CONTENTS.
INTRODUCTION.
Importance of the Reformation.—Corruption of the Catholic doctrine.—Vices of the discipline.—Traffic in indulgences.—Disorders of the clergy.—Protestations.—Renewal of letters.—The papacy. —Councils.—Martin Luther.—Glance at his teaching, his life, and his labours.—Ulrich Zwinglius.—His character and influence.—Progress of Reformation in Europe.—[Page 1-15.]
FROM THE BEGINNING OF THE REFORMATION IN FRANCE TO THE OPENING OF THE CONFERENCE OF POISSY.
(1521-1561.)
I.
Preaching of the Reformation at Meaux.—Lefevre d’Etaples.—Guillaume Farel.—Bishop Briçonnet.—Zeal and success of the new preachers.—[Page 17-20.]
II.
First persecutions.—The Sorbonne.—The Parliaments.—The court. —Condemnation of Jean Leclerc.—Execution of Jacques Pavannes.—Louis Berquin.—His courage, struggles, and death.—[Page 20-27.]
III.
Farel in Dauphiny.—Progress of the Reformation in France.—Martyrdom of Jean Caturce at Toulouse.—The history of the monk François Lambert.—Marguérite de Valois and Francis I.—[Page 27-33.]
IV.
The Reformation at Paris.—Affair of the placards.—Growing persecutions.—Generalissimo procession.—Frightful executions. —Marguérite de Valois in Béarn.—[Page 33-38.]
V.
Jean Calvin.—His early studies.—Preachings in Poitou and Saintonge. —The book of the Institution.—Calvin at Geneva.—His character.—The intolerance with which he is reproached.—Michel Servet.—Great labours of Calvin.—[Page 38-46.]
VI.
Persecutions against the Vaudois in Provence.—Origin and history of this people.—How they justify themselves.—Massacres at Mérindol, Cabrières, &c.—Trial in respect of this affair before the Parliament of Paris.—[Page 46-51.]
VII.
Great success of the Reformation.—What were the principal causes of it.—Gentlemen.—Third estate.—Traders.—Converted monks and priests.—Bible hawkers.—Martyrdom of one of them.—Assemblies of the Reformed in small bands.—Precautions.—Piety and exemplary conduct of the Reformed.—[Page 51-57.]
VIII.
King Henry II.—Executions at Paris.—Edict of Châteaubriant. —Spoliations.—Project of establishing the Inquisition in France. —Attack upon an assembly of the Reformed in the Rue Saint Jacques at Paris.—Odious calumnies.—Fresh executions.—Intervention of the Protestant States.—[Page 57-63.]
IX.
Successive developments of the Ecclesiastical organization.—Formation of regular churches.—First national synod in 1559.—Confession of faith.—Discipline.—Analysis of its first articles.—[Page 63-67.]
X.
Divisions in the Parliament of Paris.—Anne Dubourg in the Bastille. —His trial and his martyrdom.—Francis II.—Catherine de Medicis. —The Cardinal de Lorraine.—The Duke François de Guise.—Antoine de Bourbon.—Louis de Condé.—François d’Andelot.—Coligny.—His education, his piety, and domestic habits.—The Cardinal Odet de Châtillon.—[Page 67-79.]
XI.
Tyranny of the Guises.—Persecutions.—Fanaticism of the Parisian populace.—The malcontents and the Huguenots.—The conspiracy of Amboise.—Terrible executions.—The Baron de Castelnau.—Edict of Romorantin in 1560.—[Page 79-84.]
XII.
Establishment of the public worship of the Reformation.—First armed contests.—Assembly of the notables at Fontainebleau.—Address presented by Coligny.—Speech of the Bishop Montluc.—Resistance of the Guises.—Disquietude of Pope Pius IV.—[Page 84-89.]
XIII.
Condé arrested at Orleans.—Conspiracy against Antoine de Bourbon. —The Huguenot’s snare.—Death of Francis II.—Regency of Catherine. —States-General of Orleans.—Speech of the Chancellor l’Hospital, and of the orators of the three orders.—[Page 89-95.]
XIV.
The Reformation preached at Fontainebleau.—Great increase in the number of churches and pastors.—Disturbances in different places. —Intrigues of the Guises.—The triumvirate.—Edict of July. —[Page 95-100.]
FROM THE OPENING OF THE CONFERENCE OF POISSY TO THE EDICT OF NANTES.
(1561-1598.)
I.
Project of assembling a national council.—Opposition of the clergy. —Simple conference.—Misapprehensions of both parties.—Theodore de Bèze.—Biographical details.—Arrival of Bèze at Poissy.—Conversation with the Cardinal de Lorraine.—Petition of the pastors.—[Page 101-106.]
II.
Opening of the colloquy.—The deputies of the churches at the bar of the Assembly.—Speech of Theodore de Bèze.—Murmurs of the prelates. —Second sitting.—Answer of Cardinal de Lorraine.—Individual conferences.—Stratagem of the Cardinal.—The Jesuit Lainez.—Rupture of the colloquy.—[Page 106-113.]
III.
Immense spread of the Reformation.—Viret at Nismes.—Catholic churches invaded.—Great meetings at Paris.—Approximative number of the Reformed at this period.—Edict of January.—Resistance of the Guises and several Parliaments.—[Page 113-119.]
IV.
Intrigues with Antoine de Bourbon, lieutenant-general of the kingdom. —Defection of this prince.—Jeanne d’Albret.—Her piety and constancy. —Her return to Béarn.—Wise government and courage of the queen of Navarre.—[Page 119-122.]
V.
Plots of the Guises.—The Reformed of Vassy.—Massacre of Vassy.—The pastor Morel.—The Bible and the Duke de Guise.—Did he order the massacre?—Great disquietude of the Calvinists.—Complaints of the Consistory of Paris.—[Page 122-127.]
VI.
Absence of all regular authority.—Resort to arms.—Letters of Catherine de Medicis to Condé.—The foreigner appealed to by both sides.—Manifestoes of each party.—Association of the Calvinist lords. —Useless conferences.—Barbarous decrees of the Parliament.—The English at Hâvre.—[Page 127-132.]
VII.
Siege of Rouen.—Cruelties.—The pastor Marlorat.—Death of Antoine de Bourbon.—Battle of Dreux.—Siege of Orleans.—Assassination of the Duke de Guise.—Inconstancy of the Prince de Condé.—Peace of Amboise.—Discontent of Coligny.—[Page 132-137.]
VIII.
The religious war in all the provinces.—Severe discipline of the Huguenots.—Atrocities of this war.—Massacre of Cahors.—Events at Toulouse in 1562.—Resistance of the Calvinists at the citadel.—Their surrender.—Great effusion of blood.—Montluc.—[Page 138-143.]
IX.
Violation of the treaty of peace.—Journey of Catherine de Medicis and Charles IX.—Interview with the duke of Alba.—Enterprises of the Calvinist leaders.—Battle of Saint Denis.—Arrival of auxiliaries from Germany.—Peace of Longjumeau.—[Page 143-149.]
X.
New acts of violence and perfidy.—Retreat of the Calvinist noblemen to La Rochelle.—Battle of Jarnac.—Provocations of Pope Pius V. —Battle of Moncontour.—Heroism of Coligny.—Letter to his children. —Peace of Saint Germain.—[Page 149-155.]
XI.
Weakening of the Huguenot party.—Decline of piety and manners. —National synods.—The national synod of La Rochelle in 1571. —[Page 155-158.]
XII.
The massacre of St. Bartholomew.—Who were the real authors of it?—An Italian crime.—How it was prepared.—Sudden death of Jeanne d’Albret at Paris.—Arrival of Coligny at the court.—Marriage of Henry de Béarn.—Coligny wounded by Maurevel.—Visit of Charles IX.—Murder of the Admiral.—Henri de Guise.—[Page 158-167.]
XIII.
Execrable crimes.—General processions.—The Saint Bartholomew of the provinces.—Bishop Hennuyer.—Massacres at Meaux, Troyes, Orleans, Rouen, Toulouse, Bordeaux, Lyons, &c.—The number of the victims. —Rejoicing at Rome and Madrid.—Consternation of the Protestant countries.—The French ambassador at London, and the Duke d’Anjou in Germany.—Consequences of the massacre of Saint Bartholomew. —[Page 167-176.]
XIV.
Resistance and rising of the Calvinists.—Confederation at Montauban. —Siege of Sancerre.—Siege of La Rochelle.—François Lanoue.—Edict of 1573.—Remonstrances of the Reformed—The party of the politicians or malcontents.—Death of Charles IX.—[Page 176-182.]
XV.
Journey and return of Henry III. to France.—Abject bigotry of this prince.—The consistorial Reformed and the nobility of the Calvinist party.—Fresh recourse to arms.—Peace.—States-General of Blois. —Edict of Poitiers.—[Page 182-187.]
XVI.
Intrigues of Catherine de Medicis.—The war of the lovers.—The League.—Vast Scheme of Philippe II.—Character of the Duke Henri de Guise.—Weakness of Henry III.—Anarchy of the kingdom.—Edict of Nemours.—Excommunication of the Bourbons by Sixtus Quintus. —[Page 187-195.]
XVII.
New war of religion.—Henry de Condé.—The king of Navarre.—Battle of Coutras.—Popularity of the Duke de Guise.—Second States-General of Blois.—Murder of the Duke de Guise.—Rising of the League. —Manifesto of the king of Navarre.—Alliance between the two princes. —Assassination of Henry III.—Manners of the court of the Valois. —[Page 195-202.]
XVIII.
Henry IV.—Difficulties of his position.—Desertion of the Catholic nobles.—Fidelity of the Calvinists.—Duplessis-Mornay.—His convictions, his talents, and activity.—The Baron de Rosny.—The battle of Ivry.—Edict of Nantes.—[Page 202-207.]
XIX.
The League.—How Henry IV. changed his religion.—The Abbé Duperron. —Gabrielle d’Estrées.—Character of the king.—Arguments of Sully. —Unshaken opposition of Mornay.—Ruses of Henry IV.—Mock instruction.—Abjuration.—[Page 208-212.]
XX.
Capitulation of the Catholic lords.—The Calvinists sacrificed and irritated.—Absolution of Henry IV. by Clement VIII.—Complaints of the Reformed.—Their political assemblies.—Organization and object of these assemblies.—The massacre of La Châtaigneraie.—Renewed complaints.—Edict of Nantes.—Conclusion.—[Page 213-220.]
FROM THE PROMULGATION OF THE EDICT OF NANTES TO ITS REVOCATION.
(1598-1685.)
I.
Abjuration of Henri de Condé.—Catherine de Navarre, sister of Henry IV. —Moderation of the political assemblies of the Reformed.—National synods.—The question of the Antichrist conference between Mornay and Duperron, at Fontainebleau.—Fraudulent proceedings.—The Reformed Church of Charenton.—Assassination of Henry IV.—[Page 221-230.]
II.
Fears of the Calvinists.—Declaration of the court.—Intrigues of the Duke de Bouillon and De Lesdiguières.—The Duke Henri de Rohan.—Wise conduct of Duplessis-Mornay.—Political assembly of Saumur.—Speech of the Duke de Rohan.—Divisions among the Reformed.—National synod of Privas.—Affair of Jérémie Ferrier.—[Page 230-236.]
III.
Vexatious treatment of the Reformed.—Pretensions of the Catholic clergy.—Manifesto of the Prince de Condé.—Oppression of the Calvinists of Béarn.—Indignation of their co-religionaries.—Political assembly of La Rochelle.—Project of the Reformed.—Regulations for the discipline of the troops.—[Page 236-241.]
IV.
Renewed contest.—Louis XIII. begins hostilities.—Taking of the Castle of Saumur.—Death of Duplessis-Mornay.—Siege of Montauban. —Re-commencement of the war in 1622.—Sanguinary executions at Nègrepelisse, &c.—Treaty of peace.—[Page 241-247.]
V.
False position of both sides.—Why the French Reformation had become a political party.—Hidden policy of the court.—War of partisans.—National synod of Charenton.—Expulsion of Cameron and Primrose.—National synod of Castres.—Municipal liberties of La Rochelle.—Plans of Cardinal Richelieu.—[Page 247-253.]
VI.
Siege of La Rochelle.—Intervention of the English.—Courage and distress of the besieged.—Indifference of the majority of the Calvinists.—Surrender of La Rochelle.—Declaration of the king. —Destruction of the town of Privas.—Edict of Grace.—Richelieu at Montauban.—Last years of the Duke de Rohan.—[Page 253-260.]
VII.
Fidelity and political services of the Calvinists.—Testimony of Mazarin and Louis XIV.—Causes of the new persecutions.—The Jesuits.—The clergy.—Prejudices of Louis XIII. and Louis XIV.—The statesmen and the parliament men.—Good understanding among the middle classes. —Fanaticism of the populace.—[Page 260-265.]
VIII.
Plan of union.—Richelieu.—La Milletière.—Opposition of the synods and the consistories—The Catholic converters.—Character, behaviour, and arguments of these propagators of the faith.—The converter Véron.—National synods of Charenton and Alençon.—New national synod of Charenton.—[Page 265-271.]
IX.
Peaceful state of affairs, from 1652-1656.—Complaints of the general assemblies of the clergy.—Renewal of the persecutions.—Discussions concerning the annexed districts.—Unfavourable reception of the deputies at the court.—Last national synod of Loudun.—Arrogance of the king’s commissioner.—Humble petitions of the Reformed. —Frivolous pretexts for preventing the meeting of the national synods. —[Page 271-277.]
X.
Cultivation of theological learning.—Academy of Montauban.—Chamier. —Bérault.—Garissoles.—This academy is broken up by the Jesuits. —Academy of Saumur.—Cameron.—Amyrault.—Cappel.—La Place.—Academy of Sédan.—Pierre Dumoulin.—Leblanc de Beaulieu.—Academy of Nismes. —Samuel Petit.—[Page 277-284.]
XI.
Pastors celebrated for their piety and learning.—André Rivet.—Edme Aubertin.—Benjamin Basnage.—David Blondel.—Bochart.—Le Faucheur. —Mestrezat.—Drelincourt.—Daillé.—Dubosc.—Larroque.—Ancillon. —Claude.—[Page 284-292.]
XII.
Catholic and Reformed commissioners sent into the provinces.—Vexatious measures.—Captious writings of the Jesuits.—Declaration of 1663 against relapsed converts.—Other ordinances.—Exclusion of the Reformed from public offices.—Probity of the Reformed in the departments of finance.—Puerile annoyances.—General declaration.—First emigration.—Prohibition against emigration.—Turenne’s abjuration. —[Page 292-300.]
XIII.
New projects of union.—Uselessness of these attempts.—The Jansenists and the Jesuits.—Difference in their plans.—Numerous and iniquitous ordinances.—Controversies.—Writings of Arnault and Nicole, and replies of the Reformed.—The book of the Exposition.—Controversy between Bossuet and Claude.—[Page 300-305.]
XIV.
The jubilee of 1676.—Growing devotion of Louis XIV.—Bad education of this monarch, and his ignorance on matters of religion.—Purchase of consciences with money by Pelisson.—Frauds.—New law against relapsed converts.—Madame de Maintenon.—Systematic project for the extirpation of heresy.—Excesses of the populace.—[Page 305-310.]
XV.
Increased severity of the ordinances against the Reformed.—Public offices.—Civil rights.—Marriage and parental authority.—Contracts and imposts.—Attacks upon property, and against liberty of conscience and worship.—Prohibition against the admission of the new Catholics to the temples.—Louvois.—Marillac.—First dragonnades in Poitou.—Emigration.—[Page 311-318.]
XVI.
Intolerable position of the Reformed.—Useless complaints.—Project of re-opening the interdicted temples.—Irritation of the court.—Cruelties practised against the religionaries of Vivarais and Dauphiny.—Affair of the church of Marennes.—Constancy of the Reformed.—Compliments of the clergy to the king.—[Page 318-323.]
XVII.
Dragonnades in Béarn.—Atrocious excesses.—The dragonnades in other provinces.—Barbarous treatment of all classes of the Reformed. —Forced abjurations and communions.—Illusions of the court.—Revocation of the Edict of Nantes.—Principal articles.—General considerations respecting the Revocation.—[Page 323-332.]
FROM THE REVOCATION OF THE EDICT OF NANTES TO THE EDICT OF TOLERANCE.
(1685-1787.)
I.
Two opposite influences in this period.—Severities against the pastors. —Their arrival in foreign countries.—Extensive emigration of the faithful.—Impotence of the laws and the government.—Different means of evasion.—Generosity of the Protestant countries.—Approximative number of the refugees.—[Page 333-340.]
II.
State of the Protestants in the kingdom.—How those of Paris were treated.—Additional ordinances.—Resistance in the south.—Secret assemblies.—Preachers.—Military expeditions.—Punishments inflicted upon the relapsed converts.—Louis XIV. makes a retrograde step.—The Protestant convicts.—Elie Neau.—Execution of Fulcran Rey.—Zeal and martyrdom of Claude Brousson.—[Page 340-349.]
III.
Protests of the Jansenists and certain bishops.—Prudent advice of the archbishop of Noailles and other enlightened individuals.—Persistance of the Jesuits and the majority of the clergy.—Edict of 1698.—The intendant Lamoignon de Bâville.—Murder of the arch-priest Chayla. —[Page 349-354.]
IV.
The war of the Camisards.—Religious frenzy.—The inspired obedience to the spirit.—The leaders Roland and Cavalier.—Character and manners of the Camisards.—Ill-success of the Count de Broglie. —Cruelties of Marshal de Montrevel, and of Bâville.—Arrival of Marshal du Villars.—Conference with Cavalier.—End of the war. —[Page 354-363.]
V.
Last years of the reign of Louis XIV.—Cautious treatment of the Reformed of Paris.—Influence of the Jesuit Letellier.—Declaration of 1715.—Monstrous legal fiction.—Death of Louis XIV.—Conduct of the Regent towards the Reformed.—[Page 363-367.]
VI.
Internal condition of Protestantism.—Antoine Court.—His early years, his piety and devotion.—Re-organization of the churches.—Resolutions of the synods of the desert.—Consecration of Antoine Court. —Religious assemblies.—[Page 367-372.]
VII.
Edict of 1714.—Its contents.—Opinions of historians and statesmen upon this Edict.—Exactions of the priests with regard to proofs of Catholicity.—Opposition between the magistracy and the clergy.—The ministry of Cardinal Fleury.—Martyrdom of Roussel and Durand. —Tournée de Court.—The French seminary of Lausanne.—[Page 372-381.]
VIII.
Biographical details respecting the refugee pastors.—Pierre Jurieu. —Pierre Allix.—Jean la Placette.—David Martin.—Jacques Basnage. —Abbadie.—Elie Benoît.—Saurin.—Lenfant and Beausobre. —[Page 381-390.]
IX.
Numerous churches reorganized in the south.—National synod of 1744. —Resolutions of this assembly.—Apprehensions of the court.—Popular rumours and calumnies.—Barbarous ordinances.—Abduction of children. —Judicial condemnations.—Assemblies surprised.—Protestant convicts. —[Page 390-396.]
X.
Increased persecutions of the pastors.—Martyrdoms of Louis Ranc and Roger.—Arrest of the pastor Matthieu Désubas.—Grief of the Protestants.—Affair of Vernoux.—Martyrdom of Désubas.—Petitions of the Reformed.—Intolerance of the clergy.—Writings of the bishops of Castres, Agen, and Alais.—Answer of Rippert de Monclar. —[Page 396-404.]
XI.
Fresh petitions.—Aggravation of the persecutions from 1750 to 1755. —The intendant Guignard de Saint Priest.—Project for a general re-baptizement.—Excesses of the troops.—Armed resistance in the Cevennes.—Fears of the Government.—Martyrdom of François Benezet. —Abjuration and repentance of the pastor Jean Molines.—[Page 404-409.]
XII.
Pursuits ordered by the Duke de Richelieu.—Assemblies taken by surprise.—The convict Jean Fabre.—Martyrdom of the pastor Etienne Lafage.—Severity exercised in Saintonge, Montauban, Béarn, and Guienne.—Reclamations of the Protestants of Bordeaux.—[Page 409-416.]
XIII.
Paul Rabaut.—His life belongs to two epochs.—Commencement of his ministry.—Studies at Lausanne.—He is appointed pastor at Nismes. —Devotion, moderation, and great influence of this pastor.—His petition to the Marquis de Paulmy.—Caution of the intendants with respect to him.—His works.—His correspondence with the Prince de Conti.—Portrait of Paul Rabaut.—His preaching.—[Page 416-422.]
XIV.
Reaction of public opinion against intolerance.—Complaints of the clergy.—Last pursuits of the assemblies.—Synods of Lower Languedoc. —Arrest of the pastor François Rochette.—Disturbances at Caussade. —The three brothers Grenier.—Decree of the Parliament of Toulouse. —Firmness of Rochette and the three glass-manufacturers.—Their martyrdom.—Affair of Calas.—His death.—Reversal of his sentence. —[Page 422-430.]
XV.
Progress of toleration.—Synod of 1763.—Some local vexations. —Liberation of the religious convicts and prisoners.—Re-organization of many churches.—Normandy.—Bolbec.—Court de Gébelin at Paris. —Doubtful position of the Protestants.—Indifference of the philosophical school.—Necessity of a new legislation.—[Page 430-436.]
XVI.
Opinions of the lawyers.—Joly de Fleury.—Rippert de Monclar. —Servan.—Gilbert de Voisins.—Remonstrances of the clergy.—Projects of Turgot.—Scruples of Louis XVI.—Memorials of the Baron de Breteuil and of Rulhières.—Malesherbes.—Lafayette.—Assembly of the Notables. —Edict of Toleration.—Social position of the Reformed.—[Page 436-445.]
FROM THE EDICT OF TOLERATION TO THE PRESENT TIME.
(1787-1851.)
I.
General considerations.—Revolution of 1789.—Laws of the Constituent Assembly concerning religious liberty.—Rabaut.—Saint Etienne. —Analysis of one of his speeches.—His character and his death. —Proposition of Dom Gerle.—New decrees respecting the Protestants. —[Page 446-453.]
II.
Religious divisions in the south.—Origin and cause of these troubles. —François Froment.—Measures of the conspirators.—Popular rising at Montauban.—Nismes.—Report to the Constituent Assembly.—Rigour against the clergy.—The Decade.—Abjurations.—Persecutions. —Re-establishment of freedom of worship.—Death of Paul Rabaut. —[Page 453-462.]
III.
The Concordat.—First measures of the Consular Government with reference to the Protestants.—Law of the 18th Germinal, year X. —Comparison of the old and new organization of the churches.—Speech of Napoleon to the presidents of the consistories.—State of the Protestants under the empire.—Creation of the faculty of theology of Montauban.—Projects of union.—[Page 462-473.]
IV.
Return of the Bourbons.—Charter of 1814.—Provocations against the Protestants in the south.—The hundred days.—The reaction.—Massacres at Nismes and the department of Gard.—M. Voyer-d’Argenson. —Assassination of General Lagarde.—Re-establishment of worship at Nismes.—The pastors of Gard.—[Page 473-481.]
V.
Double influence under the restoration.—Augmentation of the budget of the creeds, and other measures favourable to the Protestants. —Intrigues of the clerical party.—Trial of M. Paul Roman.—Pretension of parcelling out the Protestants within certain limits.—Resistance of the consistories.—Catholic missionaries.—Controversies. —Non-execution of the Charter.—[Page 482-489.]
VI.
Internal condition of Protestantism.—Religious life.—M. Daniel Encontre.—His education, talents, and labours.—Foundation of the Bible Society and other religious associations.—The Baron de Staël. —Evangelization.—Félix Neff.—The Protestants of the Upper Alps. —Protestant literature under the restoration.—[Page 489-497.]
VII.
Revolution of 1830.—Agitation at Nismes.—The Charter revised.—M. Dupin’s opinion on religious liberty.—Hopes of the Protestants.—Plan of ecclesiastical organization.—Different ameliorations.—Attempts to proselytize among the Catholics.—Opposition of the government. —Fetters imposed upon legal Protestantism.—Debates in the Chambers. —Instances of intolerance.—[Page 497-506.]
VIII.
Internal situation.—The question of the confessions of faith.—M. Stapfer.—M. Samuel Vincent.—The question of the separation of Church and State.—M. Alexandre Vinet.—The Protestant press under the reign of Louis Philippe.—Charitable institutions.—Religious societies. —Admiral Ver-Huell.—Dissenters.—[Page 506-514.]
IX.
Revolution of 1848.—Debates upon the separation of the two powers. —Gathering of the Protestant delegates at Paris.—Synodal assembly of September, 1848.—Schism.—Project of ecclesiastical organization. —Articles of the Constitution respecting the freedom of creeds. —Conclusion.—[Page 515-519.]