THE Bloudy Babylon: OR, A Collection of some Particulars Concerning the PERSECUTION Raging in France against the Protestants, FROM THE PEACE of RESWICK, TO THE MARTYRDOM of the Reverend Monsieur BROƲSSON, INCLUSIVELY. In a LETTER to a LORD.
LONDON: Printed for George Huddleston, at the Black-moor's Head near Exeter-Change in the Strand, 1698.
THE last time I had the Honour to pay my Duty to your Lordship, you were pleased to give your Opinion concerning the True Relation of what has been transacted in behalf of those of the Reformed Religion, during the Treaty of Peace at Reswick, with an account of the present Persecution in France, lately publish'd. Your Lordship approved the Design of the Author in the First Letter, viz. to relate with what Warmth and Vigour the Protestant Plenipotentiaries had laboured to procure some Ease to the Distressed Reformed; it being absolutely necessary This Nation should have a right Information in that Matter, since the Protestants in general had been in the dark till now, and were apt to suspect that They had been wanting in their Endeavours to obtain any Benefit for them by that Peace, which was designed for the Repose of all Europe: But that by the perusal of this Relation, it would appear that their Sollicitations would not have proved ineffectual, could the French Court have been prevail'd upon, or Bigoted Popery persuaded to a Compliance with the Dictates either of Humanity or Christianity.
As for his Second Letter, which contains a Tragical Description of the Persecution Raging in France since the Peace, your Lordship, who knows the Truth of the several Particulars there mentioned, as well as the Impudence of the Papists, who make it their Business every-where to give out, That there is no such thing as a Persecution, did very well apply the way of the Spiritual Babylon, to that of the Adulterous Woman spoken of, Prov. 30. 20. She eateth, and wipeth her Mouth, and faith, I have done no Wickedness. The Church of Rome vents her Fury, by inflicting the most exquisite Torments upon the True Protestants in France; and yet in England, Holland, &c. saith, I have done no such thing. To which your Lordship added, That it might be serviceable to the Publick, to see a Collection of all the Declarations, Decrees, and Orders of the French Court, issued out against the Protestants, together with some Particulars concerning the severe Execution of [Page 4] them; but such as should be certain, as to Matter of Fact, that is related either by Eye-witnesses, or by Persons of undoubted Credit, and publish'd without any Discourse or Reflection upon it; and that such a Book would contribute very much to give the World a true Idea of the miserable Condition of the Reformed in France, and to encrease that Fellow-feeling all the Protestants should have to one another, and to the shaming (if possible) the Papists out of their usual Trick of Murthering, Hanging, Breaking upon the Wheel in one Place, and stoutly denying it in another.
Your Desire, my Lord, is to me a Command, and I heartily wish, for the sake of our distressed Brethren, I could not satisfie your Lordship in this particular so much as I can. There is no difficulty in performing the Task; and therefore I shall in the first place give an Account at large of all the Declarations and Decrees lately issued out against Them; and in the next, bring in some unquestionable Instances with what Eagerness and Severity they have been Executed, as well as those which have been already seen but at different times, as also such as never appeared till now to the Publick View; that by the full Prospect of them all together, any Judicious or indifferent Person may be convinced of the Cruel Persecution now in France, and pity the sad Case of the Reformed there, as well as abhor the Barbarity of the Papists.
The King's Declaration, Prohibiting his Subjects to settle in Orange, or to Exercise the Pretended Reformed Religion.
LEWIS by the Grace of GOD, King of France and Navar, to all to whom these Presents shall come, Greeting: The Zeal which we have always had for the Only and True Religion, having excited in us a desire to Extinguish Heresie, which had spread it self all over our Kingdom; We still believed, That all the Authority which God has put into our hands, ought at all times to be made use of most effectually and successfully, to succour and defend his Cause. For this Reason, after we had demolished the Churches of the Pretended Reformed Religion, and forbidden all the Exercises of it, by those who professed it. We omitted nothing that we thought most effectual to bring them back into the Bosom of the Church: We took care to have their Children bred up in the Sentiments of true Christians; and prohibited, under severe Penalties, all those who out of a blind Obstinacy-rather chose to abandon their Estates, their Families, and their Country, than renounce their Errors, to depart our Kingdom. And in regard that all our Care had no other aim, then the Glory of God, and the support of his Church, he has been pleased to assist us hitherto with all the success we could desire; and we have with delight beheld, that the greatest part of those whose Conversion seem'd to be the most suspected, have at length sincerely acknowledged and embraced the true Religion. But seeing there are some remaining still, who staggering in their Faith, might relapse into their former Errors, if the Principality of Orange, enclos'd within our Dominions, might serve them for a Place of retreat, to settle there, and perform the Exercises of the Pretended [Page 6] Reformed Religion, or of any other forbidden Acts. We thought it our Duty, precisely to explain our Intention upon that particular Point. For these Reasons, by these Presents, sign'd with our Hand, we have made, and do make, most express Prohibitions, and Inhibitions, forbidding all our Subjects, of what Quality or Condition soever, to go and settle themselves in the Principality of Orange, under any Pretence whatever. We also enjoyn all those who shall be found to have settled their Abodes there, to return within Six Months, to Commence from the Publication of these Presents, under the Penalties set forth by our Declaration bearing date August 1669. We likewise forbid all our Subjects to Perform any Exercise of the Pretended Reformed Religion, to Contract any Marriage within the said Principality of Orange, or to send their Children thither to be Baptized by the Ministers there, or to be by them instructed in the Exercises of the said Religion, or in any other Studies; and generally, not to do or suffer to be done, by their Children, or others of whom they shall have the Tutelage or Education, any Exercises or Acts which are not permitted and used in our Kingdom; and all this under the Penalty of Death, upon the Infringer of these Injunctions. Nevertheless, it is not our Intention, by these Presents, to hinder our Subjects from going into the Principality of Orange, nor from staying there so long as the Necessity of their Affairs, or their Trade shall require. Thus we give Command to our Beloved and Faithful Counsellors holding our Court of Parliament at Paris, that they order these Presents to be Read, Publish'd, Registred, and put in due Execution, according to their Form and Tenor; for is this our Will and Pleasure. In Testimony whereof, we have caused our Seal to be affixed to these Presents.
LEWIS, by the Grace of GOD, King of France and Navar, to all to whom these Presents shall come, Greeting, Whereas by our Declaration of the 23d of November last, we forbad all our Subjects, of what Quality or Condition soever, to settle in the Principality of Orange, or to Perform any Exercise of the Pretended Reformed Religion there; and at the same time, we gave them leave to reside there, so long as their Affairs, or their Trade should require. But being given to understand, that several disaffected New Converts abus'd that Liberty, and under the false Pretence of Trade, which nevertheless they do not follow, repair to the City of Orange, there to perform the Exercises of the said Pretended Reformed Religion, in defiance of our Prohibition: And though it be our intention, that our People should enjoy all the Advantages they can expect from the Peace; and to favour Trade as much as it is possible for us to do, by giving all the Encouragements necessary for the carrying of it on, with the greatest Success: Nevertheless, as it would not be just that those of our Subjects who are refractory to our Orders, should abuse the specious Pretence of Trade to evade the Execution of our Declarations, we thought it Necessary to Explain our Meaning more precisely, touching the Manner of their Trading, for the future, within the Principality of Orange; to the end that they who have no other aim then to drive a Trade bona fide, may do it more freely, and without fear of the Penalties mentioned in our Declarations. For these Causes, conformable to our said Declaration of the 23d of November last, we have, and do permit by these Presents, sign'd with our Hand, all our ancient Catholick Subjects to Traffick and Trade in all manner of Goods and Merchandise in the Principality of Orange, upon Condition however, that before they set out for that Principality, they ask leave of our Governors, Commanders, or Intendants of our Provinces, where they shall have their Abodes; to whom they shall declare the Nature and Condition of their Trade, which being done, leave shall be granted them without any scruple; and when they shall arrive in the Province the nearest to that Principality, they shall shew their License to the Governor, Commander, or Intendant, under the following Penalties to be inflicted upon those who shall presume to go into the said Principality without Licenses; viz. the Men to be Condemn'd to the Galleys for their Lives; the Women to be five Years Imprison'd, and to pay a Forfeiture of [Page 8] 3000 Liyres; which Penalties shall neither be Remitted or Abated. And it is our farther Pleasure, that our said Declaration of the 23d of November last, be exactly observed, according to its full Form and Tenor. This we give in Command to all our beloved and faithful Counsellors, &c.
The King's DECLARATION, Giving leave to those who had departed his Kingdom for the sake of their Religion to come back again, upon Condition of abjuring their Religion, and professing the Roman.
LEWIS, by the Grace of GOD, &c. greeting, Having by our Edict of Octob. 1685. abolished throughout the whole Extent of our Kingdom, the Exercise of the Pretended Reformed Religion, which the Misfortunes of the preceding Reigns had oblig'd the Kings our Predecessors to Tolerate therein, we forbad at the same time, those of our Subjects who profess'd the said Religion, to depart our Kingdom; the Men under the Penalty of being Condemn'd to the Galleys; the Women under the Penalty of Confiscation of Body and Goods. And by our Declaration in May, 1686. we forbad all those who had embraced the Roman Catholick Religion to depart the Kingdom, under the same Penalties; but in regard a great number of those who had the Misfortune to withdraw themselves into Foreign Countries, contrary to those Prohitions, have desired to return again, and there to Profess and Exercise the Roman Catholick and Apostolick Religion, and for as much as our Goodness to our Subjects has enclin'd us to give them particular Permission so to do; It is our Pleasure also, to grant a General one to the same end, for all the rest who have the same desire, and hereby to secure them all from the Penalties which they have incurr'd by their Disobedience to our Orders. For these Reasons, [Page 9] with the Advice of our Council, and out of our especial Grace and Favour, full Power, and Royal Authority, we have by these Presents, Sign'd with our Hand, Permitted and Granted, as we do hereby permit, and grant to all our Subjects, as well Men as Women, who left our Kingdom, contrary to our Edicts of October, 1685. and our Declaration of May, 1686. to return back within six Months, upon Condition, that they Profess and Exercise the Roman Catholick and Apostolick Religion, and freely there to remain, behaving themselves therein like the rest of our Subjects. And it is our farther Will and Pleasure, that they make their Declaration of it to the respective Governor or Commander, in the first place under our Obedience, through which they shall pass in their Return into our Kingdom, of which they shall take a Certificate; Which same Declaration we order them also to reiterate, three Days after their arrival, before the Principal Officer of the Royal Bailliage, where they intend to reside, and within Eight days next following, to make their Abjuration before the Archbishop, or Bishop of the Place, or before the Curate, or other Ecclesiastick, having power to receive it, or to shew them their Certificate, if they have done it in any other Place, after their Return into our Kingdom, to the end it may be allowed by them, if they see cause so to do: Which done we discharge them from the Corporal Punishments mentioned in our Edict and Declaration; imposing, as to this matter, perpetual Silence upon our Proctors General, and their Substitutes, so that they shall not presume to prosecute them for the future for the same Matter, upon any pretence whatsoever. To this end, we give in charge to our Beloved and Faithful Counsellors, holding our Court of Parliament at Paris, that they cause these Presents to be Read, Publish'd and Registred, and the Contents thereof to be put in Execution, according to their Form and Tenor, &c.
These Declarations have been both preceded and followed by particular orders to the Intendants of all the Provinces of the Kingdom against the Reformed, empowering them to give Sentence without Appeal against the New Converts, who have been taken in some Assemblies, and to seize upon all the Children, who were of years to receive Instruction; at the same time Inhibitions were set forth, prohibiting all the newly Reunited to Exercise any Employment or Trade, unless they perform all the Duties of Good Catholicks. This we were informed of in November last, and received advice in January following, that by the King's Command to the Intendant of the Province of Languedoe, all the New Converts who have Children of Age to go to School, are oblig'd to send them thither, as also to publick Instructions and Catechisms, upon pain of being constrained by pecuniary Mulcts, and other ways of Severity; and if they persevere in Disobedience, they are to have Soldiers quarter'd upon them, to whom they are to pay so much a day till they comply, and also to be further prosecuted, and punish'd as the King shall ordain: School-Masters, and Mistresses, Curates and Vicars, are to take a List at the beginning of every Year of the New Converts Children, and if they fail to come to School, they are to give Notice of it to the Kings Intendant; and the School-Masters and Mistresses are obliged to go every day to Mass, with the Children committed to their care, &c.
These Declarations and Orders have been so diligently and severely Executed, that many will (I fear) speak on their Death-beds, as Cardinal Wolsey did on his, If I bad served my God, as well as I have done my King, he would not at this time have cast me off; as you may see by the few following Instances.
In December last they writ from Poitou, That the Sieur de M [...]pcon D'Ablege, Intendant of Justice, gave Sentence, without Appeal, upon several New Converts of that Country, that were assembled together for the Exercise of their Religion, two of which he caused to be hang'd, one at Poitiers, and the other at St. Maixant, and he has also Condemn'd several to the Galleys, others to Banishment, and others to terrible Forfeitures.
A Copy of a Letter from Poitou in last March.
HEre has been published by Sound of Trumpet, an Ordinance of the King's, by which all Persons are enjoin'd to discover those of the Pretended Reformed Religion, who are return'd, or shall hereafter return from Foreign Countries, to the end they may be forced to make their Abjuration. To which purpose, Commissioners are appointed in every Quarter, who have order to look after this Affair. They have also Registred the Children of all the new Converts that are in this City, and have signified to their Fathers and Mothers, that 'tis the King's Pleasure, that they themselves should carry them regularly to Mass, under the Forfeiture of Twenty Five Livres, and to have Dragoons quartered upon them every time they miss: Which hath been put in Execution in Sevennes, and in other Quarters at Somizes, a Town near Montpellier, they have raised above 2000 Livres by Forfeitures of this Nature. Our Intendant continues his Rigour in the Execution of these Severities with an indefatigable and furious Zeal. Within this little while he Condemn'd to Death three Ministers, who were hang'd within a few Days after they were taken. He has also Condemn'd two Men to the Galleys, for having been at Orange without leave: And sending for some of our most considerable Merchants, he told 'em, That the King was resolved to have but one Religion in France; and that if the New Converts did not go to Mass, and Conform as good Catholicks ought to do, they would be ruin'd and sack'd by the Soldiers. We expect here Monsieur De Broglio, with two Regiments of Dragoons, who are to be quartered upon those that refuse to do, as they are ordered.
A Copy of the Affidavit that Francis Daubinet, made before a Justice of Peace, in March, 1698.
FRancis Daubinet, Merchant, a Protestant born in Montpellier, maketh Oath, That in January last he saw one du Plan, of St. Laurens le Munier in Sevennes, hang'd in a Place call'd les Planade, [Page 12] between the Citadel and the City of Montpellier, upon no other account than that of having pray'd to God: That he saw the said du Plan going out of the said Citadel to the Gibbet, praying to God with great Fervency; and that he heard him▪ then making Complaints against two Jesuits, who would needs accompany him to the place of Execution with a Crucifix in their hands, and saying, Merciless Men! you have not long since put my two Brothers to death, and now I give up my Life, as well as they have already done, for Christ and his Holy Protestant Religion. And that when they offer'd to save his Life, if he would abjure his Religion, and turn Papist, he answer'd, He would not do it. And that the Jesuits perceiving that his Prayers, which were very fervent, caused great attention among the People, and drew Tears from the Spectators ordered five Drummers to beat their Drums, to hinder thereby the People from hearing his Prayers. This Deponent moreover says, That about a Fortnight before this Execution, he saw Mr. Rowzier, living in a Town near Jomieres in Languedoc, brought out of the Citadel of Montpellier, in order to be conducted to Marseilles, and sent to the Galleys there as a Slave, pursuant to his Condemnation, for having accompanied to Orange a Protestant Maid, the Papists saying, That the French King would have none of his Subjects to go and hear any Prayers and Sermons in Orange, or to have any Commerce with that City. This Deponent does further declare, That in the beginning of February last, several Persons of Villevielle near Somieres, went to Montpellier to complain to the Intendant Baville, That Mr. de Villeville, Lord of the Manour of the said Town, had killed a Woman by beating her with a Stick to force her to go to Mass, and struck out another's right Eye: But all the Justice the Plaintiffs got from the Intendant for the said Murder and Cruelty, was only this Answer, That Mr. de Villeville had put in execution the Orders he had received from the King, whom every body ought to obey by going to Mass, &c. All these Particulars the Deponent certifies upon Oath to be true, and notoriously known to all the Inhabitants of Montpellier.
A Copy of a Warrant, the Original whereof was sent from Castres to a Refugee living in London.
MR.— or Mrs—having failed to send—his Son, or Daughter, to the Catechism and Mass this Day, shall pay to Mr. Charteau, Receiver of the Fines levied upon the New Converts the Sum of 25 Livres; and till he has made the said Payment, and obeyed the Orders of my Lord Intendant, expressed in his Ordinance on the 22d of December last, Four Soldiers of the Militia shall be Quartered upon him, whom he is to provide with Victuals, and allow besides, 10 d. a day; which Number may be encreased; if it be thought convenient.
From Bordeaux, March 15. 1698.
HEre hath been published a Decree, by which the New Converts are obliged to Baptize their Children within 24 Hours, and to bring them up in the Romish Faith, under the Forfeiture of 500 Livres. By Order of Mr. de Sourdis, Twenty young Girls have been taken from a School-Mistress's House, and carried to the Ladies of the Faith. They also continue their Prosecutions against the New Converts, who shall fail in acquitting themselves of the Duties that are prescribed 'em.
From Paris, March 31.
THey have lately writ, That they have put into the Convent of the New Catholicks the young Lady Bertha, who was Contracted to a Gentleman, who is a new Convert as well as her self: At the same time they sent to the Bastile the Sieur Riviere a Lace Merchant, who is also one of the New Reunited. Sometime after, they took up a Young Lady of Poitou, whose Name is La Touche Cher [...]ut, Niece to the Marquis Dangeau: And from Bordeaux they write, that all the Children of the New Converts are [Page 14] actually taken up, and sent away to be Educated in the Roman Religion, which puts them into a strange Consternation, for they never expected such Usage, who always so earnestly panted after Peace Some of these Gentlemen desir'd Passports to retire into Foreign Countries, but instead of granting their Desires, they are so much the more narrowly watch'd. The Convent of the New Converts is so full, that they are forced to hire a House in the Neighbourhood to supply their want of Room.
An Abstract of two Letters from Castres in Upper Languedoc.
May 10. 1698.
THE Rage of our Enemies increases every day, the Count Broglio is come hither since Tuesday last, breathing out Threatnings and Slaughter against the Church of God: He began by summoning all the heads of Families, and would see every one of them in particular. They all make a stout Resistance, but are all dragg'd into Gaol, and some of them have been banished. Mr. Thomas is gone for Dijon. Mr. Du Buisson who has five Children for the most part seized on as well as his Estate, is sent beyond Moulins. It would be too long to mention all by Name; there might be some who had not strength enough to suffer all the Torments they were put to, who, however, have not altogether promised to turn, but desired time to consider out▪ The number of them is very small. I cannot forbear naming Mr. Auriol, Uncle to those Gentlemen of his Name who live now in London; and Mr. Cauaillé. They have dragg'd Mr. Bernard into Prison, after having quite ruined him, and seized on his three Daughters, whom they put into a Nunnery at L' [...]tr [...]. But I will not insist upon Particulars. They allow but three or four Hours time to those whom they take out of their Houses, and do not enquire, whether they have either wherewithal to bear their Charges; or any Cartiage for their Journey. To morrow is appointed for the Women to make their Personal appearance. They are ready to go, those at least who have any love for their Religion, and the Number of them is very great. Good God! why should we not all persist in the Faith, both Men and Women, for even Children of Ten years old hold out, and there is not one among them willing to [Page 15] yield. This is a Miracle, which God Almighty sets before our Eyes, and which we must make a good use of. This Roaring Lion, the Count Broglio, went the day before yesterday to Roquecourbe, but all the Inhabitants of it, having forsaken their respective Houses, he met no body there, and threatned to raze their Town to the very Ground, in case they refuse to return home. They have cited all the Heads of Families living in our Hill-Country. A great many of them arrived here yesterday; most of them are put in Prison▪ And I do not think that they have as yet muster'd them all. In short, our Miseries are very great, and we cannot say, when God Almighty will be pleased to come and relieve us. Can it be possible that the Protestant Princes should quite forsake us? Alas! We beg nothing else of them, but their intercession to our Great King, in order to obtain the Liberty of going out of his Dominions; This favour perhaps would be granted to their Request. In short, our Enemies excuse their hard-heartedness with this pretence, saying, That their ill usage against us, is only by way of Reprisal, since the Irish Catholicks are more severely dealt with by the English Protestants. We cannot believe what they say, but should be very glad to be informed of the Truth of it. We still entreat the Prayers of the Church.
Castres, May the 18th, 1698.
WHo is able to give a full Description of our Miseries! It is impossible for a Humane Soul to reach it. Our Calamities are so great, that no body can express them. The Count Broglio went from hence on Monday last, after having either banished or Imprisoned part of the Inhabitants. There is no need of giving you their Names. And at his departure he left Orders to carry Bills to their respective Houses, whereby they were all admonished to go to Mass; and in case they do not appear there, by a Decree made for that purpose, the Goods and Estates of the Rebels (for so they call us) are to be seized, and their Houses demolished. The Bills were delivered, but they answered, The King is Master of both our Goods and Lives, and we are ready to give them up for his Service, but our Souls belong to God only. This Answer hath been set down in writing, (not perhaps at length,) but at last they [Page 16] entred us in the Register-Book, not as good Subjects, but as Rebels to our Great King. We shall in all probability shortly see the Issue of this Decree; for the execution hath constantly attended their Threatnings. The poor Inhabitants of Roquecourbe have for saken their Houses. The Papists thought they would come back again; but they were mistaken; for they have not been seen since, although they have sent a hundred Men to prevail upon them to return home by the fear of their total Ruin. 'Tis not known whither they did retire, as well as the Inhabitants of la Crousette, and other neighbouring places. Questionless they live in Holes and Dens like the Primitive Christians. They write from Montauban, That 800 Families there have deserted their Houses, and are ready to bear the Assault they are preparing against them. They have seized on the Estate of Mr. de Lespinesse, because he would not deliver up a Son of Mr. C [...]mdoner the Minister: His Wife is ready to be brought to bed, and is in the Street, because no body is in a Condition to relieve her. They have also given a Judgment in Court against, and seized on the Estate of Mr. Pelisster le Gres, because he absconds with Four of his Children. In fine, one cannot enumerate all the Particulars as it should be. The Hope we had, and which they gave us from all Places, of an approaching Ease and Delivery, has been the cause of our Ruine. Many who were very Rich, are not now worth a Farthing. Good God! who would have believed that so many Potent Princes, who are our Brethren in Christ, would have abandoned us! But you will say, They could not sue for the Restitution of our Edicts, because 'twas too much. But they could at least have asked that we might have had leave to depart this Kingdom without any disturbance, or that they would put us to death all at once: The thing was very possible, since it hath been already done. But they think of us no more than if we were not in the World. Sure we must have greatly offended God, seeing he permits Princes, and our Brethren in Christ to forsake us. However, we must hope, that God Almighty will come to us in due time: He is a God to help in Extremity; alas! he must then come a [...]y very speedily, for we are at our last Gasp. We see now that whosoever hopes in him shall never perish. We continue to desire the Prayers of the Church.
From Niort in Poitou, July the 13th. 1698.
A Gentleman Refugee in London, received a Letter, wherein he is told, That they expected there, the Mareschal D'Estreés, accompanied with Soldiers, not only to hinder the New Converts from making their Escape, but also to work out their sincere Conversion: And that there are Dragoons quarter'd at Co [...]longe, Fontenay, Chastagnerage, &c. upon the New Converts who do not perform all the Duties of Good Catholicks, and live at Rack and Manger upon them, and they that refuse to obey, are ruined by Amerciaments, for the payment of which they are forced to sell their Beds from under them.
July the 25th. 1698.
TWo Gentlemen called Trouilla and Laborde lately come from France, Certifie under their Hands, That in May last, the Sieur Darhets, Surrogate of Mr. Pinon Intendant of Bearn, came to Orthes, and being attended with four Guards or Sergeants went into a School, and ordered the Schoolmaster to bid his Scholars repeat their Popish Catechism by heart before him; which thing a Boy Ten years old, and Son to Mr. Cafaudonec, Merchant, refusing to do, he was by order of the said Surrogate immediately shut up in the School by his Guards, and whip'd by the School Master to the very bloud, insomuch as he had died by the blows, had not a Doctor ordered some Remedies to prevent it.
These two Gentlemen do further Certifie, that the same day, the said Surrogate sent a Gentlewoman Fourteen or Fifteen years old into the Nunnery of St. Ʋrsula, with order to let no body see and speak with her. She was dragg'd every day to Mass; but they could never prevail upon her to turn her Face, and kneel before the Altar; insomuch as the Abbess with the help of some Nuns, having bound her Hands behind her back with Ropes, tied her fast to a Pew, and let her continue a whole Day in that Posture. This Gentlewoman by striving to be rid of her pains, made the Rope slip as far as her Neck, but then she was almost strangled, [Page 18] and called for help, but the merciless Nuns did not cae for her Cries, till one of them came into the Church, and saw her almost dead: Thereupon she went immediately and acquainted the Abbess with it, who being an Eye-witness of the danger she was in, did untie her, and confined her to a Dark Chamber, where she was exposed to bad Weather, seen by no body, and no light allowed her for a Fortnight, till she was taken so ill, that they began to fear her Life, and therefore the Nuns let her go out of the Nunnery, by the special leave of Mr. Darbes, who had before seen the Declaration of a Surgeon about the dangerous Condition of the said Gentlewoman.
The Persecution doth not rage on the Land only, but also on the Sea; for enquiring of one Mr. Anthony Capion who came lately from Marseilles, where he was a great sufferer, about the lamentable Condition of those Protestants who have been sent to the Galleys upon account of Religion, he delivered into my hands a List of the Names, Country, Number, and the date of the Condemnation of every one of them. It would be too long to relate all these Particulars; we shall have shortly the opportunity to do it, only we will say for the present, That the Number of them amounts to 277. Some Popish Slaves who have been converted by the Instruction, Patience, and good Behaviour of the Protestants in Chains, being included: And that the said Gentleman certified under his Hand August 2. 1698. That the Marquis of Mommort, Intendant of the Galleys there, being informed that Mr. Lansonieres, formerly a Counsellor in Poitou, and Ten years since Slave there, upon account of Religion, did as well as one Mr. Serres formerly Student in Divinity, distribute some Alms which was given them, to the other Confessors, ordered some Men to constrain them by a severe Bastinado, to declare from whence they had received the said Money, which thing they refusing to do, he sent them into a dark and stinking Dungeon, wherein they as well as many others have been for these Two years shut up close Prisoners. That in the Castle called Casteldy, there are two other Confessors, named Paul Raga [...] and John Monier, of Sainte Croix in Cevennes, detained two years and an half, in a Dungeon where they never see the Light; and in the Fort called Saint John, there is one Mr. Lefevure of Champagne, who has been Prisoner Ten years. The they will not give leave to any of them to write to their Friends in order to be relieved by [Page 19] them. That two Sergeants of the Garrisons that are at the For [...]s St. Nicolas and St. John, in that City, having given some of them Paper and Ink to write a Letter, and being taken in the Fact, were immediately Condemn'd, and Hang'd on the Rampire, thô Mr. Serres, Junior, being brought before the Council of War, and before these two Sergeants, begg'd on his Knees the favour of dying in the Room of the Sergeant who had furnish'd him with the means of writing but a Consolatory Letter, but to no purpose.
The said Gentleman declares further, That there was a Young Gentlewoman of 18 Years of Age, who when she was a dying refused to perform the Duty usual to Papists on such Occasions, but after her death her Corps was drawn Naked throughout all the Streets of Marseilles by the Hangman, and buried under the Stones the Rabble threw at it. And that another Confessor being very Sick, desired to be blouded, but the Commander came to him, with his Pistol cocked in his Hand, and pointing at his Head, told him, He had nothing else for him, but Pistols to break his Pate.
A Copy of the Affidavit taken by Catherine de Gaudeul, before Justice Ellis. August 8. 1698.
CAtherine de Gaudeul born in Alenson in Normandy, lately come from France, maketh Oath, That being removed by a Letter under the French King's Privy Signet, into a Prison at Paris named La Salpetriere upon the Account of her Religion, two Protestant Women, born in Meaux, were likewise sent thither for the same Cause, and used with very great Cruelty: But because they would by no means turn Papists, but on the contrary, went as often as they could into retired Places to Pray and sing Praises unto God, kneeling in the Mire and upon Snow; Marguerite Pataclain, the Superior and Governess of the said Prison, and Ann B [...]ucheron her Assistant put a wet Sheet on one of them, and shut her into a Room with two Mad Women, who fell upon her, and dispatched her, by thrusting up their Hands, and pulling her Bowels out of her Body, which was afterwards boiled and Dissected by Surgeons. That her fellow sufferer, named Sarah, was sent next to the said Mad Women, whom she pacified a little, by giving them what Money she had by her. But for all that she received many Blows [Page 20] and Wounds from them. That when the said Sarah came out of the said Room, she informed the other Prisoners, that she had trod upon and seen the Guts of her Friend, and that the Mad women told her, how they had killed her, and threatned to do as much to her self, if she would not turn Papist; and that the said Fact was so Notorious in the Prison, that many of the Prisoners, Papists as well as others, did many times charge the above said Governess and her Assistant with the Murder of the Deceased.
Uzes in Languedoc, October 21. 1698. N. S.
I Came yesterday from Montpellier, where I had been about our Brother-in-Law—Business, where I heard that a Fair was to be held at Orange, and was really so, the 25th of August last, in order to facilitate the Commerce, and to shew (as it was given out by the Papists) that they had no mind to hinder any body from going to Trade in that Principality. Accordingly our Intendant ordered, That all the Guards who were set at Roquimaure, Ardoise, and all other posts on the Rhone should be taken off. All those who went, or pretended to go to the said fair did assist there at the publick Exercises of the Protestant Religion, and at their return to their respective homes, declared publickly, that they had seen no Guard on the Road, and that all the Passes were free and open. This good News was so great an Encouragement, that the First Sunday in September last being appointed for administring the Holy Sacrament, Two or three thousand of our Protestants of both Sexes throng'd thither. But our Intendant having been informed of it, set Soldiers on all the Avenues, who seized about One hundred of them at their return, and binding them, two and two together, brought them in that Posture to Monipellier, where they were no sooner come, but they were immediately sentenced, and sent to the Gallies, and 38 Women and Maidens condemned to [Page 21] Prison for Six years: And our poor Brother-in-Law is one of the Number. Think, I pray, what condition our poor Sister and her Daughter are in. God grant all these Confessors strength to suffer patiently their Affliction, and to carry chearfully their Chains without repining, seeing they suffer for no other reason, but for Worshipping and Praying to God in his Church. Among them, there are Mr. Bourelly, one of the Brothers of Mr. Fabre, Apothecary, the very same who served His Majesty of Great Britain Ten or Twelve Years in Holland, and Ireland, and was after married at Courtezon, a Town belonging to the Principality of Orange: The Brother-in-Law of another Fabre, Apothecary at Bagnots. Mr. Ribes and Jonquent, Merchants of Nimes. A Merchant of Alez in Cevennes; another living about Roubiac, Nephew to Mr. Christol of Servieres; a Son and Daughter of Mr. Lafons, Attorney of Servay; a Brother of Mr. Carrieres, who lives now in London; there will be now two Brothers together, for one of them has been these Twelve Years in the Gallies, resolutely persisting in the Reformed Religon; I saw his Father at Montpellier solliciting for him, but to no purpose. I never saw so dismal a Spectacle! No body was exempted from Punishment, but only three Youths of 14 years of Age, and an Old Man named Jaumes, of Ʋzes, Aged 75. All the rest of those that were condemn'd and sent to the Gallies were Inhabitants of Lussan, La Bruguiere, Nimes, St. Laurens, and other Neighbouring Towns, &c.
Orange, October 5. 1698.
HEre lately happened a thing which will strike you with Horror, and oblige you to join your Prayers with ours to implore Gods Mercy. They had taken all the Guands away from the Towns in the Neighbourhood of this Principality, so that it was generally believed, every body might have liberty to go and return freely. This was the reason that a great many came hither upon a Communion-Day, but in their return home over the River Rhoues, they were stript Naked, and knock'd down with Cudgels, and those who return'd into Dauphine, going through Camaret, were by the order of the Pope's Nuncio in Avignon, Assaulted and Murthered by the Country People, but many of these Boors who [Page 22] had surrounded them were killed, because having made a Ring to prevent their Escape, the shots from one side bore to those of the other, opposite to it. You will in a short time see an Exact and Faithful Relation of it. The Papists have taken away the Crosses they had formerly set up on the Ruines of our Churches, with a great deal of Pomp and Ceremony, after having adorn'd them with Ribbands, Garlands, and the most precious Things they had. I have no time to say any more about it, but this action strikes all good Men with Horror.
POSTSCRIPT.
There are in this Town, about Four hundred of those Protestants who were come hither, who having either tarried behind, or seen how severely those who went before were used, came back again, remain shut up, and dare not go home, for fear either of the Gallies, or Prisons, and chiefly since they hear that they have seen at Nimes Fourscore of them bound in Chains, and going to the Gallies of Marseilles.
Vittre in Brittany, November 2. 1698.
SInce my last, I have been Arrested by an Order under the King's Privy-Signet, and sent Prisoner to Vannes, where I shall be kept till I produce my Son Daniel, and therefore I earnestly beg of you, that so soon as you have received this, you will send him back again to me by the first opportunity. Pray do not lose time about it, for the Intendant is at Rennes, and threatneth to do me all the Mischief imaginable, and to let me rot in Prison, in case I do not make my Son return from London where I had lately sent him. Do not fail therefore to send him to me. My Wife and all our Friends are in great Affliction, and I sorrowful beyond Expression: I can say no more,
Montpellier, November 4. 1698. N. S.
YOU have heard long since of Mr. Claude Brousson, and of his unwearied Zeal for the Protestant Religion. He was born at Nismes of Noble Parents on his Mother's side, and bred up an Advocate or Counsellor: And pleaded at the Bar with such Force and Eloquence, that he was admired in the Presidial of Nismes, the Chamber of Castres, and in the High-Court of Tholouse; but after the Ruine of the Protestant Churches he retired into Switzerland, where he publish'd many Books concerning the present Persecution, and came several times into this Kingdom, in order to Instruct and Comfort his distressed Brethren. The Papists who discovered his wonderful Progress, did what they could to Catch him, but by God's Providence he avoided their Snares; so that after having been four Years undiscovered in France; he went into Holland, where he was ordained Minister, and there published a Book of his Travels, wherein he gives Account of several particulars concerning the Sufferings and Martyrdom of many Ministers and Protestants, and of his wonderful Preservation: But because this Book will be undoubtedly Translated into English, I'll content my self with relating, these two Particulars only, viz. That a great number of Protestants having met together on the Hills of Vivares, the Dragoons, by the Order of the Intendant Baville (who was in that Country) surprized them, and killed upon the spot Three hundred and fifty of them; one of these Dragoons, a Faithful Apostle of the Red Dragon spoken of, Revel 12. discovered among the slain, a Woman lying dead on the Ground, and holding still her Child in her Arms. When the Babe saw the Dragoon drawing near him, he smiled at him; but this Barbarous Executioner was so far from being moved with the Smiles of this Innocent Creature, that he thrust his Dagger into his Bosom, and lifting him up, called to his Comrade, and said, Hey, dost thou not see this Frog. This Diabolical action was related to the Intendant, but he took no Notice of it.
The other Particular concerns Mr. Brousson himself, who saith, That the Intendant Baville was so enraged he could not catch him, that he set a Prize, first of Five hundred, and after of Ten thousand [Page 24] Livres on him, as a Reward to whomsoever should take him: That the Papists had drawn and dispersed many Pictures of his, to discover him thereby; and that when they suspected him to be lurcking in any Wood or Den, they sent Dragoons, and let loose Hounds to find him by the Track and Scent. Being once driven out of the Wood by the Violence of the Rain, he discovered them coming upon him; and having the conveniency of a Bush near at hand, he there absconded till he saw Four Troops pass by him; and by that means he escaped out of their hands by a wonderful Providence, who had no doubt blinded them: This and some other Reasons oblig'd him to depart out of France, and retire into Holland, where he staid a while; but a little after, he grew so uneasie, that he could neither Eat nor Sleep; and when his Friends asked him the Reason of it, he reply'd, That he felt an inward Motion, prompting him to go and Comfort his Distressed Brethren: So he came back again into this Kingdom, where he for a long time Preached, Instructed, Comforted the True Refomed, and reclaimed many Apostates for their Apostacy; and many profligate Sinners from their ill Lives. But at length he was discovered and seized, on the 19th of September last at Orleou, a Town in the Province of Bearn, and from thence brought to Lescar, where Mr. Pinon, Intendant of that Province was; who first askt the Prisoner his Name, who readily own'd it to be Brousson; and next, the Reason, Why he was come into the Kingdom▪ To which he Answered, That he came to Exhort his Brethron to Repentance. To what Repentance, said the Intendant to him? To the Repentance of their Sins, replyed Mr. Brousson. At last they askt him, if he had not known the danger of his Design? To which he said, That he had undertaken the thing out of Zeal for the Protestant Religion, and upon mature Deliberation. The Examination being over, the Intendant committed him to the Prison of Pau, till further order from the Court, and ordered the Jailor to allow him a Bed, be Civil to him, and Guard him within sight. At last Orders came from the Court, and the Intendant Baville, (the mortal Enemy of the Protestant Religion, and of Mr. Brousson) sent three Expresses to Challenge him as his Prisoner. And so the 20th of October he set forward in a Calash to Montpellier; but before his departure, he desired to speak with Mr. Pinon, and his request being granted, he said to him, That seeing [Page 25] he had but a short time to Live, he would spend part of it, in praying for him, and returned him thanks for his Civility. The Intendant was so moved at his Discourse, that he gave his Guards fresh Orders to be Civil to him upon the Road. When Mr. Brousson came into this Province of Languedoc, he was delivered into the hands of the Captain of the Life-Guards of the Count Broglio, attended by one hundred Granadiers, and brought to the Citadel of Montpellier in the Flying Chariot of the Intendant Baville, where he arrived October the 30th: He never was bound, but constantly guarded within sight of the Soldiers. The Day after his arrival, the Intendant went to the Citadel to hear him; the first Question he put to him was, If he did not know the King's Edicts and Declarations, whereby the Ministers were forbidden, under pain of Death, ever to come into France: To which Mr. Brousson answered, That after the Apostles Example, he thought himself bound by the Duty of his Ministry to venture all, to come and Comfort his Brethren. He did not deny, but he had at several Times and Places given the Communion, but would by no means name either the Places or the Persons to whom. And answered the other Questions put upon him with a great deal of Conduct and Wisdom. During the time of his Confinement, our Intendant, as well as the Abbot Camarignam, Son to the late President Crouset, had many secret Conferences with him, but we do not as yet hear of any Particular of them; it is said only, That the Intendant allowed him no other Meat and Drink but that which was carried to him from his own Table, which Mr. B [...]ousson would not touch, but betook himself to Prayers and Fasting, and eat and drank only Bread and Water. The 24th of this Instant, he was in the Morning brought to his Trial before the Intendant Baville, and some Counsellors of the Presidial. They charged him with two things, one True, and the other False; the True one was, That he had Preached in France against the King's Prohibition; and the other False was, That he had endeavoured to bring (during the late War) the Enemy into the Kingdom, and stirr up a Rebellion. Mr. Brousson confessed the former, but denied peremptorily and absolutely the second Article. And every one knows, that 'tis the Custom of Papists to charge the Protestants with Crimes against the State, in order, to Extenuate their own Barbarity, and Eclipse the Glory of the Sufferings and Martyrdoms of the Reformed. But the Truth is, the thing was resolved [Page 26] before. hand, Mr. Brousson was to die: And therefore he was condemned to be put to the Rack, and Tortured both Ordinary and Extraordinary, and next to be broken alive upon the Wheel: When they came to read the Sentence to him, he shewed an undaunted Courage, and a great Resignation to God's Will. The Reading of his Sentence being over, he was brought and presented to the Torture, and being stretched Naked on the Bench, he said to the Commissary, That he had told the Truth of what they had asked him concerning himself; That if they had forgot any thing else, he was ready to give a Faithful answer to it; but as to his Brethren, it was to no purpose to urge him to declare them, for he had rather be torn in pieces, than to betray his Ministry. As soon as he had declared this, he was taken off the Bench, and excused the Rack, upon which he said, I will magnifie the Lord as long as I live, &c. The Courage, Mildness, and Innocence, the Intendant discovered in the secret Conferences he had with his Prisoner, prevailed (I think) upon him, to abate something of his Cruelty.
When these things were thus practised within the Citadel, they were Erecting without, in a Place called L'Esplonade a Scaffold, whither Mr. Brousson was brought in his ordinary Habit, about Four of the Clock the same Afternoon, without having his Hands or Feet tied, and attended by the Abbot Camarignam. I saw him going to Execution, earnestly Praying, and looking stedfastly up to Heaven. One cannot express the Mildness and Courage wherewith he went and ascended the Scaffold. One might easily discover the Calmness of his Soul, by his chearful Countenance in his way to the Place of Execution, and all the while hear the Sighings and Groans of the People, who bewailed the hard Fate of a Man of so great Merit and Piety. Having ascended the Scaffold, he began to deliver his Dying Speech, which was no doubt as Pious and Comfortable as his Life had before been; but we were hinder'd from hearing much of it, because on such Occasions the Papists beat Drums, to prevent by their Noise, the good Effect of the pious Exhortations and Prayers of the Reformed Martyrs. This was the Reason why Mr. Brousson put off his own Cloths, and yielded both his Hands and Feet to be fastned on the Cross, saying, That he esteemed himself very happy, in that his Death had some likeness with that of his Saviour. 'Twas only at that time they read [Page 27] to him that Clause of his Sentence, whereby he was to be Strangled before he was broken upon the Wheel. The Executioner, after having fastned him, went down under the Scaffold, and having half-strangled him, the Billet broke; which accident made Mr. Brousson come to himself again; and the Abbot Camarignam hearing him pray to God, came near him, to whom Mr. Brousson said, Sir, I pray God Almighty reward your Charity towards me, and grant us the favour to see one another in his Paradise. These were the last Words of his; for he was immediately Strangled and Broken upon the Wheel. This great Man hath been lamented by all, the Papists themselves have been amazed at this sight of Courage and Resolution, and the Protestants though sorry for his loss, were yet Comforted, for so great an Example of Resignation to God, and Zeal and Constancy for the Defence of his Gospel; and indeed this is an illustrious and extraordinary Instance in the Age we live in, wherein we see so little Zeal for the True Religion, and and so very great (though Blind) Zeal for propagating the False one by Persecution and shedding of Bloud. Mr. Brousson's Death was a Sermon more Moving and Eloquent, than all those he delilivered in his Life time, I do not make any question, but the Intendant Baville might say of Mr. Brousson (with as much reason as he did concerning another Minister he had some years before put to Death) If the Hugonots serve the same God we do, there will be a sad reckoning for him and other Papists. And one enquiring of the Executioner about Mr. Brousson, a little after the Execution; He answered, That if he durst speak, he could say much, but could not forbear saying, That he died like a Saint.
I thought, My Lord, to have brought here my Task to an End, but am prevented, by a New Declaration against the French Protestants, whereby the French King will have them to know what Usage they are for the future to Expect, in case they do not turn good Catholicks, the Abstract whereof, I now give your Lordship. The Declaration was given at Versailles, the 13th of December, 1698. and Registred in Parliament. Wherein his Majesty enjoyns the Execution of this Edict in October 1685. repealing the Edict of Nantes, and of others made in pursuance thereof. Forbids all his Subjects to Exercise the Pretended Reformed Religion, to meet together in any Place on this account in any Number, or on any pretence [Page 28] whatsover: And to harbour any Ministers, and directly or indirectly to hold any Correspondence with them. He admonishes and enjoins all Archbishops and Bishops to employ their utmost Zeal in the Instruction of the New Converts, and to order their Curates, at least on Sundays and Holidays, to read Instructions and Catechisms to them. He recommends especially to the Lords of Mannors, and the said New Converts, to assist exactly at Divine Service, and Commands them, that they always behave themselves therein with Reverence, especially during the time of the Celebrating the Holy-Mass, and adore on their Knees the most Holy Sacrament on the Altar, and observe Abstinency from Flesh. He Commandeth all the New Converts to cause their Children to be Baptized in their Parish-Churches within 24 Hours after their Birth; and all the Midwives to give the Curate of the Place Notice of the Birth of such Children; He enjoyns the establishment in all Parishes, as much as is possible, Masters and Mistresses, in order to Instruct particularly the Children born of Parents formerly Protestants; all Guardians to send them to the Schools and Catechisms; and bring them before the Archbishop or Bishop, when they shall require it, in the Course of their Visitations: He commandeth all Physicians, Apothecaries and Chirurgeons, who shall be called to visit Sick Persons to give notice thereof to the Curates of their Parishes, that the Patient may from time to time receive the Benefit of the Sacraments. And in fine, That no Person shall be admitted into any publick Place, Office, and Employment whatsoever, but under Attestation from the Curate of their Parishes, Certifying their good Life, and their Exercising the Catholick Apostolick and Roman Religion.
After the reading of such a Declaration, one may wonder that every Article of it was not backed with severe Penalties, as Prison, Gallies, and Gallows (as it was given out and expected) but with general and ambiguous Threatnings, only such as are, We command on pain of exemplary Punishment to such as shall fail therein: Or these, To punish the Offenders by Fine, or even by greater Penalties, as the nature of the Cause shall require. But the wonder will not be long, and the Cunning of the New Declaration will be soon detected, if one takes the care to scrape the Sweetness and Gold off the out side of the Pill, by comparing it with the Edict of October, [Page 29] 1685. and others made in pursuance thereof; for he will immediately discover the Bitterness of it, viz. That the Penalties expressed in the Edicts and Declarations already made on this account (to which this New Declaration referreth the Reader) are nothing else but Prisons, Dungeons, Gallows, and wheels. Thus they have heretofore exactly executed the French King's Declaration against the True Protestants; and thus hereafter they will undoubtedly explain this New one.
For it was no sooner out, but the Bishop of Mans, to shew his Zeal, published an hectoring Letter and Mandate, wherein after having said that the King having forced the Protestant Princes and Allies to accept of the Peace his Majesty offered them, had now a mind to Compel the timerous to a sincere Resolution to embrace the Catholick Faith.
He adds, That pursuant to his Majesty's pious Intentions, he requires all Deans, Priests, Curates of his Diocess, to send in forthwith an exact List of those Families and Persons of both Sexes in their respective Parishes, who are suspected of Heresie, and shew no Marks of the Catholick Faith, which they had seigned to have embraced.
If the zealous Bishop was speaking of forcing the Protestants, we could not deny his Assertion, because we know it by a very sad Experience; but no body will grant to his Zeal, That the French King hath constrained the Protestant Princes to receive, in spight of their Teeth, the Peace from his hands; the French Plenipotentiaries themselves will convince his Lordship of the contrary.
I have, My Lord, several other Instances at hand of the Cruelties of this New Persecution: But these which I have mentioned though few in number, and in comparison to those we already know, and what we have not as yet heard of, because c [...]mitted in Dungeons, are sufficient to convince any reasonable M [...], much more a Christian, of the Reality and Fierceness of the New Persecution: Nay, we wish with all our Hearts that there were fewer Instances than those I have already related; because then our su [...] fering Brethren would be less persecuted by the Papists, and the Papists less guilty before God.
[Page 30] However▪ in these few Particulars, one many easily discover all the Characters of a barbarous Persecution, and the sad case the French Protestants lie now under: For let any judicious Man represent to himself on one hand, a Potent Prince, who is resolved at any rate to compleat the Destruction of the Protestant Religion in his Kingdom, and his Magistrates, Officers, and Soldiers, striving who shall be the most diligent in promoting his Design, that is, breathing out Threatnings and Slaughter against the Disciples of the Lord; And taking Commission from their Superiours, That if they should find any of this Faith, whether they were Men or Women, to bring them bound to some Prison or other, and add to the horrour of dark and stinking Dungeons the most cruel Torments.
And all this practised not only in some, but in all the Provinces of a vast Kingdom; and not upon a few, but upon all persons, of what Rank, Quality, Condition, Sex, or Age whatsoever, for the space of above Fifteen Years. The Constancy they find every where, and which deserves the Admiration and pity of the most barbarous Executioners, increaseth rather than diminisheth their Fury and Cruelty.
And on the other hand, after he has taken a View of the general Calamity that rages in all the Provinces, and in all the Protestant Houses, let him go into the Gallies, he will find them full of Confessors; upon the Roads, he will meet with many others bound with Fetters. Let him represent to himself the dark and stinking Dungeons full of Men and Women, Maidens and Little Children, and see the Tears and hear the Cries of both Parents and Children, when snatched from their Bosoms: Let him look on the Dragoons, committing the greatest Outrages in a thousand and thousand Houses; and in other places shooting, killing, and scattering great numbers of those who were gathered together to serve God: And see Fathers and Mothers seized and dragg'd to prison in this Town, because they have sent their Children out of the Kingdom; and in other places many apprehended, because they had a mind to depart, and all in a general Motion either to hide themselves, or to make their Escapes, even over high Mountains that had been till now inaccessible. Let him represent to himself great numbers of Apostates lying under the Lashes and Torments of their Conscience, for having forsaken the Truth, and committing [Page 31] to their own Knowledge Idolatry; and, on the contrary, many Protestants and Ministers put to the Rack within the Walls of the Prison, going on chearfully, some to be hanged on the Gibbet, and others to be broken upon the Wheel, and he will have a glimpse, but not a full sight of the New Persecution; and conclude, That France breeds now Monsters more horrid and cruel than Africa doth; That the Papists, strive to imitate and out do the Devil, that roaring Lion and great Murtherer, in damning Souls, and to perform an impossible and contradictory thing, that is, to constrain the Protestants to believe Popery to be true, which they are fully convinced in their own Consciences to be false.
But since the Papists will hearken neither to the Dictates of Humanity, nor to the Principles of Christianity, we have nothing else to do but to pray to God Almighty, That he will be pleased to convert them, and grant the Protestants the Gift of Patience and Constancy in their Suffering.
God is Witness, my Lord, to the many fervent Prayers your Piety hath heretofore put up in behalf of the afflicted French Reformed; and many of them who came into this Kingdom are Witnesses to the Comforts your Charity hath so liberally afforded them: So that I do not make any question but your Lordship will practise them both for the future, and hope you will be pleased to receive kindly this doleful Discourse you have put me upon, and which I could have enlarged, but have contracted, humbly offering it as a Token of my ready Obeisance to your Commands, being, with all the Respect possible,
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