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.

THE SECOND BOOKE OF THE HISTORY OF THE WALDENSES: Containing that which is come to our know∣ledge, of the grieuous persecutions which they haue endured for their Faith, for the space of more then foure hundred and fifty yeeres.

CHAP. I.

By whom the Waldenses haue been persecuted, for what, by what meanes, and in what times.

THE Waldenses haue had no greater enemies then the Popes; * 1.1 because, saith the Monk Rainerius, that amongst all those that haue raised them∣selues against the Church of Rome, the Waldenses haue been alwaies the most dan∣gerous and pernicious, in∣somuch that they haue resi∣sted him for a long time; as also because this Sect, (saith he) is more generall, for there is not almost any

Country in which it hath not taken footing. And thirdly, because all other by their blasphemies against God, strike a horror into mens hearts; But this on the contrary, hath a great appearance of piety, for they carry themselues vprightly before men, and beleeue rightly touching God in all things, holding all the Articles that are contained in the Simbole, hating and reuiling the Church of Rome, and therein (saith he) they are easily beleeued of the people.

And in another place the said Rainerius saith, * 1.2 that the first lesson that the Waldenses giue to those whom they winne to their Sect, is this, that they teach them what the Disciples of Christ ought to be, and that by the words of the Gospell and the Apostles, affirming, that they onely are the Successors of the Apostles, that immitate their life. Inferring thereby (saith hee) that the Pope, the Bishoppes and Clergy, that possesse and inioy the riches of this world, and seek after them, follow not the examples of the Apostles, and there∣fore are not the true guides of the Church, it neuer being the purpose of Christ Iesus, to commit his chaste and beloued spouse, to those who rather prostitute her by their ill examples, and wicked actions, then pre∣serue her in that purity wherein they receiued her at the beginning, a virgin chaste and without spot.

In hatred therefore of diuers discourses which the Waldenses haue written against the luxury, auarice, pride, and errors brought in by the Pope, they haue al∣waies persecured them to the death.

The meanes they haue vsed vtterly to exterminate them, haue been in the first place their thunderbolts, curses, cannons, constitutions, decrees, and whatso∣euer clse might make them odious to the Kings, Prin∣ces,

and people of the earth, giuing them ouer, asmuch as lies in their power, vnto Satan, interdicting them all communion and society with those that obey their lawes, iudging them vnworthy and vncapable of any charges, honours, profits, or to inherit, or to make willes, or to beburied in common church-yards, confiscating their goods, dis-inheriting their heires, and where they could by any meanes apprehend them, they haue condemned them to be deliuered to the se∣cular power, their houses to be razed, their lands and moueables confiscated, or giuen to the first conque∣rour. And of all these sentences we haue at this day the scedule, * 1.3 giuen by the Popes, with the instru∣ments which they haue imployed to such executions, as also of the commands which they haue giuen vnto Kings, Princes, Magistrates, Consuls and People, to make an exact inquisition, to shut the gates of the Cit∣ty, to craue the assistance, and best helpe of the people, to ring the Tol-bell, to arme themselues: and if other∣wise they cannot be apprehended, to kill them, and to vse all manner of violence, which they shall see need∣full in such a case: Giuing to the accusers the third part, or some other portion of that which shall bee confiscated, all councellors and fauourers of them be∣ing condemned to the same punishment.

And forasmuch as no Prince or Magistrate, or any other had any power to frame a proces against any in the fact of pretended heresie; commandement was gi∣uen to the Bishops, euery one in his iurisdiction, to make an inquiry into their flockes, and take no∣tice how euery particular person was affected, to the ordinances of the Popes, and the Church of Rome. So when Waldo began to complaine and to cry

out against the corruptions, of the said Church of Rome. Alexander the third then Pope, enioyned the Arch∣bishop of Lion to proceed against him; and forasmuch as the said Prelate did not banish him according and as soon as he desired, * 1.4 he speedily assembled a Coun∣cell, where he excommunicated Waldo, and all those that followed his doctrine, though it were vnder other names.

But this meanes was thought to be too easic for so pressing an action as this of the Waldenses was, who ceased not for all those thunderbolts, to preach, that the Pope was Antichrist, the Masse an abomination, the Hoste an idoll, and Purgatory a fable. Points that being receiued were sufficient to oucrthrow all the au∣thority of the Pope, & to drie vp all the riuers of gaine and grease of the Clergy. And therefore Innocent the third, who succeeded Pope Celestine the third of that name, about the yeer 1198, tooke another course then that of the ordinary Bishoppes, to frame the pro∣ces against the Waldenses, and others whom he called Heretickes. He authorized certaine Monkes, who had the full power of the Inquisition in their hands, and framed the Proces, deliuered to the secular power, by a full and absolute authority, and a far shorter way, but much more cruell, deliuering the people by thousands into the hands of the Magistrates, & the Magistrates to the executioners; whereby in a few yeers, all Christen∣dome was much moned by those pittifull & lamenta∣ble spectacles, to see all those burnt or hanged, that did trust only in one Lord Iesus. Christ for their saluation, and renounced the vaine hopes innented by men, & for their profit, which was all the fruit of that aforesaid Inquisition, which we shall speake of in the Chapter following.

CHAP. II.

Of the Inquisition: by whom it was first put in practise: by what subtilties and cruelties the VValdenses haue been vexed by it.

IN the beginning of the prosecution of the Popes, vtterly to exterminate the Waldenses, they were content with the meanes aboue mentioned in the prece∣dent Chapter, but either because the bu∣sines went but slowly forward, or because notwithstan∣ding those meanes, the number increased in such man∣ner, of those that beleeued, that these meanes were foūd to be weake, it was resolued by Pope Innocent the third, to assay whether by the way of preaching hee could obtain that, which by violence he could neuer doe. He sent therefore certaine Bishops and Monkes, who preached in those places of the Waldenses that were su∣spected to professe their religion; but as he saith, that writ the Treasure of Histories, * 1.5 the said Preachers con∣uerted not any, but a few poore people, but for the most part (saith he) they still persisted in the profession of their faith. In Gallia Narbonensi there were imploy∣ed two Monks, that is to say, Pierre de Chateauneuf, * 1.6 and Dominique born at Calahorre in Spaine, to whom they ioyned a certain Abbot of Cisteaux, and in a throng, as it were together, there came many other Priests and Monkes, & amongst the rest a certain Bishop of Cestre. The Monke Pierre de Chateauneuf was slain in this busi∣nes, and for that canonized for a Saint. Dominique

continued in his persecution of the Waldenses both in deed and word. This Monke seeing himselfe to bee in authority, * 1.7 instituted an Order of begging Monkes, who after his name were callad Dominicans, and the said Monke was canonized, and his Order confirmed by Pope Honorius, being warned (saith hee) to doe it, by a dreame. For it seemed to him, that the Church of Rome was falling, and that Dominique vpheld it with his shoulders, in recompence whereof, the said Pope commanded that the said Order should haue the first place among the Mendicants. * 1.8

It is said of this Monke, * 1.9 that his mother when shee went with childe with him, shee did dreame, that shee had in her wombe a dogge that cast out flames of fire out of his throat. His followers interpret this to his aduantage, as if hereby we were giuen to vnderstand, that hee should be that dogge, that should vomit out that fire, which should consume the Heretikes: But on the contrary, they whom hee euery day deliuered vnto death, might well say that hee was the dogge, that had set on fire all Christendome, and that the flames that came out of his throat, doe note vnto vs, those fiery and infernall sentences which he pronoun∣ced against the Christians. Howsoeuer hee caried himselfe so well in these affaires, that before hee died, he built many goodly houses in Languedoc, Prouence, Dolphine, Spaine, and elswhere, by which hee had ob∣tained great reuenewes, either from the liberality of those that affected his Order, or the Confiscations of the Waldenses, by which the Count Simon of Montfort gaue him great priuiledges and almes, as cutting large thongs of another mans leather.

He laboured in the Inquifition as the chiefe, with

such contentment to the Popes, that from that time forward, the Monkes of his Order, haue been alwaies imployed in the Inquisition.

The power giuen to these Monkes Inquisitors, was without limits. For they could assemble the peo∣ple, whensoeuer it pleased them, by the sound of a bell, proceed against the Blshops themselues, and send out proces, if there were need, to imprison, and to open the prisons without controle. All manner of accusations was auailable enough: A Sorcerer, a Harlot were sufficient witnesses, without reproch, in the fact of pretended heresie. It was no matter who did accuse, or whether by word of mouth, or by tic∣kets cast in before the Inquisitor, for without any personall appearance, or confronting one another, the the proces were framed, without party, without wit∣nesse, and without other law, then the pleasure of the Inquisitor. To be rich was a crime neere vnto heresie, and he that had any thing to lose, was in the way to bee vndone, either as an Hereticke, or at the least, as a fauourer of heretikes. One bare suspition stop∣ped the mouthes of fathers and mothers, and kins∣folke, that they durst not intercede for punishments to come, and he that did intreat for the conuey of a cup of cold water, or a little straw to lye vpon in some stinking dungeon, was condemned for a fauourer of Heretickes, and brought to the same or worse extre∣mities. There was no Aduocate that durst vnder take the defence of his nearest kinsinan or friend, or No∣tary that durst receiue any act in his fauour. And that which was more, after that a man was once intangled within the snares of the Inquisition, he could neuer liue in any assurance, for hee was alwaies to beginne

againe: For if any man were set at liberty, it was only for a time till they might better consider of it. Death it selfe made not an end of the punishment, for they haue left vnto vs certaine coppies of their sentences against the bones of the dead, to dis-interre and to burne them, yea thirty yeeres after the decease of the party accused. They that were heires had nothing certaine, for vpon any accusation of their fathers or kindred, they durst not vndertake the defence of their owne right, or possesse their owne inheritance, with∣out the crime or suspition of Heresie, and that they rather inherited their bad faith and opinions then their goods. The people, yea the most mighty and richest amongst them, were constrained, in a manner, to adore these Monkes the Inquisitors, and to bestow vpon them great Presents for the building of their Co∣uents and dotations of their houses, for feare to bee accused of Heresie, and not to be estemed zealous for the faith of those holy fathers. And the better to en∣tertaine men with an apprehension of these things, they sometimes made shewes and brauadoes of their prisoners, leading them in triumph at their Processi∣ons, some being enioyned to whip themselues, o∣thers to goe couered after the manner of S^t. Benedicts, that is to say, with certaine red Cassockes with yellow crosses, to signifie that they were such as had been conuinced of some errour, and that at the first offence they should afterward commit, they were already condemned for Heretickes. Others appeared in their shirts, bare-foote and bare-headed, with a with about their neckes, a torch in their hands; that being thus prepared and furnished, they might giue terror to the beholders, to see such persons of all estates and sex,

brought to so miserable a condition, being all forbid to enter into the Church, but to stay in the porch, or to cast an eye vpon the Hoste when it was showed by the Priest; vntill it was otherwise determined by the Fathers the Inquisitors.

And for the full accomplishment of the content∣ment of the said Fathers, their accused were exiled for a penance, into the holy Land, or enrolled for some other expedition against the Turkes or other Infidels, leuied by the command of the Pope, to serue the Church for a certaine time at their owne charge: and in the meane time, the said holy Fathers tooke posses∣sion of the goods of the poore Pilgrims; and that which was worst of all, at their returne, they must not enquire whether the said Monkes had in their ab∣sence any priuate familiarity with their wiues, for feare lest they should be condemned for back-sliders, impenitent, and altogether vnworthy of any fauour.

Now these violences being executed from the yeer a thousand two hundred and six, which was baout the time that Dominique erected his Inquisition, to the yeere one thousand two hundred twenty eight, there was so great a hauock made of poore Christians, that the Archbishops of Aix, Arles, and Narbonne, be∣ing assembled together at Aingou, in the said yeere 1228, at the instance of the said Monkes the Inquisi∣tors, to confer with them about diuers difficulties in the execution of their charge, had compassion of the misery of a great number that were accused, and kept in prison by the said Monkes the Inquisitors, saying:

It is come to our knowledge, * 1.10 that you haue appre∣hended so great a number of the Waldenses, that it is not only not possible to defray the charge of their

nourishment, but to prouide lyme and stone to build prisons for them; we therefore counsell you (say they) that you defer a little such imprisonments, vntill the Pope may bee aduertised of the great numbers that haue been apprehended, and that he doe aduise what pleaseth him to bee done; if not, there is no reason you should take offence for those that are impeni∣tent and incorigible, * 1.11 or that you should doubt of their relaps, or that they should escape away, or hauing their liberty should infect others, because you may con∣demne such persons without delay.

There needs no other proofe then this of the a∣foresaid Prelats, to make it appeare that the number of those whom the Inquisition had deliuered vnto death, was very great. For touching the question moued by the said Inquisitors, whether they that haue frequented the company of the Waldenses, and haue receiued the Supper of the Lord with them, are to be excused, because they say they offended out of ignorance, not knowing that they were Waldenses: The the answer of the said Prelats was, that they were not to be excused; Because (say they) who is so great a stranger, as not to know that the Waldenses haue been punished and condemned for these many yeers since, and who knoweth, not that for a long time they haue been pursued and persecuted at the charge and trauell of Catholikes, this pursuit being sealed by so many persons condemned to death; if it cannot be called in∣to doubt.

And yet neuertheles, the speech of the said Prelats being conferred, with that which George Morell, in the yeer a thousand fiue hundred and thirty, hath written, it would be none of the least wonders that God hath

wrought, that notwithstanding the bloody persecuti∣ons after Waldo his time, in the yeere a thousand one hundred sixty, * 1.12 there were according to the report of Morel, aboue eight hundred thousand persons that made profession of the faith of the said Waldenses.

As touching the subtleties of the said Inquisitors, we should not haue had any knowledge thereof, but from such as haue escaped from the Inquisition of Spaine, but that it was the will of God that their cunning trickes should not bee so closely hid, but that wee had examples thereof euen from themselues.

Behold then the crafty subtleties of the Inquisitors, which serued them for a rule in the framing of their proces against the Waldenses.

It is not expedient to dispute of matter of faith be∣fore lay-people.

No man shall be held for a penitent man, if he accuse not those that he knowes to be such as himselfe.

He that accuseth not those that are like vnto him∣self, shall be cut off from the Church, as a rotten mem∣ber, for feare lest the members that are sound, should be corrupted by him.

After that any one hath been deliuered to the secu∣lar power, great care must bee taken, that hee bee not suffered to excuse himselfe, or to manifest his innocencie before the people: because if be he deli∣uered to death, it is a scandall to the lay-people; and if hee make an escape, there is danger of his loyalty.

Good heed must bee taken, not to promise life vn∣to him that is condemned to death, before the people, considering that an Heretike will neuer suffer himselfe to bee burnt, if hee may escape by such promises.

And if he shall promise to repent before the people, if he haue not his life granted vnto him, there will arise ascandall amongst them, and it will be thought that he is wrongfully put to death.

Note (say they) that the Inquisitor ought alwaies to presuppose the fact, without any condition, and is onely to enquire of the circumstances of the fact, as thus: how often hast thou confessed thy selfe vnto Heretickes? In what chamber of the house haue they layen, and the like things.

The Inquisitor may looke into any booke, as if he found there written, the life of him that is accused, and of all that he enquires of.

It is necessary to threaten death to the accused, if he confesse not, and to tell him the fact is too manifest, that it is fit he should thinke of his soule, and renounce his Heresie, for he must die, and therefore it shall bee good for him to take patiently whatsoeuer shall light vpon him. And if he shall answer; since I must die, I had rather die in that faith I professe, then in that of the Romish Church, then conclude for certaine, that be∣fore he made but a shew of repentance, and so let him suffer iustice.

Wee must not thinke to vanquish Heretickes by learning or by the scriptures, inasmuch as men that are learned, are rather confounded by them, whereby it comes to passe, that the Heretickes fortifie them∣selues, seeing they are able to delude the most learned.

Againe, great heed must bee taken that the Here∣tikes neuer answer directy, and when they are pressed by frequent interrogations, they haue a custome to alledge for themselues, that they are simple and foolish

people, and therefore know not how to answere. And if they shall once see the assistants to bee moued with compassion towares them, as if they should doe them wrong, thinking them to be simple people, and therefore not culpable; then they gather heart, and make a show of shedding teares like poore miserable creatures, and flattering their iudges, they endeauour to free themselues from the Inquisition, saying: Sir, If I haue been faulty in any thing, I will willingly doe penance, but yet giue me your aide and assistance to deliuer me from this infamy, into which I am fallen by the malice of others, not mine owne fault.

But then the couragious Inquisitor must not yeeld for all these flatteries, nor giue any beliefe to those dissi∣mulations.

Moreouer the Inquisitor must tell them, that they shall gaine nothing by swearing falsly, because they haue enough to conuince them by witnesses; and therefore they must not thinke, that by meanes of their oath they shall auoide the sentence of death; but they must promise them (say they) that if they will freely confesse their error, they shall haue mercy; for in such perplexities, there are many, that confesse their error in hope to escape.

Thus you see the subtilties of the Monkes the Inquisirors, such as they practised in times past, a∣gainst the Waldenses throughout all Europe: It re∣maines that we now see what their practise hath been in euery particular Realme and Prouince, so far forth as is come to our knowledge. And first we will be∣gin with Dauphine, because it is the Prouince into which Waldo and his followers retired themselues at their departure from Lion.

CHAP. III.

Of the Waldensian Churches in Dauphine, and the per∣secutions which they haue suffered, which are come to our knowledge.

THe Waldensian Churches in Dauphine, haue been for these many hundred yeeres spread abroad throughout diuers parts of the Prouince. For they haue had Chur∣ches in Valentia, * 1.13 where at this present there are places, wherin times out of mind, the faith of the Waldēses hath been receiued from the father to the sonne, as the place des Faulques, and Beauregard in Valentia, and La Baulme neere Crest; out of which places there are come to our hands certaine proces against some particular persons of the same places, for being accused by the Inqui∣sitors as adhearing to the faith of the Waldenses aboue three hundred yeeres since. But the more famous Churches of the saide Prouince, are those of the Valley of Fraissiniere, neere Ambrun, of Ar∣genterie, of the Valley Loyse, which for the VVal∣denses sakes was called Val lute, as if there had been nothing in the said Valley but a Brothel-house, and re∣ceptacle of all manner of dissolute liuing and villany. This was vtterly rooted out. On the other side of the Alpes, there is a valley called the Valley of Pragela, where they haue inhabited time out of minde. A Valley that is in the iurisdiction of the Arch-bishop of Turin, peopled euen at this present with those that are descended from the first Waldenses, of whom men∣tion

hath been made heretofore. They were the in∣habitants of this Valley that peopled the Waldensian Valleies of Piedmont, La Perouse, Saint Martin, Angrongne and others; as also those of the Walden∣ses inhabited in Prouence, and Calabria, are come out of those places of Dauphine, and Piedmont. In said Valley of Pragela, there are at this day, six goodly Chur∣ches, euery one hauing their Pastor, and euerie Pastor hauing diuers villages, which belong to e∣uery one of these Churches, all filled with those that haue descended from the ancient VValdenses. They are Churches truely reformed time out of minde. For although in the said Valley, there are at this present old people, and not a small num∣ber that draw neere, yea and some that are aboue a hundred yeere old, yet these good old men, haue ne∣uer heard of their fathers, or grand-fathers, that masse was euer sung in their times in that Country. And though perhaps the Arch-bishops of Turin, haue caused it to be song in the said Valley, whereof the inhabi∣tants haue had no knowledge, yet there is not any a∣mongst them, that makes profession of any other faith or beleefe, then that the confession whereof we haue heard in the former booke.

For all those bookes before mentioned, haue bin re∣ceiued by the Inhabitants of the said valley, which hath been in times past, one of the safest retiring pla∣ces that the Waldenses had in all Europe, enuironed on all sides with mountaines almost vnaccressable, within the caues whereof they retired themselues in times of persecution.

Le Sieur de Vignaux who was one of the first Pa∣stors that preached to his people, long before

the exercise of the reformed Religion was free in France, could not satisfie himselfe with the liberall speech, integrity, and piety of these people, whom he found altogether disposed to receiue the dispensa∣tion of the word of God, which their fore-fathers had cherished, and in which they had instructed their posterity. And it was worthy the obseruation, that notwithstanding they were weakned on all sides, and enuironed with the enemies of their Religion, in dan∣ger to be apprehended when they went out of their dores, yet was there neuer any worldly respect that had power to alter their holy resolution, from the father to the sonne to serue God, taking his word for the rule of their faith, and his law for the rule of their obedience. And in this designe it was, that they haue been blessed of God, aboue all Christian people throughout Europe, insomuch that their infants were hardly weaned from their mothers breast, but their pa∣rents tooke a singular delight to instruct them in the Christian faith and doctrine, vntill they were able to confound many persons dwelling elswhere well stroo∣ken in yeeres, and ouerwhelmed with ignorance.

To this passe their Pastors brought them, who not being content to giue them exhortations vpon the Sabboth daies, went also in the weeke-daies to in∣struct them, in the villages and hamlets thereabouts, not sparing themselues for the roughnes of the rockes, the coldnesse of the ayre, the inciuility of the coun∣try, where they were faine to clime vp high mountains to visit their flocke, and to carry vnto them the foode of their soules; euen at those times when the people in the heat of summer were keeping their cattell vpon the high rockes, and there they many times teach and in∣struct

them in the open fields. There you may see those that heare the word of God with attention and reuerence: There is discipline exercised with fruit; There the people pray with feruency of zeale, at their retaine from their labors, at night when they go toe their rest, & in the morning before they vndertake any worke; First in their priuate houses, then in the Tem∣ple they begge the assistance of the Lord in all their actions, thoughts, words, and deeds, and so betake themselues to their labours, vnder the protection of the liuing God, whom they loue, and honour and adore. There you may descry more zeale, and more simplicity, then in many other places, that abound in the delights and pleasures of this world; neither are they so rude and blockish, but that they haue diuers a∣mongst them that can reade, and deliuer their mindes in good tearmes, especially they that trauell some∣times into the lower Countries for their commodi∣ties; they haue Schooles wherein their children are taught and nurtured, neither doe they want any thing they thinke necessary to aduance the glory of God amongst them.

The first persecution that is come to our know∣ledge, was that, which was moued by a certain Monke Inquisitor of the Order of the Frier-Minors, named Francis Borelli, hauing a Commission in the yeere 1380, * 1.14 to make inquiry and to informe touching the Sect of the Waldenses, in the Dioces of Aix, Arles, Ambrun, Vienna, Geneua, Aubonne, Sauoy, the Ve∣netian County, Dyois, Forests, * 1.15 the Principality of Orenge, the Citty of Anignon and Selon, as his Bull gaue him authority, which he receiued from Clement the seuenth, who then was Resident and ruled in

Anignon. By reason of the neerenes of his Court to the habitation of the Waldenses; hee thought good to purge Dauphine, of those that held him to bee Anti∣christ; and for this cause he commanded the Bishops of Dauphine, Prouence, and other places, to which his power did extend (for there was then a schisme, and all Europe was diuided, partly for Vrbani the sixt, and partly for this said Clement) to watch in such sort ouer their flockes, that there might not any liue amongst them that was of the Sect of the Waldenses.

This Monke cited to appeare before hin at Ambrun, all the inhabitants of Erassiniere, Argentiere, and the valley Pute, vpon paine of excommunication. They appeared not, nor any for them, & were therefore con∣demned for their contumacy, and in the end shut out of the Church, by the last and most direfull excom∣munication of offenders: and in the space of thirteene yeeres, during which time he alwaies caught one or other, he deliuered by sentence to the secular power to be burnt at Grenoble; that is to say, of the valley Pute, William Marie of Vilar, Peter Long, alias Chastan; Iohn Long, alias Truchi, Albert Vincens, Ioane the wife of Steuen Vincens, and diuers others; that is to say, to the number of one hundred and fifty men, diuers women, with many of their sonnes and daughters well strooken in yeeres, whose names we haue not heere inserted be∣cause we would not grieue and weary the Reader.

Of the Valley of Argentiere and Frassinieres, Astine Berarde, Barthelemie the wife of Iohn Porti, and others of both sexes, to the number of eighty, who were all condemned to be deliuered to the secular power; in such sort, that whensoeuer any one of them was ap∣prehended, he was presently brought to Grenoble, and

there without any other shew of proces, burnt aliue.

This last sentence was pronounced at Ambrun in the Cathedrall Church, in the yeere one thousand three hundred ninty three, to the great gaine and com∣modity of the Monkes the Inquisitors, who adiudged to themselues two parts of the goods of the said con∣demned, and the rest to the temporall commanders, with inhibition to their bordering neighbours, to as∣sist them in any manner howsoeuer, to receiue them, visit, defend them, or to minister reliefe or sustenance to any of them, or to conuerse with them in any sort, or to doe them any fauour, or giue them any aide or counsell, vpon paine to be attainded and conuinced for a fauourer of Heretickes, they being declared vnwor∣thy of all offices, and publicke charges and counsels; forbidding euery man to vse the seruice of any of them in matter of testimony, they themselues being iudged vnsufficient to make a will, or to succeed in any inheritance. And if any of them should bee iud∣ges, that their sentences should be of no force, and no causes should be called before them. And if any of them be Aduocates, that their defences and pleas bee not receiued; if Notaries, that their instruments be of no effect, but cancelled and defaced; If Priests, that they be depriued of all offices and benefices, with inhibition to all Ecclesiasticall persons, to minister the Sacrament vnto them, to giue them sepulture, or to receiue from them any almes or oblations, vpon paine of deposition from charges, and depriuation of their Benefices.

This Monke reserued to himselfe, by the said sen∣tence, the reuiew and examination of the proces of some dosen that he named therein; and they were those which he would willingly haue to passe by the

golden gate. For in the proces that are come to our hands, there are many that complaine, that they had neuer been entangled in the snares of the Inquisitors, but for their goods; beeing well knowne that they neuer had any knowledge of the Beleefe of Wal∣denses.

As touching the Waldenses of the valley of Pragela, they were assayled by their enemies vpon the side of Susa a towne in Piedmont, [ 1400] about the yeere a thousand foure hundred: and forasmuch as they had many times assaulted them in vaine, at such times as they could retire themselues into the high mountaines, and caues or hollow places thereof, * 1.16 from whence they might much indamage, and hinder those that came to assaile them, the said enemies set vpon them, about the Feast of the Natiuity of Christ, a time when these poore people neuer thought, that any would haue durst to haue past the mountaines being couered with snow, who seeing their caues and cauerns taken by their ene∣mies, they betooke themselues to one of the highest mountaines of the Alpes, named afterward the Alber∣gam, that is to say, the mountaine of retrait, and running together in troopes with their wiues and chil∣dren, the mothers carrying their cradles, and leading their infants by the hand, that were able to goe, the enemy followed them vntill night, and slew many before they could recouer the mountaine. They that were then slaine had the better bargaine. For night comming vpon these poore people which were in the snow, without any meanes to make any fire to warme their little infants, the greatest part of them were be∣nūmed with cold, & there were found in the morning fourescore small infants dead in their cradles, and

most of their mothers mothers died after them, and di∣uers others were giuing vp the last gaspe.

The enemies being retired in the night, into the houses of these poore people, they ransacked and pillaged whatsoeuer they could carry to Susa, and for the full accomplishment of their cruelty, they hanged vpon a tree a poore Waldensian woman, whom they met vpon the mountaine de Meane, named Margaret Athode.

The Inhabitants of the said Valley, hold this perse∣cution to be the most violent, that their fathers haue related vnto them, that in their times or the times of their grand-fathers they haue euer suffred; and they talke of it at this present, as if it were a thing lately done, and fresh in memory; so often from the fa∣ther to the sonne, hath mention been made of this vn∣expected surprise, the cause of so many miseries a∣mongst them.

Now in the meane while, the Waldenses of the valley Frassiniere, that remained and had escaped this afore∣said persecution, were againe violently handled by the Archbishop of Ambrun their neighbour in the yeere 1460, that is, [ 1460] in the time of Pope Pius the se∣cond of that name, and of Lewis the eleuenth King of France.

This Arch-bishop named Iohn, made a Commis∣sioner against the said Waldenses, a certaine Monke of the order of the Frier-Minors, called Iohn Vayleti, who proceeded with such diligence and violence, that there was hardly any person in the vallies of Frassi∣niere, Argentiere, and Loyse, that could escape the hands of the said Inquisitor, but that they were appre∣hended either as Heretickes, or fauourers of them.

They therefore that knew nothing of the beleefe of the Waldenses, had recourse vnto King Lewis the eleuenth, humbly beseeching him, to stay by his au∣thority the course of such persecutions. The King granted vnto them his letters, the which wee haue in this place thought good to insert at large, because by them it shall be easie to know what the will and de∣sire of the said Monkes was, who intangled in their proces many of the Romish religion, vnder colour of the Inquisition against the Waldenses.

The Letters of King Lewis the eleuenth.

Lewis by the grace of God, King of France, Dauphin de Vienois, Conte de Valentinois, and Dioys; to our well-belo∣ued and faithfull Gouernour of our Coun∣try of Dauphine, health and dilection.

TOuching that part of the Inhabitants of the val∣ley Loyse, Frassiniere, Argentiere, and others of our Country of Dauphine, it hath been certified, that notwithstanding they haue liued, and are desi∣rous to liue as becommeth good Christian Catholikes, without holding, or beleeuing, or maintaining any su∣perstitious points, but according to the ordinance and discipline of our mother the holy Church; yet

neuerthelesse, some religious Mandians, who call themselues the Inquisitors of the faith, and others thinking by vexations and troubles, to extort from them their goods, and otherwise to molest them in their persons, haue been desirous, and still are, to lay false imputations vpon them, that they hold and beleeue certaine Heresies and superstitions against the Catholike faith; and vnder this collour, haue and still doe vex and trouble them with strange inuolu∣tions of proces, both in our Court of Parliament in Dauphine, and in diuers other Countries and iuris∣dictions.

And to come to the confiscation of the goods of those whom they charge with the same offence, many of the Iudges, yea, and the said Inquisitors of the faith themselues, being cōmonly religious Mandians, * 2.1 vnder the shadow of the office of Inquisitors, haue sent, and euery day do send forth proces against those poore peo∣ple, without reasonable cause; putting some of them to the racke, and calling them in question without any precedent information, and condemning them for matters whereof they were neuer culpable, as hath bin afterwards found, and of some, to set them at liber∣ty, haue taken, and exacted great summes of money, and by diuers meanes haue vniustly vexed and trou∣bled them, to the great preiudice and hinderance, not

onely of the said Suppliants, but of Vs and the Weale-publicke, of our Country of Dauphine.

Wee therefore being willing to prouide against this mischiefe, and not to suffer Our poor people to be vex∣ed and troubled by such wrongfull proceedings, especi∣ally the Inhabitants of the said places affirming, that they haue alwates liued, and will liue, as becommeth good Christians, and Catholikes, not hauing euer be∣leeued, nor held other beleefe, then that of our mother the holy Church, nor maintained, nor will maintaine, or beleeue any thing to the contrary, and that it is against all reason, that any man should be condemned of the crime of Heresie, but onely they, that with ob∣durate obstinacy wil stubbornly maintain and affirme things contrary to the sincerity of our faith. Wee haue by great and mature deliberation, and to meet with such fraudes and abuses, vniust vexations and exactions granted to the said Suppliants, and doe grant, and of our certain knowledge, and speciall con∣sent, full power and authority royall, & Delphi∣nale; VVe haue willed and ordained, and doe will and ordaine by these Presents; that the said Suppliants, and all others of our Country of Dauphine, be freed from their courts and proces, and whatsoeuer proces any of them shall haue sent forth, for the causes aboue mentioned; We haue of our certaine knowledge, full

power and authority royall and Delphinale, aboli∣shed, and doe abolish, made, and doe make of none effect by these Presents, and we will that from all times past vnto this day, there be nothing demanded of them, or wrong offered, either in body or goods, or good name. Except neuertheles there bee any, that will obsti∣nately and out of a hardned heart, maintaine and affirme any thing against the holy Catholike faith.

Moreouer, we haue willed and ordained, and doe will and ordaine, that the goods of the said Inhabi∣tants Suppliants, and all other of our Country of Dauphine, that for the causes aboue mentioned, haue been taken and exacted of any person, in any manner whatsoeuer, by execution or otherwise; shall by the ordinance or command of our Court of Parlia∣ment of Dauphine, or any other whatsoeuer, as also all bils and obligations, which they haue giuen for the causes aboue said, whether it be for the paiment of fees for the said proces or otherwise, shall againe bee restored vnto them, vnto which restitution all such shall be constrained, that haue in any thing, either by sale or spoile of their goods, moueables or vnmouea∣bles, by detention or imprisonment of their persons any way wronged them, vntill they haue restored their goods, and things aboue mentioned, and obeyed; otherwise to bee inforced by all due and resonable

meanes requisite in such a case, notwithstanding all appellations whatsoeuer, which our will is in any manner be deferred.

And because that by reason of those confiscations, which haue heen beretofore pretended, of the goods of those whom they haue charged and accused in this case, diuers more for couetousnesse, and a desire of the said confiscations, or part of them, then for iustice, doe and haue put many people in sute, and to come to the end of their confiscations, haue held diuers tearmes against iustice. VVe haue declared, and doe declare by these Presents, that we will not from hence for∣ward, for the said cause, haue any confiscations taken, leuied, or exacted, for vs, or by our Officers; and whatsoeuer right may come vnto vs, we doe acquit our selues off, and remit vnto the children or other inheritours thereof, against whomsoeuer shall pretend a right to those confiscations. As also to meet with those fraudes and abuses, offered by the said Inquisi∣tors of the faith; we haue forbid, and doe forbid, that any man suffer any of the said Inquisitors of the faith, to proceed from hence forward against any of the said Inhabitants of our country of Dauphine, nor re∣straine any of them for the cause aboue mentioned, without expresse letters from our selfe touching that matter. Moreouer we haue forbid, and doe forbid,

for the cause aforesaid and the like, any of our Iudges and Officers of our Subiects to vndertake any iurisdi∣ction or knowledge, but all causes and proces in the said case, to be sent vnto vs, and those of our grand Counsell to vs; to whom, and not vnto others, wee haue reserued the hearing and determination. Wee therefore command and directly enioyne you, that our Letters be put in execution from point to point, ac∣cording to the forme aboue said, and not other waies, as in such case is requisite. For it is our plea∣sure it should bee done; and to doe it we giue you full power and authority, and commission, and speciall commandement. We charge and command all our Iustices, Officers, Subiects, Commissioners, and De∣puties, [ 1478] to giue their assistance for the due obedience thereunto.

Giuen at Arras the 18 of May, 1578.

The Arch-bishop of Ambrun ceaseth not to pro∣ceed against the accused, yea he was much more ani∣mated then before, grounding himself vpon that clause of the aforesaid Letters; If there bee not any found re∣bellious and refractary, and that obstinately harden them∣selues in their opinions. And therefore he pretended not to doe any thing against the aforesaid Letters, be∣cause they that had obtained them, made not their appearance in iudgement, for their iustification, veri∣fying that they were neither obstinate nor rebellious. Moreouer, the Arch-bishop extorted from the one

part of the Inhabitants af Frassiniere, Argentiere, and the valley Loyse, a disclaiming of those requests pre∣sented to the King, declaring that there were no peo∣ple in Dauphine lesse free from Heresie, then they that were most forward to purge themselues before the King: He caused information againe to be made, and that which we haue obserued in the said informatiōs is, that the witnesses produced by the Arch-bishop were almost all Priests or Officers of the said Arch-bishop, as namely William Chabassal Canon of Ambrun, Fran∣cis Magnici, Priest of the valley Loyse, Rostain Payan, Curat of Saint Marcelin, Anthony Garneri Priest, Ai∣mar Raimond Chaplin, Michael Pierre, Curat of Fras∣sinieres, al which deposed, that all they that had recours vnto King Lewis the eleuenth were Waldenses. The Arch-bishop being thus strengthned, by their dis∣claime, and these witnesses, and the assertion of one Iohn Pelegrin, who was corrupted with siluer, to ac∣cuse the VValdenses of such ancient calumnies, as long since haue been laid vpon the Christians of the Pri∣matiue Church, that is, that they assembled them∣selues together in darke places, to commit whoredom, the candels being put out; he sent to the Court, to iustifie himself against those informations giuen to the King, that he pursued the Waldenses, rather to get their goods, then for any zeale hee bare to the Catholicke faith: but this onely witnes preuailed but little, against many other, who would neuer depose any thing a∣gainst their cōscience, that they had euer seen amongst the Waldenses, any thing that had but the least appea∣rance of that villany wherewith the aforesaid false witnes had charged them. Neuertheles the Arch∣bishop ceaseth not to annoy the foresaid accused to the

vttermost of his power, in such sort, that wanting meanes to defray the charge, the greatest part of them betooke themselues to flight, there being only amongst those that were persecuted, one Iames Patineri, who openly auerred the vniust vexation, to the preiu∣dice of the Letters obtained of his maiesty, and de∣manded a coppy of the proceeding, that hee might right himselfe by Law. The Arch-bishop leaues him in peace, pursuing those that wanted courage to oppose themselues against his violences. But the Con∣suls of Frassiniere, Michael Ruffi, and Iohn Girand, sped not so well: For hauing been cited to appeare before the said Arch-bishop to answere both in their owne name, and of the inhabitants of their Valley; hauing answered that they had nothing to say before the said Arch-Bishop, because their cause was then depending before the King and his Counsell, which they then openly auerred, and demanded a Coppy off: being pressed to answere, notwithstanding their protestati∣ons, and auerment to the contrary, Michael Ruffi an∣swered in his owne language, and nodding his head, Veici rages, and vpon a new instance or importunity veici vna bella raison; the Arch-bishop being strangely moued against the said Consuls for this their con∣tempt, sent them to the fire without any other Indict∣ment. But the Arch-bishop staied not long after them; for he died, and not without an euident proofe of the iustice of God, presently after the said execution. Thus ended the persecution of the said Arch-bishop, [ 1487] and his Commissioner Iohn Veileti in the yeere one thousand foure hundred eighty seuen.

Now we may obserue one notorious villany in the proces framed by this Monke Veileti: For hauing

the said proces in our hands, we found certaine bils or tickets, in which the said Commissary tooke the an∣sweres of those that were accused, simply as they were taken from their mouthes; but wee haue after∣wards found them strangly stretched and extended in the proces, and many times quite contrary to that which was in the sumptum as they call it, inuerting and altering the intention of the said accused, making him to say that which hee neuer thought of; as for example: Inquire whether hee beleeued, that af∣ter the words of the Sacrament were pronounced by the Priest in the Masse, the body of Christ was in the Hoste, in as grosse a manner and as great, as it was vpon the crosse; If the Waldenses shall answere no; Veileti sets downe the answere thus; That hee had confessed, that he beleeued not in God, or at least wise his Scribe, he dictating it. Againe, Inquire whether wee ought not to pray vnto Saints; If he answere no: they set it down, that he railed and spake ill of the Saints. Inquire whe∣ther we are to reuerence the Virgin Mary, and pray vnto her in our necessities; If hee answere no: They set it downe in writing, that he spake blasphemy against the virgin Mary. Behold here the fidelity of the said Monkes inquisitors, in an action so important, and it could not be without the great prouidence of God, that such impiety should be conserued and kept vnto this present time, that men might see with what spirit they were led, that cut the throats and burnt the faith∣full of the Church, after they had oppressed them with impostures, demanding of vs neuertheles, where these faithfull of the Church were, which they haue massacred before these times wherein we liue.

And if the Reader desire to know, how such Pro∣ces,

and Indictments are come to our hands; here hee may see againe, that it hath not been without the great prouidence of God, that they themselues that haue committed these cruelties and villanies, are they that haue kept the said papers and proces in their libraries, and places wherein their Records are laid; as namely the Arch-bishops themselues of Ambrun; Iohn and Rostain and others vntil the time that this Citty being recouered out of the hands of the Conspirators, in the yeere one thousand fiue hundred eighty fiue, [ 1585] and brought vnder the obedience of the King, by Monsieur the Mareshal de l'esdignieres; all the said proces and pro∣ceedings attempted, and intended for many hundred yeeres together, against the said Waldenses, were cast into the street, by reason that the Arch-bishops house was set on fire, by the enemies themselues, with an in∣tent to defend a tower, called Tour Brune, whether they were retired, and to cut off a Gallery of wood, by which the Arch-bishop had passage to the said Towre. The Lord de Calignon of happy memory, and whilest he liued being Chancellor of Nauarra, be∣ing there; and the Lord of Vulcon at this present, Counseller to the King in his Court of Parliament at Grenoble, they caused the said Indictments long since framed against the VValdenses to be gathered together, from whence we haue collected that which concerns the cruelties, and lewd cariage of the said Monkes In∣quisitors, and their adherents, as also, that which hereafter followeth touching the Waldenses in Dau∣phine, and the persecutions of the Arch-bishops of Turin against the Waldensian Churches of Pragela by their Commissaries.

Hitherto we haue not found that any haue hotly pursued the Waldenses by war; but Albert de Capita∣neis, Arch-deacon of Cremona, sent against them by Innocent the eight, in the yeere one thousand, foure hundred, [ 1488] eighty eight, began to intreat the assistance of the Kings Lieutenant in Dauphine called Hugnes de la Paln, who for this seruice leuied troopes of men, and marched to those places, where the said Albert told him there were any of the Waldenses, namely in the valley of Loyse. And to the end the busines should seeme to be vndertaken according to a forme of iu∣stice, and to giue the better authority to that which by them should be executed, the said Lieutenant of the King tooke in his company a Counseller of the Court, named M^r. Iohn Rabot. Being arriued at the said val∣ley Loyse, they found none of the Inhabitants, to whom they might speake a word; for they had all retired themselues into their cauernes into the high moun∣taines, hauing carried thither with them their little children and whatsoeuer was most pretious vnto them, and fit for nourishment. This Lieutenant of the King caused a great quantity of wood to be laid at the entrance of their caues or cauernes, and fire to be put vnto it, in such manner that either the smoake by smothering them, or the fire by burning them, con∣strained a great number, to cast themselues headlong from their cauernes vpon the rockes below, where they ended their liues, being broken in peeces, and if there were any amongst them that durst to stirre, hee was presently slaine by the souldiers of the said Coun∣ty of Varax, Lord of Paln. This persecution was very extreame; For there were found within the said cauernes foure hundred small infants, stifled in

their cradles, or in the armes of their dead mothers. It is held for a certaine truth amongst the VValdenses of the neighbouring Valleis, that there then died aboue three thousand persons, men and women of the said Valley. And to say the truth they were wholly extir∣pated, in such sort, that from that time forward, the said Valley was peopled with new Inhabitants, there was no family of the said Waldenses that euer tooke footing there; which is a certain proofe that all the Inhabitants thereof of both sexes died at that time. This Lieute∣nant of the King, hauing destroyed the said Inhabitants of the Valley Loyse, fearing lest the Waldenses should settle themselues there againe, & to the end they might not one day be troubled againe to chase them out, he gaue the goods and possessions of the said Valley, to whom it pleased him, which was no sooner parted amongst them, but the Waldenses of Pragela, and Frassi∣nieres had prouided for their safety, attending the ene∣my at the passages, and narrow straites of their Val∣leies, in such manner, that when the said Leiutenant of the King came to inuade them, hee was constrained honestly to retire. Albert de Capetaneis being called elsewhere by his Commission, surrogated a certaine Monke of the Order of Saint Francis, named Francis Ploieri, who began to informe anew against the Wal∣denses of Frassiniere, in the yeere one thousand foure hundred eighty nine. [ 1489] He citeth them to appeare before him at Ambrun, and for not appearing, he excommuni∣cateth them, curseth and recurseth them, and in the end condemned them for Heretickes, partinacious, and backsliders, to be deliuered to the secular power, and their goods confiscated. To this iudgement there gaue assistance, in behalfe of the Court of Parliament

in Dauphine, a certaine Counceller thereof named Ponce, to the end that this mixt iudgement might be without appeale. The sentence was pronounced in the great Church at Ambrun, afterward fastned vpon the doore of the said Church in a great Table, in the lower part whereof, there were thirty two Articles of the beleefe of the said Waldenses, that is to say, against the Masse, Purgatory, the Inuocation of the Saints, Pilgrimage, the obseruation of Feasts, distinction of Viandes vpon certaine daies, and other matters that were affirmed by the said Waldenses.

But this Inquisitor added to the Articles of their beleefe, that they held, that for the augmentation of humane kind, a man might company with his owne sister, neece, or other in any degree of proximity whatsoeuer, because God hath said, Increase and mul∣tiply.

Againe, that euery man that burneth in lust, may carnally know any woman whatsoeuer, without sin∣ning, because the Apostle saith, that it is better to mar∣ry then to burne, and because it is said in the Gospell (qui potest capere captat) interpreting it thus, catch hee that catch can.

Now the informations vpon which they groun∣ded their sentence being come to our hands, this im∣posture hath been dicouered to their owne condem∣nation: for there is not any witnes, or at leastwise the greatest part of those that were heard; but they were Priests or Monkes, who being demanded by the said Monke, whether they knew this beleefe contained in the aforesaid Articles to be true, answered, that they neuer knew, amongst the Waldenses any such things ei∣ther taught or practised.

In the same bundle or bag of proces against the Waldenses, there is there one framed against two Pa∣stors, who were taken, * 2.2 about the hill in the side of the Plaine, the one named Francis Gerondin, the other Peter Iames, [ 1492] in the yeere one thousand foure hundred ninety two. Being demanded why the Sect of the Waldenses grew and increased so fast, and for a long time together had spred it selfe into so many places. This Monke thus sets downe the answere of the Pa∣stor Gerondin; That the dissolute life of the Priests was the cause, and because the Cardinals were coue∣tous, proud, luxurious, being a thing knowne vnto all, that there was neither Pope, Cardinall, nor Bi∣shop, that kept not their whores; few or none that had not their youth for Sodomy: and therefore it was an easie matter for the VValdensian Pastors, to per∣swade the people, that the Religion of such scanda∣lous persons was not good, since their fruits were so bad. And presently after, the said Pastor being de∣manded, what they taught touching Luxury: They make him to answer, that luxury is no sinne, except it be betwixt the mother and her childe. As if it had been possible that the Pastors could haue drawne the people from the Church of Rome by condemning the luxury of the Priests, if they themselues should teach, that luxury was no sin. Againe, being de∣manded why the incest of the childe with the mother was a sin, they make him to answere; because God hath forbidden it; And being asked, where hee hath forbidden it, they make him to say, that Christ Ie∣sus said vnto Iohn before he ascended vp into heauen, Garde to done seray failli vna volta non tornar piu. That

is to say, Take heed thou enter not into that place from whence thou once camest. And all this was thus set downe and subscribed, not onely by the dictat and ap∣pointment of the said Monke, but by the approbation and signature of the Councellor Ponce, and one Oronce Iudge of Briancon. Wherin appeares the priuat conspi∣racy, and vniust confederation of the said Inquisitors, in that they were not content to persecute them with violence, but to oppresse them with calumnies, ma∣king the said Pastors to answer so vnaptly & childish∣ly touching those things wherein (as it shall appeare in it due place, that is to say, in their exposition vpon the sixt Commandement) the said Pastors were throughly exercised in the Scriptures, and therefore that it is a plaine imposture which they haue forged, and an idle tradition, in which exposition they leaue nothing to say against luxury and incontinency of all that is taught vs in the word of God.

This persecution was very extreame: for the Waldenses being condemned by the Inquisitor as He∣retickes; Ponce the Counseller, and Oronce Iudges, sent them to the fire without appeale; and that which multiplied the number of those that were persecuted, was, that whosoeuer did any way mediat for them, whosoeuer hee were, whether it were the child for the father, or the father for the child, he was presently imprisoned, and his indictment framed, as a fauourer of Heretickes.

In the yeere one thousand foure hundred ninety foure, Anthony Fabri Doctor and Canon of Am∣brun, and Christopher de Salliens Canon Vicar, and Officiall of the Bishop of Valence, had Commissi∣on from the Pope to commence suit against the VVal∣denses

in Dauphine, otherwise called Chagnards. Fabri the Inquisitor, and one Gobandi Notary of Ambrun and Secretary to the said Inquisitors carried to Am∣brun a certaine indictment framed against Peironette of Beauregard in Valentinois, the widdow of one Peter Be∣rand, of whom we doe not make mention for her con∣stancie, but because shee deliuened in her answeres ma∣ny things that may adde some things to this History.

Being therefore demanded whether shee had seen, or vnderstood of any of the Pastors of the VValdenses, shee answered at the first, that shee had not, being re∣solued to answere to all interrogatories negatiuely. The Inquisitors ordained, that because shee had not satisfied their demands, shee should bee conueied to the prison of the Bishop of Valence, who being threat∣ned to be further vrged touching the question, confes∣sed that about some twenty fiue yeeres since, there were two men clothed in gray, that came to her hus∣bands house, & that after supper, the one of them asked her, Naues vous iamais auui parlar d'un plen pung de mond, que si non era tot lo monde seria afin. That is to say, Whether shee had heard any speech of a handfull of people that are in the world, without which the world must haue an end. Hauing answered that shee neuer heard any speech therereof, but of one Monsen Andre, Parson of Beauregard, who often told her, that there was a small number of people in the world, without whom the world must perish; and that then he likewise told her, that he was now come thither, to confer with her about that little flocke, and to giue her to vnderstand, that they were the men, that had learnt by the Commandements of God, how to serue him, & that they trauelled about the world to instruct men,

how they ought to adore and honour him, and to re∣forme the abuses of the Churche of Rome. Againe, that among other things he told her, that we ought not to doe any thing to another, which wee would not haue done vnto our selues; That wee are to wor∣ship one onely God, Who is onely able to helpe vs, and not the Saints departed; That wee ought not to Sweare; That we are to keep faith in marriage, and to keepe holy the Sabboth day, but that theee was no ne∣cessity of obseruing other Feasts. That Ecclesiasticall persons were too rich, which was the cause why they maintained their strumpets, and liued scandalously; and that of the Pope hee said in his language; Au∣tant crois & autant maluais es lo Papa coma neugun au∣tre, & per co non ages de poissansa. That is to say, that the Pope is as bad, or rather worse then any other, and therefore he hath no power. Againe, that hee taught that there was no Purgatory, but only Para∣dise for the good, and hell for the wicked. And therefore all the singings and suffrages for the soules of of the dead, by the Priests, auaile nothing; nor the walkes, and goings and commings of the Priests about the Church-yards, singing Kirieleison. As also, that it was better to giue to the poore, then to offer vnto Priests, and that it was a vaine thing to bow the knee before the images of Saints.

Shee was sent backe to prison, and the next mor∣row called againe: but persisting in her former speach, shee added, that the said Pastors had told her, that the Priests that receiued mony for the Masses they sing, were like Iudas that sold his Master for siluer; and they that gaue mony for their Masses, were like the Iewes, that bought Christ with mony.

These Inquisitors discharged this Peironette, vntill they were otherwise aduised, hauing first drawen from her, whatsoeuer shee knew, of the assemblies of the Waldenses, of such persons as frequented them, of the places and times, which afterwards brought great trouble to the said Churches of the Waldenses, and gaine and prey to the Inquisitors.

In the yeere of our Lord, [ 1497] one thousand foure hun∣dred ninety seuen, the Arch-bishop of Ambrun, na∣med Rostain, would know at his arriuall, how things had passed vntil then, against the Waldenses of his Dio∣ces, and finding that they that dwelt in the valley of Frassiniere, had been excommunicated by the Inquisi∣tors that had then framed their indictmēts, & that they had deliuered them to the secular power, nothing hin∣dring the execution of the sentences pronounced a∣gainst them, but their flight, he would not enter into the said Valley, though he were earnestly requested, by one Fazion Gay, an inhabitant of the said Valley, saying, that they had been condemned authoritate Pontificis Romani, and therefore he might beginne his iourney vnto them inconsulto Pontifice: but when our holy father laxabit mihi manus (saith he) and their ab∣solution shall be plaine and apparent vnto me, I will go to vifit them. Fazion Gay speaking in the behalfe of the said Inhabitants, that made profession to liue like good Catholikes (say they) answered, that the King had released of such punishments, prouided that they liued like good Catholikes for time to come.

The Arch-bishop replied, that hee would doe no∣thing vntill he had sent to the Pope, and that to that purpose he had deputed a Master in Theology, called Frier Iohn Columbi, and he would write to the Pope

and Cardinals; and send them a verball report of what had passed against them, and he would request their aduise, how to carry himselfe in this businesse. But he gaue them afterwards to vnderstand, that he could re∣ceiue no answere. Hereupon King Charles the eight of that name, King of France, being departed this life, the said Arch-bishop tooke his iourney to the Coro∣nation of King Lewis the twelfth, [ 1498] in the yeer one thou∣sand foure hundred ninety eight, which being come to the knowledge of the said Inhabitants of Frassi∣niere, and knowing too well, that they had no reason to expect, that any thing in their fauour could come from Rome, and that the Arch-bishop would be easily intreated, to enioy those goods that had been confis∣cated by his predecessors, and that hee would be vn∣willing to make restitution of those goods which they had annexed to his Arch-bishopricke, they resolued with themselues to send to King Lewis the twelfth, and to become humble petitioners vnto him, that hee would be pleased, to take some order for the restituti∣of their goods, the which the said Arch-bishop, the Monkes Inquisitors, and diuers others detained from them. The King committed this busines, to his Chan∣cellor and his Counsell: The Chancellor speaking therof to the Arch-bishop, he answered, that the resti∣tution that they demanded, concerned not himselfe, because the said goods were confiscated by the Inqui∣sitors long time before he was called to the Arch∣bishoprick of Ambrun: but there were then at Paris (saith he) the President of Grenoble, and the Chan∣cellor Rabot, that were able to answere to the said Article, they being the men that had condemned them.

The Waldenses on the other side, were very ear∣nest that the said Arch-bishop namely, and especially might be enioyned to make restitution of their goods, because many parcels of the said goods were annexed to the demaine of the said Arch-bishop, and that whensoeuer they demanded them, he sent to the Pope, to the preiudice of that, which the late deceased King had ordained.

The grand Counsell hauing taken knowledge of this businesse, ordained that nothing should be innoua∣ted, in that which concerned the Waldenses of Frassi∣niere, the King hauing written to the Pope, that there might be Apostolicall Commissaries ioyned with the said Arch-bishop as Ordinary, to make an end of this busines for this time.

For the prosecution of the said ordinance, there were named for Apostolicall Commissioners, a cer∣taine Confessor of the Kings, and the Officiall of Orleans, who came to Ambrun, in the yeere one thou∣sand fiue hundred and one, and the fourth of Iuly. [ 1501]

Here let the Reader iudge of the capacity of the said Arch-bishop, by those memorials that he hath left, and which wee haue heere written out word for word.

The Gentlemen, (saith he) the Confessor, and the Officiall of Orleans, being arriued at Ambrun, sent vnto mee a Post for the Packet to bring the Letter missiues of the King, to the which being receiued by me, I obeyed, and sent vnto them to intreat them, that they would be pleased to lodge with me as Monsieur the Confessor had promised to doe at Lyon, and pre∣sently I sent some of my people, to offer them a lod∣ging, and sent them of my wine: to whom they answe∣red,

that I should no more send any thing, to the end that they of Frassiniere, should not haue them in suspi∣tion, and that therefore they would not accept of my lodging. And after dinner I went to their lodging, ac∣companied with Monsiuer the Abbot of Boscaudon, some of my Canons, and other Officers, and to the said Commissioners I offered againe my house, doing them honour and reuerence, as to Apostolicall and Royall Commissioners, and for the honour of their charge and persons; Then the said Commissioners presented vnto me the said Apostolicall and Royall Commissions, requiring of me, as being ioyned in the said Commissions, and as ordinary, to take notice of it. The Commissions being viewed and read, I pre∣sently offered my self, with all honor and reuerence, to giue them all the aid and fauour I could possibly, and that for my part, there should nothing bee wanting, but that the said Commission should be fully accom∣plished, offering vnto them all the proces and indict∣ments that I had, as they demanded them, notwith∣standing a great part of the said proces were remaining in the great Counsell, from the time of that Monsi∣eur the Chancellor Adam Fumee (who caused my predecessor and his Secretary to be arested) at Lion vntill the said Adam Fumee had the originall of the proces, which were about the charge of a moyle, not suf∣fering the said Secretary to retaine any writing, as the said Secretary medio iuramento, in their presence deposed. Afterwards Monsieur the Confessor began to blame those Commissioners, which in former times had been imployed therein. And did charge and admonish (semel, bis, ter, sub paena excommunicatio∣nis latae sententiae, trina & Canonica monitione praece∣dente)

that I should shew, and that incontinently, all the indictments that I had touching this matter, for he was to spend in this businesse but a few dayes, be∣ing to returne vnto the Court, at the Feast of our La∣dy in August to the King, who expected him, as his Confessor, notwithstanding, that before I had offered to deliuer him the said proces. But when I saw that he proceeded against all forme of Law, and that hee purposed to proceede against the dignity Episcopall, rather by suspensions then excommunications, and that I was a Iudge as well as he, and more then that, Ordinary, I asked the Copy of their Commissions, & terminum ad respondendum, according to the forme of the Law written. Then Monsieur the Confessor an∣swered, that he had vsed the said Censures and Com∣mands not long before against the Masters of the Par∣liament of Grenoble, and that therefore he might vse it against my selfe.

Replying also vnto me; You petty Clarkes know nothing but two C. C. Codice, & Capitulo, and two ff. Digestis, and will take vpon you to suppresse Diui∣nity, and that he heard the King speake it out of his owne mouth, that the Arch-bishop of Ambrun would oppose himselfe against his Commission, and bee an open accuser of the Waldenses. To whom I answe∣red, that hee must pardon me, for I did not beleeue but that the King had a better opinion of me, because in this matter I had neuer trauelled but to a good end, as I alwaies intended to doe. Then Monsieur the Confessor continuing in his discourse; spake these words; Vos ad me in modum Scribarum & Pharisaeorum Christum accusantium ad Pilatum accessistis, cum tantis viris Ecclesiasticis ad terrendum me: sed nihil teneo sub

vobis aut domino vestro, & de nihilo vos timeo. That is to say; You are come vnto mee as the Scribes and Pharisies, when they accused Christ before Pilate, and with so many Ecclesiasticall persons, to terrifie mee, but I hold nothing vnder you or your dominion, and I feare you not at all. To which I answered, that I brought no more with mee, then those that were accu∣stomed to beare mee company walking through the Citty. And suddenly he commanded the lay-peo∣ple to auoid the chamber, then reuoked the sentences which hee had thundred out against mee, against all forme of law, saying; that it was expedient to vse those rigorous tearmes in the presence of the lay-peo∣ple, and especially there being some of the Waldenses present, as more at large touching the kind carriage of Monsier the Confessor, and of matters aboue spo∣ken of, it appeares by a publike instrument.

Thus you see part of the notes of the Arch-bishop Rostain set downe word by word, wherein we finde sundry falshoods, as for example: He writ in great griefe, that the said Commissioners, heard not aboue three or foure witnesses, and we finde in the said bun∣dle of writings for remembrance, of the Arch-bishop Roslain, a Coppy of informations wherein there were foure and twenty witnesses heard and examined.

Againe he saith, that they asked no other questi∣on, but if they were good Catholikes or no, to which being well taught, they answered yea, and with that answere the Commissioners contented themselues: And yet it appeareth that they demanded diuers que∣stions touching the Eucharist, Purgatory, Inuocation of Saints, and diuers other points.

Againe he saith, that the witnesses were fearefull

and durst not speake, and yet it plainly appeareth, that the witnesses produced, were for the most part Priests and Monkes, of the faction of the Arch-bishop, exhi∣bited by him.

Againe, that they suffered nothing to be set downe in writing; whereas it appeareth, that there are no In∣dictments where there is more written, then in those that were framed by the said Commissioners.

But that which troubled the Arch-bishop most, was that the said Commissioners gaue sentence of ab∣solution touching Contumacy, sine praeiudicio causae principalis & iuris cuicunque acquisiti; against which the Arch-bishop protested, and would not yeeld his consent to seale the said sentence, complaining that Monsieur the Officiall of Orleans had made knowen by his proceedings, that he fauoured the said Waldenses, especially hauing said openly at his lodgiug at the signe of the Angell in Ambrun, that he desired to be but as good a Christian, as the worst of Frassiniere.

But the greatest hurt came to himselfe, for he saw that hee must restore diuers viniards belonging to the said Waldenses, situated at S. Clements, S. Crespin, and at the place Chanteloube, and diuers inheritances at Cha∣teau-Roux, which his Predecessor named Iohn, had ioy∣ned to the Demaine of his Arch-bishopricke.

The Confessor of the King hauing reported vnto him and to his Counsell, what he knew touching the Waldenses, and how they were absolued of their con∣tumacy, did ordaine that the goods of the said Walden∣ses should be restored, whereupon these Letters fol∣lowing were granted by King Lewis the twelfth 〈◊〉〈◊〉 that name.

Lewis by the grace of God, King of France, &c.

FOr as much as it is come to our knowledge, that the Inhabitants of Frassiniere haue endured great troubles and vexations, punishments, and trauels, VVe desiring to releeue them, and that they should be restored to their goods, moueables, and immoueables, do by these Presents command all those that detaine the said goods, that incontinently and without delay, they desist and renounce the said goods, and restore them to the said Suppliants, or their Atturneies for them, euery one in his place and ranke. And in case of opposition, refusall or delay; Wee hauing regard to their pouerty and misery, wherein they haue a long time, and now are detai∣ned, without power to obtaine iustice, desiring with∣all Our heart it should bee administred vnto them, Our will is to take notice thereof in Our owne pro∣per person, warning all those that shall oppose them∣selues, or make delay, to appeare before Ʋs at a certaine competent day, &c.

Giuen at Lion the twelfth of Oct. 1501.

These Letters being executed, it was the opinion of most men, that since the fairest and best part of the goods of the said Waldenses was possessed by the Lord Arch-bishop, that there was great reason, that hee

should giue example vnto others; seeing especially, that that which they held, came vnto some of them as a sallary or fee for their punishments, and by the hands of the Arch-bishop Iohn his Predecessor.

The Arch-bishop Rostain answered, that he held none of the goods of the Frassinieres: onely certaine goods had been annexed to his Arch-bishopricke vp∣on good and iust cause, and incorporated to his Church, by his Predecessor, the said goods being within the territories and iurisdiction thereof, in which no commandement of the King hath euer been accustomed to be executed, and therefore it is not to bee beleeued, that it commeth from the will of the King, being Protector of the Churches, and fol∣lowing the example of his great predecessors: But yet neuerthelesse, the said Arch-bishop being willing to please our Lord the King, will bee content to yeeld vnto the said Inhabitants of Frassiniere the said vine∣yards, vpon condition that other the Lords and Ma∣sters of Dauphine, deliuer that which they haue of the said goods, and then the Arch-bishop will be content to restore that which hee and his Church doe pos∣sesse.

Thus these poore people were frustrated of their attempt. For there was not any one that would re∣store any thing of that which he detained. And there∣fore they summoned before the King and his counsell the said Arch-bishop, Master Pons Counsellor of the Parliament at Grenoble, Peter de Rames, Esquier, Lord of Poit, Faix de Rames, the Master of Montainard, and of Argentiere, Arrouars de Bonne, and diuers other ordinary Atturnies, Priests and Burgeses of Am∣brun, and Briancon. They sent to the Court, and

hauing there more friends and credit, then the Inha∣bitants of Frassiniere. Their excuse was receiued, wherein they declared, that it was not in their power to restore the said goods, before the Pope had absol∣ued them.

And the Arch-bishop protested, that hee for his part, was ready to restore all that his Predecessors had vnited to his Church, prouided that they had the aforesaid absolution. This occasioned such as were lesse affected and constant, to assay this way, and to send to Pope Alexander the sixt of that name, then Bishop of Rome: But they were compelled ra∣ther not to goe to Rome, but to fetch a writ of abso∣lution from the Cardinall Legat in France, George of the title of Saint Xist; which would suffice, and might be obtained with lesse charge. For the obtaining whereof they had the Commissary, the Kings Con∣fessor. They sent therefore one Steuen Roux, who who brought two Bulles, one by which he gaue ab∣solution for Simony, theft, murder, vsury, Adultery, dedention of Benefices, destruction of goods Eccle∣siasticall, violence against Clerks, by beating them, vnlawfull oathes, periuries, Fraudes, yea Apostacy, and Heresie, and whosoeuer had committed any crime, were it neuer so hainous, this Cardinall absolued them from all, by his Apostolicall authority.

And forasmuch as his Arch-bishop might pre∣tend, that the said Bull did not absolue the said people of Frassinieres, hauing been condemned by the said Apostolicall authority, by Commissioners and In∣quisitors deputed by the Pope, and therefore his mouth was stopped, he brought another Bull, in which there was especially this clause; Hauing power from

the Pope to decide or determine any matter, that any other, that hath been deputed by that holy Sea, or substituted can doe, yea where there hath been an appeale, absoluing all that haue in any manner been condemned.

This poore man thought he had gotten much; and proceeded far in this busines; but the Arch-bishop Rostain flouted his Bulles, saying that they were ob∣tained with too great a price and importunity, and that he must haue an absolution from the Pope himselfe. And so resolued with himselfe to restore nothing, and all the rest followed his example. And notwithstan∣ding they had had absolution from the Pope, yet they would haue restored, nothing for he knew well inough that in those daies, all things were sold at Rome, wit∣nesse those Latine verses which were written a gainst the said Alexander the sixth.

Vendit Alexander cruces, altaria Christum, Emer at ille prius, vendere iure potest. Pope Alexander sold altars, Christ, and his crosse, He bought them, had he not sold, had liued by the losse.

Againe,

Templa, Sacerdotes, Altaria, Sacra, Coronae, Ignis, Thura, Preces, Caelum est venale, Deúsque. Temples & Priests, Altars & Crowns, they sell for pelfe, Fire, Frankincense, Prayers, heauen, and God himselfe.

which is to be vnderstood of their breaden god in the Masse.

The Arch-bishop therfore, was the cause, why others kept still those goods in their possession, without any restitution; and though some particular persons were afterwards called into question, as namely Le Sieur de Montainar, de Rames, and others, yet they could ne∣uer haue any remedy.

In the yeere one thousand fiue hundred sixty, [ 1560] the Waldenses of Frassiniere and Pragela, had their Chur∣ches furnished with Pastors, who held them in the ex∣ercise of their religion, at that time wherein they persecuted vnto death all those that made professi∣on of reformation. The President Truchon made an Oration to the States of Prouence assembled the same yeere, the sixt of Nouember, of purpose to exterminate the said Waldenses of Frassinieres and Pragela, saying, that it was necessary to purge the old and ancient Leuen, likely to make soure the whole Country of Dauphine, if some course were not taken to preuent it. By these States it was re∣refolued by open force to extirpate them, and by armes, and to this purpose Commissions were giuen forth to leuy troopes of men, and to passe into the said Valleies: but so soone as the drumme was strooken vp, and the men in armes throughout Prouence, the vnexpected death of King Francis the second of that name altered the designe, and after∣wards the said Waldensian Churches in Dauphine continued, as still they doe by the singular fauour of God.

CHAP. IIII.

Of the Waldensian Churches in Piedmont, and those persecutions they endured, that are come to our know∣ledge.

THE Waldenses haue had famous Churches in the Valleis of Piedmont, Angrongne, la Perouse, the Valley Saint Martin Lu∣cerna, and other bordering places for time out of minde. It is held for certaine amongst them, that they are a part of the Waldenses of Dauphine, Pragela, Frassinieres, and other places their neere neighbours; and that in time being mul∣tiplied in so great abundance, that the Country could not feed them, they were constrained to disperse themselues at length and at large, where they might best settle themselues. So deare like brothers, haue they been one to another, and notwithstanding they haue been alwaies oppressed with troubles, yet with a most hearty loue and charity, they haue euer suc∣coured one another, not sparing their liues and goods for their mutuall conseruation.

The first troubles that the Waldenses of Piedmont endured, came from the report of certaine Priests, sent thither by the Arch-bishop of Turin, who informed that the people that were committed to their charge, liued not according to the manners and be liefe of the Church of Rome, neither offering for the dead, nor caring for Masses, or absolutions, nor to get any of theirs out of the paines of Purgatory by any of their

vsuall meanes. The Arch-bishops of Turin haue persecuted them, as much as lay in their power, ma∣king them odious to their Princes, who vnderstan∣ding of the good report that their neighbours gaue of their milde & honest conuersation, * 3.1 and that they were a simple people, fearing God, of a good carriage, with∣out deceit or malice, louing integrity and plaine dea∣ling, alwaies ready to serue their Princes, and that very willingly they yeelded vnto them all dutifull obedience, and that with alacrity: Being in such grace and fauour with the people their neighbours, that they endeauoured to bring into Piedmont to their seruice, their young people, and to prouide their nurses amongst them to bring vp their yong infants; the said Princes continued a long time in a purpose not to mo∣lest them: but the Priests and Monkes that were fre∣quent amongst them, gaining nothing by this their beliefe, charged them with an infinite number of Ca∣lumnies, and whensoeuer they went into Piedmont vpon occasion of businesse, they alwaies caught one or other, and deliuered him to the Inquisitors, and the Inquisitors to the executioner; In such manner, that there was hardly any Towne or Citty in Pied∣mont in which one or other of them was not put to death. For Iordan Tertian was burnt at Suse; Hypo∣lite Roussier was burnt at Turin; Villermin Ambroise was hanged at Meane; as also Anthony Hiun, Hugh Chiampe de Fenestrelles being taken at Suse, was con∣ueied to Turin, where his bowels were torne out of his belly, and put into a bason, and hee afterwards cruelly martyred: among which the seruants of God, there were some who haue maintained that truth, which they haue knowne for aboue two hundred and

fifty yeeres, and others aboue a hundred and fifty. But amongst all the rest, the constancy of one Catelin Girard is worthy the remembrance, who being vpon the blocke whereon hee should bee burnt at Reuel in the Marquisate of Saluces, he requested his executio∣ners, to giue him a coupple of stones into his hands, which they refused to doe, fearing he had a purpose to fling them at some one or other, but hee protesting the contrary, at the last they deliuered them vnto him, * 3.2 who hauing them in his hands, said vnto them; when I shall haue eaten these stones, then shall ye see an end of that religion for which you put me to death, and so cast the stones vpon the ground.

The fires were kindled vntill the yeere one thou∣sands foure hundred eighty eight, [ 1488] at what time they resolued to assault them by open force, because, be∣sides that they perceiued that the constancy of those whom they did publikely put to death, drew a great number of others to the knowledge of God, they like∣wise found that by this meanes they should neuer come to their purposed designe. And therefore they leuied men to ioyne with Albert de Capitaneis, one put in Commission by Pope Sixtus the fourth, and Innocent the eight. There were eighteene thou∣sand souldiers mustered, besides a great number of the Inhabitants of Piedmont, who ran to the pillage from all parts. They marched all at once to Angrongne, Lucerne, la Perouse, Saint Martin Prauiglerm, and Biolet, which is in the Marquisate of Saluces, as also they raised troopes in Vaucluson in Dauphine, ouer∣running the Valley of Pragela; to the end that being bound to their owne defence, they might not be able to fauour their neighbours, the Waldensian Churches

in Piedmont. All this was guided by the singular pro∣uidence of God, in that they diuided their troopes by bands, rather out of their pride then for their bet∣ter expedition. For notwithstanding they were all imployed in their owne defence, and could not succor one another, yet the enemy by this diuision did so di∣minish their forces, that they were euery where beaten, but especially in the Valley of Angrongne, where they made their most violent assault. For as this leuy of men could not be raised, without some aduertisement that it was against themselues, so accordingly they prepared themselues to receiue them, keeping them∣selues to the straight passages, where few men were able to make any assault, being armed with certaine long targets of wood, that did wholly couer them, and wherein the arrowes of their enemies strooke, without any hurt to themselues: The formost being thus armed and couered, the rest did good seruice, and with good aduantage, with their bowes and crosse∣bowes vnder the couert of the said targets, and as the enemy thought to draw neere to the passages, the wo∣men and children being spectators, vpon their knees cried out in their owne language, O Dioaiutaci, &c. O God helpe vs. Whereat the enemies making them∣selues merry, amongst other one Captaine Saquet, counterfeiting the said women, was slaine, and cast headlong from the mountaine into a deepe bottome, which to this day is called the Gulfe of Saquet. At the same time, a certaine Captaine named le Noir de Montdeni, cried out to the women that prayed vnto God, imiei, i miei faranno la passada, as much to say, as the souldiers cried out to them to put them to death, was killed with the shot of an arrow in the throat;

which the souldiers perceiuing, and that the rockes, the stones and the arrowes couered them, they betooke themselues all to their heeles, and the greatest part of them, cast themselues downe from the rockes. This people obserued another effect of the prouidence of God, and that is, that the enemies approaching to the strongest place by nature, which is the Valley of Angrongne, called le Pre de la Tour, where they might haue fortified themselues, and made themselues masters of the said Valley; God sent so thicke a cloud, so darke a fogge, that the enemies could hardly see one another, insomuch that they had no leasure or meanes to know the goodnes of the place, or to stay there; whereupon the VValdenses gathering courage, followed the chase in such manner, that being all dis∣persed, and not seeing which way they went, the greatest part fell headlong downe the mountaines, and put themselues vnto flight, quitting themselues of their armes and their booties, which they had gotten at their entrance in the Valley, where they had pow∣red out their wine, their corne, and loaded th eir ser∣uants with their most precious moueables.

It pleased God to touch the heart of their Prince with some compassion of this poore people. It was Philip the seuenth of that name, Duke of Sauoy, and Prince of Piedmont; who said, that he would not haue that people, that had been alwaies true and most faith∣full and obedient vnto him, to be rigorously handled by way of Armes; being contented that a dosen of the principall amongst them, should come to Pigne∣rol, where hee was, to aske pardon for all the rest, for that they had taken armes in their defence, which he gaue them to vnderstand by a certaine Bishop whom

he sent to Praisut; they deputed the said dosen, to do whatsoeuer his Highnesse required of them; Hee re∣ceiued them louingly, and forgaue them all that was past during the warre, paying a certaine summe of money for the charges thereof. And forasmuch as he had been informed, that their young infants were borne with blacke throats, and that they had foure rowes of teeth, and hairy, hee commanded that some of them should be brought to him to Pignerol, which was presently executed, and seeing them all faire and perfect creatures, hee was much displeased with himselfe, for that he was so easily perswaded to be∣leeue, that which was reported vnto him touching this people, declaring withall, that his pleasure was, that from thence forward they should liue with the self∣same liberties and prerogatiues, as in former times, and as all his other subiects of Piedmont did.

Notwithstanding all this, the Moneks the Inquisitors, sent out proces euery day, for as many of them as they could apprehend, especially they kept themselues in ambush in a certaine Conuent neer vnto Pignerol, from whence they deliuered them to the secular power. This persecution endured to the yeere, [ 1532] one thousand fiue hundred thirty two, at what time they resolued to order their Churches in such sort, that that exer∣cise which was before performed in couert, might be knowne of euery one, and that their Pastors should preach the Gospell openly, that is to say, without any apprehension of persecutions that might happen vnto them.

His Highnesse was speedily aduertised of this change, and much moued therewith, in such sort, that hee commanded one Pantaleon Bersor, to speed

himselfe into the said Valleys with his troopes of men, which hee so readily performed, that before the people were aware of it, hee was entred their Valleys with fiue hundred men, part on foot, and part on horsebacke, ransaking, pillaging, and wasting what∣soeuer was before them. The people leauing their plough and tillage, put themselues into their passages, and with their slings, charged their enemies with such multitudes of stones, and that with such vio∣lence, that they were constrained to flie, and to abandon their prey, many of them remaining dead vpon the ground. This newes came presently to his Highnesse, being likewise told him, that experience had taught them before, that it was not the way to reclaime and subdue these people by armes, the places of their habitation being so fauourable vnto them, they knowing better the straites and passages of the Country, then the assailants; and therefore there was nothing to bee gotten, when the skin of one of the Waldenses must bee bought with the losse of the liues of a dosen of his other Subiects. Hee thought it therefore not good to molest them any more by armes; but onely that they should be taken by re∣taile, one by one, as they came into Piedmont, and examplary iustice executed vpon them, if they chan∣ged not their beliefe, that so by little and little they might be destroyed, to the astonishment of all others that dwell in the said Valleys, and so their ruine might be procured insensibly, and without the danger of any other the Princes Subiects.

All this hindred not, but that they still persisted in their resolution. And to end that all things might bee done in order amongst them, they assembled themselues together, out of all their Valleys, to An∣grongne,

in the yeere one thousand fiue hundred thir∣ty fiue, [ 1535] and the twelfth of September; that is to say, all the heads of euery families with their Pastors; where by of them it was certified, that their brethren the Waldenses of Prouence and Dauphine, had sent into Germany their Pastors, George Morell, and Peter Masson to confer with Oecolampadius, Bucer, and other the seruants of God, who there preached the Gospell, touching the beliefe which they haue had from the father to the sonne, time out of minde: that they had found that God had been very mercifull and gra∣tious vnto vs, in that he hath preserued vs vndefiled in the middest of so many Idolatries and superstitions, which haue infected all Christendome in the ages past, * 3.3 vnder the tyranny of Antichrist of Rome. They haue encouraged vs by holy aduertisements and rea∣sons giuen, and exhorted vs not to bury those talents which God hath imparted vnto vs: finding it an euill thing, that we haue so long delayed the time to make publike profession of adhearing to the Gospell, and causing it to be preached in the eares, and to the know∣ledge of euery one, leauing the euents vnto God, of whatsoeuer it shall please him shall fall vpon vs by procuring his glory, and the aduancement of the Kingdome of his Sonne. And afterwards hauing read the letters of the said Oecolampadius and Bucer, which were sent vnto them, as to their Brethren the Waldenses of Prouence and Dauphine, the Propositions or Articles following, were ordered, reade, and ap∣proued, signed and sworne to by all the assistants, with one minde and consent, to conserue, obserue, beleeue, and retaine amongst them inuiolably, with∣out any contradiction, as being conformable to the do∣ctrine,

which hath been taught them from the father to the sonne for these many hundred yeeres, and taken out of the word of God.

ARTICLE I. That Diuine Seruice cannot bee done, but in spirit and in truth; For God is a spirit, and whosoeuer will pray vnto him, must pray in spirit.

II. All that haue been, or shall be saued, haue been chosen of God before all worlds.

III. They that are saued, cannot but be saued.

IV. Whosoeuer holdeth free-Will, denieth wholly the Predestination and the grace of God.

V. No worke is called good, but that which is commanded by God; and no worke is euill, but that which is forbidden by God.

VI. A Christian may sweare by the name of God, not any way contradicting that which is writ∣ten in the fift Chapter by Saint Matthew, prouided, that hee that sweareth, take not the name of the Lord in vaine. Now that man sweareth not in vaine, whose oath redoundeth to the glory of God, and the good of his neighbour. Also, a man may sweare in iudge∣ment, because he that beares the office of a Magi∣strate, be he Christian or infidell, hath the power of God.

VII. Auricular Confession is not commanded of God, and it is concluded according to the holy Scriptures, that the true confession of a Christian consisteth in confessing himselfe to one onely God, to whom belongs honour and glory. There is another kinde of confession, which is, when as a man recon∣cileth himselfe vnto his neighbour, whereof mention is made in the fift of Saint Matthew. The third man∣ner

of Confession is, when as man hath sinned publik∣ly, an all men take notice of it, so he confesse and ac∣knowledge the fault publikely.

VIII. We must cease vpon the Lords day, from all our labours, as being zealous of the honor and glory of God: for the better exercise of our charity towards our neighbours, and our better attendance to the hea∣ring of the word of God.

IX. It is not lawfull for a Christian to re∣uenge himselfe vpon his enemy, in any manner what∣soeuer.

X. A Christian may exercise the office of a Magi∣strate ouer Christians.

XI. There is no certaine time determined for the fast of a Christian, and it doth appeare in the word of God, that the Lord hath commanded, or appointed certaine daies.

XII. Marriage is not forbidden any man, of what quality or condition soeuer he be.

XIII. Whosoeuer forbiddeth marriage, teacheth a diabolicall doctrine.

XIIII. He that hath not the gift of continency, is bound to marry.

XV. The ministers of the word of God, ought not to be changed from place to place, except it be for the great benefit of the Church.

XVI. It is not a thing repugnant to the Aposto∣licall communion, that the ministers should possesse any thing in particular, to prouide for the maintenance of their families.

XVII. Touching the matter of the Sacraments, it hath been concluded by the holy Scriptures, that we haue but two Sacramental signes, the which Christ

Iesus hath left vnto vs; the one is Baptisme, the other the Eucharist, which wee receiue to shew what our perseuerance in the faith is, as wee haue promised when we were baptized, being little infants: As also in remembrance of that great benefit, which Iesus Christ hath done vnto vs, when hee died for our re∣demption, washing vs with his most pretious bloud.

These Articles being resolued vpon by them, a∣stonished the Priests that were amongst them to gather vp the reuenewes of their Cures, being out of all hope to see those people reclaimed, and brought vnto the obedience of the Church of Rome by any force, much lesse of their owne acord; and perceiuing the dore to be shut against their gaine, they retired them∣selues without speaking a word. Vpon this their re∣trait, the Masse vanished of it selfe in the Valleys of the said Waldenses; And because they had onely the new Testament, and some bookes of the old, trans∣lated into the Waldenstan tongue, they resolued speedily to send to the presse the whole Bible, their bookes being onely manuscripts, and those but a few. They sent therfore to Newcastle in Suitzerland, * 3.4 where they gaue fifteene hundred crownes of gold to a Prin∣ter, who brought to light the first impression of the French Bible which was seen in France: and incon∣tinently in the yeere one thousand fiue hundred thirty six, they sent to Geneua, one Martin Gonin, to prouide a large supply of such bookes which he should see to bee fit for the instruction of the people: but they were frustrated of their intent, because this good man was apprehended for a Spy, passing ouer the hill de Gap. by a certaine Gentleman named George Martin,

Lord de Champolion, and so soone as hee was knowne to be a Waldensian, he was sent to Grenoble, and there kept in prison, * 3.5 and afterwards in the night-time cast into the Riuer Lyzere, for feare lest hee should speake of his beliefe before the people: for the Monke In∣quisitor, that deliuered him to the secular power, told them, that it was not good that the world should hare him, because (saith hee) it is to bee feared, that they that heare him, may become worse then him∣selfe.

There happened warres in Piedmont, betweene King Francis the first of that name, and the Prince of Piedmont, which fell out happily for these poore people, for so long as those confusions continued, they were at quiet, vntill Pope Paul the third of that name, sollicited the Parliament of Turin to take some violent course against them, in doing iustice vpon them, as vpon pernicious Heretickes, whensoeuer they should bee deliuered into their hands by the In∣quisitors. This Parliament caused a great number to be burnt at Turin, in immitation of other Parliaments in France, who burnt in those times, those they cal∣led Lutherans.

They had recourse vnto the King, presenting vn∣to him their petition, that they might not be persecu∣ted by the said Parliament for the profession of that Religion, in the which they and their ancestors had liued for many hundred yeeres, and that by the permission of their Princes. But they made it worse with them then it was before; for the King enioyned them to liue, according to the laws of the Church of Rome, vpon paine to bee chastised as Heretickes. He likewise commanded the Court of Parliament at

Turin, to cause all his Subiects within their iurisdi∣ction, to professe his religion; Adding withall, that he did not burne the Lutherans throughout his whole Kingdome of France, to make a reseruation of them among the Alpes.

The Parliament endeuoured speedily to put the commandement of the King in execution, and for that cause enioyned them vpon paine of their liues, to quit themselues presently of their Ministers, and to re∣ceiue Priests to sing Masse, liuing after the manner of other the Kings subiects. They answered, that they could not obey any such commands against the com∣mandement of God, whom in what belonges vnto his seruice, they would rather obey then men. But had not the King at that time had other imployments else∣where, without all doubt this Parliament would haue made them doe that by force, which they would not be brought vnto by simple commands. They there∣fore contented themselues to prosecute them by the Inquisition, and to receiue from the Monkes, those they condemned to the fire. But afterwards in the yeere 1555, they increased the persecution. [ 1555] For ha∣uing condemned to the fire, one Barthelmew Hector a Stationer, who was executed at Turin, because hee died with admirable constancy, insomuch that hee edified the assistants and standers by, in such manner, that he drew teares from their eyes, and words of compassion from their mouthes, iustifying him with a mutuall applause, which they gaue of his good spee∣ches and prayers vnto God. The Parliament tooke oc∣casion herupon, to do their best endeauor to ouerthrow this profession in the very source, and to vse the au∣thority

of the King, to enforce this people to liue vnder the lawes of the Church of Rome, * 3.6 or miserably to perish. To this end and purpose, the Parliament of Turin deputed a certaine President of Saint Iulian, and a Collaterall named de Ecclesia, to transport them∣selues vnto those places, and there to put in practice whatsoeuer they thought good, either to reduce or to exterminate the said people, with promise to assist them, with whatsoeuer shall be needfull to this pur∣pose, according to the aduise and counsell they should receiue from them.

This President with his Collaterall, ttooke their iourney to Perouse, and caused Proclamations publikly to be made in the name of the King, that euery one of the Inhabitants was to goe to Masse, vpon paine of his life. Afterwards, they came to Pignerol, where they cited many to appeare before them. Amongst others, there appeared a poore simple labouring man, whom the President commanded to cause his child to be re-baptized, which had lately been baptized by the minister of Saint Iohn neere Angrongne. This poore man requested so much respite, as that he might pray vnto God before hee answered him. Which being granted with some laughter, he fell downe vpon his knees in the presence of all that were there, and his prayer being ended, he said to the President, that hee would cause his childe to be re-baptised, vpon condi∣tion, that the said President would discharge him by a bill signed with his owne hand, of the sinne which he should commit in causing it to be re-baptized, and beare one day before God the punishment and con∣demnation which should befall him, taking this ini∣quity

vpon him and his. Which the President vnder∣standing, hee commanded him out of his presence, not pressing him any farther.

Now hauing framed diuers indictments against some particular persons of the said Valleys, and made some collections of whatsoeuer the President could imagine might hurt the people, hee assayed also to winne them by the preachings of the Monkes, whom he brought with him into the Valley of Angrongne. Being therefore come vnto the place where their Temple was, he caused one of his Monkes to preach in the presence of the people, who made vnto them a long exhortation to returne vnto the Church of Rome, of which hee reported many things which the people beleeued not. After that the Monke had said as much as he would, and that he held his peace, the greatest number of the people required, that the Pastors that were there present, or some one of them for all, might be permitted, louingly and mildly to answer to the discourse that had been made by the Preacher; but the President by no meanes would giue way thereunto, whereupon there followed a certaine rumour or muttering among the people, which strooke the President and his Monkes with an astonishment, in such sort, that they could haue been content to haue been elsewhere: but dissembling their feare, the President retired himselfe, without a word speaking, to Turin, whether being come, hee related to the Parliament what hee had done, and withall signified vnto them the difficulties that were, to winne this people by extremities, because if any attempt should bee made to take them by violence, they were resolued to defend themselues, and the

places of their abode being fauourable vnto them, it was to bee feared, it would cost a great deale of labour, and much blood would bee shed, before they could either bee brought into the Church of Rome, or out of the world. That is was the worke of a King to roote them out, and a King of Franc; and therefore it was necessary to send the reports, and to commit vnto his owne will and plea∣sure, the issue of so troublesome an enterprise. This aduice was followed, the indictments and reports were sent to the King, but as the affaires of the Court cannot be finished but with long time, there passed a whole yeere, before there was any other course spoken of, or taken against them, then that of the Inquisitors, who alwaies deliuered some one or other to the secular power; but the yeere being expired, there came from the Court expresse commands of the King to make them to doe that by force, which they would not be brought vnto by words, or friend∣ly vsage. The Parliament re-sent the said President of Saint Iulien, who so soone as hee was arriued at Angrongne, he commanded them in the name of the King to goe to the Masse, vpon paine of Confisca∣tion of bodies and goods. They demanded a Copy both of his commission and his speech, promising to answere him in such a manner, that he should haue rea∣son to rest contented: but nothing could giue the President satisfaction, who still pressed vpon them to change their religion, but in vaine. For they an∣swered him, that they were not bound to such com∣mands, against the commandement of God. Hee commanded that twelue of the pricipalln amongst them, with all the Ministers and Schoole-masters

should presently yeeld their bodies to the prisons of Turin, there to receiue such sentence as reason shall require, and hee enioyned the Sindics of the said Valleys to dismisse and suffer to depart presently all strangers, and from thence forward not to re∣ceiue any Preachers or Schoole-masters, but such as shall be sent them by the Diocesan. They answered, that they could not nor would not obey any such commands as were against God, and that they would not make their appearance at Turin, because they could not doe it without danger of their liues, and to be molested for their beleefe.

This Parliament of Turin was in such sort incen∣sed against them, that as many as they could cause to be apprehended in Piedmont, and the frontiers of the Valleies, so many they burnt at Turin; among others M. Ieffrey Varnigle Minister at Angrongne was burnt in the yeere one thousand fiue hundred fifty seuen, [ 1557] by whose death at Turin in the place of the Castle, the people were much strengthned and edified, there be∣ing present a great number, that saw him to persist in the inuocaton of the name of God vnto his last gaspe.

During these grieuous persecutions, the Prote∣stant Princes of Germany did intercede for them, be∣seeching King Henry the second, to suffer them to liue in peace, in the profession of that Religion wherein they had liued from the father to the sonne for some ages past. The King promised to haue regard to this their request, and indeed they continued quiet, vntill the peace was made betweene the King of France and of Spaine, and that the Duke of Sauoy was

restored to his estates, that is to say, in the yeere one thousand fiue hundred fifty nine.

The yeere after the said restitution of the Coun∣try, [ 1560] the Popes Nuntio reproued the Duke of Sauoy, for that he followed not the steps of the Kings of France in his zeale, who affecting the Catholike Ro∣mish religion, had with all his power persecuted the Waldenses and Lutherans of the Valleys of Angrongne, and other their bordering neighbours; and that if he did not ioyne his forces in what possibly hee could to bring them into the bosome of the Church, or to take them out of world, that his Holinesse should haue great reason to suspect him to bee a fauourer of them. The Prince of Piedmont promised to vse all the meanes he could, for their reduction or vtter sub∣uersion; in pursuit whereof, hee commanded them to goe to the Masse, vpon paine of their liues, and to see their Valleys laid open to fire and sword. To which command they not yeelding obedience, he set vpon them by open force, and gaue the charge of this warre, to a gentleman named le sieur de la Trinite; And in the meane while at the selfesame time he cau∣sed them to be pursued by the Monkes the Inquisitors, Iaconiel, and de Corbis.

But forasmuch as the History of this warre, * 3.7 is brought to light elswhere, we will not enter into any large discourse thereof, onely we may here obserue, that after la Trinite had been well beaten with his troopes, seeing that the Lions pawe could stand him in no steed, he couered himselfe with the Foxes skin, telling them that what had passed, had befallen them for want of parley and communication, rather

then for any ill will that his Highnesse bare vnto them; and that if his souldiers had exceeded their bounds, it was because of that resistance which they found, and that hereafter hee would bee an instrument for their conseruation, and as desirous to procure their peace, as at the beginning he shewed himselfe earnest to pro∣cure their trouble. And therefore he counselled them to send certaine of the principall amongst them to his Highnesse, by whom he would send his commenda∣tory letters, both to the Prince, and Madame Marga∣rit Duchesse of Sauoy, and only sister to Heury King of France, and that he did assure himselfe that his Highnesse would blot out the remembrance of all that was past: But yet he thought it necessary, that aboue all things they should giue some testimony of obe∣dience to their Prince; who in other places was en∣forced by the Pope to establish the Masse in all his ter∣ritories, and therefore they should permit that the Masse might be song in Angrangne, which was but a thing indifferent vnto them, since he did not re∣quire their presence at it, but onely that hee might write vnto his Highnesse, that they were his good and obedient Subiects. And moreouer, to the end, that his Highnesse might not still persist in his opinion, that any strange minister did make his abode within his Prouinces, that it was in their power to intreat them, to retire themselues vnto Pragela for some few daies, and that afterwards when his Highnesse should be pacified towards them, they might call them home againe. It cost him a great deale of la∣bour to gaine thus much of them; for if we intreat our Pastors to retire themselues (say they) it will be a coun∣sell of the flesh, and God will not blesse it; for our

enemies when they shall haue gotten this aduantage of vs, and that we haue no man left to comfort vs, to counsell vs, to reproue, to exhort vs, they will en∣deauour no doubt to the vtmost of their power, euer to shut the gates against the returne of our good Pa∣stors, by wose ministry, we haue been so worthily instructed, and fortified against a world of tempta∣tions. And therefore to the end we may not be accused as Rebels for recalling them home againe, it shall bee better for vs not to depriue our selues at all of the fruit of their ministry, and from hence forward to be re∣puted for such in seruing of God, as preserue those whom he hath sent to preach his word vnto vs. He is as powerfull to preserue vs, as he hath been hereto∣fore in times past, and vngratefull wretches wee are to doubt of his assistance, and not to thinke that we so iniserable a flocke, the dogges being chased away, shall not bee deuoured by the wolues. Those and diuers the like were the speeches and motions of those that were most cleere sighted, and more zea∣lous then the rest, but yet this could not hinder others from intreating their Pastors to retire themselues for some few daies to Pragela, a Valley neer vnto theirs, & peopled with their brethren the Waldenses of Dauphine. Here a man might perceiue the heauy iustice of God pon them, and the beginning of misery, euery one to melt into teares, the rockes resounding and calamities, with cryes and lamentations, when euen women and infauts, conducted their Pastors to the high moun∣taines, to passe ouer to the other part of them. And from other parts, when they saw the principall a∣mongst them, to take their iourney to Turin, to the middest of their enemics, many presaged the euill

that would ouertake them, and it seemed vnto them that God had forsaken them, at that time when they had forsaken him in the person of his seruants. It came to passe euen as it had been foretold, by those that could not allow of those counsels of the flesh. For being arriued at Turin, they were presently lockt vp in strong prisons, their indictments framed as a∣gainst Heretickes, the passages garded to hinder any that might giue aduertisement of the vsage and inter∣tainment they receiued, that were deputed to this ser∣uice. And in the meane time, la Trinite told them, that he knew that his Highnesse had agreed to all that they demanded, and that he had written vnto him, that he detained them for no other cause, but to assure him of their promises for time to come, to which purpose he likewise raised a Fort which he built neere to Angrongne. Which made them to thinke hardly of their affaires, in that they could heare no newes of their poore prisoners, and much lesse would la Trinite suffer them to send any thither. In the end, hauing a long time consulted with themselues what they should doe, seeing a Fort built which might curb and bridle them for euer, if they should suffer it to be brought to perfection; and on the other side, fearing if they should enterprise any thing against those that laboured therein, that it should cost them their liues that they sent to Turin, they were in great and ex∣treme perplexities, not knowing what course to take; for they found, that they had been mocked by that Prater de la Trinite, and therefore it stood them vp∣on to commit the euent to the prouidence of God, and to reconcile themselues to him by prayer and fa∣sting, which when they had done, they called home

their Pastors, implored the assistance of their neigh∣bours of Pragela, who came vnto them with their armes, entred into the Temples, wherein la Trinite had caused them to build Altars, and to place images, and ouerthrew the Altars, and laid them leuell with the ground, rased vp the foundations themselues, brake downe the images, besieged the Fort and tooke it, killed as many as made resistance, beate the suc∣cours that were sent to the said Fort, put them to slight and slew a great number of them. The Prince Emanuel Philibert being much offended herewith, would haue reuenged himselfe vpon those that hee kept in prison; but Madame Margarite interceeding for them, pacified the Prince, shewing that is was necessary for them to consult with themselues touch∣ing that vsage and intertainment, his Highnesse had giuen to those that were deputed, and that seeing themselues in the way to a totall destruction, they had taken this oblique meanes to relieue and to helpe them∣selues. His Highnesse therefore by the aduise and in∣stigation of the Popes Nuntio, had enforced the said deputies to goe to the Masse, and there to aske par∣don of God, the Pope, and their holy mother the Church of Rome, with promise to liue according to the Lawes thereof; and afterwards sent them to pri∣son, attending the perfection of his Fort. But see∣ing himselfe frustrated of his expectation, he follow∣ed the course proposed by Madame Margarit, vnder which they haue liued vnto this present, which agree∣ment we doe not here insert, because it is elswhere set downe in their History. True it is, that afterwards they suffered at sundry times, sundry persecutions, which they bare patiently, and with much zeale.

Among the rest, that in the yeere 1570, [ 1570] was very ex∣treame. For their Prince being entred into an offen∣siue league against the Protestants, with many other Princes of Europe, he began to trouble and to vexe his said Subiects of the Valleys of the Waldenses: First by forbidding them to haue any commerce with the VValdenses of Dauphine, vpon paine of their liues; and secondly to assemble themselues in any Synod or Con∣sultation, but in the presence of the Gouernour of Ca∣strocaro; for the fulfilling whereof, he failed not to be present at the first Synode, which they called at Bobi. The Pastors and Ancients that were there, signified to the said Gouernour, that his assistance in their Synods was no way displeasing vnto them, because the matters that were to be handled, were such, as if the whole world were a witnes vnto them, the more should their piety towards their God appeare, and fidelity to wards their Prince, being to deliberate of nothing, but what might tend to the glory of God, and their obedience to their superiours: And that forasmuch as his High∣nesse tooke occasion to distrust them, it must needs be the false information of some of their enemies, and therefore assuring themselues in their owne con∣sciences, that they had neuer deserued it, they could not but take this nouelty for a manifest breach of the treatie and agreement he had made with them, and and a persecution shaking the free exercise of their re∣ligion. They intreated therefore the Gouernour of Castrocaro, to retire himselfe, and not to molest them by any such innouation, and swarming from the for∣mer treaties, at leastwise vntill that they hauing iustifi∣ed themselues before his Highnesse, it might be other∣wise ordered and prouided by him. The Gouernour stands still resolued to stay there. The Pastors and

Ancients declare against the said the nouelty; The Gouernour also for his part protesteth, not to enter∣prise any thing herein, but by the expresse comman∣dement of his Highnesse, and that they should be bet∣ter content, that he had that charge then any other, because he was willing to doe them any good might lye in his hower, made a good interpretation of all their actions, and would not faile to make a true re∣port vnto his Highnesse of the fidelity he perceiued to be in their cariage.

He was therefore admitted into their Synode, at the end whereof, he vsed this subtilty, that is, he at∣tempted to sow enuy and iealousie amongst the Pa∣stors, giuing good words in generall, that hee had found their order faire and good, and that he neuer had belieued, that they had proceeded with such zeale, order, and charity; but yet there was no reason hee should wonder that his Highnesse had been iealous and distrustfull of strange Ministers, because he knew very well, that they were more violent in their opini∣ons, then the home-bred of the Country, at least-wise the greatest part; for he made exception of M^r. Steuen Noell, whom he knew (saith he) to be a peacea∣ble man, and more affectionated to the contentment of his Highnesse; and therefore that since his High∣nesse had resolued not to permit any stranger to inha∣bite within his Lands, hee could not belieue, that Ministers were more exempted then other men, and therefore to the end he might not be constrained to vse his power and authority, to enforce them to with∣draw themselues out of those Countries, that they should doe well, if of their owne accordes, they de∣parted somewhether else, which would be far better

and more honourable for them, then that they should stay, till the Prince should enforce their departure out of his Countries by banishmnet. They answe∣red, that they could not belieue, that his Highnesse had any such meaning, as the Gouernour would seeme to perswade them. But that they might bee the bet∣ter informed of the truth thereof, they would depute some amongst them to go to his Highnesse.

The Gouernour being much moued, that they would giue no credit to his words, nor doe any thing by his perswasions, suffered the souldiers of Castrocaro, to compasse the temple, at what time the Preacher was in the Pulpit, and to doe diuers insolencies, shooting off their gunnes, and astonishing those who were disarmed, and thought themselues surprised. Master Steuen Noel was intreated to write to Madame Margarite, which he did: but the Letters by which Madame assured them, that the Gouernour had commandement from his Highnesse to keepe him∣selfe within the limits of the treaty passed betwixt his Highnesse and the people, remained still in the hands of the said Gouernour, and in the meane time, whilest these things were afoote, the Massacre executed in France in the yeere 1572 happened, [ 1572] which in such a manner puffed vp the pride, and increased the cou∣rage of the said Gouernour, that there was no meanes to stay his violences; For the bone-fires of ioy being made throughout all Piedmont, because of this effusi∣on of bloud, this Gouernour perswaded himselfe, that he should shortly see the like persecution in the said Valleys, and therefore the people hearing the Cannons that were shot off, and the great content∣ment that his Highnesse tooke, they perswaded them∣selues

that they should not long continue in peace, and therefore they thought their surest course was, to con∣uey those goods that were most precious vnto them, vnto the toppe of the Alpes, into the hollow caues whereof, they had been accustomed to retire them∣selues in troublesome times. His Highnesse being ad∣uertised, that his people were resolued, and ready to defend themselues, thought it not wisdome to hazard the liues of his other subiects, to bring them into obedience, and so contented himselfe, that hee had made them to feare; giuing command in the meane time, that whensoeuer vpon any occasion they came into Piedmont, they should bee apprehen∣ded and executed as Heretickes; whereof the peo∣ple being aduertised, they sought such commodi∣ties as were fit to maintaine life in Dauphine, in the Valleys of their brethren of Pragela and Valcluson. Afterwards his Highnesse and Madame Margarite being departed this life, Charles Emanuel their sonne and Prince of Piedmont hath maintained them in peace, vnder the treaty made with their said High∣nesse, his father and mother. Notwithstanding the which, the Inquisitors haue been alwaies watchfull to apprehend one or other, especially to hinder them from speaking of their beliefe, when they came downe into Piedmont. For in such a case, (prouided that it appeare, that they haue held any discourse) they haue alwaies condemned them for teaching strange do∣ctrines, and swaruing from the agreement, where∣by it is enioyned, that they broach no new opi∣nions.

The last that hath been persecuted for this cause, was a certaine merchant of Lucerna, whose History

we will here insert, because by his constancy he did much edifie the people; & that it may appeare vnto the world, that the Popes cease not to shew how odious vnto them, the doctrine of the Gospell is, and that if it were in their power to rule the hearts of the Kings and Princes of Europe at their pleasure, the fires at this present should still be burning in all those places where they haue any power or authority.

It was in the yeere 1601, [ 1601] that Barthelmew Copin a Waldensian of the Valley of Lucerna, was at Ast in Piedmont with his merchandize, at a Faire that should be the next morrow, and being at table in the euening at supper, with diuers other Merchants, there was one that began a discourse of the diuersities of Religi∣ons, and spake many things tending to the dishonor of the Waldenses of the Valleys of Angrongne, and their bordering neighbours. Copin hearing him to speake of his brethren lesse modesty then became those that professed themselues to bee Merchants, and of their Religion, to the dishonour of God, hee thought it would be a fault in himselfe, if he should make no re∣ply to those blaspemies that he heard: He therefore answered the party that held this discourse, in fauour of his Religion; And what (saith he that had been re∣prehended by Copin) are you a Waldensian? He an∣swered, Yea. And doe you not belieue, that God is in the Hoste? No, saith Copin. Fie vpon you, replies the other, what a false Religion is yours? My Religi∣on (saith Copin) is as true, as it is true that God is God, and as I am sure I shall die. The next morrow Copin was called before the Bishop of Ast, who told him that he had been aduertised of certaine scandalous dis∣courses and opinions, which but the day before hee

held in the euening at his lodging, and that hee must acknowledge the offence, if he would obtaine pardon, otherwise he would take order for his punishment. Copin answered, that he had been prouoked thereunto, and howsoeuer, he had said nothing, that he would not maintaine with the danger of his owne life; that hee had some goods in the world, and a wife and children; but he had lost the affection he bare vnto those things, neither were they deare vnto him, to the preiudice of his conscience: And as touching his behauiour (saith he) if it would please the Bishop to enquire of the Merchants of Ast, who all knew him, whether he were an honest man, they would all wit∣nesse for him, that he had neuer wronged any man, in that whole time he had traded and conuersed with them; and that being a Merchant, he was to be dis∣missed for that cause, for which he was then in that place, that is, for trafficke, and therefore not to bee molested. That if Iewes and Turkes were permitted to come to Faires, and to trafficke throughout all Pied∣mont, much more should he be permitted who was a Christian, especially, since that in that discourse of Re∣ligion he did but answere to a question moued vnto him, and that it was lawfull for any man to answere, and to giue a reason of his faith, to whom and in what place soeuer, euen by vertue of that treaty and agree∣ment betweene the Waldenses of the Valleys and his Highnesse, which forbids them to broach new opi∣nions, but takes not from them the liberty to answere, to whomsoeuer shall aske any questions of them.

The Bishop harkened not at all to these allegations, but gaue commandement, that he should bee sent to prison. The morrow after, the Bishops Secretary

came to visit Copin, and making great profession of loue towards him, he said vnto him, that hee would haue him know as from his friend, that if he did not acknowledge his fault, he would be in great danger of his life.

Copin answered him, that his life was in the hands of God, and he would neuer desire to preserue it to the preiudice of his glory, and forasmuch as he had but two or three paces to walke in his iourney to hea∣uen, his hearty prayer vnto God was, that he would be pleased to giue him the grace, not to turne back. Some few daies after, he was examined by a Monke Inqui∣sitor, in the presence of the Bishop, who tormented him a long time with sweet and gentle perswasions, endeauouring to winne him by faire words, to the ab∣iuration of his beliefe: but Copin alwaies conuinced him by the word of God, alleadging vnto him, that if he should be ashamed of Christ Iesus, or deny him before men, Christ would be ashamed of him, and deny him before his Father in heauen. The Monke ended his disputation with these and the like threat∣ning speeches; Goe thou waies thou cursed Lutheran, to all the diuels in hell; and when thou shalt be tor∣mented by those vncleane spirits, thou wilt remem∣ber those good and holy counsels, which we haue gi∣uen thee, to bring thee to saluation; but thou haddest rather go to hell, then to reconcile thy self to our holy mother the Church. It is long agoe (saith Copin) that I was reconciled to our mother the Church.

After many violent incounters, they caused his wife and a sonne of his to come vnto him, promising him liberty, and to depart with them if hee would a∣mend his fault by confessing it. They suffered his

said wife and sonne to sup with him in prison, which time he spent in exhorting them to patience, the wife for that shee should want a husband, the childe a fa∣ther, but yet should assure themselues, that God would be their father, and more then a husband; and for his owne part he was not bound to loue either wife or children more then Christ, & that they should hold it to be no small happinesse, that it hath pleased God to do him that honour, as to be a witnesse vnto his truth, with the losse of his life, and that he hoped that God would be so fauourable vnto him, as to giue him strength to endure all manner of torments for his glo∣ry. He committed to the care and charge of his wife, his sonne and his daughter which they had in mar∣riage, enioyning her to bring them vp in the feare of God. He commanded his sonne to obey his mother, for so he should drawe downe vpon him the blessing of God, he prayed them to pray for him, that God would be pleased to strengthen him against all temp∣tations, and so hauing blessed his sonne, and taken leaue of his wife, they were dismissed out of prison, and he locked vp where he was before. His wife and child shedding fountaines of teares, and crying out in such a lamentable manner, as would haue moued the hardest hearts to compassion. This good man not be∣ing content with what he had said vnto them by word of mouth, writ vnto her this Lettre following, the originall Copy whereof shee deliuered vnto vs, writ∣ten and signed with the hand of the said Copin, the superscription whereof was this:

To my louing Companion, Susan Copin. At the Tower of Lucerna.

MOst deare Companion, I haue receiued much comfort by your comming into this place, and so much the more, by how much the lesse I ex∣pected it: And I thinke it was some comfort to your selfe, that you had the meanes to sup with me, as it came to passe but yesterday being the fifteenth of September, in the yeere 1601, being Saterday. I know not the cause why this was permitted, but all things are in the hand of God, and whatsoeuer were the cause; I doe not thinke we shall euer eate to∣gether againe. And therefore pray vnto God to be your comforter, and put your trust in him, who hath promised neuer to forsake those that trust in him. You are wise, and therefore gouerne our house in such sort, that you keepe our children Samuell and Martha in obedience, whom I command, by that authority that God hath giuen me, to be faith∣full and obedient vnto you, for then God will blesse them. For the rest, be not grieued concerning my selfe, for if God haue appointed, that I am come to the end of my daies, and that it pleaseth the Almigh∣ty God, that I shall render vp my soule, which hee

hath long time lent me, my trust in him is, that out of his abundant mercy, hee will receiue it into heauen, for the loue of his Sonne Christ Iusus, by whom I be∣lieue, that our sinnes are blotted cut, euen by his pre∣cious death and passion; And I begge at his merci∣full hands, that he will accompany mee vnto the end, by the powerfull assistance of his holy Spirit. Bee alwaies carefull to pray vnto God, and to serue him, for so God will blesse and serue you. Take no care to send me any thing for these three weekes, and then you may send me, if you please, some money to pay the Iaylor, and some thing else to succour me, if I liue till then. Remember also that which I haue often told you, that is, that God prolonged the life of King Ezechias for fifteene yeeres; but that he had prolonged mine a great deale more, for it is a long time agoe, that you haue seen me in a manner dead, and neuerthelesse I am yet aliue, and I hope and hold for certaine, that hee will still preserue mee aliue, vntill my death shall be better for his glory and mine owne felicity, through his grace and mercy towards me.

From the Prison at Ast, Sept. 16. 1601.

The Bishop of Ast was much troubled, what to determine concerning this poore man: For if he should let him goe, they feared a scandall, and that

many would gather heart and courage, to speake with a loud voice against the Romish Religion. On the other side, there was a clause in the treaty made be∣tweene his Highnesse and the Waldenses, which clea∣red him from all offence, in these words. And if any question shall bee mooued vnto them, touching their faith, being in Piedmont with other his Highnesses Sub∣iects, it shall be lawfull for them to answere, not incur∣ring thereby any punishment reall or personall. Now he was asked the question, and therefore to be quit from blame: But the Bishop would not haue it said, that hee had committed him to prison vniustly. To the end therefore, that his death might not bee imputed vnto him, and it might not be thought, that he sent him away absolued, he sent his indictment to Pope Clement the eight, to vnderstand what course hee should take herein. It could neuer be knowne what answere the Bishop had; but shortly after hee was found dead in prison, not without some appearance, that he was strangled, for feare least if he should haue been publikely executed, he might edifie and streng∣then the people by his confession and constancy. Af∣ter his death he was condemned to be burnt, and so being brought out of prison, his sentence was read in the same place, and cast into the fire. And this was the last of the Waldenses, that is come to our knowledge, that hath been persecuted to the death for his beliefe.

CHAP. V.

Of the Waldenses inhabiting in the Valleys of Meane and Maites, and the Marquisate of Saluces, and the last persecutions that they suffered.

AT what time the Waldenses of Dauphine dispersed themselues in Piedmont, there were some that made their abode in the Marquisate of Saluces, in the Valleys Maties and Meane, and the parts there∣abouts. These were not forborne during the grie∣uous persecutions which their brethren of the Val∣leys of Angrongne, Saint Martin, and others suffe∣red. All their refuge was to flie into the said Valleys, namely when the said Gouernours of the said Mar∣quisate persecuted them by the commandement of the Kings of France, who condemned to death, within their Realmes all such as made profession of the same beliefe that they did. Now the deceased King of Happy memory Henry the Great and fourth of that name, hauing giuen to his Subiects an edict of pacification, the Waldenses that liued in the Marqui∣sate, inioyed the same priuiledges, that the other Subiects did of the same Realme; but when after∣wards by the treaty with the Duke of Sauoy, la Bresse was changed for the Marquisate of Saluces, the poore Waldenses were depriued of the free exercises of their Religion, within the iurisdiction of the said Marqui∣sate, for at the instance of the Nuntio of Pope Cle∣ment the eight, the free liberty of their Religion was

not onely interdicted; but by a new edict all they were banished, that within the said Marquisate, made profession of any other Religion, then that of the Church of Rome: and for the better furtherance of their speedy departure, there were sent to the said Valleys and Marquisate, a great number of Monkes Inquisitors, who went from house to house; exami∣ning the consciences of euery one, by which meanes there were aboue fiue hundred families banished, who retired themselues into the Realme of France, but especially into Dauphine. And to the end, that in those places into which they were come, it might not be cast in their teeth, that they were banished out of their Countries, for some wickednesse that they had committed, but that it was onely the zeale they bare to their religion, that had made them wande∣rers in the world, they made this Declaration follow∣ing, in the yeere 1603. [ 1603]

The Declaration of the VValdenses of the Valleys Maties and Meane, and the Marquisate of Saluces, made in the yeere 1603.

FOrasmuch as time out of minde, and from the father vnto the sonne, our Predecessors haue been instructed and nourished in the doctrine and Religion whereof from our infancy we haue made open profession, and haue instructed our families, as we haue learnt of our fore-fathers; As also that du∣ring

the time, that the King of France held the Mar∣quisate of Saluces, it was lawfull for vs to make pro∣fession, not being disquieted or molested, as our bre∣thren of the Valleys of Lucerna, la Perouse and others; who by an expresse treaty and agreement, made with our Soueraign Prince & Lord, haue inioy∣ed vnto this present, the free exercise of the reformed religion; but his Highnesse being perswaded by euill councell, and ill affected people, rather then his owne will, hath resolued to molest vs, and to that end hath published an edict: To the end therefore that it may be made known to all men, that it is not for any crime committed, either against the person of our Prince, or for any rebellion against his edicts, or the committing of any murthers or thest, that wee are thus tormented, and spoiled of our goods and houses; Wee declare, that being certainly assured and perswa∣ded, that the doctrine and Religion taught and follow∣ed in the reformed Churches, as well of France, Swit∣serland, Germany, Geneua, England, Scotland, Denmarke, Su••dia, Polonia, as other Realmes, Countries, and Signories; whereof we haue vnto this present time, made open profession, vnder the obedi∣ence of our Princes and Soueraigne Lords, is the one∣ly true doctrine, and Christian religion, ordained and approued of God, which onely can make vs agreeable

vnto him, and conduct vs to saluation: Wee are re∣solued to follow it, with the losse of our liues, goods and honours, and to continue therein the remainder of our liues. And if any shall pretend that we are in an error, we require him to make vs see our error, and offer incontinently to abiure, and do likewise promise, to follow that which shall be proued vnto vs to be the better, desiring nothing so much, as with an assured and safe conscience, to follow the true and lawfull ser∣uice, which we poore creatures owe vnto our Creator, and by that meanes to attaine to the true and eter∣nall felicity. But if any shall goe about, by force and constraint to cause vs to forsake, and abandon the true way of our saluation, and to enforce vs to follow the errours and superstitions, and false do∣ctrines inuented by men, wee desire a great deale ra∣ther to abandon our houses, our goods, and liues too. We therefore humbly beseech his Highnesse, whom we acknowledge to bee our lawfull Prince and Lord, not to suffer vs to molested without cause, but rather permit vs to continue so long as wee liue, and our children and posterity after vs, in that obedience and seruice, which vnto this day wee haue rendred vnto him, as faithfull and loyall Subiects; and so much the rather, because we demand no other thing of him, but that we yeelding faithfully vnto him, that which

we are bound vnto by the expresse commandement of God, it may likewise bee lawfull for vs, to render vnto God, that homage and seruice, which wee owe vnto him, and he requires at our hands in his holy word.

Beseeching in the meane time (in the middle of our exile and calamity) the Reformed Churches to hold vs, and acknowledge vs, to bee true members therereof, being willing to seale withour blood (if God will haue it so) the Confession of faith made and pub∣lished by them; which we acknowledge in all things, and throughout, conformable to the doctrine, taught and written by the holy Apostles, and therefore true∣ly Apostolicall. Wee promise to liue and die there∣in. And if so doing, we be afflicted and persecuted, we yeeld hearty thanks vnto God, who hath done vs that honour to suffer for his name; leauing the issue of our affaires, and the iustice of our cause, in the hands of his diuine prouidence, who will deliuer vs, when and by what meanes it pleaseth him. Humbly beseeching him, that as he hath the hearts of Kings and Princes in his hands, he will be pleased to mollifie the heart of his Highnesse, to take pitty of those, that haue neuer offended him, or purpose to offend him, to the end hee may hold and acknowledge those to be more faithfull, loyall, and obedient to his seruice, then they are that

prouoke him to such persecutions. In the the meane time that hee would bee pleased to support vs in the middest of these temptations, and streng then vs with Patience and Constancy, to perseuere in the profession of the truth vnto the end of our liues, and our posteri∣ty after vs, Amen.

This persecution hath cotinued vnto this present time, at the instance of Pope Paul the fift, and his Nun∣tio, who still troubleth and vexeth this poore people, by his Monkes the Inquisitors. They haue made some to alter their opinions, who had no power to quit themselues of their goods, but haue accommodated themselues to the world: but the greatest number per∣sisted constant in calling on the name of God, chusing rather to be banished here on earth, from their natiue countries, then to be depriued of eternall life; hating their Possessions, their Country, their Houses, being the places where they could not inhabit, whithout the deniall of Christ and his truth.

CHAP. VI.

Of the Waldenses inhabiting in the New Lands, and the persecutions which they haue suffered.

THe New lands of which wee are here to speake, are in the Alpes, in the Frontiers of Piedmont, Dauphine, and Prouence, of which the cheefe Citty is Barcelona or Barcelonette. Within the said Lands, there are certaine

Villages, which haue been peopled by the Waldenses time out of minde, placed in the best part of the said Lands amongst others Iosiers. These places haue continued a long time, the Princes of Piedmont no∣thing regarding the abode of the said peoples within their Prouinces: but the Priests made them odious to the world, because they were vnprofitable vnto them, by not liuing after the manner of other people, who contributed vnto them for the liuing and for the dead; in such sort, that when his Highnesse persecuted in his state, those that had quit themselues of the Lawes of the Romish Church, these were not forgotten, especially when the Gouernours of the said Valley opposed themselues against them. These were there∣fore of the number of those, that were summoned in the yeere 1576, to goe to the Masse, or to forsake his Highnesse Country; [ 1576] wherein they found not better meanes to helpe themselues, then to ioyne them∣selues vnto others, who being threatned with the same banishment, had recourse to the Protestant Prin∣ces, beseeching them to intercede for them to their Prince, that he would be pleased, not to trouble them in such manner for their beliefe, which they had made profession off, from the father to the sonne, for many hundred yeeres, during which time, their Princes haue not had any Subiects, that haue yeelded vnto them more faithfull obedience then they, not giuing place vnto any other in their duties, submissi∣ons, and contributions, which they haue alwaies most willingly payed to their Princes, as they were still ready to continue, yeelding obedience to their commands, onely that that they might not be trou∣bled in their consciences.

The Prince Palatine of the Rhine delegated to the Prince of Piedmont a Counseller of his State, with cer∣taine other honorable personages. Being arriued at Tu∣rin, they saluted his Highnesse in the name of the said Prince Palatine, and deliuered their Letters of Cre∣dence. He was heard by the Prince Emanuel Phili∣bert, very peaceably. This Councellor gaue him to vnderstand, that the onely charity of their Master towards Christians of the same Religion that he pro∣fessed, had moued him to mediate for them, that his Highnesse would bee pleased to suffer them to liue peaceably in the exercise of their Religion, not offe∣ring any violence to their consciences: That he would account this benefit as done vnto himselfe, and hee should oblige vnto him all the Protestant Princes of Germany, who likewise made the selfesame request by their mouthes. That he should haue God the more fauourable, and his Subiects the more faithfull, if he did not shew himselfe inexorable; That the confu∣sions that haue happened in all the States of Kings and Princes, that haue indeauoured to raigne and reclaime the soules of their Subiects by armes, and to reduce them by violence, may make wise all other Princes, which were not yet come to such extremities; That forasmuch as they that haue not vsed rigorous courses, haue won the hearts of their people to be more faith∣full vnto them, this meanes being in his power, they humbly beseeched him to imitate herein the most de∣bonaire and gentle Princes.

It appeared by his Highnesse answere, that he took but little pleasure in this intercession, but much more by the effects that followed. For hee answered, that notwithstanding that for his part he made no enquiry

how the Prince Palatine of the Rhine, and other Prin∣ces of Germany, gouerned their Subiects, and be∣ing a Soueraigne Prince, he was not to yeeld an ac∣count vnto any, of his courses and resolutions, yet ne∣uerthelesse he thanked the said Prince, and all the rest that were thus charitable towards him, his Estate, and his Subiects, as to wish their content and peace: but that the miseries and calamities that haue happe∣ned amongst them, by the diuersity of Religions, had made him to desire to haue in his State but onely one, and that must be that which he there found, and in which he had been alwaies brought vp, for feare lest vnder the mantle of Religion, and liberty of consci∣ence, he must dispute with his subiects as a companion, of those things which by iust title were in his power to determine as a Master; as it had happened to other Princes in Europe, that in this case had no power to rule their Subiects as Soueragines. And that in might appeare vnto them, that he loued peace, he had main∣tained his Subiects the Waldenses dwelling in his State in the Valleys of the Alpes, vnder an edict which he caused to be obserued vnuiolably. That if without the said Valleys he had in his State any itching busie spirits affecting nouelties, those he caused to be puni∣shed as Rebelles. That he thought, that as the said Princes had compassion of his Subiects, that they might enioy the exercise of their Religion, so he as∣sured himselfe, that they would not take it in ill part, (so iust and iudicious they were) if he prouided for his surety, and preseruation of his State, by punishing the seditions, that he would inquire, in consideration of this their intercession, more narrowly into the estate of his Subiects, making profession of their Re∣ligion,

and would giue them some refreshing.

And because they had spoken particularly of a certaine Minister named Giles, whom he detained loc∣ked vp in a dungeon, he caused him to be brought forth and placed in a chamber, and after inquiry made of what he was accused, that is, that he had writ to those of Geneua to the preiudice of his seruice, he set him at liberty. He disclaimed a certaine captaine of a Castle of the Valley Meane, for some thing he had done against the Waldenses of the said Valley, but for the rest, the Counsellor was hardly gone halfe his way home-ward, but the persecution grew greater then it was before. Amongst others, the Gouernour of the New-lands in the end of Nouember following, pro∣claimed with the sound of a trumpet, that whosoeuer would not within the space of a Moneth goe to Masse, were to auoide the Lands and Territories of his High∣nesse within that time, vpon paine of confiscation of body and goods. These poore people of the New lands, they could conuey themselues to no place with∣out danger of their liues. For in Prouence they burnt those whom the Parliament of Aix called Lutherans. In the Territories of Honorat Earle of Tendes, they were deliuered into the hands of the Executio∣ners. Gonsague Duke of Neuers, commanding for the King of France, in the Marquisate of Saluces, put them to death. In Dauphine, as many as the Arch∣bishop of Ambrun could apprehend, so many he cau∣sed either to rot in the dungeons, or to perish in the Tower Brun, with cold and famine; and out of Piedmont they were banished. There remained no other succour but in the dead time of winter, to make their passage by night ouer a high mountaine almost

inaccessible, couered with ice and snow, into the Val∣ley of Frassiniere, if possibly they could. They there∣fore betooke themselues vnto the mountaine, about the feast of the Natiuity of our Lord, in the coldest time of all the yeere: But before they could come to the height thereof, the greatest part of the women and children were benummed with cold, and the night ouertaking them, being in the top of the hill, they were inforced to lie vpon the ice, where a great part of them in the morning were found dead. They that escaped the danger, retired themselues into the Valley of Frassiniere. Now after that the houses of these poore people had remained for a time void of Inhabi∣tants, there was no man that would seise or take pos∣sion of their Lands, much lesse till and husband them, and therefore their Gouernours permitted the said Waldenses to continue there, and to tolerate them, making profession of their beliefe; onely they were to depart out of the confines of the State of the Prince, for the exercise of their Religion. They haue re-peo∣pled the said Valley. Thus you haue heard as much as is come to our knowledge, touching their sufferings, howsoeuer they haue been persecuted from time to time, from the father to the sonne, as the rest of the Waldenses in Dauphine and Piedmont, but their indict∣ments are not come to our hands.

CHAP. VII.

Of the Waldenses dwelling in Calabria, and the persecu∣tions which they haue suffered.

ABout the yeere of our Lord 1370, [ 1370] the Wal∣denses of the Valleys of Pragela and Dau∣phine, grew to so great a number in so small a Country, that they were enfor∣ced to send away a certaine number of their yonger people to seeke some other Country to inhabite in. In their trauaile they found in Calabria certaine waste and vntilled land, and ill peopled, but yet very fertile, as they might well iudge, by those parts neere adioyning. They therefore finding the Country fit to bring forth corne, wine, oyle of Oliues and chestnuts, and that there were hilles fit for the breeding and nourishing of cattle, and to furnish them with fuell and timber fit for building; they came vnto the Lords of those places to treate with them tou∣ching their abode in those Countries. The said Lords receiued them louingly, agreed to their lawes and or∣ders, to the gteat aduantage of these new Inhabitants, came to an agreement with them, touching their Rentes, Tenthes, Toles, penalties, in case there fall out any differences or offences amongst them; and so hauing assigned vnto them certaine quarters or parts of the Country, they returned for the most part of them, to aduertise their parents of the good aduen∣ture, that had happened vnto them, in a rich country, likely to abound in all temporall benedictions. They

brought backe with them from their parents and friends, whatsoeuer it pleased them to bestow vpon them, to begin their house-keeping; many of them married, and brought their wiues into Calabria, where they built certaine small Townes and Citties, to which their owne houses were as walles, as namely Saint Xist, la Garde, la Vicaricio, les Rousses, Argentine, Saint Vincens, and Montolieu. The Lords of the said Countries thought themselues happy, in that they had met with so good Subiects, as had peopled their Lands, and made them to abound with all manner of fruits; but principally because they found them to be honest men, and of a good conscience, yeelding vnto them all those duties and honours, that they could expect from the best Subiects in the world. Onely their Parsons and Priests complained, that they liued not touching matter of religion, as other peo∣ple did, they made none of their children Priests, nor Nunnes, they loued no chaunting, tapers, lampes, belles, no nor Masses for their dead. They had built certaine Temples, not adorning them with images, they went not on pilgrimage: they caused their chil∣dren to be instructed by certaine strange and vnknown School-masters, to whō they yeeld a great deale more honour then to them, paying nothing vnto them but their tithes, according to the agreement with their Lords: They doubted, that the said people made pro∣fession of some particular beliefe, which hindred them from mingling themselues, & ioyning in alliance with the naturall home-borne people of the Land, and that they had no good opinion of the Church of Rome. The Lords of those places began to feare, that if the Pope should take notice, that so neere his Seate, there

were a kinde of people that contemned the lawes of Romish Church, they might chance to lose them, detained their Priests from complaining of these peo∣ple, who in euery thing else shewed themselues to be honest men, such as had enriched the whole Coun∣try, yea and the Priests themselues, for the onely tithes which they receiued of that great abundance of fruites, which arise from those lands, out of which in former times they receiued no profit at all, were such as might very well giue them reason to beare with o∣ther matters; That they were come to inhabit in those places from far Countries, where perhaps the people were not so much giuen to the ceremonies of the Church of Rome; but yet since in the principall they were faithfull and honest, charitable towards the poore, and such as feared God, they were very willing they might not be molested, by any more par∣ticular enquiry into their consciences. These reasons wrought much with those that bare them ill will. For the Lords of those places, stopped the mouthes of their murmuring neighbours, who could by no meanes draw them into any alliance with them, and who saw their goods, their cattell, and all that they posses∣sed blest after a more particular manner then other mens, that they were a temperate people, wise, not lewd or dissolute, not giuen to dancing, or haunters of Tauernes, and out of whose mouthes, there did neuer proceed any blasphemy; and to be briefe, liuing in a Country where the Inhabitants were giuen to all manner of wickednesse; they were as precious stones in a common sinke, and therefore both enuied and admired, but yet alwaies maintained by their Lords, who comparing these subiects and vassals with others

that they had, could not satiate themselues with their praises. Thus were they maintained by their Lords against all enuy, and that maugre the Priests, vntill the yeere 1560, [ 1560] at what time they could no longer de∣fend them against the Popes thunderbolts.

The occasion was, because they then vnderstood, that in their Valleys of Pragela and Piedmont, there were Pastors, that with a loud voyce did preach the Gospell: For they had sent to Geneua to be furnished with teachers, and they sent them two, that is to say, Steuen Negrin, and Lewis Paschal, who at their arri∣uall, did their best endeauours to establish the exer∣cise of their Religion. Pope Pius the fourth of that name, being aduertised hereof, the Colledge of Cardinals was assembled, and presently concluded and resolued vpon the vtter ruine and ex irpation of this people, who so neere the Popes Seate, durst to plant the Religion of the Lutherans.

The charge of this persecution was giuen to Car∣dinall Alexandrin, a violent man, if there were euer any amongst the Cardinals. Hee chose two Monkes of his owne humour, to be his Informers, that is to say, one Valerio Maluicino, and a Dominican Monke, named Alphonsus Vrbin, who began with the Inhabitants of Saint Xist. Being in the place, they assembled the people, giuing them good spee∣ches, and protesting that their comming thither, was not any way to molest them, but onely louingly to aduertise them, that they were not to heare any o∣ther Doctours and teachers, then those which should be giuen vnto them by the Prelats of their Diocesse. That they knew well, that they had receiued teachers from Geneua, but by quitting themselues of them,

and liuing hereafter according to the lawes of the Church of Rome, they should haue no cause to feare any thing: but if they presumed to keepe their said teachers amongst them, they did put themselues in danger to lose their liues, their goods and honours, because they were to be condemned for Heretickes. And that they might the better know who they were, that had wholly forsaken the lawes of the Church of Rome, they caused a bell to be rung to Masse, inui∣ting the people to goe thither; but in steed of going to the Masse, they quit themselues of their houses, and with their wiues and children that could follow them, they did flie into the woods, leauing onely within the Citty some few decrepit men and women, and little children. The Monkes dissembled this flight, that they might the better intrap them all at once. They went to la Garde, not threatning any one of those that stayed in Saint Xist. Being there, they caused the gates of the Towne to be locked, and the people to be assembled. They told them, that they of Saint Xist had abiured their Religion, and be∣ing gone to the Masse, had asked pardon at Gods hands, promising them, if they would doe the like, that no man should offer the least hurt that might be. These poore people thinking the Monkes had spoken a truth vnto them, they were content to yeeld to whatsoeuer they would haue them doe: But when they had vnderstood, that their brethren of Saint Xist had refused to goe to Masse, and that they were fled into the woods, they were ashamed of their weak∣nesse, and much displeased with their reuolt, and therefore instantly resolued with themselues, to goe with their wiues and children, to their bretheren of

Saint Xist: but the Lord of the place Saluator Spi∣nello would not suffer them to retire themselues in so miserable a manner, promising to defend them a∣gainst whomsoeuer; prouided (saith he) that they ca∣ried themselues like good Romish Catholikes. In the meane time the Monkes sent after those of Sainc Xist two Companies of foote-men, who ran after these poore people, as after wild beasts, crying out, Amassa, amassa, that is, kill, kill. They slew diuers of them. But they that could get to the top of the mountaine, being on the hight of the rockes, intreated they might be heard; which being granted, they beseeched them to haue pitty vpon them, and vpon their wiues and children; that they would call to minde, that they had inhabited in those Countries, from the father to the sonne for some ages, and that in all that time, there was not any that could complaine of their con∣uersation; and yet neuerthelesse, if they could not continue in their houses, in that beliefe wherein they had liued to this present, if they might be permitted to betake themselues, either by sea or by land, to the protection of God, with their onely persons, and some few commodities; and so retire themselues whether it should please the Lord to conduct them, they would very willingly forsake all their goods, ra∣ther then to fall into any idolatry, promising both for themselues and all theirs, neuer to returne to their houses againe. They beseeched them euen for Gods cause, not to driue them to such necessities, as that they must be enforced to defend themselues, for if they should be once out of all hope of mercy, it would be dangerous for themselues, who had driuen them to these extremities. The souldiers were the more

stirred vp against them, and presently made a vio∣lent assault vpon them, which bound these poore people to a iust defence, and so being assisted by God, they slew the greatest part of the Souldiers that pur∣sued them, and put the rest to slight. The Monkes the Inquisitors, writ to the Vice-roy of Naples, that he should speedily sendsome companies of Souldiers, to apprehend cetaine Heretickes of Saint Xist, and la Garde, who were fled into the woods, and that in so doing, he should doe that which was pleasing to the Pope, and meritorious to himselfe, if he shall deli∣uer the Church from such contagion. The Vice-roy came himselfe with his troupes. Being arriued at Saint Xist, he caused to be proclaimed by the sound of a trumpet, that the place was condemned to be exposed to fire and sword. But in the meane time before his arriuall, the women had leasure to returne to Saint Xist, whether they ran together, to seeke for victuall to feede their husbands and children, which were in the wood. The Viceroy caused it to be pro∣claimed throughout the Realme of Naples, that all banished people that would come to the warres against the Heretickes of Saint Xist, should be pardoned all their offences formerly committed; whereupon great numbers gathered themselues together, and were conducted to the woods, where the fugitiues of Saint Xist were, and they gaue them the chase in so rigorous a manner, that in the end, after the slaugh∣ter of diuers of these poore people, the rest of them being sore wounded, retired themselues into the caues vpon the high rockes, where the greatest part of them died with famine. The Monkes Inquisitors made shew of much discontent, and that they were much

displeased with that which had happened, and be∣ing retired to Cossence, where the Sindic of Saint Xist appeared before them, they wished him speedily to withdraw himselfe, for feare lest the Viceroy should know of his being there, and so apprehend him. This brought those of la Garde a sleepe, who being cited by a publike proclamation to appeare before the said Inquisitors at Cossence, or before the Viceroy at Fol∣cade, they were easily perswaded to beleeue the pro∣mises and faire speeches of the said Inquisitors. For being arriued at Folcade, there were seuenty of them apprehended, and being bound, were brought to Montaud before the Inquisitor Panza, who put them all to the racke. Amongst others, he tormented one Steuen Charlin with such violence, that his bowels brake out of his belly, and all to extort from him, this confession and imposture, that is, that they some∣times assembled themselues by night to commit whoredomes, and damnable incestes, the candles being put out. But notwithstanding his extreame torture, they could neuer get from him the confes∣sion of so great a wickednesse.

There was another called Verminel, who with the extreame paine he endured vpon the racke, pro∣mised to goe to Masse; The Inquisitor thinking, that since the torment of the racke, had enforced him to forsake his Religion, that redoubling the violence thereof, he might draw from this feeble and tired person, the confession of the former imposture. And so caused him to be tormented in such a manner, that many times he left him eight houres together vpon the racke, but yet could neuer get from his mouth so horrible a calumnie.

Another named Marcon, being stript starke na∣ked, was beaten with rods of iron, afterwards drawen through the streets, and burnt with fire-brands. One of his sonnes was killed with kniues, the other was brought to a high tower, where there was offered vn∣to him a Crucifix, with promise that if he would kisse it, his life should be saued. He answered, that hee would rather die, then commit idolatry, and though he were cast headlong from that tower, as he was threatned, yet he had rather his body should be bro∣ken to peeces here on earth, then by denying Christ and his truth, his soule should be cast into hell. The Inquisitor being much enraged with this answere, commanded him to be cast from the tower, to the end (saith he) we may see whether his God will pro∣tect him. Bernard Conte was condemned to be burnt aliue, and as he was led to the fire, he cast to the earth a certaine Crucifix, which the Executioner had faste∣ned to his hands. The Inquisitor hereupon comman∣ded him to be sent backe to prison, to the end his paine might be aggrauated, and so sent him to Cossence, where he caused him to be couered with pitch, and so burnt. Besides, this Inquisitor Panza, cut the throats of fourescore, as a butcher doth his muttons; after∣wards he caused them to be diuided into foure quar∣ters, and commanded that the high waies from Mon∣tald to Chasteau Vilar should be set with stakes for the space of thirty miles, and caused a quarter to be faste∣ned to euery stake; and in a place called Moran, he cau∣sed to be hanged and strangled, foure of the principall men of la Garde, that is to say, Iames Ferner, Anthony Palomb, Peter Iacio, and Iohn Morglia, who died very constantly. A certaine yong man named Samson,

defended himself a long time against those, that would haue apprehended him; but in the end being woun∣ded, he was taken and led to a high tower, where he was willed to confesse himselfe to a Priest that was there present, before he should be cast from the tower, which he refused to doe, saying, that he had confes∣sed himselfe to God. So the Inquisitor commanded him to be cast ouer. The next day the Viceroy pas∣sing below by the tower, he found this poore man languishing, hauing his bones broken, and imploring the mercy of God, to whom he gaue a kicke on the head with his foote, saying, Is this dogge yet aliue, cast him out to the hogges.

Threescore women of Saint Xist were brought to the racke, and vsed with such violence, that the cordes pierced into their armes and legges; in such sort, that in their wounds there were ingendred a great quantity of wormes, which fed vpon them be∣ing aliue, they not knowing how to remedy it, vntill some one or other hauing compassion on them, gaue them secretly lyme, which caused them to fall from them. They died almost all miserably in prison. Nine of the chiefe and hansomest amongst them were lost, and it was neuer knowne what became of them, after they were deliuered to the Fathers of the Inquisition.

This Inquisitor retired himselfe to Saint Agathe, where hee deliuered a great number to the secular power; and if any man offered to intercede for them, he caused him to be put to the racke, as a fauourer of Heretickes; in such sort, that in the end there was not any that durst to open his mouth in their behalfe.

Pope Pius the fourth of that name, sent for their

destruction, the Marquis of Butiane, with promise that if he would doe that good office to the holy Sea, as to cleere Calabria of those Waldenses that had there taken footing, he would giue vnto his sonne a Car∣dinals hat. The Marquis tooke no great paines to ex∣ecute his Commission, for the Monkes the Inquisi∣tors, and the Viceroy of Naples had almost put all to death that they could apprehend, hauing sent to the Galleys of Spaine the strongest of them, and con∣demned to perpetuall banishment the fugitiues, sold and killed woman and children.

As touching their Ministers, Steuen Negrin was sent to prison at Cossence, were he died with fa∣mine: Lewis Paschal was carried to Rome, where he was condemned to be burnt aliue. Pope Pius the fourth, would needs feede his eye with this last pu∣nishment of him, that had maintained him to be An∣tichrist, being present at his death with many of his Cardinals. But the Pope could haue wished himselfe elswere, or that Paschal had been mute, or the people deafe. For he spake many things against the Pope out of the word of God, which gaue him a great deale of discontent. Thus did this good man die, calling vpon God with an ardent zeale, that he much moued the standers by, and made the Pope and his Cardinals to gnash their teeth for anger. Thus haue you seen the end of the Waldenses of Calabria, who were wholly exterminated; For if any of the fugitiues be returned, it is vpon condition that they liue according the lawes of the Church of Rome

CHAP. VIII.

Of the Waldenses inhabiting in Prouence, and the per∣secutions which they haue suffered.

THe Waldenses inhabiting in Prouence, in the parts of Cabrieres Meriadol, la Coste, and other places neere adioyning, haue been held for the originall of-spring of the Waldenses inhabiting in Dauphine and Piedmont, as it may very well appeare by the families of the same name; as also there are amongst them, that can proue their progeny or of-spring. And vpon this occasion it was, that they of Calabria soiourned in in Prouence, that is, to disburden their Valleys of the great multitudes of people that were there. And though in the beginning of their arriuall in Prouence, the Country where they made their abode was a de∣sart, yet they made it in few yeeres fertile and fit (by the blessing of God) to yeeld Corne, Wine, oyle, of Oliues, Chestnuts, and other fruits, and that in great aboundance.

The first persecutions which they suffered, are not come to our knowledge, notwithstanding we finde ouen at this day, the Commissions that haue been gi∣uen by the Popes and Anti-popes residing in Auig∣non, very neere to the place of their abiding, against the Waldenses inhabiting in Prouence; as that of the Arch-deacon of Cremona, * 5.1 Albert de Capitaneis, and of the Monke frier Minor Francis Borelli, hauing Commission against them, [ 1380] in the yeer 1380, to make

inquiry of the Waldenses in the Diocesse of Aix in Prouence, Arles, and Selon. As also when they were retired into the said Prouince in the yeere 1228, [ 1228] when the Arch-bishop of Aix, Arles, and of Nar∣bonne were assembled at Auignon to giue aduice to the Inquisitors touching the Waldenses, * 5.2 who then said (as you haue heard before) that the Inquisitors had apprehended so great a number, that there was not onely a want of victuall to feed them, but of lyme and stone to build their prisons. It is most certaine, that then the Waldenses of Prouence, dwelling as it were, in the very gates of the Popes Palace, and about their Earledome of Auignon were not forgotten: But for∣asmuch as we haue no Copies of instruments, that may make good the said persecutions, we will insert into this discourse nothing but what we shall be able suffici∣ently to proue.

The first persecution is that, whereof we haue the History in the time of King Lewis the twelfth, about the yeere 1506, That is, [ 1560] that this good King being informed, that there were in Prouence a certaine kind of people, that liued not according to the lawes of the Church of Rome, but were an accursed people, committing all manner of wickednesse and villanies, euen such, as the very memory of them strooke a hor∣rour into mens hearts, and the Christians in the pri∣mitiue Church had been vpbraided with; he gaue Commission to his Court of Parliament in Prouence to take knowledge thereof, and to chastise them ac∣cording to their merit. Whereunto the said Court ha∣uing diligently attended, so soone as the King vnder∣stood, that diuers innocent persons were put to death, he limited the authority of the said Court, and would

not suffer them to continue their executions, vntill he were truely informed, * 5.3 what kind of people they were, that to him had been reported to be so wicked. To this purpose he sent Master Adam Fumee, his Master of requests, who told him at his returne, that what had been giuen him to vnderstand, touching the Wal∣denses of Prouence, was very vntrue; for they were not any way tainted, either with sorcery, or whoredome, but that they liued like honest men, doing hurt to no man: they caused their children to be baptized, taught them the Articles of their beliefe, and the Comman∣dements of God, they carefully kept the Lords day, and the word of God was purely expounded vnto them. * 5.4 A certaine Iacobin Monke, named Parui, con∣fessor to the King, witnessed as much, who by the King was ioyned in Commission with the said Ma∣ster of Requests. Which the King hauing vnder∣stood, he said, and bound it with an oath, that they were honester men then himselfe, or the rest of his Catholike people. This persecution being stained by King Lewis the twelfth, they continued in peace vnto the raigne of King Francis the first of that name, and at what time there was some speech in France of a re∣formation of Religion, they sent two of their Pa∣stors, that is to say, George Morel of Frassinieres in Dauphine, and Peter Masson of Burgundy, to Oeco∣lampadius Minister at Basse; to Capito, and Martin Bucer at Strasbourg, and to Berthand Haller at Berne, to conferre with them about matters touching their Religion, and to haue their aduice and counsell about many points wherein they desired to be better satis∣fied. The Letters which Oecolampadius and Bucer sent vnto them, are set downe at length in the first

Booke of this History, the Sixt Chapter, where I en∣deauoured to make it appeare vnto the world, that many great personages amongst them, that made pro∣fession of reformation, haue giuen testimony of their piety and probity; which is the reason why we in∣sert them not againe in this discourse, onely we will produce those of the Waldenses in their own language, and afterwards in English.

Salut a Monseignor Oecolampadio.

CAr moti racontant, a sona a nostras oreillas, que aquel que po totas cosas, &c.

The Letter of the Waldenses of Prouence to M^r. Oecolampadius.

Health to Master Oecolampadius.

FOrasmuch as diuers haue giuen vs to vnderstand, and the report is come vnto our eares, that he that is able to doe all things, hath replenished you with the blessings of his holy Spirit, as it well ap∣peares by the fruites, we who liue farre distant from you, haue thought good to haue recourse vnto you, and with ioyfull hearts we hope and trust, that the ho∣ly Ghost will illuminate vs by your meanes, and will satisfie vs, concerning many things, whereof we are now in doubt, and are hidden from vs, because of our ignorance, and negligence, and as it is to be fea∣red to 〈…〉〈…〉, and the people whom

we teach with great insufficiency. For that you may know at once how matters stand; Wee, such as we are, weake instructers of this little flocke, haue remai∣ned for aboue foure hundred yeeres in the middest of sharpe and cruell thornes, and yet in the meane time, not without the great fauour of Christ, as all the faith∣full can easily testifie; for this people hath many times been deliuered by the fauour and mercy of God, being gored and tormented by the said thornes. And therefore we come vnto you to be counselled and confirmed in our weaknesse.

They writ another Letter to the same purpose, to Martin Bucer, the which for breuities sake we omit, wherein they relate, that they had addressed them∣selues for the selfe same cause to their brethren of New∣castle, Morat, and Berne, which shewes how carefull the Waldenses were, to seeke out all manner of meanes, that their vnderstandings might be enlightned in the mysteries of piety for the saluation of their soules, especially seeing, that then they sought the meanes to aduance and order their Church in the open view of the world, when the fires were kindled through∣out all France, against those of the same Religion that they were, who in those times were called Lutherans: The greater therefore that their zeale was, the more they stirred vp their enemies against them, and plun∣ged themselues into the greater dangers. But as all are not victorious by faith, but there are alwaies some weake, who take counsell of the flesh, and per∣swade themselues without reason, that they can crooch and bow themselues, in those places where God is of∣fended by idolatry, and yet keepe the heart pure and

neate vnto God; Oecolampadius from thence takes oc∣casion, to write that which followeth, to be deliuered to those dissemblers, which walke not with an vpright foote before God.

The Letter of Occolampadius, writ∣ten to the VValdenses of Prouence, who thought they could serue God, by pro∣stituting their bodies before Popish Idols. Written in the yeere 1530.

Oecolampadius desires the grace of God the Father, by his Sonne Iesus Christ, and his holy Spirit, to his well-belo∣ued Brethren in Christ, who are cal∣led VValdenses.

WEe vnderstand, that the feare of persecuti∣on hath made you to dissemble in your faith, and that you hide it. Now we be∣leeue with the heart to righteousnesse, and confesse with the mouth to saluation; but they that feare to confesse Christ before the world, shall not bee recei∣ued by God the Father. For our God is truth, with∣out any dissimulation, and as he is a iealous God, he cannot endure that they that are his, should ioyne to∣gether vnder the yoake of Antichrist; for there is no communiō of Christ with Belial: And if you commu∣nicate

with the infidels, in going to their abomina∣ble Masses, you cannot but perceiue their blasphemies against the death and passion of Christ: For when they glory in themselues, that by the meanes of such sacrifice, they satisfie God, for the sinnes of the li∣uing and the dead, what can follow, but that Iesus Christ hath not sufficiently satisfied, by the sacrifice of his death and passion, and consequently that Christ is not Iesus, that is, a Sauiour, and that he died for you in vaine. If then we haue communion at this impure table, we declare our selues to be one body with the wicked, how irkesome so euer it be vnto vs. And when we say Amen to their prayers, doe we not de∣ny Christ? What death should we not rather chuse? What paine and torment should we not rather suffer? Nay, into what hell ought we not rather to plunge our selues, then to witnesse by our presence, that we consent vnto the blasphemies of the wicked. I know that your weaknesse is great, but it is necessary, that they that haue learned that they are bought by the blood of Christ, should be more couragious, and al∣waies feare him, that can cast both body and soule into hell. And what shall it suffice vs, to haue a care of this life onely? shall that be more precious vnto vs, then that of Christ? And are we contented to haue tasted the delights of this world onely? Crownes are prepared for vs, and shall we turne backe againe? And who will beleeue, that our faith hath been true, if it faile and faint in the heat of persecution? Let vs therefore pray vnto God to increase our faith. For certainly it shall be better for vs to die, then to be ouer∣come by temptations. And therefore brethren, we exhort you to diue into the bottome of this businesse.

For if it to be lawfull to hide our faith vnder Anti∣christ, it shall be likewise lawfull to hide it vnder the Empire of the Turke, and with Dioclesian to adore Iupiter and Venus, nay, it had been lawfull for Tobit to adore the calfe in Bethel. And what then shall our faith towards God be? If we honour not God as we should, and if our life be nothing but Hipocricy and dissimulation, he will spew vs out of his mouth, as being neither hot nor cold. And how doe we glori∣fie our Lord in the middest of our tribulations, if we deny him? Brethren it is not lawfull for vs to looke backe when our hand is at the plough, neither is it lawfull to giue care to our wiues entising vs to euill, that is to say, to our flesh, which notwithstanding it indure many things in this world, yet in the hauen it suffereth shipwracke.

These godly admonitions preuailed much for the confirmation of the more weake, and they came in very good time for those who presently after were sif∣ted with many tempestuous outrages, and euen one of those that brought the Letters made good vse of them, that is to say, Peter Masson, who was appre∣hended at Diion, where he was condemned to death for a Lutheran. George Morel saued himselfe with his letters and papers, and came sound and safe into Pro∣uence, where he bestowed much paines, and with happy successe, in the establishing of the Churches of the Waldenses, of which the Court of Parliament at Aix did euery day apprehend one faithfull mem∣ber or other, whom they either condemned to the fire, or sent to the gibbet, or dismissed with markes in their foreheads; vntill that in the yeere 1540, [ 1540] the Inha∣bitants

of Merindol were summoned, in the person of fiue or six of the principall, at the earnest importunity of the Kings Atturney in the Parliament of Aix, and the sollicitation of the Arch-bishop of Arles, the Bi∣shop of Aix other Ecclesiasticall persons. A sen∣tence was giuen against them, the most exorbitant, cruell, and inhumane, that euer was in any Parliament, like in all things, to that edict of King Assuerus, granted at the instance of Aman, against the people of God, as it is written in the History of Hester. For besides that, the men and women that were sum∣moned for contumacy, were condemned to be burnt aliue, by the said sentence, their children and fami∣lies outlawed, it was decreed that the place of Me∣rindol should be altogether made vnhabitable, the woods cut downe, two hundred paces round about it, and all this without any audience or leaue granted to any to speake a word.

The King being informed of the rigour of this Edict, sent into Prouence the Lord du Langeai to en∣forme him of the manners and beleefe of the said Wal∣denses, and vnderstanding that many things were laid to the charge of this people, which they were not guilty of, King Francis the first of that name, sent Lettes of grace and fauour, not onely in be∣halfe of those that had offended by contumacy, but all the rest of the Country of Prouence, expresly commanding the Parliament from thence forward, not in that case to proceed so rigerously, as they had done in times past. These Letters were supprest. They that were personally summoned made request, that it might bee lawfull for them to answere by a Proctor.

Francis Chai, and William Armand appeared for all the rest, requesting in their names, that it might be made to appeare vnto them in what they had er∣red, and that by the word of God; being ready to abiure all heresie, if once they might know that they were fallen into any. And for this cause they deliue∣red vnto them in writing, a confession of their faith, to the end if they found any thing worthy reprechen∣sion by the holy Scriptures, they might be instructed concerning that which they were to recant; or if they found nothing that they could reprehend, that they might be no more molested by so many and so grie∣uous persecutions; for feare lest thinking they made warre onely against men, it should appeare that they made it against God and his truth, and those that main∣tained it.

All their petitions serued to no other end, then to prouoke them the more; for the Iudges being possessed with an opinion, that they were Here∣tikes, refusing to take the paynes to know and exa∣mine the truth, they made all their Acts in fauour of the Priests that accused them. In such sort that when the Cardinall of Tournon had obtained at a high price Letters from the King for the execution of the afore∣said Decree, notwithstanding the pardon and reuo∣cation before obtained, it was executed.

This was in the yeere 1545, [ 1545] that the President of Opede, Gouernour of Prouence in the absence of the Earle of Grignan, deputed for Commissioners, the President Francis de la Fon, Honoré de Tributiis, and Bernard Badet Counseller, and the Aduocate Guerin in the absence of the Procurator Generall. He dispatched sundry Commissions, and proclaimed the

warre with sound of trumper, both at Aix, and at Marseilles. So the troopes being leuied, and the fiue ensignes of the old bands of Piedmont ioyned with them, the army marched to Pertuis, and the next day being the fourteenth of Aprill, they went to Ca∣dinet, and the sixteenth, they began to set fire to the Villages of Cabrieres, Pepin, la Mothe, and Saint Martin, belonging to the Lord of Sental, then vnder age. There the poore labourers without any resi∣stance were slaine, women and their daughters ra∣uished, some great with childe murdered, without any mercy; The breasts of many women were cut off, after whose deaths the poor infants died with famine, d'Opede hauing caused Proclamation to be made vpon paine of the with, that no man should giue any reliefe or sustenance to any of them. All things were ran∣sacked, burnt, pilled, and there were none saued aliue, but those that were reserued for the Galloys. The seuenteenth day, Opede commanded the old bands of Piedmont to draw neere, and the day following hee burnt the Villages of Lormarin, Ville Laure, and Tre∣zemines, and at the same time on the other side of Du∣rance, le Rieur de la Rocque, and others of the Towne of Arles burnt Gensson and la Roque. Opede being come to Merindol, he found not any there, but onely a yong lad called Morisi Blanc, a very simple fellow, who yeelded himselfe prisoner to a Souldier, with promise of two crownes for his ransome; d'Opede fin∣ding none other vpon whom he might wreake his anger, payed the two crownes to the Souldier, and so commanding him to be bound to a tree, caused him to be slaine with hargubuse shot: Afterwards, he commanded the said Towne to be pilled, sacked, and

vtterly razed and laid leuell with the ground, where there were aboue two hundred houses.

There remained the Towne of Cabrieres compassed with walles, which were beaten with the Cannon; These poore people being sicke within, who were about some threescore boores or Pesants of the Coun∣try, called vnto them, that they needed not to spend so much powder and paines to batter the Walles, be∣cause they were ready to open the gates vnto them, and to quit themselues of the place and Country, and to depart to Geneua, or into Germany with their wiues and children, leauing all their goods behind them, onely that their passage might be free.

The Lord of Cabrieres treated for them, that their cause might be determined by iustice, without force or violence: But Opede being within the Town, he commanded the men to be brought into a field, and to be cut in peeces withswords, these valiant executio∣ners striuing who could shew the best manhood in cut∣ting off heads, armes, and legges. He caused the wo∣men to be locked vp in a barne full of straw, and so put fire vnto it, where were burnt many women great with childe. Wherewith a Souldier being moued to compassion, hauing made an ouerture for them, they were beaten backe into the fire with pikes and hol∣berds. The rest of these men, that were found hid∣den in the caues, were brought into the Hall of the Castle, where they were horribly massacred in the presence of the said Opede. As for the women and children, that were found in the Temple, they were exposed to the chiefe Bauds and Ruffians of Anignon, who slew about eight hundred persons, without di∣stinction of age or sexe. About the end of this exe∣cution

le Sieur de la Coste, kinsman to Opede, came thither, who intreated him to send him some men of warre, offering to bring all his souldiers into Aix, and to make as many breaches in the wall as hee would; which was granted by word of mouth, but not wholly performed. For three En∣signes of foot men were sent thither, who pillaged whatsoeuer seemed good vnto them, burnt a part of the Towne, rauished women and their daughters, and killed some Boores, not finding any resistance. In this meane time the rest of those of Merindol and other places, were in great extremities in the moun∣taines and rockes, persecuted by Opede and his ar∣my. They intreated him, that hee would permit them to retire themselues to Geneua, with the rest of their wiues and children, promising to leaue behind them all their goods. Hee answered, that hee would send them all to dwell in the Country of hell, with all the diuels, them, their wiues and children, in such a manner, that there should be no memory left of them.

King Francis being aduertised of those cruelties that were executed in pursuit of the said arrest, was much displeased therewith, in such sort, that at the very point of death, being wounded with some re∣morse of conscience, principally because it had all passed vnder his name and authority, being sorry because hee could inflict no punishment vpon them before his death, that had shed so much innocent blood, hee gaue in charge to his sonne Henry to bee reuenged on them, in prosecution whereof, after the decease of his father, hee sent out his Letters Patents in the yeere one thousand fiue hundred forty

nine, by which hee tooke vnto himselfe and into his owne hands, the cause of the said Waldenses of Pro∣uence: but there was none but the Aduocate Guerin that was hanged, because hee had falsty informed the King, when hee kept backe the reuocation of the first retention of the cause of those of Merindoll, whereupon presently followed the execution of the Arrest of the Court of Parliament of Aix. And all the rest that were faulty, escaped vpon this con∣sideration, that it was to no purpose to attempt any more against the Lutherans at that time.

Touching the rest that escaped this massacre, some there were that retired themselues to Geneua, others into Switzerland, others into Germany, and others continued neere thereabouts, tilling their land by stealth; and so by little and little, retur∣ned home to their old habitations, which they built and repaired at such times as they could by the benefit of the aforesaid Edicts; and were af∣terwards the seed of many goodly Churches, which at this day are gathered together, flourishing in all piety and zeale, as other Churches in the King∣dome of France.

CHAP. IX.

Of the Waldenses that did flie into Bohemia, and those persecutions which they suffred, that haue come to our knowledge.

DIuers haue written, * 7.1 that Waldo at his de∣parture from Lion, came into Dauphine, and from thence (hauing erected and or∣dered some Churches, and laid the foun∣dations of them, which haue been mi∣raculously preserued vnto this present time) he went into Languedoc, and there he left excellent Pastors, who ordered and instructed those Churches, that af∣terwards cost the Pope and his Clergy so much to de∣stroy; and from thence he went into Picardy, from whence being chased, he tooke his iourney into Ger∣many, and from Germany he retired himselfe into Bo∣hemia, where (according to the opinion of some) he ended his dayes. The Waldenses inhabiting in Dau∣phine, Piedmont, and Prouence, haue had commu∣nion and incelligence with their Brethren retired into Bohemia, for proofe whereof, we haue the message of Daniel de Valence, and Iohn de Molin Pastors in Bohe∣mia, who did much hurt to the Churches of that Country, by reuealing vnto the aduersaries those flockes or companies, which before were hidden and vnknowne, because of the great and grieuous persecu∣tions that then were.

We haue also a certaine Apology of the Waldenses of Bohemia in the Waldensian tongue, * 7.2 in the forme of a

Letter, which they wirt to King Ladislaus, wherof the Inscription is.

Al Serenissimo Princi Rey Lancelao. A li Duc Barons, & a li plus veil del Regne. Lo petit tropel de li Christians appella per falce nom fal∣sament Pauuers o Valdes. Gratia siaen Die lo Paire & en Iesus lo Filli de luy.

This Letter makes proofe of the Communion which the Waldenses of Dauphine haue had with those of Bohemia, in that they haue had in their language this Letter, which containes a iust Apology against those impostures, and other faults which in former times haue been imputed to the one and to the other, and haue been common with the Christians of the pri∣mitiue Church. We haue also in the same volume a treatise, the inscription whereof is this. Aico es la causa del nostre despartiment de la Gleisa Romana. That is to say; This is the cause of our separation from the Church of Rome. Causes which haue been common with all those, that haue withdrawen themselues from that Church, for feare of participating of her plagues.

The Author of the Catalogue of witnesses of the truth, * 7.3 makes mention of a certaine forme of Inquisiti∣on, which was practised against the Waldenses of Bo∣hemia vnder King Iohn, which was about the yeere 1330. As also in another Inquisition this is noted, that the Waldenses of Bohemia sent into Lombardy to the Waldensian Doctors, those whom they would haue trained vp in the profession of Diuinity.

In the treatise of the beginning of the Churches of Bohemia, * 7.4 at what time the doctrine of Iohn Hus was there receiued, the Pastors, Ancients, and faithfull of Bohemia say, that the Waldensian Churches of Bo∣hemia, had been oppressed by the tyranny of the Pope, in such manner, that they had no more assemblies, and that there were no more of their writings to be found in Bohemia.

Esrom Rudiger in his treatise of the Churches of Bohemia saith, that the Waldenses haue had their Chur∣ches, at the least two hundred and forty yeeres before those of the Hussites, and though he confesse that their beliefe was one and the same, yet he affirmeth that there was not in their times any memory of their Churches, but onely of those that were in France at Merindoll, and the places neere adioyning. And that when they sent to Bohemia to ioyne them∣selues vnto them in the confession of their faith, they enquired of them, whether they made any publike profession of the truth: and when they had vnder∣stood, that there were some amongst them, that some∣times frequented Papisticall Churches, and were pre∣sent at those idolatries that were there committed, they did bitterly reprehend them for it.

And therefore they that haue answered vnder the name of the Waldenses, * 7.5 and haue brought vnto light their confession, which at this day is to be found in the Catalogue of things to be desired, are not any of the Waldenses, but one of those that by way of reproach were afterwards so called, and they haue not been ashamed of that name, assuring themselues of the pu∣rity of their doctrine. And this notwithstanding, they reuiue againe this common opinion when they

affirme that they know well, that there are many good men, that follow and loue the truth of the Gospell, who being deceiued by false markes and notes, where∣by they haue described vs (say they) haue held vs for Waldenses.

And euen there to, they giue this testimony of the Waldenses; that there is in them much light and knowledge, and that they haue well vnderstood and purely taught many things, yea and that they haue suf∣fered much for the truth, especially in France; And so they desired to be distinguished from them, to the end that if it were obserued, that the Waldenses had done much for the establishment of the truth in their times, that it might likewise be knowne, that the Hus∣sites haue not done little in their time.

Aeneas Syluius reporteth of one Iames de Misne, and Peter de Dreze disciples of the Waldenses, that they went into Bohemia in the time of Iohn Hus, and that ha∣uing conferred with him, he made profession of their doctrine, and they themselues deny it not: for thy say that Wicklif was assisted to shake off the yoke of the Pope, by example of the Waldenses, and that Wicklif was the instrument which God had vsed for the in∣struction of Iohn Hus, who taught in Bohemia, and that therefore they haue thought themselues much bound to the Churches of the Waldenses, because whatsoe∣uer good there hath been in the said Churches, they say, was transported vnto theirs; and so haue they been in some sort, the beginning of theirs.

CHAP. X.

Of the Waldenses inhabiting in Austria, and the perse∣cutions which they suffered.

THe number of the Waldenses that inhabi∣ted in Austria was very great, who were there grieuously persecuted, as may ap∣peare if we had no other proofe then the Chronicle Hirsauge; * 7.6 where it is ob∣serued that about the yeere one thousand foure hun∣dred, there were burnt a great number in the Citty of Creme, which is in the said Dukedome of Austria. But mere then that, that which troubled the heads of the persecuters a great deale more, was the speech of one of them, who being executed at Vienna, the princi∣pall Citty in Austria, said at his execution, that there were in that Country, of the same beliefe that he pro∣fessed, aboue fourescore thousand.

About the yeere of our Lord, [ 1467] one thousand foure hundred sixty seuen, the Hussites reforming their Churches, and separating them from the Church of Rome, they vnderstood, that there were in Austria Churches of the ancient Waldenses, vpon the fron∣tiers of Bohemia, in the which there were great and learned men appointed for Pastors, & that the doctrine of the Gospell flourished amongst them. That they might know the truth thereof, they deputed two of their Brethren, amongst their Pastors, and two Anci∣ents, with charge to enquire and know, what those flockes or cōgregations were, for what cause they had

forsaken the Church of Rome, their principles and pro∣gression, that they should make knowne vnto them the beginnings of their carriage, or demeanor in Bohe∣mia, and giue a reason why they were seperated from the Romish Church.

These men being come thither, * 7.7 and hauing carefully inquired into the state of those Churches of the Waldenses, and hauing found them, they told them, that they did nothing but what was ordei∣ned by our Lord Iesus Christ, and taught by his A∣postles, holding themselues wholly to the institution of the Sonne of God in the matter of Sacraments.

It contented the Waldenses very much, to vnder∣stand that there were in Bohemia a number of people, that had giuen vnto God the glory, and remoued from them the abuse and idolatries of the Church of Rome, exhorting them in the name of God, to continue in that which they had so wel begun, for the knowledge and maintenance of the truth, and for the establish∣ment of a good discipline; and in witnesse of the great ioy they receiued, and that holy Society and Communion, that they desired to haue with them, they blessed them in praying for them, and laying their hands vpon them.

Afterwards the said Waldenses related vnto them, how God had miraculously preserued them, for these many hundred yeers, notwithstanding the diuers great and continuall persecutions which they had endured; And so they louingly and gently tooke their leaue of their said brethren, and at their returne related what∣soeuer they had seen or done in that their voyage, from whence they receiued vnspeakable content∣ment, and from that time forward, there continued

a holy affection and desire to communicate together as oft as they could, for their common edification. In prosecution whereof, the brethren of Bohemia visi∣ted by Letters the Waldenses of Austria, giuing them to vnderstand, that they had receiued great comfort by their last communication they had with them; but yet as they desired not to be flattered in any defect or fault whatsoeuer, so they could not dissemble without some defect of charity, what they had found in them, worthy reprehension; And that was, that they yeel∣ded to much to their infirmities, since that hauing once knowne the truth, they neuerthelesse frequen∣ted Papisticall Churches, being present at those ido∣latries, which they condemned, basely prophaning and polluting themselues, that wee are not onely certainly to beleeue with the heart, but wee must likewise make confession with our mouth to saluation. Moreouer they told them of another fault, which they had taken notice of, and that was, that they were too carefull in heaping vp gold and filuer, for though the end were good, that is, to helpe and com∣fort them in time of persecution; yet forasmuch as euery day brought with it affliction enough, and that such cares are not befitting those that are to looke on∣ly before them, and to lay vp a treasure in heauen, they condemned that which was superabundant in them, and which in the end they would principally rely vpon.

The Waldenses of Austria did heartly thanke them, * 7.8 intreating them to continue this holy affection to∣wards them, and for their part to doe their best en∣deauour to further their communion, and to appoint a

day and place of meeting and conference: for they hauing a long time knowne those their defects, which they had taken notice of, as yet they had not power to prouide conuenient remedies for the same, but their hope was, that being altogether, they should be able better to resolue with themselues, as also touching many other points of greatest moment. Now when it was euen vpon the point to send to the place where they had agreed to meete and to assem∣ble themselues, they began to doubt that the businesse might be discouered, and it might be dangerous to all of them. And besides that, they considered with themselues that they had been supported, notwith∣standing their assemblies and beliefe were sufficiently knowne, and therefore they should put themselues into extreame danger, if they should ioyne them∣selues with other people. These considerations made their former designes and purposes of their mutuall communications to vanish away; as also in the yeere following, that is, [ 1468] in the yeere one thousand foure hundred siixty eight, the persecution increased against the said Waldenses of Austria, for there were burnt a great number at Vienna. Among others, the History makes mention of one Steuen an ancient man, who being there burnt, confirmed many with his constan∣cy. They that would escape this persecution, reti∣red themselues into the coast of Brandebourg, where they stayed not long, being also there exposed to fire and sword: Amongst those, there was one named Tertor, * 7.9 that retired himselfe into Bohemia where hee ioined himselfe to the Churches of the Hussites, and finding that a man might there remaine in peace both

of body and soule, he returned into his Country, and perswaded many to goe to Bohemia, and to inhabit there, who were louingly entertained; and after that time there haue been no assemblies of the Wal∣denses in particular, but they haue ioyned themselues vnto the Churches of the Hussites.

CHAP. XI.

Of the Waldenses inhabiting in Germany, and the persecutions that there they suffered, whereof we haue the proofes.

NOtwithstanding that incontinently after that Peter Waldo with those that followed him, came into Germany, there was so great a persecution along vpon the Rhine by the incitement and instigation of the Arch∣bishops of Mayence and Strasbourg, that there were burnt in one day & in one fire, * 7.10 to the number of eigh∣teene, yet wee find that in the time of the Emperor Frederic the second, about the yeere one thousand two hundred and thirteene, Germany, and especially Alsa∣tia was full of the VValdenses. The searchers were so diligent and exact, * 7.11 that they were inforced to dis∣perse themselues into other places to auoide the per∣secution. This flight turned to the great benefit of the Church, because hereby many learned Teachers were scattered here and there, to make knowne vnto the world the purity of their Religion.

In the yeere one thousand two hundred thirty, [ 1230] a

certaine Inquisitor named Conrad de Marpurg, * 7.12 was ordained by the Pope, Superintendent of the Inqui∣sition. He exercised this charge with extreame cru∣elty, against all sorts of persons, without any respect euen of the Priests themselues, * 7.13 whose bodies and goods he confiscated. He tried men with a hot iron, saying, that they that could hold an iron red hot in their hands and not be burnt, were good Christians; but on the contrary, if they felt the fire, he deliuered them to the secular power. In these times the Wal∣denses had in the Diocesse of Treues many Schooles, wherein they caused their children to be instructed in their beliefe, and notwithstanding all the Inquisitions & persecutions executed vpon their flockes, yet they aduentured to preach, * 7.14 calling their assemblies by the sound of a bell, maintaining in publica statione (saith the Historiographer) publikly that the Pope was an hereticke; his Prelates Simonaicall and seducers of the people. That the truth was not preached but amongst them: and that had not they come amongst them to teach, God before he would haue suffered their faith to perish, would haue raised others, euen the stones themselues, to enlighten his Church by the preaching of the word. Vntill these times (say they) our Preachers haue buried the truth, and preached lyes: we on the contrary preach the truth, and bury falshood and lyes; and lastly we offer not a feined re∣mission, inuented by the Pope, but by God alone, and according to our vocation.

Mathew Paris an English writer obserueth, [ 1220] that about the yeere 1220, * 7.15 there were a great number in a part of Germany, that tooke armes, where the Wal∣denses

were cut in peeces, being surprised in a place of great disaduantage, hauing on the one side a marish ground, and on the other the sea, in such sort that it was impossible for them to escape.

About the yeer 1330, [ 1330] they were strangely vexed in many parts of Germanie, * 7.16 by a certaine Iaco∣bin Monke Inquisitor, named Echard: but after ma∣ny cruelties executed vpon them, as hee pressed the Waldenses to discouer vnto him the reasons for which they were seperated from the Church of Rome, being vanquished in his owne conscience, and ac∣knowledging those defects and corruptions which they alleaged to be in the Church of Rome to bee true, and not being able to disproue the points of their be∣liefe by the word of God, he gaue glory vnto God, and confessing that the truth had ouercome him, hee became a member of that Church which hee had a long time before persecuted to the death. The other Inquisitors being aduertised of this alteration, were much displeased, and they sent presently so many af∣ter him, that in the end hee was apprehended, and brought to Heidelberg, where he was burnt, maintai∣ning that it was iniustice and wrong to condemne so many good men to death for the righteousnesse of Christ, against the inuentions of Antichrist.

In the yeere 1391, [ 1391] the Monkes Inquisitors tooke in Soxony and Pomerania foure hundred forty three VValdenses, * 7.17 who all confessed, that they had been in∣structed in that beliefe for a long time by their ance∣stors, and that their teachers came from Bohemia.

[ 1457] In the yeere one thousand foure fifty seuen the Monkes Inquisitors of the Diocesse of Eisten in Ger∣many

discouered many VValdenses, which they put to death. They had amongst them twelue Pastors that instructed them.

We must not ouerpasse the thirty fiue Burgesses of Mayence, that were burned in the Towne of Bingue, because they were knowne to be of the beliefe of the VValdenses; nor the fourescore which the Bishop of Strasbourg caused to be burnt in one fire; nor that which Trithemius recounts, that they confessed in in those times, that the number of VValdenses was so great, that they could goe from Cologne to Milan, and lodge themselues with hostes of their owne professi∣on, and that they had signes vpon their houses and gates, whereby the might know them.

But the most excellent instrument amongst them, that God imployed in his seruice, was one Raynard Lollard, who at the first was a Franciscan Monke, and an enemy of the VValdenses, but yet a man carried with a sanctified desire to finde the way of saluation, wherein he had so profited, that his aduersaries them∣selues were constrained to commend him. * 7.18 For Iohn le Maire puts him in the ranke of those holy men, that haue foretold by diuine reuellation, many things that haue come to passe in his time. This worthy man taught the doctrine of the VValdenses, was apprehen∣ded in Germany by the Monkes Inquisitors, and being deliuered to the secular power, was burnt at Cologne.

This man hath writ a Commentary vpon the A∣pocalipse, where hee hath set downe many things that are spoken of the Romane Antichrist. This was he of whom the faithfull in England were called Lol∣lards, where he taught; witnesse that Towre in Lon∣don

which at this present is called by his name Lollards Tower, where the faithfull that professed his Religion were imprisoned.

CHAP. XII.

Of the VValdenses that haue been persecuted in Eng∣land.

ENgland hath been one of the first places that hath been honoured for receiuing the Gospell, for not long after that VVal∣do departed from Lion, there were many condemned to death as VValdenses, that is to say, eleuen yeeres after the dispersion of the VVal∣denses of the Citty of Lion. For Waldo departed out of Lion, [ 1163] in the yeere one thousand one hundred sixty three, * 7.19 and Mathew Paris reports, that the Monkes Inquisitors caused some of the Waldenses to be burnt in England, in the yeere 1174. [ 1174] And Iohn Bale makes mention of a certaine man that was burnt at London, in the yeere 1210, that was charged with no other matter, [ 1210] then that hee professed the Religion of the Waldenses. * 7.20 Thomas Walden an English man hath writ, that in the time of Henry the second the Waldenses were grieuously persecuted, and that they were cal∣led Publicans: And as for those in whom they found not cause enough to condemne vnto death, they marked them in forhead with a burning key, to the end they might be knowne of euery man. This beliefe of the Waldenses was better known in the time of the wars against the Albingenses, insomuch that (as le Sieur de la

Popeliniere hath well obserued) the proximity of the lands and possessions of the Earle Remod of Tholouze, * 7.21 with Guienne, then possessed by the English, and the aliance of the King of England, brother in law of the said Remond, made the way more easie to the Eng∣lish, not onely to succour one another in their wars; but also to take knowledge of the beliefe of the said Albingenses, which was no other but that of the Waldenses, to the end that they might support them, though the violence were vniust and extreame against those whom the English were many times constrai∣ned to defend against those who vnder the pretence of Religion, inuaded his lands. Frier Rainard Lollard was then the most powerfull instrument, which God vsed by exhortations, and sound reasons, to giue knowledge to the English of the doctrine, for which the VValdenses were deliuered to death. This do∣ctrine was receiued by Wicklif, as it is noted in the Booke of the Beginning and confession of the Chur∣ches of Bohemia, who thereby obtained much helpe for the increase of his knowledge in the truth. He was a renowned Theologian in the Vniuersity of Oxford, and parson of the parish of Luterworth, in the Diocesse of Lincolne; an eloquent man, and profound Scholler. He won the hearts of many English, euen of most ho∣norable of the land, as the Duke of Lancaster vncle to King Richard, Henry Percy, Lewes Gifford, and the Chancellor the Earle of Salisbury. By the fauour of of these great personages, the doctrine of the VVal∣denses, or of Wicklif tooke footing, and had free passage in England, vntill Gregory the eleuenth persecuted those that receiued it with allowance, by meanes of

his Monkes the Inquisitors; the fiers being kindled in England for many yeeres, to stay the course there∣of: but it was all in vaine, for it hath been maintai∣ned there maugre Antichrist, vntill his yoke was whol∣ly shaken off. True it is, that the bones of Wicklif were dis-interred aboue thirty yeeres after his death, and condemned to be burnt, with such bookes as his aduersaries could recouer; but he had before enlight∣ned so great a number, that it was beyond the power of his enemies altogether to depriue the Church of them. For by how much the more they indeauou∣red to hinder the reading and knowledge of them by horrible threats, and death it selfe, the more were the affections of many sharpned to reade them with greater ardency: It is likewise said, that a certaine Scholler hauing carried into Bohemia one of the books of the said Wicklif, intituled His Vniuersals, and deli∣uering it to Iohn Hus, he gathered that knowledge from it, that made him admirable in Bohemia, and edi∣fied all those, who together with him, did very wil∣lingly free themselues from the seruile yoke of the Church of Rome. * 7.22 From hence it was said to the Hus∣ites, that Wicklif had awakened their Iohn Hus. This Wicklif writ aboue a hundred volumes against Anti∣christ or the Church of Rome, the Catalogue whereof is in the booke of the Images of famous men, that haue combated with Antichrist.

CHAP. XIII.

Of the Waldenses that did flie into Flanders, and were there persecuted.

AFter the great persecution of the Walden∣ses in the time of Phillip the faire, * 7.23 Histori∣graphers make mention of their repaire into Flanders, whether he pursued them, and caused a great number to bee burnt. And because they were constrained to retire them∣selues into the woods, to flie from those that pursu∣ed them, they were called Turlupins, that is, * 7.24 dwellers with wolues, as you haue heard before in that Chap∣ter, where we haue shewed what names were giuen vnto them.

Mathew Paris saith, that a certaine Iacobin Monke, * 7.25 named Robert Bougre, had liued amongst the Waldenses, making profession of their Religion, but hauing after∣wards forsaken them, became a Monke, and a very violent persecuter, in such sort, that he caused many to be burnt in Flanders. Now his owne friends hauing taken knowledge, that he much abused the power and authority of his office, laying to their charge many things whereof they were innocent, and executing his authority against many that were altogether ignorant of the beliefe of the VValdenses, he was not only depri∣ued of the office of an Inquisitor, but cast into prison, and being conuicted of diuers crimes, was condemned to perpetuall prison.

CHAP. XIV.

Of the VValdenses that were persecuted in Poland.

ABout the yeere of our Lord 1330, [ 1330] there were many that made profession of the Religion of the Waldenses in the King∣dom of Poland. The Bishops had recourse to the meanes established by the Pope, that is to say, * 7.26 the Inquisition; whereby they deliuer many of them into the hands of the executioner. The Author of the Catalogue of the witnesses of the truth hath written, that he hath lying by him, the forme of the Inquisition, which the Inquisitors made vse off in this persecution.

Vignier saith, * 7.27 that at their departure out of Picardy, many of them that were persecuted there, retired themselues into Poland.

Le Sieur de Popeliniere hath set downe in his Histo∣ry, that the Religion of the Waldenses hath spred it selfe almost into all parts of Europe, euen amongst the Polo∣nians, and Lutherans; and that after the yeer one thou∣sand one hundred, they haue alwayes sowed their do∣ctrine, little differing from that of the moderne Pro∣testants, and maugre all the powers and Potentates that haue opposed themselues against them, they haue defended it to this day.

CHAP. XV.

That many Waldenses haue been persecuted. at Paris.

IN the yeer 1210, [ 1210] foure and twenty VVal∣denses were apprehended at Paris, * 7.28 wher∣of some were imprisoned & some burnt. It happened also, that during the one & twentieth schisme, and during the time of Pope Iohn, the one and twentieth of that name, the persecution was great throughout all France, against the VValdenses, but especially at Paris.

Againe in the yeere 1304, the Monkes Inquisitors, [ 1304] appointed for the search of the VValdenses, * 7.29 apprehen∣ded at Paris a hundred and fourteene, who were burnt aliue, and endured the fire with admirable constancy.

We find also in the Sea of Histories, [ 1378] that in the yeere 1378, * 7.30 the persecution continuing against the VValdenses, there were burnt at Paris in the place de Greue a very great number

CHAP. XVI.

Of the Waldenses inhabiting in Italy, and the persecu∣tions which we can proue, they haue there suffered.

IN the yeere 1229 the Waldenses were spread abroad in great numbers throughout Italy. [ 1229] * 7.31 Valcamonica onely they had Schooles, and from all parts of their abode they sent mo∣ney into Lombardy for the maintenance of the said

Schooles. * 7.32 Rainerius saith, that about the yeere of our Lord, one thousand two hundred fifty, the Waldenses had Churches in Albania, Lombardy, Milan, and in Romagina; [ 2250] as also at Vincence, Florence, and Val Spole∣tine. [ 1280] In the yeere of our Lord 1280, there were many Waldenses in Sicile, * 7.33 as le Sieur de Haillan obserueth in his History.

In the yeere 1492, [ 1492] Albert de Capitaneis Inquisitor and Arch-deacon of Cremona, apprehended one of the Pastors of the Waldenses, * 7.34 named Peter de Iaeob, passing ouer a mountaine in Dauphine called le Gol de Coste∣plane, as he was going to Pragela in the Valley of Frassinieres. Being asked from whence he came, he answered, that he came from the Churches of the Waldenses in Italy, where he had been to performe his duty to his charge, and that he had passed by Gennes, where he told them, * 7.35 that the Waldensian Pastors had a house of their owne, which agreeth with that which Vignaux noteth in his Memorials. * 7.36 That is, that a cer∣taine Pastor, named Iohn of the Valley of Lucerna, was suspended from the office of a Pastor, for the space of seuen yeeres, for some fault he had committed, and that during the said time, he remained at Gennes, where (saith he) the Pastors had a house, as also they had a faire one in Florence. Besides all these restimonies of the abode of the Waldenses in Italy, we haue those of Calabria, * 7.37 of whom th••re was question before. The persecutions that they haue suffered in Italy were con∣tinuall, vntill they were wholly rooted out. The Em∣perour Frederic the second of that name, did grieuous∣ly persecute them by Edicts, * 7.38 by the Inquisition, by constitutions, especially by that which condemneth Gazaros, Patarenos, Leonistas, Speronistas, Arnoldi∣stas,

&c. where hee bewailes the simplicity of those whom he calleth Patareniens, as if he should say, expo∣sed to passions and suffrings, in that they prodigally yeelded their liues to contempt, affecting martirdome; whereas if they would peaceably maintaine the faith of the Church of Rome, they might (saith he) liue peaceably amongst other men, who acknowledge her to be their mother, and the head of all the Churches in the world. It was his pleasure that they should be seuerely and speedily punished, for feare lest they should farther spread themselues; seeing also that they had begun to inhabit in Lombardie, and within his Realme of Sicile, where he commanded they should be persecuted with all rigour, to the end they might be driuen out from thence, and the whole world to∣gether.

Roger King of Sicile, made also constitutions against them, and caused them to be persecuted.

Pope Gregory the 9. did grieuo••sly persecute them. * 7.39 A Legat of his, banished them out of all Italy Citties, and Countries, and gaue command that their houses should be razed. He appointed in the Citty of Milan two P••eachers, who by the authority of the Arch∣bishop, made a strict enquiry of the Waldenses, and where they could apprehend any, they caused them to be brought by the Pretor, to the place where the Arch-bishop had appointed, and that at the publike charge.

Pope Honorius caused them to be grieuoursly perse∣cuted vnder the name of Fraticelli, that is to say, shif∣ting companions: for some doe hold, that as many as were so called in Italy, were no other but Waldenses. In the time of Boniface 8, they were charged with the

same calumnies, as the Waldenses of Dauphine, and the Christians of the primitiue Church. The Monkes In∣quisitors haue alwaies made in Italy an exact search, that they might deliuer them to the secular power; and not being content to condemne the liuing, they framed in∣dictments against the dead, dis-interred their bodies, burnt their bones, and confiscated their goods.

Paulus Aemilius speakes thus of these shifting fel∣lowes. * 7.40 In the time of Charles le Bel (saith he) there were many great spirits and men very learned. That age flourished in learning, and some there were that were truely holy; others who endeauouring vnseaso∣nably, and without measure to out-strip others, became wicked; others whose manners and institutions were doubtfull; as for the best and holiest, the wicked of those times bare them a grudge, afflicting them, not speaking a word, or telling them wherefore: And as for those whom they called Fraterculos, Shifters, the Preachers condemned them, both by word and wri∣ting, * 7.41 cest escarlotte, ces biens, ceste domination, and taught, that they agreed not with the Religion of Christ. They were said to be of the same beliefe with the Wal∣denses, because such was their doctrine.

One amongst the rest, named Herman, being buried at Ferrara, * 7.42 was condemned twenty yeeres after his death to bee dis-interred, and his bones to be burnt, notwithstanding that whilest hee liued, hee were ac∣counted a holy man. Also there was another named Andrew, and his wife Guillaume, that were dis-inter∣red, and their bones burnt.

CHAP. XVII.

That some of the Waldenses did flie into Dalmatia, Croa∣tia, Sclauonia, Constantinople, Grecia, Philadelphia, Digonicia, Liuonia, Sarmatia, Bulgaria, and were there persecuted.

THe Monke Rainerius in his booke of the forme of proceeding against the Here∣tickes, * 7.43 in that Catalogue that he made of the Churches of the Waldenses, or poore people of Lion, notes that there were in his time, that is to say, in the yeere 1250, [ 1250] Churches in Constantinople, Philadelphia, Sclauonia, Bulgaria, and Di∣gonicia.

Vignier saith, that after the persecution of Picardie, * 7.44 were dispersed abroad in Liuonia and Sarmatia.

Math. Paris saith, that long since they were gone as far as Croatia, and Dalmatia, and that they had there ta∣ken such footing, that they had won vnto them diuers Bishops: He saith moreouer, that there was one Bar. thelmew, who came from Carcassonne, vnto whom they all yeelded obedience. And that he stiled himselfe in his Letters; Barthelmew, the seruant of the seruants of the holy faith, and that he created Bishops, and ordai∣ned Churches. Here may be some imposture, in that he attributeth to his owne person, that which is attri∣buteth to the Pope, that is, that he called himselfe the seruant of the seruants, and yet neuerthelesse had taken vpon him a kind of Soueraingty, contrary to the order enioyned by the Sonne of God, and followed, and pra∣ctised

by his Apostles. * 7.45 As also in that Albertus de Capi∣taneis saith, that the Waldenses had their great Master in the Citty of Aquillia in the Realme of Naples, vpon whom they absolutely depended. For there is not one word in all their writings, that aimes at that end: On∣ly we alleage the saying of this Historiographer, to proue the extent of those places, where the Waldenses exiled themselues, to auoid the persecution.

Antonin relateth, * 7.46 that the Waldenses called in Italy Fratecelli, were in his time burnt in diuers parts of the world, insomuch that many of them forsaking Italy, re∣tired themselues into Greece, especially one amongst them of principall note, named Lewis de Baniere, and that two Monkes or grey Friers were burnt for adhea∣ring vnto them, that is to say, Iohn Chastillon, and Fran∣cis de Hercatura.

CHAP. XVIII.

Of the VValdenses inhabiting in Spaine, and that they were there persecuted.

IN the time of the warres against the Earle Re∣mond of Toulouze, and the Earle de Foix, and comming when the Waldenses were persecu∣ted by the Popes Legates, many of them went into Catalogne, and the Realm of Aragon. This is that which Math. * 7.47 Paris sets down, saying, that the time of Pope Gregory the 9, there were a great number of Waldenses in Spaine, [ 1214] & about the yeer 1214, in the time of Alexander the fourth, who complained in one of his Bulles, that they had bin suffered to take such foo∣ting

& that they should haue so much leasure as to mul∣tiply as they had done. For in the time of Gregory the 9. they so far forth increased in number and credit, that they ordained Bishops ouer their flockes, to preach their doctrine, which the other Bishops taking notice off, there followed a gricuous persecution.

CHAP. XIX.

The Conclusion of the History of the Waldenses.

BY that which is contained in this first and second Booke, it appeareth that the Chri∣stians called Waldenses, haue opposed themselues against the abuses of the Church of Rome, and for these foure hun∣dred and fifty yeeres and vpward, they haue been per∣secuted, not by the sword of the word of God, but by all kind of violence and cruelties, besides many calum∣nies and false accusations. Which inforced them to dis∣perse themselues here and there, where they could haue any abiding, wandring through desert places; and yet neuertheles, the Lord hath in such sort preserued the remainder of them, that notwithstanding the rage of Satan, they haue continued inuincible against Anti∣christ; to whom they haue offered a spirituall combat, destroying him by the blast of the spirit of God. Cry∣ing with a loud voice, not onely throughout all Europe, but in many other parts of the earth, that it was time to depart out of Babylon, lest wee participate of her plagues. This is the people that haue enforced them∣selues

to re-establish the true and pure seruice of God, by the power of his word, a contemptible people, euen as the filth of the world, by whom neuerthelesse the e∣ternall God, hath wrought wonderfull things, resto∣ring and re-establishing by them his Church: First in France, afterwards, as it were from a new Sion, cau∣sing the riuers of his holy Law, and pure doctrine to distill and drop downe vpon the rest of the world, ga∣thering together his elect, by the preaching of his ho∣ly Gospell. And that which is most admirable in this so great a worke is, that the doctrine which they haue beleeued and preached, hath been likewise miraculous∣ly preserued amongst them, in the middle of all their gricuous and continuall persecutions, which they haue suffered for righteousnesse sake: As it is also worthy admiration, that their aduersaries haue kept a register of the euils, which they haue caused them vniustly to suffer. It hath been their glory that they haue shed that blood, that crieth for vengeance; exiled the Church for a limitted time in the wildernesse, and made knowne by their Histories, that the Dragon hath done but that which was granted vnto him, that is, to make warre against the Saints: but being deliuered from their great tribulation, and their robes whitned in the blood of the Lamb, they haue been conducted to the liuing fountaines of water, and God hath wiped all teares from their eies.

LAVS DEO.

Reuelation 21.7. He that ouercommeth, shall inherit all things, and I will be his God, and be shall be my sonne.

Notes

• * 1.1

  Rainerius of the Walden∣ses.
• * 1.2

  Rainer. cap. de studio peruer∣tendi alios & modo docendi. fol. 98.
• * 1.3

  These senten∣ces are to bee seen in the manuel of the Inquisitors, with the let∣ters of Pope Alexanderthe thirteenth & of diuers o∣ther Popes which succee∣ded him.
• * 1.4

  This Couneel was held at Latran. 1180. See the 27. Chap.
• * 1.5

  The Treas, of Hist. in the yeere 1206.
• * 1.6

  Lib Inquisit. cap. de non oc∣cidendo. fol. 100. Sic fuit occisus Sanctus Petrus de Ordine fra∣trum Pradica∣torum.
• * 1.7

  Moynes qui mandient.
• * 1.8

  Mandians.
• * 1.9

  The Martiro∣loge in the life of Domi∣nique.
• * 1.10

  See the Catal. of the Test. of the truth. pag. 53••.
• * 1.11

  Vous tuissies.
• * 1.12

  George Morel in his memo∣rials. pa. 54.
• * 1.13

  Valentinois.
• * 1.14

  Anno 1380.
• * 1.15

  This Bull was taken out of the Chamber Country of Grenoble.
• * 1.16

  Vineaux in his Meuo••. fol. 6.
• * 2.1

  Mandians.
• * 2.2

  Sur le col de coste Plane.
• * 3.1

  Vignaux in his memorials fol. 7.
• * 3.2

  Vignaux in his memorials, fol. 7.
• * 3.3

  This admoni∣tion or re∣monstrance giuen by Oe∣colamp. and Bucer to George Mor∣rel and Pet. Masson is in the Memor. of the said Mo∣nel fol. 5.
• * 3.4

  Suisse. See the Ec∣clesiasticall History of the Churches of France, pag. 37 1536.
• * 3.5

  In the booke of Martyrs of our time, lib. 3 fol. 111.
• * 3.6

  In the Booke of the martyrs of our time. lib. 8. fol 122.
• * 3.7

  This war is printed in a treatise by it selfe. And it is likewise set downe in the 8. booke of the history the Martyrs of our times. fol. 532.
• * 5.1

  See before in the 3. Chap.
• * 5.2

  See Chap. 2.
• * 5.3

  Ʋesembecius in Oratione de Waldensib••s.
• * 5.4

  Vesembecius in Orotione de Waldensibus. His auditis Rex iureiurando addito me, in∣quit, & caetero populo meo Ca∣tholico melio∣res illi viri sunt.
• * 7.1

  Albertus de Ca∣pitaneis lib. de origine Walden∣sium. Thuanus in hi∣storia sui tem∣poris, pa. 457. Petrus Valdus eorum Ante∣signanus, pa∣tria relictain Belgium venit, at{que} in Picardi∣am quam hodie vocant, multos sectatores n••e∣tus cum inde in Germaniam transisset per Vandalicas ci∣uitates diu di∣uersatus est, ac postremo in Bo∣hemia consedit. See what is said of these two Barbes before in the first booke Chap. 9.
• * 7.2

  Ʋineaux in his memor. fol. 15
• * 7.3

  Flac. Ill. in ca∣tal. test. verit. p. 116.
• * 7.4

  Lib. de origine Ecclesiarū Bo∣hemiae. pa. 273. Sed cum oppres∣sae tyrannide Pontisicia con∣uentus publicos nullos haberent ne{que} scripta ho∣rum extarent vll••, ignotae no∣stris prorsus fuere. Esrom Rudiger in narrati••ncu∣la de Ecclesijs fratrum in Bo∣hemia Valden∣ses ad minimum CCXL annis originem no∣stram antece∣dunt.
• * 7.5

  See the Con∣fession of the Waldenses in the Catalogue rerum expeten∣darum. Lib de orig. & confess. Eccl. Pohem. Scimus quod multi boni viri, & veritatis E∣uangelicae in∣staurata culta∣res & sectate res pij seducti & indicationi∣bus falsis & cri∣minationib. ad∣uer sariorum, pro Valdensib nos habeant. Ibid. Hoc quidem constat, multum in ipsis lucis fuisse & de ple∣ris{que} eos rectè sensisse & do∣cuisse, & prop∣ter veritatem grauigima per∣pesso. in Gallia in primis. Aeneas Siluius in his history of the Tabo∣rites.
• * 7.6

  See the Chro∣nicle of Hir∣sauge.
• * 7.7

  Ioachimus Cam. in hist. de Ec∣clesiis Fratrum in Boheraia & Morauta. p. 104.
• * 7.8

  Joachim' Cam. in Hist. de Ec∣clesijs fratrum in Bobemia & Morauia p. 105
• * 7.9

  Ioach, Cam. in hist. de Ecclesijs fratrum in Bo∣hemia & Mo∣rauia. p. 117.
• * 7.10

  Dubranius in the history of Bohemia.
• * 7.11

  Coistans vpon the Reuel.
• * 7.12

  Vig••ier in the 1. part of his Bibli. Histori∣ale.
• * 7.13

  Trithem in Chron. Hirsau∣giensi. Godefridus Monan Auna∣l••bus
• * 7.14

  Krautz in Me∣tropol. l. 8. §. 18 & in Sax∣on. l. 8. ca. 16.
• * 7.15

  Math Paris in Henry 3. anno 1220.
• * 7.16

  Vignier in his third part of his Historicall Biblio. in the yeere 1330.
• * 7.17

  Krautzin Me∣trop. l. 8. p. 18. & in ••ax. l. 8. cap. 16.
• * 7.18

  Iohn le Maire in the 3. part of the diff. of Schismes in the 24. scisme.
• * 7.19

  Math. Paris in his History of England, the said yeere.
• * 7.20

  Iohn Basle in the Chroni∣cles of Lon∣don. Thomas Walden in his sixt vo∣lume of things sacramentall tit. 12. chap. 10
• * 7.21

  La Popiliniere in his History of France l. 1.
• * 7.22

  Lib. de Origine & Confes. Eccl. Bohemiae. Wiclefus à Wal∣densibus adiu∣tus Hussium nostrum excita∣uit. pa. 264.
• * 7.23

  S. Aldeg. in his 1. Table of the diff. fol. 149. Iohn Dubrauius in the Hstory of Bohemia. lib. 14.
• * 7.24

  See before l. 1. c. 1.
• * 7.25

  Math. Paris in the life of Henry 3.
• * 7.26

  Flac. Illy. in his Catol. of the wit. pa. 539.
• * 7.27

  Vignier in his Biblio. pa. 130. In his History lib. 1.
• * 7.28

  The history of Languedoc. 1. Forier. fol. ••.
• * 7.29

  1. Tab. pa. 15 2.
• * 7.30

  The Sea of histories in the yeere 1378.
• * 7.31

  Sigonius de regno Italico lib. 17.
• * 7.32

  Vignier in the 3 part of his Bibl. hist. Rain. in summa fol. 18.
• * 7.33

  Le Sieur de Hail. in the life of Phil. 3.
• * 7.34

  It appeares by the inditemet of the said Pasto., the or∣ginal whereof is in our hands
• * 7.35

  Genoa.
• * 7.36

  Vignaux in his memorials fol. 15.
• * 7.37

  Chap. 7.
• * 7.38

  In the cōstitu∣tiō which be∣gins Jnconsu∣tilem tunicam.
• * 7.39

  Sigonius de regno Italico li. 17.
• * 7.40

  Paul. Aemil in Charles the faire.
• * 7.41

  I vnderstand the words but not the sence.
• * 7.42

  See the Sea of histories in the yeer 1300.
• * 7.43

  Rain••de for∣ma baereticādi. fol. 10.
• * 7.44

  Vignier in his 3 part of his historiall Bib. pa. 130. Math. Paris in the life of Hen. 6 king of England.
• * 7.45

  Albert. de Cap. lib. de origine Waldensium. p. 1.
• * 7.46

  Antonin. part. 3 Tit. 2.
• * 7.47

  Math. Paris in the raigne of Henry 3.