their prince, in order to supplicate a continuance of his favour and protection. Already made acquainted with their condition by several Protestant princes, the answer which the Duke returned, in presence of a large assembly of his lords and courtiers, was of the utmost importance to the prosperity of all the churches in Piedmont. Be but faithful to me,” said he, “and I shall not fail to be a good prince, nay, a father to you. And as to your liberty of conscience, and the exercise of your religion, I shall be so far from making any innovations in those liberties which you have enjoyed till the present time, that if any offer to molest you, have your recourse to me, and I shall effectually relieve and protect you."

The season of repose which was thus afforded to the Waldenses was seized as a favourable opportunity for holding a general assembly of the heads of families. At this meeting six articles were drawn up, which were called the Articles of the Union of Valleys;" the object of which was to bind themselves by still more solemn ties to persevere in their religious faith, to continue to give obedience to their prince when his orders were not contrary to their conscience, and to render each other assistance in times of persecution.

These times, alas! were not far distant. About the year 1601, the inhabitants of the valley of Lucerna were so severely perse

cuted, that many of them were obliged to conceal their principles, and attend upon the worship of God in private. It was in the province of Saluzzo, or Marquisate of Saluces, however, then under the dominion of the duke of Savoy, that the Vaudois experienced the greatest cruelties. This province lies on the south side of Piedmont, and is separated from the valley of Lucerna only by a mountain. It is a rich tract of country, containing several large cities, and at the close of the sixteenth century there were eight flourishing churches within the Marquisate. Its contiguity to the valleys of Piedmont had frequently exposed its inhabitants to severe sufferings; but it was not till the year 1601 that the Romish church found an opportunity of effecting their ruin. In 1597, Charles Emanuel had addressed a letter tc the churches of the Marquisate, requiring them to lay aside all heretical obstinacy," and to embrace the Roman catholic faith. The answer which they returned, earnestly entreated the Duke to indulge them with a continuance of their privileges; but had not that prince been then obliged to repair to France, the entreaties of the Waldenses would have been of no avail.

In 1601, accordingly, Charles Emanuel published an edict, commanding all the inhabitants of the Marquisate of Saluces who

dissented from the Romish church, to appear before the magistrates within the space of fif teen days, and there declare whether they would renounce their religion, or quit the country." If the latter alternative were chosen, two months only were allowed them for leaving their homes, never to return, on pain of death. So astonished were the Waldenses at this rigorous decree, that they could not be persuaded of their sovereign being in earnest; and instead, therefore, of rendering immediate obedience to an order so unjust, they appointed deputies to wait upon the Duke, in order, if possible, to obtain some mitigation of its terms. All their efforts, however, proved abortive; and the consequence was, that five hundred families were forced to abandon all their property, and retire, some to France, and others to Geneva, or to the valleys of Piedmont. Thus were all the Vaudois churches in the Marquisate of Saluces completely dispersed.

This base action was followed, in 1602, by an edict, in which it was commanded by the Duke, That the Vaudois should not perform any religious act beyond the limits of the valleys of Lucerna, Perosa, and San Martino, on pain of death,-that they should maintain there neither public nor private schools, that no marriage should take place between those of different communions,

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that no Roman catholics should assist at the Vaudois worship,-that no Vaudois should dissuade others from attending mass, or reply to the missionaries sent for their conversion,that all Vaudois should be incapable of holding any public employment whatever,-and that no catholic, under pain of confiscation, should sell or hire to a Vaudois either goods or land."

In consequence of this decree, the Waldenses were exposed, till the year 1637, to innumerable vexations, and often to cruel persecution. From that period till 1650, they enjoyed a season of tranquillity, which was again broken in the year last mentioned by the establishment of a council at Turin, for the purpose of propagating the Romish faith, and extirpating heresy. This infamous tribunal sent spies into the valleys, who attacked the Vaudois pastors, carried off the women and children, and cited multitudes of the inhabitants to appear before their Popish judges at Turin, whence they were seldom allowed

to return.

The see of Rome could not, however, remain satisfied with this comparatively slow method of accomplishing the destruction of the Waldenses; and means more effectual, therefore, were resorted to for effecting so diabolical a purpose.

CHAPTER VII.

On the 25th of January 1655, the following iniquitous edict was issued by Gastaldo against the Waldenses-an edict which was executed, as the sequel will show, to its very letter:

"We, by virtue of the authority which we hold of his royal highness, of the 13th instant, &c. command and enjoin every head of a family, with its members, of the pretended reformed religion, of what rank, degree, or condition soever, none excepted, inhabiting and possessing estates in the places of Lucerna, Lucernetta, S. Giovanni, La Torre, Bubbiana, and Fenile, Campiglione, Bricherassio, and S. Secondo, within three days after the publication of these presents, to withdraw and depart, and to be with their families withdrawn out of the said places, and transported into the places and limits tolerated by his royal highness, during his good pleasure-under pain of death, and confiscation of houses and goods. Provided always they do not make it appear to us within twenty days following, that they are become catholics, or that they have sold their goods to the catholics."

To comply with the terms of this decree, was to occasion inexpressible misery to the poor Waldenses. The middle of winter was