The Acts of Famous National Councils of the Reformed Churches in France, Introduction 2 · Section 33 – Section 37
SECT. XXXIII.
But we ſhall proceed one ſtep farther, and diſcover in this ſhort Abridgment how the Faith and Patience of God's Saints was farther tryed and exerciſed in France, before the laſt deluge of Popiſh Fury was poured out upon them. There were new Laws and Orders as ſo many new Engines and Racks invented to torment them. This is the fourth method deviſed by them.
The firſt of theſe Orders which appeared was touching the manner of Burial, and Interring the dead. In thoſe places where the exerciſe of our Religion was actually eſtabliſhed, the number of Attendants was reduced to thirty Perſons, and to ten where it was not.
Orders were alſo iſſued out to hinder the Communication of one Province with another, by Circular Letters, or any other way whatſoever; though it were about matters of Alms, and the diſtributions of Charity.
There were likewiſe Prohibitions made of holding Colloquies in the Interval of Synods, excepting in two Caſes, viz. to provide Miniſters for Churches deſtitute upon the Death of their Paſtors, and the cenſuring of greater Scandals.
They deſpoiled alſo thoſe places, which they called Exerciſes de Fief, of all the Characters and Priviledges of a Temple, as the Bell, Pulpit, and other things of that nature.
They forbad alſo the Reception and Ordination of Miniſters in any Synods, or to have their Deciſive Vote in them, or to Regiſter them in the Catalogue of thoſe Churches to which they appertained.
One Decree forbiddeth the ſinging of Pſalms in their private Houſes, yea, and another to forbear ſinging in their Temples, when as their Conſecrated Hoſt was carried by in Proceſſion.
One Decree forbids all Marriages at ſuch times as they be prohibited by the Church of Rome, viz. Lent, and the Ember Weeks, &c.
By another Decree their Miniſters are not ſuffered to Preach at any conſiderable diſtance from their Reſidence, leſt they ſhould have the ſorry priviledge of an annexed Congregation, a poor plurality. For one Church being of it ſelf utterly unable to maintain a Miniſter, ſometimes two or three would join together to make up a Competency for his ſubſiſtence.
Other Decrees forbid their ſetling in any places, unleſs ſent unto them by their Synod, though the Conſiſtories had given them a ſolemn Call, according to their uſual Forms.
Another Decree comes forth to hinder Synods from ſending to any Churches more Miniſters than were there in the preceding Synod.
Another Decree prohibits all Propoſans, Students in Divinity, to ſtudy in Foreign Univerſities.
Other Decrees baniſh all Foreign Miniſters, not born in the Kingdom, though they had been Ordained in France, and ſpent the greateſt part of their Lives in it, out of it.
Another Decree forbad all Miniſters, and Candidates for the Miniſtry, to reſide in thoſe places where Preaching was forbidden, or nearer to them than ſix Miles.
Another Decree 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.
There was one Decree, and that a moſt ridiculous one, Enacted, That all the backs of the Seats in their Temples muſt be removed, that ſo they might be reduced to moſt accurate and decent Uniformity.
Another Decree to hinder richer Churches from aſſiſting the weaker, in maintaining of their Miniſters, and other neceſſities.
Another Decree obligeth Parents to give their Children, who had changed their Religion, great Penſions.
Another forbiddeth Marriages betwixt Perſons of different Religions, notwithſtanding their Scandalous Cohabitation.
Another prohibiteth thoſe of the Reformed Religion from that time to entertain in their Houſes any Domeſtick Servants, who were Roman Catholicks.
Another maketh them uncapable of being Tutors or Guardians, and conſequently did put all Minors, whoſe Fathers died in the Profeſſion of the Proteſtant Religion, under the Power and Education of Roman Catholicks.
Another forbiddeth Miniſters and Elders to hinder any of their Flock, either directly or indirectly, to embrace the Roman Religion, or to diſſwade them from it.
Another forbiddeth Jews and Mahometans to embrace the Reformed Religion, and the Miniſters, either to inſtruct or receive them into it.
Another injoineth Synods to receive ſuch Roman Catholick Commiſſioners as ſhould be ſent them from the King, with an expreſs Order to do nothing, but in their preſence.
Another forbiddeth Conſiſtories to aſſemble oftner than once a fortnight, and that too only in the preſence of the Roman Catholick Commiſſioner.
Another forbiddeth Conſiſtories, on pretence of Charity, to aſſiſt poor ſick Perſons of their Religion, and ordaineth, that our ſick ſhall be carried into the Popiſh Hoſpitals, moſt ſtrictly forbidding all Perſons to entertain them in their Houſes.
Another Decree doth in favour of the Popiſh Hoſpitals, confiſcate all the Lands, Rents, and other Profits of what nature ſoever, which might have appertained to a condemned Church.
Another forbiddeth Miniſters to come nearer than three Leagues to that place, where the priviledge of Preaching was under debate or queſtion.
Another Decree confiſcated to the Popiſh Hoſpitals all Rents and Revenues ſet apart for maintaining the Poor, even in thoſe Churches which were yet ſtanding.
Another ſubjecteth ſick and dying Perſons to the neceſſity of receiving viſits ſometimes from Judges, Commiſſioners, Church-Wardens, ſometimes of Curates, Monks, Miſſionaries, or other Popiſh Eccleſiaſticks, thereby to induce them to change their Religion, or to require of them an expreſs Declaration concerning it.
Another forbiddeth Parents to ſend their Children before ſixteen years of age, on any pretence whatſoever, to travel in Foreign Countries.
Another doth prohibit Lords and Gentlemen to continue the Exerciſe of Religion in their Houſes, unleſs they had firſt produced their Titles before the Commiſſioners, and obtained from them a Licence for Preaching in thoſe their Houſes.
Another Decree reſtraineth 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 forbiddeth the Churches of one Bailywick to receive into their Temples the Members of another Bailywick.
Another doth injoyn all Phyſicians, Apothecaries, and Chirurgions, to notifie unto Curates and Magiſtrates the condition of ſick Proteſtants, that ſo thoſe dying perſons may be viſited by them.
SECT. XXXIV.
But among all theſe New Laws none did more effectually promote the deſigns of the Romiſh Clergy than that perfidious Prohibition unto the Reformed, of Receiving into their Temples any of thoſe who had changed their Religion, no nor their Children, nor any Roman Catholick, of what Age, Sex, or Condition ſoever, on pain of forfeiting their Temples, and upon the Miniſters of undergoing l'Amende Honorable, (a puniſhment far more ignominious than that of the Stool of Repentance in the Church of Scotland, or the moſt rigid publick Penance in the Church of England) together with baniſhment, and confiſcation of their Goods and Eſtates. Moreover, the Reformed were injoyned to ſet up in all their Temples a particular Seat for the Roman Catholicks to ſit on. For by this means, no ſooner had any one a deſign and reſolution of changing his Religion, but they would make him do it in private, and the next Morning find him in the Temple; who being there obſerved by the Roman Catholicks, who were in their Seat, immediately Informations were given unto the Magiſtrates, and then without delay enſueth a Condemnation of the Temple, which was put in execution you cannot tell whether with greater ſpeed and diligence than rigour and ſeverity. The Roman Catholicks needed only to enter into the Temple upon pretence that they had places there, and then they ſlipt in among the Crowd, and this is made a Violation of the King's Laws and Declaration, which is immediately followed with an unavoidable Decree of Condemnation. By this Engine they deſtroyed a vaſt number of Temples, and clapt into Chains and Irons a multitude of innocent and godly Miniſters. For wicked Informers and falſe Witneſſes were never wanting on this occaſion.
SECT. XXXV.
Such violent Proceedings as theſe muſt needs make a ſtrong impreſſion upon the minds of the poor Reformed, and tell them plainly unto what mark they tended. And therefore very many of them, whoſe prudence foreſaw the Evil approaching, did in time provide for their ſafety, by leaving their Native Country. Some tranſported themſelves, their Families, and their Effects into one Kingdom, others into another, according as their Intereſts, Neceſſities, Conveniencies, and Inclinations led them. And I very well remember, that in the Year 1681. in May and June, whileſt I was Paſtor of the Engliſh Church of Middleburgh, it was then credibly reported, that 500 Families of French Merchants had quitted France, and ſetled themſelves at Amſterdam, and 50 Merchants more with their Houſholds had in thoſe very Months alſo retired unto Hamburgh. But this was what the Court never intended, for more reaſons than one. And therefore to prevent and hinder them, they renewed from time to time that Decree which we have formerly mentioned, that ſtrictly prohibited under the ſevereſt Penalties, any Perſons to depart the Kingdom without leave; and to this end they guarded all Paſſages on the Frontiers. But theſe Precautions could never fully anſwer their Expectations. And that they might blind the poor Reformed with ſome hopes that their rigorous Uſage would be abated at home, in the Year 1669. the French King revoketh ſeveral violent Decrees, which indeed produced Effects for the preſent anſwerable to their Deſigns. For theſe wiſe and judicious Men ſaw well enough, that this Moderation ſprang not from a good Principle, and that in the ſequel, the ſame Decrees would be again put in execution ſome other time, yet the greater part conceived and hoped, that they would contain themſelves within ſome bounds, with reſpect unto the general Body of the Reformed, and not paſs on to a total extirpation and deſtruction of them.
SECT. XXXVI.
And theſe very ſelf-ſame Concluſions have been often drawn from the ſeveral verbal Declarations, which did many times drop from the King's own Mouth, That He would indulge the Reformed, and do them perfect Juſtice, and let them enjoy the benefit of his Edicts in their full and moſt comprehenſive extent. That tho' he ſhould be very glad to ſee all his Subjects reunited to the Catholick Religion, and would for the effecting thereof contribute all his Power, yet ſhould there no Blood be ſhed for Religion during his Reign, nor upon this account any Violence exerciſed. Thoſe very Declarations having been frequently repeated, reiterated over and over, gave the poor Reformed ſome ground of hopes, that his Majeſty would not forget them, and eſpecially that in eſſential matters He would let them injoy the effects of his Goodneſs and Equity. And this was the rather expected by a Letter he wrote to that moſt ſerene and excellent Prince his Electoral Highneſs the Duke of Brandenburgh; Copies of which the Miniſters of State took care to diſperſe throughout the whole Kingdom. In this Letter the King aſſures him, that he was well ſatisfied with the behaviour of his Proteſtant Subjects: And for the Reader's ſatisfaction I have here inſerted it.
A Letter of the French King to the Prince Elector Duke of Brandenburgh.
BROTHER,
I Would not have diſcourſed the Matter you write to me about, on the behalf of my Subjects of the pretended Reformed Religion, with any other Prince, beſides your ſelf. But to ſhew you that particular eſteem I have for you, I ſhall begin with telling you, that ſome perſons diſaffected to my Service, have ſpread ſeditious Pamphlets among ſtrangers; as if the Acts and Edicts that were paſſed in favour of my ſaid Subjects of the pretended Reformed Religion by the Kings my Predeceſſors, and confirmed by my ſelf, were not kept and executed in my Dominions; which would have been contrary to my Intentions: for I take care, that they be maintained in all the Priviledges, which have been granted them, and be as kindly uſed as my other Subjects. To this I am engaged both by my Royal Word, and in acknowledgment of the Proofs they have given of their unſpotted Loyalty during the late Troubles, in which they took up Arms for my Service, and did vigorouſly oppoſe, and ſucceſsfully overthrow thoſe ill Deſigns which a rebellious Party were contriving within my own Dominions againſt my Royal Authority. I pray God to take you, Brother, into his Protection.
LOUIS.
N.B. That Rebellious Party, which the French King ſtigmatizeth ſo hainouſly in this Letter, were the Roman Catholicks adhering to the late Prince of Condé, who having ſome Evidences of the Illegitimacy of the preſent French King, began with the Sword in his hand to publiſh his own Banes unto the Crown of France. And the Loyal Proteſtants oppoſing this Rebellious Prince, and his Rebellious Army, and in the Providence of God having been the unhappy Inſtruments of his and their overthrow, are applauded by the King himſelf: from whence they drew this natural Concluſion, that he then, when he writ this Letter to the Duke of Brandenburgh, had no intentions to deſtroy them. But that they were miſtaken, and that Prince Elector abuſed, is notorious to the whole World.
SECT. XXXVII.
Another, and the fifth method uſed by the Council for their ruine, were thoſe jugling Tricks with which they were frequently amuſed. As for Example. At the ſame time that ſome Churches were Condemned, and accordingly demoliſhed, others were conſerved and confirmed: To make the World believe they were very Conſcientious Obſervers of the Rules and Meaſures of Juſtice; and that thoſe Temples condemned by them were ſuch, as were not grounded upon any good Titles. Sometimes they would mollify over-rigorous Orders and Decrees: At other times they ſeemed not to approve of thoſe violences which were offered by the Intendants and other Magiſtrates; and would therefore grant out new Orders to reſtrain and moderate them. After this manner did they hinder the Execution of a Decree made in the Parliament of Rouen, which injoined thoſe of the Reformed Religion to fall on their Knees when they met the Sacrament. Thus they alſo granted a Noli proſequi againſt the actings of a puny Judge of Charanton, who had ordered that Prayer in the Proteſtant Liturgy, who groaned under the Tyranny of Antichriſt, to be ſtruck out of it. And thus alſo they ſeemed not to favour another Perſecution which began to ſpread and become general in the Kingdom againſt the Miniſters, under pretence of obliging them to take an Oath of Allegiance, in which other Clauſes were inſerted contrary to what Miniſters do owe unto their Callings and Religion. And 'twas thus alſo that they ſuſpended the Execution of ſome Edicts, which they themſelves had procured, as well to tax the Miniſters as to oblige them to a preciſe Reſidence upon thoſe places where they exerciſed their Miniſtry. With the ſame deſign the Syndicks of the Clergy had the art to let the principal Churches of the Kingdom to be at reſt for many years together, without any diſturbance in their religious Aſſemblies, whilſt at the ſame time they deſolated all others in the Country. They ſuſpended alſo the Condemnation of the Univerſities to the very laſt.
The Court ſeemed at firſt unable to believe, and at laſt in no wiſe to approve the horrible exceſſes of Marillac, the Intendant of Poictou, which he committed in his Province; though yet that poor and bloody Fellow did nothing but by their expreſs Order.