languedoc shall see that this Order be observed.

VII. The Church of Lions desiring a Pastor, and that one may be given them out of Dolphiny, which hath several of their Ministers residing in the Churches of that Province; it's ordered, That the said Province of Dolphiny do furnish that Church of Lyons, and if possible, to lend them, at least, for some Months, Monsieur Chamier.

VIII. The French Translation of The Harmony of Confessions, done by de∣ceased Monsieur Saluart, is dismissed to the Synod of Higher Languedoc, to be perused by them, and if they judge it expedient, then to Print it; but with the Latine Annotations of Monsieur Goulart.

IX. The Province of the Isle of France demanding Messieurs de L'Estang, and de la Valleé to be restored to them, who are now in Poictou, have a Grant given them to prosecute their Right in the next Provincial Synod of Poictou.

X. This Assembly judging Monsieur Pellart to belong of Right unto the Isle of France, ordaineth the Church of Marans, in which he now serveth, to yield up unto those of the Isle of France, such a Proposan as they shall best like of, within four Months; otherwise, that time being laps'd, the said Monsieur Pellart shall be surrendred unto the said Province.

XI. To the Case propounded by the Deputy of Brittany, this Assembly gives it in as their Judgment, That the Lords and Gentlemen, Patrons of Churches and Chappels wherein Mass is sung, cannot with a good Consci∣ence repair them; no, although by not doing it they forfeit their Right of Patronage and Presentation to them.

XII. The Churches are admonished to Register the Names of those Romish Church-men which have been converted since the last National Synod, and are daily brought over to the Reformed Religion, and to give in an Account of them unto the Church of Montauban.

XIII. The Church of Jansac is admonished to conform itself unto the rest of our Churches, about the wearing of Garlands at Espousals.

XIV. To the Petition of the Faithful of Auvergne, this Answer was given, That the Lower Auvergne should be assisted by the Lower Languedoc, and the Higher Auvergne by the Higher Languedoc, both as to Pastors, and in the share of His Majesty's Moneys.

XV. The Church of Villevigne re-demanded by the Province of Brittany, shall remain united to the Synod of Poictou, until the next National Synod.

XVI. Monsieur Jarry is left in full liberty, either to fix at the Church of Mesuez, where he now is, or to go unto that of Mauvezin.

XVII. The Petition of Monsieur Lazarus de Robert, Minister of Gaureé, and Briqueville is remanded back unto the Synod of Normandy.

XVIII. Monsieur Eude shall abide where he is at present, in the Church of Bayeux.

XIX. The Provinces of Lower Languedoc and Dolphiny are exhorted to in continue their assisting of the poor Churches of Provence, with the Loan of Pastors.

XX. Letters shall be written to the Consuls of Montpellier, entreating them, that those Outrages offered the Spanish Families, which for this last hundred Years have took up their fixed Habitation in their City, may cease; as also, unless there be express Laws to the contrary, to receive them into the honourable Offices of the City, that so the Peace and Union of the Church, and its Members with them may be conserved. And this self-same Exhorta∣tion was given them by the last Synod of Montpellier.

XXI. The Letters of Monsieur Causabon being read in this Assembly, an Answer was ordered to be sent him, expressing our Joy for his constancy in the true Religion, and exhorting him unto perseverance in it.

XXII. Monsieur Colinet, Deputy of Burgundy, informing this Assembly of the great diligence used by Monsieur Cassegrain, in discharging the Duties of his Ministry, to the singular advantage of his Church, and that he hath wonderfully profited by the Admonitions of the Synod of Montpellier; this Assembly declares themselves very well satisfied with the said Monsieur Casse∣grain, and adviseth him to continue labouriously in his Calling unto the end.

XXIII. In our Answer to the Letter of the Lord du Plessis, this clause shall be inserted, That we advise him to send his Book unto Geneva, because of the advantage of Libraries, and Letters shall be sent unto our Brethren the Pastors there, recommending to them the Examination, and Verifying of all the Qui∣tations in it.

XXIV. Letters shall be sent to the Church of Metz intreating them to joyn themselves unto the Province of the Isle of France, Picardy, and Cham∣pagne.

XXV. In consideration of the great Services done for the Church of God by Monsieur Berger, Minister of the Church of Chasteaudun, and because of his great Afflictions, worthy of the deepest Compassions, the Synod of that Province is ordered to provide a Pastor for that Church of Chasteaudun, and then the said Monsieur Berger shall be discharged from it, yet nevertheless he shall be maintained by the Contribution of the Provinces, and that of Or∣leans is to bear one third of the Charges.

XXVI. This Synod does not count the demand of the Church of Bour∣deaux reasonable, which requires Monsieur Primrose to be given them for their Pastor, because he cannot be taken from the Church of Mirambeau, whereunto he is appropriated.

XXVII. Whereas the Lords Mareschal de Bouillon, and Duke de la Tre∣mouille, and those of the Assembly of Saumur have written in favour of Mon∣sieur Pallot, answer shall be return'd them, that we cannot supply him out of the Moneys belonging to the Churches, and which were assigned for the maintenance of the Ministers, and that therefore we humbly intreat them to take some other course for his subsistance.

XXVIII. The Brethren in the Colloquy of Becausse, having by their Let∣ters propounded the Case of an Incestuous Marriage, which had been decided in the Synod of Montpellier: This Assembly for divers Reasons doth ratifie the Judgment of that Synod, provided, that it be made appear, that when the Marriage was first solemnized, the Woman had not then attained her Five and twentieth Year, and that she was under the power of her Father and Mo∣ther, all which shall be verified in the next Synod of the Isle of France, where∣unto the said Parties are ordered to for this purpose to make their personal appearance; and those our Brethren are reproved for speaking so slightly and

irreverently, which did not in the least become them, of that Synodical decision.

XXIX. The demand of Monsieur Vaisse to be removed into the Province of Higher Languedoc, because of his Wife's Indisposition, is dismissed over to the Synod of Lower Languedoc, who shall order therein as is most agreeable to the Rules of Christian Charity.

XXX. Letters shall be written unto Monsieur Couet, desiring his presence in this Assembly, before its dissolution.

XXXI. The Deputies of the Assembly of Saumur informing us, that they had his Majesty's Command to break up, this Assembly after mature deliberation had about it, ordains that Monsieur Chamier, and de Maravat, shall be sent in our Names unto his Majesty, humbly to intreat his Majesty, That the said Assembly may, with his good pleasure, be yet continued for some time longer.

XXXII. And these Deputies being return'd, and relating his Majesty's In∣tention, who declared, That he would be peremptorily obeyed in that his Command, for the breaking up of their Assembly; but he would, however, permit them one or two Deputies near his Majesty's Person, who should up∣on all occasions tender him their Complaints and Requests, and that they might nominate and appoint them, he granted them another Assembly: Whereupon it was resolved, That his Majesty should be most humbly peti∣tioned, That the said Assembly might be held at St. Foy, the fifth Day of O∣ctober next, whereunto the Provinces were charged to send their Deputies, furnished with the Memoirs of their respective Churches and Divisions. And every Province shall send thither one Deputy at least, that they may be no∣minated, the said Provinces are authorized to anticipate the time of keeping their Synods and Colloquies, and the Gentry and Corporations shall be all summon'd to them. The Church of Paris is appointed to use all diligence in getting the Writ of Summons promised by his Majesty from the Court, and to expedite with all speed the Calling of the said Assembly, together with the Letters Mandatory unto the Lord Mareschal d' Ornano, to allow of their sitting.

XXXIII. This Assembly receiving no Answer from Monsieur Couet, he not being at Paris, and having heard Monsieur Colinet, Deputy from the Pro∣vince of Burgundy declare, That he had no express Order to demand him, but inasmuch as he belonged unto that said Province, altho' his Synod could not provide him with a Church at present, yet he ought not to be taken from it, without the consent of the Province: It leaveth both Parties to a∣gree lovingly among themselves, and impowers the Church of Paris to en∣deavour, if they can, the getting the said Monsieur Covet for their Pastor, they giving also due satisfaction unto the Province of Burgundy.

XXXIV. This Assembly judgeth, That three Pastors shall make up the Quorum of a Colloquy, and that all Acts done by these Three, shall be repu∣ted lawful and valid, yea, even to the Suspension of Ministers.

XXXV. The Differences risen betwixt the Colloquies of Puy Gasquay, and Lower Quercy, about the Church of Mets and Verdun, is dismissed over to the next Synod of Higher Languedoc, finally to be decided by it.

XXXVI. Letters from the Seignory of the City, and Pastors of Geneva being presented by Monsieur de Sully-Anjou-man. This Assembly ordereth, That our Deputies at Court do take the most fitting time to recommend the Churches of Geneva, and those adjoyning unto his Majesty.

XXXVII. Whenas the Provinces shall in their respective Synods make a Dividend of those Moneys assigned them for his Majesty's Grant unto us, they shall consult of some course for the erecting of Schools and Colledges, as also how to maintain those which be already erected, within their Divi∣sion.

And as for Universities, the Decree of the Synod of Montpellier shall stand good for those of Saumur, Montauban Nismes, and Montpellier, over and besides which, there shall be given from the General Funds of the said Moneys, the Sum of Five hundred Crowns per Annum, for the furtherance and encou∣ragement of that at Sedan, and the Neighbour-Provinces. And the Colloquy of Quercy is charged to take special Care, that Montauban be furnished with most able Professors, who may reputably and conscientiously perform their Duties; as also the other Colloquies are to put too their helping hand, that the like be done for their Universities. And that the said Universities may not be compelled to dismiss their Professors for want of maintenance, this Assembly doth ordain for the time past and to come, that they shall be pay∣ed their Quota and Proportions by advance of one Year, not at all to be al∣lowed in the next. And that all Fraud herein may be prevented, that De∣cree of the Synod of Montpellier shall be most exactly observed; to wit, that both the Churches and Universities shall bring unto the next National Synod an Accompt of all the Moneys received by them, together with the Acquit∣tances of the Pastors and Professors in actual Service.

XXXVIII. This Assembly declareth, That the Moneys granted by His Majesty, are granted for the Relief of the Churches, and maintenance of the Ministry: notwithstanding which Order, the Division for time to come shall be made by Poll; so that if divers Churches be served but by one Minister, they shall be counted but for one Church; and the Church which hath di∣vers Pastors shall have a Dividend according to the number of its Pastors.

XXXIX. The richer and more potent Churches are exhorted to have re∣spect in their Provincial Synods, so to divide and distribute His Majesty's Money, that the poorer Churches may be comforted and relieved by it.

XL. A new Dividend being made of the Moneys granted us by His Maje∣sty, deducting the Sums ordained for the Universities of Saumur, Montauban, Nismes, and Montpellier, by the last Synod of Montpellier, and the Sum of Five hundred Crowns to that of Sedan, the rest amounting to the Sum of Nine and thirty thousand five hundred Crowns, was distributed in this man∣ner: To the Province of Anjon, Tourain, Le Main, Vendomois, Loudunois, and Lower Perche, for 28 Churches there shall be distributed 1468 Crowns, 46 Sols, and 4 Deniers. To the Province of Normandy, for 51 Churches the Sum of 2675 Crowns, and 14 Sols. To the Province of the Isle of France, Picardy, and Champagne, for 68 Churches the Sum of 3566 Crowns, 58 Sols, and 8 Deniers. To the Lower Languedoc, and Lower Auvergne, for 116 Churches 6084 Crowns, 50 Sols, and 8 Deniers. To the Province of Orleans, Berry, Blesois, Nivernois, and Bourbonnois, for 40 Churches 2098 Crowns, 15 Sols, and 4 Deniers. To the Province of Dolphiny and Orange, for 92 Churches, 4826 Crowns, 52 Sols, and 8 Deniers. To the Province of Vivaretz, and Vellay, for 30 Churches 1533 Crown, 40 Sols. To the Province of Higher Languedoc, Higher Guyenne, and Higher Auvergne, for 95 Churches 4983 Crowns, 16 Sols, and 8 Deniers. To the Province of Burgundy, Lyonnois, and Forest, Beaujolois, Maconnois, and Bresse, for 28 Churches 1468 Crowns, 45 Sols, 4 Deniers. To the Province of High and Lower Poictou, for 50 Churches 2622 Crowns, 46 Sols, and 8 Deniers. To Provence, for 20 Churches 1049 Crowns, 16 Sols, and 8 Deniers. To the Province of Brittany, for 15 Churches 786 Crowns, and 40 Sols. To the Province of Lower Guyenne, for 70 Churches 3671 Crowns, 53 Sols, and 4 Deniers. To the Province of Xaintonge, Aunix, and Augoumois, for 50 Churches 2622 Crowns, 46 Sols, and 8 Deniers. The Number of all the Churches is 753. and dividing their whole Sum among their respe∣ctive Ministers, is 52 Crowns, 32 Sols, and 4 Deniers to each of them.

XLI. Letters were read from the Governour, Mayor, and Consistory of St. John d' Angely, directed unto this Synod, complaining, That Monsieur D' Amours was taken from them against their Wills, and sent to the Church of Chastleheraut. This Assembly decrees, That what had been already or∣dained in the Affair of Monsieur D' Amours, should hold good; and Mes∣sieurs Gardesy, Banconis, and Forton were charged to pass over to St. John, and in case that said City did not treat Monsieur De la Vitamerie, according to his worth; the Synod of Xaintonge were enjoyned to make better Provi∣sion for him.

XLII. Monsieur Palot, Commissioner-General for receiving the Moneys granted us by His Majesty, having not appeared in Person, nor by Letter in this Assembly, as he was desired, and had promised to inform us of what had been done about the Receipt and Disbursements of the said Moneys. This Synod gives orders unto Monsieur Chamier, Pollot, Rivet, Perrin, de Marevat, Le Venier, La Combe, D' Euvre, to visit and discourse the said Palott, in the Name of this Synod, and to re-mind him of his Duty, and the Church of Paris is required to take care, that the said Palott be farther prosecuted, according to Instructions that shall be given them.

Notes

• But this Arti∣cle was struck out by the fol∣lowing Natio∣nal Synod of Gap.
• He hath four Copies but five Names viz. Eude, An∣dre, Hinde, Inde, and Dades.
• See the Synod of Montpellier, Observation upon the Di∣scipline, art. 20
• This Article being injuri∣ous to the poorer Chur∣ches, was cor∣rected in the next National Synod.
• See the Synod of Rochel, G. Ma••. art. 39.