Valence, France, and Pius VI: Testimony on the 1260 Years
By D. T. Bourdeau
VALENCE, FRANCE, AND PIUS VI., Or Important Testimony Marking the Ending of the 1260 Years of Papal Supremacy.
From a history of the department of La Drome, France, first published in 1817, and from monuments of long standing and inscriptions written thereon in Latin, Gallic, and French languages, it is very apparent that Valence has acted a prominent part in the events that make up the history of France. It is one of the most ancient cities of this country. It has monuments with inscriptions of respect to Julius Cæsar, and to Cæsar Augustus, who was emperor of Rome at the time of our Saviour’s birth. See Luke 2:1. It became a Roman colony under Cæsar Augustus, and its inhabitants added to its name that of Julia, in grateful remembrance of the protection they had recently received from Julius Cæsar during his stay among them. The gospel was first preached in this city by Felix, Fortunat, and Achillie, disciples of Irenæus, bishop of Lyons, at the opening of the third century. Five councils have been held in this city. The cathedral of this city was dedicated to the Virgin Mary in the latter part of the eleventh century, as appears from the following translation of a Latin inscription preserved by Mr. de Catelin, in his Antiquities of the Church of Valence:— “The year of our Lord one thousand ninety-five, second indiction, and the fifth day of the month of August, the Pope Urban II., assisted by twelve bishops, dedicated this church to the honor of the blessed Virgin Mary.” It will be observed that the spirit of this inscription comports well with the testimony in Eld. J. N. Andrews’ History of the Sabbath, which states that this same pope dedicated the ancient Sabbath to the worship of the Virgin Mary. It was in this city that Napoleon Bonaparte spent the first years of his military life. But the most interesting fact of all is that it was also in this city that Pope Pius VI. died in captivity in 1799, at the end of the 1260 years of papal supremacy, in fulfillment of the sure word of prophecy. Dan. 7:25, 26; Rev. 13:5, 10. In the history of this department mentioned above, pp. 628–630, which was written by a Catholic, I find the following testimony:— “Pius VI. dwelt in this ancient Government Hall, which to-day is so dilapidated, during his captivity of 1799. The garden in the form of a terrace may be seen from a part of the city and from the valley of the Rhone. The scenery is magnificent, and it is said that when Pius VI. appeared on this terrace for the first time, he exclaimed, ‘Oh! che bella vista!’ He died in this hall the 29th of August of the same year, 1799, aged 82 years. “There exists in the cathedral a monument of white marble, that was reared in 1811, by order, and at the expense, of the imperial government, in memory of this pontiff, whose heart and entrails it contains. “The body of Pius VI. was embalmed, and was first placed in a cave dug expressly for it in the city of Valence, and a monument was put over it; but it was afterward returned to Pius VII., and taken to Rome under the care of the cardinal Spina, archbishop of Genoa. The city of Valence has since reclaimed the heart and entrails of the pontiff; these were sent to it from Rome, and they rested in an ardent chapel of the church of Saint Appolinaire, until the erection of the monument raised in the same church in memory of Pius VI., with great solemnity the 25th of October, 1811. The consecration was effected by Mr. the cardinal Spina, assisted by Messrs. Bécherel, bishop of Valence, and Périer, bishop of Avignon. Mr. Bécherel had the following inscription placed on this monument:— “‘Sancta Pii Sexti redeunt Præcordia Gallis. Roma tenet corpus. Nomen ubique sonat. Valentiæ obiit 29 Augusti, Anno 1799.’ The proper rendering of which is: ‘The holy entrails of Pius VI. are returned to the French; Rome possesses his body; his name resounds in all places. He died at Valence the 29th of August, 1799.’” This agrees with the testimony of Thiers in his History of the French Revolution, which states that the 10th of February, 1798, Berthier, general of the French, subjugated the city of Rome; that the 15th day of the same month, Pope Pius VI. was taken prisoner, and shut up in the Vatican; that he was then carried captive to France, where he died in 1799. How faithful God has been to fulfil his Word! A time, times, and a half a time, or 42 months, or 1260 days of years, were marked off as the period of papal supremacy. These commenced when the conquest of the Ostrogoths, the last kingdom that hindered the pope in taking the reins of civil government, took place. According to Gibbon, this conquest was effected by Justinian’s army in A. D. 538. Consequently, the 1260 years would end in 1798. It was then that a deadly wound was inflicted by the French upon the civil power of the papacy, and that he who had led others into captivity was himself led into captivity. Rev. 13:10. As we have visited the very spots where the events connected with the captivity of Pius VI. took place, and have seen his monument and bust in the cathedral of this city, we have been struck with awe and overwhelmed with a sense of gratitude in view of the care, wisdom, and love that God displays in fulfilling his word. Infidels, and others who have opposed the word of God, have, unawares, produced testimonies which in a wonderful manner show the fulfilment of God’s word; and God in his providence has seen fit to choose infidel France to act a leading part in fulfilling prophecy. Truly, where sin and error have abounded, grace and light are mercifully displayed, that God’s people may rejoice and be strengthened, and that sinners and infidels may be without excuse. Valence, Drome, France, Feb. 22, 1877.