Matchlesse crueltie declared at large in the ensuing history of the Waldenses apparently manifesting unto the world the horrible persecutions which they have suffered by the papists, for the space of four hundred and fifty years : wherein is related their original and beginning, their piety and purity in religion, both for doctrine and discipline : likewise hereunto is added an exact narrative of the late bloody and barbarous massacres, murders and other unheard of cruelties committed on many thousands of the Protestants dwelling in the valleys of Piedmont, &c. by the Duke of Savoy's forces, joyned with the French army and several bloody Irish regiments / published by command of His Highness the Lord Protector.

An Exposition of the 5. Commandement.

These Commandements tell vs how we are to carry our selues towards our neighbours.

Non sentend tant solament de la reuerentia de fora, &c.

Honour thy father and thy mother, &c.

WEe are not to vnderstand these words, as if the question were onely touching outward re∣uerence, but also concerning matter of complement, and things necessary for them: and therefore wee are to doe that which is enioyned in this Commandement, for that honour which is due vnto fathers and mo∣thers: for we receiue from them three excellent gifts, that is to say, our Being, our Nourishment, and our Instruction, which we are neuer able fully to recom∣pence.

The Wiseman saith, Honour thy father, and for∣get not the sorrowes of thy mother: Remember that by them thou hast had thy being, render then a recom∣pence answerable to the price they haue giuen thee: and therefore hauing regard to that naturall being which we haue receiued from our father and mother, we are to serue them in all humility and reuerence, af∣ter a threefold mannet. First with all the power of our bodies, wee are to support their bodies, and to yeeld them the seruice of our hands. As the wise man spea∣keth; He that feares God, will honour his Father and his Mother, and will serue them as his Lords that baue begotten Him. Againe, wee must serue our Fathers and Mothers with all our power, neuer debating or questioning with them with hard and bitter speeches; but wee must an∣swer them humbly, and hearken louingly to their re∣prehensions. Prouerbs 1.8. My sonne heare the instructi∣an of thy Father, and forsake not the Law of thy Mother. He that sahll curse his Father and Mother, his Lampe shall be put out in the middest of darkenesse. We must likewise honor them, by administring vnto them things necessary for this life. For Fathers and Mothers haue nourished their Children with their owne flesh, their proper substance; and Children nourish their Parents with that which is without their flesh, being impossible they should restore vnto them those benefits they haue receiued of them.

And touching the instruction wee haue receiued of our Parents, wee must obey them in whatsoeuer shall tend to our saluation, and to a good end. Ephes. 6. Chil∣dren obey your Parents in the Lord, for this is right. Of which obedience, Christ hath giuen vs an example, as it is in the second Chapter of Saint Luke: And he went

downe with them, and was obedient to his Father and Mo∣ther. And therefore honour first thy Father that hath created thee; then thy Father that hath begotten thee, and thy Mother that hath borne thee in her wombe, and hath brought thee forth, to the end thy dayes may be prolonged vpon the Earth, and that perseuering in that which is good, thou mayest passe out of this world to an euerlasting inheritance.