Neighbours who for a long time had been at great difference to whom I thus address'd my self My dear Children why do you weep Pour forth Tears upon your selves and your sins which have pull'd down the wrath of God on you If you love me and are sorry for me give me the Comfort to see you embrace each other and let your Peace and Agreement be the last Fruit of my Ministry among you I had no sooner spoke these words but they fell upon the ground embracing each other and with their Faces in the Dust begg'd Pardon of one another On the other side I saw some Ladies with their Hair about their Ears Gentlemen Citizens and Country People who kissing my Hand begg'd my Blessing I gave it them with as much Zeal and as great elevation of Soul as I ever did in my Life My Wife whom the Count had refused the favour to follow me was now with me and hanging about my Neck melted into Tears She exhorted me in very pathetical terms to Patience and Perseverance I was in pain how to leave these good people but the Dragoons which were commanded to Guard me made them withdraw to make room for the Horse-Litter to march I was hardly got without the Court-gate of my House but I beheld a multitude of people which fill'd four streets and another place adjoyning to them At the same time that these disconsolate persons saw me they began to cry out Misericorde Misericorde Misericorde There were among them even some Roman Catholicks which shed tears with my people There was so great a Croud that one trod upon another to ask my Blessing Some of them cry'd Adieu my dear Friend Others Adieu my dear Pastor and all together lifting their hands and eyes up to Heaven wish'd me a thousand good things This sad sight and these sorrowful voices even rent my Heart and I swoonded away in my Litter and was forced to take Cordial Waters to restore me I was no sooner come to my self but I conjur'd those nearest about me to let me go in Peace But they again began to take me by the Hands the Feet and the Arms as if they would have kept me for ever The Dragoons themselves were so sensibly touch'd with this spectacle that they were observ'd to change colour and were not able to speak a word to these poor afflicted people There was a Person of worth in that Country who having enquir'd into all the particulars of this days Action said to one of my Friends who afterwards gave me an Account of it That he did not believe there were so many Tears shed in Rome at Liberius his going from thence nor at Alexandria when Athanasius was banish'd as was that day shed at Orange At last having been often stopt in the street I got out of the City by that Gate which is nearest my House where again I found more People weeping than I had met with in the City And here again we were forced to stop to give them my Blessing which they begg'd with great earnestness And on this manner I pass'd by three Gates of the City all the way accompanied with a continual croud of People I was stopt again in the Suburbs of the Angel where a Dragoon gave a box on the Ear to a poor Woman who was a Roman Catholick only because she bewail'd my Misfortune The care I always took to do Service to all Persons of either Religion had gain'd me their Hearts and Affections so that I did not much wonder to find a great many honest minds touch'd with my Sufferings I am perswaded some charitable Person had inform'd the Count de Tesse of the sad condition I was in and that it was to be fear'd I might die before I arriv'd at Pierre-Cise And upon this consideration it was doubtless that he countermanded the Orders he had given An Officer comes to him that commanded the Party that guarded me and bids him conduct me to a place call'd Saint Esprit and put me into the hands of the Chevalier De Montanegues who commanded there and to whom the Count de Tesse writ Immediately upon this new Order they march'd with me Abundance of my poor Flock still continually follow'd me the sight of them did but renew my sorrow for which reason I beg'd them to let me go in Peace since I was in the hands of God to whose Mercy I recommended them This Multitude accompanied me near half a League but having got clear from them I began to turn my thoughts upon my self I lift up my Heart to God in singing the 143 Psalm Lord hear my Prayer c. I recited not one Verse without making holy Reflections for strengthening me in this great Tryal After this I sang the 69 Psalm Save me O God c. But I was interrupted in this holy Employment by the violent pains of my broken Thigh The shaking of the Litter and the slips and false steps of the Mules did so loosen my Bones that I fancied I heard them crack and very often my Nephew John Convenent and two Footmen which the Count de Tesse permitted me to take along with me were forced to give me Cordial Waters to revive my Spirits and support my drooping Heart As I pass'd by Mornas a Village of that Countat the Inhabitants flock'd out to see me and void of all Pity reviled me and told me I deserv'd to be thrown into the Rhosne A change in ones Condition makes a change in Peoples Behaviour heretofore when I us'd to pass this way I met with all Honour and Civility One of the Guard of the Vice-Legat of Avignon to whom I had done some small kindness being posted here to hinder any of the People of Orange to pass as his Comrades were posted in other places he advanced towards me and dispers'd this Mutinous Company He express'd a great trouble for my Misfortune and wish'd it had been in his power to make me happy I thank'd him for his Civility and pursu'd my way to Saint Esprit where at the foot of the Bridge I met the Chevalier De Montanegues who expected me He came up to my Litter and whispering me in the Ear express'd a mighty grief at the hard usage I had met with but assured me that I might confidently expect from him whatever he was capable of My Wife had the Honour to belong to this honest Gentleman this together with some little Service I had done the Marquess his Brother prevail'd with him not to put me in the Castle and he gave this Reason to the Court for not doing it that the Stairs were so inconvenient that it was impossible to carry me up They lodg'd me in the House of Mr. Robin famous for his great Wit for the ingenious Verses he hath publish'd and for the Honour he hath merited to be one of the most considerable Members of the University of Arles Mrs. Robin his Lady in the absence of her Husband treated me with all
in my Prison at St. Esprit Mr. De Vermenton Provost of Valence came with an Exempt and his Attendance to remove me to Pierre-Cise And I am here obliged to say that of his Profession there is not so gallant a Man. He executes his Orders punctually but he does it with so much kindness and compassion for those he thinks innocent that whoever is in his Custody seem as if they enjoy'd their full Liberty If I had a Vote in the Chapter as they say he should have it to be a Bishop and there are Bishops which I would Vote to be Provosts because their inhumanity makes them fit for this Place and the Goodness of Mr. De Vermenton makes him worthy of a Bishoprick Before he would come to me he ordered that I should be handsomely advertised of his Arrival that so I might not be surpriz'd After this he came where I was and in the most friendly terms in the World he signify'd to me the regret he had that he must be forced to remove me He had so much Compassion for my sad condition after I had shew'd him my Body that Tears fell from his Eyes and forced him to say he would have given a great deal to have been discharg'd from this Commission Nevertheless a Boat was prepared for my removal All things being ready they took me out of my Bed from whence I had not stir'd since the first day they put me in it God knows what I suffered between my Chamber and the Boat which lay about a quarter of a League off My Foot-men carried me in a Chair my Wife and Nephew held up my Legs and upon the least turning or jogging I roar'd as if I had been upon the Wheel As I went I took my leave of Mr. De Montanegues and thanked him for all his kindnesses It was very difficult to put me in the Boat Six Men took me out as if I had been a dead Corps and I was but too sensible to feel a thousand pains They laid me upon Quilts after which six Men which Town'd the Boat began to march We were six days in going to Anconne which is but six Leagues from the Bridge of St. Esprit The North Wind blew so violently the coldness of which brought the Gout upon me which made my whole Body as stiff as a Bar of Iron They kept me upon the Water from break of day till Ten or Eleven a Clock at Night which failed not to put me in the most pitiful condition that ever poor Gouty Man was in My Tongue to complain and my Pulses to let me sigh were the only things I had at liberty They put me to bed in my Cloaths either upon Straw or Quilts laid upon the Ground When we came to Anconne Mr. De Vermenton fearing I might dye by the way would not expose me in pursuing the Voyage He staid therefore two days as well in expectation of good Weather as to let me get a little strength A great many Persons of the City of Montelimard came to see me these good People spoke to me only by their Sighs and their Tears and lift up their Eyes to Heaven to beg of God that he would Revenge the Cruelty which was exercised upon me I should be too tedious if I should relate all the Discourse I had with these good Souls I told them that it was a great Glory for me to suffer for the Name of Jesus Christ but that my Body made me afraid and that I feared lest the excess of my pains should make me say something contrary to the meaning of my Heart As to what concerned them I told them they ought to consider with themselves and to rise from their fall by a speedy Repentance if they would expect Mercy from God. And thus I endeavoured to Edifie my Neighbours in every place as I pass'd along In the mean while the Tempest still continued and we had like to have seen the Cardinal De Bouillon who came down the Rhosne to go to his Banishment in the Isles of Provence cast away With leave of the Curate the Provost caused to be made on the Sunday a Litter the better to convey me forward He employ'd Twelve Country-men who carried me upon their shoulders and all at my Charges and Expences which sometimes amounted to four Pistols a day The Noise that was abroad about me had drawn a great many People in the way as I pass'd The good People of Dauphine came in Troops with Tears in their Eyes to ask my Blessing testifying by their general regret how much they were troubled with my Miseries The Exempt beat them back very severely yet this did not hinder them from coming up to me to kiss my hands and send their good wishes after me At Sausse I met with a worthy Gentleman whose Name was Mr. Du Ferron Captain in the Regiment of Sault He came up to me very ingenuously and mightily comforted me by a thousand pretty things which he entertain'd me with on the Subject of Persecution He talk'd to me of the Sermon which the incomparable Mr. Claude had publish'd upon these words You have not yet resisted unto Blood. He even had that Confidence in me as to tell me of his design of leaving the Kingdom and that he was now on his way in order to it God hath blest his good Resolution and I have had the good Fortune to see him again at the Hague The 10th of December I arrived at Valence just as it began to be dark Mr. De Vermenton went before to prepare me a Chamber and his arrival having declar'd mine I found in the Suburbs a great Multitude of People and in the first Court of the Inn a great many Persons of Quality of both Sexes Some said Look here 's that Devil the Minister of Orange others cry'd This is the Prince of Orange's Spy in a word I heard nothing but Railing and Invectives which yet did not trouble me much calling to mind the words of the Saviour of the World Mat. 5. 11. Blessed are ye when men shall revile you and shall say all manner of evil against you falsly That which I was concern'd for was how to get out of my Litter they were above half an hour before they could effect it not knowing on which side to take me being so helpless as I was of all the parts of my Body I beg'd the Provost to have a little Patience till I recovered my Spirits and observing so much fine People round about me I said Ladies I beg your Pardon for my rudeness I am not able to lift my Hand to my Cap to salute you Doubtless you have heard talk of Job you see here his Brother or Cousin-German At this the Ladies were touch'd with Pity and went away hastily and I observed several who took out their Handkerchiefs to wipe away their Tears At last they carried me from my Litter to a Bed where they endeavour'd to get off my Cloaths that
after and calling to his Secretary bid him bring his little Box of Papers where he found the said Order He communicated it to the Physitian on purpose that he might tell it me the substance of which was that the Archbishop should not let me go from Lyons and that he should take care that I held no Meeting when this was signify'd to me I answer'd that as for holding Meetings my condition would not let me run about the City and for going from Lyons they need but look upon my Body to be satisfy'd in that point But because I would avoid lying I resolv'd not to say that I would not go thence without Order In the mean time finding my self so narrowly watcht I concluded that I should quickly be in Pierre-cise if I did not take some speedy course I had made a bargain with a Waggoner of Franche Counté who promis'd me for a hundred Louises he would carry me to Switzerland in his Waggon cloath'd like a Peasant and as if I was his Servant and that the Waggon had run over me and broke my Legs Several of my Friends were against this way for two reasons the first that I should never be able to endure so long a Journey in the Waggon and the second that being so strictly observ'd as I was I should be no sooner mist in Lyons but immediately they would dispatch Messengers upon all the great Roads and that the great distance between Lyons and Switzerland by way of the Franche Counte would undoubtedly cause my being taken and so that I ought rather to think of some way both quicker and shorter After much thinking I fancy'd that I should certainly gain my point if I went out Post in a Callech with the attendance of some great Lord my great distemper oppos'd this design for indeed it was very plain that without an extraordinary assistance from Heaven I could never succeed Nay there were some that ever laught at me when I propos'd it But in short notwithstanding all their Arguments I was so well confirm'd in my design that the very same day I caus'd a Callech to be bought for me and order'd it to come by a private way I had a mind to try whether I could endure this sort of travelling that so I might not hazard my self to no purpose I went upon the Key by the River side and as soon as I perceiv'd Pierre-cise where my dear Brethren and Collegues are kept I could not possibly forbear weeping a whole torrent of Tears fell from me as well in compassion of the sad condition of persons so dear to me as at the remembrance of my own fault which deprives me of the sweet comfort of enjoying the Company of such blessed Confessors If my Nephew had not earnestly sollicited me to quit that place and give some intermission to my Tears I believe I should not have stirr'd from thence before night I had not gone thence thirty paces before an Officer was at my heels and commanded me to retire home This accident surpriz'd me and let me see that I was narrowly watcht being I was so closely follow'd the first time of my coming abroad But indeed my Servants had often told me that they had observ'd certain persons hovering about my House which they suspected to be Serjeants This made me tell my Wife that I was now satisfy'd that I had spies set upon me but yet that I would so well time my business that I would steal from the sight of my Guards And that I might the better succeed I sent for my Doctor and told him that my Pains were so excessive that I could no longer live He was accompanied by his Son and the Operator who was to search me This was the fifth of September that I endur'd this cruel Operation The Operator could find no Stone and for his excuse pretended that my lying cross the Bed was not a fit posture to perform it and that he must search me in a Chair I beg'd the Doctor to put off this second search to another time that I had suffer'd so much in the first that I did not feel my self strong enough to undergo a second and the season in the Month of October would be cooler and so more favourable to me This was approv'd of and thus I got rid of my Doctor and my Operator But this Operation made me endure two terrible nights yet this did not hinder for putting my Affairs in order to go away the Sunday following which was the eighth of the same Month. A particular person for whom I shall all my life pray lent me two Footmen with order to do whatsoever I bid them He set them out very handsomly and at my own cost I fitted two others suitable to them The two first I thought fit to call Parisien and Campagne and those two which belong'd to me I nam'd Flower and River As for my self I was in a Suit cover'd with Gold a Hat edg'd with Gold a fair Perriwig and a point of Venize Cravat with a Scarlet Ribbon The Horses that were necessary for me I procur'd and sent them out of the City and kept only two for my self and Boy I fancied that the best time I could take would be about seven a Clook in the Evening when every body was taking their pleasure in walking My Wife and I pray'd together and after I had embrac'd her full of Tears I caus'd my self to be put in my Callech which was there ready for me conjuring her to go away the same moment from that House to another I had prepar'd for her My grief was extream to forsake a person so dear to me and who had been so great comfort to me in all my Afflictions but as she could not ride Post as I did I took care that another party should assist her and in a few days to follow me At the hour resolv'd on I began my Journey I pass'd quite through that great City in the midst of an incredible throng of People Calleches and Coaches and upon a good round Trot quickly came to the end of the Bridge of Rosne whither a friend had follow'd me at a small distance to observe whether I was known but he told me all was well so we shak'd hands and bid adieu At the same time I commanded my Footman to mount his Horse and make the best of his way It was just night when I came up to my other Footmen with five Horses who waited for me behind the Ruines of a House they presently harnass'd another Horse and added him to my Callech and all being mounted we pursu'd our way with a strange expedition I was made fast to my Callech with two leather Thongs which kept me so close to my Engine that it was impossible to know that I was indispos'd Order was given to Parisien who was a witty fellow always to ride before and to get the Post Horses ready and never to speak of any but my Lord who travail'd
in September upon which Conditions we need not apprehend the least danger To this Mr. de Lubieres answered That as for Entertaining the Refugiees the Parliament had already provided against it by their Decree which he then presented to him that his Majesty's Subjects were already retired thence and that if any yet remained their number was was very inconsiderable that they would cause another Decree to be publish'd purporting that those who were yet left should depart the State in three days Upon this the Intendant took occasion to tell the Count these Gentlemen have acted very fairly 't is fit we should do so too and allow eight days time to the Refugiees to retire in To the Point concerning the Exercises of our Religion 't was answer'd that our Church being now reduced to its former number there would be no necessity of multiplying the use of them This Conference pass'd very amicably on both sides with all the signs of a very good Correspondence But here I must intreat the Reader to take notice with what sincerity we proceeded with them in this Affair The Count de Grignan and the Intendant assure us as from the Court that if we perform what the King desired we need not fear any danger The Prince's Officers promise to do so and perform that Promise but alas how have they kept their Word to us For there had not pass'd twenty four hours but it was violated in a most execrable manner and such as must needs strike all my Readers with horror However I must needs say for the Count de Grignan that he acted like a Man of Honour he spoke sincerely as being not privy to the Court-Intrigue and he sufficiently express'd his dissatisfaction for being made an Instrument to bring a Promise which has been so ill observed This Conference of his Highness's Officers with those of his Most Christian Majesty caused an extream Joy in the Reform'd Inhabitants of the Principality They mutually congratulated their Happiness as thinking the Assurances given them would have been made good and gave Thanks to God that it had pleased him though they were no better than their Brethren to divert the fury of that approaching Tempest In this pleasing Imagination that they would let us be quiet we slept securely in our Beds it seem'd that our past Inquietudes were as an easie Cradle to rock us asleep But it was soon interrupted by the sad News which was brought me at Three a Clock in the Morning For it happened that one of my Neighbours as he was going out of the City was stopt and turned back by a Corps de Gard of Dragoons He knock'd at my Door which my Servants opened and came into my Chamber all pale and in a panick fear telling me we were all undone that above a Thousand Dragoons had begirt the City not suffering any of the Inhabitants to go out and indeed the Count de Tesse having received such Orders from Court had commanded the Queen's Regiment of Dragoons and Du Plessis Believre's Regiment of Foot to repair instantly to Paul trois Chateaux four Leagues from Orange these Troops were no sooner come to their Rendezvous but they were commanded to march at the beginning of the Night without knowing whither they were to go They came to the Bridge of Aigues an hour after Midnight and by the way meeting his Highness's Courrier who was carrying Letters to St. Esprit they stopt him and took away his Packet The Commander of the Party caused a Candle to be lighted and unseal'd the Orders which he had received from the Count de Tesse and having read them took his march to Orange and dispatch'd some Companies to go and invest the Towns of Courtheson and Jonquieres He approached the City without being discovered and posted his Corps de Gardes and Sentries very near each other before any of the City had notice of it My Neighbour whom I before mentioned was the first that gave the Alarm every one started out of their Beds endeavouring to save themselves by all passages out of the City but the Souldiers were placed at so near a distance that only some few who had most courage durst venture to get through I leave others to imagine the cries and shrieks of the poor Inhabitants as remote as I was from the Street their Lamentations pierced my very Heart and those Torrents of Tears which my poor Sheep came to pour out in my Chamber put me into the condition of a dying Man. At break of Day the Count de Tesse entred the City attended by several Officers breathing out nothing but Punishments Blood and Slaughter which augmented the Consternation of those of the Religion After having marched about the streets to strike Terror by his barbarous Expressions intermixed with horrid Execrations he alighted at the Bishop's Palace the common Rendezvous of all those who came to Orange to Oppress us The Companies of Dragoons who were gone to Invest Courtheson and Jonquieres had made terrible work there In the latter they had seiz'd a Rich Inhabitant named Garaignon whom they had pinion'd and made him march before them in that condition quite to Orange At Courtheson they took Mr. Aunet Pastor of that Church and made him go in the Head of a Party of Dragoons who carried him to the Count de Tesse by whom he was immediately sent to Prison My dear Collegues Messieurs Gondrand Chion and Petit had attempted before day to make their escape but being forced back by the Guards who fired at them and Mr. Villet Minister of Provence who yet was so lucky to get away they went to abscond in some of their Friends Houses At Three in the Afternoon the Count de Tesse required to speak with the Ministers and for that purpose sent some Officers to search for them at their Houses They brought him word that they had found no body but me who was not able to stir-in my Bed for the extream pain of the Gout and my broken Thigh This Account put him into a terrible Fury whilest he was studying where it should be that my Collegues had secur'd themselves This grand Converter spoke of nothing but demolishing our Churches and ruining the City if the Ministers were not produc'd These Menaces did so terrifie our People that instead of concealing their Pastors as those of Alexandria did once in the case of Athanasius they were the first to search for them in order to their bringing them before the Count de Tesse hoping thereby to appease the rage of that furious Persecutor not considering that they should thereby rather add to the weight of their Persecution But for as much as we had mutually promised to sacrifice our selves for our Flocks my blessed Collegues came out of their Retirements and notwithstanding the Tears of their Wives and Children who begg'd of them not to expose themselves as they were going to do went to wait upon the Count de Tesse who received them with threats of
sending them to the Gallows particularly Mr. Petit whom he told positively that he should be hang'd the next day He had scarce patience to suffer them one moment in his presence before he sent them to Prison without being so civil as to hear them say one word in their own defence These faithful Servants of God were no sooner committed but the Count sent an Officer with two Dragoons to my House one of which he posted by my Bed-side telling him his Life should answer for my Appearance and the other at the Door of my House to hinder any from coming to me When I saw my self under this Confinement I lifted up my Heart to God in a fervent Prayer imploring the assistance of his Grace to support me in this Conflict to perfect his strength in my weakness and that he might be glorified whether by my Life or Death I can aver with a safe Conscience that though I was in such deplorable Condition I did not so much reflect upon my own Sufferings as those of my dear Collegues and my poor Flock I entreated my Wife Mrs. Louise de Chavanon my Nephews and others of my Relations that could be near me to give me their Assistance and not to discourage me by their Tears telling them that in that miserable estate to which my Pains and Afflictions had reduced me we ought all of us rather to Arm our selves to fight together that good Fight and to defend the precious Pledge of our Faith which God had put into our hands that as to my own particular my trust in God was so strong that I was firmly persuaded that neither Death nor Life nor Persecution nor Nakedness nor the Sword could ever separate me from his blessed love That I fore-saw that I should be treated with the extreamest Rigor as well for Reasons of State as upon account of Religion but whatever happened I found I had Courage enough to endure the utmost Cruelties they could inflict upon me But alas I have found by too sad Experience that the stoutest Heart cannot bear up if it be not strengthened by the invincible power of Grace and that our strongest Resolutions are but vain Illusions when they have no better Foundation than meer confidence in our selves When they had secur'd me and my Collegues they dismiss'd the Guard which they had planted round the City into which the Dragoons made their entry as into a place conquer'd They Quarter'd one third part of them upon the Romanists and the other two thirds upon those of the Religion You may more easily conceive than I can express the outrages committed from that Night forward All that Barbarity and Violence could suggest to them was employed in tormenting my poor Flock 'T is true their Fury for seventeen days was not altogether so great and Tesse gave out that his Business there was not to make us change our Religion but yet he placed his Guards at all the Avenues of the City to hinder any body from going out He was pleased likewise to remove the Dragoon that was placed in my Chamber being informed of the sad condition I was in and that there was no fear I should make my escape the misfortune I lay under being a heavier Chain than all the Irons they could have loaded me with The Bishop gave me to understand by a Person that was sent to me that I was obliged to him for those petty Favours and I returned him my Thanks for the same But for all that the Door of my House was guarded by Sentinels that were relieved every hour and there were but a very few suffered to enter The Guard that was placed in my Chamber incommoded me extreamly hindring me from discoursing freely with those Persons that stood in need of Comfort But when he was removed I had the Opportunity of conferring with several that came to me a private way the Dragoons knew not of The day after the Arrival of these cruel Persecutors being the 26th of October came the first Batallion of Du Plessis Believre about Two in the Afternoon and was followed the day after by the second The great number of the Souldiers obliged Count de Tesse to overcharge the Inhabitants with those new Guests who though they had extraordinary Pay viz. the Dragoons 30 and the Infantry 10 Sous a day yet for all that they forced their Landlords to give them Free Quarter And Happy was he that was forced only with dry blows to grant them what they demanded No sooner was the first Batallion come but the Count de Tesse sent the Major of the Regiment accompanied with the Bishop's Secretary to me to demand the Keys of our Churches I answered him that I was not the Church-Warden This Answer put him into a Passion and he told me he had Orders to receive the Keys from my own Hands I reply'd again that I was not the Church-Warden and that it was in vain for him to expect that I should deliver him them Then he began again to use Threatning Language to oblige me to do what he required But finding me after all firm to my Resolution he ordered some of the Souldiers to go and see for the Church-Warden and they not finding him made one of his Daughters come along with them to me with the Keys in her Hand The poor Girle came into my Chamber all in Tears The Major ordered the Maid to deliver the Keys to me but I refused to receive them He commanded me in the Count de Tesse's Name to take them and deliver them to him I absolutely refused to do either the one or the other At last after a Debate of about a quarter of an hour he snatch'd them out of the Maid's Hand and went to tell the Count de Tesse what he had done The Count in the mean time tarry'd at the Gate of the great Church impatiently expecting the Keys and as soon as he got them he entred the Church accompanied by the Bishop saying by way of Derision Farewel poor Jerusalem The first thing those honest Gentlemen did in that Holy Place was to tear in pieces the Bibles and the Psalm-Books Then they went up into the Pulpit where they uttered a thousand profane Expressions After that they tore down his Highness's Arms which were placed over the Parliament-Seat And in fine they shewed themselves so Inhumane as to do violence even to the Ashes of the great Christopher Count de Dona that were reposited in that Sacred Structure which by his means had been built by Order and at the Charge of the great Prince Fredrick-Henry The Reader I hope will excuse me for not relating all the indignities they put in practice to profane our Churches which fills me with so great a horror that my Soul even sinks under it It will suffice to tell him that they ran to the Poors Box to take away the Money and finding but little there they discharged there Fury upon Mrs. Chion my Collegue's Wife whom they sent
should every where take me for some great Officer and that I should be able to hide my Illness and Distempers and never come out of my Callech this doubtless will appear like a Fable to all Europe but as for my own part I shall look upon 't as the work of the great God who hath given his Holy Angels charge to bear me up in their Hands This Sir is a short Abridgment of my History I expected when I should come into another Country to be regarded as a Dog for my falling away But God who hath without doubt had Mercy on me hath order'd things quite otherwise I can assure your Royal Highness that I have been receiv'd in this City as if I were an Angel from Heaven Nay I am very much troubl'd with People who come in great numbers to shed Tears of Joy for my Deliverance insomuch that the first Syndic hath earnestly press'd me to Lodge in his House but for several reasons I have refus'd it and acknowledge to him that I was very sensible it was for the sake of my Great Master he was desirous to do me this honour and assured him I would not fail to let him know it But Sir this is not all for within two days after my Arrival the news of it was spread all over Switzerland and continually I receiv'd from thence Letters of welcome And that which fills up the measure of my Joy is to hear that your Royal Highness is pleas'd with my Escape But as there is nothing which I wish with greater passion than to be near your Person and that methinks I should then be content to die if once God would please to let me behold him whom I most Love Respect and Honour in the World but then on the other side as my unhappy fall makes me dread appearing before my Great Master so I shall wait for the Orders which you will please to send me before I dare begin my Journey I hope Sir and this hope is my comfort in the midst of my great Affliction that you who are so bright an Image of God upon Earth as well by your Greatness as by your Piety will shew Mercy to your Servant as I am perswaded God himself has done to me For this reason I throw my self into the Arms of your Royal Highnesses Goodness and Charity from whence I hope for all the Favour imaginable being assured that you are throughly convinc't that there is not any of your Subjects or Servants who is with greater Obligation and Veneration than SIR Your Highnesses Most humble and most Obedient Servant and faithful Subject J. P. De Chambrun Within a few days after my arrival at Geneva I receiv'd abundance of Letters of Congratulation which persons of great Merit did me the honour to write me I could produce divers of them which would not be a little for the Edification of the World if I had not some good reasons which hinder me to publish them Several fugitive Pastors dispers'd in Switzerland did me the honour in person to come and rejoyce with me All this did but renew my Tears for I think my self unworthy of so much goodness as was shewn to me But the Charity of these good Servants of God extended a great deal farther for as I signified to them that there was nothing I desir'd more earnestly than to be restor'd to the Holy Ministry from whence through my fault I was faln so there were some of remarkable Merit who maintain'd that as I had neither sign'd nor exercis'd any Act in the Romish Religion so that they judg'd that I was not so faln but that I might perform my Ministry without being re-establish'd and that I might without the least scruple do my function whenever God was pleas'd to give me opportunity nevertheless I was not satisfy'd with this but told them that I perceiv'd by this they design'd to comfort me and conjur'd them not to flatter me in my Sin and that I had need of being more humbled by their Reproaches for my horrible Cowardice and that far from extenuating my Crime they ought rather to aggravate it Let the Righteous said I Psal 141. 5. Smite me it shall be a kindness and let him reprove me it shall be an excellent Oyl which shall not break my head Upon this they all appointed a general Meeting where I appear'd before them and where I spoke more by my Tears and my Sighs than by my Words I made them a short relation of all my sad misfortunes and of all that I could remember that I either did or said during my Captivity and beg'd them to make an exact enquiry into all as well for the Edification of the Church of God as for my own Comfort and Satisfaction and in a word I assur'd them that if my weak condition would allow me to cast my self to the ground I would there humble my self in Dust and of God ask pardon for my Sin and of the whole Church pardon for the scandal I have given After the Formalities usual upon these occasions were perform'd I was re-establish'd in the honour of the Holy Ministry The support and Charity of my Brethren was a very great comfort to me I thought my self quite another man after this re-establishment yet nevertheless I found my Soul continually to groan under the heavy burden of my Sin and I was also now tormented with the fear left my Wife should be taken she was to have follow'd me in a few days and yet there were several gone and did not so much as hear that she was ready to come away from Lyons a little to divert my Grief and to pay my Duty to the Count De Dona I made some little Journies to Copet where I was by this Illustrious Lord and his Lady receiv'd with all the kindness and marks of good Will that it is possible to imagine this Lord whose Ancestors from Father to Son have always shew'd great favour to my Family omitted nothing that he thought would comfort me in this my extream Affliction for I was no sooner in his Presence but a stood of Tears hindred me at the first sight of him to give him that respect which is owing to his rare Virtues and Merits It was at his House I receiv'd the answer of the Letter which I writ to his Royal Highness Monsieur De Schulemberg sent me word that the Prince was extream joyful at my escape that I should immediately come away for Holland and that orders were given at Geneva to furnish me with all things that should be necessary And indeed this great Master hath shew'd so much goodness to me that it is through his generous Liberality that I have been able to bear the excessive Charge which I was forc'd to be at in getting my Wife from Lyons and my self to be near his Person in pursuance of the command which he sent me At my return from this little Journey to Copet I found at Geneva divers Letters from
Rallery Mr. Chambrun will have no reason to complain being so well treated From thence they went to the Market-place where they set up a new Cross with the same Ceremonies But all this was but as Lightning that did forerun those cruel Thunder Claps which did break afterwards upon this Principality notwithstanding the Peace of Nimeguen the King of France acted against them as if he had been in actual War-against them he dismantled the City of Orange sent his Dragoons into it in 1682 who did miserably harass the poor people there The Intendant of Provence caused seven or eight men to be seized there under pretence of being Relapst They seized of the Prince's natural Subjects who had all along profest the Reformed Religion they committed them to Prisons that belong'd to the Parliament of Aix where after they had endured great Cruelties and hard Usage some of 'em chang'd to obtain their Liberty others who continued firm were condemn'd to Fines and Penalties and immediately to quit the Kingdom upon pain of Death This sort of Cruelty began to startle our people when no man could look upon himself safe tho' in his own House they expected daily to find the Officer at their Doors and were not delivered of their Fears till they heard that Mr. Heinsius was to go in the Quality of Envoy Extraordinary from L. H. P. to the Court of France who had very much resented the pulling down of the Walls But every one knows the success he had for they maintained that they had right to do what they did And tho' Mr. Heinsius proved it clearly to the Marquess de Croissi that they had infring'd upon the Peace of Nimeguen by pulling down the Walls and that the Principality of Orange was independent upon France yet he was forc'd to go back without Reparation for the Injury they had done And tho' the Roman Catholicks ought to regard this pulling down of the Walls as a common Evil which they were as much concern'd in as we of the Reformed yet they made this the Subject of their Joy and began to create us more trouble then before The Priest whom we have before given a Character of brought in another Fraternity of Religious which we had never before seen in Orange The Prince's Officers who perceived this Innovation would have very ill Effects oppos'd their Establishment here But the Bishop who had put the Priest upon it took his part and wrote to the Court of France of the opposition which the Prince's Advocate and Proctor General had made against the Establishment of this Fraternity We know not exactly what Answer this had but 't is very probable they incourag'd 'em to go on otherwise they had never dar'd to have rais'd such a Tumult as they did in June in the same year upon the Sunday after their Fete-Dieu For upon that day there had like to have happen'd a terrible Slaughter in Orange this was the occasion of the Tumult This Religious Order went in Procession about six a Clock i' th' evening those who were the first that went out of the Cathedral-Church furnisht themselves with Clubs and other sorts of Weapons which they kept under their Robes to fall upon the Protestants whenever they met any As they went they lookt on all sides to see if they could find any But our Consistory had given particular Order to the People exhorting them at the Morning-Exercise to keep at their own Houses so as to give no occasion to these tumultuous People to offer any Violence Our People behaved themselves very cautiously upon this occasion but the Religious who chiefly design'd ill under pretence of Religion bethought themselves of flinging Stones into the Protestants Houses and upon ' em The Hermite whom I have before spoken of with a little crooked Fellow call'd Delaire were the forward'st to commit this Violence and tho' our People were extreamly provok'd yet they suffer'd all with great patience So that these tumultuous People finding no occasion to execute their wicked Design there coming some Harvest-men from Dauphine who were a great way off of 'em they quitted their Order in the Procession and fell upon 'em with the greatest violence knocking 'em down with their Clubs they on the other side cried they were Catholicks as indeed they were but all this appeased 'em not they drag'd 'em along the Streets tore their Cloaths and had it not been for some of the more moderate of the Papists they had run them through with their Swords which they had under the Robe This Tumult stopt the march of the Procession The Bishop was in the Church just following the Host he knew nothing of the occasion of the Disorder and they who were next to him told him the Protestants had made an attempt upon the Religious and that they were hard by and advised him to escape and save himself in his Palace The Prelate took heels and run cross the Church in great haste to get to his House but as he was going some honest Gentlemen met him and told him the truth of the matter and so he came back again Now whilst this Ceremony was in the Church the Hermite with some few of the Religious broke off from the Procession and running about the Streets cry'd out that the Bishop was kill'd and the Host was seiz'd and this Cry those very men made who were not above thirty Yards from the Bishop So that all the Papists of the Town especially those of the meaner Rank run to their Houses arming themseves with Forks or Spits or Hatchets and what came next to their hands resolving to fall upon the Reformed And they were so transported with this Alarm that they would not hearken to any reason they were told that 't was a false Report and that the Bishop was not dead but they would not give credit to it So that had it not been for the Courage and Mediation of some of the Gentlemen among the Reformed who went to the Rabble to compose 'em Orange in a little time might have been seen without Inhabitants for the Reformed seeing the Papists betaking themselves to their Arms for a Massacre they also arm'd themselves I was in my House alone whilst all this noise was and there came in a good Woman to tell me with Tears Ah Monsieur said she are you here alone they are devouring your Flock and you 'll be presently sacrificed to the Fury of the Religious I then heard a great cry in the Street I besought the good Woman to call one of my Servants she told me there was none in the way There then came in one of my Neighbours pale and languishing who told me that all our People were running to the place to relieve our Brethren whom they were massacring I desired him that he would endeavour to stop 'em and to tell 'em from me that I would speak with 'em there came to me some of 'em whom I constrain'd to go after the rest to prevent
to Prison The next day they began to take away the Seats some of which they carried to the Cathedral and the rest to the Chappels of the Convents Then they proceeded to the pulling down the little Church called the Church of St. Martin The Curè did what he could to hinder it alledging it belonged to his Cure but he could not be heard so it was razed down to the ground But I must not omit to tell one thing very remarkable of a Souldier who being of the Religion chose rather to be cudgell'd in a most cruel manner and dragg'd along the streets than to assist at the pulling down of it telling his Captain he would sooner die than obey him in such an unjust Command This Church was no sooner demolish'd but these Destroying Angels set about reducing the other to a heap of Stones This was a very spacious one and of an admirable Structure the Roof was supported by an Arch carried from West on which side stood the Pulpit to East having on the right and left a Range of three Arches of Free-stone with their Cornishes which supported the Galleries to receive the Rain-water falling on the Roof which was conveyed away They spent fourteen days in pulling down this Fabrick and not being able to loosen the more solid parts of it with Levers nor any other Instruments they were necessitated to blow it up At the same time they were at work in demolishing the Church at Courtheson and the Dragoons tormented the Inhabitants with a thousand Outrages which they committed upon those poor people who being eat out of all as well as those of Orange were not able to provide any longer for the subsistance of the Souldiers In the mean time my Collegues were kept very close Prisoners with two other Ministers Messieurs Rainaud and De Vignoles the former of which they had seized in Dauphine and the latter in the Province of Languedoc Very few Persons were permitted to visit them but we sent each other little Notes to encourage us to fight the good Fight and to defend our Religion though with the hazard of our Lives But though these little Opportunities of mutual Correspondence gave us some little Joy and Consolation we had every day some new subject of Affliction The poor people that were miserably harrass'd and could not bear the great expence which they must lie under of maintaining the Dragoons did most shamefully abate in their Zeal I sent as many as I possibly could to confirm them and gave my self no respite neither night nor day from performing the Duty of my Ministry and Praying with all those that came to my House But at last God who intended to punish us for our hainous sins suffered us to see those sad days being wholly forsaken by our Flocks except only some few particular Persons who notwithstanding all the Cruelties that could be exercised upon them continued firm to the last November the 10th in the Morning it was publickly reported that an Express was come to the Count de Tesse with Orders that he should execute the Booted Mission i.e. that he should Persecute us without Mercy to make us change our Religion I have by a woful Experience observed that the Assembles that have been made at Montaban Montpellier Nimes Usez and all the other considerable Cities to Consult what was to be done upon like Occasions have been Snares which those unhappy Persons who have been drawn away have laid for the simple as likewise for those of better Judgments to make them also fall with the Croud This made me take all possible care that my Flock might not be drawn into the same Snare 'T was for that Reason that the day before I had desired Mr. Grenatier my Kinsman who was one of those happy Persons that notwithstanding a thousand Dangers he must meet with and as many Difficulties he was to run through in making his escape out of the Kingdom yet still preserved his Religion 'T was I say upon an apprehension of this that I pray'd him to go all about the City and engage the Inhabitants to decline all such Assemblies whatsoever might follow thereupon assuring them that contrivances of ruining them by such means would certainly be made use of and that all sorts of fair Promises would be made them but nothing of those Promises would be afterwards observed And though he acquitted himself in that Affair with abundance of Zeal and Diligence yet the success did not answer our pains as we shall shew hereafter Tesse was at the Count du Suzes House about three Leagues from Orange when the Express arrived He came immediately and begun an open Persecution by removing the Souldiers that were quartered upon the Romanists And all the Troops were billetted only upon those of the Religion And no sooner was this new assignment of Quarters made but a thousand doleful Cries were every where to be heard in the City the People running up and down the Streets all in tears The Wife cry'd out for help to Rescue her Husband whom they were either cruelly cudgelling about or hanging up by the heels in the Chimney or tying to the Bed's-feet or threatning immediately to cut his Throat The Husband implor'd the like assistance in behalf of his Wife whom threats and blows and a thousand sorts of Cruelties had made to miscarry The Children cryed out Help Help They are Murthering my Father they are Ravishing my Mother and spitting one of my Brothers But here I must stop my Pen which is ready to drop out of my Hand and the very remembrance of their Barbarities has so over-whelmed me with grief and tears that I am not able to proceed in describing that Tragical Scene From those Cruelties neither Sex nor Age was exempt Nor was there any more regard had to Persons of the greatest Worth or of the best Families than to the meanest Peasants Nor had they any Respect to the Prince's Officers but even Monsieur de Lubieres Monsieur d'Alencon and Monsieur de Drevon were forced to receive Dragoons into their Houses And it was well for my Nephew Mr. Convenent who was Chancellor of Parliament that he got away early that Morning in a Country-man's Habit that so while it was in his power he might make his escape out of the Kingdom For I do not doubt but that barely for his Relation to me he would have been worse used than all his Collegues The same day about Four in the Afternoon the Count de Tesse came along with the Bishop to my House he came into my Chamber where having lately broke my Thigh I was constantly confin'd to my Bed having not been able to rise but only twice to have my Bed made He saluted me very civilly and ask'd me kindly concerning the state of my Health And after he had plac'd himself at the Head of the Bed and the Bishop at the Feet he began to tell me that he had a great concern for me and that he had
if they had not come into my Chamber to intoxicate and choak me with the Fumes of their Tobacco and the Drummers would but have ceas'd their horrid din and have let me taken some rest But these Inhumane Monsters were not contented to disturb me in that manner but added to it most hideous yellings And if by good chance the Fumes of their Wine laid any of them asleep the Officer that commanded them who they said was nearly related to the Marquess de Louvois soon wak'd them with the Discipline of his Cane that they might torment me afresh What could I do in the midst of that Hell upon Earth but only lift up my Soul to God to beg his gracious Assistance That was my only Employment which I accompany'd with my sighs and tears These Torments had so deprav'd the Constitution of my Body that I was not able to take any Nourishment I received no consolation from any body but my Wife who came from time to time from her Father's House to comfort me in my Misery The Doors were shut against every body but two Roman Catholicks who being touched with Compassion at my cruel Usage hazarded themselves to come and lend me their help Some of my Flock who had yielded under the Persecution found means I know not how to slip into my House They came into my Chamber and throwing themselves upon the Ground at my Bed-side conjur'd me to pray to God for them that their Iniquity might not be laid to their charge It will not said I bursting into Tears my dear Children if you recover again by a speedy Repentance for there is mercy with God that he may be feared Having got over this ill Night the Count de Tesse sent an Officer to ask me whether I would obey the King. I answer'd him that I would obey God. Upon this the Officer went hastily out of my Chamber and Order was given to Quarter the whole Regiment upon me and to torment me with greater violence All this Day and the Night following the disturbance was intolerable The Drums beat in my Chamber the Dragoons smoak'd their Tobacco in my Face and what through this infernal Smoak want of Food and Sleep and the pains I suffer'd my Mind was confounded And yet in the midst of all these Torments I sensibly felt the Grace of God sustaining me I was once more summon'd by the same Officer to obey the King. I answer'd that God was my King and that I should soon appear before him to give an Account of my Actions and that they would do much better to dispatch me than to make me languish under so many Inhumanities All this did not in the least soften their barbarous hearts but made them a great deal worse so that being thus oppress'd with such a load of Persecutions on Tuesday the 13th of November I fell into a Trance in which I remain'd four hours compleat with small appearance of Life The noise of this soon spread ever all the City the people run in crouds to my House and several Ladies forced their way through the Dragoons to give me Assistance in this extremity And 't was even reported that I was dead My Flock prais'd God for my deliverance and for taking me away in the midst of my Troubles out of the hands of my Enemies The Dragoons came into my Room and strangely insulted over me one brought a another a Pullet and the rest brought Joynts of Mutton c. and mocking said We must rub his Teeth with these and he 'll come to himself The noise of my Death was quickly carried to the Count de Tesse Upon which he immediately commanded the Dragoons from my House fearing without doubt the Anger of the Court who it seems is not willing that any should be kill'd for having let me dye in the midst of so many Torments And to save himself he caused to be publish'd by his Emissaries that I was poison'd There was left only four Dragoons to Guard me and in the Evening I was no sooner come out of this Trance but this Count sent the Officer who had the Command of my House to tell me that I must get me ready to be carried the next day to Pierre-cise With my weak trembling Voice I told him that I was even that moment ready to go wheresoever they would carry me I omit to speak of the sorrow of my Wife and all my Kindred and will only say I pass'd over that Night with strange perplexity of Mind The Prison did not fright me but I mistrusted the strength of my Body I could not imagine that it would hold out so long a Journey They try'd to put on my Cloaths but my pains were so great I could never endure them In this great Conflict between the Flesh and the Spirit I commended my self into the hands of God and sang the 11th Verse of the 40 Psalm That I O Lord should do thy mind c. Whilest I was in this Combat my Wife went and threw her self at the Feet of the Count de Tesse and with a torrent of Tears which would have softned the most savage of Mankind conjur'd him to let me be carried to my Country-House and she would pay the Guards that should be sent to secure me or if not this that he would please to put me in Prison with my Brethren and Collegues But this hard and inhumane Heart with scorn deny'd her Request telling her that I was called the Pope of the Huguenots but that now my Pontifical Reign was expir'd and that it was to have been wish'd that long ago I had been banish'd Orange from whence I did nothing but sow my Heresies in all the Provinces of the Kingdom The Bishop and several others who in my Prosperity seem'd my Friends were present but not one of them would speak a word in my favour This shews the Spirit of Popery which Idolizes Prosperity but has not common pity for the Miserable The next Morning the Count de Tesse sent me word that I must be going He had before-hand caused to be made a Horse-Litter it being impossible to carry me any other way They took me out of Bed with the looks of a dying Man my Friends about me had much ado to get on my Cloaths and I endur'd a great deal while they were dressing me and six Men were forced to carry me into the Horse-Litter which was ready for me in the outer Court some at my Head others at the middle of my Body and the rest at my Feet In my Chamber and at the bottom of the Stairs I saw several of my Friends who spoke to me only by their Sighs and their Tears When they had put me in the Litter they had much ado to find a posture in which I might be tolerably easie from my pains The Court where I stood was crouded with People who melted into Tears and tore their hair from their Heads On one side of me I beheld two of my