THE Embassy which the Evangelick Swiss Cantons sent to the Duke of Savoy, in the Year 1686, to intercede with his Royal High­ness in favour of the Protestant Churches of the Vallies, being a business of as much difficulty as importance; and because it may give occasion to some persons of making different and quite con­trary reflections, I have thought [Page 2] fit to publish a true account of that Negotiation, that unbyass'd Persons, being rightly inform'd of what pass'd, may, according to Reason, justly and equitably judge of it.

I will therefore relate the most considerable Passages of this Em­bassie; and as I will make use of no Memoirs but what are good and authentick; so neither Inte­rest, Hatred, or Affection shall in­fluence my Pen; and then if the elegancy of my Stile do not please the Reader, yet I hope he will be satisfied with the sincerity and truth of the Narration.

It is certain, that of all Prote­stant States, the Evangelique Can­tons have shewed as much love to their Religion as any, by their so zealously espousing the interest of the Reformed Churches; for ever since the light of the Reformation first begun to shine in France, they have, to the utmost of their power, [Page 3] endeavour'd to forward the work of God in that Kingdom, and did send several Ambassadours to Francis the First, and likewise to succeeding Kings, to desire there might be a cessation of those Cruelties which were practised by the Romish Clergy against those Faithful People who made pro­fession of the Truth.

And they have made the same Zeal appear in all the Persecutions which the Churches of Piemont have suffer'd; for in those which were in the years 1655 and 1663, they sent Ambassadors to the Duke of Savoy, to mediate with him in behalf of his Protestant Subjects, and to support them in those Rights, which by several Grants they had obtain'd from his Ancestors. In 1686, as soon as they heard what was contain'd in the Edict which that Prince had published against their Brethren of Piemont, it plain­ly appear'd how much they were [Page 4] troubled; for when the miserable Vaudois were intolerably and most unjustly oppress'd, and still threat­ned to be treated with all imagin­able cruelties, the Cantons resolv'd to do all they could to shelter and save those poor persecuted People.

In former times nothing more was design'd against them by their Enemies, than to coop up those poor Protestants within certain bounds and limits, and to take from them their right of living in the plain Country, which former­ly they had liberty to do; but now a resolution was taken, not only to deprive them of the exer­cise of their Religion in all places, but also of the liberty of their Consciences; so that now their condition did indeed deserve com­passion; and that People may the better judge of it, 'tis necessary here to insert a true Copy of the Duke's Edict faithfully translated.

The Evangelique Cantons hav­ing heard of this Edict, a while after also knew that the Vaudois had in vain sought relief against it; for they had presented Two Petitions to their Prince, which were never answer'd. By the First, they desir'd a Revocation of this Edict; and by the Second, leave to depart out of his Dominions, [Page 14] within such a term as might be necessary to find a settlement else­where. The Cantons seeing that the ordinary means which had been used to stop the execution of this Edict had not been effectual, they thought some extraordinary course was to be tryed. They therefore at first wrote to the Duke of Savoy, Praying that he would make good to his Subjects of the Vallies those Concessions which had been granted to them by his Predecessors: But when they saw the Duke delay'd to give them any answer, and that they knew he prepar'd to execute his Edict by force, they resolv'd in a Diet held at Baden, in the Month of Fe­bruary, 1686, to dispatch two Ambassadours to him, to endea­vour the obtaining, by their Re­presentations, that which they could not procure by their Letters.

The Persons pitched upon for this Embassie were Gaspard de Mu­ralt, [Page 15] and Bernard de Muralt, both Councellours of State; the First, of the Republick of Zurich, the other of Berne; who had all qua­lities necessary to fit them for such an Employ, either in respect of their Virtue and Piety, or of their Prudence and Personal Abilities.

These Ambassadours were charg­ed to use their best endeavours to oblige the Duke of Savoy to re­voke the Edict which he had pub­lished against the Valley Churches. And because they had reason to fear that his Royal Highness would continue firm in his Resolution of causing it to be executed in all points, the Protestant Cantons, after having maturely considered the state of the People that com­pos'd the Churches, and the Alli­ances and Forces of the Prince, who resolv'd totally to extirpate them, if they refus'd to submit to his Will, they thought, in case their Ambassadours could not ob­tain [Page 16] a Revocation of the Edict, that then it would be expedient for them to endeavour the procur­ing of liberty for those miserable People to retire into some other Country, to sell their Goods, and to carry with them all that they could get together of their ship­wrack'd Fortune.

The Lords who were present in this Diet were too prudent and ju­dicious to take any other course but this; they saw on the one hand, how few they were who could bear Arms in the Vallies; for they were at most but Two Thousand Five Hundred Men, the greatest part of them ill armed, and had neither Commanders, Pro­vision, or Ammunition, and could not from any place expect Suc­cours; that they likewise who had Commanded in the Wars of 1655 and 1664 were now all dead. But on the other hand, when they considered the Prince's [Page 17] Forces, who had resolved to abo­lish their Religion, they saw that they infinitely exceeded those of his Subjects, who were of a Re­ligion contrary to his; for the Duke had enjoy'd a long Peace; he had a great many good Troops, brave Captains, and experienc'd Generals; he had nothing to fear, either from his Neighbours or any Prince in Europe.

More than all this, the Duke of Savoy's Troops were joyn'd with those of the King of France, who was then so dreaded, that his very Name made all the Poten­tates of Europe tremble; whereas heretofore though the Subjects of France fought together with the Vaudois, to assist and guard them from the oppression of their So­vereign, yet, notwithstanding their being so aided, they were driven out of their Vallies, and could not defend themselves against the single Forces of their Prince. They far­farther [Page 18] considered, that if by some unexpected chance the Vau­dois should at first have the good luck to get some advantage over their Enemies, yet in the end, they must needs be overpower'd by the great number of those that attack'd them, whose losses could be repaired by being recruited with new Troops; but the Vaudois could make no new Levies, to fill the places of those that must be flain in several Combats. More than all this, the Vaudois having to do with the King of France, who was the proudest Prince in the World, and who at that time had no Enemy upon his hands, he would have armed all the Peo­ple of his Kingdom against them, rather than have fail'd to bring his design to pass, wherein he thought consisted his chiefest Glo­ry, and by which he believ'd he should merit the highest Place a­mong [Page 19] the greatest Saints in Pa­radise.

The Cantons had before their eyes the French Protestants, whom they had receiv'd into their Ter­ritories; and comparing their con­dition with that of their Brethren of Piemont, they found that even in that miserable state to which they were reduced, the Vaudois being still able to obtain free leave to go out of their Country, were in that respect much happier than the French Protestants, who were not only obliged to quit their Houses and their Country, when all their Goods were taken from them, but yet could not buy their Banishment, without hazarding their Lives and their Liberty.

All things thus considered, the Cantons at last concluded they could do nothing of more advan­tage for the Piemontois, than to obtain for them that which they themselves had now, and hereto­fore [Page 20] desired when they were per­secuted concerning the exercise of their Religion; for in former times they most humbly petition'd their Prince, that they might seek a retreat in Foreign parts.

The Ambassadours furnished with these Instructions, went into Piemont; and being arrived at Turin, and admitted to Audience by his Royal Highness, they de­clar'd, That seeing the mediation of their Masters, the Evangelique Cantons, with his Royal Highness, in favour of his Protestant Sub­jects, had been always acceptable and effectual, their Sovereign Lords, having with extreme grief heard that his Royal Highness had resolved to deprive his Protestant Subjects of the liberty of their Consciences, and the exercise of their Religion, which they had enjoy'd for many Ages; their So­vereigns moved by Christian Cha­rity, by the strict union with [Page 21] those of their Communion, and by the confidence they had in his Royal Highness's Clemency and Justice, had presumed to intercede by their Letters of Recommenda­tion in favour of their Brethren of the Vallies. But having received no answer to those Letters, their Masters had charged them with this Embassie, to testifie the con­sideration they had for his Royal Highness, and likewise to shew how much they were touched with the late Edict which had been pub­lished against his Highness's poor Subjects, and had commanded them to assure his Highness how sincerely they regarded his Inte­rests, and with all possible instance to pray him to suffer the Inhabi­tants of the Vallies quietly and perpetually to enjoy the exercise of their Religion, and that liber­ty of Conscience his Predecessors had granted to them, upon the pressing Intercessions and Recom­mendations [Page 22] of many Princes and Protestant States, and particular­ly upon the Interposition and Me­diation of their Sovereigns: And that which made them hope to obtain what they desired, was that his Highness's Subjects had done nothing to render themselves unworthy of the continuance of the Favour and Affection of their Prince, or that ought to deprive them of the right which they had acquired by his own concessions, which ought to be inviolable, be­cause they were not bare and sim­ple Tolerations, but Authentick Treaties, made with the Inhabi­tants of the Vallies, and therefore ought to be perpetual and irrevo­cable, as may be seen in the Twen­tieth Article of the Grant pass'd in the year 1655, and the Fourth Article of the Patent in 1664, which declares, That they should be perpetually and irrevocably ob­served; and that in effect they [Page 23] have been Ratify'd and Register'd by the Senate of Chambery, to be Bona fide executed according to their Form and Tenour.

That their Lords were verily persuaded, that his Highness in his own Reign, full of Glory and Felicity, would not suffer those Grants, follow'd with many De­clarations and solemn Promises, to be made void, and all the fruit of their Mediation, Pains, and Care come to nothing.

They hoped that his Highness would not have the World believe he had not the same esteem and regard for the Evangelique Can­tons which his Predecessors had; or that the perfect Amity, and sincere Correspondence which hath always been between his Royal Highness and their Lords, as good Neighbours and Friends, was in any wise alter'd; that his State would be expos'd to troubles and calamities; that the Consciences [Page 24] of his Subjects (which ought not to depend upon any but God a­lone) would be forced, by the fear of Death and Torments: In a word, the Inhabitants of the Vallies would be overwhelm'd with Misery, and reduc'd to De­spair.

They also earnestly pray'd his Royal Highness, to receive fa­vourably their Sovereign's Inter­cession, in the behalf of his Sub­jects, made their Brethren by Communion in one and the same Religion; and that he would suffer himself to be moved by the Cries, Tears, and Groans of so many innocent Souls, who did beseech him to suspend the Exe­cution of his Edict, and not to turn his Arms against his People, who in rendering to God the Re­ligious homage due to him, de­sired, with the loss of their Blood, to seal the fidelity which they had vow'd to his Royal Highness.

[Page 25]That if their Mediation did produce the effect which their Superiours desired, it would be the most convincing evidence his Roy­al Highness could give them, that he no less valu'd their Mediation than his Predecessors of Glorious Memory had done; and that on their part, they would endeavour by all manner of ways, to testifie their thanks, and to render his Highness reciprocal Services upon all occasions; and because, in the Conference which the Ambassa­dours had with his Royal High­ness's Ministers of State, some of those Reasons had been declared which his Royal Highness had to publish the Edict, whereof they desir'd the Revocation, the Am­bassadours judg'd it necessary to answer those Reasons, to give o­thers to back their own Demands, contain'd in the following Me­moir.

The Ambassadors, having deli­ver'd their Proposal and Memoir to the Marquess St. Thomas, one of his Royal Highness's Ministers of State, who had the direction of Forreign Affairs; some few days after receiv'd an Answer to it, ve­ry much to the following purpose. [Page 36] That his Royal Highness was very sorry he could not yield to what they desired in their Masters name; That he had much better Reasons to maintain his Edict, than those which were offered to him to revoke it: That he could not make it less strict in any particular: That the Great Wheels moved and carried on the less: That the Letter which the Cantons had written to him was not delivered till after the Publicati­on of his Edict: That having so near him a King no less powerful than jealous of his Authority, he ought to be very circumspect: That he was oblig'd to act according to the pre­sent juncture and state of Affairs. That even in Switzerland there was according to the tendency of Affairs, some times a necessity of taking resolutions contrary to those good intentions which otherwise Men might have: That the Marquess St. Thomas had given good and safe Counsel to the two Deputies sent by the Vallies to his High­ness; [Page 37] and that instead of giving any signs of their submission and obedience, to which they were bound, they had committed all sorts of Hostilities against his o­ther Subjects; they had been guil­ty of a thousand insolencies; they held Assemblies, provided Victu­als and Ammunition for War, cut off Passes, and intrench'd them­selves; all which they had done during the term of Twenty Five days given them for taking their last resolution. That the Duke was now too far engag'd; the Troops which he had been at great charge to levy, were already on Foot, that the Edict could not be recall'd without great dishonour to his Royal Highness, and that he was obliged to cause it to be exe­cuted for very great and pressing Reasons, which he left to the Am­bassadours consideration. That the Concessions of 1655, and 1664, amounted to no more than bare Tolerations; and that the Vallies [Page 38] had no positive right to exercise their Religion: That Soveraign Princes do nothing that can be count­ed unjust, in not suffering any more than one Religion in their Domi­nions: That the Cantons them­selves did justifie his Royal High­ness in that particular, seeing they would suffer no Catholicks a­mongst them: Moreover that the Concessions granted to those of the Vallies had been juridically examin'd, and that the result of that examination was, That the Priviledges and Favours which a Prince granted to his Subjects, might at his Will and Pleasure be revok­ed: That his Royal Highness did only forbid the Inhabitants of the Vallies to exercise their Religion, but did not intend in any manner to offer violence to their Consciences.

But the Ambassadours, by their Reply, made it appear to the Mar­quess St. Thomas, That how strong soever the Reasons were which had induced his Royal Highness [Page 39] to consent to his Edict of Januar [...] last, yet they could not be of so great strength as those were which had positively engag'd his High­ness to observe those Promises which were past before the said E­dict; and that no Considerations, or Reasons of State could free a Prince from the Obligation of keeping his Word; especially when he engag'd himself upon the in­terposition of some other Prince; and that as the Patents and Pri­viledges granted to the Vaudois had been obtain'd by the Media­tion of many Kings, Princes, and States; particularly by the In­tercession of their Excellencies the Evangelick Cantons, and Con­firm'd by his Royal Highness; nothing could be alledg'd to dis­charge his Highness from his be­ing oblig'd to cause them to be punctually observ'd; and the ra­ther, because those Patents had been ratified by the Senate of Sa­voy; [Page 40] and that the bare Confirma­tion of 'em in the Year 1620. had cost the Valley-Churches Six Thou­sand Crowns.

That if the changes which hap­pen in States, or the different Measures which according to the Rules of Policy may be taken, should be valuable and sufficient Exceptions to elude the observa­tion of Treaties, there could be nothing certain in Soveraigns Pro­mises; Faith would be totally ba­nish'd out of the World, and there could never be any assurance that those things should be performed which had been solemnly stipu­lated, and there could be no way of ending War, or concluding Alliances. So that the Concessi­ons granted by his Royal High­ness's Predecessors to the Vaudois did convey to them an indisput­able right, which they could ne­ver lose, but by being guilty of some heinous Crime, or down­right [Page 41] Rebellion against their So­veraign: But they are so far from being justly accus'd of having a­ny way fail'd in their duty to him, that they can produce a Letter from his Royal Highness, dated the 2 d of September, 1684, which is an authentick, and manifest Proof of their Fidelity, and their stedfast resolutions to serve him. If since the Publication of your last Edict, some particular Persons among them have taken Arms, it was not against their Soveraign, but only to defend themselves a­gainst those, who, abusing his Au­thority, had fallen upon, and as­saulted them; and if any disor­der had been committed, they on­ly were to be chastised who had been the Authors of it; and it ought not to be imputed to the Collective Body of the Valley-Churches, who were no way guilty.

It could not be said, That the [Page 42] Vallies had not acquired any Right by the Concessions of his Royal Highness's Predecessors, or that those Concessions were but Favours and simple Tolerations; since it is plain, that they are Treaties past between the Prince and his Sub­jects, and that these Treaties are perpetual and irrevocable, and ought to be inviolably observed.

That a Prince is equally oblig'd to perform the Promises which he makes to his Subjects, as he is those which he makes to Persons not subject to him; that the founda­tion of such Obligations was Pub­lick Faith, which ought to govern in all Princes Treaties, without a­ny distinction made between those with whom they enter into En­gagements; for if it were lawful to fail in the performance of those solemn Promises they make to their People, it would be impossible to end any differences which might happen between them, or to ap­pease [Page 43] any troubles in Kingdoms or States; and that between two Parties in War with one another, there could be no end of their Quarrel, but by the entire ruine of one of them.

They further said, That if So­veraigns had reason to do what possibly they could to make all their Subjects of one Religion, yet to compass that, they ought not to infringe those Treaties they had made with them; and that the only means which in such a case were lawful to be used, was Instruction, Exhortation, and all those gentle ways which are like­ly to make Truth enter into the Souls of their People, to enlighten their Understanding, and lead them voluntarily and sincerely to em­brace true Religion: But that which deserves particular conside­ration in this matter, is, That the Inhabitants of the Vallies do not hold by Grant from their Princes [Page 44] the liberty of publickly exercising their Religion, it having been esta­blish'd in the Country more than Eight Ages ago, and that they en­joy'd this Right a long time before they were Subjects to the Ance­stors of his Royal Highness; so that they never having been of their Prince's Religion, it cannot be said they have quitted it, or that they are obliged to embrace it.

Beside, his Royal Highness's Pre­decessors, who permitted the Vau­dois to continue the exercise of their Religion, very well knew that Unity of Faith was not absolutely necessary for the Publick good and safety of their State; for other­wise they would never have pass'd such solemn Patents, or from time to time confirmed them as they have done.

And certainly there is little to be feared from the diversity of Re­ligion which is in Piemont; because [Page 45] those that are not of the Prince's Communion, are shut up in a little corner of the Country, and are a People without Authority or Power, and have no design to spread their Doctrine in any other parts of his Royal Highness's Do­minions.

Moreover, it was to be fear'd that Protestant Princes might fol­low his Royal Highness's Example, and might treat their Catholick Subjects as his Highness dealt with those of their Religion; and there­fore the Interest of his own Party ought to hinder him from using force to oblige the Inhabitants of the Vallies to renounce their Re­ligion.

That altho' his Royal Highness seem'd not to force his Protestant Subjects to embrace the Romish Religion, and was contented with depriving them of the exercise of their own Religion, leaving to them in other things perfect liber­ty [Page 46] of Conscience; yet it was evi­dent that they were not only ob­liged (under very great Penal­ties) to baptise their Children in Catholick Churches, and to bring them up in the Romish Religion, which was as insupportable and grievous to them, as to compel the Parents themselves to make pro­fession of it; but they were also kept from Praying to God accord­ing to their Faith, which must be a terrible torment to their Consci­ences, and was an imposition upon them as hard and cruel, as if they were by force compell'd to a Wor­ship condemn'd by the Religion in which they were educated.

Beside, to forbid People the ex­ercise of their Religion, is to cast them into indevotion, and even into Atheism, which may prove a greater mischief to them, than driving 'em by force into the Church of Rome.

In these Reasons there was so [Page 47] much strength, that the Ambassa­dors hoped they would make great impression on the mind of his Royal Highness; and that the Marquess St. Thomas would truly report them, and employ his credit with his Highness to obtain a Revocation of an Edict, which doubtless he believ'd to be just, and which he had not publish'd had he thought it contrary to what a just and equitable Prince owes to his faithful Subjects.

The Ambassadors were not con­tented with only representing the just Right of the Piemont Churches, and maintaining it by sollid Arguments, but they also spent some days in solliciting his Royal Highness's Ministers, and all others whose help they thought might make their Embassie succeed; but they more particularly apply­ed themselves to the Marquess St. Thomas, as to him, on whom depended all the Good and all the [Page 48] Ill which was to be expected in the Affair; and if one may judge of things by appearances, the pains they took to dispose him to be favourable to them were not in vain.

For he protested with an Oath, That he had shew'd to his Royal Highness all that was contain'd in the Reply they had oblig'd him to present, and that he had done all he could to make their Arguments prevail for obtaining a Revocation of the Edict; but the present state of Affairs was the cause of his not being able to perswade his Royal Highness to grant that which they desired. However, said he, seeing the Prince's Troops are not yet upon their March, the Inhabitants of the Vallies may make a shew as if they would comply with the Edict; that not being contrary to the Prin­ciples of your Religion, tho' it be to the Doctrine of the Catholick Church; and by this means they [Page 49] will disarm the Prince, and after­wards find some way to prevent the mischief wherewith they are threatned.

Our Doctrine, replied the Am­bassadours, doth in no wise allow us to dissemble our Faith, but obligeth us to confess with our Mouths that which we believe in our Hearts to be truth; but this is not the present business: The Question is, Whether his Royal Highness hath power to revoke the Priviledges granted to the Valley Churches; for as they are Engagements into which he en­tred by the Mediation of many So­veraigns, and among others, by that of the Evangelick Cantons our So­veraign Lords, it is certain that no­thing ought to infringe or make them void.

The Ambassadours in the mean time neglected nothing that might make their Negotiation success­ful, and therefore made new ap­plications to the Marquess St. Tho­mas, [Page 50] and to others of his Royal Highness's Ministers, but they all said (as if they had concerted what answer to give) that the E­dict was irrevocable, by reason of the present juncture, and the mea­sures which his Royal Highness had taken.

Beside the Reasons drawn from the Nature of the Grants pass'd to the Vaudois, and the concern which the Cantons had that they should be observ'd, the Ambassadours represented the inconveniencies which might follow the execution of the Edict▪ and among others, those which his Royal Highness might well fear would happen by the entry of Foreign Troops into his Country, by the loss of a great number of his Subjects, who had done their Prince very great service, and were still ready to lose their Blood to restifie the love they had for him: By the dimi­nution of his Revenue, which [Page 51] must necessarily follow the destru­ction of those miserable People; and to which might be added, the blame his Royal Highness must incur, by turning his Arms a­gainst his own People, and the damage which his other Subjects, who were Neighbours to the Val­lies, must needs suffer by a Civil War, with many other Conside­rations of this nature, which were not regarded by his High­ness's Ministers; who told the Ambassadours, That the Council of State had examin'd their Rea­sons, and did not think them weighty enough to hinder him from Publishing his Edict against his Subjects of the Vallies; and tho' by the execution of it, his Royal Highness might suffer some inconvenience, yet he must go on, because a change of this nature would be prejudicial to his Au­thority; and by being willing to preserve some of his Subjects, he [Page 52] might be in danger of losing all.

Tho' the Ministers of State seem'd to be firm in their Opini­ons, and pretended not to be con­vinced of the Justice of the Am­bassadours Demands, yet it was well known, that they maintain'd the Edict against their own judg­ment; and one of them freely confess'd, that his Highness's Coun­cil had not sufficiently examin'd the Concessions of the Year 1655, and 1664; and if they had made such reflections on them as they ought, they would never have been of the opinion that they might be revoked: But he told the Ambassadours the mischief was not now to be remedy'd, and it would be in vain for them to sol­licit his Highness to change his mind. Another of them freely confess'd that his Highness was not Master of this Affair, and that those Orders must be exe­cuted [Page 53] at Turin, which had been given at Versailles.

This free and sincere Confession made the Ambassadours conclude, That all their Instances and Sol­licitations would prove ineffectual; so that seeing it would be impos­sible for them to obtain the Re­vocation of the Edict, they were resolved, according to the first Article of their Instructions, to demand that which they were by the second Article of the Cantons Orders directed to ask, viz. To procure leave for the Vaudois to retire some where else, and to di­spose of their Goods as they should think fit.

But because by their Instructi­ons they were to propose nothing in this particular to the Court of Turin, without the consent of the Valley Inhabitants, they told the Marquess St. Thomas, That seeing many Considerations had hinder'd them from entertaining any cor­respondence [Page 54] mith the Vaudois, they were willing to go into the Vallies, to know certainly how the People stood dispos'd; and when they understood their intentions, they might by some other Overtures renew their Negotiation; but at the same time declared, they would not undertake the Voyage without first having his Royal Highness's consent.

The Marquess St. Thomas hav­ing reported to his Royal High­ness the Ambassadours design, the Duke sent to let them know, he approv'd of their resolution, and that he would give order to the Governour of Lucern, to pay them all the civility and respect that was due to their Character.

The Ambassadours, as soon as they came into the Vallies, made known their arrival to all the Communities, who presently sent to 'em their Deputies and their [Page 55] Ministers, to whom the Ambassa­dours declared, That they had em­ploy'd the most powerful Interces­sions they possibly could, to get a Revocation of the Edict of the 31 th of January; but that they had been told his Royal Highness had entred into such strict engage­ments with one of the most Po­tent Monarchs on Earth, that it was impossible for his Highness to break 'em; and that he had resolved to do all he could to u­nite all his Subjects in the Pro­fession of one and the same Reli­gion, according as he had solemn­ly promis'd; so that there was not the least hope of obtaining a Revocation of those Orders which had been given out against them. They also declared, that their So­veraign Lords the Cantons had commanded them, in case his Roy­al Highness should persist in his resolution of causing his Edict to be executed, then to press his [Page 56] Royal Highness to permit his Subjects of the Vallies to depart out of his Dominions, and to dis­pose of their Goods; but in that particular they would do nothing till they first knew what was their intention, and therefore they wish'd them to meet together, and seriously deliberate upon a business of so much weight, and then make known what they desired of them in the present juncture.

The Deputies and the Ministers having conferr'd together upon this Proposition, before they de­termin'd any thing, pray'd the Ambassadours to give them their prudent advice: But the Ambas­sadours at first refused to give them any counsel in so nice a bu­siness; saying, That they them­selves knew their own Strength, the situation of those Places where they intended to intrench; their Provisions both for the Belly and [Page 57] the War, better than they whose advice they ask'd; and therefore they could take better and surer measures themselves, than could be given them by others.

Nevertheless, at last, not be­ing able to deny their earnest Re­quests, and believing they were bound by Charity to assist them in a Concern so slippery, and full of hazard, they willingly consent­ed to what they desired.

But that they might give them Counsel according to the know­ledge they had of their condition, they informed themselves exactly of the number of those in the Vallies that could bear Arms; of their Experience, their Courage, and of the service of their Offi­cers, of the Passages and Avenues of the Country, of their Stores, of the quality and goodness of their Arms; and above all, whe­ther there were a perfect and sin­cere Union among themselves: [Page 58] But understanding that at most they were not above 2500 fight­ing Men, and more than 12000 unprofitable Mouths; that Victu­als already began to fail in cer­tain places; that the Troops of France and Savoy had shut up all the Passages whereby they might be provided of necessaries; that they could not hope for any Suc­cours; and that it was easie to destroy them by Famine, or to reduce them by Force; that they had no Neighbours to retreat to as in former Wars; that the King of France, who heretofore pro­tected them, was now their great­est Enemy; that they had but few Soldiers to defend a great deal of Ground; that being sepa­rated one from another, they could not give speedy succour to those that might want it; that there were in the Vallies Roman Catho­licks, who would watch all their motions, and give intelligence to [Page 59] the Court of all that pass'd; and what was yet worse, that two great Princes had join'd together to destroy them: The Ambassa­dours told them, That in the state wherein they were, it was impossi­ble to resist so great a Force as was ready to fall upon them; and there­fore it would be more for their ad­vantage to chuse forsaking their Country, provided they could ob­tain leave to sell their Goods, and save as much as they could. They did not▪ indeed know positively his Royal Highness's intention in this particular; but tho' he had refused to grant that which the Inhabi­tants of the Vallies had requested of him in the third Petition they had presented to his Highness, yet they did hope it might now be yield­ed to, out of respect to their Ma­sters.

The Ministers and Deputies hav­ing heard this advice, intreated the Ambassadours that they might [Page 60] consult together before they gave any answer; and then quitting them, they spent more than three hours in consulting one with a­nother, each Party maintaining their own Opinion with a great deal of heat: Some said they ought not to quit their Country, but expose their Lives to maintain their Liberties, which had been so Au­thentickly granted to them; say­ing, it was base Cowardise not to shew their Courage, when Religi­on and the Cause of God was at stake; that the favour which was to be shown them, would signifie nothing, to such as had not where­withal to defray the charges of their Voyage; that they might in­deed sell what they had in the Plains, but no body would buy their E­states in the Mountains. That there was no safety for them during their departure; that some change might happen in the Affairs of Europe, which might better their Con­dition. [Page 61] That perhaps France, think­ing they could make no Resistance, when it saw how bravely they defended themselves, and that they had destroy'd part of their Troops, would recal the rest, and keep them for some more considerable En­terprise; that they expected Mony and Men, which were to be sent them by Captain Janavell, and that they should not want Victu­als, because by Sallies from time to time, they could oblige their Neighbours to furnish them with such Necessaries as they wanted.

They that were of a contrary Opinion, answer'd all this, saying, It was true, that both Reason and Piety oblige us, to hazard our Lives in defence of our Liberty, and the Exercise of our Religion, when there is any appearance it may be done with Success; but when the danger is inevitable, and our ruin certain, it is Despair and Madness to throw our selves [Page 62] headlong into it, and Men are their own Enemies and Self-Mur­therers, to take Arms against those, whom (do all they can) it is impossible to vanquish; that they had but few among them, who were able to defend themselves; and how Brave and Resolute soe­ver they might be, it was evident, they could not long resist two powerful Armies, and so many Troops as were ready to attack them on all sides. To think the State of Publick Affairs would change, was to flatter themselves with vain imaginations: That Men ought to take their Mea­sures according to the present state of things, and that which appa­rently was like to come to pass: That common Sense and Prudence, would never build important Re­solutions, upon Miraculous Events: That all Europe enjoy'd perfect Peace, and France was dreaded by all the world, and had therefore [Page 63] no Reason to fear its being at­tacqu'd by any Prince, or that any thing could happen to occasion the recalling of those Troops which were in Piedmont, to em­ploy them in any other place; that they ought not to depend on the Succours they expected, and tho' they that were promis'd should be sent, yet against every single man that should come, their Enemies could oppose whole Companies. That they could not long subsist for want of Victuals, and that tho' their Sallies should be successful (which was not like­ly) all the Provisions which they would that way be able to get, could not suffice to maintain so great a number of people; in sine, they made it appear, that Resi­stance would infallibly be their total ruine, and that then those Ancient Churches would be de­stroy'd, which had subsisted with so much Glory, in the midst of [Page 64] so many Persecutions. And that it was much better, by a prudent retreat, to remove the Sacred Candlestick to some other place, than to put out the light by rash Resolutions.

It was said, that such as were of ability might contribute some­what to those that were poor, to help them in their Voyage; and their not being able to sell all their goods, was not such a con­sideration as ought to stay them; because life ought to be dearer to 'em than their Lands, and that it was much better, to lose part of a man's goods, than to de­stroy himself.

The Ministers and Deputies seeing they could not agree, and that the point in question could not be otherwise decided, than by their Communities, told the Em­bassadors, that the business in de­bate being of the highest conse­quence, they could not positively [Page 65] resolve upon any thing, without having first assembled their Com­munities, to know what they would do in this occasion, and therefore promis'd to bring their last resolu­tion to Turin, provided they might have a Pass-port for their safety.

The Embassadors being return'd to Turin, informed the Marquess St. Thomas, that the people of the Vallies, thought it better to die upon the Graves of their Ance­stors, than to lose their Spiritual Liberty, in submitting to his R. H. Edict; beseeching his High­ness, with all due Respect, that he would in some measure moderate the rigour of it; and that if his R. H. would not mitigate the Se­verity thereof, in favour of his miserable Subjects, things must apparently come to dreadful Ex­tremities, and that the rigour he used in this occasion, must cause the ruine of a great part of his people. The Embassadors further [Page 66] said, that hoping his R. H. would for their Masters sake, moderate those orders he had given against his Subjects of the Vallies, they had taken the Liberty to make some Proposals, which might prevent all the mischiefs the ri­gorous Execution of the Edict was like to produce; and that they might know the intention of those people, they pray'd the Marquess to obtain a safe Conduct for such Deputies as should be sent from the Vallies.

But the Marquess St. Thomas told the Ambassadours, That his Royal Highness, for very good rea­sons, would not give the Deputies of the Vallies a safe Conduct; and that the Secretary to their Embassie might be sent to bring back those Peoples Reasons.

The Secretary was then sent to the Vaudois with this follow­ing Letter.

The Communities being as­sembled, the Secretary deliver'd to 'em the Ambassador's Letter, which when read, he told 'em, their Af­fairs grew daily worse and worse; and that the French Ambassadour continually press'd his Royal High­ness to have the Edict executed; that his Royal Highness on his part was very impatient it was not done, because his Reputation was engaged, or because he was at very great charge to maintain [Page 69] the Troops that were in his Coun­try; that seeing it was impossible to obtain a revocation of the Edict, they ought to think of the best means to mollifie his Highness, and procure such a mitigation of it as might yet be demanded: Lastly, he pray'd them to reflect on all those Considerations, which had been alledged by the Embassa­dors, and to give him their answer in writing.

After this Representation, the Ministers and other Deputies having consulted together, agreed to answer the Embassadors in this following manner.

In their Memoir, in the first place, they obesrv'd, That none but the rich Families could go out of the Country; and that others, how willing soever they might be to depart, that they were not able to do it, by reason of their Po­verty; and if they stay'd in the [Page 73] Country, they would certainly be forced to change their Religion.

Secondly, It might happen, That when the chiefest Families were gone out of the Country, the rest might be stopt upon one pretence or other, notwithstanding they have been promised Liberty to do what they pleased; That if their Patents, granted them by the in­terposition of many Soveraign Prin­ces, were revoked, there would be no scruple made of breaking the Promise past to the Embassa­dors.

Thirdly, That the sale of their Goods might be secretly opposed, by forbidding the Roman-Catho­licks to buy them; or at least, they should be able to sell only their Lands which they had in the Champain Country, and not those which were in the Mountains and barren places.

In the fourth place, They pray'd the Embassadors, to desire, that [Page 74] those Debts might be paid which were legally due to them, and which they could not get in be­fore their departure; that his R. H. would likewise be pleas'd, to ob­tain from the King of France, li­berty to sell the Estates which they had in the Vallies of Perouse, and to look after the payment of what was due to them from the Inhabitants of that Country.

Fifthly, They did humbly pray, that sufficient time might be given them for selling their Goods, and to find out a place of retreat; and that in the mean while, the Exe­cution of the Edict might cease, and their Ministers continue their Exercises as formerly.

Lastly, They propos'd to the Embassadors, the difficulty of finding Waggons to carry away their Families, and their Baggage, they being no less than 15000 persons.

This Writing being deliver'd to [Page 75] the Embassadours, with the Let­ter sent from the Inhabitants of the Vallies; they made a Visit to the Marquess St. Thomas, and ha­ving told him, that they hop'd to persuade the Vaudois to leave their Country, provided they might do it in a safe and advantage­ous manner; they desir'd him to ask his R. H. whether he would permit his poor Subjects to quit his Dominions; and in case he found him so dispos'd, then to ask him, whether he would be pleas'd to name some persons of his Coun­cil, with whom the Embassadors might treat of Conditions for their departure, and remove all ob­stacles which might stand in their way.

While they were waiting for his R. H's. answer, the Embassadours warmly sollicited the Ministers of State, to persuade his Highness to grant that which they now desir'd, but their endeavours had not that [Page 76] success they expected; for his R. H. commanded Count Marsenas to tell them, he was inform'd by his Mi­nisters, that they were very solli­citous to obtain free leave for his Subjects to go out of the Vallies, and to adjust with some of his Ministers, terms for their depar­ture, but he had commanded them to declare, that this people had been so audacious, as to take up Arms against him, even in a time when he had no Troops near their Country, that they had commit­ted a thousand insolencies, and braved him with such boldness, as deserved severe punishment: They therefore were unworthy of that favour, the Embassadors desired for them; and so much the more unworthy, because before their arrival at Court, these people had with great submission, presented several Petitions, to obtain some moderation in the Execution of the Edict; but now pretended with [Page 77] Swords in their hands to force him to revoke it; nevertheless he assur'd the Embassadors, that if these Rebels would shew their Repentance for what had past, and submit themselves with that respect which was due to him, he was inclin'd to be merciful to them, and to let them see how much he regarded the Cantons mediation. The Embassadors sur­prised with this new Proposition, told Count Marsenas, that they did not see how his R. H. could require from his Subjects such a submission; for should his Peo­ple own that they had been un­dutiful to their Prince, they would render themselves guilty by their own confession, and therefore they ought not to be obliged to make any declaration of this na­ture; and should any go about to bring them to such a resolution, it would be impossible to prevail with them, because they would [Page 78] never blacken themselves with a crime, of which they knew them­selves innocent, and give just occasion to have their Goods confiscated, that they would have just reason to suspect any man that should propose such a thing to them, and that from such an Overture, nothing could be ex­pected but prolonging their Nego­tiation, and rendring it ineffectual.

But when Count Marsenas told them, his R. H. was positively resolved, that the Vaudois Sub­mission should precede the favour he intended to shew them, the Embassadors thought fit to have recourse to the Marquess St. Tho­mas, desiring him to soften a lit­tle his R. H. When they came to the Marquess they prayed him to represent to his Highness, that in obliging his Subjects to confess they were guilty of Rebellion, he required that of them, to which they could never yield. [Page 79] That such a Declaration would cover them with eternal shame, and that they could not in consci­ence confess crimes, of which they were not guilty. That now it ap­pear'd his R.H. made little account of the mediation and intercession of their Soveraign Lords, in resolving that the favours which they desi­red, should depend upon a condi­tion, to which his Subjects could never submit.

The Marquess St. Thomas gave them the same answer they had from Count Marsenas, which was▪ That the Prince was inflexible in this point, that it was impossible to alter his mind by any Rea­sons that could be urged, and that it would be in vain, to try to make him change his resolution.

This Answer from the Marquess, very much troubled the Embassa­dors, who begun to fear, that some snares were laying for the poor Vaudois, and that there was [Page 80] a design to condemn them, by the Confession they themselves should make of their Rebellion: Never­theless, they resolv'd this difficulty should not make them break off the Treaty they had begun; they consider'd, that his Highness might tell the World, his Subjects had re­fus'd to accept the Favours he had offered them; besides, they thought the ill success of this Negotiation, might be imputed to them; but the Reason which most prevail'd with them, was, that they plainly saw, it would be more for the advan­tage of the Vaudois, to submit to the Will of their Soveraign, than to expose themselves to all the mischiefs their Disobedience might bring upon them.

They therefore determin'd to consent to the accommodation pro­pounded to them, as a less Evil, than to see the Vally Churches brought to Desolation: and the rather, because the Marquess [Page 81] St. Thomas assur'd them, that his R. H. to testifie the esteem he had for them, would at their interces­sion grant all that could be rea­sonably desired, without wounding his reputation.

But before the Embassadors would propose to the Vaudois, that which their Prince required of them, the Embassadors desired not only to be inform'd, of what nature the submission was to be, which was expected from them; but also to regulate and agree with his R. H. Ministers, in what form and term it should be drawn up.

Several Projects of the Peti­tion to be presented to his R. H. by the Vaudois, were by each party proposed; but at last it was agreed, it should contain a most humble supplication, beseeching the Prince to pardon those offen­ces which they might have com­mitted; and if they had not paid [Page 82] that respect which was due to him, yet they had never fail'd in the Allegiance they had sworn to his Highness.

After which the Embassadors having got a safe conduct for five or six of the Inhabitants of the Vallies, they sent it away to them by the Secretary of the Embassie, with a Letter whereof you have here a Copy.

The Secretary of the Embassie, having delivered this Letter to the Deputies of the Vallies, whom he caused to assemble; and ha­ving given them an exact account of the Embassadors Negotiation with his Royal Highness, and what effect it had produced; en­tered into a long discourse to exhort them to submit to their Prince's will, and prayed that he might be speedily dispatched, as­suring them, that upon the Am­bassadors account, they would obtain much more favour than they imagined.

Those of the Assembly who had most sence and reason, espe­cially the Ministers, did all they could to perswade the rest to submit to the Law impos'd upon them; since in the extremity whereto they were reduced, they [Page 85] must either perish with their mi­serable Families, or accept that which was offer'd.

But all the reasons which could be urged, were not able to pre­vail with them, so that after ha­ving debated the question almost a whole day, they separated without being able to agree in one opinion.

Those of the Valley of St, Mar­tin, of Perouse, of St. Bartholo­mew, of Parastin, of Rocheplatte, of Villard, of Roras, and one part of de la Tour, were willing to make the submissions required of them, and having deputed for that purpose, six Persons who had or­der to go to the Court of Turin; they gave them Procurations in due form, whereby they promi­sed to do all that they thought fit in the Negotiation which they had undertaken, for the Interest of the Valley Churches: But those of Boby, of St. John, and part of [Page 86] those of Angrogne, flattering them­selves with the hope of imaginary Succours, resolved with Swords in their hands to defend the exer­cise of their Religion, and sent to the Ambassadors, their Deputy named Bianchis, who delivered to them the following Letter.

The Sieur de la Bastie Minister of St. John, troubled at the divi­sion of these unfortunate Churches, wrote to the Embassadors in the following Terms.

This diversity of Opinions made the Embassadors fear, that the Enemies of their Religion taking advantage of the Vaudois Division, would prevail with his Highness, to destroy the innocent with the guilty, and to suffer none at all to go out of the Country.

[Page 91]They therefore sent back to the Vallies, the Deputy of Boby, with a Letter which they wrote to those that resolved to take Arms, conjuring him to use all his Power, to make them agree in opinion with the other Church­es. The Letter was penn'd in this manner.

While the Embassadors were expecting the return of this De­puty, [Page 97] they thought it necessary to let the Marquess St. Thomas know in what disposition the Vaudois were, and prevent those Evils which their Division might draw upon them from His Royal Highness, and the Enemies which they had in his Council. They therefore went to give this Mi­nister a Visit, and told him, the Deputies were come, that five of them were ready in the name of their Communities to make their submission, which His Royal High­ness required of them: But others who did not know what they were to expect from His High­nesses Clemency, were not yet re­solved to Sign the Submission. In the mean time a Letter was writ­ten to them, to advise them to follow their Example, who had resolved to submit, and that their Resolution would be very spedily known.

After this, they pray'd the [Page 98] Marquess to intercede with His Royal Highness to favour those poor People, and beseech him to have some pity on them; That His Highness seeing they were prepossess'd with distrust, would so far declare his Intentions, as to put them out of pain, and that the submission might be made by common consent, to the satisfaction both of Prince, and People.

The Marquess St. Thomas told the Embassadors, that the obsti­nacy of the Vaudois did very much surprize him; nevertheless, he promis'd to do for them all the good Offices he could with His Royal Highness, that so their delaying to give His Highness the satisfaction He expected, might not be prejudicial to them, and that His Highness might not fol­low the Counsel of other Persons, who press'd him to use severity.

The Court was very impatient to see an end of this Affair, the [Page 99] Embassadors wrote a Letter to the Marquess St. Thomas, to let him know they had prepared the Vau­dois Petition, and that it should be ready to be presented, when it was Signed by all the Deputies; but one of them being absent, they pray'd nothing might be done 'till his return.

The next day after this Letter was deliver'd to the Marquess St. Thomas, the Embassadors waited on him, to learn what effect it had wrought, when he prest very much that the five Deputies who were then at Turin, should Sign the Petition, whereof he liked the form: The Embassadors told him, that the Subscription could not be made by the Deputies who were present, in his absence who was sent to the Vallies; for their Interests being joint, they could not separate one from another, and that it had been agreed, the Pe­tition should be Sign'd at one and [Page 100] the same time by all the De­puties.

But the Marquess St. Thomas having secret Orders to hasten the Subscription of the Deputies who were at Court, was not satisfied with the Reasons given for re­fusing what he demanded; and the next day he sent one of his People to the Ambassadors, to de­sire they would dispose the De­puties to give him the satisfaction he desired; but the Embassadors wrote a few Lines to the Marquess, wherein they said it was not just to divide those in the Subscription, who were engaged in the same Cause; and that if some Signed the Petition without the others, such a Proceeding must needs have ill Consequences, and therefore intreated the Marquess to stay but one day more for the sixth De­puty, and prevail with his Royal Highness to grant them the short stay they desired.

[Page 101]The Marquess having received this Note, told the Secretary of the Embassy who brought it, that his Royal Highness was extreamly displeas'd with these delays, and likewise said he very much fear'd his Highness would take such a Resolution, as would carry things to fatal extremities; the Deputies must therefore Sign their Petition immediately, and bring it to him, that he might present it to his Royal Highness.

The Deputies fearing to irritate so powerful a Minister, if they refus'd to appear before him, re­solved to go to his House; but all the Arguments the Marquess us'd, could not perswade them to Sign the Petition, tho' he assur'd them it should be no prejudice to those of Boby: But they stood firm to their first Resolution; their excuse was, that they were oblig'd to stay for the Deputy who was gone to the Vallies, That the success [Page 102] of his Negotiation was uncertain, That he was to return speedily, and that Signing separately, might involve them in a great deal of danger.

The Resolution of these De­puties at Turin, and that of the Vaudois who intended to take Arms, very much disquieted his Royal Highness; and that which more displeas'd him, was the news brought him, that they had kill'd two French Men, who belong'd to the Cittadel of Pignerol.

The Embassador of France who was extreamly impatient, because his Royal Highness delay'd the execution of his Edict, fail'd not to take advantage of this accident, and by it to dispose his Highness to take vengeance on his Subjects, who had committed this Crime in contempt of his Authority, and to deal with these People like Rebels. While the Enemies of the Vaudois were contriving their [Page 103] destruction, the Deputies at Turin were in a sad Condition; and not knowing what to resolve, they took Counsel of the Embassadors, to know what course they should take in this their present extremi­ties: the Embassadors hoping that the Deputy who was gone to Boby, would speedily return, and that he might bring back News which might appease his Royal Highness, thought it best to stay for his coming, before they took any particular Resolution.

But the Deputy staying a long time, and his Royal Highness being continually sollicited by the French Embassador, to put an end to this Affair, otherwise the Troops which were in his Country would put him to excessive Charge; his Highness, being likewise inform'd, that the Embassadors had dispatch'd a Courrier into Switzerland, who might bring them new Orders, resolved, for these Reasons, to put [Page 104] an end to the business, and not­withstanding all the earnest and pressing Reasons, which the Em­bassadors urged in favour of the Vaudois, to incline the Duke to defer for some little time his last Resolution, he caused the follow­ing Edict to be Published the 9 th Day of June.

As soon as this Edict was Print­ed, the Marquess St. Thomas brought it to the Embassadors, whom he would have made believe, that it was for their sake his Royal High­ness had been so gracious to his Subjects, and that tho' the French Embassador was extreamly angry so much favour was shew'd to the Inhabitants of the Vallies, yet His Royal Highness intended the Edict should be bona fide executed.

The Embassadors having read the Edict upon the place, in the presence of the Marquess, made some Reflections on it, they in­sisted chiefly on the shortness of the time given to these miserable people to depart out of his High­nesses Dominions, and to dispose of their Effects; they likewise took notice of the small number of Proctors who were charged to sell the goods of so great a number of [Page 114] Persons; they reflected on the time prescribed for sale, and some other difficulties they met with in the execution of the Edict, which when they had well consider'd, they intended to lay before his Royal Highness.

As soon as the Embassadors had left the Marquess, they sent for the Deputies of the Vallies who were ready to make the submission, and bid them return home, char­ging them to inform their Com­munities of all that had past, and what was contain'd in the Edict, and to let them know, that if they did not submit, it would be im­possible to procure the rigorous execution of the Edict to be in any particular mitigated.

While these things were doing, the sixth Deputy who had been so long expected, came back from the Vallies, and told the Embas­sadors, that the Communities who design'd to defend themselves, per­sisted [Page 115] in that resolution, and that all the arguments which had been us'd to incline them to bet­ter thoughts, wrought no change in their minds, as appear'd by the Letters written from the Vallies, which were to the following effect.

[Page 123]The Ambassadors had no sooner read these Letters, but they sent back the Deputies with another Letter, whereof two Copies were taken, and one of them sent to those of St. John and Boby, the other, to those of Angrogne, and de la Tour.

This Letter shew'd them the vanity and little solidity of those Reasons upon which they ground­ed their Resolution, not to accept of the Grace which was offer'd them. The Letter told them, it was not to be deny'd, but that the Law which oblig'd men to for­sake their Countrey, was very severe, yet at the same time, the Law is much more rigorous, which forces men to forsake the Eternal God, and renounce the true Re­ligion; that they ought to think themselves happy, that of these two sad extremities, they were left to their choice; which hap­piness was denyed in France, to [Page 124] People of great Birth, and known Merit, who were kept by force in their Countrey, and compelled to give themselves up to Idolatry. That the things of this World are subject to continual Changes; that Kings and Princes are often forced to quit their Crowns, and give up their Dominions to their Enemies; and therefore private persons ought without murmuring, to be subject to this common Fate, and submit with resignation to the De­crees of Gods Providence, who by his chastisements tryes the faith of his Children, and takes off their hearts from this World, to make them the more earnestly seek af­ter their Celestial Country. They had indeed reason to believe that God's arm which had supported them in former Wars, was not shortned; but that they ought to consider, God then had raised up their Neighbours to assist them, with Men, Money, and Officers; [Page 125] then they had none but friends a­bout them, whereas now they were compassed with Ene­mies on all sides: Heretofore there were a great number of People among them able to bear Arms, but at present, they were deprived of all those advantages, their Prince alone was able to extirpate them, and yet his Forces were not the only Troops they had to en­counter. That those of France were ready to fall upon them, and though they might be so fortunate to have the better in some of their first engagements, yet in the end, they must needs be totally over­thrown by the multitude of those that would supply the places of the vanquished: That the division which was among them would be very prejudicial to them; That the refusing to accept the offer made by their Soveraign, would make all the Protestant Princes to forsake them, because they chose [Page 126] rashly to take up Arms, rather than to follow the good Counsel which was given them. That they ought not to flatter themselves with the hope of some miraculous Deliverance, as was that which God gave the Jews, when he de­stroy'd all the Army of Zena­cherib. That in the Age wherein we live, God doth not work Mi­racles in favour of his Church, as he did in the time of the Israelites. The Holy Scripture telleth us, that to cast our selves into dangers, out of which we foresee 'tis impossible to deliver our selves, is to tempt God, who forsakes those that wil­fully run headlong into danger. That Christian Prudence, the Charity due to their Wives and Children, and that love they ought to have for themselves, did oblige them to follow the Example of other Inhabitants of the Vallies. That their Prince, looking upon them as Criminals, would seize [Page 127] their Goods, and make them suf­fer ignominious punishment, if they persisted in their resolutions. That seeing Divine Providence had blest their endeavours who interceded for them, it was plain that God would not have them proceed any further in the way they were going. That seeing a mitigation of the rigour of the Edict had been obtained for them, they ought to accept it; it was not the fault of those who had mediated, that their Condition was no better, and they might be assur'd, the Ambassadors would zealously endeavour to obtain for them somewhat of greater advan­tage; but if that should be impos­sible, yet they ought to accept of that which was offer'd, seeing in the state wherein they were, they could not capitulate with their Prince, who had Forces enough to compel them to obey him. That if they refus'd to submit to his [Page 128] will, their obstinacy would not only cost them the loss of their Bodies, but also of their Souls; and they had reason to fear that they who escaped the Sword of their Persecutors, would at last perish under the cruelty of those punishments which would be in­flicted on them, to force them to renounce their Religion. That they had no cause to fear, that the leave granted to them to re­tire where they pleased, was a snare laid for them; seeing the Court gave them such security as ought to have quieted their Minds in that point, and satisfy'd them, that his Royal Highness would not suffer any thing to be done contrary to his promise, to stain his honour and reputation by publick perfidy, or fail in the re­spects he hath hitherto had for the Evangelick Cantons. That if there had been a design to sur­prize them, it might easily have [Page 129] been done at first, but his High­ness would not permit it, nor ever will for the future. In fine, the Troops of Savoy, and those of France, were ready to attack them on all sides, and yet they might be sure no harm would be done them, if they did submit to his Royal Highnesses Orders.

The Ambassadors at their lea­sure having reflected on his Royal Highnesses last Edict, were of O­pinion, that the Vaudois would not submit to it without exposing themselves to very great incon­veniencies, and therefore they re­solved to renew their sollicitations, to procure better Conditions for them: They pray'd the Marquess St. Thomas to obtain an Audience from his Royal Highness; having obtain'd it, they told his Highness they had consider'd his last Edict, and had taken the liberty to make some observations upon the three principal points contain'd in some [Page 130] Clauses of it, viz. In the first place, that Clause which gave the Inha­bitants of the Vallies ten days time to go out of his Dominions; secondly, that which prescribed to them the number of six Proctors to sell their goods; and thirdly, that which for selling their goods allow'd them but three Months. They pray'd his Royal Highness to cast his eyes on the remarks they had made in the Memoir they had presented to him, and to consider, that to abate the rigour of his Edict could in no wise be prejudicial to his Highnesses Af­fairs; but would be of great im­portance to his Subjects, who had so great a respect, and so much affection for their Soveraign, that they could not resolve to leave his Dominions, because, in quitting their Countrey, they knew they should be deprived of being able to testify their fidelity in all occasions, by venturing their Lives in his [Page 131] service; they therefore hoped his Royal Highness would shew his Clemency towards them, and give such Orders as were necessary for their going conveniently out of his Territories, and carrying all that with them which they could save of their Ship-wrack'd fortune; by this favour his Highness would give their Excellencies the Evan­gelick Cantons a new occasion of continuing that affection and re­spect to his Highness which they have always had for the Royal Family of Savoy; and as to their own particular, his Highness would convince them, that their good Offices had not been unsuc­cessful, for those poor miserable People for whom they had in­terceded.

The Duke answer'd the Am­bassadors, and said, That to shew the esteem he had for the Evan­gelick Cantons, he had given his People testimonies of extraordinary [Page 132] Clemency; that he had not cha­stis'd them as they deserv'd, but had waited with patience their coming to themselves, and return­ing again to their duty; that they having carried on their Rebellion to the utmost extremity, and given him new cause to complain, by the Insolencies they had of late committed, they had now ty'd up his hands so that he could not grant what they demanded, with­out wounding his Reputation and his Authority. That his forbearing them, had drawn upon him great reproaches from France; however he was willing they should enjoy the benefit of his Edict, and if they expected, that the rigour of the Orders therein contained should be abated, they must ren­der themselves worthy of it, by laying down their Arms, and submitting themselves to his Will. The Embassadors then delivered to his Royal Highness the following Memoir.

The Duke of Savoy when he received the Embassadors Memoir, promis'd to consider it, and said he would let them know his mind concerning it.

While the Embassadors endea­voured at Turin to do all the good they could for the Vaudois, those People took up a resolution, which prov'd their utter ruine; for whereas before the publication of the last Edict, the greatest part of them had resolved to seek out a retreat somewhere else; they now joyn'd all together in one common consent, to defend them­selves against the Armies which [Page 139] were ready to fall in upon them.

In their Consultations, the Reasons given for this Resolution, were, that the Edict to which his Royal Highness required their sub­mission, contain'd many things which they could not own, and others which they could not do; in the first place, they said it was not just, that they should be bound to acknowledge themselves guilty of the Rebellion wherewith they were charged, seeing they had done nothing against his Royal Highness's service, but that where­to, for maintaining the Exercise of their Religion, they were oblig'd.

Secondly, that they ought not to submit to the last Edict, be­cause it confirm'd that of January 31. which deprived them of the liberty of serving God according to their Faith.

[Page 140] Thirdly, They could not re­solve to obey the Command of laying down their Arms, because if they did, they should run the hazard of losing their Lives here, and their Souls hereafter, and be in a condition as bad as they were in former Persecutions, par­ticularly those in the year 1655. when by woful experience, they found that some People made no scruple of breaking their word, and that which confirmed them in this Opinion, was, the Troops coming so near to them, notwith­standing the Marquess St. Thomas had promis'd and assur'd them, none should enter into their Coun­try till the term mention'd in the Edict was expired.

Fourthly, That the time given to prepare themselves for their de­parture, was too short, and that they could not comply with the Edict, because the number of their Valley Inhabitants was very great, [Page 141] many were very old, and many others sick.

Fifthly, It was impossible for their Goods to be sold by Attor­nies or Proctors, and tho' they did resolve to sell them, yet it was upon condition they might receive the price they was sold for, before they went away, or to have it deposited in the hands of the Embassadors; that their E­states likewise in the Mountains, might be sold as well as those in Plains, and also what they had in the French King's Territories; in fine, seeing the sale was to be made to Roman Catholicks, they had cause to fear the Ecclesiasticks would not suffer them to be sold, in confidence that they them­selves should be masters of them, when all the Inhabitants were gone out of the Country.

Sixthly, All things were to be feared from those who held it for a Maxim, that Faith was not to [Page 142] be kept with Hereticks.

The Ministers and such of the Vallies, who had most sense and reason, did all they could to hind­er the People from coming to this extremity, but all the Arguments that were us'd would not divert them from their Resolution, not keep them from being led by those that flatter'd them with I­maginary hopes of Succours; these were the Persons, who by per­swading them not to accept of the Grace which was offer'd, were the cause of their destruction.

By the following Letter it ap­pears what art was us'd to make those People change their minds, and run headlong to their own Ruine.

In another Letter written by the Pastors of the Vally-Church­es, there is a Postscript in these words.

This Resolution being reported to the Embassadors, they plainly saw that in the mind these People were, there was no appearance of making them change their Reso­lution, or of bringing them to Reason.

But however the Embassadors resolv'd to try once more, to per­swade them to accept the favour their Prince offer'd, tho' it was not so advantageous as they wish'd, and considering the only way to make some impression upon them, was to make their Retreat less inconvenient and less troublesome than it would be, if the Terms of the Edict were to be observed; they fell to solliciting for an An­swer to the Memoir they had presented to the Duke of Savoy, that in case it were favourable, they might send it to the Vau­dois as the best Argument they [Page 146] could use to prevail with them.

But the Answer was not such as they desired, for the Marquess St. Thomas told the Embassadors, that his Royal Highness would not make a more ample, or any other Declaration, touching those things which were contained in his last Edict, because his Sub­jects stood out so obstinately in their Rebellion, and refus'd to lay down their Arms, boasting they were in a Condition to re­sist him; his R. H. therefore had resolv'd to part in two days, and go in person to reduce those Re­bels to their Duty; but for those that would retire, they should up­on his word enjoy the benefit of his Edict, and such as would not submit, should receive the punish­ment they deserved.

As soon as the Embassadors had left the Marquess St. Thomas, they dispatch'd a Currier to those of the Valleys, and by the following [Page 147] Letter gave them notice what ill success they had in their Negotiati­on.

Tho' the Embassadors now saw that the Affairs of the Vaudois were desperate, and to remedy them was impossible, they would not abandon those poor People, thinking they might some way or other be serviceable to them, if they follow'd his Royal Highness's Camp; and that they might so do, they prayed the Marquess St. Tho­mas to ask his Royal Highness's leave.

But the Marquess told them their presence might give some jealousie to the French Embassador, and to the Pope; therefore since his Royal Highness had great reason not to disoblige the most Christian King, the Embassadors did not in­sist any more on that demand: [Page 150] Things being in this condition, had his Royal Highness been never so well dispos'd to shew how much esteem he had for the Embassadors, yet he could not let them know how much he regarded their in­tercession.

When the Embassadors had their Audience of leave, they were told, if any occasion should hereafter bring them to Court, all deference should be paid due to their Character. They resolv'd to return to their Country, according to an Order which within few days they had received from their So­veraigns, in a Letter written to them from Zurich; wherein the Protestant Cantons recalled them from their Negotiation, if they thought it would prove ineffectual.

They supposing that the Mar­quess St. Thomas, or some other Ministers, might find some favou­rable opportunity to incline his Royal Highness to be merciful to [Page 151] his poor Subjects of the Valleys, resolved to make them a Visit, and intreat them to have compassion on those poor Creatures, and do them all the good Offices that were in their Power; but the Court parting in great haste, it was im­possible for them to do what they intended; and therefore they re­quested that by writing, which they could not by word of Mouth. A little while after they receiv'd an answer from the Marquess, who assur'd them, that upon any over­tures from the Vaudois, he would employ his utmost power to serve them.

Some few days before the Em­bassadors went a way, they receiv'd two Letters from the Valleys; one written by all the Communities of the Valley Inhabitants, directed to the Evangelick Cantons.

The Letter which the Ministers wrote to the Embassadors, was Penn'd in these following terms.

[Page 157]The Vaudois being resolved, as we have told you, and the Duke of Savoy gone to the Army; the Embassadors thought they had no more to do at Court, and therefore now might return home; but because it might happen that the Valley-People, seeing their danger near, and the Troops rea­dy to fall upon them, might by the Mediation of the Embassa­dors, have recourse to the Cle­mency of their Prince; they re­solved not to be far from them, till they saw the Army entred in­to their Country, and had heard what was the success of this Ex­pedition. But being informed that so soon as the French appear'd in the Valleys, those of St. Martin ran quite away, and that the Duke's Troops having forced the Passages on the side of Angrogne, found resistance no where, they plainly saw they had nothing more to do in Piedmont, and there­fore [Page 158] went away extremely griev'd that they could not hinder the desolation of the precious remaind­er of the Valley Churches. And being come back to their own Countrey, they gave an account of their Embassy to their Sove­raigns, who judging of their Ne­gotiation, not by the success it had, but by the Embassadors Conduct; after having declar'd, they were satisfied with the Zeal and Ad­dress which they had made ap­pear during the whole course of this nice Negotiation, they thank­ed them for the care they had taken to discharge so worthily the Employment wherewith they had been honoured.