The Acts of Famous National Councils of the Reformed Churches in France, Introduction 2 · Section 39
SECT. XXXIX.
But I ſhall add, the ſixth preparatory Machin uſed by the Perſecutors for the ruine of the poor Reformed in that Kingdom, which was an inſenſible and gradual diſpoſing of the People by Declarations and Decrees to deſire their utter extirpation, or to approve of it when once done, and to mitigate in their minds that Horrour which common Humanity hath of unjuſt and cruel Perſecutions. For this purpoſe they turn'd a great many Stones, uſed various Means, but the moſt common were the Sermons and Preachments of their Miſſionaries, and of other controverſial Predicators, with which they had ſtock'd the Kingdom of late Years, under the ſpecious Title of Royal Miſſions. Theſe were choice Youths, cull'd out for the nonce, whoſe Education had nothing of moderation, but were all fire and flame. There was no difficulty to judge what kind of Actors theſe would be upon the Stage of the World, when they were not only excited, but knew themſelves ſupported by Authority to blow the flames. And theſe Incendiaries did acquit themſelves ſo zealouſly of their Imploy, that it was not long of them if Tumults and Seditions have not ariſen in the greateſt and moſt populous Cities of the Realm, yea and in Paris itſelf: for which the prudence of the Magiſtrate is to be thanked and commended. Together with theſe Predicators we muſt yoke the Directors of Mens Conſciences, Confeſſors, Monks, Pariſh-Prieſts, and all Church-men from the higheſt Dignitary to the meaneſt Curate. For being acquainted with the Court's Intention, they contended one with another to manifeſt the greateſt zeal and averſion againſt the Reformed Religion, becauſe it was their intereſt ſo to do, and the only Ladder by which to mount up unto Eccleſiaſtical Preferments, and to acquire the fatteſt Benefices and moſt advantagious Fortunes in the Church. Hence the Streets in moſt Towns rang every day with the publication of new Decrees, Orders, Edicts, and Declarations, againſt the Proteſtants, as alſo of Satyrical Lampoons and Seditious Libels, which hit the humour of the French, and was moſt acceptable to them.
But this Engine gratified only the little People, and the Perſecutors had that mortification to ſee that the moſt ſober perſons, who were a degree above the Mobile, diſallowed theſe Acts and Practices. Wherefore they ſet the Pens of ſome Authors a work who had acquired by their Writings a reputation in the World, and amongſt others the Writer of the Hiſtory of Theodoſius the Great, and of Maimbourg, who was once a Jeſuite. He writ the Hiſtory of Calviniſm. But hath done Penance for it ever ſince, Monſieur Jurieu in his Parallel of Papiſm and Calviniſm, and in his Apology for the Reformation, having expoſed his Ignorance, Falſhoods, and Malice to the learned World. Monſieur Arnaud the Janſenist would make his Court alſo by venting his Choler againſt the Calviniſts. But tho' his Apology for the Catholicks was writ with as much gall, fire, and paſſion as the Bigots themſelves could deſire, yet it did not take, becauſe his perſon was not acceptable. The Old Man complained of it in a Letter to the Archbiſhop of Rheims, (Copies of which were diſperſed through all Paris) and aggravates his own Misfortunes, for that another who had done far leſs Services was gratified with 20000 Livers from the King, but He, good Soul, tho' he had deſerved much more, could not meet with ſo much as one Liart.
But we muſt not paſs by another of their famous Authors, Father Soulier, who was bred a Taylor, and had the wit to ſtitch and patch up An Hiſtory of the Edicts of Pacification. And Monſieur Nicole once a great Janſenist, but now a Convert of his Grace the Lord Archbiſhop of Paris, he ſends forth a Child of his own begetting with this fine Name, Proteſtants convinced of Schiſm. Nor may we overlook the Author of the Journal des Scavans, who in his ordinary Gazetts ſtoutly affirms, that the Catholick Faith muſt be planted as Mahomet's Alcoran by Fire and Sword, alledging this moſt unanſwerable Argument, That a King of Norway converted all the Nobles of his Country by threatning to kill their Children before their faces, if they would not conſent to have them baptized, and to be baptized themſelves. For a long time in Paris, and other Towns and Cities of the Kingdom we rencountred none but theſe kind of Writings, to ſo high a pitch was their paſſion flown.