NEWS FROM FRANCE.  
GOD, whose goodness and clemency is incomprehensible, to our humane thoughts and imaginations, doth not always discharge the arrows of his wrath upon miserable sinners; who by the innumerableness of their offences, have stirred up and provoked his wrath against them, because he desireth not the death of a sinner, but rather that he should convert and be saved: But when he seethe that they wax worse, and are hardened in their sins, and lull themselves asleep in humane delights: Then he rouzeth up himself with the scourge of adversity, and dischargeth the fury of his wrath against them, to make them turn unto him, who is the Sovereign Ruler, of whom they hold their being, and all their power. Then (I say) he employeth the great forces of the heavens, and the Elements, thereby to heal the ulcer of their vices, that wallow and take pleasure in sin, as a Sow delighteth to wallow in the mire.  
Which plainly appeareth by the deplorable accident happened of late in the City of Paris, where the force and fury of fire struck such an astonishment in all the inhabitants, that they thought the Town, like a second Sodom, would suddenly have been consumed to ashes, by the impetuous flames of fire that threatened them; and yet could not truly know the truth how it began: For it is so diversely reported, that men cannot assuredly declare any truth thereof: And it is prohibited by a Decree made in Court of Parliament, in any sort to speak thereof, to shun and avoid the tumult and commotion of the people. But so it is, that upon Saturday the 23. of October, about one of the clock after midnight, the fire began in such manner to flame out upon the Merchant's Bridge, that the inhabitants thereof were surprised sleeping in their beds, before they heard or perceived it: for the fire (which met with nothing else but that which was combustible) increased with such impetuosity, that in a short time, all the houses that stood upon the said Bridge on both sides, were on fire, by means of certain beams that lay cross over one to another.  
The Change Bridge did no less feel the force and vigour which the said fire vomited out, by means of the flames issuing from the same: for that descending down to the foundations thereof, in the end it burnt and cast it into the water, with all the houses standing thereon, together with the great riches of the inhabitants, that by no means could save any thing thereof, by reason of the smoke and heat, that hurt and choked diverse of the people, and some men that were burnt, fell down with the beams and pieces of wood all burning into the river.  
You may judge how many children and poor innocent souls were buried in that impiteous fire, for that their fathers and mothers had work enough to do, to save themselves. Many women newly brought in bed, and others that were sick in their beds, paid that debt to nature, which all of us one day must do, neither having that force nor dexterity sufficient to save themselves. It was most lamentable to hear the woeful cries and sigh, not only of those that were afflicted, but also of the spectators of that miserable accident: The men in great fear saved themselves from that unexpected deluge, in a manner half dead, blaming the heavens for their disaster, and not knowing how to be revenged for their loss, took revenge upon themselves; and men were as much troubled to comfort them, as to save the rest of those that were within their houses. Women in extreme discomfort, their hair hanging about their heads, and in a manner naked, beholding that horrible spectacle, bathing their faces with tears, and casting a thousand sighs up into the air, swooned, and in a manner fell into despair. divers servants, both maids and men, as well as their masters and mistresses, enduring and feeling the rigour of that mischance, stood in the like manner as others did, ready to pay their debt to cruel destiny.  
The fire still waxing greater and greater, mounted up into the air with mighty flames, and cast such and so great a light over all the City, that those which knew nothing of that unfortunate mischance, being awaked by the popular rumour, were in a maze, to imagine from whence that light should come, not knowing the cause; but as others did, in great fear ran unto the place.  
The Bells in diverse Churches began to ring, the noise whereof astonishing diverse Citizens of the said Town, caused them to arm themselves: at which time Paris began to enter into a great tumult. When the Duke de Monbason, Governor of the City, having intelligence thereof, came unto the place with his Company of soldiers, the Watch, and diverse others; all in Arms, placing a Court of guard at both ends of the Bridges, and other places. From thence he went to possess the strongest and most eminent places, as the Bastille, the King's Court called the Lowre, the Town house, and diverse places of note; which done, he caused fires to be made throughout all the City, and Lanterns to be hung out of every window, in so great quantity, that it was as light as at noonday: and caused four Culverins to be brought to both the ends of the said Bridges: and to conclude, used such diligence in that imminent danger, still keeping good watch, doubting some treason, that he is perpetually to be commended for the same.  
In the mean time, while he was thus providently busied about that public care, so necessary in such an extremity: The fire, that like a tempest, devoured and spoilt all that it took hold on, was not content with that whereon it had first seized, but having satisfied the greedy desire thereof, and brought all the houses and dwelling places upon the said two Bridges, into utter ruin and desolation, and laid them in the valley of misery, increased more and more, and carried her flames into the Galue place; and if it had not been for some artificial trenches, and men's help, who in great numbers ran thither, the great Castle, and the gate of Paris, was in danger to have felt the fury thereof. On the other side, in the extremity of the raging flames, at the other end of the Bridges aforesaid, the fire was no less furious: for having seized upon all the houses and shops near unto it, as fare as before the Palace, it took hold on the Dial, and began to melt the Lead that covered it, until a great number of nimble and courageous men, ran thither, and employed all their forces and industries, to save that admirable work.  
The Duke de Monbason, while every man was busied about that pitiful and most lamentable business, on Sunday in the morning, caused commandment to be made by sound of Trumpet, that all the Citizens should fill and set diverse tubs full of water at all the corners of the streets. And it is an incredible thing to report, how great a number of people from all places ran unto that place, to satisfy themselves with the sight of that horrible fire, which filled their eyes with tears, and their breasts with sighs.  
This (friendly Reader) in brief is the true relation that I can make unto thee, to let thee know and understand this lamentable action: from whence the same proceeded no man knows. Nevertheless, the Court, by a Decree made the 25. day of Octob. hath commanded all judges and Officers to make an exact enquiry of those, that wickedly have committed that disorder; and that the knowledge thereof being had, so good justice may be used therein, that such as they may take example thereby.  

A Decree made by the Court of Parliament in PARIS, whereby Order is taken for providing for the Merchants, that have lost their goods by the said fire, and to prevent the like mischance in time to come.  
Upon the Declaration made by the King's Attorney General, touching the fire happened by night, between Saturday and Sunday, the 24. of this month of October, which burned and consumed the Changers and the Merchant's Bridges, and some houses near unto them, as well on the Palace side, unto the Leather street, as on the great Castle side, requiring, That the Court would be pleased, to give him Commission to make information of the beginning of that fire, considering the diverse reports that were spread abroad in the Town, that might be a means to procure great trouble in the same, and to make speedy provision for the necessity of those, that have lost their goods by the said Fire, as also that the like inconvenience may not happen. After the Lieutenant civil, and the substitute of the said Attorney general had audience, being for that cause sent for, upon information that they had begun to make inquiry thereof.  
The Court hath enjoined and enjoineth the Provost of Paris, or his Lieutenants civil or criminal, diligently to continue the information by them begun, touching the original of that Fire, and to make and finish the indictment of the authors of the same, and their adherents, ready for the definitive sentence, notwithstanding any oppositions, or appeals whatsoever: and to the Substitute of the said Attorney general to be assistant unto them, and with all diligence to certify this Court thereof. And withal, expressly command and prohibit (upon pain of death) all persons, of what qualities or conditions soever they be, to assemble together either by day or by night, unless it be by commandment of the Magistrate, nor yet to misbehave themselves by words, nor to use any reproaches, under pretence of diversity of Religions, or to sow or cast forth any bruits or rumours touching the inconvenience of the said Fire, tending to the disquietness of the City; but to live peaceably and quietly, under the King's Authority and Edicts. Commanding all vagrant persons, and men that are of lewd conversation, living idly, presently, without any delay, to departed out of the City, after the publication of these presents: And their Oasts, and such as harbour them, to disclose them, upon pain personally to answer for them: And to provide for the necessity and relief of the poor inhabitants, utterly undone and beggared by the said Fire: Humble supplication shall be made unto the King, to be pleased to bestow His gracious liberality upon them. And in the mean time it is ordained, That the said Attorney general shall make a note of the names of those, that have endured the said losses; and what trades and occupations they were of, as also of the number of their children and families, who may be put into Saint Lovis House, there to be lodged and nourished for the space of six months: and to that end, there shall be ten thousand Frankes put into the hands of Perrot and Sainctot, Overseers of the Hospital. And further, that gatherings shall be made throughout all the Parishes of this City, to aid the said distressed people. And to that end, the people shall be exhorted by the Vicars: and Officers of the said Parishes, to appoint certain persons of good quality, from month to month, to make the said Gatherings. Commanding the Provost of Merchants and Sheriffs, to set men on work continually, to take up, and rid away the ruins of the said Fire fallen into the water, that the course of the same may not be hindered, and to make it navigable: and in the mean time, to appoint honest men of good credit, and well experienced, for the space of a whole year, to search in the bottom of the water, for the goods and merchandizes, that shall be found to have been drowned; and the same to be brought into the common Hospital of the said City; whereof an Inventory shall be made by one of the said Sheriffs, that they may be restored to the owners thereof. And also that all Boatmen, and such as use to sail up and down the river; and all others, that shall have found any thing of the same, to bring them to the said Hospital of the Town, and to bring a certificate thereof, upon pain of hanging. We likewise command the Provost of Merchants, and the Sheriffs, to keep and hold within the said Hospital of the Town, and the Town-house, as also in every Ward, such a quantity of hooks, buckets of leather, and other such necessaries as shall be needful in time to come, to serve for such inconveniences of Fire, and to certify the same unto the Clerk of the said Court. And the Captain of the Watch, to keep good watch by night in the Palace, and other usual places. And to the end, in time to come, that the danger of Fire may not take in the Palace, by reason of the shops that are built up against the same, We ordain and command, that the new shops built from the Dial Tower, to the bailliage Gate, on the Quay-side of the river, shall be pulled down; and none of them to be built up again for any cause or reason whatsoever. And further, that all Processes sued out against the bodies of those that dwelled upon the said Bridges, by reason of any Obligations, judgements, or Arrests, in what manner soever they be done, shall surcease for the space of a year: and that by the ordinary judges there shall be sufficient delay made, considering their loss; and whatsoever shall by them be ordained, to be put in execution; notwithstanding any oppositions or appeals whatsoever. And this present Decree shall, by the diligence of the Attorney general, be published, as well in the Church Porches, as openly by sound of Trumpet, and set up upon the corners of the streets.  
Given in the Parliament the 26. of October. 1621. Signed Du Tillet.