HAgue, Decemb. 16. Our last Letters from Paris say, That some days ago, one of the largest Stage Coaches in that City, attended by eight Archers, went to the Bastile, to bring thence 8 or 10 Persons who were detain'd there on the Account of the Protestant Religion, in order to transport them to the Frontiers, but whether they are to be sent out of the Kingdom, or not, is not said. The new Converts would be well satisfied, if they might have the same Treatment; especially, since the Judgment given a­gainst some of their Bretheren, by the Intendant of Poitou, ac­cording to which some of them have been executed, and others sent to the Gallies; and there are, moreover, some Regiments of Dragoons sent into that Countrey, to be Quartered upon the new Converts. Several Letters have been writ upon that Subject by the new Converts, to shew that they are more worthy of Compassion, than of the Severity of the Judges, seeing they are accused of no other Crime but that of their Religion, which was formerly al­lowed in the Kingdom, tho' now forbidden; and, as to which, it is not in their own Power to change their opinion, or neglect their Duty. Those Letters contain in substance: That their Con­dition is very deplorable, by reason of those Fears and Doubts, with which they are constantly perplex'd, amidst a Clergy who never suffer them to be at rest: They are not satisfied with having [Page] oblig'd them to take upon themselves the Title [...] Roman Catholicks contrary to their will, but they will have them to perform all that's incombent upon such, to assist at a Service and partake of a Com­munion, which they are perswaded in their Consciences is contrary to Divine Institution, which they ought rather to obey than that of Men. That is to say they would have them either to be ac­counted Dissemblers or Sacrilegious. They say they must go to be instructed; which they would do with all their Hearts, provi­ded they were allowed freedom to debate when they are not con­vinc'd; but Instead of that as soon as they open their Mouth they are Branded as Opiniators. It's their submission and their Convi­ction, that they desire; tho they cannot submit with a relucting Conscience. If they assemble to pray to God, and to com­fort one another, they are accounted Criminals; and if they of­fer to leave the Kingdom, that they may enjoy that liberty, they are reputed equally culpable. These are the Precipices on all sides, from which they cannot deliver themselves, but by renouncing ei­ther their Consciences, or their Lives. In such an extream Perplexity, those poor People are solicitously Inquisitive, to know whether it be the King's pleasure, that they should reap such bitter Fruits from a Peace, which they have so much defired. They cannot be con­vinc'd, that Royal Goodness can allow such Violences; and they are perswaded that if the is Humble Complaints could but meet with a free access to His Majesty's Throne, he would be moved with Compassion towards them, and receive their Defences; which are the same with those of the Primitive Christians, in that excel­lent Apology of Tertullian. Their meetings were accounted fac­tious, as if when they met to worship God, they had violated the Emperors Command: And they defended themselves by this Grand Principle: That Religion could not be forc'd; and that Divine service was a pure Act of the Will. We assemble, say they, to Pray to God, to read the Holy Scriptures, which neurish our Faith, raise our Hopes, and strengthen our Confidence in God. Male­factors tremble when they are surprised, and deny all when they are accused; but Christians are not asham'd when it is discover'd what they are; and they repent of nothing else, but that they did not sooner, obey the Commandments of Jesus Christ. They would force a Christian to deny what he is, to the End that he may be ab­solv'd; which is, in truth, to betray the Holiness of [...] [...]aws, &c. Several Cavaliers have been disgraced of late for interceeding with the King for the Protestants: And some say, That His Majesty be­ing displeased at the Parliament of Paris, for having revok'd the Sentences of Death given against several of the new, Converts in the Country, had thereupon Ordered that they should Appeal no more to that Court.