An edict of the French king prohibiting all publick exercise of the pretended reformed religion in his kingdom wherein he recalls and totally annuls the perpetual and irrevocable edict of King Henry the IV, his grandfather, given at Nantes, full of most gracious concessions to Protestants : to which is added, the French king's letter to the Elector of Brandenburg, containing several passages relating to the foregoing edict : as also, a brief and true account of the persecution carried on against those of the foresaid religion ... : together with the form of abjuration the revolting Protestants are to subscribe and swear to, and a declaration of His Electoral Highness of Brandenburg ... / translated out of French. — Edit de révocation de l'Edit de Nantes. English

An edict of the French king prohibiting all publick exercise of the pretended reformed religion in his kingdom wherein he recalls and totally annuls the perpetual and irrevocable edict of King Henry the IV, his grandfather, given at Nantes, full of most gracious concessions to Protestants : to which is added, the French king's letter to the Elector of Brandenburg, containing several passages relating to the foregoing edict : as also, a brief and true account of the persecution carried on against those of the foresaid religion ... : together with the form of abjuration the revolting Protestants are to subscribe and swear to, and a declaration of His Electoral Highness of Brandenburg ... / translated out of French. — Edit de révocation de l'Edit de Nantes. English

An edict of the French king prohibiting all publick exercise of the pretended reformed religion in his kingdom wherein he recalls and totally annuls the perpetual and irrevocable edict of King Henry the IV, his grandfather, given at Nantes, full of most gracious concessions to Protestants : to which is added, the French king's letter to the Elector of Brandenburg, containing several passages relating to the foregoing edict : as also, a brief and true account of the persecution carried on against those of the foresaid religion ... : together with the form of abjuration the revolting Protestants are to subscribe and swear to, and a declaration of His Electoral Highness of Brandenburg ... / translated out of French. — Edit de révocation de l'Edit de Nantes. English

Table of contents

Title page

An Edict of the King, Prohibiting all Publick Exerciſe of the Pretended Reformed Religion in His Kingdom.

I.

II.

III.

IV.

V.

VI.

VII.

VIII.

IX.

X.

XI.

A LETTER of the French KING to the ELECTOR of Brandenburg, Sept. 6. 1666.

A ſhort Account of the Violent Proceedings, and unheard-of Cruelties, which have been Exerciſed upon thoſe of Montauban, and which continue to be put in Practice in other Places, againſt thoſe of the Reformed Religion in France, for to make them Renounce their Religion.

A Letter ſent from Bourdeaux, giving an Account of the Perſecution of thoſe of the Proteſtant Religion in France.

An Extract of a Letter, containing ſome more Inſtances of the Cruel and Barbarous Ʋſage of the Proteſtants in France.

Since the Firſt Publiſhing of This, ſome further Particulars (repreſenting the Horror of this Perſecution) are come to hand; which take as follow:

The Profeſſion of the Catholick, Apoſtolick, and Roman Faith, which the Revolting Proteſtants in France are to Subſcribe and Swear to.

The Certificate which the Party Recanting is to leave with the Prieſt, when he makes his Abjuration.

A Declaration of the Elector of Brandenburg, in Favour of the French Proteſtants, who ſhall Settle themſelves in any of His Dominions.

I.

II.

III.

IV.

V.

VI.

VII.

VIII.

IX.

X.

XI.

XII.

XIII.

XIV.

§

§

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AN EDICT OF THE French King, Prohibiting all Publick Exerciſe of the Pretended Reformed Religion in his Kingdom.

Wherein he Recalls, and totally Annuls the perpetual and irrevocable Edict of King Henry the IV. his Grandfather, given at Nantes; full of moſt gracious Conceſſions to Proteſtants.

To which is added,

The French King's Letter to the Elector of Brandenburg, containing ſeveral Paſſages relating to the foregoing Edict.

As alſo, A Brief and True Account of the Perſecution carried on againſt thoſe of the foreſaid Religion, for to make them Abjure and Apoſtatize.

Together, With the Form of Abjuration the Revolting Proteſtants are to Subſcribe and Swear to.

And a Declaration of his Electoral Highneſs of Brandenburg, in Favour of thoſe of the Reformed Religion, who ſhall think fit to ſettle themſelves in any of his Dominions.

Translated out of French.

The Second Edition Corrected, with Additions.

Printed by G. M. Anno Dom. 1686.

An Edict of the King, Prohibiting all Publick Exerciſe of the Pretended Reformed Religion in His Kingdom.

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LEWES, by the Grace of God, King of France and of Navarre,

to all preſent and to come, Greeting.

King Henry the Great, Our Grand-Father of Glorious Memory, deſiring to prevent, that the Peace which he had procured for his Subjects, after the great Loſſes they had ſuſtained, by the long Continuance of Civil and Foreign Wars, might not be diſturbed by occaſion of the Pretended Reformed Religion, as it had been during the Reign of the Kings, his Predeceſſors; had, by his Edict given at Nantes, in the Month of April, 1598. regulated the Conduct which was to be obſerved, with Reſpect to thoſe of the ſaid Religion, the Places where they might publickly exerciſe the ſame, appointed extraordinary Judges, to adminiſter Juſtice to them: And laſtly, alſo, by ſeveral diſtinct Articles, provided for every thing, which he judged needful for the maintenance of Peace and Tranquility in his Kingdom, and to diminiſh the Averſion which was between thoſe of the One and Other Religion: and this, to the end that he might be in a better condition for the taking ſome effectual Courſe (which he was reſolved to do) to re-unite thoſe again to the Church, who upon ſo ſlight Occaſions had with-drawn themſelves from it. And foraſmuch as this Intention of the King, our ſaid Grand-Father, could not be effected, by reaſon of his ſuddain and precipitated Death; and that the Execution of the fore-ſaid Edict was Interrupted during the Minority of the late King, Our moſt Honoured Lord and Father, of Glorious Memory, by reaſon of ſome new Enterprizes of thoſe of the Pretended Reformed Religion, whereby they gave occaſion for their being deprived of ſeveral Advantages, which had been granted to them, by the afore-ſaid Edict: notwithſtanding, the King, Our ſaid late Lord and Father, according to his wonted Clemency, granted them another Edict at Niſmes, in the Month of July, 1629. by means of which the Peace and Quiet of the Kingdom being now again Re eſtabliſhed, the ſaid late King, being animated with the ſame Spirit and Zeal for [Page] Religion, as the King Our ſaid Grand-Father was, reſolved to make good Uſe of this Tranquility, by endeavouring to put this Pious Deſign in Execution; but Wars abroad, coming on a few Years after, ſo that from the Year 1635. to the Truce which was concluded with the Princes of Europe, in 1684. the Kingdom having been only for ſome ſhort Intervals, altogether free from Troubles, it was not poſſible to do any other thing for the Advantage of Religion, ſave only to diminiſh the number of Places permitted for the Exerciſe of the Pretended Reformed Religion, as well by the Interdiction of thoſe which were found Erected, in prejudice to the Diſpoſal made in the ſaid Edict, as by ſuppreſſing the Mixt Chambers of Judicature, which were compoſed of an equal number of Papists and Proteſtants; the Erecting of which was only done by Proviſion, and to ſerve the preſent Exigency.

Whereas therefore, at length, it hath pleaſed God to grant, that Our Subjects enjoying a perfect Peace, and We Our ſelves being no longer taken up with the Cares of Protecting them againſt Our Enemies, are now in a Condition to make good Uſe of the ſaid Truce, which we have on purpoſe facilitated, in order to the applying our ſelves enirely to the ſearching out of Means, which might ſucceſsfully effect and accompliſh the Deſign of the Kings, Our ſaid Grand-Father and Father, and which alſo hath been * Our Intention ever ſince we came☞ to the Crown; We ſee, at preſent, (not without a juſt Acknowledgment of what We owe to God on that Account) that Our Endeavours have attained the End We propos'd to Our ſelves, foraſmuch as the greater and better Part of Our Subjects of the ſaid Pretended Reformed Religion, have already Embraced the Catholick; and ſince, by Means thereof, the Execution of the Edict of Nantes, and of all other Ordinances in favour of the ſaid Pretended Reformed Religion, is become uſeleſs, We judge that We can do nothing better towards the entire effacing of the Memory of thoſe Troubles, Confuſions, and Miſchief, which the Progreſs of that falſe Religion hath been the cauſe of in Our Kingdom, and which have given Occaſion to the ſaid Edict, and to ſo many other Edicts and Declarations which went before it, or were made ſince with reference thereto, than by a Total Revocation of the ſaid Edict of Nantes, and the particular Articles and Conceſſions granted therein, and whatſoever elſe hath been Enacted ſince, in favour of the ſaid Religion.

I.

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We make known, that We, for theſe and other Reaſons Us thereto moving, and of Our certain Knowledge, full Power and Authority Royal, have by the preſent Perpetual and Irrevocable Edict, Suppreſſed and Annulled, do Suppreſs and Annull the Edict of the King, Our ſaid Grand Father, given at Nantes, in April 1598 in its whole extent, together with the particular Articles ratified the Second of May, next following, and Letters Patent granted thereupon; as likewiſe, the Edict given at Niſmes, in July 1629. declaring them null and void, as if they had never been Enacted; together with all the Conceſſions granted in them, as well as other Declarations, Edicts and Arreſts, to thoſe of the Pretended Reformed Religion, of what Nature ſoever they may be, which ſhall all continue as if they never had been. And in purſuance hereof, We Will, and it is our Pleaſure, That all the Churches of thoſe of the Pretended Reformed Religion, ſcituate in our Kingdom, Countries, Lands, and Dominions belonging to Us, be forthwith demoliſhed.

II.

We forbid our Subjects of the Pretended Reformed Religion, to Aſſemble themſelves, for time to come, in order to the Exerciſe of their Religion in any Place or Houſe, under what pretext ſoever, whether the ſaid Places have been granted by the Crown, or permitted by the Judges of particular places; any Arreſts of our Council, for Authorizing and Eſtabliſhing of the ſaid places for Exerciſe, notwithſtanding.

III.

We likewiſe Prohibit all Lords, of what condition ſoever they may be, to have any Publick Exerciſe in their Houſes and Fiefs, of what quality ſoever the ſaid Fiefs may be, upon penalty to all our ſaid Subjects, who ſhall have the ſaid Exerciſes performed in their Houſes or otherwiſe, of Confiſcation of Body and Goods.

IV.

We do ſtrictly Charge and Command all Miniſters of the ſaid Pretended Reformed Religion, who are not willing to be Converted, and to embrace the Catholick Apoſtolick and Roman Religion, to depart out of our Kingdom and Countries under our Obedience, 15. days after the Publication hereof, ſo as not to continue there beyond the ſaid term, or within the ſame, to Preach, Exhort, or perform any other Miniſterial Function, upon pain of being ſent to the Galleys.

V.

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Our Will and Pleaſure is, That thoſe Miniſters who ſhall be Converted, do continue to enjoy during their Lives, and their Widows after their Deceaſe, as long as they continue ſo, the ſame Exemptions from Payments and Quartering of Souldiers, which they did enjoy during the time of their Exerciſe of the Miniſterial Function. Moreover, We will cauſe to be paid to the ſaid Miniſters, during their Lives, a Penſion, which by a third part ſhall exceed the appointed Allowance to them as Miniſters; the half of which Penſion ſhall be continued to their Wives, after their Deceaſe, as long as they ſhall continue in the ſtate of Widow-hood.

VI.

And in caſe any of the ſaid Miniſters ſhall be willing to become Advocates, or to take the Degree of Doctors in Law, we Will and Underſtand that they be diſpenſed with, as to the three Years of Study, which are preſcribed by our Declarations, as requiſite, in order to the taking of the ſaid Degree; and that, after they have paſs'd the ordinary Examinations, they be forthwith received as Doctors, paying only the Moiety of thoſe dues, which are uſually paid upon that account in every Univerſity.

VII.

We Prohibit any particular Schools for Inſtructing the Children of thoſe of the Pretended Reformed Religion; and in general, all other things whatſoever, which may Import a Conceſſion, of what kind ſoever, in favour of the ſaid Religion.

VIII.

And as to the Children which ſhall for the future be Born of thoſe of the ſaid Pretended Reformed Religion, Our Will and Pleaſure is, That hence forward they be Babtized by the Curates of our Pariſhes; ſtrictly charging their reſpective Fathers and Mothers to take care they be ſent to Church in order thereto, upon Forfeiture of 500. Livres or more, as it ſhall happen. Furthermore, Our Will is, That the ſaid Children be afterwards Educated and brought up in the Catholick Apoſtolick and Roman Religion, and give an expreſs Charge to all Our Juſtices, to take care the ſame be performed accordingly.

IX.

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And for a Mark of our Clemency towards thoſe of our Subjects of the ſaid Pretended Reformed Religion, who have retired themſelves out of our Kingdom, Countries, and Territories, before the Publication of this our preſent Edict, Our Will and Meaning is, That in caſe they return thither again, within the time of four Months, from the time of the Publication hereof, they may, and it ſhall be lawful for them, to Re-enter upon the Poſſeſſion of their Goods and Eſtates, and enjoy the ſame in like manner, as they might have done, in caſe they had always continued upon the place. And on the contrary, that the Goods of all thoſe, who within the ſaid time of four Months, ſhall not return into our Kingdom, Countries, or Territories under our Obedience, which they have forſaken, remain and be Confiſcated in purſuance of our Declaration of the 20th. of Auguſt laſt.

X.

We moſt expreſly and ſtrictly forbid all our Subjects of the ſaid Pretended Reformed Religion, them, their Wives or Children, to depart out of our ſaid Kingdom, Countries, or Territories under our Obedience, or to Tranſport thence their Goods or Effects, upon Penalty of the Gally, for Men, and of Confiſcation of Body and Goods for Women.

XI.

Our Will and Meaning is, That the Declaration made againſt thoſe who ſhall relapſe, be Executed upon them according to their Form and Tenor.

Morever, thoſe of the ſaid Pretended Reformed Religion, in the☜ mean time, till it ſhall Pleaſe God to enlighten them, as well as others, may abide in the ſeveral reſpective Cities and Places of our Kingdoms, Countries, and Territories under our Obedience, and there continue their Commerce, and enjoy their Goods and Eſtates, without being any way moleſted upon account of the ſaid Pretended Reformed Religion; upon condition nevertheleſs, as forementioned, that they do not uſe any publick Religious Exerciſe, nor aſſemble themſelves upon the account of Prayer or Worſhip of the ſaid Religion, of what kind ſoever the ſame may be, upon forfeiture above ſpecified of Body and Goods.

[Page]Accordingly, We Will and Command our Truſty and Beloved Counſellors, the people holding our Courts of Aids at Paris, Bayliffs, Chief Juſtices, Provoſts, and other our Juſtices and Officers to whom it appertains, and to their Lieutenants, that they cauſe to be Read, Publiſhed, and Regiſtred, this Our preſent Edict in their Courts and Juriſdictions, even in Vacation time, and the ſame keep punctually, without contrevening or ſuffering the ſame to be contrevened; for ſuch is Our Will and Pleaſure. And to the end to make it a thing firm and ſtable, we have cauſed Our Seal to be put to the ſame. Given at Fountainbleau, in the Month of October, in the Year of Grace 1685, and of of Our Reign the XLIII.

Signed LEWES.

VISA. This Signifies the Lord Chancellors Peruſal.

Le Tellier.

Sealed with the Great Seal of Green-wax, upon a Red and Green ſtring of Silk.

REgiſtred and Publiſhed, the Kings Attorney General requiring it; in order to their being Executed according to Form and Tenor; and the Copies being Examined and Compared, ſent to the ſeveral Courts of Juſtice, Bailywicks, and Sheriffs Courts of each Diſtrict, to be there Entred and Regiſtred in like manner; and charge given to the Deputies of the ſaid Attorney General, to take care to ſee the ſame Executed, and put in Force; and to certifie the Court thereof.

At Paris, in the Court of Vacations, the 22th. of Octob. 1685.

Signed De la Baune.

A LETTER of the French KING to the ELECTOR of Brandenburg, Sept. 6. 1666.

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BROTHER,

I Would not have diſcourſed the Matter You write to Me about, on the behalf of My Subjects of the Pretended Reformed Religion, with any other Prince, beſides Your Self: But to ſhew You the particular Eſteem I have for You, I ſhall begin with telling You, That ſome Perſons, diſaffected to My Service, have ſpread Seditious Pamphlets among Strangers; as if the Acts and Edicts that were Paſs'd in favour of My ſaid Subjects of the Pretended Reformed Religion, by the Kings My Predeceſſors, and Confirmed by My Self, were not kept and executed in My Dominions; which would have been contrary to My Intentions: for I take care that they be maintained in all the Priviledges, which have been Granted them, and be as kindly us'd as My Other Subjects. To this I am Engaged both by My Royal Word, and in Acknowledgment of the Proofs they have given Me of their Loyalty, during the late Troubles, in which they took up Arms for My Service, and did vigorouſly Oppoſe, and ſucceſsfully Overthrow the ill Deſigns which a Rebellious Party were contriving within My own Dominions, againſt My Authority Royal. I pray God, &c.

BROTHER, &c.

A ſhort Account of the Violent Proceedings, and unheard-of Cruelties, which have been Exerciſed upon thoſe of Montauban, and which continue to be put in Practice in other Places, againſt thoſe of the Reformed Religion in France, for to make them Renounce their Religion.

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ON Saturday the 8 / 18th. of Auguſt, 1685. the Intendant of the Upper Guienne, who Reſides at Montauban, having Summoned the Principal Proteſtants of the ſaid City to come before him, repreſented unto them, That they could not be ignorant, that the Abſolute Will and Pleaſure of the King was, to Tolerate but One Religion in his Kingdom, viz. The Roman Catholick Religion; and therefore, wiſhed them readily to comply with the ſame: And in order thereto, adviſed them to. Aſſemble themſelves, and conſider what Reſolution they would take. To this Propoſal ſome anſwer'd, That there was no need of their Aſſembling themſelves upon that Account; foraſmuch as every one of them in particular, were to Try and Examine themſelves, and be always in a readineſs to give a reaſon of the Faith which was in them.

The next Day the Intendant again commanded them to Meet together in the Town-Houſe, which, he ordered, ſhould be left free for them from Noon, till Six of the Clock in the Evening: Where meeting accordingly, they Unanimouſly reſolved, as they had Lived, ſo to perſiſt till Death in their Religion: Which Reſolution of theirs, there were ſome Deputed by them to declare to the Intendant; who preſenting themſelves before him, he who was appointed Spokeſman, began to Addreſs himſelf to the Intendant in theſe Words: My Lord, We are not unacquainied, how we are menaced with the greatest Violence:—Hold there, ſaid the Intendant (interrupting him) No Violence. After this the Proteſtant continued; But whatever Force or Violence may be put upon us,—Here the Intendant interrupting him again, ſaid, I [Page] forbid you to uſe any ſuch Words: Upon which Second Interruption, he contented himſelf to aſſure him in few Words, That they were all Reſolved to Live and Dye in their Religion.

The Day after, the Battallion of La Fere, conſiſting of 16. Companies, entred the City, and were followed by many more. The Proteſtants all this while dreaming of no other Deſign they had againſt them, but that of ruining their Eſtates, and Impoveriſhing them, had already taken ſome Meaſures how to bear the ſaid Tryal; they had made a Common Purſe, for the Relief of ſuch who ſhould be moſt burthen'd with Quartering; and were come to a Reſolution to Poſſeſs what they had, in Common: But, Alas! how far theſe poor Souls were miſtaken in their Accounts, and how different the Treatment they received from the Dragoons was, from what they had expected, I ſhall now Relate to you.

Firſt therefore, in order to their Executing the Deſign and Project they had formed againſt them, they made the Souldiers take up their Quarters in one certain Place of the City; but withal, appointed ſeveral Corp de Guards to cut off the Communication which One part of the City might have with the Other, and poſſeſs'd themſelves of the Gates, that none might make their Eſcape. Things being thus ordered, the Troopers, Souldiers, and Dragoons began to Practiſe all manner of Hoſtilities, and Cruelties, where-with the Devil can Inſpire the moſt Inhumane and Reprobate Minds: They marr'd and defac'd their Houſhold-ſtuff, broke their Looking-Glaſſes, and other like Utenſils and Ornaments; they let the Wine run about their Cellars, caſt abroad and ſpoyl'd their Corn, and other Alimentary Proviſions: And as for thoſe things which they could not break and daſh to pieces, as the Furniture of Beds, Hangings, Tapiſtry, Linnen, Wearing Apparrel, Plate, and Things of the like Nature; theſe they carried to the Market-place, where the Jeſuits bought them of the Souldiers, and encouraged the Roman Catholicks to do the like. They did not ſtick to Sell the very Houſes of ſuch, who were moſt Reſolute and Conſtant in their Profeſſion. It is ſuppoſed, according to a Moderate Calculation, that in the time of four or five Days, the Proteſtants of that City were the poorer by a Million of Money, than they were before the entring of theſe Miſſionaries. There were Souldiers, who demanded Four hundred Crowns apiece of their Hoſts for ſpending-Money; and many Proteſtants were forced to pay down Ten Piſtols to each Souldier; upon the ſame Account.

[Page]In the mean time, the outrages they committed upon their Perſons were moſt deteſtable and Barbarous; I ſhall only here ſet down ſome few, of which I have been particularly Inform'd. A certain Taylor called Bearnois, was bound and drag'd by the Souldiers to the Corp de Guard, where they Boxed and Buffetted him all Night, all which blows and Indignities he ſuffered with the greateſt conſtancy Imaginable. The Troopers who Quartered with Monſieur Solignac made his Dining Room a Stable for their Horſes, tho the Furniture of it was Valued at 10000 Livres, and forc'd him to turn the Broach till his Arm was near Burnt, by their continual caſting of Wood upon the Fire. A Paſſenger as he went through the ſaid City ſaw ſome Souldiers beating a Poor Man even to Death, for to force him to go to Maſs, whilſt the conſtant Martyr to his laſt Breath, cryed, He would never do it, and only requeſted they would Diſpatch and make an end of him. The Barons of Cauſſade and De la Motte, whoſe Conſtancy and Piety might have Inſpired Courage and Reſolution to the reſt of the Citizens, were ſent away to Cahors. Monſieur D'Alliez, one of the prime Gentlemen of Montauban, being a Venerable Old Man, ſound ſo ill Treatment at their hands, as it's thought he will ſcarcely eſcape with Life. Monſieur De Garriſon, who was one of the moſt conſiderable Men of that City, and an intimate Friend of the Intendant, went and caſt himſelf at his Feet, imploring his Protection, and conjuring him to rid him of his Souldiers, that he might have no force put upon his Conſcience; adding, That in Recompence of the Favour he beg'd of him, He would willingly give him all he had, which was to the Value of about a Million of LIvres; but by all his Entreaties and Proffers, he could not in the leaſt prevail with the Intendant; who gave order, that for a Terror to the meaner ſort, he ſhould be worſe uſed than the reſt, by dragging him along the Streets.

The Method they moſt commonly made uſe of, for to make them Abjure their Religion, and which could not be the Product of any thing but Hell, was this; Some of the moſt ſtrong and vigorous Souldiers, took their Hoſts, or other Perſons of the Houſe, and walk'd them up and down in ſome Chamber, continually tickling them and toſſing them like a Ball from one to another, without giving them the leaſt Intermiſſion, and keeping them in this condition for three days and nights together, without Meat, Drink, or Sleep: When they were ſo wearied, and fainting, that they could no longer ſtand upon their Legs, they laid them on a Bed, continuing as before to Tickle and Torment them; [Page] after ſome time, when they thought them ſomewhat recovered, they made them riſe, and walked them up and down as before, ſometimes Tickling, and other times Laſhing them with Rods, to keep them from Sleeping. As ſoon as one Party of theſe Barbarous Tormenters were Tyred and wearled out, they were Relieved by others of their Companions, who coming freſh to the Work, with greater Vigour and Violence reiterated the ſame Courſe. By this Infernal Invention (which they had formerly made uſe of, with ſucceſs, in Bearn and other places) many went Diſtracted, and others became Mopiſh and Stupid, and remain ſo.

Thoſe who made their Eſcape, were fain to abandon their Eſtates, yea, their Wives, Children, and Aged Relations, to the Mercy of theſe Barbarous, and more than Savage Troops. The ſame Cruelties were acted at Negrepliſſe, a City near to Montauban; where theſe Bloody Emiſſaries committed unparallel'd Outrages. Iſaac Favin, a Citizen of that Place, was hung up by his Arm-pits, and tormented a whole Night, by pinching and tearing off his Fleſh with Pincers; tho by all this they were not able to ſhake his Conſtancy, in the leaſt. The Wife of one Rouffion, a Joyner, being violently dragg'd by the Souldiers along the Streets, for to force her to hear Maſs, dyed of this cruel and inhumane Treatment, as ſoon as ſhe reach'd the Church Porch.

Amongſt other their Deviliſh Inventions, this was one: They made a great Fire round about a Boy of about Ten Years of Age; who continually, with Hands and Eyes lifted up to Heaven, cryed, My God, help me; and when they ſaw the Lad reſolved to Dye ſo, rather than Renounce his Religion, they ſnatch'd him from the Fire, when he was at the very point of being Burnt. The Cities of Cauſſade, Realville, St. Anthonin, and other Towns and Places in the Upper, Guienne, met with the ſame Entertainment, as well as Bergerac, and many other Places of Perigord, and of the Lower Guienne; which had a like ſhare of theſe cruel and inhumane Uſages.

The forementioned Troops marched at laſt to Caſtres, to commit the ſame Inſolencies and Barbarities there alſo: And it is not to be doubted, but that they will continue, and carry on the ſame courſe of Cruelties, where ever they go; if God, in Pity and Compaſſion to his People, do not reſtrain them.

It is to be feared, (for it ſeems but too probable) that this dreadful Perſecution, in conjunction with thoſe Artifices the Papiſts make uſe of to diſguiſe their Religion, and to perſwade Proteſtants, that they [Page] ſhall be ſuffered to Worſhip God as formerly, will make many to comply with them, or at leaſt make their Mouths give their Hearts the Lye, in hopes of being by this means put into a condition to make their eſcapes, and returning to that Profeſſion, which their weakneſs hath made them deny.

But, Alas! this is not all; for thoſe Poor Wretches, whom by theſe Deviliſh ways of theirs, they have made to Blaſpheme and Abjure their Religion, as if this were not enough, muſt now become the Perſecutors and Tormentors of their own Wives and Children, for to oblige and force them to Renounce alſo; for they are threatned, that if within three days time they do not make their whole Family Recant in like manner, thoſe rough Apoſtles (the Dragoons) ſhall be fain to take further pains with them, in order to the perfecting of their Converſion. And who after all this can have the leaſt doubt, but that theſe unhappy Dragoons are the very Emiſſaries of Hell, whoſe very laſt Efforts and Death ſtruglings theſe ſeem to be?

This Relation hath given a ſhort view of ſome of thoſe Sufferings, the Reformed have undergone, but not of all: It is certain, that in divers places they have tryed to wear out their Patience, and overcome their Conſtancy by applying Red hot Irons to the Hands and Feet of Men, and to the Breaſts of Women. At Nantes they hung up ſeveral Women and Maids by their Feet, and others by their Armpits, and that Stark-Naked, thus expoſing them to Publick View, which aſſuredly is the moſt cruel and exquiſite Suffering can befall that Sex; becauſe in this caſe their Shamefac'dneſs and Modeſty is moſt ſenſibly touched, which is the moſt tender part of their Soul. They have bound Mothers that gave Suck unto Poſts, and let their little Infants lye Languiſhing in their ſight, without being ſuffered to Suckle them for ſeveral days, and all this while left them crying, moaning, and gaſping for Life, and even Dying for Hunger and Thirſt, that by this means they might Vanquiſh the Conſtancy of their Tender-hearted Mothers, Swearing to them they would never permit they ſhould give them Suck till they promiſed to Renounce their Profeſſion of the Goſpel. They have taken Children of Four or Five Years of Age, and kept them from Meat and Drink for ſome time, and when they have been ready to faint away and give the Ghoſt, they have brought them before their Parents, and horribly Aſſeverated, that except they would Turn, they muſt prepare themſelves to ſee their Children Languiſh and Dye in their preſence. Some they [Page] have bound before a great Fire, and being half Roaſted, have after let them go: They beat Men and Women outragiouſly; they drag them along the Streets, and Torment them day and Night. The ordinary way they took, was to give them no [...]eſt; for the Souldiers do continually Relieve one another for to Drag, Beat, Torment and Toſs up and down theſe Miſerable Wretches, without Intermiſſion. If it happen that any by their Patience and Conſtancy do ſtand it out, and Triumph over all the Rage and Fury of thoſe Dragoons, they go to their Commander and acquaint him, they have done all they could, but yet without the deſired ſucceſs; who in a Barbarous and Surly Tone, anſwers them; You muſt return upon them, and do worſe than you have done; the King Commands it; either they muſt Turn, or I muſt Burſt and Periſh in the Attempt. Theſe are the Pleaſant Flowry Paths, by which the Papiſts allure Proteſtants to return to the Boſome of their Church.

But ſome it may be will object; You make a great noiſe about a ſmall matter, all Proteſtants have not been expoſed to theſe Cruelties, but only ſome few obſtinate Perſons: Well, I will ſuppoſe ſo, but yet the Horror of thoſe Torments Inflicted on ſome, hath ſo fill'd the Imagination of theſe Miſerable Wretches, that the very thoughts of them hath made them comply; it is indeed a Weakneſs of which we are aſhamed for their ſakes, and from whence we hope God will raiſe them again, in his due time; yet thus much we may alledge for their excuſe, that never was any Perſecution, upon pretence of Religion, carried on to that pitch, and with that Politick Malice and Cruelty that this hath been; and therefore, of all thoſe which ever the Church of Chriſt groan'd under, none can be compar'd with it, True indeed it is, that in former Ages it hath been common to Burn the Faithful under the Name of Hereticks; but how few were there expoſed to that cruel kind of Death, in compariſon of thoſe who eſcaped the Executioners hands? But, behold here a great People at once Oppreſs'd, Deſtroy'd, and Ruin'd by a vaſt Army of Prodigious Butchers, and few or none eſcaping. Former, yea late times have given us ſome Inſtances of Maſſacres; but theſe were only violent Tempeſts, and ſuddain Hurricanes, which laſted but a Night, or, at the moſt, a few days, and they who ſuffered in them were ſoon out of their pains, and the far greater number eſcaped the dint of them: but how much more dreadful is the preſent condition of the Proteſtants in France? And to the end we may take a true view and right [Page] meaſures of it, let us conſider, that nothing can be conceived more terrible, than a State of War; but what War to be compared with This? They ſee a whole Army of Butcherly Canibals entring their Houſes, Battering, Breaking, Burning, and Deſtroying whatever comes to hand; Swearing, Curſing, and Blaſpheming like Devils; beating to exceſs; offering all manner of Indignities and Violence; diverting themſelves, and ſtriving to out-vie each other in inventing New Methods of Pain and Torment; not to be appeaſed with Money, or good Chear; foaming and roaring like Ravenous raging Lyons; and preſenting Death, at every moment; and that which is worſe than all this, driving People to Diſtraction, and ſenſeleſs Stupidity, by thoſe Deviliſh Inventions we have given you an Inſtance of, in the Relation of Montauban.

Moreover, This Perſecution hath one Characteriſtical Note more; which, without any Exaggeration, will give it the Precedence in Hiſtory for Cruelty, above all thoſe which the Church of God ever ſuffered under Nero, Maximinus, or Diocleſian; which is, The ſevere Prohibition of departing the Kingdom, upon pain of Confiſcation of Goods, of the Gally, of the Laſh, and perpetual Impriſonment. All the Sea-Ports are kept with that Exactneſs, as if it were to hinder the Eſcape of Traytors, and common Enemies: All the Priſons of Sea-Port-Towns are cramm'd with theſe miſerable Fugitives, Men, Women, Boys, and Girls; who there are Condemned to the worſt of Puniſhments, for having had a deſire to ſave themſelves from this dreadful Perſecution, and deluging Calamity. This is the Thing which is unparallel'd, and of which we find no Inſtance: This is thaat Superlative Excefs of Cruelty, which we ſhall not find in the Liſt of all the Violent and Bloody Proceedings of the Duke of Alva: He Maſſacred, he Beheaded, he Cutchered; but at leaſt, he did not Prohibit thoſe that could, to make their Eſcape. In the laſt Hungarian Perſecution, nothing was required of the Proteſtants, but only that their Miniſters ſhould Baniſh themſelves, and Abandon and Renounce the Conduct of their Flocks; and becauſe they were unwilling to obey theſe Orders, therefore it is they have groan'd under ſo long, and ſo terrible a Perſecution, as they have done. But this Hungarian Perſecution is not to be compared with that we are ſpeaking of; for the Fury of that Tempeſt diſcharged it ſelf upon the Miniſters only; no Armies were Imploy'd, to force the People to change their Religion, by a thouſand ſeveral ways of Torment; much leſs did it ever enter the Thoughts [Page] of the Emperour's Councel, to ſhut up all the Proteſtants in Hungary; in order to the deſtroying of all thoſe who would not abjure their Religion; which yet is the very condition of ſo many wretched Perſons in France, who beg it as the higheſt Favour at the Hands of their Mercileſs Enemies, to have Leave to go and beg their Bread in a Foreign Country; being willing to leave their Goods, and all other outward Conveniencies, behind them, for to lead a poor, miſerable, languiſhing Life in any Place, where only they may be ſuffered to Dye in their Religion. And is it not from all this moſt apparent, that thoſe Monſters, who have Inſpired the King with theſe Deſigns, have refin'd the Myſtery of Perſecuting to the utmoſt, and advanc'd it to its higheſt Pitch of Perfection?

O Great God! who from thy Heavenly Throne do'ſt behold all the Outrages done to thy People, haſte Thee to help us! Great God, whoſe Compaſſions are Infinite, ſuffer thy Self to be touched with our extream Deſolation! If Men be Inſenſible of the Calamities we ſuffer, if they be deaf to our Cries, not regarding our Groans and Supplications; yet let thy Bowels, O Lord, be moved, and affect Thee in our behalf. Glorious God, for whoſe Names ſake we ſuffer all theſe things, who knoweſt our Innocence and Weakneſs, as well as the Fury and Rage of our Adverſaries, the ſmall Support and Help we find in the World; Behold, we periſh, if thy Pity doth not rouze Thee up for our Relief. It is Thou art our Rock, our God, our Father, our Deliverer: We do not place our Confidence in any, but Thee alone: Let us not be confounded, becauſe we put our Truſt in Thee. Haſte Thee to our Help; make no long tarrying, O Lord, our God, and our Redeemer!

A Letter ſent from Bourdeaux, giving an Account of the Perſecution of thoſe of the Proteſtant Religion in France.

SIR,

WHat you have heard concerning the Perſecution of thoſe that are of our Religion, in the Land of Bearne, Guienne, and Perigord, is but too true: and I can aſſure you; that they who have given you that Account, have been ſo far from amplifying the Matter, [Page] that they have only acquainted you with ſome few particulars; yet am I not much ſurprized at the difficulty you find to perſwade your ſelf, that the things of which your Friends Inform you, are true: In caſes of this Nature, ſo amazingly unexpected, we are apt often to diſtruſt our own Eyes; and I profeſs to you, that though all places round about us Echo the Report of our Ruine and Deſtruction, yet I can ſcarcely perſwade my ſelf it is ſo indeed, becauſe I cannot comprehend it. It is no matter of ſurprize, or amazement, to ſee the Church of Chriſt afflicted upon Earth, foraſmuch as ſhe is a ſtranger here, at well as her Captain, Lord and Husband, the Holy and Everbleſſed Jeſus was; and muſt, like Him, by the ſame way of Croſs and Suffering, return to her own Country, which is above. It is no matter of Aſtoniſhment, to find her from time to time ſuffering the worſt of uſage, and moſt cruel Perſecutions; all Ages have ſeen her expoſed to ſuch Tryals as theſe, which are ſo neceſſary for the Teſting of her Faith, and ſo fit a matter of her Future Glory. Neither is it any great wonder, if, amidſt theſe ſore Tryals, vaſt numbers of thoſe who made Profeſſion of the Goſpel, do now Renounce and forſake it: We know that all have not Faith; and it is more than probable, that they who do not follow Chriſt, but becauſe they Thrive by it, and for the Loaves, will ceaſe to be of his Retinue, when he is about to oblige them to bear his Croſs, and deny themſelves. But that which ſeems Inconceivable to me, is, that our Enemies ſhould pitch upon ſuch ſtrange ways and methods to deſtroy us, as they have done, and that, in ſo doing they ſhould meet with a ſucceſs ſo prodigious and doleful. I ſhall as briefly as I can endeavour to give you an account of ſo much as I have underſtood of it.

All thoſe thundring Declarations, and deſtructive Arreſts, which continually were Sued for, and obtain'd againſt us, and which were Executed with the Extremity of Rigour, were ſcarce able to move any one of us. The forbidding of our Publick Exerciſes, the demoliſhing of our Churches, and the ſevere Injunction that not ſo much as Two or Three of us ſhould dare to Aſſemble, in order to any thing of Divine Worſhip, had no other effect upon the far greater part of us, than to Inflame our Zeal, inſtead of abating it; obliging us to Pray to God with greater Fervor and Devotion in our Cloſets, and to Meditate of his Word with greater Application and Attention. And neither the great wants, to which we were reduced by being depriv'd of our Offices and Imploys, and all other means of Living, and by [Page] thoſe inſupportable charges with which they ſtrove to over-whelm us, as well by Taxes, as the Quartering of Souldiers (both which were as heavy as could be laid upon us) nor the continual trouble we were put to by Criminal or other matters of Law; which at the Suit of one or other were ſtill laid to our charge, tho upon the moſt frivolous and unjuſt pretences imaginable; I ſay, all theſe were not able to wear out our Patience, which was hardned againſt all Calamities: inſomuch as the deſign of forcing us to abandon the Truth of the Goſpel, would Infallibly have been Ship-wrack'd, if no other means had been taken in hand for this purpoſe. But, Alas! our Enemies were too Ingenious, to be bauk'd ſo; and had taken our Ruine too much to Heart, not to ſtudy for means effectual and proper to bring about their deſires: They call'd to mind what Prodigious ſucceſs a new kind of Perſecution had had of late Years in Poctou, Aunix, and Xaintonge, which the Intendants of thoſe places had bethought themſelves of; and they made no difficulty to have Recourſe to the ſame, as to a means Infallible, and not to be doubted of.

I muſt tell you, Sir, That we had not the leaſt thought that ever ſuch violent Methods as theſe, would have been pitched upon, as the means of our Converſion: We were always of Opinion, that none but Dennuieux's, and Marillacs, could be fit Inſtruments for ſuch like Enterprizes; neither could we ever have Imagin'd, that Generals of Armies, who account it a Shame and Reproach to Attack and take ſome paultry Town or Village, ſhould ever debaſe themſelves to Beſiege Old Men, Women, and Children in their own Houſes; or that ever Souldiers, who think themſelves ennobled by their Swords, ſhould degrade themſelves ſo far, as to take up the Trade of Butchers and Hangmen, by tormenting poor Innocents, and inflicting all ſorts of Puniſhments upon them.

Moreover, we were the leſs in expectation of any ſuch thing, becauſe at the ſelf-ſame time they Treated us in this manner, they would needs perſwade us, That the King's Councel had diſapproved the Deſign: And indeed, it ſeem'd very probable to us, that all Reaſons, whether taken from Humanity, Piety, or Intereſt, would have made them diſavow and condemn a Project ſo Inhumane and Barbarous: Yet now, by Experience, we find it but too true, that our Enemies are ſo far from rejecting the ſaid Deſign, that they carry it on with an unparallel'd Zeal and Application, without giving themſelves any further trouble to effectuate their Deſires, than that of doing theſe two things.

[Page]The Firſt of which was, to Lull us aſleep, and to take away from us all matter of Suſpition of the miſchief they were hatching againſt us; which they did by permitting ſome of our Publick Exerciſes of Religion, by giving way to our Building of ſome Churches, by ſettling Miniſters in divers places to Baptize our Children, and by publiſhing ſeveral Arreſts and Declarations, which did intimate to us, that we had reaſon to hope we ſhould yet Subſiſt for ſome Years: Such was that Declaration, by which all Miniſters were ordered to change their Churches every three years.

The Other was, to ſecure all the Sea-Ports of the Kingdom, ſo as none might make their eſcape, which was done by renewing the Antient Prohibitions of departing the Kingdom without leave, but with the addition of far more ſevere Penalties.

After theſe precautions thus taken, they thought themſelves no longer oblig'd to keep any meaſures, but immediately lift up the hand, to give the laſt blow for our Ruine. The Intendants had order to repreſent to us, That the King was reſolved to ſuffer no other Religion in his Kingdom beſides his own, and to Command us all in his Name, readily to Embrace the ſame, without allowing us any longer reſpite to conſider what we had to do, than a few days, nay hours; threatning us, That if we continued obſtinate, they would force us to it by the extremity of Rigour; and preſently Executing theſe their Menaces, by filling our Houſes with Souldiers, to whom we were to be leſt for a Prey; and who, not content with entirely Ruining of us, ſhould beſides exerciſe upon our Perſons all the Violence and Cruelty they could poſſibly deviſe: And all this to overcome our Conſtancy and Perſeverance.

Four Months are now paſt and gone, ſince they began to make uſe of this ſtrange and horrible way of Converting People, worthy of, and well becoming its Inventors. The Country of Bearne was firſt ſet upon, as being one of the moſt conſiderable Out-parts of the Kingdom, to the end that this miſchievous enterprize gaining ſtrength in its paſſage, might ſoon after over-whelm, and as it were deluge all the other Provinces in the ſame Sea of the uttermoſt calamity. Monſieur Foucaut the Intendant, went himſelf in Perſon to all the places where we were in any numbers, and commanded all the Inhabitants that were of the Proteſtant Religion, under the Penalty of great amercements, to Aſſemble themſelves in thoſe places he appointed to them; where being accordingly met together, he charged them in the Kings Name to change their Religion, allowing them only a day [Page] or two to diſpoſe themſelves for it: He told them, That great numbers of Souldiers were at hand, to compel thoſe that ſhould rfuſe to yield a ready Obedience; and this threatning of his being immediately followed by the Effect, as Lightning is by Thunder, he fill'd the Houſes of all thoſe who abode conſtant in their reſolution to Live and Dye Faithful to their Lord and Maſter, Jeſus Chrſt, with Souldiers; and Commands thoſe Inſolent Troops (fleſh'd with Blood and Slaughter) to give them the worſt Treatment they could poſſibly deviſe.

I ſhall not undertake, Sir, to give you a particular Account of thoſe Exceſſes, and Outrages, theſe enraged Brutals comitted in Executing the Orders they were charged with; The Relation would prove too tedious and doleful: It ſhall ſuffice me to tell you, That they did not forget any thing that was Inhumane, Barbarous, or Cruel, without having regard to any Condition Sex or Age; they pull'd down and demoliſhed their Houſes; they ſpoil'd, daſh'd to pieces, and burnt their beſt Moveables and Houſhold ſtuff; they bruiſed and beat to Death Venerable Old Men; they dragg'd Honourable Matrons to Maſs, without the leaſt pitty or reſpect; they bound and Fetter'd Innocent Perſons, as if they had been the moſt Infamous and Profligate Villains; they hung them up by their Feet, till they ſaw them ready to give up the Ghoſt; they took Red hot Fire-ſhovels, and held them cloſe to their bare Heads, and actually apply'd them to other parts of their Bodies; they Immur'd them within four Walls, where they let them Periſh for Hunger and Thirſt: And the Conſtancy wherewith they ſuffer'd all theſe Torments, having had no other effect, but that of augmenting the Rage of theſe Furies, they never ceaſed Inventing new ways of Pain and Torture, till their Inhumanity at length had got the Victory, and Triumphed over the Patience and Faith of theſe Miſerable Wretches. Inſomuch, that of all thoſe many numerous Aſſemblies, we had in that Province, as that of Pau, d'Arthes, de Novarre, &c. there are ſcarcely left a ſmall number, who either continue conſtant in deſpite of all theſe Cruelties, or elſe have made their eſcape into Spain, Holland, England, or elſewhere, leaving their Goods and Families for a Prey to theſe Mercileſs and Cruel Men.

Succeſs having thus far anſwered their Expectation, they reſolved to loſe no time; but vigorouſly Proſecuting their work, they immediately turned their Thoughts and Arms towards Montauban; where the Intendant having Summoned the Citizens to appear before him, [Page] ſpeaks them much of the ſame Language, as was uſed to thoſe of Bearne; whereunto they having returned about the ſame Anſwer, he orders 4000. Men to enter the City, and makes them take up their Quarters, as at Bearne, only in the Houſes of Proteſtants; with expreſs Command to Treat them in like manner, as they had done thoſe of Bearne: And theſe Inhumane Wretches were ſo diligent and active in Executing theſe pittileſs Orders, that of 12, or 15000. Souls, of which that Church did conſiſt, not above 20, or 30. Families are eſcaped; who, in a doleful and forlorn Condition, wander up and down the Woods, and hide themſelves in Thickets. The Ruine of this Important Place, drew after it the Deſolation of all the Churches about it: which were all Enveloped in the ſame common Calamity, as thoſe of Realment, Bourniquel, Negrepliſſe, &c.

Yet was not the Condition of the Churches in the Upper Guienne more ſad and calamitous, than that of thoſe of the Lower Guienne, and of Perigord; which this horrible Deluge hath likewiſe overwhelm'd. Monſieur Bouflers, and the Intendant, having ſhared the Country between them; Monſieur de Bouflers taking for his Part Agenois, Tonnein, Clerac, with the adjoyning Places; and the Intendant having taken upon him to reduce Fleis, Monravel, Genſſac, Cartillon, Coutras, Libourne, &c. The Troops which they commanded, in the mean time, carrying Deſolation to all the Places they paſſed through, filling them with Mourning and Deſpair, and ſcattering Terror and Amazement amongſt all thoſe to whom they approached.

There were at the ſame time 17. Companies at Saint Foy, 15. at Nerac, and as many in proportion in all other Parts: So that, all Places being fill'd with theſe Troops, accuſtom'd to Licentiouſneſs and Pillage, there is not any one of the ſaid Places, where they have not left moſt dreadful Marks of their Rage and Cruelty; having at laſt, by means of their exquiſite Tortures, made all thoſe of our Religion ſubmit themſelves to the Communion of Rome.

But foraſmuch as Bergerac was moſt ſignally Famous for the long Tryals it had moſt Gloriouſly endured, and that our Enemies were very ſenſible of what Advantage it would be, to the carrying on of their Deſign, to make themſelves Maſters there alſo, at any price whatſoever; they accordingly fail'd not to attempt the ſame with more Reſolution and Obſtinacy, than any of the forementioned Places.

This little Town had already, for Three Years together, with admirable Patience and Conſtancy, endured a Thouſand ill Treatments, [Page] and Exactions from Souldiers, who had pick'd them to the very Bones: for beſides that, it was almoſt a continual paſſage for Souldiers; there were no leſs than 18. Troops of Horſe had their Winter-Quarters there; who yet in all that time had only gain'd Three Converts, and they ſuch too as were maintain'd by the Alms of the Church.

But to return: The deſign being form'd to reduce this City, two Troops of Horſe are immediately ordered thither, to obſerve the Inhabitants, and ſoon after 32 Companies of Foot enter the Town: Monſieur Bouflers and the Intendant of the Province, with the Biſhops of Agen and Perigueux, and ſome other Perſons of Quality, render themſelves there at the ſame time, and ſend for 200. of the chiefeſt Citizens to appear before them; telling them, That the Kings Expreſs Will and Pleaſure was, they ſhould all go to Maſs; and that in caſe of Diſobedience, they had order to compel them to it: To which the Citizens Unanimouſly anſwered, That their Eſtates were at the diſpoſe of his Majeſty, but that God alone was Lord of their Conſciences; and that they were reſolved to ſuffer to the utmoſt, rather than do any thing contrary to the motions of it. Whereupon they were told, That if they were ſo reſolved, they had nought elſe to do but to prepare themſelves to receive the Puniſhment their Obſtinacy and Diſobedience did deſerve; and immediately 32. Companies more, of Infantry and Cavalry, enter the City (which, together with the 34 Companies beforementioned, were all Quartered with Proteſtants) with Expreſs Command not to ſpare any thing they had, and to exerciſe all manner of Violence upon the Perſons of thoſe that entertain'd them, until they ſhould have extorted a Promiſe from them, to do whatſoever was Commanded them.

Theſe Orders then being thus Executed, according to the deſires of thoſe who had given them, and theſe miſerable Victims of a Barbarous Military Fury, being reduc'd to the moſt deplorable and deſolate condition; they are again ſent for to the Town houſe, and once more preſſed to change their Religion; and they anſwering with Tears in their Eyes, and with all the Reſpect, Humility, and Submiſſion imaginable, That the matter required of them, was the only thing they could not do, the extreameſt Rigour and Severity is denounc'd againſt them; and they preſently made good their Words, by ſending 34. more Companies into the City, which made up the full number of an hundred; who encouraging themſelves from their numbers, and flying like enraged Wolves upon theſe Innocent Sheep, did rend and worry them in ſuch a manner, as the ſole Relation cannot but ſtrike with Horror [Page] and Amazement. Whole Companies were ordered to Quarter with one Citizen; and Perſons whoſe whole Eſtate did not amount to 10000. Livres, were taxed at the rate of 150. Livres a day: When their Money is gone, they ſell their Houſhold-ſtuff, and ſell that for two pence, which hath coſt 60 Livres; they bind and fetter Father, Mother, Wife and Children: Four Souldiers continually ſtand at the door, to hinder any from coming-in to ſuccour or comfort them: they keep them in this condition, two, three, four, five, and ſix days, without either Meat, Drink, or Sleep: On one hand the Child cries, with the Languiſhing accent of one ready to Dye, Ah my Father! Ah my Mother! What ſhall I do ' I muſt Dye, I can endure no longer: The Wife on the other hand cries; Alas! my Heart fails me, I Faint, I Dye! Whilſt their cruel Tormentors are ſo far from being touch'd with Compaſſion, that from thence they take occaſion to preſs them afreſh, and to renew their Torments, frighting them with their Helliſh Menaces, accompanied with moſt execrable Oaths and Curſes; crying, Dog, Bougre, What, wilt not thou be Converted? Wilt not thou be Obedient? Dog, Bougre, Thou muſt be Converted, we are ſent on purpoſe to Convert thee: And the Clergy, who are witneſſes of all theſe Cruelties, (with which they feaſt their Eyes) and of all their Infamous and abominable words, (which ought to cover them with Horror and Confuſion) make only a matter of Sport and Laughter of it.

Thus theſe miſerable Wretches, being neither ſuffered to Live or to Dye, (for when they ſee them fainting away, they force them to take ſo much as to keep Body and Soul together) and ſeeing no other way for them to be delivered out of this Hell, in which they are continually Tormented, are fain at laſt to ſtoop under the unſupportable Burthen of theſe extremities: So that, excepting only a few who ſaved themſelves by a timely Flight, preferring their Religion before all Temporal Poſſeſſions, all the reſt have been conſtrained to go to Maſs.

Neither is the Country any more exempt from theſe Calamities, than Towns and Cities; nor thoſe of the Nobility and Gentry, than Citizens. They ſend whole Companies of Souldiers into Gentlemens Houſes, who Treat them in the moſt outragious and violent manner conceivable; inſomuch that not a Soul can hope to eſcape, except it may be ſome few, who like the Believers of old, wander in Deſarts, and lodge in Dens and Caves of the Earth.

[Page]Furthermore, I can aſſure you, that never was any greater conſternation, than that which we are in here at preſent; the Army, we hear is come very near us, and the Intendant is juſt now Arrived in this City; the greater part of the moſt conſiderable Merchants are either already gone, or caſting about how beſt to make their eſcape, abandoning their Houſes and Eſtates to their Enemies; and there are not wanting ſome Cowardly Spirits, who, to avoid the miſchief they are preparing for us, have already promiſed to do whatſoever is required of them. In a word, nothing is ſeen or heard in theſe parts but Conſternation, Weeping and Lamentation; there being ſcarce a Perſon of our Religion, who hath not his Heart pierced with the bittereſt Sorrows, and whoſe Countenance hath not the Lively Picture of Death Imprinted on it: and ſurely, if our Enemies Triumph in all this, their Triumph cannot likely be of any long continuance.

I confeſs, I cannot perſwade my ſelf to entertain ſo good an opinion of them, as to think that ever they will be aſhamed of theſe their doings, ſo Diametrically oppoſite to the Spirit of the Goſpel; for I know the Goſpel, in their accounts, paſſeth for a Fable: but this I dare averr, that this Method of theirs will Infallibly lay waſte the Kingdome, which, according to all appearance, is never like to recover of it; and ſo in time, they themſelves will be made as ſenſible of theſe miſeries, as others now are. Commerce is already in a manner wholly extinct, and there will need little leſs than a Miracle to recover it to its former State. What Proteſtant Merchants will henceforward be willing to engage themſelves in Trade, either with Perſons without Faith; and who have ſo cowardly betray'd their Religion and Conſcience, or with the Outragious and Barbarous Perſecuters of the Religion, which they profeſs? and who by theſe courſes declare openly and frankly, that it is their Principle, not to think themſelves oblig'd to keep their word with Hereticks? And who are thoſe, of what Religion ſoever, that will Negotiate with a State exhauſted by Taxes and Subſidies, by Perſecutions, by Barrenneſs and Dearth of ſeveral years continuance; full of a deſpairing People, and which Infallibly will e're long be full of thoſe that are proſcrib'd, and be bathing in its own Blood.

And theſe miſerable Wretches, who have been deceived by thoſe who have told them, That it would never be impos'd upon them to abjure their Religion, and who are ſtupified by the extremity of their Sufferings, and the terror of their bloody and cruel Enemies, are wrapt [Page] up in ſo deep an Aſtoniſhment, as doth not permit them to be fully ſenſible of their Fall: But as ſoon as they ſhall recover themſelves, and remember, that they could not Embrace the Communion of Rome, with abſolutely Renouncing the Holy Religion they Profeſſed; and when they ſhall make a full Reflection upon the unhappy Change they have been forced to make, then their Conſciences being awakened, and continually reproaching their Faint-heartedneſs, will rend them with Sorrow and Remorſe, and inflict Torments upon them, equal to thoſe the Damned endure in Hell; and will make them endeavour to be delivered from this Anguiſh, and to find Reſt in the conſtant Profeſſion of that Truth, which they have unhappily betray'd.

And on the other ſide; Their Enemies will be loath to take the Lye at this time of the Day; and therefore will endeavour, through fear of Puniſhments, to oblige them to ſtay in that Abyſs of Horror, into which they have precipitated them: But becauſe all the Sufferings they can poſſibly threaten them with, will be no ways conſiderable, when compared with thoſe Tortures their Conſciences have already Inflicted upon them, and where-with they threaten them in caſe of a Relapſe, they will be conſtrained to drag them to the Place of Execution, or elſe ſeek to rid themſelves of them all at once, by a general Maſſacre, which many good Souls have ſo long deſired.

I hope, Sir, You will not be wanting in your moſt earneſt Prayers to beg of God, that He would be pleaſed to take pity of theſe miſerable Wretches; and make the Heart of our Soveraign to relent towards us; That He would Convert thoſe, who in their Blindneſs think they do Him Service, by putting us to Death; That He would cauſe his Voice to be heard by them from Heaven, as to St. Paul; Saul, Saul, Why Perſecuteſt thou me? And make the reſt the Examples of his Exemplary Juſtice: Finally, That He would grant, That all thoſe who have denied Him, being touched with a True Repentance, may, with St. Peter, Go out, and Weep bitterly. I am,

SIR,

Yours, &c.

An Extract of a Letter, containing ſome more Inſtances of the Cruel and Barbarous Ʋſage of the Proteſtants in France.

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BUt this, Sir, is not the thing which troubles me moſt, at this time; there's another cauſe of my Grief, which is but too juſt, and even pierceth my Heart with Sorrow; and that is, The Cruel Perſecution, which the Poor Proteſtants of France do ſuffer, amongſt whom I have ſo many near and dear Relations: The Torments they are put to, are almoſt Incredible; and the Heavenly Courage, wherewith ſome of them are ſtrengthned by their Great Captain and Leader, to undergo them, is no leſs amazing and wonderful: I ſhall give for Inſtance one or two of theſe Champions, that by them you may judge of the reſt.

A Young Woman was brought before the Council, in order to oblige her to abjure the Truth of the Goſpel; which ſhe boldly and manfully refuſing, was commanded back again to Priſon; where they ſhaved her Head, and ſing'd off the Hair of her Privities; and having ſtript her Stark-Naked, in this manner led her through the Streets of the City; where many a blow was given her, and Stones flung at her. After this, they ſet her up to the Neck in a Tub full of Water; where after ſhe had been for a while, they took her out, and put upon her a Shift dipt in Wine, which as it dry'd, and ſtuck to her Sore and Bruiſed Body, they ſnatch'd off again; and then had another ready, dipt in Wine, to clap upon her: This they repeated ſix ſeveral times; and when by this Inhumane uſage, her Body was become very Raw and Tender, they demanded of her, Whether ſhe did not now find her ſelf diſpoſed to Embrace the Catholick Faith? for ſo they are pleaſed to term their Religion: But ſhe, being ſtrengthned by the Spirit and Love of Him, for whoſe Names ſake ſhe ſuffered all theſe Extremities, undaunted anſwer'd; That ſhe had before declared her Reſolution to them, which ſhe would never alter; and that, though they had her Body in their Power, ſhe was reſolved not to yield her Soul to them; but keep it pure and undefiled for her Heavenly Lover; as knowing, that a little while would put an end to all her Sufferings, and give a [Page] Beginning to her Enjoyment of Everlaſting Bliſs: Which Words of hers, adding Fuel of their Rage, who now deſpaired of making her a Convert, they took and faſtned her by her Feet, to ſomething that ſerved the turn of a Gibbet, and there let her hang in that Ignominious Poſture, with her Head downwards, till ſhe expired.

The other Perſon I would inſtance in, and whom I pity the more, becauſe (for ought I know) he may yet ſurvive, and ſtill continue under the Tormentor's Hands, is an Old Man; who having, for a great while, been kept cloſe Priſoner (upon the ſame Account as the former) in a deep Dungeon, where his Companions were Darkneſs and Horror, and filthy Creeping Things, was brought before his Judges, with Vermin and Snails crawling upon his Mouldred Garment; who ſeeing him in that Loathſom Condition, ſaid to him: How now Old Man, does not your Heart begin to Relent? and are not you willing to Abjure your Hereſie? To which he anſwer'd: As for Hereſie, I profeſs none; but if by that Word you mean my Religion, you may aſſure your ſelves, that as I have thus long Lived, ſo, I hope, and am reſolved by the Grace of God, to Dye in it: With which Anſwer they being little pleaſed, but furiouſly Incenſed, beſpoke him in a rougher Tone: Do'ſt thou not ſee, that the Worms are about to devour thee? Well, fince thou art ſo reſolved, we will ſend thee back again, to the loathſom Place from whence thou cameſt, that they may make an end of thee, and conſume thy obdurate Heart: To which he reply'd, with the Words of the Holy Patient Job; Novi poſtquam vermes confoderint (Corpus) iſtud, in carne mea me viſſurum eſſe Deum. I know that after Worms have eaten this Body, that in my Fleſh I ſhall ſee God. And having ſo ſaid, he was ſent back to his loathſom dark Abode; where if he be ſtill, I pray God to give him Patience and Strength to hold out to the End, that ſo he may obtain the Crown of Life.

I ſhould be too tedious, in giving you all the Particulars of their Cruelty, and of the Sufferings of the Proteſtants; yet I cannot well forbear acquainting you with what lately I am moſt credibly inform'd of; which take as follows: Some Dragoons, who were Quartered with a Perſon, who they could by no means oblige to Renounce his Religion; upon a time, when they had well fill'd themſelves with Wine, and broke their Glaſſes at every Health they drank; and ſo fill'd the Floor, where they were, with the Fragments; and by often walking over, and treading upon them, reduced them to leſſer Pieces and Fractions: And being now in a merry Humour, they muſt needs [Page] go to Dance; and told their Hoſt, That he muſt be One of the Company; but withal, that he muſt firſt pull off his Stockings and Shoes, that he might move the more nimbly: In a word, they forc'd him to Dance with them bare-footed, upon the ſharp Points of Glaſs; which when they had continued ſo long as they were able to keep him on his Legs, they laid him down on a Bed; and a while after ſtript him ſtark naked, and rolled his Body from one end of the Room to the other, upon the ſharp Glaſs, as beforementioned; which having done, till his Skin was ſtuck full of the ſaid little Fragments, they returned him again to his Bed, and ſent for a Chyrurgeon, to take out all the ſaid Pieces of Glaſs out of his Body; which, you may eaſily conceive, could not be done without frequent Inciſions, and horrible and moſt extream Pain. Another Perſon being likewiſe troubled with the unwelcome Company of theſe Dragoons, and having ſuffered extreamly at their Hands, without the expected Succeſs of his Converſion; one of them on a time looking earneſtly upon him, told him, That he diſfigured himſelf, with letting his Beard grow ſo long: But he anſwering, That they were the cauſe of it, who would not let him ſtir out of door, for to go to the Barber: The Dragoon reply'd I can do that for you as well as the Barber; and with that told him, He muſt needs try his Skill upon him: And ſo fell to work; but inſtead of ſhaving him, flea'd all the Skin off his Face. One of his Companions coming-in at the Cry of this poor Sufferer, and ſeeing what he had done, ſeemingly blam'd him for it, and ſaid, He was a Bunglar; and then to his Hoſt, Come, your Hair wants Cutting too; and you ſhall ſee, I will do it much better than he hath ſhav'd you: And thereupon begins, in a moſt cruel manner, to pluck the Hair, Skin, and all, off his Head, and flea'd That as the other had done his Chin. Thus making a Sport and Merriment of the extream Suffering of theſe miſerable Wretches.

By theſe Inhumane, and more than Barbarous means it is, that they endeavour to overcome the moſt reſolved Patience, and to drive People to Deſpair and Faint-heartedneſs, by their Deviliſh Inventions. They refuſe to give them Death, which they deſire; and only keep them alive to torment them, ſo long till they have vanquiſh'd their Perſeverance; for the Names of Martyrs, and Rebels, are equally odious to their Enemies; who tell them, That the King will have Obedient Subjects, but neither Martyrs nor Rebels; and that they have received Orders to Convert them, but not to Kill them.

[Page] Sir, I beg your Pardon, for having ſo long Entertain'd you with theſe more than Tragical Paſſages; and that you would not be wanting to recommend the Condition of theſe Poor, Deſtitute, Afflicted, and Tortured Perſons, to the Bowels of Compaſſion of our Heavenly Father, that He would be pleaſed not to ſuffer them to be Tempted above what he ſhall give them Grace to bear: Which is the Hearty Prayer of,

Your Faithful Friend, T. G.

Since the Firſt Publiſhing of This, ſome further Particulars (repreſenting the Horror of this Perſecution) are come to hand; which take as follow:

THey have put Perſons into Monaſteries, in little narrow holes, where thy could not ſtretch their Bodies at length; there Feeding them with Bread and Water, and Whipping them every day, till they did Recant: They plunged others into Wells, and there kept them till they promiſed to do what was deſired of them: They ſtript ſome Naked, and ſtuck their Bodies full of Pins: They tyed Fathers and Husbands to the Bed-Poſts, forcing their Wives and Daughters before their Eyes: In ſome Places the Raviſhing of Women was openly and generally permitted: They pluck'd off the Nails and Toes of others: They Burnt their Feet, and blew up Men and Women with Bellows, till they were ready to Burſt. In a word, They exerciſed all manner of Cruelties they could invent, and in ſo doing, ſpared neither Sex, Age nor Quality.

The Profeſſion of the Catholick, Apoſtolick, and Roman Faith, which the Revolting Proteſtants in France are to Subſcribe and Swear to.

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IN the Name of the Father, Son, and Holy Ghoſt, Amen. I Believe and Confeſs with a firm Faith, all and every thing and things contained in the Creed, which is uſed by the Holy Church of Rome, viz. I Receive and Embrace moſt ſincerely the Apoſtolick and Eccleſiaſtical Traditions, and other Obſervances of the ſaid Church. In like manner, I receive the Scriptures, but in the ſame Sence as the ſaid Mother Church hath, and doth now underſtand and Expound the ſame; for whom and to whom it only doth belong to judge of the Interpretation of the Sacred Scriptures: And I will never take them, nor underſtand them otherwiſe, than according to the unanimous Conſent of the Fathers.

I profeſs, That there be truly and properly Seven Sacraments of the New Law, inſtituted by our Lord Jeſus Chriſt, and neceſſary for the Salvation of Mankind, altho' not equally needful for every one, viz. Baptiſm, Confirmation, the Euchariſt, Penance, Extream Unction, Orders and Marriage; and that they do confer Grace; and that Baptiſm and Orders may not be reiterated, without Sacriledge: I receive and admit alſo the Ceremonies received and approved by the Catholick Church, in the ſolemn Adminiſtration of the forementioned Sacraments.

I receive and embrace all and every thing, and things, which have been determined concerning Original Sin and Juſtification by the Holy Council of Trent.

I likewiſe profeſs, that in the Maſs there is offered up to God, a true, proper, and propitiatory Sacrifice for the Living and Dead; and that in the Holy Sacrament of the Euchariſt, there is truly, really, and Subſtantially, the Body and Blood, together with the Soul and Divinity of the Lord Jeſus Chriſt; and that in it there is made a change of the whole Subſtance of the Bread into his Body, and of whole Subſtance of the Wine into his Blood, which change the Catholick Church calls Tranſubſtantiation. I confeſs alſo, That under one only of theſe two Elements, whole Chriſt, and the true Sacrament is received.

I conſtantly believe and affirm, that there is a Purgatory; and that the Souls there detained, are relieved by the Suffrages of the Faithful.

In like manner, I believe that the Saints Reigning in Glory with Jeſus [Page] Chriſt, are to be Worſhipped and Invocated by us, and that they offer up Prayers to God for us, and that their Reliques ought to be honoured.

Moreover, I do moſt ſtedfaſtly avow, that the Images of Jeſus Chriſt, of the Bleſſed Virgin, the Mother of God, and of other Saints, ought to be kept and retained, and that due Honour and Veneration muſt be yielded unto them.

Alſo I do affirm, that the power of Indulgence was left to the Church by Chriſt Jeſus, and that the uſe thereof is very beneficial to Chriſtians.

I do acknowledge the holy Catholick, Apoſtolick, and Roman Church, to be the Mother and Miſtreſs of all other Churches; and I Profeſs and Swear true Obedience to the Pope of Rome, Succeſſor of the Bleſſed St. Peter, Prince of the Apoſtles, and Vicar of Jeſus Chriſt.

In like manner, I own and profeſs, without doubting, all other things left defined and declared by the Holy Canons and General Councils, eſpecially by the moſt Holy Council of Trent; and withal, I do condemn, reject, and hold for accurſed, all things that are contrary thereto; and all thoſe Hereſies which have been condemned, rejected, and accurſed by the Church.

And then Swearing upon the Book of the Goſpel, the Party Recanting muſt ſay: I Promiſe, Vow, and Swear, and moſt conſtantly Profeſs, by Gods Aſſiſtance, to keep entirely and inviolably, unto Death, this ſelfſame Catholick and Apoſtolick Faith, out of which no Perſon can be Saved; and this I do moſt truly and willingly profeſs, and that I will to the utmoſt of my Power endeavour that it may be maintain'd and upheld as far as any ways belong to my Charge; ſo help me God, and the Holy Virgin.

The Certificate which the Party Recanting is to leave with the Prieſt, when he makes his Abjuration.

I N. N. of the Pariſh of N. do Certifie all whom it may Concern, That having acknowledged the Falſeneſs of the Pretended Reformed, and the Truth of the Catholick Religion, of my own Free will, without any Compulſion, I have accordingly made Profeſſion of the ſaid Catholick Roman Religion in the Church of N. in the hands of N. N. In Teſtimony of the Truth whereof, I have Signed this Act in the preſence of the Witneſſes whoſe Names are under Written, this—day of the Month of the—Year of the Reign of our Soveraign Lord the King, and of our Redemption—

A Declaration of the Elector of Brandenburg, in Favour of the French Proteſtants, who ſhall Settle themſelves in any of His Dominions.

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We Frederick William, by the Grace of God, Marqueſs of Brandenburg, Arch-Chamberlain, and Prince Elector of the Holy Empire; Duke of Pruſſia, Magdeburg, Juilliers, Cleves, Bergen, Stettin, Pomerania; of the Caſſubes, Vandals, and Sileſia; of Croſne, and Jagerndorff; Burg-grave of Noremberg; Prince of Halberſtadt, Minde, and Camin; Earl of Hohenzollern, of the Mark and Ravensberg; Lord of Ravenſtein, Lawneburg, and Butow, do declare and make known to all to whom theſe Preſents ſhall come:

THat whereas the Perſecutions and Rigorous Proceedings which have been carried on for ſome time in France, againſt thoſe of the Reformed Religion, have forced many Families to leave that Kingdom, and to ſeek for a Settlement elſewhere, in ſtrange and Foreign Countries; We have been willing, being touched with that juſt Compaſſion, We are bound to have for thoſe who ſuffer for the Goſpel, and the Purity of that Faith We profeſs, together with them, by this preſent Declaration, Signed with Our own Hand, to offer, to the ſaid Proteſtants, a ſure and free Retreat in all the Countries and Provinces under Our Dominion; and withal, to declare the ſeveral Rights, Immunities, and Priviledges, which We are willing they ſhall enjoy there, in order to the Relieving and eaſing them, in ſome meaſure, of the burthen of thoſe Calamities, wherewith it hath pleaſed the Divine Providence to afflict ſo conſiderable a Part of his Church.

I.

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To the end, that all thoſe who ſhall reſolve to Settle themſelves in any of our Dominions, may with the more Eaſe and Convenience Tranſport themſelves thither, We have given Order to our Envoy extraordinary with the States-General of the Ʋnited Provinces, Sieur Dieſt, and to our Commiſſary in the City of Amſterdam, Sieur Romswinkel, at our Charge, to furniſh all thoſe of the ſaid Religion (who ſhall addreſs themſelves unto them) with what Veſſels and Proviſions they ſhall ſtand in need of, for the Tranſportation of themſelves, their Goods and Families, from Holland to the City of Hamburg: Where then our Councellor and Reſident for the Circle of the Lower Saxony, Sieur Baerick, ſhall furniſh them with all Conveniencies they may ſtand in need of, to convey them further, to whatſoever City or Province they ſhall think fit to pitch upon, for the Place of their Abode.

II.

Thoſe who ſhall come from the Parts of France about Sedan, as from Champagne, Lorain, Burgundy, or from any of the Southern Provinces of that Kingdom, and who think it not convenient to paſs through Holland, may betake themſelves to the City of Frankfort upon Maine; and there addreſs themſelves to Sieur Merain, our Councellor and Agent in the ſaid City, or in the City of Cologne to Sieur Lely, our Agent, to whom We have alſo given Command to furniſh them with Money, Paſports, and Boats, in order to the carrying them down the River Rhine, to our Dutchy of Cleves and Mark: or in caſe they ſhall deſire to go further up in our Dominions, our ſaid Miniſters and Officers ſhall furniſh them with Addreſs, and Conveniencies, for to Arrive at thoſe ſeveral reſpective Places.

III.

And foraſmuch as the ſaid our Provinces are ſtored with all ſorts of Conveniencies, and Commodities, not only for the neceſſity of Living, but alſo for Manufactures, Commerce, and Trade by Sea, and by Land; thoſe who are willing to Settle themſelves in any of our ſaid Provinces, may chooſe ſuch Place, as they pleaſe, in the Country of Cleve, Mark, Ravensberg and Minde, or in thoſe of Magdeburg, Halberſtadt, Brandenburg, Pomerania, and Pruſſia. And foraſmuch as We conceive, that in our Electoral Marquiſate, the Cities of Stendel, Werbe, Ka [...]kenow, Brandenburg, and Frankfort; and in the Country of Magdeburg, the [Page] Cities of Magdenburg, Halle, and Calbe; and in Pruſſia, the City of Konigsberg will be moſt commodious, as well for the great abundance of all Neceſſaries of Life, which may be had there at cheap Rates, as for the Convenience of Trade and Traffick; We have given charge, that as ſoon as any of the ſaid French Proteſtants ſhall arrive in any of the ſaid Cities, they ſhall be kindly received and agreed with about all thoſe Things, which ſhall be thought needful for their Settlement. And for the reſt, leaving them at their full Liberty to diſpoſe of themſelves in whatſoever City or Province they ſhall judge moſt commodious, and beſt ſuiting with their Occaſions.

IV.

All the Goods, Houſhold-ſtuff, Merchandize, and Commodities, which they ſhall bring along with them, ſhall not be liable to any Cuſtom of Impoſt; but ſhall be wholly exempt from all Charges and Impoſitions, of what Name or Nature ſoever they may be.

V.

And in caſe that in any of the Cities, Towns, or Villages, where the ſaid Perſons of the Reformed Religion do intend to Settle themſelves, there be found any Ruinous and decay'd Houſes, or ſuch as ſtand empty, and which the Proprietors are not in a condition to Repair, We will cauſe the ſame to be Aſſigned to them, the ſaid French Proteſtants, as their Propriety, and to their Heirs forever; and ſhall content the preſent Proprietors, according to the Value of the ſaid Houſes; and ſhall wholly free the ſame from all Charges, to which the ſame might ſtand engaged, whether by Mortgage, Debts, or any other way whatſoever. Furthermore, Our Will is, That they be furniſhed with Timber, Quick Lime, Stones, Bricks, and other Materials they may ſtand in need of, for the Repairing of whatſoever is decay'd or Ruinous in any of the ſaid Houſes; which ſhall, for Six Years, be exempt from all ſorts of Impoſitions, Free Quarter, and all other Charges whatſoever: Neither ſhall the ſaid French, during the ſaid time of Six Years, be lyable to any Payments whatſoever, but what are chargeable upon things of daily Conſumption.

VI.

In Cities or elſewhere, where convenient Places ſhall be found for to build Houſes, thoſe of the Reformed Religion, who ſhall make [Page] their Retreat into Our Dominions, ſhall be fully Authorized and Impowered to take Poſſeſſion of the ſame, for themſelves and their Heirs after them, together with all the Gardens, Fields, and Paſture Grounds belonging to the ſame, without being oblig'd to pay any of the dues and charges, with which the ſaid places, or their dependance may be Incumbred. Moreover, for the facilitating their Building in any of the ſaid places, We will cauſe them to be furniſhed with all the materials they ſhall ſtand in need of; and will over and above allow them Ten Years of Exemption, during which they ſhall not be lyable to any other charges or payments, beſides the dues charged upon things of daily ſpending. And furthermore, foraſmuch as Our intent is, to make their Settlement in Our Dominions the moſt eaſie and commodious for them that may be; We have given Command to Our Magiſtrates and other Officers in the ſaid Provinces, to make enquiry, in every City, for Houſes that are to be Lett, into which it ſhall be free for the ſaid French to enter, and take up their Lodging as ſoon as they ſhall Arrive; and do promiſe to pay for them and their Families for Four Years, the Rent of the ſaid Houſes, provided that they engage themſelves, within the ſaid Term, to Build in ſuch places as ſhall be Aſſigned to them, in manner, and upon condition as aforeſaid.

VII.

As ſoon as they ſhall have taken up their Habitation in any City or Town of Our Dominions, they ſhall immediately be made Free of the place, as alſo of that particular Corporation, which by their Trade or Profeſſion they belong to; and ſhall enjoy the ſelf-ſame Rights and Priviledges, which the Citizens, Burgeſſes, and Freemen of the ſaid places or Corporations do enjoy, and that without being obliged to pay any thing for the ſaid Freedome, and without being lyable to the Law of Eſcheatage, or any other of what Nature ſoever they may be, which in other Countries are in force againſt Strangers; but ſhall be look'd upon, and Treated upon all accounts, in the ſame manner, as Our own Natural Subjects.

VIII.

All thoſe whoſe are willing to undertake and Eſtabliſh any Manufactures, whether of Cloth, Stuffs, Hats, or any other whatſoever, ſhall not only be furniſhed with all the Priviledges, Patents, and Franchiſes, which they can wiſh for, or deſire; but moreover We will [Page] take care that they be aſſiſted with Moneys, and ſuch other Proviſions and Neceſſaries as ſhall be thought fit to promote and make their undertaking ſucceſsful.

IX.

To Country-men and others, who are willing to Settle themſelves in the Countrey, We will cauſe a certain extent of Ground to be allotted for them to Till and Cultivate, and give Orders for their being aſſiſted and furniſhed with all things neceſſary for their Subſiſtence, at the beginning of their Settlement; in like manner as we have done to a conſiderable number of Swiſs-Families, who are come to dwell in Our Dominions.

X.

And as for any buſineſs of Law, or matter of difference which may ariſe amongſt thoſe of the Reformed Religion, We do grant and allow that in thoſe Cities where any conſiderable number of French-Families ſhall be Settled, they be Authorized to chooſe one from amongſt themſelves, who ſhall have full power to decide the ſaid differences in a friendly way, without any formality of Law whatſoever: And incaſe any Differences ſhall ariſe between the Germans and the ſaid French, that then the ſaid Differences ſhall be decided joyntly by the Magiſtrate of the Place, and by the Perſon whom the French ſhall have Choſen for that purpoſe, from amongſt themſelves. And the ſame ſhall be done when the Differences of Frenchmen, amongſt themſelves, cannot be accommodated in the forementioned friendly way, by the Perſon thereto by them Elected.

XI.

In every City, where any numbers of French ſhall Settle themſelves, We will maintain a Miniſter, and appoint a convenient place for the Publick Exerciſe of Religion in the French Tongue, according to the Cuſtome, and with the ſame Ceremonies which are in uſe amongſt the Reformed in France.

XII.

And foraſmuch as ſuch of the Nobility of France, who, heretofore, have put themſelves under Our Protection, and entred into our Service, do actually enjoy the ſame Honours, Dignities, and Immunities with thoſe of the Countrey; and that there are many found amongſt them, who have been raiſed to the chief Places and Charges of Our Court, and Command over Our Forces; We are ready and willing to continue the ſame Favour to thoſe of the ſaid Nobility, who for time [Page] to come ſhall Settle themſelves in our Dominions, by beſtowing upon them the ſeveral Charges, Honours and Dignities, they ſhall be found fitted for. And in caſe they ſhall purchaſe any Mannors or Lordſhips, they ſhall poſſeſs the ſame with all the Rights, Prerogatives, and Immunities, which the Nobility of our own Dominions do of Right enjoy.

XIII.

All theſe Priviledges and Advantages forementioned ſhall not only be extended to thoſe French of the Reformed Religion, who ſhall Arrive in our Dominions (in order to their Settling there) after the Date of this Declaration; but alſo to thoſe, who before the date hereof, have Settled themſelves in our Countries, provided they have been forced to leave France upon account of their Religion; they of the Romiſh Profeſſion being wholly excluded from any part or ſhare therein.

XIV.

In every one of Our Provinces, Dutchies, and Principalities, We ſhall appoint and Eſtabliſh certain Commiſſioners, to whom the French of the Reformed Religion, may have Recourſe, and Addreſs themſelves upon all occaſions of need; and this not only at the beginning of their Settlement, but alſo afterwards. And all Governours and Magiſtrates of Our Provinces and Territories, ſhall have order by Vertue of theſe Preſents, as well as by other particular Commands, We ſhall from time to time Iſſue forth, to take the ſaid Perſons of the Reformed Religion into their Protection, and to maintain them in all the Priviledges here before mentioned, and not ſuffer the leaſt hurt or injury to be done unto them, but rather all manner of Favour, Aide and Aſſiſtance.

Given at Poſtdam, Octob. 26. 1685.

Signed, Frederick William.

§

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Kind Reader, FOraſmuch as in the Edict of the French King, the perpetual and irrevocable Edict of Nantes is recall'd and aboliſhed; I thought fit (becauſe the whole Edict would be too long to be Inſerted here) to give you ſome paſſages of the Prefatory part of it, whereby it may appear what ſtreſs was laid on it by Henry the IV. (called the Great) Grandfather to the preſent French King, and how much he judged the exact maintaining of it would conduce to the Settlement, Peace, and Proſperity of his Kingdom.

—Now it hath pleaſed God to give us a beginning of enjoying ſome Reſt, we think, we cannot employ our ſelves better, than to apply to that which may tend to the Service and Glory of his Holy Name, and to provide that He may be Adored and Prayed to by all Our Subjects; and if [...]ath not yet pleaſed him to permit it to be in one and the ſame Form of Religion, that it may at the leaſt be with one and the ſame Intention, and with ſuch Rules, that may prevent amongst them all Troubles and Tumults; and that We and this Kingdom may always conſerve the Glorious Title of Moſt Chriſtian, and by the ſame means take away the Cauſe of Miſchief and Trouble, which may happen from the actions of Religion, which of all others are moſt prevalent and penetrating. For this cauſe, acknowledging this affair to be of the greateſt Importance, and worthy of the beſt conſideration, after having conſidered the Complaints of Our Catholick Subjects, and having alſo permitted to Our Subjects of the Reformed Religion, to aſſemble themſelves by Deputies for framing their Complaints, and making a Collection [Page] of all their Remonſtrances, and having thereupon conferred divers times with them, we have upon the whole judged it neceſſary, to give to all Our ſaid Subjects one General Law, clear, plain, and abſolute, by which they ſhall be regulated in all differences, which have heretofore riſen among them, or which may riſe hereafter, and wherewith both the one and the other may be contented; having had no other regard in this deliberation, than ſolely the Zeal we have to the Service of God, praying that He would henceforward grant to all Our Subjects a Durable and Eſtabliſhed Peace: And We implore and expect from his Divine Bounty the ſame Protection and Favour he hath always beſtowed upon this Kingdom from our Birth, & that He would give our ſaid Subjects the Grace to underſtand, that in obſervation of this Our Ordinance, conſiſteth (next to their Duty toward God and us) the principal Foundation of their Ʋnion Concord, Tranquility, Reſt, & the re-eſtabliſhment of this ſtate in its firſt Splendor. Opulency & strength; as on our p [...] We promiſe that all the parts of it ſhall be exactly obſerved, without ſuffering any contravention. And for theſe cauſes, having with the Advice of the Princes of Our Blood, other Princes and Officers of Our Crown, and other great and eminent Perſons of our Council of State, well and diligently weighed and conſidered all this affair; We have by this Edict or Statute, perpetual and Irrevocable, Said, Declared, & Ordained, &c.

FINIS.

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Information about this book

Title statement

An edict of the French king prohibiting all publick exercise of the pretended reformed religion in his kingdom wherein he recalls and totally annuls the perpetual and irrevocable edict of King Henry the IV, his grandfather, given at Nantes, full of most gracious concessions to Protestants : to which is added, the French king's letter to the Elector of Brandenburg, containing several passages relating to the foregoing edict : as also, a brief and true account of the persecution carried on against those of the foresaid religion ... : together with the form of abjuration the revolting Protestants are to subscribe and swear to, and a declaration of His Electoral Highness of Brandenburg ... / translated out of French.Edit de révocation de l'Edit de Nantes. English

France.

Edition statement

1686

Publication

Publisher

Text Creation Partnership,

Place of publication

Ann Arbor, MI ; Oxford (UK) :

Date

2008-09 (EEBO-TCP Phase 1).

ID [DLPS]

A49223

ID [STC]

Wing L3120

ID [STC]

ESTC R2487

ID [EEBO-CITATION]

13659975

ID [OCLC]

ocm 13659975

ID [VID]

101095

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(EEBO-TCP ; phase 1, no. A49223)

Transcribed from: (Early English Books Online ; image set 101095)

Images scanned from microfilm: (Early English books, 1641-1700 ; 794:5)

Source

— An edict of the French king prohibiting all publick exercise of the pretended reformed religion in his kingdom wherein he recalls and totally annuls the perpetual and irrevocable edict of King Henry the IV, his grandfather, given at Nantes, full of most gracious concessions to Protestants : to which is added, the French king's letter to the Elector of Brandenburg, containing several passages relating to the foregoing edict : as also, a brief and true account of the persecution carried on against those of the foresaid religion ... : together with the form of abjuration the revolting Protestants are to subscribe and swear to, and a declaration of His Electoral Highness of Brandenburg ... / translated out of French., Edit de révocation de l'Edit de Nantes. English, France., Friedrich Wilhelm, Elector of Brandenburg, 1620-1688., Louis XIV, King of France, 1638-1715.. The second edition corrected,.

Extent

40 p.

Printed by G.M.,. [London] :: 1686.. (Revocation of the Edict of Nantes, dated October 22, 1685.) (Place of publication from BM.) (Reproduction of original in Huntington Library.)

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