s in secret. Their wives and children
they shut up in monasteries.

Such as endeavoured to escape by flight were pursued in the woods and
hunted in the fields, and shot at like wild beasts; nor did any
condition or quality screen them from the ferocity of these infernal
dragoons: even the members of parliament and military officers, though
on actual service, were ordered to quit their posts, and repair directly
to their houses to suffer the like storm. Such as complained to the king
were sent to the Bastile, where they drank of the same cup. The bishops
and the intendants marched at the head of the dragoons, with a troop of
missionaries, monks, and other ecclesiastics, to animate the soldiers to
an execution so agreeable to their holy church, and so glorious to their
demon god and their tyrant king.

In forming the edict to repeal the edict of Nantes, the council were
divided; some would have all the ministers detained and forced into
popery as well as the laity: others were for banishing them, because
their presence would strengthen the protestants in perseverance: and if
they were forced to turn, they would ever be secret and powerful enemies
in the bosom of the church, by their great knowledge and experience in
controversial matters. This reason prevailing, they were sentenced to
banishment, and only fifteen days allowed them to depart the kingdom.

The same day the edict for revoking the protestant's charter was
published, they demolished their churches, and banished their ministers,
whom they allowed but twenty-four hours to leave Paris. The papists
would not suffer them to dispose of their effects, and threw every
obstacle in their way to delay their escape till the limited time was
expired which subjected them to condemnation for life to the galleys.
The guards were doubled at the seaports, and the prisons were filled
with the victims, who endured torments and wants at which human nature
must shudder.

The sufferings of the ministers and others, who were sent to the
galleys, seemed to exceed all. Chained to the oar, they were exposed to
the open air night and day, at all seasons, and in all weathers; and
when through weakness of body they fainted under the oar, instead of a
cordial to revive them, or viands to refresh them, they received only
the lashes of a scourge, or the blows of a cane or rope's end. For the
want of sufficient clothing and necessary cleanliness, they were most
grievously tormented with ve