tions, some of which included no less than 10,000 members.

This plot consisted in an attempt to effect a general massacre of the Huguenots; and the celebration of the marriage of the king's sister, with the Prince of Navarre, presented an opportunity to put it in execution. The prince being a Huguenot, the chief men of that sect were invited to attend the celebration of the nuptials. On the Sabbath following (Aug. 24th, 1572), it being St. Bartholomew's day, as the bells were ringing for morning prayers, the work of destruction was commenced. mother, from a window, witnessed the scene with extatic joy; and, as if the sanction of his presence were not enough, the monster himself fired upon the Huguenots, and in a tone of vociferation cried "Kill them, kill them!"

Charles and his

A scene of horrid carnage ensued. On every side the Catholics were seen rushing like bloodhounds upon the tempt did Charles IX. make to cut them off? What year was this? How many congregations had they at this time in France? What was the plot formed at this time by Charles? When was it designed to put it in execution? What was the day called? What was the conduct of Charles and his mother? How many were massacred

appalled and unarmed Huguenots; and before the succeeding morning, they had butchered above 500 persons of distinction, and 10,000 of inferior order. To this massacre at Paris, succeeded a general destruction throughout France. At Rouen, at Lyons, at Orleans, and other cities, the streets were literally covered with blood. Sixty thousand are supposed to have been slaughtered, for which solemn thanksgivings were rendered to God, in the Catholic churches.

Taken by surprise, as the Huguenots had been, they were for a time incapable of any resistance; but at length, rallying under the prince of Conde, they nobly stood for their defence, and combatted their enemies with success. But for the space of 30 years, the Protestants suffered the most grievous calamities, and during this period, it has been estimated that 39 princes, 148 counts, 234 barons, 146,518 gentlemen and 760,000 of the common people, were destroyed for adopting the reformed religion.

In 1593, Henry IV. who was a Huguenot, ascended the throne of France. Although from political motives, he made a profession of popery, he evinced his regard for the Protestants, by publishing in the year 1598, the celebrated Edict of Nantes, which granted to them the privilege of citizenship, the right of worshipping God according to their own faith, and certain lands to support their churches and garrisons. Henry, however, soon experienced the vengeance of the court of Rome for his clemency; for he was assassinated in his chariot, in the streets of Paris, by the hands of a fanatic, by the name of Ravaillac, in the year 1610.

From this period, the Huguenots, as they were tolerated by the civil power, flourished for a season greatly. But they were still hated by the men in power, and particularly by Cardinal Richelieu, prime minister to Louis XIII. who early adopted and long pursued the maxim, "That there could be no peace in France, until the Huguenots were entirely suppressed."

in Paris? Did the massacre extend into other places? How many suffered ? Did the Huguenots at first resist? Why not? Who at length rallied them? How many years did their sufferings continue? How many suffered during this time? Who ascended the throne in 1593? How did he shew his regard for the Protestants? What privileges did the Edict of Nantes give to them? What was the fate of Henry for his kindness? Did the Huguenots from this time

In the year 1685, Lewis XIV. revoked the edict of Nantes, and ordered the Reformed Churches to return to the Romish faith. The cup of their calamities was now full. Their case was hopeless. Their churches were demolished, and themselves insulted and massacred, by a brutal soldiery. Flight presented itself as their only alternative; but even in this they were opposed by bands of soldiers, who were stationed on the several frontiers of the kingdom. Fifty thousand, however, it is supposed, effected their escape, and sought refuge in the different Protestant countries of Europe.

Such is an outline of the calamities, brought upon the Protestants in several countries, (of the sufferings of the Protestants in England, we shall speak in a future page,) by the friends of Papal Rome, with the professed design of exterminating them from the earth, and of re-establishing the dominion of the Roman pontiffs.

This effort was a mighty one. In the language of an unknown writer, " Providence never made use of so terrible a scourge to chastise mankind. No power ever outraged the interests of society, the principles of justice, and the claims of humanity, to the same extent. Never did the world behold such blasphemy, profligacy, and wantonness, as in the proceedings of this spiritual domination. It held the human mind in chains; visited with exemplary punishment every inroad on the domains of ignorance, and attempted to sink nations into a state of stupidity and imbecility. Its proscriptions, its massacres, its murders, the miseries it heaped on the objects of its vengeance, and the grasp of its iron sway, fill the mind only with horror and disgust."

Sec. 9. The means thus employed by the court of Rome to sustain her power which remained, and to regain that which she had lost, although such as were likely to result in her triumph, were found insufficient to accomplish her purpose. Although, subsequently to the flourish? Who however hated and opposed them? Who revoked the Edict of Nantes? In what year? What was the consequence of this revocation?

Sec. 9. Were the means thus employed by the

Reformation, owing to her propagation of Christianity in heathen countries, she held her empire over more millions than before, and for a season appeared within reach of her former spiritual sway, from a series of unexpected causes, her ancient power has been successively weakened, until that, together with her wealth and splendour, has passed away.

Sec. 10. Among the causes which have contributed to this result, may be mentioned the loss of foreign conquests—unsuccessful contests with several European governments-the suppression of the order of Jesuits-the revolution in France, and the abolition of the Inquisition.

In a former page, (285) was noticed the successful attempt of the Roman Catholics to introduce Christianity into China, Japan, and other countries. But, owing to the dissolute and iniquitous conduct of the Jesuits, and particularly to the tumults and seditions occasioned by their political intrigues, they were at length banished from those countries, and the knowledge of Christianity became ex

tinct.

At home, the pontiffs were often engaged in quarrels with neighbouring governments. In 1606, Paul V. nearly lost the rich republic of Venice. Peace was indeed restored, but the Pope was obliged to relinquish many of his pretensions. Naples, Sardinia, Portugal and Spain, each, in turn, withheld immunities which before had been fully granted. In subsequent years, a violent dispute was carried on between the pope and the king of France. 1682, the power of the papacy received a severe blow in that country, in consequence of the decree of a council of Court of Rome to regain her power, sufficient to effect the object?

In

Sec 10. What causes powerfully contributed to lessen her authority, and place her in the powerless attitude in which she now stands ?

Did the Roman Catholics long hold their religious power in China, Japan, &c.? Why were they banished? Did the pontiffs enjoy peace at home? What countries did they lose? What is said

the Gallican church, convened by order of Lewis XIV, viz. That the power of the pope is only spiritual-that a general council is superior to him-and that his decisions are not infallible, without the consent of the Church.

But the event, which more than any other tended to abridge the power of the pope, was the supression of the order of Jesuits. This event was owing to a variety of causes; but chiefly to their usurpations and iniquitous conduct, which, in all countries, had reached a point beyond endurance. The voice of the world was against them, and loudly demanded the abolition of the order. Their sup

pression, however, took place in different countries in successive years. From England, they were expelled by proclamation, during the reign of James I. 1604; from Venice, in 1606; from Portugal, 1759; France, 1764; Spain and Sicily, 1767; and the order was, at length, totally abolished, in all papal countries, by Ganganelli, or Clement XIV. July 21, 1773.

The French revolution in 1793, also, contributed to abridge the power of papal Rome. About the middle of the century, a conspiracy was formed to overthrow Christianity. At the head of this conspiracy were Voltaire, D'Alembert, Rousseau, Diderot, and Frederic II. king of Prussia; who, by every artifice that impiety could invent, by union and secret correspondence, endeavoured to spread abroad the poison of infidelity, and thus to debase and sap the foundations of Christianity.

The efforts of this combination were attended with amazing success. Infidelity was soon spread abroad among all nations, and affected every Catholic and Protestant community. In France, however, the tide was seen rolling with an irresistible force, and the consequence, was an entire revolution in that country-the abolition of the regal government—and, for a season, the overthrow of the long established Roman hierarchy. This gave to the papal Church a deep and lasting wound; and followed as it was, by the victorious arms of the republic, carrying forward

of their losses in Naples, Sardinia, Portugal, and Spain? By what means was the power of the popes destroyed in France? But what event more than all others, tended to abridge the power of Rome? To what was this event owing? Was the order abolished in different countries at different times? When was it finally abolished in all papal countries? By whom? When did the French Revolution occur? What led to this Revolution? What effect had it upon the