Actes and monuments of matters most speciall and memorable, happenyng in the Church. [vol. 2, part 1] with an vniuersall history of the same, wherein is set forth at large the whole race and course of the Church, from the primitiue age to these latter tymes of ours, with the bloudy times, horrible troubles, and great persecutions agaynst the true martyrs of Christ, sought and wrought as well by heathen emperours, as nowe lately practised by Romish prelates, especially in this realme of England and Scotland. Newly reuised and recognised, partly also augmented, and now the fourth time agayne published and recommended to the studious reader, by the author (through the helpe of Christ our Lord) Iohn Foxe, which desireth thee good reader to helpe him with thy prayer.

A notable historie of the persecution and destruction of the people of Merindol and Cabriers, the countrey of Pro∣uince: where, not a fewe persons, but whole Villages and Towneships with the most part of all the foresayde countrey, both men, women, and children, were put to all kind of cruelty, & suffered martyr∣dome, for the profession of the gospell.

THey that write of the beginning of this people, say that about CC. yeres ago,* 1.1 they came out of the Country of Piedmont, to inhabite in Prouince, in certaine Uillages,

destroyed by warres, and other desert places: Wherin they vsed such labour and diligence, that they had abundance of corne, wine, oyles, hony, almons, with other fruits & com∣modities of the earth, and muche cattell. Before they came thether,* 1.2 Merindol was a barren desert and not inhabited. But these good people (in whome God alwaies had reser∣ued some litle seede of pietie) being dispersed, and separa∣ted from the societie of men, were compelled to dwell with beasts, in that waste and wilde desert, which notwithstan∣ding, through the blessing of God, and their great laboure and trauel, became exceeding frutefull. Notwithstanding, the world in the meane time, so detested & abhorred them, and with all shamefull rebukes and contumelies, railed a∣gainst them in such despiteful maner, y^t it semed they were not worthy that the earth should beare them. For they, of a long continuance and custome, had refused the Byshop of Romes authoritie, and obserued euer a more perfect kinde of doctrine, then others, deliuered to them from the father to the sonne, euer since the yere of our Lord. 1200.

For this cause they were often accused & complained of to the king, as contemners & despisers of the magistrates and rebels. Wherefore they were called by diuers names according to the countreis and places where they dwelte. For in the country about Lyons, they were called the pore people of Lyons:* 1.3 In the borders of Sarmatia & Liuonia, and other countreis towards the North, they were called Lolards: In Flanders, and Artoys, Turrelupius, of a de∣sert where wolues did haunte: In Dolphine, with great despite, they were named Chagnardes, because they liued in places open to the Sunne, and without house or harbo∣rough. But most commonly they were called Waldoys, of Waldo,* 1.4 who first instructed them in y^e word of God: which name continued vntill the name of Lutheranes came vp, which aboue all other, was most hated, and abhorred.

Notwithstanding, in all these most spitefull contume∣lies ond sclaunders, the people dwelling at the foote of the Alpes, and also in Merindol & Cabriers, and the quarters thereabout, alwaies liued so godly, so vprightly and iustly y^t in al their life & conuersation, there appeared to be in thē a great feare of God. That little light of true knowledge whiche God had giuen them, they laboured by al meanes to kindle & encrease daily more & more, sparing no charges whether it were to procure bookes of the holy Scripture, or to instructe such as were of the best and moste towardly wits, in learning & godlinesse: or els to send thē into other countreis, yea euen to y^e farthest partes of the earth, where they had heard that any light of the gospel began to shine.

For in the yere 1530. vnderstanding that the gospel was preached in certaine townes of Germany & Switzerland, they sent thether 2. learned men, that is, Georgius Mau∣rellus borne in Dolphine, a godly preacher of their owne, and whome they had of their owne charges brought vp in learning, & Petrus Latomus a Burgundian, to conferre with the wise & learned ministers of the Churches there, in the doctrine of the gospel, and to know the whole forme and manner which those Churches vsed in the seruice and worshipping of God: and particularly to haue their aduise also, vppon certaine poynts, which they were not resolued in. These 2. after great conference had w^t the chiefest in the Churche of God, namely with Oecolampadius at Basill: at Strausburgh, with Bucer and Capito: and at Berne, w^t Bartholdus Hallerus: as they were returning thorow Burgundie, homewarde, Petrus Latomus was taken at Dyion, and caste into prison, Maurellus escaped & retur∣ned alone to Merindol, with the bookes and letters whych he brought with him, from the churches of Germanie, and declared to his brethren all the poynts of hys commission, and opened vnto them, how many and great errours they were in: into the which their olde Ministers, whome they called * 1.5 Barbes, that is to say, Uncles, had broughte them, leading them from the right way of true Religion.

When the people heard this, they were moued with such a zeale to haue their Churches reformed, that they sent for the moste ancient brethren, & the chiefest in knowledge and experience, of all Calabria & Apulia, to consult wyth them, touching the reformation of y^e Church. This matter was so handled, that it stirred vp the bishops, priests & monkes in all Prouince,* 1.6 with greate rage against them. Amongest other, there was one cruel wretch called Iohn de Roma, a monke, who obtaining a commissiō to examine those that were suspected to be of y^e Waldois or Lutheran profession, forthwith ceased not to afflict the faithful with all kinde of cruelty, y^t he could deuise or imagine. Amongest other most horrible torments,* 1.7 this was one, which he most delighted in, and most commōly practised: He filled bootes with boi∣ling grece, & put them vpon their legs, tying them backe∣ward to a forme, with their legges hanging downe ouer a small fire, and so he examined them. Thus he tormēted ve∣ry many, and in the ende, most cruelly put them to deathe.* 1.8 The first whome hee thus tormented, were Michelottus Serra, and W. Melius, with a number moe.

Wherfore Fraunces the French king being informed of the strange and outragious cruelty of this hellish monke: sent letters to the high Courte or Parlament of Prouince, y^e foorthwith he should be apprehended, & by forme of pro∣ces and order of law, he should be condemned, & aduertise∣ment sent vnto him w^t all spede, or his condemnation. The monke being aduertised heereof by his frendes, conueyed himselfe to Auinion, where hee thought to enioy the spoy∣lings, which he, like a notorious thefe, had gotten by fraud & extortion, from the pore Christians. But shortly after, he which had so shamefully spoiled other, was spoiled of alto∣gether, by his owne houshold seruants: Wherupon, short∣ly after, he fell sicke of a most horrible disease, straunge and vnknowen to any Phisition.* 1.9 So extreme were the paines & torments, wherwith he was continually vexed in al his body, that no oyntment, no fomētation, nor any thing els, could ease him one minute of an houre. Neither was there any man that could tary neare about him: ne yet wold any of his owne frendes come neare to him: so greate was the stinch that came from him. For the which cause he was ca∣ried from the Iacobines, to an hospitall, there to be kepte. But the stinche & infection, so encreased, that no man durst there come neare him: no nor he himself was able to abide the horrible stinch that ishued from his body, full of vlcers and sores, and swarming with vermin, and so rotten, that the flesh fell away from the bones, by peecemeale.

Whiles he was in these torments and anguish, he cried out oftētimes in great rage: Oh who wil deliuer me? who will kill and rid me out of these vntolerable paines, which I know, I suffer for the euils and oppressions that I haue done to the poore men? And he himselfe went about diuers times, to destroy hymselfe, but hee had not the power. In these horrible torments and anguish, and fearfull dispaire,* 1.10 this blasphemer and most cruel homicide, moste miserably ended his vnhappye daies and cursed life, as a spectacle to all persecutors, receiuing a iust reward of his crueltye by y^e iust iudgement of God. When he was dead, there was no man y^t would come nere him to bury him: but a yong no∣uice newly come to his order, in steade of a more honorable sepulture, caught hold w^t a hooke vpon his stinking carian & drew him into a hole hard by, which was made for hym.

After the death of this cruell monster, the bishop of Aix,* 1.11 by his Officiall Perionet, continued the persecution & put a great multitude of them in prison: of whom some by force of torments, reuolted from the truth: the others which cō∣tinued constant after he had condemned thē of heresy, were put into the hands of the ordinary iudge, which at y^• time, was one Meiranus, a notable cruel persecutor: who with out any forme of proces or order of law, such as the Official had pronoūced to be heretikes, he put to death, with most cruell tormēts: But shortly after, he receiued a iust reward of his crueltie, in like maner.

After the deathe of the good President Cusinetus,* 1.12 the Lord of Reuest being chief President of the Parliament of Aix, put many of the faithful to death. Who afterwarde be∣ing put out of his office, returned to his house of Reuest, where he was stroken with such an horrible sicknesse, that for the fury and madnes which he was in, hys wife or any that were about him, durst not come neare him, and so hee dying in this fury and rage, was iustly plagued for his vn∣mercifull and cruell dealing.

After him succeded Barthol. Cassaneus, likewise a pesti∣lent persecutor,* 1.13 whom God at length stroke with a fearful & sodeine death. In the time of this tyran, those of Merin∣dol, in the persone often, were cited personally to appeare before y^e kings atturny. But they hearing that y^e court had determined to burn them w^tout any further processe or or∣der of law, durst not appeare at y^e day apointed. For which cause the court awarded a cruel sentēce against Merindol,* 1.14 & condemned al the inhabitants, to be burned both men & women, sparing none, no not the litle children & infantes: the towne to be rased, & their houses beaten downe to the groūd: also the trees to be cut down, as wel oliue trees, as al other, and nothing to be left, to the entent it shuld neuer be inhabited again, but remaine as a desert or wildernesse.

This bloudye arrest or Decree seemed so straunge and wonderfull, that in euery place throughout all Prouince, there was great reasoning and disputation cōcerning the same, especially among the aduocates, and men of lerning & vnderstanding: in so muche that many durst boldly & o∣penly say, that they greatly marueiled, how that Court of parlamēt could be so mad, or so bewitched, to giue out such an arrest, so manifestly iniucious & vniust, and contrary to

all right and reason, yea to all sense of humanitie: also con∣trary to the solemne othe, which all such as are receiued to office in Courtes of Parliament, are accustomed to make, that is to say, to iudge iustly & vprightly, according to the law of God, and the iust ordinances & lawes of the realm, so that God therby might be honoured, and euery mannes right regarded without respect of persons.

Some of the aduocates or lawyers, defending the said Arrest to be iust and right, sayd: that in case of Lutheranis∣me, the iudges are not boūd to obserue either right or rea∣son,* 1.15 law either ordinance, and that the iudges can not faile or do amisse, whatsoeuer iudgement they do geue, so that it tend to the ruine and extirpation of all suche as are suspec∣ted to be Lutheranes.

To this the other lawyers and learned men answered, that vppon theyr sayings it woulde insue, that the Iudges should now altogether folowe the same maner and forme, in proceeding against the Christians accused to be Luthe∣ranes, which the gospell witnesseth that the Priests, Scri∣bes, and Pharises followed, in pursuing and persecutyng, and finally condemning our Lord Iesus Christ.

By these & such other like talkes y^e said arrest was pub∣lished throughout the country, and there was no assemble or banket where it was not disputed or talked of: & name∣ly within 12. dayes after the Arrest was geuen oute, there was a great banket in the towne of Aix,* 1.16 at the whych ban∣ket was present M. Barthelmew Chassanee, President, & many other Councellers and other noble personages and men of authority. There was also the Archb. of Aries and the bishop of Aix, with diuers ladies and gentlewomen, amongst whom was one which was commonly reported to be the bishop of Aix his concubine. They wer scarse wel set at the table, but she began thus to talke. My Lord Pre∣sident,* 1.17 will you not execute the arrest, which is geuen out of late, against the Lutheranes of Merindoll? The Presi∣dent aunswered nothing, faining that hee hearde her not. Then a certaine gentleman asked of her what Arrest that was. Shee recited it in maner and forme, as it was geuen out, forgetting nothing, as if she had a long time, studied to commit the same vnto memorye: Whereunto they whyche were at the banket gaue diligent eare without any woorde speaking, vntill she had ended her tale.

Then the lord of Alenc, a man fearing God, and of great vnderstanding,* 1.18 said vnto her: gentlewomā, you haue lear∣ned this tale, either of some that wold haue it so, or els it is geuen out by some parliament of women. Then the lord of Senas an ancient counsailor, said vnto him, no, no, my L. of Alenc, it is no tale which you haue hard this gentlewo∣man tell: for it is an arrest geuen out by a whole Senate, & you ought not thus to speake, except you woulde call the court of Prouince a parliament of women. Then the L. of Alenc began to excuse hymselfe, wyth protestation, that hee wold not speake any thing to blemish the authority of that soueraigne court, notwithstanding he could not beleue all that which the sayd gentlewoman had tolde, that is to say, that all the inhabitants of Merindoll were condemned to die by y^e Arrest of the said court of parliament of Prouince, and specially the women & little children and infants: and the town to be rased, for the fault of 10. or 12. persons which did not appere before the saide court at the day appoynted. And the Lord Beauieu also answered, that he beleued not the sayde courte to haue geuen out any such Arrest,* 1.19 for that (said he) were a thing most vnreasonable, and suche as the very Turkes and the most tyrannes of the worlde would iudge to be a thing most detestable: and sayde further, that he had knowen a long time many of Merindol, which see∣med vnto him to be men of great honesty: and my L. Pre∣sident (said he) can certify vs wel what is done in this ma∣ter, for we oughte not to geue credite vnto womens tales. Then the gentlewoman which had rehersed y^e arrest, stai∣ed not to heare the Presidents answer, but sodenly loking vpon the B. of Aix, said: I should greatly haue marueiled, if there had bene none in all this company whyche woulde defend these wicked men, and lifting her eyes to heauen in a great womanly chafe and fume, sayd: would to God that all the Lutheranes which are in Prouince, yea, and in all Fraunce,* 1.20 had hornes growing on theyr forheads, then we should see a goodly many of hornes. To whome the Lorde Beauieu sodenly answered, saying, would to God that all priests harlots should chatter like Pies. Then said the gē∣tlewoman: ha my L. Beauieu, you ought not so to speake against our holy mother the church, for that there was ne∣uer dogge y^t barked against the crucifixe, but that he waxed madde. Whereat the Bishop of Aix laughed, and clapping the gentlewoman on the shoulder, sayd, by my holy orders my minion, wel said, I conne you thanke, She hath talked wel vnto you, my Lord Beauieu, remember wel the lesson that shee hath geuen you. Heere the Lorde Beauieu being wholy moued w^t anger, sayde, I care neyther for her schole nor yours, for it would be long before a man should learne of either of you both, any honesty or honour: For if I shuld say that the most part of the bishops and priests are abho∣minable adulterers, blind idolaters, deceiuers, theeues, se∣ducers, I should not speake against the holy church, but a∣gainst a heape and flocke of wolues, dogs, and filthy swine in speaking these thinges, I would thinke a man not to be mad at all, except he be mad for speaking of the truth.

Then the Archbishop in a great iurie answered, my L. Beauieu, you speake very euil, and you must geue account when time and place serueth, of this your talke, which you haue here vttered against the Church men. I would, sayde the Lord Beauieu that it were to do euen this present day, and I wold binde my selfe to prooue more abuses & naugh∣tinesse in Priestes then I haue yet spoken. Then sayde the President Chassinee, my Lorde Beauieu, lette vs leaue of this talke and liue as our fathers haue done, and maintain theyr honour. Then sayde hee in a greate anger, I am no Priestes sonne to maintaine their wickednes••e and abuse. And afterward he sayde, I am well content to honour all true pastors of the church, and will not blame them which shew good example in their doctrine and liuing: but I de∣maund of you my Lord of Arles, and you my Lord of Aix, when as our Lord Iesus Christ called the Priestes decei∣uing hypocrites, blind seducers, robbers and theeues, did he them any outrage or wrong? and they answered no, for the most part of them were such men.* 1.21 Then sayd the Lord Beauieu, euen so is it with the bishops and priests which I haue spoken of, for they are suche kinde of men, or rather worse: and I so abhorre their filthy and abhominable life, that I dare not speake the one halfe of that which I know, and therfore in speaking the truth, to coole the babling of a harlot, I do them no iniurie.

Then monsieur de Senas an auncient counsailor, sayd, let vs leaue of this contentious talke, for we are here assē∣bled & come together to make good chere. And afterwarde he said, monsieur de Beauieu, for the loue and amity which I beare vnto you, I will aduertise you of 3. things, which if you will do, you shall finde great ease therein.

The first is, that you neither by worde nor deede, aide or assist those which you heare to be Lutheranes.

Secondly, y^t you do not entermeddle, openly to reproue ladies and gentlewomen for their pastime and pleasures.

Thirdly, that you doe neuer speake against the life and liuing of * 1.22 Priests, howe wicked so euer it be, according to this saying: Do not touch mine annoynted.

To whom monsieur Beauieu answered, as touching y^e first poynt, I know no Lutherans, neither what is meant by this word Lutheranisme, except you do call them Luthe∣rans, which professe the doctrine of the gospel. Neither yet will I euer allowe any Arrest which shall be geuen out to death against men whose cause hath not bene heard, especi∣ally, against women and yong infantes: and I am assured that there is no Court of parliament in all Fraunce which will approoue or allowe any such arrest. And where as you say that I shuld not meddle to reproue ladies or gētlewo∣men, if I knewe any kinswoman of mine, which would a∣bandone her selfe vnto a priest or clerke,* 1.23 yea albeit he were a cardinal or bishop, I would not do her so much honor as to rebuke her therfore, but at the least I would cutte of her nose. And as touching priestes, as I am contented not to meddle with their busines, so likewise I will not that they meddle with mine heereafter, or come from henceforth w^t∣in my house: For as many as I shall finde or take there, I wil set their crownes so nere their sholders, that they shal nede no more to weare any hoodes about their necks. The like also said the President Chassanee.

Then the byshop of Aix his sweete heart,* 1.24 which had be∣gon the quarell, said, I shal not be in quiet, except I speake yet one word more vnto monsieur Beauieu. Do you think sayd she vnto hym, that all the Cardinals, Byshops, Ab∣bots, Priestes, and all those holy religious men which goe oftentimes to gentlemens houses, and haunte the Castels and palaces of Princes and noblemen, that they go thither to commit wickednesse? Also you must not thinke euil of al those ladies and gentlewemen, that go to Bishops houses of deuotion, and for to reueale those whome they know to be Lutherans, as it was commaunded in the pulpitte vp∣pon payne of Excommunication: If so be you will main∣taine those wordes, I will not cease to accuse you of crime, and also of Treason both to God and to man: for heere be those in this companie, which shall make you geue an ac∣compt thereof. Shee had not so soone ended her talke, but Monsieur Beauieu sayde vnto her, auaunte O Herodias,* 1.25 thou filthy and impudent harlot: is it thy part to open thy

mouth to talke in this cōpany? Doest thou well vnderstād and knowe what treason to God and man meaneth?* 1.26 Is it not sufficient for thee to be as thou arte, but thou must sol∣licite other to shed innocent bloude? With these words the Gentlewoman was somewhat amased. All men thought that this talke had bene at an end, and euery man began to inuent some mery communication, that the former matter should be no more talked of.

At the last, the gentlewoman aduising her self, and thin∣king that she was to much iniured, to be sayd, that she wēt about to shed the innocent bloud, she brake of al their talk, and with a loud voice sayde, Monsieur Beauieu, if I were a man,* 1.27 as I am a woman, I would offer you the combate, to prooue that I am no such manner of woman as you say I am, that I desire to shed innocent bloud. Do you call the bloude of these wicked men of Merindoll, innocent bloud? True it is that I desire and offer with my whole power, that these naughty packes of Merindol, & such like as they are, shoulde be slaine and destroyed, from the greatest euen vnto the least.* 1.28 And for to see the beginning of thys worke, I haue emploied all my credite, and all my frends, and do not spare, neither body nor goods, to worke the ruine & de∣struction of these people, and to rase out, and to deface their memorie from amongest men. Doe you then Monsieur Beauieu, call the slaughter of these Lutherans, the effusion of innocent bloude? And say you what you will, I wil not refraine for no man liuing, to goe either by day eyther by night, vnto the houses of Bishops, in all * 1.29 honesty and ho∣nor, for the deuotion which I beare vnto our holy * 1.30 mother the church, and also I wil receiue into my house, all religi∣ous men, to cōsult and deuise the meanes how to put these Lutherans to death. But as Monsieur Beauieu tooke no more regarde vnto her talke, so likewise al that were at the table, dispraised her and were weary of her prating.

Then there was a certaine younge gentleman, whych merely iesting, said vnto her: Gentlewomā, it must nedes be that these poore people, vnto whome you doe wish thys cruell death,* 1.31 haue done you some great displeasure. Then sayd she, I may well take an othe, that I neuer knewe one of those wretched people, neither (that I wot of) euer sawe any of them. And I had rather to meete 10. deuils, then one of those naughty knaues: for theyr opinions are so detesta∣ble, that happy and blessed are they, which neuer heard tell of them. And I was not then wrll aduised, at what time. by curiositie I seeing the Bishop of Aix so muche troubled and angry, that he could not eate nor drinke, did desire him and constraine him to tell me the cause thereof. Then hee perceiuing that I would not be wel contented if he should not tel me,* 1.32 declared vnto me some part of the cause: that is to say, that there was certaine heretickes, whyche spake a∣gainst our holy mother the churche, and amonge other er∣rours, they maintained, yea to death, that all Bishoppes, Priests, & pastors ought to be maried, or els to be gelded: and hearing this, I was maruellously offended, and euer since I did hate them to the death. And also it was enioy∣ned vnto me by penaunce, that I should endeuour with al my power, to putte these heretickes to death. After these friuolous talkes, there was great trouble and debate a∣mongst them, and many threatnings, which were too long here to describe.

* 1.33Then the President Chassance, and the Coūcellers par∣ted aside, and the Gentlemen went on the other part. The Archbishop of Arles, the Bishop Aix, and diuers Abbots, Priors, and others, assembled them selues together, to cō∣sult how this Arrest might be executed with all speede, en∣tending to raise a newe persecution, greater then that of Iohn the Iacobine Monke of Rome: For otherwise (sayd they) our state and honour is like to decay. We shall be re∣prooued, contemned, and derided of all menne. And if none should thus vaunt and set themselues against vs, but these pesantes, and such lyke, it were but a smal matter: but ma∣ny Doctours of Diuinitie, and men of the religious order, diuers Senatours and Aduocates, many wise and well learned men: also a great parte of the nobilitie (if we may so say) and that of great renoume,* 1.34 yea euen of the cheefest Peeres in all Europe, begyn to contemne and despise vs, counting vs to be no true pastours of the church: so that except we see to this mischiefe, and prouide for remedie be∣time, it is greatly to be feared, least not onely wee shall be compelled to forsake our dignities, possessiōs and liuings, which we now wealthely enioy, but also the church being spoiled of her pastors and guides, shall hereafter come to a miserable ruine and vtter desolation. Thys matter there∣fore now requireth great diligēce and circumspection, and that withall celeritie.

Then the Archbishop of Arles, not forgetting his Spa∣nish subtilties and pollicies, gaue his aduise, as foloweth. Against the nobilitie we must (sayde he) take heede that we attempt nothing rashly: but rather, we must seeke all the meanes we cā, how to please them, for they are our shield, our fortresse and defence. And albeit we knowe that many of them doe both speake & thinke euill of vs, and that they are of these new gospellers, yet may we not reprooue them to exasperate them in any case: but seeing they are too much bent against vs already, we must rather seeke how to win them, and to make them our frendes againe, by giftes and presents: and by this pollicie, we shall liue in safetie vnder their protection. But if wee enterprise any thing againste them, sure we are to gaine nothing thereby, as we are by experience already sufficiently taught.

It is well sayd, sayth the Byshop of Aix: but I canne shew you a good remedy for this disease.* 1.35 We must go about withall our endeuor, power, and policie, and al the frends we canne make, sparing no charges, but spending goodes, wealth and treasure, to make suche a slaughter of the Me∣rindolians, and rusticall pesantes, that none shalbe so bold hereafter, what soeuer they be, yea although they be of the bloud royal, once to open their mouthes against vs, or the Ecclesiasticall state. And to bring this matter to passe, wee haue no better way, then to withdrawe our selues to Aui∣nion, in the which Citie we shal finde many Bishops, Ab∣bots, and other famous men, which will with vs,* 1.36 employ their whole endeuor, to maintaine and vphold the maiestie of our holy mother the Church. This counsaile was well liked of them all. Wherupon the sayd Archbishop of Arles and the Bishop of Aix, went withall speede, to Auinion, there to assemble, out of hand, the Bishops and other men of authoritie and credite, to entreate this matter. In thys pestilent conspiracie the Bishop of Aix, a stoute champion and a great defender of the traditions of men, taking vp∣pon hym to be the chiefe Oratour, beganne in manner as followeth.

O Yee fathers and brethren,* 1.37 yee are not ignoraunt that a great tempest is raised vp against the little barke of Christe Iesus, nowe in great danger and ready to pearish. The storme commeth from the North, whereof all these troubles proceede. The seas rage, the waters rushe in on euery side, the windes blowe & beate vpon our house, and wee, without speedy remedy, are like to su∣staine shippewracke, and losse of alltogether. For oblations cease, pilgrimage and deuotion waxeth colde, charitie is cleane gone, our estimation and authoritie is abased, our iurisdiction decaied, and the ordinaunces of the churche despised. And wherefore are we sette and ordained ouer nations and kingdomes, but to roote out and destroy, to subuert and ouerthrow, whatsoeuer is against our holy mother the Churche? Wherefore let vs now awake lette vs stande stoutly in the right of our owne possession, that we may roote out from the memorie of men for euer the whole route of the wicked Lutheranes: those Foxes (I say) whiche destroye the vineyard of the Lorde: those great Whales, which goe aboute to drowne the little barke of the sonne of God. We haue already wel begonne, and haue procured a terrible Arrest against these cursed heretickes of Merindoll: nowe then resteth no more but onelye the same to be put in execution. Let vs therefore employe oure whole endeuour, that nothyng happen whych may lette or hinder that we haue so happely begon, and lette vs take good heede, that our gold and siluer do not witnesse agaynst vs at the day of iudge∣ment, if we refuse to bestowe the same,* 1.38 that we may make so good a sacrifice vnto God. And for my parte, I offer to wage & furnishe of mine owne costes and charges, a 100. men well horsed, with al other furniture to them belonging, and that so long, vntill the vt∣ter destruction and subuersion of these wretched and curssed cai∣tiffes, be fully performed and finished.

This Oration pleased the whole multitude, sauing one doctor of diuinitie, a frier Iacobine, named Bassinet, who then answered againe with this Oration.

This is a weyghty matter (sayd he) and of great importaunce:* 1.39 We muste therefore proceede wisely and in the feare of God, and beware that we do nothing rashly. For if we seeke the deathe and destruction of these poore and miserable people wrongfully, whē the King and the Nobilitie shall heare of suche an horrible slaugh∣ter, we shall be in great daunger, least they doe to vs as we reade in the Scriptures, was done to the priestes of Baal. For my parte, I must say and vnfainedly confesse, that I haue too rashly and light∣ly signed many processes against those, which haue bene accused of hereticall doctrine: but nowe I do protest before God, whyche seeth and knoweth the hearts of men, that seeing the lamentable end and effect of mine assigments, I haue had no quietnesse in my conscience, considering that the secular iudges, at the reporte of the iudgement and sentence, geuen by mee, and other Doctours my companions, haue condemned all those vnto most cruel death whome wee haue iudged to bee heretickes.* 1.40 And the cause why in conscience I am thus disquieted, is this, that now of late since I haue geuē my self more diligently to the reading & cōtēplatiō

of the holy scriptures: I haue perceiued that the most part of those Articles which they that are called Lutheranes doe maintayne, are so conformable and agreeing to the Scriptures,* 1.41 that for my part, I can no longer gainesay them, except I should euen wilful∣ly and maliciously resist and striue against the holy ordinances of God. Al be it hetherto, to maintaine the honour of our holy mo∣ther the Churche, and of our holy father the Pope, and of our or∣der, I haue consented to the opinions, & doings of the other Do∣ctours, as well through ignoraunce, as also because I woulde not seeme to attempt any thing against the will and pleasure of the Prelates and Vicares generall: But now it seemeth vnto mee that wee ought not any more to proceede in this matter, as wee haue done in time past. It shall be sufficient to punish them, with fines or to banish them, which shall speake too intemperately, or rash∣ly against the constitutions of the Churche, and of the Pope: and such as shall be manifestly conuicted by the holy Scriptures, to be blasphemers or obstinate heretickes, to be condemned to deathe according to the enormity of the crimes or errours, or els to per∣petuall prisone. And this my aduise and counsaile I desire you to take in good part.

With this counsaile of Bassinet, al the company was of∣fended, but especially the Bish. of Aix, who lifting vp his voyce aboue all the rest, sayd thus vnto hym: O thou man of litle faith,* 1.42 whereof art thou in doubt? Doest thou repent thee of that thou haste well done? Thou haste tolde heere a tale that smelleth of fagottes and brimstone. Is there any differēce (thinkest thou) betwene herisies and blasphemies spoken and mainteined againste the holy Scriptures: and opinions holden against our holy mother the Church, and contrary to our holy father the Pope, a most vndouted and true God in earth?* 1.43 Art thou a maister in Israel, and knowest not these things? Then said the Bishop of Arles, could any man entreat better of the little Barke of Christ Iesus, then my Lorde of Aix hath done? Then stoode vp Bassinet agayne, and made thys Oration.

It is true, that my Lorde the Bishop of Aix hathe very well set out the manners and state of the Clergie,* 1.44 and hath aptly reproo∣ued the vices and heresies of this present time: and therefore so soone as mention was made of the shippe of Christ Iesus, it came in my minde first of all, of the high Bishop of Hierusalem, the Prie∣stes, the Doctours of the lawe, the Scribes and Phariseys, whyche sometime had the gouernaunce of this shippe, being ordeined pa∣stours in the Church of God. But when they forsooke the lawe of God, and serued him with mennes inuentions and traditions, he destroyed those Hypocrites in his great indignation: and hauing compassion and pitie vppon the people, which were lyke sheepe without a shepheard, hee sent diligent fishers to fishe for menne: faithfull workemen into his haruest, and labourers into hys vine∣yeard, which shall all bring foorth true fruites in their season. Se∣condly, considering the purpose and entent of the reuerent Lord Bishop of Aix, I called to minde the saying of the Apostle in his ••. Epistle and 4. chapter vnto Timothe: That in the latter daies, some shall fall away from the faith, following after deceitfull spi∣rites, and the doctrine of deuils. And the Apostle geueth a marke whereby a man shall know them. Likewise our Lord Iesus Christ, in the 7. chapter of Mathew, sayeth, That the false Prophetes shall come, clothed in sheepes skinnes, but inwardly they are rauening Wolues: and by their fruites they shall be knowen. By these two and diuers such other places, it is easy to vnderstand, who are they that goe about to drowne this little barke of Christ.* 1.45 Are they not these which fill the same wyth filthy and vncleane thinges? With mire and dirt? with puddle and stinking water? Are they not those which haue forsaken Iesus Christe, the fountaine of liuing water, and haue digged vnto them selues pittes or cesternes whych will holde no water? Truely euen those they are, which vaunt them∣selues to be the salte of the earth, and yet haue no sauour at all: which cal them selues pastours, & yet are nothing lesse then true pastours, for they minister not vnto the shepe the true pasture and feeding, neither deuide and distribute the true bread of the word of life. And (if I may be bolde to speake it) would it not be at this present, as a great wonder to heare a Bishop preache, as to see an Asse flie? Are not they curssed of God whych glorye and vaunte them selues to haue the keyes of the kingdome of heauen, and nei∣ther enter in them selues,* 1.46 nor suffer them that wold enter, to come in? They may be knowen right well by their fruites: for they haue forsaken faith, iudgement and mercy, & there is no honest, cleane, or vndefiled thing in them, but their habite, theyr rochet, & theyr surplesse and such other: Outwardly they are exceeding neat and trimme, but wythin they are full of al abhomination, rauine, glut∣tonie,* 1.47 filthy luste, and all manner of vncleannesse. They are like painted sepulchers, which outwardly appeare beautifull & faire, but wythin they are full of filth and corruption. A man shal know (I say) these rauening Wolues, by their fruites, which deuour the quicke and the dead, vnder the pretence of long prayer: and for so much as I am enforced to geue place to the trueth, and that you call me a Maister in Israel, I will not be afraide to prooue by the holy Scriptures, that your great Pilot and patrone the Pope,* 1.48 and the Bishops the mariners, and such others, which haue impudent∣ly forsaken the shippe of Christ Iesus, to embarke them selfe in Pi∣nises and Brigandines, are pyrates and robbers of the Sea, false Prophetes, deceiuers and not true pastours of the Church of Ie∣sus Christ.

Whē Doctor Bassinet had thus frely and boldly vttered hys minde: the whole multitude beganne to gather about him, and spitefully railed at hym. But the bishoppe of Aix aboue other, raging and crying out, as hee had bene mad: get thee out saide he, from amongst vs, thou wicked Apo∣stata: thou art not worthy to be in this company. We haue burned daily a great manye, which haue not so well deser∣ued it, as thou hast. We may now perceiue y^t there is none more stedfast and feruent in the faith, then the doctors of y^e canon law. And therefore it were necessary to be decreed in the next generall councell,* 1.49 that none should haue to doe in matters of religion, but they alone: For these knaues and beggerly Monkes and Friers will bring all to noughte. Then the other doctors of the same order, boldly reproued the bish. of Aix, for the iniurie that he had done vnto them: After this, there rose a great dissention amongest them: in so muche that there was nothing at that time determined. After dinner all these reuerent prelates assembled together againe, but they suffered neither Frier nor Monke to be a∣mongest them except he were an Abbot. In thys assemble they made a generall composition, confirmed with an oth, that euery man shoulde endeuour hym selfe, that the sayde Arrest of Merindol should be executed withall expedition, euery man offring to furnish out men of warre, according to his habilitie.* 1.50 The charge wherof was geuen to the Bi∣shop of Aix and to the President of the Canons, to sollicite the matter, and to perswade by al meanes possible, the pre∣sidents and Counsellers of the said Court of Parliament, without feare or doubte, to execute the sayde Arrest, wyth drummes, ensignes, displaide, artillerie, and all kinde of furniture of warre.

This conspiracie being concluded and determined, the Bishop of Aix departed incontinent from Auinion, to goe vnto Aix, to performe y^e charge, which was geuen to hym. Notwithstanding they desired him to be the next day after the Counsell was holden, at a bankette whych shoulde be made at the house of the Bishop of Rieux. To thys banket such as were knowen to be the fairest and most beautifull women in all Auinion, were called to refreshe and solace these good Prelates, after the greate paines and trauayle which they had taken for our holy mother the Church. Af∣ter they had dined, they fell to dauncing, playing at dice, and such other pastimes as are commonly wont to be fre∣quented at the bankets and feastes of these holy Prelates. After this, they walked abroade to solace them selues, and to passe the time till supper.

As they passed thorowe the streetes, euery one leadyng his Minion vpon his arme, they sawe a man whych solde baudie Images and pictures,* 1.51 with filthie rimes and Bal∣lets annexed to the same, to moue and sturre vp the people to whoredome, and knauerie. All these goodly Pictures were bought vp by the Bishops: which were as many as a Mule coulde well carie. And if there were anye obscure sentence, or hard to vnderstand, in those rimes or ballets, the same these learned Prelates did readely expounde, and laughed presently thereat. In the same place, as they wal∣ked alōg, there was a bookeseller which had set out to sale, certaine Bibles in Frenche and Latine, with diuers other Bookes, whyche when the Prelates behelde,* 1.52 they were greatly mooued thereat, and said vnto him: Darest thou be so hardy to set out such marchādise to sel here in this town? Doest thou not know that such bookes are forbidden? The bokeseller answered, is not the holy Bible as good as these goodly pictures, which you haue bought for these Gentle∣wemen? He had skarce spoken these words, but the bishop of Aix sayd, I renounce my part of Paradise if this fellowe be not a Lutherane. Let him be taken (sayd he) and exami∣ned what he is, and incontinently the bookeseller was ta∣ken and caried vnto prison, and spitefully handled: For a company of knaues and ruffians, which waited vpon the Prelates, began to crye out, a Lutherane, a Lutherane, to the fire with him, to the fire with him, and one gaue hym a blow with his fist, another pulled him by the hear, & other by the beard, in such sorte, that the poore man was all em∣brued with bloud, before that he came vnto prison.

The morow after he was brought before the iudges, in y^e presence of the bishops, wheras he was examined in this forme as followeth. Hast not thou set foorth to sale the Bi∣ble and the new Testament in French? The prisoner aun∣swered,

that he had so done. And being demanded whether he vnderstood or knew not that it was forbidden through∣out all Christendome, to print or sel the Bible in any other language, then in Latin: he aunswered, that he knewe the contrary, and that he had sold many Bibles in the French tong,* 1.53 with y^e Emperors priuiledge, and many other prin∣ted at Lions: also new testaments, imprinted by the kings priuiledge. Furthermore he sayde, that he knew no nation throughout all Christendome, which had not the holy scri∣ptures in their vulgare toung: and afterward with a bold courage thus he spake vnto them. O you inhabitants of Auinion, are you alone in all Christendome? those men which do despise and abhorre the Testament of the heauē∣ly father: Wil you forbid and hide that which Iesus Christ hath commaunded to be reuealed and published? Do you not know that our Lord Iesus Christ gaue power vnto his Apostles, to speake all maner of toungs, to this ende, that his holy Gospell should be taught vnto all creatures, in euery language? And why do you not forbid those bookes and pictures, which are full of filthines and abho∣mination, to moue & stirre vp the people to whoredome, and to vncleannes, and to prouoke Gods vengeance and great indignation vpon you all? what greater blasphemy can there be, then to forbid Gods most holy bookes which he ordeined to instruct the ignoraunt, and to reduce and bring againe into the way such as are gone astray? What cruelty is this, to take away from the poore sely soules their nourishment and sustenance? But my Lordes, you shall geue an heauie accompt, which call sweete sower, and sower sweete, whiche mainteine abhominable and dete∣stable bookes and pictures, and reiect that which is holy.

Then the Bishop of Aix and the other Bishops, began to rage, and gnashed their teeth against this poore priso∣ner. What neede you (said they) any more examination? let him be sent straight vnto y^e fire, without any more words. But the Iudge Laberius and certaine others were not of that mind, neither founde they sufficient cause, why to put him to death, but went about to haue him put vnto hys fine, and to make him confesse & acknowledge the Byshop of Aix and other his companions, to be the true pastors of the Church. But the bookeseller aunswered, that he could not do it with a good conscience, forsomuch as he did see before his eies, y^t these Byshops mainteined filthy bookes and abhominable pictures, reiecting and refusing the holy bookes of God, and therefore he iudged them rather to be the Priests of Bacchus and Uenus, then the true pastors of the Church of Christ. Whereupon he was immediately condemned to be burned, and the sentence was executed y^e very same day:* 1.54 And for a signe or token of the cause of hys condemnation, he caried two Bibles hanging about hys necke, the one before, & the other behind him: but this pore man had also the word of God in his hart & in his mouth, and ceased not continually by the way, vntill that he came to the place of execution, to exhort and monish the people to reade the holy Scriptures: in so much that diuers were thereby mooued to seeke after the truth. The Prelates see∣ing a great dissention amongst the people of Auinion, and that many murmured and grudged against them for the death of this good man, and also for the dishonour which they had done vnto the holy Testament of God, minding to put the people in a feare, they proceeded the next day to make a proclamatiō by the sound of a Trumpet,* 1.55 through∣out the whole towne and Countie of Uenice, that all such as had any bookes in the French tongue intreating vpon the holy Scriptures, should bring them foorth, and deli∣uer them into the hands of the Commissioners, appointed for that purpose: contrarywise, they which had any suche bookes found about them, should be put to death.

Then after that these Prelates had taken aduise to raise great persecution in Uenice, the Bishop of Aix returned to prosecute the executiō of the arrest against Merindol, tra∣uelling earnestly with the President Cassaneus, to that ef∣fect:* 1.56 declaring vnto him the good will of the Prelates of Auinion and Prouince, & the great affectiō they bare both to him and his, with many faire promises, if he would put the Arrest in execution. The President aunswered hym, that it was no small matter to put the Arrest of Merin∣doll in execution. Also that the saiyd Arrest was geuen out more to keepe y^e Lutheranes in feare, which were a great number in Prouince, then to execute it in effect, as it was conteined in the sayd Arrest. Moreouer, he said that the ar∣rest of Merindoll was not definitiue, and that the lawes and statutes of the realme, did not permit y^e executiō there∣of, without further processe. Then said the Bishop, if there he either lawe or statute which doth hinder or let you, we cary in our sleeues to dispence therwithall. The President answered, it were a great sinne to shed the innocent bloud. Then sayd the Byshop, the bloud of them of Merindoll be vpon vs and vpon our successours. Then said the Pre∣sident.* 1.57 I am very well assured that if the Arrest of Merin∣doll be put in execution, the kyng will not be well pleased to haue such destruction made of his subiectes. Then sayd the Bishop, although the kyng at the first, do thinke it euil done, we will so bring it to passe, that within a short space, he shall thinke it well done: For we haue y^e Cardinals on our side, & specially the most reuerent Cardinall of Tour∣non, the which will take vpō him the defence of our cause,* 1.58 and we can doe him no greater pleasure, then vtterly to roote out these Lutheranes: so that if we haue any neede of his coūsaile or ayde, we shall be wel assured of him: And is not he the principall, the most excellent & prudēt aduer∣sary of these Lutheranes, which is in all Christendome?

By this & such other like talke, the Byshop of Aix per∣suaded the Presidēt & Counsellours of the Court of Par∣liament, to put the sayd Arrest in execution, and by this meanes through the authoritie of the sayd Court, the drum was sounded throughout all Prouince, y^t Captaines were prepared with their Ensignes displayd,* 1.59 and a great num∣ber of footemē and horsemen, began to set forward & mar∣ched out of the towne of Aix, in order of battell, well horsed and furnished agaynst Merindoll, to execute the Arrest. The inhabitauntes of Merindoll beyng aduertised here∣of, and seyng nothyng but present death to be at hād, with great lamentation, commended themselues & their cause vnto God by prayer, makyng thēselues ready to be mur∣thered and slayne as sheepe led vnto the butchery.

Whiles they were at this greeuous distresse pitiously mournyng and lamentyng together,* 1.60 the father with the sonne, the daughter with y^e mother, the wife with the hus∣band, sodenly there was newes brought vnto them, that the army was retired, and no mā knew at that tyme, how or by what meanes: notwithstandyng afterward it was knowen, that the Lord of Alenc, a wise man & learned in the Scriptures & in Ciuill law, beyng moued with great zeale and loue of iustice, declared vnto the Presidēt Chas∣sanee, that he ought not so to proceede agaynst the inhabi∣tantes of Merindoll by way of force of armes, contrary to all forme and order of iustice, without iudgement or con∣demnation, or without making any differēce betwene the gilty & the vngilty. And furthermore he sayd, I desire you my Lord Presidēt, call to remēbraunce the counsell which you haue written in your booke,* 1.61 entituled Catalogus gloriae mundi, in the which booke you haue intreated and brought forth the processes whiche were holden agaynst the Rats, by the officers of the Court and iurisdiction of the Byshop of Authun. For as it happened, there was almost through out all the Bailiwyke of Laussois, such a great number of Rats, that they destroyed and deuoured all the corne of the coūtrey. Wherupon they tooke counsell to send vnto y^e By∣shop of Authuns Official, for to haue the Rats excommu∣nicate. Whereupon it was ordeined & decreed by the sayd Officiall, after he had heard the plaintife of the Procurator fiscall, that before he would proceede to excommunication, they should haue admonition, and warning, accordyng to the order of iustice. For this cause it was ordeined, that by the sound of a trūpet, & open proclamation made through∣out all y^e streetes of the towne of Authun, the Rats should be cited to appeare within three dayes: and if they did not appeare: then to proceede agaynst them.

The three dayes were passed, & the Procurator came into the Court agaynst the rats, & for lacke of appearaūce, obteyned default: by vertue whereof he required that they would proceede to the excōmunication. Wherupon it was iudicially acknowledged, that the said Rats beyng absent, should haue their Aduocate appointed them to heare their defence, for somuch as y^e question was for y^e whole destru∣ctiō & banishyng of the sayd Rats.* 1.62 And you my Lord Pre∣sidēt beyng at that tyme the kynges Aduocate at Authun, were then chosen to be the Aduocate to defend the Rattes. And hauyng takē the charge vpō you in pleadyng y^e mat∣ter, it was by you there declared that the citatiō was of no effect, for certaine causes & reasons by you there alledged. Then was it decreed that the sayd Rats should be once a∣gaine cited, throughout the Parishes whereas they were. Then after the citatiōs were duely serued, the Procurator came agayne into the Court as before, & there it was al∣ledged by you my Lord President, how that y^e terme of ap∣pearaunce geuen vnto the Rats was to short, & that there were so many Cats in euery Towne and Uillage as they should passe through, that they had iust cause to be absent.* 1.63

Wherfore my Lord Presidēt, you ought not so lightly to proceede agaynst these poore mē, but you ought to looke vpon the holy Scriptures, and there you shall finde how you ought to proceede in this matter: and you my Lord,

haue alleged many places of the Scripture concerning the same, as appeareth more at large in your sayd booke, and by this plea of a matter which seemeth to be but of small importance, you haue obteined great fame and honour, for the vpright declaration of the maner & forme, how iudges ought grauely to proceede in criminall causes. Then my Lord President, you which haue taught others, will you not also learne by your owne bookes? the which will ma∣nifestly condemne you, if you proceede any further, to the destruction of these poore men of Merindoll. For are not they Christian men? and ought you not as well to mini∣ster right and iustice vnto them, as you haue done vnto the Rattes? By these and such like demonstrations, the Presi∣dent was persuaded, and immediately called backe his commission which he had geuen out, and caused the army to retire, the which was already come neere vnto Merin∣doll, euen within one mile and a halfe.

Then the Merindolians vnderstanding that the army was retired, gaue thankes vnto God, comforting one a∣nother, with admonition and exhortation, alwaies to haue y^e feare of God before their eies, to be obediēt vnto his ho∣ly commandements,* 1.64 subiect to his most holy wil, and eue∣ry man to submit himselfe vnto his prouidence, paciently attending and looking for the hope of the blessed, that is to say, the true life and the euerlasting riches, hauing alwaies before their eies for example our Lord Iesu Christ the ve∣ry sonne of God, who hath entred into his glory by many tribulations. Thus the Merindolians prepared them∣selues to endure and abide all the afflictions, that it should please God to lay vpon them: and such was their answere to all those that either pitied or else sought their destructiō. Wherupon the brute and noise was so great, as well of the Arrest,* 1.65 as of the enterprise of the execution, and also of the pacience and constancie of the Merindolians, that it was not hidden or kepte secrete, from King Fraunces, a Kyng of noble courage, and great iudgement: Who gaue cōman∣dement vnto the noble and vertuous Lorde, Mounsieur de Langeay, which then was his Lieutenant in Thurin, a Citie in Piemont, that he should diligently enquire and search out the truth of all this matter. Whereupon the sayd Mounsieur de Langeay, sent vnto Prouince two men of fame and estimation, geuing them in charge, to bring vnto him the copie of the Arrest, and diligently to enquire out all that followed and ensued thereupon: and likewise to make diligent inquisition of the life and maners of the said Merindolians, and others, which were persecuted in the countrey of Prouince.

These deputies brought the copie of the Arrest, and of all that happened thereupon, vnto the sayd Mounsieur de Langeay, declaring vnto him the great iniuries, polings, extorcions, exactions, tirannies, & cruelties, which y^e Iud∣ges,* 1.66 as well secular as Ecclesiasticall, vsed agaynst them of Merindoll and others. As touching the behauiour and disposition of those which were persecuted, they reported that the most part of the men of Prouince affirmed them to be men geuen to great labour and trauaile, and that about 200. yeares passed (as it is reported) they came out of the countrey of Piemont to dwell in Prouince, and tooke to tillage and to inhabite, many hamlets & villages destroy∣ed by the warres, and other desert and waste places: which they had so well occupied, that now there was great store of wynes,* 1.67 oyles, hony, and cattell, wherewith straungers were greatly relieued and holpē. Besides that, before they came into the countrey to dwell, the place of Merindoll, was taxed but at foure crownes, which before the last de∣struction, payed yearely vnto the Lord for taxes and tal∣lages, aboue 350. crownes, beside other charges.

The like was also reported of Lormarin, and diuers o∣ther places of Prouince, whereas there was nothyng but robberie before they came to inhabite there, so that none coulde passe that way, but in great daunger. Moreouer, they of the countrey of Prouince, affirmed that the inhabi∣taunts of Merindoll and the other that were persecuted: were peaceable & quiet people, beloued of all their neigh∣bours, men of good behauiour, cōstant in keeping of their promise, and paieng of their debtes, without trauersing or pleading of the law. That they were also charitable men, geuing of almes, releeuing the poore, and suffered none a∣mongst them to lacke or be in necessitie. Also they gaue al∣mes to strangers, and to y^e poore passengers, harbouring, nourishing, and helping them in all their necessities, accor∣ding to their power. Moreouer, that they were knowne by this, throughout all y^e countrey of Prouince, that they would not sweare, or name the diuell, or easly be brought to take an othe, except it were in iudgemente, or makyng some solemne couenant. They were also knowne by thys, that they could neuer be moued nor prouoked to talke of any dishonest matters, but in what company soeuer they came, where they heard any wanton talke, swearing of blasphemy, to the dishonour of God, they straight way de∣parted out of that company. Also they sayd that they neuer sawe them go vnto their busines, but first they made theyr prayers. The sayd people of Prouince furthermore affir∣med, that whē they came to any fayres or markets, or came to their cities by any occasion, they neuer in a maner were seene in their Churches: and if they were, whē they praied they turned away their faces frō the images, and neyther offred candels to thē, nor kissed their feete. Neither would they worship the reliques of Saints, nor once looke vpon them. And moreouer,* 1.68 if they passed by any crosse or Image of the crucifixe or any other Sainct, by the way as they went, they would do no reuerence vnto them. Also the Priestes did testifie, that they neuer caused them to say any Masses, neyther diriges, neither yet De profundis: neyther woulde they take any holy water, and if it were carryed home vnto their houses, they woulde not saye once God a mercy, yea they semed vtterly to abhorre it. To go on pil∣grimage, to make any vowes to Saints, to buy pardons or remission of sinnes with money, yea though it might be gotten for a halfepeny, they thought it not lawfull. Like∣wise whē it thundered or lightened, they would not crosse themselues, but casting vp their eies to heauen, fetch deepe sighes. Some of thē would kneele downe & pray, without blessing themselues with y^e signe of the crosse, or taking of holy water. Also they were neuer seene to offer,* 1.69 or cast into the bason, any thing for y^e maintenance of lightes, brother∣hoods, churches, or to geue any offering either for y^e quicke or the dead. But if any were in affliction or pouertie, those they releeued gladly, and thought nothing too much.

This was y^e whole tenor of the report made vnto Moū∣sieur de Langeay, touching the life and behauiour of y^e in∣habitants of Merindoll, and the other which were perse∣cuted: also as touching the Arrest and that which ensued therupon. Of all those things, the sayd Monsieur de Lan∣geay, according to the charge that was geuen him, aduer∣tised the king: who vnderstanding these things, as a good prince moued with mercy and pity, sent letters of grace & pardon,* 1.70 not only for those which were cōdemned for lacke of appearance, but also for all the rest of y^e countrey of Pro∣uince, which were accused and suspected in like case: expres∣ly charging and commanding the said parliamēt that they shoulde not heereafter proceede so rigorously as they had done before, against this people, but if there were anye that could be found or proued by sufficient information, to haue swarned from y^e christian religion, that then he should haue good demonstration made vnto him by the word of God, both out of the old and of the new Testament: and so as well by the gentlenes as by the rigour of the same, he should be reduced againe vnto the Church of Christ: decla∣ring also y^t the kings pleasure was, that all such as should be conuict of heresie in maner aforesaid, should abiure: for∣bidding also all maner of persons, of what estate or condi∣tion soeuer they were, to attempt any thing against them of Merindoll or other that were persecuted, by any other maner of meanes, or to molest or trouble them in person or goodes: reuoking and disanulling all maner of senten∣ces and condemnations, of what iudges soeuer they were, and commaunding to set at libertie all prisoners which ei∣ther were accused or suspected of Lutheranisme.

By vertue of these letters, they were now permitted to declare their cause, and to say what they coulde, in defence thereof. Whereupon they made a confession of their fayth: the effect whereof you shall see in the end of the story. This * 1.71 confession was presented first to the Court of Parlia∣ment, and afterward being declared more at large, wyth Articles also annexed thereunto, it was deliuered to the Bishop of Cauaillon, who required y^e same. Also to Car∣dinall Sadolet, Bishop of Carpentras, with the lyke Ar∣ticles, and also a supplication to this effect: That the inha∣bitants of Cabriers in the Countie of Uenice, most hum∣bly desired him that he would vouchsafe to receiue & reade the confession and declaration of their fayth and doctrine, in the which they, and also their fathers before them, had bene of a lōg time, instructed and taught, which they were persuaded to be agreable to the doctrine conteined in y^e old and new Testament. And because he was learned in the holy Scriptures, they desired hym that he woulde marke such articles as he thought to be against the Scriptures: and if he should make it to appeare vnto them, y^t ther was any thing cōtrary to the same, they would not only submit themselues vnto abiuration, but also to suffer such punish∣ment as should be adiudged vnto them, euen to the losse, not only of all that they had, but also their liues. And more ouer, if there were any Iudge in all the countie of Uenice,

which by good and sufficiēt information, should be able to charge them that they had holden any erroneous doctrine,* 1.72 or mainteined any other religion then was cōteined in the articles of their confession, they desired him that he would cōmunicate the same vnto them, and with all obedience, they offered themselues to whatsoeuer should be thought iust and reasonable. Upon this request Cardinal Sadolet answered by his letters writtē by his Secretary, and sig∣ned with his owne hand, the tenor whereof heere ensueth.

I haue seene your request, and haue red the Articles of youre confession,* 1.73 wherein there is much matter conteined, and do not vnderstand that you are accused for any other doctrine, but for the very same, which you haue confessed. It is most true, that many haue reported diuers things of you, worthy of reproofe, which after diligent enquiry made, we haue found to be nothing else but false reports and slaunders. As touching the rest of youre Articles, it seemeth vnto me, that there are many wordes therein, which might well be chaunged without preiudice vnto your con∣fession. And likewise it seemeth to me that it is not necessary that you should speake so manifestly against the Pastours of the Churche. For my parte, I desire youre welfare, and would be sory that you should be so spoyled or destroyed, as they do pretende. And to the ende you shall the better vnderstande my amity and friendship towards you, shortly I will be at my house by Cabriers, whether ye may resort vnto me eyther in greater or smaller num∣ber, as you will, and returne safely without any hurt or damage, and there I will aduertise you of all things that I thinke meete for your profite and health.

* 1.74About this time, which was the yeare of our Lord 1542. the Uicelegate of Auinion assembled a great number of men of warre at the sure of the B. of Cauaillon, to destroy Cabriers. When the army was come within a mile of Ca∣briers, the Cardinall Sadolet went with speede vnto the Uicelegate, and shewed him the request of the inhabitants of Cabriers, with the Articles of their confession, and the offers that they made: so that for that present, the army re∣tired without any damage or hurt done vnto y^e inhabitāts of Cabriers.* 1.75 After this the Cardinall Sadolet went vnto Rome: but before his departure he sent for diuers of Ca∣briers, and certaine farmers of his owne, whom he knew to be of y^e number of those which were called Lutheranes, and told thē that he would haue them in remembrance, as soone as he came vnto Rome, and cōmunicate their Arti∣cles and confession vnto the Cardinals,* 1.76 trusting to finde a meane to haue some good reformation, that God should be thereby glorified, & all Christendome brought to an vnitie and concord: at the least, nothing at all doubting, but that the foulest abuses should be corrected and amēded, aduer∣tising them in the meane time to be wise and circumspect, to watch and pray for that they had many enemies. Wyth this Oration of Cardinall Sadolet, they of Cabriers were greatly comforted, trusting that at y^e sute of Cardinal! Sa∣dolet they should haue aunswer of their confession. But at his returne, they vnderstoode that he founde all thinges so corrupt at Rome, that there was no hope of any reforma∣tion there to be had, but rather mortall warre agaynst all such as would not liue according to the ordinances of the Church of Rome. Likewise sayde the Treasurer of Car∣pentras,* 1.77 who albeit he payed out money to furnish souldi∣oures that were hired for the destruction of Cabriers, not∣withstanding he did ayde them secretly all that he might. Howbeit he could not do it so secretly, but that it came to the knowledge of the Legate: whereupon he was con∣streined to withdraw himselfe.

On the other parte, the Byshop of Aix and Cauaillon pursued still the execution of the arest of Merindoll. Then it was ordeyned by the court of parliament, that according to the kings letters Iohn Durand coūsailer of the Court of parliament, with a Secretarie: and the Bishop of Ca∣uaillon with a doctor of diuinitie, should go vnto Merin∣doll, and there declare vnto y^e inhabitants the errours and heresies which they knew to be cōteined in their cōfession, and make them apparant by good and sufficient informa∣tion, and hauing so conuicted them by the worde of God, they should make them to renounce & abiure the sayde he∣resies. And if the Merindolians did refuse to abiure, then they should make relatiō therof, that the Court might ap∣point how they should further proceede. After this decree was made, the Bishop of Cauaillon would not tary vntil the time which was appointed by the Court, for the exe∣cution of this matter: but he hymselfe with a Doctour of Diuinitie,* 1.78 came vnto Merindoll to make them to abiure. Unto whom the Merindolians aunswered that he enter∣prised against the authoritie of the Parliament, and that it was against his commission so to do. Notwithstāding, he was very earnest with thē that they should abiure, & pro∣mised them, if they would so doe, to take them vnder his wynges & protection, euen as the hen doth her chickens, & that they should be no more robbed or spoyled. Thē they required that he would declare vnto thē what they should abiure.* 1.79 The Bysh. aūswered that y^e matter needed no dis∣putation, & that he required but onely a generall abiura∣tiō of all errours, which would be no damage or preiudice to them: For he himselfe would not sticke to make the lyke abiuration. The Merindolians aunswered him agayne, that they would do nothing contrary to the decree & ordi∣naunce of the Court, or the kyngs letters, wherein he cō∣maunded that first the errours should bee declared vnto thē, wherof they were accused: wherefore they were resol∣ued to vnderstād what those errours & heresies were, that being enformed therof by the word of God, they might sa∣tisfie the kyngs letters: otherwise it were but hypocrisie & dissimulation, to doe as he required them. And if he could make it to appeare vnto them by good & sufficiēt informa∣tion, that they had holdē any errours & heresies,* 1.80 or should be conuict therupon by the word of God, they would wil∣lingly abiure: or if in their confession there were any word contrary to the Scriptures, they would reuoke the same. Contrarywise, if it were not made manifest vnto them, that they had holden any heresies, but that they had al∣wayes liued accordyng to the doctrine of the Gospell, and that their confession was grounded vpon the same: they ought by no meanes, to moue or constrayne them, to ab∣iure any errours which they held not, & that it were plain¦ly agaynst all equitie and iustice so to do.

Then the Byshyp of Cauaillon was maruelously an∣gry & would heare no word spoken of any demonstration to be made by the word of God,* 1.81 but in a furie cursed and gaue him to the deuill that first inuented that meane. Thē the Doctour of Diuinitie whom the Bishop brought the∣ther, demaunded what Articles they were, that were pre∣sented by the inhabitaunts of Merindoll, for the Byshop of Cauaillō had not yet shewed thē vnto him. Thē the bi∣shop of Cauaillon deliuered the Doctour the confession. Whiche after he had read, the Byshop of Cauaillon sayd, what? will you any more witnesse or declaration? this is full of heresie. Thē they of Merindoll demaūded in what point. Whereunto the Byshop knew not what to aun∣swere. Then y^e Doctour demaunded to haue tyme to looke vpon the Articles of the cōfession, and to consider whether they were agaynst the Scriptures or no. Thus the By∣shop departed, beyng very sore agreeued that he could not bryng his purpose to passe.

After viij. dayes the Byshop sent for this Doctour, to vnderstand how he might order himself to make those he∣resies appeare, which were in the sayd confession.* 1.82 Where∣unto the Doctour aunswered, that he was neuer so much abashed: for when he had beholden the Articles of the con∣fessiō, and the authorities of the Scripture that there were alledged for the confirmation thereof, hee had founde that those Articles were wholy agreeable and accordyng to the holy Scriptures, and that hee had not learned so much in the Scriptures all the dayes of his lyfe, as he had in those viij. dayes, in lookyng vpon those Articles and the autho∣rities therein alledged.

Shortly after, the Bysh. of Cauaillon came vnto Me∣rindoll, & callyng before him the childrē both great & smal, gaue them money, & commaunded thē with fayre wordes, to learne the Pater noster & the Creede in Latin.* 1.83 The most part of them aunswered that they knew the Pater noster, & the Creede already in Latin, but they could make no reasō of that which they spake, but onely in the vulgare tongue. The Bysh. aunswered, y^t it was not necessary they should be so cunnyng, but that it was sufficient that they knew it in Latin, & that it was not requisite for their saluation, to vnderstād or to expoūd the Articles of their fayth: for there were many Byshops, Curates, yea & Doctours of Diui∣nitie, whom it would trouble to expoūd the Pater noster,* 1.84 & the Creede. Here y^e Bailiffe of Merindoll, named Andrew Mainard, asked to what purpose it would serue, to say the Pater noster and the Creede, & not to vnderstand the same: for in so doyng, they should but mocke & deride God. Thē sayd the Byshop vnto him, do you vnderstād what it sig∣nified by these wordes, I beleue in God?* 1.85 The Bailiffe aun∣swered, I should thinke my selfe very miserable, if I dyd not vnderstand it, & then he began orderly to geue account of his fayth. Then sayd the Byshop. I would not haue thought there had bene so great Doctours in Merindoll. The Bailiffe aunswered:* 1.86 the least of the inhabitauntes of Merindoll, can do it, yet more readely then I: but I pray you, question with one or two of these young childrē, that you may vnderstand whether they be well taught or no.

But the Bishop either knew not how to question wyth them, or at the least, would not.

Then one named Pieron Roy sayde, Sir, one of these children may questiō with another, if you thinke it so good: and the Bishop was contented. Then one of the children began to question with his felowes, with such grace and grauitie, as if he had bene a Scholemaister, and the childrē one after another, aunswered so vnto the purpose, y^t it was maruelous to heare: For it was done in the presence of many, amōg whom there were four religious men y^t came lately out of Paris,* 1.87 of whom, one said vnto the Bishop, I must needs confesse that I haue often bene at the common schooles of Sorbone in Paris, where I haue hearde y^e dis∣putations of the Diuines: but yet I neuer learned so much as I haue done by hearing these yong children. Then sayd William Armant: did ye neuer reade that which is writ∣ten in xj. Chapter of S. Mathew, where it is sayde: O fa∣ther,* 1.88 Lord of heauen and earth, I render thankes vnto thee, that thou hast hidden these thyngs from the sage and wise men of the worlde, and hast reuealed them vnto yong infants. But beholde O father, such was thy good will and pleasure. Then euery mā marueiled at the ready and witty aunsweres of the chil∣dren of Merindoll.

When the Bishop saw that he could not thus preuaile, he tried another way, and went about by faire & flattering wordes, to bring his purpose to passe. Wherefore, causing the straungers to go apart, he sayd that he now perceaued they were not so euill as many thought them to be: Not∣withstanding, for the cōtentatiō of them, which were their persecutors, it was necessary that they should make some small abiuration, which onely the Bailife, with two offi∣cers, might make generally in his presence, in the name of all the rest, without any Notary to record the same in wri∣ting,* 1.89 and in so doing they should be loued and fauoured of all men, and euē of those which now persecuted them: and that they should susteine no infamy therby, for there should be no report thereof made, but only to the Pope, and to the high Court of Parliament of Prouince: And also if any man in time to come, woulde turne the same to their re∣proch, or alledge it against them to their hurt or damage, they might vtterly denie it, and say they made no abiura∣tion at all, because there were no records made thereof, or witnesses to proue the same. For this purpose he desired them to talke together, to the ende there might be an ende made in this matter, without any further busines.

The Bailife and the two officers, with dyuers other Auncients of the towne, aunswered, that they were fully resolued, not to cōsent to any abiuratiō, howsoeuer it were to be done, except that (which was alwaies their exceptiō) they could make it appeare vnto thē by the word of God, that they had holden or mainteined any heresie: marueling much that he woulde go about to perswade them to lye to God and the world. And albeit that all men by nature are lyars, yet they had learned by the word of God, that they ought diligently to take heed of lying in any matter, were it neuer so small. Also that they ought diligently to take heede,* 1.90 that their children did not accustome or vse them∣selues to lie, and therefore punished them very sharpely, when as they tooke them with any lye, euen as if they had committed any robbery: for the Diuell is a lyer and the father of lyes. Heere the Byshop rose vp in great anger and in∣dignation, and so departed.

Within a while after, the Bishop of Aix solicited maister Iohn Durandus Councellour of the Court of the Parla∣ment of Prouince, to execute the commission which was geuen him, that is, to go vnto y^e place of Merindoll, toge∣ther with the Secretarie of the sayd Court,* 1.91 and there, in y^e presence of the Byshop of Cauaillon, accompanyed with a Doctour of Diuinitie, to declare the errours and heresies which the Bishops pretended the inhabitants of Merin∣doll to be infected and intangled withall, and according to their dutie, to make it appeare by the word of God, and so being conuict, to make them abiure and renounce the sayd heresies. Whereupon the said Counceller Durandus, cer∣tified the day that he would be present at Merindoll, to the end & purpose that none of the inhabitaunts should be ab∣sent. At the day appointed, the said Counseller Durandus, the Byshop of Cauaillon,* 1.92 a Doctour of Diuinitie, & a Se∣cretary, came vnto Merindoll, where as was also present, diuers Gentlemen and men of vnderstanding, of all sorts, to see this commission executed. Then they of Merindoll were aduertised, that they should not appeare all at once, but y^t they should keepe themselues apart, and appeare as they should be called, in such order & number, as should be appointed vnto them. After that Durandus, the Byshop of Cauaillon, the Doctour of Diuinitie, and the Secretary were set in place where iustice was accustomed to be kept, there was called forth Andrew Maynard, the baylife of Merindoll, Ienon Romane, and Michelin Maynard * 1.93 Syndiques, Iohn Cabrie, and Iohn Palene, auncients of Merindoll, and Iohn Bruneroll vnderbaylife. After they had presented themselues with all due reuerence, the Counseller Durandus spake thus vnto them.

You are not ignoraunt that by the Arrest geuen out by the high Court of Prouince, you were all condemned to be burned, both men, women, and children: your houses also to be beaten downe, and your towne to be rased and made desolate, &c. as is more largely conteined in the said arrest. Notwithstanding, it hath pleased the King our most gra∣cious Prince, to send his letters vnto the said Court, com∣manding that the sayd arrest should not so rigorously pro∣ceede against you: but if it could, by sufficient information be proued, that you or any of you had swarued frō the true Religion, demonstratiō should be made thereof vnto you by the word of God, wherby you might be reduced againe to the flocke of Christ. Wherefore it was determined in the saide Court of Parlament, that the Bishop of Cauaillon, with a Doctour of Diuinitie, should in my presence, de∣clare vnto you the errours and heresies wherewith they say, you are infected: and after good demonstration made by the word of God, you should publikely and solemnely renounce and abiure the sayde heresies, and in so doyng, shoulde obteine the grace and pardon conteined in the Kings letters: Wherefore shew your selues this day, that you be obedient vnto God, the King, and y^e Magistrates. When he had thus spoken, what aunswere you (sayd he) to that which I haue propounded?

Then Andrew Maynard the Baylife, desired that they would graunt them an Aduocate to answere according to the instructiōs, which they would giue him,* 1.94 for so much as they were men vnlearned, and knew not how to answere, as in such a case was requisite. The Counseller aunswe∣red that he would heare their aunswere neither by Aduo∣cate nor by writing, but woulde heare them aunswere in their owne persons: Notwithstanding he woulde giue them leaue to go apart and talke together, but not to aske any counsell, but onely amongst themselues: and then to aunswere one after another. Upon this determination, the Bayliffe and the two Syndiques, with other two an∣cient men, talked together a while, and determined that the two Syndiques should speake first, and after them the Baylife, then the two auncient men, euery man accordyng as God should geue them grace, and by and by, presented themselues. Whereat the Counseller Durandus was greatly abashed,* 1.95 to see that they had agreed and determi∣ned so speedely. Then Michelin Maynard began to aun∣swere, desiring the Counseller and the Byshop, with the other assistance, to pardon him if that he aunswered ouer∣rudely, hauing regard that they were poore, rude, and ig∣noraunt men. His aunswere heere followeth.

We are greatly bound (sayth he) to geue God thankes, that besides other his benefites bestowed vpō vs,* 1.96 he hath now deliuered vs frō these great assaultes, and that it hath pleased him to touch the hart of our noble King, that our cause might be intreated with iustice, and not by violence. In like maner are we also bounde to pray for our noble King, which following y^e example of Samuell & Daniell, hath not disdeined to looke vpon the cause of his poore sub∣iects. Also we render thankes vnto the Lords of the Par∣lament, in that it hath pleased them to minister iustice ac∣cording to the Kings commandemēt. Finally, we thanke you my Lord Durandus, Commissioner in this present cause, that it hath pleased you in so few wordes, to declare vnto vs the maner and order how we ought to proceede. And for my part, I greatly desire to vnderstand and know the heresies and errours, wherof I am accused, and where as they shall make it appeare vnto me, that I haue holden any errours or heresies, I am contented to amende the same, as it shall be ordeined and prouided by you.

After him aunswered Ienon Romane the other Syn∣dique, a very auncient father, approuing all that which his fellow before had sayde, geuing God thankes that in hys time, euen in his latter daies, he had seene and heard so good newes, that the cause of Religion shoulde be decided and debated by the holy Scriptures, and that he had often heard auncient men say, that they could neuer obteine of the Iudges in all their persecution, to haue their cause de∣bated in such sort.

Then Andrew Maynard the Baylife aunswered say∣eng: that God had geuē to those two Syndiques the grace to answere so well, that it was not necessary for him to say or adde any more thereunto. Notwithstanding it seemed good that their answeres were put in writing, which was not done by the Secretary, that had done nothing else, but

mocke and gyre at all that had bin sayd: wherfore he requi∣red the Commissioner to looke vnto the matter. Then the Commissioner was very angry and sharpely rebuked his Secretary, commaunding him to sit nearer and to write their answeres word for word, and he himselfe with a sin∣gular memory, repeated their answeres, and oftētimes as∣ked if it were not so. The sayd aunsweres being thus put in writing, the Cōmissioner asked the baylife if he had any more to answere, sayeng that he had done him great plea∣sure to shewe him his Secretaries faulte, willing him to speake boldly, what he thought good for the defence of their cause. Then the Baylife said, for somuch as it hath pleased you to geue me audience & liberty to speake my mind free∣ly: I say moreouer, that it semeth vnto me, that there is no due forme of processe in this iudgemēt: for there is no par∣tie heere that doth accuse vs.* 1.97 If we had an accuser present, which according to the rule of the Scripture, either should proue by good demonstration out of the olde and new Te∣stament, that wherof we are accused, or if he were not able, should suffer punishment due vnto such as are heretickes: I thinke he would be as greatly troubled to mainteine his accusations, as we to aunswere vnto the same.

After that the Baylife had made this answere, Iohn Pa∣lenc,* 1.98 one of the auncients of Merindol, saide that he appro∣ued all that had bene sayd by the Syndiques, and that he was able to say no more then had bene said by them before. The Commissioner sayd vnto him: you are (I see) a very auncient man, and you haue not liued so long, but that you haue some thing to aunswere for your part, in defence of your cause. And the sayde Palenc aunswered: seeing it is your pleasure that I sh••uld say something, it seemeth vn∣to me vnpossible that (say what we can) we shoulde haue either victory or vantage: for our iudges be our enemies.

* 1.99Then Iohn Bruneroll vnderbaylife at Merindoll, an∣swered, that he would very faine know the authority of y^e Counseller Durandus, Commissioner in this cause, for as much as the said Counseller had geuē them to vnderstād, that he had authority of the high Court, to make them ab∣iure their errours, which should be found by good and suf∣ficient information, and to geue them so doing, the pardon conteined in the Kings letters, and quite them of all pu∣nishment and condemnation.* 1.100 But the said Commissioner did not geue them to vnderstand, that if they could not be found, by good and sufficient information, that they were in errour, he had any power or authoritie to quite and ab∣solue them of the sayd sentence and condemnation: Wher∣fore it seemed that it should be more vauntage for the sayd Merindolians, if it shoulde appeare that they were here∣tickes, then to be found to liue according to the doctrine of the Gospell. For this cause he required, that it woulde please the sayd Commissioner to make declaration therof: concluding that if it did not appeare by good and sufficient information against them, that they had swarued from the faith, or if there were no accuser that woulde come foorth against them, they ought to be fully absolued, without be∣ing any more troubled eyther in body or goodes.

These things were thus in debating from seauen of the clocke in the morning, vntill xj. Then the Commissioner dismissed them till after dinner. At one of the clocke at af∣ter noone, they were called for agayne, and demaunded whether they woulde say any thyng else,* 1.101 touchyng that which was propounded in the morning, by the said Com∣missioner. They aunswered, no. Then sayd the Commis∣sioner, what do you conclude for your defence? The two Syndiques aunswered: we conclude that it would please you to declare vnto vs the errours and heresies, whereof we are accused. Then the Commissioner asked the By∣shop of Cauaillon, what informations he had agaynst them. The Byshop spake vnto him in his eare, and would not aunswere aloude. This talke in the eare continued al∣most halfe an houre, that the Commissioner and all other that stoode thereby, were weary thereof. In the ende, the Commissioner sayd vnto them, that the Byshop of Ca∣uaillon had told him, that it was not needefull to make it apparant by information, for such was the cōmon report. Herevnto they aunswered: that they required the causes and reasons alledged by the Byshop of Cauaillon, against them, should be put in writing. The Byshop was earnest to the contrary,* 1.102 and woulde haue nothyng that eyther he sayd or alledged, to be put in writing.

Then Iohn Bruneroll required the Commissioner, that at the least, he would put in writing, that the Byshop would speake nothing agaynst them, that they could vn∣derstand, and that he woulde not speake before the Com∣missioner but only in his eare. The Byshop on the cōtra∣rie part, defended that he would not be named in processe. There was great disputation vpon this matter, and cōti∣nued long. Thē the Cōmissioner asked the Merindolians if they had the Articles of their confession, which they had presented to the high Court of Parliament. Then they re∣quired that their confession might be read, and by the rea∣dyng thereof they might vnderstand whether it were the doctrine, which they held, & the confession which they had presented, or no. Then the confession was read publickely before thē,* 1.103 which they did allow and acknowledged to be theirs. This done the Commissioner asked the Doctour if he did finde in the sayd confessiōs, any hereticall opinions, wherof he could make demōstration by the word of God, either out of the old or the new Testamēt. Then spake the Doctour in Latin a good while. After he had made an end: Andrew Mainard the Bayliffe desired the Commissioner, accordyng as he had propoūded, to make the errours and heresies that they were accused of,* 1.104 apparaūt vnto them by good information, or at the least, to marke those Articles of their confession, which the Byshop & the Doctours pretē∣ded to be hereticall, requiryng him also to put in Register, their refusall, aswell of the Byshop as of the Doct. of whō the one spake in his eare, and the other in Latine, so that they of Merindoll could not vnderstand one word. Then the Commissioner promised thē to put in writyng all that should make for their cause. And moreouer he sayd that it was not needefull to call the rest of the Merindolians, if there were no more to be sayd to them, then had bene sayd to those, which were already called. And this is y^e summe of all that was done at the after noone.

Many which came thether to heare these disputations: supposing that they should haue heard some goodly demō∣strations, were greatly abashed to see the Byshop and the Doctour so confoūded: which thyng afterward turned to the great benefite of many: for hereby they were moued to require the copyes of y^e confession of their fayth: by meanes wherof they were conuerted and embraced the truth, and namely iij. Doctours, who wēt about diuers tymes to di∣swade the Merindoliās from their fayth: whose ministery God afterwardes vsed in the preachyng of his Gospel.* 1.105 Of whom one was Doctour Combaudi Prior of S. Maxi∣min, afterwardes a Preacher in the territory of the Lords of Berne. An other was Doctour Somati, who was also a Preacher in the Bailiwycke of Tonon. The other was Doctour Heraudi, pastour and Minister in the Countie of Newcastle.

After this the inhabitaunts of Merindoll were in rest and quietnes for a space, in so much that euery man feared to goe about to trouble them, seyng those which persecu∣ted them, did receaue nothyng but shame and confusion: as it dyd manifestly appeare,* 1.106 not onely by the suddeyne death of the President Chassanee, but also many other of the chiefest Counsellers of the Parliament of Prouince, whose horrible end terrified many, but specially y^e straūge and fearefull exāple of that bloudy tyran Iohn de Roma, set out as a spectacle to all persecutours whereof we haue spoken before.

Thus the Lord repressing the rage of the aduersaries for a tyme, stayd the violence and execution of that cruell sentence or Arrest geuen out by the Parliament of Pro∣uince, agaynst the Merindoliās, vntill Iohn Miniers, an exceedyng bloudy tyran, began a new persecution. This Miniers beyng Lord of Opede neare to Merindoll,* 1.107 first began to vexe the poore Christians by pillyng and polyng, by oppression & extortion, getting frō them what he could, to enlarge his Segnorie or Lordshyp, whiche before was very base. For this cause he put v. or vi. of his owne Te∣nauntes into a Cisterne vnder the grounde,* 1.108 and closing it vp, there he kept them, till they dyed for hunger, pretēding that they were Lutheranes, and Uaudoys, to haue their goodes and possessions. By this and such other practises, this wretche was aduaūced in short space, to great wealth and dignitie, & so at lēgth became not onely the chief Pre∣sidēt of the high Court of Parliament, but also the kynges Lieutenaunt generall in the countrey of Prouince,* 1.109 in the absence of the Lord Grignan, then beyng at the Councell of Wormes in Germany. Now therfore seyng no oportu∣nitie to be lacking ••o accomplish his deuilish enterprise, he employed all his p••wer, richesse, & authoritie not onely to confirme and to reu••ue that cruell Arrest geuen out before by the Court of Par••iament: but also (as a right minister of Sathan) hee exceedyngly encreased the cruelty thereof, which was already so great, that it seemed there could no∣thyng more be added thereunto. And to bryng this mis∣chief to passe, he forged a most impudentlye,* 1.110 geuyng the kyng to vnderstād that they of Merindoll & all the coun∣trey neare about, to the nūber of twelue or fiueten thou∣sand, were in the field in armour with theyr Ensigne dis∣played, entendyng to take the Towne of Marseille, and

make it one of the Cantons of the Switzers: And to stay this enterprise,* 1.111 he sayd it was necessary to execute the Ar∣rest manu militari, and by this meanes he obteyned the Kings letters patents, thorough the helpe of the Cardi∣nall of Tournon, commaunding the sentence to be execu∣ted against the Merindolians, notwithstanding that the King had before reuoked the sayde sentence, and geuen straight commaundement that it should in no wise be ex∣ecuted, as before is mentioned.

After this he gathered all the Kynges armey, whyche was then in Prouince ready to go agaynst the English∣men, and tooke vp all besides, that were able to beare ar∣mour, in the chiefest Townes of Prouince, and ioyned them with the armey which the Popes Legate had leuied for that purpose, in Auinion and all the countrey of Ue∣nice, and employed the same to the destruction of Merin∣doll, Cabriers, and other Townes and Uillages, to the number of xxij. geuing commission to his souldiours to spoile, ransacke, burne, and to destroy altogether, and to kill man, woman and child, without all mercy, sparing none: no otherwise then the Infidels and cruell Turkes haue dealt with the Christians, as before in the story of the Turkes, you may reade.

For as the Papistes and Turkes are like in their Reli∣gion, so are the sayd Papistes like, or rather exceede them, in all kindes of cruelty that can be deuised. But this Arch-tyrant before he came to Merindoll, ransackt and burnt certaine townes, namely La Roche, S. Stephens, Uille∣laure, Lormarin, La Motte, Cabrierettes, S. Martin, Pipin,* 1.112 and other places mo, notwithstanding that the Ar∣rest extended but only to Merindol. Where the most of the poore inhabitants were slaine and murthered without a∣ny resistance: womē and maydens rauished: women with child and little infants borne and to be borne, were also most cruelly murthered:* 1.113 the pappes of many women cut off, which gaue sucke to their children, which looking for sucke at their mothers brest being dead before, died also for hunger. There was neuer such crueltie and tirannie seene before.

The Merindolians seeing all on a flaming fire round a∣bout them, left their houses and fled into the woods, and remained that night at the Uillage Sanfales and there∣aboutes, in wonderfull feare and perplexitie: for the Bi∣shop of Cauaillon, deputie to the Bishop of Romes Le∣gate, had appointed certaine Captaines to go and slay them. The next day they went a little further, hiding thē∣selues in woods, for there was daunger on euery side, and Miniers had commaunded vnder paine of death, that no mā should ayde them by any meanes, but that they should be slaine without pitie or mercy, wheresoeuer they were found. The same Proclamation was of force also, in the Bishop of Romes dominions thereby: and it was sayde that the Bishops of that countrey did finde a great part of the army. Wherefore they went a tedious and a paynefull iourney, carieng their children vpon their shoulders, and in their armes, and in their swadling clothes, and many of them also being great with child, were constreined so to do. And when they were come to the place appointed, the∣ther was already resorted a great number which had lost their goodes, and saued themselues by flight.

Not long after, it was shewed them how that Miniers was comming with all his power, to giue the charge vp∣on them. This was in y^e euening, and because they should go thorough rough and combersome places, and hard to passe by, they all thought it most expedient for their safe∣gard to leaue behinde them, all the women and children, with a few other, and among them also, certeine Mini∣sters of the Church: the residue were appointed to go to the towne of Mussie. And this did they vpon hope that the enemie would shew mercy to the multitude of women and children,* 1.114 being destitute of all succour. No toung can expresse, what sorrow, what teares, what sighing, what lamentation there was at that wofull departing, when they were compelled to be thus separated asūder, the hus∣band from his deare wife, the father from his sweete babes and tender infants, the one neuer like to see the other a∣gaine aliue. Notwithstanding, after the Ministers had ended their ordinary Sermons, with euening Prayers and exhortations, the men departed that night, to auoyde a greater inconuenience.

When they had gone all the night long, and had passed ouer y^e great hill of Libron, they might see many villages and farmes set on fire. Miniers in the meane time, had de∣uided his army into two partes, marching himselfe with the one, towardes the Towne of Merindoll, and hauing knowledge by espiall whether the Merindolians were fled, he sendeth the other parte to set vpon them, and to shewe theyr accustomed crueltie vpon them. Yet before they came to the place where they were, some of Miniers armye, eyther of good will, or mooued with pitie, priuily conueyed themselues awaye, and came vnto them, to geue thē warning that their enemies were comming: and one from the top of an high rocke, where he thought that the Merindolians were vnderneath, casteth downe two stones, and afterward, although he could not see them, he calleth vnto them; that they should immediately flye from thence. But the enemies suddenly came vpon them,* 1.115 fin∣ding them all assembled together at praiers, and spoyled them of all that they had, pulling off their garments from their backes: some they rauished: some they whipped and scourged: some they sold away like cattell, practising what cruelty and villanie soeuer they could deuise against them. The women were in number about fiue hundreth.

In the meane time Miniers came to Merindoll, where he founde none but a young man named Maurice Blanc, who had yelded himselfe to a souldiour, promising him for his raunsome, two French crownes. Miniers woulde haue had him away by force, but it was answered that the souldiour ought not to lose his prisoner. Miniers there∣fore paying the two crownes himselfe, tooke the young man, and caused him to be tyed to an Oliue tree, and shot thorough with harquebushes, and most cruelly martired.* 1.116 Many Gentlemen which accompanied Miniers against their willes, seeyng thys cruell spectacle, were mooued wyth greate compassion, and could not forbeare teares. For albeit this yong man was not yet very well instru∣cted, neyther had before dwelt at Merindoll, yet in all hys tormentes hauyng alwayes hys eyes lyfted vp to hea∣uen, wyth a loude voyce, he ceased not still to call vpon God: and the last words that he spake, were these: Lord God, these men take away my life full of miserie, but thou wilt giue vnto me life euerlasting, by thy sonne Iesus Christ: to whome be glory. So was Merindoll without any resistance, valiantly taken, ransackt, burnt, rased,* 1.117 and layed euen with the ground. And albeit there was no man to resist, yet this valiant Captaine of Opede armed from toppe to toe, trembled for feare, and was seene to chaunge his colour very much.

When he had destroyed Merindoll, he layed seege to Cabriers, and battered it with his ordinaunce,* 1.118 but when hee coulde not winne it by force, he with the Lorde of the Towne, and Poulin his chiefe Captaine, persuaded wyth the inhabitauntes, to open their gates, solemnely promi∣sing, that if they would so do, they would lay downe theyr armour, and also that their cause should be heard in iudge∣ment with all equitie and Iustice, and no violence or in∣iurie should be shewed against them. Upon this,* 1.119 they ope∣ned their gates, and let in Miniers with his Captaynes and all his army. But the Tyraunt when he was once entred, falsified his promise, and raged like a beast. For first of all he picked out about thirtie men,* 1.120 causing them to be bound and caried into a medowe neare to the Towne, and there to be miserably cut and hewen in peeces of hys souldiours.

Then, because he would leaue no kinde of crueltie vn∣attempted,* 1.121 hee also exercised outrage and fury vppon the poore selly women, and caused fortie of them to be taken, of whome diuers were great with child, and put them in∣to a barne full of strawe and hey, and caused it to be set on fire at foure corners. And when the sely women running to the great window, where the hey is wont to be cast in∣to the barne, woulde haue leaped out, they were kepte in with pikes and halberdes. Then there was a souldyoure which moued with pitie at the crieng out and lamentati∣on of the women, opened a dore to let them out, but as they were comming out, the Tyraunt caused them to be slaine and cut in peeces, opening their belyes, that theyr children fell out, whome they trode vnder their feete. Ma∣ny were fled into the wineseller of the Castell,* 1.122 and many hid themselues in caues, whereof some were caryed into the medowe, and there stripped naked, were slaine: other∣some were bound two and two together, and caried into the hall of the Castell, where they were slaine by the Cap∣taynes, reioysing in theyr bloudy butcherie and horrible slaughter.

That done, this Tyraunt, more cruell then euer was Herode, commaunded Captayne Iohn de Gay wyth a bande of ruffians, to go into the Churche (where was a great number of women, children and yong infantes) to kill all that he founde there. Which the Captayne refused at the first, to do, sayeng: that were a crueltie vnused a∣mong men of warre. Whereat Miniers being displeased, charged him vpon payne of rebellion, and disobedience to the King, to do as he had commaunded hym. The Cap∣taine

fearing that myght ensue, entred with hys men, and destroyed them all, sparing neither young nor olde.

In this meane while certaine souldiors went to ran∣sacke, the houses for the spoyle: where they founde many poore men that had there hidden themselues in sellers and other priuy places, flying vpon them and crying out: kill, kill. The other souldiors that were without the town, kil∣led all that they could meete with. The nōber of those that were so vnmercifully murdered,* 1.123 were about M. persons of men, women, and children. The infantes that escaped their furie, were baptised againe of their enemies.

In token of this ioly victory, the Popes Officers cau∣sed a piller to be erected in the said place of Cabriers, in the whych was engrauen the yeare and the day of the taking and sacking of this Towne, by Iohn Miniers Lorde of Opede, & chiefe President of the Parlament of Prouince, for a memoriall for euer, of the barbarous crueltie, the like whereof was yet neuer heard of. Whereupon we withall our posterity, haue to vnderstand what be the reasons and arguments wherewith the Antichrist of Rome, is wont to vphold the impious seate of his abhomination: Who now is come to such excesse and profunditie of all kindes of ini∣quitie,* 1.124 that all iustice, equitie and veritie being set a side, he seeketh the defence of his cause, by no other thyng, then only by force and violence, terror and oppression, and she∣ding of bloud.

In this meane while the inhabitauntes of Merindoll and other places thereabout, were among the mountains and rockes, in great necessitie of viccualles, and muche af∣fliction: who had procured certaine men, whiche were in some fauour and authority with Miniers, to make request for them vnto him, that they might depart safely, whether it shoulde please God to leade them, with theyr wines and children, although they had no more but their shirts to co∣uer their nakednesse.* 1.125 Whereunto Miniers made this aun∣swere: I know what I haue to doe: not one of them shall escape my handes. I will send them to dwel in hel among the deuils.

After this there was a power sent vnto Costa, which likewise they ouercame, & committed there great slaugh∣ter.* 1.126 Many of the inhabitantes fledde away and ranne into an orcharde, where the souldiours rauished the women and maidens, and when they had kept them there inclosed a day and a night, they handled them so beastly, that those which had great bellies, and the younger maidens dyed shortly after. It were impossible to comprehend all the la∣mentable and sorrowfull examples of this cruell persecu∣tion against the Merindolians and their fellowes:* 1.127 In so muche that no kinde of cruell Tyrannie was vnpractised. For they whych escaped by woodes, and went wandering by mountaines, were taken and set in galleis, or else were slaine outright.

Many which did hide themselues in rockes and darke caues, some were famished with hunger, some were smo∣thered with fire, and smoke put vnto them. All which may more fully be vnderstand by the recordes of the Court, and by the pleas betweene them and theyr aduersaries in the highe Consistorie of the Courte of Paris: Where all the doores being set open, and in the publicke hearing of all the people, the case of this trouble and persecution was short∣ly after, solemnly debated betwene two great lawyers: the one called Aubrius, which accused Minerius the president committed to prison, and the other called Robertus, who was the defendant against him.* 1.128 The cause why this mat∣ter of Merindol was brought in plea and iudgement to be decided by the law, was this:

Henry the second French king, which newly succeeded Fraunces his father aboue mentioned, considering howe this cruell and infamous persecution againste hys owne subiectes and people, was greatly misliked of other Prin∣ces, and also obiected both against him and his father, as a note of shamefull Tyrannie, by the Emperour hym selfe, Charles the fift,* 1.129 and that in the publicke Councel of all the states of Germany, for so murthering & spoyling his own naturall subiects, without all reason and mercy: he there∣fore to the entent to purge and cleare himselfe thereof, cau∣sed the sayd matter to be brought into the Court, and there to be decided by order of Iustice.

Whiche cause, after it was pleaded to and froe, in pub∣like audience, no lesse then fiftie times, and yet in the ende, coulde not be determined, so it brake of and was passed o∣uer, and at length Minerius being loosed out of prisone, was restored to his libertie and possessions agayne, vppon this cōdition and promise made vnto the Cardinal, Char∣les of Lorraine, that he should banish and expell these new Christians (terming so the true professors of the Gospell) out of all Prouince.

Thus Minerius being restored, returned againe into Prouince, where hee began againe to attempt greater ty∣rannie, then before.* 1.130 Neither did his raging furye cease to proceede, before the iust iudgement of God lighting vpon him, brought him by a horrible disease, vnto the torments of death, which he most iustly had deserued. For he being strocken with a strange kinde of bleding at the lower par∣tes, in maner of a bloudy flixe, and not being able to voyde any vrine, thus by little and little his guttes wythin hym rotted: and when no remedy could be founde for this terri∣ble disease, and his entrals now began to be eaten of wor∣mes, a certaine famous surgeon named La Motte, whych dwelt at Arles, a man no lesse godly then expert in hys sci∣ence: was called for, who after he had cured him of this dif∣ficultye of making water, and therefore was in great esti∣mation with him, before he would procede further to sear∣che the other partes of his putrified bodye, and to searche out the inward cause of his malady, he desired y^t they which were present in the chamber with Minerius,* 1.131 wold depart a little a side. Which being done, he began to exhort Mine∣rius with earnest wordes, saying howe the time nowe re∣quired that he should aske forgeuenes of God by Christe, for his enormous crimes and cruelty in sheding so muche innocent blud, and declared the same to be the cause of this so straunge profusion of bloud comming from him.* 1.132

These woordes being hearde, so pearsed the impure conscience of this miserable wretch, that he was therewith more troubled then with the agonie of his disease: in so much that hee cryed out to lay hande vppon the Surgeon, as an hereticke. La Motte hearing thys, eftsoones con∣ueyed him selfe out of sight, and returned againe to Arles. Notwythstanding it was not long, but he was sent for a∣gaine, being intreated by his frendes,* 1.133 and promised most firmely, that his comming should be without any perill or danger: and so with much ado, he returned againe to Mi∣nerius, what time all nowe was past remedy: and so Mi∣nerius raging and casting out moste horrible and blasphe∣ming wordes, and feeling a fire which burnt him from the nauill vpward, with extreme stinch of the lower parts, fi∣nished his wretched life. Whereby we haue notoriously to vnderstand that God through his mighty arme, at length confoundeth such persecuters of his innocent and faithful seruaunts, & bringeth them to nought: to whome be praise and glory for euer.

Moreouer, besides this Iustice of God shewed vpon Minerius, here also is not to be forgotten which folowed likewise vpon certaine of the other, which were the chiefe doers in this persecution vnder Minerius aforesaid, name¦ly Lewes de Uaine, brother in lawe to the saide President, and also the brother, and the sonne in law to Peter Durāt,* 1.134 maister butcher of the Towne of Aix: the which three dyd slay one an other vpon a certaine strife that fel amōg them. And vppon the same day the Iudge of Aix, who accompa∣nied Minerius in y^e same persecutiō, as he returned home∣warde, going ouer the Riuer of Durance, was drowned. Ex Hist. Gallica. Henr. Pantal, & alijs.

Notes

• * 1.1

  The lamen∣table story of Merin∣doll·
• * 1.2

  〈1 paragraph〉〈1 paragraph〉
• * 1.3

  Paupe••es de Lugdu∣no, Waldē∣s••••, Tu••••e∣lupini. Chagnardi.
• * 1.4

  Of Waldo read before, pag. 230.
• * 1.5

  These were their ministers, for lacke of better, vntill they came to more sin∣cere know∣ledge: which en∣structed thē most com∣monly by night a∣broade in caues and quarries, for feare of persecution. Of these Calabrians, Vide infra
• * 1.6

  Ioan. de Roma, a wretched persecutor.
• * 1.7

  The cruelty of a Papist.
• * 1.8

  Michelottus Serra. W. Meli∣us, Martirs.
• * 1.9

  The iust iudge∣ment of God a∣gainst a cruell persecutor.
• * 1.10

  A spectacle to all persecutors.
• * 1.11

  The Bishop of Aix, Perionet, his Officiall, Meiranus, cruell persecutors.
• * 1.12

  An other exā∣ple of Gods ter∣rible iudgement vppon a perse∣cutor.
• * 1.13

  An other exā∣ple of Gods iudgement vpon Cassaneus, a bloudy persecu∣tor.
• * 1.14

  A bloudy de∣cree against the Merindolians.
• * 1.15

  Euen so the Phariseis pro∣c••••ded against Chr••st the sōne of God.
• * 1.16

  The Bishops bancket.
• * 1.17

  There is no cruelty to the cruelty of an harlot.
• * 1.18

  The Lord of Alenc, a good man.
• * 1.19

  The L. Beauieu.
• * 1.20

  A Catholicke wishe of a Priestes harlot.
• * 1.21

  The Popes churchmen worse then the olde Pharisies.
• * 1.22

  Church∣mē be they neuer so e∣uill, must not be spo∣ken against. 1. Par. 16.
• * 1.23

  How priests harlots should be handled.
• * 1.24

  Well spokē and like an harlot.
• * 1.25

  As Heropi∣as wrought the death of Iohn Bap∣tist. ••o this str••••pe•• seeke the death of the Me••••••doli∣ans, two strumpet well com∣pared to∣geather.
• * 1.26

  I••hn Bap∣tist. so this strumpet seeke the death of the Merindoli∣••••••. two st••umpet▪ will com∣pared to∣geather.
• * 1.27

  God sēdeth a 〈…〉〈…〉 shorte 〈◊〉〈◊〉.
• * 1.28

  The cruell hart of an harlot.
• * 1.29

  The visor o•• honestye on a harlots face.
• * 1.30

  Like mo∣ther like daughter
• * 1.31

  Oderūt me gratis. Iohn. 15.
• * 1.32

  The Popes clergy cānot abi••e ho∣nest mari∣age to dye for it▪
• * 1.33

  Querebant Principes sacerdotum ••t scribae, que modo interficerent Iesum. Luke. 22.
• * 1.34

  Note how-the Popes church is led not with a∣ny consciēce of truth, but onely with loue of li∣uinges.
• * 1.35

  A butcherly re∣ligion which worketh all by bloud.
• * 1.36

  Cathedra Pesti∣lentie.
• * 1.37

  An oration of Cateline, that is, the oration of the Bishop of Aix, seditious, & bloudy.

  Your oblations be against the Scripture. Your pilgri∣mage is Idola∣try.

  Your charity is gone in deed, whē ye seeke so the bloud of your bretheren. Your estimation is Pharisaicall. Your iurisdictiō is tyrannicall. Your ordināces serue not to Christes glory but your owne.
• * 1.38

  The day shall come when men shal thinke they do a good sacry∣fice to God, in putting you to death. Iohn. 16.
• * 1.39

  The oration of Bassinet answe∣ring to the By∣shop of Aix.
• * 1.40

  The godly re∣pentance of Bassinet.
• * 1.41

  The testimony of Bassinet for Lutherans.
• * 1.42

  God and the Pope, and the obedience to them two com∣pared together.
• * 1.43

  Iohn. 3.
• * 1.44

  An other Ora∣tion of Bassinet.
• * 1.45

  False pastors in Christes church described.
• * 1.46

  Math. 23.
• * 1.47

  Take heede of those that come to you in shepes skinnes, but in∣wardly they are rauening Wolues.
• * 1.48

  Math. ••. The Pope•• Pilots in Christes ship art be∣come Pi¦rates.
• * 1.49

  A comme∣dation for Doctors of the Canon lawe.
• * 1.50

  The bishop of Aix, Archcap∣tain of this persecution.
• * 1.51

  Ex fructibus eorum cog∣noscetis eos.
• * 1.52

  Baudy pic∣tures recea∣ued, Gods booke re∣iected.
• * 1.53

  Christian constancy in a good bookeseller.
• * 1.54

  A godly bookeseller with two Bibles a∣bout his 〈◊〉〈◊〉, bur∣ned in Aui∣nion.
• * 1.55

  Proclama∣tion agaynst French Bi∣bles.
• * 1.56

  The Bishop of Aix stir∣reth vp Cassaneus the Presi∣dent to per∣secution. The aun∣swere of Cassaneus to the By∣shops for Merindoll.
• * 1.57

  Sanguis eius su∣per nos & filios nostros. Math. 27.
• * 1.58

  The Cardinall of Tournon the o••gane of Anti∣christ.
• * 1.59

  The popes army setteth forward toward Merin∣doll.
• * 1.60

  The army a∣gaine retyred by the meanes of the Lord of Alenc.
• * 1.61

  A story of excō∣munycatyng the Rattes for eating vp the corne.
• * 1.62

  The President Chassane chosen Aduocat for the Rattes.
• * 1.63

  The perswation of the Lord of Alenc, to Chas∣sane, to returne his army from Merindoll.
• * 1.64

  The Lords pro∣uidence for the Merindolians.
• * 1.65

  Fraunces the French kyng sē∣deth Mounsieur Langeay, to en∣quire better of the Merindoli∣ans.
• * 1.66

  A testimonie in the commenda-of the Merindo∣lians.
• * 1.67

  The godly con∣uersation of the Merindolians.
• * 1.68

  Crimes laid against the Merindoli∣ans.
• * 1.69

  Mans lawe preferred before Gods lawe
• * 1.70

  The kinges pardon pro∣cured & sent downe for the Merin∣dolians.
• * 1.71

  This most godly and Christian confession you shall finde more largely set out in Hē. Pantaleon and also in the French story, en∣treating of the destruc∣tion of Me∣rindoll, and Cabriers: also tou∣ching the•••• faith and confession, you shall partly see hereafter. pag. 917.
• * 1.72

  〈◊〉〈◊〉 Merin∣dolians re∣quire the iudgement of Cardinall Sadolet, touching their arti∣cles.
• * 1.73

  The answer of Cardinal Sadolet, to the Merin∣dolians.
• * 1.74

  The Bishop of Cauaillō seeketh the destruction of Cabriers.
• * 1.75

  Card. Sado∣let returned backe the armye com∣ming a∣gainst Ca¦briers.
• * 1.76

  The pro∣mise of Sa∣dolet to his tenauntes of Cabriers.
• * 1.77

  The tresurer of Carpen∣tras a priuye frende to them of Ca∣briers.
• * 1.78

  The Bishop of Cauaillō commeth a∣gaine to Merindoll,
• * 1.79

  The Popes By∣shops will come to no reasoning.
• * 1.80

  The Bishops condemne the Merindolians for heresie, and yet can shewe no heresies in thē by the word of God▪
• * 1.81

  The bishop so••e agreued to haue heresie tryed by Gods word.
• * 1.82

  The articles of the Merindoliās approued by the Doctor.
• * 1.83

  The answere of the children of Merindoll to the Byshop.
• * 1.84

  The answere of the Bailife of Merindoll to the Bishop.
• * 1.85

  The Pater noster in 〈◊〉〈◊〉.
• * 1.86

  The children of Merindoll to good for the Bishop
• * 1.87

  The youth of Merindoll well b••ought vp.
• * 1.88

  Māth. 11.
• * 1.89

  The Merindoli∣ans are moued to abiure.
• * 1.90

  In matters of faith and religi∣on, ought to be no dissimulatiō.
• * 1.91

  Durandus stir∣red vp by the Byshops to exe∣cute the com∣mission against the Merindoli∣ans.
• * 1.92

  Durandus the commissioner commeth to Merindoll.
• * 1.93

  Syndi••••, is a Greeke word, and signifieth as much as an aduocate o•• patrone, o•• deputy, sent to plead our cause. The wordes of Durādu•• to the Me∣rindolian••.
• * 1.94

  The Merin∣dolians de∣nied to geue answere by counsaile or writing.
• * 1.95

  The answer of the Me∣rindoliās to Durandus.
• * 1.96

  The Baylife of 〈◊〉〈◊〉 answereth.
• * 1.97

  The pro∣ceeding with the Merindoliās not after forme of lawe.
• * 1.98

  Iohn Palēc answereth.
• * 1.99

  The vnder Baylife of Merindoll answereth.
• * 1.100

  Durandus the Com∣missioner, required to shew his Cōmission.
• * 1.101

  The Bailyfe & Sindickes, of Merindol appeare the second time.
• * 1.102

  They that do the workes of darckenes hate the light.
• * 1.103

  The confession of the Merindo∣lians, exhibited and read.
• * 1.104

  What were the articles & doc∣trine of their confession, read Sled. Lib. 16.
• * 1.105

  Three Doctours cōuerted by the confessiō of the Merindolians.
• * 1.106

  The sodeine death of a per∣secutor.
• * 1.107

  Minerius a pes∣tilent persecutor without all rea∣sō and measure.
• * 1.108

  6. Martirs of Opede.
• * 1.109

  Minerius made the kinges Lieu∣tenant of Pro∣uince.
• * 1.110

  False accusatiōs and crimes for∣ged vpō the in∣nocēt Christiās▪
• * 1.111

  The king abu∣sed by wicked counsaile.
• * 1.112

  8. townes with the most parte of the people destroyed for true religion.
• * 1.113

  Horrible cruelty vpon women & young infantes.
• * 1.114

  A lamentable separatiō of the Merindoliās frō their wyues and children.
• * 1.115

  The Merin∣dolians o∣uertaken of their ene∣mies.
• * 1.116

  Vile cruelty shewed vpon a yoūg man of Me∣rindoll.
• * 1.117

  The towne of Merindol destroyed of the Papists.
• * 1.118

  The towne of Cabriers falsely takē▪
• * 1.119

  Othe and promise brokē of the Papistes.
• * 1.120

  30. men, Martyrs.
• * 1.121

  40. Women, Martyrs.
• * 1.122

  Cruelty Neronicall, or rather furye diabo∣licall.
• * 1.123

  Aboue a ••000. Mar∣tyrs of Ca∣briers.
• * 1.124

  The argu∣mentes wherevpō the doctrine of the popes church stā∣deth.
• * 1.125

  Antichrist here plaieth the deuill.
• * 1.126

  The towne of Costa, destroyed.
• * 1.127

  Martyrs of-Costa.
• * 1.128

  When the Merindoli∣ans were slaine, their cause was pleaded.
• * 1.129

  Fraūces the Frēch king, noted of ty∣ranny by Charles 5. Emperour. The cause of the Me∣rindolians after their death plea∣ded 50. times in the Court. Minerius losed out of prison.
• * 1.130

  The iust stroke of God vpon cruell Minerius.
• * 1.131

  Good counsaile geuen to Mine∣rius of his Sur∣geon.
• * 1.132

  Minerius see∣keth the bloud of his Surgeon.
• * 1.133

  The wretched end of wretched Minerius the persecuter.
• * 1.134

  The iust plague of God vpon 3. persecuters.