A letter from Sr. Balthazar Gerbier Knight. To his three daughters inclosed. In a nunnery att Paris. Gerbier, Balthazar, Sir, 1592?-1667. This text is an enriched version of the TCP digital transcription A85925 of text R202103 in the English Short Title Catalog (Thomason E510_1). Textual changes and metadata enrichments aim at making the text more computationally tractable, easier to read, and suitable for network-based collaborative curation by amateur and professional end users from many walks of life. The text has been tokenized and linguistically annotated with MorphAdorner. The annotation includes standard spellings that support the display of a text in a standardized format that preserves archaic forms ('loveth', 'seekest'). Textual changes aim at restoring the text the author or stationer meant to publish. This text has not been fully proofread Approx. 19 KB of XML-encoded text transcribed from 7 1-bit group-IV TIFF page images. EarlyPrint Project Evanston,IL, Notre Dame, IN, St. Louis, MO 2017 A85925 Wing G564 Thomason E510_1 ESTC R202103 99862509 99862509 114671 This keyboarded and encoded edition of the work described above is co-owned by the institutions providing financial support to the Early English Books Online Text Creation Partnership. This Phase I text is available for reuse, according to the terms of Creative Commons 0 1.0 Universal . The text can be copied, modified, distributed and performed, even for commercial purposes, all without asking permission. Early English books online. (EEBO-TCP ; phase 1, no. A85925) Transcribed from: (Early English Books Online ; image set 114671) Images scanned from microfilm: (Thomason Tracts ; 80:E510[1]) A letter from Sr. Balthazar Gerbier Knight. To his three daughters inclosed. In a nunnery att Paris. Gerbier, Balthazar, Sir, 1592?-1667. 11, [1] p. s.n., [Paris : 1646] Dated at end: Paris the 4. of May 1646. Wing says printed in London, but obviously printed abroad and probably at Paris, where Gerbier had been living (see DNB). Annotation on Thomason copy: "May 26 Paris 1646". Reproduction of the original in the British Library. eng Gerbier, Elizabeth -- Early works to 1800. Gerbier, Susan -- Early works to 1800. Gerbier, Mary -- Early works to 1800. Christian life -- Early works to 1800. A85925 R202103 (Thomason E510_1). civilwar no A letter from Sr. Balthazar Gerbier Knight.: To his three daughters inclosed. In a nunnery att Paris. Gerbier, Balthazar, Sir 1646 3257 18 0 0 0 0 0 55 D The rate of 55 defects per 10,000 words puts this text in the D category of texts with between 35 and 100 defects per 10,000 words. 2007-04 TCP Assigned for keying and markup 2007-04 Aptara Keyed and coded from ProQuest page images 2007-06 Mona Logarbo Sampled and proofread 2007-06 Mona Logarbo Text and markup reviewed and edited 2008-02 pfs Batch review (QC) and XML conversion A LETTER FROM SR. BALTHAZAR GERBIER KNIGHT . TO HIS THREE DAVGHTERS INCLOSED . In a Nunnery att Paris . MY DAVGHTERS ELIZABETH , Susanne and Marie . I Haue thought fitt to concude all my former letters to you vvith this , thereunto mouved by Fatherley tendrenesse to administer good and vvholsome things unto you : Care of your Saluation to draue you from pernicious errors , and Iustice to my selfe to vindicate my selfe from those asperssions as vvell implicit as explicit layd uppon me on your subiect . First therefore , since you vvith drevv your selues from the obedience to your Parents you haue vvritten that your EYES haue bin Opened ; and ●●●t , it is sustayned on your one utterances that you had noe Religion before you vvere taught vvhat you novv seeme to professe . As I do extreamly vvonder at it , so i must deeply lament your casse , since such a pretended and imaginary opening must be the vvorke of a Spirit of strong DILVZION , Such as could persuade our first Parents in EDEN that they vvere blinde ; and that vvhen they should follo●vv his aduise , theire EYES vvould be opened , and that they should knovve good and Euill : Such an opening I iustly feare is yours . No vvonder that you haue bin thus surprised vvhen once you gaue both your eares to charmers ; and neuer lent one to your best and assured friends your Parents : to vvhome you neuer gaue any intimation of your resolution vvhat you vvould do : Onlly you lett your Parents Knovve ( in fievv vvords ( but to late ) vvhat you had don , leauing that iniurious brand on them that during your aboade under theire roofe you ( as before said ) had no Religion , and that they kept you in blindnesse . You vvere Babtifed in te name of GOD the Father the SONNE , and the HOLLY Gost . Vvhen you came to yares you vvere vnder my roofe instructed in the Articles of the Christian beleefe . You vvere taught the ten Commandements , deliuered by God in tvvo tables on Mount Sinaï to MOSES . You vvere taught the Lords prayer being the Sommary of all things necessary for us to demande of God : and hovv vvith an humble and eleuated Soule ( on bended kneés ) you should povver forth your supplications unto him : You vvere taught hovv you should receaue the blessed Communion of te Boddy and Bludd of our Lord IESVS-CHRIST : and vvhen ripnesse of yeares permitted , you vvere thereto prepared ; called , and admitted , and continued publickly in that practise . Vvhen you came to more strenckt ( least you should fall into those nets vvherein novv allas you are intangled bycause my employments under his ( Maiestie of greate Britaine in the Residency att Bruxels during the space of Eleuen yeares occasionned my necessary conuerssation vvith Papists . ) you vvere taught the solide ansvveares to all the vveake ▪ obiections of the Roman Sect , concerning their pretenc to ANT QVITI , VNIVERSSALLITI , VNIFORMITI , MIRACLES , and the rest . These being the mayne props of there ruinous building . You vvere instructed that ANTIQVITI is not to be determined by any Episcopall Sea professing Christiannity , but by conformity unto the vvord of God : deliuered unto us by Christ Iesus , his Apostles , Euangelists , and Diciples , comprised by the Author of Saluation in the tvvo Commandements of LOVE . For iff all other Christians should since the Apostles time to this instant haue continued in à Doctrine contrary to the expresse doctrine of Christ and his Apostles vvich is the doctrine of Loue ( as a forsaid ] and that but yesterday theire had risen à congregation professing and practising trully the said Doctrine , it must needs be concluded that these vvould clayme ANTIQVITI before the other , because the mesure of Christianity must be the said doctrine of Christ and his Apostles , from vvich source Antiquiti takes its Original . Iff this be not the Ancient and true Religion necessary to saluation , and those markes the true signes of its Antiquiti vvhat markes then ? This i am sure vve professe and indeaviour to practise , Therefore vve cannot haue any brand 〈◊〉 Noualty cast uppon us , butt rather it vvill light uppon you , vvho both in Doctrine and practise infringe the parfaict lavve of LOVE . you vvere instructed that VNIVERSSALLITI must extend to the greater number . Iff vve looke on all those that professe the Christian Religion you shall finde those that adherre to the Church of Rome feeuer in nomber , nay in extent and dominions then vve are . Seuenthien entire Kingdomes are inhabitted by Legions of Christians under the dominion of him vvhoe vve call PRESTEIAN vvhere the EFNVC of Ethiopia ( beloning to Queene CANDAS ) vvich PILLIP conuerted setled the true Christian beleefe unanimousley professing the same theire untill this present day , and agreeing in Tenents more vvith us then vvith you : Christiannity is practised throughout the Kingdomes of England , Scotland , Suede , Dannemarc , Norvvege , Trāsiluanya , Holland , Zuitserland vvith the annexed Cantons and Geneua : all vvich are intire , and all to gether independant on the Sea of Rome : besides many bodies in these seuerall Kingdomes and Prouinces insuing to vvete , France , Germany , Bohemia , Poland , Ireland , and Flandres , vvere computing the one vvith the other the one halfe doth disavoue the said Sea of Rome : So that theire remaynes but Spaine and Italy intire acknolledging the Popes suppremacij . Vvhereby it is cleerely manifested that Vniuerssallity is not an anex of the Sea of Rome . Vvhat should men speake of seuerall Religions not Christians , the Mahumetan religion farre more vniuerssall then the Christian religion ; and Headenisme of larger extent then they both , vvitnesse the vast AMERICA , besids greate and many kingdomes in ASIA , and AFRICA , one only king being as pouerfull as all the kings of Europe putt to gether . Vvhereby is manifested that the tuo mayne Markes vvhere to the Romam Church pretends to confirme it selfe to be the true Church of Christ doe faille it . For the conformity in Doctrine ( vvich the Roman teachers vvill haue annother marke of the true Church ) allas it is no other then vvhat euery sect and Religion in the vvorld hath common vvith them . All the Caluinists doe perfectly agree in Tenents . Lutherans the same ; so lickvveise the Socinians , Anababtists : Famillists , Antinomiens , Nicholaitans , vvith all other Christian sects . The Ievves do perfecty agree in opinions , yet allas they are so fallen from truth that they crucified the Lord of truth and continue unrepentent . The Mahumetans do perfectly agree ; yet they are so farre from being the true Church that they are not honnored vvith the title of Christianitii . All conbinations of Headenish Idollators do agree in their opinions : vvhereby it is cleerly euident to any not blinde that conformity in Doctrine is likvveise no expresse marke of the true Church of God . For MIRACLES , they are promist unto faith , and vvheresoeuer that is found no greater then a graine of Mostart seede , miracles may be vvraught , as theire are manifest Examp●es ▪ iff , histories and relations maybe beleeued . The Religious among the Turcks do daily vvorke Miracles : It is not inpertinent in this place to tell the Story of a Turckis Emperor that defeated a Christian Host , vvho had broken faith ; he being routed , rallied againe , called uppon Ch●ist Iesus ( in vvhose name the Peace had bin Svvorne ) adiured him to reuenge him uppon those that had taken his name in vayne , for in his name he vvould fight . That miracles are vvraught by Protestants theire are seuerall examples : butt that they are not so frequently boasted off and forstalled among them is because of theire comon Tenents that Miracles are ceassed finding no use of them , the Ch●istian doctrine being established , and Miracles being prosmissed in the latter dayes as a marke of Antichrist by the expression of Lying vvonders . The true markes of Gods Church are true LOVE and CHARITI . For theire by you shall knoue true Christians , Christ Iesus saith , iff you Loue one annother thereby you shal be knoune to be myne : And the effect of that true LOVE is the unction from the Holly Gost vvich S. Ihoan speakes of tvvice : vvheresoeuer that onction is to be found theire you shall finde the true Church and no vvere elsse . Christ Iesus said that his Kingdome vvas not off this vvorld , vvich is full of hate , striffe , and malice . Can theire be a thing further of from Loue , then to condemne Christians to Hell , and that for bare opinions ? Can theire be a more sinfull insolent presumption then to exclude Heauen the source off mercy and compassion to any penitent Sinner that runes to Christ Iesus , that puts all his hopes in him that beleeues in him , that thirsteth after him , as the heart panteth after the vvater brookes ? Can theire be a greater deprauednesse then that vvich Teachers breath forth of disobedience tovvards Souueraines , suppe●iours , and Parents , taking no other grounds for such lessons then difference of opinions ? Can theire be a more inpertinent Tenent then to sustayne that Christians should be damned iff they do not beleeue and do all vvhat the particullar Sea of Rome doth determine ; since it is no more fre from errors then other Sects ? But that i may come home to you my Children , iff you could take off those spectacles through vvich you looke novv , vvich shue all things reuerst , then vvould you see your Duty : Then vvould you see next unto to Seruice and reuerence due to God your Heauenly father , vvhat your Duty is to your Parents , vvhereuppon you vvould conclude that those vvho persuaded you to sett aside obedience to Parents do delude you vvith pernicious Tenents : among the rest , that you cannot do your Duty to Parents nor se them vvithout indangering your Saluation , your one vvords ; Neither can hose blanchers ( in your last letter to me ) any vvayes fre you of his Iust Censure that you conclude your Parents to be in the number of the Damned , and so argue you to professe à Sect voide of all Christianity , since you haue no LOVE nor CHARITI and that you do transgresse the Diuine precepts of Christ vvho forbids that vve should Iudge one annother : Iudgment belongs to God , and to none else , for he saith Iudgment is mine . you vvould see indeed that the pretended opening off your EYES proues a ●hutting upp of your spiritual EYES . Certailny iff you could Seriously meditate on your said vvords , vvithout any inuitations or any of my arguments conclude all this to be true : As i haue suid before you haue bin duely and carefully instructed in the principles of the true CHRISTIAN beleefe , and helt to its practise as much as lay in your Parents to do . you my Daughter SVSANNE you must likvveise acknovvledge the same truth in your one particullar ; and for the-care I had to place you according to your one desires vvith a most virtious Princesse , the Duchesse of TRIMOVILLE ( reputed for an example of Piety ) yet you vvere seduced by the same Spirits of Diluzion vvho had vvraught on your tvvo other Sisters , vvho moued you to runne from the said Duchesse as they had runne from me , and all this you Knovve on a pretence of vvorldly preferment : for so you vvritte to me , vvhen you gaue me notice of the pretended opening of your EYES as that of your tvvo other Sisters . Allas poore Susanne could you not reflect on your name iff you forgatt your profession , and resist the Tempters ; you felt no finger of GOD to tutch your EyES . Allas poor Children these falce pretences cānot excuse you . And you my poore daughter MARIE , it s but to Manifest that your escappe from your Parēts vvithout theire Knovvledge vvas resolued on fievv dayes after that the eldist of you ( vvho pulled you as a sheepe is dravvne to slavghter ) held in quality of God Mother a Child in the protestant Church att Charenton . It is certayne that neither she nor any one of you did since that time see any Heauenly vision , nor heared you any expresse voyce of God , nor Angel call you from your profession and beleefe , nor could you in so feevv dayes study any controuersses that could argue to your minds that you had liued in blindnesse unto that uery instant . You my daughter MARIE vvere said to haue att your first being among the Eng●is● Nunns almost conuerted somme by those principles of the Religion you haue bin Babtised in , taught and profest , and that you did ever say you vvould be no NVNNE . But allas you to soone fell avvay from the said principles , yet are you some vvay excusable bycause you are the Iongest , and that you vvere Kept in so strickt a prison by your guardiens , that you vvere not permitted to reade my letters , nor receaue the vvholsome Councell sent you . Butt you my eldist daugh●er Elizabeth you vvere reported to procede vvith so much bouldnesse , so much forgetfulnesse to your Parents , so much iniustice to your selffe and insiuillity to many that did vvish you vvel euen against the persson of the reuerend B●●hop of London Derry and against other Diuines , as that you vvould not after theire first visitations afforde them any fitt impartiall hearing : All this you● did vvith breach of Diuine lavvs ; the Lavv of Nature , the fondamentall Lavvs of the land , and the Lavvs of Nations , vvhen you vvould be carried and maintayned against your Parents vvith a Strong hand : vvith armed men , vvho did vvast you to a Nunnery vvith Pistols , vvich vvere seene by a vvhole multitude and offered to be discharged against my men , that did runne to stop your Coach , follovved by me your father , vvho vvas constrayned ( by the Suddannis of the Surprisall ) to runne a foote through the durt of the streets of Paris in prosecution of you my Children ; to try iff I could rescu you frome the Lyons pavves , follovving you to the gates of the Monnastery , vvitch vvere shutt against me , and vvhere you vvere detayned . Thus on my particullar hath bin practised an iniustice vvithout example , since all Parents are permitted to haue free acces to theire Children in a neuter place , yet they be admitted to take any religious orders . All vvich considered , you may see hovv falacious that reason is [ vvich you say in one of your letters to me ] to haue bin te ground vvorke of vvhat you do in hese vvores . Vi●z . My reason hath alvvayes shevved and conuinced me that they direct vvhat is most good &c. To vvich I must repeate my former ansvveare , that your REASON be the touch-stone of theire directions your reason being falacious and contrary to the Diuine reason , exprest in the Diuine vvord ; then off necessity theire Councell agreeing vvith your REASON must be as eronius as your REASON ; and consequently both deserue to be refo●rmed by the Ordinances of God ; vvich commands Obedience unto Parents , ordinances that are infa●ible . your One REASONS indeed are the effect of your one Motions , iff there fore your Motions be subiect te erre vvhy not your REASON ? And vvhere you are novv taught to beleeue or att least to vvritte as of late you did that you are in an extreame rest and security , &c. I must againe tell you that theire are no Ateists but rests securer and quietter in consience then you can be , for they haue no scruple though they doe neuer so vvickedly ; and therefore your pretēded security is butt à siprituall Letargy : Liuing vnder your Parents roofe you did behold those vvhose predecessors shedd theire bludd for the defence of Religion , the same that your Parents haue euer profest and vvherein you vvere Babtised , instructed , and vvich you also did publikly professe , the same Religion for vvich yout Father sufferd euen in his mothers vvombe , she flying the bluddy persecutions . You ranne avvay not for Religion , butt from Religion . You had Coatches to transport you from your Duty . You could neuer since like Ioseph make readdy à Charet to transport you to your Duty : to visitte your Parents and receaue theire blessing , he vvent to gossen , and carried his tvvo Sonnes vvith him , you vvould not come your selffe the lenght of à feeld , nor permitt your tvvo sisters to come . Vvell poore Children , the God of mercy and compassion open the EyES of your Soules and minds truely , so to looke on your selues , as that you may duely consider vvhence you are come , hovv you are gone forth from the unitie into dissention , that you , haue forsaken te Doctrine of LOVE , and layd hold on OSTENTATION , not considering that the Doctrine of Christ is nothing else butt a BROTHERLEy LOVE , vvhereby God bindeth him selfe unto us in Christ and vve to him . That all teaching must ay me att that , as also all all ovvr villing , liuing and doing , and that vvhosoeuer teacheth and doth othervvayes , is BABEL , and a meere FABLE ; a carued vvorke of pride ▪ in i●… profitable Iudgings : and disturbings of the vvorld , and hipocrisie of the Diuill vvherevvith he blindeth simpliciti , vvhen he talkes of OPENING of EyES . May you so do your Duty to God and to your Neighbours ( the first vvheroff your Parents are ) that you maybe assured ( in his infalible promisses to all penitent Sinners that turne unto rightiousnesse ) to see the true light that enlightned euery man that commeth into the vvorld . And that finally you may heare spoken unto you come yea blessed of my father inheritte the Kingdome prepared for you from the fondation of the vvorld , the vvishes of your louing Father BALTHAZAR GERBIER . Paris the 4. of May 1646.