The pastoral letters of the incomparable Jurieu directed to the Protestants in France groaning under the Babylonish tyranny, translated : wherein the sophistical arguments and unexpressible cruelties made use of by the papists for the making converts, are laid open and expos'd to just abhorrence : unto which is added, a brief account of the Hungarian persecution.

THE SEVENTH PASTORAL LETTER. CONCERNING Songs, and Voices, which were heard in several places in the Air. (Book 7)

Dear Brethren in our Lord, Grace and Peace be given to you from our God and Saviour Jesus Christ.

IN the last of our Letters we engaged our selves to communicate unto you certain notable matters of Fact, which some of our Brethren have thought adviseable to impart unto us. Amongst these matters of Fact, I do not think there's any one that better deserves to be examined, than that which hath been reported to us, That in many places where there have been formerly Churches, Voices have been heard in the Air, so perfectly like to our singing of Psalms, that they could not be taken for any thing else. If this be true, 'tis a wonder which very well deserves the labor of our attention. We shall think our selves ve∣ry ungrateful to the Divine Goodness, if we should suppress so illustrious a Testimony of his Approbation. He must be bold, in this Age, that dares speak of Prodigies, Marvels, Presages and other such like things. There are times in which Men believe every

thing; in this wherein we now are, they believe no∣thing; I think there is a mean to be chosen, we may not believe every thing, but surely something ought to be believed. For this Spirit of Incredulity, and this Character of a brave Spirit, is good for nothing, and I have not as yet discovered the use thereof. 'Tis true, Credulity hath destroyed Religion, and introduced a thousand Superstitions; for these unhappy Tales of Miracles done at the Tombs of Saints, these Apparitions of Souls, these pretended Visions of Spirits, that come from the other World, these, say I, have produced the Invocation of Saints, the Adoration of Images, Purgatory, Masses, the Prayers of the living for the dead. For which reason I am content, that Men stand upon their Guard, when any thing is debated, and reported concerning wonderful, and pious Hi∣stories. The generality of those which are called honest Men are come so far from thence, that they have cast themselves on the other extreme, and be∣lieve nothing. 'Tis to expose a Man's self, and to be turned into Ridicule, to maintain that there have been Miracles, and that there may yet be, they mock at Presages, and have no Faith for that which they call Prodigies. Nevertheless whither goes this, and what will be the Issue of it? 'Tis to deny Providence, 'tis to make our selves believe, God does not intermeddle in the Affairs here below, and to ruine all the Principles of human Faith, and by consequence to cast our selves on a perfect Scepticism, which is peradventure a disposition of mind the most dangerous to Religion of any in the World. By doubting all matters of Fact which have any appearance of extraordinary, they tell us they have no intention to extend it any far∣ther than the History of the World. But we don't perceive, that we insensibly entertain a habit of doubt∣ing, which extends it self to every thing. There is a God, we all consent thereto. There is a Providence,

we all profess, and avow it. Nothing comes to pass without him. Is it possible, that God should so hide himself behind his Creatures, and under the veil of second Causes, that he should never at any time, tho never so little, draw aside the Curtain? If we have taken a resolution to deny the truth of all extraordi∣nary matters of Fact, what shall we do with History, both sacred and profane? Can we persuade our selves, that the Historians of all Ages intended to deceive us, by making us believe, that the great Revolutions which have happened in the Societies of Men, and the Church, have been preceded by extraordinary Events, such as Earthquakes, Signs in Heaven, and Prodigies on Earth? They will say the most part of these Histories are Fables, it may be so: but if the most part be Fables, there have been some which have been true. If there had never been any true Prodigies, they would not have re∣ported those that were false; for falshood is an imi∣tation of Truth. He must have a hardness and im∣pudence that I understand not, that can put all Hi∣storians in one rank, and range them all together a∣mongst Forgers of Lies. I admire the agreement of those Writers, which lived two or three thousand years from one another, who nevertheless have all conspi∣red to deceive us, according to our Moderns, and there is neither Sorcerers, nor Magicians, nor Pos∣sessions, nor Apparitions of Demons, nor any thing like it. 'Tis much, that these Gentlemen have not pushed on their confidence, even to deny the truth of matters of Fact contained in the Scriptures, which would be very convenient for them. In the times that the Sacred Writers writ their Books, there were all these things; and where do we find, that they ought to cease, and that a time was to come, in which Devils should no more deceive Men, and in which he Heaven should speak no more Prodigies? Be∣cause Historians have not been infallible, must we

believe they have been all Liars, and in all things? Can a Man, for example, honestly call in doubt the prodigies which Josephus reports to us, as coming to pass a little before the final ruin of Jerusalem? A Man walked round the City, and its Walls perpetually, cry∣ing, Wo, wo to the Temple, City, &c. and in fine, during the Siege, as he was upon the Wall, he added, Wo to me aso: that which he never did before, and in the very moment, a great stone coming from the Engines of the Besiegers, knock'd him on the Brest, and brake him in pieces. A Sword of Fire passed over the City Jerusalem, for a whole year together, from East to West. A Voice was heard in the Temple which said, Let us go hence. A brazen Gate in the Temple, which eighteen or twenty Men could scarce open, opened of it self. It must be, that Josephus had a de∣sign to prostitute his Reputation, reporting such mat∣ters of Fact, the falseness whereof he might be con∣vinced of by a thousand Witnesses yet living, if they were not true. The Saviour of the World was willing to honor some mute presages, altho he might well have passed them by, since he had so many living Testimo∣nies on his behalf, 'twas his pleasure that the Heavens should produce a new Star at his Birth, or at least, that the Air should produce a new Meteor, that deserved that name. And what shall we say of that great Mi∣racle, which was at the Pool of Bethesda, where an Angel descended, troubled the Waters, and the first sick person that went into them after the action of the An∣gel, was healed? This marvel was not ancient, and with∣out doubt it had not continued long. 'Tis clear, that this was done about the time that our Lord arrived at the age of thirty years, and entered upon the Office of Me∣diator; and 'twas an admirable presage of the coming of him, who is called, A fountain opened to the house of Jacob for sin, and for uncleanness: whose Water, that is to say, whose Grace, was to heal and cure all our

Maladies. I could bring you an infinite number of matters of Fact very well attested, that is to say, Vi∣sions, Prophetick Dreams, Signs seen in the Air, and in the Heavens, which have been Presages of Events little less considerable than those we see at present. 'Tis true, that under color of Signs and Marvels, an hun∣dred and an hundred Fables have passed current in the World; but all that we ought to conclude thence is, that every wise Man will have great Securities before he will believe. As soon as any event may have na∣tural Causes, it signifies nothing according to these Gentlemen, as if God was not at all the Master of na∣tural Causes, and could not dispose them for the produ∣ction of certain Effects, when he would presage great Revolutions in the World. It seems to me, that Earth∣quakes have their natural Causes, and so have Fa∣mines, Pestilences and Wars: nevertheless Jesus Christ puts these things among those things which are to pre∣sage his coming. Nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom, there shall be famines, earth∣quakes and pestilences in divers countries. And why may we not interpret that which he adds of Eclipses of the Sun and Moon, and of Signs which are seen in Hea∣ven, The Sun shall be turned into darkness, and the Moon shall not give her light, the Stars shall fall from Heaven, and the powers of Heaven shall be shaken. 'Tis believed, that this is a Description of what shall be at the last Day of Judgment; but if this were a place for it, I could prove, that it is no such thing. Not that I am persuaded all Eclipses, and all Earthquakes are Presages; but there are such Circumstances of time and place, and con∣comitant Signs, that a Man cannot (as I think) without rashness deny, that the Providence of God doth dispense them to strike the minds of Men with asto∣nishment, and make them attentive to his Judgments. What shall we say concerning the Bow in the Hea∣vens? It is made without doubt by natural Causes.

Nevertheless it has been the pleasure of God in all Ages of the World, that it should be a Sign by Insti∣tution to assure Mankind, that there should never be an universal Deluge upon the earth. God granted to Gideon a Sign in Nature to assure him of the truth of his Mission. Ezekias received one in the Sun, at least, in the shadow of the Sun on the Dial of Ahaz, as a Sign of his restauration to life, we may not there∣fore imagine, that 'tis contrary to the order of Provi∣dence to do extraordinary things in nature for the marking and noting extraordinary events in the World. Let us conclude therefore, that the Credulity of our Ancestors hath caused many mischievous Tales to be received as faithful Histories; but also, that it hath been the cause, that very faithful Histories do at this day pass for false Tales. I could not refuse this little Prologue to the Year wherein we are presently to engage, as abundant in Prodigies as any has been for a long time: for on all sides, we have heard speak of nothing but extraordinary Storms, Fires falling from Heaven, others coming out of the Earth, of Signs speaking loud, which have appeared in the Air, of Insects of an unknown shape, which have been be∣lieved to have fallen from Heaven. The Writers of publick News have not been able to forbear remark∣ing them, and making their Reflections thereon. I be∣lieve 'tis the interest of the publick to make evident all these Events; and there lies an Obligation on those that desire to fear God, to give a very exact Re∣lation concerning all these Prodigies; if they intend to learn us any thing concerning them, we intreat them, that it be not on Reports and Hear-says, yea, that it be not on the report of persons whose fidelity is not very well known; for we have no design to deceive either our selves or others: this will be known by the manner wherein we shall report a matter of Fact, that is to say, the singing of Psalms in the Air, which has been heard in divers places.

It is near a year since, that we first heard any speech concerning it, and they told us, that these Singings had been heard in Bearne, the first Province whither the Dragoons were sent. Behold our Witnesses, eve∣ry one will judge of what worth they are. Monsieur Magendie, Pastor of the Church of Orthez, having been questioned concerning this Affair, hath interro∣gated divers persons, according as it appears by his Certificate.

I do declare, that Monsieur de Bazin, a younger Bro∣ther, and an Inhabitant of Orthez in Bearne, hath told me, that walking with some of his Friends, after mid-day, near the City of Orthez, he heard Voices which sung Psalms, and as he imagined, that it might be some Wo∣men that washed Linnen in a certain River which pas∣sed through Orthez, he ran to them to demand of them, whether it were they that sung; they told him, that it was not they, and that they themselves for a long time had heard the same singing of Psalms. This happened some months before the Interdiction of our Church. The said Monsieur Bazin is a very honest Man, very judicious, and of great integrity. 2. I add, that Mademoiselle de Ca∣senaue of Orthez, said to persons worthy of credit, that being not able to believe that which was said concerning this singing of Psalms, a Woman said to her, that if she had the curiosity to hear them sing, she would come and take her at her own House, at a time convenient, which she did; for this Woman being at eleven of the clock at night in the uttermost part of the City, with multitudes of other per∣sons, to hear these Voices which sung in the Air the Praises of God, having heard this singing of Psalms, she ran to Mademoiselle de Casenaue, who immediately gets out of her Bed, causes one of her Neigbours to rise, and they ran to that quarter of the City which was far removed from her House, where they found multitudes of persons, who were ravished with that pleasant Melody which they heard in the Air; they themselves returned to their Houses, with this great

consolation to have heard those Psalms sung in the Air, which they could no more sing in their Church, which had been interdicted for some months past; and they added, that it seemed to them, that they heard them sing after the same manner which they used to sing in their Church, and that after the singing had ceased, there was a Voice which spake, but after a manner inarticulate and confused, so that they could not distinguish what was said. This Gentlewoman is very well worthy of Credit. 3. I say moreover that an infinite number of the persons of Orthez do say, that they have heard the singing of Psalms, which they call the singing of Angels, and that they exhorted each other on the day to be present in the night, in certain places of the City, to satisfie this holy Curiosity, which was the reason, that the Magistrates of Orthez published an Or∣dinance, whereby they forbad all persons from going out of their Houses, or assembling themselves by night for hear∣ing these Voices, which filled this poor afflicted people with joy, and extraordinary consolation.This is it which has been told me concerning this singing of Psalms, to which In find no difficulty to give a full consent, because the per∣sons that have reported it, are of great sincerity.

Given at Amsterdam, Novemb. 23, 1686.

Signed Magendie, heretofore Minister ofOrthez in Bearne.

M. Garsin, another Minister of the said Church of Orthez, declares this which follows, concerning the singing of Psalms, which had been heard at Orthez for a long time.

I whose Name is underwritten, heretofore Pastor of the Reformed Church of Orthez in Bearne, do certifie to all those whom it may concern, that my Brother-in-law De Roux, a Lawyer, told me, that between the hours of eleven and twelve at night, being on the back side of his House in the City of Orthez, he heard a singing of Psalms above him, and that a little after he heard the same sing∣ing come from a place at a greater distance. After that he was fully convinced of the truth of this singing of Psalms,

so much discoursed of all the World over. Moreover he thought, that sometimes during the whole night, when his Gout hindered him from sleeping, that he heard the same singing after a manner less distinct and intelligible. I am informed by Monsieur Clavier, a Lawyer of the same City of Orthez, that the Curate of the place, and a certain Priest, called Dufau, and Monsieur Lichigarai another Lawyer, as also a Brother of the Curate, called Monsieur De la Roque, sent to search out a certain Popish Damosel of Moncade, to know of her, if it were true, that she had said, that she had heard this singing of Psalms, and that she told them yea. And having demanded of her how she knew it was the singing of Psalms; she told them it was because she had heard the same thing, at such time as they sung in the Church of those of the Reformed Religion. And having further asked her how she had heard the singing of Psalms in the Church, she answered them, she had been once there at a Baptism; but that going to a certain Fountain, she had often heard this singing as she passed by the Church, at the hours of Preaching, and Prayer. After this Monsieur Clavier told me, that the Curate and others strictly forbad her to say any more, that she had heard the said singing of Psalms.

Given at Amsterdam, September 23. 1686.

Signed Garsin, Minister.

I whose Name is underwritten, certifie to all whom it may concern, that in the year 1685, about the Month of August, or September, I heard in the Air the singing of Psalms with different Voices, and very me∣lodious, and this at two several times; the first time before the House of Poey, where I was lying upon a Bank half asleep, I was awakened by this singing of Psalms, which continued almost half an hour. After∣wards I went into the House of Monsieur du Poey, a Merchant Draper, with whom I wrought at that Em∣ployment. Having told this to Mademoiselle du Poey and her Daughters, they were much offended at me, that I had not given them notice of it at the time I heard

the said singing. The second time, I and many others about an hour after midnight having gone on purpose to a place most high, and raised, in the City, near to Moncade, named the Posterle, I heard many Voices in the Air, sometimes on one side, and sometimes on the other; withdrawing my self a little, I found Mademoiselle des Pagnou, Daughter of Monsieur Dombideau, Merchant of Oleron, Wife to Monsieur des Pagnou, Merchant-Tanner, accompanied with many other Women of the Neighborhood, I asked them from whence they came. They told me they came from the Bank of a River called Le Gaur, which passes by the City, near a Mill which they call the New Mill. I asked them if they had heard the sing∣ing of Psalms. They answered me, Yea. I asked them from what side they had heard the Voices: they told me it seemed to them it was from the place called the Posterle. I told them I came from thence, and that I had heard those Voices in the Air, and that it seemed to me, that they came from that side the New Mill stood; and both they and I agreed with one con∣sent, that they were in the Air, and that they never had heard Voices so pleasant and charming. My Father (be∣ing a Neighbor of the said Mademoiselle des Pagnou) and those other Women being at the Gate two hours after midnight, with a Marshal named Maresque, a Papist of the Town of Lembege, of the Quarter of Bilbil, which belongs to the Partement of Navarre, my Fa∣ther, I say, who had changed his Religion about two years and half since, inquiring of these Women if they had heard the singing of Psalms. They answered, Yea. And I too, said my Father. And Maresque the Marshal replyed, he had never heard better sing∣ing: let Men say what they will, for my part, said he, I am persuaded, that it is a true singing of Psalms. The said Monsieur Poey, my Father, and the said Maresque came from a place called De Part, near to Orthez.

And I add, that I have heard a Prohibition published to all sorts of persons, at the sound of a Trumpet, by the Cryer of the City, called Monleres, containing, that none were to go out at night to hear the singing of Psalms, under the penalty of Imprisonment. In witness whereof I have signed the present Certificate, as it was desired of me. Given November 22, 1686. Signed Peter Mauperg of Orthez in Bearn, aged twenty three years.

One named Monsieur Bergerit hath declared under his Signet, this which follows. About the month of September last, being in my Mothers House, she told me, that the Evening before they had heard singing of Psalms in the Air. I believ'd nothing thereof, but went away to Bed, because I was weary; this was a∣bout eight at night; about half an hour after some of the Neighbors came to the House to inquire whether I were so great a fool to sing Psalms, considering the strict Prohibition had been made thereof; and at the same instant my Mother entered into the Chamber to awake, and tell me, that Psalms were sung in the Air. I awoke, and awaking, heard this singing of Psalms, and thought it had been in the Garden belonging to the House. I arose and went forth into the street Montcade at Orthez, where all the Neighborhood were gathered together, and they heard the singing of Psalms repeated two or three several times. Signed Bergerit.

A person named John de la Bordette, hath declared under his Signet, this which follows. About the month of September last, being in my House at Or∣thez, the place of my Habitation, and having heard, that it was said, that Psalms were sung, I went out into the street about eight in the Evening, to see and hear what was said, and done, and I heard in the Air Voices which formed a Vocal Musick perfectly, like to the singing of Psalms. Nevertheless, without being able to distinguish what Psalm it was. Of the

of this same thing many persons of the Neighbour∣hood were witnesses. Another time as I was at the Wine Press, amidst the Vines, above ten in the evening, I heard the same thing with many other per∣sons. Signed John De la Bordette.

A Damosel called Mademoiselle Deformalagues, hath declared under her Signet, in these words. I un∣derwritten, do declare in the presence of God, that being at Orthez in Biar, the place of my Habitation, I heard clearly at three several times, on the month of October last, this which follows.

On a Friday in the said month of October, about 8 or 9 at night, being in my Chamber, some Neigh∣bours called me with earnestness, saying, that I must hasten to hear the Angels singing Psalms; I hastily went out of the House, and being arrived at the Street called St. Gille, I there found a great number of people, which had ran together from all parts to hear this Hea∣venly Musick. And at that instant my Ears were smit∣ten with a Melody so ravishing, that I never heard any thing like it. I could very well discern the Air and Tune of our Psalms, which were sung admirably well. I heard many persons say, they heard di∣stinctly the first verse of the 42. Psalm. Like as the hart doth breach and bray. There were others that confirmed the same, and assured us moreover that they had heard the whole Psalm Sung. For my part I do acknowledg that I could not distin∣guish the words. I only heard a charming Musick, which represented to me a great number of Voices that agreed exceeding well. There was one that raised his Voice above the rest, and made himself observed when the rest had done. After I had heard a long while this Melody with ravishment; I perceived that these Voices drew off, and abated by little and little, until they were insensibly lost in the Air.

The same evening being on my return, and near

the Gate of my House, with many of my Neighbours, as we discoursed together of the marvellous things that we had heard, behold all of a sudden the same Voices which we had heard some hours before, striking again our Ears with great pleasure, they filled us anew with ravishment, for the space of one quarter of an hour, after which this Melody withdrew, as it had done at the first.

The Tuesday following, being at the door of my House, with one of my Relations at Evening, we both heard a great number of Voices in the Air, which resounded with strength, and made themselves heard with the greatest clearness: hearing this melodious singing, I ran hastily to the Lodgings of a Popish Phy∣sician who dwelt in my House, and was that year one of the Magistrates of Orthez, to the end that he himself might hear this wonderful Melody. He fol∣lowed me to hear what it was. The singing founded clearly, the night being calm and serene, but he pre∣tended to hear nothing. A while after the Voices re∣inforced themselves, and then having pressed this Ma∣gistrate to tell me if he heard the singing, he could no longer dissemble the truth. It is true said he (in the pre∣sence of all the world) I hear very lovely singing. I think I hear the Voice of such an one, and such an one, naming several persons in Orthez, which sung exceeding well; to this I replyed, Monsieur, if Men hold their peace, the very stones will speak: but he, as if he had been troubled at the confession he had made, complains that, alas, I observe here a crafty wile of the Devil, he causes these Voices to be heard in the Air, to keep the World in error, and hinder this poor people from Converting, and embracing the Catho∣lick Faith. Whereupon I inquired if he had ever heard that the Devil sung the praises of God; he smiled, and retired hastily to his Lodgings: nevertheless we bless God for the favor that he hath done us, in admonishing

us of our duty by these heavenly Voices, who melodi∣ously sung those holy Hymns, which we were wont to sound forth in our Church, which was then laid wast and destroyed.

I protest before God that these things are so as I have reported them, and I am very glad to make known these truths, for the Edification of all those that fear the Lord. In Testimony whereof I sub∣scribe my self at Amsterdam, September 4. 1686. V. De∣formalagues.

I do maintain that a Testimony, such as this, though it were alone, is capable of putting the spirit of in∣credulity to distress: for what that is reasonable can be said against it? It will be said this is the Testimony of a Woman, but by being a Woman hath she renounced all Honor, Shame, and Conscience, in the matter of Testimony? She must have renounced all those things, to attest with an Oath a matter of Fact, with so ma∣ny circumstances. She is but a Woman, but she is not a Woman that reports some Visions of the night, or particular Revelations, she is a Woman that reports things that happened in publick, and whereof she hath for witnesses with her self many hundreds of persons. Though she be a Woman, it does not follow but she may be endued with good understanding: now she must have lost all sense to advance such a falsity, and to expose her self to be overwhelmed with shame, as a maker of Fables: to conclude, she is a Woman, but she speaks of a thing happened not above seven days ago, if I may so say.

To conclude, behold a Memorial of Monsieur de Brassalay, a Gentleman of Honor, and acknowledged such by all that know him.

Some days before the Interdiction of the Churches of Bearn, there were many persons, that heard the singing of Psalms in the Air, in the City of Orthez. The first that heard it was Lichigaray Brunier, a Lawyer,

revolted some years since, the most malignant of the Persecutors, and who continually stirred up troubles to those of the Reformed Religion. He rose from his Bed to go tell the Curate, that there was an Assembly of people that sung Psalms without the City, he also went to a Serjeant named Gowlan, to conduct him to the place where he thought to surprize them, but this Popish Serjeant having laid his Ear to the Window, answered him there was nothing to be done, for he well perceived the singing was in the Air. Afterward it was heard from time to time, more than a month, by divers persons, sometimes at night, and sometimes by day: among others Lichagaray Canneille, an Elder of the Church of Orthez, protested and told me, that sitting upon the bank of the River, a thousand Paces from the City, reading in a Book, he heard a great singing of Psalms on that side the Church stands, which is in the midst of the City, and not doubting at all that is was an ordinary Assembly, that were met to∣gether at Evening Prayers, which was then very nu∣merous, because of the hazardous conjuncture, and consisted at the least of two or three thousand souls, he hasted to go thither, and always heard a great sing∣ing of Psalms till he was entered into the City, but having found the doors of the Church shut, the Neigh∣bours told him, that it was not yet the hour of Prayer. It is to no purpose to say they sung in some Cavern or Cave, for there is nothing but Houses, and the parts adjacent to Orthez are Vineyards, Meadows, and Fields, it has been a long time since forbidden to sing Psalms in Houses, and no body has dared to venture there∣on, and least of all would they think thereon in a time when they every hour feared the Interdiction of their Church, and when they advised by all sorts of methods to defend themselves from it. Moreover this Elder hath assured me, that he never heard more lofty sing∣ing in the Church. This he told me, being in Bearne,

about sixteen months since, in the presence of very many honest Men.

After the Church of Orthez was razed to the ground, this singing of Psalms was heard no more for some time, but about the months of September and October last, it was heard by most part of the people of Orthez, and many others of the Country which tar∣ried till night before they went home on Market-days, those of the Suburbs, as well as those of the City, heard it, every one in his Quarter, ordinarily at the same hour, viz. between eight and nine at night, some heard the words, others heard the Tune of the Psalms, and there is not it may be, a House in Orthez of which some one of the Family hath not heard it. The said Lichiguray Bruneir, went one night, he and two others, to that part where they heard this singing without the City, and they all three heard the singing for a long time over their Heads, the Tune of the 138. Psalm, whereof they could not hear distinctly but these words: Toward thy holy Temple I will look and worship thee, and praised in my thankful mouth, thy holy name shall be: even for thy loving kindness sake, and for thy truth with∣al, for thou thy name, hast by thy word, advanced over all. Du Faur a Physician, and Magistrate of the City, another Papist, heard it divers times, but their malice made them say they were Sorcerers and Devils. A young Damosel of the Suburbs of Moncade, which is near the Castle, the ancient Habitation of the Lords of Bearn, heard this singing, being in her Bed; she rose, and caused more than fifty persons to go out, who having heard it fell on their Knees, and wept through the joy they conceived to hear so incomparable a Melody in the Air, which continued more than half an hour. And it must be known that it was in a place much raised above the City, even as a very high Mountain, and the people heard this singing over their Heads, as if it had been in the Clouds: I have heard an honest

Man, who was one of the Spectators, make this rela∣tion, who poured out Tears then when he spake of it: the same thing I have heard from other places. To conclude, it is impossible to doubt of a truth, which the far greatest part of the Inhabitants of Orthez are able to certifie.

The Parliament of Pau, and the Intendent of Bearn, have also given their Testimony thereto by a Decree, which forbids Men to go hear these Psalms, and to say they have heard it on the forfeiture of five hundred Crowns: and by another Ordinance, which forbids the same thing, under the forfeiture of two thousand Crowns. The Consuls of Orthez did publish these Ordinances in their City.

I do not as yet very well understand, what can be opposed to the Testimony of Monsieur Brassalny. Those that know him as we do, know that he is not of a temper to impose upon any one, nor to suffer him∣self to be imposed upon by any one whoever he be. Those things which he reports are not hear-says at a great distance, for they are persons of Credit an Re∣putation, who put into his Hands those things which they themselves heard.

If after all this, the matter of Fact be false, I do avow that we must no more believe any thing. But there are but few people into whose minds it can enter, that two or three thousand persons, (for there are not less of the Reformed Religion in Orthez) should conspire to lye about an affair, which after all, is not of any great concernment to them. For although the Angels should not have sung in the Air, their Religion would not be the less true. Moreover it is to be observed, that our people are not Educated in the Spirit of Super∣stition and Credulity for Miracles. On the contrary, it is known that we have always made it part of our business to defend them against those delusions. Besides this he must have an impudence which cannot be found but in

very few Men, to feign events as happening in the view of a whole City, and to introduce on the Stage, Men who can give them the lye, and whose interest it is so to do. To conclude, I do not know how any one can imagine that the Magistrates of Or∣thez, and the Parliament of Pau, should publish Ordi∣nances to hinder Men from going to hear these Voices, if the thing it self were false. At least it must be granted that the Reformed in Orthez did believe they heard it. Incredulity which always finds out some intrenchment, and defence for it self, will demand that we produce the Ordinances of the Parliament of Pau, and of the Magistrates of Orthez. It is not at all probable, that Men who would stifle both the knowledg, and me∣mory of so extraordinary an event, and which was so disadvantageous to them, should be willing to tran∣scribe them upon Paper, and yet much less Print, and deliver these Ordinances, which would have immor∣talized the memory of that Fact, which they were wil∣ling should be forgotten. But having heard above the Deposition of a person of honor, who said that he heard with his Ears, the publication of these Prohibitions, he must be very incredulous that will deny the truth of this circumstance. And he must suppose that two thousand persons are furnished with a great measure of impudence to attribute to a Court of Justice, and to the Magistrates of a City, a thing that is false. If this be not sufficient to convince those that doubt, they may tarry if they please, till Men have found the secret of collecting the impressions that words make upon the Air, and rendring them visible, and then they will be made to see all things in their Original.

The same thing hath happened in Cevennes: as this Country is full of Mountains, where there are Eccho's, which multiply and return the Voice, and as night Assemblies have continually been made there where they sing Psalms with a loud Voice, therefore the re∣lations

of singings, which have been made in the Air, would be more suspected by me. But the Affair of Orthez, which is a Country close and without Moun∣tains, being well proved, I see no reason to doubt of that of Cevennes, for which reason without scruple we will produce the Certificates which come from that Country.

The first Certificate. I Certifie that one of my Sisters wrote to me on Feb. 8. last, from a place called Collet, in Cevennes, where she then was, in these words.

My dear Brother,

you would be informed touching the singing of Psalms, which Men have told you that they hear in this Country, there is nothing more true, Monsieur the late Baron of Cadorve, heard it two or three hours in the night, with his whole Family. I my self, and almost all the World in this Country, have heard this Voice, but we have not been able to discern whether they were Psalms, yea or no. It seems to us that it is a complaint, and even now at the hour I write to you, I hear, and am sensible of it.

La Roquette, Minister of Manoblet in Cevennes,

given at Lausanna, March 30. 1686.

The second Certificate. I attest that Monsieur of the Dark Valley, a Gentleman of Cevennes, living near St. John de Gardonnengue, writ to me September 17. 1685. this which follows.

We see strange things in all the places in Cevennes, we hear singing of Psalms in the Air by night, as if it were in the Church. Wednesday last I was lying alone in my Chamber, and about midnight I heard up∣on the roof a Voice very shrill, which awoke me, and after∣wards five of six other Voices that assisted it, and they sung five or six verses of the fifth Psalm: all those of the House heard it many times.

The said Monsieur of the Dark Valley, confirmed me in this belief, by a second Letter, Jan. 27. 1686. That this singing of Psalms doth con∣stantly continue. The said Monsieur adds, now the beating of a Drum is heard, as if Men of War were marching, and this is heard at mid-day in many places. Barjune, Minister of St. Marselle in Cevennes, now fled to Lausanna in Switzerland.

The third Certificate.

Towards the end of the month of September last, being with M. d' Esperies, a Gentleman of merit, which is of Vigan in Cevennes, and we flying to the Castle of a Gentleman of our friends, named M. de Montualian, we heard in the Air a considerable number of Drums. Five or six days after, being with the said M. d' Esperies, in a little place named Ablatatz, in Cevennes, in the Parish of Fraisin, and Fourques, and in the Diocess of Mand, whither my Family was fled for refuge, we heard in the Air a Holy Harmony, singing the Holy Praises of God; this is that which I do certifie to be true, forasmuch as I heard it. Saligne de Marnis in Cevennes. D' Esperies de Vigan in Cevennes, do attest the abovesaid to be true.

The fourth Certificate. Extracts of two Letters writ∣ten to Lausanna, to Mademoiselle Louise d's Vignoles, by her Cousin Mademoiselle Jane de Vignoles, a Maiden of Vebron, Sister of M. De Lavalett, who was Arrested in the Citadel of the Holy Ghost on the month of Octob. 1683. as it is reported in The defence of the Project, &c. which makes the third Tome of The Estate of the Re∣formed. This Jan. 3. 1686.

How happy are you my dear Cousin, that you can Pray, and sing the Praises of God in publick, when in the mean time so many good souls have their mouths stopped, and dare not discover that which pas∣ses in their minds. But as to the business of singing the Praises of God, it is necessary that I speak to you of the miracle which makes so much noise in this Country, which is, that since the intire loss of our Churches, and our Pastors, there has been heard in the Air Voices, and sounds of Instruments, very melodious, and that which is most extraordinary, is that many persons distinguish the Tunes of the Psalms, and I can assure you of the truth thereof, since I may self have distinguished more than thirty. It has been told me that my Brother (she means M. de Mont Vaillant, elder Brother both of her, and M. de Vallette) distinguishes them all per∣fectly well. Can you imagine that we hear these Voices night and day, and that we can so much as doubt that they are Troops of Angels which God sends to us for Consolation;

to assure us that he hath not utterly forsaken us, and that our deliverance is at hand, God grant that we may make profit by these things. I had forgotten to tell you, that the noise of a Drum is also heard so clearly, that no body can doubt thereof.

It hath been answered to this Letter, that this might be natural, considering the situation of the Country, in which they then made Assemblies, together with other circumstances, to which the following reply was made.

This March 6. 1686.

Be no more incredulous, I do con∣jure you, about the singing of Psalms, for there are so many persons of good understandings convinced thereof, that we ought to give up our selves to the power of truth. I do avow that the thing passes all imagination, but be assured that all care imaginable has been taken to prevent delusion.

The two Letters whereof my Brother has made the extracts above, were truly written to me by my Cou∣sin de Vebron from Cevennes, whose Character and Spi∣rit I so well understand, that I cannot be deceived there∣in. Louise Des Vignoles.

Mademoiselle de Vebron, is a person which hath so much of Wit, Understanding, Honor, and Piety, that I am persuaded as much as any one can be, that she has no intention to deceive us. I do not at all doubt, but that all those that have known her, will readily give her the same testimony with my self. She hath always been of the Reformed Religion, and God hath pre∣served her hitherto from the general fall, as it appears by two Letters, the original whereof I preserve to shew them to such as desire it. From Lausanna, March 30. Styl. Vet. 1686. Signed Des Vignoles, Minister of Lower Languedoc.

I give the same Testimony to the Merit and Piety of Mademoiselle de Vebron. Baschi Aubais.

We may add to these Certificates from Cevennes and Bearn, the Testimony of M. Jacquelot, Pastor of the Church of Vassy, whom we have heard say, that he was informed by one of his Parishoners (a Man that never did appear to him of a humour inclined to sell

Fables for truth) that two hours after midnight passing by the Church of Vassy, he there heard the singing of Psalms. Testimonies of like nature may be reported from many other places, but these are enough. As to what remains, I am willing before I conclude here to defend our selves against an injustice, which is very ordinary in this kind of affairs, and it is this, by one sole Negative Testimony, to endeavour to destroy ma∣ny Affirmatives. They will say, I have asked a person that came from that Country, who hath said that there is no such thing, and the proof thereof is, that he ne∣ver heard it. Behold a great Marvel, that in a large Country, and in a place where there are multitudes of persons scattered, some on one side, and some on the other, there should be some of them that should not see and hear that which thousands of others did! Let any Man judge if it be just to call in doubt, that which a hundred Witnesses have seen, for the sake of one that affirms he did not see it. But it will be said yet, that there are persons in Switzerland that after they had said they had heard the singing of Psalms in Cevennes, had aft••rwards retracted it. It is a matter of Fact that is told us here without any proof. But I am content at present to receive it as true. It is not a thing very ex∣traordinary, that a Man hearing speak of a Prodigy which holds all minds in doubt and suspence, should boast to be of the Party, and cry with the croud, I saw it, I saw it. These sort of Affairs were never otherwise, a hundred false Witnesses mingle themselves with true ones, when the thing discovered is only matter of re∣port and hear-say. And it is likewise very possible that some may return to their integrities, and confess that they saw nothing. But can this invalidate the fide∣lity of those which Persevere, which Write, which De∣pose, and which Sign with an Oath? These Histories being set in so much light, that it appears to me suffi∣ciently difficult to call them in doubt. I think it may be permitted us to draw some Conclusions from them.

Some will be for us, others against us. Against us, for it is a reproach, that the Providence of God makes unto us, because you have so easily suffered your mouths to be stopped, and because you have not dared, nor been willing any more to sing his Praises, and Songs of Thanksgiving, which are the Symbols of your Refor∣mation. God has made mouths in the midst of the Air, and he causes his Praises to proceed from Stones and Rocks. And don't ye doubt but Rocks, and these in∣visible mouths, will rise in judgment against those that fear Men, and will not glorifie God generously, and in the presence of Persecutors. The other Conclusions are for us, and against our Enemies. This event speaks, and tells them if these hold their peace, the Stones will speak. You ought to give thanks to God, that he ap∣proves your Worship by a Sign so considerable, and by a Testimony so evident. Let them not tell you that all this is nothing but delusion; for all illusions come from the Devil, who is the Father of lies, and who hath the Praises of God in horror and detestation. To conclude, behold the Event as a happy Presage, that God will not suffer your Voices and your Songs to dye; the Angels have seized on them, and will shortly restore them, that you your selves may sound them forth in the Air. You are obliged to make a great change in your life, that you may be worthy to receive this Grace from God. For which reason you ought to think of renouncing these worldly vanities of Cloaths, Customs, Words, Food, Houses, Furniture, Pleasures and Divertisements; to take Sackcloth and Ashes, to Cloath your selves with an Humility, and Modesty truely Christian. The time of your deliverance is at hand, but it will not come till that of your Repen∣tance hath gone before it: the Spirit of Life will not return, till the Spirit of Piety and Devotion be re∣entered into your souls.

Decemb. 1. 1686.