Chap. ru: The HIs T 0 R y of the PuRITANS. 4-87 perfonal, for the ufe of the public, .during the tinh1e ~fhthehir. recufa~dcyd; p~~~~;r but after their deceafe, the fame were to return to t e ng t e1t, proV! e 1656 • · they took the abovementioned oath .. It was further ordained, " that no~ " fubjetl: of this commonwealth £hall at any time be prefent at mafs, in " the houfe of any foreign ambafiador, or agent, or at any other place, " on penalty of one hundred pounds, and imprifonment for fix " months, half to the protector , and half to the informer." How far thefe feverities were needful or jufl:ifiable I leave with the judgment of the reader. . The proteCtor had an opportunity this year, of appearing for the pro. Protellor of– tefl:ants of France, as he bad done lafl: year for thofe of the J'alleys ; there.f1fs the pro– happened a quarrel between the burghers of Nifmes, who were mofl:ly f1{t:;:;~. of bugonots, and the magiflr~tes and bilhop of the city; the intendent of the province being informed of it, repaired thither to prevent an infurrection ; but the burghers fl:anding in their own defence raift d a tumult, of which the intendent fent an account to court. The burghers being foon fen fible of their folly, fubmitted and begged pardon; but the court laying hold of the opportunity, refolved to rnin them. Upon which they difpatched a melfenger priva tely to CRoMWELL, and begged his interpofition, The proteflor having heard the whole account, bid the melfenger {b y and refrefh bimfelf, and before he could return to Paris, his bufinefs flwuld be done. Accordingly an expre(s was 'immediately dilpatchcd with :t letter to the king of France, under cover of the following to cardinal Mazarine. To his eminence the LORD CARDNAI, MAZARIN E, "H AV I N G thought necelfary to difp:1tch this gentleman to the " king with the inclofed letter, I commanded him to falute your " eminence on my part; and have charged him to communicate to you " certain affairs which I have entrufled him with: I therefore pray your " highnefs to give credit to what he {hall fay, having an entire confi– " dence in him. Whitehall, Dec. z8th, 1656. Your eminence's moft qffeflionate, 0 , CROMWELL, proteflor of the Commonwealth of England, &c. The proteC::or added the following pofl:fcript with his own hand ; " I " h~ve been tn~ormed of the tJmult at Ntjines, I recommend to your " h1ghnefs the mterefl: of the reformed," And in his inftruetions to his " ambaf-.
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