A BRIEF RELATION OF THE PERSECUTION and SUFFERINGS OF THE Reformed Churches OF FRANCE. Translated out of FRENCH, and Published for more general Information.  
Non minus Principi turpia sunt multa supplicia, quam Medico multa funera.  
Remissius imperanti melius paretur  
Pestifera vis est, valere ad nocendum.  Seneca. 
LONDON, Printed by A. Maxwell, 1668.   

A Brief Relation of the 〈…〉 Reformed Churches of 〈…〉  
IF any man would exactly relate 〈…〉 persecutions, raised by the Popish Clergy against 〈…〉 Protestant's in France, either in general or particular 〈…〉 should be engaged to write a volume, they 〈…〉 ●●●erous: therefore (to avoid prolixity) let it first 〈…〉 only the Fountains which our Adversaries 〈…〉, and whence they derive all the Mischiefs that they do us. And they who read this discourse, must look upon the Contents thereof, not as an enumeration of all Particulars but as general Heads out of which innumerable Desolati●● have flowed into all Provinces, Cities and Families, and with extremest sorrow and affliction have filled all places where the Reformed Religion was established.  
1. The first and most considerable Measure used by the Prelates to hasten our ruin, is that of Commissions: for under pretext of Executing the Edict of Nantes and the Decrees made in consequence thereof, and providing against the Breaches of the same, they have engaged the King to send Commissioners into all Provinces. This pretext I confess is speciously coloured, 〈…〉 certain, that under this fair show they have hid 〈…〉 violent Injustice; for clearing whereof, we must remember, that Henry the Fourth of happy memory, having found it convenient (for the quiet of his Subjects) to make this Edict as a particular and Irrevocable Law, did send Commissioners into all the Provinces to execute the same; and after those Commissioners had established all things in due form, they returned their executions into the hands of the King to serve as a Rule in all future Debates which could arise on that Subject. I grant, if since this Establishment (which ought to be looked upon as Fundamental) we have Usurped Places for the excercise of our Religion, or by our own Authority have taken any thing not appertaining to us, it's just that they call us to an account, and reduce us to our first Condition. But this is not the use that the Clergy make of those new Commissioners: for they well know that in stead of Usurping any thing since the first Execution of the Edict, we have (on the contrary) sustained innumerable losses; and that if the Plea were about Reparation of breaches of the Edict, they should be obliged to recompense us in a thousand particulars, whereof we have too just cause to complain. They have now altogether perverted the Business; for, concealing the first Execution of the Edict, they have compelled all the Reformed Churches within the Kingdom, to appear before those Commissioners, and again produce their Titles to verify their Right for the public exercise of their Religion and to be Judged a second time, as if the Edict had never been put in Execution. But who doth not see that this is to violate the public faith, and under pretence of Executing, to destroy the Edict for the Edict ought not to be separated from its first Execution, without which (it being made according to the true intent of the King, and after exact cognizance of all particulars, whereupon Sentences proceeded) the Edict itself is of no force. This then is most evident Oppression, that after so many years, during which we have been in Lawful possession, they will Judge again that which hath once already been Judged; in every thing quarrelling Matters of Fact, the knowledge whereof, by length of time, and divers Revolations of the Kingdom, is much obscured. and (which is yet more strange) albeit particular Churches produce Acts made in their favours, by the first Commissioners (Executors of the Edict) yet those new Commissioners, without any regard thereof, reject the same as utterly Invalid; certainly if this manner of procedure take place, we can have nothing secure within the Kingdom. For from day to day they may proceed to new Executions, and from these to others, until, in end, all our Churches by this Mean shall be destroyed; so much the rather, because there is no likelihood that they can perpetually preserve their Titles (of the years 1596 & 1597) contained in Papers which by the Apostasy, Corruption, or Unfaithfulness of those who had them in keeping (and a hundred other ways) may be lost; and which the first Execution made to be neglected as Titles that were never to be any more questioned,  
2. This Oppression is the greater, That those Commissioners are commanded to execute the Acts of Council, made in consequence of the Edict: for (as we shall afterward show) these Acts are no other than so many Violations of the Edict; which now by this course is nothing else but an empty Name, without effect or reality.  
3. The Maxim lately established viz. That the Clergy of France shall be acknowledged as our formal opposite party in matters of Religion; and in that quality be admitted before the Commissioners, and in the Council, to pursue all kinds of Actions against us, cannot be otherwise looked upon, then high Injustice. This form of procedure hath been hitherto unheard of; for never any appeared there in our affairs, except the King's Attorney-General. And indeed, the Edist being intended not as an agreement or decision between the Clergy and us, but as a Declaration of his Majesty's Sovereign and Royal Pleasure, they have no right to interpose in the Execution thereof, nor to make that their proper work; yea, this Interposition hath not been invented but upon design, upon the meanest occasion to set us in opposition to a most powerful and active Party, before which we can never appear without being incontinently swallowed up.  
4. This oppression is yet the more evident, That the Council Anno 1662., past an Act, by which it is ordained, That the Protestants shall not be admitted before the Commissioners to prove the Rights for the exercise of their Religion by Inquests or Witnesses, even although the Witnesses be roman-catholics. Now, beside that this manner of probation was never rejected, what greater severity then to deprive us of the only Mean, which in most of places is left us to justify our Titles? for during the late Wars, many Churches being pillaged or burnt, they cannot otherwise evidence their possession, then by the testimony of ancient men yet alive, who can depose the Condition wherein Affairs stood in the years 1596, & 1597.  
5. Whatever Injustice is in the Commission itself, there is no less in the Commissioners; Each Province hath two, the one a Papist, the other a Protestant. As for the Popish Commissioners, we find by experience that from them we can expect no Justice; For they look upon themselves as called to destroy us, and in effect proceed according to the Instructions of Menier the Jesuit, who hath printed a Book, wherein, fastening impertinent expositions upon the plainest terms of the Edict, and changing his Majesty's Authentic and Royal words, into Jesuitical Equivocations, he hath perverted all things according to his own inclination; This is a notable Cheat: For when we plead the Edict, they tell us (indeed) that it shall be observed; but, that to the King, and not to us, belongs the interpretation; and when we come to an interpretation, in lieu of his Majesty's, they give us that of a cruel, envenomed, deceitful Jesuit. He it is, who mean while inspireth the Governors of the Provinces (who are the Popish Commissioners) with all their prejudice they have at us, and Counsels they take about our affairs: So that our strongest Reasons are scorned, and our best Titles rejected as trifles, whilst their own trifles and false Allegations are admitted as the best of Arguments. And, which is yet more strange, they pass Sentences with so much inequality, and little Justice, that they condemn some Churches, which produce the like and much better Titles than those alleged by some other Churches, whose Privileges they have ratified. A sufficient demonstration, that they act by Humour, and not by Reason; and that having order to preserve some Churches, and not to destroy all at one Blow, it's left to the Governors' Arbitrement, what Churches to spare, which commonly are the most inconvenient, and least considerable, and that they only wait for further Order to sacrifice the rest, and perfect their work already so far advanced. And for the Protestant Commissioners, we can expect very little Justice and Protection from them; first, because the greatest part of them are chosen by direction and recommendation of the Bishops, which alone is enough to make them suspected: For, although they profess our Religion, yet that is not always a sure evidence of Faithfulness and Honesty. For this, I shall only instance Monsieur Sigoniac of high Guyenne, who was chosen by the Bishop of Montauban, and by his credit maintained in his Commission, contrary to the dissent of the Protestants made before the King. This man after he had done whatever the Clergy desired, and basely betrayed the Churches, by pitiful parting or sharing 
* By this Sharing of Churches it seems the Protestants are forced to use their public worship by turnswith the Papists in the same place; whereunto (for divers reasons) some more tender and zealous Protestants will not resort; and so are deprived of all public worship.  the places of Public Worship between the Papists and Protestant's (whereunto the Bishop himself gave consent) in end, changing his Religion, became Roman Catholic; and by his change declared, That this Commission had been procured in compensation of his former Promise and Obligation to that effect.  
6. Again, the Protestant Commissioners are prepossessed of opinion, That it is the Kings will, that without respect to the first execution of the Edict, they should examine de novo the Titles of our Churches, and execute the Acts of Council, without examination whether they be confirmed by, or conform to the Edict: So that having once accepted the Commission, they find themselves engaged by necessity of this supposition to do us abundance of mischief. And it is to be observed, that such hath been the credit and cunning carriage of the Clergy, that by means of this Concurrence of the Protestant Commissioners, they have made these things pass as consented to, and approved by us, which otherwise would have been looked upon as only granted by the King unto their own importunity, and so (perhaps) would, have left us some hope, of redress. In fine, suppose those Commissioners to be resolute and favourably inclined, yet the Governors of the Provinces being Masters of the Instructions, by which they proceed and conclude, they can do no good for us, but be swallowed up themselves, by their Popish Colleagues, who have all the Authority and Power in their own hands. And at their utmost, all that they are able to effect, is a Sharing of Churches, which are always finally Determined in Council, by advice of the Popish Commissioners: For there they observe this general Rule, that in all matters of difference and debate, the advantages, without regard to right of reason, must be given to the Catholics; So that if the business comes once to Sharing it is even as good as lost. And to evidence that Injustice is arrived at a great height, These Sharing of Churches agreed upon amongst the Commissioners, are ordinarily concluded in Council, upon the report of the Governors, who having made and being engaged to maintain their own reports, never fail to put a good face upon them, which they may the more easily do, because their Protestant Colleagues are never either Called or Herd. The consequences of these Commissions have been generally very fatal to the Reformed Churches within the kingdom: For it may be truly affirmed, that partly by the Acts made with common consent of the Commissioners for executing the Decrees of Counsel, partly by these other Acts which they have made worse than the Decrees themselves, and partly by these Sharing of Churches thus agreed upon among the Commissioners, and approved in Council, according to the mind of the Clergy, we have lost well nigh three parts of four of all our Churches. The Province of Provence which had Fifteen or Sixteen Churches, is now reduced to Four. The County of Gex, which had Twenty three hath now but Two. In all Bretagne remains but Two. The losses of high and low Languedoc 
* Cevenes Vivaretz, high Guynne & Dauphin  have reduced them at least to one half of what they formerly possessed. And (to speak nothing of what Zantogne Angoumois, and the County of Aulnix are upon the point of losing, the Commissioners having agreed to Share nigh Sixty Churches) the Province of Poictou, which alone had Sixty one indisputable Churches, by an Act of Aug. 6. 1665. is reduced to Thirteen. Thus these Provinces see themselves, all at once, fallen into extreme Desolation; Their Churches demolished, their Flocks scattered, and all that innumerable Multitude of Persons whereof their Congregations were composed, now necessitated either to live without any public Exercise of Religion; or, through infinite Dangers and Inconveniences, to wander about, and seek it Fifty or Sixty miles distant from their Habitations.  
7. Moreover, All men know, that the Clergy finding themselves of late in capacity to obtain whatever they desired of the Council, provided it be against us, have caused such a multitude of Acts to be published, that we have been utterly overwhelmed therewith; a Second immediately following the First, and a Third giving us no leisure to consider the Second; and hard to say, which of them all is the most Afflicting.  
One Act of Council 
a May 6. 1659., and March 17. 1661.  hath rob us the Liberty of Praising God, by forbidding the Singing of Psalms, even privately in our Houses; not considering, That it is an Eminent part of Christian Worship, very Edifying, and full of Piety.  
Another Act 
b Aug. 7. and Nou. 3. 1662.  hath deprived us of the Comfort of paying our Last Duty to our Dead, with any conveniency; compelling us to bury Clandestinely, and in the Night; forgetting, That the very Heathens had respect to the Tombs of their Enemies; and that Hatred should not reach beyond Death.  
Another 
c Octob. 5. 1663.  hath divested Protestant Magistrates, whatever be their Charge or Quality, of the Privilege of presiding in their Courts.  
Another 
d Feb. 26. 1663.  hath taken away all Means of Instructing and Educating our Children, leaving us at most (and that only in some places) the smaller Schools, where is only taught to Read, Writ, and Compt: As if our knowledge of God, rendered us unworthy to study Human Sciences.  
Another 
e Jan. 29. 1663.  hath restrained the Liberty of Printing any Books in favour of our Religion, by imposing upon us a necessity of obtaining Licenses from the King's Council: Which any may well know they will never grant.  
Another 
f Declar. Octob. 24 1663., and Act of Council, jan. 30. 1665.  ordaineth Parents to give Pensions to their Children who change their Religion, even although the said Children will not dwell with them: As if Paternal Authority were Nulled by children's Apostasy: Not remembering, That the Christian Religion doth not absolve Slaves from their Subjection to their Heathen Masters; How much less can the Romish Religion discharge Children of their Obedience which they own to their Parents of another Religion?  
Another 
g Octob. 5. 1663.  prohibits the Exercise of Charity towards our Brethren, who have not Sufficiency of their own to support them under their Burdens: Which is directly to Forbidden what God has Commanded.  
Another dischargeth Payment of Debts by those of the Commonalty who shall turn Papists: The like whereof was never heard; the very Heathen themselves never pretending, That those Christians who Apostatise to them, should be exempted from payment of their Debts.  
Another 
h Feb. 22, 1664.  prohibits Ministers to Preach without the place of their Residence: Thereby depriving us of the benefit of Annexations; that is, the privilege of one Minister's supplying Two Churches, which singly are not able to afford a competent Maintenance.  
Another 
i Sept. 13 1660.  depriveth us of the Liberty of our 
k Colloloques.  Presbyterial Meetings, in the intervals of Synods: Whereby the exercise of Discipline is restrained, and the Mean of timely repressing or composing these Differences which disturb our Churches, is taken away.  
Another 
l Octob. 5 1663.  prohibiteth the Censuring of Protestant Parents, by the 
m Consistory, i. e.  Parochial Eldership, or otherwise, for sending their Children to be Educated by Jesuits, or Popish Tutors: Whereby they compel Elderships and Ministers, by their silence, to approve a Scandalous Practice, which Conscience and Office obligeth them to condemn.  
Another 
n Sept. 18, 1664 and May 12, 1665.  giveth liberty to Priests and Friars to enter our Houses, and come unto our Bedsides when sick, or dying, to solicit us to change our Religion. This is the utmost of all Afflictions, That we are not permitted to die in peace; and that we should be exposed to the Cruelty of such Men, who when they cannot triumph over Consciences, forget nothing to satisfy their own Revenge: And to that effect, after our death, carry away our Children; alleging falsely, That at our death we gave some sign or other of Willingness to embrace the Romish Religion.  
Another 
o june 30 1663.  maketh it criminal in Ministers to style themselves Pastors, or Ministers of the Word of God. Nay, though nothing hath been more free in France, than the form of Garments, they have gone so low, as to regulate the Apparel of Ministers, forbidding them to wear a long Garment, that they might have no Character to distinguish them from the common people.  
But we might reckon to a Century, and engage ourselves in a prodigious length, should we be exact in this sad Subject. One word only of the Declaration 
p Declarat. 1663., Ratified in Parl. jan. 7. 1663.  of pretended Relapses. By this it is ordained, That those among us who have once embraced the Popish Religion, shall never again return unto us, under pain of perpetual Banishment from the Kingdom. Now this is a sort of Inquisition never heard of in France, by which they put men's Consciences upon the wrack, constraining the Weak who have been overcome by strong Tentations, to remain in a Communion against the light of their Consciences, and to stifle their remorse, having no liberty to show any evidence of Repentance. A thing plainly contrary to the Edict. Yea, in the Execution of this Declaration, they have proceeded so far, that they have given it a Retroactive Power (as they call it) by putting it in Execution against persons who returned to us a long time before the Declaration was in being; whom they have Imprisoned, compelled to do Penance 
* By going  and bareheaded thorough the streets with a burning torch, to the place of justice, or person offended, and there to ask Forgiveness. , and then banished the Kingdom. And, that they may not act this Cruelty without a pretext, they allege, That these persons by forsaking the Catholic Religion, have so violated the respect which they own it, that they deserve Exemplary Punishment. This is utterly to destroy all Liberty of Conscience.  
8. To these Afflictions they have added another, not less grievous to us, which is, That they seem to forbid us all hope of being heard in our own Defence: For our Judges themselves are become formally our Party, either because they are afraid to encounter the Papists, a Party now so formidable to the World; or because themselves are of that Party; or because they perceive that the only way to advance their own Interest, is to Oppress us; as on the contrary, to do us the least Justice, or show any commiseration of our Afflictions, is reputed a punishable Crime. I shall not insist upon the furious passion expressed against us by the Provincial Parliaments, although arrived at such a height, as nothing can either restrain or mitigate it. Nevertheless, we cannot but heavily groan under their daily Injuries, the Number and Violence whereof is hardly conceivable. All France knoweth the Decrees which the Inferior Parliaments of Tholouze, Roven, Rennes, Bourde aux, Pau, Provence, Dijon, and Metz, have already made, and which (with all greediness embracing every occasion to pour out their Wrath upon us) they are daily making against us. Neither shall I speak of the Malice of Inferior Courts, there being scarce any petty Country Justice who doth not expect to raise his Reputation, and make himself Illustrious by persecuting of us. I shall only instance one thing, hardly credible, though very true, viz. That there is no hope of being heard at the Council itself, where all our Affairs have their last Appeal and Audience: For it hath often come to pass, That the Protestant Deputies, sent by the Provinces and Cities to plead their Cause, have been expressly commanded by the King to return, without so much as only liberty to appear. Thus in the year 1661., Monsieur Vignolles, deputed by the Province of Low-Languedoc, to solicit their Affairs, was no sooner arrived at Paris, but he was commanded by an Express, to withdraw within Eight days, under pain of Disobedience. Likewise Anno 1664, the Inhabitants of Privas having Commissioned Monsieur de la Faisse to Negotiate their Business, he no sooner appeareth, but the Captain of the Watch intimates to him the King's Order to return presently into Languedoc, under the same pain. And the last year, (1665,) the Province of Low-Guyenne, having deputed Monsieur de Sarran for the same effect, immediately thereafter, he received a Letter under the Seal, prohibiting him to come to Court. By which it is abundantly evident, That they have no mind to hear us, and less to do us Justice. And if other Commissioners have not been treated after this manner, yet they very well know what Repulses they have endured. What difficulties before they had access but to the Doors of the Judges? What pains to find but one Commissioner willing to receive and present their Petitions? And when thorough Importunity they have so far prevailed, they likewise know what kind of Hearing they have obtained; Their best Arguments have been rejected, and most evident Probations contemned, whilst the slightest pretences alleged by their Adversaries, have been admitted with great applause. So that some have spent six months, some whole years to procure a Hearing; whilst the Acts sued against Us by the Clergy, have been obtained in less than twenty four hours; and in end after a thousand cares and vexations, they have only had the grief to return to their Provinces, with the news of the loss of the Cause, which they solicited.  
9 This is not all. The malice of the Clergy goeth yet much higher; for, it is well known how they endeavour to intimidate and affright our Ministers, thereby to obstruct and disturb them in the care which they should have of their flocks. Thus they have violently Silenced some, others they labour to ensnare upon every hand, some they criminally indite for very trifles, some they banish, and some they transport whither the Prelates please; and all this to make their Life and Condition so miserable, that henceforth no man may be willing to embrace the Profession and Calling of a Minister. The Provinces of France are so full of such Examples, that to relate them all would swell to a large Volume.  
10. These Cities where Protestant's for number are most considerable, seem to be the principal object of our Enemy's fury; and especially those which during the late Commotions were zealous in his Majesty's service. Of these, Montauban, Rochel, and Milan, formerly three flourishing Churches, but now reduced to extreme desolation, are most doleful Examples. Montauban being first deprived of their University and Common Council, hath endured a Garrison of five or six thousand Soldiers for four months together; hath seen her Inhabitants, some hanged, some burnt, some scourged, some banished; the Houses of others pulled down, and Pyramids erected in their place; others compelled by beating, and all manner of Violence, to go to Mass, and in end forced to accept an Act of Oblivion for an Imaginary Crime. For in all that Tumult alleged against them, there was not one Sword drawn, one Pistol discharged, one Hat pierced, nor one drop of blood spilt; it having only been a Church Assembly according to the ordinary Custom, from which a Messenger was dispatched to the Governor of the Province, entreating the delay of the execution of an Order, to surrender to the Jesuits the public Schools of a College, which being built at their own expenses, did lawfully belong to themselves; and that only until such time as they should precisely know his further pleasure with protestation, that thereafter they would entirely submit themselves. This is the crime for which they have been used with the same cruelty, as if they had Rebelled against the State, and ever since have been exposed as a prey to the rage of the Priests, who exercise merciless Tyranny upon the poor Inhabitants. Milan hath received almost the same measure, for no other cause then burying a dead Corpse after the accustomed manner, contrary to the general Decree, which prohibits the performance of that charitable and sorrowful Office to the Dead in that manner. And as for Rochel, all France knoweth the Banishment of some of the Inhabitants, and cruel enslaving of the remnant, to such rigour as is worse than Banishment itself. But all this is nothing to what is done at Privas: In this Town, although the Reformed Religion had been established by Authority of the late King, and the Inhabitants maintained in that Establishment by several Decrees; yet after Thirty two, or Thirty three years peaceable possession, they are now banished the Town and Territories thereof, with such Inhumanity, as they have not exercised upon Barbarians. This poor people, to the number of Five or six hundred Men, Women and Children, being spoiled of all their Goods, and miserably hunted from place to place, like very Beasts, are now wand'ring in Woods, without any certain place to this day 
* i e. The time of writing of this Relation. , where to settle and rest: And all this without any other pretence than an old Declaration Anno 1629, relating to the Commotions of the year 1627.  
11. Whatever brevity we proposed in this Discourse, yet we cannot but reflect upon another Device, whereof our Adversaries every where make use to render our Condition insupportable, and that is, to Vex and Ruin us with Civil and Criminal Law-Suits, as well against the body of our Church as particular persons; sometimes in the name of the King's General Attorneys, or their Substitutes; sometimes in the name of Diocesan, or Monastic Attorneys, or their Chapters: and all this, oftentimes, for things utterly false, as, That we have spoken Irreverently of the holy Sacraments, or such like enormous Impostures. For proving of all which, they never want Suborners, and false Witnesses. And if at any time the Forgery be discovered, the Judges seldom punish the Authors; or if they inflict any Punishment at all, it is but such as through the slightness thereof giveth greater liberty and encouragement to such persons. What Justice was there done upon a Priest of Eymet in Low-Guyenne, who accused several Inhabitants of that place, of having profaned the Mysteries of the Romish Religion, although the Judges, in end, found and acknowledged the falsehood of the Accusation? What Justice was done upon another Priest of Chastelleraut, who accused an innocent Maid of expressing some disrespect to the King's Person, although the Judges did likewise acknowledge the imposture of the Priest, and falsehood of the Accusation? What reparation was there ever made to the Name and Memory of a poor Man, who was accused before the Parliament of Rennes, and by Sentence thereof, Burnt alive, for alleged stealing a Chalice out of the Church, although thereafter themselves made it evident, by putting three Thiefs to death, who had committed the theft, that they had murdered an innocent person? What pitiful Justice did the Parliament of Thoulouze lately upon a wicked fellow, convict before them of having suborned false Witnesses to depose against a Merchant of Montauban, that he had blasphemed the Virgin Mary? He was (forsooth) condemned in a hundred livres 
* This is about 7. lib. sterl.  fine or damage, and that was all the punishment. What satisfaction hath there been made to Monsieur Bobineau, Minister of Puzange in Poictou, who was falsely accused by a Curate, of Seditious Preaching, and upon that pretended crime, was detained two months' Prisoner in the Common Goal of Poitiers, although the accusation was found false, and the Accusers convict of Forgery? What Cruelty was exercised upon Monsieur Boxie, Minister of Turenne, who being shut up in a close Dungeon with Irons upon his feet, was for a whole year treated with all manner of Barbarous Inhumanity, and thereafter condemned to perpetual Banishment, by Decree of the Parliament of Bourdeaux 
* Sept. 5. 1664. ? In which Act it is declared that from his words in a Sermon, they had some ground to draw consequences, reflecting upon the honour of the Blessed Virgin; whereas (in effect) he had uttered nothing in the Sermon, but that none except Jesus Christ, was born without sin. What punishment was put upon Monsieur Faison, Baily of Privas, who before the Justice Court of Vivaretz, was convict of false accusing some Inhabitants of Privas, as if they had deterred and hindered their Brethren from changing their Religion? And what Justice was done upon a Priest of Nyort, convict before the King's Council, of falsifying an Act of Parliament, which being made against the Protestants of Mer, he would have executed against those of Nyort? Although there was never a more bold Cheat, in the very face of King and Council; yet in stead of punishing the Author, the business ended in laughter.  
12. When these false Accusations and foul convictions are made appear to the Judges, in lieu of Punishment, they tell us, That they must respect the Honour of the Catholic Religion; not considering that they should much better preserve it by punishing these Impostures which disgrace it, than (as their trade now is) by destroying honest people, by such practices, horrible in themselves, and odious to the World. But it plainly appears, that the design of this Popish Cabal is, by all means and ways to crush and bear us down, until being wearied, disheartened, and impoverished by such a long tract of miseries and cross affairs, we become utterly unable to defend ourselves, and then in end, being overcome with tentation, seek our peace in the ruin of our Consciences.  
13. I shall add a word further of the Liberty granted to Priests and Monks (whose Nature without encouragement is forward enough) to insult over us, to commit all manner of Violence and Injustice, without fear of punishment; yea, and to execute the Acts of Council against us, as now they do in Poictou; where the Priests, running from place to place with unparallelled Barbarity, demolish Churches, dig up and search the very lowest stones of the Foundation, break open Chests, carry away the Poors Moneys, pull down particular men's Houses, and the Castles of our Gentry, most spitefully abusing their Persons with all manner of injurious words, and violent actions.  
14. There is nothing more strange than the ways which those men take to make Proselytes; For, neglecting Instruction and good Example, (which are the only proper and lawful means of gaining Souls to God) they only use Promises, Threaten, and labour to catch men by snares. Is a Woman at variance with her Husband? thither they run and offer her the Protection of the Romish Religion, provided she will embrace it. Is a man decayed, and his Estate disordered? immediately they promise to bear him up against his Creditors, and mountains of Gold, if he will but change his Religion. Is there a debauched Son, and disobedient to his Father? they're presently with him, persuading him to change his Religion, by a promise of the favour and protection of the Church. Hath any man an unjust Suit at Law like to go against him? Is another justly pursued for his Crimes? their surest refuge is their change of Religion. Is a man poor or sick in a Hospital? 
A Danish Gentleman lying mortally wounded in an Hospital, was solicited to change his Religion; which, when he would not do, they counterfeited the Apparition of Devils, with a Death's head, wherein they had put a light. Those feigned spirits, having several times spoken to this Youngman, thus, That he was damned if he would not turn Roman-Catholick; in end, they so affrighted him, that he died the 24th of January, 1666.  let him but change his Religion, and he shall be sure of kindness and good entertainment; but if he remain steadfast, he shall be abandoned, and die in misery. Thus those men show their zeal to propagate their Religion; or rather, and more truly, thus they scandalise and damnify it. For while by these ways they labour to promote the same, they but add to their fellowship such vile persons, as having changed upon such base Motives will never do good among them.  
15. Nothing can be added to the rigour continually exercised against us thorough all the Kingdom, whereby they deprive us of all means of acquiring a Livelihood, and all hopes of Preferment, there being no admittance of us unto any public Office (except those of the Chambers of the Edict) no, not so much as to the petty Offices of a Notary, Attorney, or Sergeant; nor yet to learn Arts and Trades. For, although the King by his Decree, Jun. 28. 1665. permitteth Protestant's as well as Papists, to learn Arts and Trades, by way of Apprenticeship; yet by the opposition which is made, when particular persons offer themselves, whereby they are involved in tedious Suits of Law, the expenses whereof in end, ruin them, the execution of that Decree is obstructed, and the Decree itself without effect. So that even the Privilege which the King was pleased to grant us, is become a snare, and ends in our ruin, by the perverseness of those to whom the Execution of the Decree was committed.  
16. These things being considered, it may be truly affirmed without unjust aggravation, That the Protestants in France are reduced to the greatest extremity of imaginable misery; being without Help, without Comfort, without hope of Justice, overpressed with troubles, and destitute of all relief, having scarce the liberty of praying unto, or being instructed in the Knowledge of God; So that indeed there is nothing left but the Life, and that is nothing else but a sorrowful Breath, drawn from a more sorrowful and afflicted Heart, whereof were they likewise deprived, they should be so much the more eased and happy, for, then should they rest in peace, having no sorrows, nor fears. And yet the Clergy not contented to see them in this deplorable Estate, must needs have them utterly destroyed, and therefore will never give over their design until they have accomplished it.  
17. And to make this evident, there needs no more, but read an Oration made by the Bishop of Vsez before the King, in name of the whole Clergy: Wherein, having first rendered thanks to his Majesty for what he hath already done against us, and then petitioned him for a present Declaration, prohibiting Catholics to embrace the Protestant Religion, and for another Decree, Incorporating the mixed Courts (which consisting of half Protestants, and half Papists, had been established in favour of the Protestants) into the Courts of Parliaments; in end, he exhorts, persuades, and adjures him by all the most moving Arguments, that he would now give the last blow toward our utter destruction, seeing he was now able and in capacity to effect it. I hope the King will beware to follow Counsels so terrible and violent; and am sure would have been much more edified had he seen the Bishops more Human, more Christian, and more agreeable to their Profession. But here we yet see their design, and what we may justly expect, from a Party equally powerful and maliciously inflamed against us.  
18. That our miseries may be yet more piercing, to injustice they add derision and scoffs, and by those who have done us the greatest injuries, publish abroad, that we are marvellously well used, and have all reason to be satisfied with their Moderation. This is evidence sufficient that they are far from repairing our losses, when having left us but very little, even that Little must pass as an Act of Grace.  
In short, Our Fears are doubled. When (upon the one hand) we consider, That all the Sharing of Churches, and Determinations of Council against us, have been made and concluded without any regard of the Titles produced by our Churches; than which, none could be better, or more convincing; such as, The Books and Registers of Marriages and Baptisms, the very years of the Edict, Consistorial Acts, Acts or Instruments of Notaries; the Appearance of these Churches before Presbyteries, and Provincial Synods, 1596, and 1597: and I know not how many more Evidences of the like nature. Notwithstanding all which, they proceeded to Sentence against us. And (upon the other hand) when we see the Province of Bearn so cruelly used by the Parliament of Pau, that after innumerable Severities against both Ministers, and their Flocks, wherein they went so far, as to make Acts against Ministers for not admitting to the Lords Supper flagitious persons, Synodally suspended for their scandalous lives; The said Parliament, in end, hath formally stated themselves their Opposite Party, and (among other things very strange, and never heard of) have petitioned the King for the Extermination of the Reformed Religion out of the whole Province. And when we see that the Clergy of Bearn by their Petition agreeing with the Parliaments, have required the very same things which the Clergy of France required, in that Oration of the Bishop of Vsez, made before the King, and now published in Print: When (I say) we see and consider these things, have we not just cause to fear, That more dreadful Calamities than we have yet seen, are preparing for us. Moreover, is not the present Desolation of the Province of Poictou, a most astonishing and terrible Object? In all that vast Diocese of Luson, they have not left so much as one Church. So that the greatest part of our Brethren are forced to travel above Fifty and Sixty Miles to hear the Word; and to expose their newborn Infants (in order to Baptism) to manifold Dangers. And the rest of the Province is but very little better treated, there being but Thirteen Churches allowed for above a Hundred thousand persons of our Religion. In fine, Are not our Fears very reasonable, and well grounded, when we see that the Protestants, contrary to the very words of the Edict of Nantes, and without regard of their Privileges have been formally subjected to that great Court of General Sessions, which the King hath erected in the City of Clermont; and especially, if ye add, That the Heads of that Superstitious Cabal are now secretly at work, procuring Subscriptions thorough all France, unto a League for persecuting of us with all Severity. These things make us justly apprehensive, that, in end, they will break out in acts of open Violence; there being nothing which they are not in case to undertake for accomplishing of our Ruin. And unless we be wilfully blind, we cannot but see, that they design to drive us (by Despair) into some Insurrection: (But that we shall never do; preferring rather to suffer the greatest Extremity, and our very. Blood to be shed, then in the least to violate the respect which we own to our Prince.) And if they cannot overcome our Patience, (as assuredly they never shall) than their Resolution is, By continual Importunity to prevail with His Majesty to drive us out of the Kingdom. But we hope that the King is so Good and Just, that he will never gratify them in such a thing, without a Parallel. And if we should be called to such a Trial, we hope God will give us such Strength and Courage, as, without regret, to abandon our Native Land, that we may serve him wherever his Providence shall call us. And this, in effect, is the general Resolution of all the PROTESTANTS within the Kingdom.  
FINIS.