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THE FRENCH CONVERT.

and dine; and, in diſcourſe, told him, He was once a tenant of his father's; but, by cruel edicts, was forced not only to leave that farm, but his paternal inheritance; ſuffering the ſpoils and loſs of all, for the ſake of Chriſt and a good conſcience; and in this ſolitary retirement, had enjoyed more true peace and ſatisfaction, than in all the pleaſure of his forepaſt life. The Count then aſked him his name? which he told him was De la Mont; upon which he preſently knew and embraced him, ſaying, 'That tho' himſelf was of the Romiſh perſuaſion, yet he had often pitied his ſufferings; adding, That it was given out, he died in priſon.' The pious Deidamia, from this diſcourſe, took an occaſion to ſay, 'Ah!, my deareſt Lord, you ſee what a cruel and mercileſs religion it is that you profeſs, and which, through the goodneſs of God, I have lately departed from.' 'I am not ſurpriſed (ſaid Alanſon) at that, which you ſay: for I was informed in Flanders, that you had changed your religion.' 'I wiſh to God (replied Deidamia) that yourſelf my deareſt Lord, was likewiſe made a partaker of the ſame happy change.' Upon this, Monſ. De la Mont put in, and laid down ſuch weighty reaſons for the truth of the reformed religion, and againſt the errors of the church of Rome, that it encouraged Deidamia farther to go on, and ſhew the viciouſneſs and debauchery of the Romiſh clergy, their bloody principles, and perſecuting ſpirit; ſo that Alanſon was forced to confeſs, that what was alledged againſt their practices was true; but as to their principles (abating that of perſecution) he believed they might be miſtaken: Upon which Deidamia replied, 'I am glad, my dear Lord, to ſind you are againſt perſecution;