The history of the famous Edict of Nantes containing an account of all the persecutions that have been in France from its first publication to this present time : faithfully extracted from all the publick and private memoirs, that could possibly be procured / printed first in French, by the authority of the states of Holland and West-Friezland, and now translated into English.

THE HISTORY OF THE Edict of Nantes. VOL. II. BOOK II. (Book 2)

A Summary of the Contents of the Second Book

The Answers to the Cahiers satisfie no body. Nevertheles•• they resolve to break up: altho nothing considerable ha•• been done in the Assembly. Artifices to disgust Chamie•• Ferrier retires. Why the Court will not seem to have oc∣casion'd those Divisions. Regulations drawn by the As∣sembly. Provincial Councils: Their Functions. Regulati∣on

of Ʋnion. The Marshal de Bouillon will not allow the Ministers to make a seperate Body in those Councils. Substance of the General Cahier, and of the Answers that were made to it. Articles in favour of Bearn. Mutual reproaches of the Members of the Assembly. Books that make a noise. Niceness of the Doctrine concerning the Au∣thority of Kings. Du Plessis Book. Number of 666 Just∣ness of the Application. Sedition at Paris. Return of the Deputies in their Provinces. Commissioners in di∣vers places where they are recus'd. Synod at Blois: which the Commissioners are allarm'd at. They write to Court about it. Assembly at Castel Jealoux, which occasions a kind of League of the Catholicks. Mortifications receiv'd by the Jesuits. Commissioners in the Country of Gex. The Reform'd side with the House of Guise in a quarrel. Death of the Lord de Vatan. A Minister is granted him, ••o assist at his Death: but they will not allow Psalms to •…•…e sung by him. Deputys of the Provinces at Paris sent ••ack outragiously. Declaration of the 24 of April. The Deputies General form an Opposition to the Inrollment of •…•…t: which is notwithstanding perform'd. National Synod at Privas. Censure of the Divisions of Saumur. Ʋnion sign'd ••nd sworn. Particular Divisions. Deportments of Ferrier. Grave accusations against him in the Synod; which Cen∣sures him severely. Nimes sends Deputies to preserve him, ••ut in vain: and the Synod aggravates. Complaints of the Synod of Blois. A formal disavowal of the Declaration of the 24 of April. Applications of the Synod for the Reconciliation of the Grandees. Breefs of Augmentation of the Money granted for the Sallery of Ministers. Alte∣ration made in the State of the Reform'd in the Coun∣try of Gex. The Synod endeavours to hinder the abuse that is made of that augmentation: and renews the Demands of the Assembly of Saumur. Reasons of the Repugnancy so often express'd about the Denomination of Pretended Re∣form'd Religion. Complaints concerning the Commissioners. Resolution no longer to send particular Deputies to Court.

Force of the Reform'd in the County of Avignon. Gra∣tifications. New declaration upon the preceeding one, which is not satisfactory. Cahiers answer'd Incroachments of the Parliaments upon the Jurisdiction of the Chambers. Severi∣ty of the Chamber of the Edict. Removal of the Corps of a Gentleman of the Reform'd Religion out of the Ground, by the Order of a Commissioner. Favour granted to the Reform'd of Tierache. Division of the Duke de Rohan, and the Marshal de Bouillon; and the Issue of it. A∣buse of the Duty which inclines to Obedience. The Court improves the Doctrine of Patience. Ministers Pensioners. Enterprise upon St. Johnd' Angely. The Duke of Rohan prevents it: and persists notwithstanding it was done by or∣der from the Court. The Queen is offended; and all things seem to incline to a War.

BƲllion being no longer able to delay the delivery of the Answer'd Cahier to the Assembly, since* 1.1 he had so often promis'd to do it, as soon as the Queen should be satisfied about the Nomination of the Deputies General, kept his Word, and allow'd the Deputies to continue their Session for some days longer, in order to examine it. None of them seem'd fa∣vourable; and they were conceiv'd in Equivocal and Cap∣tious Terms, which allow'd the Court a great deal of li∣berty to wave that by way of Interpretation, which seem'd most plausible in those promises. Even those who had been so earnest in forming the Scisme, which the prudence of the others had prevented from breaking out, were as much surpris'd as the rest, and express'd a great deal of discontent. Some of them exclaim'd highly against that deceit, and up∣braided Bullion severely for the Oaths he had sworn to a∣muse them. But there was no remedy; and Bullion had what he desir'd, and therefore did not care for their reproaches. Nothing comforts people so easily of an ac∣cusation of Perjury, as the happy success of the Artifice which deserves it. One of the Reasons urg'd to give a

pretence to the Scisme that was preparing, was, that the on∣•…•… thing in debate was a piece of formality; that it was in∣•…•…erent whether the Assembly receiv'd satisfaction before 〈…〉〈…〉 after the Nomination of the Deputies General, provided was given them effectually; that the Court looking upon 〈…〉〈…〉 said Nomination before the dilivery of the Answer as a •…•…nt of Honour, it was reasonable to comply with the •…•…g's desire; that is was a respect due by Subjects to their •…•…eraign, not to dispute with him upon a point of Deco∣•…•…m about his Authority, especially when it was no wise their prejudice. But the illusion of that reason was soon scover'd, when they found the scope of the favour they ••d flatter'd themselves with. It was visible that the Court •…•…ng unwilling to do any thing beyond the little they did •…•…nt, had only insisted upon that pretended formality, to •…•…id being oblig'd, at the earnest sollicitation of the As∣•…•…bly, to give them any real testimonies of good will.

They would fain have us'd some endeavours to obtain* 1.2 •…•…ething more: but when they thought on the means to •…•…ct it, they found none of which they durst promise •…•…mselves a happy success. The Brief which did Autho∣•…•…e the Assembly, allowing it only in order to Nominate 〈…〉〈…〉 Deputies General, it might have been stil'd unlawful •…•…er the said Nomination, if they had refus'd to break up. •…•…eral of those that had the best intentions were weary contending as they had been oblig'd to do, in order prevent Brigues contrary to the common good. Others •…•…e afraid of drawing the indignation of the Court up∣•…•… them, incase they should resist their Orders with a Vi∣•…•…r, which would be stil'd Rebellion. They were all •…•…dent of those that had been so ready to divide from 〈…〉〈…〉 rest of the Assembly, and notwithstanding some of them •…•…m'd discontented at Bullion's deceit, there was no reason 〈…〉〈…〉 expect that they would unite themselves to the good •…•…ty again, incase any resolutions should be taken. They •…•…d as well promis'd to make a Scisme upon the subject of 〈…〉〈…〉 answers, incase the Assembly were disatisfied with them,

as upon the time, and manner of deliberating about •••• So that they agreed unanimously to break up; To lea•••• the prosecution of a more favourable Answer to the De∣puties General; and to see whether the Queen, be∣ing satisfied with their submission to her Will, would not be more easily inclin'd to allow the Reform'd greater fa∣vours.

Thus an Assembly compos'd of the most eminent Per∣sons* 1.3 among the Reform'd both for Quality, and Capaci∣ty, which in so proper a Conjuncture ought to have ta∣ken such measures for the safety of the Churches, as could never have been violated by their Enemies, broke •••• without doing any thing. The Nomination of Deputies General was all that was done during a Session of fo•••• Months: and the publick affairs remain'd in the same con∣dition after such long deliberations as they were before the meeting of the Assembly. Moreover it did more ha•••• than good, by reason that the facility of sowing Divi∣sions among the Reform'd discover'd their weakness; and taught the Court the way to destroy them. The Autho•• of the said Division were so much asham'd of it, th•••• they us'd their utmost endeavours to avoid that reproach. The very Court had no mind it should be imputed to the•••• Artifices: Therefore endeavours were us'd to lay the bla•••• of it upon private Interest, which had occasion'd great hea•••• And indeed, as there were many Persons who had demand to make either immediately to the Assembly, or by •••••• Assembly to the Court, it is very probable that Bulli•••• and those that serv'd him on that occasion, took the ad∣vantage of those personal affairs, in order to succeed •••• their principal design. So that this prov'd one of the me•••• which corrupted those who thereby expected to find mo•••• favour at Court. As many endeavours were us'd to brea•• the measures of those that were firm and inflexible, as to gain those whose Souls were sencible to promises and ••••* 1.4 hopes. Chamier was one of those steady Pillars, which no∣thing was capable to s••ake. He had the first Voice in t••••

Assembly, as being Assistance to the President; and where∣•…•… he was skill'd in Affairs, the Conclusion depen∣••••d partly on the turn he gave them. A particular grie∣••••nce was put upon him, in order to disgust him of Assem∣••••es, in which he had too much Authority. The Consi∣••••ry of Montelimar, where he was Minister, took the ad∣••••ntage of his absence, and of his Deputation to give his ••••ce to another. This was done without consulting him, ••••d without hearing him; by some Intrigue or other, in ••••ich it is very likely that Lesdigneres had a hand, since 〈…〉〈…〉 was done in his Province, before his eyes, and in a place ••••ere he had the power to do what he pleased. And to ag∣••••vate the Injury, the Consistory sent to search his House, and ••••bled all his Library with a great deal of Violence, un∣•…•… pretence of taking some Papers which did belong to 〈…〉〈…〉 Church. The behaviour of the Consistory had some∣•…•…g so offensive in it, and there appear'd so much con∣••••pt in it against Chamier, that he was extreamly offended •…•…t, and the more because his interest was concern'd in ••s well as his honour. His Family, his Estate, and his maintance were at Montelimar, and he could not remove 〈…〉〈…〉 thence without disadvantage: He was not a of humour ••••ose patiently: but at the same time he would not have •…•…e any thing for his own Interest, to the prejudice of 〈…〉〈…〉 common Cause; and he preferred Religion to Interest. 〈…〉〈…〉 thought it a great piece of injustice that his own Church •…•…ld endeavour to ruin him; that in order thereunto 〈…〉〈…〉 took the advantage of his abscence, to prevent the •…•…n of his Brethren. He complain'd of it to the Assem∣•••••• as of an affront in which they were concern'd; and •…•…v'd to remove from Saumur to mind his own Affairs. 〈…〉〈…〉 was directly what the Court aim'd at, in order to ••••ken the Party they were afraid of, by removing so* 1.5 ••••d a head. Ferrier had already shown the good exam∣•••• of preferring private affairs to the General. He had 〈…〉〈…〉 the Assembly under pretence of his Son and Mother∣••••••w's being Ill. Had Chamier done the same, every body

would have found reasons to imitate them; and the Assem∣bly would have been dissipated insencibly. But they sto•• Chamier by doing him Justice. The Assembly maintain•• him in the Ministry of Montelimar; and in order to re∣move the pretence the Consistory had taken, they orde•••••• the Ministers of the adjacent places to Preach for him Al∣ternately in his abscence. The Synods confirm'd the sai•• Regulation afterwards; and Chamier serv'd the Church •••• Montelimar, untill he was Transferr'd to Montauban, the•• to serve the Church and the Academy.

But those particular affairs were not the real cause of th••* 1.6 Evil: they only serv'd as an occasion to corrupt some •••• the Deputies, and to digust others. It may perhaps se•••• strange that the Court should be unwilling to appear •••••• Cause of a Division, they had procured with so much ca•••• and which was so useful to them; but two reasons may •••• given for it. The one that giving so many assurances of the•••• good Will to the Reform'd, they were unwilling to bely the•••• by seeming to endeavour to disunite them. The other that 〈…〉〈…〉 the Catholicks did not approve the ruining of the Reform'd▪ some because they look'd upon their union as the best defe•••• of the State against foreign Intrigues: others becau•••• they were of opinion that the Publick Liberty was joy•••••• to the preservation of the Reform'd, whose Union was 〈…〉〈…〉 powerful Fence against Arbitrary Power, of which th•••• perceiv'd that the Policy of the Jesuits was laying t•••• Foundation. The main design of the Court of Spain •••••• either to engage France to ruin the Reform'd, or to oppr•••••• the People, which had never known what slavery was 〈…〉〈…〉 then. In all probability the Court of France was like 〈…〉〈…〉 engage it self into irreconcileable difficulties, if they •…•…tred once into Wars of Religion with the Reform'd, •••• engag'd themselves by the Usurpation of an unbound•••• Power against People that were fond of their Priviledg•••• and accustom'd to reverence their King's like Fathers, be∣cause they us'd them like their Children. For that rea•••••• there were many Catholicks, who would have been ve••••

sorry to see the Reform'd driven out of the Kingdom. Even ••n the Council, those who had had a share in the late King's desings, and had relish'd his Maxims had the same senti∣••entiments: and expected no good from the disunion of ••he Reform'd. Some of the Members of the present King's Council have likewise had the same sentiments, particular∣••y those who observ'd the course of Affairs, during the Reign of Lewis the XIII. This opinion has induc'd a zea∣••ous Catholick Historian, who has writen the History of ••hose Transactions in a stile full of Gall and Violence, to Con∣••ess that the fall of the Reform'd would occasion that of the State, and that the ruin of their Sect, would destroy those very Catholicks that had occasion'd it. This shows that the very designs of the Court not being approv'd by all the French, they had no reason to own themselves the Au∣••hors of a Division which was look'd upon by so many to ••e contrary to the good of the Kingdom. This is the rea∣son for which in some relations about what pass'd in the Assembly of Saumur, all the misunderstandings which ren∣••e••'d it useless to the Reform'd, are imputed to the parti∣cular affairs of the Members of it, as if the Intrigues of the Court had had no share in it.

All these troubles did not hinder the Assembly from* 1.7 drawing very fine Regulations, which would have been suf∣ficient to render the Reform'd Invincible, had it been as easie ••o put them sincerely in execution, as to resolve upon them. Such were those which related to the preservation of the Places of Suerty; but particularly those that were resolv'd up∣on for the establishing of Councils in every Province. The first Project of it was form'd in the Assembly of Ste. Foy: and that of Chatelleraud resum'd the said design some years after it. But the continuation of the War, and afterwards the long Negociation of the Edict, from which the Reform'd expected more surety than from their own regulations, hindred them from pursuing the Project of Sainte Foy. and the Intrigues of Roni at Chatelleraud also hinder'd them from taking any resolutions upon that Subject. But the

King's Death having alter'd the state of Affairs, the Assem∣bly of Saumur thought themselves oblig'd to renew their antient precautions, which the power of the Jesuits, and the Artifices of those that were ill inclin'd made more neces∣sary than ever. Therefore they voted a Council in every Province compos'd of Gentlemen, Ministers, * 1.8 and Mem∣bers of the third Estate, who should be chosen by the Pro∣vincial* 1.9 Assembly, and should be continued, or chang'd once in two years, in the whole or in part, according as the Assembly should think fit. The number of the Per∣sons of which it was to be compos'd was not limited. They allow'd the said Council a power to nominate the Persons and Places, where the advices that should be given them should be directed; and to advertise the Churches when it should be fit to convene a Provincial Assembly. In or∣der thereunto they settled the form of deputing to those particular Assemblies, and of receiving the Votes there 〈…〉〈…〉 they excluded from it all such as had no express Deptutati∣ons: They allow'd the King's Officers and Magistrates to assist at the same, provided they were deputed according to the form prescrib'd; on condition that thy should make no distinct Body in the Assembly; and that they should side either with the Nobility, or with the Third Estate, accor∣ding to their quality: The Presidentship of those Assem∣blies was alloted to the Gentry: and finally they fix'd to five at most, and to three at least, the number of the De∣puties every particular Assembly should send to the General.

Proceeding in the next place to the Functions of the Pro∣vincial* 1.10 Councils, they charg'd them to send whatever ad∣vice they should receive to those to whom it should be ne∣cessary to Communicate them, either within, or out of the Province: and in order to facilitate the said Communi∣cation, they ordain'd a Fund for the Charges; and that the Contiguous Provinces should take measures together before their breaking up, to advise each other with more speed. They authoris'd the Council that should receive the advice,

incase they were not able to perform it, to call such persons •…•…o their assistance as should be able to assist them, accor∣ding to the nature of the thing propos'd. In some Impor∣tant Cases they allow'd the Council to require at least three adjacent Provinces, such as they should think fit, to assist them with their advice; and they order'd the Provinces so re∣quir'd to send one, or many Deputies in the place appoin∣ted to them, to deliberate about the means to prosecute such affairs as should intervene in such a Province, as if it were their own. And supposing they could obtain no sa∣tisfaction, it was left to their Prudence to give the Pro∣vinces notice of it, and to invite them to joyn in order to make the said prosecution more effectually. They groun∣ded that order upon the duty of the General Union, of the Churches, which were oblig'd to interest themselves in their mutual affairs; to the end that those that were abus'd, and consequently more inclin'd to violent resolutions should be hinder'd by the Prudence of the others from proceeding to ••xtremities, or seconded by them, in order to obtain justice the sooner.

They order'd the said Councils moreover to mind the con∣•…•…ition of the Places of Suerty; to depute persons of capacity to •…•…isit the said places, and to take a review of the Garrisons; to be certain of the Religion of the Souldiers; who, by reason that it was necessary to reinforce the said Cities with men, could not be Inhabitants either of the said Cities or Suburbs. They exhorted the Governours to approve it, and in order to •…•…dress the abuses committed in time past, as to the number and ••ayment of the Soldiers, to be pleased to allow the regula∣tions added by them: viz. That the Governour should receive the third part of the sum appointed for the Garrison, free from all Charges; and that he should give an Acquittance for the remaining two, to the person that should be nomi∣nated by the Council of the Province, who should pay the soldiers with it, and all other Charges relating to the Place and Garrison; which were afterwards specifi'd: That an estimate should be made of the real sum to which the extar∣ordinary

Charges might mount, to reserve a Fund for it; which should not exceed the third or forth part of the two thirds retain'd upon the whole sum; That the Person im∣ploy'd in order thereunto should give an account of his ad∣ministration in the Council, in presence of the Governour; That incase the King should grant any sums for the Repara∣tions and Fortifications of the said places, the Governours should order how they should be imploy'd, but that the Council should inspect the same, and should have the di∣rection of the disposal thereof, making of Proclamations, Adjudications, &c. and that incase a Fund were necessary for the said Reparation, the direction thereof should be given to a person which should be nominated by the Council, who should give an account of it, in the Governours pre∣sence; That without prejudice to the Officers appointed by the King, the Governours should inspect the Magazines, in order to keep the Corn, Wines, Provisions, Powder, and Matches, and other Amunition liable to corruption in a good Condition.

They impower'd the same Councils to determin all Qua∣rels,* 1.11 Lawsuits, and Animosities that might arise among the Reform'd, of what quality soever; To cause the settlements granted by the King, to be observ'd, incase any of the Governours of the said places should dye: To maintain a good Correspondence with the Neighbouring Provinces, by sending Deputies into their mutual Assemblies; and as to a General Correspondence, they were charg'd to maintain it with the General Assembly, when in being, and to apply them∣selves to the Deputys General after their Dissolution. More∣over in order to preserve Union among all the Churches, it was agreed upon, that once a year at a certain time and place, there should repair a Deputy of every Council, as privately as possible could be, and in such a conjuncture of affairs as it should be thought of most use: and the chief reason of that enterview, which was only to last for a few days, was to give each other a mutual account of the state of their Provinces, and to renew the Sentiment of

their Common Interests. The General Assembly at their break∣ing up was to nominate the Council which should appoint •…•…e time and place for the first Enterview.

The Marshal Duke de Bouillon approv'd the said Regu∣lation* 1.12 as well as the rest, and sign'd it: but he protested against the Ministers, whom he would not allow to make a •…•…ody a part: and he writ the said Protestation when sign'd it. La •…•…otte Grimout, Counsellor in the Parliament of Rouen, was •…•…e only person who imitated him. His motive for it was, 〈…〉〈…〉 particular grudge, for having receiv'd a Censure from the Assembly, to which he did not doubt but the Ministers, a •…•…rt of people a little inclin'd to censure, had contributed considerably. But the Marshal's Motive was his being a∣bandon'd by the Ministers, who formerly us'd to follow •…•…s advice almost Implicitly. Some of them had said some •…•…ings in their Sermons which he took to be design'd a∣gainst him: and notwithstanding du Plessis remonstrated to •…•…m, even after the Dissolution of the Assembly, That the •…•…d Protestation was not only useless, but of ill consequence, 〈…〉〈…〉 still persisted in it, and threatened that the thing should •…•…t remain so. The truth is that he excepted some Mini∣sters, who by reason of their mildness and capacity, seem'd 〈…〉〈…〉 him to deserve a Rank in the Assemblys. This perhaps •…•…as an effect of Resentment; but that Resentment was so •…•…ell suited to the Maxims of the Court, where the * 1.13 Con∣•…•…toriats had been so long reputed the persons who were to be •…•…ar'd in Assemblies, That it look'd as if he had a mind to •…•…e angry on purpose to please them. Neverthless, he kept his word; and whereas he always appear'd zealous 〈…〉〈…〉 other things for his Religion, this did not forfeit his Credit 〈…〉〈…〉 the least in the Provinces; of which some afterwards forbad the Ministers to assist at Political Assemblies, and to* 1.14 preach against the Sentiments of private persons.

Before I make an end of what relates to the said Assembly, 〈…〉〈…〉 is necessary to give some account of the substance of their * Cahiers, and of the answers that were made to them; since they occasion'd those fatal divisions. I will only give

an abstract of them, by reason that they are set forth at large, at the end of this Volume. They contain'd 57 Articles, of which the three first demanded the re-establishment of the Edict; and of its particular Articles, in their first form; and the verification of them in the Soveraign Courts. The King refus'd these three Articles directly, being willing, as he said, to conform to the resolutions of the King his Father, which he call'd Good and Holy, and who had explain'd himself upon that Subject, in the year 1602 The fourth demanded Commis∣sioners, of which one should be of the Reform'd Religion, and nominated by the Reform'd of the Province to which he was to be sent, and the other a Catholick: unless the Re∣form'd had rather leave the execution of the Edict, to the Baylifs or Seneshals of the places, which should be oblig'd to take a Reform'd Associate. The King granted it for such places in which the Edict was not put in execution, according as the Parliaments had verifi'd it. The fifth demanded for the Reform'd Communities, which did possess some Fief, or some Judicature of the quality mention'd by the seventh Ar∣ticle of the Edict, the right of performing the exercise of the Reform'd Religion there: and the King referr'd them to the observation of the Article of the Edict without any Alteration. The sixth demanded that the exercise of their said Religion perform'd in 1577, and 1597, however it had been establish'd, even by Power, of Fief, altho the Fief were since possess'd by a Catholick, even by an Ec∣clesiastick, should notwithstanding be continu'd there The King without deciding whether the Articles 9 and 10 of the Edict were favourable, or contrary to the said pre∣tention referr'd them, to the observation and maintenance of the same. The seventh remonstrating that the exercise of the said Religion ought to be re-establish'd in certain places, by Vertue of the 10th Article of the Edict of Nantes, where it could not be perform'd without exposing the Re∣form'd to the danger of a Tumlt, by reason of the long discon∣tinuation thereof, demanded that the right of it might be transferr'd to other places of the Province which the Synod

sould appoint. The King answer'd that the Commissioners should inquire, both as to the right of performing the said exercise in those places, and the reasons of the interruption thereof; after which it should be regulated: which made the Reform'd sencible that it would go against them, by reason that the Possession of the same having been inter∣rupted for reasons which the Court would approve of, they would not think it fit to restore them.

The 8th renew'd the Petition, that the Reform'd might not* 1.15 ••e oblig'd to qualifie their Religion themselves in Publick Acts, with the Title of Pretended Reform'd. The King refus'd it; and referr'd them to the Answer made to the Cahiers of the Reform'd in 1609, by the late King. The ••••h requir'd that the Ministers might have the same exemption as the Ecclesiasticks. The King referr'd them to ••••e Exemption granted by the late King in 1604, by Let∣ters Patent, which only freed them from the * 1.16 Taille▪ in that related to their Goods and Pensions. The 10th, grounded upon the 16 Article of the Edict, demanded the restitution of ••••e places that did formerly belong to the Reform'd, with∣out obliging them to justifie their Possession by Titles. The King referr'd it to his Commissioners, who should ••••use a restitution to be made of those usurp'd Places, provided the Reform'd could prove that they had lost their Titles or Writings. In the 11th they desir'd an ex∣emplary punishment of such Preachers, Confessors, and other Ecclesiasticks as did forbid the Catholicks to hold any Communication with the Reform'd; as to serve them, to nourish their Children, to undertake their Affairs: and who declar'd that all those who frequented them would be Damn'd. In case they could not be seiz'd, the Article re∣quir'd their Superiors should be responsible for the same, and that the Attorneys General and their Substitutes should ••e injoyn'd to see it perform'd, The answer instead of the punishment requir'd, forbad only, according to the 17th Article of the Edict, Seditious Sermons and Discourses, and made a very mild Exhortation to Preachers, to aim only

in their Sermons to preserve publick Peace, and Tranqui∣lity. The 12th complain'd of the multiplicity of Festivals; and desir'd that the Commissioners might retrench some of them, in such places where it should be desir'd; That nei∣ther they nor the Curates might be allow'd to become Par∣ties in the examinations of the Contraventions of the same; nor the Provosts, Warders, or other Officers to prosecute the same, nor even Serjeants without a positive order from the Judge of the place. The answer spoke nothing as to the restriction of the number; and confirm'd the 20th Article of the Edict. The 13th related properly to the Affair of the Duke de Sully, and of the Catholicks that em∣brac'd the Reform'd Religion, demanding the observation of the 27th Article of the Edict concerning Imployments; and the re-establishment of such from whom any had been taken without observing the usual forms: That is without having convicted them of any fault by which they could forfeit the same. The ancient Jurisprudence of the Kingdom allow'd no other reason to take away a place from a Man, unless he desir'd to be discharg'd himself for some known rea∣son. The answer said in a word that the Article of the Edict should be observ'd: leaving a just cause to believe by that briefness, that the King would allow no re-establishment of that Nature. The four following related to Church-yards and Burials, and demanded the confirmation of the Posses∣sion of the places which they had injoy'd since the verifi∣cation of the Edict; the delivery of some convenient places in those parts where they had none; leave to perform their Burials in the day time, even in such places where they were oblig'd by the Treaty to perform them at inconve∣nient hours; and good regulations to prevent Seditions and Tumults, in such places where the Gentry and other Reformed had right of Burial in the Chappels of their Pre∣decessors. The answers preserv'd to the Reform'd the pos∣sesion of the Church-yards, which had been deliver'd to them by the Commissioners; order'd others to be deliver'd to them, according to the answer to the Cahier of 1602, referr'd to the Commissioners to consider in what

places their Burials might be allow'd in the day time, with∣out fear of a Sedition; and refusing to allow the Reform'd to be Buried in the Churches, by reason that it was con∣trary to the Canons, prejudicial to the Catholick Religion, and capable to give a Scandal and Discontent to those that profess'd it, it only allow'd that the Commissioners being upon the place, should seek expedients to preserve to the Successors of the Reform'd, the Rights which belong'd to them as Patrons.

The 18th which demanded leave to establish little Schools in all Cities and Towns of the Kingdom, receiv'd* 1.17 only leave, by the answer, to have one School-Master in the Towns, in the Suburbs of which the exercise of the Reform'd Religion was allow'd; there to teach reading and Writing only; forbidding them to teach new Doctrines; That is, as it has been explained since, even to make Chil∣dren repeat their Catechisms; and to receive above twelve of the Neighbourhood in any Place. The 19th requir'd the same Privileges for the Accademies of Saumur and of Montauban, as were injoy'd by the other Accademies of the Kingdom: and the Answer putting the Change upon them, allow'd them to establish Colleges in such Places where the Exercise of their Religion was allow'd, and gave those Colleges the same Privileges of the other Col∣leges, receiv'd and approv'd of in the Kingdom. This sig∣nifi'd nothing, by reason that the Immunities of simple Colleges erected by the Wills of private Persons are no∣thing. The 20th tended to obtain that the Catholick Counsellors, who were to serve in the Chambers of the Edict, might be chosen with the Deputies of the Churches, ••o the end that none might enter there but persons of Equity and Moderation; and that the same might remain there at least three years without being chang'd: but by the Answer the King look'd upon that choice as a right which only belong'd to him, and which he would keep. The 21st which desi••'d two places of Counsellors, to equal the Chamber of Neraci to that of Castres, was waved by the Answer; under pretence that there were too many Officers, or places in the Kingdom already: and in order▪ to answer

the inconvenience of recusations, which sometimes reduc'd the number of the Judges below that which was requir'd by the Ordinances, the King allow'd the said Chamber to judge to the number of Eight, as it was practis'd in some Parliaments. The 22th complain'd that in most Causes the Catholick Judges were divided in the Chambers of Guyenne and of Languedock; which they imputed to the Passion of the Parliaments, who having the liberty to nominate to the King the Counsellors of their Courts which were to serve in the said Chambers, always nam'd the most passionate: Wherefore they desir'd that the num∣ber of those Counsellors might be fill'd up in part with some Counsellors of the Grand Council, and part of those of the said Parliaments, which the King should chuse him∣self upon the List. The King refus'd to alter the method of forming those Chambers; and promis'd to take care as to the choice of those that should serve in them, to the satisfaction of the Reform'd. The three following petiti∣on'd the Creation of some Offices, especially in Dauphine: and by the Answers the King said that Patents had been given for some, and that he could not grant the others; for which he gave a remarkable reason, viz. That he had promis'd to make no new Creation in that Province.

The 26th contain'd complaints for that the Parliament* 1.18 from which the Causes of the Reform'd were remov'd to the Chambers of the Edict or Party-Chambers, gave De∣crees against the Serjeants who within their Precincts did Execute the Decrees of the Chambers, into which those causes were remov'd; and desir'd that since the Serjeants being frighted by the said Decrees, refus'd to put the said Sen∣tences in Execution, his Majesty would be pleas'd to Create two Royal Offices of Serjeants in every Bayliwick, to be given to the Reform'd; and the following petition'd the same thing for two Offices of Notaries. The King refus'd those new Creations; and pretended to remedy the said Grievances by commanding those who had such Offices, to make, or receive all the Acts as should be demanded or

offer'd to them by the Reform'd. Three other Articles related to the Validity of the Certificates given by the ministers; The regulations of the Judges; and the time of descriptions, of which the Chamber of the Edict of Nor∣mandy refus'd to deduct a certain number of years, of which the Edicts allow'd the deduction in favour of the Reform'd: and upon those Articles the King granted no∣thing new, or at least of any moment. The 31st demanded ••e revocation of a Clause which took away the right of transferring Causes into the Chambers of the Edict, from those who had not made an open profession of the Re∣form'd Religion six Months before their requiring the said removal; and this demand related particularly to Ecclesi∣asticks, who after having chang'd their Religion, remain'd oppos'd to the hatred of the Parliaments, who were very ••ere against men of that Character. The answer was very ••••tile; and in refusing to alter any thing about the Clause •••• six Months, the King promis'd that he would take care •••• the Causes of the Ecclesiasticks, if they made their ap∣plications to him. The Reform'd were very sencible that •••• meaning of this was, that after having chang'd their religion the Ecclesiasticks would be us'd worse in the Coun∣cil than in the Parliaments. The 32d desir'd a right of transferration for the Reform'd, Heirs to those that had ready proceeded before the Parliaments; and for those ••o should have their right by * 1.19 Cession, or otherwise. The King refus'd it to the Cessionaries, by reason that it ••••ght be done fraudulently: but he granted it to Heirs, ••••serving at the same time that the said Concession was a •…•…our. It is true: but it was so slight a one, that it was ••••rdly worth observing; the occasion of using it, not oc∣curring perhaps once in 50 years. The 33d demanded •••• Foreign Inhabitants, or Traders in the Kingdom, the ••••e Priviliges as were injoy'd by the other Reform'd, and particularly that of transferring of Causes. The King by ••s answer reserv'd to himself to do them Justice, incase they appeal'd to him. The 34th desir'd that the Priviledge

to take a Reform'd Assistant or Associate in all criminal Causes, in which the Reform'd were concern'd might be extended to all the Provinces; and not only observ'd for some which were specifi'd in the 66th Article of the Edict. The King granted it for the instruction only; but he would not allow the Associate a deliberative Vote in the Judgment of the Process. The 35th desir'd that the Judgment of the * 1.20 Competence in † 1.21 Provotal Cases, which by the 67th Article of the Edict was referr'd to the nearest * 1.22 Presi∣dial Seats, within the jurisdiction of some Parliaments, might be transferr'd to the Chambers of the Edict, as in the others. The reason of this demand was evident. The juris∣diction of the Provost being quick and without appeal, the Reform'd were ever in danger of perishing by the sen∣tences of those Judges, when a Presidial in which the Ca∣tholicks were the strongest was Master of the said Com∣petence. Nevertheless, the King refus'd to alter any thing about it.

The 36th related to the Education of Children, whose* 1.23 Fathers had not nam'd Guardians at their Death; and de∣sired that they might be put under the tuition of persons that should breed them up in the Religion of their Fathers▪ The Answer referr'd it to the General Law of the King∣dom; That is at the Election of Tutors or Guardians, chosen by the Relations, and thus expos'd the Children of the danger of falling into the hands of Ca∣tholick Guardians, whenever the nearest, or most conside∣rable Relations, which are commonly pitch'd upon by the rest, should be Catholicks. The 37th desired that the re∣signations of Presidents or Counsellors which had been promoted at the nomination of the Church, might not be receiv'd unless by the same nomination. The King reserv'd to himself the choice and nomination of the persons. The 38th tended to prevent the injustices that were done to the Reform'd, who had Estates in the County of Avignon, and desir'd that leave might be given to the Officers there residing to give Reprisals, after the Solemnities that were

requir'd, to the Reform'd to whom Justice had been deny'd: Notwithstanding what was ordain'd upon that Subject by the 51st of the particular Articles. The King would have them to apply themselves to him to obtain Letters of Re∣prisals; only allowing the Officers to draw Verbal Processes of the State of the Case. This ingag'd the poor Reform'd into infinite expence and delays. The 39th requir'd the Confirmation and Execution of the Briefs granted to the Churches in 1598, and since: upon which the King or∣dain'd that they should be represented; as if his Council had been ignorant of the Contents. The 40th renew'd the demand of two Places of Masters of Requests, pro∣mised to the Reform'd: and the King wav'd it by the usual evasion, that care should be taken about it, when any Va∣cancies should happen by death. The two following demanded the augmentation of the sum promis'd for the Sallary of the Ministers; and of new assignments for the payment of the Arrears. The King promis'd to consider of what might be proper to gratifie them; but he refus'd them new assignations for the old Arrears, under pretence that it was a general disease, and that all those that had been assign'd at the same time had suffer'd the same loss, without receiving any Re-implacement.

The 14 following Articles related to the Places of Surety.* 1.24 The 43d demanded that the Guard of all those which the Reform'd held, might be left them for ten whole Years, to begin from the Day the last Brief would expire; and that in the New Brief, the Court should specifie those that were contain'd in the Settlements drawn in 1598: Those that were comprehended with the others under the Denomination of * 1.25 Marriage, and those that belong'd to private persons, in which Garrisons had been kept. The Answers was cruel upon that Article. It reduc'd the places of Surety to those that were express'd in the Brief of the 14th of May 1598, and declar'd that those that were call'd of Marriage, were not comprehended amongst the places of Surety. It only allow'd as a Favour, that no innovations should be made: but

it refus'd them the keeping of all the other * 1.26 Places; and only left them such as were really places of Surety but for Five Years. Thus two thirds of the Places in which they held Garrisons were taken from them by one dash of a Pen. The 44th desir'd that no Innovations might be made in the Places they held, in which there was no Garrison established by the settlments; and that incase any had been made, they should be redress'd. The King granted that Article; and order'd his Commissioners to redress the said Innovations, according to the instructions they should re∣ceive. The 45th desir'd the restitution of several Places, among which they nam'd Caumont, Tartas, le Mont de Mar∣san and Montandre. The King absolutely refus'd the first and last, and promis'd to put Reform'd Garrisons in the other Two. The 46, 47, and 48, desir'd good Assign∣ments upon the clearest part of the Receipts, for the full sum of 540000 Livers, which had been promis'd to them by the Brief of the last of April 1598; That the Sums which had been deducted out of it, for the settlement of the Pensions that were given to private persons, might be return'd to the Mass again; That the Arrears might be paid, and such Sums as were not paid in re-implac'd. The King refus'd it all, excepting only the Assignment upon the clearest part of the Receipts, which is such cases is always granted, and never perform'd: But he paid the Reform'd with Reasons instead of better Money; and told them that the retrenchment they com∣plain'd of, had been made under the Reign of the Late King, at a time when retrenching the Garrisons of the Ca∣tholick Citys, he had been oblig'd to do the like to the Re∣form'd, lest the Catholicks should complain. But in order to excuse himself from re-implacing of the Arrears and Sums unpaid, he added a reason which favour'd more of a Test than a serious Answer. He said that there was no rea∣son to desire it, since the Places for the preservation of which the said Sums were design'd, had been as well kept as if the said Sums had been paid. According to this No∣tion,

a Debter might very well excuse himself from paying the Arrears of his Debts, by reason that his delaying to pay them had not reduc'd his Creditors to Starve.

The 49th desir'd the King would be pleas'd to use his* 1.27 Interest with the Prince of Orange to put a Reform'd Gover∣nour into the Castle of Orange, according to the late King's promise to the Assembly of Chatelleraud. The King who did not pretend to the Right which his Successor has usurp'd over the said Principality, declar'd that he had restor'd the said Principality to the Prince of Orange to whom it did belong; and that he had oblig'd him to make a Declarati∣on, in favour of the Reform'd of the said City, which they were satisfi'd with. Upon which pretence he tacitly refus'd the Mediation promis'd by the late King. As to the 50th which spoke of the Resignation of Governments, which could not be done without the approbation of the Churches of the Province: and of the Nomination of of a new Go∣vernour by the Deputies General, in such Places where the Government should become vacant by Death, the King referr'd them to the Brief of 1598, and to the Articles of the Edict, both General and Secret, which he said had al∣ways been observ'd. Upon the 51st, which desir'd that the Captains and Lieutenants of the Garrisons might not be chosen without the approbation of the Governours: the King answer'd that he would do what he thought best for the advantage of his Service. The 52d, desired the Liberty to perform the Exercise of the Reform'd Religion in all those Places, and that no body might be allow'd to dis∣pute that right. Upon which the King order'd the obser∣vation of the Edict of Nantes in General Terms. The 53d, desir'd that the Jesuits might not be allow'd to have Col∣leges, Seminaries, or Houses in the places of Surety; nor to Preach, Teach, Confess, or Reside in the same: and that throughout the Kingdom they should be reduc'd to the terms prescrib'd by the Edict of their re-establish∣ment. The King's answer engag'd him to nothing, he said that the Jesuits not being allow'd to settle a College with∣out

his leave, he would take care, that the Reform'd should have no reason to complain. The Jesuits had too much power at Court to suffer the King to make a more positive answer upon that Article. The 54th desir'd the prevention of accidents that might be occasion'd by the Pro∣cessions, which the Catholicks affected to make in the Churches and Chapels of the Castles in which the Reform'd had but weak Garrisons; and did propose some expedients in order thereunto. The King referr'd them to what should be ordain'd by his Commissioners, after having taken the advice of the Governours of the Provinces, or Lieutenants General. The 55th spoke of the necessary means to maintain or repair the Garrisons, and to secure them; desiring to that end the execution of the Answer made to the Cahiers of the Assembly of Gergeau. The King allowed the reparations of the said places at the Charge of the Inhabitants; and that they should apply themselves to the Council to obtain leave to impose such sums as should be ne∣cessary: promising only some assistance in case of an urgent necessity. The 56th desir'd that the Artilery, Arms and other Ammunitions of War which were in the said places, might be left there, and not transported elsewhere; that what had been already remov'd might be returned to them; and that they might have their share of the Distribution of Arms and Amunitions, which was made yearly to the other Towns of the Kingdom. The Answer on the contrary, order'd an account to be brought in of the Artillery and Amunitions that were in the said places, in order to dispose of them, pro∣mising only to leave so much as was necessary for the De∣fence of the said places. The 57th desir'd that the General Assemblies might be held every other year; that the Depu∣ties General might officiate but two years; and that the Assemblies might only be oblig'd to Nominate two, that should be approv'd of by the King. The answer was that he would allow such Assemblies when he thought fit: and that they should Nominate six Persons.

There were some other Articles at the end of all those ••ating to the Churches of Bearn, as I have said hereto∣fore:* 1.28 but the King's answer to them was, That the Late ••••g never having approv'd the Union of the Churches of ••••at Principality with those of France, he could not al∣low it neither: but he promis'd to receive the particular ••••titions of that Province. Finaly, the Assembly broke ••••, tho disatisfi'd with those Answers; and the Deputies repair'd to their respective homes laying the blame of the ill success of their good intentions upon one another. Those ••ho did side with the Marshal de Bouillon blam'd the obsti∣nacy of the contrary Party, imputing all the fault to that; ••••d the others upbraided these with having taught their* 1.29 enemies how to ruin the Churches, by breaking the Union ••••signedly, and by a manifest Conspiracy. Most of the Reform'd were very much disatisfied with the answers made to their * 1.30 Cahiers: and seeing that instead of granting them ••••y new favours upon their Complaints, at a time when they had just reasons of diffidence, their Privileges and Su∣••••ties were incroach'd upon more than ever, they apply'd ••••e Fable of the Camel to themselves, who complaining that ••ature had been unkind to him, in not giving him Defensive ••••rms, as to the Lyon, Elephant, and Bull; obtain'd no ••••her fruit of his Complaints but to have his Ears ••orten'd. So the Assembly having expected from the King's ••ood Will some favour suitable to the time, had only ob∣tain'd illusive answers; in which Injustice was joyn'd to Contempt.

During the Session of the Assembly there appear'd divers* 1.31 Books which made a Noise. Mayerne publish'd one which was not proper to gain the Queens heart. He maintain'd in ••t that neither Women nor Children ought ever to be admit∣ted to the Government. This was conformable to the Antient ••ight of the Monarchy, which attributed the Regency to the nearest Princes of the Blood during Minorities. But an expample or two to the contrary had remov'd the Princes from that Imployment: and they were too poor or too

weak at that time, to resume their Rank. The said Book w•…•… condem'd; and the Author Fled. Gourmandier had al•…•…* 1.32 printed a Treatise about the Right of Kings: But it wa•…•… prohibited as well as the other, and all the Copies that cou•…•… be met with seiz'd. The pretence us'd for the said Prohi∣bition, was that the Author had mix'd divers Maxims 〈…〉〈…〉 his Religion in the said Book, which the Court did not ap¦prove. But in general the true reason of it was, that the Authority of Kings is a very nice Point, which cannot 〈…〉〈…〉 treated of without offending them; in so much that King had rather that nothing should be said about it, than ev•…•… to speak advantageously of it. Moreover the Doctrine 〈…〉〈…〉 the Reform'd is commonly divided into two Parts upon the Subject, which offend two sorts of People. The one allo•…•… King's a perfect Independency in relation to the Pope; a•…•… the same authority over the Clergy, as over the rest of the Subjects. The other makes King's lyable to observe Equi¦ty and Justice; The Fundamental Laws of the State, the Oaths and Edicts; and proposes the preservation of the Subjects to them as the Universal Rule of their Soverai•…•… Power. So that it is impossible for their Doctrine to 〈…〉〈…〉 well receiv'd among Catholick Princes. The first part e•…•… animates all the Roman Cabal against them: and the seco•…•… all the Slaves of the Court. The Clergy never scruples 〈…〉〈…〉 Sacrifice publick Liberty to their own Grandeur: and P•…•…¦ces little value the Popes Enterprises, provided they e•…•… an Arbitrary Power over their People. Moreover the•• was a particular reason for the Condemnation of the 〈…〉〈…〉 Book. The Doctrine of the Jesuits upon that Subject w•…•… detested by all the Kingdom; and the condemnation 〈…〉〈…〉 Bellarmin's Book was actually prosecuted in the Parliame•••• of Paris. It was sufficient for those subtile Politicians to se•…•… themselves dishonour'd by Decrees from the Soveraig•…•… Courts: they did not seem to be very sensible to those 〈…〉〈…〉 fronts, because they had been us'd to them, and were ha•…•… den'd in them, from the very beginning of their Socie•…•…▪ But they could not have endur'd that while they were tre•…•…▪

Enemies to Soveraign Power, the Reform'd should be al∣•…•…ed to be the Defenders of it. Therefore they obtain'd 〈…〉〈…〉 Condemnation of the said Book, to involve it in the •…•…e Censure with those of their Doctors.

But the Book which made most noise upon that Subject,* 1.33 •…•…s that which du Plessis publish'd during the Session of the •…•…embly in which he did preside, and which he had intitul••d •…•…e Mistery of Iniquity. It was not so much the dignity of 〈…〉〈…〉 Subject, and the reputation of the Author which made the •…•…k to be taken notice of, as a Cut which was fix'd at the head 〈…〉〈…〉 the Work, which did revenge du Plessis highly for the af∣•…•…nt he had receiv'd at Fontainbleau. The Pride of Paul 〈…〉〈…〉 5th, who fill'd the Holy See of Rome at that time, and 〈…〉〈…〉 Flatteries of his Creatures did afford him a large Field •…•…stile him Antichrist. The first Leaf of the Book repre∣•…•…ted a Tower of Babe••, of a prodigious Architecture, •…•…ch appear'd to the Spectators a subject of Admiration, 〈…〉〈…〉 it was only sustain'd by some pieces of Timber, which •…•…re set on fire. Two Latin Verses advis'd the Spectators 〈…〉〈…〉 to admire that vast Building which would tumble •…•…wn, as soon as ever the fire had consum'd those feeble •…•…porters. In the next place you saw the Effigies of Paul 〈…〉〈…〉 5th accompani'd with Inscriptions so haughty and 〈…〉〈…〉 Impious, That it would have been impos∣•…•…e to give the Reform'd a better hold, tho it had been •…•…he disignedly. Whatever Flateries can be attributed to Temporal Prince; whatever Holy Writ has spoken with* 1.34 •…•…st Emphasis of Jesus Christ himself, was apply'd to that •…•…pe; and underneath the Figure there was a Motto, •…•…ich gave him the Title of Vice-God. This was copy'd •…•…m a Picture made in Italy, to adorn a Triumphal Arch •…•…s'd in honour of that new Pope. But that which was •…•…ost remarkable was that the name of Paul the 5th, joyn'd that of Vice-God in Latin, in the case which belongs to •…•…e Inscriptions, fill'd up very justly the famous number 〈…〉〈…〉 666, which all the Christians according to the testimo∣ny of St. John in the Apocalipse, look upon to be the number

of Antichrist. Joyning the value of the Numeral Letter of that name, according to the use of the Latins made 〈…〉〈…〉 that mistical number.

Du Plessis triumph'd upon that important discovery. 'T•…•… said that he had been inform'd that the Queen design'd 〈…〉〈…〉 recall him to Court, and to imploy him again; and tha•• his Friends had advis'd him, either to defer or to suppre•…•… the Edition of this Book, which would not fail to invol•…•… him into new Troubles. But he preferr'd the advantage of 〈…〉〈…〉 Religion to that of his Fortune at Court. The Reform'•• who were great admirers of those kind of observation•• did not fail to draw certain presages from thence of th•• decay of the Roman See, which manifested its Antichri¦stanity by such evident Characters. To say the tr•…•… that number was made out there so naturally, that it nei¦ther required learning, nor stretching to find it o•…•…▪ There was no need to invent a new Ortography, or bar•…•… rous Names, nor ambiguous Words: and the Title of Vi•…•… God, which made the greatest part of that number, w•…•… so well adapted to the Authority which Antechrist was•…•… pretend, according to the predictions of Scripture, That seem'd to require no other information upon that Subje•…•…▪ Those who had treated about it before, had never ima¦gined any thing so just: and those who have spoken 〈…〉〈…〉 it since have invented nothing farther. There was no 〈…〉〈…〉 cessity to look for that fatal number either in the Greek•• Hebrew; nor to make use of a Calculation unknown to t•…•… Vulgar, and not in use in the Language in which the ap¦plication of it was made. All this was found in the Lan¦guage and in the manner of Calculating of the Latin which the Catholicks call that of the Church: which see•• to be necessary in this Question, which relates, according•• the Catholicks themselves, to a man who is to possess 〈…〉〈…〉 Roman See. So that it is no wonder that du Plessis should value himself upon that happy Discovery; and that t•…•… Reform'd look'd upon it as a real Triumph of their Doctrine▪ The Catholicks was strangly mov'd at the said Book; the Po•…•…

made great complaints about it; The Sorbonne censur'd it; and some private persons undertook to refute it. Among the rest one de Brai St. Germain endeavour'd to excuse the Pope, and lay'd the blame of the excess of the Elogys and the Impiety of the Applications upon the sordid flatteries of the Courtiers. But he made himself ridiculous ••y endeavouring to apply the same number to du Plessis: which he did by turning his name as many ways as he could imagin. The Catholicks have followed that me∣thod untill our Days, from the time of the Reformation, ••s if that Number were the less applicable to their Church, when by a thousand violent efforts they find the way to apply it to another Subject. Antichrist himself, according ••o the very notion of their own Doctors, might make use of that secret, to prove that he is not the person meant by the Apocalypse, because that name has been ap∣plyed for example, to Paul the 5th, with justness enough. That method has nevertheless prov'd useful to them: In turning by those forc'd applications the mistery of that Number into a railliry, they have evaded the serious appli∣cations that might be made of it to the See of Rome.

Before I resume the sequel of what the return of the* 1.35 Deputies in the Provinces did produce, it will not be a∣••••iss to speak a word or two of a Sedition which the Ca∣tholicks excited at Paris against the Reform'd. Part of the Church-yard call'd Trinity was allow'd them. A person of ••he Reform'd Religion caus'd his Childs Corps to be carri'd •…•…hither in open day. Two Marshals men accompany'd it to secure it. But their presence did not hinder an Apprentice from abusing and flinging of Stones at the Reform'd who follow'd the Corps: and his Master in imitation of it did the same. The Marshals men endeavouring to suppress the said Violence, encreas'd the evil instead of appeasing it. The Mob fell upon them as well as upon the Reform'd. Several of them were wounded, and among the rest one of the Officers. As the Court was yet uncertain of the success of the Affairs of Saumur, they thought fit not to leave the said

Sedition unpunish'd. Those who had begun it were seiz'd. The Apprentice was condemn'd to the Whipping Post, and his Master to stand by. They appeal'd to the Parliament, which confirm'd the said Sentence, and it was executed.

The Deputies of the Provinces being come home, Pro∣vincial* 1.36 Assemblies were call'd to hear their Proceedings. This report of new Assemblies made the Court fear that the discontents given to that of Saumur might be attended with worse consequences than was expected. New expedi∣ents were sought after; and they follow'd the advice of the Marshal de Bouillon, which was to send away the Com∣missioners the King had promis'd with all speed; who un∣der pretence of performing the answers to the Cahier, might easily disipate the said Assemblies. Lest the Reform'd Com∣missioners should cross that design, the Marshal nam'd all* 1.37 those that were at his Devotion in every Province. This was done with so little secrecy, that several Provinces re∣fus'd to receive them. The Lower Guyenne gave the ex∣ample of that refusal; and several others follow'd it; tho the Wisest were of opinion that it would be the best war to let them perform their Office without any hindrance. It will be easie to judge of what the Commissioners were to do in every Province, by the manner of proceeding of those that were deputed for Berry. They arriv'd at Blois at the time the Synod was assembling there; and where∣as* 1.38 they were not acquainted with the nature of those As∣semblies, they were suppri'd to see it compos'd of 50 per∣sons; and cited them to appear before them. Twelve De∣puties were sent to them, having the Moderator and his Asso∣ciate at the Head of them. The Commissioners endeavoured to perswade them that their Assembly savour'd of a Cabal; and in order to remove all ill thoughts from them, they made a large Discourse to them about the Queens good intentions. The answer of the Reform'd was a little cold at first. They said that they had been told the same at Saumur; That the Deputies General writ the same thing to them; and that there was no necessity to Cite the Assembly, only

to tell them that, They refus'd to acknowledge the Com∣missioners very civily, covering the said refusal with an in∣treaty that they would be pleas'd not to meddle with their Affairs, nor with the complaints that had already been prensented to them: and whereas the Commissioners did not disist notwithstanding their civility, the Assembly sent them notice soon after it, That they appeal'd from their proceedings. The Commissioners on the other hand, ac∣quainted* 1.39 the Court with their opinion of the said Assembly. They said that they had refus'd to acknowledge them in the quality of Commissioners; and that the Number of the Nobles was not so great as it us'd to be; That their De∣puties went to and fro towards Saumur; That small no∣cturnal Assemblies were form'd there under pretence of Treats; That they continu'd their Session, notwithstand∣ing they had forbidden it; That they hinder'd them, with scorn from executing their Commission; That Vignier, Mo∣derator, had declar'd that the Reform'd would not accept the ••nswer made to the Cahiers of the General Assembly; That they had new demands to make still; That they would resume in the National Synod which was to be held the following year at Privas, or at Rochel, what had been inter∣rupted at Saumur; and that upon the order the Commissi∣oners had given him to Disolve the Assembly, he had an∣swer'd that he would complain about it throughout the Kingdom. The Truth is that he explain'd himself the next day; and declar'd that he only meant the custom of ac∣quainting the Churches with all that pass'd. Neverthe∣less, the Commissioners allow'd them to continue the said As∣sembly, provided they meddled with nothing but the af∣fairs of their Discipline: but they would not allow the report of what had been done at Saumur to be made other∣wise than in their presence. The manner in which they wrote at Court was a little envenom'd, but yet they own'd that the Deputies had express'd a great deal of willingness and quickness in taking the Oath of Allegiance to the King and Queen. By allowing the continuation of the

Assembly, with the restriction I have mention'd, they hinder'd them from making a Provincial Council, according to the resolution of the General Assembly: and they were seconded in that by the Consistory of Orleans, whose Deputy Memin and Hervet Doctor in Phisick oppos'd the said Establishment with great heat, threatning even to acquaint the Magistrates with it. Moreover, the said Hervet writ a Libel against that design, which was not relish'd by the Court. These were the effects of the Divisions of Saumur, which were followed with the like discord in divers parts of the Kingdom.

As Assemblies of this kind were made in all Parts, in* 1.40 which they renew'd the Oath of Union, one of the same kind was held at Castel-Jaloux, which gave an occasion to the Catholicks of Guyenne also to form a kind of Union among them, which savour'd very much of a League. The Commissioners I have been speaking of mention'd the said Union of the Catholicks in their Letters to the Queen; and in order to aleviate the reproach which that novelty de∣served, they compar'd the Union of the Reform'd to the League it self. Nevertheless, there was this difference be∣tween them, That there was no Conspiracy against the Ca∣tholicks, which could oblige them to make a Confedera∣cy to defend themselves: whereas the Reform'd saw one throughout Europe, of which they felt dismal effects in di∣vers parts. That was sufficient to oblige them to stand upon their guard in France. The Protestants in Germany were abus'd in all places by the Catholicks. For which rea∣son the Princes were assembled at Rotenburg, in order to apply themselves to their mutual preservation. Even in France they saw themselves expos'd to bear the burthen of every thing. The Jesuits had a violent desire to settle them∣selves at Troyes a rich City of Champagne, very Populous, and of a great Trade; and omitted nothing that Impudence, Deceit, and Malice are capable to invent in order to suc∣ceed in it. Nevertheless, they met so much opposition in their design, that they were constrain'd to give it over:

But the Reform'd suffer'd for it. The Jesuits feign'd that •…•…ir only design in endeavouring to settle in the said City •…•…s to hinder Heresie from introducing it self there. The •…•…y in order to remove that pretence oblig'd it self never 〈…〉〈…〉 suffer the Reform'd to settle there: which resolution •…•…y have observ'd scrupulously.

This was not the only Mortification that Society receiv'd at* 1.41 •…•…t time. The Sorbonne divided their Censures between the •…•…orm'd and the Catholicks. As they had condemn'd the •…•…ok of du Plessis, they also censur'd some propositions which 〈…〉〈…〉 Jesuits had advanced concerning Ignatius their Founder, 〈…〉〈…〉 declar'd them Impious. One of their Robe censur'd 〈…〉〈…〉 Censure; and having no better reason to alledge, he •…•…ntain'd that it was good for nothing but to rejoyce Cha∣•…•…ton and the Huguenots. They had a great Process with 〈…〉〈…〉 University, for the overture of their College. Mar∣•…•…ere a famous Advocate stun'd them by a thundring Plea: 〈…〉〈…〉 whereas the Parliament was not oppress'd by a Superior •…•…hority at that time, they gave a Decree in favour of the •…•…versity. But the Jesuits had the cunning to publish a •…•…ter without a Name, which they feign'd to be written •…•…hem, which comforted them for their Disgrace, putting •…•…m in hopes of a time that would prove more favoura∣•…•… to them.

Among the Commissioners that were sent into the Pro∣•…•…es,* 1.42 le Masuier and Villarnoul had the district of Burgundy, 〈…〉〈…〉 which the Country of Gex is a dependency. They did 〈…〉〈…〉 meet with the same opposition in that Country, as had •…•…n made else where to those that had the same Commis∣•…•…. Therefore we find several ordinances of theirs of the 〈…〉〈…〉 of that year, and the beginning of the following, con∣•…•…ing the exercise of the Reform'd Religion in that little •…•…liwick: and the Rule of their Judgments was the Edict Nantes, which they look'd upon as a Common Law to those who liv'd under the King's Obedience. Moreover, •…•…e of the said Ordinances were given at the request of 〈…〉〈…〉 Bishop of Geneva, and of the Catholicks of that Canton,

who desir'd that the said Law might be observ'd in favo•…•… of them. It was much for them at that time, to injoy th•…•… privileges of the Edict: but time has given them more bold∣ness; and they have finally oppress'd in that Country, those by whom their Fathers had formerly thought them∣selves very happy to be Tollerated. An Essay of it appear'd the following year.

Perhaps the Reader will not be displeas'd to be in¦form'd* 1.43 by a small affair of the Court, how much the Re¦form'd were dispos'd to forget the hatred and violences past incase they had been any wise incourag'd to do it by▪ better Treatment. The Count de Soissons, Son to a youn∣ger Brother of the Princes of Conde, who had been the Head of the Reform'd, had a quarrel with the Duke of Guise▪ The Court sided with them as it is usual: but the Cou•…•… was abandon'd almost by all the Reform'd: and the Duke de Bouillon, de Rohan, de Sully, la Noue, Gouvernet, eve•• the Grand-Sons of the Admiral Chatillon, and seven others offer'd their service to the Duke of Guise. Th•…•… was a very publick Proof that they would not call him 〈…〉〈…〉 an account for the Blood and Pains, which his Father ar•…•… Grand-Father had cost them.* 1.44

The following year was spent in little Disputes, whi•…•… without proceeding to an open War show'd nevertheless that there were great Animosities; and that one side ha•…•… ill designs, and the others jealousies and diffidences. A•…•… the very beginning there happen'd an affair which pa•…•…* 1.45 without noise, tho it might have prov'd of ill consequen•…•… at another time. The Lord of Vatan, a little Town i•…•… Berry which was of some defence, and in which he held 〈…〉〈…〉 Garrison, was accus'd of favouring the Sale of Prohibited Salt in that Province, and to make Money of it himself. The Court order'd Informations to be brought in against him and that Gentleman thinking to terrifie those that did it, committed some Violences, which oblig'd the Court to put their orders in execution. The Rebellion of that Lord not being suppress'd by the first endeavours

that were us'd to reduce him to his Duty, Forces were sent •…•…inst him; he was besieg'd in his own House, and forc'd 〈…〉〈…〉 surrender upon Discretion; and being sent Prisoner to 〈…〉〈…〉 Conciergerie, he was condemn'd to Dye by the Parlia∣ment of Paris. He had flatter'd himself that the Reform'd •…•…uld Interess themselves for the preservation of his •…•…wn: but no body stir'd for him; and the Town was •…•…en within sight of the Reform'd, who did not offer in 〈…〉〈…〉 least to defend it. Not but that there were People who •…•…aded the consequence of it; and who were of opinion 〈…〉〈…〉 they ought never to suffer the loss of any place of that •…•…d, whatever pretences were us'd to attack it; by rea∣•…•… that if plausible pretences were sufficient, the Court •…•…s too Ingenious not to find new ones daily, and to at∣•…•… them one after another. But the Gentleman's case was ••orreign to those in which Religion was concern'd, That •…•…y did not think it reasonable to make a general affair •…•…t; nor to give their Enemies a reason to reproach them 〈…〉〈…〉 they made use of the Cities that were committed to •…•…r Guard, for the security of their Conscience and •…•…es to protect those that were Violators of the Laws of 〈…〉〈…〉 State. The Judges allow'd the Baron de Vatan, after* 1.46 〈…〉〈…〉 had receiv'd his Sentence to send for a Minister in Pri∣•…•… to prepare him to Dye. The Reform'd either Prisoners, •…•…uch as repaird thither to accompany him had a mind to 〈…〉〈…〉 some Verses of Psalms. But the Catholick Prisoners 〈…〉〈…〉 others who came there out of Curiosity oppos'd it di∣rectly: and Fuzil Curate of the Parish of St. Bartholomew, •…•…o came there in hopes of an occasion to perform some •…•…on worthy of his Zeal, was one of the most earnest, 〈…〉〈…〉 boldest. Their pretence was that the Edict allow'd to •…•…fort the Prisoners, but not to perform the exercise of 〈…〉〈…〉 Reform'd Religion in Prisons upon that account: much 〈…〉〈…〉 in that place which was the Chapel of the Conciergerie. •…•…e Reform'd obey'd; and the Tumult ceas'd.

But at the begining of the same year, there were Deputy of Eight Provinces at Court, which did meet together in or∣der* 1.47 to send thither, to resume the Affairs in the same condition in which the General Assembly had left them; and to Soli•…•…▪ His Majesty to add something more favourable, and more e••¦press to the answers he had made to their Cahier. The Deputy General receiv'd them as if they had spoken in the Na•…•… of all the Churches, because they were Deputed by 〈…〉〈…〉 many Provinces, which were those in which the Reform'd were the strongest. The Court did not use them so. The•• were resolv'd to Condemn the Provincial Assemblys that h•…•… Deputed them, as Unlawful Assemblys: and therefore the•• were oblig'd to send them back again without seeing, o•• hearing them. But the fear of exasperating the said Pro¦vinces by that Affront, made them finally resolve to h•…•… them, after some difficulties. Moreover they enter'd in some Negociation with them; and the Queen being desire•…•… to have Du Plessis advice upon their Demands by an Expre¦she sent to him it inclined People to believe that that aff•…•… would have a happy Issue. The Marshal de Bouillon hinder'd i•…•… and took it as an Affront to him and his that more should 〈…〉〈…〉 granted at the Solicitation of the Deputies of those Unlaw•…•… Assemblys, than the Assembly of Saumur had been able to o•…•…∣tain. The Court which had no Inclination to favour the •…•…∣form'd easily comply'd with the Marshal Duke; and taking for pretence that those Deputys of divers Assemblys not allow•…•… of, could not be look'd upon otherwise than as private Per∣sons who assum'd the name of the General, they were sent ba•…•…* 1.48 without an Answer. Moreover the Court added Contume•…•… to Severity; discharging them in Writing in very offens•…•… Terms, which reflected at once on their Commission at their Persons.

In the mean time they endeavour'd to prevent the en•…•… which they foresaw that rigour might occasion; but th•…•… way they took for it prov'd more Injurious than the Evil•…•… self; and incuring one Wound made another more conside∣rable, and more dangerous. Among all the Resolutions o••

•…•…e Assembly of Saumur, there was none troubled the •…•…ourt more than that of Establishing Provincial Councils. •…•…he Truth is that difficultys were met with in divers pla∣•…•…s for the Execution of that Regulation, and the same dis∣•…•…r'd which had troubled the General Assembly, imbroyl'd •…•…e particular ones: so that it made the Enterprise miscarry 〈…〉〈…〉 some Provinces. But that Establishment was made in o∣•…•…ers; and neither Brigues, nor Craft could hinder it, The •…•…ourt had no mind to proceed openly to the suppressing of •…•…e said Assemblys for fear of exposing their Authority, by a resolution they might not be able to perform: But on the •…•…her hand this new form of Assemblys, which fastned the •…•…nion of the Churches with new Links, which the Coun∣•…•… design'd to break at any rate, was the more Odious to the •…•…ouncil, by reason that it was advantageous to the Party they •…•…d a mind to Ruin. For that reason they be thought them∣•…•…ves of a Wile, which without prohibiting them directly •…•…ade them pass Indirectly for Unlawful: and that design was •…•…ver'd with the pretence of securing those against the procee∣dings of Justice as had assisted in the Assemblies of which the •…•…eputies had been sent back by the Court with contumely. The •…•…ng gave a Declaration on the 24th of April, which beginning* 1.49 •…•…th the design he had had to pursue for the preservation 〈…〉〈…〉 the State the means which the Late King had us'd, to •…•…ake it pass from an extream desolation to a perfect Splen∣•…•…r, by degrees took notice of the answers given to the •…•…hiers of the Assembly of Saumur, and of the sending of ••ommissioners into the Provinces. Those two things were •…•…opos'd in it as great proofs of the good Intentions of the •…•…ourt, and as proper Expedients to remove all the Jealousies •…•…d Fears, which had given the Reform'd a pretence to hold •…•…me Assemblys without leave, and which had created jealou∣•…•…es in others. Those Assemblies were only spoken of by the by: •…•…ey were only stil'd Extraordinary; and they were only imput∣ed to some of the Reform'd; They said that they were only con∣••en'd in some Provinces; The King declar'd that he was very •…•…ell satisfy'd with the good Will, Zeal and Loyalty of the

Generality: Nevertheless he alter'd his tone all of a sudden; and calling that a Crime, which he had just before express'd in such mild Terms, he granted the Remission and Forgive∣ness of the fault Committed by those who had occasion'd the said Assemblys and had been concern'd in the same, for∣biding his Attorneys General and their Substitutes to make any Inquiry after, or prosecution for the same. So far there only appear'd aprelude, of which the Mistery was con∣ceal'd: but finally the last Article of the Declaration re∣veal'd it, prohibiting all Assemblys of that nature for the future, declaring them to be Interdicted by the 28 Article of the Edict, by the Ordinance of the 16th. of March 1606, and by the Answer given to the Cahiers in the Month of August of the said Year. Nevertheless the King allow'd the Reform'd still a full Liberty to hold Consistorys, Confer∣rences, Provincial and National Synods, on condition that none but Ministers and Elders should be admitted in the same, and that they should only treat of their Doctrine and Ecclesiastical Discipline, on pain of forfeiting the Right of holding such Assemblies. The Moderators were to be respon∣ceable for it: and the Cognisance of the infractions was re∣ferr'd to the first Master of Requests being upon the place.

The Deputies General being inform'd that the said Deela∣tion* 1.50 was sent to the Parliament, in order to be Registred, form'd an opposition against it by a Petition, which contain'd an express disavowal of having requir'd it; protesting that they look'd upon it as injurious and prejudicial to the Re∣form'd, and that in the name of the General they refused to make use of it. This opposition, and the proceedings of the said Deputies at Court, in order to put a stop to the said Declaration, stopt the Parliament for some days. But whereas the Count had only given that Pardon, to the end, that supposing the said Assembly to be Criminal, they might have a pretence to suppress them for the future, pro∣ceeded on: and the said Declaration was verifi'd on the 25 of May in the Parliament of Paris, and in other places sooner, or later, according to the force of their Intrigues.

Moreover the Court found out some Reform'd who desir'd •…•…e Inrolment of it, under pretence that having been in∣gag'd* 1.51 imprudently in the said Assemblys, without knowing whether they were lawful or no, they stood in need of a Pardon for their Security. They were Creatures of Mar∣•…•…al de Bouillon, who had only assisted in them, in order 〈…〉〈…〉 cross the Resolutions of the rest, or to give informations ••f what pass'd there. But yet the refusal of it was look'd upon as general, since it was made by the Deputies Gene∣ral, who did represent all the Churches. So that the Inrol∣ment of the said Declaration had something very singular 〈…〉〈…〉 it. It granted a Pardon to persons who desir'd none; ••nd to whom it was only granted, in order to make them declare themselves guilty by accepting of it. It was a very ••ew sort of kindness to pardon people against their W••lls, ••ho desir'd no Pardon; and notwithstanding their oppositi∣on to make a Law of a Remission against which the persons concern'd did protest, before the publication of it.

The Inrolment was made the very next day after the* 1.52 ••verture of the National Synod, which was begun that year 〈…〉〈…〉 Privas on the 24th of May: as if the Court expecting that the Synod would make some new Protestation against the Declaration, had design'd to put it past retracting, when they •…•…ould make remonstrances about it. It is certain at least •…•…at this Synod resented it highly; as I will relate 〈…〉〈…〉 after having mention'd some other important Acts which preceded it. This is one of the Synods that enter'd •…•…rthest into Political Affairs. They examin'd the Conduct ••f those that had created a Scisme at Saumur, and that ••nited themselves to prefer the smaller number to the Plu∣rality of Voices, according to the Queens Letter. They* 1.53 ••ronounc'd a general Censure against those that were con∣cern'd in that Conspiracy. They declar'd that the concor'd 〈…〉〈…〉 often Sworn, had been violated by that Artifice; and ••hat the Divisions of the Assembly had given the King's Coun∣cil an occasion to wave their just demands. Therefore they renew'd the Union, which was sign'd and Sworn by all the

Deputies; who promis'd to get it sign'd and sworn by all the Churches of their Provinces. The Instrument that was* 1.54 drawn of it contain'd a promise to Live and Dye in the profession of their Confession of Faith and Discipline, un∣der the Authority and for the Service of the King and Queen Regent, the Empire of God remaining whole. It was in order to contribute to that Union that a last and definitive di∣vision of the Kingdom was made into 16 Provinces, in which Bearn was Comprehended. Till then the number had not always been the same: which had sometimes occasion'd dis∣putes in the Deputations to the National Synods, and Ge∣neral Assemblies.

In the next place the Synod took Cognisance of some di∣visions* 1.55 which occasion'd mischief and scandal in several places. There were places where the Governor and Minister did not agree: The one being of the number of the Complaisant, and the other of the Zealous. In other places the Mini∣sters could not agree among themselves; which created Parties in their Churches, which the Court knew very well how to improve. Even at Montauban, Benoit and Beraud had continual disputes. Beraud was the most passionate of the two: he had more Vigor and Impatience, and was capa∣ble in case of necessity to quit the Pen to draw a Sword: which in time drew mortifying affairs upon him. Bencit had more weakness: but his Cause was the best; and the Synod of the Province had adjuged it more than once in his favour. Ne∣vertheless, the National Synod oblig'd him to yield to his Competitor; and sent him to serve in the Neighbourhood: but in order to comfort him for that disgrace, they gave him very honourable Testimonials. The Synod thought themselves oblig'd to perform this Act of Authority, for the preservation of Montauban, which might have been in danger'd by the con∣tinuation of a dispute which had already lasted many years.

Ferrier was not forgotten in that Synod. It was upon his account they made an Act which excluded the Professors of Theology out of the Political Assemblies. But they proceed∣ed farther yet against him, and tryed him in a very mortify∣ing

manner. He had of late thrown of his Mask with so •…•…ttle prudence, that he seem'd to have lost his Sences. The •…•…arty he had taken at Saumur had render'd him odious in his Province, and to one part of his Church. He was sensible that •…•…ey would prosecute him in the National Synod: and that ••f the Lower Languedock was so prejudiced against him, that ••e was affraid of a shameful Censure. But the means he us'd to prevent it, only serv'd to render it inevitable. He •…•…ade several suspicious journeys to Court, without the par∣ticipation of his Church. The Ministers of Paris who •…•…ok'd upon him as a dangerous man, us'd their utmost en∣deavours to reclaim him. They thought to flatter his am∣bition by offering him a place in their Church, which wan∣ted a Minister: and there was a great deal of reason to be∣lieve that having by his ill Conduct reduc'd himself to the ne∣cessity of quiting the Church of Nimes, his vocation in the ser∣vice of the Church of Paris would make him amends for ••hat disgrace, and would be a fair pretence for him to quit •…•…s Province with honour. Besides they were less afraid of •…•…m at Paris than at Nimes. He would have had learned, vigo∣rous Collegues there, to have an eye over his actions, who would perhaps have prevented his total ruin. He accepted the offers •…•…at were made to him at first; and even receiv'd the reproach∣es that were made to him for his past faults with great marks ••f Repentance. He confess'd all; he condemn'd himself; ••e wept; but after having promis'd never to abandon his Profession, and to exert it at Paris; he retracted it un∣••and somely: and whether it were that he had promis'd to ••o things for the service of the Court, which this new vo∣cation would disable him from performing; or whether he thought he had credit enough by his friends means, to main∣•…•…imself at Nimes in spite of his Province; or whether •…•…e were absolutely possess'd by the Jesuits, and only acted •…•…y their inspirations, he left Paris without a pretence; and without taking his leave of the Ministers there, from whom ••e had receiv'd so civil and honourable a Treatment.

All this was taken into consideration at Privas; a•…•… du Moulin who gave an account there of what had 〈…〉〈…〉* 1.56 at Paris, where Ferrier had discovered a mind equa•…•… haughty, fickle and without Faith, represented, his con∣duct to be very irregular. Divers accusations were added to 〈…〉〈…〉 relating to his life past, which was examined rigorously They upbraided him for having neglected his prosession of Theology; for having Preach'd Doctrines that we•…•… not Orthodox; for having taken upon him the manage∣ment of Money, and apply'd a very considerable Su•…•… of it to his own use unlawfully; for having himself forg'd or consented to the forging of certain. Letters which h•…•… ingag'd him into shameful affairs, and dishonourable d•…•…∣guises. They censur'd, him severely upon all these Ar∣ticles;* 1.57 but besides the Verbal Censure, the Synod Injoyn•…•… him to write to the Church of Paris to make th•…•… satisfaction; forbad him to appear in Political Assembl•…•… for the space of six years; and order'd him to e•…•… his Ministry out of the Province of Languedoc.

Ferrier was too haughty to obey; and tho he did n•…•…* 1.58 expect so ill a treatment, he was not disheartned. He h•…•… Friends at Nimes, and his Faction was increas'd by a•…•… those who were at the devotion of the Court. By tho•…•… means he prevail'd with the Church and City of Ni•…•… to send Deputies to the Synod on his behalf. They chose them among the Councelors of the Presidial, the Body 〈…〉〈…〉 the City and the Ministers. The Synod gave them hearing; and they omitted nothing to prevail upon the•…•… and to obtain the Revocation of their Judgment: but a•…•… in vain. Moreover the Synod express'd their displeasure at so considerable a Deputation, to favour a Man who betray'd the Common Cause. The Ministers who were joyn'd in it, were censur'd for their complaisance: an•• the Memoirs they had brought in order to his justificati∣on were call'd calumnious. But whereas they were sen∣sible that Ferrier would not stop there; and that the Ma∣gistracy being of his side he would keep his Minestry, o••

which they had not suspended the Functions, they deolar'd him aggravating the matter, that he was actually sus∣pended* 1.59 from that moment, unless he obey'd. Never the∣•…•…s as they had no mind to exasperate him, the Synod •…•…ving thought fit to send Chamier to the Academy of •…•…nta••ban, which desir'd him for their Professor in Divini∣•…•… they sent Ferrier to Montelimar in his room. But •…•…s Indulgence of the Synod did not succeed according their expectation.

The said Synod also receiv'd the Complaints of that* 1.60 Blois, against those who had hinder'd them by their positions from forming a Provincial Council, according the resolution taken at Saumur: and in order to ap∣•…•… proper remedies to an affair of so ill an example, •…•…y deputed three Ministers and two Elders, whom they •…•…rg'd to examine that affair to the bottom, and to •…•…ceed to suspention, and even to depose the Guil∣•…•…

But the greatest affair that was treated there, was that •…•…he Declaration of the 24th of April which the Synod •…•…own'd solemly by an Act that was Sign'd by the Mo∣•…•…ator, his Associate and the Secretaries, which was sent 〈…〉〈…〉 all the Churches, and even Printed in order to send •…•…pies of it throughout Europe. The Synod pretended •…•…t there was a fl••w in the Pardon granted by that •…•…claration; since there had been no crime committed to •…•…der it necessary, that the Assemblies that had been •…•…d since that of Saumur were lawful; that the like •…•…d often been held during the Reign of Henry the 4th •…•…hout ••his ever complaining against them; That when∣•…•…r a permission was given to hold a General Assem∣•…•…, it included leave to hold particular ones either be∣•…•…e the General, to Nominate the Deputies that were to •…•…st at it; or after it to give them an account of their •…•…nsactions there. This was particularly grounded on the •…•…y form of the fatal Letter, the Queen had written the Assembly of Saumur, which commanding the

Deputies to break up, order'd them at the same time to carry assurances of the King's good Intentions into their Provinces: which had induc'd the general Assembly to summon particular ones, to acquaint them with those goo•• dispositions. They added that the Council was not ignorant •••• the resolution of holding those particular Assemblies since the Commissioners that were sent into div•…•… places, had receiv'd Orders to repair thither, if poss•…•… before the Overture: That the King had sent some P•…•…▪sons of Quality to assist at them in his Name, in so•…•… Provinces: That the King's Lieutenants, Magistrates, Coun∣sellors and Presidents, had sent for▪ some of the Deputies of those Assemblies to speak to them, and to know th•…•… Intentions: That the very Commissioners nominated 〈…〉〈…〉 the King had assisted at some of them: That their Ca••i•…•… had been receiv'd in the Council, and that they had trea••∣ed about the Answers that were to be made to the•• from whence the Synod infer▪d that the said Assemblies w•…•… neither Criminal nor Clandestine. They complain'd th•…•… the Reform'd were blacken'd by that Tacit reproach: T•…•… it revivd former hatreds, making them odious both 〈…〉〈…〉 home and abroad by those oblique accusations: which were contrary to the peace of the State. Therefore th•…•… seconded the intreaties which the Deputies General h•…•… made, and the Petition they had presented to the Parlia∣ment of Paris; and did protest that the Reform'd h•…•… neither required nor sought after those Letters, not dee•…•…▪ing themselves guilty in any respect, and being ready 〈…〉〈…〉 expose themselves to all manner of torments rather th•…•… to suffer their Loyalty to be tainted by that spot. Th•…•… protested that they would make no manner of use of t•…•… pretended Pardon; and that they disown'd all the pro∣ceedings, avowals, and approbations the said Declaration might take the advantage of, as being contrary to th•…•… approv'd fidelity, in which they promis'd to persevere, a•…•… to maintain it with their Fortunes, Lives and Honou•…•…▪ This Act was dated the 2d. of June: and the Synod

charg'd the Churches of those places where there were ••hambers of the Edict, to make Remonstrances to the ••ounsellors who had suffer'd the Inrollment of the said ••eclaration to be made without a vigorous opposition: •…•…d the Churches of Cities in which there were Parlia∣ments, were also order'd to present the protestations of •…•…e Synod to them.

They also writ to the Marshals de Bouillon and de Les∣•…•…iguieres,* 1.61 to desire them to assist the Deputies General, in order to obtain the revocation of that injurious Pardon ••nd moreover because the Synod dreaded the consequen∣ces of the Division that had broke out at Saumur; •…•…ey imployed their utmost cares to reconcile Peoples ••inds. They charg'd the Deputies General to imploy themselves about it, and gave them for Associates Du Moulin, Durant and de Lisle Grolot, a man of great mer∣•…•… and credit. They wrote to all those who were any ••i••e concern'd in those disorders, and made very lively •…•…d very pressing exhortations to them; and declaring them∣••elves positively for those who had insisted for most sure∣••••, they intreated the Marshal de Bouillon and de Lesdi∣••••ieres to joyn themselves again to the Dukes of Rohan ••••d de Sully, to La Force, Soubise and Du Plessis, and the ••••st of those that were Zealous; to forget all that was ••••st, and all the diversity of sentiments and of opini∣••••s; to lay aside all animosities fomented by their com∣mon enemies; to re-unite themselves to the Churches in ••••eir Remonstrances, in order to obtain favourable an∣••wers, at least upon their most important demands. They ••rit at the same time to Chatillon, to the Duke de Rohan, 〈…〉〈…〉 Parabere, and to others upon the same subject, to ex∣••ort them to a Reconciliation, and to make a Sacrifice 〈…〉〈…〉 their Resentments to the good of the Churches. The ••utches de La Trimouille was not forgotten. She had begun to apply her self to that Work: The Synod writ 〈…〉〈…〉 her to continue; and to breed her Children in good ••entiments of the Reform'd Religion. The said Letters were

carried by divers Persons, who were able to second them but by reason that the Division had pass'd from the great ones to the inferiour sort, the Synod also made strong ex∣hortations to private Persons to reunite themselves; and conjur'd them in a very moving manner not to abandon the Common Cause. Neither did they forget to threat∣en the obstinate with Ecclesiastical Censures, or to denote the Vengeances and Judgments of God against them: and they charg'd all the Ministers to endeavour to restore con∣cord in their Flocks.* 1.62

The Deputies General had brought the Synod a Brief of 15000 Crowns which the King granted for an augmen∣tion to the Sallaries of the Ministers. It was dated on the first of October last past; and contain'd only what rela∣ted to the augmentation: Another had been granted be∣fore, to confirm that of 45000 Crowns of which the King promis'd to continue the payment; declaring that he knew what considerations had oblig'd the King his Father to give that Sum to the Reform'd, to be imployd about their secret affairs. Therefore the King allow'd the Reform'd the same Liberty to dispose of that Sum, which had been granted to them by the Briefs of the late King. But the King did not design to do the same thing in relati∣on to the Brief of augmentation, which the Court un∣dertook to distribute themselves. Insomuch that the said grant which look'd like a favour, was in reality a dange∣rous Snare. All those who were self-interested were fir'd with the hopes of obtaining more from the Court out of that Sum than they expected to get from the Synod, in which the Distributions were made with more Husbandry and Equity. So that it was easy for the Court to make that serve to corrupt the Reform'd, which seem'd to be given to oblige them. Some private Persons had already made their Addresses to the King, in the short time that was past since the Date of the Brief in order to obtain some gratification out of that new Sum. Even some Commu∣nities had been taken by that Charm, and the City of

Bergerac had obtain'd 15000 Livers that way, under pre∣tence of erecting a College.

Moreover it occasion'd a great Alteration that year* 1.63 in the State of Religion in the Bayliwick of Gex, I have related in another place the condition of the Reform'd there, when that Country was surrender'd to the King by the Duke of Savoy. It is the Natural Obli∣gation of Princes to leave all things in the con∣dition in which they find them, when they fall into their hands; at least as to what relates to those Rights which subjection cannot deprive Men of; such as are those of Con∣science, and of Priviledges acquir'd by a long Possession in favour of Liberty. For which reason Henry the IV. had made no alterations there; contenting himself with restoring the free exercise of the Catholick Religion there, until means could be found to reconcile the two Parties about the possession of Estates and Buildings. But Lewis the XIII. his Successor would no longer keep the same measures. The Commissioners which he had sent into Burgundy, of which that Bayliwick was a dependency, took at once from the Reform'd both the Ecclesiastical Revenues, and the Houses, which had formerly been im∣ploy'd for the Roman Church. In order to make them some amends for that loss, the King allow'd them 1200 Crowns for the Salery of their Ministers; and took the said Sum out of the 15000 which he allow'd the Reform'd more than the late King had granted them, in recompence of their Tithes. To this he added leave to build Temples: but he gave no fund towards it. He only order'd two very illu∣sive things; the one was that they should take materials from the demolish'd Convents to imploy them towards these new Buildings: the other, that the Catholicks should pay the re∣parations and amendments of their Churches; and that the said Money should be apply'd towards the Constructions of the said Temples: This was the way to Involve the Re∣form'd into continual Law Suits, to recompence them for the Estates that were taken from them: besides it re∣duc'd

the Salary of the Ministers to a very inconsidera∣ble thing, since they were only allow'd 1200 Crowns, tho there were 12 Ministers at that time in the said Bayli∣wick. Insomuch that taking out of the said grant the indispensible Charges which every Church was oblig'd to be at yearly, there did not remain enough to allow each Minister a Pension of a 100 Crowns. But that which was most remarkable was that the King indem∣nisied the Churches of Gex at the cost of the other Church∣es of his Kingdom; taking out of what he had promised to some, wherewith to make the others subsist.

The National Synod having part of these things before* 1.64 their eyes, and foreseeing the rest, endeavour'd to remedy the same. Therefore they charg'd the Deputies General on the one hand humbly to beseech his Majesty to leave the receit and distribution of the said Sum to the Reform'd, as the King his Father had allow'd them the Care and Management of that which he had granted them; and on the other they order'd them to oppose the endeavours of those who should make their applications to the Court, in order to obtain some Pension out of the said Sum, to the prejudice of the right of the Synods and of the common good. The Town of Bergerac was highly censur'd for having taken that way to obtain the Sum that was granted them; and the Synod injoyn'd them to desist from that pretenti∣on, and not to pretend any thing out of that Sum, unless by the approbation and Will of the Assembly. It proved some∣what difficult at first to make them obey; but finally, the Synod having sent express Deputies thither, to remon∣strate the consequences of the thing to them, they sub∣mitted to the discretion of the Synod; and 1200 Livers were granted them soon after it for their College.

The same Synod renewed all the demands the Assem∣bly* 1.65 of Saumur had already made; and declaring that they were not satisfied with the Answers to the Cahiers of the said Assembly, they form'd others just like them, and charg'd, the Deputies General to endeavour to obtain more favoura∣ble

answers than the preeceeding. But no Article was so earnestly recommended to them, as that which desir'd that the Reform'd might not be oblig'd to call their Religion them∣selves Pretended Reform'd. The Synod charged them to de∣sire in the name of all the Reform'd, that they would soon∣er undergo a thousand Racks than to give their Religion that* 1.66 ••ious Title. As many Persons may be surpris'd without doubt to see the same Article press'd so often with so much ••••nestness, and perhaps may not at first perceive the con∣••••uence of it, I will give you a short account of the Rea∣sons which oblig'd the Reform'd to insist so much upon that latter. Therefore I will observe once for all, that the word Petended is equivocal. It often signifies the undecided and doubtful state of a thing in contestation, upon which nothing ••s been determin'd as yet to bind the Parties: The Judges like use of it as of an indifferent term, when before the de∣••ion they speak of the things which are pretended by one of the Parties, and disputed by the other: and sometimes also the Instruments that are common to both, the parties like use of it in speaking of their Rights, without being a∣••id of doing themselves any prejudice. In a word, Pre∣tended is relative to Pretention, and in that sence implys •••• thing suspicious, or offensive. But it is yet more usually ••en in a signification almost equivalent to the Terms of ••se and Unlawful: and whereas the first sence is in some ••as••re reserv'd for the Barr, the second is of a common use ••ery where else. So that there are words to which the word pretended cannot be joyn'd without giving it an in∣••ious sence. You cannot apply a pretended Merit, or pretended Vertue to any body without offence: and in that ••e a pretended Schollar, signifies an ignorant Person. ••is use of it draws another after it, viz. That the word petended becomes Ironical in several occasions, and gives offensive air of reproach and railery to discourse. There∣fore the Reform'd being sencible what was meant, when ••ey were call'd Pretended Reform'd, took it for an affront. •••• be oblig'd to give themselves that equivocal Name; as

if they had approv'd the opinion which the Catholicks had of their Religion and of their Doctrine.

The Deputies General were also minded to complain of th••* 1.67 Illusive Journey of the Commissioners. It was apparent that the Court had not sent them to better the condition of the Reform'd. Their main Function had only been to disolve the particular Assemblies, and to hinder the establishment of the Provincial Councils. Besides which, they had hardly give any decisive Ordinances; and they had left all the a∣ffairs undecided either by divisions or removals to the Council Their chief expeditions were only to give some Church-yards and far from doing the Reform'd Justice upon their Complaints they had made their condition worse in some places than •••• was before. They gave the Deputies General Instruction•• and Memoirs to second those Remonstrances. The affair•• o•• the Churches of the Bayliwick of Gex were compre∣hended in them; and the Deputies General were charg•• to desire that the Sum which the King allow'd them out o•• the 15000 Crowns of augmentation might be assign'd to the•• upon other Funds, and that something more might be al∣low'd to them to build their Temples.

The success of the Solicitations which the Deputies o••* 1.68 the particular Assemblies had made at Court, had been •••• unfortunate, that in order no longer to offend the Court which took no delight in being troubled with Deputies the Synod resolv'd for the future to imploy the Deputies General to the end that their representations being deli∣ver'd to the King by Persons that were agreable to him, they might obtain more favourable answers. Therefore they charg'd them with a large Cahier, and with the Solicitati∣on of such things as they should have demanded at ano∣ther time by a particular Deputation.

It is observable that the number of the Reform'd was so* 1.69 considerable at that time in the County of Avignon, that they esteem'd themselves strong enough to form a Pro∣vince a part. They desir'd three things of the Synod: To be receiv'd in the communion of the Churches of France:

To make a particular Province, without being mixt with those that were adjacent; and to be assisted with some Sums •••• Money to make the said Establishment. The Synod ••nted them the first Article; referr'd the second to a political Assembly; and excused themselves upon the third. ••t but that the Synod had some Money good out of the preceeding years: but they design'd it for other uses. They ••••ok several Sums out of it to gratifie private persons. A∣mong the rest, Thomson Minister of La Chataigneraye, had a* 1.70 ••ompence given him of three hundred Livers for the Book •••• which he had given the Title of The Chace of the Roman ••ast: and Vignier had a gratification of two thousand Li∣vers for the Theatre of Antichrist, which he had writen by ••••mmand of the National Synod of Rochel. This may ••ve to show that the Synod had not alter'd their Sentiments ••ut the matter of Antichrist.

Soon after the breaking up of the Synod, the Court being* 1.71 ••ss'd on several sides to revoke the Declaration which •• made so much noise; and being moreover disturb'd a∣••t the troubles that were forming in Saintonge and at Ro∣••l, which might be attended with ill consequences, put •••• a new Declaration, which under pretence of removing Scandal which the preceding had occasion'd, did not∣withstanding confirm it. It suppo'd that the preceding had ••y been granted at the request of some particular Per∣••s, who were afraid of being prosecuted for having assisted Assemblies which had been held without leave, and for ha∣••g been guilty of some suspicious actions, as Listing of ••n: which had given them some disquiet, by reason that ••••e of them had been inform'd against in the Chambers ••he Edict: But whereas some People look'd upon that ••don not so much as a remedy for the fears of those who wisely think they stood in need of it; as a desire to lay a ••mish upon the general, the King was willing to remove all ••nner of pretence from the disaffected, and to satisfie the ••d Subjects, who joyn'd the Zeal of their Religion to ••ir obedience, and only desir'd to enjoy the benifit of

the Edicts in Peace. He said that the number of those was much the greatest; and comprehended those in it who ha•• most power to help to maintain publick Tranquility. There∣fore he declar'd by way of Esclaircissement upon the Decla∣tion of the 24th of April, That he was very well satisfi'd with the Reform'd in general, and that for that reason he did forget the faults of particular persons, which shoul•• no wise reflect upon them for the future, provided that the•• kept within the bounds of their Allegiance, and of the ob∣servation of the Edicts.

This new Declaration was dated Jully the 11th. It wa••* 1.72 drawn in Terms which at the bottom signifi'd nothing and which showing that the first had been publish'd upon certain informations made on purpose, to serve for a pre∣tence to the Act of Grace they had a mind to give, reduce it to a particular Pardon; in which the generality seem'd no•• to be concern'd. But at the bottom the King not na••∣ing those he was satisfi'd with, nor those of whom he con∣plain'd, it remain'd still uncertain and undecided to whom th•• said Pardon did belong; which many, and even the greate•• number of those that had assisted in the Assemblies woul•• not accept of: and consequently they had as much rea∣son to complain of the second Declaration as of the first Moreover the Assemblies remain'd still under condemnation as unlawful; and consequently prohibited for the future Therefore that expedient prov'd inefectual; and lest the Evil might go farther, they were forc'd once more to tak•• it in hand again.

I have observ'd that the Synod had indeavour'd to groun••* 1.73 the right of Particular Assemblies, upon the Court's having receiv'd their Cahiers, and given favourable answers to the same. The truth is nevertheless, as I have said it elsewhere that the Deputies were dismiss'd in a kind of insulting manner; and that they had not the satisfaction to bring back those answers. They were made to the Cahiers as pre∣sented by the Deputies General, without looking upon the••

coming from particular Provinces. Three * 1.74 Cahiers were ••us answer'd on the 17th of April. The first contain'd se∣veral Articles extracted out of the Cahier of Saumur. There ••as one among the rest relating to little Schools, whereby ••e King was desir'd to remove the restriction of the num∣ber mention'd in the Answer to the 18th Article of the Cahier •••• Saumur; and that the said Article should no wise preju∣dice the concession of the Edict, which allow'd Reform'd Schollars to be receiv'd without distinction into the pub∣lick Colleges. There was another which desir'd that the Reform'd Associates, which were deprived of a deliberative ••oice by the Answer to the 34th, might have it in Judgments; in those places where the Reform'd were the strongest, they ••ow'd it without contestation to the Catholick Associates. ••••e King did grant the last: and as to the preceeding he rever∣••d the restriction in relation to such places in which the Exer∣••e of the Reform'd Religion was allow'd in the Subburbs; pro∣••ed they were Children belonging to the Town or Subburbs: ••••d he allow'ed the said Schools in the Town it self: but he only ••ow'd the Children of the places adjacent to be sent to School ••he Suburbs: and he also confirm'd the privilege of sending children to publick Colleges, as it was allowed by the Edict.

The second relating to the Administration of Justice was answer'd the same day; and among other things the King confirm'd the preceding Settlements, which render'd the chambers of the Edict Judges of their own Jurisdiction and power: but he added a word to it, which opened a way to ••••ve the said Concession, reducing it to the Settlements made and observ'd. So that under colour of granting all, he granted nothing, since the Reform'd had no need of a new ••••w for such places in which the old ones were observ'd: ••t only to put them in force again in those where they ••••re not observ'd. The King also granted that the Reform'd ••ould not be lyable to be Sequestrators of the Ecclesiasti∣•• Estates seiz'd upon for the Tithes; but it was his plea∣sure that incase they should accept it voluntarily, they ••ould be subject to the ordinary jurisdiction, and should ••t pretend a removal to the Chambers.

The third which related to the Affairs of Dauphine, which were commonly treated of apart, was also answer'd the same day; and among several other Articles, the King par∣ticularly granted these; That the Grounds given to serve for Church-yards should be freed from paying of Tailles, and Rents due to the King; or that incase they should Lay in the Royalty of any other Lord they should have the same discharge, the said Lords being indemnifi'd at the charge of the Communities, injoyning the exemption: That the number of the Judges allow'd of requir'd to judge according to the Ordinances, not being found in the Chamber of Gre∣noble, the Parties might of Right, and without having re∣course to the King, or to the great Council, apply them∣selves to the next Chamber; as it was already allow'd in Case the Judges were divided in their Opinions: That the Reform'd Associate who should be taken by the Catholick Judge, to assist at the Information of Criminal Causes, should also be taken for Assessor with a deliberative Voice in the Judgment, That the Parliament should not be allow'd to give a * 1.75 Pareatis, nor to give a Decree in Causes depending in the Chamber, against persons who publickly profess'd the Reform'd Religion. That the King should create a Reform'd Secretary and a Messenger, to be officiated by such persons 〈◊〉〈◊〉 should be nominated by the Churches of the Province, with the same Sallarys and Prerogatives as others who had the same Offices: That the Parties who had reason to compla•…•… of the Ordinances made by the Commissioners, which th•…•… late King had deputed for the Verification of the Country Debts, might appeal from their Judgment in three Months time to the Party-Chamber.

It appears by those Cahiers that the Chambers had daily* 1.76 new disputes with the Parliaments, concerning their Juris∣diction and Power: So that those Judges allow'd to the Reform'd, to exempt them from putting their Affairs and Lives into the hands of other suspected or partial Judges, for the most part only serv'd to engage them into disputes of Jurisdiction, which almost distracted them. The Parliaments could not accustom themselves to that dismembring of their

own Jurisdiction, which depriv'd them of the major part of Af∣•…•…rs. Therefore upon the least ground they retain'd the •…•…uses of the Reform'd, and refus'd their appeals. At Paris man pretending to have a right of sight upon a certain •…•…ace, the Possessors opposs'd it; and after the appeal of •…•…e Sentence of the first Judge, the Defendants resolv'd •…•…t to submit the Cause to the Chamber of the Edict. The •…•…use was Civil, if ever any was so; since the thing debate was only a little Right pretended upon the •…•…ound of a Community: but whereas the owners of the •…•…d Ground were Monks, the Parliament retain'd the Cause, •…•…etending that it was an Ecclesiastical Cause. Another •…•…an being condemn'd for some pretended Irreverence, by the Inferior Judge, to keep and be at the charge of a burn∣•…•…g Lamp in a Church, was like wise refus'd the removal he desir'd, under pretence that it was a Cause that was excep∣•…•…d: So that it was sufficient in order to deprive a Reform'd •…•…f the Privilege of a removal granted by the Edict, for •…•…e Subaltern Judge to condemn'd him to any thing in which the Church of Rome was concern'd: by this Wile •…•…ey gave the Parliaments a pretence to retain the Causes of Appeal. In other places the Parliaments oblig'd the Messengers, who were to execute any Decrees made by the •…•…hamber establish'd within their Precinct, to take Letters of •…•…junction; as not acknowledging that the said Chambers •…•…ad an Authority to cause their Judgments to be observ'd independantly from the Parliaments. This was the reason for which the Chamber of Grenoble desir'd the aforesaid •…•…ettlement.

Nevertheless, the Chambers of the Edict still retain'd* 1.77 •…•…me notwithstanding these pretences; and then they were •…•…s severe in their Judgments as the Parliaments. The Chamber of Paris gave one that year in the Month of April, upon a very singular Case. A Curate, in resigning •…•…is Cure, had retain'd a Pension upon his Revenue; and in order not to be liable to the Consequences of such Agree∣ments, when sufficient precautions have not been taken to

Authorise them, he had caus'd his contract to be approv'd of at the Court of Rome. His said Pension was constantly paid him while he was a Catholick: but as soon as he had embrac'd the Reform'd Religion, the Assignee would no longer pay it. The said Cause was brought before the Chamber of the Edict, I know not why, since it was at least as much Ecclesiastical, as the others I have mention'd: And they declar'd the Pensionary incapable of injoying the said Revenue, by reason of his change of Religion. The Proselite really acted contrary to the Disipline of the Re∣form'd, which oblig'd all those of his Character, when they embrac'd the Reform'd Religion, to renounce their Benefices, & to preserve none of the Revenues of the same, directly, or indirectly. But the Chamber of the Edict did not judge according to the said Discipline: they only consider'd the Religion of the Parties.

As I have heretofore observ'd that the Reform'd complain'd,* 1.78 that the Commissioners sent into the Provinces had made their condition worse than it was in some places, it will not be amiss to give another proof of it. The Commisioners who had the District of Burgundy, and who made the alte∣rations, I have already mention'd in the Country of Gex, did a thing in the Parish of Chalemant, a depen∣dency of the Diocess of Nevers, which the Reform'd were very much concern'd at, by reason of the Conse∣quence of it. A Reform'd Gentleman whose Family pre∣tended to have a right of Burial in the Parochial Church, had been bury'd there. The Bishop complain'd to the Com∣missioners about it, as of a great attempt; and desir'd the Corps to be remov'd, in order to reconcile the Church which was profan'd by the Burial of an Heretick. Genicourt Master of Requests, the Catholick Commisioner, caus'd the said Corps to be taken out of the Ground, and to be transported to the place which was allow'd to the Reform'd for their Burials. The Reform'd Commissioner was absent at that time, whither it were that he had no mind to have a hand in that extraordinary proceeding, or whither being

one of those complaisant persons nominated by the Duke Bouillon, he absented himself on purpose, not to be ob∣•…•…d to do an Act of Courage, by opposing that novelty. •…•…l this was done with a great deal of Ceremony, and great •…•…rmality: which only serv'd to make the more noise, and give a greater lusture to the Bishop's triumph. But the •…•…rse part of it was the example. It was no novelty to 〈◊〉〈◊〉 a Corps taken out of the Ground, either by the violence the Clergy, or by the ordinance of some Country Judge: •…•…t the thing was done here by a man who had the •…•…ality of Commissioner for the Execution of the Edict; that his Example had the force of a Law, and might authorise all the other Judges to do the like. Moreover was apparent that the Instructions of those new Com∣missioners were very different from those which Henry the 〈◊〉〈◊〉 had given to the Commissioners in 1600. Those had •…•…ders to explain the difficulties which might Intervene in the execution of the Edict, in favour of the Reform'd: at these new Commissioners, by a different method were •…•…ly rigorous Judges against the Reform'd, and all their fa∣•…•…ur was bestowed on the Catholicks.

The Reform'd Inhabitants of la Tierache, in the Bayliwick* 1.79 Soissons, were treated a little more favourably. They •…•…mplain'd that they were oblig'd to repair to very distant •…•…ces, in order to perform the publick exercise of their •…•…ligion, in so much that they were in danger of falling to the hands of the Spanish Garrisons, who treated them Hereticks. This oblig'd them to present a Petition to the •…•…ng, to obtain leave to Assemble in a nearer and safer •…•…ace. They propos'd Gerci, where the Fief did not allow them to meet above thirty at a time; by reason that the Lord •…•…ereof had only mean and low Justice there, the high Justice •…•…longing to the King. They obtain'd as a special favour, •…•…thout consequence or example, the Power of Assembling •…•…ere, as they might have done at a Lord high Justicer: on con∣•…•…tion that incase the House of Greci should fall into the hands 〈◊〉〈◊〉 a Catholick, the said exercise should cease there: or

that a Reform'd Gentleman coming to possess a House 〈…〉〈…〉 the Quality requir'd by the Edict in the Neighbourho•…•… thereof, it should be transferr'd there; and the B•…•… granted in favour of Gerci should remain void. It 〈…〉〈…〉 dated April the 28th, and was Registr'd, at Laon. It •…•…∣pears by this Brief that the Court had not as yet bethoug•…•… it self of the Cavils they have rais'd of late years agai•…•… the Lords Justicers; That there was no doubt of their •…•…∣ving the privilege to receive at the exercises of Religi•…•… that were perform'd at their houses all those who repai•…•… thither, whether Vassals, Inhabitants or others; That 〈…〉〈…〉 said exercise might be establish'd in Fiefs or Justices ne•…•… acquir'd, which the Lords were not in Possession of at 〈…〉〈…〉 time of the Edict of Nantes; and it might also be conclud•…•… that it was not thought certain, that in case a Fief in which 〈…〉〈…〉 said exercise of the Reform'd Religion was establish'd sho•…•… fall into the hands of a Catholick, the said exercise was to 〈…〉〈…〉 by Right: since that in order to hinder its being continu'd 〈…〉〈…〉 Gerci in such a Case, it was thought necessary to express p•…•…∣sitively that it should not be allow'd.

But after all these Particulars, it is necessary to relate•…•… more general Affair, which having lasted untill the follo•…•…∣ing year, without any bodys being able to put a stop 〈…〉〈…〉* 1.80 it, had like to have reduc'd the whole Kingdom to Con•…•…∣fusion. The Division which broke out at Saumur, havi•…•… made a particular breach between the Dukes de Ro•…•… and de Bouillon, the last not being able to conceal his j•…•…∣lousie at the growing Credit of the other, and the D•…•… de Rohan imputing the ill success of the Affairs of the Assem▪bly to the Duke de Bouillon. The Duke de Rohan had 〈…〉〈…〉 greatest number of the Reform'd on his side; but 〈…〉〈…〉 quality of those who adher'd to the Marshal de Bouill•…•… render'd his Party considerable, the more by reason t•…•… he was favour'd by the Court, which made use of him 〈…〉〈…〉 keep up a Division among the Reform'd. Many had sided w•…•… him for sordid self-interested reasons, which the possessi•…•… or hope of a Pension inclin'd to great complaisances▪ •…•…

•…•…e were others whose simplicity and credulity ingag'd them •…•…cently to take the same Party, by reason that they look'd •…•…n it as the most lawful and safest for their Conscience. 〈…〉〈…〉 grand reason the others made use of to dazle them, 〈…〉〈…〉 the specious name of Peace, and the incumbent duty of •…•…ying the higher powers, not only upon the account of anger, 〈…〉〈…〉 also for Conscience sake. The Court kept men in pay to •…•…ach that Gospel; and while they made barefac'd enter∣•…•…es, and did secretly prepare machines which were ne∣•…•…ary in order to oppress the Reform'd, they endeavour'd •…•…ersuade them by those they had corrupted, that they •…•…e oblig'd not to oppose them.

•…•…t is almost incredible how many people were caught* 1.81 •…•…hose Snares; imagining that that Apostolick Doctrine •…•…y allow'd honest people Sighs and Patience: and that they •…•…ate it who take measures to prevent the Injustices, Vio∣•…•…ces, and Treacheries of those who are in Authority. 〈…〉〈…〉 this is the way by which the freest Natives suffer them∣•…•…es to be made Slaves; and that Soveraigns, improving •…•…r credulity, easily impose upon them. It is an Illusion •…•…ch reigns among men, in all the relations they have to∣•…•…her: that notwithstanding they are grounded upon •…•…ain mutual duties, which maintain or destroy each o∣•…•…r reciprocally, the one imagin that tho they violate that •…•…t of the duty which they are oblig'd to, the others are ne∣•…•…theless oblig'd to observe that part which relates to them •…•…ligiously. It is particulary the opinion of those who •…•…d the Rank of Superiors; who when they take the least •…•…e to afford their Inferiors either the Protection, or Justice •…•…t is due to them, pretend that they are nevertheless •…•…ig'd to pay them Submission and Obedience; and how •…•…n soever that pretention may be, yet there are always •…•…ople who rack their Wit; to find out specious reasons 〈…〉〈…〉 maintain it; and Tender Consciences that are persuaded 〈…〉〈…〉 those reasons: particularly when those who design 〈…〉〈…〉 make an ill use of those maxims, joyn some appearance 〈…〉〈…〉 advantage to those reasons, it is difficult to believe

what an Empire they get over simple Souls. They fa•…•… that the Cause of their Benefactors becomes the Cause 〈…〉〈…〉 God; That all the measures taken for self preservation becom•…•… so many Crimes; That oppress'd Subjects can have no 〈…〉〈…〉 dress but the hopes of a better time. And that God 〈…〉〈…〉 reward their simplicity, when they suffer themselves to b•…•… destroy'd by vertue of Passive-Obedience.

Therefore the Court took great care to persuade all th•…•…* 1.82 they found inclin'd that way that it is an Evangelical Do∣ctrine: and to give ademonstrative force by small gratificati∣ons to those reasons wherewith they did second it. Whereupon I can not forbear admiring the confidence which Polititians of∣ten repose in the simplicity of other men, to whom they en∣deavour to perswade, that Religion and Conscience obli•…•… them to submit to those that oppress them, and to the F•…•…∣ters which they design to give them, by preaching Pati∣ence to them: partly as if Thieves, in order to dispo•…•… Travellors to suffer themselves to be stript without resi∣stance, should alledge the lesson of the Gospel to them, which exhorts those who are stript of their Coat, to deli∣ver their Cloak also. However this Doctrine being cry'd up in all parts, and innocently receiv'd by the Simple, and others making use of it to cover their designs; serv'd power∣fully to foment Division among the Reform'd; the o•…•… condemning the foresight of the others, and these recipro∣cally complaining of their ignorance and weakness which ingag'd them to betray the Common Cause unawars. Such Ministers as they could draw into those submissive peacea∣ble sentiments were very kindly us'd: but they met but few of them; and the Court found more advantage to tre•…•… with the Nobility, with Governours of Places, and other Officers: by reason that the services they could do them, in betraying their Party, were of far more consequence▪ Nevertheless, I will add in this place, since I am upon that Subject, in order not to resume it, that when the Reform'd were depriv'd of their Garrisons and Sol∣diers, the Court still kept, particularly in the Meridional

•…•…vinces, some Ministers in Pay, who preach'd up Passive∣•…•…edience in Consistorys, Assemblies and Synods, and* 1.83 •…•…n in familiar conversations; and who always gave a 〈…〉〈…〉 gloss to the Actions of the Court. Those Ministers •…•…sioners prov'd for the most part Rogues, which was •…•…er or later discover'd, either by their revolt, or by •…•…andalous life. But that which is most to be wondered •…•…is that there were sometimes very honestmen, who lov'd •…•…r Religion, and look'd upon it as true Gospel, who •…•…ertheless, receiv'd pensions without scruple; because they •…•…k'd upon them rather as recompences of their affection 〈…〉〈…〉 the Publick Peace, than as ingagements to act against 〈…〉〈…〉 Interest of the Churches. To say the truth, in those •…•…es where the rash and boyling temper of the People •…•…ht easily incline them to Rash and Seditious enterprises, •…•…as necessary that their Ministers should be Wise, Pru∣•…•…t, and Moderate, in order to inspire the same senti∣•…•…ts to their Flocks by their Discourse and example: 〈…〉〈…〉 it would have been much better to have done it upon 〈…〉〈…〉 account of the Justice of the thing, without receiving 〈…〉〈…〉 least gratifications from the Court, than to take those •…•…icious recompences, which might call their Innocence 〈…〉〈…〉 Integrity in question. Du Moulin had often been •…•…pted by persons sent to him from the Court, who •…•…'d him great Pensions without exacting any thing from •…•…, but barely to incline people to Peace and Obedience. 〈…〉〈…〉 always answer'd that it was a Duty he would ever per∣•…•…: but that he would have the honour to do it of 〈…〉〈…〉 own accord out of Conscience; and not as being •…•…'d to it. So that he never accepted any thing that 〈…〉〈…〉 offer'd him. It were to be wish'd that all those who •…•…e expos'd to the same Temptations, had withstood them 〈…〉〈…〉 the same Courage.

While the Court caus'd Peace and Patience to be preach'd* 1.84 •…•…ng the Reform'd, they did not fail at the same time to •…•…e them put those Lessons in Practice. They almost •…•…lickly violated the Faith of the Briefs, and promises

they had amus'd them with. They remov'd some Gover∣nours of Places, corrupted others; and barter'd with 〈…〉〈…〉 to get them out of their hands. Besides those places 〈…〉〈…〉 which the Assembly had desir'd the restitution by their 〈…〉〈…〉 hiers, Rambures had suffer'd Aiguemortes to be taken: B•…•…∣sur Mer had been sold for ready Money; and as so•…•… as ever the Court got it into their hands▪ they c•…•… it to be Demolish'd: They did treat with Candela•…•… buy the Government of Rosay of him. They us'd all 〈…〉〈…〉 of means to sow Divisions in Rochel, and to o•…•… the Election of a Mayor, Devoted to the Court. 〈…〉〈…〉 Catholicks of Saintes were order'd to Arm themsel•…•… upon some pretence or other; which occasion'd g•…•… Alarms among the Reform'd. Finally, the use the C•…•… made of the 45000 Livers of augmentation they 〈…〉〈…〉 granted for the Sallary of the Ministers, show'd p•…•…∣ly that they design'd to ruin the Reform'd, Since 〈…〉〈…〉 only granted them favours to divide them; and 〈…〉〈…〉 favours which were to be employed for their advant•…•… became by the cunning of their Enemies snares to supp•…•… them.

Among the other places which the Court had a 〈…〉〈…〉* 1.85 to get out of their hands, they had an eye upon St. J•…•… d'Angely, and they endeavour'd to under mine the Du•…•… Rohan's Party there. La Rochebeaucour his Lieutenant, whe•…•… he expected to become Governour in Chief of that 〈…〉〈…〉 portant City, or whither he thought himself s•…•… enough there no longer to have any dependence on 〈…〉〈…〉 Governour, suffer'd himself to be mannag'd by the Co•…•… He had caus'd a Mayor to be Elected the preceding y•…•… who was at his Devotion; and in order to strengthe his Authority, he undertook to maintain him in that P•…•… tho he was sensible that the Duke of Rohan would 〈…〉〈…〉 offended at it. The said Duke was come to Paris, where•…•… was very well receiv'd by the Queen; and that Prin•…•… in order to slip the time of the Election of a new Mayor▪ •…•…∣press'd a great deal of kindness to him during the fou•…•…

•…•…t as he tarry'd there. But the Duke being acquainted 〈…〉〈…〉 the design that was on foot to continue the ancient 〈…〉〈…〉 or, and the great Brigues la Rochebeaucour made in order •…•…eunto; he concluded that the Marshal de Bouillon had •…•…d him that trick, to dispossess him of one of the most •…•…siderable Cities of Surety. Whereupon he left •…•…is at a time when it was least expected; and the •…•…er to conceal the motive of his sudden departure, 〈…〉〈…〉 gave out that he had receiv'd Letters that his Brother 〈…〉〈…〉 Soubize lay a Dying. He went to his Brother in∣•…•…d, but it was only to consult with him about the •…•…ns to secure St. John d'Angely, and to get such a Mayor •…•…e could confide in. That City was one of those that 〈…〉〈…〉 a Rightat that time to create their own Mayor, who •…•…rwards receiv'd the Kings approbation: and it be∣•…•…ed the Person who was to Command there to have 〈…〉〈…〉 disputes with the said Magistrate, who had a very •…•…t authority. As he was the Master of the Polity 〈…〉〈…〉 the Inhabitants were at his Command; and when 〈…〉〈…〉 was belov'd by the people, it was in his power to •…•…ke them take Arms or to lay them down; which •…•…ht put a Governour at a great loss▪ who had only a •…•…ll Garrison at his Command, which was not capa∣•…•… to hold out against the Inhabitations of a great •…•…y.

Therefore the Duke having taken his measures with* 1.86 〈…〉〈…〉 Brother, with the Nobility of the Neighbourhood, 〈…〉〈…〉 some Inhabitants of St. John, he repair'd thither be∣•…•…e the Election was perform'd. The Queen finding her •…•…erprise broken by the Dukes presence, resolv'd to take 〈…〉〈…〉 advantage of his Journey, to execute a design she 〈…〉〈…〉 contriv'd with la Rochebeaucour▪ She wrote to the Of∣•…•…rs and to the Town House▪ that in order to prevent the 〈…〉〈…〉 effects of the Election of a new Mayor, she desir'd that 〈…〉〈…〉 old one might be continu'd. The Duke of Rohan, who had •…•…n'd his point, refus'd to submit to those orders. He oppos'd 〈…〉〈…〉 Continuation of the Mayor in writing▪ and declar'd

bodly that the People had abus'd the Queens Authority 〈…〉〈…〉 obtain the said Letter. That affair was somewhat Ni•…•…* 1.87 and as some thought the Duke had imbroil'd himself 〈…〉〈…〉 little too rashly in it, others also were of opinion th•…•… the Queen had expos'd herself too much, and that 〈…〉〈…〉 had been ill advis'd. St. John was a free City, a City 〈…〉〈…〉 Surety, jealous of her Privileges, and in a Province in whi•…•… the Reform'd were the strongest. Therefore this undertaki•…•… to alter the accustomed form of the Election of a Majo•…•… to use Authority in order thereunto, under pretence of 〈…〉〈…〉 discord which did not as yet appear, gave cause to suspe•…•… that the Court had a design upon the Priviledges of 〈…〉〈…〉 Inhabitants, which were violated without necessity; 〈…〉〈…〉 upon the surety of the place, which they endeavoured 〈…〉〈…〉 commit into the hands of suspected persons; or perhap•…•… upon both.

Nevertheless, the thing was very much resented 〈…〉〈…〉* 1.88 Court; and the Queen being inform'd of the Duke of Ro∣han's opposition, caus'd his Lady, his Daughters, and 〈…〉〈…〉 his Family to be Secur'd. She put a Gentleman into the Bastille, who was sent by the Duke to justifie his Acti∣on: She caus'd the Duke to be proclaim'd a Rebe•…•… and order'd an Army to march against him. She w•…•… to Authorise the▪ said enterprise her self by her Presence▪ and because it was necessary to prevail with the rest 〈…〉〈…〉 the Reform'd to suffer the said Duke's Ruin, and the lo•…•… of St. John without opposition, she was to make a sole•…•… Declaration that she had no design against any body b•…•… the Duke and his Adherents; to confirm the Edicts suffer all such to live in Peace who did not ingage i•• those Troubles; The Queen was to take the Marshal•• de Bouillon and Lesdiguieres to Command under her in that Expedition: and as if the Court had bee•• as ready to act as to order, orders were strait dispatch'd to the Officers that were to Command in the said Army, to keep themselves ready to mar••••▪ Manifestos were publish'd on both sides. The Dukes up▪

•…•…aided the Court with all their Wiles; and endeavour'd 〈…〉〈…〉 prove that the consequence of that affair was general. •…•…at which appear'd in the Queens name, endeavour'd 〈…〉〈…〉 create suspicions about the Duke of Rohan's intentions, •…•…d to justifie the Court, to perswade that their only aim •…•…as against that Rebel, and that she design'd to maintain •…•…e Edicts: and finally, it invited the Catholicks and Re∣•…•…m'd to serve the King in that occasion.

The End of the Second Book.

Notes

• * 1.1

  The An∣swers to the Cahier satifies no body.
• * 1.2

  Neverthe∣less they resolve to break up.
• * 1.3

  Tho' no∣thing had been done worthy of the Assem∣bly.
• * 1.4

  Artifices to disgust Chamier.
• * 1.5

  Ferrier re∣tires.
• * 1.6

  Why the Court was unwilling to appear the Cause of those Divi∣sions.
• * 1.7

  Regulations drawn by the Assem∣bly.
• * 1.8

  Commons.
• * 1.9

  Provincial Councils.
• * 1.10

  Their Fun∣ctions.
• * 1.11

  Regulati∣ons of Ʋni∣on.
• * 1.12

  The Mar∣shal de Bouillon will not al∣low the Mi∣nisters to make a se∣parate or∣der or Body in those Councils.
• * 1.13

  Ministers and Elders &c.
• * 1.14

  † Petitions and Ad∣dresses. Substance of the General Cahier and of the an∣swer made to it.
• * 1.15

  Cahiers an∣swer'd.
• * 1.16

  A Land Tax, &c.
• * 1.17

  Cahirs an∣swered.
• * 1.18

  Cahiers an∣swered.
• * 1.19

  Yielding up a Title or Right to a Creditor, &c.
• * 1.20

  By whom the Cause ought to be tryed.
• † 1.21

  Criminal Cases.
• * 1.22

  Courts of Justice.
• * 1.23

  Cahiers answer'd.
• * 1.24

  Cahiers answer'd.
• * 1.25

  Cities or Towns an∣nex'd to others.
• * 1.26

  Towns, Castles. &c.
• * 1.27

  Cahiers Answer'd.
• * 1.28

  Articles in favour of Bearn.
• * 1.29

  Mutual re∣proaches of the Mem∣bers of the Assembly.
• * 1.30

  Petitions or Addres∣ses.
• * 1.31

  Books which make a noise.
• * 1.32

  Niceness of the Doctrine concrning the Autho∣rity of Kings.
• * 1.33

  Books of Du Plessis.
• * 1.34

  Number of 666. Paulo 5 Vice-deo,

  • V. 5.
  • L. 50
  • V. 5.
  • V. 5.
  • I. 1.
  • C. 100.
  • D. 500.
  • 666

  Justness of the Cal∣culation.
• * 1.35

  Sedition at Paris.
• * 1.36

  Return of the Depu∣ties into their Pro∣vinces.
• * 1.37

  Commissio∣ners in di∣ver•• places where they are not re∣ceived.
• * 1.38

  Synod at Blois which the Commissio∣ners are al∣larm'd at.
• * 1.39

  They writ to Court about it.
• * 1.40

  Assembly at Castel-Jaloux which caus∣es a kind of League of the Catho∣licks.
• * 1.41

  Mortifica∣tions re∣ceiv'd by the Jesuits
• * 1.42

  Commissio∣ners in the Country of Gex.
• * 1.43

  The Refor∣med in a quarrel take the part of the House of Guise.
• * 1.44

  1612.
• * 1.45

  Death of the Lord de Vatan.▪
• * 1.46

  They allow him a Mi∣nister to prepare him to Dye: but they hinder him from sing∣ing Psalms.
• * 1.47

  Deputies of the Provin∣ces at Pa∣ris.
• * 1.48

  Sent back Outragi∣ousty.
• * 1.49

  Decleration of the 24th of April.
• * 1.50

  The Depu∣ties Gene∣ral oppose the Inrole∣ment.
• * 1.51

  Which is notwith∣standing perform'd.
• * 1.52

  National Synod of Privas.
• * 1.53

  Censures about the Divisions of Saumur.
• * 1.54

  Ʋnion Signed and Sworn.
• * 1.55

  Private Divisions.
• * 1.56

  Grave ac∣cusations a∣gainst him in the Sy∣nod.
• * 1.57

  Which cen∣sures him grievously.
• * 1.58

  Nimes de∣putes to preserve him.
• * 1.59

  And the Synod ag∣gravates.
• * 1.60

  Complaints of the Sy∣nod of Blois.
• * 1.61

  Cares of the Synods for the re∣conciliation of the Grandees.
• * 1.62

  Brief of augmenta∣tion of the Sums allow'd to the Re∣form'd.
• * 1.63

  Alterations made to the state of the Reform'd in the Coun∣ty of Gex.
• * 1.64

  The Synod, endeavours to prevent the abuse that is made of the said aug∣mentation.
• * 1.65

  Andrenews the de∣mands of the Assem∣bly of Sau∣mur.
• * 1.66

  Reasons of the Repug∣nancy so of∣ten ex∣press'd a∣gainst the Names of Pretended Reform'd Religion.
• * 1.67

  Complaints concerning the Com∣missioners.
• * 1.68

  Resolution no longer to send parti∣cular Depu∣tations to the Court
• * 1.69

  Force of the Reform'd in the Coun∣ty of Avig∣non.
• * 1.70

  Gratifica∣tion.
• * 1.71

  New De∣clarations upon the preceeding.
• * 1.72

  Which gives no satisfacti∣on.
• * 1.73

  Cahiers an∣swer'd.
• * 1.74

  Petitions or Addres∣ses.
• * 1.75

  Injuncti∣on.
• * 1.76

  Enterprises of the Par∣liaments upon the Jurisdicti∣on of the Chambers.
• * 1.77

  Severity of the Cham∣bers of the Edict.
• * 1.78

  —The Corps of a Reform'd Gentleman taken out of the ground again, by the order of a Com∣missioner.
• * 1.79

  Favours granted to the Refor∣med of la Tierache.
• * 1.80

  Division of the Duke de Rohan and the Marshal de Bouil∣lon, and the sequel.
• * 1.81

  Abuse the Deputies which in∣joyn obedi∣ence.
• * 1.82

  The Court makes use of the Do∣ctrine of Patience.
• * 1.83

  Ministers Pentioners.
• * 1.84

  Wiles and Inju∣stices of the Court.
• * 1.85

  Enterprise upon St. John d'Angely.
• * 1.86

  The Duke of Rohan prevents it.
• * 1.87

  notwith∣standing orders from the Court to the con∣trary.
• * 1.88

  The Queen is offended, and things seem to in∣cline to a War.