true_a god_n if_o they_o say_v with_o they_o that_o the_o son_n be_v dead_a for_o our_o sin_n do_v not_o they_o say_v also_o that_o he_o rise_v again_o from_o the_o dead_a have_v the_o french_a king_n be_v so_o canticus_fw-la as_o dioclesian_n that_o be_v have_v he_o consult_v the_o holy_a word_n of_o his_o god_n he_o will_v have_v see_v how_o contrary_a the_o meekness_n and_o charity_n of_o that_o be_v to_o his_o cruelty_n and_o persuecution_n and_o i_o dare_v say_v that_o if_o he_o have_v consult_v innocent_a the_o xi_o who_o be_v to_o have_v be_v his_o god_n upon_o earth_n i_o doubt_v very_o much_o whether_o he_o will_v have_v advise_v he_o to_o be_v so_o barbarous_a towards_o his_o own_o subject_n i_o will_v add_v but_o a_o reflection_n about_o the_o book_n of_o the_o holy_a scripture_n which_o have_v be_v burn_v by_o the_o ancient_n and_o modern_a persecutorss_n and_o i_o say_v that_o the_o maximian_o the_o dioclesian_n &c._n &c._n look_v upon_o those_o book_n as_o impious_a and_o blasphemous_a against_o their_o god_n they_o be_v less_o criminal_a in_o condemn_v they_o to_o the_o fire_n than_o the_o french_a king_n who_o if_o he_o be_v a_o christian_n can_v look_v upon_o the_o protestant_a bibles_n without_o some_o respect_n and_o reverence_n be_v the_o law_n and_o the_o will_n of_o his_o god_n notwithstanding_o the_o few_o in_o considerable_a alteration_n they_o pretend_v we_o have_v make_v in_o our_o translation_n the_o persecution_n of_o the_o french_a protestant_n have_v be_v so_o violeâ—t_a as_o we_o have_v see_v according_a to_o this_o vulgar_a axiom_n nihil_fw-la violentum_fw-la est_fw-la diuturnum_fw-la it_o shall_v not_o have_v last_v a_o very_a long_a time_n and_o yet_o it_o have_v continue_v some_o five_o and_o twenty_o year_n or_o more_o but_o especial_o since_o the_o late_a king_n charles_n death_n without_o abate_v any_o thing_n of_o its_o rigour_n and_o cruelty_n it_o be_v think_v also_o that_o the_o french_a king_n be_v so_o take_v up_o in_o defend_v himself_o against_o so_o many_o enemy_n may_v have_v cool_v his_o anger_n for_o a_o while_n but_o we_o be_v mighty_o mistake_v for_o he_o every_o day_n increase_v his_o rage_n and_o fury_n against_o they_o because_o he_o look_v upon_o they_o as_o his_o near_a and_o so_o worst_a enemy_n believe_v that_o after_o the_o many_o persecution_n and_o hardship_n he_o have_v make_v they_o suffer_v they_o will_v soon_o join_v with_o the_o english_a in_o case_n of_o any_o descent_n every_o new_a year_n afford_v new_a barbarity_n and_o especial_o this_o for_o the_o protestant_n have_v be_v deal_v with_o more_o severe_o in_o all_o part_n of_o france_n this_o last_o than_o they_o have_v be_v the_o three_o or_o four_o year_n before_o it_o seem_v however_o that_o the_o low_a aquitaine_n have_v be_v the_o scene_n of_o their_o great_a inhumanities_n and_o a_o true_a relation_n thereof_o be_v come_v into_o my_o hand_n i_o be_o desire_v to_o publish_v it_o and_o as_o willing_a to_o gratisy_n so_o reasonable_a a_o request_n the_o account_n be_v as_o follow_v a_o faithful_a account_n of_o the_o renew_a persecution_n of_o the_o protestant_n in_o lower_n aquitaine_n collect_v out_o of_o several_a letter_n write_v by_o know_a person_n from_o that_o province_n and_o take_v from_o the_o deposition_n make_v by_o a_o gentleman_n new_o arrive_v from_o those_o part_n who_o for_o his_o religion_n sake_n have_v have_v his_o house_n pull_v down_o and_o raze_v to_o the_o ground_n and_o himself_o hang_v up_o in_o effigy_n saintefoy_fw-mi and_o gensac_n be_v two_o town_n situate_v upon_o the_o river_n dordoigne_n and_o duras_n upon_o the_o little_a river_n drot_n this_o last_o be_v not_o so_o considerable_a as_o the_o other_o two_o for_o the_o number_n of_o the_o inhabitant_n but_o it_o be_v no_o less_o in_o all_o other_o point_n be_v a_o duchy_n and_o the_o principal_a seat_n of_o the_o duke_n of_o duras_n brother_n to_o the_o earl_n of_o feversham_n saintefoy_fw-mi have_v before_o the_o repeal_n of_o the_o edict_n of_o nants_n a_o church_n of_o about_o three_o thousand_o communicant_n gensac_n two_o thousand_o and_o duras_n only_o but_o five_o hundred_o but_o these_o be_v the_o most_o considerable_a of_o the_o town_n those_o church_n with_o the_o other_o fall_v under_o the_o merciless_a violence_n of_o the_o dragoon_n and_o for_o three_o or_o four_o year_n together_o show_v a_o very_a weak_a fearfulness_n but_o since_o that_o time_n it_o have_v please_v god_n they_o have_v recover_v their_o spirit_n as_o many_o other_o have_v do_v in_o that_o province_n and_o have_v deny_v go_v to_o mass_n be_v however_o unsatisfied_a in_o their_o conscience_n and_o weary_a of_o be_v long_o withhold_v from_o their_o spiritual_a devotion_n of_o pray_v to_o god_n together_o they_o make_v the_o last_o year_n several_a assembly_n in_o some_o private_a house_n where_o they_o perform_v all_o the_o exercise_n of_o their_o religion_n with_o one_o of_o those_o courageous_a minister_n that_o be_v send_v thither_o to_o preach_v under_o the_o cross_n and_o they_o continue_v their_o meeting_n for_o some_o time_n but_o in_o a_o very_a peaceful_a way_n and_o with_o a_o mind_n as_o far_o from_o all_o sedition_n as_o the_o witness_n against_o they_o have_v since_o testify_v and_o declare_v though_o after_o this_o discovery_n they_o have_v be_v deal_v with_o as_o criminal_n of_o state_n the_o assembly_n of_o duras_n be_v the_o first_o discover_v whereupon_o mr._n '_o duquesne_n lieutenant_n criminal_a of_o nâ—â—as_n be_v send_v thither_o by_o the_o intendant_n of_o the_o province_n many_o information_n be_v bring_v in_o before_o that_o magistrate_n and_o warrant_v issue_v out_o against_o the_o most_o considerable_a inhabitant_n who_o wise_o foresee_v what_o be_v like_o then_o to_o besal_n they_o endeavour_v to_o make_v their_o escape_n three_o man_n however_o be_v unhappy_o take_v viz._n messieurs_n constans_n bescete_fw-la and_o la_fw-fr roche_n who_o be_v former_o the_o reader_n and_o schoolmaster_n of_o the_o say_a church_n with_o three_o gentlewoman_n viz._n mrs._n elizabeth_n and_o mary_n gentillot_n sister_n and_o one_o mrs._n barbote_n these_o six_o prisoner_n be_v bring_v into_o the_o prison_n of_o the_o townhouse_n of_o bourdeaux_n and_o thence_o into_o the_o gaol_n of_o the_o parliament_n where_o that_o la_fw-fr roche_n be_v a_o fearful_a man_n in_o his_o temper_n be_v easy_o fright_v by_o the_o judge_n insomuch_o that_o under_o promise_n of_o pardon_n he_o be_v prevail_v with_o to_o discover_v all_o those_o who_o have_v be_v in_o those_o meeting_n whereupon_o so_o many_o warrant_n be_v issue_v out_o that_o the_o town_n of_o duras_n be_v almost_o become_v a_o desert_n by_o the_o flight_n of_o the_o protestant_n who_o be_v to_o be_v seize_v the_o intendant_n with_o the_o seneschal_n of_o aquitaine_n condemn_v the_o say_a constans_n and_o bescete_fw-la to_o the_o galley_n the_o first_o for_o his_o life_n and_o the_o last_o for_o five_o year_n only_o but_o before_o both_o of_o they_o be_v to_o make_v as_o they_o call_v it_o l'amende_v honnorable_a the_o three_o woman_n be_v condemn_v to_o this_o last_o punishment_n to_o be_v shave_v by_o the_o hangman_n and_o afterward_o shut_v up_o for_o their_o life_n in_o the_o manufacture_n which_o be_v a_o kind_n of_o bridewell_n messieurs_fw-fr constans_n and_o bescete_n make_v their_o honourable_a amend_v at_o bordeance_n but_o because_o this_o punishment_n be_v unknown_a here_o in_o england_n i_o think_v it_o not_o amiss_o to_o relate_v the_o manner_n of_o it_o these_o poor_a gentleman_n bear_v head_v and_o bear_v feet_v and_o almost_o naked_a have_v but_o a_o course_n linen_n shirt_n upon_o their_o back_n have_v beside_o a_o halter_n on_o their_o neck_n a_o burn_a torch_n in_o their_o hand_n the_o hangman_n at_o their_o heel_n be_v lead_v in_o that_o garb_n from_o the_o jail_n of_o the_o palace_n through_o the_o street_n as_o far_o as_o the_o square_n of_o st._n andrews_n church_n which_o be_v as_o far_o as_o from_o charing-cross_n to_o ludgate_n the_o hangman_n tell_v they_o that_o he_o be_v to_o hang_v they_o at_o his_o return_n notwithstanding_o these_o hard_a usage_n and_o the_o rigour_n of_o the_o season_n they_o show_v nevertheless_o a_o humble_a modest_a and_o cheerful_a constancy_n and_o patience_n which_o make_v so_o great_a a_o impression_n upon_o the_o very_a enemy_n of_o their_o religion_n that_o they_o can_v not_o for_o bear_v their_o tear_n and_o some_o of_o they_o say_v they_o be_v call_v to_o glorify_v god_n by_o their_o martyrdom_n mr._n constans_n seem_v still_o more_o firm_a than_o his_o fellow-sufferer_n for_o be_v ask_v by_o the_o judge_n whether_o he_o have_v not_o be_v in_o those_o unlawful_a assembly_n he_o do_v not_o deny_v it_o but_o answer_v undaunted_o that_o he_o have_v be_v there_o many_o time_n and_o that_o he_o will_v go_v again_o if_o he_o can_v which_o be_v the_o
thing_n that_o the_o king_n his_o master_n be_v persuade_v of_o their_o obstinacy_n in_o continue_v their_o separation_n from_o the_o church_n without_o any_o ground_n he_o be_v resolve_v out_o of_o his_o royal_a mercy_n to_o reconcile_v they_o to_o her_o holy_a communion_n and_o that_o therefore_o they_o must_v either_o voluntary_o renounce_v their_o heresy_n or_o they_o shall_v be_v compel_v to_o do_v it_o according_a to_o the_o precept_n of_o the_o gospel_n one_o may_v easy_o guess_v what_o a_o cruel_a stab_v these_o word_n be_v to_o the_o heart_n of_o these_o poor_a inhabitant_n and_o yet_o with_o a_o noble_a bravery_n they_o return_v he_o this_o answer_n that_o their_o estate_n and_o life_n be_v in_o the_o power_n of_o the_o king_n they_o be_v resolve_v to_o undergo_v all_o manner_n of_o hardship_n as_o to_o they_o but_o god_n alone_o be_v the_o master_n of_o their_o conscience_n they_o will_v rather_o suffer_v a_o thousand_o death_n than_o renounce_v his_o true_a religion_n which_o they_o profess_v 5._o i_o have_v observe_v how_o the_o primitive_a persecutor_n see_v that_o notwithstanding_o all_o their_o persecution_n the_o christian_n still_o stand_v firm_a to_o their_o rule_n practise_v more_o and_o more_o upon_o they_o all_o manner_n of_o cruelty_n and_o lactantius_n give_v this_o follow_a description_n of_o the_o horrid_a punishment_n they_o condemn_v many_o christian_n to_o they_o be_v say_v he_o first_o chain_v to_o a_o post_n then_o there_o be_v a_o gentle_a fire_n set_v under_o the_o sole_n of_o their_o foot_n by_o which_o all_o the_o callus_fw-la of_o the_o foot_n be_v shrivel_a up_o till_o at_o last_o it_o fall_v off_o from_o the_o bone_n then_o flambeaux_fw-fr were_z light_v and_o put_v out_o and_o while_o they_o be_v not_o clap_v to_o all_o the_o part_n of_o their_o body_n that_o so_o they_o may_v be_v torture_v all_o over_o and_o care_n be_v take_v to_o keep_v they_o alive_a as_o long_o as_o be_v possible_a by_o throw_v cold_a water_n on_o their_o face_n and_o every_o now_o and_o then_o give_v they_o somewhat_o to_o cool_v and_o refresh_v their_o mouth_n lest_o otherwise_o the_o violence_n of_o the_o misery_n they_o suffer_v shall_v quite_o dry_v up_o their_o throat_n and_o so_o choke_v they_o thus_o their_o suffering_n be_v lengthen_v out_o whole_a day_n till_o at_o last_o their_o skin_n be_v quite_o consume_v by_o the_o fire_n it_o reach_v their_o vital_n and_o then_o a_o great_a fire_n be_v kindle_v into_o which_o they_o be_v throw_v and_o so_o their_o body_n be_v burn_v to_o ash_n and_o their_o bone_n that_o be_v not_o whole_o destroy_v be_v gather_v and_o ground_v to_o powder_n and_o then_o throw_v into_o some_o river_n or_o else_o into_o the_o sea_n true_o the_o lively_a picture_n of_o this_o horrid_a torment_n be_v very_o dismal_a and_o hideous_a and_o be_v i_o as_o eloquent_a as_o lactantius_n or_o at_o least_o capable_a of_o put_v what_o monsieur_n claude_n have_v say_v of_o the_o suffering_n of_o the_o french_a protestant_n into_o a_o graceful_a turn_v in_o english_a i_o will_v undertake_v to_o make_v as_o frightful_a a_o portraiture_n as_o this_o of_o that_o famous_a writer_n the_o infernal_a missionnary_n set_v on_o foot_n say_v he_o to_o convert_v the_o french_a protestant_n do_v with_o a_o thousand_o blasphemy_n and_o execrable_a oath_n hang_v up_o man_n and_o woman_n by_o their_o hair_n of_o their_o head_n or_o downward_o by_o their_o foot_n in_o the_o smoke_n of_o wet_a hay_n where_o they_o be_v almost_o choke_v to_o death_n and_o when_o they_o have_v take_v they_o down_o and_o let_v they_o come_v a_o little_a to_o themselves_o if_o they_o will_v not_o then_o turn_v papist_n they_o hang_v they_o up_o again_o they_o pinch_v their_o beard_n off_o and_o their_o hair_n of_o their_o head_n till_o they_o have_v make_v a_o absolute_a depilation_n they_o throw_v they_o into_o great_a fire_n and_o when_o they_o be_v half_o roast_v take_v they_o up_o again_o and_o tie_v they_o under_o the_o armpit_n dip_v they_o in_o cold_a water_n again_o and_o again_o till_o they_o have_v make_v they_o promise_n to_o renounce_v their_o heresy_n they_o tie_v up_o some_o other_o like_o criminal_n who_o be_v to_o suffer_v the_o rack_n and_o then_o with_o a_o funnel_n pour_v strong_a wine_n down_o their_o throat_n till_o its_o vapour_n get_v up_o into_o their_o head_n have_v almost_o drown_v their_o reason_n and_o then_o they_o ask_v they_o to_o be_v reconcile_v to_o the_o church_n they_o stripe_v they_o stark_o naked_a and_o after_o a_o thousand_o horrid_a indignity_n they_o stick_v all_o their_o body_n with_o pin_n they_o mangle_a other_o in_o a_o most_o strange_a manner_n with_o pen-knive_n and_o their_o inhumanity_n go_v so_o far_o as_o to_o take_v they_o by_o the_o nose_n with_o hot_a tongue_n till_o they_o force_v they_o to_o a_o compliance_n they_o strike_v other_o with_o stick_n and_o when_o they_o be_v almost_o dead_a carry_v they_o into_o the_o church_n where_o their_o bare_a presence_n be_v take_v for_o a_o formal_a abjuration_n they_o keep_v they_o from_o sleep_v for_o seven_o or_o eight_o day_n together_o either_o by_o throw_v fresh_a water_n on_o their_o face_n or_o by_o make_v a_o horrid_a noise_n with_o drum_n or_o kettles_n if_o they_o can_v find_v any_o sick_a they_o cause_v the_o drum_n to_o be_v beat_v round_o their_o bed_n and_o so_o oblige_v those_o miserable_a creature_n to_o renounce_v their_o religion_n sometime_o they_o tie_v parent_n and_o husband_n to_o bedpost_n and_o then_o will_v attempt_v to_o ravish_v their_o daughter_n and_o their_o wife_n before_o their_o face_n they_o pull_v their_o nail_n off_o their_o hand_n and_o foot_n which_o be_v the_o most_o acute_a and_o sensible_a pain_n imaginable_a and_o if_o any_o of_o they_o die_v they_o be_v draw_v to_o the_o common_a lay-stall_n and_o there_o eat_v up_o by_o dog_n and_o other_o beast_n i_o shall_v never_o have_v do_v if_o i_o be_v to_o give_v in_o retail_n a_o account_n of_o all_o the_o barbarity_n commit_v on_o the_o french_a protestant_n therefore_o i_o will_v content_v myself_o with_o these_o particular_n which_o i_o hope_v be_v sufficient_a to_o prove_v that_o i_o can_v make_v as_o ghastly_a a_o picture_n of_o the_o persecution_n of_o our_o age_n as_o lactantius_n have_v do_v of_o that_o of_o the_o primitive_a christian_n but_o if_o this_o be_v not_o enough_o i_o refer_v my_o reader_n to_o a_o book_n call_v the_o complaint_n of_o the_o persecute_a protestant_n in_o france_n at_o which_o the_o french_a king_n be_v so_o offend_v that_o at_o the_o desire_n of_o his_o minister_n here_o at_o our_o court_n it_o be_v public_o burn_v in_o the_o late_a king_n time_n 6._o to_o make_v a_o exact_a parallel_n between_o the_o modern_a and_o ancient_a persecutor_n it_o remain_v only_o to_o inquire_v further_o whether_o the_o book_n of_o the_o holy_a scripture_n have_v not_o be_v burn_v by_o the_o french_a king_n order_n as_o well_o as_o by_o maximian_o but_o this_o i_o think_v will_v be_v out_o of_o question_n since_o we_o have_v here_o so_o many_o thousand_o witness_n who_o can_v all_o attest_v the_o truth_n of_o that_o horrid_a impiety_n for_o though_o i_o have_v see_v it_o with_o my_o own_o eye_n yet_o i_o do_v not_o desire_v to_o be_v believe_v upon_o my_o single_a word_n or_o testimony_n i_o have_v sufficient_o make_v out_o the_o parallel_n i_o promise_v between_o the_o french_a king_n and_o the_o persecutor_n of_o the_o primitive_a church_n i_o have_v show_v that_o they_o be_v alike_o in_o their_o temper_n and_o in_o their_o action_n that_o the_o pretence_n of_o their_o persecution_n have_v be_v the_o same_o and_o that_o they_o have_v make_v use_n of_o the_o like_a method_n to_o compass_v their_o design_n i_o must_v nevertheless_o observe_v that_o those_o ancient_a monster_n can_v pretend_v to_o come_v up_o to_o the_o late_a height_n of_o cruelty_n but_o must_v yield_v therein_o to_o the_o french_a king_n they_o persecute_v the_o christian_n because_o they_o deny_v their_o god_n to_o be_v god_n and_o maintain_v that_o some_o of_o they_o have_v never_o be_v and_o that_o the_o other_o be_v vicious_a man_n and_o dead_a long_a ago_o we_o know_v say_v tertullian_n to_o they_o where_o some_o of_o your_o god_n be_v bury_v beside_o they_o be_v not_o prohibit_v by_o the_o law_n of_o their_o god_n to_o be_v cruel_a towards_o the_o christian_n but_o on_o the_o contrary_a lactantius_n observe_v that_o apollo_n be_v consult_v by_o dioclesian_n advise_v he_o to_o persecute_v they_o with_o the_o last_o severity_n which_o make_v their_o persecution_n a_o little_a excusable_a but_o what_o can_v excuse_v the_o french_a king_n cruelty_n do_v the_o protestant_n deny_v the_o god_n the_o papist_n worship_n i_o mean_v the_o father_n the_o son_n and_o the_o holy_a ghost_n to_o be_v the_o
a_o faithful_a account_n of_o the_o renew_a persecution_n of_o the_o church_n of_o lower_n aquitaine_n in_o france_n in_o the_o year_n 1692._o to_o which_o be_v prefix_v a_o parallel_n between_o the_o ancient_n and_o new_a persecutor_n or_o the_o portraiture_n of_o lewis_n fourteen_o in_o some_o of_o his_o cruelty_n and_o barbarity_n with_o some_o reflection_n upon_o the_o unreasonable_a fondness_n of_o a_o certain_a party_n among_o we_o for_o the_o french_a king_n london_n print_v for_o richard_n baldwin_n near_o the_o oxford-arm_n in_o warwick-lane_n 1692._o a_o parallel_n between_o the_o ancient_n and_o new_a persecutor_n or_o the_o portraiture_n of_o lewis_n fourteen_o in_o some_o of_o his_o cruelty_n and_o barbarity_n it_o be_v in_o the_o heat_n of_o the_o persecution_n of_o the_o protestant_a church_n of_o france_n that_o i_o first_o read_v lactantius_n relation_n of_o the_o death_n of_o the_o primitive_a persecutor_n the_o cruelty_n practise_v in_o his_o age_n upon_o the_o christian_n and_o revive_v in_o we_o with_o so_o much_o inhumanity_n upon_o our_o brethren_n in_o france_n put_v i_o upon_o the_o thought_n of_o make_v a_o parallel_n between_o the_o ancient_a persecutor_n lactantius_n speak_v of_o and_o our_o worse_a modern_a one_o under_o lewis_n fourteen_o and_o indeed_o i_o be_v the_o more_o tempt_v to_o it_o by_o the_o great_a likeness_n i_o find_v there_o be_v between_o they_o and_o the_o french_a king_n be_v cruel_a instrument_n but_o have_v read_v over_o the_o ingenious_a preface_n to_o that_o book_n write_v by_o the_o now_o learned_a bishop_n of_o sarum_n i_o then_o alter_v my_o design_n because_o i_o think_v such_o a_o parallel_n be_v sufficient_o do_v already_o very_o concise_o in_o that_o preface_n and_o i_o have_v continue_v still_o in_o the_o same_o mind_n but_o that_o a_o account_n of_o the_o new_a barbarity_n commit_v in_o france_n upon_o the_o protestant_n of_o the_o low_a aquitaine_n be_v come_v to_o my_o hand_n and_o be_v so_o earnest_o solicit_v to_o publish_v it_o i_o think_v it_o will_v not_o be_v amiss_o to_o prefix_v to_o it_o a_o much_o large_a comparison_n between_o those_o tyrant_n that_o we_o may_v see_v how_o like_o the_o french_a king_n be_v to_o the_o ancient_a persecutor_n and_o that_o he_o follow_v their_o step_n not_o only_o in_o the_o persecution_n but_o also_o in_o all_o their_o other_o vice_n if_o he_o do_v not_o far_o exceed_v they_o i_o have_v be_v so_o much_o the_o more_o induce_v to_o this_o by_o the_o strange_a proceed_n of_o a_o certain_a party_n among_o we_o who_o yet_o pretend_v to_o be_v protestant_n be_v yet_o nevertheless_o eager_a to_o fall_v down_o and_o worship_n the_o golden_a image_n of_o such_o a_o monster_n as_o this_o and_o forget_v what_o they_o owe_v to_o their_o god_n to_o their_o majesty_n under_o who_o they_o lead_v quiet_a and_o peaceable_a life_n and_o to_o their_o country_n be_v fond_a of_o have_v for_o their_o king_n the_o enemy_n of_o mankind_n the_o invader_n of_o the_o liberty_n of_o europe_n and_o the_o great_a persecutor_n of_o the_o christian_a religion_n that_o ever_o be_v in_o the_o world_n i_o intend_v in_o the_o first_o place_n to_o set_v the_o character_n lactantius_n give_v of_o the_o persecutor_n of_o the_o primitive_a church_n with_o the_o method_n they_o make_v use_v of_o in_o their_o persecution_n and_o afterward_o i_o will_v show_v that_o those_o character_n do_v perfect_o agree_v with_o the_o french_a king_n and_o that_o he_o have_v take_v the_o very_a same_o measure_n to_o destroy_v the_o christian_a religion_n in_o his_o kingdom_n as_o the_o former_a take_v to_o abolish_v it_o in_o the_o roman_a empire_n but_o because_o the_o world_n tend_v always_o to_o a_o great_a perfection_n i_o will_v show_v also_o that_o this_o french_a king_n have_v exceed_v maximian_n valerian_n and_o other_o persecutor_n in_o barbarity_n the_o character_n lactantius_n give_v of_o his_o persecutor_n be_v these_o 1._o that_o they_o be_v addict_v to_o the_o brutality_n of_o several_a pleasure_n 2._o that_o they_o ruin_v their_o subject_n by_o severe_a imposition_n and_o heavy_a tax_n for_o maintain_v vast_a army_n 3._o that_o they_o show_v in_o their_o war_n some_o pusilanimity_n or_o at_o least_o more_o care_n than_o be_v decent_a for_o preserve_v themselves_o from_o all_o danger_n 4._o that_o they_o be_v so_o weak_a as_o to_o be_v fond_o please_v with_o the_o most_o excessive_a flattery_n can_v be_v make_v they_o and_o assume_v undeserved_o the_o most_o glorious_a title_n even_o some_o to_o blasphemy_n itself_o 5._o that_o they_o be_v profuse_a in_o the_o raise_n of_o costly_a building_n 6._o that_o they_o be_v successful_a for_o many_o year_n together_o in_o their_o undertake_n and_o last_o that_o they_o have_v fearful_a superstitious_a and_o cruel_a temper_n these_o be_v the_o character_n of_o those_o ancient_a persecutor_n i_o must_v observe_v now_o what_o be_v the_o pretence_n of_o their_o persecution_n and_o the_o method_n they_o make_v use_v of_o to_o compass_v their_o horrid_a design_n what_o the_o pretence_n of_o their_o persecution_n be_v we_o may_v read_v in_o a_o edict_n of_o maximian_n himself_o quote_v by_o lactantius_n and_o eusebius_fw-la in_o his_o ecclesiastical_a history_n lib._n 8._o chap._n 1._o in_o which_o it_o be_v say_v that_o the_o christian_n have_v forsake_v the_o religion_n of_o their_o forefather_n and_o frame_v new_a law_n to_o govern_v themselves_o by_o the_o emperor_n think_v themselves_o oblige_v to_o publish_v their_o edict_n to_o force_v they_o to_o return_v to_o their_o first_o institution_n the_o measure_n they_o take_v to_o compass_v their_o design_n be_v these_o 1._o they_o pull_v down_o the_o christian_a church_n 2._o they_o declare_v the_o christian_n incapable_a of_o all_o honour_n trust_n or_o office_n either_o civil_a or_o military_a 3._o they_o put_v they_o out_o of_o the_o protection_n of_o the_o law_n insomuch_o that_o they_o can_v not_o sue_v for_o 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have_v deliver_v himself_o up_o to_o the_o brutality_n of_o sensual_a pleasure_n for_o who_o be_v unacquainted_a with_o his_o many_o adultery_n and_o who_o have_v not_o hear_v of_o the_o famous_a lady_n la_fw-fr valiere_n fontange_n and_o montespan_n and_o of_o the_o many_o child_n he_o have_v get_v by_o they_o but_o i_o can_v pass_v over_o this_o subject_a without_o observe_v that_o the_o lady_n montespan_n be_v marry_v to_o a_o noble_a french_a man_n and_o the_o french_a king_n marry_v too_o he_o have_v commit_v the_o black_a of_o all_o adultery_n i_o do_v not_o read_v in_o history_n that_o those_o monster_n lactantius_n speak_v of_o have_v be_v guilty_a of_o such_o a_o crime_n as_o this_o but_o suppose_v they_o have_v they_o be_v less_o criminal_a than_o the_o french_a king_n because_o they_o can_v plead_v in_o their_o defence_n the_o example_n of_o their_o god_n whereas_o lewis_n the_o xivth_o can_v have_v such_o a_o excuse_n live_v under_o the_o seem_a profession_n of_o a_o christian_a religion_n which_o though_o very_o much_o corrupt_v yet_o inform_v he_o that_o adultery_n be_v one_o of_o the_o horrid_a crime_n in_o the_o sight_n of_o god_n and_o that_o it_o be_v in_o express_a term_n forbid_v in_o his_o law_n i_o hope_v this_o be_v enough_o without_o be_v oblige_v to_o speak_v of_o the_o lady_n maintenon_n some_o believe_v that_o she_o be_v real_o his_o wife_n 2._o i_o be_o next_o to_o prove_v that_o the_o fremch_a king_n have_v ruin_v his_o subject_n by_o severe_a imposition_n and_o heavy_a tax_n for_o maintain_v his_o vast_a army_n and_o this_o i_o can_v make_v out_o with_o as_o much_o ease_n as_o i_o have_v do_v his_o vice_n though_o charles_n the_o great_a be_v emperor_n of_o germany_n king_n of_o italy_n and_o of_o france_n yet_o he_o never_o maintain_v in_o time_n of_o peace_n near_o four_o hundred_o thousand_o man_n as_o this_o french_a king_n have_v do_v every_o body_n know_v how_o vast_a