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. X. Of Particular Matters.

1. THE Sieurs Richard Pastor of the Church of Meusac and Islemade Richeteau Pastor of the Church of St. Leophary and Charles Pastor of the Church of Archiac represented unto this Synod (the two first by word of mouth, the last by his Son Minister of Villemur) the great Difficulties they met withal in executing that Canon of the Synod of Gap, obliging Pastors to a personal Residence on their Churches, which being considered by the Provincial Synod of Higher Languedoc, and particularly as relating to the said Ministers, who now lived in the City of Montauban, the final Judgment on their Case was remitted unto this Assembly. Monsieur Beraud Pastor and Professor in that Church and University, was heard deliver his thoughts about this Affair. And divers Acts being produced and read on both sides, many of which proved evidently the convenient Houses and Lodgings that those Churches had provided for these their Pastors (who complained with∣out any just ground) though other Acts did offer the contrary. After a ma∣ture debate of the whole, this ensuing Decree was made and published, that the said Richard and Richeteau shall both of them remove from the City of Montauban unto their respective Churches, which are injoyned to accommo∣date them with convenient Housen as soon as possible, and to augment their Salaries unto a just competency, and this at farthest within the space of one year: And if the said Churches shall refuse or neglect this their bounden duty, they shall be deprived of the Ministry of God's Holy Word and Sacra∣ments; and if the said Ministers shall refuse to reside in those Habitations provided for them before the year be expired, they also shall be suspended from their Ministerial Office. And every one of these Plaintiffs and Defen∣dants on both sides are sharply censured for producing several Attestations,

Inquiries, and other such like Acts done and confirmed by and before Publick Notaries, and Secular Judges. And as for Monsieur Charles the Elder, this Assembly, considering the Age, great Charge, and that Assistance which he hath promised unto his Father-in-law, and that Help which his Son hath promised unto him, doth dispense with his personal Residence in his Church, for so long a time as his Church shall permit him, and he may live where he now doth. And these Ministers, Charles, Richard and Richeteau, are expresly forbidden all intermeddling in any sort whatsoever with the Affairs of the Church and University of Montauban, unless they be duly called and invited to it by the Consistory of that University.

2. Mr. Charles the Younger shall for the future make his constant Resi∣dence in his Church of Villemur; and whereas he pretends, that he was ab∣solutely given up and resigned unto the Church of Puylaurens, and that he was only lent unto that of Villemur, This Assembly requireth the Provincial Synod of Higher Languedoc and Guyenne to examine the truth of this mat∣ter, and till the said Synod determine otherwise about him, he shall serve the Church of Villemur.

3. The Colloquy, Church and University of Montauban petitioned that Monsieur Beraud might be restored to them, and to continue in his Office amongst them. The Sieurs Beraud, Father and Son, and the Deputies of the Province were all heard speaking in their order to this matter, as also Mon∣sieur Bouchereau Pastor of the Church of Saumur, who pleaded that Monsieur Beraud the Younger had engaged himself for one year to be professor in that University. This Assembly considering the necessities of the said University of Saumur, decreed that Monsieur Beraud should tarry with them another year, to commence on the fifteenth day of April next coming; which term being expired, Monsieur Beraud the Son shall serve in the Ministry in his Fa∣ther's stead, and perform all the duties belonging unto his Office; and he shall then be appropriated to, and fixed in the Church and University of Montauban, nor may the Provincial, Synod nor Colloquy, nor the said Church provide themselves of any other for the Ministry in that Church, or for the Profession of Theology, during the time of his loan unto the Church and University of Saumur.

4. The Church of St. Ireney le Perche in the Countrey of Limousin petition∣ed this Assembly for a Pastor, that so their Ruine and Dissipation might be prevented, and that they might be holpen with some Moneys to make him up a competency for his subsistence with them. The Assembly considering that Monsieur Alix was lent unto the Church of Angeau, doth injoyn the Provincial Synod of Berry to examine Monsieur Salomon a Proposan, and in case they find him well qualified, they shall set him apart to the work of the Ministry by Imposition of hands, and send him unto the said Church of St. Ireney le Perche for two years only, in case the Church of Orleans be not destitute of Pastors, which is much feared; for both the Pastors of Orleans and Angeau have been a long time very sick and like to die. And the said Church of St. Ireney le Perche shall be put upon the same Roll with the other Churches to draw forth, and receive its portion of the King's Monies.

5. Whereas the Elder of the Church of Villefaignun and Savelles hath petitioned that they might be without any longer delay provided of a Pa∣stor, the next Synod of Xaintonge is charged to take care of them, and to give order for their supply. And in the mean while the Neighbour Mini∣sters of Xaintonge and Augoulmois are required to visit and officiate by turns in the said Church.

6. There being great divisions and contentions among the Pastors and Professors in the Church and University of Montauban, and particularly one lately fallen out between Messieurs Beraud the Younger, and Duncan first Re∣gent of their Colledge, and Competitor for the Profession of the Greek

Tongue, and there having been very ill doings, and of dangerous conse∣quence in their proceedings, their Cause being removed from the Collo∣quies and Synods by the said Duncan and others unto the Court of the Edict in the City of Castres. This Assembly▪ that past evils may be remedied, and such as are future may be prevented, doth enjoyn those Gentlemen concerned in these differences, and who are now personally present in this Synod to be reconciled one unto the other, which was done accordingly. And that the absent parties might be reunited, Messieurs de Gasque, Gigord, and those Elders deputed by the Province of Lower Languedoc, shall take in their way homeward the City of Montauban, and are charged by the Au∣thority of this Synod to accommodate and compose all their dissensions. And it is farther ordained, That both the said Mr. Beraud the Younger, and Mr. Duncan shall desist all pursuits about the Profession of the Greek Tongue, and for peace sake a third person shall be chosen into that Office. And whereas the said Duncan was obliged by a special Article of the said Colloquy to prosecute his Appeal in the Court of the Edict, the Provincial Synod is ordered to inflict a very severe Censure upon that Colloquy, in case that Article be found registred in the Original of their Acts, which for this purpose shall be produced. And Messieurs de Gasques, Gigord, St. Chapte, and Bergier, as they travel through the City of Castres, shall acquaint his Majesties Officers professing the Reformed Religion in that Court, how very prejudicial it will be unto our Churches, if those Academical Differences shall come to be impleaded at their Bar, that so according to their Zeal and Piety, they may prudently provide for our publick and common benefit, and take care in due time that the Liberties and Priviledges of the Churches be not invaded nor disseized.

7. Monsieur de la Vallade is confirmed in his Ministry unto the Church of Fontinay, unto which he was formerly presented, nor shall the Province of Guyenne or Bergerac claim any right to recall him; and this Decree passed without any opposition from the Deputies of the said Church and Province, who declared they had no Commission to redemand him. So that all Agree∣ments and Covenants made betwixt the said Vallade and his Father and the said Church are ratified, and become perpetual. However, this Assembly doth not approve of that Form in which they be drawn up, especially with reference unto the Moneys, which they pretend to have furnished him; and in case the Church of Bergerac should demand him, the Provincial Synod of Xaintonge is impowered with Authority to determine finally of him, and all matters between him and them.

8. The Churches of Maringues and Paillac in Auvergne petitioned this As∣sembly that they might be supplied with able Ministers; and because of their deep poverty, and want of necessary means to allow a sufficient maintenance for a Pastor, the Synod of Lower Languedoc was enjoyned to lend them a Minister for one year, they taking the first opportunity of their meeting to apply themselves thither for one: And that a competency may be the more ea∣sily provided over and above the four portions out of the King's Money for∣merly allotted unto those of the Lower Auvergne, there be two more granted to them, and the said Churches of Maringues and Paillac shall receive four of them, and the other two shall remain with, and belong unto the Church of Issoire. And it is farther ordained, That the said Synod of Lower Lan∣guedoc shall in the mean time chuse a Proposan of good hopes, and well qua∣lified, who may be given as ordinary Pastor unto the said Church of Issoire.

9. Monsieur Primrose Pastor of the Church of Bourdeaux brought Letters from the Magistrates and Ministers in the Church of Edinborough in Scotland, written and directed to this Assembly, and other Letters also written by his Majesty the King of Great Brittain, recalling him home unto his Native

Countrey to serve the said Church of Edinburgh; and he declared farther, that he had never absolutely ingaged himself either to this Kingdom, nor to any particular Church in it, but had always reserved a liberty of departure, when as he should be duly recalled. This Assembly replied, that they would not in the least abridge him of his liberty, but as he had acquired it, so he might use it with a good conscience, yet nevertheless they intreated him to consider well of all circumstances, and to have a tender care and re∣spect unto the Church of Bourdeaux, which by his most fruitful preaching and exemplary godly conversation had been exceedingly edified. Whereupon he promised seriously not to abandon the said Church, till it were better sup∣plied.

10. The Sieur de la Buissonniere desiring that the Canon about calling the Provincial Synod of Normandy might be explained. This Assembly decreeth, that every Colloquy shall meet in its course in those places which are most commodious, and the said Province is injoined to call unto their Synod a Pa∣stor and Elder out of every Church, and that it could not in any wise approve of their former actings being directly repugnant unto our Discipline, to call only the Deputies of the Colloquies, and the said Province was censured for that irregular practice, and the Higher Normandy is forbidden to Congregate and pack up into one their two Colloquies, as they have done heretofore.

11. The Church of Cormes and that of St. John du Brueil petitioning to be incorporated with the Colloquy of Rovergue, and separated from that of Sauve; This Assembly having heard Monsieur Gasques speaking on behalf of the Lower Languedoc, that they did not oppose it; their Petition was grant∣ed them, provided that the Synod of Higher Guyenne would carefully inspect and watch over them.

12. The Church of Foix and Tarascon complained of their utter inability to maintain a Pastor by reason of the excessive poverty of the Inhabitants of those places. This Assembly did therefore add two Portions more out of the Kings Money to that which they already had, and intreated Monsieur de Montigny to perswade Monsieur du Mattellet to accept of the Pastoral Charge of that Church, and to assist and incourage him in it.

13. The Petition of the Church of Bourg Argentall was granted, and they shall be henceforward incorporated with the Church of Bonlieu in Vivaretz, but on that condition mentioned in the Act of the Provincial Synod of Bur∣gundy, that when as by the good providence of God they may be inabled to maintain a Pastor of themselves, that then they shall be returned back unto the said Province.

The Deputies of the Lower Guyenne petitioning, that the Decree of their Provincial Synod might be confirmed, that all their Churches might be obliged to put the moneys Collected by them for the poor Exiles of the Mar∣quisate of Salluces into the hands of Monsieur Bernardin Elder in the Church of Thonneins, that he might be reimbursed the four hundred Crowns lent by him upon his Majesties Grant of that sum unto the Deputies assembled at Chastechelaud, and who had already paid it in to the Brethren of the said Marquisate. This Assembly hath confirmed, and doth now by this present Act ratifie and confirm that Decree aforesaid, and it shall be accordingly exe∣cuted and performed, but so that every Church shall be taxed according to its ability, and the said Collection thus assessed shall be levied according to the said Rate and Tax.

15. Madam la Faye being fallen blind is recommended to the Charity of the Church of Bourdeaux, which is intreated to continue their wonted Re∣lief and Assistance to her.

16. Monsieur Haulier Pastor of the Church du Mas d' Assier is injoyned to ride unto Vivaretz, and in obedience to the Synodical Decree made at Gap, to Account with the Church of Annonay, and to give them full satis∣faction

within six months time all delays and excuses being set by.

17. Monsieur Baldran Deputy for the Churches of Bearn petitioned that Monsieur Esperian, the younger, Minister of St. Foy might be restored unto their Province and to serve in one of their Churches, The Elder of the Church of St. Foy was heard, who produced a Letter written by the Father of the said Monsieur Esperian, declaring that his Son if he pleased might continue where he was. This Assembly did not approve that the said Es∣perian should be any wise obliged unto the Churches of Bearn to the hin∣drance of his abode at St. Foy; and this was so determined by the National Synod of Gap, and is now ratified by this present Synod. And the said Es∣perian by our authority is now fixed and appropriated to the Church of St. Foy, yet with this restriction, that in case of great and indispensible ne∣cessities he may assist the Churches of Bearn as a Pastor, as they also shall in like manner assist ours by vertue of that holy Ordinance of Communion be∣twixt the Churches of our Lord Jesus.

18. Monsieur Durdes Pastor of the Church of Pamiers, did by his Son ac∣quaint this Synod of that great Affliction God had laid upon him in depri∣ving him of his Eye-sight, together with very many domestick troubles be∣fallen him, partly by Persecutions in former times, and grievous Sick∣nesses; and that the Church of Pamiers is not of sufficient ability to main∣tain another Minister. Wherefore the Province of Higher Languedoc is en∣joyned to deal kindly with him in their Dividends of his Majesties Libera∣lities, and to provide for him under his pressing necessities.

19. That all Dissensions arising in the Church of Xaintes about. Church-Offices, may be prevented for the future, this Assembly doth judge fit, that as soon as the said Church shall be provided of a Pastor, one third of their Consistory shall be changed, and another third at the years end, and the residue the year following; and the Election of the two thirds who are to continue and enter into Office shall be made by majority of Votes of the said Consistory, and those who have a mind to be discharged shall en∣joy their Liberty. And this Canon was made for the said Church at the request of the Province of Xaintonge, and to be perpetuated in the said Church, but without any prejudice in the least unto other Churches.

20. Our Brethren in the Baylywick of Gex shall subscribe the Church-Discipline, yet with this Restriction, that they shall not be obliged unto some particular Canons, which shall be excepted by name in their subscri∣bed Copies, and this because of their present estate and circumstances.

21. The Deputies of Poictou craved resolution unto this Case. Some per∣sons lately married were tied up from Conjugal performances by Witchcraft, and thereupon separated one from the other, and the Wife was since mar∣ried unto another Man, and afterward her first Husband unto another Wo∣man: May these persons be admitted to the Peace and Communion of the Church? This Assembly remits the Judgment of the matter of fact unto their Provincial Synod, which is ordered particularly to examine all cir∣cumstances.

22. The Deputies of Lower Languedoc moved this Case; whether a Col∣loquy might refuse payment of a Donative given by the Provincial Synod unto the Widdow of a deceased Minister, upon this pretence, that the said Widdow died before the time of paying the said Donative became due, and whether her death may cause a Revocation of that Relief from the indigent Heirs of the said poor deceased Widdow? This Assembly resolves in the ne∣gative, and censureth that Colloquy for making a needless stir and opposition.

23. The Church of Rochell having collected eight hundred Livers for our Exiled Brethren of the Marquisate of Salluces, this sum of Moneys was or∣dered to be paid in to the Provincial Deputies of Dolphiny, which was done accordingly, and the said Province shall bring in their Account how they di∣stribute it unto the next National Synod.

24. The Church of Bourdeaux delivered unto the Provincial Deputies of Dolphiny four hundred Livers collected in it for our Exiled Brethren of the Marquisate of Salluces, and the said Province is to bring in their Ac∣count how they have distributed it unto the next National Synod.

25. Monsieur Pynaud brought in his Accounts of Moneys received for the Pastors in the Province of Aujou, Touraine, and Main. This Assembly did not judge sit to examine the particulars of that Account, but left it unto the Pastors and Elders deputed by the said Province to make report how many Ministers and Proposans they had in their District, according as was ordain∣ed for the other Provinces.

26. The Province of Xaintonge petitioned that the Church of Bourdeaux might be compelled to perform their promise made unto them of giving them a Proposan instead of Monsieur Primrose. This Assembly judging the demand of the said Province to be but equitable, doth yet notwithstanding exhort it to acquit that Church of its Obligation, because it hath none assu∣rance of the Ministery of the said Mr. Primrose, he having obtain'd his Congé and License of departure from this present Synod.

27. The Decree of the Synod of Pons (in Aulnix) made in the year 1605. for the conjunction of the Consistory of Rochell with the Province of Xain∣tonge in all Ecclesiastical and Political Affairs, is confirmed by this present Assembly.

28. That Petition of the Church of Roffec about its separation from the Church of Vertueil, and being couched upon the Roll of separate and di∣stinct Churches, is remanded back unto their Provincial Synod to be finally determined by it.

29. The Petition of the poor Widdow of Monsieur Roussepeau is dismis∣sed over to the consideration of the Provincial Synod of Xaintonge, to whose Charity she is recommended, and that Synod is authorized to oblige the Church of Pons to assist her with some relief answerable to her necessities.

30. A difference arose between the Province of Normandy and that of Anjou, Touraine, and Mayne, about the Church of Monjoubert, which is made up of divers Burroughs and Villages lying partly in the County of Perche, and partly in the Dukedom of Normandy, upon which account, one of those Provinces demands the said Church to be incorporated with the Colloquy of Alanson, and another with the Colloquy of Mayne. This Assembly con∣sidering the present State of the said Church, and being very desirous of its preservation, and because its Pastor was presented to it by the Province of Normandy, and he is now residing there, doth decree, that it shall con∣tinue joyned unto the Colloquy of Allanson, until such time as the Quarters of Monjoubert and Allieres can maintain a Minister of their own. And then those Churches shall return unto the Colloquy of Mayne.

31. Monsieur de Bonvouloir at present Pastor of the Church of St. John d'Angely having obtained License of Departure from the Province of Poictou, upon this condition, that he should reimburse the Church of Poiré and and Belleville the sum of four hundred and fifty Livers, which they had spent upon him at the Schools and University: This Assembly, at the request of the Deputies of Poictou, ordaineth, That the said Sieur de Bonvouloir shall come to account with the said Church within the space of two months about the Moneys they pretend due unto them from him; and before an half year is ended, he shall make them full satisfaction for all Arrears which he oweth to them, or on default hereof, he shall return again, and be subject to the Authority of that Province of Poictou, who have full power to dis∣pose of his Ministry.

32. The Deputies of Provence demanding of this Assembly one or more Pastors to supply their vacant Churches; and this Assembly at present not knowing where to find them, doth intreat and exhort the Provinces of

Dolphiny and Lower Languedoc to assist those Churches with some of their Ministers, until such time as God shall have in his good providence pro∣vided a sufficient number for them.

33. Upon the petition of Monsieur Perrin, this Assembly decreed that the Quarters of the upper and neither Cedron shall be joyned to the Church of Mombrun, till such time as they can get and maintain a Pastor of their own.

34. Monsieur Durdes Pastor of the Church of Pamiers writ Letters unto Monsieur de Beauvois a Gentleman of Normandy, in which he acknowledg∣eth that the said Gentleman had lent him a certain summ of Money during the time of his Exile in London. These Letters shall be communicated to him by the Deputies of Higher Guyenne, and the said Durdes shall bring in his exceptions against them unto the Colloquy of Foix at their next meeting, and in case those exceptions of his be not of any force or value, he is injoyn∣ed to give full and speedy content and satisfaction unto the said Gentleman.

35. The Provincial Deputies of Normandy moved this Case from the Church of Caen; Whether a child born in marriage (disallowed by our Discipline) being presented unto Baptism by Godly Sureties, who had for∣merly presented others unto this Sacrament, issued from the same married persons, might be Baptized. Answer was given them, that the Parents fault cannot prejudice the Children; so that there is no difficulty at all in the case; nor should they make any scruple in the least of admitting such Infants unto Baptism, especially when as Godly persons will become Sureties for their Religious Education. Yet nevertheless the Church should at the same time testify that they do not approve of the said Marriage.

36. Monsieur de la Buissonniere petitioned in the name of the Colloquy of Caen, that Monsieur le Seneschal Minister of the Gospel might be at their dis∣posal, notwithstanding the Provincial Synod had granted him unto the Church of Orbec, contrary to the intention of Monsieur de Lasson deceased, by whose Legacy he was educated unto the Ministry. The Last will and Testament of the said Mr. Lasson deceased being produced and read in this Assembly, there was this clause expressed in it, That he had ordain∣ed the Churches of Caen and Lasson should be called together to dispose of that Proposan, who was maintained at the University by the Moneys and Legacy he bequeathed to that intent and purpose. Wherefore this Assembly judged that the said Synod ought not to have presented the said Le Seneschall unto the Church of Orbec contrary to the advice and consent of those two Churches, it being a great prejudice, yea and a downright in∣fraction of the Will of the said Testator. However those two Churches are intreated not to be over urgent for the Recalling of the said Pastor, till that Church of Orbec have time to provide it self of another.

37. Monsieur de la Buissonniere informed this Assembly of the Insolencies and Seditious Challenges of a certain Capuchin Fryar, affixed by him to the publick view of the world in some publick places of the City of Allanson, but that for peace sake he refused to do the like in answer to him. This Assembly commended his modesty and prudent carriage for time past, and exhorts him to persist in it for the future upon the like occurrences. And our General Deputies are ordered to insert this among others into our Bill of Grievances to be presented unto his Majesty, the many Libels and insolent provoking Challenges made us by our Adversaries.

38. The Deputies of the Province of Brittany desired that Monsieur Oyseau Minister of the Gospel might be remanded back unto them, he having quitted both them and the Church of Nantes, in which he was Pastor with∣out any Leave first had and obtained from either of them. A Letter was read from the said Monsieur Oyseau, and Monsieur Rivet his Son in Law al∣ledged several arguments to justify his departure from them. But tho this

Assembly found that the proceedings of the said Mr. Oyseau were not altoge∣ther laudable, yet they did allow him to exercise his Ministry in the Province of Poictou where he liveth at present, and the said Province of Poitou shall assist the Church of Nantes with Ministers for the full space of one year, to wit Monsieur Rivet, or some other for him shall preach there six months, and tho other six any Pastors whom the said Province shall chuse; and during the said time Monsieur Oyseau shall supply their Churches whose Pastors do officiate in the Church of Nantes, and the Church of Nantes shall pay these Ministers who are lent them their wages, and Mr. Oyseau shall al∣so receive his Salary from those Churches in which he preacheth during their Pastors absence.

39. Monsieur Baduel Pastor of the Town of Castillon declared his great poverty, occasioned by the Confiscation of his Fathers Estate upon the Ac∣count of Religion. This Assembly did therefore ordain that over and a∣bove that portion which he receiveth from his Church there shall be another paid him out of the General Stock, and a third Portion more by the Pro∣vince, to comfort him under his great losses and oppressions.

40. The Deputies of Provence petitioning that the Province of Dolphiny might pay unto them the residue of the seventh part of those Moneys which were adjudged them by the National Synod of Gap, and which they had actually received of Monsieur Pallott for the years 1598, 1599, and 1600. Deducting out of it the summ of 2250 l. Which the Deputies of Provence do acknowledge they have received; besides they demanded interest for the Moneys detained from them: This Assembly having seen the Accounts of payments made unto the said Province of Dolphiny signed and concluded by the said Pallott the 5th of June, 1601. and having heard Monsieur de la Combé Deputy for the said Province confess that he had actually received of the said Pallott the sum of 3302 Crowns, thirty Sous and eight Deniers, including therein three hunched and fourty Crowns, one Sous and three Deniers, which the said Pallott had restored to him since the said Account for one half of his right in it: And the said de la Combe requested on be∣half of his Province, that those of Provence might allow a sous in the Liver unto him the said de la Combe over and above the 2260 Livers which he the said de la Combe had paid in unto those of Provence. This Assembly decre∣eth that those of Dolphiny shall pay in to those of Provence in Money or mo∣neys worth the sum of 665 Livers, 9. Sous, and one Denier, and then both these Provinces shall sign and execute mutual releases one unto the other, without any prejudice unto the Decrees of the Synod of Gap, or the Con∣tents thereof.

41. This Assembly ordaineth that one half of the sum of 665 Livers ow∣ing by the Province of Dolphiny unto that of Provence shall be given to the five Pastors, who were in actual service during that time the said moneys was in arrears and the Church of Luc shall out of hand pay unto Monsieur Megnant their Pastor all moneys due unto him for the whole time he hath been imployed in the Ministry among them. And whereas the Province of Dolphiny demands from that of Provence to be allowed their Charges towards a journey of some Commissioners they had sent to Court; this Assembly doth not approve thereof in the least, nor shall there be so much as one De∣nier defalked from the Province of Provence upon that score.

42. Although the Province of Xaintonge have ordered to the contrary, yet this Assembly doth now decree and ordain, That the six portions attri∣buted to the six Pastors of the City of Rochell shall be detained by the said Church, out of which that Church shall be obliged to maintain a Student in Divinity according to their promise.

43. Though this Assembly had very good and sufficient reasons (which were before mentioned in the 19th Article of Appeals) to deprive the Church

of Xaintes, for their unworthiness, of the Ministry and Labours of Monsieur Petit, and to lay him by also unemployed in the Lord's Harvest: Yet having since observed both in that Church and Minister a godly sorrow, and great displeasure for their past proceedings, and sinful miscarriages; It doth once more present the said Monsieur Petit to the Pastoral Office in the said Church; but with an express charge and injunction upon the said Pro∣vince, that in case either through the Churches or his default, the Divisions and Contentions be continued, or that any new ones shall break but among them, that they shall remove him without delay from the exercise of his Ministry unto some other place, where they shall conceive he may be more useful, and as will be most expedient for the general good and edification of the whole Body of those of our Religion.

44. Monsieur du Bois shall continue in the Service of his Church of la Vall, according to those Agreements made with him, and approved by the Pro∣vincial Synod; only he shall serve the Church of my Lady Barre for the time appointed; and the said Province shall remand the said du Bois, to per∣form the duties of his Ministry more diligently.

45. The Province of Xaintonge is charged to get without delay a sup∣ply for the Church of Vertueil, and, till it have a settled Pastor of its own, that the Neighbour Ministers do by turns officiate and dispense all Ordinan∣ces of Religious Worship to it.

46. The Church of Rochel having at the intreaty and desire of this Synod promised to maintain Monsieur Peyris, who is now a Proposan, and to take special care that within six months time he should be duly qualified for the Ministry of the Gospel: This Synod doth hereby bind and oblige that Church, which shall give him a Call to the Pastoral Office, in case upon a strict Examen he be found capacitated for it, to make restitution unto the said Church of Rochel of all that Moneys, which they have disbursed in his Education at School and University, to fit and prepare him for their service in the Ministry.

47. Monsieur Hog complained, that he was put to very great costs and charges in the necessary defence of himself against the Insolencies and Assaults of the Carmelite Fryars of Rochefoucaud, and humbly desired that some course might betaken for his Reimbursement, he being in no wise able of him∣self to sustain the loss. But this Assembly dismissed his Petition unto the Synod of his own Province, which is required to consider it, and give him due satisfaction.

48. Whereas the sum of one hundred Crowns was adjudged unto the Province of Xaintonge for the setting up of a Free-School in it, the said Mo∣neys shall be imployed upon the Colledge of Rochefoucaud for its subsistence, and the like sum shall be conferred upon the Province of Lower Guyenne towards the Augmentation of the Colledge of Bergerac.

49. Whereas the province of Dolphiny draweth forth out of the General Stock of our Churches one portion under the name of Monsieur Mercure a Minister of the Gospel, who doth actually serve several Churches both in that Province, and in Vivaretz, it is now ordered once for all, that those particular Churches shall not have particular portions assigned to them, but shall be reputed for one only, because he is sole Pastor to them all.

50. The two portions that were adjudged unto Monsieur de la Faye, Pastor of the Church of Aubenas by the Synod of Gap over and above that other which the Province was to pay, shall be continued to him; and this order shall hold good till the sitting of the next National Synod.

51. Whereas there be differences arisen between the Province of Lower Languedoc and that of Vivaretz, about certain sums of Money, ordered to be expended in several Journeys, which were undertaken by the joynt and com∣mon consent of them both, and for the common good and benefit of both

those Provinces: This Assembly having heard both Parties, ordaineth, That the Province of Vivaretz shall be acquitted by that of Lower Languedoc in paying out of their first and dearest Moneys by the Lord of Candall, the sum of three hundred Livers. And all the Provinces are straitly and expresly enjoyned, that for the future they do never divert any of the Moneys granted us by his Majesty unto such Affairs, without the consent of Ministers and Churches who are particularly concerned in them; nor shall this be done at all, without mature and previous deliberation had about it.

52. A most humble petition shall be presented unto his Majesty, to be∣seech him to order that Monsieur Masela (having been wickedly prosecuted at Law about the Interment of his deceased Mother, and put to the vast charges of seven or eight thousand Livers in his own defence against that unreasonable and unrighteous Suit,) may have some amends and satisfaction given him for his great damages.