Glimpses of Christian History Presents Pastwords #58: Persecutions and Oppressions of Protestants in France by a Victim ©2007

The Huguenots were French Calvinists.

But in this last Persecution of France, there are Five things that strike the Mind with horror; they make the Consciences and Religion of Men to depend Soveraignly upon the Will of a King, they violate a Faith Authenticity sworn to, they force Men to be Hypocrites, and wicked, by seeming to embrace a Religion which they abhor; they prohibit all Flights or retiring out of the Kingdom; they do not put to death, but preserve Life to oppress it with longer Torments. If after this the Court of Rome and its Clergy, dispersed over the rest of Europe, disclaim not so odious and so criminal a Conduct; if they condemn it not, it will be an indelible Stain to the Honour of their Religion. Not only Protestants, who are of a different Communion, but also in an infinite number of their own Catholicks, will be mightily scandalized thereat: nay, even the Turks and Jews and Pagans will rise up in Judgment against them. They may already know what they have been condemned of, in what passed in the Council of Constance, concerning John Huss, and Jerome of Prague, whom they put to Death, notwithstanding the safe Conduct of the Emperor Sigifmund; but there is something greater here: There only Two Men were concerned, here more than 150,000. those they put to Death, and if they had done the same to these, they would have embraced their Death with Joy and Comfort. The Council thought its Authority greater than Sigifmund's, but there cannot be produced one above that which has established our Edict.

We are not ignorant of the different Methods which the Persecutors take to shelter themselves from publick Condemnation. Some take a speedy course to deny the Fact; and to perswade the World, That Force and Violence have had no share in the Conversions, but that they were soft, and calm, and voluntary; and that if there were any Dragoons concerned therein, 'twas because the Reformed themselves desired them, that they might have a handsome pretense to change their Religion. Was there ever seen so much Impudence? What will they not deny, who can deny what's done in the Face of the Sun, and what a whole Kingdom from one end of it to the other hath seen, and to this day sees? For in the beginning of the year 1686, whilst I am composing this sad Rehearsal, they continue to exercise in France the same Rage, that ended the preceding year, the same Dragoons both in Cities and Countries execute the same Fury against some lamentable Remains of Protestants, who will not fall down and worship.

They are used like Rebels in their Persons, in their Estates, in their Wives, and in their Children; and if there be any difference, 'tis in this that their sufferings are still increasing. Yet if we will believe the Clergy, haranguing the King, and the Bishop of Valence their Speaker, he tells his Majesty how miraculous his Reign is, seeing such infinite numbers of Conversions are made to the Roman Church, without violences and Arms; much less, faith he, by the force of your Edicts, as by the example of your exemplary Piety. If we will believe the greatest part of the Abjurations which these poor Opprest People, are forc'd to make, they speak indeed the same sence, viz. That they have done this without being constrain'd thereto. Thus is the Credulity of the publick impos'd on: They have Seeds of Imposture sown at their feet, which are to grow with the time. Posterity who shall see these Record, will believe they contain the truth; Here, say they, is what has bin told the King, who must not have falsehoods offer'd him: Here is the proper acts and deeds of those that were converted. Why will not then Posterity believe it, seeing that at present, there are indeed people impudent enough, or to speak better, paid well enough to publish it in strange Countries; and there are found credible persons enough to believe it.

But I pray what likelihood is there, that 150,000 persons already gone out of France, without any thing constraining them to it, should leave their Houses, their Lands of Inheritance, their Effects, and several their Wives and Children, for to wander about he World, and lead a miserable Life for a humour. Is there any likelihood, that Persons of Quality of both Sexes, who enjoyed 10, 15, 20, 30 thousand Livers per annum, would abandon these their Estates, not only for themselves, but for their Successors; expose themselves to the perils, and incommodiousness of long Journies, and reduce themselves in a manner to beggary; which is a condition the most insupportable in the world, to Persons of Quality; and all this without any reason, without any occasion? What likelihood that this 150 thousand persons who have already escap'd, some of 'em into Switzerland, others into Germany, some into Denmark, others into Holland, some into Suedeland, and others into England, and some into America, without seeing or knowing one another, yet have agreed to tell the same lie, and to say with one voice, That the Protestants are cruelly persecuted in France; and that by unheard of Severities they are forc'd to change their Religion; altho’ there is no such matter? Is it likely that the Embassadors and Envoys of Foreign Princes, should lye all of them in consort, in telling them this news, wherein there is no truth? But I pray, if in France the Protestants thus voluntarily, and without constraint change their Religion, and that the Dragoons are cal'd only as their good friends, whence happens this so strict and general Guard on the frontiers, to hinder Peoples departure? How is it that the Prisons of the Kingdom are cram'd, with Fugitives stopt by the way? Whence is it, that those who have chang'd, are watch'd with such great care to hinder their flight; to the obliging them to deposit sums of money to secure them from the suspition of it? This must be an Epidemical Distemper that has seiz'd on his Majesties Subjects, that shall make them fly thus without reason? But is not this a fine cover, to say that the Protestants have themselves call'd in the Dragoons, to have the better pretence to change their Religion? It is about 10 or more years since there was a Bank set up to traffick for Souls. Mr. Pelison, has for a long time bin the great dealer of Paris, in this infamous Trade of purchasing Converts. These Conversions have of late, bin the only way of gaining applause, and recompences at Court, and in a word, a means of raising ones Fortune; and yet we must be told, that instead of being Converted by these easie ways, we had rather choose the help of Dragoons, that is, of being pillag'd. At least let any one tell us, why since these pretended voluntary Conversions, the People not willing to go to Mass, they have bin obliged to send them troops, and use them with the same severity as before.

This is so gross and palpable an untruth, that others have undertaken to defend these Violences, as being naturally of the genuine Spirit of the Catholick Church; and for this purpose, they have continually in their mouths that passage of the gospel, compelle intrare, compel them to come in; and the persecution which the Orthodox of Africk offer'd the Donatists, etc.

Were this a place to dispute against these furious Divines, we could easily show ‘em the vanity of these allegations; but we shall rather ask 'em, whether the Jews and Pagans had agreed upon an Edict with the Apostles, when our Saviour says to them, compel them to come in. Has St. Augustin ever written, for he is cited in this matter, That we ought to be perfidious towards those whom we esteem as Hereticks, when we promis'd to live with 'em like Brethren and fellow Citizens. The Donatists, had they any Edicts which would shelter ‘em from the insults of the Orthodox? If we yield to this detestable Divinity, what will become of all us Christians? For in short, the Papist is as much an Heretick to the Protestants as the Protestants are to the Papist; yet they live together in peace, on the Faith of Alliances, Treaties and Promises. But these publick Pests as much as in them lies have brought all things into confusion, and a State of War. The arm, the Catholicks against the Protestants, teaching the Catholicks by this example, that their Religion obliges him to betray him and surprise the Protestants, when they can do it unpunish'd; and knock out their Brains if they will not change their Religion. They arm the Protestant against the Catholick; for after all, what Peace and Society can we have with People, who not only make no Conscience to break their Faith; but on the contrary, make it a case of Conscience to break it, when they shall find occasion. Thus have they by their Dragoons desolated a Kingdom, and plunder'd above a 100 thousand Families. Do we think this method, is pleasing to him, whom we both own to be the Author of our Faith; he has said, That he will not suffer Hell Gates to ruine his Church; but he has not said, he will open Hell Gates for the propagating his Church. Now if there were any thing that looks like the Gates of Hell, it is the persecutions of France.

Whatsoever Antipathy there may be between the See of Rome and us, we will not believe that the present Pope has had any part, or that the Storm has fallen on us from him. We know he is a mild Prince, and his temper leads to more moderate Councils than those of his Predecessors. Moreover we know, the Clergy of France do not always consult him in what they undertake; and we have had often offered to us, what has bin done against Rome, to induce us to submit ourselves to the King's will in these other matters; and how small a deference is paid to its Authority. So that we hope the Pope himself, considering us still as Men and Christians, will condole us, and blame the methods used against us, had he no other reason than the interest of Religion. Perhaps one day, it will be our turn to blame that which will be taken against him.

However, ‘tis certain the Protestants of France are the most fit objects of publick compassion, the world ever knew. Some sigh and lament under a hard Slavery, which they would willingly change for Irons in Algiers or Turkie. For there they would not be forced to turn Mahometans, and might still entertain some hopes of liberty by the way of ransom. Others are wandering about strange Countries, stript of their Estates, separated in all probability, for ever from their Parents, their Relations and Friends, whom they have left in the most doleful condition imaginable. Husbands have left their Wives, and Wives their Husbands; Fathers their Children, and Children their Fathers. We have seen our Estates vanish in a moment, our honest ways of living, our hopes, our Inheritances.

We have scarcely any thing left us but our miserable Lives, and they are supported by the Charity of our Christian Brethren.

Yet amongst all these Afflictions we are not destitute of Comfort; we, if ever any did, do truly suffer for Conscience sake; the Malice of our Persecutors not being able to charge us with the least Misdemeanour. We have served our King and the State with Zeal and Faithfulness. We have submitted to the Laws and to Magistrates; and for our Fellow-Citizens, they have no reason to complain of us. We have for Twenty years together suffered with an unexemplary patience all those furious and dreadful Storms aforementioned. And when in Vivaretz and Cevennes, some have thought themselves bound in Conscience to preach on the Ruines of their Temples illegally demolisht, their small number, which were but a handful of Men, Women and Children, has only served to stir up more the Resignation and Obedience of our whole Body. In these latter Storms we have been like Sheep, innocent and without defence. We then comfort our selves in the Justice of our Cause, and our peaceable Deportment under it.

But we comfort our selves likewise in the Christian Compassion shewed us by Forrein Princes, and more especially of his Majesty of England, who has received us into his Countries, succoured and relieved us, and recommended our distressed Condition to al his Subjects; and we have found in them not only new Masters, or the Affections of new Friends, but of real Parents and brethren. And as these bowels of Commiseration have been as Balm to our Wounds, so we shall never lose the remembrance of it, and hope we not our Children shall ever do anything, by Gods Grace, unworthy any of these their protections.

All our Affliction then is, to see our Religion oppressed in the Kingdom of France; so many Churches wherein God was daily served according tot he simplicity of the Gospel, demolished, so many Flocks dispers'd, so many poor Consciences sighing and groaning under their Bondage; so many Children deprived of the lawful Education of their Parent; but we hope that at length the same God who heard heretofore the Sighs of his People in the Servitude of Egypt, will also hear at this time the Cries of his Faithful Servants. We call not for Fire from Heaven, We are for no resistance, we only pray that God would touch the Heart of our Persecuters, that they may repent, and be saved together with us. We entreat such a deliverance, as he in his Wisdom shall think fitting.

However 'twill be no Offence to God nor Good Men to leave this Writing to the World, as a Protestation made before him, and them against these Violences; more especially against the Edict of 1685. containing the Revocation of that of Nants, it being in its own Nature inviolable, irrevocable, and unalterable. We may, I say, complain amongst other things against the worse than inhumane Cruelties exercised on dead Bodies, when they are drag'd along the Streets at the Horse Tayls, and dig'd out, and denyed Sepulchers. We cannot but complain of the Cruel Orders to part with our Children, and suffer them to be Baptized, and brought up by our Enemies. But above all, against the impious and detestable practise, now in vogue, of making Religion to depend on the Kings pleasure, on the will of a Mortal Prince, and of treating perseverance in the Faith with the odious name of Rebellion: This is to make a God of Man, and to run back into the Heathenish pride and flattery amongst the Romans; or an authorising of Atheism or gross Idolatry. In fine, we commit our Complaints, and all our Interests into the Hands of that Providence, which brings Good out of Evil, and which is above the Understanding of Mortals, whose Houses are in the Dust.

AN EDICT OF THE FRENCH KING, PROHIBITING ALL PUBLICK EXERCISE OF THE PRETENDED REFORMED RELIGION IN HIS KINGDOM.

Lewes, by the Grace of God, King of France and of Navarre, to all resent and to come, Greeting. King Henry the Great, Our Grandfather of Glorious Memory, desiring to prevent, that the Peace which he had procured for his Subjects, after the great Losses they had sustained, by the long continuance of Civil and Forreign Wars, might not be disturbed by occasion of the pretended Reformed Religion, as it had been during the Reigns of the Kings his Predecessors, had be his Edict given at Nantes, in the Month of April, 1598. Regulated the Conduct which was to be observed with Respect to those of the said Religion, the places where they might publickly exercise the same, appointed extraordinary Judges, to administer Justice to them; and lastly, also by several distinct Articles provided for everything, which he judged needful for the maintenance of Peace and Tranquillity in his Kingdom, and to diminish the Aversion which was between those of the one and other Religion; and this, to the end that he might be in a better condition for the taking some effectual course (which he was resolved to do) to reunite those again to the Church, who upon so slight occasions had withdrawn themselves from it. And forasmuch as this Intention of the King, our said Grandfather, could not be effected, by reason of his suddain and precipitated Death; and that the Execution of the foresaid Edict was interrupted during the Minority of the late King, Our most Honoured Lord and Father, of Glorious Memory, by reason of some new Enterprises of those of the pretended Reformed Religion, whereby they gave occasion for their being deprived of several Advantages which had been granted to them, by the foresaid Edict: Notwithstanding, the King, Our said late Lord and Father, according to his wonted Clemency, granted them another Edict at Nismes, in the Month of July 1629, by means of which the Peace and Quiet of the Kingdom being now again reestablished, the said late King being animatyed with the same Spirit and Zeal for Religion, as the King our said Grandfather was, resolved to make good use of this Tranquility, by endeavouring to put this pious design in Execution, but Wars abroad, coming on a few years after, so that from the Year 1635, to the Truce which was concluded with the Princes of Europe, in 1684. The Kingdom having been only for some short Intervals altogether free from troubles, it was not possible to do any other thing for the advantage of Religion, save only to diminish the number of places permitted for the Exercise of the Pretended Reformed Religion, as well by the Interdiction of those which were found erected in prejudice to the disposal made in the said Edict, as by suppressing the mix'd Chambers of Judicature, which were composed of an equal number of Papists and Protestants, the erecting of which was only done by Provision, and to serve the present Exigency.

Whereas therefore at length it hath pleased God to grant, that Our Subjects enjoying a perfect Peace, and We Our selves being no longer taken up with the cares of protecting them against our Enemies, are now in a condition to make good use of the said Truce, which we have on purpose facilitated, in order to the applying our selves entirely in the searching out of means, which might successfully effect and accomplish the design of the Kings, our said Grandfather and Father, and which also have been our intention ever since we came to the Crown; we see at present (not without a just acknowledgment of what we owe to God on that account) that our endeavours have attain'd the end we proposed to Our selves, forasmuch as the greater and better part of our Subjects of the said Pretended Reformed Religion have already embraced the Catholick, and since by means thereof, the Execution of the Edict of Nantes, and of all other Ordinances in favour of the said Pretended Reformed Religion, is made useless, we judge that we can do nothing better towards the entire effacing of the Memory of those Troubles, Confusion and Mischief, which the Progress of that false Religion, hath been the cause of in Our Kingdom, and which have given occasion to the said Edict, and to so many other Edicts and Declarations which went before it, or were made since with reference thereto, than by a total Revocation of the said Edict of Nantes, and the particular Articles and Concessions granted therein, and whatsoever else hath been Enacted since in favour of the said Religion.

I. We make known, that We, for these and other Reasons us thereto moving, and of our certain Knowledge, full Power and Royal Authority, have by the present perpetual and irrevocable Edict, Suppress'd and Annull'd, do suppress and annul the Edict of the King, our said Grandfather, given at Nantes in April, 1598 in its whole extent, together with the particular Articles ratified the Second of May, next following, and Letters Patent granted thereupon; as likewise the Edict given at Nifmes, in July 1629. declaring them null and void, as if they had never been Enacted, together with all the Concessions granted in the, as well as the other Declarations, Edicts, and Arrests, to those of the Pretended Reformed Religion, of what Nature soever they may be, which shall all continue as if they never had been. And in pursuance hereof, we Will, and it is our Pleasure, that all the Churches of those of the Pretended Reformed Religion, scituate in our Kingdom, Countries, Lands, and Dominions belonging to us, be forthwith demolished.

II. We forbid our Subjects of the Pretended Reformed Religion to assemble themselves, for time to come, in order to the Exercise of their Religion, in any Place or House under what Pretext soever, whether the said places have been granted by the Crown, or permitted by the Judges of particular Places; any Arrests of our Council, for Authorizing and Establishing of the said places for Exercise, notwithstanding.

III. We likewise prohibit all Lords, of what condition soever they may be, to have any publick Exercise in their Houses and Fiefs, of what quality soever the said Fiefs may be, upon Penalty to all our said Subjects, who shall have the said Exercises performed in their Houses or otherwise, of Confiscation of Body and Goods.

IV. We do strictly Charge and Command all Ministers of the said Pretended Reformed Religion, who are not willing to be Converted, and to embrace the Catholick Apostolick and Roman Religion, to depart out of our Kingdom and Countries under our Obedience, fifteen days after the Publication hereof, so as not to continue there beyond the said term, or within the same, to Preach, Exhort, or perform any other Ministerial Function, upon pain of being sent to the Galleys.

V. Our Will and Pleasure is, that those Ministers who shall be converted, do continue to enjoy, during their Lives, and their Widows after their decease, so long as they continue so, the same Exemptions from Payments and Quartering of Souldiers, which they did enjoy during the time of their Exercise of the Ministerial Function. Moreover we will cause to be paid to the said Ministers, during their Lives a Pension, which by a third Part shall exceed the appointed Allowance to them as Ministers; the half of which Pension shall be continued to their Wives, after their Decease, as long as they shall continue in the state of Widowhood.

VI. And in case any of the said Ministers shall be willing to become Advocates, or to take the Degree of Doctors in Law, we will and Understand that they be dispensed with, as to the three Years of Study, which are prescribed by our Declarations, as requisite, in order to the taking of the said Degree, and that after they have pass'd the ordinary Examinations, they be forthwith received as Doctors, paying only the Moyety of those dues which are usually paid upon that account in every University.

VII. We prohibit any particular Schools for instructing the Children of those of the Pretended Reformed Religion, and in general all other things whatsoever, which may import a Concession of what kind soever, in favour of the said Religion.

VIII. And as to the Children which shall for the future be born of those of the said Pretended Reformed Religion, Our Will and Pleasure is, that henceforward they be baptized by the Curates of our Parishes; strictly charging their respective Fathers and Mothers to take care they be sent to Church in order thereto, upon Forfeiture of 500 Livres or more, as it shall happen. Furthermore, Our Will is, that the said Children be afterwards educated and brought up in the Catholick, Apostolick and Roman Religion, and give an express Charge to all Our Justices, to take care the same be performed accordingly.

IX. And for a Mark of our Clemency towards those of our Subjects of the said Pretended Reformed Religion, who have retired themselves out of our Kingdom, Countries and Territories, before the Publication of this our present Edict, our will and meaning is, that in case they return thither again, within the time of four Months, from the time of the Publication hereof they may, and it shall be lawful for them, to Re enter upon the Possession of their Goods and Estates, and enjoy the same in like manner, as they might have done in case they had always continued upon the place. And on the contrary, that the Goods of all those, who within the said time of four Months, shall not return into our Kingdom, Countries or Territories, under our Obedience, which they have forsaken, remain and be Confiscated in pursuance of our Declaration of the 20th of August last.

X. We most expressly and strictly forbid all our Subjects of the said pretended Reformed Religion, them, their Wives or Children, to depart out of our said Kingdom, Countries, or territories under our Obedience, or to Transport thence their Goods or Effects, upon penalty of the Gally, for Men, and of Confiscation of Body and Goods for Women.

XI. Our Will and Meaning is, that the Declarations made against those who shall relapse, be Executed upon them according to their Form and Tenor.

Moreover, those of the said Pretended Reformed Religion, in the mean time, till it shall please God to enlighten them as well as others, may abide in the several respective Cities and Places of our Kingdoms, Countries and Territories under our Obedience, and there continue their Commerce, and enjoy their Goods and Estates, without being any way molested upon account of the said Pretended Reformed Religion, upon condition nevertheless, as aforementioned, that they do not use any publick Religious Exercise, nor assemble themselves upon the account of Prayer or Worship of the said Religion, of what kind soever the same may be, upon forfeiture above specified of Body and Goods.

Accordingly, We Will And Command our Trusty and Beloved Counsellors, the People holding our Courts of Aids at Paris, Bayliffs, Chief Justices, Provosts, and other our Justices and Officers to whom it appertains, and to their Lieutenants, that they cause to be Read, Publishes and Registred, this Our present Edict in their Courts and Jurisdictions, even in vacation time, and the same keep punctually, without contravening or suffering the same to be contravened; for such is Our Will and Pleasure. And to the end to make it a thing firm and stable, we have caused our Seal to be put to the same. Given at Fountainbleau in the Month of October, in the Year of Grace 1685, and of Our Reign the 43.

Signed LEWES.

This signifies the Lord Chancellors perusal. Le Tellier

Sealed with the Great Seal of Green-Wax, upon a Red and Green string of Silk.

Registred and Published, the Kings Procurator or Attorney General, requiring it, in order to their being Executed according to Forma and Tenor, and the Copies being Examined and Compared, sent to the several Courts of Justice, Bailywicks and Sheriffs Courts of each District, to be there entred and Registred in like manner, and charge given tot he Deputies of the said Attorney General, to take care to see the same Executed and put in Force, and to certifie the Court thereof. At Paris in the Court of Vacations the 22d. of October, 1685. Signed De la Baune.

THE PROFESSION OF THE CATHOLICK, APOSTOLICK, AND ROMAN FAITH, WHICH THE REVOLTING PROTESTANTS IN FRANCE ARE TO SUBSCRIBE AND SWEAR TO.

In the Name of the Father, Son, and Holy Ghost, Amen. I Believe and Confess with a firm Faith, all and every thing and things contained in the Creed which is used by the Holy Church of Rome, viz. I receive and embrace most sincerely the Apostolick and Ecclesiastical Traditions, and other Observances of the said Church. In like manner I receive the Scriptures, but in the same sense as the said Mother Church hath, and doth now understand and expound the same, for whom and to whom it only doth belong to judge of the Interpretation of the Sacred Scriptures; and I will never take them, nor understand them otherwise than according to the unanimous consent of the Fathers.

I profess that there be truly and properly seven Sacraments of the New Law, instituted by our Lord Jesus Christ, and necessary for the Salvation of Mankind, altho not equally needful for every one, viz. Baptism, Confirmation, the Eucharist, Penance, Extream Unction, Orders and Marriage; and that they do confer Grace; and that Baptism and Orders may not be reiterated without Sacriledge: I receive and admit also the Ceremonies received and approved by the Catholic Church in the solemn administration of the forementioned Sacraments.

I receive and embrace all and every thing and things which have been determined concerning Original Sin and Justification by the holy Council of Trent.

I likewise profess, that in the Mass there is offered up to God, a true, proper, and propitiatory Sacrifice for the Living and Dead; and that in the Holy Sacrament of the Eucharist, there is truly, really and substantially, the Body and Blood, together with the Soul and Divinity of our Lord Jesus Christ; and that in it there is made a change of the whole substance of the Bread into his Body, and of the whole substance of the Wine into his Blood, which change the Catholick Church calls Transubstantiation. I confess also, that under one only of these two Elements, whole Christ and the true Sacrament is received.

I constantly believe and affirm, that there is a Purgatory, and that the Souls there detained, are relieved by the Suffrages of the Faithful.

In like manner, I believe that the Saints reigning in Glory with Jesus Christ, are to be worshipped and invocated by us, and that they offer up Prayers to God for us, and that their Reliques ought to be honoured.

Moreover, I do most stedfastly avow, that the Images of Jesus Christ, of the Blessed Virgin, the Mother of God, and of other Saints, ought to be kept and retained, and that due Honour and Veneration must be yielded unto them.

Also I do affirm, that the power of Indulgence was left to the Church by Christ Jesus, and that the use thereof is very beneficial to Christians.

I do acknowledge the holy Catholick, Apostolick and Roman Church, to be the Mother and Mistress of all other Churches; and I profess and swear true obedience to the Pope of Rome, Successor of the Blessed St. Peter, Prince of the Apostles, and Vicar of Jesus Christ.

In like manner I own and profess, without doubting, all other things left, defined and declared by the Holy Canons and General Councils, especially by the most holy Council of Trent; and withal, I do condemn, reject, and hold for accursed, all things that are contrary thereto; and all those Heresies which have been condemned, rejected, and accursed by the Church.

And then swearing upon the Book of the Gospel, the Party recanting must say: I promise, vow and swear, and most constantly profess, by God's assistance, to keep intirely and inviolably, unto death, this self same Catholick and Apostolick Faith, out of which no person can be saved; and this I do most truly and willingly profess, and that I will to the utmost of my Power, endeavour that it may be maintained and upheld as far as any ways belong to my charge; so help me God and the holy Virgin.

THE CERTIFICATE WHICH THE PARTY RECANTING IS TO LEAVE WITH THE PRIEST, BEFORE WHOM HE MAKES HIS ABJURATION.

I, _____ of the Parish of _____ do certifie all whom it may concern, That having acknowledged the falseness of the pretended Reformed, and the Truth of the Catholick Religion, of my own Freewill, without any Compulsion, I have accordingly made Profession of the said Catholick and Roman Religion in the Church of _____ in the hands of _____. In Testimony of the Truth whereof, I have signed this Act in the presence of the Witnesses, whose Names are under written, this _____ day of the Month of the _____ year of the Reign of our Soveraign Lord the King, and of our Redemption.

FINIS.