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A Diſtinct and Faithful ACCOMPT OF ALL THE RECEIPTS, Disburſments, and Remainder OF THE MONEYS COLLECTED IN ENGLAND, VVALES & IRELAND, For the Relief of the poor diſtreſſed PROTESTANTS IN THE Valleys of Piemont, Together with a Brief Accompt of the preſent State of Affairs in thoſe Parts; As well for the better Satisfaction of all thoſe who have already contributed, as for the Encou
Printed and Publiſhed by ſpecial Order of His Highneſs and the Council.
LONDON: Printed by HEN. HILLS and JOHN FIELD, Printers to His Highneſs. Anno Dom. 1658.
HIs Highneſs the Lord Protector having received intelligence about the month of May, in the year of our Lord 1655. that many hundreds of the Poor Proteſtants in the Valleys of Piemont (otherwiſe known by the name of Waldenſes) within the Territories of the Duke of Savoy, were moſt cruelly maſſacred by a Popiſh party; and having upon his ſpirit a deep ſenſe of their CalamiFrance, and Duke of Savoy, but did alſo ſeriouſly invite the People of this Nation to ſeek the Lord by Prayer and Humiliation in reference to their then ſad condition, and future relief: And from a confidence that the good People of this Nation would be ſenſibly touched with the afflictions of Joſeph, and in that day of their Brethrens trouble, manifeſt a ſutable reſentment of, and ſympathizing with the Sufferings of their fellow members, profeſsing the ſame Faith and Religion with themDeclaration, expreſsing his earneſt deſire that the People might be ſtirred up to a free and liberal Contribution towards their Succor and Support: For the Management of which Collection, certain Inſtructions were alſo agreed upon, and annexed to the ſaid Declaration: And for the more effectual promoting of the Work, His Highneſs appointed a Committee, conſiſting of perſons of known Honor, Fidelity and Integrity, to conſider and adviſe from time to time how the Moneys that ſhould be thereupon raiſed, might be imployed with moſt advantage and certainty for the Supply of thoſe poor diſtreſſed Members of Chriſt, according to the true intention of the Givers; amongſt whom likewiſe there were two ſelect Perſons of very conſiviz.
Neither was this His Highneſs Chriſtian care and tenderneſs left unanſwered by the open hearts and hands of many charitable and compaſsionate ſouls, both of this Nation and Ireland, who upon the publiſhing of the aboveſaid Declaration and Inſtructions, did moſt freely and chearfully Contribute towards the ſeaſonable Refreſhing the Bow
True it is, ſome Pariſhes and particular Perſons of note there were, amongſt whom there was at that time obſerved ſome kinde of backwardneſs to this good Work; (yea many there are to this very day, who do not appear within the Returns to have contriProclamation, which was afterwards reinforced by His High
For this very end and purpoſe His Highneſs (continuing His care for carrying on this Work) did at the ſame time conſtitute and appoint Mr. Pell (His Reſident with the ProSwitzerland) and Mr. Morland (whom he had not long before ſent as His Envoy to the King of France and Duke of Savoy, in their behalf) as His Joynt-Commiſsioners Extraordinary for the management of this Affair beyond Sea, who were likewiſe furniſhed with ſutable Inſtructions and Commands, to the end that by their ſpecial inſpection and care, the collected Moneys might not onely be remitted from England into the Valleys, with expedition, ſecurity, and at the eaſieſt rates; but likewiſe, that being thus conveyed, they might be actually diſtributed and laid out for the cloPell and Mr. Morland; and the way and method which they then propounded to His Highneſs and the Council, being approved, things were immediately put in execuValleys, through the hands firſt of Mr. Pell and Mr. Morland joyntly, and afterwards through the hands of Mr. Morland ſingly (who by His Highneſs Order reſided at Geneva for the ſpace of a whole year, commencing froNovember 1655. for that very end) accord
Upon Mr. Morlands Return into England, an Accompt was by him tendred to the ſaid Committee in Ianuary laſt, for the Moneys ſo remitted beyond Sea, and then a Sub-Committee was appointed to receive and examine the ſame (viz. Sir Thomas Vyner, Sir Chriſtopher Pack, and Mr. Creſſet) who had alſo power to call to their aſsiſtance any ſuch perſon as they ſhould think fit as an Auditor, for the punctual Examination and Adjuſting of the ſaid Accompt; which Sub-Committee did on the 21 of Ianuary laſt paſt, make Report to the ſaid Committee, That they had peruſed and examined the AcMorland.
Now to the end that publique notice may be given what Moneys have been received upon the ſaid Collections, and from what particular perſons, pariſhes or places within this Nation and Ireland, what Sums have been iſſued out and tranſmitted beyond Sea, and at what rates; what method hath been from time to time obſerved in the manage
At a general Collection afterwards within the Cit
London and Weſtminſter, and the Weekly Bi
UPon the 20/30th of Nov. 1655. Maſter Pell and Maſter Morland His Highneſs Commiſſioners Extraordinary for the Management of the Affairs of the poor Proteſtants of the Valleys beyond-ſea, (and eſpecially of the collected Moneys) then reſiding at Geneva, by His Highneſs Orders, for that very end and purpoſe, received a Letter written to them joyntly, by the Right Honorable M. Secretary Thurloe, bearNov. 1655, wherein they were ordered to diſtribute forthwith that part of the collected Moneys that had been remitted into the hands of M. Lodwick Calandrine, Merchant of Geneva, an Extract of which Letter is here inſerted as follows:
HIs Highneſs and the Council, having taken into conſideration what you have repreWaldenſes, inhabiting the Valleys of Piemont, have reſolved, that ſeven thouſand five hundred pounds ſterling ſhall be diſtributed amongst them, for their preſent relief; And there being five thouſand pounds
Lodwick Calandrine, Merchant of Geneva, and two thouſand five hundred pounds more charged by Bill of Exchange a Moneth ſince, to be paid unto him; I have writ unto him, to pay, as well the 5000 l. as the 2500 l. as you two ſhall appoint: And His Highneſs pleaſure is, That you cauſe a Distribution of the ſaid Money to be made amongst the poor Proteſtants, having reſpect therein,
Upon the receipt of this Letter M. Pell and M. Morland immediately conſulted how they might in the beſt Manner execute theſe their Orders; And after they had ſeſterl, (which His Highneſs ſent thoſe poor people upon the firſt news of their troubles) had been conveighed from Geneva into the Valleys; That ſo, if they found that Method the moſt advantageous, they might follow the ſame; but if not, That they might endeavour to finde out a better.
Now upon a full enquiry, and after ſeveral diſcourſes had with ſome, and Inforſterl. of M. Lodwick Calandrine, and compound with another (who alſo muſt be nameleſs) for the ſpeedy conveighance thereof into the Valleys, at his own peril, (which neither M. Calandrine or any other would undertake at any rates) for 926 French Livers.
Which Summe of 96428 Fr. Liv. 11 Sols is the very ſumme which the Right Honorable Commiſſioners in England agreed for with Major Chamberlain, to be paid at Lyons, as aboveſaid.
Now Mr
Pell and Mr
Morland having received the aboveſaid ſumme of 96428 Liv. 11 Sols into their own hands, did immediately remit the ſame into the Valleys for 926 Fr. Liv. as aboveſaid (as will appear in the ſequel of this Chapt. by the Original Acquittance of the poor people themſelves.) But withal taking into their ſerious conſiderations the urgent neceſſities of the poor people at that time, having neither bread to eat, nor clothes to cover their nakedneſs, nor indeed the leaſt accom
Here (by the way) it will not be amiſs to inform the Reader, that before this 7500 l. or any part thereof, was remitted into the hands of Mr. Pell and Mr. Morland; That is to ſay, upon the firſt News of the Maſſacre, His Highneſs ſent the poor people upon his own private accompt, the ſum of 2000 l. Sterling, which was remitted by the Correſpondents of Mr. Luke Lucy, at the rate of 56½ Engliſh pence for a French Crown of 3 Livers; which 2000 l. Sterling after the ſaid rate, amount to the ſum of 25486 Fr. Liv. 12 Sols, and 6 Deniers, and was moreover in the conveighance, by the advantage of the Species, augmented and made 25510 Livers. Now foraſmuch as this Sum was actually received by the poor people, and laid out for their Supplies in the time of their extream Neceſſities, (as will appear by their own Acquittance, the OriMorland to the Right Honorable Commiſ
Which 121938 Liv.—11 Sols.—00 Den. are the full value of 9500 l. Sterling, acLuke Lucy and Major Chamberlain, and 23 Liv.—7 Sols.—6 Den. over and above.
It now remains onely, that the Original and Authentique Acquittances of the poor people themſelves, be produced for the above-ſpecified ſum of 120182 Fr. Liv. for the
Fr. Liv. 11 Sols, after the aboveſaid Deduction, firſt by M. Calandrine 830 F. Liv. 11 Sols, and afterPell and M. Morland 926 F. Liv. A true Tranſlat of which AcquitMorland, at his return from Geneva into England.
WE the Deputies of the Reformed Churches of the Valleys of Piemont, do confeſs to have received of the Moneys collected in England, for our relief, as follows:
Firſt of all, We confeſs to have received through the hands of M. Calandrine and other Merchants of Geneva, the ſum of Twenty five thouſand five hundred and ten Fr. Livers, in the Moneth of July 1655. which came very ſeaſonably for the ſupplying our extream neceſsities.
Item, We confeſs to have received of M. Pell and M. Morland, His Highneſs ComJanuary and February 1656. the ſum of Ninety four thouſand ſix hundred ſeventy two French Livers; the which ſum was imploy
Both which ſums aboveſaid, have been remitted to us by the Order of His Highneſs the Lord Protector, whoſe ſingular Zeal and Charity for the poor diſtreſſed Members of Chriſt, which ſuffer for the Truth, we cannot ſufficiently admire; And as the Lord hath raiſed Him as a moſt Illuſtrious Example of Chriſtian and Heroique Vertues, we beſeech him from the very bottom of our hearts, that he will be pleaſed likewiſe to make him an Example of his extraordinary Bleſsing; And that he will alſo be pleaſed out of the abunGreat Britain, who have been ſo touched with our Miſeries, and with ſo much pity and compaſ
In teſtimony whereof we have ſubſcribed the 14 Auguſt 1656.
The true Original of this Acquittance (being ſubſcribed by ſeveral perſons, whoſe Names it is thought fit for ſeveral weighty reaſons to conceal) was deMorland into the hands of the Right Honorable Commiſsioners, appointed by His Highneſs & the Council for the Management of thoſe Affairs.
Thus were the Bowels of thoſe poor Creatures exceedingly refreſhed for a ſeaſon. But alas it was not long before they had need of freſh Supplies, for they had neither any certain habitation, nor any opportunity or means to till their Lands, or to trafgolden fleeces upon their Backs.
Wherefore it was then Reſolved (as the ſecureſt way) by His Highneſs and the Council, That the poor people might be ſupplyed from time to time, ſo as they might ſubſiſt, until Providence ſhould open a way for the obtaining for them ſome kinde of ſettlement and re-eſtabliſhment.
His Highneſs and the Council for new ſupplies, the which Mr
Morland accordingly from time to time did, that Affair being now wholly comr
Pell (according to His Highneſs Orders) being now returned to his former employment of Reſidency at Zurick.
And having an opportunity in the Interval of time, to conſider the inconveniencies of the former Remiſſion of the collected Moneys from England to Geneva, eſpecially as to the dear rates, and alſo the great diſtance of time it had upon the way (which notr
Morland began to inform himſelf, in order to the finding out a more ſpeedy and profitable way for the conveighance of the ſaid Moneys for the future; And at laſt he met with a certain perſon, who made him a Propoſition as follows; Namely,
That for 2 per 100 he would undertake to advance any ſumme or ſummes of Money in any of thoſe parts, in caſe Mr. Morland would aſſure him, that he ſhould be repaid at London; And all this according to the ordinary rate of Exchange of Moneys from Paris to London; And ſo by conſequence any ſumme of Moneys might upon any occaſion be remitted from London to the Valleys in the ſpace of 15 or 16 days, and all for 2 per 100.
This Propoſition Mr
Morland communicated into England, and received an Anſwer to it of the 7 Febr. 5/6; an Extract whereof is here inſerted, viz.
I Have communicated your Expedient for returning Moneys, and I have ſent you the incloſed Papers, which you are to conſider; And if you can contract to take up Moneys ſo as theſe Papers ſtate it, you are to make ſure of 7000 l. ſterl. And you may charge the Bills for it upon Sir Thomas Viner and Sir Chriſtopher Pack, Aldermen of the Citie of London, and they will be duly paid: But be ſure you make your Bargain ſafe and with good advice. And alſo how to diſpoſe of the Money (which must be ready at Geneva) for which you ſhall have Order afterwards.
Upon the receipt of this, and after a mature conſideration, Mr
Morland made an Accord with the perſon aboveſaid in the following terms.
I Whoſe name is here under-written, out of Conſideration had to the poor people of Piemont, have contracted with Sam. Morland
Eſq His Highneſs Commiſſioner Exſterling, for the which ſhall be furniſht me Bills of Exchange payable to J. N. and J. S. or according to their Order, at firſt ſight, at the rate of 54 pence and 3 farthings for every crown of 3 Livers Tournois. For the which I hereby promiſe to pay the value to the ſaid Mr. Morland by advance, in Spaniſh Piſtols, or French gold Piſtols at 10 Livers 10 Sols the Piſtol, and French Louis or Crowns, at 3 Livers the Crown; The ſaid Mr. Morland promiſing me on his part, that the ſaid Bils of Exchange which he ſhall deliver me, ſhall be duly paid me; As alſo making good to me two in the hundred, which ſhall be in conſideration both of advancing
And beſides this I promiſe, That in caſe the Exchange from Paris to London come to be abated within the ſpace of 15 days lower then the ſaid price of 54 pence per crown, to make the ſame good to Mr. Morland, for the benefit of the poor people: And on the contrary, in caſe it come to be higher, he ſhall make the ſame good to me. Foraſmuch as I pretend nothing more or leſs then the ſaid 2 per 100 for the advance of the Moneys, the proviſion, and the hazard which I run. In witneſs whereof we have ſigned this pre
Upon the ſigning of this Accord, there was the value of 7000 l. Sterling as aboveMorland, and the Bills of Exchange afterwards duly honored by Sir Thomas Vyner and Sir Chriſtopher Pack in London.
The firſt of April M. Morland received a Letter from M. Secretary Thurloe, in anFeb. and 9 March (wherein he had repreſented the ſad condition of the poor people at that time.)
OF the Seven thouſand pounds Sterling paid unto you, you are forthwith to cauſe Two thouſand pound to be diſtributed amongſt the poor Proteſtants of the Valleys, for the relief of their Neceſsities, taking care that it be done juſtly, and with the beſt advantage for their good, and giving Accompt thereof hither with what ſpeed may be.
Here it will be neceſſary to advertiſe the Reader, that at that time when Mr. Morland took up the aboveſaid 7000 l. at Geneva, he foreſaw that there was like to be ſome diſtance of time between that of his taking up the Moneys, and the Receipt of his Orders for the Diſtribution thereof, which made him deſirous to improve the ſaid Moneys for the beſt advantage, by putting it out to profit, yet with this caution, That he put it out firſt into ſafe hands: and ſecondly, that he might recall the ſame, if need were, at a days warning, or at two at the moſt; All which he did, and by that means when he received his Orders for the diſtribution of the 2000 l. aboveſaid amongſt the poor people, in ſtead of 2000 l. he ſent 2091 l. 12 s. 6 d. (as will appear by their Ori
It will be here likewiſe neceſſary to advertiſe the Reader for his better ſatisfaction, That after Mr. Morland had received his Orders for the Diſtribution of the aboveSpecies in that conjuncture of time, together with the Stratagems of their Adverſaries, who knowing that there was Money coming to them from England and other parts, ſought all means to procure them great loſs upon their Moneys, by obtaining Edicts from the Court of Savoy for that purpoſe; to ſend an Expreſs into the Valleys to inSpecies would be moſt advantegeous; and ſo there was a Moneths time loſt or more, before he could have the poor peoples Acquittance for the Receipt of the Moneys.
WE the Deputies of the Reformed Churches of the Valleys of Piemont, acknowMorland His Highneſs Commiſsioner ExtraordiEngland, by Order of His Hsghneſs The Lord Protector; The which ſum of Twenty ſeven thouſand five hundred and ſix French Livers, ten Sols, was immediately diſtributed to each particular Church, according to the propoſitioms heretofore eſtabliſhed by Mr. Pell and Mr. Morland, with reſpect had to their Sufferings more or leſs by the late unhappy War and Perſecution raiſed againſt them for the cauſe and ſake of their Religion, in the Year 1655. to the end that every one might receive his juſt portion, and by that means they might in ſome meaſure be relieved accor
The true Original of this Acquittance (being ſubſcribed by ſeveral perſons, whoſe Names it is thought fit for ſeveral weighty reaſons to conceal) was deMorland into the hands of the Right Honorable Commiſsioners, appointed by His Highneſs & the Council for the Management of thoſe Affairs.
Mr. Morland after the Diſtribution of the aboveſaid 2091 l. 12 s. 6 d. having a better opportunity and more leiſure to perfect the way and method of the Diſtribution of the Collected Moneys, among the poor Proteſtants, after advice had with thoſe whom he thought moſt fit to counſel him in this matter, at laſt pitcht upon certain Inſtructions, which he cauſed afterwards to be obſerved exactly in the Diſtribution of the remainder of the 7000 l. Sterling, and after that of the laſt 2000 l. Sterling, which he remitted ſince his return. An Extract of which Inſtructions (ſo far as they are fit to be communicated) are here inſerted.
I. THoſe who have any Eſtate, be it in moveables or otherwiſe, ought not to expect a Gratuity proportionable to their loſſes; For by this means thoſe who yet re
II. Thoſe who had almoſt all their Patrimony in Lands, ought to conſider that the exemption from Taxes which was granted them, could do no leſs then eaſe them of a conſiderable part of their loſſes, and they ought by no means now to pretend to the ſame proportion with thoſe who had little or no moveables, and have beſide that been totally ruined.
1. According to the general Rules aboveſaid, they ſhall proceed more particularly, and diſtinguiſh thoſe who are the moſt neceſsitous at preſent into theſe three following Ranks:
And thus there ſhall be eſtabliſhed three Claſſes or Orders, namely, a Lower, a Middle, and a Higher, placing the firſt ſort in the loweſt Rank, the ſecond ſort in the middle Rank, and the laſt ſort in the higheſt Rank or Claſsis; provided ſtill that there be no departing from the General Rules above-ſpecified, and that all poſsible equity and due proportion be obſerved amongſt the ſeveral families thus ranged.
The Miniſters ſhall not pretend any thing of Ordinary Salary or Subſiſtence from theſe collected Moneys, becauſe they have been paid otherwiſe by their reſpective Churches, Nevertheleſs they ſhall be compriſed in the Diſtribution for the reparation of loſſes, in the ſame Propoſition with others.
Thoſe who have been abſent in the time of the Diſtribution, and had their Subſi
The ſick, who have been heretofore relieved in their ſickneſs with the publique Mo
Thoſe who have been heretofore forgotten by neglect or otherwiſe in the time of the ſaid Diſtributions, ſhall receive at preſent that which was then their portion: pro
The wounded perſons ſhall be diſtinguiſhed, into thoſe who have been maimed, and thereby rendred altogether uſeleſs; and thoſe who have in ſome maner recovered the uſe of their Limbs. To the firſt there ſhall be an eſpecial regard had; and the laſt ſhall alſo be ranked in the firſt and beſt Claſſis, provided that there be good Evi
Thoſe who owe any thing to the Phyſician in particular, ſhall pay the Phyſician out of their own, becauſe there hath almoſt always been a publique Phyſitian pro
Thoſe who have received more then their due portion in the former Diſtributions, ſhall make reſtitution by a deduction of ſo much of their portion in the preſent Diſtribution.
That which hath been formerly given to the poor out of the time of Diſtribution, ſhall not be accounted to them in the preſent Diſtribution; But if there be found any, who had competent Eſtates, who thus received any Moneys, it ſhall be accounted to them. And the Commiſſioners are to take all poſſible care therein, that this Article be obſerved with all equity and uprightneſs.
Thoſe Miniſters, to whom any thing was formerly due before the Maſſacre, ſhall make their addreſs to their ſeveral Churches for payment thereof, and not demand it of the Publique.
Their Phyſician ſhall be paid out of the Publique, according to the former agreement made with him. And for the time to come the people of the Valleys ſhall compound with him for a certain ſtipend; provided that he engage to reſide al
There ſhall be ſtrict Examination had into what the Apothecaries and Chirurgions have provided formerly for thoſe poor people, who are not now able to repay them, and they ſhall be ſatisfied out of the Publique. But as for thoſe who have where
Thoſe who pretend Gratifications for their particular Service that they have done for their Countrey, in expoſing their perſons to great dangers, and by enduring Ex
There ſhall be particular regard had to thoſe loſſes, which have been cauſed by the War, as pillaging, burning, and the like; provided it plainly appear that it hath pro
Thoſe who have furniſhed the poor with Bread or Wine in the time of their former deſolations, ſhall not now demand a reward or recompence for the ſame, by reaſon of the great confuſion that would ariſe from thence; As likewiſe it would be a ſhame to bring their charitable actions upon a publique Account.
THere were ſeveral other particulars of conſequence in the ſaid Inſtructions, which (for ſeveral weighty Reaſons) it is thought moſt convenient rather to paſs over, then communicate in a publique way; however theſe may be ſufficient to give the ſober and underſtanding Reader a taſte and reliſh of the whole; and what eare hath been taken in the Management of that Affair. And indeed all that could then be done was but little enough to preſerve thoſe diſtreſſed Creatures from periſhing for want of the neceſſary accommodations of this life.
It was not many Weeks after the Diſtribution of the 2091 l.—12 s.—06 d.—ſterling, before the poor peoples neceſſities began to be renewed. True it is, they did endeavor to the utmoſt to conceal their wants, having ſo lately received an Alms. But however it was in a ſhort ſpace of time too viſible, how r
Morland gave ſpeedy notice thereof to His Highneſs and the Council, who immediately
August, in a Letter from Mr
Secretary Thurloe to the ſame purpoſe.
YOu will receive herewith the Order of His Highneſs and the Council for diſtribu5000 l. amongst the poor Protestants of Piemont, wherein I deſire you as to uſe your wonted care and circumſpection, ſo to diſpatch this with what ſpeed you may; In reſpect I finde a neceſſity for your return as ſoon as you have finiſhed the Diſtribution of this 5000 l.
ORdered by His Highneſs the Lord Protector and the Council, That the 5000 l. of the collected Moneys for the distreſſed Protestants of the Valleys of Piemont, which was formerly returned over into the hands of M r Morland, and now reM r Morland, in the ſame ſort as the former ſummes of Money have been diſtributed amongst them.
Mr
Morland having received theſe Orders, forthwith employed his utmoſt enFrench Livers 10 Sols, was all in white Money (as by the foregoing Accompt appears) not onely the portage thereof was much more chargeable, but alſo the trouble of changing ſome part thereof into gold (which was then abſolutely neceſſary) took up a great ſpace of time, ſo that it could not be conveighed ſo ſpeedily as otherwiſe it might have been into the Valleys; Nor when it was there, could the whole ſumme of 65894 French Livers be ſo ſoon diſtributed as before, by reaſon that thoſe who were intruſted in the buſineſs, were but newly choſen, and therefore were to examine with all poſſible exactneſs the Accompts of thoſe who had been before intruſted in the ſame buſineſs, and alſo to rectifie all miſcarriages or inconveniences they ſhould finde to have been in the management of the Diſtribution of former Summes; And all this before they could with any Method or Order proceed to diſtribute any part of this Summe. Beſides that, this was to be as a leading Card, and a Rule for the conſtant meaſure of all future Diſtributions.
However on the 14 Jan. 1656/7 the aboveſaid Summe of 5010 l. 14. s. 9. d. or 65340 Fr. Livers, was actually diſtributed amongſt the poor people, as will ap
WE the Deputies of the Reformed Churches of the Valleys of Piemont, acknowM r Morland, Commiſsioner Extraordinary of His most ſerene Highneſs, The Lord Protector of Great Britain, The Sum of Sixty five thouGreat Britain for our relief. For the which Summe we acquit and diſcharge the ſaid M r Morland, returning him our hearty thanks for the care he hath taken of us, in
The true Original of this Acquittance (being ſubſcribed by ſeveral perſons, whoſe Names it is thought fit for ſeveral weighty reaſons to conceal) was deMorland into the hands of the Right Honorable Commiſsioners, appointed by His Highneſs & the Council for the Management of thoſe Affairs.
About the 20. Novemb. 56/7 Mr
Morland received Orders in a Letter from Mr
Secretary Thurloe for his return into England, where he arrived the 20 Decemb. 56/7.
Upon his arrival here, he gave an Accompt to His VVHereas the Committee for the Protestants in the Highneſs and the Council of his management of the whole Affair, and likewiſe of the ſad condition the people were then in. And not many weeks after, having received intelligence that they ſtood in need of freſh ſupplies, he ſollicited in their behalf, and upon the 27 of Jan. 1656. an Order was granted as follows:
ſterl. into the Valleys of Piemont. Tueſday 27 January 1656. At the Council at Whitehall.
Valleys of Piemont have offered it to His Highneſs and the Council as their humble opinion, That two thouſand pounds of the Collection-money for the ſaid Proteſtants be ſpeedily remitS r Thomas Vyner and S r Chriſtopher Pack, Knights, TreaM r Morland, who is to take care for remitting the ſame in the most ſafe and convenient way, for the ſaid Proteſtants preſent relief.Hen. Scobell Clerk of the Council.
Now Mr
Morland, though he received this Order from His Highneſs and the Council, yet foraſmuch as he had no particular Inſtructions concerning the remitting any Sums for the future, before his departure from Geneva, he durſt not engage to remit the Moneys before he had firſt wrote to the party who remitted the former Sums, to know his minde, and ſo to prevent all difficulties; and ſo it was a Moneth after the receipt of his Orders, before he could give punctual directions to his Correth of April, 1657. the poor people actually received the Moneys, as appears by their following formal Acquittance.
VVE, the Deputies of the Reformed Churches of the Valleys of Piemont, conM r Morland the Sum of Twenty ſix Thouſand one hundred and twenty ſix Livers; The which ſum was diſtributed amongſt all our Churches, that is to ſay, to every one according to their loſſes and most urgent neceſſities, conformable to the aboveſaid M r Morland's former Inſtructions for that purpoſe; And as the ſaid ſum is a part of the Collections made in England, we return our moſt humble thanks to His
The Lord Protector, and pray God for the proſperity of His Perſon, and of the whole Church and flouriſhing Commonwealth of Great Britain.
The true Original of this Acquittance, being ſubſcribed by ſeveral perſons, (whoſe names it is thought fit for ſeveral weighty reaſons to conceal) was delir
Morland into the hands of the Right Honorable Commiſſioners, appointed by His Highneſs and the Council for the Management of thoſe Affairs.
About three Moneths after the diſtribution of the 2000 l. aboveſaid, Mr
Morland, having received certain Intelligence of many new grievances and vexations which thoſe poor people then lay under, by reaſon of the extraordinary hatred and malice of their popiſh Adverſaries, communicated the ſame to the Right Honorable Commiſſioners appointed by His Highneſs and the Council for the Management of thoſe Affairs, who immediately repreſented the ſame to Mr Secretary Thurloe, and he to His Highneſs and the Council, and thereupon there was an Order iſſued out as follows:
VVHereas the Committee for the Valleys of Piemont have by their Order of the 22 th
of July instant, offered it to His Highneſs and the Council as their humble advice, That one thouſand pounds may be forthwith tranſmitted as formerly, for relief of the poor Protestants in the Valleys of Piemont; Ordered by His Highneſs The Lord Protector and the Council, That S r Thomas Vyner, & S r Chriſtopher Pack Knights, Treaſurers for the Moneys collected for Relief of the ſaid Proteſtants, do out of the MoM r Morland, who is to take care for remitting the ſame, in the most ſafe and convenient way, for the ſaid Proteſtants preſent ſupport.
Mr
Morland, upon the receipt of the aboveſaid Order, did his utmoſt endeavour to have remitted and ſent over the Moneys the ſame week; but it ſo falling out, that at that very time the great abundance of violent rains that fell in thoſe parts, cauſed ſuch mighty flouds that there was no paſſage, for at leaſt a moneth or ſix weeks ſpace into thoſe Valleys, the remiſſion was by that means much retarded; however upon the 24h of Octob. 1657. it was actually received by the poor people, as appears by their following Authentique Acquittance;
WE the Deputies, &c. of the Reformed Churches in the Valleys of Piemont, confeſs to have actually and really received of Mr. Morland, the ſum of Thirteen thouLivers, and thirteen Sols Turnois, as part of the charitable Benevolence of our beloved and honored Brethren in Jeſus Chriſt, of Great Britain; And this beſides and over and above all other Sums which have been remitted formerly into our hands, the which Sum of Thirteen thouſand three Livers, and thirteen Sols Turnois, hath been diſtri
The true Original of this Acquittance, being ſubſcribed by ſeveral perſons (whoſe names it is thought fit for ſeveral weighty reaſons to conceal) was delir
Morland into the hands of the Right Honorable Commiſſioners, appointed by His Highneſs and the Council for the Management of thoſe Affairs.
Morland received IntelSecretary Thurloe, and Mr. Secretary again to His Highneſs and the Council, who forthwith cauſed a Meeting of the Com
ORdered by His Highneſs the Lord Protector and the Council, That over and above the ſums of money already tranſmitted to the poor Proteſtants of Piemont, out of the Mo2 l. per Cent. for the charge of tranſmitting the ſame upon their Accompt.
Mr. Morland upon the receipt of this Order, by the direction of the Right Honor
It will be neceſſary in the cloſe of this Accompt, to advertiſe the Readers, that beEngland into the Valleys, there were ſeveral ſmaller Sums given out to ſome particular perſons here in England, under the notion of emiMorlands abode at Geneva; but two of them, by name Captain Raymond and Chriſtiana Ʋlrick, having moſt wickedly and treacherouſly counterfeited thoſe their ſaid Atteſtations and other papers (as it afterMorlands return into England, who by the Order of the Right Honorable Commiſsioners made a further ſearch into that buſineſs) it is thought fit that thoſe their unworthy actions be made manifeſt to all men. The firſt of them immediately upon Mr. Morlands return, having a guilty con
This is now the ſum and ſubſtance of the Accompt which Mr. Morland hath in part formerly, and the reſt of late delivered into the hands of the Right Honorable Com
Prov. 24.11, 12.
11If thou forbear to deliver them that are drawn unto death, and thoſe that are ready to be ſlain,
12If thou ſaist, Behold we knew it not; doth not he that pondereth the heart, conſider it? and he that keepeth thy ſoul, doth not he know it? and ſhall not he render to every man according to his work?
IF Words in ſeaſon be (or at Narrative, entreat all thoſe who have hitherto contributed nothing towards the relief and ſupport of their poor diſtreſſed Brethren, to ſuffer a word of ſerious Exhortation, as hoping (if the Lord ſo pleaſe) it may have ſuch bleſſed effects upon their ſpirits, that they may at laſt both cheerfully partake in the work, and hereafter have a ſutable ſhare in the reward.
The plain truth is, it may be righteouſly preſumed from what hath been already ſaid, that all ſober and ingenuous perſons will be ſo far from reſerving in their mindes the leaſt ſcruple as touching the honeſt and faithful Adminiſtration of the collected Moneys, that on the contrary all thoſe who have contributed freely, will have much ſatisfaction in what they have already done, and be the more ready to do the like for the future, as there ſhall be occaſion; and thoſe who have either come off coldly, or given nothing at all, will account it as a ſingular mercy of God towards them to have ſuch an opportunity as this is, afforded them, of redeeming the time, and of making recompence for their former backwardneſs, by drawing out now at laſt a larger por
And indeed, have they but a heart to the work, I ſhall ſoon lead them where they ſhall even ſmite upon their breſts, and their hearts ſhall even melt within them, to hear the lamentable and woful cries of above ten Thouſand ſouls, who are at this very day ſitting among the potſherds, with ſackcloth and aſhes ſpread under them, and lifting up their voice with weeping, in the words of Job, when he was now in the depth of his miſery and anguiſh, Have pitie on us, have pitie on us, O ye our friends, for the hand of God hath touched us!
If there be any who are curious to know who theſe men are, and what was their Fathers houſe, I ſhall endeavor to ſatisfie them in a few words at preſent, referring them for a larger Diſcourſe upon that ſubject, to the History of the Evangelical Churches of the Valleys of Piemont, which will, God willing, ſpeedily preſent it ſelf to publique view.
Theſe poor creatures are the children and off-ſpring of thoſe ancient Inhabitants of the Valleys of Piemont, who have born teſtimony to the truth in the purity thereChrist and his Apostles; And though they have been oftſparks in the greateſt flouds of perſecutions, that either the ſubtilty or malice of their enemies could ever raiſe againſt them, according to that excellent Character the learned Beza gives of them in his Treatiſe of the faValdenſes liceat mihi Veteris Chriſtianæ purioris Eccleſiæ ſemen vocare, ut pote quos constet verè admirabili Dei Providentia; neque illis infinitis tempestatibus, quibus est per tot ſecula Chriſtianus Orbis concuſſus, & occidens tandem à Pſeud-epiſcopo Romano miſerè oppreſſus, neque adverſus illos propriè excitatis horribilibus perſecutionibus eò adduci potuiſſent, ut Idolomaniæ, & Romanæ tyrannidi aſſentirentur, i. e. As for the Waldenſes, give me leave to ſtyle them the very ſeed of the Primitive and purer Christian Church, as thoſe who have been manifeſtly upheld by the admirable Providence of God; ſo that neither thoſe infinite ſtorms and tempests, whereby the whole Chriſtian world hath been ſhaken for ſo many Ages together, and at length the Western parts ſo miſerably opprest by the Biſhop of Rome, falſly ſo called; nor thoſe horrible perſecutions, which have been directly raiſed against them, were ever able ſo far to prevail upon them, as to make them yeeld a voluntary ſubjection to the Romiſh Tyranny and Idolatry.
Yea there are divers ſober and learned men in the neighboring and adjacent parts, who confidently aſſert from ſome late diſcoveries, That this was the very deſert whithe woman fled when ſhe was perſecuted by the Dragon with ſeven heads and ten horns.
Clefts of theſe very Rocks, and in the ſecret places of the ſtairs of theſe very Valleys, that the Dove of Christ refoxes began to ſpoil the Vines with the tender grapes, Cant. 2.15.
Theſe things I have the rather hinted, (though briefly) to ſignifie how precious theſe people have always been in the eyes of the great God of heaven and earth, and conſequently to heighten our love and eſteem of the ſcattered remnant of their ſeed, of whom a conſiderable number have been moſt cruelly murdered and maſſacred, within theſe few late years, and whoſe ſouls are now under the Altar, waiting and exGod avenge their bloud upon them that dwell upon the earth: Some of their Virgins raviſh't, and afterwards abuſed in ſo horrid a maner as is not fit to be mentio
Now as for thoſe of them that ſurvived and eſcaped the rage of thoſe men of bloud (which are the people I now recommend to your Chriſtian charitie and pitie) alas! they were then immediately expoſed to the extremities of hunger, cold and naeven to this preſent hour they hunger, and thirst, and are naked, and buffeted, and have no certain dwelling place, 1 Cor. 4.11. To this very day, they labor under moſt heavy burthens which are laid upon their ſhoulders by thoſe rigid Taskmasters of the Church of Rome. To this very day the enemies of the Truth plough and make long furrows upon the backs of thoſe poor creatures, By forbidding them all maner of traffique or commerce for their ſuſtenance; By robbing them of their goods and Eſtates; By driving them in a moſt ſavage maner from their ancient houſes and habiſell their birth-right for a meſs of pottage; By baniſhing their Miniſters, who are the ſhepherds of the flocks, that ſo the wolves may the better come in, and devour the ſheep; By raviſhing their young women and maidens; yea by murthering many innocent ſouls, as they paſs along the high-ways about their private occaſions; By cruel mockings and revilings; By continual menacings and
La Torre ſerves as a door, where they may let in (when they pleaſe) a troop of murderers, utterly to deſtroy and exterminate thoſe poor ſilly wretches. To all this I muſt adde, (which indeed is moſt of all conſiderable as to the drawing forth your hearts to contribute towards their preſent relief) that notwithEngland or Forein States, yet ſo great is the number of thoſe hungry creatures, and ſo grievous are the oppreſſions of their Popiſh enemies, who lay in wait to bereave them of whatſoever is given them, and ſnatch at every morſel of meat that goes inThe tongue of the ſuckling is ready to cleave to the roof of his mouth, and the young children ask bread, and no man gives it unto them: And in many places the young and the old lye on the ground in the ſtreets.
In ſum, Curæ l
Senec. Trag. in Hippolyt.
Their miſeries are more ſad and grievous then words can expreſs; and they are in a maner dying while they yet live: No grapes in their vineyards: No cattle in their fields: No herds in their ſtals: No corn in their gardners: No meal in their barrel: No oil in their cruſe: The ſtock which was gathered for them by the good people of this Nation, waſting apace, and when that is once ſpent, they muſt inevitably periſh, except you are now pleaſed to lend your helping hand as other good Chriſtians before you have done, and ſo make ſuch an addition to that Sum which yet remains, that the Intereſt thereof may in ſome maner give them a being and ſubſiſtence in the world, and ſo the Capital remain entire, to be ready upon any occa
True it is, I cannot but expect that ſome covetous, or ill-affected to the cauſe of Chriſt and his people, ſhould here ſtep in, and throw on the cold water of ſelf-intereſt, and carnal objections, to quench if poſſible the fire of your Chriſtian zeal. I ſay, ſome will certainly here object, and ſay, But if there be ſo many thouſands remaining, which are yet undistributed, what need is there (at least for the preſent) of any further ſupplies?
I anſwer,
1. Though there are ſeveral Thouſands of pounds remaining, yet there are alſo ſe
2. God alone knows how far off may yet be the time of their re-eſtabliſhment in their ancient habitations and priviledges: And if ſo, ſo ſoon as ever the ſtock they have at preſent is once ſpent, their caſe will be ſeven-fold more lamentable and de
3. This is now the ſecond opportunity the Lord hath in mercy given you of reforbear to deliver them that are drawn unto death, and thoſe that are ready to be ſlain; If you ſay, Behold we know it not; doth not he that pondereth the heart, conſider it? and he that keepeth your ſouls, doth not he know it? and ſhall not he render to every man according to his works?
GOD himſelf throughout the Holy Scriptures be of any force with you, then think and meditate on theſe things.
It is very remarkable, That when Our Savior would make a lively deſcription and repreſentation of the great Day of Judgement, he ſeems to take no other meaſure for the final ſentence of Condemnation or Abſolution, then the pure performance of omiſſion of actions of Charity towards his poor diſtreſſed Members. As for example, I was hungry, and ye gave me meat, or ye gave me none: I was thirsty, and ye gave me drink, or ye gave me none: I was naked, and ye clothed me, or ye clothed me not: ſick and in priſon, and ye viſited me, or ye viſited me not. Matth. 25.34, 35, 36, 42, 43.
Wherefore I ſay, if on the one ſide you would not ſwallow down riches to vomit them up again; if you would not have the increaſe of your houſes to depart; nor in the fulneſs of your ſufficiency be in want; if you would not have your riches to corrupt, and your garments to be moth-eaten; if you would not have your gold to canker, and the rust thereof to witneſs against you at the last day: And on the other ſide, if you your ſelves would willingly finde pitie and relief in the day of your calamity; if you would be preſerved in ſix troubles, and in ſeven have no evil touch you; if you would have the loins of the poor and needy to bear witneſs for you another day; and the bleſſing of him that was ready to periſh to come upon you; if you would be bleſſed in your Houſes, and in your Children; in your cattel, and in your fields, in your barns, and in your ſtore: In a word, if you would aſſure your ſelves either of the comforts of this, or the treaſures of a better life, then turn the deaf ear to all the ſuggeſtions of Satan, the world, or your own carnal and covetous Principles: Then cast your bread upon the waters, and you ſhall finde it after many days: Then give a portion to ſeven, and alſo to eight, not knowing what evil may come upon the earth: Then give, and it ſhall be given to you again, in full meaſure, heaped up and running over, for every Omer an Ephah; and for every grain, a talent. Be aſſured, that not the value of a cup of cold water that you give to theſe poor creatures in the name of Diſciples, ſhall ever loſe its reward. No, no, whoever thou art, if thou draw out thy ſoul to the hungry, and ſatisfie the afflicted ſoul, then ſhall thy light riſe in obſcurity, and thy darkneſs ſhall be as the noon day: If thou cover the naked, and hide not thy ſelf from thy own fleſh; Then ſhall the Lord guide thee continually, and ſatisfie thy ſoul in drought, and make fat thy bones; Then ſhall thy righteouſneſs go before thee, and the glory of the Lord ſhall be thy rereward. I ſay reſt aſſuredly confident, that the God and Father of mercies ſhall recompenſe this your loving kindeneſs, and repay you a thouſand fold into your boſoms, either in this life, or that which is to come.