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. XIV. Of Colledges and Ʋniversities.

1. THE Church of Clermont in Beauvoysin was censured for not bringing in the Account of the Distribution of the three hundred Livers granted to the Colledge erected in their said Town, and the Province of the Isle of France, shall receive that Account from them, and exhibit it unto the Province of Berry; and in case the said Moneys have been ill managed and dispensed, they shall be deprived of that Right and Priviledge claimed by them for a Colledge.

2. The Province of Guyenne was severely censured for not doing their duty, in making the Church of Bergerac come to account with them, and they be enjoyned to bring the said Account for the time past unto the Synod of Higher Languedoc. And in case they comply with the command of this Assembly, to quit their grant of fifteen hundred Livers, the three hundred Livers which were ordinarily given them, shall be continued unto their Colledge; but if they do not, that Province shall not claim any Right in the said three hundred Livers and Augmentation.

3. The Province of Provence also was censured for not bringing in their Account of the Moneys given them for their Colledge, and they are order∣ed to tender in that Account unto the next Synod of Dolphiny; and in case of failure herein, they shall also forfeit their Right and Claim unto a Colledge.

4. The Province of Poictou also was censured for not having brought in their Account of their Colledge, and they were ordered to tender it unto the Province of Xaintonge; and in case of failure herein, we declare their Priviledge of a Colledge to be forfeited; and farther, they be enjoyned to agree among themselves about a certain place where they may erect a Colledge.

5. The Account brought in by the Province of Berry concerning their Colledge, was accepted and approved.

6. The Account brought in by the Province of Xaintouge for their Col∣ledge, was also allowed and approved.

7. The Account of the Province of Burgundy for their Colledge is re∣manded back again to be more exactly revised by them.

8. The Province of Brittany shall audit their Accounts for a Colledge in the next Synod of Anjou; and in case of failure herein, they shall for∣feit their Priviledge and Claim unto a Colledge; nor shall the said Pro∣vince receive a farthing token of the Moneys granted and designed for a Colledge.

9. The Province of Normandy was censured for bringing in a partial Ac∣count concerning their Colledge, and they are turned over to the next Synod of the Isle of France, there to perfect their Accounts, or else they shall be deprived of their Right unto a Colledge.

10. The Consuls and Inhabitants of the Town of Privas complaining that the Synod of Aubennas had taken away their Colledge which they had maintained for divers years past, by the encouragement given them from the Provincial Synod held at Annonay: This Assembly decreeth, that the said Colledge shall be fixed and settled in this Town of Privas, and be as∣sisted with the same Salary as other Colledges, the said Consuls adding ac∣cording to their promises and offers four hundred Livers of their own common Moneys, and they are desired to discharge their duty in maintain∣ing the said Colledge, as they have hitherto done to their great honour, and their former Accounts are all allowed and approved.

11. All Accounts about Colledges which have been redemanded shall be brought unto the next National Synod there to be revised and approved.

12. It's left to the prudence of the Provinces to erect as many Schools and Colledges more as they can, or else to assist those already in being with some better Maintenance.

13. All the Provinces shall have Colledges, excepting such as have Main∣tenance assigned for Universities, yet nevertheless those very Provinces be∣sides their Universities may erect Colledges at their own Charges; and that of Languedoc shall give unto the said Colledge of Beziers the sum of four hundred Livers to be raised out of the Stock of their University-Moneys, amounting to two thousand six hundred Livers.

14. The Provinces requesting that their Colledges might be enlarged in number, and better provided for with Maintenance: It was resolved that their number should not be augmented, but that every Province which hath Right unto a Colledge shall have four hundred Livers a year allowed them for their Colledge, until the next National Synod.

15. Since that Decree about the Accounts of our Academies at Nismes and Montpellier (which amounted to the sum of sixteen thousand eight hundred and fourscore Livers) the Deputies of Lower Languedoc having remonstrated unto this Assembly, that in the Account of the University of Nismes, there was a resumption of sixteen hundred and four Livers, eigh∣teen Sous, and eight Deniers, owing from the Sieur Palot, whilst he was Receiver General; and seven hundred and twenty Livers in the Account of the University of Montpellier, they petitioned this Assembly, that they would be pleased to allow thereof in payment, and that the said sums might be deducted upon the Debet of the said Account, as also that there might be allowed unto the Sieurs Ferrier and Gigord for the years 1601, 1602, 1603, and 1604, the sum of sixteen hundred Livers wanting to make up the sum of six hundred granted them by an Ordinance of the Provincial Synod of Montpellier, and this both for the time past and to come; and farther, to allow upon the Debet of the same Account unto the Sieur Gigord his Wages

for the years One thousand six hundred and nine, ten and eleven, which were not allowed him upon pretence of his being absent; and far∣ther, that they would be pleased to allow towards the Impression of cer∣tain Books, the sums which were razed out. This Assembly did hereupon ordain, that upon the Debt of the aforesaid Accounts there shall be al∣lowed and deducted the sum of sixteen hundred Livers unto the said Sieurs Gigord and Ferrier for the years above-mentioned, besides what was allow∣ed them for their Wages by the Commissioners, and for the years 1609, 1610 and 1611. And unto the Sieur Gigord (notwithstanding what was álledged against him for his absence) the sum of one thousand and fifty Livers, according to the Account stated in the National Synod of St. Maix∣ant; and farthermore, the said sums owing by Pallot, provided that they make it appear by his Account that they are due unto them, and not re∣ceived from him, and that the over-plus amounting to eleven thousand one hundred and nine Livers, shall be paid out of the Moneys due unto the Churches of the said Province, as it shall be appointed in the Dividend; and for the seven hundred and one and fifty Livers due unto the Heirs of Monsieur Mousnier deceased, who in his life-time was Professor of Divinity in the University of Nismes, as appears from the close and upshot of that Universities Account, they shall be paid out of those Moneys which may be owing the said Province of Lower Languedoc by the Lord du Candall, or his Deputy, he being now at Privas, from the remainders of Moneys to come in for the years One thousand six hundred and four, five and six; And where they cannot be intirely paid, they shall be reprised out of the Moneys which shall hereafter become due.

16. Out of the Arrearages due unto the Churches from the remaining Moneys of the years six hundred and four, five and six, amounting to the sum of two and twenty thousand five hundred threescore and fifteen Livers, the Assembly ordaineth, that the tenth portion of the said Moneys be given unto the Sieur Vignier as a Gratuity and acknowledgment of his Charges and great Pains taken in the Writing and Printing of his Book intituled, Le Theatre de l'Antechrist. And the fortieth part of the said Moneys is freely given unto the Sieur Cuper, Deputy of the Lord du Candal, and the said portions shall be paid, only with an abatement of a Sous in the Liver, unless the said Sieur Vignier be pleased to accept of five hundred Livers clear of all incumbrances or defalcations.

17. Out of the best Moneys of Arrearages due unto the Churches by the Lord du Candal for the years six hundred four, five and six, there shall be given the summ of three hundred Livers unto Monsieur Tompson Pastor of the Church of Chaflaignerey to help to bear his Charges in Printing his book intitled; la Chasse de la Besle Romaine, as also unto the Sieur Sonis Professor of Theology in the University of Montauban there shall be given the sum of three hundred Livers out of the same Moneys, as a gratuity for his worthy Labors.

18. The Provincial Deputies of Lower Languedoc having given their rea∣sons why the Churches of Sevennes and Gevaudan, tho separated from them should bear one half of the half of eleven thousand one hundred, and some odd Livers, for which the whole Province were joyntly together become debtors unto the General stock of the Churches: This Assembly ordaineth, that both the one and other Synod shall make restitution of the said sums by equal portions, both alike, and this within the term of three years, and they shall bring in their Accounts for it unto the next National Synod.

19. Whereas upon auditing the Accounts of the Province of Higher Languedoc for the University of Montauban in this Assembly it appeared that they owed five thousand, four hundred, and sixteen Livers, thirteen Sous, and four Deniers, it is now decreed, that the said Province shall repay this

Money within the term of three years by equal portions yearly, and the first payment to begin this very year, until the whole debt be fully satisfied; not but that the said Province may take its course in Law against those who have had the management of those Moneys.

20. The Assembly having debated about the number of Universities to be maintained by us, have resolved that till the next National Synod, the Universities of Montauban, of Saumur, of Nismes and Montpellier shall be maintained, but according to those Laws and Orders which shall be hereafter prescribed to them; and in case they do not bring in unto the next Nation∣al Synod a good and satisfactory Account of their Moneys, they shall from this very day be razed and dissolved.

21. In Regulating the Professors for our Universities of Saumur and Mon∣tauban, this Assembly Ordained that there should be two Professors of Di∣vinity in full imployment, and to each of them there shall be given the yearly sum of seven hundred Livers, and they shall also in case of Ability be permitted to serve in the Ministry, the Church compounding with them about their Salary, and the portion of Royal Moneys shall be reckoned as a part thereof: And as touching the other Professors those Orders made by the National Synod of St. Maixant shall be observed, excepting always that the first Regents, if capable of teaching Rhetorick, and Professing Elo∣quence, shall only receive four hundred Livers Salary, and thus there shall be given one hundred Livers over and above the three hundred formerly assigned unto the first Regent at Saumur, and an hundred Livers more un∣to Montauban for their first Regent also, over and above the wages he now re∣ceiveth from the said City.

22. And to every Professor of Divinity in the University of Nismes and Montpellier that is in full imployment, there is ordained the sum of seven hundred Livers, fourteen hundred for the two, and to the Professor of He∣brew four hundred Livers, to both eight hundred: and to the Colledge of Beziers the four hundred Livers before-mentioned, the whole sum thus granted amounting to two thousand six hundred Livers, and in case the Moneys be not thus imployed according to the purpose and intendment of this Assembly, that then they shall be returned and re-entred into the Com∣mon stock of our Moneys.

23. How and After what manner the University exercises shall be per∣formed, and how these Universities are to be governed: This Assembly in∣joyns the Council of these Universities to prepare a Model, as each of them conceiveth best and most expedient for them, and let it be brought into the next National Synod, that then there may be a General Canon enacted and established for them.

24. The University of Montauban demanding the Sieur Gardesy Pastor of Mauvezin to be given unto the said University for Professor of the Greek Tongue, and that their Charges in getting and transporting Professors to them might be considered and defrayed: For the first this Assembly sends them back unto their own Province there to be heard about this their inquiry; and as to the last about paying their charges, it could not in the least be granted them.

25. The Deputies of Dolphiny requesting to be assisted with some Moneys to help to defray their Charges in maintaining their University of Die, this Assembly to gratify them once for all ordaineth that the said Province shall receive out of the Moneys owed us by the Province of Lower Languedoc the sum of three thousand Livers, and they may stop the said sum, it now lying in the hands of the Lord du Candal, who shall make payment of it unto that person appointed by the Province of Dolphiny to receive it out of the porti∣ons that would befal the said Province in the Dividend: And this sum shall be a Fund for the Province of Dolphiny, and the product hereof shall go

to the support and maintenance of their aforesaid University, nor shall the principal be ever alienated; and a just account of the whole shall be brought into the next National Synod.

26. The Lord of Candal shall keep in his hands out of the Moneys to be distributed by him unto the Provinces of Higher and Lower Languedoc, Se∣vennes and Berry, the sums they are found indebted to us in the Arrears of their Accounts for Universities and Colledges, to wit, from the Province of Lower Languedoc and Sevennes eleven thousand one hundred and nine Livers, from the Province of Higher Languedoc five thousand two hundred forty & four Livers, from the Province of Berry seven hundred and fifty Livers, according to the terms prescribed the said Provinces, that so the said sums may be di∣stributed by the said Lord du Candal according to the Order of this Assem∣bly, viz. from the Moneys owing by the Higher Languedoc two thousand Li∣vers to Monsieur Chamier, and from the Moneys owing by the Lower Lan∣guedoc and Sevennes three hundred Livers unto Monsieur Perrin, and these two Ministers shall be paid out of the first Moneys detained in the hands of the Lord du Candal for the first year.

27. The Province of Anjou having brought in their Accounts of Moneys appointed to the University of Saumur, was found behind-hand indebted six hundred sixty and one Liver, and one Sous, which sum the said Pro∣vince shall be accountable for unto the next National Synod, and the Ori∣ginals of those Accounts are ordered to be delivered unto the Deputies of Xaintonge, that by them they may be lodged in the Archives of Rochel.

28. The Account of the University of Montauban having been brought in to this Assembly, together with the difficulties about it for the years One thousand five hundred ninety and eight, and ninety nine, when they had no Professors in their University, as likewise for the following years, in which a part of those Moneys appointed for their University, had been employed towards the maintenance of their Colledge; as also part of the Moneys of the years ninety eight and ninety nine had been thus di∣verted and employed: The Synod thought fit to allow of those Moneys designed for their University for the years ninety eight, ninety nine, sixteen hundred, and sixteen hundred and one, and the others following, which had been profitably employed in the maintenance both of their Colledge and University; and ordaineth with reference to those aforesaid years of One thousand five hundred ninety and eight, ninety nine, and sixteen hun∣dred, that the Moneys which had been employed in the year sixteen hun∣dred, shall only be allowed of, without any regard had unto the employment made of the over-plus in the years following, or to the Account of the Re∣ceipt which the said University should have given for those aforesaid years fourscore and eighteen, nineteen and sixteen hundred, amounting to nine thousand two hundred sixty five Livers, sixteen Sous, and four Deniers, and the Expence to two thousand two hundred forty five Livers, and eighteen Sous; and there was found in the Receipt which should have been made by the said University, that it was indebted in seven thousand and nineteen Livers, eighteen Sous, and four Deniers: Out of which sum deducting two thou∣sand five hundred ninety and nine Livers, which the said University should have received from the Sieur Palot for three quarters of the year One thou∣sand five hundred and ninety eight, and which are brought in by Reprisal, to be recovered by the Churches from the said Palot, the Province of Higher Languedoc remaineth indebted the sum of one thousand four hundred and sixteen Livers, thirteen Sous, and four Deniers, which they shall pay in at the terms appointed by the afore-mentioned Ordinance.

29. This Synod was informed, how that certain Churches in the Lower Guyenne, lying on the Frontiers of Bearn, as Tartar, Mont de Marsan, Lauze, Bigorre, Soulez, and some others, were now and then assisted by the Pastors

of Bearn, and yet were put upon the Catalogue of Churches actually served, that so they might have the portions ordained for every Pastor in the Lower Guyenne. This Synod doth not at all approve or allow that those Churches should be thus inserted into the Catalogue; however, it leaveth the matter unto the consideration of the next National Synod, and commandeth the said Province to provide Pastors out of hand for those Churches, and such as may personally reside among them, and be in actual service to them, and none else, to receive their portions; whereof the said Province shall yield up a good Account, or else be bound to make restitution of every one of those respective portions.

30. The twelve Pastors in the Land and Bayliwick of Gex, shall receive by way of recompence for the loss of their Church-stock, which was once in their possession, the sum of twelve hundred Crowns out of the Augmen∣tation-Moneys; and although the Joynt-Interest of all our Churches lieth near the heart of this Assembly, yet because of the remonstrances and im∣portunities of the Deputies of Burgundy, it grants over and above the twelve hundred Crowns unto the said Pastors the sum of six hundred Livers to be divided equally among them, but on this condition, that they shall engage their people to contribute according to their ability towards their mainte∣nance; and of this they shall bring in Evidence and good Proof unto the next National Synod, or otherwise they shall be deprived of all manner of Assistance and Relief from us.

31. The Province of Burgundy is enjoyned to provide two Pastors for the Churches of Maringues and Paillac, and to give them both two free portions out of those two and thirty assigned in the dividend unto their Province, and they shall give an account hereof unto the next National Synod.

31. The two portions formerly conferred upon the Church of Aubenas by the foregoing Synods, are now left to the free Disposal of the Province of Vivaretz, which shall receive in full seven and thirty portions, in which are included the three portions assigned unto the Church of St. Stephen's in Forrest.

33. Provence was ordered to provide a Pastor for the Church of Aix, of Laux, and Marseille, and two free portions for him taken out of the porti∣ons assigned in the Dividend unto that Province; as also one portion unto the Sieur Maurice a Minister Emeritus, and furthermore one portion unto the Church of Manosques, and to get it speedily a Pastor, and of all this they shall render an Account unto the next National Synod.

34. There shall be deducted for the Lord du Candal what remains of the thirds taken by the Sieur de Visouze out of the Sous upon the Liver, the said Visouze not liking to do by his portion of the said thirds of the University Moneys as the Lord du Candal hath done by his, who freely and generously bestowed it on our Universities. Therefore he shall draw forth four Deni∣ers out of the Liver of the Moneys belonging to the said University.

35. The sum of one hundred Livers over and above the two hundred Li∣vers assigned by the Synod of St. Maixant shall be paid in unto Monsieur* 1.1 Renault, Pastor of Montauban, and Professor of the Hebrew tongue in that University.

36. The next National Synod God willing shall be held in the Province of Lower Guyenne within the space of two years, and in the Month of May, saving that it may be either hastned or delayed as the Lords General Depu∣ties, or either that, or the neighbour Provinces shall advise of. And the Provinces of Brittany and Provence are left to their Liberty to send more than two Deputies, viz. one Pastor and Elder each, which is only granted them for this next National Synod.

Notes

• * 1.1

  Or T••••ant.