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. VII. Of Appeals.

1. THE Church of Orange complaining by her Deputies, that they were excluded from the Political Assembly held in Dolphiny. This As∣sembly remands them unto the next General Political Assembly, unto which they shall present their complaint, if they judge meet.

2. Master Gautier complained on behalf of the Church of Annonay, that they had never been reimburst their Expences, which they were necessitated to make in getting supplies, during the absence of their Pastor Monsieur Faucheur, who was deputed to the Assembly of Saumur. This Synod order∣eth the Province of Vivaretz to see the said Church of Annonay be paid an hundred Livers, including in that sum the six and thirty already received by them.

3. The Church of Armagnac appealed from a Decree of the Provincial Synod of Lower Languedoc held at Florac, which had imposed on them the Sieur Thevond to be their Pastor against their consent. And the said Mr. The∣vond also appealed from the Synod of Montpellier for removing him against his will from Aigues-mortes. This Assembly after, hearing of all Par∣ties; and perusal of the Acts of both these Synods, judgeth that the said Pro∣vince hath very much transgrest the Discipline, by lending the said Thevond unto the Church of Aigues-mortes, and by restoring the said Pastor unto the Church of Armagnac; and therefore ordaineth, that the next Colloquy or Synod shall provide the said Thevond of another Church, and that he be re∣moved from that of Aigues-mortes, or of Armagnac, and the Church of Armagnac is sharply censured for her strange proceedings in obstructing the return of the Sieur Thevond to them, as also Benezet, Elder of that Church, and his Companions, who without any just cause given, did pro∣secute the Expulsion of the said Thevond from among them. Moreover, we do very greatly condemn him the said Thevond, for his pragmaticalness, and

unnecessary intermedlings with Civil Affairs, as also for his unhandsome act∣ings in the celebration of his Marriage, that he might avoid the Tying of the Point, a notorious Character of his Infidelity and Distrust of God, de∣serving a Deposal from the Sacred Ministry, and the Sieur Chambrun, Pastor of Nismes, who blessed that Marriage, is liable unto the same censure. But this Assembly contents it self with that softer Reprehension given him by the Colloquy, hoping that it will redound unto his future benefit: And in case he hath not as yet fully satisfied the Censure imposed on him by the said Colloquy, he is ordered immediately to fulfil it, on pain of being suspended from his Ministry.

4. The Deputies of the Church of Aigues-mortes complained of that Article of the Assembly at Saumur, which authorized the prosecution of Monsieur de Berticheres at the instigation of the Lords General Deputies, and the said Deputies of Aigues-mortes remonstrated that the said Assembly was surprized for otherwise it had been impossible for the said de Berticheres to have been admitted into the said Church. The Synod refused to take cognisance of this Affair, it having been determined by the said Assembly of Saumur; and because it conceived that a subsequent Assembly of the same nature could best judge of its own preceding Sentence, and of whatsoever might be pro∣posed with reference unto that subject; and therefore remands the Plaintiffs thither; but it charged our Lords the General Deputies at Court, to give order, that this Affair be remanded unto that Assembly there to be deter∣mined, and in the mean while nothing shall be innovated or altered in that Article.

5. Monsieur Benoist, Pastor in the Church of Moutauban, and de la Vialle Lieutenant Criminell in the same City appeared in this Assembly, craving Remedies against those Dissentions which have arisen about the Ministry of the said Benoist in the said Church. This Assembly deputed the Sieurs Perrin and Ferrand Pastors, and de Mallerett, Glatignan and Bonnett Elders, to pass over unto Montauban, and after hearing of the several Parties, to find out some means of reconciling them, and to contrive some expedient whereby their Differences may be composed; and upon report of the whole matter by these Deputies, the Synod declared, that of right Monsieur Benoist belongs unto the Church of Montauban, he having been adjudged as such by the National Synod of St. Maixant: Yet nevertheless, in regard of the present Disposition of that Church of Montauban, it decrees the said Benoist to continue in his Ministry of the Churches of Realville and Albyas until the next Provincial Synod; in which, if the said Benoist be not de∣manded by the Church of Montauban by their general and unanimous Con∣sent, according to the Discipline, the said Provincial Synod is enjoyned to provide the said Benoist of some other Church, wherein he shall make his Residence; and the whole shall be so managed, as that the honour of his Ministry may be kept unblemished, because he is not discharged from his Church for any fault committed by him, but meerly for the peace of it.

6. The Elder of of the Church of Aulais in Sevennez complaining of the Synod of Lower Languedoc for imposing Monsieur Jarry as Pastor upon their Church against their will, and this testified by him openly in their Synodi∣cal Metting: That Province is censured for breaking of our Discipline: And the next Colloquy which shall sit is to provide the Church of Aulais of ano∣ther Pastor, and the Sieur Jarry of another Church, and the said Province shall defray the Charges of the said Jarry, amounting to the sum of two hundred Livers.

7. The Agreement made betwixt the Church of St. Antonine and that of Verfeuil upon their Appeal brought hither, is approved by this Assembly, which doth also confirm Monsieur Guerin in the Pastoral office of the said Church of St. Antonine.

8. Monsieur Bayly Pastor in the Church of Lyons presented in this Assem∣bly an Account of the difference between his Church and the Province of Burgundy: And the Deputies of that Province being heard requesting that the Decree of their Synod concerning the fifth penny of the poors Money might be observed by the said Church of Lyons: This Assembly ordered that they should punctually observe and practise that Canon of the National Synod of Rochell relating to this matter, and it should also be done in and by all the other Churches of that Province.

9. The Colloquies of St. Germain, Anduze, and Saulne demanding A sepa∣ration from the Synod of Lower Languedoc, that for time to come they might make a distinct Province; The whole affair having been Seriously weighed and considered, as also that the Synod of Lower Languedoc composed of an hundred Pastors and as many Elders, are of an exceeding distance, and that their great number brings the greater Confusion: This Assembly judgeth the said separation to be very needful for their Ecclesiastical meetings; And that for the future, the six aforesaid Colloquies shall be divided into two Provincial Synods, whereof the one shall consist of the Colloquies afore-men∣tioned, viz. of St. Germain, Anduze and Saulne, and shall be called the Sy∣nod of Sevennes and Gevaudan, and the other three Colloquies shall make another Synod called by the Name of the Synod of Lower Languedoc.

10. Monsieur Gautier did by his Proctor Captain Pascall Appeal unto this Assembly from the Judgment given in the Synod of Bagnals against Mon∣sieur Bansillon Fastor of Aiguemortes, who considering his notorious Crimes, had not dealt severely enough with him. This Assembly approveth of his Appeal, and judgeth that the Province for their lenity and gentle Censures of him, are themselves worthy of the sharpest Censures. And therefore it de∣creeth, that upon this very account, and for what hath been transacted in this Assembly concerning the said Bansillon, and because he hath positively denied those matters, which since his Repentance he owneth and acknow∣ledgeth, that he shall be suspended from his Ministry for the space of three months.

11. An Appeal was brought in the Name of the Lord Mareschal de Lesdi∣guieres, Viscount of Villemur, from an Order of the Provincial Synod held at Revel, which in pursuance of a Decree past in the preceding Colloquy, had ordained Monsieur Charles, Pastor of the said Town of Villemur, to abide and live there, notwithstanding the instant desires of the people to the contrary. This Assembly having heard the Commissioners deputed to examine this Affair, and perused their Evidences produced by them, and having heard both the said Charles, and the Lord of Bellujon, Governour of the said Ville∣mur sent by the said Lord Mareschal, who also joyned with him in this Appeal; it judgeth that the said Sieur Charles hath incurred the Censures of the Church for his pragmaticalness in intermedling with State-matters, and for carrying unto the said Lord Mareschal a Libel fraught with defa∣matory Articles against the said Governour de Bellujon; as also for bringing away with him Memorials of the said Mareschal, quite contrary to his inten∣tion. And in like manner is the said Governour de Bellujon censured for not having first of all formed his Complaints in the Consistory, and thence gra∣dually prosecuted them in the Colloquy and Synod, according to the Rules of our Discipline, and for that he suffered his Family to separate themselves from the Body of the Church of Villemur, and to go and joyn themselves in Communion elsewhere. And inasmuch as there is little hopes that the said Charles may for the future live quietly, and exercise profitably his Ministry in that said Church, it is ordered, that the next Provincial Synod shall pro∣vide it of another Pastor, and him of another convenient Church, and this without any impairment to his Reputation or Ministry. And these several Parties were mutually reconciled, pledging their words to bury in oblivion

the remembrance of all past-matters, and that they would live for time to come in all Brotherly Love and Concord. And whereas the said Charles complained, that the Expences in this Appeal and Cause, were too heavy a burden for his Church, the Province was ordered to provide therein ac∣cording to Charity.

12. The Sieur Isaac Boiteux Minister in the Church of Bussy in Burgundy appealed; His Father, Mother, and the Pastors of the Church of Geneva joyned with him in the said Appeal, craving that he might be restored unto his aged Father, who is a Pastor in the said City of Geneva; their Letters also were tendered unto this Synod, grounded upon this, that he was only a Loane unto the said Province, which yet avows the contrary, and that the said Boiteux promised without any restriction or reservation to serve them during life. But he not appearing in person in this Assembly, the whole affair was dismissed over to the Province of Vivaretz, with full authority from this National Synod to make a final decision of it.

13. The Colloquy of Higher Poictou Appealed, complaining of the Sy∣nod of Poictou held at Thouars, for dismembring the Church of Marcillac from their Colloquy, and joyning it to the Colloquy of middle Poictou: Upon a full hearing of the matter, this Assembly approved the Judgment of the said Synod.

14. The Sieur Peyrol Pastor in the Church of Montpellier complained of an Order made by the Synod of Lower Languedoc, importing that the Pastors of Montpellier should have a careful Eye over his Sermons in the Church, and Lectures in the School. But the Deputies of the said Province protest∣ing that it was never the Intention of the Synod to make any such Order, or that it should be executed, and that they having razed it out of their Synodical Register, (which also was ratified by the very next subsequent Synod) might well content him. This Assembly judgeth, that this Attesta∣tion of the Deputies may suffice him, because for that good and laudable Testimony given him, we believe that the Article was null both before and after the razing of it. And the said Sieur Peyrol is exhorted to under∣take couragiously, and to discharge faithfully his Professorship of Divinity according to the desire, approbation and expectation of his Province.

* 1.115. The Sieur de Sousais appeared personally in the Synod, and having been heard in his defence against the Accusations of the Province of the Isle of France, who proved that he had deserted his Church of Bordes with∣out leave, and that he had been already absent from it the space of eighteen months. This Assembly dismissed the final Judgment of his Case unto the Provincial Synod of Berry, with full Authority to determine it; in which he shall justifie himself, as also from all other Crimes whereof he is suspected and accused, and the time and place of that Synods meeting shall be signi∣fied to him; till which we judge it also expedient that he shall not exercise his Ministry.

16. The Complaints and Accusations brought in against Mr. Jeremy Fer∣rier, Pastor of the Church of Nismes, were heard, as he was also in his De∣fence and Answers. This Assembly over-looking many of his miscarriages, for which he had been dealt withal particularly, and by word of mouth privately reproved, and for which he deserved a very sharp Censure; it doth now admonish and charge him to give glory unto God by a penitential Ac∣knowledgment of his sins committed both in his Office of Pastor and Pro∣fessor, and in his management of Civil matters, and more especially for his abandoning the Church of Paris without leave from it first obtained, con∣trary to the promise made by him at his Admission into the Ministry there, that he would always continue in their service: Item, he was reproved for his great neglect of his Professoral Office ih Divinity, which he could not discharge whilst he made several Journeys unto Court, and to Political

Assemblies, contrary to what had been decreed in the National Synod of St. Maixant, and for not taking care about the supply of his Place, and dis∣charge of his Office by some fit person during his Absence; and farther, for his intermedling with the Moneys of the University, And appropriating more of them than was his due, even the sum of three thousand one hun∣dred and three Livers, five Sous, and six Deniers to his own private use.* 1.2 Item, for giving his consent to the publication of Captain Gautier's Letters, which he should rather have suppressed; they having caused such conten∣tions as lie not now in his power to allay, unless he imbark himself in tricks and shifts utterly unbecoming his Ministerial Calling. For which causes it was ordained, that he should by Letters written with his own hand, give full satisfaction to the Church of Paris, and clear his hands of the aforesaid Moneys belonging to the University; and farther, to obviate and stifle all fears, jealousies, reports and suspicions concerning him, he is expresly forbidden to present himself in any Political Assemblies, be they Provincial or General, for the space of six years. And out of kindness to him, and that the honour of his Ministry may not be blasted, it is decreed, that he shall exercise it in some other Province, as may be judged most con∣ducing to the Glory of God, and the Edification of the Church.

17. The Church of Mussaye brought in their Appeal from a Decree of the Synod of Brittany held at Blain in the month of November last, for that they were deprived of their portion of Moneys granted unto the Churches by the King. This Assembly reverseth that Decree, and ordaineth that the said Church shall injoy her part and share of those Moneys as well as the other Churches of the Province, and the payment that hath been now made her upon this order shall be allowed in the Accounts of the Receiver of that said Province: And the Lord Baron de le Moussaye is praised for his singular zeal and good affection testified by him in the advancement of Gods glory and the Settlement of the Churches.

18. The Province of Lower Guyenne is obliged to see that order of the Synod of St. Maixant better observed; for it ordained that Monsieur Salmon, who was lent by the National Synod of Rochel for two years unto the said Province, shall be restored unto the Province of Berry: And the said Pro∣vince of Lower Guyenne is injoyned to Restore the said Monsieur Salmon, or to reimburse the Province of Berry their charges expended by them in his Education at the University: And in case they neglect to execute this De∣cree, the Receiver General shall detain in his hands three portions of His Majesties Moneys belonging unto that Province, until such time as this Or∣der be performed. And in case the said Salmon be disobedient, refusing ei∣ther to return unto them, or make them satisfaction, as is before ordained, he shall be, as he is now declared, suspended from the Ministry.

19. The Appeal of Monsieur Maillard from a Decree of the Provincial Synod of Berry concerning the Sieur Alix, is disannulled: Because an Appeal brought by a private person, who hath no Office in the Church, against a Synod, is utterly unworthy of any consideration.

20. This Assembly remanded back again the Appeal of Monsieur de Mont∣sanglard (Pastor of the Church of Corbigny St. Leonard, from a Decree of the Synod of Berry held at Castillion upon Loir) unto the same Synod, which is commanded to provide him for his yearly maintenance the sum of five hundred Livers, comprizing in it the Rent-charge of his house. And in case his Church through poverty be not able to pay him so much, then the said Synod shall make it up unto him from the Moneys granted us by His Majesty.

21. The Church of Saint Loo in Normandy complained, that whereas the Inhabitants of Hauteville going to the Church of Havre for the Worship of God, had formerly contributed towards the maintenance of their Pastor;

they now were by the Provincial Synod discharged from the said Contribu∣tion: This Assembly doth ratifie the Decree of the said Synod.

22. The Sieur Mazett, one of the Pastors in the Church of Metz, in the Dukedom of Lorrain, appearing in this Assembly, reported the Divisions fallen out in his said Church on this occasion, that the Deacons having by an antient Custom distributed to the Communicants the Cup in the Lord's Supper, with these words, This Cup is the Communion in the Blood of Christ, omitted these words, which we bless. Also there were read Letters from the said Church of Metz, containing their Arguments upon which they ground∣ed their observation of that Custom. This Assembly having maturely pon∣dered whatever was said by both Parties, doth confirm the Sentence given by the National Synod of St. Maixant, which allowed Elders and Deacons in case of necessity to deliver the Cup, but without speaking, founding this their Decree upon the example and practice of our Lord Jesus, who only himself spake at his last Supper, but yet permitted his Apostles to distribute among themselves the Bread and the Cup. And as to the abridgment of these words, which we bless, this Assembly judgeth, that none should be em∣ployed, but such as can authoritatively utter all the words of Institution. Nor can the Example of the Church of Geneva any ways relieve the Church of Metz, because that at Geneva, in their delivery of the Cup, the Deacons are silent, but not so the Pastors. For which causes, and that the Authority and Reverence due unto this holy Sacrament, may be kept up and maintained, the said Church is exhorted to conform it self in this matter unto the Example and Practice of our Lord Jesus Christ, and to the general Custom of our Churches, and this to be done by the sweetest ways possible, without any thing of violence.

23. This Assembly was informed, how that the Consistory of the Church at Orleans, and in particular a certain Elder of it called Mesmein, did, (but with a previous Protestation to declare unto the Supream Magistrate, and to the Kings Attorney the matters transacted in it) set themselves against an Or∣der of the Provincial Synod held at Blois, ordaining a General Colloquy in pursuance of the Decrees of their former Provincial Synods, as also that the Sieur Eruet Doctor in Physick had writ a Defamatory Libel against that Canon of the Assembly of Saumur, which enjoyned all the Provinces to estab∣lish Counsels for their mutual safety, and against that Decree of the said Synod held at Blois: This Assembly reproving and condemning all these Proceedings, as being contrary to our Discipline, and to the Union of all our Churches, did Depute the Sieurs du Moulin, la Fresnaye, and Cartaud Pastors, together with the Sieurs Bigot, Manevill, and du Bois Elders, as they return in their way homewards to pass unto Orleans, and there to Assemble the Con∣sistory, and notify unto them the pleasure of this National Synod, which is, that the Canons and orders of Saumur be observed, as best agreeing with our duty unto their Majesties, and what had been practised during the life of Henry the Great of Glorious memory; and full Power is given unto the said Commissioners to determine finally in the Name and Authority of this Assem∣bly, of this affair, and to suspend and remove all past excesses in and about it whatsoever, and the Charges of the said Deputies, during their abode at Or∣leans, shall be defrayed by that Province.

24. The Appeal of Master John de Vassan Pastor of the Church of the Castel upon Loir who stands accused of several Crimes, and suspended by the Commissioners, which were Deputed by the Provincial Synod of Anjou, is dismissed over to the next approaching Synod of that Province, and in case he do not appear in person to justify himself, he is from this very instant declared to be deposed from the Sacred Ministry.

25. The Sieurs d' Arguillon and Barnier two Magistrates of the City of Nismes, together with Arnold Guyrand second Consul, and Vestric Favier a

Member of their Common Council, as also the Sieurs Suffren and Chambrun Pastors of the said Church of Nismes deputed by their Consistory unto this Assembly, did instantly and most importunately intreat that their Pastor Monsieur Ferrier might not be removed from them, notwithstanding what had been before resolved about him in this Assembly, as also that he might at their request be restored to them, and that leave might be granted him to assist personally in Political Assemblies, in case he were commissionated thereunto. Whereupon the said Deputies of Nismes being demanded if they had any thing to offer from the said du Ferrier, answered, that he had charg∣ed them with nothing as from himself. The Assembly having maturely debated the Remonstrances and Petitions of the said Deputies, and applaud∣ed their Zeal and great Love to Monsieur Ferrier, gave them to understand, that forasmuch as the causes moving them to transport the said Ferrier out of the Province, were still valid and in being, they could not depart from their former Resolution, which was not taken up on design of reflecting on, or interesting the said Church of Nismes; for which they have as high an esteem and value, as for any other Church of Christ in the Kingdom, and they hope that the whole Church will submit it self unto this Synodical Decree. Whereupon the said Deputies, and particularly the Sieur d' Arguillon speaking first, renewed with great vehemency his desires, adding very in∣jurious words, full of menaces, threatning us with the confusions that would arise hereupon in the Church of Nismes, and that he would give them notice of it. He was seconded, according as it had been concerted among them in private, by the Sieur Vestrie Favier with discourses full of Arrogancy and Threats, with a Protestation of Appeal unto another Synod, and let this do what it pleased, they would never part with the said Mon∣sieur Ferrier, and that he should continue to exercise his Ministry both in Nismes and in the Province also. Accusing this Assembly of passion and par∣tiality in its Judgment: Whereupon the Assembly desiring an Act of Record for such injurious Language, and to know whether the said Deputies would avow or disavow it, the said Vestrie returning again into the Synod to evidence his owning of all his former discourses, gave us Memoirs of them stuft with falshoods and calumnies, all subscribed and attested with his own hand; the which Copy was ordered to be safe kept, and forth-com∣ing, in case of need, at the next National Synod.

26. And the Sieurs Suffren and Chambrun are sharply censured for becom∣ing the Bearers of such Libellous and injurious writings against this Assem∣bly, to whom it was declared that they might and ought to have excused themselves from any conjunction in such a Deputation; because by their de∣parture from the City of Nismes, the whole Church was left without a Pastor; and this their offence was judged so grievous, and their contempt of this Assembly so intolerable, that they deserved a very long suspension from their Ministry. Yet nevertheless out of pure respect unto the Church of Nismes, and that it may not be left destitute of its Ministers: The Synod doth Mercifully pardon them their offence, and injoyns them most strictly upon their return unto Nismes to do their utmost that this Synodical decree be put in execution against the said Ferrier, and that they do their utmost endeavour to prevent whatever Murmurings or troubles may hereupon fall out, and that they keep their Church in peace. And in Case after the dissolution of this Assembly they presume to act contrary to what is now commanded them, the next Colloquy of Lions is authorized to proceed against them, and all other Pastors and Elders, Complices with them in the same Rebellion, even to suspension, yea and deposition from their respective charges. And as for Monsieur Ferrier this Assembly will provide him a Church out of the Province, which shall be signified unto him; and if af∣ter notice given him he continue to preach at Nismes or within the Province,

He is from this very instant declared suspended from the Ministry, and not to be restored but by the next National Synod.

27. The Church of Vallence Appealed from the Provincial Synod of Viva∣retz held at Annonay, and from the Synod of Dolphiny held at Veyners, for re∣moving from them the Sieur Murat their Pastor. The Memoirs and Acts of the said Synods, and of the Colloquy of Nismes being read, and both par∣ties having been heard speak upon this present Case: Monsieur Murat was sharply Censured for his over-forwardness in closing with the Invitations of the Church of Nismes, and for urging by dishonest ways the Church of Vallence to give him his Dismission, and this extorted also under the pre∣tence, and with the plausible Attestation of his singular prudence. And the Church of Nismes is severely censured for all its proceedings, and particu∣larly that contrary to the Decree of St. Maixant in the first Article of Ge∣neral Matters; it sought a Pastor for it self out of the Province without first consulting with their Colloquy or Synod. And the Synod of Vivaretz also was blamed for acting contrary to the Discipline, in judging (notwithstand∣ing the Appeal of the Church of Vallence, lay neglected by them) that the said Murat was at liberty. And the Provincial Synod of Dolphiny held at Veyners is also censured, for suffering themselves to be surprized and in∣veigled into this present Act, and passing too slight a Judgment on it, where∣as they should have been more reserved, and done as the Colloquy of Nismes, which dismissed the whole Affair unto this Assembly. For these causes, and after mature deliberation upon the whole, this Assembly enjoyneth the said Murat to return unto his Church of Vallence within three months, and in case of contravention unto this Ordinance, we do presently denounce him suspended from the Ministry.

28. Monsieur Isaiah Ferrier appeared in person before this Assembly (he was Minister of St. Gyles in Lower Languedoc) to answer those Accusations which were brought against him by the Sieur de Beauvoysin, who appealed from the Synods of Vigan and Baignols; and that the truth of those Accu∣sations might be proved, Commissioners were ordained to receive and exa∣mine them; who having heard them, and seen the Evidences produced by the said Sieur de Beauvoysin, and upon their Report made of them, and of matters confessed by the said Ferrier, the Assembly pronounced this Sentence, viz. that the said Ferrier be suspended from the holy Ministry until the next National Synod. And forasmuch as among those many Articles of which he stands accused, several cannot be fully proved, because of Processes yet hanging in the Court of Castres: The Assembly doth order the said Ferrier to appear before the Synod of Vivaretz, and to justifie himself, if he can, in their presence; and the said Synod shall transmit his Defence of himself, whatever it be, over unto the next National Synod, that so he may be either restored, or more severely censured; and in case he cannot justifie himself between this and the next National Synod, he is now, as he shall then be denounced, Deposed from the Ministry of the Gospel. And in case he should be restored by the National Synod unto the Ministry, yet shall he not be sent back unto his Church of St. Gyles, nor to any other in that Colloquy. Nevertheless there shall be allowed him betwixt this time and the next National Synod, a yearly portion of the King's Moneys towards his subsistence. And also the Province of Lower Languedoc is sharply censured for their long connivance at so great a wickedness, and for not doing their duty in endeavouring to suppress the scandal, and throughly to purge the House of God from such defilements.

29. The Appeals of the Sieur Conain from the Decree of the Synod of Parey le Moyneau, as also that of the Sieur Truchis, (who yet did not send his Appeal unto this Assembly) are declared null and void, and the Judg∣ments

past in the Provincial Synods of Burgundy against them are by this pre∣sent Act ratified and established.

30. The Appeal of the Church of Avalon from the Province of Burgundy being not prosecuted by any one in this Assembly is declared Null.

31. The Appeals of the Colloquy of Gex from the Synod of Bussy, and al∣so that of Pont du Velle, were wisely and rightly judged by the Synod of Burgundy, and the said Colloquy, is exhorted to conform it self for the fu∣ture unto the Orders thereof.

32. The Church of Manosques appealled from an Ordinance of the Synod of Provence held at Lire, September 1610. And complained, how that by the said Ordinance an yearly grant of sixty Livers formerly accorded to them by a preceding Synod, was then reversed. This Assembly doth con∣firm that Article of the said Synod of Lire. Yet nevertheless it recommends the said Church of Manosques to the care of that Province.

33. An Appeal was brought by divers Churches of the Lower Guyenne from a Judgment of the said Province, importing, that the more opulent and wealthy Churches should be deprived of their portions in the King's Moneys, and that their shares should be employed to the comforting of poorer Churches, that so they might be kept up, or restored. And where∣as the Deputies of the said Province requested that the Judgment of their Synod might be confirmed; This Assembly leaveth that Province wholly to their liberty, either to follow the aforesaid Expedient, or those other Over∣tures particularly notified unto those Deputies, and it recommends with the greatest earnestness their poor Churches unto the Charity of those, which flourish, and are in a better condition as to the World.

34. That Book written by Monsieur de la Viennerie, Pastor of the Church of Tonne Boutonne in Xaintonge, entituled, A Commentary upon the Canon of the Mass, having been read and examined as to its chiefest Points, to wit, Invo∣cation of Saints, Justification, Predestination, and divers others, there was observed in it several odd expressions and phrases, which were not only ob∣scure, but also doubtful, suspicious and erroneous: Whereupon in pur∣suance of the Judgment given by the Provincial Synod of Xaintonge, the said Manuscript was ordered to be supprest; and farther, the Province was exhorted to watch carefully over the Doctrine delivered from the Pulpit by the said de la Viennerie.

35. Whereas there is a great Dissention sprung up in the Church of Mon∣tauban about the Sieurs Loupiat and Gouze, who are Elected Elders; This Assembly condemns the proceeding of the said Sieur de Gouze, as being full of vanity, and for insisting on it, that he ought to be preferred to the Sieur Loupiat in their nomination unto the people: Also the said Gouze is blamed for his animosity in searching out crimes and persons to accuse Monsieur Loupiat, who yet could never make proof of those matters laid by them unto his charge. Moreover, the Consistory there is also censured for not restraining those proceedings by a strict and severe exercise of the Discipline, and for not executing the Judgment of the Colloquies and Sy∣nods of their Province, given forth on this occasion: And the said Con∣sistory is enjoyned to see to it, that the said Gouze and all his Partners do make satisfaction, as in reason they are bound, unto the said Sieur Lou∣piat, for the injuries they have done him: And in case they so do, the said Loupiat shall be intreated to desist from all prosecutions at Law against the said Gouze; but in that matter we leave him to his liberty. And the said Loupiat at the next Election shall be received into the Eldership according to the Canons of our Discipline. And as for the said Gouze, we do not conceive him qualified at present for the Office of an Elder.

36. The Province of Lower Languedoc, assembled at Florac to provide a Pastor for the Church of Meruez fit for their service, did lend the Sieur

Ollier, Pastor of the Church of St. Andrew de Valborgne; Whereupon the said Church brought their Appeal into this National Synod; Which having heard the whole matter did approve of the Loan made by the aforesaid Provincial Synod, but withal gave them to understand that when as the six Months for which he is lent shall be expired, that then the said Sieur Ollier shall return again unto his Church of St. Andrew de Valborgne.

Notes

• * 1.1

  He after∣wards revolt∣ed.
• * 1.2

  It was com∣monly report∣ed of him, that he was bought off by the Popish Clergy by a Pension of 3000 Crown••; if they were so liberal; but he turned Apostate af∣terward, and was excom∣municate. See the Synod of Tonneins, the last Act.