Acts and Monuments Volume 2 Part 1

A notable history of the persecution and destruction of the people of Merindol and Cabriers, the country of Province: where, not a few persons, but whole Villages and Towneships with the most part of all the foresaid country, both men, women, and children, were put to all kind of cruelty, & suffered martyrdom, for the profession of the gospel.

THey that write of the beginning of this people, say that about CC. years ago, they came out of the Country of Piedmont, to inhabit in Province, in certain Uillages, destroyed by wars, and other desert places: Wherein they used such labor and diligence, that they had abundance of corn, wine, oils, honey, almons, with other fruits & commodities of the earth, and much cattle. Before they came thither, Merindol was a barren desert and not inhabited. But these good people (in whom God always had reserved some little seed of piety) being dispersed, and separated from the society of men, were compelled to dwell with beasts, in that waste and wild desert, which notwithstanding, through the blessing of God, and their great labor and travel, became exceeding fruitful. Notwithstanding, the world in the mean time, so detested & abhorred them, and with all shameful rebukes and contumelies, railed against them in such despiteful manner, y ^t it seemed they were not worthy that the earth should bear them. For they, of a long continuance and custom, had refused the Bishop of Rome's authority, and observed ever a more perfect kind of doctrine, then others, delivered to them from the father to the son, ever since the yere of our Lord. 1200.

For this cause they were often accused & complained of to the king, as contemners & despisers of the magistrates and rebels. Wherefore they were called by diverse names according to the countries and places where they dwelte. For in the country about Lions, they were called the pore people of Lions: In the borders of Sarmatia & Liuonia, and other countries towards the North, they were called Lolards: In Flanders, and Artoys, Turrelupius, of a desert where wolves did haunte: In Dolphine, with great despite, they were named Chagnardes, because they lived in places open to the Sun, and without house or harborough. But most commonly they were called Waldoys, of Waldo, who first instructed them in y ^e word of God: which name continued until the name of Lutherans came up, which above all other, was most hated, and abhorred.

Notwithstanding, in all these most spiteful contumelies ond sclaunders, the people dwelling at the foot of the Alps, and also in Merindol & Cabriers, and the quarters thereabout, always lived so godly, so uprightly and justly y ^t in all their life & conversation, there appeared to be in thē a great fear of God. That little light of true knowledge which God had given them, they labored by all means to kindle & increase daily more & more, sparing no charges whether it were to procure books of the holy Scripture, or to instruct such as were of the best and moste towardly wits, in learning & godliness: or else to send thē into other countries, yea even to y ^e farthest partes of the earth, where they had heard that any light of the gospel began to shine.

For in the yere 1530. understanding that the gospel was preached in certain towns of Germany & Switzerland, they sent thither 2. learned men, that is, Georgius Maurellus borne in Dolphine, a godly preacher of their own, and whom they had of their own charges brought up in learning, & Petrus Latomus a Burgundian, to confer with the wise & learned ministers of the Churches there, in the doctrine of the gospel, and to know the whole form and manner which those Churches used in the service and worshipping of God: and particularly to have their advise also, upon certain points, which they were not resolved in. These 2. after great conference had w ^t the chiefest in the Church of God, namely with Oecolampadius at Basel: at Strasbourg, with Bucer and Capito: and at Berne, w ^t Bartholdus Hallerus: as they were returning thorough Burgundy, homeward, Petrus Latomus was taken at Dyion, and caste into prison, Maurellus escaped & returned alone to Merindol, with the books and letters which he brought with him, from the churches of Germany, and declared to his brethren all the points of his commission, and opened unto them, how many and great errors they were in: into the which their old Ministers, whom they called Barbes, that is to say, Uncles, had brought them, leading them from the right way of true Religion.

When the people heard this, they were moved with such a zeal to have their Churches reformed, that they sent for the moste ancient brethren, & the chiefest in knowledge and experience, of all Calabria & Apulia, to consult with them, touching the reformation of y ^e Church. This matter was so handled, that it stirred up the bishops, priests & monks in all Province, with great rage against them. Amongest other, there was one cruel wretch called John de Roma, a monk, who obtaining a commissiō to examine those that were suspected to be of y ^e Waldois or Lutheran profession, forthwith ceased not to afflict the faithful with all kind of cruelty, y ^t he could devise or imagine. Amongest other most horrible torments, this was one, which he most delighted in, and most commonly practiced: He filled bootes with boiling grece, & put them upon their legs, tying them backward to a form, with their legs hanging down over a small fire, and so he examined them. Thus he tormented very many, and in the ende, most cruelly put them to death. The first whom he thus tormented, were Michelottus Serra, and W. Melius, with a number moe.

Wherefore Francis the French king being informed of the strange and outrageous cruelty of this hellish monk: sent letters to the high Courte or Parliament of Province, y ^e forthwith he should be apprehended, & by form of process and order of law, he should be condemned, & advertisement sent unto him w ^t all speed, or his condemnation. The monk being advertised hereof by his friends, conveyed himself to Avigno, where he thought to enjoy the spoylings, which he, like a notorious thief, had gotten by fraud & extortion, from the pore Christians. But shortly after, he which had so shamefully spoiled other, was spoiled of altogether, by his own household servants: Wherupon, shortly after, he fell sick of a most horrible disease, strange and unknown to any Physician. So extreme were the pains & torments, wherewith he was continually vexed in all his body, that no ointment, no foam̄tation, nor anything else, could ease him one minute of an hour. Neither was there any man that could tarry near about him: ne yet would any of his own friends come near to him: so great was the stench that came from him. For the which cause he was carried from the Iacobines, to an hospital, there to be kept. But the stinche & infection, so increased, that no man durst there come near him: no nor he himself was able to abide the horrible stench that ishued from his body, full of ulcers and sores, and swarming with vermin, and so rotten, that the flesh fell away from the bones, by peecemeale.

Whiles he was in these torments and anguish, he cried out oftentimes in great rage: Oh who will deliver me? who will kill and rid me out of these intolerable pains, which I know, I suffer for the evils and oppressions that I have done to the poor men? And he himself went about diverse times, to destroy himself, but he had not the power. In these horrible torments and anguish, and fearful despair, this blasphemer and most cruel homicide, moste miserably ended his vnhappye days and cursed life, as a spectacle to all persecutors, receiving a just reward of his cruelty by y ^e just judgment of God. When he was dead, there was no man y ^t would come nere him to bury him: but a young novice newly come to his order, in stead of a more honorable sepulture, caught hold w ^t a hook upon his stinking carian & drew him into a hole hard by, which was made for him.

After the death of this cruel monster, the bishop of Aix, by his Officiall Perionet, continued the persecution & put a great multitude of them in prison: of whom some by force of torments, revolted from the truth: the others which continued constant after he had condemned thē of heresy, were put into the hands of the ordinary judge, which at y ^• time, was one Meiranus, a notable cruel persecutor: who without any form of process or order of law, such as the Official had pronounced to be heretics, he put to death, with most cruel torments: But shortly after, he received a just reward of his cruelty, in like manner.

After the death of the good President Cusinetus, the Lord of Reuest being chief President of the Parliament of Aix, put many of the faithful to death. Who afterward being put out of his office, returned to his house of Reuest, where he was stricken with such an horrible sickness, that for the fury and madness which he was in, his wife or any that were about him, durst not come near him, and so he dying in this fury and rage, was justly plagued for his unmerciful and cruel dealing.

After him succeeded Barthol. Cassaneus, likewise a pestilent persecutor, whom God at length stroke with a fearful & sodeine death. In the time of this tyrant, those of Merindol, in the person often, were cited personally to appear before y ^e kings atturny. But they hearing that y ^e court had determined to burn them w ^t out any further process or order of law, durst not appear at y ^e day appointed. For which cause the court awarded a cruel sentence against Merindol, & condemned all the inhabitants, to be burned both men & women, sparing none, no not the little children & infantes: the town to be rased, & their houses beaten down to the ground: also the trees to be cut down, as well olive trees, as all other, and nothing to be left, to the intent it should never be inhabited again, but remain as a desert or wilderness.

This bloody arrest or Decree seemed so strange and wonderful, that in every place throughout all Province, there was great reasoning and disputation concerning the same, especially among the advocates, and men of learning & understanding: in so much that many durst boldly & openly say, that they greatly marveled, how that Court of parlamēt could be so mad, or so bewitched, to give out such an arrest, so manifestly iniucious & unjust, and contrary to all right and reason, yea to all sense of humanity: also contrary to the solemn oath, which all such as are received to office in Courtes of Parliament, are accustomed to make, that is to say, to judge justly & uprightly, according to the law of God, and the just ordinances & laws of the realm, so that God thereby might be honored, and every man's right regarded without respect of persons.

Some of the advocates or lawyers, defending the said Arrest to be just and right, said: that in case of Lutheranism, the judges are not bound to observe either right or reason, law either ordinance, and that the judges cannot fail or do amiss, whatsoever judgment they do give, so that it tend to the ruin and extirpation of all such as are suspected to be Lutherans.

To this the other lawyers and learned men answered, that upon their sayings it would insue, that the Judges should now altogether follow the same manner and form, in proceeding against the Christians accused to be Lutherans, which the gospel witnesseth that the Priests, Scribes, and Pharisees followed, in pursuing and persecutyng, and finally condemning our Lord Jesus Christ.

By these & such other like talks y ^e said arrest was published throughout the country, and there was no assemble or banket where it was not disputed or talked of: & namely within 12. days after the Arrest was given out, there was a great banket in the town of Aix, at the which banket was present M. Barthelmew Chassanee, President, & many other Counselors and other noble personages and men of authority. There was also the Archb. of Aries and the bishop of Aix, with diverse ladies and gentlewomen, amongst whom was one which was commonly reported to be the bishop of Aix his concubine. They wer scarce well set at the table, but she began thus to talk. My Lord President, will you not execute the arrest, which is given out of late, against the Lutherans of Merindoll? The President answered nothing, feigning that he heard her not. Then a certain gentleman asked of her what Arrest that was. She recited it in manner and form, as it was given out, forgetting nothing, as if she had a long time, studied to commit the same unto memory: Whereunto they which were at the banket gave diligent ear without any word speaking, until she had ended her tale.

Then the lord of Alenc, a man fearing God, and of great understanding, said unto her: gentlewomā, you have learned this tale, either of some that would have it so, or else it is given out by some parliament of women. Then the lord of Senas an ancient counsailor, said unto him, no, no, my L. of Alenc, it is no tale which you have hard this gentlewoman tell: for it is an arrest given out by a whole Senate, & you ought not thus to speak, except you would call the court of Province a parliament of women. Then the L. of Alenc began to excuse himself, with protestation, that he would not speak anything to blemish the authority of that sovereign court, notwithstanding he could not believe all that which the said gentlewoman had told, that is to say, that all the inhabitants of Merindoll were condemned to die by y ^e Arrest of the said court of parliament of Province, and specially the women & little children and infants: and the town to be rased, for the fault of 10. or 12. persons which did not appere before the said court at the day appointed. And the Lord Beauieu also answered, that he believed not the said court to have given out any such Arrest, for that (said he) were a thing most unreasonable, and such as the very Turks and the most tyrannes of the world would judge to be a thing most detestable: and said further, that he had known a long time many of Merindol, which seemed unto him to be men of great honesty: and my L. President (said he) can certify us well what is done in this mater, for we ought not to give credit unto women's tales. Then the gentlewoman which had rehearsed y ^e arrest, stayed not to hear the Presidents answer, but suddenly looking upon the B. of Aix, said: I should greatly have marveled, if there had been none in all this company which would defend these wicked men, and lifting her eyes to heaven in a great womanly chafe and fume, said: would to God that all the Lutherans which are in Province, yea, and in all France, had horns growing on their forheads, then we should see a goodly many of horns. To whom the Lord Beauieu suddenly answered, saying, would to God that all priests harlots should chatter like Pies. Then said the gētlewoman: ha my L. Beauieu, you ought not so to speak against our holy mother the church, for that there was never dog y ^t barked against the crucifix, but that he waxed mad. Whereat the Bishop of Aix laughed, and clapping the gentlewoman on the shoulder, said, by my holy orders my minion, well said, I conne you thank, She hath talked well unto you, my Lord Beauieu, remember well the lesson that she hath given you. Here the Lord Beauieu being wholly moved w ^t anger, said, I care neither for her school nor yours, for it would be long before a man should learn of either of you both, any honesty or honor: For if I should say that the most part of the bishops and priests are abhominable adulterers, blind idolaters, deceivers, thieves, seducers, I should not speak against the holy church, but against a heap and flock of wolves, dogs, and filthy swine in speaking these things, I would think a man not to be mad at all, except he be mad for speaking of the truth.

Then the Archbishop in a great iurie answered, my L. Beauieu, you speak very evil, and you must give account when time and place serveth, of this your talk, which you have here uttered against the Church men. I would, said the Lord Beauieu that it were to do even this present day, and I would bind myself to prove more abuses & naughtiness in Priests then I have yet spoken. Then said the President Chassinee, my Lord Beauieu, let us leave of this talk and live as our fathers have done, and maintain their honor. Then said he in a great anger, I am no Priests son to maintain their wickedness • e and abuse. And afterward he said, I am well content to honor all true pastors of the church, and will not blame them which show good example in their doctrine and living: but I demand of you my Lord of Arles, and you my Lord of Aix, when as our Lord Jesus Christ called the Priests deceiving hypocrites, blind seducers, robbers and thieves, did he them any outrage or wrong? and they answered no, for the most part of them were such men. Then said the Lord Beauieu, even so is it with the bishops and priests which I have spoken of, for they are such kind of men, or rather worse: and I so abhor their filthy and abhominable life, that I dare not speak the one half of that which I know, and therefore in speaking the truth, to cool the babbling of a harlot, I do them no injury.

Then monsieur de Senas an ancient counsailor, said, let us leave of this contentious talk, for we are here assembled & come together to make good chere. And afterward he said, monsieur de Beauieu, for the love and amity which I bear unto you, I will advertise you of 3. things, which if you will do, you shall find great ease therein.

The first is, that you neither by word nor deed, aide or assist those which you hear to be Lutherans.

Secondly, y ^t you do not entermeddle, openly to reprove ladies and gentlewomen for their pastime and pleasures.

Thirdly, that you do never speak against the life and living of Priests, howe wicked so ever it be, according to this saying: Do not touch mine annointed.

To whom monsieur Beauieu answered, as touching y ^e first point, I know no Lutherans, neither what is meant by this word Lutheranism, except you do call them Lutherans, which profess the doctrine of the gospel. Neither yet will I ever allow any Arrest which shall be given out to death against men whose cause hath not been heard, especially, against women and young infantes: and I am assured that there is no Court of parliament in all France which will approve or allow any such arrest. And where as you say that I should not meddle to reprove ladies or gētlewomen, if I knew any kinswoman of mine, which would abandon her self unto a priest or clerk, yea albeit he were a cardinal or bishop, I would not do her so much honor as to rebuke her therefore, but at the least I would cut of her nose. And as touching priests, as I am contented not to meddle with their business, so likewise I will not that they meddle with mine hereafter, or come from henceforth w ^t in my house: For as many as I shall find or take there, I will set their crowns so nere their sholders, that they shall need no more to wear any hoodes about their necks. The like also said the President Chassanee.

Then the bishop of Aix his sweet heart, which had begun the quarrel, said, I shall not be in quiet, except I speak yet one word more unto monsieur Beauieu. Do you think said she unto him, that all the Cardinals, Bishops, Abbots, Priests, and all those holy religious men which go oftentimes to gentlemens houses, and haunte the Castels and palaces of Princes and noblemen, that they go thither to commit wickedness? Also you must not think evil of all those ladies and gentlewemen, that go to Bishops houses of devotion, and for to reveal those whom they know to be Lutherans, as it was commanded in the pulpitte upon pain of Excommunication: If so be you will maintain those words, I will not cease to accuse you of crime, and also of Treason both to God and to man: for here be those in this company, which shall make you give an accompt thereof. She had not so soon ended her talk, but Monsieur Beauieu said unto her, auaunte O Herodias, thou filthy and impudent harlot: is it thy part to open thy mouth to talk in this company? Doest thou well understand and know what treason to God and man meaneth? Is it not sufficient for thee to be as thou art, but thou must solicit other to shed innocent blood? With these words the Gentlewoman was somewhat amazed. All men thought that this talk had been at an end, and every man began to invent some merry communication, that the former matter should be no more talked of.

At the last, the gentlewoman advising herself, and thinking that she was to much injured, to be said, that she went about to shed the innocent blood, she brake of all their talk, and with a loud voice said, Monsieur Beauieu, if I were a man, as I am a woman, I would offer you the combat, to prove that I am no such manner of woman as you say I am, that I desire to shed innocent blood. Do you call the blood of these wicked men of Merindoll, innocent blood? True it is that I desire and offer with my whole power, that these naughty packes of Merindol, & such like as they are, should be slain and destroyed, from the greatest even unto the least. And for to see the beginning of this work, I have employed all my credit, and all my friends, and do not spare, neither body nor goods, to work the ruin & destruction of these people, and to rase out, and to deface their memory from amongst men. Do you then Monsieur Beauieu, call the slaughter of these Lutherans, the effusion of innocent blood? And say you what you will, I will not refrain for no man living, to go either by day either by night, unto the houses of Bishops, in all honesty and honor, for the devotion which I bear unto our holy mother the church, and also I will receive into my house, all religious men, to consult and devise the means how to put these Lutherans to death. But as Monsieur Beauieu took no more regard unto her talk, so likewise all that were at the table, dispraised her and were weary of her prating.

Then there was a certain young gentleman, which merely jesting, said unto her: Gentlewomā, it must needs be that these poor people, unto whom you do wish this cruel death, have done you some great displeasure. Then said she, I may well take an oath, that I never knew one of those wretched people, neither (that I wot of) ever saw any of them. And I had rather to meet 10. devils, then one of those naughty knaves: for their opinions are so detestable, that happy and blessed are they, which never heard tell of them. And I was not then wrll advised, at what time. by curiosity I seeing the Bishop of Aix so much troubled and angry, that he could not eat nor drink, did desire him and contstrain him to tell me the cause thereof. Then he perceiving that I would not be well contented if he should not tell me, declared unto me some part of the cause: that is to say, that there was certain heretics, which spake against our holy mother the church, and among other errors, they maintained, yea to death, that all Bishops, Priests, & pastors ought to be married, or else to be gelded: and hearing this, I was marvelously offended, and ever since I did hate them to the death. And also it was enjoined unto me by penance, that I should endeavor with all my power, to put these heretics to death. After these frivolous talks, there was great trouble and debate amongst them, and many threatenings, which were too long here to describe.

Then the President Chassance, and the Coūcellers parted aside, and the Gentlemen went on the other part. The Archbishop of Arles, the Bishop Aix, and diverse Abbots, Priors, and others, assembled them selves together, to consult how this Arrest might be executed with all speed, intending to raise a new persecution, greater then that of John the Iacobine Monk of Rome: For otherwise (said they) our state and honor is like to decay. We shall be reproved, contemned, and derided of all men. And if none should thus vaunt and set themselves against us, but these pesantes, and such like, it were but a small matter: but many Doctors of Divinity, and men of the religious order, diverse Senators and Advocates, many wise and well learned men: also a great parte of the nobility (if we may so say) and that of great renown, yea even of the chiefest Peers in all Europe, begin to contemn and despise us, counting us to be no true pastors of the church: so that except we see to this mischief, and provide for remedy betime, it is greatly to be feared, least not only we shall be compelled to forsake our dignities, possessions and livings, which we now wealthely enjoy, but also the church being spoiled of her pastors and guides, shall hereafter come to a miserable ruin and utter desolation. Thys matter therefore now requireth great diligence and circumspection, and that withal celerity.

Then the Archbishop of Arles, not forgetting his Spanish subtleties and policies, gave his advise, as followeth. Against the nobility we must (said he) take heed that we attempt nothing rashly: but rather, we must seek all the means we cā, how to please them, for they are our shield, our fortress and defense. And albeit we know that many of them do both speak & think evil of us, and that they are of these new gospellers, yet may we not reprove them to exasperate them in any case: but seeing they are too much bent against us already, we must rather seek how to win them, and to make them our friends again, by gifts and presents: and by this policy, we shall live in safety under their protection. But if we enterprise anything against them, sure we are to gain nothing thereby, as we are by experience already sufficiently taught.

It is well said, saith the Bishop of Aix: but I can show you a good remedy for this disease. We must go about withal our endeavor, power, and policy, and all the friends we can make, sparing no charges, but spending goods, wealth and treasure, to make such a slaughter of the Merindolians, and rusticall pesantes, that none shall be so bold hereafter, whatsoever they be, yea although they be of the blood royal, once to open their mouths against us, or the Ecclesiastical state. And to bring this matter to pass, we have no better way, then to withdraw our selves to Avigno, in the which City we shall find many Bishops, Abbots, and other famous men, which will with us, employ their whole endeavor, to maintain and uphold the majesty of our holy mother the Church. This counsel was well liked of them all. Wherupon the said Archbishop of Arles and the Bishop of Aix, went withal speed, to Avigno, there to assemble, out of hand, the Bishops and other men of authority and credit, to entreat this matter. In this pestilent conspiracy the Bishop of Aix, a stout champion and a great defender of the traditions of men, taking upon him to be the chief Orator, began in manner as followeth.

O Ye fathers and brethren, ye are not ignorant that a great tempest is raised up against the little bark of Christ Jesus, now in great danger and ready to pearish. The storm cometh from the North, whereof all these troubles proceed. The seas rage, the waters rushe in on every side, the winds blow & beat upon our house, and we, without speedy remedy, are like to sustain shippewracke, and loss of altogether. For oblations cease, pilgrimage and devotion waxeth cold, charity is clean gone, our estimation and authority is abased, our jurisdiction decayed, and the ordinances of the church despised. And wherefore are we set and ordained over nations and kingdoms, but to root out and destroy, to subvert and overthrow, whatsoever is against our holy mother the Church? Wherefore let us now awake let us stand stoutly in the right of our own possession, that we may root out from the memory of men forever the whole route of the wicked Lutherans: those Foxes (I say) which destroy the vineyard of the Lord: those great Whales, which go about to drown the little bark of the son of God. We have already well begun, and have procured a terrible Arrest against these cursed heretics of Merindoll: now then resteth no more but only the same to be put in execution. Let us therefore employe our whole endeavor, that nothing happen which may let or hinder that we have so happily begun, and let us take good heed, that our gold and silver do not witness against us at the day of judgment, if we refuse to bestow the same, that we may make so good a sacrifice unto God. And for my parte, I offer to wage & furnishe of mine own costs and charges, a 100. men well horsed, with all other furniture to them belonging, and that so long, until the utter destruction and subversion of these wretched and cursed caitiffes, be fully performed and finished.

This Oration pleased the whole multitude, saving one doctor of divinity, a frier Iacobine, named Bassinet, who then answered again with this Oration.

This is a weighty matter (said he) and of great importance: We must therefore proceed wisely and in the fear of God, and beware that we do nothing rashly. For if we seek the death and destruction of these poor and miserable people wrongfully, whē the King and the Nobility shall hear of such an horrible slaughter, we shall be in great danger, least they do to us as we read in the Scriptures, was done to the priests of Baal. For my parte, I must say and unfeignedly confess, that I have too rashly and lightly signed many processes against those, which have been accused of heretical doctrine: but now I do protest before God, which seeth and knoweth the hearts of men, that seeing the lamentable end and effect of mine assigments, I have had no quietness in my conscience, considering that the secular judges, at the report of the judgment and sentence, given by me, and other Doctors my companions, have condemned all those unto most cruel death whom we have judged to be heretics. And the cause why in conscience I am thus disquieted, is this, that now of late since I have givē myself more diligently to the reading & cōtēplatiō of the holy scriptures: I have perceived that the most part of those Articles which they that are called Lutherans do maintain, are so conformable and agreeing to the Scriptures, that for my part, I can no longer gainsay them, except I should even willfully and maliciously resist and strive against the holy ordinances of God. Al be it hitherto, to maintain the honor of our holy mother the Church, and of our holy father the Pope, and of our order, I have consented to the opinions, & doings of the other Doctors, as well through ignorance, as also because I would not seem to attempt anything against the will and pleasure of the Prelates and Vicares general: But now it seemeth unto me that we ought not anymore to proceed in this matter, as we have done in time past. It shall be sufficient to punish them, with fines or to banish them, which shall speak too intemperately, or rashly against the constitutions of the Church, and of the Pope: and such as shall be manifestly convicted by the holy Scriptures, to be blasphemers or obstinate heretics, to be condemned to death according to the enormity of the crimes or errors, or else to perpetual prison. And this my advise and counsel I desire you to take in good part.

With this counsel of Bassinet, all the company was offended, but especially the Bish. of Aix, who lifting up his voice above all the rest, said thus unto him: O thou man of little faith, whereof art thou in doubt? Doest thou repent thee of that thou haste well done? Thou haste told here a tale that smelleth of fagottes and brimstone. Is there any difference (thinkest thou) between herisies and blasphemies spoken and maintained against the holy Scriptures: and opinions holden against our holy mother the Church, and contrary to our holy father the Pope, a most undoubted and true God in earth? Art thou a master in Israel, and knowest not these things? Then said the Bishop of Arles, could any man entreat better of the little Bark of Christ Jesus, then my Lord of Aix hath done? Then stood up Bassinet again, and made this Oration.

It is true, that my Lord the Bishop of Aix hath very well set out the manners and state of the Clergy, and hath aptly reproved the vices and heresies of this present time: and therefore so soon as mention was made of the ship of Christ Jesus, it came in my mind first of all, of the high Bishop of Jerusalem, the Priests, the Doctors of the law, the Scribes and Phariseys, which sometime had the governance of this ship, being ordained pastors in the Church of God. But when they forsook the law of God, and served him with men's inventions and traditions, he destroyed those Hypocrites in his great indignation: and having compassion and pity upon the people, which were like sheep without a shepherd, he sent diligent fishers to fish for men: faithful workmen into his harvest, and laborers into his vineyard, which shall all bring forth true fruits in their season. Secondly, considering the purpose and intent of the reverent Lord Bishop of Aix, I called to mind the saying of the Apostle in his • . Epistle and 4. chapter unto Timothy: That in the latter days, some shall fall away from the faith, following after deceitful spirits, and the doctrine of devils. And the Apostle giveth a mark whereby a man shall know them. Likewise our Lord Jesus Christ, in the 7. chapter of Matthew, saith, That the false Prophets shall come, clothed in sheep's skins, but inwardly they are ravening Wolves: and by their fruits they shall be known. By these two and diverse such other places, it is easy to understand, who are they that go about to drown this little bark of Christ. Are they not these which fill the same with filthy and unclean things? With mire and dirt? with puddle and stinking water? Are they not those which have forsaken Jesus Christ, the fountain of living water, and have digged unto them selves pittes or cesternes which will hold no water? Truly even those they are, which vaunt themselves to be the salt of the earth, and yet have no savor at all: which cal them selves pastors, & yet are nothing less then true pastors, for they minister not unto the sheep the true pasture and feeding, neither devide and distribute the true bread of the word of life. And (if I may be bold to speak it) would it not be at this present, as a great wonder to hear a Bishop preach, as to see an Ass fly? Are not they cursed of God which glory and vaunte them selves to have the keys of the kingdom of heaven, and neither enter in them selves, nor suffer them that would enter, to come in? They may be known right well by their fruits: for they have forsaken faith, judgment and mercy, & there is no honest, clean, or undefiled thing in them, but their habit, their rochet, & their surplesse and such other: Outwardly they are exceeding neat and trim, but within they are full of all abomination, rauine, gluttony, filthy lust, and all manner of uncleanness. They are like painted sepulchers, which outwardly appear beautiful & fair, but within they are full of filth and corruption. A man shall know (I say) these ravening Wolves, by their fruits, which devour the quick and the dead, under the pretence of long prayer: and for so much as I am enforced to give place to the truth, and that you call me a Master in Israel, I will not be afraid to prove by the holy Scriptures, that your great Pilot and patron the Pope, and the Bishops the mariners, and such others, which have impudently forsaken the ship of Christ Jesus, to embarke them self in Pinises and Brigandines, are pyrates and robbers of the Sea, false Prophets, deceivers and not true pastors of the Church of Jesus Christ.

Whē Doctor Bassinet had thus freely and boldly uttered his mind: the whole multitude began to gather about him, and spitefully railed at him. But the bishop of Aix above other, raging and crying out, as he had been mad: get thee out said he, from amongst us, thou wicked Apostate: thou art not worthy to be in this company. We have burned daily a great many, which have not so well deserved it, as thou hast. We may now perceive y ^t there is none more steadfast and fervent in the faith, then the doctors of y ^e canon law. And therefore it were necessary to be decreed in the next general council, that none should have to do in matters of religion, but they alone: For these knaves and beggarly Monks and Friers will bring all to nought. Then the other doctors of the same order, boldly reproved the bish. of Aix, for the injury that he had done unto them: After this, there rose a great dissention amongst them: in so much that there was nothing at that time determined. After dinner all these reverent prelates assembled together again, but they suffered neither Frier nor Monk to be amongst them except he were an Abbot. In this assemble they made a general composition, confirmed with an oth, that every man should endeavor him self, that the said Arrest of Merindol should be executed withal expedition, every man offering to furnish out men of war, according to his ability. The charge whereof was given to the Bishop of Aix and to the President of the Canons, to solicit the matter, and to persuade by all means possible, the presidents and Counsellers of the said Court of Parliament, without fear or doubt, to execute the said Arrest, with drummes, ensigns, displaide, artillery, and all kind of furniture of war.

This conspiracy being concluded and determined, the Bishop of Aix departed incontinent from Avigno, to go unto Aix, to perform y ^e charge, which was given to him. Notwithstanding they desired him to be the next day after the Counsel was holden, at a banket which should be made at the house of the Bishop of Rieux. To this banket such as were known to be the fairest and most beautiful women in all Avigno, were called to refresh and solace these good Prelates, after the great pains and travail which they had taken for our holy mother the Church. After they had dined, they fell to dancing, playing at dice, and such other pastimes as are commonly wont to be frequented at the banquets and feasts of these holy Prelates. After this, they walked abroad to solace them selves, and to pass the time till supper.

As they passed thorough the streets, everyone leading his Minion upon his arm, they saw a man which sold baudie Images and pictures, with filthy rimes and Ballets annexed to the same, to move and stir up the people to whoredom, and knavery. All these goodly Pictures were bought up by the Bishops: which were as many as a Mule could well carry. And if there were any obscure sentence, or hard to understand, in those rimes or ballets, the same these learned Prelates did readely expound, and laughed presently thereat. In the same place, as they walked alōg, there was a bookeseller which had set out to sale, certain Bibles in French and Latin, with diverse other Books, which when the Prelates beheld, they were greatly moved thereat, and said unto him: Darest thou be so hardy to set out such marchādise to sel here in this town? Doest thou not know that such books are forbidden? The bokeseller answered, is not the holy Bible as good as these goodly pictures, which you have bought for these Gentlewemen? He had scarce spoken these words, but the bishop of Aix said, I renounce my part of Paradise if this fellow be not a Lutheran. Let him be taken (said he) and examined what he is, and incontinently the bookeseller was taken and carried unto prison, and spitefully handled: For a company of knaves and ruffians, which waited upon the Prelates, began to cry out, a Lutheran, a Lutheran, to the fire with him, to the fire with him, and one gave him a blow with his fist, another pulled him by the hear, & other by the beard, in such sort, that the poor man was all embrued with blood, before that he came unto prison.

The morrow after he was brought before the judges, in y ^e presence of the bishops, whereas he was examined in this form as followeth. Hast not thou set forth to sale the Bible and the New Testament in French? The prisoner answered, that he had so done. And being demanded whether he understood or knew not that it was forbidden throughout all Christendom, to print or sel the Bible in any other language, then in Latin: he answered, that he knew the contrary, and that he had sold many Bibles in the French tongue, with y ^e Emperors privilege, and many other printed at Lions: also new testaments, imprinted by the kings privilege. Furthermore he said, that he knew no nation throughout all Christendom, which had not the holy scriptures in their vulgare tongue: and afterward with a bold courage thus he spake unto them. O you inhabitants of Avigno, are you alone in all Christendom? those men which do despise and abhor the Testament of the heavenly father: Will you forbid and hide that which Jesus Christ hath commanded to be revealed and published? Do you not know that our Lord Jesus Christ gave power unto his Apostles, to speak all manner of tongues, to this ende, that his holy Gospel should be taught unto all creatures, in every language? And why do you not forbid those books and pictures, which are full of filthiness and abomination, to move & stir up the people to whoredom, and to uncleanness, and to provoke God's vengeance and great indignation upon you all? what greater blasphemy can there be, then to forbid God's most holy books which he ordained to instruct the ignorant, and to reduce and bring again into the way such as are gone astray? What cruelty is this, to take away from the poor seely souls their nourishment and sustenance? But my Lord's, you shall give an heavy accompt, which call sweet sower, and sower sweet, which maintain abhominable and detestable books and pictures, and reject that which is holy.

Then the Bishop of Aix and the other Bishops, began to rage, and gnashed their teeth against this poor prisoner. What need you (said they) anymore examination? let him be sent straight unto y ^e fire, without anymore words. But the Judge Laberius and certain others were not of that mind, neither found they sufficient cause, why to put him to death, but went about to have him put unto his fine, and to make him confess & acknowledge the Bishop of Aix and other his companions, to be the true pastors of the Church. But the bookeseller answered, that he could not do it with a good conscience, forsomuch as he did see before his eyes, y ^t these Bishops maintained filthy books and abhominable pictures, rejecting and refusing the holy books of God, and therefore he judged them rather to be the Priests of Bacchus and Uenus, then the true pastors of the Church of Christ. Whereupon he was immediately condemned to be burned, and the sentence was executed y ^e very same day: And for a sign or token of the cause of his condemnation, he carried two Bibles hanging about his neck, the one before, & the other behind him: but this pore man had also the word of God in his heart & in his mouth, and ceased not continually by the way, until that he came to the place of execution, to exhort and monish the people to read the holy Scriptures: in so much that diverse were thereby moved to seek after the truth. The Prelates seeing a great dissention amongst the people of Avigno, and that many murmured and grudged against them for the death of this good man, and also for the dishonor which they had done unto the holy Testament of God, minding to put the people in a fear, they proceeded the next day to make a proclamatiō by the sound of a Trumpet, throughout the whole town and County of Venice, that all such as had any books in the French tongue entreating upon the holy Scriptures, should bring them forth, and deliver them into the hands of the Commissioners, appointed for that purpose: contrariwise, they which had any such books found about them, should be put to death.

Then after that these Prelates had taken advise to raise great persecution in Venice, the Bishop of Aix returned to prosecute the executiō of the arrest against Merindol, traveling earnestly with the President Cassaneus, to that effect: declaring unto him the good will of the Prelates of Avigno and Province, & the great affectiō they bare both to him and his, with many fair promises, if he would put the Arrest in execution. The President answered him, that it was no small matter to put the Arrest of Merindoll in execution. Also that the saiyd Arrest was given out more to keep y ^e Lutherans in fear, which were a great number in Province, then to execute it in effect, as it was contained in the said Arrest. Moreover, he said that the arrest of Merindoll was not definitive, and that the laws and statutes of the realm, did not permit y ^e executiō thereof, without further process. Then said the Bishop, if there he either law or statute which doth hinder or let you, we carry in our sleeves to dispence therwithall. The President answered, it were a great sin to shed the innocent blood. Then said the Bishop, the blood of them of Merindoll be upon us and upon our successors. Then said the President. I am very well assured that if the Arrest of Merindoll be put in execution, the king will not be well pleased to have such destruction made of his subjects. Then said the Bishop, although the king at the first, do think it evil done, we will so bring it to pass, that within a short space, he shall think it well done: For we have y ^e Cardinals on our side, & specially the most reverent Cardinal of Tournon, the which will take vpō him the defense of our cause, and we can do him no greater pleasure, then utterly to root out these Lutherans: so that if we have any need of his coūsails or aid, we shall be well assured of him: And is not he the principal, the most excellent & prudent adversary of these Lutherans, which is in all Christendom?

By this & such other like talk, the Bishop of Aix persuaded the President & Counselors of the Court of Parliament, to put the said Arrest in execution, and by this means through the authority of the said Court, the drum was sounded throughout all Province, y ^t Captains were prepared with their Ensigns displayd, and a great number of footemē and horsemen, began to set forward & marched out of the town of Aix, in order of battle, well horsed and furnished against Merindoll, to execute the Arrest. The inhabitauntes of Merindoll being advertised hereof, and seeing nothing but present death to be at hand, with great lamentation, commended themselves & their cause unto God by prayer, making thenselves ready to be murdered and slain as sheep led unto the butchery.

Whiles they were at this grievous distress pitiously mournyng and lamenting together, the father with the son, the daughter with y ^e mother, the wife with the husband, suddenly there was news brought unto them, that the army was retired, and no mā knew at that time, how or by what means: notwithstanding afterward it was known, that the Lord of Alenc, a wise man & learned in the Scriptures & in Civil law, being moved with great zeal and love of justice, declared unto the President Chassanee, that he ought not so to proceed against the inhabitants of Merindoll by way of force of arms, contrary to all form and order of justice, without judgment or condemnation, or without making any difference between the gilty & the vngilty. And furthermore he said, I desire you my Lord President, call to remembrance the counsel which you have written in your book, entitled Catalogus gloriae mundi, in the which book you have entreated and brought forth the processes which were holden against the Rats, by the officers of the Court and jurisdiction of the Bishop of Authun. For as it happened, there was almost through out all the Bailiwyke of Laussois, such a great number of Rats, that they destroyed and devoured all the corn of the country. Wherupon they took counsel to send unto y ^e Bishop of Authuns Official, for to have the Rats excommunicate. Whereupon it was ordained & decreed by the said Officiall, after he had heard the plaintiff of the Procurator fiscall, that before he would proceed to excommunication, they should have admonition, and warning, according to the order of justice. For this cause it was ordained, that by the sound of a trumpet, & open proclamation made throughout all y ^e streets of the town of Authun, the Rats should be cited to appear within three days: and if they did not appear: then to proceed against them.

The three days were passed, & the Procurator came into the Court against the rats, & for lack of appearaūce, obtained default: by virtue whereof he required that they would proceed to the excommunication. Wherupon it was judicially acknowledged, that the said Rats being absent, should have their Advocate appointed them to hear their defense, for so much as y ^e question was for y ^e whole destructiō & banishyng of the said Rats. And you my Lord President being at that time the kings Advocate at Authun, were then chosen to be the Advocate to defend the Rattes. And having takē the charge vpō you in pleadyng y ^e matter, it was by you there declared that the citatiō was of no effect, for certain causes & reasons by you there alleged. Then was it decreed that the said Rats should be once again cited, throughout the Parishes whereas they were. Then after the citatiōs were duly served, the Procurator came again into the Court as before, & there it was alleged by you my Lord President, how that y ^e term of appearance given unto the Rats was to short, & that there were so many Cats in every Town and Uillage as they should pass through, that they had just cause to be absent.

Wherefore my Lord President, you ought not so lightly to proceed against these poor mē, but you ought to look upon the holy Scriptures, and there you shall find how you ought to proceed in this matter: and you my Lord, have alleged many places of the Scripture concerning the same, as appeareth more at large in your said book, and by this plea of a matter which seemeth to be but of small importance, you have obtained great fame and honor, for the upright declaration of the manner & form, how judges ought gravely to proceed in criminal causes. Then my Lord President, you which have taught others, will you not also learn by your own books? the which will manifestly condemn you, if you proceed any further, to the destruction of these poor men of Merindoll. For are not they Christian men? and ought you not as well to minister right and justice unto them, as you have done unto the Rattes? By these and such like demonstrations, the President was persuaded, and immediately called back his commission which he had given out, and caused the army to retire, the which was already come near unto Merindoll, even within one mile and a half.

Then the Merindolians understanding that the army was retired, gave thanks unto God, comforting one another, with admonition and exhortation, always to have y ^e fear of God before their eyes, to be obedient unto his holy commandments, subject to his most holy will, and every man to submit himself unto his providence, patiently attending and looking for the hope of the blessed, that is to say, the true life and the everlasting riches, having always before their eyes for example our Lord Jesus Christ the very son of God, who hath entered into his glory by many tribulations. Thus the Merindolians prepared themselves to endure and abide all the afflictions, that it should please God to lay upon them: and such was their answer to all those that either pitied or else sought their destructiō. Wherupon the brute and noise was so great, as well of the Arrest, as of the enterprise of the execution, and also of the patience and constancy of the Merindolians, that it was not hidden or kept secrete, from King Francis, a Kyng of noble courage, and great judgment: Who gave commandment unto the noble and virtuous Lord, Monsieur de Langeay, which then was his Lieutenant in Thurin, a City in Piemont, that he should diligently inquire and search out the truth of all this matter. Whereupon the said Monsieur de Langeay, sent unto Province two men of fame and estimation, giving them in charge, to bring unto him the copy of the Arrest, and diligently to inquire out all that followed and ensued thereupon: and likewise to make diligent inquisition of the life and manners of the said Merindolians, and others, which were persecuted in the country of Province.

These deputies brought the copy of the Arrest, and of all that happened thereupon, unto the said Monsieur de Langeay, declaring unto him the great injuries, polings, extorcions, exactions, tirannies, & cruelties, which y ^e Judges, as well secular as Ecclesiastical, used against them of Merindoll and others. As touching the behavior and disposition of those which were persecuted, they reported that the most part of the men of Province affirmed them to be men given to great labor and travail, and that about 200. years passed (as it is reported) they came out of the country of Piemont to dwell in Province, and took to tillage and to inhabit, many hamlets & villages destroyed by the wars, and other desert and waste places: which they had so well occupied, that now there was great store of wynes, oils, honey, and cattle, wherewith strangers were greatly relieved and helped̄. Besides that, before they came into the country to dwell, the place of Merindoll, was taxed but at four crowns, which before the last destruction, paid yearly unto the Lord for taxes and tallages, above 350. crowns, beside other charges.

The like was also reported of Lormarin, and diverse other places of Province, whereas there was nothing but robbery before they came to inhabit there, so that none could pass that way, but in great danger. Moreover, they of the country of Province, affirmed that the inhabitaunts of Merindoll and the other that were persecuted: were peaceable & quiet people, beloved of all their neighbors, men of good behavior, constant in keeping of their promise, and paieng of their debts, without traversing or pleading of the law. That they were also charitable men, giving of alms, relieving the poor, and suffered none amongst them to lack or be in necessity. Also they gave alms to strangers, and to y ^e poor passengers, harbouring, nourishing, and helping them in all their necessities, according to their power. Moreover, that they were known by this, throughout all y ^e country of Province, that they would not swear, or name the devil, or easily be brought to take an oath, except it were in judgment, or making some solemn covenant. They were also known by this, that they could never be moved nor provoked to talk of any dishonest matters, but in what company soever they came, where they heard any wanton talk, swearing of blasphemy, to the dishonor of God, they straight way departed out of that company. Also they said that they never saw them go unto their business, but first they made their prayers. The said people of Province furthermore affirmed, that whē they came to any fairs or markets, or came to their cities by any occasion, they never in a manner were seen in their Churches: and if they were, whē they prayed they turned away their faces frō the images, and neither offered candles to thē, nor kissed their feet. Neither would they worship the relics of Saints, nor once look upon them. And moreover, if they passed by any cross or Image of the crucifix or any other Saint, by the way as they went, they would do no reverence unto them. Also the Priests did testify, that they never caused them to say any Masses, neither diriges, neither yet De profundis: neither would they take any holy water, and if it were carried home unto their houses, they would not say once God a mercy, yea they seemed utterly to abhor it. To go on pilgrimage, to make any vows to Saints, to buy pardons or remission of sins with money, yea though it might be gotten for a halfepeny, they thought it not lawful. Likewise whē it thundered or lightened, they would not cross themselves, but casting up their eyes to heaven, fetch deep sighs. Some of thē would kneel down & pray, without blessing themselves with y ^e sign of the cross, or taking of holy water. Also they were never seen to offer, or cast into the bason, anything for y ^e maintenance of lights, brotherhoods, churches, or to give any offering either for y ^e quick or the dead. But if any were in affliction or poverty, those they relieved gladly, and thought nothing too much.

This was y ^e whole tenor of the report made unto Moūsieur de Langeay, touching the life and behavior of y ^e inhabitants of Merindoll, and the other which were persecuted: also as touching the Arrest and that which ensued thereupon. Of all those things, the said Monsieur de Langeay, according to the charge that was given him, advertised the king: who understanding these things, as a good prince moved with mercy and pity, sent letters of grace & pardon, not only for those which were condemned for lack of appearance, but also for all the rest of y ^e country of Province, which were accused and suspected in like case: expressly charging and commanding the said parliament that they should not hereafter proceed so rigorously as they had done before, against this people, but if there were any that could be found or proved by sufficient information, to have swarned from y ^e Christian religion, that then he should have good demonstration made unto him by the word of God, both out of the old and of the New Testament: and so as well by the gentleness as by the rigor of the same, he should be reduced again unto the Church of Christ: declaring also y ^t the kings pleasure was, that all such as should be convict of heresy in manner aforesaid, should abjure: forbidding also all manner of persons, of what estate or condition soever they were, to attempt anything against them of Merindoll or other that were persecuted, by any other manner of means, or to molest or trouble them in person or goods: revoking and disannulling all manner of sentences and condemnations, of what judges soever they were, and commanding to set at liberty all prisoners which either were accused or suspected of Lutheranism.

By virtue of these letters, they were now permitted to declare their cause, and to say what they could, in defense thereof. Whereupon they made a confession of their faith: the effect whereof you shall see in the end of the story. This confession was presented first to the Court of Parliament, and afterward being declared more at large, with Articles also annexed thereunto, it was delivered to the Bishop of Cauaillon, who required y ^e same. Also to Cardinal Sadolet, Bishop of Carpentras, with the like Articles, and also a supplication to this effect: That the inhabitants of Cabriers in the County of Venice, most humbly desired him that he would vouchsafe to receive & read the confession and declaration of their faith and doctrine, in the which they, and also their fathers before them, had been of a long time, instructed and taught, which they were persuaded to be agreeable to the doctrine contained in y ^e old and New Testament. And because he was learned in the holy Scriptures, they desired him that he would mark such articles as he thought to be against the Scriptures: and if he should make it to appear unto them, y ^t there was anything contrary to the same, they would not only submit themselves unto abjuration, but also to suffer such punishment as should be adjudged unto them, even to the loss, not only of all that they had, but also their lives. And more over, if there were any Judge in all the county of Venice, which by good and sufficient information, should be able to charge them that they had holden any erroneous doctrine, or maintained any other religion then was contained in the articles of their confession, they desired him that he would communicate the same unto them, and with all obedience, they offered themselves to whatsoever should be thought just and reasonable. Upon this request Cardinal Sadolet answered by his letters writ̄ by his Secretary, and signed with his own hand, the tenor whereof here ensueth.

I have seen your request, and have red the Articles of youre confession, wherein there is much matter contained, and do not understand that you are accused for any other doctrine, but for the very same, which you have confessed. It is most true, that many have reported diverse things of you, worthy of reproof, which after diligent enquiry made, we have found to be nothing else but false reports and slanders. As touching the rest of youre Articles, it seemeth unto me, that there are many words therein, which might well be changed without prejudice unto your confession. And likewise it seemeth to me that it is not necessary that you should speak so manifestly against the Pastors of the Church. For my parte, I desire youre welfare, and would be sory that you should be so spoiled or destroyed, as they do pretend. And to the ende you shall the better understand my amity and friendship towards you, shortly I will be at my house by Cabriers, whether ye may resort unto me either in greater or smaller number, as you will, and return safely without any hurt or damage, and there I will advertise you of all things that I think meet for your profit and health.

About this time, which was the year of our Lord 1542. the Uicelegate of Avigno assembled a great number of men of war at the sure of the B. of Cauaillon, to destroy Cabriers. When the army was come within a mile of Cabriers, the Cardinal Sadolet went with speed unto the Uicelegate, and shown him the request of the inhabitants of Cabriers, with the Articles of their confession, and the offers that they made: so that for that present, the army retired without any damage or hurt done unto y ^e inhabitants of Cabriers. After this the Cardinal Sadolet went unto Rome: but before his departure he sent for diverse of Cabriers, and certain farmers of his own, whom he knew to be of y ^e number of those which were called Lutherans, and told thē that he would have them in remembrance, as soon as he came unto Rome, and communicate their Articles and confession unto the Cardinals, trusting to find a mean to have some good reformation, that God should be thereby glorified, & all Christendom brought to an unity and concord: at the least, nothing at all doubting, but that the foulest abuses should be corrected and amended, advertising them in the mean time to be wise and circumspect, to watch and pray for that they had many enemies. Wyth this Oration of Cardinal Sadolet, they of Cabriers were greatly comforted, trusting that at y ^e suit of Cardinal! Sadolet they should have answer of their confession. But at his return, they understood that he found all things so corrupt at Rome, that there was no hope of any reformation there to be had, but rather mortal war against all such as would not live according to the ordinances of the Church of Rome. Likewise said the Treasurer of Carpentras, who albeit he paid out money to furnish souldioures that were hired for the destruction of Cabriers, notwithstanding he did aid them secretly all that he might. Howbeit he could not do it so secretly, but that it came to the knowledge of the Legate: whereupon he was constrained to withdraw himself.

On the other parte, the Bishop of Aix and Cauaillon pursued still the execution of the arest of Merindoll. Then it was ordained by the court of parliament, that according to the kings letters John Durand coūsailer of the Court of parliament, with a Secretary: and the Bishop of Cauaillon with a doctor of divinity, should go unto Merindoll, and there declare unto y ^e inhabitants the errors and heresies which they knew to be contained in their confession, and make them apparent by good and sufficient information, and having so convicted them by the word of God, they should make them to renounce & abjure the said heresies. And if the Merindolians did refuse to abjure, then they should make relatiō thereof, that the Court might appoint how they should further proceed. After this decree was made, the Bishop of Cauaillon would not tarry until the time which was appointed by the Court, for the execution of this matter: but he himself with a Doctor of Divinity, came unto Merindoll to make them to abjure. Unto whom the Merindolians answered that he enterprised against the authority of the Parliament, and that it was against his commission so to do. Notwithstāding, he was very earnest with thē that they should abjure, & promised them, if they would so do, to take them under his wings & protection, even as the hen doth her chickens, & that they should be no more robbed or spoiled. Thē they required that he would declare unto thē what they should abjure. The Bysh. answered that y ^e matter needed no disputation, & that he required but only a general abiuratiō of all errors, which would be no damage or prejudice to them: For he himself would not stick to make the like abjuration. The Merindolians answered him again, that they would do nothing contrary to the decree & ordinance of the Court, or the kings letters, wherein he commanded that first the errors should be declared unto thē, whereof they were accused: wherefore they were resolved to understand what those errors & heresies were, that being informed thereof by the word of God, they might satisfy the kings letters: otherwise it were but hypocrisy & dissimulation, to do as he required them. And if he could make it to appear unto them by good & sufficient information, that they had hold̄ any errors & heresies, or should be convict thereupon by the word of God, they would willingly abjure: or if in their confession there were any word contrary to the Scriptures, they would revoke the same. Contrarywise, if it were not made manifest unto them, that they had holden any heresies, but that they had always lived according to the doctrine of the Gospel, and that their confession was grounded upon the same: they ought by no means, to move or constrayne them, to abjure any errors which they held not, & that it were plainly against all equity and justice so to do.

Then the Byshyp of Cauaillon was maruelously angry & would hear no word spoken of any demonstration to be made by the word of God, but in a fury cursed and gave him to the devil that first invented that mean. Thē the Doctor of Divinity whom the Bishop brought thither, demanded what Articles they were, that were presented by the inhabitaunts of Merindoll, for the Bishop of Cauaillō had not yet shown thē unto him. Thē the bishop of Cauaillon delivered the Doctor the confession. Which after he had read, the Bishop of Cauaillon said, what? will you anymore witness or declaration? this is full of heresy. Thē they of Merindoll demanded in what point. Whereunto the Bishop knew not what to answer. Then y ^e Doctor demanded to have time to look upon the Articles of the confession, and to consider whether they were against the Scriptures or no. Thus the Bishop departed, being very sore aggrieved that he could not bring his purpose to pass.

After viii. days the Bishop sent for this Doctor, to understand how he might order himself to make those heresies appear, which were in the said confession. Whereunto the Doctor answered, that he was never so much abashed: for when he had beholden the Articles of the confessiō, and the authorities of the Scripture that there were alleged for the confirmation thereof, he had found that those Articles were wholly agreeable and according to the holy Scriptures, and that he had not learned so much in the Scriptures all the days of his life, as he had in those viii. days, in looking upon those Articles and the authorities therein alleged.

Shortly after, the Bysh. of Cauaillon came unto Merindoll, & calling before him the childrē both great & small, gave them money, & commanded thē with fair words, to learn the Pater noster & the Creed in Latin. The most part of them answered that they knew the Pater noster, & the Creed already in Latin, but they could make no reasō of that which they spake, but only in the vulgare tongue. The Bysh. answered, y ^t it was not necessary they should be so cunning, but that it was sufficient that they knew it in Latin, & that it was not requisite for their salvation, to understand or to expound the Articles of their faith: for there were many Bishops, Curates, yea & Doctors of Divinity, whom it would trouble to expound the Pater noster, & the Creed. Here y ^e Bailiff of Merindoll, named Andrew Mainard, asked to what purpose it would serve, to say the Pater noster and the Creed, & not to understand the same: for in so doing, they should but mock & deride God. Thē said the Bishop unto him, do you understand what it signified by these words, I believe in God? The Bailiff answered, I should think myself very miserable, if I did not understand it, & then he began orderly to give account of his faith. Then said the Bishop. I would not have thought there had been so great Doctors in Merindoll. The Bailiff answered: the least of the inhabitauntes of Merindoll, can do it, yet more readely then I: but I pray you, question with one or two of these young childrē, that you may understand whether they be well taught or no. But the Bishop either knew not how to question with them, or at the least, would not.

Then one named Pieron Roy said, Sir, one of these children may questiō with another, if you think it so good: and the Bishop was contented. Then one of the children began to question with his fellows, with such grace and gravity, as if he had been a Scholemaister, and the childrē one after another, answered so unto the purpose, y ^t it was marvelous to hear: For it was done in the presence of many, among whom there were four religious men y ^t came lately out of Paris, of whom, one said unto the Bishop, I must needs confess that I have often been at the common schools of Sorbone in Paris, where I have heard y ^e disputations of the Divines: but yet I never learned so much as I have done by hearing these young children. Then said William Armant: did ye never read that which is written in xi. Chapter of S. Matthew, where it is said: O father, Lord of heaven and earth, I render thanks unto thee, that thou hast hidden these things from the sage and wise men of the world, and hast revealed them unto young infants. But behold O father, such was thy good will and pleasure. Then every mā marveled at the ready and witty answers of the children of Merindoll.

When the Bishop saw that he could not thus prevail, he tried another way, and went about by fair & flattering words, to bring his purpose to pass. Wherefore, causing the strangers to go apart, he said that he now perceived they were not so evil as many thought them to be: Notwithstanding, for the cōtentatiō of them, which were their persecutors, it was necessary that they should make some small abjuration, which only the Bailife, with two officers, might make generally in his presence, in the name of all the rest, without any Notary to record the same in writing, and in so doing they should be loved and favored of all men, and evē of those which now persecuted them: and that they should sustain no infamy thereby, for there should be no report thereof made, but only to the Pope, and to the high Court of Parliament of Province: And also if any man in time to come, would turn the same to their reproach, or allege it against them to their hurt or damage, they might utterly deny it, and say they made no abjuration at all, because there were no records made thereof, or witnesses to prove the same. For this purpose he desired them to talk together, to the ende there might be an ende made in this matter, without any further business.

The Bailife and the two officers, with divers other Auncients of the town, answered, that they were fully resolved, not to consent to any abiuratiō, howsoever it were to be done, except that (which was always their exceptiō) they could make it appear unto thē by the word of God, that they had holden or maintained any heresy: marueling much that he would go about to persuade them to lie to God and the world. And albeit that all men by nature are liars, yet they had learned by the word of God, that they ought diligently to take heed of lying in any matter, were it never so small. Also that they ought diligently to take heed, that their children did not accustom or use themselves to lie, and therefore punished them very sharply, when as they took them with any lie, even as if they had committed any robbery: for the Devil is a liar and the father of lies.