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THE HISTORY OF THE Edict of Nantes. THE SECOND PART. THE 'LEVENTH BOOK.

BUT the next Year a violent Tempest pour'd down upon* the Reformed. The Assembly of the Clergy was sate* own before the end of the Year 1635, and the chief Depu∣•s on'y spoke to the King upon the Subject of the Regale, ••ich the Parlament of Paris went about to extend to all the •shopri•s in the Kingdom. But de Nets, Bishop of Orleans, ••uld not confine himself within those Bounds, when he made •• Speech to the King upon the 17th of February. For he made* ••e most violent Harangue that had ever bin spoken, against the •eformed, till that time. He utter'd nothing but Extravagan∣•s, Ravings and Blasphemies; nor did he vouchsafe the Re∣formed any more honourable Epithetes, then those of Insolent, •…ad, and Frantic. 'Tis true, that at first, he acknowledg'd that 〈…〉 the States of the Kingdom had applauded the Design of the ••ngs of France to attempt the Cure of the Reformed, to whom 〈…〉 gave the Appellation of Distemper'd, by gentle Remedies; •…at is to say, by the Edicts of Peace: and to honour the Cler∣•• with a false Moderation, he added, That the Ecclesiastical ••dy itself would not have bin sorry to have seen stifl'd and ex∣tinguish'd so many Fires kindl'd to reform and punish 'em, and 〈…〉 set up in their room Lights more pure and innocent to illu∣minate their Consciences and Understandings. But for all this •…ir Beginning, he fail'd not to accuse the Reformed of three ••ings extremely odious. The first was, for openly violating* ••e Edicts: the second was, for ceasing to pray to God for the •…ing in their Psalms: and the third, for prophaning and blas∣pheming the Sacred Things.

Page  522The great Proof of the first Accusation was drawn from the* Act of the National Synod in the Year 1631, wherein it was de¦clar'd, That the Lutherans might be admitted to the Commu¦nion, to intermarry, and present Children to Baptism. Which he pretended was contrary to the Edicts, because it tended to the introducing of a new Religion into France; as if by that Act of Fraternal Communion, the Synod had ever pretended to as¦sociate the Lutherans in the same liberty of teaching their Opi¦nions, and publicly exercising their Religion, as the Reformed ha• obtain'd by the Edicts. Which nevertheless was so far from th• intention of the Synod, that in the Act of the Union itself, 〈…〉 was expresly requir'd, That such Lutherans as should be made choice of for Godfathers, should promise to teach 'em no other Doctrines then those about which there was no dispute. How ever the Bishop hung fast upon the Apology for that Reunion which Daillé had publish'd about two years after the Synod broke up. That same Minister had taken for the foundation 〈…〉* his Justifications the difference of Errors; of which there were some that were not so heinous as others; and among whi•• as there are some that are intolerable, that brake all commu¦nion between the Orthodox and the Erroneous, so there an• others that may be born withal, as no way tending to such 〈…〉 Rupture. He alledg'd for an Example of the latter, the Opi¦nion of the Greeks about the proceeding of the Holy Ghose which he did not believe to be of that consequence as to autho¦rize a Schism. He endeavour'd also to settle general Rules, to judge what those Errors are that break communion by reason of their extreme distance from the Truth. This was a very prudent Apology, and the Author's Principles were manag'd with so much discretion, that it was impossible for any person to be offended at 'em, unless blinded either by his Passion or hi• Ignorance. The same Daillé publish'd the next year a little Treatise, which he entitl'd, Faith grounded upon Scripture which destroying the Authority of Tradition when the Dis∣pute lay about Articles of Faith, prov'd exactly the Doctrine o•… Page  523 •…e Reformed, and gave light to the Rules which he had pro∣•…'d for the discerning of Errors.

The Bishop attacqued these two Books with extraordinary ••olence. He could not endure that Daillé should think the ••nathema pronounc'd against the Greeks too severe, only for an 〈…〉 considerable deviation from the Doctrine of the Latins, •…uching the proceeding of the Holy Ghost; and so insisting upon that Indulgence, and some other Principles that Daillé ••d maintain'd, he accus'd him of teaching, either in express •…erms, or by Consequences necessarily drawn from his Doctrine, •…at all Heresies would admit of a Dispute, except eight of the most important. I know not how the Episcopal Charity 〈…〉 that Prelat could accommodate the usual Maxims which •…each up Union, and detest Schism in such vigorous Terms, •…ith this Complaint of a horrid Attempt of a Minister, that •…t no more then eight Reasons of Division among the Chri∣•…ans: as if the grand Interest of public Edification and •…iversal, ought not to make all good men wish, that •…ere had bin less then eight Reasons of Divorce, if they •…uld have bin reduc'd to a lesser number, without doing •…jury to the Truth. But the Bishop's aim was to in∣dicate, that this was to teach an Indifferency in Religion ••n•rary to the Edict, and that according to Daillés Prin∣ciples, no Man was bound to quit his Sect, to embrace a better opinion.

The second Accusation was still more malicious. And the* •…etence which the Bishop took for it, was the Alteration made 〈…〉 the 20th Verse of the 20th Psalm, which is the 19th accord¦ing to the Latin, and begins with these words, Lord save the ••ing; and in the French Paraphrase of the Reformed, thus, •…he Lord hear thy Prayer. 'Tis true, that this last Verse had •…rmerly bin paraphras'd after this manner: Be pleas'd, O Lord, 〈…〉 defend us, and preserve the King. Be pleas'd to hear our Pray∣ers, when we cry unto thee. But the Reformed having made •everal Alterations in Clement Marot's Paraphrase, when they ••ppli'd it to the Public Use of their Devotions, because his ex∣pressions Page  524 were a little too harsh, too roving, and somewhat to•… slight, and having made these Alterations at several times, an•… upon several occasions, it happen'd that this Couplet of the Psalm was corrected among others, as having bin translated by the Poet after a manner more conformable to the Vulgar, the•… to the Hebrew Original. Thereupon this Paraphrase was in∣serted instead of the former, Be pleas'd, O Lord, to defend 〈…〉 and cause the King to hear our Petitions. Encounter all our Fears. I make no question, but that when this Correction was made, the Reformed had a design to have a formal Prayer, ex∣tracted from the Words of the Holy Ghost, to desire of God who governs the hearts of Kings, that he would encline hi• to be favourable to their Suits. Upon that score the•… found this New Paraphrase more suitable to their Occas•…¦ons, as being in their Opinion more conformable to the He∣brew then the former. But certainly he must see with the Eyes of a very Irregular Passion, who sees any thing in the Alteration, with which a Sovereign Prince could be justly an• deservedly offended.

Nevertheless, the Bishop found, as he thought, two Gro•…* Errors in this Correction. The one was, That the Sense was corrupted: And the other was, That the Reformed had put themselves in the King's room; and that they had as∣sum'd the Prayer to themselves which the Holy Ghost ha• dictated in his behalf. This was branded as a piece of Inso∣lence, and an Attempt, which abolishing the Prayer that ought to be offer'd for the Preservation of the King, ravish'd from him, as much as in 'em lay, the Honour, Fear and Tribute that was due to him. So that the Bishop would fain have prov'd from thence, That had it bin as much in the power of the Reformed to deprive the King of all the Prerogatives of his Crown, as it was to alter the words of the Psalm, they would never have scrupl'd to have done it. And this Accusation was aggravated with all the Tours, the Dresses and Enamellings of a Quaint Wit, that Propense Ma∣lice and Black Malignity could infuse into a Quick Imagina∣tion. Page  525 Nevertheless, there is one Reflection to be made up∣on the Transports of this Outragious Bishop, sufficient to •…scover the Injustice of 'em; that this Alteration had bin made for above Seventy years, and yet never any notice •…d bin taken of it; and we find at this day the same Cor∣rection in the Psalms that were printed in 1560, and 1561. Therefore had this bin such a Crime, 'tis a wonder that the ••al of the Catholic Clergy should sleep so long without •…er taking cognizance of such a Capital Crime. But the times were chang'd, and the Bishop might say what he •…as'd against an Unfortunate Party not in a condition to •…s•nd themselves.

The Third Accusation was grounded upon the Expres∣sions* which the Ministers made use of, in speaking of the mysteries of the Roman Church. The Bishop call'd Drelin∣•…rt Impious and Blasphemer, by reason of the disrespect∣•… Expressions which were to be found in his Writings. That •…nister, the True Scourge of Controversie-Mongers and Mis∣sionaries, and who had learnt from Moulin the art of finding •…t the ridiculous part of Superstition, call'd things by their •…mes with great liberty. For he call'd the Church of Rome, •…famus Strumpet, and the Idolatrous Babylon. He call'd the ••crament which the Catholics adore, a God of Dow, an •bomination, a Wafer, which the Priest would make you believe he has turn'd into a Deity, after he has blown up∣•… it four or five words. He handled the Mass like a piece 〈…〉 Farce and Mummery. Moreover, the Bishop accus'd him 〈…〉 saying that the Virgin was an Idol, and the worshipping ••r an Abomination: That the Festivals of the Saints were 〈…〉 meer Superstition; that their Legends, which the Prelate 〈…〉 the History of their Vertues, was a Gallimaufrie of Ex∣••a••gant Romances and Idle Tales. He complain'd that the same Minister had call'd the Pope Antichrist, and Cap∣tain of the Cut-purses, meaning the Bishops and Monks: •…d that he had call'd it in question, Whether he were Page  526 St. Peter's, or Simon Magus's Successor. Above all things, • ascrib'd to him one thing very Criminal, that he had asserte• that St. Lewis at the point of death disgusted the Mass. Up¦on which we must observe, that one of the most wicke• and insnaring Questions which the New Missionaries starte• to puzzle silly People, was, Whether they believ'd, th•* Charlemaigne, or St. Lewis, or the Reigning King, we•• damn'd? 'Twas High Treason to answer in the Affirm•¦tive; and it was dangerous to answer in the Negative. F• then the Missionary concluded, that men might be sav'd • the Roman Profession. But usually they got rid of this fra¦dulent Question by answering, That they made no doubt b• that all Princes were sav'd, because that God enlighten'd 'e• at the hour of death, and infus'd into 'em a good liking • the Romish Superstitions. And this Vulgar Error the Bisho• laid to Drelincourt's Charge, because he had said somethin• like it in some of his Works. However, these Expressio• were not particular to himself, for that the greatest part • the Ministers kept up the custom of talking of the Guid• and Practises of the Roman Church, in such a manner • the Catholics deem'd not very decent. But He stuck cl•¦sest upon Drelincourt's Skirts, because he instructed the Pe•¦ple by his Familiar Writings, and arm'd 'em with easy an• short Answers against the Sophisms of the Missionaries. S• that he was very odious to this new Order of Persecutor• who made it their business for thirty years together, by a• imaginable ways, to do him one of their good Turns.

The Bishop, after these Terrible Accusations, vaun•ed,* know not by what Figure, for it was very singular, that h• was oblig'd to reserve a Charitable and Judicious Silence i• reference to the Language of the Ministers; but though h• forbore to speak of their Crimes, yet he talk'd loud of th• Punishment due to 'em, of which he demanded a severe In¦fliction; that they should be forbid to pronounce such •••¦nous Affronts and Blasphemies against the Church, again• the Sacraments, against the Saints, against the Pope and hi• Page  527 •relates. That those Paragraphs wherein the Pope was call'd •ntichrist, might be raz'd out of the Prayers of the Re∣•orm▪d; that the Prayer for the King might be restor'd as • was. That all Innovations contrary to the Edicts might •e punish'd and chastis'd; that Indifferency in Religion •roach'd by Daillé might be stifl'd in the Birth; that his Books •ight be burnt by the hand of the Common Hangman; and •hat he might be punish▪d severely as a New Arch-Heretic, •ogether with all those that favour'd his Libertinism. Which •a•t Clause had an Eye upon Aubertin, Mestrezat and Drelin∣•••rt, his Associates, who being appointed by the Synod of the Province to overlook the Books, had subscrib'd their Appro∣•ation of his Works. The Bishop at last protested, That he •poke not out of any hatred of Persons, because Charity •orbad him; but to destroy Errors, and prevent the Erro∣•eous from rendring themselves odious to God, unfaithful to •h• King, baneful to themselves, and unprofitable to the Pub∣•ic. This is just pursuing the Motions of a sort of Charity, •ike that of the Inquisition, which puts People to death •fter they have repented, for fear lest if they should let •em, live they should expose 'em to the danger of a Relapse.

The second Article of Complaints, touching the Papaphrase* •pon Psalm 20. of an Affair of State, became a Business of Criti∣•ism: D. Muis, Royal Professor of the Oriental Languages at Paris, •pheld the Bishop's Cause; and in a new Version of the Psalms, wherein he follow'd the Hebrew exactly, and in a literal Com∣mentary which he added, he thought it best to follow the Vul∣gar in the Translation of this Verse. This man wrote against Daillé, who defended himself against the Attacks of the Bishop with as much Vigor as Modesty; and answer'd de Muis in such a manner, as to win the more unbyass'd sort of people to be of his side, or at least so propitious to him, as to judge that there was nothing that could give offence in the Alteration which he had made in the Couplet, or that hinder'd the Psalm from being an entire Prayer for the King. But the third Accusation gave such a Blow, that the Consequences of it were soon felt: For Page  528 the King set forth an Edict which was verify'd in the Parla∣ment* of Paris, March 9. and which condemn Blasphemers of God, the Virgin, and the Saints; For the fourth time, inclusively to redoubl'd Fines, Forfeitures, and Penances: For the fifth time, to be Pillory'd: For the sixth time, to have the Upper-Lip cut off: For the seventh, to lose the Lower-Lip also; And for the eighth, to have the Tongue pull'd out.

'Twas an easie thing to extend the Rigor of this Declara∣tion* to the Reformed, who no sooner taught that the Merits of the Saints were of no benefit to Men, or that God ne∣ver appointed the Holy Mother of Christ a Mediatrix for Sin∣ners, nor Queen of Heaven, but they were accounted Blas∣phemers. For which Reason it was, that upon the noise of this Declaration, John de Gap, a Capuchin, going to hear La Faye, a Minister of Loriol Preach, carry'd a Complaint against him of the 24th of March, and inform'd the Judges of several Blaspemies, which, as he said, that Minister had pronounc'd in his hearing. This Affair spun out for above two Years before it was fully prosecuted; but at last a Capias was issu'd out against the Minister, and Inquiry made after his Person, which enforc'd him to keep out of the way till the Tempest was over. However Chartier a Merchant's Son of Blois had not bin so ea∣sily acquitted, could they but have caught him. For there was a Complaint and an Information put in against him upon the 22th of May, for some pretended Blasphemy which he had utter'd against the Sacrament, the same Day that the Romish Church carries it about in a Pompous Procession. Now in re∣gard he did not make a voluntary Appearance, but kept him∣self from being taken, he was condemn'd for Contumacy the First of October, to undergo the Amende Honourable before the Principal Church of Blois, to have his Tongue bor'd, and his Lips slit; to be Fin'd Three hundred Livres to the Poor, and Banish'd for ever out of the Balliage and County of Blois. These were the Fruits and Penalties of this Declaration. But this Violence lasted not long; and tho we have seen from time to time some Vexation arise from this Fountain; nevertheless Page  529 •t was not the Occasion of so much Mischief as they who set •orth the Edict expected.

As for the first Accusation, it produc'd no more then Childish* Cavils, with which the Missionaries astonish'd inconsiderable People: Not but that the Clergy would fain have made a Busi∣•ess of Importance of it. For the Bishop of St. Flour, who took •is leave of the King, in the Name of the Assembly, upon the •oth of April, could not forbear talking of the Ʋnion with the Lutherans after a most Envenom'd manner. He made a Speech full of Allusions to the Affairs of the Reformed, more especially •o the taking of Rochelle, which he call'd the Rock that had a share 〈…〉 all the Commotions of the Kingdom, and the Foundation of a Re∣•igion contrary to that which Christ establish'd upon the Rock. A∣mong other things he congratulated the King, That his Power which in other Reigns was limited, now knew no bounds. A Complement which it is a difficult thing to believe, That Sub∣•ects who have any Sense or Understanding, Cordially bestow •pon their Sovereigns. The rest of his Speech rowl'd all upon •he Immunities of the Clergy, which as he made the King be∣•ieve, were violated in divers things. Moreover, he presented* •o the King a Paper from the Assembly, of which there were ma∣•y Articles that concern'd the Reformed. The greatest part were Answer'd by the King, with those Extensions that carry •he Concession farther then was desir'd. Thus the Sixteenth* Article demanded, That the Reformed might preach no more up∣on the Lands which belong'd to the Ecclesiastics; nor within 5 Leagues within Cities where Parlaments sate, nor in Episcopal Cities, nor in Places so near Catholic Churches, as to disturb Divine Service: That Churches built in such Places might be pull'd down within three Months; and that the old Church∣yards might be reserv'd to the Catholics. The King granted every thing, and added the pulling down of all Churches that had bin built since the Edict, without Letters Patents enregi∣ster'd: And in Cases of Difference about the Execution of the Edict, he summon'd the Cause before himself, because at that time there were no Commissioners. In like manner, as to the Page  530 Thirty second Article, wherein the Clergy demanded that the Ministers might not be suffer'd to Preach in the Annexes,* the King exprest the Prohibition in more rigorous Terms then those of the Demand; and forbid the Ministers to Preach with∣out the Place of their Habitation.

Likewise to the Thirty third Article, which requir'd the* Executions of Decrees of Parliaments, and Grand Assizes, for the Demolishing of Churches, the King consented; and with∣all, added those that had bin set forth for the Restoration of the Ecclesiastics to their Estates and Priviledges; and upon pretended Infringements of the Edicts committed by the Re∣formed. The rest demanded that the Chamber of the Edict, or Party-Chambers might not take Cognizance of Appeals of Temporal Persons from Ecclesiastical Courts; That the Re∣formed might be depriv'd of such Honorary Priviledges as belong'd to 'em in the Churches: And that the Bishop might confer Benefices instead of Him who had the Right of Patro∣nage. That the Reformed Judges might not take Cognizance of the Transgressing of Holidays; That the Judges of Courts possest in Peerage with the King, if they were Reformed, might be Reimburst, and Catholics put in their room: That the Commission given out for the Execution of the Edict in the Dauphinate, might be revok'd; That the Materials of the For∣tifications of the Reformed Cities which had bin Demolishd, might be bestow'd upon the Clergy to build Churches: That the Syndics & Promooters of Diocesses might be admitted Plain∣tiffs in Suits about Infringements: That the second Place at all General Assemblies in Town Houses might be allow'd the Bi∣shop's Vicar: That it might be lawful to lay Impositions upon all the Inhabitants of Parishes, for the building of Vicaridge hou∣ses, Reparations of Structures, purchase of Ornaments, and other Things of the like nature: That Tythes might be paid by the Reformed, who as they pretended had bin exem∣pted in some Places for sixty Years together, by the Misfor∣tune of the Wars; and this, notwithstanding any Contracts, Agreements, or Decrees that had bin made or issu'd forth to Page  531 the contrary. The King granted within a little all these De∣mands to the Clergy. Nor do I see but one Article wherein he observ'd any Measure of Equity for the Reformed; and that was upon the Twenty sixth Article, Wherein the Clergy de∣manded* that the School-Masters might be Catholics; which the King granted according to their desire; but without any prejudice to Schools granted the Reformed by Letters Patents enregister'd.

Now in that ill Humour wherein the Council was at* that time, there appear'd several Decrees, which put the Reformed to no small Trouble. For the Inhabitants of Villiers le bel and parts adjoyning, were accustom'd to meet upon Sundays or Holidays in that Borough, when the Season would not permit 'em to repair to Charenton, which was the nearest Place where there was any Exercise. The Place of their Meeting was some Private House where they Ren∣devouz'd, upon the Sound of the same Bell which Call'd the Catholics to Church. But in regard they had no Mini∣ster, they only met to hear some Sermon, or some Chapter in the Scripture read, to sing Psalms, and Pray together. These private Exercises did no body any harm; nor could the Catholics be disturb'd, in regard the Reformed had ended their Devotions long before the Catholic Church was done. Yet would they needs have these Assemblies to be a Misde∣meanour, and to render their Prosecutions of those People the more plausible, 'twas added, that they spoke undecently of the Romish Preachers; and that they made the Children of the Catholics that were sent to their Schools to read the Books of the Reformed. Upon which immediately came forth a Decree of the Privy-Council, dated May 16th, by which these Petty Exercises, and supposed Misdemeanours were severely forbid.

Corhi•ni was a little City, where the Reformed had a Place* of Exercise by vertue of as clear a Possession as could be in t•e World; so that the Commissioners had continu'd 'em in 〈…〉 solemn Ordinance made in the Year 1600. That Or∣dinance Page  532 remov'd 'em to the farther end of one of the Suburbs of the City, within the Jurisdiction of Corbigni, with a Pro∣viso, till the Opposition which the Abbot made to the settle∣ment of the Exercise in the City should be determin'd. This Business hung in suspence near Seven Years; after which, there was a Decree of Council of the 13th of March, 16•7. which allow'd the Exercise, not within the City, but in one of the Suburbs, and within the Jurisdiction of the City; and appointed that Place for the first Place of the Bailiage. B•• in regard there happen'd since that, an Alteration in the Pro∣ceedings of that Court, and because the City depended upon the Abby of St. Leonard's, the Abbot obtain'd this Year a De∣cree upon a Petition, which forbid the Reformed their Ex∣ercise in that Place, or upon any Lands, or within any Ju∣risdiction of the Abby. Nor did they, when they took away this, appoint any other Place for the Reformed; but con∣strain'd 'em to sell the Inheritances which they had Purchas• in the Suburbs, before they would provide 'em another Place. 'Twas only told 'em, that the King's Officers should give 'em notice whither or no there had bin a Place of Bailiage deli∣ver'd according to the Edict; that if there were, there might be one allow'd 'em. By which it appear'd, that the Decree had bin issued forth without any knowledge of the Cause; be∣cause this Place had bin granted in Right of Bailiage by a De∣finitive Decree. But for all that, this Decree was put in Exe∣cution, without any regard at all had to the Opposition which the Reformed made. They also took the Opportunity to serve this Decree when Monsanglard, the Minister of the Place, was in his Pulpit; to the end the Thing might make so much the Greater Noise, and more effectually redound to the Re∣proach and Affront of the Reformed. This Monsanglard had bin accus'd in Court, for having said, That at Rome they sold Remission of Sins; for which the Judge of the Place Condemn'd him to the Amende Honourable, and all the Consequences of that Punishment. But upon his Appeal, the Minister being remov'd to the Prison of Paris, call'd La Conciergerie, and plead∣ing Page  533 in his own justification, That he took what he had said out •ut of a Book of the Rates of the Apostolic Chamber, Printed at Rome it self, they were asham'd to Confirm the Sentence, and Dismiss'd both him and the Process out of Court.

There is also another Decree to be seen of an uncertain Date, set forth by the Chamber of the Edict of Rouen, which forbid the Reformed to continue their Exercise in the Borough of St. S•lvin, because it depended upon the Abby of Almeneche. Another Decree of Council ordain'd, That the Church of •…r should be pull'd down, as being too near the Catholic Church, after they had built another which should be neither within the Jurisdiction, Signiories, or Precincts of the Eccle∣•…. The 20th of June, came forth another Edict of the Privy Council, against the Lord of Claye and Biche, which for∣bid the Exercise within the Signiories where the Lord did not actually reside, the presence of his Domestic Servants not be∣ing sufficient to Authorize it. The same Decree forbid Preach∣ing without the Place of their Residence, upon pain of Cor∣poral Punishment and Imprisonment. I also find Two De∣crees Cited by such as have Collected those Sorts of Acts against the Reformed; the First of which was Dated the 15th* of July, the Other the 12th of December. They Imported, that the Exercises should not be perform'd in the Lord's Houses when the Minister should be absent or sick. The Parlament of Bourdeaux also Signaliz'd themselves by a Decree set forth* the 4th of July, against the Authority of Parents. For one La •…ee dwelling in the Borough of Castres, had marri'd a Catholic Wife, by whom he had six or seven Children, which the Wife, making an ill use of her Husband's Indul∣gence, brought up in the Catholic Religion. This Woman happen'd to die before the Children had attain'd the Age of Discretion, and the Father was accus'd for constraining the Children to go to the Reformed Church. Upon which the Parlament interpos'd, and gave the Advocate-Gene∣ral leave to bring in an Information: and in the mean Page  534 time General Prohibitions were sent abroad, forbidding Parents to force their Children to go to Protestant Ser∣mons.

The Bailiage of Gex was us'd after the same manner as* the rest of the Kingdom; where the Prince of Condé, as Governor of Burgundy, upon which the Bailiage depended, put in execution the Prohibitions forbidding the Admission of Foreign Ministers, comprehending under that Name the Inhabitants of Geneva. He also equally divided the use of the Common Pastures of the Country between the Reformed and the Catholics, though the Reformed were Ten for One.

The greatest part of the Decrees which I have enume∣rated,* were revived again the next year: But there were* several to which they added other Articles very grievous and troublesome. The Parlament of Rouen, by a Decree of the 18th of March forbid the keeping of any Schools at St. Lo. For the Consistory had set up some according to the Exhortation of the National Synods, and had also put in Regents, such as those Synods approv'd. The Promoter Coutances undertook this Business, and upon an Appeal from the Sentence of the Ordinary Judge he procur'd a Decree, which annull'd the Power of the Consistory; forbid 'em for the future to give Approbation of the like nature; permit∣ted Masters only to teach to write and read in private Houses, but not to instruct or Catechize, not to say Pub∣lic Prayers, or read Lectures, contrary to the Doctrine of* the Romish Church. Upon the 21st of April the Privy Council set forth a Decree which forbid the Exercise in the absence of the Ministers; as also in any other Places then those wherein it was lawful for 'em to reside by the Edicts. The same Decree forbid the hindring of Fathers, Mothers, Tutors, Kindred, Masters, &c. to send their Chil∣dren, Relations, Friends, Servants, &c. to Masters of Catho∣lic Schools approv'd by the Ordinaries. So that what with Page  535 taking away from the Reformed the liberty of having Col∣ledges, what with obliging the Consistories to suffer the sending of Children to suspected Masters, they who had Children to bring up, were reduc'd either to let 'em grow up in ignorance, or expose 'em to the Snares and Inveagling Persuasions and Allurements of Catholic Tutors. By the same Decree, the Reformed were also order'd to spread Car∣pets before their doors upon Solemn Procession-days: upon neglect of which, after the first Summons, they were to be spread at their Cost and Charges; and if they obstructed or oppos'd the doing of it, they were condemn'd to Imprisonment; which was directly opposite to the third private Article of the Edict of Nantes.

Upon the 28th of the same Month came forth another De∣cree* of the Privy Council, the effects of which were still more vexatious. For it forbid the Bailiffs and Seneschals to admit any Plaintiffs or Demandants in a Suit, whether Notaries or Advocates, without the King's Letters Patents. For the Coun∣cil bethought themselves of inserting into Letters of this Na∣ture the Clause of the Catholic Religion, on purpose to ex∣clude by that means all the Reformed from any Offices. But Custom has settl'd a Remedy against this Artifice, in regard that in almost all the Jurisdictions of the Kingdom, the Judges admitted People to the exercise of these petty Em∣ployments, upon the bare resignation of him who had the Letters Patents: so that they pass'd from hand to hand without having any recourse to the King; which spar'd the Reformed the Affront of a Refusal, the Catholics the Trouble, the De∣lays, and the Expence of a Suit; there being none but Em∣ployments that were somewhat considerable, for which they troubl'd themselves to take out the King's Letters Patents.

The King was made believe, that it was contrary to his Oath, that there should be any Offices in the Kingdom which did not depend upon him, and which were executed by per∣sons that were not invested in 'em by his power. The first Page  536 design was to deprive the Reformed of the easie means to maintain themselves in those petty Employments, which caus• 'em to be valued in the places of their Abode, and shelter'd 'em from a thousand petty Vexations. But if so fell out, that this Regulation did as much Injury to the Catholics, as to others; and that the Name of Reformed serv'd in this, as well as in other things of greater moment, to involve all the French in the same Restraint. This was Sport for the Cler∣gy; who exempting themselves from Servitude, sacrific'd to their Passion and Malice against the Reformed, the Liberty of the whole Kingdom.

Upon the 23d of June came forth another Edict from the* same Council against the Lord of Claye. This was the fifth that had bin issu'd out against the Exercise in his House, un∣der pretencee that he never resided there; yet to ward off this Cavil, he had declar'd at the Sessions-house in Paris, that he had made choice of his House at Claye for his principal Habitation, and that he intended to reside there for the fu∣ture: which ought to have mintain'd his Right of having Sermons in his House, had it not bin the Maxim of the Council to make use of any Pretence to forbid the Exercise of the Reformed Religion, and still to uphold the Prohibition when the Pretence was remov'd.

The Reformed of Paris had set up a House in the Suburbs* of St. Marcean, whither they carry'd their sick People; they had already furnish'd it with Fourteen or Fifteen Beds, and de∣sign'd to have sent in more. Now it happen'd that a Coop∣er's Prentice, born a Catholic, working with a Reformed Master in the Church Mershes, fell sick, and with his own consent was carri'd to this New Hospital; whether he had imbib'd any tincture of his Master's Religion, or whether the Abhorrency which poor Creatures have for the Hostel de Dieu at Paris, where the Infection is generally mortal to all that are carri'd thither, caus'd him to prefer a House more neat and healthy. However it were, his removal from one Page  537 end of Paris to the other, could not chuse but be taken no∣•…e of. Upon which a Commissioner came upon the 19th of 〈…〉 to this New House of Charity, to draw up a Verbal •eport of the condition it was i•, and of the use for which was design'd. Upon which Verbal Process, the Privy Coun∣•… i•a'd forth a Decree of the 30th of June, wherein without so much as mentioning the Religion, but only supposing that it was •…tra•▪ to the King's Authority, to erect Hos, itals without the King's Permission, (as if there had bin so much need of •…e Authority of Men to exercise Works of Humanity and Charity so expresly approv'd of God) and pretending in •…e second place, that the sick People were not lookt after, ••d reliev'd in that New Establishment, as Christian Chari∣•… requir'd; it was ordain'd, that all the sick People which •…ere in the Reformed Hospital, should be remov'd to the Ho∣•…el de Dieu, where they should be receiv'd upon the first •ommand; that the Beds should be put into the hands of •rustees, to be at the King's disposal to whom he should think 〈…〉 et; and that the Governor should leave the House with all his Family, upon pain of Imprisonment, and other corporal punishment. This Decree was put in execution by the Usher 〈…〉 the Council upon the 4th of July, who found no more •…hen five sick, Persons in the place: one of which finding himself strong enough to provide for himself without assist∣ance, had his Liberty to go where he pleas'd. The other •…r refusing to be carri'd to the Hostel de Dieu, and naming the places whither they desir'd to be carri'd, were remov'd without any opposition by the care of the Usher, who did 〈…〉 Office with more Civility then the Rabble would have had him.

There was a new House erected in the Fauburg St. Ger∣•…* by the Pope's Bulls and the King's Letters-Patents, under the name of, The Propagation of the Faith; which was design'd for the lodging of young People that might be in∣duc'd to embrace the Catholic Religion. Now one La Fra∣•…r•• hapning to die., left two Daughters with his Wife. Page  538 One of these having attain'd to Thirteen years of Age and the other to Eleven, they were both inveagl'd in•… this House. Their Mother presented a Petition to the Bai•… of the Suburb, who was then Judge of the Suburb-Cou•… and redemanded her Daughters. The Judge having exami¦ned the matter, and finding it to be a manifest Cheat thought it his duty to do justice, and deliver'd the Childre•… back to their Mother. Now the Pretence which they ma•… use of to gain the good will of the Children was, that their Mother was marri'd again, and would be sure to misu•… 'em. Upon which the Governours of the House made 〈…〉 most hideous complaint both against the Father-in-law, and the Baily; accusing the one to have committed several vio¦lences in the House; and the other for coming to the House to take away the Children by main force, accom¦pani'd with several drawn Swords that made a noise and 〈…〉 hubbub before the Door, to the great scandal of the House And moreover, they positively affirm'd, That the Childre• had many times declar'd before their Father-in-law himself that they desir'd to be bred up in the Catholic Religio•… Thereupon the Council made a Decree, which plainly shew'd that they were not convinc'd of the truth of the Relation▪ For it only decreed, that the Baily should deliver the Verba•… Process to Thiersaut, Master of the Requests, to the end that upon farther Examination such order might be taken a• should be thought expedient. However, the King sum∣mon'd before himself and his Council all Causes concern∣ing that House and the New Converts, and forbid the Baily to take cognizance of 'em for the future. As much as to say, that they thought it not just to condemn a Judge who had done no more then his duty; however, they would not leave the Reformed under the Protection of those that made a conscience of doing 'em Justice.

The Doctors also of the Sorbonne would needs be stick∣ling* this year to display some marks of their Zeal against the Reformed. For it so fell out, that Francis Cupif, a Page  539 Doctor of that Faculty, and Curate of Contigni in the Dio∣•…s of Angers, embrac'd the Reformed Religion, and set •…th a Declaration of the Motives that had oblig'd him to • Which Declaration he address'd to the Bishop of the •…ocess; believing it most proper to give him an account • his Conduct. But the Bishop, either disdaining a Cu∣•…e of a Village as beneath him; or else, as many times •…als the Prelates, not having Learning sufficient to answer •…, left the care of being reveng'd upon him, to the Sor∣•…e. Whereupon, that Colledge upon the 14th of July •…w up a Sharp and Violent Order, by which they de∣•…ded Cupif from all his Dignities, and bestow'd a thou∣•…d Maledictions and Curses upon him. But he avoided 〈…〉 being far more severely handl'd by retiring into Hol∣•…d, where he wax'd old in the Functions of the Mini∣•…y; wherein he acquitted himself in a more edifying man∣•…, then the greatest part of those that abandon the Church • Rome are wont to do.

The Reformed were very numerous at Pons in Saintonge.* •…or could their Adversaries contrive any other way to vex •…, then by bestowing upon 'em a Regulation dated at Bour∣•…x, December the 5th, upon the Motion of the Advocate∣•…neral; which forbid 'em to work upon Holidays with •…eir Shops open, nor to sell Flesh upon days prohibited • the Romish Church; nor to throw their Dirt about the •…oss which the Recollects had erected, nor at the end of 〈…〉 Streets that adjoin'd to their Church. Here it is to be •…serv'd, that those Monks had erected a Cross on purpose • that very place which time out of mind had bin the •…mmon Dunghil for all the Neighbourhood. But the Con∣•…nt being annoy'd by it, bethought themselves of this Ex∣•…dient to remove the Nuisance; and the more easily to ob∣•…n their Desires, they demanded the Prohibitions only against the Reformed, to deprive the whole City of a Con∣•…nience; and a Fine of 80 Livres was laid upon all that •…us'd to obey the Decree.

Page  540In the midst of these Vexations and Injuries done th•… Reformed throughout all the Provinces, they assembl'd •* National Synod at Alanson. Which Assemblies serv'd to 〈…〉 other purpose, then to give 'em an opportunity to bewa•… together the bad condition of their Affairs, and to •e•… what Remedy was most proper to be appli'd to their Ca∣lamities. They were extreamly tormented with the presence of the Commissioners. For when they had drawn up • Paper of their Complaints, 'twas thought a great matte•… well accomplisht to receive it back from the hands of the•… Deputies; nor could they many times obtain the favour 〈…〉 an Answer. Nevertheless, the Court was still jealous o•… these Assemblies; and they were so accustom'd to fear th•… Reformed in a Body, that they were always alarum'd a•… that which was no more then the shadow of their Unio•… And indeed, the Reformed were as yet considerable •o•… their number. Their Churches in the Country were fo•… the most part compos'd of Nobility and Gentry. There were several, wherein there were reck'nd fourscore or • hunder'd Families of Gentlemen; which did so much ho∣nour to their Religion, that you might frequently see three• score or fourscore Coaches waiting before the Place of their Exercises. They were not therefore yet so low, but that they were in a condition to put their Adversaries to trouble• had their Intentions bin evil. So that the Court, wh•• knew too well what was in their power to do, were afraid lest the Synods should take up Resolutions which the Gen∣try were to put in execution. For which reason, they were unwilling that any Synods should be held for the fu∣ture in any other Place then at Charenton, to the end they might have a near eye upon those formidable Assem∣blies. However, there was no danger on that side. For the Reformed well understood, that they were at the mercy of their Enemies, and that they had nothing left to preserve and support 'em but the good will of the Page  401 Kings pleasure. The Knowledge of this oblig'd 'em to extend their Obedience as far as it would reach, for fear of being Exterminated upon the Least pretence, as Rebels: and the Synods Labour'd by good Discipline, to remedy the Mischiefs that might arise from the Persecution.

The Court gave leave for their Synod to be held at Alenson,* •e Small City, where there was little Probability that the Re∣formed should attempt any great Matters; nor is it so far re∣mote from Paris, but that upon Occasion the King might send his Orders thither in four and twenty Hours. Nevertheless there was a high Value put upon this Favour, as if it had been a thing of Great Importance. The Brief by which permission was given, and the Commission was Couch'd in the ordinary Terms, and breath'd nothing but good Will and Kindness. The Commissioner was St. Mark, a Councellor of State; a Person as much at the Devotion of the Court as Galand had been. The Synod also sat down the 27th. of May, and after the Usual preliminary Ceremonies, St. Mark, having presen∣ted his Commission, made an Ingenious Speech before he pro∣pos'd* the Articles with which he was entrusted by his Com∣mission. First of all he shew'd, that the Greatest Part preac'h the Doctrine of Obedience; and to Confirm 'em in their so doing, he declar'd, that the King had promis'd Con∣stantly to observe the Edicts, so long as the Reformed per∣form'd the Duties of Faithful Subjects. He Extoll'd in a flat∣tering manner the Kings Power, which the Hand of God that assisted him all along render'd formidable both abroad and at home. He spoke of the Misfortunes which the Reformed had suffer'd, while they had Places of Strength in their Hands; and of the repose which they enjoy'd since they depended Sole∣•y upon the Kings Favour. He compar'd their Condition grounded upon the Kings word, and upheld against the Passions of People, agitated by too various Commotions, to the Earth that hangs pois'd in the Air by the Word of God. He heighten'd the Confidence which the King had in 'em, as appear'd by that Mark of his Favour which he had bestow'd upon 'em, by graciously permitting 'em to assemble in a Time of War: And from all these Reflexions, he concluded that it behov'd 'em to Page  402 regulate all their Affections, their Words and Actions, by Obe∣dience.

After this, he came to his Instructions, and declar'd. I That* the King forbid all Holding Intelligence, both Domestick as well as Forreign. The Pretence was, that the King had been in∣form'd that the Colloquie of Nimes and Rousselet, and the Mi∣nister, had receiv'd a Letter from the Canton of Bern, with whom altho' they were in Alliance with the Crown, and of the same Religion with the Reformed, it was not Lawful to hold Correspondence even in Ecclesiastical Affairs, because it made the State jealous of a Correspondence of another Sort; for which reason the Kings Subjects were not allow'd to Visit Forreign Ministers: Whence it follow'd, that 'twas a Breach of their Duty to receive those Letters, or else that they ought to have accquainted the Governor or the Commissioner with 'em. II. That the King was no way pleas'd to hear that one Pro∣vince held Communication with another; as had happen'd be∣tween the Synods of lower Languedoc and the Dauphinate, upon occasion of the two Ministers Cregut and Arnaud. The Rea∣son of this Prohibition was, because the Reformed being no Bo∣dy Politick, they could not hold Politick Councils. More∣over that the King would not permit that any Minister should be deputed to be present in one Synod in the Name of ano∣ther; nor that Provincial Synods should Ordain General Fasts. III. That it was the Kings Pleasure the Ministers should preach Obedience, and that when any thing should be Or∣dain'd, which might seem repugnant to Liberty of Conscience, for want of knowing the Motives that induc'd him to it, they should not tax his Conduct with any design against Religion, the Liberty of which he was resolv'd to maintain: Consequent∣ly, that He order'd 'em to abstain from the Words, Scourges of God, Martyrs, Persecution, and other the like Terms. IV. That he forbid 'em to make use of the Words, Antichrist, or Idola∣ters, or any other of the same Nature, when they spoke of the Pope or the Catholicks; and to forbear all Sharp and invete∣rate Expressions against the Ministers who had chang'd their Religion, under the Penalty of Interdiction, or a greater Punishment for the same Offence repeated. V. That he for∣bid Page  403 the Selling Religious Books, whether Printed within or without the Kingdom, if they were not first Examin'd and ap∣prov'd by two Ministers, appointed by the Synods, under the Penalty of Confiscation. VI. That whereas at Andusa, the Synod had refus'd to ordain the Benediction of a second Mar∣riage of a Person, whose First Marriage had been adjudg'd Null and Vacant by the Sentence of the Magistrate, it was the Kings Pleasure that the National Synod should enjoyn Obedience to the Judges in such Cases, and that what had been done to the Contrary might be amended. VII. That the Ministers should obey those Declarations which concern'd the Annexes, upon Penalty of forfeiting the Favours granted by the Edicts. VIII. That they should not make use of the Money taken out of the Poors Box to pay the Ministers, who were referr'd for the payment of their Salaries to the XLIX^th. Article of Particulars. IX. That they should not go a begging from House to House, under pretence of necessary Expences, in re∣gard the King gave leave to the Heads of every Church to assemble, in the Nature of a Consistory, to regulate the Con∣tributions for payment of the Ministers Salaries; for defray∣ing the Expence of Journeys for the Colloquies and Synods, for the payment of Academies and repair of Churches, of which there should be a Roll made up and Authoriz'd by the Magistrate, and declar'd to be of as full force as when the Kings Mony was to be Collected. X. That they should Correct the Sentence of the Provincial Synod of Nimes, which had adjudg'd a certain Summ to Petit, Professour in Theologie, out of the Academy Money, which had been rais'd upon the three Colloquies, contrary to the Settlement of the Regulations. XI. That there should be an Emendation of what had been adjudg'd by the same Synod, touching the Nullity of Bap∣tism administer'd by Persons never lawfully call'd to the Mi∣nistry.

The Commissioner, being unwilling to speak any thing of his own Head upon this last Article, which was a matter of Importance and Nicely to be handled, tho' earnestly recom∣mended to his Management, read the very words of his instru∣ction, which without doubt had been drawn by a Divine of the Page  404 lower Form. The substance of it was, that from the Judgment of the Synod there arose an Opinion of the Anabaptists, who repeated Baptism upon the Question which they start, whether he who perform'd the Ceremony, had been rightly call'd or no. A new Argument of which that Sect was never wont to make use. That there was an Ambiguous Interpretation to be made of the Sentence of the Assembly, which seem'd to inti∣mate that the Roman Church approv'd the Baptism of the Ana∣baptists, tho' she declares their calling to be Illegitimate. That Baptism was of force Ex opere Operato, according to the Lan∣guage of the School-men, to express that Vertue of the Sacra∣ment by which it actually confers Grace upon those who re∣ceive the Outward Symbol, without any Inward prepara∣tion to participate of it, provided they obstruct not the Ope∣ration of it by any Mortal Sin. Now the Roman Church not having any need of Legitimate callings, by the Confession of the Reformed themselves, 'twas not for them, to invalidate that Baptism which she Approves, because that in a Case of necessity probably adjudg'd, all Persons have a Calling to administer it.

There might be curious Reflexions made upon this odd Piece of ill contriv'd Theology, were they not too remote from my* Subject to make any upon 'em. I shall therefore only say, that all the Commissioners sweet Words, could not soften a sort of Articles so new, and so full of Inconveniencies that they could not be observ'd without reducing the Reformed to a most cruel Confinement. More especially the Third was couch'd in Terms that were very Extraordinary: And it was an exacting from 'em, a strange degree of Blindness, to desire that the Reformed should remain perswaded, that their Enemies had no other then good Intentions toward 'em, tho' at the same time they should see 'em doing things actually pre∣judicial to the Liberty of their Consciences. For this is that which was meant at least by that same strain of Language; When for want of knowing the Motives, it might seem to them, as if the Proceedings of the Court were prejudicial to that same precious Liberty. The Synod answer'd the Commissioners Speech, as people answer when they tremble. They excus'd Page  405 one part of those things which had serv'd as a Pretence and Ground-work for his Instructions; and as to almost all the Rest, they made great Protestations of their Ready Obedience. The Moderatour began with returning Thanks to God, that •e had inclin'd the Kings Heart to uphold the Reformed by his Good Will and Favour; to which he added some kind of adulatory Complements to the Commissioner. He excus'd •he Letters receiv'd from the Switzers, which only concern'd •he Calling of Rousselet to the Profession of Theology at Neuf∣••atel, where he was born; and which had been produc'd at •he Synod, in presence of the Commissioners then sitting a∣•ong 'em. He excus'd the Correspondence that had been •eld between the Synod of Lower Languedoc and the Dauphi∣•ate, as necessary for the Enquiry that one Province was •ound to make after the Pastors of the Other, according to the •ethod of their Discipline. He assur'd him that Private •ynods should not set up any more Regulations, nor appoint •ny more general Fasts, but that they should submit to the Go∣•ernment; that they should keep close to the Confession of •aith, and the Word of God: That they should abstain •rom •arsh and bitter Expressions against all Persons whatever; to •hich he added, that it was the Humble Supplication of their • hole Body to his Majesty, that on his part he would Vout∣•••e to restrain the Aff•onts and Insolencies of the Catholicks. •e promis'd that nothing should be written without Appro∣•a••on, and that they would obey the Decrees of the Magestrate •ouching the Dissolution of Marriages: From which the Pro∣•ince of Cevennes, which was accus'd by the Commissioners, •rotested that they never had the least thought to de∣•art.

He enlarg'd somewhat more, and was a little more reso∣••te upon the Article of Annexes; and told the Commissio¦••r,* that they never preach'd by force in any Place: That the Edict of 1567. which was alledg'd to Authorize these new •rohibitions, ought not any longer to have the Force of a •aw, since it was revoak'd by the Edicts which were after∣wards set forth; and more especially by the Edict of Nants: •hat the Ministers never preach'd but in such places where free▪ Page  406 Exercise was allow'd: That several of those places also had been Confirm'd by the Commissioners who had conside'd 'em, as separate Quarters of the same Body: That the Mi∣nisters never preach'd out of those Circumscrib'd Limits, in the Church of another Minister, but in case of Absence or Sickness, or when some other Lawful Cause requir'd it. That they had leave by Vertue of the Edict to abide where they pleas'd themselves; and by Consequence in other places be∣sides the District of their Exercise, when they found it for their Convenience. Upon these Grounds, they besought the King to revoke those Prohibitions which derogated from the Edicts. They besought him likewise to hinder the Officers of Justice from medling with Annulling Contracts made between the Churches and their Ministers, to let the Method stand with∣out* any alteration for raising the Salaries of the Ministers, and paying the Schools; and to ratifie what had been done in Fa∣vour of Petit the Professor, as being Conformable to Custom. In a word, he justifi'd the Opinion of the Synod of Nimes,* touching Baptism, as being the Doctrine of all the Reformed Churches: He rejected the Opus operatum of the Roman Church, and humbly implor'd the King, since he permitted the Professi∣on of the Reformed Religion, to give leave, that that same Determination of the Synod might be allow'd of.

After this they deputed two Ministers and one Gentleman to be sent to the King: but when they went about to read the Instructions of the Provinces for drawing up the Papers which the Deputies were to Carry, the Commissioner endea∣vour'd to have hindr'd 'em, as if it had been matter of Po∣litick concern, with which the Synod had nothing to do to Meddle. Nevertheless he Suffer'd himself to be overrul'd, when they gave him to understand, that there was nothing of Debate or Consultation in the Case, but only a mee• col∣lection of such Complaints and Remonstrances into one Pa∣per, which the Deputies of the Provinces brought ready Digested. He would also have oblig'd 'em to set down at the head of the Paper the Title of Pretended Reformed Religion: but as for that they excus'd themselves, by returning him for answer, That the King had never exacted from his Sub∣jects Page  407 that they should brand themselves with any such Ap∣pellations, in things wherein they were to speak according to their Consceiences. So that at length they deliver'd to their Deputies their Letters, their Instructions, and their Complaints. Their Instructions recommended to 'em three Articles in particular: The Point concerning the Annexes; that of Baptism; upon which they were afraid that the Council would make some untoward Order; and the Point of being exempted from spreading Carpets before their Houses, which had occasion'd great Vexations over all the Kingdom. As for the Paper of Complaints it self, it contain'd Nine Heads: And tho' the King had done nothing in consideration of the Complaints of the preceding Synod, yet they resolv'd to present 'em, rather that they might preserve to themselves the Liberty of making their Complaints, then for any hope they had of an answer.

The First Article complain'd that notwithstanding all the Promises which the King had made by the Edict of the Year 1629. There were no less then Thirty eight Places, where they could not obtain the Reestablishment of Free Exercise, tho' it had been put forth in 1620. All which places were nam'd in the Article. Forty seven Others were also mark'd down in the Second, some in Saintonge, some in Aunix, others in the Islands of Oleron and Rè, and several other Pla∣ces, where they had Suppress'd the Free Exercise of the Re∣formed Religion by force, through the Misfortune of the Times. The Third Article demanded the Liberty of preach∣ing in the Annexes. The fourth contain'd three Complaints. That the Church-yards were not restor'd to the Reformed, which had been taken from 'em before the Year 1625. tho▪ the Restitution were promis'd 'em in the Answer return'd to their Papers: That in other Places they had been depriv'd a fresh both of their Church▪yards and Churches: That in other Places they had been hindred from building Churches: and they nam'd several Places where these Acts of Injustice had been done 'em. There was one Town among the Rest, where they were enforc'd to bury their dead in their own Fields, and where above Three at a time were forbid to Page  408 attend the Corps. The First spoke of Alenson, where the Synod was assembl'd; which had had a Suit before the Council, touching the Right of Free Exercise in that City; and of Burying their Dead in the Suburbs of St. Blaise, where there was a Church yard. There had been a Decree of the 13th. of May, which put a stop to the Cavils of the Catholicks: Nevertheless, in contempt of the Decree, and during the sitting of the Synod it self, they had given a new Assignment upon the same Brangle to the Reformed at the Council. The next con∣cern'd the Affairs of the Country of Gex, where Machaut, by his Ordinances had overturn'd all ancient Customs of the Province, and the Regulations themselves which had been made by the Commissioners in the Year 1612. with the Consent of the Bishop, and the Catholick Inhabitants. Which Re∣gulations had been confirm'd in Council, by a Decree of the 13th. of December, the same Year. But for all that, Machaut anull'd 'em, without giving notice to the other side. 'Tis true, they did not mention the Prince of Condès Name in this Complaint, tho' he had at least as deep a share in these Vio∣lences as the Intendant; for they were willing to pay that Respect to his Quality. The Seventh and Eighth complain'd of some Decrees of the Parlament of Rennes, of Roven, of Bour∣deaux, and of the Council it self, which condemn'd the Reform∣ed either to spread Carpets before their Houses upon Procession∣days, in places where that Ceremony was observ'd; or to con∣tribute toward those things from which they were expresly discharg'd by the second Article of Particulars; more espe∣cially as to Fraternities, building or repairing of Vicaridge Hou∣ses, or the Hiring of Houses wherein Mass was to be said. The Places where these Sentences had been given, were Vitrè in Bretaigne; Claye, a Village near Paris; Harfleur, in Normandy; Bourdeaux, where the Parlament had made a De∣creee, tho' the Partie-Chamber, which was then at Agen, had taken Cognizance of the Matter, and given a quite Con∣trary Sentence. The Other Places were St. Ambrois, in the Diocess of Ʋsez, Sauve and Peiroles, in Lower Languedoc; and Segues, in Provence; where Judgments had been pro∣nounc'd by Inferiour Judges. In the Ninth, they complain'd Page  409 of the taking away of Children; for which they instanced the Daughter of one Ri•on, an Apothecary at Mamers, a small Town adjoyning to Alenson; another of Giles Cou∣•••▪ not above two Years and a half Old, which the Nuns •• ••••ir, an Episcopal City of Lower Britanie, had brought •• a•ter the Death of her Father. The Tenth, and the ••xt Following spoke of Colledges, by reason of which the Reformed had been su'd, wherever they went about to •••ct any: And more especially, for that the Commissi∣oners, who were appointed to make a Partition of the Col∣ledges of Royal Foundation, between the Catholicks and the Reformed in the Province of Languedoc, disagreeing upon this, that the Catholick Commissioner had forbid the Re∣formed to teach Theologie in that part which was adjudg'd to their share, the Council, deciding the Partition, had con∣firm'd the Sentence of the Commissioner, tho' in a Case of the same nature they had giv'n a Decree in favour of the Academy of Montauban. And the Pretence for so doing was, for that formerly the Academy of Nimes, was shar'd between that City and Mompellier; in one of which they •aught Human Learning and Morality, in the other Divini∣ty. But the Synods understanding the Consequence and Inconvenience of that Division, had reunited to Nimes all the Parts of that Colledge. And this was enough for the Council to take from the One the new Priviledge it had obtain'd, without restoring it to the Other. The Twelfth and Fourteenth spoke of the Ministers, from whom in several Places they had taken away the Liberty of Residing therein, and whom they had depriv'd of almost all the Priviledges granted 'em by the Edicts. They were assess'd in the Parish Rolls, even for those Estates which they had let to farm: And some there were, that were constrain'd to pay the Total for the whole Parish. The Thirteenth made mention of se∣veral Places, where the Reformed had been constrain'd by Menaces and Violence to quit their Habitations. The Fif∣teenth renew'd their Importunities, so often repeated, for the Release of those who had been condemn'd to the Gallies du∣ring the Wars. The Sixteenth made Remonstrances upon Page  410 the Attempts of the Parlaments, and which was most Surpri∣zing, and a novelty altogether, of the Intendants upon the Juris∣diction of the Party-Chambers. And they instanc'd for Exam∣ples of these Attempts, the Parlaments of Aix and Rennes, and the Intendant of Labress, who together with the Presidial Judge of the Borough, had given a Sentence quite contrary to the Decree of the Party-Chamber of Grenoble. In the Seven∣teenth Complaint was made, that the Reformed were ex∣cluded from all manner of Dignities and Employments, Do∣ctorships, and Degrees in the Faculty of Physick, and Free∣doms of Companies: Moreover that they were depriv'd of their Offices which they had in possession, as had befallen the No∣taries and Proctors of the Bailliages, in pursuance of the Decree of the 28 of April, which forbid the Exercise of any Offices before the Kings Patents obtain'd. The Eighteenth Complain'd of the Parlament of Pau, which first began to give the Reformed of Bearn, to understand that they were no longer to enjoy their Liberty. They forbid 'em to toll their Bells upon-certain days, which was onely to give notice of the Hours of their meeting; to appeal from the Judgments of the Provincial Synods any other where then to the Parla∣ment; and to appoint Fasts in the Churches of the Province, before they had obtain'd leave. Lastly, they desir'd the Con∣tinuance of the Money paid of his own Bounty; and com∣plain'd that the Assignments formerly given were revok'd.

By the Complaints renew'd in this Paper, it is apparent,* that little notice had been taken of those that preceded: but for all that the Deputies repair'd to Court, and desir'd Audience. Ferrand, the Minister, who was the Chief Person in the Deputatiun, made a most flattering Harangue to the King. He carry'd as High as Possibly he could the Kings Independency, whom he call'd the First next to God, and the Second after Him: And assur'd him that whatever he said of Royal Power, was the Doctrine of all the Reformed, which he express'd in such Terms as made a Tacit Opposi∣tion to the Opinion of the Catholicks upon that Subject. And thus the Reformed became guilty of that weakness which is Common to all that are in fear. They exalted Page  411 beyond Measure, by flattering Aggravations, that Power, which as they began already to be deeply sensible was abus'd to their Mischief, not considering that when they prescrib'd no bounds to the Power which oppress'd 'em, they legitima∣ted, as I may so say, the Conduct of their Oppressors, and depriv'd themselves of their Priviledge of Complaining. But all this stood 'em in no stead: For the King rather chose to remain Liable to the Censures of the Pope, then to be beholding for his Exemption to the Doctrine of the Hereticks. The same Ferrand also made a Speech to the Cardinal, in most Submissive Language, and in his speeches both to the King and that Prelate, he made use of the usual wish, very Common in the Mouths of the Refor∣med, but much more in use when the Catholicks speak or write to the Pope; wherein they wish that God would cut off something from their own Years, to make an Addi∣tion to the Life of their Pontiff. But notwithstanding all their Cringing Submissions, they carry'd nothing back a∣long with 'em but fair words, and the King wrote as well to the Synod as to the Commissioner certain Letters which contain'd the same in Substance that he had said by word of Mouth to the Deputies. The Chiefest Favour they ob∣tain'd, was Money to defray the Expences of the Synod; but the Answer to their Papers was put off, till the breaking up of the Assembly.

The Commissioner was very Importunate with the Synod to* break up; and by his Earnest insisting upon their Separati∣on, it was evident that when the Court beheld the Reformed met together in their Assemblies, she was sensible of those Fears which their ancient Union had infus'd into her. And indeed there were but few Reasons that could oblige the Assembly to sit any long time; for they had finish'd their Business, and had appointed General Deputies: Which No∣mination was done with Little Ceremony. The Marquiss of Clermont was continu'd, and they joyn'd Marbaud with him for his Associate. They had also written to the King upon this Subject, and he had promis'd, according to Custom, to consent to the Nomination, after the Synod Page  412 was broke up. Nevertheless the Marquiss of Clermont re∣main'd alone in the discharge of that Employment; and neither Galand, who had been appointed by the Preceding Sy∣nod, nor Marbaud who was nam'd by this, were any way concern'd with him. But the Synod no way satisfi'd that the Court refus'd to answer their Paper, and foreseeing al∣so that so soon as they were once separated, their Complaints would be forgot, were desirous to take some Course that they might not lose the Benefit of all their Cares. To that purpose they thought it proper to joyn Particular with the* General Deputies, who might solicit the Answer which was promis'd to their Papers, and chiefly take care of three Articles which they jud'gd to be of Greatest Importance. The Commissioner was desirous to thwart this Resolution, and pretended that a Deputaion of that Nature was a Po∣litick Affair, with which an Ecclesiastical Assembly had no∣thing to do to meddle without Express leave. But the Sy∣nod stood their Ground; and having given him to under∣stand, that there was nothing of Debate and consultation, that their business only was to appoint certain Deputies to carry on an Innocent Solicitation, a Liberty which the Laws allow to all men whatever, and that it could not be dis∣pleasing to the King, who had frequently suffer'd the same freedom, they then went on with their Design, and De∣puted Angle and Gigord, two Ministers of Great Credit and Authority in their Provinces.

La Militiere, who had already render'd himself very trouble∣some* by his Projects of Re-union, address'd his writings to this Synod, where they were condemn'd: And as for the Be∣haviour and Writings of Daille, who had refuted this Visi∣onary, they were approv'd: And they wrote moreover to that same Reconciler, that if within six Months he did not manifest his Repentance, by an Authentick Declaration to the Consistory at Paris, they would no longer look upon him as a Member of the Reformed Churches. But the Greatest Good this Synod did the Reformed, was their ap∣peasing the Dispute which had made a great noise for some years, upon the Subject of Ʋniversal Grace. Nothing was Page  413 ever known more Hot and Violent then the Fury that ap∣pear'd in the pro 'and con of this New Controversie: And it had certainly Compleated the Ruin of the Churches, had not the Synod found out a way to calm the Tempest, by obliging the contending Parties to a Mutual Toleration.

The next Year was not remarkable for any Great E∣vents* that concern'd Religion. However, the Reformed were not a little griev'd to see a Declaration set forth by* the King, upon the 10th. of February, by which he put his own Person and his Kingdom under the Protection of the Blessed Virgin: The Memory of which, was to be per∣petuated by a Picture set up on purpose in the Cathe∣dral Church of Paris, commonly call'd Nostre Dame. This Declaration contain'd in Substance those Expressions which the Reformed, persisting in their Sentiments touching the Object of Religious Worship, could not choose but look upon as Impious: And that alone was enough to blast all their Hopes of expecting any thing Favourable from a Prince, whose Zeal for his own Religion transported him to that excess of New Devotion. For to put his Kingdom under the Portection of a Creature, tho' never so Holy, never so Divinely Priviledg'd, was evidently to vow the Exter∣mination of those whose Principles enjoyn'd 'em to believe, that in seeking such a Protection, the King renounc'd the Protection of God.

The Duke of Rohan dy'd this Year of the Wounds* which he receiv'd at the Battel of Rhinseldt: Which at first were not lookt upon to be Considerable; or at least there was no body that ever beleiv'd they had been Mortal. Which was the reason that some People believ'd 'em to have been poyson'd; and that the Jealousies the Court had of him, had given an occasion to lay hold of this Op∣portunity, to send him out of the World without any Noise: And the Chyrurgeons that were sent him, under pretence of being serviceable to him, were thought to be the Instruments of this black Piece of Politicks. 'Tis said that the Dukes Journey into Germany, to serve the King in the Duke of Weimar's Army, whither he went, against Page  414 the Good liking of the Court, and where he would not ac∣cept of any Command, was the Effect of some secret Pro∣jects, the Consequences of which some People were much afraid of. Some believ`d that he held a Strict Corespon∣dence with the Deceas`d King Gustavus; that they had joyntly labour`d the Re union of the Lutherans and Refor∣med; that their Intreagues in Order to it had produc`d the Act of the Synod of Charenton: That in pursuance of that Act, the Reformed in Gustavus`s Army had receiv`d the Communion after the Lutheran Manner, and the Ger∣man Lutherans who serv`d under the the Duke of Rohan, in the Country of the Grisons, had receiv`d after the man∣ner of the Reformed: That those two Aspiring Genius`s built Great designs upon this Re-union; that the Death of Gustavus, procur`d by those who were desirous to stop the Torrent of his Victories, disappointed all the Duke's de∣signs. Therefore it was giv`n out that he was about to revive the same Corespondencies with the Duke of Weimar, a Prince of vast Courage, great Experience, and accompt∣ed one of the Bravest Captains of his Time. Nor had the Duke of Rohan any more then one Daughter, who was a transcendent Match; and therefore `twas verily thought that he had a design, to the end he might procure a strict∣er Union with the Duke, to give him his Daughter in Marriage. But that Prince was by no means belov`d in France, because he had nothing that was Low or Base in him, and for that he knew how to render himself redoubted. Besides he had settl`d himself in Germany by his Conquests, and this Year he took Brisac, more upon his own account then upon the Kings. A Person of such Importance, Powerful upon the Frontiers, esteem`d among the Pro∣testants, respected by all Men, would have been too For∣midable, had he been united with the Duke of Rohan, by so strict an Alliance. Nor were the Reformed in France be∣come despicable as yet; and therefore they were unwilling they should have a Leader, of that Fame and Authority as the Duke of Weimar. The Hungarians, on the other side, were grown so strong, that their Enemies were constrain'd Page  415 to grant 'em the Priviledge of being a Fourth Estate in the Kingdom: And it was to be fear'd, lest the Duke of Rohan, who made it his Business to advance the Reformed Party in France, should have a design to procure 'em at least the same Priviledges; and that under the Pretence of the Mar∣riage of his Daughter, he would engage the Duke of Wei∣mar and other German Princes in such an Enterprize. These Considerations, made it very much to be suspected, that the Cardinal, who knew very well how to start a great many others, was desirous to fend off the Blow, by sending the Duke of Rohan into another World; as knowing him capable to go through with whatever he undertook. 'Tis true, that Great Men are seldom thought to dy a Natural Death; and it is a rare thing to see any one depart this Life without searching for the Causes of his Death in the Politicks of his Enemy. However it were, the Duke of Rohan dy'd in the sixty eighth year of his Age; and his Death was a great Affliction to all the Reformed, who had a great Considence in him, tho' such Persons among 'em, who had been gain'd by the Court, would needs perswade 'em that he had sacrific'd the Publick Good of the Churches to his own Interests. But above twenty years after his Death, they who had seen the Warrs which he had manag'd, never mention'd him without tears in their Eyes.

The 28th. of the same Month of April, Miron and du* P•• Intendants of Languedoc, set forth an Ordinance at Mom∣••••r, which was the Rule and Model of all those which were afterwards issued out against those whom they thought good to call Relapsers. They took for their Pretence, what happens but too frequently in Truth, that both Men and Women, who found it for their advantage to marry Catho∣licks, openly profess'd the Catholick Religion, when the Ca∣tholicks would not so much as hear of the Match upon any other Condition; but almost as soon as ever the Marriage was Consummated, the Reformed would return to their first Religion, and then submitted themselves by a Publick Confessi∣on to attone for the Crime of Abjuration which they had committed. They made 'em also undergo the same Punish∣ment, tho' they had not abjur'd, but had onely comply'd Page  416 so far as to suffer themselves to be married by a Catholick Priest. The Clergy were doubly affronted by this; in the first Place, beholding the Mysteries of their Religion pro•••'d by such a Piece of Inconstancy; and next to see the uncertain∣ty and vanity of their Conquests. Thereupon they made th•… Complaints to the Intendants, aggravating in a most inveterate manner that Profanation of their Catholick Sacraments. That Bitterness, as well as their Ignorance in Ecclesiastical Antiqui∣ty, chiefly appear'd by the Comparison which they made be∣tween the Reformed and the Jews, who were accustom'd▪ said they, in the Primitive Times, to seign themselves Ca∣tholicks, and under that Colour, went to Communions, on pur∣pose to break the Images and profane the sacred Host. They pretended that this Prophanation was contrary to all the Edicts, which never pardon'd such sort of Crimes. Upon these Complaints the Intendants order'd the guilty to be prosecuted. But the Custom was too deeply rooted, and the Mischief was grown too common to be cur'd by such a Remedy; nor do I find that the ordinance wrought any Effect.

In the Year 1629. the King had erected a Presidial Court* at Nerac, a City in the Province of Albret, where the Re∣formed were the most Numerous. The end of which esta∣blishment was to strengthen the Catholick Party, by con∣ferring upon 'em the greatest part of the Offices and Employ∣ments in that new Court. But neither in the City nor in the Province were there Catholicks enow to be found, who were capable to supply those Offices: So that they were forc'd to send for Graduates, to officiate for the present time, in expectation of able Persons that were fitly qualifi'd for their Places. Nor could they meet with a sufficient Num∣ber of Catholick Graduates: But at length the Project was brought to perfection this Year, by sending for men of Abi∣lity from other Places, and admitting some of the Reformed into Employments which the rest could not supply.

At this time also, the Sick were continually tormented* by the Monks, who made an ill use of their infirmities, to ex•ort from 'em some Declaration that might pass for a pro∣fession of the Catholick Religion. I meet with one remark∣able Page  417 Example during the sickness of Anne Violette, a Maid of three or four and twenty Years, who liv'd at Poitiers. This poor Maid falling sick, lost her senses, through the Vio∣lence of her Distemper: Which is confessed by the Monks themselves, who wrote the Relation of it, in the true style of a Legend. An Austin Friar went to Visit this Maid of his own Head, and caus'd her to pronounce certain Words, from whence he concluded her willing to die a Catholick. In the mean time Cottiby Minister of the Place came thither, and his Meeting with the Monk having occasion`d a loud Dis∣pute between 'em, drew together a great Concourse of People, always listning after Novelties, and among the rest •ame the Maior, pretending to prevent Disorders. But instead of having any Regard to the condition of the sick Person, he put all the People out of the Chamber, and being Ma∣ster of the Room, caus'd a verbal Answer of the Questions propounded to the poor Creature in a Delirium, to be drawn •p as before himself, being a Magistrate, to the end report •ight afterwards be made of it for a certain Truth. How∣ever, the Ravings of that unfortunate Creature ceas'd not. •he had till then most dreadful Dreams, and she lay Cry∣ing without Intermission, that she was damn'd. And upon that it was, that the Fryar had grounded his Conceit, that •…e would be willing to quit her Religion to rid her self •f her Fears. But after they had made her talk as long, and what the Monk pleas'd, her Visions and Outcries still continu'd, and her Fears of Damnation were still the same. Nevertheless the Catholicks would not lose this fair Op∣portunity to signalize their Zeal, and cri'd up the Deliri∣•ms and Ravings of this poor Creature in a high Feaver for a Miraculous Conversion. This happen'd toward the end of July.

The last of the next Month, the Duke of Bouillon pub∣lish'd* an Edict in Favour of the Reformed within his Prin∣cipality of Sedan; and tho' it contain'd no more then eighteen Articles, it was as much to their Advantage as could be de∣sir'd. The Three first imported Assurances to uphold 'em in the free Exercise of their Religion and Discipline in all Page  418 the Exercises of their Academy, their Colledge and their Schools; in the Possession of their Churches, Church-yards▪ Goods, Houses, Rents, Revenues, Foundations, Donations and Legacies, which belong'd or might belong at any time ei∣ther to their Churches or their Poor; in the Administra∣tion of those Estates, and in the Enjoyment of such Funds a• the Prince was wont to supply 'em withall, for the whol•… both ordinary and extraordinary Expence, which might de∣pend upon the Exercise of their Religion, or for the sub∣sistance of their Academy and the Poor: The Direction also of those Contributions was left to a Council which should always consist of Reformed Members. The Fourth promis'd to support that Council in all the Power and Autho∣rity deriv'd from the Primitive Institution of it. The two next that follow'd, discharg'd the Persons and Estates of the Reformed from whatever might be burdensome to their Con∣sciences; so far as to enfranchise their Houses from all man∣ner of Vassalages and Subjections that should be contrary to their Religion. The Seventh dispens'd with the Law•… observ'd by the Roman Church in reference to degrees o• Kindred relating to Marriages. The Eighth gave Liberty to all those who had a desire to embrace the Reformed Re∣ligion, to do it freely, and receiv'd 'em under the Princes Protection, provided they took the Oath of Fidelity as other Citizens did. The Ninth confirm'd all the Marriages s• solemniz'd or to be solemniz'd by Ecclesiastical Persons, that had quitted the Roman Church, without any Necessity of having recourse to any other Declaration then what was contain'd in this Edict. The Tenth asserted the Right of Parents, and allow'd to Fathers all that Authority which Nature had given 'em over their Children, and ordain'd that Pupils, whether Catholicks or Reformed, should have Tu∣tors and Guardians of their own Religion. Disinheriting of Heirs, upon the Accompt of Religion was forbid, and de∣clar'd null and void by the Eleventh Article. The Twelfth permitted the Printing and Selling of Religious Books, provi∣ded they had been viewed and examin'd by the Council of Moderators. The Thirteenth maintain'd the Reformed in Page  419 their Right to have a Printer. The Fourteenth and Fifteenth •ave the Reformed free Admittance into all Employments, even those of the Civil Government and Shrievalty, and promis'd •hat regard should be had in the supplying of those which •ere vacant, to the Number, Affection, Quality and Merit of the Reformed: Which was, in truth, to assure 'em the possession of all Employments. The Three last concern'd •he Execution and Stability of the Edict; that the Prince gave his Faith and Word to see it perform'd: No less de∣•…ring that his Successors should make the same Promise upon their coming to the Dignity; that if they were Mi∣nors, their Mothers or Guardians should promise in their Names, after they had first receiv'd the Oath of Fidelity from their Subjects; and that the Princes themselves should renew that Engagement when they came to be of Age; that all the •hief Officers at the time present should swear to see it fulfill'd; and that all that should come to Preferment afterwards should take the same Oath; and that the Edict should be read and publish'd in all Places where it was necessary. Which Pub∣lication was first made upon the 10th. of September in a Ge∣neral Assembly of the Officers, Burgesses, and all the Inha∣bitants in presence of the Duke himself: Upon the 18th. in the Soveraign Council; and in the Chancery upon the 29th. of the same Month. This Edict was also styl`d in the Pre∣face Perpetual and Irrevocable; nor was the Religion of the Reformed call'd the Pretended Reformed, but barely contra∣ry to the Catholick. However, this Edict as express and clearly couch'd as it was, and tho' set forth before Sedan belong'd to France, has prov'd no more Inviolable then that of Nantes.

For upon the fifth of September it was, that France beheld* the Birth of the King now Reigning, who has cancell'd all these Edicts. Both the King and Queen had made great Vows to the Holy Virgin, that they might obtain Children by her Intercession. For which reason it was that they acknowledg∣ed the Succour which she had afforded 'em in answering their Supplications, by sending most magnificent Presents to the Lady of Lorretto; and among the rest a Statue of the New∣born Prince of Massy Gold, carri`d by an Angel in Silver; Page  420 the whole of a very considerable Value. Certainly the Re∣formed had great reason to fear the Effects of such a Gross Piece of Superstition as this, and that a Prince for whose Birth they were beholding, as they said, to the Intercession of Saints, would be bred up under a great Antipathy against those who lookt upon the Doctrine of Intercession as a dange∣rous Error. Moreover, the Birth of this Prince occasion'd the Creating of several Guilds or Fraternities; and multiply'd the Nobility, by ennobling Letters, which were so couch'd, that there was not any Clause inserted to hinder the Reformed from the reaping the Benefit of 'em, to the end the Joy might be general. So that in regard they met with a thousand Ob∣structions in the Common ways to advancement, there were many Persons that took out these, either that they might have the Liberty to follow their Trades, or to ennnoble them∣selves. But the Favours that were done 'em, did not ex∣tend very far; nor was the Year 1639. more propitious* to 'em then the Rest. The Cardinal had embroyl'd himself with the Court of Rome, and he had a mind to make himself fear'd in that Court, as he was dreaded over all the rest of Europe. There was nothing talk`d of in France but of crea∣ting a Patriarch, and by that means of breaking off all Corespon∣dence with the Holy See. Searches were made by the Cardi∣nals order, what Quarrels the Popes had with the Kings of France, and Memoirs of every one were drawn up. There∣fore, to prevent least these Contests should prove a Scandal to the Catholicks, there was no other way then to let 'em see, that there was nothing of good intended by 'em toward the Reformed.

Therefore the Privy Council, by a Decree of the 18th. of January, renew'd their former Prohibitions to the Inhabitants of Villiers le Bell, forbidding their Assemblies to sing Psalms and say their Prayers; to work upon Holy days, or to bury their Dead, but at such Hours as were permitted.

But the Parliament of Grènoble went farther, and rammass'd together in one long Decree of the 21th. of March, whatever* several other particular Regulations contain'd of most incom∣modious and offensive to the Reformed. It forbid their Mi∣nisters to preach in the Houses of the Lords of the Mannor in Page  421 their absence, or of their Wives and Families, or in the absence, of the ordinary Chaplain. It forbid the Ministers to preach out of the Places where they were settl'd; and all others, as well as Ministers, to obstruct the sending of Children, Pupils and Servants to Catholick Regents and Tutors approv'd by the Ordinaries, under the Forfeiture of two thousand Livres, confiscation of Fiefs, or Court Jurisdiction; and the penalty of Imprisonment or other corporal Punishment to be inflicted upon the Ministers. It forbid the admitting of Notaries or Pro∣ctors without Letters Patents, and 'till they had made it out by an exact Examination, that they were qualify'd for the Employ∣ment mention'd in their Letters; and such as had not under∣gone this Tryal, were interdicted. It condemn'd the Reform∣ed to spread Carpets before their Doors upon solemn Processi∣on days, and more particularly upon Corpus-Christi day, and the Assumption of the Virgin, a day which the King had made choice of to preserve the Memory of his Vow, by vertue of which he had put himself under the Protection of that Ho∣ly Saint; the Efficacy of which, such was the Perswasion of the People, had obtain'd the Birth of the Dauphin. And if the Reformed fail'd of doing it upon the first warning of the Officers, the Catholicks were authoriz'd to cause the Carpets to be spread, at the Charges of the Reformed, who were liable to Corporal Constraint, if they refus`d Reimbursment. It order'd Information to be given of such Hospitals as had been erected without leave of the King or Parlament, and forbad the Erecting of new ones, or any o∣ther Houses of Retirement, without leave first obtain'd. 'Twas mention`d also in the Decree, that the Chambers had bin consulted, but the Suffrages of the Reformed Counsellors were not numerous enough to carry it against the Catholicks.

The University of Poitiers had certain Ancient Statutes* which oblig'd their Members to certain Devotions; which Statutes had bin neglected, while the Edict was observ'd with any thing of Sincerity, because they could not bring the Reformed to submit to 'em. But when their Destructi∣on was openly labour'd, they bethought themselves of Re∣viving their Statutes, that they might have an Opportu∣nity Page  422 to put the Reformed by, when they demanded their Degrees. The Pretence was, that these degrees were con∣ferr'd in the Cathedral Church, where it was presuppos'd that the Reformed could not take 'em: And moreover that they could not be present at the Processions which the Univer∣sity, according to the Statutes were bound to solemnize eve∣ry Month, carrying in Pomp to the Church of the Jacobins that which the Catholicks call the Holy Sacrament. These Statutes had bin reviv'd in the years 1619. and 1620. But that they might have a more specious Pretence to refuse the Reformed their Degrees, the Bishop this year set forth a Chapter Ordinance, dated April 28. wherein he declar'd, that he would no longer suffer the Reformed to take Degrees in his Church. So that the Ordinance of one single Bishop render'd fruitless the Edict of a Great King.

The first of the same Month came forth a Decree of Coun∣cil* which summon'd Constans, a Councellor in the Presidi∣al Court of Mountauban, and Rieuperieux, the Kings Advo∣cate, to be heard upon an Affair which had made a great Noise; and until they had had their Hearing, they were suspended from their Employments. The Business was, that Mage the Judge, and the Judge Criminal of Montauban, had upon the 16th. of January set forth an Order which Oblig'd all the Inhabitants of the Jurisdiction, both within and without, as well Catholicks as Reformed, to observe Holy-days, and forbid 'em to expose to sale either Flesh or Fowl, or Wild∣fowl, upon such days as were not allow'd of by the Roman Church. In this Order, to make it more authentick, they cited a Decree of the Chamber of Castres, set forth in March 1634. And an Order of the Intendant of Guyenne of the 16th. of the same Month 1638. Now when these two Judges, who pretended that the sole Cognizance of the Civil Government of the City belong'd to them, caus'd the Order to be read in Court, Rieuperieux oppos'd it; and requir'd the Judge Cri∣minal and four Counsellors that were present to do him Right upon his Opposal. But Mage, the Judge, persisting, and or∣daining the Order to be Register'd, Constans, who was eldest Councellor, gave an Injunction to the contrary, and forbid Page  423 the Prothonotary to Register it. The Heat of this Con∣test brake up the Court, and the Judge having fortifi`d him∣self at the Council, fail'd not according to the Maxim observ'd there, always to lay all the blame upon the Re∣formed, to the end he might obtain a Confirmation of his Order, and a personal Summons for Constans and Rieuperieux, 'Tis remarkable that this was a Dispute about Competitor∣ship, or rather sufficiency of Power; a Tryal of Skill to know whether the first Judge could alone of himself make Orders relating to the Civil Goverment, without advice of the Coun∣sellors, and without imparting it to the Kings Advocates. But because there was something more in the Matter which concern'd the Franchises of a Protestant City, the Judges Order was confirm'd before any Cognizance had bin taken of the Reasons for Rieuperieux's Opposition.

The Church of Rochechouard had bin tormented near ten years* by the Lord of the Feif, who omitted no Invention to ruin it. The People had always met in the Common Hall of the City, which was a very small Town: But in 1630. the Lord instiga∣ted by the Bishop of Limoges, took from 'em the use of the House by Vertue of his own Authority, without any prosecution at Law. Nevertheless the Church suffer'd this Attempt without making any Resistance, and provided themselves of another House wherein to continue their Exercises. However, four years after the Lord would needs lay hold of the Opportunity, and de∣stroy the Church by means of the Grand Sessions that us'd to be kept in that Hall; but failing in his design that way, the Business was remov'd to the Chamber of the Edict at Paris; where he had not that Success neither which he desir'd. This oblig'd him, because he would not seem to be baffl`d, to remove the Cause before the Council, where all the Mis∣chief he could do, was, that he obtain'd an Order of the 10th. of May this year, for the Reformed to produce their Ori∣ginal Titles, of which they had nothing but compar`d Co∣pies in the suit commenc'd. And the same Order forbid the inserting of any Alterations or Innovations on either side. The Church having done their Duty, the Lord let the thing hang for several years, perceiving he could ground no Right Page  424 upon the support of undenyable Proofs: So that at last, he let the Business quite fall; and the Reformed, who enjoy'd their Liberty, fearing themselves to molest the Quiet of their own Priviledges, by demanding Judgment, never minded the suing for any Decree in their Favour. And the Affair still remains undecided, according to the Custom of the Council, who never did any thing for the Advantage of the Reformed, but when they were so earnestly press'd to it, that they could not avoid it: Which cost that Church very dear, as I shall relate in another Place.

Upon the 16th. of June the Parlament of Rennes con∣demn'd the Reformed in Vitre, to spread Carpets before their Doors upon Procession days; tho' about ten years before* they had set forth an Edict quite opposite to it: And upon the 14th of December, the Parliament of Dijon made ano∣ther, which was no less singular. For two of the Refor∣med had had a suit together: The one demanded that his Cause might be sent back, the Other requir'd that the Cause might be continu'd. Accordingly the Parlament judg'd the con∣tinuance of it; and the Pretence was, that it was a case wherein the Cause of the Defendant was to be favour'd. They might have said with much more Justice, that in re∣gard the Dispute was about a Franchise, he who was will∣ing to wave it, could not so well do it, to the Prejudice of him that endeavour'd to make use of it.

The sixteenth of December, the privy Council condemn'd the Reformed, who practis'd as Proctors in some Jurisdicti∣on or other of Poitou, to produce their Letters Patents, and to justifie that they were qualified for the Employment; that is to say, that they were Roman Catholicks: In the mean time they were forbid to practise in them. This* was the Language of all the Courts in the Kingdom, who knew the King had by that means a design to exclude the Reformed from all petty Employments. The same day came forth another decree which forbid the Exercise of the Re∣formed Religion at Taulignan in the Province of the Dau∣phinate;* and which would not permit 'em to bury but in the dusk of the Evening, as at Paris, and other great Cities, Page  425 under the Forfeiture of three thousand Livres. I meet with also another Decree the same day, which forbid the* Reformed of Blois to lock up their Church-yard. For the Archdeacon, who is the chief Clergy-man of that City, had presented a Petition to that Effect, wherein he set forth, that the locking up of the Church-yard would create a Jea∣lousie in the Catholicks: For that the Church-yard being advantagiously seated to command the City, which was built upon the Descent of a Hill, they might meet together and fortify themselves in it, to the great danger of the City. Which was a Precaution that signifi'd very little, at a time when France was already subdu'd, and patiently bore the Yoak. So that there were none but the Croakers, who* made a little Bustle in some of the Provinces: For so were the Peasants call`d, who not being able to bear the Taxes and Imposts with which they were overwhelm'd, nor the Vexa∣tions of the Gentry, had taken Arms to defend themselves. Nevertheless the Council granted those Prohibitions to the Archdeacon, not because the Reason of the thing deserv'd it, but because it would be an Inconvenience to the Reformed, who Burying their dead in an open Place, would be expos`d to the Affronts of the Rabble.

The next year they continu'd their Vexations of the Re∣formed,* by a thousand Squabbles and Cavils. The Bishop of Oleron, in Bearn, and the grey Fryar Placede his Proctor, at∣tempted to put down the Exercise at Oleron, St. Marie, Luc and Saucede. And the Parliament of Pau, whither the Cause* was remov'd, retain'd it; and in the mean time forbid the Continuance of Preaching in Places where there were not a∣bove ten Families of the Reformed in all: Grounding their Proceedings upon the Answer return'd to the Paper presen∣ted by the Ecclesiasticks in 1617. upon which a Decree was made the 23th. of January. The Parliament of Paris also, by a Decree of the 7th. of September forbid La Gateliniere to suffer any Preaching in his House at Puigeniet, nor in any place belonging to the Bailliage of Tours. The same day likewise the Parlament of Bourdeaux sent the same Prohibitions to those of; Beaulieu in Limosin, at the same time forbidding Page  426 'em to hold a Synod in the City, or to make use of the Com∣mon Bell for tolling to Sermon, under the Forfeiture •• 10000 Livres. 'Tis true indeed that this was not ordain'd but for such a Time, and till it should be order'd otherwise.

The Schools were the Subject of many Cavils, as* well as their Exercises. For the Syndic of the Clergy o• Roven took his Opportunity when the Council stay'd a• Roven, in regard the Chancellor had Orders to repair in∣to Normandy, and Command the Forces that were sent a∣gainst the Piednuds, or the People that went Barefoot; for so were they call'd in that Province, who were nam'd Cro∣kers in other Places. This same Syndic set forth in his Pe∣tition, that the Catholicks themselves had not the Liberty to keep Schools, without leave of the Chancellor of the Metropolitan Church; whence it follow'd that the Reformed were not to have that Priviledge without Permission. For this reason, the Council, upon the 6th. of February, set forth a Decrcee prohibiting Schools to be kept at Roven, or in any other Places where there was not a Right of Exercise. Up∣on the 10th. of December the Parlament of Bourdeaux, at the Instance of du Sault, a Zealous Persecutor, who pleaded in the room of the Advocate General, by a Decree forbid Ord• and Grenier, Regents of the Reformed Schools at St. Fri, to keep 'em open, for that they had intruded into 'em of their own Heads, without leave of the Court. The Fifteenth of the same Month wrote expresly to the Bishop of Poitiers, to let him understand that 'twas his Pleasure for Decorums sake, that the Schools where Boys and Girls were taught, should be distinct. Two Months after appear'd a Judicial Sentence, upon a Motion of the Kings Advocate, that all Schoolmasters, as well Catholicks as Reformed, should be bound to take their Licenses from the Bishop; and by Conse∣quence, to observe the same distinction between the Schools of both Sexes. Since that, the Law is very much alter'd; for that by forbidding the Reformed to have any more then one School in a Place, they have provided against their Observance of that Distinction: As if the Professi∣on of Heresie were a reason sufficient to deprive Here∣ticks Page  427 of their Right to observe the Decorums of Morality.

The Advocate General in the Parlament of Pau, bethought himself of a rare Artifice, to oblige the Reformed under that Ju∣risdiction* to give their Religion the Title of Pretended Reformed. They were wont to qualifie themselves with the Addition of the Religion of the Edict; or barely Of the Religion: And this they observ'd in all their Publick Acts; even in the Plead∣ings of Advocates. But the Advocate General undertook to prohibit 'em that Custom, and to render this Severity more Tolerable, he was desirous to usher it in by some Act of Justice. He shew'd how that the Catholicks commonly call'd 'em Huguenots and Hereticks; which might cause great Disorder; besides that the Reformed were not to be Suffer'd •o use such Expressions as frequently came out of their Mouths. •n Conformity therefore to this Request, the Parlament set forth a Decree, forbidding the Catholicks to call the Refor∣med Huguenots or Hereticks; and prohibiting the Reform∣ed to give their Religion any other Name then that of the Pretended Reformed. But the Catholicks never obey'd those Prohibitions, either in Bearn or elsewhere; and the Refor∣med avoided, as much as in 'em lay, the Assuming a Ti∣tle which they could not own with a safe Conscience.

Vanier and Mangets, Inhabitants of Nanterre, having let* ••ip something in common Conversation, touching the Per∣son of the Holy Virgin, and the Honour due to her, which seem'd very remote from the Sentiments of the Roman Church, whose Disciples never mention that blessed Creature, but with that Respect which they pay to God himself, the Discourse of those two Men was lookt upon as Blasphemy, and the Judge of the Places order'd 'em to be prosecuted as Blasphemers. To this they added another Crime as little understood as the former, and accus'd 'em of edeavouring to seduce some young People of the Town from the Catholick Religion. And they inserted that Term young People, to hedge in the Ar∣ticle of the Edict of Nantes, which equally forbid as well the Catholicks as the Reformed, to practise the Trade of Sedu∣cers. But in reality, these young Men were Persons ripe in Years, and of an Age which absolutely discharg'd the Ar∣ticle Page  428 of the Edict from taking Cognizance of 'em. The Crime of being Seducers was common to Both, but Vanier, was chiefly charg'd with the Blasphemy. For which being convicted, he was Condemn'd to undergo the Amende Hono∣rable, and to the Gallies for five Years: The other was onely Sentenc'd to the First Punishment, and banish'd the Town and Parish. But the whole cause being remov'd to the Chamber of the Edict at Paris: The Punishment was mitigated; so that Vanier was condemn'd to Confess in the Court of Nanterre, with his head bare and upon his Knees, that he had rashly and Impiously utter'd the Blasphemies that were laid to his Charge, and which he had own'd in his Interrogatory. He was also banish'd out of the Provost∣ship of Paris, and fin'd eight Livers. There are two Things in this affair which plainly make it out, that these preten∣ded Blasphemies consisted only in the Liberty which Vanier had taken to express in Terms not rightly chosen, the Do∣ctrine of the Reformed touching Religious Adoration. That is, that he freely confess'd before the Judge what he had said, which was more then a Person accus'd of down right Blas∣phemy, would have doubtless done with so much Confi∣dence. The other is, that the Sentence pronounc'd by the Judge of Nanterre, was mitigated by the Chamber of the Edict; which would not have so fallen out, had there been any thing of Solid in the Accusation of Blasphemy. There have and will be seen Examples, by which it is to be observ'd, that the Advocate General became the Ap∣pellant for a slighter Punishment, when there was but any pretence for it in the Accusation of the Basphemer, and that the Chief Judge had not pronounc'd the Utmost Se∣verities of the Law. This Decree was issu'd forth the 1•th. of September.

Such another Accident happen'd at Poitiers, upon a pre∣tended* Sacriledge. For a certain Cross erected in the High∣way, near that City, was found pull'd down and levell'd with the Ground, upon St. Michael's day. Upon which there was both Inquisition made and Information given be∣fore the Judge of Poitiers, and the Testimonies charg'd the Page  429 Crime upon a Person of the Religion: And had he been Convicted of the Fact, he had deserv'd no less then Break∣ing upon the Wheel. For People have been burnt alive for Committing certain Insolencies against the Cross, which after their Death, was found where it stood, to be as •ound and as free from any Dammage, as when it was first errected. But this suppos'd Criminal was acquitted at so Cheap a rate, that it serv'd for a strong Presumption of his Innocency. For he was condemn'd only to the Char∣ges of the Tryal, to a slight Fine, and to set up the Cross again. And he rather chose to fulfil the Sentence, then to prosecute the Reversal of it, fearing to enlarge and Swell his Accusation by an Appeal.

Upon the 12th. of September a Decree was publish'd at* Castres; the Consequences of which were Tedious and Vexatious. The Advocate General set forth four Things. I. That the Reformed never put off their Hatts to the Sacrament, when they mett it in the Streets, nor ever fell upon their Knees. II. That they would not let their Do∣mestick Servants go to Mass. III. That they would not suf∣fer 'em to be Comforted in their Sickness. IV. That they constrain'd 'em to work upon Holy-days: And of all these Abuses he mov'd for a Regulation. As for the three last Articles, a Regulation was granted him with a Nemine Con∣•ra••••nte: And the Reformed were forbid to give their Servants any Trouble in those Particulars. But they were divided upon the first: The Catholicks, most Zealous Mem∣bers of the Parlament of Tholouse, were of Opinion that the Catholicks should be order'd to kneel, when they had not time to get out of the Way. On the other side, it was the Judgment of the Reformed, that those of their Religion were not bound to Kneel; that it was sufficient to Ordain that they should retire into their Houses, or any where▪ else upon the sound of the Bell; that the Reformed in Gene∣ral had never Violated the Edicts; and that particular Per∣sons when they had Committed any Fault, had been al∣ways punish'd by the Chamber, without Dissimulation or Connivance. Upon this Division of Opinions being carry'd Page  430 to the Council, there came forth a Decree of the 24th. of October, which cofirm'd the Opinion of the Catholicks; order'd the Reformed that could not get out of the way, to put themselves into a Condition of Respect as Others did: And upon their Refusal, condemn'd em, for the first Fault to a Fine of 500 Livres, for the Second 1500, and for the Third 2000, and Banishment out of the Province. There could be nothing order'd more Expressly against the Articles of the Edict, which exempted the Reformed from every thing that was contrary to their Consciences.

Several Contagious Diseases had been very rife in France this Year, and had made a great Havock of the People, principally in the Southern Provinces. And this Contagion having spread it self in several Places where the Reformed had a Right to Assemble, and perform the Exercises of their Religion, chiefly at Nimes and the Parts adjoyning, they took the Liberty to meet in the Streets, in the Publick Places, and in the Fields; whether it were, because they would not deprive those Persons of the Comfort of Pious Exercises, for whom it was not safe to have a free Con∣versation with Others, that they caus'd 'em to sit under the Wind; or because they were willing to prevent the Sound from being Infected, by suffering 'em to sit among persons suspected of Infection in close Places: But most cer∣tain it was, that they never pretended thereby to make any Encroachments; and one would have thought, that at a time when such a Terrible Judgment requir'd the Inces∣sant Applications of Prayer and Devotion, the People might have been dispenc'd with the delays of a Regular Address to obtain the Princes leave. Nevertheless, this Attempt was lookt upon as Criminal, tho' it had been authoriz'd by a Decree of the Party-Chamber. Thereupon there was a Decree made by the Privy Council, which forbid any such sort of Exercise; which reserv'd to the King the Pow∣er of appointing some Place, for the Reformed where to meet in Case of Contagion, and which order'd Machaut, Intendant of the Province, to prosecute Du Cross, and others accus'd of this New Crime: And the Intendant was autho∣riz'd Page  431 to give a final Sentence, from which there should be no Appeal. Now they who are acquainted with the de∣lays of the Council, and the Comissioners, to whom such things are referr`d, can never question but that the design was to reduce the Reformed, either to forbear their Exer∣cises while those Contagions continu`d; or else to infect one another if they would not deprive those that were upon Re∣covery and such as were suspected of Infection, of the Con∣solation of their publick Devotions, who both of `em stood in the greatest need of it. This Decree came forth the 30th. of October, but had not authority enough to serve for a Regulation.

But there was a particular affair, and which made a* great noise adjudg`d by the Parliament of Paris, the 22th. of August. There was a certain Priest in the Diocess of Nevers, whose name was Sebastian Tridon, who not conforming to the Roman Religion, and abhorring the Tyranny of Celibacy, embrac`d the Reformed Religion, and afterwards marri`d. The Bishop of Nevers, to prevent the Noise of this Con∣version from spreading any further, and to brand the Priest with Infamy, set a-foot an Accusation of Lewdness against him, and omitted nothing of Falshood or False dates, to colour the Calumny. For which reason the Priest appeal`d from the Sentence of the Bishop, as a Secular Person from an Ecclesiastical Court, and undertook to prove the Falshood as well of the Decree, as of the verbal Report of a pretended Lying∣in of the Maid, whom he was accus`d to have debauch`d. On the other side, three Brothers which he had, oppos`d his Marriage, and obtain`d of the Judge of St. Peter le Moutier, Prohibitions to Montunglard the Minister, and all others, to proceed any farther towards the Celebration of the Marri∣age, as also to Tridon and Mary Bruander, who was betroth'd to him, to think any more of it. 'Tis true, it deeply con∣cern`d the Brothers, as well for that by the Marriage they lost the hopes of succeding as Heirs to their Brother; as for that Tridon quitted several rich Benefices, by forsaking the Roman Religion. For it appear'd by the Process, that he was in pos∣session of an Abby, a Canonship, and a considerable Vicaridge. Page  432 Well—There was an appeal from that Sentence, as also from the Proceedings of the Official; and the Cause being re∣mov`d into the Chamber, Tridons Advocate insisted upon the Liberty granted by the Edict, and upon the long Tole∣ration of several Marriages in the same Case. The Bishops Advocate, who was also for the Rest of Tridons adversaries, insisted chiefly upon the Vow of Priesthood, which he pre∣tended was inviolable; and which is worthy observation, he said nothing of the Challenge, but by the by; only he told the Court that the Methods he had taken were impertment and false. And at the Conclusion of his Plea, he put home to the Reformed a Point of Honour, who if they lov'd the Purity of their Religion, would never admit any to the Pro∣fession of it, but such who embrac'd it upon the Principles of Vertue, not such as became their Proselytes for love of Libertinism, and publickly abandon'd their Continency. As if, not to say any thing of the lawfulness of Marrige at present, it could be deny, d, that a man who only sought to marry for no other reason, then to find a Remedy against Incontinency in the state of Wedlock, were not visibly over∣rul'd by the Maxims of Vertue. And the Advocate General, Talon, likewise, tho` he had laid a great stress upon the Opinion of the Roman Church, which believes that the sacerdotal Chara∣cter, such as that she deems to be imprinted by Baptism, can never be lost, nor repeated, could not forbear to second the Advocates conceit; but the Advocate pretending that Celibacy was an Apostilick Tradition, deriding as Fabulous the Story of Paphnutius, who in a full Council had given the Name of Chastity to Conjugal Society, according to the Re∣lation of Socrates; Talon acknowledg`d the contrary, that Mar∣riage and Orders were not incompatible by their Instituti∣on; and that Celibacy was only introduc'd for the sake of greater Purity; but in the main he asserted, that the Par∣ticular Articles were never enregister`d; tho' eighteen years before, his Father James Talon had maintain`d the contrary, and caus`d the Register to be brought into Court: That they contain`d Priviledges and Resignations, irregular from the common Law; which were not capable of any extended In∣terpretation, Page  433 but were to be expounded according to the Letter: That it was with the Liberty of Sentiments grant∣ed by the Edict, as with the Liberty of Exterior Actions, which are reduc'd into Laws of the Kingdom: That Priests might Embrace the Reformed Religion, but not Violate the General Laws of Celibacy, which were the Laws of the State: That there were a thousand Inconveniences to be fear'd if they should be permitted to Marry, more espe∣cially, if the same Priest, after he was Marry`d, should hap∣pen to return to the Roman Church. He cited the De∣crees made upon the Marriage of the Cardinal Chatillon, and the Chevalier de la Ferte Imbaut; and to elude the Force of the long Toleration of Mariages of the same Nature, he would needs have it believ`d, that it proceeded from two Causes: First, for that the Kindred of Marry`d Priests stifl'd the memory of their Crimes, for the Honour of their Families, as not being any way bound to reveal `em. The Second was, that the Ecclesiasticks were never eager in the Prose∣cution of such People, which was the cause of their Impurity. These were the Advocate General`s Reasons, which it would have been an easie thing to have refuted, had the other side been permitted to Answer. For the two Causes from whence he deduc`d the Toleration of Marriages, of the same Nature with Tridons, were notoriously False. The Kindred having had always prevailing Reasons to prevent 'em; and the Ecclesiasticks never omitting any Opportunity of persecuting those Priests who forsook the Roman Church. Besides, that outward Sentiments or Actions were so far from being restrain'd within the Bounds of the Laws of the Kingdom, by the Edicts, that quite the contrary, those Edicts were only promulgated, to exempt the Reformed not only in respect of Sentiments, but in regard of outward Actions from the Rigor of the Common Laws as to what concern'd Conscience. Nevertheless, in regard the Time for Interpreting any thing in Favour of the Reformed, was not yet come, Parquets Conclusions were followed in part, and the Sentence of the Judge was Confirm'd; but they order`d no General Regulation upon the Matter. However Page  434 'tis true, that a President in adjudg'd Cases, never fails to have the Force of a Regulation, especially when there is an Antipathy against the Parties against whom the Judgment is given.

By a Decree of the 30th. of November, the Catholick* Officers in the Court of Accompts, Aids and Finances of Mom∣pellier, were adjudg`d to precede the Reformed, in all the same Cases, and with the same Expressions, as Preceden∣cie had been adjudg`d to the Counsellors of the Chambers of Languedoc and Guyenne, by the Decrees which I have set down in another Place. So that in all the Soveraign Ju∣risdictions, the Reformed were despoyl`d of all the Privi∣ledges which in pursuance of the Edict, they were equally to enjoy with the Catholicks.

But the next Year produc`d `em those Vexations, of which* the Consequences were no less afflictive; and the Cham∣ber* of Castres was the Principal Object of their Cavils. For the Decree of the 23d. of October, touching the Vene∣ration which was to be pay`d by the Reformed to the Sa∣crament, and which oblig`d `em to kneel when they met it in the Streets, having been presented to the Chamber to be register`d, Tzarn the Prothonotary, being backt by the Reformed Counsellors, refus`d to enroll it; Boyer and Baule`s, Consuls of the same Religion, refus`d the Publica∣tion of it. The reason of their refusal was evident enough; because the Reformed could not give that Exteriour Mark of Veneration to the Sacrament, which they did not think proper to be ador`d without doing an Injury to their Con∣sciences. Whereupon the News of this refusal being car∣ry`d to Court, it was there deem`d convenient to issue forth a new Decree of the second of January, to interpret the former. There it was Acknowledg`d that the Equivo∣cal sence of some Expressions was the reason of their re∣quiring the Reformed to kneel; and therefore to exempt `em from this Injurious Compliance, it was ordain`d that both Men and Women should get out of the way upon the Tingling of the Bell; and if they could not, that they should put themselves in a Posture of respect, the Men by put∣ting Page  435 off their Hats only. But to the end that this Inter∣pretation should not be thought an act of Kindness, there was another Decree made the same day, that the Protho∣notary and the Consuls should be proceeded against, for •…ing to Register and publish the first Decree, and enjoyn∣ing the Chamber to allow 'em Commissioners.

In Pursuance of this Decree there was an Information drawn up against the Parties accus'd: And when the Cham∣ber met to consult upon it, the Three Parties presented two Petitions; the one in reference to what Yzarn had done, and the other relating to the Misdemeanor of the Consuls: And* they desir'd they might be read, before they enter'd into Consultation. The Catholicks were for throwing 'em aside without reading 'em, and arguing upon the Matter of Fact, were for committing 'em to Prison; and ordering 'em to appear at the Chamber, and to be heard at the Bar as Crimi∣nals; that they should be Iron'd; only that in favour to 'em their Irons should be put on at the Chamber door, and knockt off again when they went out: And that this seve∣rity should be part of their Punishment. On the other side, the Reformed were for reading their Petitions which had not bin imparted to the Reporter, because the Dispute was about the Refusal of Commissioners, and Cancelling the In∣formations: That it was but just to consider whether the Commissioners ought to be Judges: That only contumaci∣••s Persons were depriv'd of the Right of Refusal, and had their Mouths stopp'd till they submitted to Justice: That the Petition was according to law; nor did they insist upon it out of a Spirit of Contradiction, but as forejudg'd by the Com∣missioners themselves, who had not desir'd the Imprisonment of the Parties; as little design'd by the Decree it self, which was coucht in the mildest Terms that could be conceiv'd in such a Case. Upon this, the Catholicks not willing to sub∣mit, the Court continu'd still divided; and notice was sent of it to the Council, for them to decide the Matter. The Reformed deputed thither the President Vignoles; but he was not well receiv'd; and the King wrote to the Reformed Counsellors, to let them understand, that their Deputation Page  436 was no way pleasing to him: And to exhort 'em to appear more moderate for the future, when the Dispute was about putting in Execution the Decrees of his Council and his Com∣mands.

But for fear the Catholicks had not gain'd a Victory com∣pleat enough, the 15th of April came forth another decree, which determining the Division of the Court, ordain'd that without taking notice of the Opinions of the Reformed, they should proceed to pass sentence upon the Parties accus'd; and forbid any Division of the Court upon that Instruction, upon Pain of being accompted Encouragers and Abettors of Disobedience. There could be nothing more unjust then this Prohibition, nor of which the Consequence could be more dangerous. For 'tis well known, that in Criminal Affairs, he that is master of the Instruction, is also Master of the Sentence which the Instruction prepares. So that the Reformed not daring to divide upon the Instruction, the Catholicks had the Liberty to expound it how they pleas'd; and their Associates being no more then Spectators of the Proceeding, had indeed no voice to give, but only in the concern of a definitive Sentence. This and Time together pro∣duc`d odd Consequences; and gave the Parlament of Tho∣louse a great Occasion to Triumph in this particular, who thereby saw the Downfall of all the Power which the Re∣formed had in the Party Chamber. There was a Necessity therefore for the Consuls to buckle under the Authority of Caminade, the Catholick President, who had commanded 'em to proclaim the Decree, when all the Authority of the Pre∣sident Vignoles, who forbid 'em, was not sufficient to excuse 'em. In short, they were confin`d, amerc`d a hundred and fifty Livres, order`d to beg pardon for their Disobedience to Caminade, as having done it rashly and erroneously, to pay the Costs and Charges of the Tryal, which the Court was to tax, to give a Declaration in writing to be register`d, and to be suspended from the Consulship for six Months, and they were forbid during that time to be present at the Town-House, or at any publick Assemblies.

This Affair which concern`d the Chamber, was attended Page  437 by another no less vexatious to the Consistory; among whom it was a Custom to create Tithing-men, whose bu∣siness it was to make up the Rolls of all the Inhabitants of* the City. These Rolls serv`d for several ends; either to know whether the Number of the Reformed or Catholicks encreas`d or diminish`d; or to see by the Roll who were most proper to serve as Elders and Deacons, which were frequent∣ly chang`d in the Provinces; or to judge upon whom it was most proper to assess the Taxes, which were then rais`d by Authority of the Consuls, together with the Royal Money for the Payment of the Ministers, and for other Expences of the Churches. But the Catholicks believ'd, or at least fain'd to believe, that there were greater Mysteries coneal'd under this Custom. This Year therefore the Consistory having given out certain Orders to the Tything-Men, they made up three Rolls, of which two contain'd the Names of the Reformed and Catholicks both together; the Third, the Names of the Reformed only. Upon this, there was some disturbance made by the Catholicks, who refus'd to tell the Tithing-men their Names, and complain'd of some hard usage upon their refusal. This petty Business, having thus made way for complaints, occasion'd a great Hurly-Burly af∣terwards. There were great Inquisitions upon it, several per∣sons were heard; the Tithing-men, the Informers, the Mini∣sters, the Elders; and Monitories were also publish'd in the Cathedral Church. But all that they could gather from this exact Enquiry was, that an Order had been given by the Informer to the Tithing-men to make up a Roll within their several Precincts, of such Persons as were capable of supplying the Place of Elders, because the Time appointed for a new Election drew near; that it was not usual to give such Commissions to the Tithing-men; that they were al∣so intrusted with Distributing the leaden Tokens to such as were to be at the Communion; that whether they had misunderstood, or whether they had receiv'd any other Orders then what appear'd, they had made use of the Name of the Consuls to oblige such as refus'd to tell their Names; that one of 'em being ask'd by some one of his Tything▪ Page  438 whether the Roll were made up in order to any Guard which they were about to appoint, an answer was made, that Perhaps it might be so: That Sillas, a Gascoin Gen∣tleman, who came to Castres, where he stay'd five or six days, under pretence of some Orders from the King and the Prince of Condè, had lodg'd at the Beadle's House; that during his stay he had obtaind a Capias against a Ser∣vant of his, who as he said, had robb'd him in his Lodg∣ing. It might appear by that, that these Rolls conceal'd no dangerous Mysteries, in regard that all the Confessions were Unanimous and Ingenious. Nevertheless there came out a Decree of the last of August, which Condemn'd the Beadle and the Tithing-men to several Penalties; forbid the Con∣sistory to make use of Tything-men in the Execution of their Discipline, only with allowance to employ such other Persons as they should think fitting; and not to meddle with any thing of Politick Affairs. As for the Nominati∣on of the Tithing-men, it was reserv'd to the Consuls, who were order'd to appoint 'em Party-per-pale. And some there were among them who had been in that Employment for above Eighteen Years; which was a Demonstration that the Power of appointing those Officers had been a long time Vested in the Consistory. But the least pretence was sufficient to deprive the Reformed of their best Establsh'd Privi∣ledges.

The Reformed had Schools at Couhè, which were Go∣vern`d* by two Regents, Guillamet, otherwise call`d Torsat, and Champeraut. But upon the 28th. of February, came forth a Decree of the Councel of State, which forbid the keep∣ing of Schools in that Place, and which order`d the two Regents to appear, as if they would have made a Crime of their Profession. Several Places also there were, where the Exercise of Religion was Prohibited. For Example, a Decreee of the 15th. of March, forbid the Continuance of it at Bessai, because it was a Catholick Lordship. And as for the Exercise that was kept at Marevil, it was order`d that Villemonteè, the Intendant, should inform himself by Deeds and Testimonies of the Time when it first began. Page  439 Another of the 3d. of April, forbid the Reformed to assem∣ble together at Mombaison, whither they had remov`d their Exercises, after they were thrust out of Taulignan; and the same Decree forbad Vulson de la Colombiere, to preach in any more then one Place. 'Tis Remarkable also that the Bi∣•••• of Valence and Die, who was a perpetual Goad in the sides of the Reformed within his Diocess, set forth in the Pe∣••tion upon which he obtain'd that Decree of Council, that within three leagues round Taulignan, there were no less then thirty four Places where the Reformed Religion was exer∣cis'd. A great Honour for a Bishop, to have caus'd the surpression of the greatest Part. There was also a Decree at Paris, issu'd out of the Chamber of the Edict, where by, after the Business had hung nine Years together in sus∣pence, Bournaizeau, was forbid to preach: For which the Pretence was, that the Lord was a Catholick, and Party to the Process. However, 'tis true, that the Decree reserv'd to the Reformed the Power to provide themselves of another Place without the Barony. But that was only a delusive clause which was added to their Decrees, to make People believe that they did Justice alike to both Paties: To the Lord, by freeing his Mannor from the Exercise of a Reli∣gion which was contrary to his own; and to the Reformed, by allowing 'em the Choice of another Place. But these Prohibitions were equivalent to an absoute Interdiction; for that when the Reformed demanded another Place, either it was impossible to agree upon it; or else they wrangled 'em out of it, upon the score of their Right. And if they took possession of a new Place without asking leave, they were forbid to continue their Meetings, as not having any Power to assemble without permission. The same Cham∣ber also, after several Cavils and Decrees, forbad Montaigu, •• preach in the absence of the Lord. And this Decree came forth the 7th. of September.

Burials also afforded a world of Matter for Trouble and Vex∣ation.* For the Reformed were wont to bury their Dead in • certain Place of the Diocess of Noyon, neer adjoyning to Varennes. But the Bishop Pretended, that formerly there Page  440 had stood a Chappel in that Place, and to prevent the Re∣formed from carrying their Dead thither, he erected a Cross upon the same Ground. But the Reformed being nothing terrifi'd at that, the Bishop of his own Authority caus'd all the Bodies to be digg'd up again which had been interr'd since his Erecting the Cross. After which he be∣thought himself of getting a Decree upon a Petition to the Privy Council, which forbid any more Buryings in that Place. And to render the pretence of their Prohibitions more Specious, the Bishop caus'd a Procession to be made in that Place upon the day which the Catholicks call Corpus Christi day, and set up a Repository for the Sacrament.

Blasphemies and Prophanations were still another pretence* of several Vexations. For an Inhabitant of Nanterre, one Mangets, another of the same name besides the Person of whom I have already spoken, was accus'd to have uttered some Blasphemies. The Judge having understood his Duty by the Decree of the Chamber of the Edict, which had revers'd his Sentence the Year before, pronounc`d another more mode∣rate, and condemn`d the Criminal to make an atonement for his Fault, by kneeling with his Head bare before the Au∣ditory of Nanterre, and three Years banishment out of the Jurisdiction. This Business being remov'd to Paris, by an Appeal of the Party condemn`d, the Advocate General was in an ill humour at that time, and mov`d to be admitted an Appellant as from a Punishment that was too slight. Up∣on which the Chamber of the Edict, by a Decree of the 11th. of May, enhansing the Penalty impos`d by the Sen∣tence of the Judge of Nanterre, condemn`d Mangets to nine Years banishment out of the Provostship of Paris. More∣over, a certain private Person of Couhè, was condemn`d to a Fine by a Sentence of the Judge of those places, upon the 10th. of April, and the Fine was disposed of toward the maintaining a Light in the Parochial Church: And the pre∣tence was the Profanation of the Church-yard, into which the same Person was accus`d for having carry`d some Dung, and to have set up Tenters to stretch his Serges. But all the Crime which he had Committed in that particular, Page  441 without doubt was no more, then that being one of the Re∣formed, he had not obtain'd leave of the Curate by some present or some little Gratuity: In regard there is no Church∣yard at this day, wherein the same Liberty is not to be had at the same Rate.

The Proctors also were persecuted, under pretence that* they had not Patents for their practice, or because they were not of the same Religion which was therein express'd. For Example, there liv`d at St. Maixants, one of the Reformed whose name was Gascon, and who was of the same Pro∣fession. This man was envy'd by the Catholicks that liv'd by the same employment: And that was a common thing, in all Places where there were any Reformed Officers; be∣cause they had generally more business then the others; whether it were that the old opinion of their Probity, caus'd 'em to be more confided in; or whether it were that to render themselves more considerable, they strove to be more exact then others. Which was the reason that the Refor∣med were more respected for their own sakes, then for the sake of their Employments. Upon this score Gascon receiv'd the Money due to the Corporation, which vex'd the others, who thought there was something to be got by that Em∣ployment: So that they began to think of getting him out of his Office, that he might no longer be an Eye sore to 'em. To this purpose, Hardi, a Catholick Proctor in the same Court, maintain'd one day, in a Process, wherein he was Proctor for the same side, that he had no right to plead at the Bar, because he was not duly qualified. But this at∣tempt not having the desir'd Effect, the Catholicks combin'd together against the Reformed, and resolv'd to exclude 'em every one from those petty Employments. To which end, they thought it their best way to complain of 'em to the Governour, and to accuse all the Notaries, Serjeants and Proctors of the Religion of Frauds and foul Practice: And by agreement of the same Assemby where that Resolution was taken, they gave warning to Gascon not to meddle any more with the receipts of the Common Stock. Which affair, being at lengh, after several prosecutions remov'd to the Page  442 privy Council, there came forth a Decree of the thirteenth of December which order'd the Parties accus`d to produce their Parents, and to justify their being duly qualifi'd, and if they fail'd of so doing, to stand interdicted. Which was the shortest way to deprive 'em of their Employments; for a process upon an accusation of foul Practice, would have bin redious, and where the Informer had at least bin in as much danger as the Party prosecuted: But in regard that all Pa∣rents expresly mention'd the Profession of the Catholick Re∣ligion, the Binding the Reformed who had no Licences, to •o produce 'em, was to strike a sure blow. The same Coun∣cil also upon the 19th. of November, had made a decree of the same nature, against Garàemau, who was a Proctor in the Marshalsea of Poitiers.

In like manner the Parlament of Rennes signaliz'd their* Zeal against such Priests and Monks as chang'd their Reli∣gion, by a Decree of the 13th. of the same Month. It call'd 'em Apostates, as if they▪ had renounc'd their Christianity▪ and order'd that they should be sent back to their Bishops or their Superiours, to be punish'd according to the sacred Decretals, and in the mean while, it forbid the Ministers to marry `em. The Decree of the Parlament of Paris was ci∣ted in this: a clear demonstration that in such Decrees passi∣on frequently prevail'd above Judgement and Honesty. And in one decree which made the Change of their Religion li∣able to Punishment in Priests and Monks, the Parlament cited another Decree, against which the Advocate General had maintaind'd that it was lawful for ▪em to change.

Nor did the Troubles in the Kingdom during the year* 1642. nor the conspiracy of St. Mars, nor the lingring sick∣ness of which the Cardinal died the 4th. of December, pre∣vent* it from being very vexatious to the Reformed. For they had geat injustice done `em in reference to their Priviledges and Places of Exercise. They had a Church at Vitre, built upon a Piece of Ground which they had pnrchas`d themselves, and of which the possession was confirm`d to `em by a per∣emptory Decree, in the Reign of Henry 4th. who had writ∣ten to the Inhabitants by way of Exhortation, to Five at Page  443 Peace and Unity one among another. But for all this, af∣ter the Duke of T•imvoille had chang'd his Religon, the Ca∣tholicks reviv'd their Old Grudges, and made new Efforts to pull down the Church, under pretence that it was too near their Mass-house. The Duke 'tis true, who left the sole Authority over his house to the Dutchess his Wife, who was very Zealous for the Reformed Religion, and who had the Courage to bring up her Son according to her own Sentiments, would have no hand in the Process, in regard the Dutchess openly protected the Reformed: But the Ca∣tholicks to the end they might have the Better success, to the Affair of Religion joyn'd certain Complaints of some Extravagancies which they pretended the Reformed had committed upon Christmass-day at Night. This same Mis∣demeanor was, that they had taken some pieces of the B•eacle, which the Catholicks call Holy bread, and given it the Dogs to eat: To which they added other Requests upon several Articles; so that after long and troublesom Contentions the Privy Council made a Decree of the 24th. of January, which gave the Catholicks full content. For they were order'd to allow the Reformed another place in the Suburbs, provided it were no Ecelesiastical Fief, at least three hundred foot from any Catholick Church or Chap∣pel: That the Catholicks should assign the Ground; but that the Reformed should build the Church like the other; and that when it was finish'd, and not before, they should resign their own to the Catholicks, to be turn'd into a Town∣house, or for any other Convenient use. That the Catho∣licks should be reimburs'd their Advance-mony out of the common Stock; and that the perpetual Curate or Vicar should be the first in delivering his Opinion at all meet∣ings of the Coporation, before any of the Laity; only af∣ter the Seneschal, the Seneschals Deputy, and the Lord High Justiciaries Proctor. As for the Complaints concerning the extravagancies, they were referr'd to the Parlament of Ren∣nes; and the Appeal from the Sentence given by the Se∣nes•hals Deputy, who had order'd the Tom•stone to be ta∣ken away from the Grave where Mommartin was buried, Page  444 was referr'd to the Chamber of the Edict of Paris.

The 12th. of February, came forth a Decree of Council which forbid any more Preaching in the City of Gex.* Another of the 20th. of June, forbid as well Preaching as other Exercise, either publick or private, in the City of San∣cerre;* which City had enjoy'd an uninterrupted Exercise of their Religion ever since the Reign of Charles IX. It was famous for the long Siege and the Dreadful Famine which it had endur'd; and never was any Right or Priveledge more notorious or better deserv'd then Her's. Neverthe∣less, the Prince of Conde, who had purchas'd the Signoru, put a higher value upon the refusal of his Consent to the Continuation of their Exercises: And that was sufficient to justifie the Violation of a Priviledge confirm'd by so long a Possession. Alard Minister of the place, who was personally summon'd, upon his appearance was sent back with a Bundle of Prohibitions: But this was nothing in Comparison of what was adjudg'd the 21st. of November, at the same Council, in reference to the Meeting place in Chauvigny. Free Exer∣cise had been there Establish'd according to the 19th. Arti∣cle of the Edict of Nantes; nor did there want any thing of Evidence to prove it. Moreover this very Place was nam'd in the Edict it self; and the Eighteenth Article contain'd these express words, the said Exercise shall be also continu'd in the said City of Chauvigny. Nevertheless the Coun∣cil forbid any Exercises there for the Future; and the Pre∣tence was, that Chauvigny was the first Barony belonging* to the Bishop of Poiters, and that that same preheminence of the Place had been conceal'd, when the foremention'd Ar∣ticle was obtain'd: Tho' there be nothing more false. For there was a long Negotiation upon this Subject during the Treaty of the Edict; and the Question about particular Places, where the Reformed were desirous to preserve their Right of Exercise had given a fair Opportunity to make known at large all the Qualities and Immunities of this.

Upon the 30th. of July also, the Chamber of the Edict of Paris, made a very singular Decree upon the Subject Page  445 of the Right of Exercise. Baudovin, an Advocate in the Par∣lament of Paris, was Lord of Champrose, a small Mannor in Brie. Thither he retir'd a Sundays to refresh himself after his weekly Toyl at the Publick Barr, and had a Ser∣mon preach`d before him. But that Liberty would not be allow`d him, tho▪ he declar'd that he never intended to settle any fix`d Exercise there. But because the ex∣press words of the Edict were, That a Lord abiding in one Place where he suffer`d preaching, might do the same in another of his Houses, while he stay`d there, Advocate General Talon found out a Cavil to render that Conside∣ration fruitless to Baudovin; for he pretended that that Per∣mission was of no force to those who were House-keepers in a Town, for which there was a place of Exercise appoint∣ed: But only to those who living in the Country, where they had free Exercise in one of their Houses, went to live for some time in another; and as every thing was held for good Argument against the Reformed, this Evasion pass'd for such. Therefore because Baudovin was a Hous∣keeper at Paris, he was forbid to have any Preaching at Champrose, tho, at the Time that he was there himself; and this at the Instigation of no body else but his Cu∣rate.

The Parlament of Tholouse, by several Decrees, among* which was one of the 12th. of September, forbid preach∣ing at St. Cerè in Quercy, because it was a Mannor belonging to the Duke of Bouillon, who was become a Catholick. Upon which we must observe, that many Times the Exer∣cises were perform'd in the Signories of Lords, without any dependance upon the Lords, because the Right there∣to was obtain'd by some Article of the Edict. But every thing was put into a General Confusion, that Occasions might not be wanting to molest the Reformed. The same Parlament went yet further at the beginning of the next Year, and not content to Suppress the Exercise, they dispossess'd the Reformed of a Church-yard deliver'd to 'em by an Ordi∣nance* of the Commissioners appointed to see the Edict per∣form`d. For which, the Pretence was, that having lost their Right Page  446 of Exercise, they had no Right of Burial. And yet there were several Places where the Reformed never pretended to any Right of Preaching, where nevertheless they were allow'd Church yards. The reason of which was, because the Church yards were allow'd 'em, not as Places of Exercise by Vertue of any Possession, or some other Title, but on∣ly for Convenience or Necessity, when they liv'd in Places too remote from those where the Exercise was settl'd.

They were also forbid to preach at St. Savin, and Anti∣be, because they were part of the Church Revenues: St. Savin, being comprehended in the Decree of Chauvigny, and* Antibe, being the subject of another that came forth the 16th. of December, upon the Petition of Godeau, Bishop of Grasse and Valence. It was there also decreed that the Church yard belonging to the Reformed should lye at a distance from the Catholicks, because the Bishop had set forth in his Petition the near Neighbourhood of those Places as a great Inconvenience, in regard that the Bones of the Faithful Christians, might happen to be intermix'd with the* Bones of the Hereticks. Which was a kind of nice Pre∣caution at too great a distance from the last Day, at what time the Divine Judgment was to make the distinction. They were also forbid to expose their Corp's in Publick, to use any Funeral Pomp, or bury 'em in the Day∣time.

There was one Ann Trovè, who had spent the greatest* part of her Life in the Catholick Religion, tho' she had Marry'd her Daughter to one of the Reformed, with whom she liv'd. This Woman some-time after she had receiv'd the Communion in the Roman Church, fell sick at her Son∣in-Law's House, dy'd without sending for the Curate or any other Ecclesiastick, and was buried in the Church-yard belonging to the Reformed at Chaunay. But the Catholicks would needs have it thought that she persever'd in their Re∣ligion till her Death, and that it was through the Fraud of her Son-in-law, and the rest of her Reformed Kindred, that she was depriv'd of their Prayers, and of a Catholick Page  447 Burial. However, there was no other Proof then Presump∣tion, inferr'd from her Receiving the Communion in her Pa∣rish before she fell sick. Nevertheless, the Son-in-Law was condemn'd to dig her up again, and carry her into the Ca∣tholick Church-yard at his own Charges: And because the Body did not seem to be putrifi'd, tho' it had lain about two months in the Ground, they would needs make a Mi∣racle of it; and to hinder the Miracle from being contested, some of the Kindred were brought before the Judge, to confess, that they smelt no ill Smell that came from the Corps. Which was enough for Catholick Credulity: So that for Fear the Memory of this wonder should perish, the Forfeitures adjudg'd against those who had buri'd the Woman in the Church-yard belonging to the Reform∣ed, was apply'd toward the making a Cross which was e∣rected over her Grave, with an Inscription containing the whole Story. However, 'tis certain they never bethought themselves of informing the world of this Miracle till May▪ which was a long time after the thing happen'd. But that which is most observable is this, that in the Relation of this Accident, they alledge for a most convincing proof of the wonder, that the two Months, during which time the Body lay in the earth, were the sharpest and most bitter cold Months in all the Winter: As if it were such a wonder that Frost and Cold should prevent Corruption; not to speak any thing now of certain cold Grounds where Bodies will not begin to putrify till after they have lain twenty years together.

Tonnaiboutonne is a place within the Colloquy of St. John* •' Angeli, where Mass had not bin sung for Fourscore and five years before. But this year the Parlament of Bourdeaux re∣settl'd it in that Place, by a Decree of the last of March. The Lords of that Mannor had built up a Chappel, or as the Parlament call it, in their Decree, a Sepulcher, for them∣selves and their Family, upon the place where formerly had stood the principal Altar of the Catholick Church. That decree therefore commanded the pulling of it down, and took from the Lords whatever had belong'd to the Eccle∣siasticks. Nor did it forget to condemn 'em to dig up all Page  448 the Bodies that had bin buri'd in the Sepulcher; to the Re∣stitution of the Church yard, the Bells, the Curates house and the Alms-house, and to rebuild the Church; obliging the Inhabitants to contribute two thirds of the Charge; and those that had a share in the Tithes, the other Third: For this was the way to involve the Reformed in the Penalty of the Condemnation, in regard that almost all the Inhabi∣tants were of that Number. Besides, that the Edicts had forbid the reviving the Memory of any Acts of this Nature, and discharg'd the Reformed from all the Penalties upon demolishing of Churches before the Edict of Nantes. But the Parlament never looking upon that Edict as a Law to bind their Sentences, made it openly the May game of their Passion and their Cavils.

The Reformed also who had got into small Employments,* were prosecuted this year, as in the Preceding; so that upon the 29th. of April, the privy Council fet forth a De∣cree like the rest against Serjeants, Notaries, Proctors and Commissioners of the Registry. In like manner the same Council set forth another decree upon the Eleventh of March, which confirm'd all that had bin enjoyn'd by the Bishop of Poitiers about the distinction of Schools for Boys and* Girls; and the particular Order of the Judge of the Place, which enforc'd the Reformed to get a Licence from the Bishop, and to shew it the Kings Advocate, before they began to teach.

Pretended Blasphemies and Irreverences were the Occasi∣on* of a world of unjust Acts. Four young Men were ac∣cus'd of stealing the Pix upon New years-day, and of throw∣ing the Consecrated Wafers about the Church-yard. For which they were committed to the Custody of the Provost, but they being desirous to decline his Jurisdiction, deman∣ded a Removal of their Enditement to some Chamber of the Edict. Couchè was the Place where the accident happen'd, which falling within the Jurisdiction of the Parlament of Dijon, it was there to be determin'd, as being the most proper Judicature. Thereupon the the Parlament sent back the Enditement to the Provosts, who gave Sentence of death Page  449 upon all four. But in regard they were only condemn'd to be hang'd, tis much to be question'd whether the Court had any good Proofs of the Crime. Othewise had the same Sacriledge bin committed by the Catholicks themselves, they had bin broken upon the Wheel, or burnt alive. And indeed there is one Relation of the Death of those poor Creatures, which might give us some reason to believe that the Punishment was mitigated, because they chang'd their Religion. But the style of that Relation is so monkish, and it is interwoven with so many Characters of Falshood, that the very reading of it is enough to perswade a man, that the whole business was otherwise carry'd. For the Monk that made it represents those poor Creatures invoking the Virgin Mary, before they had embrac'd the Roman Faith; and recounts a Miracle wrote in Favour of one of 'em, who seem'd insensible during a very painful Torture of the Rack, which he attributes to some motions of Devotion which the young man had for that Blessed Saint. But there is a contrary Relation which attests that those poor Creatures were Inno∣cent; that the Curate had forg'd the Crime by the foul mo∣tives of his impious Malice; that it was sworn how they got into the Church through a hole, which it was impos∣sible for a mans body to pass through; that the Curate •ade the hole himself, that he might have some ground for his Accusation; that he took away the Pix himself, and scatter'd the Wafers, whether consecrated or not, about the Church-yard: Of all which things there would have •in sufficient proofs, would the Provost have admitted •em; that the Parties accus'd never confest any thing, or else what they did confess was extorted from 'em by the Violence of the Torment. That there was no Proof of the change of their Religion but the Testimony of the Monks, who beset 'em till their Execution: Or if any of 'em were so weak as to promise it, 'twas only out of hope to save his Life; that they were not seen at their death to do a∣ny thing that savour'd of Catholick Devotion; nor to take a∣ny notice of their Crosses and Beads which they continually •eld to their Lips. But the Monks are made up of such Ca∣lumnies; Page  450 and it was their usual Course to brand the Re∣formed with suspition of Sacriledge, on purpose to render 'em odious to the People, as will afterward appear by more then one Example.

The Lord of Chaurai and his Wife were accus'd of setting their Coach cross the street where the procession was to pass upon Corpus Christi day. The Bishop of Poitiers turn'd Informer; but the Crime which they had endeavour'd to aggravate by long Proceedings, and severe Informations, produc'd no more then a Decree of the 10th. of May, in the Chamber of the Edict, which condemn'd the Parties accus'd to pay the Bishops charges, and summon'd 'em to the Chamber, there to receive an admonition to behave themselves more modestly according to the Edicts. A Proctors Servant Maid in Poitiers was accus'd of having utter'd se∣veral Blasphemies in the Abby of Montierneaf, against the Images of the Virgin and the Saints: That is to say, that the silly Maid had inconsiderately asserted that they were Idols. She was convicted of Contumacy, because she had avoided Imprisonment by Flight: And upon that, sentenc'd to undergo the Amende Honourable, to have her Tongue bor'd, and to perpetual Banishment out of the Province of Poit••▪ which Sentence was excuted upon her in Effigie.

The Bishop of Mompellier and Valence were Conservators of the Priviledges of the Universities of both those Cites. The Bishop of Valence, after several Decrees, and a long Suit be∣tween him and the Members of the University, came to an a∣greement with 'em, in pursuance of which he drew up Regulations, of which the chiefest was to exclude the Re∣formed from all Dignities. The Purport of those Statutes was, that high Mass should be said every Sunday, at which the Rectors, Doctors, Regents, Scholars, Undergraduates▪ and Strangers admitted into the Society should be present▪ that the Bishop, who is also Chancellor of the University▪ should preside at all the Acts: That the Vice-Chancellor and Rector should be Priests, or at least Clerks; and that they should take their Oaths Bare headed and upon their Knees.

Page  451Books also had their share of Catholick Severity. For di• Mou∣lin had publish'd a small Piece entituled, The Capuchin. Where∣in he ridicul'd that Institution, which dazl'd the Catholicks with such an outside of Zeal. Thereupon with great Fer∣vency they prosecuted the Condemnation of this Book: And the Chamber of Castres being divided upon this Occasion, that Division was determin'd upon the third of April, and the Book was condemn'd to be burnt. The Parlament of Bourdeaux also order'd the same Execution the 3d. of May. This very Book was also burnt at Poitiers the 12th. of De∣cember, by order of the Seneschal, together with another Book, entituled The Capuchins Journal.

I have already told ye, that the Prince of Conde purchas'd* Sancerre, and that he had suppress'd the Exercise in that Place: But his Zeal stop'd not at so small a thing. He caus'd a Decree of Council to be set forth, which forbid Burials in the Day time; all manner of Funeral Pomp; the Exposing of the Bodies before the Doors of their Houses; Nor to misuse the Catholicks in word or deed, nor any of the New Converts, nor those who had a desire to change their Profession, under the penalty of corporal Punishment. It was fruther ordain'd, that no Souldiers should be quar∣ter'd in Catholick Houses, till the Reformed had had their •all share, and that the charges of such Quarter, and all other Municipal Expences, should be levy'd upon the Refor∣med. That the Taxes should be rated by three Catholicks and one Reformed; but that they should be collected by three Reformed and one Catholick; that the Reformed Assessor and Collectors should be chosen by the Reformed; and the Catholick, by the Catholicks. So that every thing was so order'd, that the Catholicks, who were not the tenth part of the Inhabitants, were the Masters of the Rest, and might at their Discretion command the Estates and Liberties of others: And 'tis thought that some Personal Resentments transported the Duke to these unjust Revenges.

But the Cardinal's Death, and the crazy Condition of* the King caus'd a kind of Cessation of all manner of Business, the whole Government being intent upon the Change that Page  452 was like to happen so suddenly in the Kingdom. For which reason the Reformed had a little Breathing time: For I find but one Peremptory Decree of the Privy Council of the 3d. of March, in Confirmation of another obtain'd by the Bishop of Luson upon a Petition the 20th of the Pre∣ceding May, which sentenc'd Gagemont, according to his own voluntary Offers, to make his Excuses to the Vicar of St. Hilaire de Melle, to consign sifty Franks into the Bishops Hands, and pay him the Costs and Charges of the Suit for not alighting nor putting off his hat, upon his Meeting the S•crament.

Fuzil, Curate of St. Berthelemi at Paris, being retir'd to Geneva in 1614, was there married. His Children after his death, went into France, to sue for the Payment of a Sum of Money due to their Father for the Sale of an Inheritance six years before his Retirement. But their Kindred by the Fathers side refusing to acknowledge 'em for lawful Heirs, tho' born in Wedlock, and in a Country where it was lawful for Priests to marry, the Advocate General undertook the cause of the Kindred, and in the Chamber of the Edict, upon the 25th. of February, obtain'd a Sentence, that the Children as Bastards in France could not have the Benefit of Succession.

The fifth of March a Decree was issu'd out at Bourdeaux against the Priviledges of the Party-Chamber. A certain Re∣collect of the Mission of Bergerac, went to Visit, at Sigou∣les, the Lady of Moulard, pretending he had bin sent for by her Order, being at that time sick. In the nick of time, in comes Belloi, the Minister of the Place, and opposes the Monks Design. Upon which the Monk complain'd, that Violence had bin offer'd him, and obtain'd a Capias against the Minister, who apply'd himself to the Party Chamber. Now this was a cause purely within the verge of that Chamber. But the Advocate General interpos'd and caus'd the Parlament to send for the Cause, who gave him leave to pursue the Execution of the Decree.

But the Kings death, which happen'd in May, prevented him from any farther improving his powerful Zeal against Page  453 the Reformed. But to shew that he was still the same to his last Gasp, he could not dye till he had exhorted with his own trembling Lips, the Marshals La Force and Chastil∣lon to turn Catholicks. However, he had the not Pleasure to see extinguish'd the Party which he had brought low: For Providence reserv'd that satisfaction for Lewis XIVth. who succeeded him.