THE Encroachments of the King of France upon the Principali­ty of Orange, were the Fore-runners of the Persecution of the Pro­testants there: In the year 1660, that King making himself Ma­ster of that Principality, demolished those stately Fortificati­ons which were raised by Prince Maurice of glorious Memory, as the Monuments of his strength and power. For five years the State conti­nued thus in the hands of Strangers; and God knows great were the Churches Troubles in that Interregnum. The Romanists, who till now, had kept themselves within the bounds of Moderation, began now to lift up the Standard of Division, and establisht a Fraternity, without the consent or permission of their lawful Prince, and within a little time grew very powerful by the Money which they drew from all parts, that so they might more easily oppress the Reformed: They employ'd their Money for the purchasing of Converts, which was intended by those who furnisht 'em with it. These false Zealots used their utmost skill to corrupt the Childrens Obedience they owed to their Parents; and they set up a House at Avignon for the Entertainment of 'em: And if they could not be won by favours, and milder courses, they served themselves with the Authority of the Officers, to take them by force.

I may give you some taste of the beginning of our Evils, by the fol­lowing Account: A Child of nine years old, whose name was Louis Vil­leneve, was accused as guilty of some Irreverence in the Chappel that they made in the Castle: The poor Child was clapt up in a close Pri­son, where it spent the night in continual Cries and Lamentations to [Page 2] its Father and Mother, for their help. The Sunday following, the Child was brought in open veiw, at the usual time when the Protestants went to the Temple; and being tied neck and heels together, and whipt by the common Hangman, which he did with tears and reluctance, be­ing forc'd to it by the Souldiers of the Garison, who were about him; and the Drums beating at the four parts of the Town.

The Edict about the Relapst, was publisht at the same time in France. The Governour of the Castle sent four Guards to bring me to the Castle, thinking to fright me with this Pageantry of War; when I drew near him, he told me, the King intended this Edict should extend to the Principality: Whereupon I answer'd him, The Edict mention'd one­ly the King's Subjects; that he could not look upon these of the Prin­cipality as such, since they lived under the Edicts of another Prince, and so could acknowledge any other Laws but his. At this Answer he flew out in a Rage, and fell a [...] of me▪ and seeing me re­solved steadily to maintain it, he turn'd from me on a sudden, You shall quickly see (says he) who 'tis you speak to. I was not concerned at his Threatnings, but the more danger they carried, so much the more firm was I to my resolution: In effect, a few days after the Papists, up­on their Fete-Dieu, not contenting themselves with their allowed Cu­stoms, but indeavouring to Innovat [...], by hanging their Tapestry up, and carrying it farther then the bounds that were prescribed by the Edicts of our Princes: I opposed 'em so, till they were forc'd to re­turn, notwithstanding they came backt with the Authority of the Go­vernour and his Garison.

We now began to be forc't to continual Disputes, to maintain the Priviledges of our Church; 'twas hardly any longer that we could find Justice with the Magistrates, tho' they exercised their power in the Prince's Name and Authority; for either through particular Obligati­ons, or through base Courtship to the Governour, they were not toucht by the Churches Calamities; and instead of opposing this tide of Op­pression which broke in upon us, they suffer'd us to be run down by their Compliances, or the Intregues of State.

Before the Cittadel was demolisht, the Romanists carried themselves very quietly all the time of the Advent, the Lent, and Octaves; and the Priests did not in their Sermons annimate the people against the Reformed, neither did they provoke us to Disputes: And if it hap­pen'd at any time that the Priests spoke too freely against us, the Ro­manists themselves used to tell 'em, that this was not the Custom at Orange, and that therefore they should use Moderation. This Gentle­ness held till a foreign Power got ground, and then they quickly alter'd their Maxims. And whereas before we saw very seldom any Jesuites [Page 3] at Orange, they were now saught after in great Zeal, to supply the Pul­pits; these Gentlemen at their first coming (according to their poli­tick Conduct) gain'd upon the people, by a free Conversation, and by the outward shew of promoting Peace and Agreement with each o­ther. But before the Advent was half over, they could no longer con­ceal their natural Temper, and talkt of nothing but of Heresie and Damnation, and challeng'd all to the Controversie. This task lay up­on me, which for two and twenty years I discharged by God's assi­stance, with some advantage to his Truth, and the confusion of Er­rour.

Had they made use of no other Weapons in their Warfare, then Ar­guments to maintain the Dispute, it might then have ended with Joy to me; the Contest would have been determin'd without loss, to me, or damage to my Church; nay, rather it might have reapt glory from the occasion. But the Jesuites found that this would not do their Work, and therefore they betook themselves to other courses, whereby they might gain those, whom they moved not by their Controversie. Hence their Hatred against us was every day working, either by false Witnesses, by Lying or Cheats; and from this their Design, the Perse­cution, was modelled, that we have since seen in France, from the year 1660; and they seem'd to be learning the Trade of Cruelty against us, that they might be Masters at it, when they were to exercise it up­on others.

It shall be sufficient for me to give you two instances, wherein they gave great trouble to our Church: Upon the Birth of Mr. le Dauphin there was Joy all over France, and 'twas a Custom among us of the Principali­ty, likewise to observe that Day, which we used to do with more Show and Acclamations than the French themselves; to testifie our Affection to the King, at the end of November 1661, 'twas concluded upon, that Bonfires should be made, and that all the Prince's Subjects of either Religion, should rejoyce for the Birth of the Dauphin. The Reform­ed seem'd most affected for the Day, and readiest to perform those ac­custom'd Solemnities; however, the Joy they exprest upon this Feast, contributed to their Misfortune, for many were accused of speaking ill of the King; and the next day nothing was heard of but Crimes and Accusations, without mentioning the persons whom they accus'd. They were so well instructed by their Malice, that I was brought in to the Accusation; and 'twas whispered about, that I went to Mr. Ar­mand, a Merchant, and to other Citizens, to perswade 'em not to en­courage the Rejoycings; or at least, to vent some dis-respectful Dis­courses, which they charg'd 'em with: Upon this they immediately clapt up Mr. Armand in a Dungeon, and in Chains, and the rest made [Page 4] their escape by flight. I cannot here but reflect upon the furious Zeal the Romanists are inspired with, when they fixt an Accusation upon myself, who that morning in the Pulpit gave all the testimonies of my Zeal for the Prosperity of the King, for long Life to the Dauphin; how­ever I was not much concern'd at the report, seeing I found no man durst openly accuse me. I was not the only man in this matter; the Malice of our Persecutors, who were mightily influenc'd by a Woman of ill Reputation, Madam Redonnet, gave great fears to others too of being brought into the same Misfortune. They suborn'd false Witnesses. Mr. Itier, and Roussas were condemn'd to the Gallies; the latter died either through the slavery of it, or from the anguish of his mind, and Mr. Itier had his liberty, by the great application of the late Mr. Zui­lychem, who was sent Envoy to the French Court, from the Governours of the Prince, to demand Restitution of the Principality. This excel­lent person did so manifestly convince Mr. de Brienne, Councellor, and Secretary of State, that as to the matters whereof we were accused, 'twas all a Cheat, and a malicious Design; so that both the accused; and he that was condemn'd to the Gallies, were acquitted; which will be a lasting Reflection upon the ill Designs of our Persecutors against us.

The second instance I shall give, carried with it equal Malice, but was of much worse consequence, 'twas this: Upon a Sunday when the Carmelites gave the Blessing, over against the Church-door, the late Mr. de Bedarrides, an eminent Councellour, had a Chamber whose Win­dows lookt towards the Church, where it happen'd a great many were, and the Church was so crowded that many were forc'd to stay at the Door, among whom there were several of the Acquaintance of those who were in the Chamber at a Collation; there being one in the Room who held out a Glass of Wine to a Friend of his, to invite him to drink, the people presently cried out, Sacriledge, Impiety; and laid their Accusation against those in the Room: they charg'd 'em with counter­feiting the Priest, and doing Mockery to their Mysteries, and demand­ed Justice of the Parliament: This did not satisfie 'em, but they wrote of it to the Court, and had got such credit to the Report, that the late Mr. de Besons, Intendant of the Province of Languedock, was command­ed to go to Orange, to enquire into the truth of the matter, and to send an Account of it. Those who were the accused, were frighted at what happened, and retired from the State, nor durst ever return till by the Protection of their lawful Prince. Mr. Besons, according to his Com­mission, came to the place; went both to the Altar of the Church, and to the Room where the Accused were, to see if the Altar and the Room lookt to each other, so that persons might see each other from [Page 5] the Chamber to the Altar; but found, when he saw the places, that neither could see each other, and that therefore that Charge of Imitating the Priests, or Mocking their Ceremonies, could not be intended; but was rather the forc'd Interpretation of their Malice and ill Will: How­ever, tho' Mr. Besons was satisfied in the matter, and was a man of good Reputation, yet he seem'd not inclin'd to do the Reformed any service in it; but left 'um under an apprehension that some farther trouble would be brought upon 'um; yet 'tis probable, he represented to the Court the Innocence of the Accused, since nothing more fol­low'd but the Decree of the Parliament of Orange, which condemn'd 'em to Fines and Banishment. One cannot question the ill Designs of these false Accusers, when I shall tell you, that a year after this, making a Visit to Mr. Besons, who was going by Orange, the Carmelites came to him at the same time, but not having confidence to speak of the mat­ter while I was with him; Mr. Besons coming out with me when I took my leave, stopt me of a sudden, and addressing himself to the Carmelites, What do you desire Fathers? (says he) Mr. de Chambrun is in­nocent. The good Fathers made a long Speech to him, shewing him the great charge they had been at in the Suit, and yet the Parliament had not re-imburc'd 'em, which gave great disorder to the Fraternity. Mr. Besons took 'em up, interrupting 'em, Ye have (says he) taken up a Cause without good grounds; ye have not done well to these poor People: I have been at the place, and found no reason for the Accusation; if you have not wherewithal, you must sell your Chalices, and be more cautious for the future. Upon this the Carmelites were surpriz'd at Mr. Besens's answer, and the more, I be­ing there while 'twas spoken. Mr. Besons turning to me, (says he) Have I not treated them well; these Monks are the most troublesome of Man­kind.

After this, upon the Principality's being restored to the Prince of O­range, in the year 1665, we continued in a pretty good state of Quiet­ness till the year 1672, when the War broke out, and the King of France, by his Edict, seized again the Principality by Reprizal, and gave it to the Count d'Auvergne: During the time it was in this Count's hands, there were few things which Malice could invent, but were practised against us. The Country-men who labour'd to demolish the Castle, thought good, before they went away, to set up two large Crosses of Wood, which had been made use of to other purposes about the Maga­zeen, in the Castle; they placed one of the Crosses upon the Red Ba­stion, looking towards the East; and the other they placed upon the Bastion du Rhône, which faced the West. These gave Offence, and occa­sion'd us much trouble.

[Page 6] A little while after, these two Crosses were pull'd down; and they charg'd some men of considerable note with this pretended Sacriledge; but by good providence the design was found out, for 'twas clearly proved upon the Curé, Father Omagi, a man of very ill Life, and Ignorant, and of more than ordinary Malice to the Reformed; who had suborn'd some young men, to accuse these persons of Quality with it: However, this hindred not, but that this Priest pusht the matter on farther; he procur'd Mr. Aimard (an Advocate in the Parliament) to draw up a Petition to the King, suggesting many Falshoods, which were purposely designed to render us obnoxious; and to put a stop to the collecting of Money for the Preachers, which was for the Mainte­nance of the Pastors, and of the Professors and Governours of the Col­ledge. I had a sight of the Petition; and a Friend of mine has still a Copy of it, which possibly I may publish to the World, to give an in­stance of the Character of those Ecclesiasticks. But, however, the Pe­tition was not answer'd; they had other matters in hand, and this lay by till a more favourable opportunity. This satisfied not the Priest, he presented another Petition to Mr. le Count d'Auvergne, who enjoy'd the Principality by Reprizal, designing that St. Martin's Church might be re­stored to the Papists, which my People possest by vertue of the Edicts of our Princes. But the Count d'Auvergne was wise and cautious, and would not innovate, after he had seen our Princes Edicts, which I sent him by his Intendant.

I did not so little understand how matters were carried, at Orange, but that I clearly saw this Priest was not the chief Agent: There was Mr. Jean Jacques d Obeille Abbot, and Count de Montfort, who was now come to fill up the Bishoprick; he so well insinuated himself into the Peoples affections, by shewing himself disposed for peace, that they thought themselves happy in him, as the circumstances of the times then were; and that there was now a Bishop at Orange who lov'd not Strife and Contention. For my own part, I was not won to the opinion by those appearances; quickly discovering that the Priest was but the Bi­shop's Instrument, to bring his Mischief about; and the event gave re­putation to my conjecture: for the Bishop being a person of good Wit, he foresaw that the Peace was like to be concluded, and therefore he would not appear against the Reformed, least when his Highness the Prince was restored to his Rights, he might repent of his acting against the Edicts of the Prince.

In short, the Peace of Nimeguen being concluded, the Principality was restored to its lawful Soveraign, according to one of the express Articles of the Peace. There was upon this great Joy at Orange, in hopes that they might now have a Calm: but the Spirit of Popery, that [Page 7] is ever wrestless, loves not the soft and still Wind, which God is said to be in; but quickly brought great Difficulties upon my Church. The day which was solemniz'd for the conclusion of the Peace, afforded no great Joy to the Papists: The Bishop was the first that was observed to be concern'd. The Citizens of both Religions went in Crowds to his Pa­lace, where the Musqueteers did him the honour of giving him a Vol­ley of Shot: he took it ill of 'em, and lookt upon it, as if they did it to affront him. 'Twas there possibly, that 'twas contriv'd that the two Crosses should be pull'd down, and the Reformed accused of it. The Citizens had continued three whole days in Arms, viz. Sunday, Munday and Tuesday, and they were so wearied in their Attendance, that they all fell asleep, which gave an opportunity to some to contrive mischief against 'em: For there was an Hermite who had boasted, that this their Joy would have no long continuance: Upon Tuesday or Wednesday-night, he took two Rogues with him to pull down the two Crosses. 'Tis strange what Ve­neration the Papists have for Crosses; and yet that they should so prophane 'um, when 'tis to do 'em service against the Reformed. But there is nothing sacred or holy with them, but which they will abuse to serve their wicked Designs; Prophanation, Sacriledge, &c. are esteem'd no­thing, if by that means they may destroy those who pass, with them for Hereticks. We need not go farther for a proof then the Relation before us: The Bishop, who well knew what had been done, went full of rage to the two Bastions where the Crosses had been set up, that he might say, that he himself had seen it: and came down in great pas­sion, promising that he would revenge it. He wrote to the Court of France, heightning the Crime, as if their whole Religion was in dan­ger. However 'twas observ'd, that those Crosses were set up by the Workmen only, without the Consent of publick Authority; and that they had never been Blest; so that they might well be lookt upon as things indifferent. But this hinder'd not but that it past for the highest Act of Sacriledge that had ever been done. There were a great many Informations brought in; and whereas the Parliament might easily have made such an Inquiry as to have discover'd the persons, they past it over as if they were affraid to find out the Agents; and contented themselves to put out a Decree of the Banishment of John Poudrier; tho' they had no manner of Evidence against him: But Tevenon, a Pa­pist, who had assisted the Hermite, and upon whom the Irons were found, which kept up the Arms of the Crosses, and who also fled up­on the Citation, him they let alone without pursuing him farther.

This Decree satisfied not the Bishop, who never left writing to the Court, till such time as Mr. de Rouillet sent him word, That he had received order from the Court, to come with his Troops to chastise 'em [Page 8] for their Offence. A few Weeks after the Intendant's Secretary came with order, to have the Crosses put up again, and to set up another in the Market-place; and in case they refus'd to obey, that there should come a Regiment of Dragoons, who were in Provence, to execute the the pleasure of the Court. They would also have had the Magistrates among the Reformed, to have been present at the Ceremony in their Hoods and Habits; which I endeavour'd all I could to prevent; tel­ling 'em, that 'twas better to suffer any Misfortune, then basely to as­sist at their Ceremony. But all that I could do, neither my Prayers nor my Tears could disswade 'em: their Cowardise carried 'em from their Duty; and their Fearfulness made 'em tell me, That I should be the Ruine of the Town. Mr. de Riomall, who was then at Orange in Quality of Envoy for his Highness the Prince, opposed it as far as pos­sible; but not having power to prevent it, he went out of the Town, resolving not to be present at the setting up of the Crosses. They for­got nothing that might make the Ceremony pompous; they sent for Musick from Avignon; all the Diocess came in; and many came in Procession from far off, to solemnize this Day; the Town was fill'd with the Religious of all sorts; and all the Company went up to the place where once the Castle stood, to see the Bishop Bless the Cross, who was in all his pontifical Robes; they came down by the way which shooted down to my House, where the Musick stood, playing for some time; and the Bishop, being near the Secretary, (says he, in Rallery) Mr. Chambrun will have no reason to complain, being so well treat­ed. From thence they went to the Market-place, where they set up a new Cross with the same Ceremonies.

But all this was but as Lightning that did forerun those cruel Thun­der Claps which did break afterwards upon this Principality: notwith­standing the Peace of Nimeguen, the King of France acted against them, as if he had been in actual War-against them; he dismantled the Ci­ty of Orange, sent his Dragoons into it in 1682, who did miserably ha­rass the poor people there. The Intendant of Provence caused seven or eight men to be seized there, under pretence of being Relapst: They seized of the Prince's natural Subjects, who had all along profest the Re­formed Religion; they committed them to Prisons that belong'd to the Parliament of Aix; where, after they had endured great Cruelties, and hard Usage, some of 'em chang'd to obtain their Liberty; others who continued firm, were condemn'd to Fines and Penalties, and immedi­ately to quit the Kingdom upon pain of Death. This sort of Cruelty began to startle our people; when no man could look upon himself safe, tho' in his own House; they expected daily to find the Officer at their Doors; and were not delivered of their Fears, till they heard [Page 9] that Mr. Heinsius was to go in the Quality of Envoy Extraordinary from L. H. P. to the Court of France, who had very much resent­ed the pulling down of the Walls. But every one knows the success he had; for they maintained, that they had right to do what they did: And tho' Mr. Heinsius proved it clearly to the Marquess de Croissi, that they had infring'd upon the Peace of Nimeguen, by pulling down the Walls; and that the Principality of Orange was independent upon France: yet he was forc'd to go back without Reparation for the Injury they had done.

And tho' the Roman Catholicks ought to regard this pulling down of the Walls, as a common Evil, which they were as much concern'd in, as we of the Reformed, yet they made this the Subject of their Joy, and began to create us more trouble then before: The Priest whom we have before given a Character of, brought in another Fra­ternity of Religious, which we had never before seen in Orange. The Prince's Officers who perceived this Innovation would have very ill Ef­fects, oppos'd their Establishment here: But the Bishop who had put the Priest upon it, took his part, and wrote to the Court of France, of the opposition which the Prince's Advocate, and Proctor General, had made against the Establishment of this Fraternity. We know not ex­actly what Answer this had; but 'tis very probable, they incourag'd 'em to go on; otherwise they had never dar'd to have rais'd such a Tumult as they did in June in the same year, upon the Sunday after their Fete-Dieu: For upon that day there had like to have happen'd a terrible Slaughter in Orange; this was the occasion of the Tumult: This Religious Order went in Procession about six a Clock i'th' even­ing; those who were the first that went out of the Cathedral-Church, furnisht themselves with Clubs, and other sorts of Weapons, which they kept under their Robes, to fall upon the Protestants whenever they met any. As they went they lookt on all sides to see if they could find any. But our Consistory had given particular Order to the People, exhorting them at the Morning-Exercise, to keep at their own Hou­ses, so as to give no occasion to these tumultuous People to offer any Violence. Our People behaved themselves very cautiously upon this occasion: but the Religious, who chiefly design'd ill under pretence of Religion, bethought themselves of flinging Stones into the Protestants Houses, and upon 'em. The Hermite, whom I have before spoken of, with a little crooked Fellow call'd Delaire, were the forward'st to com­mit this Violence; and tho' our People were extreamly provok'd, yet they suffer'd all with great patience: So that these tumultuous People finding no occasion to execute their wicked Design, there coming some Harvest-men from Dauphine, who were a great way off of 'em, they [Page 10] quitted their Order in the Procession, and fell upon 'em with the great­est violence, knocking 'em down with their Clubs; they on the other side cried they were Catholicks, (as indeed they were;) but all this ap­peased 'em not; they drag'd 'em along the Streets, tore their Cloaths, and had it not been for some of the more moderate of the Papists, they had run them through with their Swords, which they had under the Robe. This Tumult stopt the march of the Procession. The Bishop was in the Church, just following the Host; he knew nothing of the occasion of the Disorder, and they who were next to him, told him, the Protestants had made an attempt upon the Religious; and that they were hard by, and advised him to escape, and save himself in his Pa­lace. The Prelate took heels, and run cross the Church in great haste to get to his House; but as he was going, some honest Gentlemen met him, and told him the truth of the matter, and so he came back a­gain. Now, whilst this Ceremony was in the Church, the Hermite, with some few of the Religious, broke off from the Procession, and running about the Streets, cry'd out, that the Bishop was kill'd, and the Host was seiz'd: and this Cry those very men made, who were not a­bove thirty Yards from the Bishop: So that all the Papists of the Town, especially those of the meaner Rank, run to their Houses, arming themseves with Forks, or Spits, or Hatchets, and what came next to their hands, resolving to fall upon the Reformed: And they were so transported with this Alarm, that they would not hearken to any rea­son; they were told that 'twas a false Report, and that the Bishop was not dead; but they would not give credit to it: So that had it not been for the Courage and Mediation of some of the Gentlemen a­mong the Reformed, who went to the Rabble to compose 'em, Orange in a little time might have been seen without Inhabitants; for the Re­formed, seeing the Papists betaking themselves to their Arms for a Mas­sacre, they also arm'd themselves. I was in my House alone, whilst all this noise was; and there came in a good Woman to tell me, with Tears, Ah, Monsieur, (said she) are you here alone; they are devouring your Flock, and you'll be presently sacrificed to the Fury of the Religious. I then heard a great cry in the Street; I besought the good Woman to call one of my Servants; she told me, there was none in the way. There then came in one of my Neighbours, pale and languishing, who told me, that all our People were running to the place, to relieve our Brethren whom they were massacring. I desired him that he would endeavour to stop 'em, and to tell 'em from me, that I would speak with 'em; there came to me some of 'em, whom I constrain'd to go after the rest to prevent their going to the Tumult. A little after they came all of 'em to me, and taking my advice, retired to their Houses. [Page 11] Mr. de Bergairolles, who is now at the Hague, was very active in calming some the most violent of their Men: and by this means the Tumult was appeas'd, and those of the Seditious Party, were disappointed of their Design. I draw'd up a Relation of all that past, and sent it to the late Mr. de Zuilichem, who signified to me in his Answer, that God had miraculously deliver'd us; and that he pray'd heartily we might never see such another Sunday. The day after, the Parliament intending to proceed against the Authors of this Uproar, at the request of the Proctor-General, and the Ad­vocate; the Bishop did all he could to oppose it with mighty Threat­nings; this gave great apprehensions to the Reformed: We saw that the French Court gave credit to all that the Bishop wrote, and he had others that stood by him; and that there needed nothing but the pretence of Religion, to give authority to all they undertook. The Parliament thought it not proper to push the Information far­ther: but his Highness the Prince of Orange being inform'd of this Attempt, and that it had like to have cost him the Lives of the best Subjects he had, gave out a Declaration, by the which he dis­solv'd this Fraternity, and charg'd the Magistrates, that they should take care that they appeared not publickly.

I have already spoke of the Priests presenting a Request, to have a stop put to the Collection which was for the Maintenance of the Pastors, the Professors and Governors of the Colledge, which was not answer'd. The time being now more favourable for the Pa­pists, they presented it a second time, in the Year 1683. 'Twas now answer'd with a Decree of the Council, by which the Trea­surer was prohibited to raise that Money, upon pain of Disobedi­ence, with an injunction upon Mr. Grignan, the Lieutenant General of Provence, to help forward the Execution of the Decree. 'Twas a great blow to the Reformed Churches of the Principality, who had now no way to get subsistence for the Pastors, or Professors and Governours of the Colledge. But his Highness the Prince be­ing acquainted with it, he provided for them according to his usual Charity. The Misfortunes which befel us came blow after blow, as the Lightning is follow'd by Thunder, which at last destroys all; so that we might say, with St. John in the Revelations, The second Woe is past, and behold the third Woe cometh quickly. In the Year follow­ing we saw another Decree of the Council in July, and which we were advertized of in August following; and this was the pretence of it. There was a Youth, called Dumas, a Notary, who during the space of two years, had been much conversant in reading of the Holy Scripture; he had took great pleasure in it, and from a desire [Page 12] which he had to be farther instructed in it, he came on Nights to me to be resolved of difficulties, and to receive from me fresh In­structions. At last, being perswaded and convinc'd of the Truth, he came to the Consistory, desiring to be received in our Church, and shewed great Reason, in giving us an account of the Motives of his change. The Sunday following he made his Abjuration be­fore the whole Assembly, who were much edified by his Discourse. This Young Man was of a Family who were extreamly bygotted to the Church of Rome's Superstitions, whose Ancestors were re­corded in our Annals, among those who had committed that hor­rible Massacre at Orange, the second of February, in the Year 71 of the last Age. He reckoned in his Pedigree, some of the Richest, and of the Chiefest Quality of the Roman Catholick Citizens of Orange. This Conversion of their Kinsman had enraged them ex­treamly; they went in a croud to the Bishop, and begg'd of him with Tears, to use all means imaginable to draw him off from this pretended Error. The Bishop could not find a more successful way then to raise us some trouble in the Court of France, supposing we had received a relapsed Subject of the French Kings. His Letter was quickly followed by a Decree, which I am now going to speak of; by which 'twas prohibited for the Ministers of Orange, or for the Elders, to receive in their Temples any Subject of the King of France's that was a Relapse; or to endeavour the perverting of the Catholicks, to embrace Heresie, upon the pains mentioned in the Declarations, with an Injunction to the Count de Grignan, to help forward the Execution of the said Decree. This unheard-of way of proceeding, with regard to the Principality of Orange, afforded me many Reflections; the title of Heresie, which they had not put in any Declaration or Decree before, made me imagine they would no longer use any Moderation; and this regulating the Affairs of Re­ligion in the Principality of Orange, perswaded me, that we had now nothing to hope for, but that very suddenly we should be more severely treated than the Natural Subjects.

The Year 1685 was such an Epoche, that future Ages shall look upon to be the most dreadful that hath happened. 'Twas in that Year that the Temples throughout France were pull'd down, and an universal dispersion of the People into all parts of the Earth. We indeed saw our Calamity hastning apace; but we never thought the Persecution would be so sharp, or that the Dragoons would have thrown away common Humanity. Posterity will hardly believe i [...] true, and that which I write concerning my own Flock, will pas [...] for Fable, if more Historians don't second me in the truth of my Relation.

[Page 13] 'Twas at Easter in the same Year, that we began to see the Di­stress of the Reformed Churches in France; those who in the Neighbouring Provinces had been forbid all publick Exercise of their Religion, came crowding to us for the sake of their Devoti­on: We that were the Ministers of Orange, endeavour'd to sup­port 'em under their Calamities, and both in our Sermons, and more private Discourses, incourag'd them to a Stedfastness and Perseverance in the Faith. From that time they brought Chil­dren continually from all parts, to be Baptiz'd of us. 'Twas a sight which would move compassion, to see Fathers and Mothers bring their Infants fifteen or twenty Leagues to be Baptiz'd, some ex­piring in the Journey. At Whitsontide we had yet greater Multi­tudes resorted to Orange, than at Easter, for then they of Langue­dock also were forbid the Exercise of their Religion, together with Cevennes, Vivarets, Dauphine, and Provence.

'Twas at this time that we heard of the terrible Persecution at Guienne, and of the barbarous Usage of those at Montauban: Till then we had heard little of it, but we had now the News of it so often confirm'd, that we could not doubt of it. Storms drive not the Waves with more Fury, than this violent Persecution threw Troubles continually towards us, which at last swallow'd us up: We now saw that we were encompast on every side by the Dra­goons; they were now in Dauphine, as well as in Languedock; and the ill News came attested by no less than ten or twelve thousand Souls who fled for Refuge in the Principality of Orange. 'Twas in­deed a miserable Spectacle to see such numbers of poor People of all Ages and Conditions, where we might read Calamity in their faces, and their Discourses taken up with the story of those in­humane Cruelties they had felt in those Provinces. Women ready to be delivered, put to the fatigues of Travelling, Widows with their little Children following them; Old Men afflicted by their fears of the Dragoons more than by the inconveniences of Old Age; we saw nothing but Objects of Compassion about Orange, which gave us the afflicting sense of their Miseries, together with a lively Representation of the persecuted condition which was falling upon us. All this disposed us to receive them with a Bro­therly Affection as became fellow-sufferers, and comforting them by those excellent Discourses which our Ministers suited to their Condition.

The retreat of these poor People to Orange, drew down upon us the Anger of the Governours who were at Montelimard: Mr. de la Trousse, St. Ruth, and Tesse cast out against us violent Thret­nings; [Page 14] we heard daily of their Discourses in their Houses, and in the open Streets, that they would Plunder us, and pillage and burn us: And in this temper they wrote to the Court, and did aggravate every thing beyond the truth; and other stories they sent, that were down-right falshoods; they inform'd the Court, that there were sixty Ministers who fled thither, and who preach'd in the open Streets; that they spoke reproachfully of the King, and that in the Principality they would form a Rebellion. And though these Discourses had little appearances of truth in them, yet the Council made an Advantage of them against us, and made use of them as a pretence for their evil usage of us; though 'tis clear that these were not the Reasons of their Cruelty, which, as it may in part be discovered by what I have already said, so 'tis too well known to the World, to need a more particular Proof.

Upon the 11th. of October at Night we were all alarm'd; they told us, the Dragoons were hard by our doors, and on a sudden there was nothing heard but Out-cries about the Town; all the Inhabitants, as well of one as the other Religion, began to pack up; every body was calling out for Carts and Horses, to remove their Goods into the Comtat. As much incommoded as I was by my Indisposition, I desired seven or eight of our Citizens to get on Horse-back, and discover where abouts the Dragoons were: They went with great hast, and came back and told me, that they had not found one Man, so that I thought we had made a false Alarm. The worst that befel us this Night, was the great distress of those who took Sanctuary with us; for they were all upon the flight again, and run about where Providence directed them; some into the Woods, which were filled with these poor People, and to the Montagne, which is called the Prince's, a frightful Desart, which in a moment was turned in­to a well-peopled place. They all now resolved each Person to go to his own Habitation, or to get out of the Kingdom. That which occasioned this Alarm, was a Letter which a Gen­tleman wrote me from Paris, by which he informed me, that I ought to look upon it as a thing certain, that it had been resolved of in Council, to send the Dragoons to Orange, to seize of those who had fled to us for Refuge, and to deal with us, as with the rest of the Kingdom.

Whilst we were under this Consternation, our Parliament thought they could not do better, than to put out a Decree, which should Command all Strangers within three days to go out [Page 15] of the Principality: For as they made this a pretence that Orange received the King's rebellious Subjects; so by this Decree, we might take away all occasion of their falling upon us. Before this Decree came out, we perswaded those few who were left among us to retreat, lest by being found here, they might draw upon us the same misfortunes which they had felt: That to be plain with them, they could not hope for any security among us, con­sidering what was preparing for us; and that therefore they had better contentedly to retire, than that we should use forcible means to make them, which would be a sensible grief to us; And that we might not be wanting in any thing that might serve us, we appointed two Gentlemen to wait upon the Duke de Nouailles, and two more upon the Governours whom I have be­fore spoken of, who were at Montelimard, to acquaint them with the Decree of Parliament which had been publish'd.

The Duke received them with great Civility, telling them, he would write to Court about it, and that in the mean time he could assure them they need not fear any thing, since the Par­liament had proceeded in that manner. But those who com­manded at Montelimar took another Method. The Marquiss de la Trousse continued his furious Language, and spoke of nothing to our Deputies but hanging the Ministers, and Interdicting the whole Principality. 'Tis certain he knew the Court's mind, and 'twas upon that account that he spoke such imperious and mena­cing Language. The Deputies were no sooner returned, but we understood the Count de Grignan was come Post from Court, with Orders concerning Orange. He came by the way of Tarascon, to take with him the Intendant of Provence, and two Companies of Dragoons of the Ord'nance for his Guard. With this Train he came to Orange Octob. 23. 1685. But before he made his En­try, he resolv'd to shew himself a good Neighbour; for having made a halt at Lieu de Bedarrides, he sent the Captain of his Guards to pray Mr. de Beaufain to assure the Inhabitants of Orange that he was not coming to do them any Injury. The Captain found the whole City alarm'd, and in a terrible fright, which could not be quieted by all the Speeches which Mr. de Beaufain took the pains to make from Street to Street. About Three in the Afternoon the Count arrived there with the Intendant; they took up their Quarters at the Bishop's Palace, and the Dragoons were billited in the Publick Houses, where they continued with­out committing any disorders. After these Gentlemen had con­ferred a while with the Bishop, the Count de Grignan sent for [Page 16] the Officers of the Court of the Revenue, of whom the Presi­dent, Mr. de Lubieres, is the Chief. He told them, he was sent thither by the King his Master, to signifie that his Majesty de­sired, that they would cause those of his Subjects, who had fled into that Principality, to depart thence; that for the future, we should not receive them into our Churches, nor multiply any more the exercises of our Religion, as we had done at the last Sacrament in September, upon which Conditions we need not ap­prehend the least danger. To this Mr. de Lubieres answered, That as for Entertaining the Refugiees, the Parliament had already provided against it by their Decree, which he then presented to him; that his Majesty's Subjects were already retired thence, and that if any yet remained, their number was was very inconside­rable; that they would cause another Decree to be publish'd, purporting that those who were yet left, should depart the State in three days. Upon this, the Intendant took occasion to tell the Count, these Gentlemen have acted very fairly, 'tis fit we should do so too, and allow eight days time to the Refugiees to retire in. To the Point concerning the Exercises of our Reli­gion 'twas answer'd, that our Church being now reduced to its former number, there would be no necessity of multiplying the use of them. This Conference pass'd very amicably on both sides, with all the signs of a very good Correspondence. But here I must intreat the Reader to take notice, with what since­rity we proceeded with them in this Affair. The Count de Grignan and the Intendant assure us, as from the Court, that if we per­form what the King desired, we need not fear any danger: The Prince's Officers promise to do so, and perform that Promise; but alas! how have they kept their Word to us? For there had not pass'd twenty four hours, but it was violated in a most exe­crable manner, and such as must needs strike all my Readers with horror. However I must needs say for the Count de Grignan, that he acted like a Man of Honour; he spoke sincerely, as being not privy to the Court-Intrigue, and he sufficiently ex­press'd his dissatisfaction for being made an Instrument to bring a Promise, which has been so ill observed.

This Conference of his Highness's Officers with those of his Most Christian Majesty, caused an extream Joy in the Reform'd Inhabitants of the Principality. They mutually congratulated their Happiness, as thinking the Assurances given them would have been made good; and gave Thanks to God, that it had pleased him (though they were no better than their Brethren) to divert the fury of that approaching Tempest.

[Page 17] In this pleasing Imagination, that they would let us be quiet, we slept securely in our Beds; it seem'd that our past Inquietudes were as an easie Cradle to rock us asleep: But it was soon inter­rupted by the sad News which was brought me at Three a Clock in the Morning. For it happened that one of my Neighbours as he was going out of the City, was stopt and turned back by a Corps de Gard of Dragoons. He knock'd at my Door, which my Servants opened, and came into my Chamber all pale, and in a panick fear, telling me we were all undone, that above a Thousand Dragoons had begirt the City, not suffering any of the Inhabitants to go out; and indeed the Count de Tesse having re­ceived such Orders from Court, had commanded the Queen's Regiment of Dragoons, and Du Plessis Believre's Regiment of Foot to repair instantly to Paul trois Chateaux, four Leagues from Orange; these Troops were no sooner come to their Rendezvous, but they were commanded to march at the beginning of the Night, with­out knowing whither they were to go. They came to the Bridge of Aigues an hour after Midnight, and by the way meeting his Highness's Courrier, who was carrying Letters to St. Esprit, they stopt him, and took away his Packet. The Commander of the Party caused a Candle to be lighted, and unseal'd the Orders which he had received from the Count de Tesse, and having read them, took his march to Orange, and dispatch'd some Compa­nies to go and invest the Towns of Courtheson and Jonquieres. He approached the City without being discovered, and posted his Corps de Gardes and Sentries very near each other, before any of the City had notice of it. My Neighbour, whom I before mentioned, was the first that gave the Alarm; every one started out of their Beds, endeavouring to save themselves by all passa­ges out of the City, but the Souldiers were placed at so near a distance, that only some few who had most courage durst ven­ture to get through. I leave others to imagine the cries and shrieks of the poor Inhabitants; as remote as I was from the Street, their Lamentations pierced my very Heart; and those Torrents of Tears which my poor Sheep came to pour out in my Chamber, put me into the condition of a dying Man. At break of Day the Count de Tesse entred the City, attended by several Officers, breathing out nothing but Punishments, Blood, and Slaughter, which augmented the Consternation of those of the Religion. After having marched about the streets to strike Terror by his barbarous Expressions, intermixed with horrid Execrations, he alighted at the Bishop's Palace, the common Ren­dezvous [Page 18] of all those who came to Orange to Oppress us. The Companies of Dragoons who were gone to Invest Courtheson and Jonquieres, had made terrible work there. In the latter they had seiz'd a Rich Inhabitant, named Garaignon, whom they had pinion'd, and made him march before them in that condition quite to Orange. At Courtheson they took Mr. Aunet, Pastor of that Church, and made him go in the Head of a Party of Dragoons, who car­ried him to the Count de Tesse, by whom he was immediately sent to Prison. My dear Collegues, Messieurs Gondrand, Chion, and Petit, had attempted before day to make their escape, but being forced back by the Guards, who fired at them, and Mr. Villet, Minister of Provence, who yet was so lucky to get away, they went to abscond in some of their Friends Houses. At Three in the Afternoon the Count de Tesse required to speak with the Mi­nisters, and for that purpose sent some Officers to search for them at their Houses. They brought him word, that they had found no body but me, who was not able to stir-in my Bed for the extream pain of the Gout and my broken Thigh. This Ac­count put him into a terrible Fury, whilest he was studying where it should be that my Collegues had secur'd themselves. This grand Converter spoke of nothing but demolishing our Churches, and ruining the City, if the Ministers were not pro­duc'd. These Menaces did so terrifie our People, that instead of concealing their Pastors, as those of Alexandria did once in the case of Athanasius, they were the first to search for them, in order to their bringing them before the Count de Tesse, hoping thereby to appease the rage of that furious Persecutor, not con­sidering that they should thereby rather add to the weight of their Persecution.

But for as much as we had mutually promised to sacrifice our selves for our Flocks, my blessed Collegues came out of their Re­tirements, and notwithstanding the Tears of their Wives and Children, who begg'd of them not to expose themselves, as they were going to do, went to wait upon the Count de Tesse, who re­ceived them with threats of sending them to the Gallows, par­ticularly Mr. Petit, whom he told positively, that he should be hang'd the next day. He had scarce patience to suffer them one moment in his presence, before he sent them to Prison, without being so civil as to hear them say one word in their own defence. These faithful Servants of God were no sooner committed, but the Count sent an Officer with two Dragoons to my House, one of which he posted by my Bed-side, telling him, his Life should [Page 19] answer for my Appearance; and the other at the Door of my House, to hinder any from coming to me. When I saw my self under this Confinement, I lifted up my Heart to God in a fer­vent Prayer, imploring the assistance of his Grace to support me in this Conflict, to perfect his strength in my weakness, and that he might be glorified, whether by my Life or Death. I can aver with a safe Conscience, that though I was in such deplo­rable Condition, I did not so much reflect upon my own Suffer­ings as those of my dear Collegues, and my poor Flock. I en­treated my Wife, Mrs. Louise de Chavanon, my Nephews, and others of my Relations, that could be near me, to give me their Assistance, and not to discourage me by their Tears, telling them, that in that miserable estate to which my Pains and Afflictions had reduced me, we ought all of us rather to Arm our selves to fight together that good Fight, and to defend the precious Pledge of our Faith, which God had put into our hands; that as to my own particular, my trust in God was so strong, that I was firmly persuaded, that neither Death, nor Life, nor Persecution, nor Nakedness, nor the Sword could ever separate me from his bles­sed love. That I fore-saw that I should be treated with the ex­treamest Rigor, as well for Reasons of State, as upon account of Religion; but whatever happened, I found I had Courage enough to endure the utmost Cruelties they could inflict upon me. But alas! I have found by too sad Experience, that the stoutest Heart cannot bear up if it be not strengthened by the invincible power of Grace, and that our strongest Resolutions are but vain Illusions, when they have no better Foundation than meer con­fidence in our selves.

When they had secur'd me and my Collegues, they dismiss'd the Guard which they had planted round the City, into which the Dragoons made their entry as into a place conquer'd. They Quarter'd one third part of them upon the Romanists, and the other two thirds upon those of the Religion. You may more easily conceive than I can express the outrages committed from that Night forward. All that Barbarity and Violence could sug­gest to them, was employed in tormenting my poor Flock. 'Tis true, their Fury for seventeen days was not altogether so great; and Tesse gave out, that his Business there was not to make us change our Religion; but yet he placed his Guards at all the Avenues of the City, to hinder any body from going out.—He was pleased likewise to remove the Dragoon that was placed in my Chamber, being informed of the sad condition I was in, and [Page 20] that there was no fear I should make my escape, the misfortune I lay under being a heavier Chain than all the Irons they could have loaded me with.—The Bishop gave me to understand by a Person that was sent to me, that I was obliged to him for those petty Favours, and I returned him my Thanks for the same. But for all that, the Door of my House was guarded by Sentinels that were relieved every hour; and there were but a very few suffer­ed to enter.—The Guard that was placed in my Chamber incom­moded me extreamly, hindring me from discoursing freely with those Persons that stood in need of Comfort. But when he was removed, I had the Opportunity of conferring with several that came to me a private way the Dragoons knew not of.—The day after the Arrival of these cruel Persecutors, being the 26th. of October, came the first Batallion of Du Plessis Believre about Two in the Afternoon, and was followed the day after by the second. The great number of the Souldiers obliged Count de Tesse to over­charge the Inhabitants with those new Guests; who, though they had extraordinary Pay, viz. the Dragoons 30, and the Infantry 10 Sous a day, yet for all that, they forced their Landlords to give them Free Quarter: And Happy was he that was forced only with dry blows to grant them what they demanded.

No sooner was the first Batallion come, but the Count de Tesse sent the Major of the Regiment, accompanied with the Bishop's Secretary, to me, to demand the Keys of our Churches. I an­swered him, that I was not the Church-Warden. This Answer put him into a Passion; and he told me, he had Orders to receive the Keys from my own Hands. I reply'd again, that I was not the Church-Warden; and that it was in vain for him to expect that I should deliver him them. Then he began again to use Threatning Language to oblige me to do what he required. But finding me, after all, firm to my Resolution, he ordered some of the Souldiers to go and see for the Church-Warden; and they not finding him, made one of his Daughters come along with them to me with the Keys in her Hand. The poor Girle came into my Chamber all in Tears. The Major ordered the Maid to deliver the Keys to me; but I refused to receive them. He com­manded me in the Count de Tesse's Name to take them, and deli­ver them to him. I absolutely refused to do either the one or the other. At last, after a Debate of about a quarter of an hour, he snatch'd them out of the Maid's Hand, and went to tell the Count de Tesse what he had done.

[Page 21] The Count in the mean time tarry'd at the Gate of the great Church, impatiently expecting the Keys; and as soon as he got them, he entred the Church, accompanied by the Bishop, say­ing, by way of Derision, Farewel, poor Jerusalem.

The first thing those honest Gentlemen did in that Holy Place, was to tear in pieces the Bibles, and the Psalm-Books. Then they went up into the Pulpit, where they uttered a thousand profane Expressions. After that, they tore down his Highness's Arms, which were placed over the Parliament-Seat. And in fine, they shewed themselves so Inhumane, as to do violence even to the Ashes of the great Christopher, Count de Dona, that were reposited in that Sacred Structure, which by his means had been built by Order, and at the Charge of the great Prince Fre­drick-Henry.

The Reader I hope will excuse me for not relating all the in­dignities they put in practice to profane our Churches, which fills me with so great a horror, that my Soul even sinks under it. It will suffice to tell him, that they ran to the Poors Box to take away the Money, and finding but little there, they discharged there Fury upon Mrs. Chion, my Collegue's Wife, whom they sent to Prison. The next day they began to take away the Seats, some of which they carried to the Cathedral, and the rest to the Chappels of the Convents: Then they proceeded to the pulling down the little Church, called the Church of St. Martin. The Curè did what he could to hinder it, alledging it belonged to his Cure, but he could not be heard; so it was razed down to the ground. But I must not omit to tell one thing very remark­able, of a Souldier, who being of the Religion, chose rather to be cudgell'd in a most cruel manner, and dragg'd along the streets, than to assist at the pulling down of it; telling his Captain, he would sooner die, than obey him in such an unjust Com­mand.

This Church was no sooner demolish'd, but these Destroying Angels set about reducing the other to a heap of Stones. This was a very spacious one, and of an admirable Structure; the Roof was supported by an Arch carried from West, on which side stood the Pulpit, to East, having on the right and left a Range of three Arches of Free-stone, with their Cornishes, which supported the Galleries, to receive the Rain-water falling on the Roof, which was conveyed away. They spent fourteen days in pulling down this Fabrick, and not being able to loosen the more solid parts of it with Levers, nor any other Instruments, they were necessitated to blow it up.

[Page 22] At the same time they were at work in demolishing the Church at Courtheson, and the Dragoons tormented the Inhabitants with a thousand Outrages which they committed upon those poor peo­ple, who being eat out of all, as well as those of Orange, were not able to provide any longer for the subsistance of the Souldiers. In the mean time my Collegues were kept very close Prisoners with two other Ministers, Messieurs Rainaud, and De Vignoles; the former of which they had seized in Dauphine, and the latter in the Province of Languedoc. Very few Persons were permitted to visit them; but we sent each other little Notes, to encourage us to fight the good Fight, and to defend our Religion, though with the hazard of our Lives. But though these little Opportu­nities of mutual Correspondence gave us some little Joy and Con­solation, we had every day some new subject of Affliction. The poor people that were miserably harrass'd, and could not bear the great expence which they must lie under, of maintaining the Dragoons, did most shamefully abate in their Zeal. I sent as many as I possibly could to confirm them; and gave my self no respite neither night nor day from performing the Duty of my Ministry, and Praying with all those that came to my House. But at last, God, who intended to punish us for our hainous sins, suffered us to see those sad days, being wholly forsaken by our Flocks, except only some few particular Persons, who, notwith­standing all the Cruelties that could be exercised upon them, con­tinued firm to the last.

November the 10th. in the Morning it was publickly reported, that an Express was come to the Count de Tesse, with Orders, that he should execute the Booted Mission, i.e. that he should Perse­cute us without Mercy, to make us change our Religion. I have by a woful Experience observed, that the Assembles that have been made at Montaban, Montpellier, Nimes, Usez, and all the other considerable Cities, to Consult what was to be done upon like Occasions, have been Snares, which those unhappy Persons who have been drawn away, have laid for the simple, as likewise for those of better Judgments, to make them also fall with the Croud. This made me take all possible care that my Flock might not be drawn into the same Snare: 'Twas for that Reason, that the day before I had desired Mr. Grenatier my Kinsman, who was one of those happy Persons, that, notwithstanding a thousand Dangers he must meet with, and as many Difficulties he was to run through in making his escape out of the Kingdom, yet still preserved his Religion. 'Twas, I say, upon an apprehension of [Page 23] this, that I pray'd him to go all about the City, and engage the Inhabitants to decline all such Assemblies, whatsoever might fol­low thereupon, assuring them, that contrivances of ruining them by such means would certainly be made use of; and that all sorts of fair Promises would be made them, but nothing of those Pro­mises would be afterwards observed. And though he acquitted himself in that Affair with abundance of Zeal and Diligence, yet the success did not answer our pains, as we shall shew hereafter.

Tesse was at the Count du Suzes House, about three Leagues from Orange when the Express arrived. He came immediately, and begun an open Persecution, by removing the Souldiers that were quartered upon the Romanists: And all the Troops were billetted only upon those of the Religion. And no sooner was this new assignment of Quarters made, but a thousand doleful Cries were every where to be heard in the City; the People run­ning up and down the Streets all in tears. The Wife cry'd out for help to Rescue her Husband, whom they were either cruelly cudgelling about, or hanging up by the heels in the Chimney, or tying to the Bed's-feet, or threatning immediately to cut his Throat. The Husband implor'd the like assistance in behalf of his Wife, whom threats and blows, and a thousand sorts of Cruelties had made to miscarry. The Children cryed out, Help, Help! They are Murthering my Father, they are Ravishing my Mother, and spitting one of my Brothers.—But here I must stop my Pen, which is ready to drop out of my Hand, and the very remembrance of their Barbarities has so over-whelmed me with grief and tears, that I am not able to proceed in de­scribing that Tragical Scene. From those Cruelties neither Sex nor Age was exempt. Nor was there any more regard had to Persons of the greatest Worth, or of the best Families, than to the meanest Peasants. Nor had they any Respect to the Prince's Officers, but even Monsieur de Lubieres, Monsieur d'Alencon, and Monsieur de Drevon were forced to receive Dragoons into their Houses. And it was well for my Nephew, Mr. Convenent, who was Chancellor of Parliament, that he got away early that Morning in a Country-man's Habit, that so while it was in his power, he might make his escape out of the Kingdom: For I do not doubt, but that barely for his Relation to me, he would have been worse used than all his Collegues.

The same day about Four in the Afternoon, the Count de Tesse came along with the Bishop to my House; he came into my Chamber, where, having lately broke my Thigh, I was con­stantly [Page 24] confin'd to my Bed, having not been able to rise but only twice to have my Bed made. He saluted me very civilly, and ask'd me kindly concerning the state of my Health. And after he had plac'd himself at the Head of the Bed, and the Bishop at the Feet, he began to tell me, that he had a great concern for me, and that he had shewn me a particular favour above my Collegues, in not throwing me into Prison, as knowing that I was a Gentleman, and that he had seen none else in the City, but Monsieur de Beaufain and my self to perswade to comply with the King's Commands. And that the better to prevail with me, he had brought along with him Monsieur the Bishop, that if I had any scruples of Conscience, he might give me satisfaction therein. I return'd him my Thanks for his Kindness, and said to this effect, That I had a Master in Heaven, whom I ought chiefly to obey; and that as for a Soveraign upon Earth, I own'd none other but his Highness the Prince of Orange; that I was born his Subject, and had the Honour to be one of his Domesticks; that as for Monsieur the Bishop, we were well acquainted, and had been good Friends, and had never had any Dispute about Religion, and that now, when so many Swords were drawn to defend the Romish Religion, and to extirpate the Reformed, it would be to no purpose to enter the Lists with him. He was very importunate with me to enter into Discourse. If, said he, you will not engage with the Bishop, pray tell me, for my own satisfaction, why you abhor Images so much, and what is the Reason you will not come over to our Communion? Sir, reply'd I, since you will have me speak my Mind, I will tell you, that in order to the Re-union you speak of, the Prelates of France are to push the Point which they contend for somewhat further. The condemning the four Propositions seems to have somewhat that is good in it, or at least we make this Advantage of it, that they agree with us in this particular, that the Pope is not the Infallible Judge of Controversies; which is a Point we all along eagerly contended for against the Pretences of the Jesuites, and the Monks. After so hopeful a beginning, we expect that the Gentlemen of the Glergy should proceed to Reform the manner of Worship, as now practised in the Church; for really we can­not look upon it but as unlawful in it self. They ought there­fore to do as Serenus, Bishop of Marseilles did, who coming into his Church, and seeing it curiously adorned with exquisite Statues and Pictures, ordered those Objects of Idolatry to be removed, and made every the smallest Piece to be defaced. And if the Pope [Page 25] should send his Letters to reproach them for it, as Gregory the Great formerly did to Serenus; and that they should at least have spared the Paintings, which might have served as so many In­structors to the Illiterate. They may answer him, as that great Bishop did to Gregory, that he had no need of such petty Doctors to make Men gross Idolaters, and that he, the true Pastor of his Flock, was sufficient to shew them how they were to Worship God. Well, answered Monsieur de Tesse, but do you believe we adore the Images? That is not the thing we are to consider, re­ply'd I; 'tis enough that you give them a Religious Worship. Your Bishops should therefore follow the Example of St. Epipha­nius, who going to Jerusalem, upon his entrance into an Oratory, tore a Veil that had upon it the Picture of a certain Saint. Till then, the Bishop had kept silence, but then he interposed, saying, That that was the Picture of a Robber. Then I began to smile, saying, that such an Evasion would have come well enough from a Jesuite, but I could not but wonder, that such an eminent Prelate as he should shuffle over this action of St. Epiphanius with a Fiction so very ill contrived. You, Sir, said I, being so very well versed in Ecclesiastical History, I am surprized that you should not have taken Notice of the Epistle which St. Epiphanius wrote to John, Bishop of Jerusalem, which St. Jerome has Tran­slated out of Greek into Latin, and is his one hundred and first Epistle to Pammachius, where it is said expresly, that 'twas the Picture of Christ, or else some Saint, not particularly remembring whether it was the one or the other. The Count de Tesse would not permit us to dispute any longer upon that Subject, but asked me, why we would not use Confession? No doubt, Sir, said I, you understand Latin, hear therefore what St. Augustin saith, Quid mihi cum hominibus ut peccata mea audiant tanquam Morbos meos sa­naturi, What have I to do to confess my sins to Men, as if they were able to heal the Diseases of my Soul? Then he led me into a Discourse about Purgatory, saying, that it was highly necessary that our Souls should be purged, and prepared to appear in the Presence of God. I answered, That that was to be done by our Saviour's Blood; and that in short, Purgatory was nothing else but a meer Fiction, whereof there was not so much as one word spoken in the Primitive Church. And, Sir, said I, I will leave you to judge whether St. Augustin believed a Purgatory, when I have recited a few words of his; Primum locum fides catholicorum credit esse Regnum Coelorum, secundum Gehennam ubi omnis Apostata aut à fide deficiens cruciatur, tertium penitùs ignoramus, neque in [Page 26] Scripturis esse invenimus. The word Penitùs, added I, is very emphatical, and does so expresly exclude Purgatory, that if you consider it well, you will not believe any such Place.

When the Count saw me so Resolute to maintain the Truth, he chang'd his way of Assaulting me; he told me, the King his Master made it a point of Honour to make me a Catholick; and therefore I ought to consider with my self, and to accept those Terms he was going to offer me. You have nothing to do, said he, but only to draw up in Writing whatsoever you desire, and I have Commission to grant it you. Here is Monsieur the Bi­shop, who knows, and is ready to attest it. I answer'd him, that I knew very well that so great a Prince, as the King his Master, would not have any such concern for so inconsiderable a Mini­ster as I was. That as for the rest, I had no need of any thing; and that all the Favour I desired of him, was, that he would please to grant me a Pass, as he had given to the Ministers of France, that I might retire to my Great Master in Holland. He immediately broke out into high Elogiums upon the Prince, say­ing, that he had a particular Veneration for his extraordinary Merits, that he highly admired him as a great Hero, and that he had upon several Occasions seen him behave himself both as a brave Souldier, and a great General. If, Sir, said I, you have such a Veneration for that great Prince, I beseech you have Com­passion upon his Servant, and grant me a Pass, that I may repair to him, which would be a great Comfort to me in my present afflicted Condition. That, reply'd he, is not in my Power; I have told you already, that the King makes it a Point of Honour to Convert you. It is very well known that you are a dangerous Person, and too much devoted to the Prince; you will never be suffered to go to him. How, said I, must my Fidelity to my Great Master be charged upon me as a Crime, to detain me con­trary to all Right? It is to no purpose to Argue, reply'd he in a Rage; you must obey the King, otherwise I shall proceed to ex­ecute my Order against you. You dare not do it, said I. How, Sir, said he, (approaching my Bed with a Countenance flaming with Rage) dare not do it? Yes, Sir, said I, I say again, You dare not execute your Orders upon me. And then uncovering my self, I let him see my wretched Body, saying, Consider, Sir, this Carkass; your Compassion and Generosity will not let you execute any Cruelty upon it. Adieu, Sir, said he, you are too Rhetorical for me. I bid you a third time consider of it, and obey the King, or else it will be worse for you. I told him, that [Page 27] I had considered every thing that I ought to consider; I see that Pity is a Vertue that is not in fashion now adays. I shall with satisfaction see my self dragged along the streets of Orange. The Bishop tarried a little time after in my Chamber; he desired me not to suffer my self to be Tormented, adding, that he bore a part in my Misfortune; and leaning himself down upon me, he embraced me with Tears, which I believed came from his very Heart. From my House these Gentlemen went to the Prisons: The Count had given Orders that my Collegues should be kept apart, and that they should be put into deep Dungeons. He visited them one after another, perswading them to turn: Yet notwithstanding all the Threats that the Count could use, they remained firm and undaunted; and by the Piety of their Dis­courses they sent away the Count and the Bishop very much ashamed, that they had succeeded no better in their Underta­king. This Example of Constancy, which both my Collegues and I had given those under our Care, should have confirmed them in a Resolution of suffering any thing, rather than quit the pure Profession of the Gospel. Several Persons that were in my Closet, heard all that past between the Count, the Bishop, and my self; and my Discourse with them was related all the Town over, as were likewise those of my Collegues. But we had the misfortune to see that they proved not so effectual as we desired. The sense of what they already suffered, and the apprehension of what they were further to expect, prevailed with the people to Assemble. God forgive those that occasioned that Assembly, and who voted so wickedly therein. 'Tis true indeed, before any thing was concluded, a Counsellor of Parliament and an Advocate were dispatched to Count de Tesse, to Remonstrate the Injustice of forcing his Highness's Subjects to change their Reli­gion; and to pray him to grant Pass-ports to as many as had a mind to leave their Country. But they got no other Answer than a positive Denyal, and severe Menaces. Which when they had reported to the Assembly, they resolved upon a change of their Religion upon Terms agreed to by the Bishop, and com­prised in these following Articles.

[Page 28] Together with some more sweeting Concessions, which I do not particularly remember. Thus these poor unhappy Creatures suffered themselves in the Agony of their Minds to be trepann'd by those fair Promises, not considering that whether they would or no, they should shortly be brought to kneel before an Image, and in every particular to Conform themselves to the Ro­mish way of Worship.

All this while I understood nothing of this Assembly. There were some Devout Persons with me, who were come to Pray with my Family. I read to them the Lamentations of Jeremiah; and as we were joyntly bewailing the Ruin of our Church, we were interrupted in that Holy Exercise by some that came to acquaint me with what had pass'd. Upon these sad Tydings we redoubled our sighs and our tears. I made a Prayer for the Assistance and Protection of Heaven in that Extremity: For I was ready to expire with Grief, as plainly fore-seeing that that Assembly could produce nothing but the Apostacy of my Flock. I sent every where to get my Elders together; but the business was al­ready concluded, and all my Arguments to no purpose. No sooner was that unhappy Re-union signed, but Orders were gi­ven to the Dragoons to live peaceably in the Houses of the pre­tended Converts: But as for those that remained stedfast, they were grievously harrass'd by the Souldiers.

And now came my turn to bear the Fury of these merciless Persecutors. The Count de Tesse had threatned to treat me with Severity, and he was in that particular as good as his word: For without being touched with any sense of that sad Condition he saw me in, within two hours he sent to my House 42 Dragoons, and 4 Drummers, who beat Night and Day about my Chamber, to put me past sleeping, and, if possible, to make me submit. These new Guests crouded into my Chamber to demand Monies of me, having one Towel tyed about their Heads instead of a Cap, and another about their Arms, to wipe their hands with.— To have given them every thing they asked for, you must have gone to all the Cooks-shops in the City. For if when they had gorg'd themselves with the most delicious Fowl, that did no lon­ger please their Palat, they would call for such Rarities, as only the Indies can furnish, and all this only for a pretence, that they might abuse my Servants, and good Neighbours, that were come to wait upon them, thinking thereby to mollifie their extrava­gant Fury. In a few hours my House was turn'd topsy-turvy: All the Provisions I had would not serve for one Meal, they [Page 29] broke open the doors to search for whatever they found lock'd, and made havock of all they lay'd hands upon. My Wife en­deavour'd to oppose it with an undaunted Courage, but her greatest care was how to preserve me, being afraid every time she came to me, lest the Dragoons should do me some mischief. She suffered from them all imaginable Insolencies, Threatnings, and opprobious Names, as Whore, Jade, and a thousand other filthy Expressions, which these wicked wretches belch'd out every moment. The fear I was in lest they should grow more abusive, made me conjure her to retire to her Father, Mr. Chavanon's House. She refused a long time to comply with me, but at length being overcome by my Tears, she yielded to my Request. No sooner was Night come, but the Dragoons lighted up Candles all over my House. In my Court-yard, and all my Chambers you might have seen as at Noon-day; and the ordinary employment of those Ruffians all Night was, to eat, drink, and smoak. This would have been tolerable if they had not come into my Cham­ber to intoxicate and choak me with the Fumes of their Tobacco, and the Drummers would but have ceas'd their horrid din, and have let me taken some rest. But these Inhumane Monsters were not contented to disturb me in that manner, but added to it most hideous yellings: And if by good chance the Fumes of their Wine laid any of them asleep, the Officer that commanded them, who, they said, was nearly related to the Marquess de Louvois, soon wak'd them with the Discipline of his Cane, that they might torment me afresh. What could I do in the midst of that Hell upon Earth, but only lift up my Soul to God to beg his gracious Assistance? That was my only Employment, which I accompany'd with my sighs and tears. These Torments had so deprav'd the Constitution of my Body, that I was not able to take any Nourishment. I received no consolation from any body but my Wife, who came from time to time from her Fa­ther's House to comfort me in my Misery. The Doors were shut against every body but two Roman Catholicks, who being touched with Compassion at my cruel Usage, hazarded themselves, to come and lend me their help. Some of my Flock, who had yielded under the Persecution, found means, I know not how, to slip into my House: They came into my Chamber, and throw­ing themselves upon the Ground at my Bed-side, conjur'd me to pray to God for them, that their Iniquity might not be laid to their charge. It will not, said I, bursting into Tears, my dear Children, if you recover again by a speedy Repentance; for there is mercy with God, that he may be feared.

[Page 30] Having got over this ill Night, the Count de Tesse sent an Of­ficer to ask me, whether I would obey the King. I answer'd him, that I would obey God. Upon this, the Officer went hastily out of my Chamber, and Order was given to Quarter the whole Re­giment upon me, and to torment me with greater violence. All this Day and the Night following the disturbance was intolerable. The Drums beat in my Chamber, the Dragoons smoak'd their Tobacco in my Face, and what through this infernal Smoak, want of Food and Sleep, and the pains I suffer'd, my Mind was con­founded. And yet in the midst of all these Torments, I sensibly felt the Grace of God sustaining me. I was once more summon'd by the same Officer to obey the King. I answer'd, that God was my King, and that I should soon appear before him to give an Account of my Actions; and that they would do much better to dispatch me, than to make me languish under so many Inhu­manities. All this did not in the least soften their barbarous hearts, but made them a great deal worse; so that being thus oppress'd with such a load of Persecutions, on Tuesday, the 13th. of Novem­ber, I fell into a Trance, in which I remain'd four hours com­pleat, with small appearance of Life. The noise of this soon spread ever all the City; the people run in crouds to my House, and several Ladies forced their way through the Dragoons, to give me Assistance in this extremity: And 'twas even reported, that I was dead. My Flock prais'd God for my deliverance, and for taking me away in the midst of my Troubles, out of the hands of my Enemies. The Dragoons came into my Room, and strange­ly insulted over me; one brought a another a Pul­let, and the rest brought Joynts of Mutton, &c. and mocking, said, We must rub his Teeth with these, and he'll come to him­self. The noise of my Death was quickly carried to the Count de Tesse. Upon which he immediately commanded the Dragoons from my House, fearing without doubt, the Anger of the Court (who, it seems, is not willing that any should be kill'd) for having let me dye in the midst of so many Torments. And to save him­self, he caused to be publish'd by his Emissaries, that I was poison'd. There was left only four Dragoons to Guard me; and in the Evening I was no sooner come out of this Trance, but this Count sent the Officer who had the Command of my House, to tell me, that I must get me ready to be carried the next day to Pierre-cise. With my weak trembling Voice I told him, that I was even that moment ready to go wheresoever they would carry me. I omit to speak of the sorrow of my Wife and all my Kindred, and will [Page 31] only say, I pass'd over that Night with strange perplexity of Mind. The Prison did not fright me, but I mistrusted the strength of my Body; I could not imagine that it would hold out so long a Journey. They try'd to put on my Cloaths, but my pains were so great, I could never endure them. In this great Conflict be­tween the Flesh and the Spirit, I commended my self into the hands of God, and sang the 11th. Verse of the 40 Psalm, That I, O Lord, should do thy mind, &c. Whilest I was in this Combat, my Wife went and threw her self at the Feet of the Count de Tesse, and with a torrent of Tears, which would have softned the most savage of Mankind, conjur'd him to let me be carried to my Country-House, and she would pay the Guards that should be sent to secure me; or if not this, that he would please to put me in Prison with my Brethren and Collegues. But this hard and inhu­mane Heart, with scorn deny'd her Request, telling her, that I was called the Pope of the Huguenots, but that now my Pontifical Reign was expir'd; and that it was to have been wish'd, that long ago I had been banish'd Orange, from whence I did nothing but sow my Heresies in all the Provinces of the Kingdom. The Bi­shop and several others, who in my Prosperity seem'd my Friends, were present, but not one of them would speak a word in my favour. This shews the Spirit of Popery, which Idolizes Prosperity, but has not common pity for the Miserable. The next Morning the Count de Tesse sent me word, that I must be going. He had before-hand caused to be made a Horse-Litter, it being impossible to carry me any other way. They took me out of Bed with the looks of a dying Man; my Friends about me had much ado to get on my Cloaths, and I endur'd a great deal while they were dressing me, and six Men were forced to carry me into the Horse-Litter, which was ready for me in the outer Court, some at my Head, others at the middle of my Body, and the rest at my Feet. In my Chamber, and at the bottom of the Stairs I saw several of my Friends, who spoke to me only by their Sighs and their Tears. When they had put me in the Litter, they had much ado to find a posture in which I might be tolerably easie from my pains. The Court where I stood was crouded with People, who melted into Tears, and tore their hair from their Heads. On one side of me I beheld two of my Neighbours, who for a long time had been at great difference; to whom I thus address'd my self. My dear Children, why do you weep? Pour forth Tears upon your selves, and your sins, which have pull'd down the wrath of God on you. If you love me, and are sorry for me, [Page 32] give me the Comfort to see you embrace each other, and let your Peace and Agreement be the last Fruit of my Ministry among you. I had no sooner spoke these words, but they fell upon the ground, embracing each other, and with their Faces in the Dust begg'd Pardon of one another. On the other side, I saw some Ladies with their Hair about their Ears, Gentlemen, Citizens, and Country People, who kissing my Hand, begg'd my Blessing. I gave it them with as much Zeal, and as great elevation of Soul as I ever did in my Life. My Wife, whom the Count had re­fused the favour to follow me, was now with me, and hanging about my Neck, melted into Tears. She exhorted me in very pathetical terms, to Patience and Perseverance. I was in pain how to leave these good people; but the Dragoons which were com­manded to Guard me, made them withdraw, to make room for the Horse-Litter to march. I was hardly got without the Court­gate of my House, but I beheld a multitude of people, which fill'd four streets and another place adjoyning to them. At the same time that these disconsolate persons saw me, they began to cry out, Misericorde, Misericorde, Misericorde. There were among them even some Roman Catholicks which shed tears with my peo­ple. There was so great a Croud, that one trod upon another to ask my Blessing. Some of them cry'd, Adieu, my dear Friend: Others, Adieu, my dear Pastor; and all together lifting their hands and eyes up to Heaven, wish'd me a thousand good things. This sad sight, and these sorrowful voices even rent my Heart, and I swoonded away in my Litter, and was forced to take Cordial Waters to restore me. I was no sooner come to my self, but I conjur'd those nearest about me, to let me go in Peace: But they again began to take me by the Hands, the Feet, and the Arms, as if they would have kept me for ever. The Dragoons them­selves were so sensibly touch'd with this spectacle, that they were observ'd to change colour, and were not able to speak a word to these poor afflicted people. There was a Person of worth in that Country, who having enquir'd into all the particulars of this days Action, said to one of my Friends, who afterwards gave me an Account of it, That he did not believe there were so many Tears shed in Rome, at Liberius his going from thence; nor at Alex­andria, when Athanasius was banish'd, as was that day shed at O­range. At last, having been often stopt in the street, I got out of the City by that Gate which is nearest my House, where again I found more People weeping, than I had met with in the City. And here again we were forced to stop, to give them my Blessing, [Page 33] which they begg'd with great earnestness. And on this manner I pass'd by three Gates of the City, all the way accompanied with a continual croud of People. I was stopt again in the Suburbs of the Angel, where a Dragoon gave a box on the Ear to a poor Woman, who was a Roman Catholick, only because she bewail'd my Misfortune. The care I always took to do Service to all Per­sons of either Religion, had gain'd me their Hearts and Affections, so that I did not much wonder to find a great many honest minds touch'd with my Sufferings.

I am perswaded some charitable Person had inform'd the Count de Tesse of the sad condition I was in; and that it was to be fear'd I might die before I arriv'd at Pierre-Cise. And upon this consideration it was doubtless, that he countermanded the Orders he had given. An Officer comes to him that commanded the Party that guarded me, and bids him conduct me to a place call'd Saint Esprit, and put me into the hands of the Chevalier De Montanegues, who com­manded there, and to whom the Count de Tesse writ. Immedi­ately upon this new Order they march'd with me: Abundance of my poor Flock still continually follow'd me, the sight of them did but renew my sorrow, for which reason I beg'd them to let me go in Peace, since I was in the hands of God, to whose Mercy I recommended them. This Multitude accompanied me near half a League; but having got clear from them, I began to turn my thoughts upon my self: I lift up my Heart to God in singing the 143 Psalm, Lord hear my Prayer, &c. I recited not one Verse without making holy Reflections for strengthening me in this great Tryal. After this, I sang the 69 Psalm, Save me, O God, &c. But I was interrupted in this holy Employment by the violent pains of my broken Thigh. The shaking of the Litter, and the slips and false steps of the Mules did so loosen my Bones, that I fancied I heard them crack; and very often my Nephew, John Convenent, and two Footmen, which the Count de Tesse permitted me to take along with me, were forced to give me Cordial Waters to revive my Spirits, and support my drooping Heart. As I pass'd by Mor­nas, a Village of that Countat, the Inhabitants flock'd out to see me, and void of all Pity, reviled me, and told me, I deserv'd to be thrown into the Rhosne. A change in ones Condition, makes a change in Peoples Behaviour; heretofore when I us'd to pass this way, I met with all Honour and Civility. One of the Guard of the Vice-Legat of Avignon, to whom I had done some small kindness, being posted here to hinder any of the People of Orange to pass, as his Comrades were posted in other places, he advanced [Page 34] towards me, and dispers'd this Mutinous Company. He express'd a great trouble for my Misfortune, and wish'd it had been in his power to make me happy. I thank'd him for his Civility, and pursu'd my way to Saint Esprit, where at the foot of the Bridge I met the Chevalier De Montanegues, who expected me. He came up to my Litter, and whispering me in the Ear, express'd a mighty grief at the hard usage I had met with, but assured me, that I might confidently expect from him whatever he was capable of. My Wife had the Honour to belong to this honest Gentleman; this, together with some little Service I had done the Marquess his Bro­ther, prevail'd with him not to put me in the Castle, and he gave this Reason to the Court for not doing it, that the Stairs were so inconvenient, that it was impossible to carry me up. They lodg'd me in the House of Mr. Robin, famous for his great Wit, for the ingenious Verses he hath publish'd, and for the Honour he hath merited to be one of the most considerable Members of the Uni­versity of Arles. Mrs. Robin his Lady, in the absence of her Hus­band, treated me with all the kindness I could desire, for which I shall pay an eternal acknowledgment. I was so disordered at my arrival with the toil of five hours being upon the Road be­tween Orange and Saint Esprit, that I knew not where I was. They had much trouble to take me out of the Horse-Litter, and I endur'd incredible pain in their carrying me into the Cham­ber which was to be my Prison, and where for the space of Twen­ty days I kept my Bed, without being able to rise to have it made.

I spent the first Night in dictating to my Nephew, John Con­venent, several Letters for Holland and Paris, in which I gave an Account of my sad Adventures. As I passionately desir'd to get a Pass-port, so I writ an importunate Letter to the Baron De Span­heim, Envoy Extraordinary from his Electoral Highness of Bran­denburgh, in which I begg'd him to omit nothing to obtain it. I believ'd it would contribute to the success of my Design, if I ac­companied my Letter with a short Petition to the King, and which the said Baron might please to present in my Name. Here's the Petition in the same terms I conceiv'd it.

Accordingly I received an Answer from Mr. Spanheim, by which he let me know, that he had sent away with all Expedition my Petition to the Marquess De Croissy, and that he writ a Letter along with it, of which he sent me the Copy, as also of the Mar­quess his Answer. And here truly I cannot forbear saying, that the most ardent Charity, and most hearty Friendship dictated Mr. Spanheim's Letter. The Reasons he urged for my gaining what I desired, were unanswerable, so the Commendation which it pleas'd him to give of me, was a certain sign of his dear kindness, but not the right means, to make me obtain a Pass-port. On these Occasions, the more ones Vertue is prais'd, the more it's oppress'd: So that what at another time would have procur'd me favourable regards, was now partly the cause of a more severe Persecution. In the Answer which the Marquess De Croissy sent Mr. Spanheim, he told him, he had presented my Petition to the King, and that on the Tuesday following he should have a positive Answer to it. Now mind, I beseech ye, the Intrigues of this World: The Mar­quess De Croissy's Answer was dated the 27th. of November, and three days before that, which was the 24th. of the same Month, the Marquess De Louvois had given Order to the Marquess De la [Page 36] Trousse to send me to Pierre-Cise. The Tuesday following Mr. Span­heim fail'd not to be at Versailles, to receive the positive Answer which the Marquess De Croissy had promised him, which in sub­stance was this; That the King had not yet resolved to give me a Pass-port, and notwithstanding all Mr. Spanheim's importunity, he could get no other Answer. Nay, they hid from him the Order which had been given to remove me to Pierre-Cise. While they were carrying me to the Prison design'd, I received these two dispatches, and that too by the means of my said Nephew, who stole away from the Boat, and took Post for Orange.

The day after my Arrival at Saint Esprit I was visited by the Chevalier De Montanegues, who spoke to me in the most obliging manner, offering me both his Purse and every thing else in his Power. He told me, he would use his endeavour that I should be under his Custody till I had received a Pass-port: For, says he, they will not surely treat you worse than other Ministers of this Kingdom, abundance of whom I have seen pass along. During my stay here in this City, the said Chevalier gave leave to all Per­sons of Quality to visit me. One day I entred very far into some Controversies of Religion with a Judge of that place, whose Name was Mr. Bernard. And for the Ladies, who came in great Com­panies to see me, I endeavoured to instruct them as dextrously as possibly I could.

While I exercised my self in this good Employment, I forgot not my poor Wife, which I had left in much danger. I writ to her Consolatory Letters, and beg'd her to hide her self from the insolencies of the Dragoons, and to keep out of the hands of the Count de Tesse. In a little time I was informed how cruelly this Count did use her: He caused her Father's House, where she had taken Sanctuary, to be beset with fourteen Dragoons; they seized her, and because she would do nothing against her Conscience, he ordered her to be dragg'd to my House, and there to be Ser­vant to the whole Regiment of Dragoons, without any body to help her. She was over-whelm'd with sorrow when she heard of a Command so unjust, and which expos'd her Honour and Cha­stity to all the shameful practises of the Dragoons. A Religious Per­son and a Friend of mine, to whose Family I had done some good Offices, as soon as he knew of the Misery she was to endure, immediately ran to Mr. Chavenon's House, and there he soon found means to give some ease to my Wife; for without making her, by any Trick, to sign or abjure, he sent the Count word, that she had done her Duty, as they us'd to speak; upon which [Page 37] the Count withdrew the Dragoons, and my Wife came to me. The sight of her was a mighty Comfort to me. We encouraged each other to Perseverance, and as a help to it, every day I used those Exercises of Piety which it had been my Custom to do at Orange. At the same time I learnt that the Count de Tesse upon the 25th. of November with his Troops dislodg'd from Orange, and drove before them my Collegues, till they came even to the Pri­sons which are in the Bishoprick of Valence; and this was an ad­dition of Grief to me and my Flock.

After I had been Twenty days in my Prison at St. Esprit, Mr. De Vermenton, Provost of Valence, came with an Exempt and his Attendance to remove me to Pierre-Cise. And I am here obliged to say, that of his Profession, there is not so gallant a Man. He executes his Orders punctually, but he does it with so much kind­ness and compassion for those he thinks innocent, that whoever is in his Custody, seem as if they enjoy'd their full Liberty. If I had a Vote in the Chapter, as they say, he should have it to be a Bishop; and there are Bishops which I would Vote to be Provosts, because their inhumanity makes them fit for this Place, and the Goodness of Mr. De Vermenton makes him worthy of a Bishoprick. Before he would come to me, he ordered that I should be hand­somely advertised of his Arrival, that so I might not be surpriz'd. After this, he came where I was, and in the most friendly terms in the World; he signify'd to me the regret he had that he must be forced to remove me. He had so much Compassion for my sad condition, after I had shew'd him my Body, that Tears fell from his Eyes, and forced him to say, he would have given a great deal to have been discharg'd from this Commission. Never­theless a Boat was prepared for my removal. All things being ready, they took me out of my Bed, from whence I had not stir'd since the first day they put me in it. God knows what I suffered between my Chamber and the Boat, which lay about a quarter of a League off. My Foot-men carried me in a Chair, my Wife and Nephew held up my Legs, and upon the least turn­ing or jogging, I roar'd as if I had been upon the Wheel. As I went, I took my leave of Mr. De Montanegues, and thanked him for all his kindnesses. It was very difficult to put me in the Boat: Six Men took me out, as if I had been a dead Corps, and I was but too sensible to feel a thousand pains. They laid me upon Quilts, after which, six Men which Town'd the Boat began to march. We were six days in going to Anconne, which is but six Leagues from the Bridge of St. Esprit. The North Wind blew so [Page 38] violently, the coldness of which brought the Gout upon me, which made my whole Body as stiff as a Bar of Iron. They kept me upon the Water from break of day, till Ten or Eleven a Clock at Night, which failed not to put me in the most pitiful condi­tion that ever poor Gouty Man was in. My Tongue to complain, and my Pulses to let me sigh, were the only things I had at li­berty. They put me to bed in my Cloaths, either upon Straw, or Quilts laid upon the Ground. When we came to Anconne Mr. De Vermenton, fearing I might dye by the way, would not expose me, in pursuing the Voyage. He staid therefore two days, as well in expectation of good Weather, as to let me get a little strength. A great many Persons of the City of Montelimard came to see me; these good People spoke to me only by their Sighs and their Tears, and lift up their Eyes to Heaven to beg of God, that he would Revenge the Cruelty which was exercised upon me. I should be too tedious, if I should relate all the Discourse I had with these good Souls. I told them, that it was a great Glory for me to suffer for the Name of Jesus Christ, but that my Body made me afraid; and that I feared lest the excess of my pains should make me say something contrary to the meaning of my Heart. As to what concerned them, I told them, they ought to consider with themselves, and to rise from their fall by a speedy Repentance, if they would expect Mercy from God. And thus I endeavoured to Edifie my Neighbours in every place as I pass'd along. In the mean while the Tempest still continued, and we had like to have seen the Cardinal De Bouillon, who came down the Rhosne, to go to his Banishment in the Isles of Provence, cast away. With leave of the Curate, the Provost caused to be made on the Sunday a Litter, the better to convey me forward. He employ'd Twelve Country-men, who carried me upon their shoulders, and all at my Charges and Expences, which some­times amounted to four Pistols a day. The Noise that was abroad about me, had drawn a great many People in the way as I pass'd. The good People of Dauphine came in Troops with Tears in their Eyes to ask my Blessing, testifying by their general regret how much they were troubled with my Miseries. The Exempt beat them back very severely; yet this did not hinder them from coming up to me to kiss my hands, and send their good wishes after me. At Sausse I met with a worthy Gentleman, whose Name was Mr. Du Ferron, Captain in the Regiment of Sault. He came up to me very ingenuously, and mightily comforted me by a thousand pretty things, which he entertain'd me with on the [Page 39] Subject of Persecution. He talk'd to me of the Sermon which the incomparable Mr. Claude had publish'd upon these words You have not yet resisted unto Blood. He even had that Confidence in me, as to tell me of his design of leaving the Kingdom, and that he was now on his way in order to it. God hath blest his good Resolution, and I have had the good Fortune to see him again at the Hague.

The 10th. of December I arrived at Valence, just as it began to be dark; Mr. De Vermenton went before to prepare me a Cham­ber; and his arrival having declar'd mine, I found in the Suburbs a great Multitude of People, and in the first Court of the Inn, a great many Persons of Quality of both Sexes. Some said, Look, here's that Devil, the Minister of Orange; others cry'd, This is the Prince of Orange's Spy; in a word, I heard nothing but Rail­ing and Invectives, which yet did not trouble me much, calling to mind the words of the Saviour of the World, Mat. 5. 11. Bles­sed are ye when men shall revile you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsly. That which I was concern'd for, was, how to get out of my Litter; they were above half an hour before they could effect it, not knowing on which side to take me, being so helpless as I was of all the parts of my Body. I beg'd the Pro­vost to have a little Patience till I recovered my Spirits; and ob­serving so much fine People round about me, I said, Ladies, I beg your Pardon for my rudeness, I am not able to lift my Hand to my Cap to salute you: Doubtless you have heard talk of Job, you see here his Brother, or Cousin-German. At this the Ladies were touch'd with Pity, and went away hastily, and I observed several who took out their Handkerchiefs to wipe away their Tears. At last they carried me from my Litter to a Bed, where they endeavour'd to get off my Cloaths, that I might take some Rest, after so many days fatigue, and want of sleep.

The same Night that I arrived at Valence, there was a Person of worth came to my Bed-side. After he had pass'd some Com­plements upon me, with a voice pretty loud, because he would give no suspicion to the Exempt, of whom I have spoke, whose Name is Nardouin, and who never one moment left my Chamber, nor the sight of me, and who besides placed Sergeants at the Door as Sentinels Night and Day; this honest Man, I say, with a low voice told me, that he utterly detested the Cruelty and Barbarity which had been practised upon me. After that, he drew before me so hideous a draught of the state of his Soul since his fall, that I was filled with fear: To which he added the Tor­ments [Page 40] which he suffered as oft as he was forc'd to go to Mass, and the horrors of his Mind when he there beheld the Idolatries they committed. He beg'd me to give him some comfort; but alas! I was but in an ill condition to do it. There came some other Persons of Note, who could not forbear weeping, amongst whom there was a Marquess of worth, whose Name I shall conceal, who was going to the place of his Banishment, and whom they would not suffer to speak to me. This Night I pass'd mighty unquietly, partly through the terrible pains of the Gout, and partly through the grief that they would not let me have the freedom to speak to those about me. The Exempt lay in my Chamber, he was the Spy upon all my words and actions, so that I had hardly the liberty to complain. The next day the Provost, who had been conferring with the Bishop of Valence, came into my Cham­ber to tell me, that he would leave me that day to take my rest, and that in the mean time he would prepare a Boat. I told him, that I had much rather go in a Litter, because I should endure the pains of the Wheel in their carrying me to the River-side, which was a quarter of a League from my Lodging. He seemed to consent to it, but though I had secur'd one for the next day, yet he refused to carry me this way. In the mean time, I know not whether it was not from a motive of Compassion which made Mr. De Vermenton unwilling I should go any further than Valence; but this I am sure of, that he feared exreamly lest I should dye in his hands. For this Reason the two Physicians of the Univer­sity, and two Chirurgions were sent to visit me. They had no sooner seen my miserable Body, but they turn'd away their Eyes, and lift up their shoulders; and when I told them, that these were not all my Ills, I was besides tormented with the Stone. They said, they could not give a judgment concerning that, un­less they made a search; but however they had already seen but too much: And upon this they with-drew. In my Journey my Thigh was unbound, which caused me horrible pains; and those of the Gout increased furiously upon me: Yet notwithstanding this sad condition, I was impatient to be quickly carried to Pierre-Cise. I beg'd the Provost to satisfie my desire, and he promised me, that the next Morning we should set forward; but instead of that, I saw coming into my Chamber that Morning the Bi­shop of Valence. It was easie to imagine that there was some con­trivance laid, which made me stand upon my Guard. My Arms were so stiff through the effects of the Gout, that it was impossible for me to lift my hand to my Cap to salute him. After he was [Page 41] set by my Bed's-head, he began to tell me, that he was sorry to see me in so much trouble, that this ought to make me consider with my self, that I might not go to Pierre-Cise, where I should suffer much; that I had much better re-unite my self, by which means I should be at ease, that the King would allow me large Pensions; That his intention was not only upon his own Subjects to re­unite them to the Church, but that his Piety incited him to cause all other Protestants to enter into the Church; and that I should be a very proper Person to contribute to so good a Design, and that through my means, there might be a good understanding, and that some satisfaction might be given to Protestants concerning some Points; and that for his part, he would make no scruple to consent to the taking away some Images out of Churches, and that even he had already taken away a great many out of his Churches, where very few are seen; and that the Cup would be given to the People again. But that it was necessary to have some considerable Man of our Party, who should promote this business, and that for certain, I was the Man the most fit. This in sub­stance is what this Prelate said to me at this first interview. To which I answer'd, that I thanked him for the Honour he had done me; that as to the Sufferings he mentioned, I was fully re­solved to undergo them; that if I had believed I could have been saved in the Roman Church, I should never have let my self have been thus tormented for these two Months. As for Pensions, through the goodness of God I had no need of them; as mean a Gentleman as I was, I had where-withall to live. As for the Praises he bestowed on me, in thinking me fit to Labour towards a Reformation, I was very sensible of my own weakness; but yet I could willingly spend my Blood to effect so good a Work: But in the condition Affairs are, there's no likelihood that things should conclude by Lenity and Friendship, that are begun by force of Arms; and that therefore I should be extreamly obliged to him, if he would obtain a Pass-port for me to go where Providence should direct me. Do not flatter your self about it, Sir, reply'd he, you are a Prisoner of State, and you ought not to expect any Pass-port. It will be thought an Honour if they can make you a Catholick. It is very well known that you are closely engaged to the Prince of Orange, and you'll never be suffered to go near him. But pray tell me, says he, Do you think it would not be more for your Advantage to serve the King, than the Prince of Orange? Is not he a greater Master? I know very well that 'tis your engagement to the Interests of that Prince which sticks at [Page 42] your heart, and that you are afraid to displease him in changing your Religion; but I do assure you, that we have certain News, that he is getting himself instructed. Pardon me Sir, reply'd I, if I tell you, that I do not believe a word on't. I had the happi­ness to know him in his most tender years, he was then perfectly well instructed, and I doubt not but his Understanding has en­creas'd with his Age; and as I am perswaded he hath no scruple of Conscience upon the account of his Religion, so neither does he need any further Instruction. You are not the first Sir, who hath told me this News, there are a great many others who pub­lish it, but there are reasons for all this, and 'tis not hard to dis­cover the design for which all these Reports are spread throughout Europe. I know that your King is a great King, but I know also that my Prince is a great Prince, who hath always done me much good, and honours me with his kindness: and I should be very ungrateful if I did but think of changing my Master. What have I done to deserve to be a Prisoner of State? I have never medl'd with things of this nature; so that Sir, I must once more beg you to procure for me a Pass port, or if Mr. Vermenton find that I cannot be remov'd, because of my Pains, be pleas'd to let me be put in one of your Prisons with my Brethren. After this discourse, he still very pressingly sollicited me to a change, al­ways offering me both Riches and Honours, to all which I only answer'd him, (that I might rid my hands of him) That people do not change their Religion as they do their Shirts, and that I should have time to think on't in my Prison of Pierre-cise.

It was by his order that they made a shew of my tarrying in Valence, till they receiv'd orders from the Marquess de la Trousse who commanded in Dauphine; they remov'd me to an ordinary House in the City, where I was continually guarded by the Ex­empt, and by Serjeants. My dear Brethren, who as yet were not thrown into Dungeons, as afterwards they were, sent to me a trusty person to tell me that they offer'd up their Prayers to God for me, and beg'd that I would pray for them: And I did the same in their behalf.

As they continually consulted in Valence to find out some way to make me yield, so they were of opinion that it would be best to take from me, my Wife and my Nephew, and deprive me of all my Servants; they accus'd the two first of encouraging me in my resolution not to change. The Exempt it seems had heard us discourse about it; and for the others, they knew that they were absolutely necessary for me, since they only understood how to [Page 43] manage me in my bed, and to serve me in all my natural neces­sities. In effect, I was to be dealt with, as if I had been a new­born Infant, and I had rotted in my own filth, if I had been in the hands of other persons, since I could never have endur'd them to have done such vile and unpleasant work. But they told my Wife and my Nephew that they must withdraw, and me they told, that I should have Dragoons or Serjeants to wait on me. This discourse was to me as a mighty clap of Thunder, and dis­order'd me so extreamly, that I knew not where I was. I was very well aware that they us'd me after this manner, on purpose to reduce me to the last extremity, and to throw me into Pains a thousand times worse than those of Hell; for if my Servants who were us'd to my Miseries, could not touch me without cau­sing me excessive pain, what could I expect from the hands of Dragoons, and Serjeants, people void of Pity and Mercy? My only refuge was Prayers and Tears, and I beg'd God that he would have pity on me, but my Sins were too great to obtain from his assisting Grace what I beg'd of him, having a mind to put on my Cloths to try whether I could endure them when I was to go to Pierre-cise, as they had given me notice to be ready for that purpose, I suffer'd so much Torments that I let slip these cursed Words, Well, I will re-unite my self. The Exempt who was present, immediately run to the Bishop, without saying a word to me; the Bishop comes the same moment accompanied by the Provost and some other Persons, and having presented me with a Paper to sign, and pronouncing some words in Latin, which I pro­test I never heard, I refus'd to do it, as I have constantly refus'd as oft as I have been sollicited to it. He told me, that they had acquainted him that I said, I would re-unite my self; I answer'd him, that it was true, but it was the violent pains I endur'd which forced those words from my Mouth, in the distraction of my Mind, and that if I should re-unite my self, it would be no great Conquest gain'd, since the condition he saw me in had depriv'd me of my Reason. And really, I knew not what I did, my Reason was so disorder'd; nay, I had hardly the use of my Sen­ses. I doubt not but the Bishop caus'd to be sign'd in the Paper, that he had presented before me the Provost and some other Per­sons, as Witnesses of my pretended Conversion: But I appeal par­ticularly to the Conscience of Mr. de Vermenton, whether he ever heard me say in the presence of the said Bishop, that I would re-u­nite my self. And I make the same appeal to all the other persons as to this matter, as I take them for honest people, so I hope they'l bear witness to the Truth.

[Page 44] In the mean time let not any believe I say this to excuse my fault. To my sorrow, I am but too sensible that I have faln a­way, and that the fatal words which I utter'd, have separated me from the external Communion of the true Church, till thro' the Mercy of God, and the Ministery of his Servants I shall be re­admitted. If I had not thought so, and if I were not yet of the same mind, I should not have shed so many Tears; on the con­trary I should have rejoyced at my sufferings, and should have thought I might have had a place in the Catalogue of the most Illustrious Confessors; But alas! I look upon my self as a cowardly Souldier, who turn'd my Back in the day of Battle, and as an un­faithful Servant, who hath betray'd the Interests of his Master.

Although my fall was after that manner, and of the nature I have been representing, yet the Bishop of Valence did not fail to boast of it as a mighty honour to himself; he continually talkt of it to all comers and goers, and he writ of it to the Court, and triumpht upon it, as the greatest of his Victories.

But my condition was vastly different from his; that which was the subject of his Glory was the matter of my Shame; and the Honour he claim'd in perverting me, was an Eternal reason for my Sighs and Tears.

Is it possible for me to express my grief to that degree I felt it? Is it possible for me to describe the state of my Soul in Colours e­qually black with the sorrow that overwhelm'd me on that sad occasion? Can I tell forth my Groans to all Europe with as mourn­ful a Voice as I did the moment immediately after my pronoun­cing those cursed words?

Whilst I was in this Affliction, the Bishop of Valence receiv'd Letters from Court in answer to those he had writ concerning my pretended change: He pleas'd himself mightily in the Congratula­tions which he receiv'd from the Archbishop of Paris, and Father la Chaise, upon his imaginary Victory. The Marquess de Louvois writ to him also concerning it; and immediately upon his recep­tion of these Letters the Roman Catholicks publish'd in Valence that there was a Pension of two thousand Livres settl'd upon me. This Prelate came to me, and told me, that it now depended only up­on my self, whether I would be very happy; that they writ him from Gourt, that I might ask whatever I had a mind to, and it should be granted me. And that the King only wisht that I would continue a little while at Valence. I told him, that I had no oc­casion of any thing, and that were I in the greatest necessity, I had rather dye, than it should be said, I sold my Religion and [Page 45] Conscience for Money; that they did me great wrong in detain­ing me at Valence, and that they would be much more just in granting me a Pass-port. Nay, to try him, I desir'd him however to procure me leave to go to Orange, though in truth I had no great mind to return thither. He told me that with time this last might be, as soon as I had given any proofs of my Obedi­ence and Fidelity to the King; but for a Pass-port, I ought not to expect that. And he added, that he observ'd me mightily cast down, and askt me why I was so. It seems the Exempt and Serjeants had given him constant information, for they had their haunts about the place where I was, and never fail'd every day to give him a faithful account of every thing that pass'd. How is it possible, Sir, said I to him, that I should not be cast down after having receiv'd and do still receive such cruel usage? I must needs tell you, that I am in continual Tears by reason of Tor­ments I suffer both in Body and Mind. You fancy that you have gain'd a mighty Victory by those words I spoke, but how easie is it to triumph over a poor miserable? Upon this first visit, I was not in circumstances to let him know more of my Mind. But he made me seven other visits while I stay'd at Valence, what our Discourses were upon them all, I shall here in few words re­late.

He was continually telling me, That there was nothing so fatal as Schism, nor no greater blessing than a Re-union. I told him, 'Twas very true, that Unity was a most pleasing thing to God, when it could be maintain'd; but that yet we must mind what St. Paul says, who teaches, that we must follow Peace with all men as much as 'tis possible; from which Doctrine we may observe, that when the Unity endangers our Salvation, we are indispensably oblig'd to break it, and that for as much as the same Apostle teaches us, that we must not so much as eat with Idolaters, and that there can be no agreement between the Temple of God and Idols. Upon this he be­gan to discourse to me of the Schism of the Donatists, but it re­quir'd not [...]n extraordinary Judgment to perceive that he was but little vers'd in that History. I told him that certainly the Dona­tists were in the wrong to make a Schism about a matter of Disci­pline; but that our Reformers separated about Essential matters of Doctrine and Worship, as well as about the Government of the Church, and for this reason 'tis impossible to make them guilty, unless it can be demonstrated that they have err [...]d in the truth of their pretensions. He did not persue this point very far, and he only told me, that as he had already said, that some things might be [Page 46] Reformed in the Church, and that he esteemed me a very fit Person to assist in this good work. I do not very well remember how we began to discourse of the present Persecution, but I per­fectly remember that he said these very words to me; It is believed that the Bishops are the Authors of the Methods that are now taken for a re-union, but certainly 'tis a great mistake; we have indeed upon this occasion, represented what we thought our Duty, but 'tis the King's Will, which no body ought to oppose. While he discoursed to me on this manner, I lift up my Eyes to Heaven, as astonish'd to hear a Bi­shop able to talk so directly against Truth. In his Discourse he seemed to me, as if he had detested all Violence, and yet he was no sooner gone from me, but I heard he was on Horse-back at the head of the Dragoons, going to torment all those in his Diocess, who would not either abiure, or go to Mass. The Prince my Master, I found, troubled his Mind much; we seldom dis­coursed together, but he would tell me, these head-strong Peo­ple still fancy that the Prince of Orange will come to their Assist­ance; which made me say one day to a Friend of mine, that the Name of the Prince my Master, was as terrible to the Bishop of Valence, as the Drum which was made of the Skin of Ziska was heretofore to the Emperors.

At another of our Meetings we sell to discourse about the Ca­non of the Mass; he gave me so particular account of it, as if he had believed it the composition of Angels. I told him, that to speak truth, there were very good things in't; but yet, that it seem'd like a Cloak made of so many different pieces, that those who considered it throughly, did not see those fine things in it which he did. As for Example, Sir, said I, who can endure this passage in't, where the Priest says, We present to thee this Sacrifice in Honour of the Holy Virgin, St. Peter, St. Paul, &c. What, offer to God that Blood by which these Saints were re­deem'd, in Honour to them! Is not this esteeming less of the Blood of Jesus Christ than of those Saints? All the Answer I could get from him was this, That we ought to understand these words in the sense of the Church.

As to Transubstantiation, I cited to him that incomparable pas­sage of Theodoret, which is found in his Dialogues; God does not change the nature of Bread, but adds Grace to Nature. I quoted it to him in Greek. He told me, that heretofore he understood this Language, but that he had now forgot it. Yes, Sir, said I to him, I do believe it; you have had other business than to mind your Grammar. He acquitted himself not much better from what I [Page 47] shewed him in the Decretals. He laid much weight upon these words, This is my Body; telling me, 'twas impossible to be de­ceived in believing what Jesus Christ had said. Upon which I shewed him the Explanation which the Decretals themselves give of this passage, under the Title of the Consecration. Your Decre­tals, said I to him, ought not to be suspected by you; and these words of Jesus Christ, This is my Body, they thus explicate: Coe­leste Sacramentum quod vocatur caro Christi dicitur etiam corpus Christi, non propriè sed impropriè, non rei veritate, sed significante mysterio, ita ut is sit sensus, hoc est corpus meum, id est, significat.

To this, he also gave me the same Answer, to wit, That it must be understood in the sense of the Church. But said I, Sir, it is in these Decretals which the Church explains her meaning, and she says, that we must understand these words, This is my Body, not that the Body of Jesus Christ is truly in the Sacrament, but that it is represented and signified by the Sacrament.

The Answers which this Prelate made me, let me clearly see, that he had studied more Politicks than Divinity; that he was more conversant among the leaves in the Archives of his Diocess, that he might increase his Revenues, than in the Holy Scriptures, that he might be perfect in all good works, and be the man of God, according to St. Paul's Precept; and in a word, his Mind was more set upon the Greatness of this World, and the Intrigues of the Court, than upon the Humility of a true Bishop, or upon the unfolding of the Mysteries of Religion.

To perswade me, that it was Lawful to use Force, to make er­ring Persons come into the Church, according to that saying, Coge eos intrare, compel them to come in; which was, it seems, much in use in those days. He sent me the two Epistles of St. Austin, which some had lately taken the pains to Translate into French: The first was to Vincent, a Donatist Bishop; the other was to Bo­niface, General of the Emperor's Army. I was prepared to Answer these two Epistles, but I was gone so far with him, that I preven­ted his asking my Opinion of them. I had before quoted to him this incomparable passage of one of the Ancients; Nova haec & inaudita praedicatio quae verberibus fidem suadere conatur. This is a new and strange way of Preaching, which goes about to perswade men into the Mysteries of Religion by blows and stripes. However I had got ready for him some passages of the same Father, and was re­solved to tell him, that although St. Austin was endow'd with a great many rare gifts, that yet, he was but a Man, and for that Reason, suffered himself to be a Court-Bishop. I should be too [Page 48] tedious if I related the particulars of all I talk'd of with this Bi­shop concerning Religion; I think it sufficient to say, for the Edi­fication of my Neighbour, and my own satisfaction, that since I let slip those rash words, there hath not gone out of my Mouth any that have in the least been against my knowledge, or con­trary to the Dictates of my own Conscience; on the contrary, I have endeavoured as much as 'twas possible for me to Edifie the Church of God, exhorting all those I met with, either to perse­verance, in case they were not yet fallen, or if they were fallen, to rise again by a speedy Repentance: I never omitted the ac­customed Exercises of Piety; I prayed with all comers and goers; I sang Psalms with a loud voice; and although they continually told me, if I took not care, I should ruin my self; I answered them, that I would glorifie my God, and that Death was far more dear to me than Life. One day the Bishop reproach'd me, I an­swered him briskly, that I should all my Life think my self ob­liged to thank him, that he could not reasonably speak against my Devotion, seeing he had told all his Diocess, that our Prayers were good, and that there was no fault to be found with our Psalms. Two Months and a half I continued in that City with a dejection of Mind not to be conceiv'd. My Thoughts were so taken up, that I scarce was sensible of the pains of my Body, which has almost perswaded me into that Opinion, that pain sub­sists only in the Thought. The Bishop's Commissary of War for the Province of Dauphine came to see me; he was going to Orange to carry 500 Pistols to free those Roman Catholicks which were poor from Quartering Souldiers, by which one may judge at the Expence the Protestants have been put to. This Commissary offered me Mo­ney, for which I did not vouchsafe to thank him. He exhorted me also to write the motives of my pretended Conversion, and set before me the Example of the Minister Vigné. I told him, I was not such a one as he took me for; that he had forgot the Dra­goons and Drummers which he sent me, whose terrible noise had made me forget my Latin; and thus I briskly sent him away, laughing at him and his offers.

And since the mention of this Commissary hath brought to my Mind the Minister Vigne, I cannot forbear noting here, that this Apostate being come to Valence to get himself received a Counsellor in the Presidial Court, came to see me, accompanied by two of the Bishop of Valence his Men. He came into my Chamber all trembling and pale; I received him very coldly, and after a short discourse of Civility, which he thought fit to make me, I [Page 49] spoke to him in Latin, because there were some Persons I had no mind should understand us. I desired him to tell me, in what condition his Conscience was since his change: He was extreamly surprized at my Question, and seemed at a great loss: But never­theless, after a short silence, he answered me with a stammering voice, that his Conscience was at rest; upon which I told him, that mine was in Hell, although I had not done what he had done. I have no quiet Night nor Day, for an ill word which I spoke, and yet you say, that your Conscience is in perfect Peace. Ah! Sir, you do not consider as you should; you had much bet­ter confess your sin to God, than to withstand Truth unjustly. Says he to me, I am re-united to the Roman Church, that so I may not be guilty of Schism, which is so hurtful to our Salvation: I am re-united positively, but I am separated from her negatively. Said I to him, if you were speaking to some ignorant Country-man, you might throw some dust in his Eyes by this distinction, but do you believe me so ignorant, as not to understand your Jargoon? Can you say, that you are separated negatively from the Roman Church, in rejecting the Doctrine and Worship which we disap­prove? Have not you very lately publish'd a Letter, directed to your pretended new Converts, in which you maintain what you tell me now is not the object of your Faith? Have a care, that in lying to Men, you do not lie to God. In all likelihood he did not expect that I durst talk to him with so much Courage, but that in Policy I would dissemble with him my Opinions; so that he withdrew in some confusion, and went directly to the Bishop's House, where 'tis very likely he made him a partial recital of our Discourse; but yet the Bishop never took the least notice to me of it.

As soon as I was a little recovered from the swelling of my Heart, which had almost deprived me of the use of my Reason, I presumed to write to his Highness; the Letter was Dated the 12th. of January 1686, and in that I gave him a short account of all my sad Adventures. This Excellent Master had the goodness to cause Mr. De Schuylemberg to write to me, that he was very much concerned at all my Miseries, and that I ought still to hope that God would not forsake me. This Answer was a mighty assistance to me, and contributed much to my Comfort; for as God had still design'd more Afflictions and Sufferings for me, so these marks of kindness to one so unworthy, help mightily to support me in my Combats.

[Page 50] A few days after I had received this Answer, the Bishop of Valence made his last Visit to me, and it was very troublesom: Un­til then he had never press'd me, but then he told me, that I seem'd as if I intended to live without the exercise of any Reli­gion; that I would create to my self troublesom businesses, for which he was sorry; but however he was to take care of me, that as I had importuned him, either to procure a Pass-port for me, or leave to go to Orange, he had obtain'd leave for me to go to Romeyer, which is near Die, where there is good Air to reco­ver my Health. I was very sensible that he was unwilling to tell me, that this was to be the place of my Banishment; but yet I was overjoy'd that I was suffered to go out of Valence, which I esteemed as Hell. And I went away as soon as 'twas possible, notwithstanding my pains. But before I left the place, I failed not by this Letter to take my last Farewel of my dear Collegues.

[Page 51] Upon the second of March I arriv'd in that horrid Desart to which I was banish'd. Upon the Road I was in great per­plexities of Mind. Divers Ministers who had yielded, some through Violence, others most willingly, were at Die, a Town which I was to pass through. Is it possible, said I to my self, that thou art sent near such a Nest of Apostates, the remembrance of whose Crime will continually reproach thee with thy Fault? I made my complaint with such vehemence, that a Gentleman travelling by the Litter where I lay, askt one of my Servants whether I was not mad. I will say nothing of the Tears which abundance of good people shed for me as I went along; I re­ceiv'd from them a thousand kind wishes, for they very well knew the truth of my Heart, and the regret I had for having let slip those Words. The frightful Desart into which I was banisht, is a little narrow Valley, into which you cannot enter neither, but through the opening of an inaccessible Rock to the West of the said Valley. To the East there's a barren Mountain call'd Glan­dasse, of so prodigious a height, that to arrive at the top of it, it will require three hours time. To the North, and to the South, there are Hills which are joyn'd by heaps to one another, and which cast such a shadow, and so far, that in Winter one can hardly see the Sun-shine. That which is the only pleasant thing there, is a little Brook which takes its Source from the said Moun­tain of Glandasse, and by its pretty Murmurs might serve to di­vert the Mind when 'tis free from dismal Thoughts, which mine was not. Before these last Revolutions, all the Inhabitants of the three or four Villages which are in this Vale, were of the Reform'd Religion, except two or three Families, which was a great satis­faction to me; for while I staied in this place of Exile these good people came to pray with me, and to comfort me. The News of my arrival in this melancholly abode was no sooner spred in the Neighbourhood, but there resorted to me people of all sorts, of each Sex, which stole away to see me, and to mix their Tears with mine. There came to me some from every Province therea­bouts, and they all assur'd me, that my Fall was so far from giving a Scandal, that every body had compassion on me, knowing to what a sad condition they had reduc'd me, and that they pray'd and hoped the example which I had furnished the Church would be of great Edification to her. What Edification said I, can any re­ceive from so great a sinner as I am? I do indeed beseech God with all the powers of my Soul, that he would please to give me the grace to glorifie his Name, but I fear the fault I committed, [Page 52] will keep him from hearing my Prayers. I am firmly resolv'd rather to dye than make any profession of the Romish Reli­gion: But alas! what am I? and how do I know but the Tor­ments which they may yet make me endure, may cause me once more to Fall? I told the Count de Tesse that I would be dragg'd thro' the Streets of Orange, and yet I was not as good as my word. What's past makes me fear what's to come.

During the five Months that I was in this place of Banishment, the chief Employment in my Bed of Affliction, was, every day to bath it with my Tears. I never ceas'd praying and sighing, and afflicting my Soul; and if sometimes they forced me out of my Bed, and carried me into a Garden, as oft as I saw those ter­rible Mountains, I repeated what David said in the 121 Psalm, I will lift up my eyes unto hills from whence cometh my help. My help cometh from the Lord which made heaven and earth.

The Feast of Easter being near, the Bishop of Valence came to Die, which is about a League from the place of my Banishment, to Confess and Communicate the pretended new Converts. I had reason to believe he would come and disquiet me, and according­ly he did not fail; there happen'd to be with me one Mr. Julian an Advocate of Die, and a very honest man, and one who hath glorifi'd God by his retiring; I intreated him to hide himself be­hind my Bed, that he might have the pleasure of hearing what I said to the Bishop. He granted my request, and quickly, the Bi­shop accompanied with a great many Priests, and some Officers of the Army come in. For half a quarter of an hour our Discourse ran upon things indifferent; but upon his coming up close to my Bed-side all the other people withdrew, and putting his head very near mine, he askt me, if I would not think of signing the Wri­ting which he had shew'd me, and of doing what a good Chri­stian ought to do. I answer'd him, that for the Writing I could not sign it, and to live as a good Christian, I should endeavour all the days of my Life. He press'd me extreamly. But at last I told him for a full answer, that I would beg him never more to urge me, and conjur'd him to order the Curate of the place not to require me to exercise any Act of the Romish Religion, since that being recovered from the distraction of my Mind, I was in a con­dition to speak of my Life.

He appear'd not much troubl'd at this Discourse, he only said, Well, you'l think on't, and so left me with great Civility. The Ad­vocate came out of his secret place, and falling upon my Neck, embrac'd me with abundance of Tenderness and Tears, telling [Page 53] me that my Discourse had extreamly edifi'd him, that he must leave me to go to Die, where the Bishop would not fail to report, that I had promis'd him every thing; which accordingly happen'd: For this Bishop was no sooner at Die, than in the presence of a great many People, he said, That he came from me, that I was a very honest man, that he was pleas'd with my Conversation, and that I had promis'd to Confess, and to Communicate. The Advocate who was there present while the Bishop said this, whis­per'd in the Ears of some of his Friends; This is not true I am wit­ness of it; and afterwards unfolded the whole Mystery, assuring them that the Bishop said all this only to seduce them.

The continual troubles of my mind quickly threw me back in­to the condition I was in at Valence. I was seiz'd by a violent Fea­ver, which distracted me, yet I was quickly well, without using the least Medicine; but though my Body was eas'd, yet my Mind was so tormented with sad Thoughts, which continually pre­presented themselves to me, that I knew not where I was. It seem'd as if God himself had imprinted my Sin on my Heart, to make me the more sensible of its horrible foulness, and to the end that I might run to him by Prayers, Sighs and Tears. I must confess, that I was forsaken of all Comfort, for I was able oftner than once to say with Job, c. 3. v. 3, 4. Let the day perish where­in I was born, and the night in which it was said, there is a man-Child conceiv'd: Let that day be darkness; Let not God regard it from above, neither let the light shine upon it. To this I added, what fol­lows in the same Chapter which here I care not to write. To call in the Consolations of my God, I often repeated these words in the 77th Psal. v. 7. 8. Is his mercy clean gone from us? and is his promise come utterly to an end for evermore? Hath God forgotten to be gracious; and will he shut up his loving kindness in displeasure? Alas! how often did I say, Have mercy upon me, O God, after thy great goodness: according to the multitude of thy mercies, do away mine of­fences. Cast me not away from thy presence; and take not thy holy spirit from me. O give the comfort of thy help again; and establish me with thy free spirit, Psal. 51. v. 1, 11, 12. I endeavour'd to mode­rate my grief by considering the difference which St. Cyprian made of those who were faln. I knew the Ancients distinguish'd between those which were call'd Sacrificati, that is to say those who had sacrificed to Idols and Thurificati, those who had presented Incense, and Libellatici, those who gave Money to the Judge, that they might not go into the Temple of the Idols, and who afterwards had a certain work to deliver themselves from the Persecution by [Page 54] cunning shift. I very well saw that I was of this last sort, but yet this did not satisfie me, because I had not the courage to suffer Persecution for the sake of my Saviour, which by the by, I desire, may be an admonition to those who have escap'd it, by any Art whatever, to look upon themselves as great Sinners. Many may say that they have not sign'd any Abjuration, but I desire them to ask their Consciences, whether they have done no Action, by which they have deny'd their Religion.

I consider'd with my self the Fall of many great men, who yet afterwards glorified God by their Repentance. St. Peter was the first who presented himself to my Imagination: but I found my Infidelity far greater than his. I forgot not the great Hosius who presided at the Council of Nice; the love of his Sepulchre, as St. Hillary elegantly calls it, meaning his Body, grown weak through his great Age, made him sign the detestable Heresie of Arius. But said I, Hosius because of his Age was in a kind of dotage; but thou was in the vigour of thy Mind. Liberius came next to my Thoughts, but I perceiv'd it was only the uneasiness of Banish­ment that made him fall. And that the fears of Death made Be­rengarius as well as Jerome of Prague recant, as also the great Cran­mer Archbishop of Canterbury: Although there was no comparison betwixt these great men and me, but inregard of my fault, yet I could not forbear making a parallel of their conduct with mine; for at last, said I to my self, all these great Lights regain'd their former brightness after they had been sometime obscur'd: But miserable that thou art, can thou expect that God should raise thee, seeing thou hast so basely forsaken him?

In the exercise of such thoughts as these did I pass the greatest part of the time of my Banishment; they were interrupted by the Curate of the place, who came to me about Whitsontide, to exhort me by Order of Monsieur De Valence, to Communicate. He told me Easter was past, and that it was his Duty to make me this Exhortation, to the end I might do mine. He was accompanied by two or three Prebends of Die, but they durst not propose this to me, fearing to engage with me. The Curate seemed much disturb'd while he spoke to me; I thank'd him for the care he took of me, but that my Conscience forced me to tell him that I was not in a condition to do what he requir'd me; and that I was surpriz'd that Monsieur De Valence should give him this Com­mission, seeing I had so fully informed him of my intentions therein. In good earnest, Mr. Curate, would you oblige a Man to Communicate that does not believe your Mysteries? Hereupon [Page 55] I made a long discourse to him to let him know the Sentiments of my Soul. When I had ended, he arose, and told me, he would never while he lived speak more to me about this Matter, but that he was indispensably obliged to let his Bishop know all that I had said to him. This Curate was a Man of his word, for ne­ver since, did he ever speak to me of Religion.

Nevertheless, with an extream Passion I wish'd I might glorifie God, either by a Retreat, or by Prison, or by Death, God having put it into my Heart, that I must suffer every thing, rather than defile my self by any act of Idolatry. It was upon this conside­ration that I writ to the Bishop of Valence, to let him know, that I could no longer live being so horribly tormented with the Stone. And truly, for several days I endured the pain of such a stoppage of Urine, that I could find no ease, till I had voided a Stone as big as a Bean. This Prelate never saw me but in Bed, which I usually kept, as well for the ease of my Mind, as that of my Body; for when I was up, I was in continual pain. By my Let­ter I intreated him to get leave for me to go to Lyons to be cut. He answer'd me very civilly, that with all his Heart he would use his endeavour for that as well as for my entire ease. He prophe­sied without thinking on't; for the permission which he obtain'd some time after, was the cause of my deliverance, by which I was discharg'd of a Stone, which I had in my Head, a thousand times more troublesom than any that could afflict a Man in that strange Distemper. Every day seem'd a Year; I waited for this Permission with great impatience, and not hearing any News of it, I again writ to the Bishop to the same effect, and after a strange manner aggravated my evil. He got his desire, and I mine. He delay'd the time, that so my pains and anguish might determine me to what he wish'd; but my thoughts were quite contrary. Therefore while he deferr'd procuring me this satisfaction, I en­deavour'd by way of Grenoble, to find a favourable occasion to make my escape out of the Kingdom. God bless'd my Contri­vance, and heard my ardent Prayers. There was found for me a Party, which to me seemed able enough to execute my De­sign. But when I had made all ready to be Transported by Twelve Peasants over the high Mountains, even to the side of the Lizere, Advice was brought me, that Grenoble was full of Dra­goons, and so that my Design was ruin'd. My Affliction was great to have fail'd of my aim: But God, who Rules all things by his wise Providence, was pleas'd to bar up this way against me, that he might open me one more easie and commodious. I [Page 56] knew not then, that I was under the Guard of the Chief Magi­strates of the Neighbouring Corporations, to whom, it seems, the Bishop of Valence had given Order to take care that I made not my escape. Infallibly I had been taken, if I had offered to go away without express leave, which a thousand times has made me adore the Providence and favourable Protection of my good God over me.

At the beginning of the Month of July the Bishop of Valence came into his Diocess of Die, to bring his People to Confession and the Communion. A great many Troops came before him to use Force and Violence towards those who would not obey him. He was no sooner come, but he let a Friend of mine know, that he had obtain'd the Permission which I desired, to go to Lyons. As much as I was cast down by my continual Tears, yet this good News reviv'd me, and I plainly perceived my bodily pains to diminish; from whence I infer'd that the great God would by this means enable me to gain my end, which through his Aid I have done. But in the midst of this little Joy, I was still troubled in my Mind, fore-seeing that I should meet with furious Attacks from this Bishop, either to force me to Sign, or do some other thing against my Conscience. I strengthened my self in the Re­solution that I had made, by the help of my Prayers, my Fa­stings, and extraordinary Humiliation to consent to nothing. These Pious Exercises made me a little sensible of the Grace of God, and the effects of this Divine Comforter, which before had withdrawn from my Soul.

But before this Bishop came to me, to Torment me, he went the Circuit of his Diocess, where he exercised unheard-of Violence to make People Confess and Communicate. The People escap'd in­to the Woods and Mountains; they were pursu'd thither, as if they had been Wild Beasts; they were knock'd down, bound fast, and then as quickly as they could were thrown into deep Ditches. In a word, there was nothing heard but Desolation and Misery. What Honour is this these Gentlemen do to their Religion, to drag folks to the foot of their Altar, and make them Sacrifice to their Idols? Heretofore God refused a Victim which went not chearfully to the Altar; and can they expect that a Sa­crifice made with an ill will by reasonable Creatures can be plea­sing to him? They shall bear this Iniquity, and the great Judge of the Universe will not fail to impute this crying sin to them, and to chastise these horible attempts. The best of it is, that Monsieur De Valence set before the Eyes of these good People my [Page 57] Example to induce them to Confess, and to Communicate. What, says he, are you wiser than Monsieur De Chambrun? He hath done every thing, and why do you refuse to follow his Pattern? At the same time I received from divers places Dispatches to know how it was. As I was never byass'd, so I answered, that they should take great heed not to give credit to such Discourses; that I was resolved to die, rather than give them this Scandal; and that they need only to inform themselves how I had behav'd my self, not to be catch'd with such Cheats as these. Good God! what Religion is this? What Bishops are these, that dare add lies to Violence, to deceive poor Innocents? And here, to the Glory of my God, I must needs own, that what I did upon this Occa­sion was with singular Edification, and produc'd abundance of good Effects, because whole Societies or Corporations chose rather to expose themselves to the Rage and Fury of the Dragoons, than to Confess, and to Communicate.

The Comptroller of Dauphine about this time came to Die, to assist the Bishop in this fine Mission. The last preach'd by the Mouth of the Dragoons, and the first sued those who would not obey. Every day I heard that they sent away Troops of Women and Girles to that cruel Robber, who had committed a thousand out­rages against so many poor Innocents who pass'd through his hands while I was at Valence. I was told that this Comptroller one day as he was at Dinner discours'd of me. I am told, says he, that this Minister which is at Romeyer, will do nothing, tho' he has promis'd to Confess, and to Communicate, but we'll quickly bring him to Reason. He has refused two thousand Livres Pension; he is very nice, to despise the Favours of a great King. Mr. De Vermenton, who was there also at Dinner, began to speak, and told him, Sir, you have him not yet; I have observed him till he came at Valence, and I am perswaded, that the extremity in which I saw him made him say, that he would re-unite himself, but that the secret meaning of his Heart is quite contrary.

After the Bishop had been the whole Circuit of his Diocess, he failed not to come and see me: He came alone into my Cham­ber, and began to tell me, that he had obtain'd the Permission which I had so much wish'd: But before he would give it me, I must make my self ready to Sign, Confess, and Communicate. I an­swer'd him, that I thank'd him for the care he had taken; but I begg'd him to let me go in Peace to Lyons without further pressing me; that in likelihood I should there die in the Operation of cut­ting me, and so should give him no more trouble. He reply'd, [Page 58] to me, What, Sir, the King is not to be thus mock'd; I have writ to Court, that you were in good earnest Converted, and what will they say of me, if I do not make you do your Duty? I have caused all the Ministers which were at Die to Confess and Communicate, and will you be the singular Huguenot in France? I answered him, that I live not by Example. I have no intention to mock or de­ceive any body; you are too Reasonable, Sir, to force me to do a thing against my Conscience; I beseech you let me go to Lyons. A little after, he took out of his Pocket a Book, in which the Au­thor had collected several Passages of the Fathers to prove the real presence of the Body of Jesus Christ in the Eucharist. There were some of St. Athanasius, St. Cyril, St. Ambrose, St. Augustine, and divers others. As fast as he read them, I immediately gave him an Answer to them, but he did not reply the least word to my Answers. But he insisted particularly on that passage of St. Austin, in his explication of 33 Psalm, according to the Vulgar Edition, and the 34 according to the Hebrew, where this Father did say, That Jesus Christ did bear or carry himself in his hands when he gave his last Supper to his Disciples. Se ipsum ferebat in manibus suis. This passage appeared to him unanswerable. What can be said, says he to me, to so strong an expression of St. Augustin? I began to smile, and told him, that if I had here my St. Augustin, I would quicly let him see that what he fancied never entred in­to the mind of that Father. How, says he, is your St. Augustin different from that which is cited here? No, Sir, said I, and you need but turn the leaf to see his Opinion. In the Exposition fol­lowing he lets us understand, that his People were offended at these words; which was the reason he commented upon them in that place I speak of, and told them, Se ipsum quodammodo ferebat in manibus suis. After a manner, &c. Well, says he, let this pass. But here are others, to which there is no Reply. He pursu'd reading his Book, without ever giving me any Reply to my An­swers. He very well saw by my manner of acting, that he should not be able to gain any thing upon my Mind; and that all those passages which he alledged to me, were not capable to convince me; which obliged him to shut his Book, and then he told me, that as a Friend, he would advise me to obey the King, if not, strange ill things should be done unto me; after which he em­brac'd me, and bid me Farewel. The same Evening he sent Soul­diers to the Inhabitants of my Desart, who committed a thousand disorders to force them to do any thing. I concluded that I should be oppress'd by them as well as others; but instead of these trouble­some [Page 59] Guests, the next Morning I saw come into my Chamber a Jesuite, sent by him to endeavour to corrupt me. There came before him a Canon, named Reinaud, to whom I said so many things about Religion, that in all appearance he had given Glory to God in any other time. This Jesuite made himself known to me, in making me call to mind some Observations which I made in one of my Sermons preach'd about Controversie. Do you re­member, Sir, said he, the two Anagrams upon Cornelius Jansenius, and upon Joannes Calvinus? I have retain'd them, says he. Did not you find in Cornelius Jansenius, Calvini sensus in ore, and in Joannes Calvinus, An non es via Lucis? Yes, Sir, said, I, the memo­ry of them is very fresh. Are you the Man with whom I had then to do? Yes, says he, I am the very Man, and I come now to offer you my Service. I come to tell you, that Monsier De Va­lence is extream angry with you; he talks of nothing but deep Ditches, or sending you to Pierre-Cise. I should be very sorry that any ill should come to you, for I can assure you, that I most per­fectly Honour you, and that all our Fathers have a very particu­lar esteem for you. Believe me, Sir, and suffer not your self to be tormented; you need only make a little Confession to me, and I will speedily go to Die and pacifie the Mind of Monsieur De Valence. As to the Confession of my sins, said I to him, I do it every day to my God; and 'tis to him only I ought to do it, according to the Opinion of St. Chrysostom, in one of his Home­lies upon the Epistle to Titus, where he says in Formal Terms, I do not ask thee that thou shouldest confess thy sins to me, it is to God alone thou ought to confess them. And you know what St. Augustin says, Quid mihi cum hominibus ut peccata mea audiant tanquam mor­bos meos sanaturi.

I will not, says he, dispute with you. I know Sir that you are my Master. The fear I am in least any ill happen to you, hath brought me hither to conjure you to have pity on your self. I fear nothing, said I to him, I have put my self into the hands of God. Let him dispose of me according to his Will. This Je­suite put himself into all shapes, and acted all parts to bring me to what he wisht. He embrac'd he sigh'd, he wept; but all those Artifices were in vain, and he was forced to withdraw without being able to prevail over my Mind; but yet he was not discourag'd for all this. The next Morning he came again, and entred my Chamber, all frighted, as if the Dragoons had been at his heels ready to carry me away and load me with Chains. He employ'd all his Eloquence in a lively representa­tion [Page 60] what would happen to me; nay, he went to my Wife to terrify her by his Discourse, and to sollicite her to conjure me by her Tears that I would prevent the mischief that was preparing for me. But he found himself every where rejected, so that he went away the second time without being able either by his Flatte­ries or his Threats to make the least impression on my Spirit. News was brought me, that Monsieur De Valence was in a great passion upon the report this Jesuite had made to him, and said, he knew not what should hinder him from causing me to be thrown into a deep Ditch: that I troubl'd him more than all his Diocess: that I might go to the Devil, and that at Lyons I should meet with those that durst talk to me. The next day he caus'd another onset to be made me, but seeing me immoveable, he gave order to one of my friends to tell me, that I might go when I would to Lyons, where the Archbishop had receiv'd Orders, and should yet receive more, to make me pass my time uneasily enough. And here one ought to admire Providence in my behalf, that the Bishop of Va­lence, who is one of our most bitter Persecutors, should let me go out of his Diocess in the manner I did; for night and day I said my Prayers with a loud Voice, and in Company sung Psalms, and exhorted every body to perseverance, and all this too was not unknown to him; besides that he could never force me to make the least step against my Conscience; and that I should have disputed against him, explicated my Opinions to his Curate, to certain Canons, and to a Jesuite; certainly in all this there must be something of Divine, and very extraordinary, and here­upon I have often with great diligence try'd to discover the ways of God in this Affair. And after I had well consider'd it, I con­cluded, that God made use of the Vanity of this Bishop to bring me out of my Misery. He did write to Court that he had con­verted me. He durst not contradict himself, least he should pass for a man of little sense; and besides I verily believe that I hit right of his Thoughts, if I say, that he argu'd with himself after this manner. Every body believes that this man is really converted, and I have taken care to spread this News throughout the Kingdom; if we throw him into Prison we give the Lye to what we have publish'd; it is better to let him go to Lyons, where infallibly he'l dye in the Ope­ration of his cutting, and so we shall be deliver'd of him, and after his Death, we can say of him what we please. In all likelihood these were his thoughts. But here God cries from Heaven, Your thoughts are not my thoughts, neither are your ways my ways. The good Pre­late could never imagine that I [...]uld be able to do what I did; [Page 61] he was an Eye-witness of all my Miseries, and he knew that I was rather a dead Carkass, than a living Man. He had little rea­son to suspect that which I had so vehemently desir'd in my Heart. But it is thus God confounds the Wisdom of those who think themselves wise.

I had no sooner the liberty to go to Lyons, but I left my Desart the first day of August 1686. carry'd in a Litter by twelve Pea­sants. The poor people of Diois came in Crowds to see me pass along the Road. I will not tell here, with how many Blessings, and with what Tears I was accompanied. Every where I beheld pale and dejected Looks, which fill'd me full of Compassion. I endeavour'd to comfort them by my Prayers, and my Benedicti­ons. My people perceiv'd that I was follow'd from place to place by the Curates and other Persons▪ who had receiv'd order from Monsieur De Valence to watch me upon my way. Near the Town of Crest an honest man gave me information, and told me that assuredly I would be stopt there. Notwithstanding all I still persu'd my way without the least fear, and I got safe to Lyons the fifth of the same Month, I took up my Lodging in a great Inn, both to take away all suspition; and also the better to perswade that I was there with a design to be cut of the Stone. The next Morning I sent to look for one call'd Hermite, a Chi­rurgeon for the Stone, to know of him when he could cut me. He view'd my Body, and after he had examin'd it well, he told me it would be very dangerous to perform this Operation in the condition I was in: but that he would consult of the best-means to do it. Here it was I met with a very pious Lady, who with me shed abundance of Tears. She was just upon going for Gene­va. I had so great confidence in her, that I told her my Design, and injoyn'd her to beg the Pastors of Geneva, to put up their Prayers to God for me. She took me by the hands, and kissing them, said she hoped that these same hands who had so often ad­ministred to her the Seal of Grace and Pardon might yet be im­ploy'd in giving her the same Consolation. This great Inn where I went to Lodge was not convenient to execute my design; but a private House more convenient, was procur'd for me, where I was no sooner fixt, but I sent for the ablest Physitian in Lyons, whose name is Mr. Falconnet, and of whom the Archbishop made use. I gave him an account of all the Symptoms of my imaginary E­vil; he concluded that I had the Stone, but that he must also search me for the greater certainty. He pitied the condition I was in, and though I was a Stranger to him, yet he was extream­ly [Page 62] friendly. He was a man of Learning, and I took great plea­sure in his Conversation. I cannot tell whether it was my illness, or some observation which I made upon the Greek and Latine Po­ets, which pleas'd him, and oblig'd him to be much with me. But let it be what it will, he made use of all his Skill to give me ease, and to please him; I told him I did find benefit by his Re­medies. It happen'd that as he was one day to visit the Arch-bi­shop, he told him that he had a Patient who was a stranger to him, but a Gentleman in a very bad condition. Without doubt, says the Arch-bishop, this must be a Minister of Orange, of whom I have order from Court to look after, and calling to his Secre­tary, bid him bring his little Box of Papers, where he found the said Order. He communicated it to the Physitian on purpose that he might tell it me, the substance of which was, that the Archbishop should not let me go from Lyons, and that he should take care that I held no Meeting; when this was signify'd to me, I answer'd, that as for holding Meetings, my condition would not let me run about the City; and for going from Lyons, they need but look upon my Body to be satisfy'd in that point. But because I would avoid lying, I resolv'd not to say, that I would not go thence without Order.

In the mean time, finding my self so narrowly watcht, I con­cluded that I should quickly be in Pierre-cise, if I did not take some speedy course. I had made a bargain with a Waggoner of Fran­che Counté, who promis'd me for a hundred Louises he would car­ry me to Switzerland in his Waggon cloath'd like a Peasant, and as if I was his Servant, and that the Waggon had run over me and broke my Legs. Several of my Friends were against this way for two reasons; the first, that I should never be able to en­dure so long a Journey in the Waggon; and the second that be­ing so strictly observ'd as I was, I should be no sooner mist in Lyons, but immediately they would dispatch Messengers upon all the great Roads, and that the great distance between Lyons and Switzerland by way of the Franche Counte, would undoubtedly cause my being taken; and so that I ought rather to think of some way both quicker and shorter. After much thinking, I fancy'd that I should certainly gain my point, if I went out Post in a Callech, with the attendance of some great Lord, my great distemper oppos'd this design; for indeed it was very plain, that without an extraordinary assistance from Heaven, I could never succeed. Nay, there were some that ever laught at me when I propos'd it. But in short, notwithstanding all their Arguments, [Page 63] I was so well confirm'd in my design, that the very same day I caus'd a Callech to be bought for me, and order'd it to come by a private way. I had a mind to try whether I could endure this sort of travelling, that so I might not hazard my self to no purpose. I went upon the Key by the River side, and as soon as I perceiv'd Pierre-cise, where my dear Brethren and Collegues are kept, I could not possibly forbear weeping, a whole torrent of Tears fell from me, as well in compassion of the sad condition of persons so dear to me, as at the remembrance of my own fault which deprives me of the sweet comfort of enjoying the Company of such blessed Confessors.

If my Nephew had not earnestly sollicited me to quit that place, and give some intermission to my Tears, I believe I should not have stirr'd from thence before night. I had not gone thence thirty paces before an Officer was at my heels, and commanded me to retire home. This accident surpriz'd me, and let me see that I was narrowly watcht, being I was so closely follow'd the first time of my coming abroad. But indeed my Servants had often told me, that they had observ'd certain persons hovering a­bout my House which they suspected to be Serjeants. This made me tell my Wife, that I was now satisfy'd that I had spies set up­on me; but yet that I would so well time my business, that I would steal from the sight of my Guards. And that I might the better succeed, I sent for my Doctor, and told him that my Pains were so excessive that I could no longer live. He was ac­companied by his Son, and the Operator who was to search me. This was the fifth of September that I endur'd this cruel Operation. The Operator could find no Stone, and for his excuse, pretended that my lying cross the Bed was not a fit posture to perform it, and that he must search me in a Chair. I beg'd the Doctor to put off this second search to another time; that I had suffer'd so much in the first, that I did not feel my self strong enough to undergo a second, and the season in the Month of October would be cooler, and so more favourable to me. This was approv'd of, and thus I got rid of my Doctor, and my Operator. But this Operation made me endure two terrible nights, yet this did not hinder for putting my Affairs in order to go away the Sunday following, which was the eighth of the same Month. A particular person for whom I shall all my life pray, lent me two Footmen, with order to do whatsoever I bid them. He set them out very handsomly, and at my own cost I fitted two others suitable to them. The two first I thought fit to call Parisien and Campagne, and those two [Page 64] which belong'd to me, I nam'd Flower and River. As for my self, I was in a Suit cover'd with Gold, a Hat edg'd with Gold, a fair Perriwig, and a point of Venize Cravat, with a Scarlet Ribbon. The Horses that were necessary for me, I procur'd and sent them out of the City, and kept only two for my self and Boy. I fancied that the best time I could take would be about seven a Clook in the Evening, when every body was taking their pleasure in walking. My Wife and I pray'd together, and after I had embrac'd her full of Tears, I caus'd my self to be put in my Callech which was there ready for me, conjuring her to go a­way the same moment from that House to another I had prepar'd for her. My grief was extream to forsake a person so dear to me, and who had been so great comfort to me in all my Afflictions: but as she could not ride Post, as I did, I took care that another party should assist her, and in a few days to follow me.

At the hour resolv'd on I began my Journey. I pass'd quite through that great City in the midst of an incredible throng of People. Calleches and Coaches, and upon a good round Trot quick­ly came to the end of the Bridge of Rosne, whither a friend had follow'd me at a small distance to observe whether I was known; but he told me all was well, so we shak'd hands and bid adieu. At the same time I commanded my Footman to mount his Horse and make the best of his way. It was just night when I came up to my other Footmen with five Horses, who waited for me behind the Ruines of a House; they presently harnass'd another Horse and added him to my Callech, and all being mounted, we pursu'd our way with a strange expedition, I was made fast to my Callech with two leather Thongs, which kept me so close to my Engine, that it was impossible to know that I was indispos'd. Order was given to Parisien, who was a witty fellow, always to ride before, and to get the Post Horses ready, and never to speak of any but my Lord, who travail'd in great hast upon urgent Affairs. This little precaution succeeded won­derfully. I always found the Horses ready at my coming to the Stages; I was call'd nothing but my Lord. This together with my great Liberality to the Postillions, carry'd me with such dili­gence, that at break of day I arriv'd at the Bridge of Beauvoisin. All that night I employ'd in singing the Praises of God, I began with the 91 Psalm.

Being come to the Bridge of Beauvoisin, I could get but two Post-Horses; a Courrier that I had met upon the Road, who carried the News of the Creation of Cardinals, had taken the rest. [Page 65] I found Parisien engaged with the Post-Master; I heard him say as I arriv'd, My Lord will not be thus content; You must find Horses at any rate. The good Man immediately came up to me, and calling me, My Lord, askt my Pardon a thousand times, that he could not presently furnish me with Horses necessary for me; but in a little time I should have enough very fit for my Service. I made as if I was very Angry, and it may be I was so in good earnest, and told him, that the Service of the King ought not thus to be hindred. He begg'd me to walk into a Room, where I might be more at my ease. I briskly answer'd him, that I must go forward. While he was arguing with me, the People of the Town, who began to get out of their Beds, flocked about my Callech, to make their Observations of it, and my Equipage. They paid abundance of Respect, taking me for a Lord. I stir'd my Hat a little to them, and then sat cover'd, letting them stand bare-head, the better to perswade them that I was some great Lord. After I had askt something for Breakfast, tho' I had no stomack at all to any, I invited them to drink my Health. I hope I shall be excused, if here I do not relate all the particulars of what I did and said upon this Adventure: Let it suffice to say, that I left the Quality of a Minister, to take that of a great Officer of the Army. And truly, my manner of Acting did so well per­swade all those sort of People of being such, that those who had the Guard of the Bridge, and the Commissaries of the Custom-House, askt my Nephew, if I did not Command the Regiment of Guards to the Duke of Savoy. It may be so, says he to them. Yes, we did think so indeed, reply'd these Commissaries to him; we have seen him pass this way heretofore, he hath good Fortune in his looks. While this Dialogue lasted, I was in great disquiet of Mind, for I had been tarrying there near two hours, and could get no Horses, notwithstanding my earnest pressing for them. But at last they came, and all things being ready, the Po­stillion turned to me, and askt if I would please to go a good pace; we had need, said I to him, to redeem the Time we have lost. I pass'd the Bridge as quick as could be through the midst of a dozen Souldiers, who were upon the Guard, and who open'd for me to the right, and to the left. The Joy I had to see my self out of a Kingdom, where I had so much suffered, was in­conceivable: I rais'd up my Heart to offer my most humble thanks to God, and sang the 125 Psalm. But when I thought my self entirely delivered from the hands of my Enemies, there fell out an Accident which I no way expected. At the entry into that [Page 66] inaccessable Rock, which a Duke of Savoy caused to be cut to [...]ake a large Passage; where one sees a fine Inscription, Dedi­cated to the Glory of that Prince; I found a Guard of seven [...] Postillion gave me Notice, that they prepar'd to stop [...]d him push on his Horses, and run over these Rascals: [...]e of them having presented his Musket to the Horses, made [...] them rise upon his hind-legs, and was very near tumbling [...]wards upon me. I called this Souldier to me, and askt him, [...] he stopt me? He answer'd me, that he had Order to let no [...] pass without a Pass-port. How, Rascal, said I to him, do [...] carry it in my looks? Is it thus thou darest hinder the King's [...]ss? As soon as I come at Chambery, Ile cause thee to be th [...]wn into a Ditch. Upon this he put off his Hat, and call'd [...] Lord, and begg'd my Pardon. I presently found he did not [...] and his Trade, which made me use greater Threats to him, [...]m, that if I came out, I would run my Sword through [...] askt him who was his Officer, and where he was? He [...], his Name was Favier, and that he was in such a piece [...]nd, which he shewed me, eating of Grapes. He de­serves, said I, to be thrown into a Ditch as well as thou, for leaving his Post. Let him be called, and let him come and speak to me. They called him; but whether the Threats that I had made frighted him, I know not, however he was satisfied to call out to his People, To let my Lord pass▪ This word reviv'd my Heart, which before began to grow sad. It was no sooner pro­nounc'd, but I commanded my Postillion to make all haste pos­sible. I pass'd through Chambery with all speed, only stopt a lit­tle to mend my Callech. And although I must cross the Country, yet I made use of Post-Horses to carry me even to Geneva. The bad Ways, and the Precipices which in this Country one meets with, made me go more slowly than I desired, lest I should be pursued by some Courrier. Sometimes it was necessary to make use of the Country Folks to hold up my Callech in the ill way, for I had very often liked to have been over-turn'd. But yet not­withstanding all these Toils and Dangers, the great God, who hath visibly sustain'd me, brought me safe to Geneva about Six a Clock in the Morning. I was hardly upon the Bridge of Arve, but I found my Heart began to melt into Tears for my Delive­rance. I began to give Thanks to this Divine Protector, in singing the 8th. Verse of the 26 Psalm.

And here I cannot omit one Remarkable thing; the very last step which the Horses made after they were within the Inn, one [Page 67] of the shafts of my Callech broke short in the middle; upon which I made this Reflection, That God, by this silent Voice, told me, it was he who had sustained and carried me in his Hands, since there was much more likelihood, that this Accident should have happened in the midst of Rocks and Precipices. I reflected also, how weary all my People were, and yet that I was as fresh as when I left Lyons, notwithstanding all my indispositions. For this I rendred my hearty thanks to God, as well as for the De­liverance he had given me.

Though I had taken great care to be private here, yet the noise of my Arrival was quickly spread all over Geneva. They came in Crouds to Congratulate my Escape.

Amongst all the Consolations which I received at Geneva, I ought to reckon that which I had by Communicating the next Sunday after my Arrival, as the greatest and most efficacious. But before I did this, I presented my self before four of the Faithful Servants of God, to whom I opened my whole Heart, and by my Tears gave them so many marks of my Repentance, that they could not forbear mixing some of theirs with mine. I was admitted to the Communion of the Church by these four Excel­lent Persons. The Dean, whom I esteem as my Father, made a Prayer so ardent, and so sensible, and directed a Discourse to me so piercing, that I believe I shall never receive that Pleasure and Comfort which I did at that time. The Thursday before the Communion I was carried into the Temple of Magdalen. To tell the ravishing Joy I had at my entring into this Holy Place is impossible. I was very sensible of it, but I cannot express it. According to their ordinary course they sung the 86 Psalm. It suited so exactly to my Condition, that I thought the Pastor had chosen it on purpose to comfort me. There was not one Verse which I did not apply to my self; and I shed so many Tears in singing it, that all those who saw me, wept with me, as they have often acknowledged to me. It was in the Temple of St. Peter that I receiv'd the Communion. I hope I communicated worthily, since I presented to God a broken and a contrite heart, Psal. 51. which, according to holy David, is the Sacrifice which God requires of us.

After I had rendred to God part of these Acknowledgments I owe him, in order to the making my Peace with him, I thought I was indispensibly obliged to give notice to the Prince my Ma­ster of my Escape. Here follows that Letter which I took the freedom to write to him.

[Page 71] Within a few days after my arrival at Geneva, I receiv'd abun­dance of Letters of Congratulation, which persons of great Merit did me the honour to write me. I could produce divers of them, which would not be a little for the Edification of the World, if I had not some good reasons which hinder me to publish them. Several fugitive Pastors dispers'd in Switzerland did me the honour in person to come and rejoyce with me. All this did but renew my Tears, for I think my self unworthy of so much goodness as was shewn to me. But the Charity of these good Servants of God extended a great deal farther; for as I signified to them, that there was nothing I desir'd more earnestly than to be restor'd to the Holy Ministry from whence through my fault I was faln, so there were some of remarkable Merit, who maintain'd, that as I had neither sign'd, nor exercis'd any Act in the Romish Religion, so that they judg'd that I was not so faln, but that I might perform my Ministry, without being re-establish'd; and that I might without the least scruple do my function whenever God was pleas'd to give me opportunity: nevertheless, I was not satisfy'd with this, but told them, that I perceiv'd by this, they design'd to comfort me, and conjur'd them not to flatter me in my Sin; and that I had need of being more humbled by their Reproaches for my horrible Cowardice; and that far from extenuating my Crime, they ought rather to aggravate it. Let the Righteous, said I, Psal. 141. 5. Smite me, it shall be a kindness; and let him reprove me, it shall be an excellent Oyl, which shall not break my head. Up­on this they all appointed a general Meeting, where I appear'd before them, and where I spoke more by my Tears, and my Sighs, than by my Words. I made them a short relation of all my sad misfortunes, and of all that I could remember, that I ei­ther did or said during my Captivity; and beg'd them to make an exact enquiry into all, as well for the Edification of the Church of God, as for my own Comfort and Satisfaction; and in a word, I assur'd them, that if my weak condition would allow me to cast my self to the ground, I would there humble my self in Dust, and of God ask pardon for my Sin, and of the whole Church par­don for the scandal I have given. After the Formalities usual up­on these occasions were perform'd, I was re-establish'd in the ho­nour of the Holy Ministry.

The support and Charity of my Brethren was a very great comfort to me: I thought my self quite another man after this re-establishment; yet nevertheless I found my Soul continually to groan under the heavy burden of my Sin; and I was also now [Page 72] tormented with the fear left my Wife should be taken, she was to have follow'd me in a few days, and yet there were several gone, and did not so much as hear that she was ready to come away from Lyons, a little to divert my Grief, and to pay my Duty to the Count De Dona: I made some little Journies to Copet, where I was by this Illustrious Lord and his Lady, receiv'd with all the kindness and marks of good Will, that it is possible to imagine; this Lord, whose Ancestors from Father to Son have always shew'd great favour to my Family, omitted nothing that he thought would comfort me in this my extream Affliction; for I was no sooner in his Presence, but a stood of Tears hindred me at the first sight of him, to give him that respect which is owing to his rare Virtues and Merits. It was at his House I receiv'd the answer of the Letter which I writ to his Royal Highness: Monsieur De Schulemberg sent me word, that the Prince was extream joyful at my escape, that I should immediately come away for Holland; and that orders were given at Geneva to furnish me with all things that should be necessary. And indeed, this great Master hath shew'd so much goodness to me, that it is through his generous Liberality, that I have been able to bear the excessive Charge which I was forc'd to be at, in getting my Wife from Lyons, and my self to be near his Person, in pursuance of the command which he sent me.

At my return from this little Journey to Copet, I found at Ge­neva divers Letters from France, in which Persons of great worth rejoyced with me at my happy escape. They also let me know how glad an infinite of good Souls were at this News, and what grief my Persecutors had, that I should steal from them in their very sight. They also acquainted me with the Discourse that was among the great ones upon this occasion; and yet after this man­ner some of them reason'd. ‘Who would ever have thought that so lame and weak a man in his Body, would have under­taken to run away, or that he had the courage to expose him­self so strangely as he has done? In all likelihood there is some Secret in this matter; without doubt 'tis the Prince of Orange, who hath caus'd him to escape, and with a great expence of Money has corrupted the Guards.’ The greatest occasion which I found in these Letters to rejoyce at, was the good effect which my escape has produced; for this has not only awak'd some Minds which before seem'd to be asleep, but in imitation of me, the most fearful Persons have had Courage enough to fly the King­dom.

[Page 73] But whilst I was busie in answering so many Letters, I receiv'd, divers from my Wife, which much afflicted me; she gave me no­tice that those she had agreed with, prov'd unfaithful to her; that the Captain of that Quarter, at midnight entred the House where she was with an intention to seize her; and that she sav'd her self from him, in hiding her self in a Pile of Faggots: But that she was yet in great fear that she should fall into the hands of those he employs to persecute us; because it was known that she lay hid in Lyons. I neglected nothing to get her out of the Dan­ger to which she was expos'd; and at last I thought I had met with a safe convenience to bring her to Geneva; but she fell into the hands of dishonest People, where she narrowly escap'd Ruin. In the Night, after they had travel'd two hours from Lyons, her Guides forsook her and three Ladies, who were in her Company and Design. These poor Creatures were nine days going from Lyons to Geneva, endur'd the rigour of the Winter, walk'd in Snow, upon the Ice, and over Mountains, waited for by thirty armed Peasants at certain passages, and closely pursued by an Officer, her Companions seeing themselves beset with such Dangers, would fain have return'd back to Lyons; but she couragiously oppos'd them, declaring to them, that she had much rather perish than go back; for which resolution, she has had from these Ladies a thousand Praises and Thanks, after their arrival at Geneva. I had notice from Lyons of the day of her coming away; her tarrying so long made me believe she was taken, which infinitely afflicted me, thinking that if this misfortune was befaln her, that they would use her cruelly upon my account. But this great God who hath every way comforted me, hath restor'd her to me, even then when I concluded she was lost; for the very minute when they were at shutting the Gates, which was the last day of the year 1686, a Souldier of the Garison came in all hast, and brought me the news of her Arrival, and the next moment I saw her at my bed­side, where my illness kept me. Our Joy was extream, and we im­mediately gave solemn Thanks to this great God, who to our mu­tual comfort hath so mightily assisted and blest us.

After this unhop'd for happiness, I thought of nothing but my Journey for Holland; I set forward the first of February the year following, notwithstanding the rigour of the Season, but the a­bundance of Snow, and the earnest Sollicitations of the Count De Dona and his Countess, staid us at Copet, where I and my Wife were receiv'd with a thousand marks of Kindness by these Illu­strious Persons. From the Windows of this agreeable Seat I could [Page 74] divert my sight upon the Lake Leman, and upon the inaccessible Rocks of the Alpes, which brought to my remembrance the Poem of Beza, which is found at the head of some of our Psalms; for every day I heard the poor Fugitives, as they pass'd upon the Lake, singing Psalms to their God, which resounded to the Banks, and eccho'd into the midst of these horned Rocks. Methought I heard the Quire of Angels, which is represented to us in the Revelations, singing Allelujahs, which even pierc'd Heaven, giving thanks to God for the deliverance of these poor Fugitives, and begging that his gracious Protection might accompany them whethersoever it pleas'd his good Providence to direct them. I pursu'd my way by Lausane, where I met with a great number of Illustrious Fugi­tives, and with whom I mixt my Tears; and I was receiv'd with so great kindness by the renown'd Family of Chabot Chandieu, and by Mr. Du Vernan, so celebrated for his Zeal, his Piety, and his rare Merit, that I shall eternally preserve the Memory of it.

In all the Cities of Switzerland and Germany I was most kindly entertain'd. I no sooner shew'd the Pass-port of the Prince my Master, but they offer'd me a thousand Services, and I had so much honour done me, that I was even asham'd; but there hap­pen'd to me in this long and tedious Journey a very sad accident, as I was laid in the Horse-Litter, which was the only way I could endure to travel; one of the Horses fell, and I fell with so great Violence upon my Face, that I remain'd as Dead; all my Body was so bruis'd with this fall, and the Nerves of my Legs and my Arms so very much hurt, that the pains which I felt differ'd but little from those of the Rack. Nevertheless the impatience that I was in to be at the Hague, would not let me loose one day, and the eight and twentieth day of March I arriv'd there, whether God hath visibly by his good Providence conducted me.