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Protestantism in the Waldensian Valleys - James Aitken Wylie

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"7. The Vaudois pastors shall abjure <strong>the</strong><br />

doctr<strong>in</strong>e <strong>the</strong>y have hi<strong>the</strong>rto publicly preached; shall<br />

receive a salary, greater by one-third than that<br />

which <strong>the</strong>y previously enjoyed; and one-half<br />

<strong>the</strong>reof shall go <strong>in</strong> reversion to <strong>the</strong>ir widows.<br />

"8. All Protestant foreigners settled <strong>in</strong><br />

Piedmont are ordered ei<strong>the</strong>r to become Roman<br />

Catholics, or to quit <strong>the</strong> country with<strong>in</strong> fifteen<br />

days.<br />

"9. By a special act of his great and paternal<br />

clemency, <strong>the</strong> sovereign will permit persons to sell,<br />

<strong>in</strong> this <strong>in</strong>terval, <strong>the</strong> property <strong>the</strong>y may have<br />

acquired <strong>in</strong> Piedmont, provided <strong>the</strong> sale be made to<br />

Roman Catholic purchasers."<br />

This monstrous edict seemed to sound <strong>the</strong> knell<br />

of <strong>the</strong> Vaudois as a Protestant people. Their oldest<br />

traditions did not conta<strong>in</strong> a decree so cruel and<br />

unrighteous, nor one that menaced <strong>the</strong>m with so<br />

complete and summary a destruction as that which<br />

now seemed to impend over <strong>the</strong>m. What was to be<br />

done! Their first step was to send delegates to<br />

Tur<strong>in</strong>, respectfully to rem<strong>in</strong>d <strong>the</strong> duke that <strong>the</strong><br />

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