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. VIII. Of Particular Matters.

1. THE Sieurs Cerizier an Elder, Guerin and the Senior du Moustier Deputies from the Church of Loudun, petitioned that two Mini∣sters might be given them for Pastors out of the Synod of Poictou. This As∣sembly not approving their searchings abroad in several Synods, especially in that of Poictou, for supplies, hath sent them back to their own Province, to be provided there according to the Discipline. And it being told them, that Monsieur Fleury was at liberty to quit his Church in their Province, they demanding him, he was accordingly given them for their Pastor.

2. The difference between Monsieur Constantin and the Province of Xaintonge about Moneys claimed by him from them, is dismissed over to the Synod of Poictou, to be finally determined by them.

3. The Church of Orleans requesting a supply of Moneys to the defraying of those extraordinary Charges they have been at, by reason of their divi∣sions. This Assembly turned them over to their own Province, who should provide for them out of the common Stock distributed among them.

4. The Province of Upper Guyenne shall judge whether the Sieur Girard may Preach in the Church of Mauvoisin, he being imployed by its Pastor, without breaking of their Peace: And in case it may be done, the Prohi∣bition past against him in the Synod of Gergeau, shall be taken off the File.

5. Mr. Castelfranc and Benoist, Pastors, and Mr. Barjac an Elder, are or∣dered by this Assembly to acquaint the Lords President, Judges and Coun∣sellors of the Court of Castres, from their personal knowledge of what past in the Synod of Gergeau, that Monsieur Ferrier, Minister in the Church of Nismes, did neither by word or deed in the least derogate from their true and due honour; and to confirm this their Message, Letters shall be written in the name of this Assembly unto the said Lords.

6. The Accusation of Ascanius Allion against Monsieur Cante, is again re∣manded back unto the Province of Dolphiny, to consider of it, and what is to be done in it, after their having heard the new matters of fact, which the said Ascanius pretends to bring in as Evidence against him: And this As∣sembly orders Monsieur Videl to give him twelve Crowns out of the Moneys collected for the Poor of the Valleys, and six Crowns more to be given by him unto Joshua Faravel of the Marquisate of Saluces.

7. Mr. Roy, formerly an Elder in the Church of Xaintes, renewed again his complaint, for that the Order of the last National Synod about chang∣ing the Eldership in the said Church, hath been only in part, and not to∣tally and entirely observed; nor was that Reparation given his Wifes ho∣nour, (who had been affronted, when as God-mother she presented a Child

to Baptism,) as was ordained by the Provincial Synod of Xaintonge. This Assembly judgeth, that for the first of these the Consistory of the said Church is justly consurable, having but in part performed what was enjoyn∣ed them, and they be once again commanded to fulfil the whole Article; and in case of their not doing it, the Synod is charged to proceed against the said Consistory by all Church Censures. And for the second point com∣plained of by him, this Assembly, by and with Consent of the Deputies of that Province, and of the said du Roy, doth send it back unto the Synod, or to the Delegates of the Colloquies of Xaintonge, who shall by Authority from us judge finally of it.

8. The Sieur Rochers, at present Minister of the Church de la Chese in Poictou, representing his very great wants, and complaining both of the Church of Gardonne, and the other Congregations in Perigord annexed to it, for being indebted to him all the Moneys granted us by His Majesties Libe∣rality, for part of which he gave an Acquittance the same day that he had his Licence of departure by the Colloquy of Perigord, and yet that very part is detained from him by the Province of Lower Guyenne. This Assembly having heard the Deputies of that Province, and the Sieur Charron offering satisfaction should be given him by those particular persons who were be∣hind-hand in Arrearages to him, or else in present ready Money, or in that which was equivalent; it did advise him to accept of the offers made him, and by way of advantage, the Lord du Candal was ordered to pay him an hundred Livers, which shall be abated in Account from the Province of Lower Guyenne, and shall be deducted by the said Sieur Rochers, if so be that the Province of Xaintonge, unto which he is dismissed, do find that there be two years of the King's Bounty owing to him. And whereas the Church of Saueilles is also indebted to him, the Province of Poictou is order∣ed to examine the matter, and to see that he be fully satisfied.

9. The Church of Marennes petitioning that the Sieur Richer the young∣er, who was now freed from that Church wherein he Ministred in the Pro∣vince of Champagne and Brie, might be presented to them for their Pastor: This Assembly grants that the said Richer may preach among them until such time as Monsieur de Chabosselay their Pastor shall return unto them: And the Colloquy of the Isles shall judge of what may be best expedient for the said Church, and whether the said Richer may be confirmed in it; and in case he be not employed there, he shall be at full liberty to dispose of himself elsewhere.

10. The Church of Paris petitioning by the Sieurs Durand and du Pradel, that Monsieur Ferrier might be either sent, or absolutely given them for their Pastor: This Assembly weighing the reasons urged by the Church of Paris for it, and those of the Deputies of Nismes and Languedoc against it, Judgeth that they cannot equitably dispose of the Ministry of the said Ferri∣er: Yet on the other hand considering the great importance and needs of the Church of Paris, it intreats the Church of Nismes to lend their said Minister Monsieur Ferrier for one year, or to resign him up wholly to them for life, when as they shall be particularly requested to it by the Church of Paris.

* 1.111. The Lords and Pastors of the City and Church of Geneva sent their Letters unto this Assembly, demanding that the Sieurs Chauve and le Fau∣cheur. whom they claimed as their own, might be returned to them, to ex∣ercise their Ministry among them. After hearing the Provincial Deputies of the Lower Languedoc and Vivaretz, and understanding they had none other Title to them, than that of their Birth, which also the Churches of France hath unto divers Pastors, that have, and now do actually serve the Church of Geneva; This Assembly judged, that their right unto them was not considerable, and therefore intreats the Lords and Ministers of the City

of Geneva, that they would not for the future lay any claim, or pretend any right unto them, they being lawfully established Pastors in this Kingdom, according to the Discipline of our Churches, by which the Pastors are fixed and appropriated unto their Flocks immediately upon their Ordination. All which shall be notified unto the Seignory and Ministry of the said Church and City of Geneva.

12. The Church of Chastelheraut petitioned this Assembly to provide them a worthy Pastor, they being utterly unable to procure one: It was ordered that they be assisted for six months by the Neighbour Ministers, and by the Colloquy of Higher Poictou, and particularly by Monsieur Clemenceau Pastor of the Church of Poictiers for the first month, beginning with the first of July, and the second by Monsieur Monestier Pastor of the Church of Saujon, by Monsieur Forent Pastor of Chauvigny the third, by Monsieur Mestayer Pastor of Lusignan the fourth, by Monsieur Cuville Pastor of Couche the fifth, and by Monsieur Favre Pastor of Vigean the sixth.

13. Remonstrances were made on the one hand by the Churches of Maringues and Paillac, and on the other by the Church of Issoire, this last complaining that whereas two portions of four had been formerly assigned to them, now in the last National Synod they were taken from them, with∣out their knowledge or ever being heard speak for themselves, and given unto those of Maringues and Paillac, as also that they could never get a Minister, setled among them by the Synod of Lower Languedoc, but only the lone of one, and him too at excessive Rates and Charges. After hearing the Depu∣ties of Lower Languedoc, the Assembly ordained, that for time to come the Churches of Maringues and Paillac should be joyned to the Province of Bur∣gundy, and in the distribution of its moneys four portions shall be assigned un∣to the said Churches according to the decree of the National Synod of Rochel. And as for the Church of Issoire it shall remain incorporated with the Pro∣vince of Lower Languedoc untill the next National Synod: In which three portions of the Kings Moneys shall be allotted to it. And the two Provinces into which the said Churches are dismissed, shall provide Pastors for them as soon as possibly they can.

14. The affair of the Sieur Drouet Pastor in the Church of Pont le Evesque in Normandy is remitted over to the same Province, he having produced no Appeal from it.

15. The Petition of the Inhabitants of Vertueil craving Relief from the Judgment given against them in this Assembly, for their conjunction with those of Villefaignan, and equally to injoy the Ministry of Monsieur Comar, is turned over to the next meeting of the Colloquy of Augoumois, which is authorized by this Assembly, after hearing both parties, to determine final∣ly of that affair.

16. The Sieur Salomon a Minister having been lent for two years unto the Church of St. Triers le Perche in Limosin by the last National Synod, and being redemanded by the Church of Vanjaux in the Province of Berry, by whom he was maintained. This Assembly ordaineth that the said Mr Salomon do return within three months unto his said Church of Anjeau at the Charges of the Church of St. Triers, and the Provincial Synod of Guy∣enne shall provide a Pastor for them as soon as possible they can.

17. A Petition was presented by divers Gentlemen and others, Heads of Families, Members of the Church of Montagu, in conjunction with the De∣puties of Poictou, Declaring that forasmuch as they were well able without the Church of Vielle Vigne comfortably to maintain a Pastor, they therefore craved that one might be conferred upon them, and that they might be re∣incorporated with the Province of Poictou. This Assembly ordaineth, that those two Churches of Vielle Vigne and Montague, shall continue united to∣gether, and that the Pastor shall alternatively exercise in both Churches his

Ministry, and shall appear in person always at the Provincial Synods of Brittany; and both these Churches shall remain in this estate, till that by the common Consent of them both, and of the two Provinces, it be other∣wise altered and ordained by Authority of a National Synod.

18. Letters being writ from the Church of Minerbois meeting in the houses of the Lords de Beaufort and de Paulignan, desiring that they might by the au∣thority of this Assembly be joyned unto the Province of Lower Languedoc, and that they might be assisted with some Money from the General stock of the Churches, for the maintenance of that Minister, which shall be assigned them: The Synod having heard the Deputies of both the Provinces of Higher and Lower Languedoc, adjudgeth the said Church unto the Higher Languedoc, and that Provincial Synod is injoyned to provide them of a Pastor, and now from this very hour there shall be one portion given to it as to the other Churches of the said Province, which shall, because of the great number and advantages of its Churches, supply that of Minerbois out of its own Stock, that so an addition may be made unto the said portion, and to what sums may be collected in the said Church to raise a competent subsistence for the Minister that shall be given them.

19. The Letters of Monsieur Aubriot, Pastor of the Church of Maes Sainctes Puelles, were read, which related his great Poverty, and the lamentable ne∣cessities of his Church, and he craved two or three supernumerary portions for his Maintenance in the said Church. This Assembly ordained, that the Province of Higher Languedoc shall add to the portion of the said Aubriot two portions more to be taken out of the Stock of the said Province, without drawing any augmentation to themselves from the general Stock of the Churches; considering that they have two portions drawn forth under the names of two Pastors and Professors in the University of Montauban.

20. The Deputies of Provence propounding several matters not apper∣taining to this Synod, they were dismissed over to the next Political Assembly.

21. The Deputies of Dolphiny complained that the Sieur Scoffier educated at their Charges in Geneva, was Ordained Pastor to a Church in Berry, and craved that he might be again returned unto Dolphiny. This Affair was dismissed over to the Provincial Synod of Burgundy, with full power of putting a final period to it, whether by making restitution of the Moneys disbursed on him, or by enjoyning the said Scoffier to return unto the Pro∣vince of Dolphiny.

23. The Provinces of Vivaretz and Dolphiny contending about the Church of Soyon, it is decreed that Monsieur Murac, Pastor of the said Church, shall subject himself as a Member of them to the Synods of Vivaretz, until the Church of Valence be provided of a more convenient Meeting-place within the Province of Dolphiny, whereunto the said Murac shall be appropriated; and that portion given under his name shall continue settled on the Church of Soyon. But as long as the Pastor above-mentioned shall actually serve the said Church, the portion afore-said shall be allotted to the easing and benefit of both Churches.

* 1.223. The Complaint of the Isle of France being again renewed, for that the two Ministers of the Church of Mantes and Fountainbleau by command from the Lord Duke of Sully, do receive five hundred Crowns out of the portions adjudged that Province. This Assembly ordains, that the said Synod shall remonstrate unto those Ministers once more their duty, and command them accordingly to perform it, otherwise they shall be proceed∣ed against by all Censures. Yet nevertheless, for the support of those Churches, and of the Province also, over and above the two ordinary por∣tions under the names of the aforesaid Ministers, and the five extraordinary granted by the National Synod of Rochel, there be two portions more by

way of vantage decreed to be thrown into the Stock of the said Province, which shall be paid them until the sitting of the next National Synod.

24. Considering the deep Poverty, and great Burdens of the Church of Maringues, by reason of their former very grievous sufferings, over and above the two portions assigned unto their Pastors, a third extraordinary one is now also bestowed upon them until the Meeting of the next Natio∣nal Synod.

25. The two portions formerly granted unto the Church of Aubenac, shall be continued to it, till the Sitting of the next National Synod.

26. Monsieur Poitey having gathered the Acts of our National Synods in∣to one Volume,* 1.3 and tender'd it unto this Assembly, humbly craving leave that by our Authority the Copies thereof might be distributed, we appro∣ving the Zeal and good Affection of the said Piotey, do not judge it expe∣dient that any Copies thereof should be imparted, because of the ill conse∣quences that may happen hereon, and therefore advise him to rest contented for the present, and to detain by him his worthy Labours for his own pri∣vate use and benefit.

27. There being a difference between the Higher and Lower Languedoc about the Churches of Cormes and St. John du Brueil; order was given to those of the Higher Languedoc, to demand their remaining Debt of the por∣tions of those two Churches from the Province of Lower Languedoc, which had received their Moneys; and in case they refuse to give them satisfaction, than the Province of Vivaretz, by the Authority of this Synod, shall judge and determine finally of that Affair.

28. The Province of Higher Languedoc is exhorted to consider the Ex∣pences that Monsieur Benoist, Pastor of Montauban, has been at in his just defence against the unjust proceedings of his Adversaries.

29. The same Monsieur Benoist presented the Letters of Monsieur d'Isle∣made, which were recommended to the Lord of Mirande our General De∣puty, as also the Affair of the Sieur Piloty, propounded by the Deputies of Lower Languedoc.

30. Whereas the Widdow of Monsieur Quinson deceased, complaineth of the Colloquy of Gex, for not paying her the Arrears due unto her of her Annuity; this Complaint is dismissed over to the Province of Burgundy, who shall by their Judicial Sentence put a full and final period to it.

31. The Church of Gien Situated upon the Loire being destitute of a Pastor, and addressing themselves unto this Assembly, petitioned by their Letters and by Monsieur Alix their Deputy, that by our Authority they might be provided. We Considering the necessities and importance of the said Church, Monsieur Francis l' Oyseau, now free of I ingagements, is granted to them for their ordinary Minister; who also accepted of the Charge, and was sent unto that Church, who were required to take care for his Comfortable Subsistence, as being a most faithful and eminent Ser∣vant of Christ, and one that hath industriously and painfully discharged his Ministry in Sundry and divers places for many years together as appear∣eth by those honourable Testimonials lying by him, and given him from those Churches.

32. The Church of Poictiers complaining of the Loan of Monsieur Cle∣menceau their Pastor for one month unto the Church of Chastelheraut, that they could not in the least spare him: This Assembly considering their neces∣sities, doth nominate in his stead the Sieur de la Roche Crese Pastor of the Church of Cuirey.

33. The Deputies of Berry complained in the name of their two Colloquies against that of Orleans, about an agreement made by the Church of Orleans and others with the Sieur Fluereau. This business was dismissed over to the Province of Burgundy, by whose Judicial Sentence a full and final period shall be put unto it.

34. The Churches of Vitray in Brittany and of Lassay in the Maine being at variance about the Ministry of Monsieur Conseil sometimes Pastor in the Church of Puylaurens in Lauragais. This Assembly having heard the Depu∣ties of both Provinces, and what was urged on either hand as argument for them, doth censure the said Conseil for his actings in both those Churches, as also that Church of Lassay for their secret dealings with him to gain him wholly to themselves: yet nevertheless, judging that the Church of Vitre had no just title to the said Conseil by vertue of his private promise past unto them, the Province of Higher Languedoc having transferred him unto that of Anjou, he shall therefore continue Minister in the said Pro∣vince, and be consigned to the Church of Lassay.

35. Master James Royer sent Letters and a book unto this Assembly, treat∣ing of that controversy first started by him in the Church of Geneva, and afterwards continued in that of Metz. The Letters of the Pastors of Ge∣neva relating to this matter being read, and those also of the Consistory of Metz, craving advice from us about that custom of their Elders giving the Cup in the Sacrament unto the Communicants, and reciting the words of Institution at their delivery of it, from the eleventh Chapter of the first of Co∣rinthians, This Synod having already determined what should be done herein by an express Canon inserted into our Discipline (in which nothing shall be changed for whatever Difficulties may arise about the delivery of the Cup;) It cannot by any means approve of the actings of the said Royer, nor at all of publishing the said book, nor the great passion discovered in his Letters And therefore Ordaineth that Letters be written unto the Church of Metz, that by them he be exhorted to follow the things that make for Christian peace and love; and we counsel and advise the said Church in answer to their Request, that forasmuch as Pastors in Populous Churches cannot with∣out excessive toyling themselves deliver the Cup to every individual Member Communicating at the Lords Table, they may use the help of their Elder∣ship, but withal they shall injoyn them silence, and the Pastors only shall speak when these Sacred Elements are distributed, that so it may be general∣ly and manifestly known, that the adminstration of the Sacraments is wholly appropriated to the Pastoral office.

36. To put an end to the difference between the Sieurs Durdez and de Beaune, this Assembly being very well satisfied that the said Durdez is indebt∣ed for those summs of Moneys mentioned in his Letters, intreateth the said de Beaune to rest contented with one hundred Livers, out of one of those portions allotted to the said Durdez.

Notes

• * 1.1

  An Order concerning Ministers born in Gene∣va, but settled in the Church∣es of France, that neither the Lords nor Ministers of that City can pretend any right unto them.
• * 1.2

  Concerning the Ministers of Mantes and Fountainbleau. See Syn. Gap. p. m. 32.
• * 1.3

  See Syn. Gap. p.m. 28.