An account of the persecutions and oppressions of the Protestants in France Plaintes des Protestants cruellement opprimez dans le royaume de France. English Claude, Jean, 1619-1687. 1686 Approx. 147 KB of XML-encoded text transcribed from 30 1-bit group-IV TIFF page images. Text Creation Partnership, Ann Arbor, MI ; Oxford (UK) : 2008-09 (EEBO-TCP Phase 1). A33374 Wing C4589 ESTC R18292 12395584 ocm 12395584 61156 This keyboarded and encoded edition of the work described above is co-owned by the institutions providing financial support to the Early English Books Online Text Creation Partnership. This Phase I text is available for reuse, according to the terms of Creative Commons 0 1.0 Universal . The text can be copied, modified, distributed and performed, even for commercial purposes, all without asking permission. Early English books online. (EEBO-TCP ; phase 1, no. A33374) Transcribed from: (Early English Books Online ; image set 61156) Images scanned from microfilm: (Early English books, 1641-1700 ; 958:10) An account of the persecutions and oppressions of the Protestants in France Plaintes des Protestants cruellement opprimez dans le royaume de France. English Claude, Jean, 1619-1687. 56 p. Printed for J. Norris, London : 1686. Attributed to Jean Claude. cf. NUC pre-1956. Reproduction of original in Huntington Library. Created by converting TCP files to TEI P5 using tcp2tei.xsl, TEI @ Oxford. Re-processed by University of Nebraska-Lincoln and Northwestern, with changes to facilitate morpho-syntactic tagging. Gap elements of known extent have been transformed into placeholder characters or elements to simplify the filling in of gaps by user contributors. 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Copies of the texts have been issued variously as SGML (TCP schema; ASCII text with mnemonic sdata character entities); displayable XML (TCP schema; characters represented either as UTF-8 Unicode or text strings within braces); or lossless XML (TEI P5, characters represented either as UTF-8 Unicode or TEI g elements). Keying and markup guidelines are available at the Text Creation Partnership web site . eng Protestants -- France -- Early works to 1800. Huguenots -- Early works to 1800. Dissenters, Religious -- France. 2006-07 TCP Assigned for keying and markup 2006-08 Aptara Keyed and coded from ProQuest page images 2007-07 Taryn Hakala Sampled and proofread 2007-07 Taryn Hakala Text and markup reviewed and edited 2008-02 pfs Batch review (QC) and XML conversion AN ACCOUNT OF THE PERSECUTIONS AND OPPRESSIONS OF THE Protestants IN FRANCE . London , Printed for J. Norris . 1686. An exact account of the Cruel Oppressions and Persaecutions of the French Protestants . THE Cruelties exercis'd of late on the Protestants in France , do appear so detestable to all , who have not divested themselves of Humanity , that no wonder the Authors of them use their utmost endeavours to lessen what they cannot conceal . Were not this worse than barbarous usage , a project of a long contrivance , a Man might for Charity 's sake , suppose this their palliating it , to be an acknowledgment of their own displeasure at it . However , their boldness is inexcusable , who shall endeavour to impose on the World in matters known ; not by Gazetts , and News-letters , but by an infinite number of Fugitives of all Conditions , who have nothing left but Tears and Miseries to bring along with them into foreign Nations . 'T is certainly too barbarous to oppress innocent People in their own Countrey ; and afterwards to stifle their complaints in other places where they are driven ; and by this means deprive them of a compassion which the bare instincts of nature never refuse to the miserable . Yet this is the course our persecutors of France have held ; their cruelty must be attended with Impostures , that the mischiefs which they have acted may pass undiscovered . I think we should be much to blame , if we suffer them to go on in this second design , as they have done in the first ; and therefore we shall choose some principal instances , whereon we shall make such reflections , as thereby to judge with greater evidence and exactness on the whole proceeding . And as we shall offer nothing but what shall be perfectly true ; so we shall advance nothing in our reflections , but what all the world of reasonable people will allow . To begin with matters of Fact : There 's no body but knows , that a while after his present Majesty of France came to the Crown , there arose in the Kingdom a Civil War ; which proved so sharp and desperate , as brought the State within an hairs breadth of utter ruine . 'T is also known , that in the midst of all these troubles , those of the Reformed Religion kept their Loyalty in so inviolable a manner , and attended it with such a Zeal and extraordinary fervour , that the King found himself obliged to give publick marks of it , by a Declaration made at St. Germains , in the year 1652. Then as well at Court , as in the Field , each strove to proclaim loudest the deserts of the Reformists ; and the Queen Mother her self readily acknowledged , That they had preserved the State : This is known by all , but 't will hardly be believed , though it be too true , what our Enemies themselves an hundred times told us ; and which the sequel has but too shrewdly confirmed , that this was precisely the principal and most essential cause of our ruine ; and of all the mischiefs which we have since suffered . Endeavours were used to envenom all these important Services in the Kings and his Ministers minds , by perswading them , that if in this occasion , this party could conserve the State ; this shewed , they could likewise overthrow it , should they have ranked themselves on the other side ; and might still do it , when such alike occasion should offer it self . That therefore this party must be suppressed , and the good they have done no longer regarded ; but as an indication of the mischief , which they may one day be capable of doing . This Diabolical reasoning , which hinders Subjects from serving their Prince , to avoid drawing on themselves chastisements , instead of recompences , was relish'd as a piece of most refined Policy . For as soon as the Kingdom was settled in Peace , the design was advanced of destroying the Reformists ; and the better to make them comprehend that their Zeal had ruined them , the Cities which had shewed most of it , were first begun with . Immediately then , on slight pretences , they fell on Rochel , Montaubon , and Milan ; three Towns , where those of the Reformed Religion had most signalized themselves for the interests of the Court ; Rochel underwent an infinite number of prescriptions , Montaubon and Milan were sackt by the Soldiers . But these being but particular stroaks and meer preludes , which decided nothing , they tarried not long before they made appear the great and general Machius , they were to use in the carrying on of their intended design to the last extremity . 'T will be a difficult matter to give an exact account of these several methods : For never humane malice produced such multiplicity of them ; every day brought forth new ones for twenty years together . To take only notice of the chief of them ; which were , First , Law Suits in Courts of Justice . Secondly , Deprivations from all kinds of Offices and Employs ; and in general , of all ways of subsistance . Thirdly , The infraction of Edicts , under the notion of Explications of them . Fourthly , New Laws and Orders . Fifthly , Juggles and amusing Tricks . Sixthly , The animating of People , and inspiring them with hatred against us . These are the most considerable means , which the persecuters have employed to attain their ends , during several years ; I say , during several years ; for what they designed , being no easie matter , they needed therefore time , to order their Engins ; not to take notice of their Traverses and Interruptions by forrain Wars ; yet whose success have not a little contributed to encrease their Courage , and confirm them in the design which they had against us . The first of these means has had an infinite extent . We should begin with the recital of all the Condemnations of Churches , or suppressions of exercises of Religion , and all the other vexations which have hapned by the establishing of Commissaries ; this was a Snare dexterously laid immediately after the Treaty of the Picenees , the King under pretence of repairing the Edict of Nants , sent them in the Provinces . The Roman Catholic Commissary was every where his Majesties Intendant ; who was besure a fit man for the purpose , armed with the Royal Authority , and who was well instructed in the secret Aim . The other , was either some hungry Officer , a Slave to the Court , or some poor Gentleman , who had usually neither Intelligence requisite in these sort of Affairs , nor the liberty of speaking his Sentiments . The Clergy had set them up ; He was their Ambulatory Spirit . The Syndicks were received before them as formal parties in all our Affairs ; the assignations were given in their name , the Prosecutions also ; and as well the Discords of the Commissaries , as the Appeals from their Ordinances , must be finally decided in the Kings Council . Thus in general , all the rights of the Churches , for the exercises of Religion , the burying places , and all such dependancies , were called into a review , and consequently exposed to the fresh pursuits of the Clergy , and the ill intention of the Judges . In which there was not the least dram of Equity ; for the Edict having bin once executed , according to the intention of him that made it , there needed no second touches ; it being moreover , wholly unlikely those of the reformed Religion , who had bin ever in the Kingdom the suffering party , could usurp any thing therein ; and extend its limits beyond what belong'd to them . But there were other designs in hand than the providing against the Contraventions , and therefore by this order , the greatest part of the Churches cited for the justifying of their Rights , saw themselves soon condemned one after another , by Decrees of Council , how good and sufficient soever their Titles and Defences were . Scarcely passed a Week , wherein these kind of Decrees were not made ; and if it hapned , that the Modesty of the Judges saved any of them , by the great evidence of their Right , as this sometimes hapned ; besides that , the number was small , in comparison of those condemned , the Judges often received order to condemn them , when they shewed they could not in Conscience do it . But the Oppressions of this kind , did not terminate in the bare condemnation of Churches ; for particular Persons had their part . In ordinary and civil Affairs , where the matter concerned a piece of Land , perhaps , a House , a Debt between a Roman Catholick and a Person of our Religion ; Religion was to be sure always one of the chief Heads of the Accusation ; The Monks , the Emissaries , the Confessors , and all the whole Tribe of that Crew , interessed themselves in the Affair . In Courts of Justice , all the cry was , I plead against an Heretick , I have to do with a Man of a Religion odious to the State ; and which the King would have extirpated . By this means , there was no longer any Justice to be expected , few Judges were proof against this false Zeal , for fear of drawing the Fury of the whole Cabal against him , or passing for a favourer of Hereticks . 'T is not to be imagined how many unjust Sentences these sort of Prejudices have given , in all the Courts of the Kingdom ; and how many mens Families have bin ruined by them : When any one complained , the Answer was ready , You have the remedy in your own hands ; why do you not turn Catholick . Yet all this had bin nothing , had the Persecution kept here , and not proceeded to fasten on the Reputation , the Liberty , and even the very Lives of Persons , by a general inundation ( as a man may term it ) of criminal Processes . Writings were Printed at Paris , and sent from thence to all Cities and Parishes of the Kingdom , which impowred the Curates , Churchwardens and others , to make an exact enquiry into whatsoever the pretended Reformists might have done , or said for twenty years past , as well on the subject of Religion as otherwise , to make Information of this before the Justices of the Place ; and punish them without remission . So have we seen for several years , in execution of these Orders , the Prisons every where fill'd with these kind of Criminals ; neither were false Witnesses lacking ; and that which was most horrible , was , that though the Judges were convinced they were Knights of the Post , yet they maintained them , and carry'd them throw such Points , as they knew to be untrue . They condemned innocent and vertuous Persons to be whipt , to the Gallies , to banishment and publick Penances . And if a Spark of Honor or Conscience , at any time hindred them , yet there was always at least an impunity for the false Witness . This kind of Persecution fell chiefly on the Ministers ; for of a long time they might not Preach , without having for Auditors , or to speak better , Observators , a Troop of Priests , Monks and Missionaries , and such kind of People , who made no scruple to charge them with things , which they not so much as thought of ; and turn others into a contrary meaning . They also went so far as to devine the Thoughts , to make Crimes ; for as soon as ever any Minister spake of Egypt , Pharaoh , the Israelites , of good or bad People , ( as 't is difficult not to speak of these matters , when they explained the Scripture ) These Spies never failed to report , that by Egypt , and the wicked , they meant the Catholicks , and by the Israelites , the pretended Reformists . The Judges concerned themselves in this , and what is most strange , the ministers of State themselves respected these Interpretations of thoughts , as evident Proofs . On these grounds , the Magistrates filled the Prisons whith these kind of poor People , keeping them therein for whole years together , and often inflicted on them several corporal Penalties . 'T is already seen by this first kind of Persecution , what were the Usages shewed in France to the Reformists before they came to the utmost violence . But we shall see them appear more , in what we have to add , touching the privation of Offices and Employs , and in general , of the means of gaining a Livelihood ; which is the second way we mentioned , that has been used to effect our Ruine . 'T is not hard to comprehend , that in a great Kingdom , as France is , where the Protestants were dispersed over all parts , there were an infinite number , who could not subsist nor maintain their Families , but by the liberty of serving the publick , either in Offices , Arts , Trades , or Faculties , each according to his Calling . Henry the great , was so well convinced of the necessity and Justice of this , that he made it an express Article , the most distinct perhaps and formal , of all contained in his Edict : And therefore 't was here the Persecutors thought themselves obliged to use their utmost endeavours . In this regard , they began with the Arts and Trades ; which under several pretences , they rendered almost inaccessible to the Protestants , by the difficulties of arriving to the mastership of them , and by the excessive Expences , they must be at to be received therein , there being no candidate , but was forced for this purpose to maintain Law Suits , under the weight of which , they for the most part fell , not being able to hold them out . But this not being sufficient , by a Declaration made in 1669. they were reduced to one third , in the Towns where the Protestants were more in number than the other Inhabitants ; and they were forbidden to receive any therein till this diminution was made , which at one stroke excluded all the pretenders . Some time after they absolutely drove all the Reformists from the Consulships , and all other Municipal Officers of the Cities , which was in effect the depriving them of the Knowledg of their Proper Affairs , and Interests , to invest wholly the Catholics with them . In 1680. the King issued out an Order , which deprived them in general of all kind of Offices and Employs , from the greatest to the smallest : They were made incapable so much as to exercise any Employ in the Custom-Houses , Guard , Treasury , or Post-Offices ; to be Messengers , Coach-Men , or Waggoners , or any thing of this nature . In the year 1681. by a Decree of Council , all Notaries , Attorneys , Solicitors , and Sergeants , making Profession of the Reformed Religion , were rendered uncapable throughout all the Kingdom . A Year after , all Lords and Gentlemen of the Reformed Religion were ordered to discharge their Officers and Servants of the said Religion , and not make use of them in any case , without other reason than that of their Religion . In 1683. all Officers belonging to the Kings Houshold , and those of the Princes of the Blood , were also rendred uncapable of holding their Places . The Councellors and other Officers of Ayds , and Chambers of accounts , and those of Seneschalship , Baily wicks , and Royalties , Admiralry , Provostships , and Marshal's Courts , Treasury Excise , and others , who belonged to the Toll-Offices , and such like businesses , were ordered to leave their Places in favour of the Catholicks . In 1684. all Secretaries belonging to the King and Great Officers of France , as well Titulary , as Honorary ones , and their Widows , were deprived by a Revocation of all their Priviledges of what nature soever they were . They also deprived all those that had purchased any Priviledges for the exercising of any Professions , as Merchants , Surgeons , Apothecaries , and Vintners , nd all others , without exception . Nay , they proceeded to this excess , that they would not suffer any Midwives of the Reformed Religion to do their Office , and expresly ordained for the future , our Wives should receive no assistance in that Condition , but from Roman Catholicks . 'T is not to be exprest how many particular Persons and Families they reduced every where , by these strange and unheard of Methods , to Ruine and Misery . But because there were yet many which could sustain themselves ; other Methods of Oppression must be invented : To this end they issued out an Edict from the Council , by which the new Converts , as they call them , were discharged from any payments of their Debts for three years . This , for the most part , fell on the Reformists , who , having had a more particular Tye of Interest and Affair with these pretended Converts , because of their Communion of Religion , were reckoned amongst their Chief Creditors : By this Order they had found the secret to recompense those that changed , at the charge of those who continued firm : and this they did likewise by another way ; for they discharged the Converts of all the Debts , which those of the Religion had contracted in common , which by consequence fell on the rest . Add to this , the prohibition to fell or alienate their Estates , on any Pretence whatever , the King annulling and breaking all Contracts , and other acts relating to that matter : if it did not appear , that after these Acts , they had stayed in the Kingdom a whole Year : so that the last Remedy of helping themselves with their Estates in extream Necessity , was taken from them . They deprived them likewise of another , which seemed the only one remaining , which was , to seek their Bread elsewhere , by retiring into other Countries , there to get their Living by Labour , since this was not permitted them in France . By repeated Edicts the King forbad them to leave his Kingdom , on severe Penalties , which drove them to the last Despair ; since they saw themselves reduced to the horrible necessity of dying with Hunger in their own Countrey , without daring to go to live elsewhere . But the Cruelty of their Enemies stopt not here , for there yet remained some Gleanings in the Provinces , though very few , and as thin as those in Pharaoh's Dream . The Intendants in their Districts had order to load the Reformed with Taxes , which they did , either by laying upon them the Tax of the New Catholicks , who were discharged thereof on favour of their Conversion , or by laying exorbitant Taxes , which they called Duties , that is to say , he who in the ordinary Roll was assessed at Forty or Fifty Livers , was charged by this Impostion at Seven or Eight Hundred . Thus had they nothing more left , for all was a Prey to the Rigour of the Intendants . They raised their Taxes by the effectual quartering of Dragoons , or Imprisonment , from whence they were not freed till they had paid the utmost Farthing . These were the two first Engins or Machins which the Clergy made use of against us : To which they added a Third , which we have termed the Infractions of the Edict of Nantes , under pretence of Explication . Those who would know their Number and Quality , need only read the Books written and published on this Subject ; as well by the Jesuite Menier , an Author Famous for his Illusions ▪ as by one Beanard , an Officer in the Presidial Court of Besier in Languedoc . There you will find all the turns , which the meanest and most unworthy Sophistry could invent , to elude the clearest Texts of the Edict , and to corrupt the Sincerity thereof . But because we do here give you only a brief Account of our , Troubles , we will content our selves with observing some of the Principal , issuing from this Fountain : What was there , for Example , more clear and unquestionable in the Edict than this ; viz. That 't was given with an Intention to maintain those of the Religion , in all the Rights that Nature and Civil Society give to Men. Yet in 1681. there came out an Edict , that Children might at the Age of Seven Years , abjure the Reformed Religion , and embrace the Catholick , under pretence , that the Edict did not precisely mark , that at this Age they should continue at their Parents Disposal . Who sees not that this was a meer trick , seing that on one hand , the Edict forbad to take the Children from their Parents by force , or fair means : and on the other hand , the Edict supposed and confirmed all the Natural Rights , of which , without Controversie , this is one of the most inviolable . Was there ever a more manifest Infraction of the Edict , than that , which forbad those of the Protestant Religion , who had passed over to the Roman , to return to that they had left , under pretence , that the Edict did not formally give them in express Terms this Liberty . For when the Edict permits generally all the Kings Subjects Liberty of Conscience , and forbids the perplexing and troubling them , and offering any thing contrary to this Liberty . Who sees not that this Exception , touching the pretended Relapsers , is so far from being an Explication of the Edict , that 't is a notable violation of it . Whereunto we may add the charge given to the Roman Catholicks not to change their Religion , and embrace the Reformed . For when the Edict gives Liberty of Conscience , it does it in proper Terms , for all those , who are , and shall be of the said Religion . Yet if we believe the Clergy , this was not Henry the Great 's meaning , intending only to grant it to those , who made Profession of it , at the time of the making his Edict . That of Nantes gave also to the Reformed , the priviledges of keeping small Schools in all places , where they had the Exercise of their Religion , and by this Term of small or little Schools , according to the common explication , those were always understood , where one might teach Latin and Humanity . This is the Sence , which has been ever given in all the Kingdom , to this Expression , which is still given when it concerns the Roman Catholicks . Yet by a new Interpreation , this permission was restrained to the bare Liberty of teaching to read , and write , as if the Reformed were unworthy to learn any more ; and this on purpose , to tire out the Parents , and drive them to this extremity , either not to know what to do with their Children , or be forced to send them to the Roman Catholicks for Education . The Edict gave them the liberty in all places where they had Churches , to instruct publickly their Children , and others , in what concerns Religion , which visibly establisht the Right of teaching them Theology , seeing their Theology is nothing else but this Religion . And as to Colleges , wherein they might be instructed in Liberal Sciences , the Edict promised Letters Pattents in good form . Yet 't was supposed the Edict gave no right to the Reformed to instruct them in Theology , nor to have Colleges , and on this Supposition , three Academies were condemned , all that remained . That of Sedan , although grounded on a particular Edict , was supprest as the rest , and even before them . But we must go further , and seeing we have undertaken , to shew in this Abridgment , the principal things they have done to exercise our Patience , before they came to the utmost Fury . We are not to pass over the new Orders , or new Laws , which were to us as so many new Inventions to torment us . The first of these Orders , which appeared , was touching the manner of Buryals , and entering the Dead . The number of Attendants were reduced to thirty Persons in those places where the Exercise of our Religion was actually established , and to ten where it was not . Orders were also issued out to hinder the Communication of Provinces with one another , by Circulary Letters , or otherwise ; though about matters of Alms and disposal of Charity . Prohibitions were likewise made of holding Colloquies in the Interval of Synods , excepting in two Cases , the providing for Churches destitute by the Deaths of their Ministers ; and the Correction of some Scandals . They likewise took away from those places , allowed by the Edict , which they call'd Exercises de fief , all the Marks of the Temples , as the Bell , the Pulpit , and other things of this Nature . They were likewise forbidden to receive their Ministers in Synods to have any deciding Voice there , or to note them in the Catalogue of those that belong'd to Churches . Others forbad the singing of Psalms in private Houses , as also some that commanded them to cease singing even in their Temples when the Sacrament passed by , or at the time of any Procession . Others were made to hinder Marriages , such times as were forbidden by the Romish Church . Others forbad Ministers to Preach any where , except in the place of their usual Residence . Others forbad their setling in places , unless sent by the Synods , though the Consistories had call'd them thither according to their usual forms . Others were made to hinder the Synods from sending to any Churches more Ministers than were there in the preceding Synod . Others , to hinder those that design'd for the Ministry , to be educated in Foreign Universities . Others banish'd all Foreign Ministers , though they had been ordained in the Kingdom , and spent there the greatest part of their Lives . Others forbad Ministers , or Cardinals for the Ministry to reside in places where Preaching was forbidden , or nearer than six Miles of them . Others forbad the People to assemble in the Temples , under pretence of Praying , Reading , or Singing of Psalms , except in the Presence of a Minister , placed there by the Synod . One ridiculous one was made to take away all the Backs of the Seats in the Churches , and reduce them all to an exact Uniformity . Another , to hinder the Churches that were a little more Rich , to assist the Weaker , for the maintenance of their Ministers , and other necessities . Another to oblige Parents to give their Children , who changed their Religion , great Pensions . Another to forbid Marriages betwixt Parties of different Religions , even in the case of Scandalous Cohabitation . Another to prohibit those of the Religion , from that time , to entertain in their Houses any Domesticks or Servants that were Roman Catholicks . Another which made them uncapable of being Tutors or Guardians ; and consequently put all the Minors , whose Fathers dyed in the Profession of the Protestant Religion , under the Power and Education of Roman Catholicks . Another forbidding Ministers and Elders to hinder any of their Flock , either directly or indirectly , to embrace the Roman Religion , or to dissuade them form it . Another forbidding Jews and Mahometans to embrace the Reformed Religion ; and the Ministers either to instruct or receive them into it . Another subjecting Synods to receive such Roman Catholick Commissaries as should be sent them from the King , with an express order to do nothing , but in their presence . Another for bidding the Consistories to assemble oftner than once in Fifteen days , and in presence of a Catholick Commissary . Another forbidding Consistories to assist , on pretence of Charity to the Poor Sick Persons of their Religion ; and ordaining that the Sick should be carried into their Hospitals , strictly forbidding any Man to entertain them in their Houses . Another confiscating , in favour of Hospitals , all the Lands , Rents , and other Profits of what nature soever , which might have appertained to a condemned Church . Another forbidding Ministers to come nearer than Three Leagues to the place where the Priviledges of Preaching was in question or debate . Another confiscated to the Hospitals all the Revenues and Rents set apart for the maintenance of the Poor , even in such Churches as were yet standing . Another subjecting sick and dying Persons to the necessity of receiving Visits , sometimes from Judges , Commissionaries , or Church-Wardens ; sometimes of Curates , Monks , Missionaries , or other Ecclesiasticks , to induce them to change their Religion , or require of them express Declarations concerning it . Another forbidding Parents to send their Children before sixteen years of Age to travel in Forreign Countries , on any pretence whatsoever . Another prohibiting Lords or Gentlemen to continue the exercise of Religion in their Houses , unless they had first produced their Titles before the Commissaries , and obtained from them a License to have Preaching . Another which restrained the right of entertaining a Minister to those only , who were in Possession of their Lands ever since the Edict of Nantes , in a direct or collateral Line . Another which forbad Churches called Baillage , to receive into their Temples any of another Bailywick . Another which enjoined Physitians , Apothecaries , and Chirurgeons , to advertise the Curates or Magistrates of the condition of Sick Protestants , that the Magistrates or Curates might visit them . But amongst all these new Laws , those which have most served the Design and Intention of the Clergy , have been on one hand , the prohibition of receiving into their Temples any of those who had changed their Religion , nor their Children , nor any Roman Catholick of what Age , Sex , or Condition soe●er , under pain of forfeiting their Churches , and the Ministers doing publick Pennance , with Banishment and Confiscation of their Estates ; and on the other fide , the setting up in all the Temples a particular Bench for the Catholicks to sit on ; for by this means , as soon as any one resolved to change his Religion , they needed only to make him do it in private , and to find him the next Morning in the Temple , to be observed there by the Catholicks , who were in their Seat. Immediately Informations were made , and afterwards Condemnations , in all the Rigour of the Law. The Roman Catholicks needed only to enter into the Temple , under pretence , that they had a place there , and then they slipt in amongst the Croud , and immediately this was a Contravention to the Declaration , and an unavoidable Condemnation . 'T is by this means they have destroyed an infinite number of Temples and Churches , and put into Irons a great number of Innocent Ministers ; for Villains and false Witnesses were not wanting in this occasion . All these Proceedings were so violent , that they must needs make a strong Impression in the Reformists Minds , whereunto these things tended . And in effect , there were many of them , that bethought themselves of their safety , by leaving the Kingdom , some transported themselves into one Kingdom , and some into another , according as their Inclinations led them . But this was what the Court never intended , for more than one reason ; and therefore to hinder them , they renewed from time to time this Decree , which we have mentioned , which strictly prohibited , under the most severe Penalties , any to depart the Kingdom without leave ; and to this end they strictly guarded all Passages on the Frontiers . But these Precautions did not answer their Expectations , and 't was better to blind the People , by hopes of abating this rigorous usage at home ; and to this end in 1669. the King revoked several violent Decrees , which produced the Effect expected . For though the Judicious saw well enough , that this Moderation sprang not from a good Principle , and that , in the Sequel , the same Decrees would be put in execution , yet the most part imagined they would still confine themselves within some Bounds in our regard , and that they would not pass to a total Destruction . We have often drawn the same Conclusions from the several Verbal Declarations , which came many times from the Kings own Mouth , that he pretended not to indulge us , but he would do us perfect Justice , and let us enjoy the benefits of the Edicts in their whole extent , that he would be very glad to see all his Subjects re-united to the Catholick Religion , and would for the effecting this , contribute all his Power , but there should be no Bloud shed , during his Reign , on this account , nor any violence exercised . These precise and re-iterated Declarations , gave us hopes the King would not forget them ; and especially in essential matters , he would let us enjoy the effects of his Bounty and Equity . 'T was the more expected by a Letter , he wrote to the Elector of Brandenburgh , the Copies of which the Ministers of State took care to disperse through the whole Kingdom . His Majesty assured him , that he was well satisfyed with the Behaviour of his Protestant Subjects , from whence he drew this natural Conclusion , that he intended not then to destroy us . To which we may add the managements used sometimes in the Council , where Churches were conserved , at the same time when others were crdered to be demolish'd ; to make the World believe , they observed measures of Justice , and that those which they condemned , were not grounded on good Titles . Sometimes they softned several too rigorous Decrees ; other times they seemed not to approve of the violences offered by the Intendants and Magistrates ; even to the giving of orders to moderate them . In this manner did they hinder the execution of a Decree made in the Parliament of Rouen , which enjoyned those of the Reformed Religion to fall on their Knees , when they met the Sacrament . Thus did they stop the prosecutions of a puny Judge of Charenton , who ordered us to strike out of our Liturgy a prayer which was composed for the faithful , that groaned under the Tyranny of Antichrist . 'T is thus also , that they did not extreamly favour another Persecution which began to come general in the Kingdom against the Ministers , under pretence of obliging them to take an Oath of Allegiance , wherein other Clauses were inserted , contrary to what Ministers owe to their Charges and Religion . 'T was thus also they suspended the execution of some Edicts , which themselves had procured , as well to Tax the Ministers , as to oblige them to reside precisely in the place where they exercised their Ministry . With the same design the Syndic's of the Clergy , had the Art to let the principal Churches of the Kingdom to be at rest , for many years without disturbance in their Assemblies ; whilst they in the mean time , desolated all those in the Country . They suspended also the condemnation of the Universities , and reserved them for the last . It was also in this view , that at Court , the first seemed unable to belive , and at last not to approve of the excesses , which one Marillac an Intendant of Poitu , committed in his Province : A man poor and cruel , more fit to prey on the High-ways , than to be Intendant of a Province ; though indeed they had a clause expresly to make these Expeditions . But amongst all these illusions , there 's none more remarkable , than five or six , which will not be improper here to take notice of : The first was , That at the very time , when at the Court they issued out all the Decrees , Declarations , and Edicts , which we have spoken of here before , and which they caused to be put in execution with the greatest rigour , at the same time , that they interdicted their Churches , demolished their Temples , deprived particular persons of their Offices and Employments , reduced People to Poverty and Hunger , imprisoned them , loaded them with Fines , banish'd them , and in a word , ravag'd almost all ; the Intendants , Governours , Magistrates , and other Officers in Paris , and over all the Kingdom , coolly and gravely gave out , the King had not the least intention to touch the Edict of Nantes , but would most Religiously observe it . The second was , that in the same Edict , which the King publish'd to forbid Roman Catholicks to embrace the Reformed Religion , which was in the year 1682. That is to say , at a time when they had already greatly advanced the work of our destruction ; they caused a formal Clause to be inserted in these terms , That he confirmed the Edict of Nantes , as much as it was or should be needful . The third , That in the Circular Letters which the King wrote to the Bishops and Intendants , to oblige them to signifie the Pastoral Advertisement of the Clergy to our Consistories , he tells them in express terms , That his intention was not that they should do any thing that might attempt upon what had been granted to those of the Reformed Religion , by the Edicts and Declarations made in their favour . The fourth , That by an express Declaration publish'd about the latter end of the year 1684. the King ordained , That Ministers should not remain in the same Church , above the space of three years , nor return to the first , within the space of Twelve ; and that they should be thus translated from Church to Church , at least twenty Leagues distant from the other ; supposing by a manifest consequence , that his design was yet to permit the exercise of Religion to the Ministers in the Kingdom for Twelve years at least . Though indeed they at that moment design'd the Revocation of the Edict , and had resolved it in the Council . The fifth consists in a Request presented to the King , by the Assembly of the Clergy at the same time , that they were drawing an Edict to revoke that of Nantes , and put into the Hands of the Procurer General to frame it ; and in the Decree which was granted on this request , the Clergy complain'd of the misrepresentations which the Ministers are wont to make of the Roman Church , to which they attribute Doctrines which they do not hold , and beseech his Majesty to provide against it . And also expresly declared , that they did not yet desire the Revocation of the Edict , upon which the King by his Decree expresly forbad the Ministers to speak either good or hurt , directly or indirectly of the Church of Rome in their Sermons ; supposing , as every one may see , that 't was his Intention still to let them Preach ; were ever such illusions known ! But was there ever any greater than this which they put in the very Edict we speak of ? The King after having cancelled and annul'd the Edict of Nantes , and all that depended thereon , after having interdicted for ever all publick Religious Exercises , he also for ever banish'd all the Ministers from his Kingdom , and expresly declares , that his will is , that his other Subjects , who are not willing to change their Religion , may remain where they are in all Liberty , enjoy their Estates , and live with the same Freedom as heretofore , without any molestation on pretence of their Religion , till it shall please God to enlighten and convert them . These were Amusements and Snares to entrap them , as it has since appeared , and it still appears every day by the horrible usages they suffer , and of which we shall speak in what follows . But we shall , first , mention a preparatory Machin , which the Persecutors have not fail'd to employ to effect their Design , and which we have reckoned to be the Sixth in order . It consists in disposing insensibly the People by degrees to desire our Destruction ; to approve of it when done , and to diminish in their Mind the Horror which naturally they must have at the Cruelties and Injustices of our Persecutors Contrivances . For this parpose several means have been used , and the commonest have been the Sermons of the Missionaries and other Controversial Preachers , with which the Kingdom has been for some years stockt , under the Title of Royal Missions . There were fitting Youths , chosen for this purpose , who had such an Education given them , which was so far from making them Moderate , as rather enflamed them ; so that 't is easy to comprehend what Actors these are , when they not only found themselves upheld , but saw themselves moreover set on , and had express Orders to inspire their Hearers with Choler . And so well did they acquit themselves herein , that 't was not their fault if Popular Emotions have not followed thereon in great Cities , yea in Paris it self , had not the Prudence of the Magistrates hindred them . To the Preachers we must join the Confessors and Directors of Mens Consciences , the Monks , the Curates , and in general , all the Ecclesiasticks from the highest to the lowest ; for they being not ignorant of the Courts Intention in this matter , every one strove to shew most Zeal , and Aversion to the Reformed Religion , because every one found his Interest lay therein , this being the only way to raise and establish his Fortune . In this design of animating the People , there past few days wherein the Streets did not ring , as well with the publication of Decrees , Edicts , and Declarations against the Protestants , as also with Satyrical and Seditious Libels , of which the People in the Towns of France are very greedy . But these things served only for the meaner sort of People , and the Persecutors had this Mortification to see this Design disapproved by all those who were a degree above the Mobile . Wherefore they employed the Pens of some of their Authors , who had acquired any Reputation in the World ; and amongst others , that of the Author of the History of Theodosius the Great , and that of Mr. Maimburg , heretofore a Jesuite . He publish'd his History of Calvinism , of which he has since had the leasure to repent , by the smart and pertinent Answers which have been given him : Their Example has been followed by several others ; and Monsieur Arnaud , who will always make one in these matters , would not deny himself the satisfaction of venting his Choler ; and at the same time endeavour to recover the Favour he has lost at Court. But although his Apology for the Catholicks was a Work as full of Fire and Passion as the Bigots themselves could Wish , yet 't was not agreeable , because his person was not ; he was so ill gratified for it , that he complained thereof to the Arch-Bishop of Rheims , in a Letter , the Copies whereof were dispersed over all Paris . Amongst other things , he exaggerated his Misfortune , and compared himself with another , who for much less Services , received Twenty Thousand Livers , as a Reward from the King. This more and more shewed the Character of the Person . However they needed not him , not wanting violent Writers , amongst whom we must not forget one Mr. Soulier , formerly ( as they say ) a Taylor , and at present Author of the History of the Edicts ●f Pacification ; nor Mr. Nicole , once a great Jansenist , and now a Proselyte of the Archbishops of Paris ; Author of the Book entituled , Protestants convinced of Schism : nor the Author of the Journal des Scavants , who , in his ordinary Gazets highly affirms . That the Catholick Faith must be planted by Fire and Sword , alledging for the proof thereof a King of Norway , who converted the Nobles of his country , by threatning them , To stay their Children before their Eyes , if they would not consent to have them baptized , and to be baptized themselves . For a long time we have seen in Paris , and elsewhere , nothing but such sort of Writings to such a height was Passion come . Whilst all these things , which we have here observed , were done in France , they by great steps advanced to their end . 'T is not to be imagined the Reformed neglected their common Interests or did not all that respected a just and lawful Defence . They frequently sent , from the furthest Provinces , their Deputies to the Court ; They maintained their Rights before the Council ; Thither they brought their Complaints from all parts . They employed their Deputy General to solicit their Interests , as well with the Judges and Ministers of State , as with the King himself . Sometimes also they presented general Addresses , in which they exposed their Grievances , with all the Humility and Deference that Subjects owe their Soveraigns . But they were so far from being heard , that their Troubles were still encreased , and their Second Condition became worse than the First . The last Petition , presented to the King himself , by the Deputy General , in March , 1684. was exprest in Terms most submissive , and most capable of moving Pity , as every one may judge , having been since Printed ; and yet it produced no other Fruit , but the hastning of what they had long resolved , namely , to use open Force to accomplish our Ruine . This was effectually done some Months after , and executed in a manner so terrible and violent , that , as we said in the beginning , there are few in Europe , how distant soever from the notice of the common Accidents of the World , who have not heard the Report of it ; but 't is certain , the Circumstances are not known to all , and therefore we shall give an account of them in few Words ; if it be but to stop the Mouth of their Impudence , who publisht abroad , That no Violences have been offered in France , and the Conversions there made , were with free Consent . At first they took this Measure , to quarter Soldiers in all their Provinces , almost at the same time , and chiefly Dragoons , which are the most Resolute Troops of the Kingdom . Terror and Dread marched before them , and as it were , by consent , all France was filled with this News , That the King would not longer suffer any Hugonots in his Kingdom ; and that they must resolve to change their Religion , nothing being able to keep them from it . They began with Bearn , where the Dragoons did their first Executions ; these were followed soon after in High and Low Guienne , Xantoigne , Aunix , Poitu , High Languedoc , Vivarets , and Dauphine ; after which they came to Lionois , Gevennes , Low Languedoc , Provence , Valeës , and the Country of Geix , afterwards they fell on the rest of the Kingdom , Normandy , Bourgoigne , Nivernoix , and Berry ; the Countries of Orleans , Tourain , Anjou , Britany , Champagne , Picardy , and the Isle of France , not excluding Paris it self , which underwent the same Fate ; the first thing , the Intendants were ordered to do , was to summon the Cities and Commonalties . They assembled the Inhabitants thereof , who profest the Reformed Religion , and there told them , 't was the King's Pleasure they should without delay become Catholics ; and if they would not do it freely , they would make them do it by force , The poor People , surprised with such a Proposal , answered , They were ready to sacrifice their Estates and Lives to the King , but their Consciences , being Gods , they could not in that manner dispose of them . There needed no more to make them immediately bring the Dragoons , which were not far off . The Troops immediately seized on the Gates and Avenues of the Cities ; they placed Guards in all the Passages , and often came with their Swords in their Hands , crying , Kill , Kill , or else be Catholics , they were quartered on the Reformists at Discretion , with a strict Charge , that none should depart out of their Houses , nor conceal any of their Goods or Effects , on great Penalties , even on the Catholics , that should receive or assist them in any manner . The first days were spent in consuming all Provisions the House afforded , and taking from them whatever they could see , Money , Rings , Jewels , and in general , whatsoever was of value . After this , the pillaged the Family , and invited , not only the Catholics of the place , but also , those of the Neighbouring Cities and Towns , to come and buy the Goods , and other things which would yield Money . Afterwards they fell on their Persons , and there 's no Wickedness or Horror which they did not put in practise , to force them to change their Religion . Amidst a thousand hideous Cries , and a thousand Blasphemies , they hung Men and Women by the Hair or Feet , on the Roofs of the Chamber , or Chimney Hooks , and smoakt them with Whisps of wet Hay , till they were no longer able to bear it , and when they had taken them down , if they would not sing , they hung them up immediately again . They threw them into great Fires kindled on purpose ; and pulled them not out till they were half Roasted . They tyed Ropes under their Arms , and plunged them to and again into Wells , from whence they would not take them , till they had promised to change their Religion . They tyed them as they do Criminals , put to the question ; and in this posture , with a Funnel fill'd with Wine , poured it down their Throats , till the Fumes of it depriving them of their Reason , they made them say they would consent to be Catholics . They stript them naked , and after having offered them a 1000 infamous Indignities , they stuck them with Pins from the top to the bottom . They cut them with Penknifes , and sometimes with red hot Pincers took them by the Nose , and dragged them about their Rooms , till they promised to become Catholics , or that the Cries of these poor Wretches , that in this Condition call'd on God for their Assistance , constrained them to let them go . They beat them with Staves , and dragged them , all bruised , to the Churches , where their bare forced Presance was accounted for an Abjuration . They held them from sleeping seven or eight Days , relieving one another to watch them Night and Day , and keept them waking . They threw Buckets of Water on their Faces , and tormented them a 1000 ways , holding over their Heads Kettles turned downwards , whereon they made a continual Noise , till these poor Creatures had even lost their Sences . If they found any sick , either Men or Women , that kept their Beds , distempered with Fevers , or other Diseases , they had the Cruelty to bring twelve Drums sounding an Alarm about their Beds , for whole Weeks together without Intermission , till they had promised they would change . It hapned in some places , that they tyed Fathers and Husbands to the Bed-Posts , and before their Eyes forced their Wives and Daughters . In another place Rapes were publickly and generally permitted for many Hours together . They pluckt off the Nails from the Hands and Toes of others , which could not be endured without intollerable Pain . They burnt the Feet of others . They blew up Men and Women with Bellows , even till they were ready to burst . If after these horrid usages , there were yet any that refused to turn , they imprisoned them ; and for this chose Dungeons dark and noysom , in which they exercised on them all sorts of Inhumanity . In the mean time they demolished their Houses , desolated their Hereditary Lands , cut down their Woods , and seized their Wives and Children , to imprison them in Monasteries . When the Souldiers had devoured and consumed all in a House , the Farmers of their Lands furnisht them with Subsistance ; and to re-imburse them , they sold by Authority of Justice the Fonds of their Hosts , and put them in possession thereof . If some , to secure their Consciences , and to escape the Tyranny of these Furious Men , endeavoured to save themselves by Flight , they were pursued , and hunted in the Fields and Woods , and were shot at like Wild Beasts . The Provosts rode about the High-ways , and the Magistrates of places had orders to stop them without exception . They brought them back to the places from whence they fled , using them like Prisoners of War. But we must not fancy , that this Storm fell only on the common Sort , Noblemen and Gentlemen of the best Quality were not exempted from it . They had Soldiers quartered upon them in the same manner , and with the same Fury as Citizens and Peasants had . They plundred their Houses , wasted their Goods , rased their Castles , cut down their Woods , and their very Persons were exposed to the Insolence and Barbarity of the Dragoons , no less than those of others . They spared neither Sex , Age , nor Quality ; wherever they found any unwillingness to obey the command of changing their Religion , they practised the same Violences . There were still remaining some Officers of Parliament which underwent the same fate , after having been first deprived of their Offices , and even the Military Officers , who were actually in Service , were ordered to quit their Post and Quarters , and repair immediately to their Houses , there to suffer the like Storm ; if to avoid it , they would not become Catholics . Many Gentlemen and other Persons of Quality , and many Ladies of great Age and antient Families , seeing all these Outrages , hoped to find some retreat in Paris , or at the Court , not imagining the Dragoons would come to seek them so near the Kings Presence ; but this hope was no less vain , than all the rest ; for immediately there was a Decree of Council , which commanded them to leave Paris in Fifteen days , and return without delay to their own Houses ; with a prohibition to all Persons to entertain or lodge them in their Houses . Some having attempted to present Adresses to the King , containing Complaints of these cruel Usages , humbly beseeching his Majesty to stop the course thereof , received no other Answer , than that of sending them to the Bastile . Before we proceed any further , 't will not be a miss to make some Remarks ; The first shall be , that almost every where , at the Head of these Infernal Legions , besides the Commanders and Military Officers , the Intendants also , and the Bishops marched every one in his Diocess , with a Troop of Missionaries Monks , and other Ecclesiasticks . The Intendants gave such Order as they thought most fitting to carry on Conversions , and restrain natural Pity and Compassion ; if at any time it found a place in the Hearts of Dragoons , or their Commanders , which did not often happen . And as for the Bishops , they were there to keep open House , to receive Abjurations , and to have a general and severe Inspection that every thing might pass there according to the Inten 〈…〉 on s of the Clergy . The second thing observable is , That when the Dragoons had made some to yield , by all the Horrors which they practised , they immediately changed their Quarters , and sent them to those who still persevered . This Order was observed in this manner even to the end , insomuch that the last , that is to say , those who had shewed the greatest Constancy , had , in fine , quartered on them alone all the Dragoons , which at the beginning were equally dispers'd amonst the Inhabitants of the place , which was a load impossible to be sustained . A Third Remark , which we shall make , is , That in almost all the considerable Cities , they took care before they sent Troops thither , to gain by mean of the Intendants , or some other private way , a certain number of People , not only to change their Religion themselves , when it should be seasonable , but also to assist them in perverting others . So that when the Dragoons had sufficiently done their part , the Intendant , with the Bishop , and the Commander of the Forces , again assembled these miserable . Inhabitant , already ruined , to exhort them to obey the King , and become Catholics ; adding thereto most terrible Threats , that they might over-awe them , and then the new Converts failed not to execute what they had promised , which they did with the more success , because the People did yet put some kind of Confidence in them . A fourth Observation is , that when the Master of the House , thinking to get rid of the Dragoons , had obeyed and signed what they would , he was not freed from them for all this ; if his Wife , Children , and the meanest of his Domesticks did not do the same thing ; and when his Wife , or any of his Children or Family fled , they ceased not to torment them , till he had made them return : which oftentimes being impossible , the change of their Religion did not at all avail them . The Fifth is , That when these poor wretches fancied their Consciences would be at rest by signing some form of an Equivocal Abjuration offered them ; a little while after these cruel men came to them again , and made them sign another , which plunged them into such depths , as cast them into the utmost despair . Nay farther , they had the boldness to make them acknowledge , That they embraced the Roman Religion of their own accord ; without having bin induced thereunto by any violent means . If after this they scrupled to go to Mass , if they did not Communicate , if they did not tell their Beads ; if by a sigh escaped from them , they signified any unwillingness , they had immediately a Fine laid upon them , and they were forced to receive again their old guests . In fine , for a sixth remark ; As fast as the Troops ravaged in this manner the Provinces , spreading terror and desolation in all parts ; Orders were sent to all the Frontier Countries and Sea-port Towns , to guard well the passages , and stop all such who pretended to escape from France : So that there was no hope of these poor wretches saving themselves by flight . None were permitted to pass , if he brought not along with him a Certificate from his Bishop or Curate , that he was a Catholick : others were put in Prison , and used like Traytors against their Country . All strange Vessels lying in the Ports were searched ; the Coasts , Bridges , Passages to Rivers , and the High-ways , were strictly guarded , both night and day . The Neighbouring States were also required not to harbour any more Fugitives , and to send back again such as they had already received . Attempts were also mad to seise on , and carry away some , who had escaped into Foreign Countries . Whilst all this was acting in the Kingdom , the Court were consulting to give the last stroak , which consisted in repealing the Edict of Nantes ; much time was spent in drawing up the matter and form of this new Edict . Some would have the King detain all the Ministers , and force them as they did the Laity , to change their Religion , or condemn them to perpetual Imprisonment . They alledged for their reason , that if they did not do it , they would be as so many dangerous Enemies against them in Foreign Nations . Others on the contrary affirmed , that as long as the Ministers continued in France , this their presence would encourage the People to abide in their Religion , whatsoever care might be taken to hinder them ; and that supposing they should change , they would be but as so many secret adversaries nourished in the bosom of the Church of Rome ; and the more dangerous on the account of their knowledge and experience in Controversial matters . This last reasoning prevailed ; 't was then resolved on to banish the Ministers , and to give them no more than fifteen days time to depart the Kingdom . As to what remained , the Edict was given to the Procurer-General of the Parliament of Paris , to draw it up in such a form as he should judge most fitting . But before the publishing of it , two things were thought necessary to be done ; The first to oblige the assembly of the Clergy , separately to present to the King a request concerning the matter above mentioned , in which also they told his Majesty , that they desired not at present the repealing the Edict of Nantes ; and the other to suppress in general , all kind of Books made by them of the Reformed Religion , and to issue out an Order for that purpose . By the first of these things , the Clergy thought to shelter themselves from the reproaches , which might be cast on them as the Authors of so many Miseries , Injustices an Oppressions which this Repeal would still occasion : And by the other , they pretended to make the Conversions much more easie ( as they styled them ) and confirm those which had bin already made , by taking from the People all Books , which might Instruct , fortifie , and bring them back again . In fine , This Revocative Edict of Nantes , was signed and published on Thursday , being the 8th of October , in the year 1685. 'T is said the Chancellor of France , shewed an extream joy in Sealing it ; but it lasted not long , this being the last thing he did . For as soon as he came home from Fountainbleau , he fell sick , and dyed within a few days . 'T is certain , that this mans policy , rather than his natural Inclination , induced him in his latter years to become one of our Persecutors . The Edict was Registred in the Parliament of Paris , and immediately after in the others . It contains a Preface , and Twelve Articles . In the Preface , the King shews that Henry the Great 's Grandfather did not give the Edict , and Lewis his Father did not confirm it , by his other Edict of Nismes , but in the design of endeavouring more effectually the re-union of their Subjects of the pretended reformed Religion , to the Catholick Church ; and that this was also the Design which he had himself at his first coming to the Crown . That 't is true , he had bin hindred by the Wars , which he was forced to carry on against the Enemies of his State ; but that at present being at Peace with all the Princes of Europe , he wholly gave himself to the making of this Re-union . That God having given him the Grace of accomplishing it , and seeing the greatest and best part of his Subjects of the said Religion had embraced the Catholick one , these Edicts of Nantes and Nismes consequently became void and useless . By the first Article , he suppresses and repeals them , in all their extent ; and ordains that all their Temples ; which are found yet standing in his Kingdom , shall be immediately demolished . By the Second , he forbids all sorts of Religious Assemblies of what kind soever . The Third , prohibits the Exercises of Religion to all Lords and Gentlemen of any Quality , under Corporal Penalties and Confiscation of their Esates . The Fourth , banishes from his Kingdom all the Ministers , and enjoins them to depart thence , within Fifteen days after the publication of this Edict , under the Penalty of being sent to the Gallies . In the Fifth and Sixth , he promises Recompences and Advantages to the Ministers and their Widows , who should change their Religion . In the Seventh and Eighth , he forbids the Instructing of Children in the pretended reformed Religion , and ordains that those who shall be born henceforward shall be baptised , and brought up in the Catholick Religion , enjoyning Parents to send them to the Churches , under the Penalty of being fined 500 Livers . The Ninth gives Four Months time to such Persons as have departed already out of the Kingdom to return , otherwise their Goods and Estates to be confiscated . The Tenth , with repeated Prohibitions , forbids all his Subjects of the said Religion to depart out of his Realm , they , their Wives and Children , or to convey away their Effects , under pain of the Gallies for the Men , and of Confiscation of Body and Goods for the Women . The Eleventh , confirms the Declarations heretofore made against those that Relapse . The Twelfth declares , that as to the rest of his Subjects of the said Religion , they may , till God enlightens them , remain in the Cities of his Kingdom , Countries and Lands of his Obedience , there continue their Commerce , and enjoy their Estates , without Trouble or Molestation upon pretence of the said Religion , on condition , that they have no Assemblies under pretext of Praying , or exercising any religious Worship whatever . In order to put this Edict in execution , the very same day that it was registred and published at Paris , they began to demolish the Church of Charenton . The eldest Minster thereof was commanded to leave Paris within twenty four Hours , and immediately to depart the Kingdom . For this end they put him into the Hands of one of the Kings Footmen , with orders not to leave him till he was out of his Dominions . His Collegues were little better treated , they gave them forty eight hours to quit Paris , and then left them upon their Parole . The rest of the Ministers were allowed fifteen days , but it can hardly be believed to what Vexations and Cruelties they were all exposed . First of all , they neither permitted them to dispose of their Estates , nor to carry away any of their moveables or effects , nay they disputed them their Books and private Papers , one pretence , that they must justify , their Books and Papers did not belong to the Cosistories wherein they serv'd , which was a thing impossible , since there were no Consistories , that then remained . Beside , they would not give them leave to take along with them either Father or Mother , or Brother or Sister , or any of their Kindred , though there were many of them infirm , decay'd and poor , which could not subsist but by their means ; they went so far , as even to deny them their own Children , if they were above seven Years Old ; nay , some they took from them that were under that Age , and even such as yet hang'd upon their Mothers Breasts . They refused them Nurses for their new born Infants , which the Mothers could not give Suck . In some Frontier Places they stopped and imprisoned them , upon divers ridiculous Pretences ; they must immediately prove that they were really the same Persons , which their Certificates mentioned ; they were to know immediately whether there were no Criminal Process or Informations against them ; they must presently justify , that they carryed away nothing that belonged to their Flocks ; sometime after they had thus detained and amused them , they were told that the fifteen days of the Edict were expired , and that they should not have Liberty to retire , but must go to the Gallies . There is no kind of Deceit and Injustice which they did not think of to involve them in Troubles . As to the rest , whom the Force of Persecution and hard Usage constrained to leave their Houses and Estates , and to fly the Kingdom , it is not to be imagined what dangers they exposed them to . Never were Orders more severe or more strict , than those that were given against them . They doubled the Guards in Posts , Cities , High-Ways , and Foards , they covered the Country with Solders , they armed even the Pesants to stop those that passed , or to kill them : They forbad all the Officers of the Customs to suffer any Goods , Moveables , Marchandize , or other Effects , to pass . In a Word , they forgot nothing that could hinder the flight of the persecuted , even to the interrupting almost all Commerce with Neighbouring Nations : By this means they quickly filled all the Prisons in the Kingdom ; for the fear of the Dragoons , the Horror of seeing their Consciences forced , and their Children taken away , and of living for the future in a Land where there was neither Justice nor Humanity for them , obliged every one to think of an escape , and to abandon all to save their Persons . All these poor Prisoners have been since treated with unheard of Rigours , shut up in Dungeons , loaded with heavy Chains , almost starved with Hunger , and deprived of all Converse , but that of their Persecutors . They put many into Monasteries , where they experience none of the least Cruelties ; Some there are so happy as to dye in the midst of their Torments , others have at last sunk under the Weight of the Temptation , and some by the extraordinary Assistance of Gods Grace , do still sustain it with an Heroick Courage . These have been the Consequences of this new Edict in this respect ; but who would not have believed that the Twelfth Article would have shelter'd the rest of the Reformed ; that had a mind still to stay in the Kingdom , since this Article exprefly assures them , that they may live there , continue their Trade , and enjoy their Estates , without being troubled or molested upon pretence of their Religion . Yet see what they have since done , and yet do to these poor Wretches . They have not recall'd the Dragoons and other Soldiers which they dispatcht into the Provinces before the Edict : On the contrary , they to this day commit with greater Fury the same Inhumanities , which we have before represented : besides this , they have marched them into Provinces , where there were none before , as Normandy , Picardy , le Berry , Champaigne , Nivernois , Orleans , Belessois , and the lsle of France . They do the same Violence there , exert the same Fury they do in other Provinces . Paris it self , where methinks this Article of the Edict should have been best observed , because so near the Kings Presence , and more immediately under the Government of the Court , Paris , I say , was no more spared than the rest of the Kingdom . The very day that the Edict was published , without more delay , the Procurer-General , and some other Magistrates , began to send for Heads of Families to come to their Houses . There they declared to them that 't was absolutely the Kings Will that they should change their Religion , that they were no better than the rest of his Subjects , and that if they would not do it willingly , the King would make use of means , which he had ready , to compel them . At the same time they banish'd by Letters under the Privy Seal , all the Elders of the Consistory , together with some others , in whom they found more of Constancy and Resolution ; and to disperse them , chose such places as were most remote from Commerce , where they have since used them with a great deal of Cruelty , some complyed , others are yet under Sufferings . The diligence of the Procurer-General and Magistrates , not succeeding so fully as they wish'd , though Threats and Menaces were not wanting , Monsieur Seignelay , Secretary of State , would also try what influence he could have within his Division at Paris . For this end , he got together about five or six score Merchants , and others into his House , and after having shut the doors , forthwith presented them with the form of an Abjuration , and commanded them in the Kings Name to sign it ; declaring , that they should not stir out of Doors till they had obeyed . The Contents of this Form were , not only that they did renounce the Heresie of Calvin , and enter into the Catholick Church , but also that they did this voluntarily , and without being forced or compelled to it . This was done in an Imperious manner , and with an air of Authority , yet there were some that dared to speak , but they were sharply answer'd , That they were not to dispute it , but to obey ; so that they all Sign'd before they went out . To these Methods they added others more terrible , as Prisons , actually seizing of their Effects , and Papers ; the taking away of their Children , the separation of Husbands and Wives ; and in fine , the great Method , that is to say , Dragoons and Guards . Those that most firmly stood out , they sent to the Bastile , and to the Fort l'Eveque ; they confin'd them to their own or other Houses , where they lay concealed for fear of Discovery ; they plunder'd those of many others , not sparing their persons , just as they had done in other places . Thus the 12th Article of the Edict , which promised some relaxation , and a shadow of Liberty , was nothing but an egregious deceit to amuse the credulous , and keep them from thinking to make their escape , a snare to catch them with the more ease . The Fury still kept its usual course , and was heated to such a degree , that not content with the Desolations in the Kingdom , it entred even into Orange , a Soveraign Principality , where the King of Right has no power , and taking Ministers away from thence by force , remov'd them into Prisons . Thither the Dragoons were sent , who committed all kind of mischief ; and by force constrained the Inhabitants thereof , both Men , Women and Children , and the very Officers of the Prince to change their Religion . And this is the state of things in the year 1685. and this is the accomplishment of the dealing which the Clergy has shewed us three years since , towards the end of their Pastoral Letter ; You must expect mischiess more dreadful and intolerable , then all those , which hitherto your Revolts and Schisms have drawn down upon you . And truly they have not been worse than their words . There are some in the Kingdom who still continue firm , and their Persecutions are still continu'd to them . There are invented every day new Torments , against those whom force has made to change their Religion , because they are still observed to sigh , and groan under their hard servitude ; their hearts detesting what their months have profest , and their hands signed . As to such that have escaped into Foreign Countreys , who are at least 150000 persons , their Estates are Confiscated ; this being all the hurt which can be done to them at present . I say at present ; for 't is not to be questioned , but our Persecutors are contriving to extend their Cruelties farther . But we must hope in the compassions of God , that whatsoever intentions they may have in destroying the Protestant Religion in all places , he will not permit them to effect their designs . The World will surely open its Eyes ; and this which they now come from doing with a high hand , and a worse then barbarous Fury , will shew not only the Protestants ; but the wise and circumspect Catholicks , what they are to expect , both one and the other , from such a sort of People . In effect , he that shall give himself the leisure to reflect on the matters of Fact which we come now from relating , which are things certain , and acted in the face of the Sun , he shall see not only the Protestants supprest , but the King's Honour sullied , his Countreys damnified ; all the Princes of Europe interessed , and even the Pope himself , with his Church and Clergy , shamefully discredited . For to begin with the King himself : What could be more contrary to his Dignity , then to put him upon breaking his word , and perswading him that he might with a safe Conscience violate , revoke , and annul so solemn an Edict as that of Nantes . To palliate in some sort the Violence of this proceeding , they make him say in this new Edict , That the best and greatest part of the Reform'd Religion has imbraced the Catholick ; and therefore the execution of the Edict of Nantes , and whatsoever else has been done in favour of the same Religion , remains void . But is not this an Elusion unworthy of his Majesty , seeing that if this best and greatest part of his Subjects of the Reformed Religion have embraced the Catholick ; they have done it by force of Arms , and by the cruel and furious Oppression which his own Troops have laid upon them . Perhaps one might thus speak , had his Subjects changed their Religion of their own free will , although that in this case too , the Priviledges of the Edict continue for those that remain . But after having forced them to change by the horrible inhumanities of his Dragoons ; after having deprived them of the Liberty which the Edict gave them ; to say coldly , that he only revokes the Edict , because it is now useless , is a Raillery unbefitting so great a Prince . For it is as much as if he said , that he was indeed obliged to continue to his Protestant Subjects all the Priviledges due to them ; but having himself overthrown them by a major Force , he finds himself at present lawfully and fairly disengaged from this Obligation : Which is just as if a Father , who himself had cut his Childrens Throats , should glory in the being henceforward freed from the care of nourishing and protecting them . Are other Kings wont thus to express themselves in their Edicts ? What they make him moreover say , to wit , That Henry the Great , his Grandfather , gave only the Edict of Nantes to the Protestants , that he might the better effect their re-union to the Roman Church ; That Lewis the 13th also , his Father , had the same design , when he gave the Edict of Nismes ; and that he himself had entred therein at his coming to the Crown , is but a pitiful Salvo . But suppose ( seeing they are willing we should do so ) the truth of this Discourse , and take we it simply , and according to the Letter , in the sense wherein they gave it us , what can we conclude thence , but these following Propositions : That Henry the Great , and Lewis the 13th , gave only the Edicts to our Fathers to deceive them , and with an intent to ruine them afterwards with the greater ease , under the mask of this Fraud . That not being able to do this , being hindred by other affairs , they have committed this important secret to his present Majesty , to the end he should execute it when he met with an opportunity . That his present Majesty entring into the thought of this at his first coming to the Crown , he only confirm'd the Edicts and Declarations of 1643. and 1652. with other advantagious Decrees to the Reformed Religion , but to impose on them the more finely , ( lay snares in their way ) or if you please , crown them , as they crown'd of old the Sacrifices ; That all that has been done against them , since the Peace of the Pirenees , till this time , according to the abridgment which we have made of it , has been only the execution of a Project , but of a Project far more ancient than we imagine , seeing we must date it from the Edict of Nantes , and ascend up to Henry the Great : In fine , That what has been till now , has been a great mystery , but is not one at present ; seeing the King by this new Edict discovers it to all the World , that he may be applauded for it . Will it not be acknowledged that the Enemies of France , who are willing to discredit the Conduct of its Kings , and render them odious to the World , have now an happy opportunity . Henry the Great gives his Edict to the Protestants with the greatest Solemnity imaginable , he gives it them as a Recompence of their Services ; he promises solemnly to observe it ; and as if this was not enough , he binds himself thereunto with an Oath ; he executes it to the utmost of his Power , and they peaceably enjoy'd it to the end of his Reign : yet all this is but a meer Snare , for they are to be Dragoon'd at a proper time : But being himself surprized by Death , he could not do it , but leaves it in charge to Lewis the 13th his Son. Lewis the Thirteenth ascends the Throne , issues out his Declaration immediately , that he acknowledges the Edict of Nantes as perpetual and irrevocable , it needing not a new Confirmation , and that he would Religiously observe every Article of it , and therefore sends Commissioners to see it actually executed . When he begins a War , he protests he designs not at Religion , and in effect he permits the full Liberty of it , in those very Towns he takes by Assault : He gives his Edict of Nismes , as the Edict of a Triumphant Prince , yet declares therein he understands , that of Nantes should be inviolably kept , and shows himself to the last as good as his Word . But this is only intended to lull the Protestants asleep , in expectation of a favourable occasion to destroy them . Lewis the Fourteenth , at his coming to the Crown confirms the Edict , and declares , That he will maintain the Reformed in all their Priviledges ; he afterwards affirms in another Declaration , how highly he is satisfied in their Services ; and mentions his design of making them to enjoy their Rights . But this is but a meer amusement , and an artifice to intrap them , the better to colour over the project of ruining them at a convenient time . What a Character now of the Kings of France will this afford , to its Enemies , and foreign Nations ; and what confidence do they think , will be henceforward put in their Promises and Treaties ; for if they deal thus with their own Subjects , if they caress them only to ruine them , what may Strangers expect from ' em . Consider we a while what they make the King say , That at his first coming to the Crown , he was in the design which he now comes from executing . They would say without doubt , from the time he actually took in hand the Reins of Government ; for he was too young before , to enter personally on any design of this nature : he enter'd thereon then precisely at the time , when the Civil Wars were ended . But what does this mean , but that he undertook this design , at the very time when the Protestants came from rendring him the most important Service Subjects were ever capable of . They came from rendring him the highest Testimonies of Loyalty , when the greatest part of his other Subjects had taken up Arms against him . They had vigorously opposed his Enemies progress ; rejected the most advantagious offers , kept Towns for him , yea whole Provinces ; receiv'd his Servants and Officers into their Bosoms , when they could not find safety elsewhere ; sacrificed their Estates to him , their Lives , their Fortunes ; and in a word , done all with such a Zeal , as becomes faithful Subjects in so dangerous a conjuncture . And this is the time when the King enters on the design of destroying and extirpating them . This so confirms the Truth of what we said in the beginning , that it puts it out of all question , that the Project of their Destruction was grounded on the Services they had rendred the King. Do Christian Ethics allow these most unchristian Policies ? Is it not a strange thing , that we must be taught this important Secret , and all Europe besides ; for although the Protestants have done nothing in this occasion but their Duty , it could never be imagined their Duty should be made their Crime , and their Ruine should spring from whence should come the Safety . God has brought Light out of Darkness , but the unchristian Politicks of France , on the contrary , has brought Darkness out of Light. However they cannot deny but that in this new Edict , the King is made to say , He has entred on the design to distroy the Protestant Party , in the very time wherein they have signaliz'd and distinguisht themselves with great success for the interest of the Crown , which will furnish perhaps matter enough to thinking Men for Reflexion , as well within as without the Kingdom ; and will shew them what use is made of Services , and what Recompence is to be expected for them . But we shall say no more of the Expressions of the new Edict , but rather consider the matter of it . Was ever a worse and harder usage than that which we have suffered for the space of Twenty Years , which have been employed informing the late Tempest which has fallen upon us . It has been a continual Storm of Decrees , Edicts , Declarations , Orders , Condemnation of Churches , Desolation of Temples , Civil and Criminal Processes , Imprisonments , Banishments , Pennances , Pecuniary Mults , Privation of Offces and Employs , depriving Parents of their Children , and all those other Persecutions which we have already briefly sum'd up . We are told on one hand , that the King would continue to us the Edict of Nants , and he delivered himself on several occasions to that Effect ; and on the other hand we were made to suffer in our Estates , our Reputations , our Persons , our Families , in our Religion , and our Consciences , and all by unjust and indirect ways ; by unheard of Inventions , by Oppressions , and publick Vexation , and sometime under-hand Dealings ; and all this under the Vail of the Kings Authority , and because this was his good pleasure . We know very well the Authority of Kings , and the Respect and Submission with which we should receive their Orders . And therefore have we , during all these unsupportable Usages , a Patience , and an Obedience so remarkable , that it has been an Admiration of the Catholicks themselves , our Countrymen . But it must be acknowledged that those who put his Majesty on dealing thus with us , or have used his Name and Authority for this , could not do him otherwise a greater dishonor than they have done . For after all , those Kings who would have themselves esteemed for their Justice and Equity , govern not their Subjects after this manner . They are not for putting all to an uncertainty , filling all places with Lamentation and Terror . They seek not their satisfaction in the Tears , and Groans of their innocent People , nor are they pleased with keeping their Subjects in a perpetual Agitation . They love not to have their Names mention'd with terror , nor meditate continual designs of extirpating those , who give constant and unquestionable Proofs of their Loyalty ; much less to invent cruel projects , which like Mines , in their time shall destroy their own Natural Subjects ; for what else have been these slie and equivocal Declarations , Counter-Orders , and revocative Edicts . There are three things , very remarkable , in this whole Affair , the First is , that as long as they have been only in the way , the true Authors of the Persecution have not concealed themselves , but the King , as much as they could : 'T is true , the Decrees , Edicts , and Declarations , and other things , went under the name of his Majesty ; but at the request of the Agents , and Factors for the Clergy : And whilst they were busied in these matters , the King declared openly his Intention of maintaining the Edicts , and that 't was abuses which he design'd to correct . The Second is , that when they came to the last Extremities , and to open force , then they have concealed themselves as much as they could , set forth the King at his full Length . There was nothing beard but these kind of Discourses , The King will have it so , the King has taken it in hand , the King proceeds further than the Clergy desires ; by these two means they have had the Address to be only charg'd with the lesser parts of the cruelties , and to lay the most violent , and odious part at the Kings door . The Third thing which we should remark is , that the better to obtain their Ends , they have made it their business to perswade the King , that this Work would Crown him with Glory , which is a horrid abuse of his credulity , an abuse so much the greater , by how much they would not have themselves thought the Authors of this Council ; and when any particular person of them are ask'd this day , What they think of it , there are few of them but condemn it . In effect , what more false an Idea could they give to his Majesty of Glory , than to make it consist in surprising a poor People , disperst over all his Kingdom , and living securely under his Wings and the Remains of the Edict of Nants ; and who could not imagine there were any Intentions of depriving them of the Liberty of their Consciences , of surprizing and overwhelming them in an Instant , with a numerous Army , to whose discretion they are delivered ; and who tell them that they must either by fair means or foul , become Roman Catholicks , this being the Kings will and pleasure . What a falser Notion of Glory could they offer him , than the putting him in the place of God , making the Faith and Religion of Men to depend upon his Authority , and that hence forward it must be said in his Kingdom , I don't believe because I am perswaded of it , but I believe , because the King would have me do it ; which to speak properly , is , that I believe nothing , and that I 'le be a Turk , or a Jew , or whatever the King pleases . What falser Idea of Glory , then to force from Mens Mouths by Violence , and a long Series of Torments ; a Profession , which the Heart abhors , and for which one sighs night and day , crying continually to God for Mercy . What Glory is there in inventing new ways of Persecutions , unknown to former Ages ; which indeed do not bring Death along with them , but keep Men alive to suffer , that they may overcome their Patience and Constancy by Cruelties , which are above Humane Strength to undergo ? What Glory is there in not contenting themselves to force those who remain in his Kingdom , but to forbid them to leave it , and keep them under a double Servitude , viz. both of Soul and Body ? What Glory is there in keeping his Prisons full of innocent Persons . who are charged with no other fault , than serving God according to the best of their Knowledge , and for this to be expos'd to the Rage of the Dragoons , or condemned to the Gallies , and executions on Body and Goods ? Will these Cruelties render his Majesties Name lovely in his History , to the Catholick or Protestant World ? But we should be very loath to exaggerate any thing , which may violate the Respect due to so great a Prince ; but we do not think it a failure in our Duty , fairly to represent how far these refined Politicians have really interess'd his Honour , in the sad Misfortunes wherein they have plunged us , and how Criminal they have thereby made themselves towards him . They have committed no less Misdemeanours against their Country , of which they are Members , and for which a Man would think they should have some consideration . Not to speak here of the great number of Persons of all Ages , Sexes and Qualities , which they have out off from it by their fierce Tempers ; although perhaps this Loss be greater , than they were willing to imagine . It s certain , that France is a very Populous Country , but when these Feavourish Fits shall be over , and they shall in cold Blood consider what they have done , they will find these Diminutions to be no matter of Triumph ; for 't is not possible , that so many Substantial People , so many intire Families , who distinguish themselves in the Arts , in the Sciences , Civil and Military , can leave a Kingdom without one day being missed : at present , whilst they rejoyce in their Spoils , possess themselves of the Houses and Estates , this loss is not felt ; 't is recompensed by Booty , but it will not be always so : Neither shall we insist here on that almost general Interruption of Traffick , which these most Vnchristian Persecutors have caused in the Principal Towns of the State ; although this be no small Mischief : The Protestants made up a good part of the Trade , as well within the Kingdom as without , and were therein so mixt with the Catholicks , that their Affairs were in a manner inseparable . They dealt as it were in Common , when these Oppressions came upon them ; and what Confusions have they not produced ? How many industrious measures have they broken ? How many honest designs have they not disappointed ? How many Manufactures ruined ? How many Bankrupts made ? and how many Families reduced to Beggary ? But this is what the Oppressors little trouble themselves about ; they have their Bread gained to their Mouths , they live in wantonness and ease ; and whilst others dye with Hunger , their Revenues are ascertain'd to them . But this hinders not the Body of the Estate to suffer , both in its Honour and Profit ; and we may truly say , that Four Civil Wars could not have produced so much Mischief , as time will shew to sprink from this Persecution . But we will leave the consequence of this affair to time , and only say , That the Edict of Nantes , being a fundamental Law of the Kingdom ; and an agreement between two parties , by a reciprocal acceptation under the peaceable Reign of Henry the Great ; by the publick Faith , and by mutual Oaths , as we have already seen ; this must certainly be of ill example to the interest of the State : That after having made a thousand infractions of it , it must be at length revok'd , cancel'd , and annul'd , at the motion of a Cabal , who abuse their interest ; and hereby make themselves fit for enterprising , and executing any thing . After this Violation , what can henceforward be thought firm and inviolable in France . I speak not of particular mens affairs , but of general establishments , Royal Companies Courts of Justice , and all other ranks of men interested in Society , even they very rights of the Crown , and form of Government . There are in the Kingdom a great many thinking men , I mean not your Poets , and such like kind of Flatterers , who make Verses , Orations , Panegyricks , and Sermons too for Preferments and Benefices ; but I speak of solid and judicious persons ; who see into the consequences of things ; and know well how to judge of them ; shall we think that these men , see not what is too visible , that the State is pierc'd through and through , by the same ●low given the Protestants ; and that such a open revocation of the Edict , leaves nothing firm or sacred . It 's to no purpose to alledge distinctions in the matter , and say that the pretended reform'd Religion , was odious to the State , and therefore was thus undertaken . For not to mention the dangerousness of the example ; as to the general aversion to our Religion in the minds of the Catholicks , it is certain , that excepting the Faction of the Bigots , and what they call the propagators of the Faith ; neither the Commons , nor great People , have any animosity against us ; but on the contrary , do bemoan our misfortunes . Not to touch further on this , who knows not what an easie matter it is to run down any cause , or render it odious or indifferent in the minds of the People . There are never wanting reasons and pretences , in matters of this nature ; one party is set up against another ; and that is called the State , right or wrong , which is the prevailing one : like as in Religion , not the best and honestest , but the powerfullest , and boldest part , are termed the Church . We must not judge of these things then from their matter , but their from . Now if ever there was since the World stood , a matter authentick and irrevocable , it was the Edict of Nantes ; To revoke and cancel it , is to set up ones self above our obligations to God , as well as to Men ; 't is to declare openly , that there are no longer any ties or promises in the world . And this is no more then the wise will easily comprehend , and I doubt not but they have done it already . Some perhaps may make an objection on this occasion , which 't will be good to answer ; which is , that as the Edict , consider it how we will , is become only a Law of State by Henry the Great 's Authority so it may likewise be revok'd and annul'd by Lewis the 14th his Grandson and Successor . For things may be ended by the same means they have bin begun . If Henry the Great , has had the power to change the form of governing the State , by introducing a new Law ; why has not Lewis the 14th the same power to alter this form , and annul whatsoever his predecessor has done ? But this objection will soon be answer'd , by considering it's built upon a false principal , and offers a falser consequence . It is not the single Authority of Henry the Great which has establish'd the Edict . The Edict is a Decree of his Justice , and an accord or transaction that past between the Catholicks and the Reformists . Authoriz'd by the publick Faith of the whole Estate , and seal'd with the seal of an Oath , and ratified by the execution of it ; now this renders the Edict inviolable , and sets it above the reach of Henry's Successors ; and therefore they can be only the Depositaries and Executors of it , and not the Masters to make it depend on their wills . Henry the Great never employ'd the force of Arms to make the Catholicks consent to it ; and though since his death , under the minority of Lewis the 13th . there have bin Assemblies of the States General , the Edict has remain'd in full force ; 't was then , as we have already said , a fundamental Law of the Kingdom , which the King could not touch . But supposing this were not a work grounded on the bare Authority of Henry , which is false , it does not therefore follow , that his present Majesty can revoke it . The Edict is a Royal Promise , which Henry the Great made to the Reformists of his Kingdom , as well for himself as his Successors for ever ; as we have already seen ; and consequently this is a condition or hereditary Debt , charged on himself and Posterity . Moreover , it is not true , that Henry the Great , has changed any thing in the Government of the State , when he gave Liberty of Conscience to his Subjects ; for this Liberty is matter of right , and more inviolable than all Edicts , seeing that it is a right of Nature . He has permitted a publick exercise of the Reformed Religion ; but this exercise was established in the Kingdom before his Edict , and if he has enlarged the priviledges of the Reformed , as without doubt he has , he did not do it without the Consent and Approbation of the State ; and has herein violated nothing of his lawful engagements . But 't is not the same with Lewis the 14th . who of his own pure Authority , makes a real and fundamental Change , against the concurrence of one part of his Estate , and without the consulting the other ; hereby violating his own Engagements , those of his Kingdom , and even the Laws of Nature too . In fine , if we consider what means have been used to arrive at the Revocation in question , how shall a man not ackowledge the State is sensibly interested therein . They are not contented to suppress the Religious Assemblies , and to null the Protestants priviledges by unjust Decrees ; but they also send them Soldiers to dispute points of Religion with them ; They are Sack't like People taken by Assault , forced in their Consciences ; and for this purpose , Hell it self is let loose upon them ; and this is the effects of a Military , and Arbitrary Government , regulated neither by Justice , Reason , nor Humanity . Can it be thought , that , France will be at ease in this manner , or that wise people will think this an equitable way of governing ? There needs only another design , another passion to satisfie , another vengeance to execute ; and then , wo be to them who shall oppose it ; for the Dragoons will not forget their Office. To these two Reflections , which respect the French King and his States , we may add a third , which will have regard to the Interests of Kings , Princes , and other powers of Europe , as well of one as of the other Religion . We shall not be much mistaken , if we say , that they have a common and general concern herein ; inasmuch as these skilful Artists in misery , do as much as they can to trouble the good understanding that is betwixt them and their People . We are perswaded , that their wise and just Government will , in this respect , put them beyond all fear : but this hinders not examples of this nature , from being always mischievous , and naturally tending to beget in the minds of the Vulgar , ( who commonly judge only of things in general ) suspitions and distrusts of their Soveraigns , as if they dream'd of nothing but devouring their Subjects , and delivering them up to the Discretion , or rather , the Fury of their Soldiers . The greater moderation and Justice that Princes have , the less they are obliged to those who furnish people with matter for such dangerous thoughts , which may produce very ill Effects . Beside , is it not certain , that the Princes and States of Europe , cannot without a great deal of pleasure see France , which makes so great a Figure in the affairs of the World , and gives them so powerful an influence , now put her self in such a condition , as that no just Measures can be taken from her ? For after so scandalous and publick a violation of the word of three Kings , and of the publick Faith , what Credit can be given for the future , to her Promises or Treaties ? It will not be sufficient to say , that they will have no force but what Interest inspires ; but that they will hereafter depend on the Interest or Capriciousness of a sort of Heady People , that will give nothing either to the Laws of Prudence or Equity , but manage all by force . If they have had the power , to do within the Kingdom what they have lately put in execution , what will they not do as to Affairs without ? If they have not spared their own Country-men , with whom they had daily Commerce , who were serviceable to them , will they spare the unknown ? Will they have more respect to Truces or Conventions of four days Transaction , than to an Edict of an hundred years continuance , and that the most August and Solemn that ever was which yet they made no other use of then to amuse a People , and to involve them more surely in an utter Desolation ? Methinks they have resolv'd to bring things to this pass , That there being no more Faith to be had in France , all her Neighbours should be continually upon their Guard against her , and the more so when she promises , then when she threatens ; more in Peace then in War ; so that there is no more hopes of being at quiet , but what the Surety of Hostages , or the diminution of her Forces can give . This being so in respect of all Princes and States in general , what may the Protestant Princes and States in particular think , but that it is the design of France to ruine them all , and to make no stop till she has devoured them . Every body knows , that the Protestant Princes understand their Interests well enough , to be able to discern them through the Clouds , wherewith they would cover them ; and 't is not doubted but they see , that this is a beginning or Essay , which France expects shortly to give the last stroak to . The Court there has suffer'd it self to be possess'd with gross Bigotry , and a false Zeal of Catholicism . 'T is the Genius a ▪ la mode ; each there is become a persecutor , even to Fire and Sword ; and there are some perswaded , that this shall weigh down the Ballance . Vain Glory is no small Ingredient in this design , Policy has her Prospects , and Mysteries in it too ; and as these Prospects have no Bounds , so her Mysteries want not invisible Springs , and surprising ways , which she will joyn when she pleases to the Power of Arms. She thinks the Season is ripe , and she needs only to dare . The easiness she has found in making Conquests and Conversions swells her Courage , and already some talk of nothing but a further progress in so fair a way . 'T is to be hoped that Protestant Princes and States will from thence draw their just Conclusions . As to Catholick Princes and States , they have too sagacious Judgments , not to see how much they share in this Affair . It will be made use of to break the good understanding which is betwixt them and the Protestants , by amusing those with the fair Pretext of the Catholick Religion , and cunningly inspiring these with Jealousies of a general Design to destroy them . If the Catholick Princes and States remove not these Suspitions , if they suffer France still to aggrandize her self by her pretended Zeal for Catholicism , which at the bottom is but a Mask , they may already be assured , that they are lost . It will signifie little to say , We are good Catholicks as well as you , this will not secure them from Dragoons , all that will not take the Yoke shall be Hereticks ; nay , worse than an Heretick ; for now the greatest Heresie is not to submit ; Spain , Germany and Italy already know this in some measure . But it will not be thought a Paradox , if , to all that we have said , we add , That the Pope himself , and the whole Body of the Roman Church , find themselves sensibly interess'd in the Persecution of us . And yet we will say nothing herein , but what is evident Truth , and which the wisest of the Roman Catholicks must agree to . For is it not the worst Character that can be given of the Roman Clergy , to represent them as an Order of Men , who not only cannot endure any thing that is not subject to them in a Religious , but also in Civil Society ; as Men that are not content to Anathematize all that displease them , but design nothing so much as to exterminate them , not only to exterminate them , but also to force their Consciences , and inspire their Opinions ; and propagate their way of Worship by the knocking Arguments of Swords and Staves ; as an Order of Men , who neither Faith nor Justice , who promise only to deceive , who for a while curb their fury only , that afterwards they may the more insult , that in Peace as well as War , contrive only to overturn and destroy , that make Allyances only to surprize , and finding themselves more powerful , deny those they have surprized the Liberty to escape . These are the exact Features and Colours by which the Roman Clergy may be easily known , if we judge of them by the persecution in France , the like whereof was never seen to this day : The Aegyptians and Assyrians once persecuted the Israelites , but forced them not to embrace the Worship of their Idols ; they contented themselves with making them Slaves , without doing violence to their Consciences . The Heathens and the Jews persecuted the primitive Christians , forced their Consciences indeed , but they had never granted them an Edict , nor by persecuting them did violate the publick Faith , nor hindred them to make their escape by Flight . The Arrians cruelly persecuted the Orthodox , but besides that , they went not so far , as to make the common sort of people sign formal Abjurations ; there was no Edict or Concordat between the Two Communions . Innocent the 3d. by his Croysades , persecuted the Waldenses , and Albigenses , but these people also had no Edict . Emanuel , King of Portugal , furiously persecuted the Jews , but he gave them leave to depart out of his Kingdom , and they had no Edict . It was the same with those Remains of the Moors , who had setled themselves in some Cantons of the Kingdom of Granada , they were defeated in a War , and commanded to retire into the Country from whence their Ancestors came . In the last Age the Duke of Alva exercised dreadful Cruelties upon the Protestants of the Seventeen Provinces , but he did not hinder them from flying , nor violated any Edict ; and at the worst , death was their Release . The Inquisition is to this day in Spain and Italy , but they are Countries , in which no Religion , besides the Roman , was ever permitted by Edicts , and if the Inquisitors may be accused of Violence and Cruelty , yet they cannot be convicted of Perfidiousness . But in this last Persecution of France , there are Five things that strike the Mind with horror ; they make the Consciences and Religion of Men to depend Soveraignly upon the Will of a King , they violate a Faith Authentickly sworn to , they force Men to be Hypocrites , and wicked , by seeming to embrace a Religion which they abhor ; they prohibit all Flights or retiring out of the Kingdom ; they do not put to death , but preserve Life to oppress it with longer Torments . If after this the Court of Rome and its Clergy , dispersed over the rest of Europe , disclaim not so odious and so criminal a Conduct ; if they condemn it not , it will be an indelibel Stain to the Honour of their Religion . Not only Protestants , who are of a different Communion , but also in an infinite number of their own Catholicks , will be mightily scandaliz'd thereat : nay , even the Turks and Jews and Pagans will rise up in Judgment against them . They may already know what they have bin condemned of , in what passed in the Council of Constance , concerning John Huss , and Jerom of Prague , whom they put to Death , notwithstanding the safe Conduct of the Emperor Sigismund ; but there is something greater here : There only Two Men were concerned , here more than 1500000. those they put to Death , and if they had done the same to these , they would have embraced their Death with Joy and Comfort . The Council thought its Authority greater than Sigismund's , but there cannot be produced one above that which has establish'd our Edict . We are not ignorant of the different Methods which the Persecutors take to shelter themselves from publick Condemnation . Some take a speedy course to deny the Fact ; and to perswade the World ; That Force and Violence have had no share in the Conversions , but that they were soft , and calm , and voluntary ; and that if there were any Dragoons concerned therein , 't was because the Reformed themselves desired them , that they might have a handsom pretence to change their Religion . Was there ever seen so much Impudence ? What will they not deny , who can deny what 's done in the Face of the Sun , and what a whole Kingdom from one end of it to the other hath seen , and to this day sees ? For in the beginning of the year 1686. whilst I am composing this sad Rehearsal , they continue to exercise in France the same Rage , that ended the preceding year , the same Dragoons both in Cities and Countries execute the same Fury against some lamentable Remains of Protestants , who will not fall down and worship . They are used like Rebels in their Persons , in their Estates , in their Wives , and in their Children ; and if there be any difference , 't is in this that their sufferings are still increasing . Yet if we will believe the Clergy , haranguing the King , and the Bishop of Valence their Speaker , he tells his Majesty how miraculous his Reign is , seeing such infinite number of Conversions are made to the Roman Church , without violences and Arms ; much less , saith he , by the force of your Edicts , as by the example of your exemplary Piety . If we will believe the greatest part of the Abjurations which these poor Opprest People , are forc'd to make , they speak indeed the same sence , viz. That they have done this without being constrain'd thereto . Thus is the Credulity of the publick impos'd on : They have Seeds of Imposture sown at their Feet , which are to grow with the time . Posterity who shall see these Records , will belive they contain the truth ; Here , say they , is what has bin told the King , who must not have falshoods offer'd him : Here is the proper acts and deeds of those that were converted . Why will not then Posterity believe it , seeing that at present , there are indeed people impudent enough , or to speak better , paid well enough to publish it in strange Countries ; and there are found credible persons enough to believe it . But I pray what likelihood is there , that 150000 persons already gone out of France , without any thing constraining them to it , should leave their Houses , their Lands of Inheritance , their Effects , and several their Wives and Children , for to wander about the World , and lead a miserable Life for a humour . Is there any likelihood , that Persons of Quality of both Sexes , who enjoyed 10 , 15 , 20 , 30 thousand Livers per annum , would abandon these their Estates , not only for themselves , but for their Successors ; expose themselves to the periss , and incommodiousness of long Journies , and reduce themselves in a manner to Beggary ; which is a condition the most insupportable in the world , to Persons of Quality ; and all this without any reason , without any occasion ? What likelihood that this 150 thousand persons who have already escap'd , some of 'em into Switzerland , others into Germany , some into Denmark , others into Holland , some into Suedeland , and others into England , and some into America , without seeing or knowing one another , yet have agreed to tell the same lie , and to say with one voice , That the Protestants are cruelly persecuted in France ; and that by unheard of Severities they are forc'd to change their Religion ; altho' there is no such matter ? Is it likely that the Embassadors and Envoys of Foreign Princes , should lye all of them in consórt , in telling them this news , wherein there is no truth ? But I pray , If in France the Protestants thus voluntarily , and without constraint change their Religion , & that the Dragoons are cal'd in only as their good friends , whence happens this so strict & general Guard on the Frontiers , to hinder Peoples departure ? How is it that the Prisons of the Kingdom are cram'd , with Fugitives stopt by the way ? Whence is it , that those who have chang'd , are watch'd with such great care to hinder their flight ; to the obliging them to deposit sums of money to secure them from the suspition of it ? This must be an Epidemical Distemper that has seiz'd on his Majesties Subjects , that shall make them fly thus without reason ? But is not this a fine cover , to say that the Protestants have themselves call'd in the Dragoons , to have the better pretence to change their Religion ? It is about 10 or more years since there was a Bankset up to traffick for Souls . Mr. Pelison , has for a long time bin the great dealer of Paris , in this infamous Trade of purchasing Converts . These Conversions have of late , bin the only way of gaining applause , and recompences at Court , and in a word , a means of raising ones Fortune ; and yet we must be told , that instead of being Converted by these easie ways , we had rather choose the help of Dragoons , that is , of being pillag'd . At least let any one tell us , why since these pretended voluntary Conversions , the People not willing to go to Mass , they have bin obliged to send them Troops , and use them with the same severity as before . This is so gross and palpable an untruth , that others have undertaken to defend these Violences , as being naturally of the genuine Spirit of the Catholick Church ; and for this purpose , they have continually in their mouths that passage of the Gospel , compelle intrare , compel them to come in , and the persecution which the Orthodox of Africk offer'd the Donatists , &c. Were this a place to dispute against these furious Divines , we could easily show 'em the vanity of these allegations ; but we shall rather ask 'em , whether the Jews and Pagans had agreed upon an Edict with the Apostles , when our Saviour says to them , compel them to come in . Has St. Augustin ever written , for he is cited in this matter , That we ought to be perfidious towards those whom we esteem as Hereticks , when we promis'd to live with 'em like Brethren and fellow Citizens . The Donatists , had they any Edicts which would shelter 'em from the insults of the Orthodox ? If we yield to this detestable Divinity , what will become of all us Christians ? For in short , the Papist is as much an Heretick to the Protestants , as the Protestants are to the Papist ; yet they live together in peace , on the Faith of Alliances , Treaties and Promises . But these publick Pests as much as in them lies have brought all things into confusion , and a State of War. They arm the Catholicks against the Protestants , teaching the Catholicks by this example , that their Religion obliges him to betray and surprise the Protestants , when they can do it unpunish'd ; and knock ●ut their Brains if they will not change their Religion . They arm the Protestant against the Catholick ; for after all , what Peace , and Society can we have with People , who not only make no Conscience to break their Faith ; but on the contrary , make it a case of Conscience to break it , when they shall find occasion . Thus have they by their Dragoons desolated a Kingdom , and plunder'd above a 100 thousand Families . Do we think this method , is pleasing to him , whom we both own to be the Author of our Faith ; he has said , That he will not suffer Hell Gates to ruine his Church ; but he has not said , he will open Hell Gates for the propagating his Church . Now if there were any thing that looks like the Gates of Hell , it is the persecutions of France . Whatsoever Antipathy there may be between the See of Rome and us , we will not believe that the present Pope has had any part , or that the Storm has fallen on us from him . We know he is a mild Prince , and his temper leads to more moderate Councils than those of his Predecessors . Moreover we know , the Clergy of France do not always consult him in what they undertake ; and we have had often offered to us , what has bin done against Rome , to induce us to submit our selves to the King's will in these other matters ; and how small a deference is paid to its Authority . So that we hope the Pope himself , considering us still as Men and Christians , will condole us , and blame the methods used against us , had he no other reason than the interest of Religion . Perhaps one day , it will be our turn to blame that which will be taken against him . However , 't is certain the Protestants of France are the most fit objects of publick compassion , the world ever knew . Some sigh and lament under a hard Slavery , which they would willingly change for Irons in Algiers or Turke . For there they would not be forced to turn Mahometans , and might still entertain some hopes of liberty by the way of rans●m ▪ Others are wandering about strange Countries , stript of their Estates , separated in all probability , for ever from their Parents , their Relations and Friends , whom they have left in the most doleful condition imaginable Husbands have left their Wives , and Wives their Husbands ; Fathers their Children , and Children their Fathers . We have seen our Estates vanish in a moment , our honest ways of living , our hopes , our Inheritances . We have scarcely any thing left us but our miserable Lives , and they are supported by the Charity of our Christian Brethren . Yet amongst all these Afflictions we are not destitute of Comfort ; we , if ever any did , do truly suffer for Conscience sake ; the Malice of our Persecutors not being able to charge us with the least Misdemeanour . We have served our King and the State with Zeal and Faithfulness . We have submitted to the Laws and to Magistrates ; and for our Fellow-Citizens , they have no reason to complain of us . We have for Twenty years together suffered with an unexemplary patience all those furious and dreadful Storms aforementioned . And when in Vivaretz and Cevennes , some have thought themselves bound in Conscience to preach on the Ruines of their Temples illegally demolisht , their small number , which were but a handful of Men , Women and Children , has only served to stir up more the Resignation and Obedience of our whole Body . In these latter Storms we have been like Sheep , innocent and without defence . We then comfort our selves in the Justice of our Cause , and our peaceable Deportment under it . But we comfort our selves likewise in the Christian Compassion shewed us by Forrein Princes , and more especially of his Majesty of England , who has received us into his Countries , succoured and relieved us , and recommended our distressed Condition to all his Subjects ; and we have found in them not only new Masters , or the Affections of new Friends , but of real Parents and Brethren . And as these bowels of Commiseration have been as Balm to our Wounds , so we shall never lose the remembrance of it , and hope we nor our Children shall ever do any thing , by Gods Grace , unworthy any of these their protections . All our Affliction then is , to see our Religion oppressed in the Kingdom of France ; so many Churches wherein God was daily served according to the simplicity of the Gospel , demolished , so many Flocks dispers'd , so many poor Consciences sighing and groaning under their Bondage ; so many Children deprived of the lawful Education of their Parent ; but we hope that at length the same God who heard heretofore the Sighs of his People in the Servitude of Egypt , will also hear at this time the Cries of his Faithful Servants . We call not for Fire from Heaven , We are for no resistance , we only pray that God would touch the Hearts of our Persecuters , that they may repent , and be saved together with us . We entreat such a deliverance , as he in his Wisdom shall think fitting . However 't will be no Offence to God nor Good Men to leave this Writing to the World , as a Protestation made before him , and them against these Violences ; more especially against the Edict of 1685. containing the Revocation of that of Nants , it being in its own Nature inviolable , irrevocable , and unalterable . We may , I say , complain amongst other things against the worse than inhumane Cruelties exercised on dead Bodies , when they are drag'd along the Streets at the Horse Tayls , and dig'd out , and denyed Sepulchers . We cannot but complain of the Cruel Orders to part with our Children , and suffer them to be Baptized , and brought up by our Enemies . But above all , against the impious and detestable practise , now in vogue , of making Religion to depend on the Kings pleasure , on the will of a Mortal Prince , and of treating perseverance in the Faith with the odious name of Rebellion : This is to make a God of Man , and to run back into the Heathenish pride and flattery amongst the Romans ; or an authorising of Atheism or gross Idolatry . In fine , we commit our Complaints , and all our Interests into the Hands of that Providence , which brings Good out of Evil , and which is above the Understanding of Mortals , whose Houses are in the Dust . An EDICT of the French KING , Prohibiting all Publick Exercise of the Pretended Reformed Religion in His Kingdom . LEWES , by the Grace of God , King of France and of Navarre , to all present and to come , Greeting . King Henry the Great , Our Grandfather of Glorious Memory , desiring to prevent , that the Peace which he had procured for his Subjects , after the great Losses they had sustained , by the long continuance of Civil and Forreign Wars , might not be disturbed by occasion of the pretended Reformed Religion , as it had been during the Reigns of the Kings his Predecessors , had by his Edict given at Nantes , in the Month of April , 1598. Regulated the Conduct which was to be observed with Respect to those of the said Religion , the places where they might publickly exercise the same , appointed extraordinary Judges , to administer Justice to them ; and lastly , also by several distinct Articles provided for every thing , which he judged needful for the maintenance of Peace and Tranquility in his Kingdom , and to diminish the Aversion which was between those of the one and other Religion ; and this , to the end that he might be in a better condition for the taking some effectual course ( which he was resolved to do ) to reunite those again to the Church , who upon so slight occasions had withdrawn themselves from it . And forasmuch as this Intention of the King , our said Grandfather , could not be effected , by reason of his suddain and precipitated Death ; and that the Execution of the foresaid Edict was interrupted during the Minority of the late King , Our most Honoured Lord and Father , of Glorious Memory , by reason of some new Enter-prises of those of the pretended Reformed Religion , whereby they gave occasion for their being deprived of several Advantages which had been granted to them , by the foresaid Edict : Notwithstanding , the King , Our said late Lord and Father , according to his wonted Clemency , granted them another Edict at Nismes , in the Month of July 1629 , by means of which the Peace and Quiet of the Kingdom being now again re-established , the said late King , being animated with the same Spirit and Zeal for Religion , as the King our said Grandfather was , resolved to make good use of this Tranquility , by endeavouring to put this pious design in Execution , but Wars abroad , coming on a few years after , so that from the Year 1635 , to the Truce which was concluded with the Princes of Europe , in 1684. The Kingdom having been only for some short Intervals altogether free from troubles , it was not possible to do any other thing for the advantage of Religion , save only to diminish the number of places permitted for the Exercise of the Pretended Reformed Religion , as well by the Interdiction of those which were found erected in prejudice to the disposal made in the said Edict , as by suppressing the mix'd Chambers of Judicature , which were composed of an equal number of Papists and Protestants , the erecting of which was only done by Provision , and to serve the present Exigency . Whereas therefore at length it hath pleased God to grant , that Our Subjects enjoying a perfect Peace , and We Our selves being no longer taken up with the cares of protecting them against our Enemies , are now in a condition to make good use of the said Truce , which we have on purpose facilitated , in order to the applying our selves entirely in the searching out of means , which might successfully effect and accomplish the design of the Kings , our said Grandfather and Father , and which also have been our intention ever since we came to the Crown ; we see at present ( not without a just acknowledgment of what we owe to God on that account ) that our endeavours have attain'd the end we proposed to Our selves , forasmuch as the greater and better part of our Subjects of the said Pretended Reformed Religion have already embraced the Catholick , and sice by means thereof , the Execution of the Edict of Nantes , and of all other Ordinances in favour of the said Pretended Reformed Religion is made useless , we judge that we can do nothing better towards the entire effacing of the Memory of those Troubles , Confusion and Mischief , which the Progress of that false Religion , hath been the cause of in Our Kingdom , and which have given occasion to the said Edict , and to so many other Edicts and Declarations which went before it , or were made since with reference thereto , than by a total Revocation of the said Edict of Nantes , and the perticular Articles and Concessions granted therein , and whatsoever else hath been Enacted since in favour of the said Religion . I. We m●k● known , that we , for these and other Reasons us thereto moving , and of u●certain Knowledg , full Power and Royal Authority , have by the present perpetual and irrevocable Edict , Suppressd and Annull'd , do suppress and annul the Edict of the King , our said Grand father , given at Nantes in April , 1598 in its whole extent , together with the particular Arcicles ratified the Second of May , next following , and Letters Patent granted thereupon ; as likewise the Edict given at Nismes , in July 1629. declaring them null and void , as if they had never been Enacted , together with all the Concessions granted in them , as well as other Declarations , Edicts , and Arrests , to those of the Pretended Reformed Religion , of what Nature soever they may be , which shall all continue as if they never had been . And in pursuance hereof , we Will , and it is our Pleasure , that all the Churches of those of the Pretended Reformed Religion , scituate in our Kingdom Countries , Lands , and Dominions belonging to us , be forthwith demolished . II. We forbid our Subjects of the Pretended Reformed Religion to Assemble themselves , for time to come , in order to the Exercise of their Religion , in any Place or House under what Pretext soever , whether the said places have been granted by the Crown , or permitted by the Judges of particular Places ; any Arrests of our Council , for Authorizing and Establishing of the said places for Exercise , notwithstanding . III. We likewise prohibit all Lords , of what condition soever they may be , to have any publick Exercise in their Houses and Fiefs , of what quality soever the said Fiefs may be , upon Penalty to all our said Subjects , who shall have the said Exercises performed in their Houses or otherwise , of Confiscation of Body and Goods . IV. We do strictly Charge and Command all Ministers of the said Pretended Reformed Religion , who are not willing to be Converted , and to embrace the Catholick Apostolick and Roman Religion , to depart out of our Kingdom and Countries under our Obedience , fifteen days after the Publication hereof , so as not to continue there beyond the said term , or within the same , to Preach , Exhort , or perform any other Ministerial Function , upon pain of being sent to the Galleys . V. Our Will and Pleasure is , that those Ministers who shall be converted , do continue to enjoy , during their Lives , and their Widows after their decease , so long as they continue so , the same Exemptions from Payments and Quartering of Souldiers , which they did enjoy during the time of their Exercise of the Ministerial Function . Moreover we will cause to be paid to the said Ministers , during their Lives a Pension , which by a third Part shall exceed the appointed Allowance to them as Ministers ; the half of which Pension shall be continued to their Wives , after their Decease , as long as they shall continue in the state of Widdow hood . VI. And in case any of the said Ministers shall be willing to become Advocates , or to take the Degree of Doctors in Law , we will and Vnderstand that they be dispensedwith , as to the three Years of Study , which are prescribed by our Declarations , as requisite , in order to the taking of the said Degree , and that after they have pass'd the ordinary Examinations , they be forthwith received as Doctors , paying only the Moy●ty of those dues which are usually paid upon that account in every Vniversity . VII . We prohibit any particular Schools for instructing the Children of those of the Pretended Reformed Religion , and in general all other things whatsoever , which may imp●rt a Concession of what kind soever , in favour of the said Religion . VIII . And as to the Children which shall for the future be born of those of the said Pretended Reformed Religion , Our will and Pleasure is , that henceforward they be baptized by the Curates of our Parishes ; strictly charging their respective Fathers and Mothers to take care they be sent to Church in order thereto , upon Forfeiture of 500 Livres or more , as it shall happen . Furthermore , Our will is , that the said Children be afterwards educated and brought up in the Catholick , Apostolick and Roman Religion , and give an express Charge to all Our Justices , to take care the same be performed accordingly . IX . And for a Mark of our Clemenctowards those of our Subjects of the said Pretended Reformed Religion , who have retired themselves out of our Kingdom , Countries and Territories , before the Publication of this our present Edict , our will and meaning is , that in case they return thither again , within the time of four Months , from the time of the Publication hereof they may , and it shall be lawful for them , to Re-enter upon the Possession of their Goods and Estates , and enjoy the same in like manner , as they might have done in case they had always continued upon the place . And on the contrary , that the Goods of all those , who within the said time of four Months , shall not return into our Kingdom , Countries or Territories , under our Obedience , which they have forsaken , remain and be Confiscated in pursuance of our Declaration of the 20th . of August last . X. We most expresly and strictly forbid all our Subjects of the said pretended Reformed Religion , them , their Wives or Children , to depart out of our said Kingdom , Countries , or Territories under our Obedience , or to Transport thence their Goods or Effects , upon penalty of the Gally , for Men , and of Confiscation of Body and Goods for Women . XI . Our Will and Meaning is , that the Declarations made against those who shall relapse , be Executed upon them according t● their Form and Tenor. Moreover , those of the said Pretended Reformed Religion , in the meantime , till it shall please God to enlighten them as well as others , may abide in the several respective Cities and Places of our Kingdoms , Countries and Territories under our Obedience , and there continue their Commerce , and enjoy their Goods and Estates , without being any way molested upon account of the said Pretended Reformed Religion , upon condition nevertheless , as aforementioned , that they do not use any publick Religious Exercise , nor assemble themselves upon the account of Prayer or Worship of the said Religion , of what kind soever the same may be , upon forfeiture above specified of Body and Goods . Accordingly , We Will and Command our Trusty and Beloved Counsellors , the People holding our Courts of Aids at Paris , Bayliffs , Chief Justices , Provosts , and other our Justices and Officers to whom it appertains , and to their Lieutenants , that they cause to be Read , Published and Registred , this Our present Edict in their Courts and Jurisdictions , even in vacation time , and the same keep punctually , without contravening or suffering the same to be contravened ; for such is Our Will and Pleasure . And to the end to make it a thing firm and stable , we have caused our Seal to be put to the same . Given at Fountainbleau in the Month of October , in the Year of Grace 1685 , and of Our Reign the 43. Sealed with the Great Seal of Green-Wax , upon a Red and Green string of Silk . Signed LEWES . This signifies the Lord Chancellors perusal . VISA . Le Tellier . REgistred and Published , the Kings Procurator or Attorney General , requiring it , in order to their being Executed according to Form and Tenor , and the Copies being Examined and Compared , sent to the several Courts of Justice , Bailywicks , and Sheriffs Courts of each Destrict , to be there entred and Registred in like manner , and charge given to the Deputies of the said Attorney General , to take care to see the same Executed and put in Force , and to certifie the Court thereof . At Paris in the Court of Vacations the 22d . of October , 1685. Signed De la Baune . The Profession of the Catholick , Apostolick , and Roman Faith , which the Revolting Protestants in France are to Subscribe and Swear to . IN the Name of the Father , Son , and Holy Ghost , Amen . I Believe and Confess with a firm Faith , all and every thing and things contained in the Creed which is used by the Holy Church of Rome , viz I receive and embrace most sincerely the Apostolick and Ecclesiastical Traditions , and other Observances of the said Church . In like manner I receive the Scriptures , but in the same sense as the said Mother Church hath , and doth now understand and expound the same , for whom and to whom it only doth belong to judge of the Interpretation of the Sacred Scriptures ; and I will never take them , nor understand them otherwise than according to the unanimous consent of the Fathers . I profess that there be truly and properly seven Sacraments of the New Law , instituted by our Lord Jesus Christ , and necessary for the Salvation of Mankind , altho not equally needful for every one , viz. Baptism , Confirmation , the Eucharist , Penance , Extream Unction , Orders and Marriage ; and that they do confer Grace ; and that Baptism and Orders may not be reiterated without Sacriledge : I receive and admit also the Ceremonies received and approved by the Catholic Church in the solemn administration of the forementioned Sacraments . I receive and embrace all and every thing and things which have been determined concerning Original Sin and Justification by the holy Council of Trent . I likewise profess , that in the Mass there is offered up to God , a true , proper , and propitiatory Sacrifice for the Living and Dead ; and that in the Holy Sacrament of the Encharist , there is truly , really and substantially , the Body and Blood , together with the Soul and Divinity of our Lord Jesus Christ ; and that in it there is made a change of the whole substance of the Bread into his Body , and of the whole substance of the Wine into his Blood , which change the Catholick Church calls Transubstantiation . I confess also , that under one only of these two Elements , whole Christ and the true Sacrament is received . I constantly believe and affirm , that there is a Purgatory , and that the Souls there detained , are relieved by the Suffrages of the Faithful . In like manner , I believe that the Saints reigning in Glory with Jesus Christ , are to be worshipped and invocated by us , and that they offer up Prayers to God for us , and that their Reliques ought to be honoured . Moreover , I do most stedfastly avow , that the Images of Jesus Christ , of the Blessed Virgin the Mother of God , and of other Saints , ought to be kept and retained , and that due Honour and Veneration must be yielded unto them . Also I do affirm , that the power of Indulgence was left to the Church by Christ Jesus , and that the use there of is very beneficial to Christians . I do acknowledg the holy Catholick , Apostolick and Roman Church , to be the Mother and Mistress of all other Churches ; and I profess and swear true obedience to the Pope of Rome , Successor of the Blessed St. Peter , Prince of the Apostles , and Vicar of Jesus Christ . In like manner I own and profess , without doubting , all other things left defined and declared by the Holy Canons and General Councils , especially by the most holy Council of Trent ; and withal , I do condemn , reject , and hold for accursed , all things that are contrary thereto ; and all those Heresies which have been condemned , rejected , and accursed by the Church . And then swearing upon the Book of the Gospel , the Party recanting must say : I promise , vow and swear , and most constantly profess , by God's assistance , to keep intirely and inviolably , unto death , this self same Catholick and Apostolick Faith , out of which no person can be saved ; and this I do most truly and willingly profess , and that I will to the utmost of my Power , endeavour that it may be maintained and upheld as far as any ways belong to my charge ; so help me God and the holy Virgin. The Certificate which the Party Recanting is to leave with the Priest , before whom he makes his Abjuration . IN. N. of the Parish of N. do Certifie all whom it may Concern , That having acknowledged the falseness of the pretended Reformed , and the Truth of the Catholick Religion , of my own Free-will , without any Compulsion , I have accordingly made Profession of the said Catholick and Roman Religion in the Church of N. in the hands of N. N. In Testimony of the Truth whereof , I have signed this Act in the presence of the Witnesses , whose Names are under written , this — day of the Month of the — year of the Reign of our Soveraign Lord the King , and of our Redemption — FINIS .