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. V. Appeals.

1. JAMES de l'Obel, otherwise du Val, being deposed from the sacred Mi∣nistry for the sin of Adultery committed by him, and which he him∣self had confessed to the Consistory of the Church of Gisors, wherein he ser∣ved, summoning hither the Pastors and several Elders of the Church of Rouen, came also in Person unto this Assembly with his Appeal from the for∣mer sentence of Deposition past in that Consistory against him, and from its confirmation given by the Provincial Synod of Normandy the first of April, 1609. This Synod having heard both the said du Val, and the Deputies of the Province, judgeth that the Consistory of his Church, and the Synod of his Province had proceeded most regularly and rightfully against him, and that therefore He the said du Val had aggravated his crime by his sinful Appeal, and that he shall continue on the Roll of scandalous deposed Ministers, with∣out all hopes of ever being restored to so Sacred an Office more.

2. The Colloquy of Gex appealed from a Decree of the Synod of Burgun∣dy, by which an exchange had been made between the two Churches of Divonne in the Baylywick of Gex, and that of Issurtelle in the Province of Burgundy of their Ministers, Monsieur Grillet and Gaussant: The Synod or∣daining that the Church of Issurtelle should pay the charges that Monsieur Grillett was at in his removal, and that of Divonne or the Colloquy of Gex the charges of Monsieur Gaussant in his. The Synod after hearing of Mon∣sieur du Pan Deputy of that Colloquy, and the Deputies from the Province of Burgundy, judged that the Provincial Synod of Burgundy had by their De∣crees done wrong unto the said Church and Colloquy, and therefore charg∣eth the said Province and its Colloquy to reimburse the injured Church and Colloquy of their Expences, out of the common Moneys belonging unto that whole Province.

3. The same Colloquy appealed about the Tax imposed on it, for bearing the charges of the Assembly of Chastellheraut. But this their appeal was dis∣annull'd, because the said Colloquy had received its part of the moneys granted us by the King, upon condition that the Provinces should be discharg∣ed for the expences of their Deputies unto the said Assembly. And Monsieur du Pan, Deputy for the said Colloquy by consent of the Province of Burgun∣dy, was told, that the portions granted the Pastors in the Baylywick of Gex, ought to be imployed towards their better maintenance, and as an augmenta∣tion of their Stipends, on this Condition, that three of them together with as many Elders should always appear in person at their Provincial Synod, and should pay their proportion of expences which were of necessity to be disbursed about the common affairs of the Province, and the whole to be rai∣sed out of the Moneys given us by his Majesty. And this Assembly by its own authority doth ratify that Ordinance of the Provincial Synod concerning the residence of Ministers upon their Churches, and those Churches are bound to provide convenient houses for them.

4. The Judicial Sentence of the Synod of Burgundy, ordaining Monsieur Clark to continue Minister in the Church of Gex, was confirmed; nor may the said Pastor, at the call of any private persons go and serve other Churches, without having first obtained Leave from his Consistory, or of three Elders at least. And the Appeal of divers Pastors who had contra∣dicted the said Colloquy, was rejected and made void.

5. Monsieur Toussaincts Pastor in the Church of Luke in Province, present∣ed himself unto this Synod, pretending his call to be a Member of it, and to have been deputed by the Province who having afterward retracted their

choice, he now Appealed from it. The Synod having heard both him, and the Deputies of the Province, and understood that he himself had pro∣cured his own discharge from this Deputation, and Had given his free con∣sent to the Election of others, declared his pretensions Null, his claim void, and his journey to be undertook without ground, and that therefore he should bear his own charges: And farther censureth him for his ill proceed∣ings, and ambitious seeking of an office whereunto he had no call, and from which he had discharged himself; and adviseth the Province to take care that for time coming our National Synods be no more troubled by any ambi∣guities in their Letters of Commission and Deputation.

6. The Consistory of Chaallons upon the Saone complained in their Appeal, of a Censure of the Synod of Burgundy, because they refused to admit a cer∣tain Marriage to be solemnized in their Congregation: But this their Ap∣peal was made void, and the Actings of the said Consistory in refusing the celebration of that Marriage judged over rigorous.

7. The Church of Dijon brought their Appeal, because Monsieur Chas∣segrain their Minister had been adjudged from them unto the Church of Cha∣allons upon Saone, without their ever being able to redemand the Moneys given by them to the said Monsieur Cassegrain for his pension at Geneva or elsewhere. This Assembly judged, that Considering the long time the said Chassegrain hath lived at Chaallons, without ever being redemanded by those of Dijon and Beaune, that the Province had a power of Disposing of him, and that he is not bound in his own person to make restitution of Moneys that had been bestowed upon him for his Education and Subsistence.

8. The Church of Chaallons upon Saone entred their Appeal in this Synod, because that Monsieur le Blanc formerly their Pastor, but now of the Church of Lions, had his dismission from them by leave of the Colloquy, upon this condition, that he should restore unto them the Moneys wherewith they had Supplied him during his Studies at Geneva, and for the buying of Books, and the overplus of wages received by him above the time he Served among them. Yet nevertheless the afore-mentioned Provincial Synod of Burgundy had discharged him of all payments, and afterwards granted him to the Church of Lions. This Assembly having perused the Memoirs of the Church of Chaallons, heard their arguments, and those of the Synod, and of Le Blanc, did condemn the proceedings of that Church of Chaallons, and Sup∣pressed its Memoirs, because they revived the minuter passages and circum∣stances of matters long since transacted in Consistories, Colloquies and Pro∣vincial Synods, and ordained that the whole series of affairs passed between the said Church and Monsieur le Blanc should be razed out of the Registers of their Consistories and Colloquies; and farther, it approves of the Call of the said le Blanc unto the Church of Lions, who also shall restore fifty Crowns unto the Church of Chaallons upon the Soane disbursed by them (for his maintenance in the University) and the overplus of his wages received by him over and above the time that he served them in the Ministry; And the Church of Lions shall see that this be faithfully performed; and the said summs of Money so received by the Church of Chaallons shall be paid in to that of Dijon in consideration of the charges they were at before hand for the encouraging and promoting the Studies of the Sieur Cassegrain, whose Mini∣stry the Church of Chaallons doth now enjoy: And furthermore there shall be taken out of the Stock of the Province of Burgundy an Hundred Livers, to be added unto the aforesaid summ, for the benefit of the Church of Di∣jon, unto which the said Sieur le Blanc shall not be obliged to make restitu∣tion of the summ of one hundred and fifty Livers received by him for that time in which he was by Decree of the Synod remanded back unto Dijon and Beaune. And further it was ordained that the Moneys before mention∣ed, which ought to have been restored unto Dijon, shall be imployed towards

the discharging of the said Churches of Dijon and Beaune from the Heirs of Monsieur Paillard, and the remaining over plus of what was due unto him shall be paid in by equal portions from those two Churches of Dijon and Beaune. And as to what concerns the second place for Religious Worship in the Baylywick, that which was ordained by the Provincial Synod shall hold good, but only till such time as we may obtain another place in the Baylywick, and distinct from that of Beanue.

9. The Appeal of the Church of Mure in Dolphiny from the Decree of the Provincial Synod, being about pecuniary matters, is according to the Canon made in the last Synod of Rochel, turned over to the Neighbour Province.

10. The Appeal of divers Colloquies in the Lower Languedoc from an Or∣der made by that Province for their continuing United in one, and not di∣vided into two Synods, is vacated and made null; and notwithstanding their Arguments drawn from the greaness of their expence, long tarrying, unequal distribution of Offices, and the like, reported by the Deputies of the Province; It is decreed, that they shall abide in the same estate in which they are, and the said Province shall take some effectual course to prevent as much as in them lieth, the inconveniencies above mentioned by them.

11. The Sieurs de Falgueirolles and Paulet Ministers, and de Gasques an Elder, appealing from the Judicial Sentence of the Synod of Lower Lan∣guedoc, which had declared, that the Bayliff of Vigan might be admitted in∣to their Synodical Assemblies, only as a meer spectator, though at first he claimed it of right, by vertue of his Office, and as a Magistrate, contrary to that Priviledge and Exemption granted unto our Synods and Colloquies by His Majesty. The Synod judgeth that the aforesaid Ministers and Elder had very good warrant for their Appeal, and it abrogates and censures the Judicial Sentence of that Synod.

* 1.112. The Church of Sauves appealing from the Decree of the Synod of Lower Languedoc, which had ordered them to pay unto the Widdow of Lazaras de Pedon, their late deceased Pastor, her Annuity, beginning from the very day of his death. This Assembly ratifieth the Judicial Sentence of that Provincial Synod, judgeth the Appeal null and void, and ordains, that the said Annuity shall be imployed for the benefit of the Orphan Daughter of the said deceased Minister.

13. Henry Dindault (formerly Minister in the Church of Nieuil in Aunix, deposed from the Sacred Ministry, first by the Colloquy of Aunix, and after∣ward by the Provincial Synod held at Barbezieux, (and the whole process of it was confirmed by the last National Synod held at Rochel, which had de∣clared him utterly uncapable of ever exercising the Ministry) did now make his Appeal unto this Assembly, and that it might be admitted, appeared in person, professing his repentance for many and grievous sins committed and acknowledged by him, but denying others whereof he also was accused, and importunately demanded a mitigation of the Sentence past upon him by the afore▪ mentioned Synod, and that he might be again restored unto the holy Ministry. This Synod having heard the Deputies of Xaintonge decla∣ring the proceedings in their Assemblies against him, the Letters and other Writings of the said Dindault, hearing also his Confessions, Apologies and Protestations, doth ratifie and confirm the Judicial Sentence of the said Sy∣nod of Xaintonge, and declares him for ever uncapable of being re-admitted unto the Ministerial Office, and exhorts him unto a true Repentance, and amendment of life: Upon evidences whereof given by him, he may be re∣ceived unto Communion at the Lord's Table.

14. The people of Marchenoir appealed from the Decree of the Provincial Synod of St. Amand, which had equally imparted the Ministry of Monsieur Chambaran unto them, and the Inhabitants of Lorges, upon condition that

those of Lorges should pay one half of his Stipend. This Assembly ordains, that the Article of the Provincial Synod be observed both by them of Lorges and Marchenoir; and in case the Inhabitants of Lorges refuse this condition, that then the extraordinary Sermons shall be preached at Marchenoir. And in the mean while the said Synod is required to observe more carefully the 8th Article in the 5th Chapter of our Discipline, which giveth ample power of judging finally and without Appeal in such cases unto Provincial Synods.

15. The Sieur Quinson, Pastor of the Church of Chartres and Favieres, appealing in their name from a Decree of the Provincial Synod of the Isle of France, held at Charenton, by which the Lord de Bijannettes was left at li∣berty, either of communicating with the Church of Blainville, whereof he was a Member, or because he was nearer with that of Favieres, he contri∣buting both to the one and other: This Assembly confirms that Decree of the Synod of the Isle of France, and declares the Appeal to be null and void, because the difference is of their nature, which may be finally determined by the Provincial Synods. However, for time coming it is ordained, that no Member shall joyn himself to another Church without leave first had and obtained from the Colloquy or Provincial Synod, which shall very well weigh and consider of all Motives and Arguments inducing to it.

16. This Assembly took no notice of the Appeal brought by the Province of Lower Languedoc from the Judgment of that of Vivaretz, about the bu∣siness of Monsieur Rossell, because, according to the Canon of the last Natio∣nal Synod, it might have been finally determined in that Province; as also, because the difference arose from a particular Agreement which the said Rossell made with the Church of Gignac, wherein they had obliged them∣selves to pay him over and above his Salary, that portion accrewing to them from the Moneys granted us by His Majesty. Nevertheless this Synod did expresly prohibit for the future all such Bargains and Agreements, and ordains, that Pastors shall have from their Churches settled and certain Wages, in which payment shall not be reckoned their Augmentation from the Moneys of His Majesties Bounty. And Ministers shall give Acquittances unto their Churches of all Moneys received from them at the quarterly payments.

17. The Sieur Guibert, Pastor, complaining of a Judgment passed in the Provincial Synod of Xaintonge, whereby he was consigned Minister to the Church of Archiac: The Assembly having heard the Deputies of that Pro∣vince, and the said Guibert also, declared the Decree of the said Province just and equitable, and ordaineth his continuance in the said Church, until such times as by advice of the Colloquy, or of the same Province, he may be elsewhere employed, if need be; but they be exhorted to take care for his comfortable maintenance.

18. The Colloquy of Mayne appealing from a Decree of the Colloquy of Touraine, chosen Umpire between that of Mayne and Anjou, by which the Church of Prinjey and Gallirante had been adjudged to the Colloquy of Anjou; upon hearing the Arguments produced by the said Colloquies, this Assembly revoketh and reverseth the Decree aforesaid, and adjudgeth the Church of Prinjey and Gallirante unto the Colloquy of Mayne.

19. A difference falling out between the Provinces of the Isle of France and Berry, upon this occasion, divers Gentlemen and others formerly Members of the Church of Chartres, had lately joyned themselves unto the Church of Basoches and Genouille, gathered in the Colloquy of Blesois, because of its nearness to their Habitations, and more Commodious for them. The Synod hearing the arguments on both sides, and perusing the Memoirs, doth leave the Gentlemen and other persons to their full Liberty, either for Basoches and Genouille or for that of Chartres.

20. The Sieur Beraud Pastor and Professor in the Church of Montauban,

and the Sieurs de Novellan and de Vaures, Deputies from that Church unto the last Synod of Higher Languedoc and Guyenne held at Pamiers, appealed, for that the said Beraud was aggrieved by the aforesaid Synod, which hav∣ing restored the Sieur Benoist to the aforesaid Church, and refused to give him his dismission, tho he humbly demanded it, and had ordained that he should be reconciled with the said Benoist, that they might live for the future amicably, in peace, and good correspondence together. And the Sieurs de No∣vellan and de Vaures appealed for that the said Sieur Benoist was sent back un∣to the Church of Montauban, as if he were one of their own proper Pastors. Upon hearing the complanits of the Sieur Beraud and the Deputies of the said Church, and the defence made by Monsieur Benoist; and on perusal of di∣vers Acts and Letters written on both sides, and the Provincial Deputies al∣so being heard, producing the Acts on which their Decree was grounded, and relating the Charge and Commission given them as they passed through Moutauban, both from the party favouring Monsieur Beraud, and the party desiring the continuance of the Ministry of the said Benoist: This Assembly observing in all their proceedings more of passion than of reason, ordaineth, that the said Beraud be out of hand reconciled with the said Benoist, and the said Benoist shall testifie unto him the great desire he hath for the future of living with him in all Love, Honour and Respect, and intreat him to forget and forgive all past miscarriages: And furthermore, it doth absolutely and fully ratifie and confirm that Decree of the Provincial Synod, disannulling the Appeal of the said Deputies, and exhorts them to a mutual reconciliation, and to use their utmost endeavour for the effecting an entire & universal Peace in the said Church. And in case this be not done, the next approaching Provin∣vincial Synod is charged by vertue and authority of this Assembly, to re∣move them both from it, and to employ them elsewhere in some other di∣stinct Churches of the Province, and by some other Ministers to serve and supply the Church of Montauban. And the Sieurs Bauconis, Silvius, and de Malleret, are ordered to travel unto Montauban, and to give the said Church a punctual Account of this our Decree in all its circumstances, and the Ex∣pences of their Journey shall be defrayed by it. And whereas the Deputies of the said Church do desire that Garissoles and Cabault, Proposans maintain∣ed by them, might be examined in this National Synod; and that it would be pleased to give in their Opinions of them, whether they were persons sufficiently qualified for the Sacred Ministry, and capable of assisting their other Pastors; it was resolved, that this matter should be left wholly to the Judgment of their Provincial Synod, who should determine both of their Capacity, and Induction into the said Church, whereunto, however they should not consent, till such time as they had unanimously agreed about the Ministry of Monsieur Benoist; on which condition they might grant the de∣mands of the said Church. And in case it should be a long time before the Synod Assembled, that then the Colloquy of Lower Quercy shall finally determine this Affair, provided that they call in, to act together with them, the Colloquy of Armagnac, that so all sinister thoughts of partiality in their Judicial Sentence may be obviated and prevented And if in pursuance hereof, they shall perceive a design laid for the exclusion of Monsieur Benoist, then they shall not in the least proceed to the Ordination of the said Pro∣posans, nor unto their Instalment in the Church of Montauban.

21. The University of Montauban appealed because the last Synod held at Pamiers refused to admit of Monsieur Gardesie unto the Professors place of the Greek Tongue. This Assembly decreeth, that the Synod, or both the Colloquies which shall judge about the Proposans of the Church of Mon∣tauban, shall also take cognisance of this Affair: And in case they do grant the said Gardesie unto that University, and he consent unto it, that then they do dispose of one of the said Proposans, or of some other person, whom

they believe will best edifie the Church of Mauvoisin, unto its service in the Pastoral work.

22. The Appeal of the Common Council of the City of Montauban on behalf of the Counsellors in their Colloquy is dismissed over to the next Po∣litical Assembly of the Province.

23. The Sieurs des Baconis, Sylvius and de Malleret in their journey unto Montauban, about the affairs of that Church, are ordered to visit the Church∣es of Meusac, Islemade, and St. Leophary, and to take knowledge of their Estate, and Proverty, that so they may testifie unto the approaching Synod of the Higher Guyenne, whether the Sieurs Richaud and Bicheteau can be maintained by them, and whether they be able to incourage them in their personal residence among them, according to the Decree of the National Synod of Rochel.

24. Whereas Monsieur Beraud appealed from the Judgment of the Pro∣vincial Synod of Higher Languedoc and Guyenne, for their continuing the Sieurs Richaud and Bicheteau in the Curatorship of the University of Montau∣ban since the Decree of the last National Synod, and for their approving of that custom of precedency among the Elders, according to their Seniority in Office: This Assembly expounding the Canon of the aforesaid Synod of Rochel, declareth that it never intended to set up any ordinary Curators, excepting those that be upon the place, and it only gave leave unto the Consistories, and University Counsels to call in upon extraordinary occa∣sions such persons as they judged best able to advise and assist them; and therefore can in no wise approve of this Intendency ordained by the Provin∣cial Synod. And as for the other point, it cannot allow the Provincial Sy∣nods to make orders about precedency, and condemns the said Province for so doing; and farther it does appoint all Consistories to use their prudence in preventing of those disorders and confusions, which may fall out on such punctilio's, and to take care that every one have that respect paid him which is due unto him.

25. The appeal of the Sieurs Rafin, Perrot, and Phillipy about their ex∣pences unto the last National Synod is sent back unto the Neighbour Pro∣vince, with full power to determine finally therein, according to the Ca∣non of the same Synod concerning Pecuniary matters.

26. The Sieur Beraud brought in an Appeal of the Colloquy of Armagnas, which complained of the Province of Higher Languedoc and Guyenne, that meerly out of conformity to their Neighbours, would send their Deputies to the Synods of Lower Languedoc and Guyenne. This Assembly approving the resolution of the said Synod, Censures the Colloquy for their opposition, and makes null and void their Appeal.

27. Master Claudius Maillard Doctor of Physick, and heretofore Elder in the Church of Orleans appealed from the judgment of his Provincial Synod held at Gien, by which the said Maillard was censured together with his book writ∣ten by him against his own Pastor Monsieur du Moulin, and because it had or∣dained that his Censure should be published in the Church before the whole Congregation; the said Maillard pleading that neither his Book nor Person ought to have been censured, but only that formality of his having caused it to be printed; and farther, that the Censure past upon Mr. du Moulin by the same Synod ought also to have been published in the Congregation. Upon perusal of that aforesaid Printed discourse, and published by the said Mail∣lard, and sent by him subscribed with his own hand unto this Assembly, and the several acts produced by him proving his assertions. And Monsieur du Moulin being heard apologizing for himself, and his demand of License to depart from the said Church and Province, both which he had long ere this have quitted, had it not been, that he expected the sitting of this Assem∣bly; and the Deputies of the said Church being heard earnestly requesting

his return unto them: The Acts also of the Colloquy held at Baugency being perused, which condemned the Consistory of Orleans, for not deposing of Esaiah Fleureau from his Office, and for not publishing his suspension from the Lords Table, notwithstanding his Appeal, and finally the act of the Sy∣nod before-mentioned, together with what was done about its execution by the Deputies sent from the Synod: After mature deliberation of all these things, this Assembly judged that the said Maillard had do reason at all to Appeal from the sentence of the Synod, considering the greatness of his fault, which is again condemned both in substance and circumstance; and ordaineth that he shall call in all his Books dispersed abroad and sup∣press them, and judgeth that the said Colloquy ought in no wise to have hin∣dred the Appeal of the said Fleureau: And as for the said Sieur du Moulin, This Assembly approveth the judgment of the Synod, and the proceed∣ings of the Pastors delegated for its execution; but cannot allow of the de∣parture of the said du Moulin, since the denunciation of the said Sentence: And it ordaineth that the said du Moulin, shall be restored unto the Church of Orleans, which is injoined to love, honour and maintain him; And that an effectual reconciliation may be wrought among them, Messieurs Ferrier, Chauve, de Montdenis and Basnage Ministers, together with the Lord of Fiefbrun an Elder, and the other Elders Deputed with the aforesaid Elders unto this National Synod, are commissioned by it to transport themselves unto the Church of Orleans, and there by Authority of this Assembly, to ordain whatsoever may be judged expedient for the mollifying of those Hearts, and abating of those heats, and reconciling of the divided parties, and the happy re-establishment of the Ministry of the said Sieur du Moulin in that Church, and to inflict such Censures as are meet upon the Refractory and Contumacious Members, which shall oppose and hinder this pacifica∣tion.

28. The Provincial Synod of Poictou dismissed over unto this Assembly the last Censure of Master Fiacre Picard sometime Minister in the Church of Chastelheraut, who being convicted in the said Synod of several notorious Crimes, was suspended until now from his Office, and commanded to ap∣pear in person before this Assembly. The Deputies of the Province gave an account of the Synods judgment past upon him, produced the Accusations brought in against him, and the several proofs and Evidences of them, to∣gether with his Letters and Confessions. After which the said Picard was called in, and heard speak in his own defence; some things he owned, and others he denied, whereupon this Assembly confirmeth the judgment past upon him by the Province of Poictou, and farther to shame and humble the said Picard, it Decrees that he shall continue suspended for a full year, and until the next Provincial Synod of Xaintonge, unto which he shall give his personal appearance, and bringing with him sufficient Attestations of his good Life and Conversation, approved by the Inhabitants of the places of his abode, he may be re-admitted into the Sacred Ministry, but not to offi∣ciate within the Precincts of the Province of Poictou; and as for his request, that we would in some manner relieve him under his great wants: this As∣sembly granteth unto the Province of Xaintonge a supernumerary portion, which may be given to him.

29. The Appeal of divers persons inhabiting the Parish of St. Sulpice within the Marquisate of Royan, who by the Provincial Synod of Xaintonge, were adjudged to the Church of Royan, was reported, together with the ar∣guments urged on both sides; This Assembly leaveth the said Inhabitants unto their liberty to join themselves either to the Church of Saujon or Roy∣an, as best liketh them, only adviseth them to choose that which is nearest the place of their abode. And this same order shall be of force with respect to the Village of Petit Pont, and la Maison des Hurtins near unto la Trem∣blade,

that so the Decree of the Synod of Xaintonge may be confirmed and established. And the Appeal of the Church of Aruert is hereby vacated.

30. The Appeal of the Sieur Maurice, Pastor in the Church of Orange, complaining or his Provincial Synod for their over much Indulgence unto the Lady d' Aramond is rejected; It being a known case that that same Synod could finally determine in such affairs.

* 1.231. The Church of Vertueil and Villefaignon appealed from a Decree of the the Synod of Xaintonge, which adjudged Monsieur Perier to be Minister in the Church of Pons for one year, with purpose, as the Deputies of the Pro∣vince declared, to have continued him there during life, if so be those of Pons should approve of it, who also did most importunately demand it from this Assembly. Upon hearing of all the parties concerned, this Synod or∣daineth that the said Monsieur Perier shall be the proper and ordinary Pa∣stor of the Church of Pons, but with this condition, that the said Church do pay unto the Church of Vertueil and her annexed Congregations three hundred Livers, disbursed by them for his maintenance at the University; and those annexed Congregations shall remain united and conjoined as for∣merly unto the Church of Vertueil: And the Sieur Gomard Pastor of the said Church of Vertueil, shall do the same work at Villefaignon as the said Perier had done before him, to whom also the said Churches shall pay the remain∣ing dues of his Sallary.

32. The Appeal of Monsieur Voysin from the Colloquy of Lauragais con∣cerning the maintenance of his Uncles Widdow, Madam Voysin, by the Church of Puylaurens, is remanded back unto the Province, to pass a final Judgment on it.

33. The Appeal of Samuel Gautier Lord of Aulnes from the Provincial Sy∣nod of Normandy was rejected.

34. The Appeal of the Church of Pamiers from the Decree of the Synod of Higher Guyenne, importing that the said Church should pay yearly the summ of five and forty Livers unto the poor necessitous family of their late deceased ••astor Monsieur Fraugier, was read. Whereupon this Assembly, having heard on the one side Monsieur Nouellhan pleading for that Church, and the Deputies of the Province on the other side against them, declared the Appeal Null, but withal ordered that the Province was bound in Pru∣dence and Charity to take some course for their present relief, and future sub∣sistence, either at the sole charges of that Church, or in case of their inabili∣ty, by the help and assistance of the Province; which also is advised to consult whether it would not be more expedient to continue the Pension as it is now stated, or to pay in at once or twice a good round summ as a settled stock for the discharge of that Pension.

35. Monsieur Welsh a Scotchman Minister in the Province of Xaintonge Appealed from the said Province; because that in its last Synod held at Ro∣chel, they had adjudged his Ministry unto the Church of Jonzac until such time as God should recall him back into Scotland; Which was a grievance to him. This Assembly having read his Letter, and the reasons urged for him, and for the Province against him, approveth the Judgment of the Province, and Decrees that he shall serve in the said Church: However for the Consolation of the said Mr. Welsh it injoins the next Colloquy to the Classis of Jonzac, or the Synod, to deliberate what will be best expedient both for him and the Church; and in case he be not inclined to serve the said Church of Jonzac, another Church shall be provided for him within the Province, such an one as may be most meet for him, excepting that of Pons, to which he was once presented by this Assembly. And further he is commanded both in Preaching and in the exercise of Discipline to conform unto that order and manner used and accustomed in the Churches of this Kingdom.

36. The Church of Foix and Tarascon complained in their Appeal of the Synod of Higher Languedoc and Guyenne for entring into the common charges a part of two Supernumerary Portions, which had been granted them by the last National Synod. Upon which it was answered that the said Church had done well in appealing, and that it was unjustly Decreed by the said Synod; which is now injoined by the authority of this Assembly to make restitution of what they had taken from those two aforesaid Por∣tions unto the said Church.

37. The Sieur de Beauvoysin Appealed from the judgment of the Provin∣cial Synod of Lower Languedoc, because of the differences fallen out betwixt him and Monsieur Esaiah Ferrier Pastor in the said Province▪ Upon hearing the state of that whole affair at large, and the method used by the Province, which never refused to accommodate it, but only delayed it, because of the absence of one of the Parties, caused by the proceedings of the other; This Assembly judged the Appeal of the said Beauvoysin to be ill laid, and there∣fore remands the whole process back again unto the Province; and injoineth both Parties personally to appear at their next Synod, and that Provincial Synod to work out between them a good reconcilement. Upon which the Memoirs brought by the Lord of Puymichel Deputy for Provence were re∣stored to him, that he might put them into the hands of the said Sieur de Beauvoysin.

38. The Colloquy of the Isles in Xaintonge Appealed from the Decree of the Provincial Synod, which had rebuked the said Colloquy for over-rigo∣rous censuring the Minister of the Church in St. Just, because of his non-ap∣pearance at their Meeting in Soubize, and of the Sieur Petit Deputy from the Synod for publishing that aforesaid Decree in the said Church. This As∣sembly having heard Monsieur Merlin speak in behalf of the Synod, and Monsieur Bonnet for the Colloquy, judged that the Church of Soubize failed in their Letter of Summons, inserting a clause that the Colloquy had exceed∣ed their power by an over-rigorous censure inflicted on the said Church and Minister; and it approveth the Decree of the Synod against the said Collo∣quy: But for as much as publication hath not been made of it, we do or∣dain that it shall be forborn: only Monsieur Petit shall read in the Consistory of the Church of St. Just this present Article, that so the honour of the said Minister maybe repaired.

39. Bertrand Faugier formerly Minister of the Church of Viners in Dol∣phiny appealed from the Decree of the Synod of that Province, whereby he was Deposed from the Sacred Ministry; but his Appeal was declared null and void, for non-appearance in person at this Assembly.

40. The Appeal of the Church of Lamure in Dolphiny from a Decree of their Provincial Synod being only about Money matters shall according to the Canon made at Rochel be determined by the next adjoining Province.

Notes

• * 1.1

  The Widdow of a deceased Minister shall be paid her Annuity from the day of his Death.
• * 1.2

  See the Roll of Apostates in the Synod of Castres.