IF any man would exactly relate [...] [...]secutions, raised by the Popish Clergy against [...] Protestants in France, either in general or particular [...] should be engaged to write a volume, they [...] [...]erous: therefore (to avoid prolixity) let it first [...] only the Fountains which our Adversaries [...], and whence they derive all the Mischiefs that they do us. And they who read this discourse, must look upon the Contents thereof, not as an enumeration of all Particulars but as general Heads out of which innumerable Desolati [...] have flow'd into all Provinces, Cities and Families, and with extreamest sorrow and affliction have filled all places where the Reformed Religion was established.

1. The first and most considerable Measure used by the Prelates to hasten our ruine, is that of Commissions: for under pretext of Executing the Edict of Nantes and the Decrees made in consequence thereof, and providing a­gainst the Breaches of the same, they have engaged the King to send Commissioners into all Provinces. This pre­text I confess is speciously coloured, [...] certain, that under this fair show they have hid [...] violent [Page 2]Injustice; for clearing whereof, we must remember, that Henry the Fourth of happy memory, having found it con­venient (for the quiet of his Subjects) to make this Edict as a particular and Irrevocable Law, did send Commissi­oners into all the Provinces to execute the same; and after those Commissioners had established all things in due form, they returned their executions into the hands of the King to serve as a Rule in all future Debates which could arise on that Subject. I grant, if since this Establishment (which ought to be look'd upon as Fundamental) we have Usurped Places for the excercise of our Religion, or by our own Authority have taken any thing not appertaining to us, it's just that they call us to an accompt, and reduce us to our first Condition. But this is not the use that the Clergy make of those new Commissioners: for they well know that in stead of Usurping any thing since the first Executi­on of the Edict, we have (on the contrary) sustain'd in­numerable losses; and that if the Plea were about Repa­ration of breaches of the Edict, they should be obliged to recompence us in a thousand particulars, whereof we have too just cause to complain. They have now al­together perverted the Business; for, concealing the first Execution of the Edict, they have compelled all the Re­formed Churches within the Kingdom, to appear before those Commissioners, and again produce their Titles to ve­rifie their Right for the publick exercise of their Religion and to be Judged a second time, as if the Edict had never been put in Execution. But who doth not see that this is to violate the publick faith, and under pretence of Executing, to destroy the Edict for the Edict ought not to be separated from it's first Execution, without which (it being made according to the true intent of the King, and after exact cognizance of all particulars, whereupon Sentences proceeded) the Edict it self is of no force. This [Page 3]then is most evident Oppression, that after so many years, during which we have been in Lawful possession, they will Judg again that which hath once already been Judged; in every thing quarrelling Matters of Fact, the knowledg whereof, by length of time, and divers Revo­lations of the Kingdom, is much obscured. and (which is yet more strange) albeit particular Churches produce Acts made in their favours, by the first Commissioners (Executors of the Edict) yet those new Commissioners, without any regard thereof, reiect the same as utterly Invalid; certainly if this manner of procedure take place, we can have nothing secure within the Kingdom. For from day to day they may proceed to new Executions, and from these to others, until, in end, all our Churches by this Mean shall be destroyed; so much the rather, be­cause there is no likely-hood that they can perpetually preserve their Titles (of the years 1596 & 1597) con­tain'd in Papers which by the Apostacy, Corruption, or Unfaithfulness of those who had them in keeping (and a hundred other wayes) may be lost; and which the first Execution made to be neglected as Titles that were never to be any more questioned,

2. This Oppression is the greater, That those Com­missioners are commanded to execute the Acts of Council, made in consequence of the Edict: for (as we shall after­ward shew) these Acts are no other then so many Violati­ons of the Edict; which now by this course is nothing else but an empty Name, without effect or reallity.

3. The Maxime lately established viz. That the Clergy of France shall be acknowledged as our formal opposite party in matters of Religion; and in that quality be ad­mitted before the Commissioners, and in the Council, to pursue all kinds of Actions against us, cannot be other­wise looked upon, then high Injustice. This form of pro­cedure [Page 4]hath been hitherto unheard of; for never any appeared there in our affairs, except the Kings Attorney-General. And indeed, the Edist being intended not as an agreement or decision betwen the Clergy and us, but as a Declaration of his Majesty's Sovereign and Royal Plea­sure, they have no right to interpose in the Execution thereof, nor to make that their proper work; yea, this Interposition hath not been invented but upon design, upon the meanest occasion to set us in opposition to a most powerful and active Party, before which we can never appear without being incontinently swallow'd up.

4. This oppression is yet the more evident, That the Council Anno 1662, past an Act, by which it is ordain'd, That the Protestants shall not be admitted before the Com­missioners to prove the Rights for the exercise of their Re­ligion by Inquests or Witnesses, even although the Wit­nesses be Roman-Catholicks. Now, beside that this man­ner of probation was never rejected, what greater severi­ty then to deprive us of the only Mean, which in most of places is left us to justifie our Titles? for during the late Wars, many Churches being pillaged or burnt, they cannot otherwise evidence their possession, then by the testimony of ancient men yet alive, who can depose the Condition wherein Affairs stood in the years 1596, & 1597.

5. Whatever Injustice is in the Commission it self, there is no less in the Commissioners; Each Province hath two, the one a Papist, the other a Protestant. As for the Popish Commissioners, we find by experience that from them we can expect no Justice; For they look upon themselves as called to destroy us, and in effect proceed according to the Instructions of Menier the Jesuit, who hath printed a Book, wherein, fast'ning impertinent expositions upon the plain­est terms of the Edict, and changing his Majesty's Authen­tick and Royal words, into Jesuitical Equivocations, he [Page 5]hath perverted all things according to his own inclination; This is a notable Cheat: For when we plead the Edict, they tell us (indeed) that it shall be observed; but, that to the King, and not to us, belongs the interpretation; and when we come to an interpretation, in lieu of his Ma­jesty's, they give us that of a cruel, envenom'd, deceit­ful Jesuit. He it is, who mean while inspireth the Go­vernours of the Provinces (who are the Popish Commission­ers) with all their prejudice they have at us, and Counsels they take about our affairs: So that our strongest Reasons are scorned, and our best Titles rejected as trifles, whil'st their own trifles and false Allegations are admitted as the best of Arguments. And, which is yet more strange, they pass Sentences with so much inequality, and little Justice, that they condemn some Churches, which produce the like and much better Titles then those alledged by some other Churches, whose Priviledges they have ratified. A sufficient demonstration, that they act by Humour, and not by Reason; and that having order to preserve some Churches, and not to destroy all at one Blow, it's left to the Governours Arbitrement, what Churches to spare, which commonly are the most inconvenient, and least con­siderable, and that they only wait for further Order to sacrifice the rest, and perfect their work already so far advanced. And for the Protestant Commissioners, we can expect very little Justice and Protection from them; first, because the greatest part of them are chosen by direction and recommendation of the Bishops, which alone is e­nough to make them suspected: For, although they pro­fess our Religion, yet that is not alwayes a sure evidence of Faithfulness and Honesty. For this, I shall only in­stance Monsieur Sigoniac of high Guyenne, who was chosen by the Bishop of Montauban, and by his credit maintained in his Commission, contrary to the dissent of the Prote­stants [Page 6]made before the King. This man after he had done whatever the Clergy desired, and basely betray'd the Churches, by pitiful parting or sharingBy this Sha­ring of Church­es it seems the Protestants are forced to use their publick worship by turnswith the Papists in the same place; whereunto (for diverse reasons) some more tender and zealous Protestants will not resort; and so are deprived of all publick worship. the places of Publick Worship between the Papists and Protestant's (whereunto the Bishop himself gave consent) in end, changing his Religion, became Romane Catholick; and by his change declared, That this Commission had been pro­cured in compensation of his former Promise and Obliga­tion to that effect.

6. Again, the Protestant Commissioners are prepossessed of opinion, That it is the Kings will, that without respect to the first execution of the Edict, they should examine de novo the Titles of our Churches, and execute the Acts of Council, without examination whether they be con­firmed by, or conform to the Edict: So that having once accepted the Commission, they find themselves engag'd by necessity of this supposition to do us abundance of mischief. And it is to be observed, that such hath been the credit and cunning carriage of the Clergy, that by means of this Concurrence of the Protestant Commission­ers, they have made these things pass as consented to, and approved by us, which otherwise would have been look­ed upon as only granted by the King unto their own im­portunity, and so (perhaps) would, have left us some hope, of redress. In fine, suppose those Commissioners to be resolute and favourably inclined, yet the Governours of the Provinces being Masters of the Instructions, by which they proceed and conclude, they can do no good for us, but be swallow'd up themselves, by their Popish Colleagues, who have all the Authority and Power in their own hands. And at their utmost, all that they are able to effect, is a [Page 7] Sharing of Churches, which are alwayes finally Deter­min'd in Council, by advice of the Popish Commissioners: For there they observe this general Rule, that in all mat­ters of difference and debate, the advantages, without regard to right of reason, must be given to the Catholicks; So that if the business comes once to Sharing it is even as good as lost. And to evidence that Injustice is arrived at a great hight, These Sharings of Churches agreed upon amongst the Commissioners, are ordinarily concluded in Council, upon the report of the Governours, who hav­ing made and being engaged to maintain their own re­ports, never fail to put a good face upon them, which they may the more easily do, because their Protestant Col­leagues are never either Called or Heard. The conse­quences of these Commissions have been generally very fatal to the Reform'd Churches within the kingdom: For it may be truely affirmed, that partly by the Acts made with common consent of the Comissioners for executing the Decrees of Counsel, partly by these other Acts which they have made worse then the Decrees themselves, and partly by these Sharings of Churches thus agreed upon among the Commissioners, and approved in Council, ac­cording to the mind of the Clergy, we have lost well nigh three parts of four of all our Churches. The Province of Provence which had Fifteen or Sixteen Churches, is now reduced to Four. The County of Gex, which had Twen­ty three hath now but Two. In all Bretagne remains but Two. The losses of high and low Languedoc Cevenes Vivaretz, high Guynne & Daulphine have re­duc'd them at least to one half of what they formerly pos­sessed. And (to speak nothing of what Zantogne Angou­mois, and the County of Aulnix are upon the point of losing, the Commissioners having agreed to Share nigh Sixty Churches) the Province of Poictou, which alone had Sixty one indisputable Churches, by an Act of Aug. 6. 1665. [Page 8]is reduced to Thirteen. Thus these Provinces see them­selves, all at once, fallen into extreme Desolation; Their Churches demolished, their Flocks scatter'd, and all that innumerable Multitude of Persons whereof their Con­gregations were composed, now necessitated either to live without any publick Exercise of Religion; or, through infinite Dangers and Inconveniences, to wander about, and seek it Fifty or Sixty miles distant from their Habita­tions.

7. Moreover, All men know, that the Clergy finding themselves of late in capacity to obtain whatever they desired of the Council, provided it be against us, have caused such a multitude of Acts to be published, that we have been utterly overwhelmed therewith; a Second im­mediately following the First, and a Third giving us no leasure to consider the Second; and hard to say, which of them all is the most Afflicting.

One Act of CouncilMay 6. 1659, and March 17. 1661. hath robbed us the Liberty of Praising God, by forbidding the Singing of Psalms, even privately in our Houses; not considering, That it is an Eminent part of Christian Worship, very Edifying, and full of Piety.

Another ActAug. 7. and Nov. 3. 1662. hath deprived us of the Comfort of pay­ing our Last Duty to our Dead, with any conveniency; compelling us to bury Clandestinely, and in the Night; for­getting, That the very Heathens had respect to the Tombs of their Enemies; and that Hatred should not reach be­yond Death.

AnotherOctob. 5. 1663. hath divested Protestant Magistrates, whate­ver be their Charge or Quality, of the Priviledg of pre­siding in their Courts.

AnotherFeb. 26. 1663. hath taken away all Means of Instructing and Educating our Children, leaving us at most (and that onely in some places) the smaller Schools, where is onely [Page 9]taught to Read, Write, and Compt: As if our knowledg of God, rendred us unworthy to study Human Sci­ences.

AnotherJan. 29. 1663. hath restrained the Liberty of Printing any Books in favour of our Religion, by imposing upon us a necessity of obtaining Licenses from the King's Council: Which any may well know they will never grant.

AnotherDeclar. Octob. 24 1663, and Act of Council, Ian. 30. 1665. ordaineth Parents to give Pensions to their Children who change their Religion, even although the said Children will not dwell with them: As if Paternal Authority were Nulled by Childrens Apostacy: Not re­membring, That the Christian Religion doth not absolve Slaves from their Subjection to their Heathen Masters; How much less can the Romish Religion discharge Children of their Obedience which they owe to their Parents of another Religion?

AnotherOctob. 5. 1663. prohibits the Exercise of Charity towards our Brethren, who have not Sufficiency of their own to support them under their Burdens: Which is directly to Forbid what God has Commanded.

Another dischargeth Payment of Debts by those of the Commonalty who shall turn Papists: The like whereof was never heard; the very Heathen themselves never pretending, That those Christians who Apostatize to them, should be exempted from payment of their Debts.

AnotherFeb. 22, 1664. prohibits Ministers to Preach without the place of their Residence: Thereby depriving us of the benefit of Annexations; that is, the priviledg of one Mi­nister's supplying Two Churches, which singly are not able to afford a competent Maintenance.

AnotherSept. 13 1660. depriveth us of the Liberty of ourCollo­loques. Pres­byterial Meetings, in the intervals of Synods: Whereby the exercise of Discipline is restrained, and the Mean of timely repressing or composing these Differences which [Page 10]disturb our Churches, is taken away.

AnotherOctob. 5 1663. prohibiteth the Censuring of Protestant Pa­rents, by theConsi­story, i. e. Parochial Eldership, or otherwise, for sending their Children to be Educated by Jesuits, or Po­pish Tutors: Whereby they compel Elderships and Mi­nisters, by their silence, to approve a Scandalous Practice, which Conscience and Office obligeth them to con­demn.

AnotherSept. 18, 1664 and May 12, 1665. giveth liberty to Priests and Fryars to enter our Houses, and come unto our Bed-sides when sick, or dying, to solicite us to change our Religion. This is the utmost of all Afflictions, That we are not permitted to dye in peace; and that we should be exposed to the Cru­elty of such Men, who when they cannot triumph over Consciences, forget nothing to satisfie their own Revenge: And to that effect, after our death, carry away our Chil­dren; alledging falsly, That at our death we gave some sign or other of Willingness to embrace the Romish Reli­gion.

AnotherIune 30 1663. maketh it criminal in Ministers to stile them­selves Pastors, or Ministers of the Word of God. Nay, though nothing hath been more free in France, then the form of Garments, they have gone so low, as to regulate the Apparel of Ministers, forbidding them to wear a long Garment, that they might have no Character to distin­guish them from the common people.

But we might reckon to a Century, and engage our selves in a prodigious length, should we be exact in this sad Subject. One word onely of the DeclarationDecla­rat. 1663, Ratified in Parl. Ian. 7. 1663 of pre­tended Relapses. By this it is ordained, That those among us who have once embraced the Popish Religion, shall never again return unto us, under pain of perpetual Banishment from the Kingdom. Now this is a sort of Inquisition ne­ver heard of in France, by which they put mens Consci­ences [Page 11]upon the wrack, constraining the Weak who have been overcome by strong Tentations, to remain in a Com­munion against the light of their Consciences, and to stifle their remorse, having no liberty to shew any evidence of Repentance. A thing plainly contrary to the Edict. Yea, in the Execution of this Declaration, they have proceed­ed so far, that they have given it a Retroactive Power (as they call it) by putting it in Execution against persons who returned to us a long time before the Declaration was in being; whom they have Imprisoned, compelled to do PenanceBy go­ing bare­footed and bare­headed thorow the streets with a burning torch, to the place of Iustice, or person offended, and there to ask Forgiveness., and then banished the Kingdom. And, that they may not act this Cruelty without a pretext, they alledg, That these persons by forsaking the Catholick Religion, have so violated the respect which they owe it, that they deserve Exemplary Punishment. This is ut­terly to destroy all Liberty of Conscience.

8. To these Afflictions they have added another, not less grievous to us, which is, That they seem to forbid us all hope of being heard in our own Defence: For our Judges themselves are become formally our Party, either because they are afraid to encounter the Papists, a Party now so formidable to the World; or because themselves are of that Party; or because they perceive that the on­ly way to advance their own Interest, is to Oppress us; as on the contrary, to do us the least Justice, or shew any commiseration of our Afflictions, is reputed a punishable Crime. I shall not insist upon the furious passion exprest against us by the Provincial Parliaments, although arrived at such a height, as nothing can either restrain or mitigate it. Nevertheless, we cannot but heavily groan under their daily Injuries, the Number and Violence whereof is hard­ly conceivable. All France knoweth the Decrees which [Page 12]the Inferior Parliaments of Tholouze, Rouen, Rennes, Bour­de aux, Pau, Provence, Dijon, and Metz, have already made, and which (with all greediness embracing every occasion to pour out their Wrath upon us) they are dai­ly making against us. Neither shall I speak of the Malice of Inferior Courts, there being scarce any petty Countrey Justice who doth not expect to raise his Reputation, and make himself Illustrious by persecuting of us. I shall on­ly instance one thing, hardly credible, though very true, viz. That there is no hope of being heard at the Council it self, where all our Affairs have their last Appeal and Audience: For it hath often come to pass, That the Pro­testant Deputies, sent by the Provinces and Cities to plead their Cause, have been expresly commanded by the King to return, without so much as only liberty to ap­pear. Thus in the year 1661, Monsieur Vignolles, deputed by the Province of Low-Languedoc, to solicite their Af­fairs, was no sooner arrived at Paris, but he was command­ed by an Express, to withdraw within Eight days, under pain of Disobedience. Likewise Anno 1664, the Inhabi­tants of Privas having Commissioned Monsieur de la Fa­isse to Negotiate their Business, he no sooner appeareth, but the Captain of the Watch intimates to him the King's Order to return presently into Languedoc, under the same pain. And the last year, (1665,) the Province of Low-Guyenne, having deputed Monsieur de Sarran for the same effect, immediately thereafter, he received a Letter under the Seal, prohibiting him to come to Court. By which it is abundantly evident, That they have no mind to hear us, and less to do us Justice. And if other Commissioners have not been treated after this manner, yet they very well know what Repulses they have endured. What dif­ficulties before they had access but to the Dores of the Judges? What pains to find but one Commissioner wil­ling [Page 13]to receive and present their Petitions? And when thorow Importunity they have so far prevailed, they likewise know what kind of Hearing they have obtained; Their best Arguments have been rejected, and most evi­dent Probations contemned, whilst the slightest preten­ces alledged by their Adversaries, have been admitted with great applause. So that some have spent six months, some whole years to procure a Hearing; whilst the Acts sued against Us by the Clergy, have been obtain'd in less then twenty four hours; and in end after a thousand cares and vexations, they have only had the grief to return to their Provinces, with the news of the loss of the Cause, which they solicited.

9. This is not all. The malice of the Clergy goeth yet much higher; for, it is well known how they endeavour to intimidate and affright our Ministers, thereby to ob­struct and disturb them in the care which they should have of their flocks. Thus they have violently Silenced some, others they labour to ensnare upon every hand, some they criminally indite for very trifles, some they banish, and some they transport whither the Prelats please; and all this to make their Life and Condition so miserable, that henceforth no man may be willing to embrace the Profes­sion and Calling of a Minister. The Provinces of France are so full of such Examples, that to relate them all would swell to a large Volume.

10. These Cities where Protestants for number are most considerable, seem to be the principal object of our Enemies fury; and especially those which during the late Commotions were zealous in his Majesty's service. Of these, Montauban, Rochel, and Milan, formerly three flou­rishing Churches, but now reduced to extream desolation, are most doleful Examples. Montauban being first de­prived of their University and Common Council, hath [Page 14]endured a Garison of five or six thousand Soldiers for four months together; hath seen her Inhabitants, some hanged, some burnt, some scourg'd, some banished; the Houses of others pulled down, and Pyramides erected in their place; others compelled by beating, and all manner of Violence, to go to Mass, and in end forced to accept an Act of Oblivion for an Imaginary Crime. For in all that Tumult alledged against them, there was not one Sword drawn, one Pistol discharg'd, one Hat pierced, nor one drop of blood spilt; it having only been a Church As­sembly according to the ordinary Custom, from which a Messenger was dispatched to the Governour of the Pro­vince, intreating the delay of the execution of an Order, to surrender to the Jesuits the publick Schools of a Col­ledg, which being built at their own expences, did law­fully belong to themselves; and that only until such time as they should precisely know his further pleasure with protestation, that thereafter they would intirely submit themselves. This is the crime for which they have been used with the same cruelty, as if they had Rebelled against the State, and ever since have been exposed as a prey to the rage of the Priests, who exercise merciless Tyranny upon the poor Inhabitants. Milan hath received almost the same measure, for no other cause then burying a dead Corps after the accustom'd manner, contrary to the gene­ral Decree, which prohibits the performance of that cha­ritable and sorrowful Office to the Dead in that manner. And as for Rochel, all France knoweth the Banishment of some of the Inhabitants, and cruel enslaving of the rem­nant, to such rigour as is worse then Banishment it self. But all this is nothing to what is done at Privas: In this Town, although the Reformed Religion had been estab­lished by Authority of the late King, and the Inhabitants maintained in that Establishment by several Decrees; yet [Page 15]after Thirty two, or Thirty three years peaceable posses­sion, they are now banished the Town and Territories thereof, with such Inhumanity, as they have not exerci­sed upon Barbarians. This poor people, to the number of Five or six hundred Men, Women and Children, being spoiled of all their Goods, and miserably hunted from place to place, like very Beasts, are now wandring in Woods, without any certain place to this dayi. e. The time of writing of this Relation., where to settle and rest: And all this without any other pre­tence than an old Declaration Anno 1629, relating to the Commotions of the year 1627.

11. Whatever brevity we proposed in this Discourse, yet we cannot but reflect upon another Device, whereof our Adversaries every where make use to render our Con­dition insupportable, and that is, to Vex and Ruin us with Civil and Criminal Law-Suits, as well against the body of our Church as particular persons; somtimes in the name of the King's General Attorneys, or their Substitutes; sometimes in the name of Diocesan, or Monastick Attor­neys, or their Chapters: and all this, oftentimes, for things utterly false, as, That we have spoken Irreverent­ly of the holy Sacraments, or such like enormous Impo­stures. For proving of all which, they never want Subor­ners, and false Witnesses. And if at any time the Forgery be discovered, the Judges seldom punish the Authors; or if they inflict any Punishment at all, it is but such as through the slightness thereof giveth greater liberty and encouragement to such persons. What Justice was there done upon a Priest of Eymet in Low-Guyenne, who accu­sed several Inhabitants of that place, of having profaned the Mysteries of the Romish Religion, although the Judges, in end, found and acknowledged the falshood of the Accusation? What Justice was done upon another Priest of Chastelleraut, who accused an innocent Maid of [Page 16]expressing some disrespect to the King's Person, although the Judges did likewise acknowledg the imposture of the Priest, and falshood of the Accusation? What reparati­on was there ever made to the Name and Memory of a poor Man, who was accused before the Parliament of Rennes, and by Sentence thereof, Burnt alive, for alledged stealing a Chalice out of the Church, although there­after themselves made it evident, by putting three Thieves to death, who had committed the theft, that they had murthered an innocent person? What pitiful Justice did the Parliament of Thoulouze lately upon a wicked fellow, convict before them of having suborned false Witnesses to depose against a Merchant of Montauban, that he had blasphemed the Virgin Mary? He was (forsooth) con­demned in a hundred Liures This is about 7. lib. sterl. fine or damage, and that was all the punishment. What satisfaction hath there been made to Monsieur Bobineau, Minister of Puzange in Poictou, who was falsely accused by a Curate, of Seditious Preaching, and upon that pretended crime, was detained two months Prisoner in the Common Goal of Poictiers, although the accusation was found false, and the Accusers convict of Forgery? What Cruelty was exercised upon Monsieur Boxie, Minister of Turenne, who being shut up in a close Dungeon with Irons upon his feet, was for a whole year treated with all manner of Barbarous Inhu­manity, and thereafter condemned to perpetual Banish­ment, by Decree of the Parliament of Bourdeaux Sept. 5. 1664.? In which Act it is declar'd that from his words in a Sermon, they had some ground to draw consequences, reflecting upon the honour of the Blessed Virgin; whereas (in ef­fect) he had uttered nothing in the Sermon, but that none except Jesus Christ, was born without sin. What punish­ment was put upon Monsieur Faison, Baily of Privas, who before the Justice Court of Vivaretz, was convict of false [Page 17]accusing some Inhabitants of Privas, as if they had deter­red and hindred their Brethren from changing their Reli­gion? And what Justice was done upon a Priest of Nyort, convict before the King's Council, of falsifying an Act of Parliament, which being made against the Protestants of Mer, he would have executed against those of Nyort? Although there was never a more bold Cheat, in the very face of King and Council; yet in stead of punishing the Author, the business ended in laughter.

12. When these false Accusations and foul convictions are made appear to the Judges, in lieu of Punishment, they tell us, That they must respect the Honour of the Ca­tholick Religion; not considering that they should much better preserve it by punishing these Impostures which disgrace it, then (as their trade now is) by destroying ho­nest people, by such practices, horrible in themselves, and odious to the World. But it plainly appears, that the design of this Popish Cabal is, by all means and ways to crush and bear us down, until being wearied, disheartned, and impoverish'd by such a long tract of miseries and cross affairs, we become utterly unable to defend our selves, and then in end, being overcome with tentation, seek our peace in the ruin of our Consciences.

13. I shall add a word further of the Liberty granted to Priests and Monks (whose Nature without encourage­ment is forward enough) to insult over us, to commit all manner of Violence and Injustice, without fear of punish­ment; yea, and to execute the Acts of Council against us, as now they do in Poictou; where the Priests, running from place to place with unparallel'd Barbarity, demolish Churches, dig up and search the very lowest stones of the Foundation, break open Chests, carry away the Poors Moneys, pull down particular Mens Houses, and the Castles of our Gentry, most spitefully abusing their Per­sons [Page 18]with all manner of injurious words, and violent actions.

14. There is nothing more strange then the ways which those men take to make Proselytes; For, neglecting In­struction and good Example, (which are the only proper and lawful means of gaining Souls to God) they only use Promises, Threatnings, and labour to catch men by snares. Is a Woman at variance with her Husband? thither they run and offer her the Protection of the Romish Religion, provided she will embrace it. Is a man decayed, and his Estate disordered? immediately they promise to bear him up against his Creditors, and mountains of Gold, if he will but change his Religion. Is there a debauched Son, and disobedient to his Father? they'r presently with him, perswading him to change his Religion, by a pro­mise of the favour and protection of the Church. Hath any man an unjust Suit at Law like to go against him? Is another justly pursued for his Crimes? their surest refuge is their change of Religion. Is a man poor or sick in a Hospital?A Danish Gentle­man ly­ing mor­tally wounded in an Hos­pital, was solicited to change his Reli­gion; which, when he would not do, they counterfeited the Apparition of Devils, with a Death's head, wherein they had put a light. Those seigned spirits, having several times spoken to this Young-man, thus, That he was damned if he would not turn Roman-Catholick; in end, they so afrighted him, that he dyed the 24th of January, 1666. let him but change his Religion, and he shall be sure of kindness and good entertainment; but if he remain stedfast, he shall be abandoned, and die in misery. Thus those men shew their zeal to propagate their Reli­gion; or rather, and more truly, thus they scandalize and damnifie it. For while by these ways they labour to pro­mote the same, they but add to their fellowship such vile persons, as having changed upon such base Motives will never do good among them.

15. Nothing can be added to the rigour continually [Page 19]exercised against us thorow all the Kingdom, whereby they deprive us of all means of acquiring a Livelihood, and all hopes of Preferment, there being no admittance of us unto any publick Office (except those of the Cham­bers of the Edict) no, not so much as to the petty Offices of a Notary, Attorney, or Serjeant; nor yet to learn Arts and Trades. For, although the King by his Decree, Jun. 28. 1665. permitteth Protestants as well as Papists, to learn Arts and Trades, by way of Apprentiship; yet by the opposition which is made, when particular persons offer themselves, whereby they are involved in tedious Suits of Law, the expences whereof in end, ruin them, the execution of that Decree is obstructed, and the Decree it self without effect. So that even the Priviledg which the King was pleased to grant us, is become a snare, and ends in our ruin, by the perverseness of those to whom the Exe­cution of the Decree was committed.

16. These things being considered, it may be truly af­firmed without unjust aggravation, That the Protestants in France are reduced to the greatest extremity of ima­ginable misery; being without Help, without Comfort, without hope of Justice, overprest with troubles, and destitute of all relief, having scarce the liberty of praying unto, or being instructed in the Knowledg of God; So that indeed there is nothing left but the Life, and that is nothing else but a sorrowful Breath, drawn from a more sorrowful and afflicted Heart, whereof were they like­wise deprived, they should be so much the more eased and happy, for, then should they rest in peace, having no sorrows, nor fears. And yet the Clergy not contented to see them in this deplorable Estate, must needs have them utterly destroyed, and therefore will never give over their design until they have accomplished it.

17. And to make this evident, there needs no more, but read an Oration made by the Bishop of Ʋsez before the King, in name of the whole Clergy: Wherein, having first rendred thanks to his Majesty for what he hath alrea­dy done against us, and then petitioned him for a present Declaration, prohibiting Catholicks to embrace the Pro­testant Religion, and for another Decree, Incorporating the mixed Courts (which consisting of half Protestants, and half Papists, had been established in favour of the Protestants) into the Courts of Parliaments; in end, he exhorts, perswades, and adjures him by all the most moving Arguments, that he would now give the last blow to­ward our utter destruction, seeing he was now able and in capacity to effect it. I hope the King will beware to follow Counsels so terrible and violent; and am sure would have been much more edified had he seen the Bishops more Hu­man, more Christian, and more agreeable to their Pro­fession. But here we yet see their design, and what we may justly expect, from a Party equally powerful and maliciously inflamed against us.

18. That our miseries may be yet more piercing, to in­justice they add derision and scoffs, and by those who have done us the greatest injuries, publish abroad, that we are marvelously well used, and have all reason to be satis­fied with their Moderation. This is evidence sufficient that they are far from repairing our losses, when having left us but very little, even that Little must pass as an Act of Grace.

In short, Our Fears are doubled. When (upon the one hand) we consider, That all the Sharings of Chur­ches, and Determinations of Council against us, have been made and concluded without any regard of the Titles produced by our Churches; then which, none could be better, or more convincing; such as, The Books and Re­gisters of Marriages and Baptisms, the very years of the [Page 21] Edict, Consistorial Acts, Acts or Instruments of Notaries; the Appearance of these Churches before Presbyteries, and Provincial Synods, 1596, and 1597: and I know not how many more Evidences of the like nature. Notwith­standing all which, they proceeded to Sentence against us. And (upon the other hand) when we see the Province of Bearn so cruelly used by the Parliament of Pau, that after innumerable Severities against both Ministers, and their Flocks, wherein they went so far, as to make Acts against Ministers for not admitting to the Lords Supper flagitious persons, Synodally suspended for their scan­dalous lives; The said Parliament, in end, hath formally stated themselves their Opposite Party, and (among o­ther things very strange, and never heard of) have peti­tioned the King for the Extermination of the Reformed Religion out of the whole Province. And when we see that the Clergy of Bearn by their Petition agreeing with the Parliaments, have required the very same things which the Clergy of France required, in that Oration of the Bishop of Ʋsez, made before the King, and now published in Print: When (I say) we see and consider these things, have we not just cause to fear, That more dreadful Calamities then we have yet seen, are preparing for us. Moreover, is not the present Desolation of the Province of Poictou, a most astonishing and terrible Ob­ject? In all that vast Diocess of Luson, they have not left so much as one Church. So that the greatest part of our Brethren are forced to travel above Fifty and Sixty Miles to hear the Word; and to expose their new-born Infants (in order to Baptism) to manifold Dangers. And the rest of the Province is but very little better treated, there be­ing but Thirteen Churches allowed for above a Hundred thousand persons of our Religion. In fine, Are not our Fears very reasonable, and well grounded, when we see [Page 22]that the Protestants, contrary to the very words of the Edict of Nantes, and without regard of their Priviledges have been formally subjected to that great Court of Ge­neral Sessions, which the King hath erected in the City of Clermont; and especially, if ye add, That the Heads of that Superstitious Cabal are now secretly at work, pro­curing Subscriptions thorow all France, unto a League for persecuting of us with all Severity. These things make us justly apprehensive, that, in end, they will break out in acts of open Violence; there being nothing which they are not in case to undertake for accomplishing of our Ruine. And unless we be wilfully blind, we cannot but see, that they design to drive us (by Despair) into some In­surrection: (But that we shall never do; preferring ra­ther to suffer the greatest Extremity, and our very. Blood to be shed, then in the least to violate the respect which we owe to our Prince.) And if they cannot overcome our Patience, (as assuredly they never shall) then their Resolution is, By continual Importunity to prevail with His Majesty to drive us out of the Kingdom. But we hope that the King is so Good and Just, that he will never gra­tifie them in such a thing, without a Parallel. And if we should be called to such a Trial, we hope God will give us such Strength and Courage, as, without regret, to aban­don our Native Land, that we may serve him wherever his Providence shall call us. And this, in effect, is the general Resolution of all the PROTESTANTS with­in the Kingdom.