many of the chief Nobility and greatest persons of the Kingdom their Assemblies and Sermons were then no more celebrated in Stables and Cellars as in the Reign of King Henry second but in the Halls and Chambers of the best Gentry and most eminent Nobility Beza's Translation of the new Testament and his accurate notes upon it have made him famous His French Psaltery was so well liked that it was well Translated into the German Bohemian English Scottish and many Languages and it is both in use and esteem with all the Orthodox Churches Thuanus saith that Beza would repeat whole Psalms in Hebrew and whatever Chapter one could name out of Paul's Epistles he would rehearse it all in Greek for the things he had formerly learnt his Judgement failed him not He lived eighty six years and toward his latter end he began to forget what he had spoken His French works are mentioned by Verdier in his Bibliotheque His Latin are known News was brought unto the Pope that his Subjects of Avignon had taken up Arms against him accounting his succession unlawful because that Countrey was not justly taken from Raimond Count of Tholouse concluding also that the Ecclesiasticks cannot by the commandment of Christ possess any Temporal Dominion And resolving to rebel by the means of Alexander Guilotimus a Lawyer they put themselves under the protection of Charles de Montbrun who being in Arms for Religion was much followed in Daulphinè Charles entring the Territory with three thousand foot made himself Lord of the whole Countrey with much joy of the Inhabitants James Maria Bishop of Viviers Vice-Legate of Avignon made opposition and very hardly kept the City The Pope therefore sent Cardinal Farnese to defend the City But the danger was moderated because Cardinal Tornon whose Neece Charles had married made him desist and go to Geneva by promising restitution of his Goods confiscated for Rebellion and to be recalled shortly with liberty of Conscience if he would go out of France So the Pope's Territory deprived of that protection did remain in subjection but full of suspicions and ready to embrace every Novity Davila saith that Godfrey de la Barre Sieur de la Renaudy Davila Hist of the Civil War 's of France is made head of the conspiracy aforementioned who was one of a desperate fortune with whom many others joyned themselves some led by Conscience others thrust on through desire of change and many also invited by the natural humour of the French Nation who cannot endure to live idly To those of best quality among these he gave several charges to raise men and to bring them to a place appointed dividing to all their several Provinces To the Baron of Castelnaw was committed the care of Gascoign To Captain Mazares the charge of Bearn To Mesny the Countrey of Limâ—ges To Mirabel Xaintonge To Goccaville Piccardy To the Sieur de St. Mary Normandy and to Montejan Britany Men who as they were all of Noble Families so were they of known courage and reputed principal leading-men in several Cities and their own Countries where they lived All these departing from the Assembly at Nantes a City in Britany and returning every one with great expedition to the Province allotted him in a few days working with wonderful secrecy brought a great number of people of several conditions to be at their devotion The Conspirators prepared a great multitude who should appear before the King without Arms to demand that the severity of the Judgements might be mitigated and Liberty of Conscience granted designing they should be followed by Gentlemen who should make supplication against the government of the Guisards The Conspiracy was discovered and the Court retired from Blois an open place to Amboise a strong Fortress This troubled the Conspiratours who while they were thinking of a new course some of them who took Arms were beaten and slain and others taken and sentenced to dye and to appease the tumult pardon was granted by the King's Edict dated March 18. to all who simply moved with zeal of Religion had entred into the conspiracy so that they disarmed within 24 hours Then the King forbad all Assemblies for Religion and committed to the Bishops the hearing of the causes of Heresie An Ordinance was made by the States at Orleans Anno 1560. in the short Reign of King Francis the second Ordonnance des Estats d' Orleans l'Ann 1560. Art 5. That the Abbots and Curates who hold many Benefices by dispensation or reside upon one of their Benefices requiring actual service and residence shall be excused from residence upon their other livings Always provided that they depute sufficient Men for their Vicars of a good life and conversation to every one of whom they shall assign such a portion of the revenue of the Benefice as may suffice for their maintenance Otherwise in default hereof we admonish and enjoyn the Arch-Bishop or Bishop of the Diocess to take order for it and most expresly command our Judges and Proctors to assist them therein to cause the Temporalties of such Abbeys or other Benefices to be seized upon without dissembling a Month after they shall have warned and required the Prelates and other Titulars to reside or cause some to reside upon their Benefices and to fulfill the contents of this present Ordinance Another Ordinâ—nce was to this effect That a Prebend or the revenues thereof shall be assigned for the maintenance of a School-master who shall be bound in the mean time to teach all the youth of the City Gratis without any wages Which School-master shall be chosen by the Arch-Bishop or Bishop of the place calling in the Canons of the Church together with the Mayors Sheriffs Counsellours or Capitons of the City and to be put out by the said Arch-Bishop or Bishops with the advice of them aforesaid Here I will set down the Indulgences granted to divers Churches Brother-hoods and Hospitals granted by divers Popes and Printed about this time at Chartres by Philip Hotot I shall transcribe the whole 1. The Statutes and Ordinances of the Worshipful Fraternity of the most blessed Body of our Lord Jesus Christ newly founded and erected in the Church of St. Hilary of Chartres together with a summary of the Pardons and Indulgences given and granted by our Holy Fathers the Popes and by our Holy Father Pope Paul the third of that Name confirmed to the said Fraternity and all others of like denomination as well at Rome as out of Rome erected or to be erected Which Statutes and Ordinances by vertue of taking put of those Bulls made thereupon by Authority of Pope Julius III. of that name Given at Rome May 6. 1550. shall be observed and kept in manner and form following The Pardons Indulgences and Jubilee and plenary Remissions granted to such as visit the Altar where the blessed Sacrament and precious Body of Jesus Christ is placed in the said Church of St. Hilary upon the days in the year and
Charles the second King of Sicily and Apulia dyed also After the death of Pope Gregory X. the first conclave was in Arezzo where the Pope dyed The Guards lasted but one night for the same night the Cardinals entred they agreed to chuse Pietro Farantasio a Burgundian and Dominican Fryar Pope who took upon him the name of Innocent V. Innocent was crown'd in Rome forty days after his Election After the death of Innocent which happened in the year 1276. six months exactly after his Election Alexander V. who succeeded him being created in Rome with all the formalites of the conclave revoked the order established by Gregory concerning the affairs of the conclave though in due form it had the approbation of a general Council Divers other succeeding Popes were all created according to the order observed before the time of Gregory X. King Philip the third dyeth having reigned fifteen years and lived forty of his first Wife Isabel he had Philip and Charles remaining Philip his eldest Son was King of France after him Charles was Earl of Valois of Alanson and of Perche Father to that Philip of Valois who in his course shall succeed to the Crown Fryar John of Paris a Doctor in Divinity of the Order of predicants wrote about the year 1280. Joann Paris in Tract de potest Regia Papal in pro. In his Tract of the Royal and Papal power he saith I am of opininion that truth it self hath made a medium here namely that it is not utterly impossible that Clergy-men have Dominion and Jurisdiction in Temporal matters but yet it belongs not unto them by reason of their profession and as Christ's Vicars and the Apostles successors but is convenient for them to have it by the grant and permission of Princes if so be they have bestowed it upon them out of devotion or if they have got it by other means And in the eighth Chapter he sets down this conclusion Whence it appears that seeing Christ as Man had no power nor jurisdiction in Temporal matters the Priest be what he will hath not received any power over them from Christ inasmuch as he did not give unto them what he had not in himself Philip the fair now King of France was advised by the Princes and French Barons not to suffer the Pope to make any Ordinances belonging unto his Kingdom Du. Tillet en Padvis sur les libertez del eglise Gallicane p. 5. without the Council of him and his nor any new and unwonted thing to be brought in thither So saith Mr. John du Tillet in his advice concerning the Liberties of the Gallican Church And it is the very counsel which Eudeas Duke of Burgundy gave him which is yet to be seen in the Treasury of Chartres This King loved Justice and Learning wherein he was well instructed for that Age. His Wife Joan builded in her name that goodly Colledge of Navarr Peter Morone an Hermit was chosen Pope and assumed the name of Celestine V. a Pope little practised in politick or Ecclesiastick affairs The Cardinals in short time by reason of the many errours that he fell into by his insufficiency for the Popedom made several Instances to him that he would spontaneously be pleased to renounce the Papacy and not expose the Church to so many perils Hereunto they were stirred up by the instigation of Benedetto Gaetano who was afterwards Boniface VIII Who was a Cardinal of great Learning and Experience but so extreamly ambitious of the Papacy that he left no Stone unturn'd to compass his designs And because he saw he might easily bring it about if Celestine would renounce he perswaded Celestine to resign laying it to him as a scruple of conscience telling him that at the day of Judgement it would be imputed to him if any ill did happen to the Church Gaetano likewise suborned some of Celestine's friends to make an hole corresponding with that part of the chamber in which the Pope's bed stood from whence they cryed all night long with a most dismal voice as if it had been the Judgement of Heaven Celestine Celestine lay down the Popedom for it is a charge too great for your abilities Celestine hereupon resigneth the Papacy in the sixth Month after his creation and returned to the Cell from whence he came The same day in which Celestine renounced the Cardinals without the form of the conclave chose the said Gaetan with open Votes He being declared Pope and having assumed the name of Boniface VIII began his Reign with so much insolence and Tyranny that in a short time he gain'd the Title of Nero II. A great Assembly meet in the City of Gramont Anno 1296. Where Adolph the Emperour Edward King of England the Duke of Austria John Duke of Brabant the Earl of Juliers and his Son John Earl of Holland and Henuault Robert Earl of Nevers William Henry and Guy of Flanders unanimously resolve to make War against King Philip. The colour was to maintain Guy Earl of Flanders unjustly afflicted by Philip who had violently taken and stoll'n away his Daughter and detained her against the right of Nations refusing to restore her to her Father It was decreed that Guy should begin by force and be well seconded by the Emperour and the English But before they come to Arms Pope Boniface should make the first point by the lustre of his Authority This Pope commandeth Philip by his Nuncio to restore to the English and Flemmings what they demanded and for not obeying he cites him to appear at Rome upon pain of Excommunication Philip sends an honourable Embassage to Rome by the Arch-Bishop of Rhemes and the Earl of St. Paul to lay open his right against the Deputies of the King of England and the Earl of Flanders who were then at Rome to complain as being wronged All parties being heard Boniface decreeth that Philip should yield unto Edward and to Guy all they demanded both in Guienne and Flanders charging the Arch-Bishop of Rhemes to signifie this Bull unto the King upon pain of Excommunication for not obeying Philip being undaunted prepares to defend himself invades Flanders and defeats the Flemmings seizeth upon all Flanders and the Earl of Flanders is forsaken by his confederates Guy with his children and followers are imprisoned in sundry places in France under sure guards Philip getting Flanders and uniting it to the Crown of France He comes to Gaunt where he is received as their Soveraign appointing James of Chastillon Lord of Leuse and Condè for Governour and Lieutenant-General and so returneth to Paris The people of Flanders being oppressed revolt from Philip. All the Cities Gaunt excepted make an offensive and defensive League against King Philip and for their Earl's delivery At Bruges the French are slain by their Hosts The Nobility joyn with the people Philip prepares an Army of 40000 Men but even at his entry into Flanders returns again His sudden retreat incensed this mutinous people more
Cognard a Professour of the Reformed Religion for writing a Book by order and with approbation of the Synod of Normandy in answer to a book full of calumniations and falsities written by a Physitian of that place who from a Protestant had a little before turned Papist And the said Archbishop by his violent persecution having obliged the said Cognard to leave this City by a just judgement of God who useth ordinarily to punish men in the very things wherein they have sinned He the said Archbishop fell into the same pit which he had digged for another having at Roven published a most dangerous Pamphlet containing this seditious doctrine That it is lawful to fall on the Hereticks and granting either by his Archiepiscopal authority or otherwise an Indulgence or Pardon of an hundred years to any one that should fall on any pretended Heretick This cursed doctrine coming to the knowledge of the French Court and the dangerous consequences of it having been there seriously weighed the King sent order to the Duke of Longueville Governour of that Province to apprehend the said Archbishop but he timely hearing of it ran away and absented himself from thence An English man was imprisoned at Bourdeaux having been taken as he was endeavouring to seduce divers persons to turn to the Sect and Opinions of the Quakers a thing not heard of in France before that time Great talk was in Paris of a Miracle which they say hapned in the Monastery of Port-royal in that City upon one that was a Pensioner belonging to that Monastery who was said to have been cured of a Fistula in the eye called Fistula lachrymalis by the touch of one of the thorns which the Priests say was taken out of the Crown of our blessed Saviour But how it came into France I cannot tell you And albeit in this prying age the Church of Rome hath not been very forward to broach any new miracles especially on this side the Alpes yet this hath been much cried up The Grand Vicar of the Arch-bishoprick of Paris was the first that was Patron of it and afterward it was approved by the Curat of S. Severin the present grand Vicar assisted therein by five Doctors of the Sorbon and a publick mass and thanksgiving was celebrated for it Hereupon many were drawn to the said Monastery to be cured by the holy Thorn The Assembly of the Clergy lay so heavy with their importunities upon the King that it was yielded at length that a Declaration should be issued forth contrary to the sence of former Declarations which were made in favour of the Protestants Hereupon the Parliament of Tholouse proceeded so far as to ratifie the said Declaration against the Protestants of France and ordered that two Counsellours should go into upper and lower Languedoc to put it in Execution and to cause such Churches to be demolished as had been built since the Wars Soon after the Bishop of Soissons died a Prelate of much reputation who had served King Henry IV. in the quality of Almoner He was promoted to the said Bishoprick in the year 1623. He had the honour to consecrate the present King at his Coronation Since the Declaration forementioned another Declaration of the French King was published at Paris in behalf of the Protestants intimating that the Edict of Nantes should be punctually observed and that two Commissioners one Protestant one Papist should repair to the places where any innovations or contraventions had been made to reform the same Some Bishops of the Assembly of the Clergy viz. those of Montauban and Alby represented to the said Assembly that the answer made in the behalf of the Protestants to the late speech of the Archbishop of Sens ought to be burnt as a Book pernicious and injurious to the King as they reported and other Bishops affirming the contrary for the proving of the truth the same answer was read in their Assembly by the Secretary from one end to the other and upon reading of it the Assembly concluded thâ—t there was no just ground therein to complain of it to the King and so the said Assembly dissolved without prosecuting the business any farther at that time Not long after a certain Popish Priest discoursing one day with a French Protestant with design to draw him over to the Church of Rome he thought he had brought him into a very hopeful way when the Protestant had told him that all the Protestants in France would submit themselves to the Pope if the Pope would submit himself to the Councils to whom the Priest replyed it will be necessary then that a Council be called and such rules established by common consent as shall be thought necessary for the Government of the Church To which the Protestant replyed a little fiercely How will the Pope observe the Decrees of a Council that cannot be kept â—rom violating the Precepts of the Gospel but if you will undertake to bring the Pope to a submission to them I do not question to convert all of my Religion to the Pope for to tell you the truth Sir I hold one as feasible as the other After the taking of Dunkirk by the English and French and put into the hands of the English Crequi is sent Embassador to O. Cromwel with Mazarine's Nephew in his pompous train Cromwel died not long after Divers places in Flanders were surrendered to the French but amidst these prosperous successes the French King falls into a Fever at Calais judged to be mortal Supplications were made for him at all Altars and prayers for his recovery were publickly enjoyned Mazarine day and night sate by his bed side to make him governable in taking Physick which he would taste himself either to take off the unpleasantness or to make proof of it The eleventh day accounted Critical the King seemed at the point of death could scarcely life up his eyes that now appeared almost set in his head His Majesty having Antimony with judgement given him by Geunault recovered and being conveyed to Paris pay'd his Vows in Nostre-Dame Church An heart of massy Gold was hung upon the wall as an oblation afterwards to confirm his health he removed to Fontainbleau Mazarine stayed some time behind to advance the siege of Graveling The taking of Graveling was the last Monument of the French glory before the conclusion of the peace At twenty four Sessions the business of the peace between France and Spain was compleated and at length on November 7. 1659. the Articles agreed on by the two Ministers were signed and published The Cardinal at Tholouse rendered the King and Queen an account of the peace concluded whereat they received much satisfaction From hence the Court made a Progress into Provence till the King of Spain should come with his daughter who was to be married to the French King to compose the disorders at Marseilles which had broken out about the Priviledges of their Consuls Gaston Duke of Orleans born of Henry IV. and
they are circumcised and in Qu. 5. he saith They call themselves Christians of the first Conversion Phocas a mean Captain in Thracia in a sedition of the people did kill his Soveraign Mauritius the Emperour usurped the Crown and held the Empire seven years He gave unto Pope Boniface the Title of Universal Bishop which Title Gregory his Predecessour had disclaimed Gregory devised many new Rites yet tied not others to follow them For when Augustine whom he sent into Britain demanded of him seeing the Faith is one why are the customes of the Church divers and why is one sort of Mass in Rome and another in France Gregory answereth Thy Brotherhood knows the custome of the Roman Church in which thou hast been nourished but it pleaseth me whether in the Church of Rome or of France or in any other thou hast seen any thing that may please the Almighty God that thou diligently follow it In France the two Sons of Childebert Teodorick and Theodebert their Grandmother Brunehault working that thing reigned with perpetual disagreement among themselves and with Clotharius Theodebert being overcome by his Brother in Battel Anno 612. is slain by his own Soldiers at Colonia Theodorick dieth the year following Brunehault being hated of the French Anno 613. Clotharius having obtained the whole Kingdom of the French bound Brunehault with a Cable rope led her about with wild Horses and tare her to pieces Thus by God's judgement She died most justly who had cruelly caused many others to die Thus died Brunehault only commended in Histories to have built many Temples and given great revenues for the maintenance thereof De Serres Hist whilst she wallowed in her pleasures St. Gregory hath set down certain Letters of his to Brunehault wherein he commends her highly though basely flattering her for her Piety and singular Wisdom Clotharius seeing himself King of so great a Monarchy after a long and horrible confusion of intestine wars used all diligence to pacifie the Realm He augmented the great Authority of the Maires of the Palace who controlled Kings and in the end usurped the Royalty whereas they were before but Controllers of the King's House not of the Realm He had one only Son whose name was Dagobert He committed him to Arnulph Bishop of Metz a learned and good man to be instructed by him Petries Church-Hist in Cent. 7. Agrestin who had been Clerk to King Theodorick entred the Abby Lexovien with all his wealth but he soon became weary of the superstitious Rites and left the Abby Then went he to Aquileia which then was not under the Romish yoke and from thence he wrote unto Eustasius Abbot of Lexovien against the Rites of the Monks exhorting him to reject those Rites Eustasius and his Convent exclude him out of their Society For removing this Controversie was Assembled the fourth Council at Matiscon in Burgundy there Agrestin accuseth Eustasius of many superstitious Ceremonies contrary to Canonical Institution viz. That they did use to lick a Cockle marked with a Cross and used Hallowings when they went in or out of an house Catal. Test Verit Lib. 7. Ex Vit. Eustas Abb. they multiplied Prayers and Collects in the Mass they ridiculously cut off their hair and abstained from the company of men but the Bishops condemned Agrestin Hence we see that some persons did not allow the Rites creeping in and the Inventers of them were but private persons and the Abetters were pleased with the least shadow of Reason Clotharius dieth in the year 631. having Governed 44 years from his cradle and passed happily through many perillous difficulties He left his Son Dagobert for his Successour Dagobert at his coming to the Crown found great difficulties among his Subjects being bred up without Justice under the long licentiousness of Civil Wars and the lenity of Clothaire whereto he provided wisely reducing Justice fortifying it by his Authority with so good a moderation as no man was offended at his severity neither durst any man attempt any thing against the Laws seeing both the reign and the rod in the hands of their Lawful Prince To this good Order he professed to love holy things and the better to confirm this Opinion in the minds of his Subjects he built and enriched many Temples especialy that of St. Denis the which hath since been the Sepulchre of the French Kings This King was much ruled by the forenamed Arnulph Bishop of Metz and by Pepin Major of the King's Palace This Pepin was Grandfather to that Pepin who was the first King of the second Race of the French Kings Fabian's Chron. Part. 5. and began to deal absolutely in the Government of the Realm Dagobert and all his Realm were in great honour and tranquillity till the death of Arnulph after which the King began to change his conditions to the hurt of his whole Realm There were at this time great numbers of Jews in France the which were hurtful to the Realm Dagobert banished them by a perpetual Edict out of the Territories under his obedience But this Zeal of Religion was blemished with the soul blot of Adultery which made him infamous both to his Subjects and to Strangers Amandus Bishop of Paris reproved him for his fault but Dagobert impatient thereof banished him Yet by the earnest perswasion of Pepin he yielded to Reason and having dismissed many of his lewd followers he calleth home Amandus again from banishment Amandus was a man famous for Holiness in those dayes At that time Austregesil was Bishop of Bitures Lupus Bishop of Sens Bavo was converted from a robber by Amandus Columban likewise being much vexed by Brunehault lived under Clotharius and his Scholar Gallus Projectus was a Martyr in Aquitain he was successour to Serenus Bishop of Marseilles Dagobert having Assembled the Estates of France in great solemnity at Byguage he made his Testament and Ordained that he made his younger Son Clovis King of France Fabian's Chronic and his elder Son Sigebert King of Austrasia or Lorain His Testament he had caused before to be written in four sundry skins endented to be read and then sealed with certain seals whereof the one he willed to be kept in the Treasury of St. Denis the second in the Treasury of the City of Lions the third in the Treasury of Metz in Lorain and the fourth in the Kings Treasury Dagobert died having Reigned fourteen years and was buried in the foresaid Monastery To maintain the invocation of Saints the Papists say that at that time the soul of Dagobert King of France was delivered out of the hands of the Devil by Dionysius and Maurice Martyrs and Martin the Confessor whom Dagobert had Adored A Council was Assembled in a Town of France Symson's Church-Hist Lib. 4. Cent. 7. called in Latin Altissidorum vulgarly Auxerre in which were met a number of Abbots and Presbyters with one Bishop and three Deacons In this Council they condemned Sorcery and the consulting with
c. The fifth that unity and concord shall be kept in the Church because we have one common Father in Heaven one Mother viz. the Church on Earth one Faith one Baptism and one Celestial inheritance prepared for us c. The sixth and seventh Canons entreat of Orphanes and poor People whose weakness is to be supported The eighth Canon recommendeth unity to be kept betwixt men in spiritual Offices and Civil Judges The ninth and tenth Canons prescribe to the Clergy Precepts of a modest and sober life with abstinence from the delicate pleasures of the world from theatrical spectacles from pomps and unhonest banquets Usury Avarice and Ambition Deceit and Conjurations and many other sins were also restrained I pass by the Precepts concerning the behaviour of Monks and Nuns and the fabrick of their dwelling places In the 32 Canon the difference between 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 and 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 is set down In the 33th the great Litany or Rogations to be observed three dayes by all Christians with fasting sack-cloth ashes walking bare-footed and all kind of humble carriage In the 34 35 and 36 publick fastings and keeping of festival dayes is commanded In the 37 That the Sabbath-day be kept holy that in it no Merchants wares be sold and no criminal cause be judged In 38. and 39 That Tithes be precisely paid and men fleeing to Churches for safeguard are not to be violently drawn out from thence In the 40 In Churches and the porches thereof let no secular judgement be exercised In the 41 That no Ancient Church be spoiled of Tithes and Possessions for the building of new Oratories In the 42 concerning Church-rents bestowed for reparation and upholding of Churches In 44 That no Priest say Mass himself alone for if he have none but himself how can he say Dominus vobiscum or sursum corda or other such passages All frequent offering of the sacrifice of the Mass and presenting of the Paxe is recommended to Christian people In 45 That every person be acquainted with the Creed and the Lord's Prayer and that every one at least learn them in their own vulgar language In 46 That they who continue in drunkenness be excommunicated In 47 That Godfathers shall see that their spiritual Children be brought up in the true Faith In 48 That lascivious songs be not sung in Churches In 49 The cohabitation with Women is forbidden to all the Clergy In 50 That all Bishops Abbots and Church-men have such Agents in their affairs who are men that fear God and hate all unrighteous dealing In 51 That the dead bodies of the Saints be not transported from place to place without the advice of the Prince of the Countrey or the Bishop and Synod In 52 That no dead body shall be buried within the Church except the body of a Bishop or of an Abbot or of a worthy Presbyter or of a faithful Laick person In 53 That incestuous persons be separated from the fellowship of the Church except they be penitent In 54 55 and 56 Marriage in the fourth degree of consanguinity is forbidden and that no man shall marry his God-daughter nor spiritual Sister neither the Woman whose Son or Daughter he hath led to the Sacrament of confirmation And in case they be found to be married they shall be separated again And no man shall take in marriage his Wives Sister neither shall a woman marry her Husband's Brother Of the Council of Rhemes A Council was also Assembled at Rhemes by the Commandment of Charles the Great Anno 813. In this Council Wulfarius the Arch-Bishop was President forty four Canons are rehearsed in the second Tome of Councils made in this Council In the 1. Canon it was concluded That every man should diligently acquaint himself with the Articles of his Faith 2. That he learn the Lords Prayer and understand the meaning of it 3. That every man in holy Orders shall walk worthily according to his Calling 4. The Epistles of St. Paul were read to give instructions to Sub-Deacons how they should behave themselves 5. The Gospel was read to give instruction to Deacons to Minister worthily in their Office 6. Ignorant Priests are instructed to celebrate the Service with understanding 7. They are also instructed how to prepare the Catechumeni to the Sacrament of Baptism 8. The holy Canons were read out of the Decretal of Innocentius for ordering the lives of Chanons 9. The Rule of St. Benedict was read to reduce Abbots and their Convents to a remembrance of their Order 10. The Pastoral Book of Gregory was read to admonish Pastors of their Duty 11. Divers sentences of the Ancients were read to admonish both Prelates and People to a holy life 12. Then they set down a form of receiving confessions and prescribing of penance according to the Canonical institutions 13. They reasoned about the eight principal vices that every one might know what vices to eschew and teach others to beware of the same 14. That Bishops should take heed to the reading of the Books of Canonical Scripture and the Books of Fathers and should attend upon the preaching of the Word of God 15. That Bishops should preach the Sermons and Homilies of the Holy Fathers so as the People might understand them 16. The sixteenth Canon is coincident with the twelfth 17. That Bishops and Abbots permit no man to solace the company with filthy jesting in their presence but that the poor be refreshed at their Tables with Lectures of Divine Scripture and praising of God 18. In the 18th Gluttony and Drunkenness is forbidden to the Ministers of God 19. That no Bishop judge rashly in things secret which are to be referred to the judgement of God 20. Presbyters shall not transport themselves from a low place to a greater 21. Whosoever by giving money procureth a preferment in the Church shall be deposed 22. No Church-man shall cohabit with a Woman except it be with his Mother or Sister or such like person by whose company no suspicion of uncleanness can arise 35. That the Sabbath-day be kept holy and no servile work be done in it 36. That no man bestow upon the Church that thing which he hath fraudulently taken from others 37. Nor yet by lies and deceit withdraw any thing duly belonging to the Church 38. That Tithes be precisely paid 39. That no man receive rewards for his Decree and Sentence 40. That Prayers be made for the Emperour and his Noble Race 41. In the 41 Canon mention is made of a certain Rent left by King Pepin which they wish the Emperour Charles should not alter nor transfer into another summ lest many perjuries and false testimonies might ensue 42. That no man should be removed from his Mansion to whom the Emperour's Almes is distributed 43. That the Statute may be confirmed by his Highness's allowance whereby all contentions are Ordained to have an end 44. That the Statute made in Bononia concerning false witnesses may be ratified
his race as an out-cast of great Charlemagne Lewes V. reigned one year only and dyed without Heir leaving his place void in troubles of State and confusion of times horribly corrupted unto the House of Hugh le grand Earl of Paris God had prepared the means both for the Father to lay the foundation and for his Son Hugh Capet appointed for the Regal Dignity to finish this goodly building Now cometh in the third race of the Kings of France called Capets of the name of Hugh Capet Charles Duke of Lorrain was first Prince of the Blood-royal he was Son to Lewes IV. Brother to Lothair Unckle to Lewes V. the last King to whom the fundamental Laws of France did adjudge the Crown But Hugh Capet was chosen King by the French assembled in Parliament and Charles Duke of Lorrain was rejected from the Crown This change happened in July Anno 987. This new King was sirnamed Capet or Capitosus either for that he had a great Head or that being young he was accustomed to catch at his Companions caps as a presage of that he should do unto Kings Otho and Henry two other Sons of Hugh le grand were Dukes of Burgundy one after another his other Sons were advanced to Ecclesiastical Dignities the one Arch-Bishop of Tholouse the other of Rovan and another dyed young Charles of Lorrain gathered an Army and entring France came to the City of Laon within which City he by the Treason of Anselm the Bishop of that City was taken and delivered with his Wife and Children into the hands of his Enemies Hugh being crowned King causeth his Son Robert to be crowned King at Rhemes Anno 990. three years after his Father's election Hugh decreeth that the elder Son should reign alone among his Brethren and suppresseth the Majors of the Palace He likewise decreed that hereafter Bastards should not be only rejected from the Crown but also from the sir-name of France the which before was allowed them To him likewise are due the goodly Ordinances of Justice Paris was the chief place of Hugh's residence which City was greatly augmented and beautified in his Reign Arnulph Bastard to Lothair was the only Man which had favoured Charles of Lorrain against Hugh Capet This Man was both perverse and disloyal having deceived both Charles of Lorrain and Hugh Capet who had given him the Arch-bishoprick of Rovan in recompence of the service he promised him against Charles to whom notwithstanding contrary to his Faith he gave means to seize upon the Cities of Rhemes Laon and Soissons Hugh therefore resolves to suppress Arnulph but respecting his quality he assembled a National Council of the French Church in the City of Rhemes This Assembly deposed Arnulph as guilty of Treachery and a troubler of the publick quiet and they substitute Gilbert in his place who had been School-master unto Robert Afterwards Hugh confines him to Orleans with Charles of Lorrain there to end his days in rest The Prelates of France in this Synod made a Declaration that the Popes have nothing to do to usurp the power and authority of Kings Arnalt Bishop of Orleans maintained in that Synod that the Popes have no power at all over the Bishops of France so as to have any cognizance of Cases belonging to them and he declaimed most stoutly against the avarice and corruption of the Court of Rome Seguin Arch-Bishop of Sens was sent also to Orleans to be imprisoned because he consented not freely to the deposition of Arnulph Pope John 12. being displeased with Hugh for that he had not appealed to him for his confirmation in this new Royalty disanulleth this Decree of the Council of Rhemes excommunicates the Bishops which had assisted restores Arnulph and deprives Gilbert of the Arch-bishoprick of Rovan and to temper this sharp and rough proceeding with some lenity he doth invest Gilbert with the Arch-bishoprick of Ravenna And this was a means to raise him to the dignity of Pope Acta Synodi Rhemensis Anno 990. The Acts of this Council of Rhemes under Hugh Capet have these words Poor Rome What clear lights of Fathers hast thou brought forth in the time of our Predecessors What horrible darkness hast thou poured out upon our times which will redound to our shame and dishonour in future Ages The Pope threatens his curse against Hugh and his Son Robert The King returned Answer that he had done nothing in contempt but that he was willing to justifie what He or his Bishops had done if it pleased the Pope to meet him at Gratianople on the Frontiers of Italy and France or if rather he would come into France he promised to receive him with the highest honour The Pope sent his Legates into France Gerebert Arch-Bishop of Rhemes sent an Epistle unto Seguin forementioned who was said to favour the deposed Arnulph the tenour whereof is Morn in Myst iniqu It became your worthiness to eschew the craftiness of deceitful men and to hear the voice of the Lord saying Here is Christ Hist Magdeb. in Actis Synodi or there is Christ follow not One is said to be in Rome who justifieth those things which ye condemn and condemneth those things which ye think just God saith If thy Brother offend against thee go and rebuke him How then say some that in the deposition of Arnulph we should have waited the determination of the Romish Bishop can they say that the Judgement of the Bishop of Rome is greater than the Judgement of God But the Prince of the Apostles saith We must obey God rather than Man St. Paul also cryeth If any Man Preach unto you otherwise than what you have received although he were an Angel from Heaven let him be accursed Because Pope Marcellinus offered Incense unto Idols should therefore all Bishops offer Incense I say boldly that if the Bishop of Rome himself sin against a Brother and being often admonished will not hear the Church even the Roman Bishop according to the command of Christ should be esteemed as an Heathen and a Publican for the highest rise hath the lowest fall And if he think us unworthy of him because none of us assenteth to him when he judgeth contrary to the Gospel he cannot therefore separate us from the Communion of Christ seeing even a Presbyter unless he confess or be convict should not be removed from his Office c. The Priviledges of St. Peter saith Leo the Great are not where Judgement is not exercised according to Righteousness Wherefore occasion should not be given unto these our envyers that the Priesthood which is one every where as the Catholick Church is one should be subject unto one Man that if he be corrupt with Money favour fear or ignorance none can be a Priest except whom these virtues recommend unto him Let the Law of the Catholick Church be common Farewel and suspend not your selves from the sacred Mysteries Pope John had intelligence of this Letter and summoned the
partly otherwise slain partly sent to the Galleys twenty five persons that fled into a Cave near the Town of Mussy were smothered to death with smoak Certain of the Helvetians sued unto the French King to favour the Waldenses but no entreaty would serve But the bloody Tyrant Minerius the Governour of Provence escaped not the just Judgement of God for God smote him with a terrible Disease and he felt as it were a fire burning him from the Navel upward and the lower parts were rotten and consumed away with Vermine with an extream stink and profusion of Blood in place of his Urine and so with great torments he ended his wretched Life Lewes de Vaine Brother-in-law to the said Minerius the President and also the Brother and the Son-in-law to Peter Durant Master Butcher of the Town of Aix these three did slay one another upon a certain strife that fell between them And upon the same day the Judge of Aix who accompanied Minerius in the same persecution as he returned homewards going over the River of Durance was drowned By an Ordinance of this King Francis I. dated January 15. 1546. the Visitation of the Hospitals and other charitable places is committed to the Judges Royal Voyes le recueil des ordonnances fait par Fontanon Tom. 4. Tit. 27 des malad Hospit ca. 4 Ordinaries of the place where such Hospitals are scituate All Governours and Administrators of Hospitals or other charitable Foundations shall be compelled by our Judges of the places next adjoyning to give up their accounts of the Revenues and Administration of the said Hospitals by what Title soever they hold them together with the Charters and Titles of their Foundation if they have any within two months after the publication of these presents Whom we Command and expresly enjoyn every one respectively within his Precincts and Jurisdiction that immediately after the publication of these presents they visit the said Hospitals and charitable Foundations Orontius Fineus was professor of the Mathematicks at Paris at this time to enquire of the Revenue Estate and reparation of the places and the number of beds and poor people whom they shall find there There were four Stevens French-men Henry the Father and Robert his Son Henry Robert's Son and Paul the Son of that Henry all learned Men and Printers Robert Stevens not only Printed but made many excellent works himself His Thesaurus Linguae Latinae is incomparable Antoine du Verdier in his Bibliotheque commends him and this Work Gesner Bibliothec Dictionarium seu Latinae Linguae Thesaurus non singulas modò Dictiones continens sed integras quoque Latinè loquendi scribendi formulas ex optimis quibusque Latinae Linguae Scriptoribus Opus excusum parisiis apud Authorem divisum in Tomos tres Anno 1542. He published an Edition of the Latin Bible wherein he had conferred the copies that were in use at that time with some old Manuscripts and according to them he amended some errours The University took this ill that he had attempted to change the Translation He defended himself that he had changed nothing but had Printed according to old Copies which he had by him His answer was tolerable in the Judgement of reasonable men Nevertheless they pursue him before the Court of Paris and do petition that he may be burnt In respons Rob. Steph. ad censuram Theologot Paris pag. 109. But their petition was burnt Then he printeth the Bible retaining the corrupt Translation and in the Margin he addeth the words of the Manuscripts with Notes shewing the Copies whence he had these words These do accuse him before King Francis and his Council but were put to shame and silence Then he Printed the ten Commandements in great Letters and in such a form that they might be fixed upon Walls of Houses for common use and so did he with a sum of the Bible This did provoke them yet more especially because he had Printed the second Commandement Thou shalt not make unto thy self any graven Image c. And they accuse him But the King gave him a Warrant to reprint both the Ten Commandements and the sum of the Bible both in Latin and French They summoned him to appear before them saying that his work was worse than the Teaching of Luther Fifteen persons did approve him and added their seals unto his attestation So the most of them seeing the King's Warrant and that attestation were ashamed and their Deputies did assoil him R. Stevens did first distinguish the Verses of the Bible with Arithmetical figures Henry Stevens his Thesauri Linguae Graecae and his other works shew his great abilities Scaevola Samarthanus in his second Book of Epigrams hath these Verses In Gellii Noctes Atticas ad H. Stephanum Quis Stephanum esse neget Phoebi de semine cretum Obscuris adfert noctibus ille diem Henry Stevens Robert's Son made also the Greek Concordance Beda's Works were Printed in three Tomes at Paris Anno 1545. At this time flourished Francis Vatablus Regius Prefessor of the Hebrew Tongue in Paris King Francis ordered him to expound the old Testament out of the Original and his Hearers did write his exposition and his Annotations The King's Printer dealeth with the Hearers and receives from them a new Translation which he printeth with the old Translation and with the Annotations This work being perfected in the year 1545. he sheweth it unto some of the University entreating them to shew him if any part thereof had not been rightly observed by the Hearers to the end if there be any thing amiss he may amend it They do approve the work and assure him that no evil could proceed from the Lectures of Vatablus But the Books being sold some observed that the Translation and the Annotations were contrary unto the present Doctrine of the University and therefore the Books should not be sold seeing they were Printed without the knowledge of the Faculty The Printer goeth unto the Court and sheweth Peter Castellan Bishop of Mascon that the University was offended and intend to hinder the selling of his Books He seeing the Bishop doubtful what advice to give saith if the Divines will give him their censure he is willing to Print it with the Bible and he will neither be ashamed nor take in ill part to advertise the Reader of whatsoever errour is in the Book This overture did please the Bishop and he relates all unto the King who willeth the Bishop to write in his name unto the University that they shall revise the Translation and the Annotations and note what doth not please them and subjoyn unto every fault a reason of their Judgement and deliver their censure to be printed either apart or with the Bible Castellan writes so unto them and they promise to obey But they were often required to deliver their censure They evade it and send unto the Divines of Lovain entreating them to reckon that Translation among
commanding that one should be celebrated every ten years His opinion was followed by Ludovicus Faber and some others Anno du Bourge did add that many villanies were committed condemned by the Laws for punishment whereof the rope and fire were not sufficient viz. frequent blasphemies against God perjuries Adulteries not only secret but even cherished with impudent license making himself to be plainly understood that he spake not only of the Grandees of the Court but of the King himself also adding that while men lived thus dissolutely divers Torments were prepared against those who were guilty of nothing but of publishing to the World the vices of the Church of Rome and desiring an amendment of them In opposition of all this Egidius Magister the prime President spake against the new Sects concluding that there was no other remedy but that which was formerly used against the Albigenses of whom Philip Augustus put to death six hundred in one day and against the Waldenses who were choaked in the caves whither they retired to hide themselves All the voices being given the King said he had how heard with his own Ears that which before was told him that the contagion of the Kingdom doth hence arise that there are in the Parliament who do despise the Pope's Authority and His that he well knoweth they are but few but the cause of many evils Therefore he exhorted those who are good Subjects to continue in doing their duty and immediately gave order that Faber and du Bourg should be imprisoned and afterwards caused four more to be apprehended in their houses But at the same time as if there had been no danger at all the Ministers of the Reformed for so the Protestants are called in France assembled in Paris in the Suburbs of St. German made a Synod in which Francis Morellus the chief man among them was President ordaining divers constitutions of the manner of holding Councils of removing the domination in the Church of the Election and Offices of Ministers of censures of Marriages of Divorces of degrees of consanguinity and affinity that throughout all France they might not only have an Uniform Faith but Discipline also And their courage did increase because the same of the severity used in France coming into Germany the three Electors and other Protestant Princes sent Ambassadours to the King to disswade him from that rigour against the professours of their Religion But the King though he gave them a courteous Answer yet remitted nothing of the severity but after the Ambassadours were gone he deputed four Judges of the body of the Parliament in the causes of the prisoners with the Bishop of Paris and the Inquisitor Anthony de Mocares commanding them to proceed with all expedition Nicholas Clinet one of the Elders of the Church at Paris and Taurin Gravelle a Lawyer and Advocate in the Court of Paris and elder of the same Church were both burnt at Paris Bartholomew Hector was burnt at Thurin Mistriss Philippa de Luns was strangled at Paris Anno 1558. after she had a little felt the Flame with her Feet and Visage Of the same company was also Nicholas Cene a Physician Brother to Philip Cene above-mentioned and Martyred at Diion and Peter Gabart which two were brought forth to their execution Octob. 2. They were holden long in the Air over a small fire and their lower parts burnt off before that the higher parts were much harmed with the fire Nevertheless these Holy Men ceased not in all these torments to turn up their eyes to Heaven and to shew forth infinite Testimonies of their Faith and constancy In the same fire many Bibles and Testaments were burnt Among divers young Scholars and Students that were in the little Castle with Peter Gabart there were these two viz. Frederick Danville and Francis Rebezies neither of them being past 20 years of Age. How valiantly they behaved themselves in the cause of Christ what conflicts they had disputing with the Doctors of Sorbonne what confessions they made their own Letters left in writing do make Relation these valiantly suffered Martyrdom Crispin li. 6. comment Gallic de Statu Relig. Reipub. Rene Seau and John Almerick were almost wracked to death in prison and afterwards both of them dyed in prison John Bordel Matthew Vermeil Peter Bourdon Andrew de Fou at the Countrey of Bresil were also Martyrs Villegaignon Lieutenant to the French King brought three of them to the top of a Rock and there being half strangled without any Judgement threw them into the Sea The fourth viz. Andrew de Fou he caused by manifold allurements somewhat to incline to his sayings so he escaped the danger not without a great offence taken of a great part of the French-men in that Countrey Benet Romain a Mercer at Draguignan in Provence was wracked and burnt Francis Civaux who had been Secretary to the French Ambassadour here in England in Queen Maries time after being desirous to hear the word of God went to Geneva Also he was placed to be Secretrary to the Senate of Geneva where he continued about the space of a year Having then certain business he came to Diion where he was betrayed by a Priest apprehended and carried to prison and within seven days after was first strangled and then burnt Peter Arondeau of Rochel was burnt quick at the place called St. John in Greve at Paris The Heroick constancy which God gave hâ—m and wherein he endured victorious unto death was a mirrour of patience to Anne du Bourg Counsellour in the Parliament of Paris and to divers other then prisoners and was to them a preparation toward the like death which shortly after they suffered Thomas Moutard was burnt at Valenciennes Divers others also suffered Martyrdom at Paris for the profession of the Gospel Philip the second King of Spain after the death of his Wife Mary Queen of England was married to Elizabeth eldest Daughter to King Henry II. Philibert Emmanuel Duke of Savoy married with Marguarite the King 's only Sister and Charles Duke of Lorrain with Claude a younger Daughter of Franoe The King yielded to Philip all that he had taken from him as well on this side as beyond the Mountains To the Savoyard he restored Bresse Savoy and Piedmont to the Genevois the Isle of Corse and about four hundred places more conquered during the late fatal Wars which had made so many Provinces desolate ruined so many Castles Towns and Villages drunk up so much Christian blood and slain so many millions of Men of all qualities retaining nothing but the Territories of Boullen and Calais The prisons were now full of the Protestants the Marriages of the King's Daughters and Sister were solemnized with all the pleasures and sports that could be devised The Court exceeded in sumptuous Plays Masks Dances and Bon-fires the people expressed publick joy by reason of the peace with loud acclamations in these ceremonies But this pleasant Comedy was converted by a sad
are granted only to the Brothers and Sisters of the said Fraternity which shall upon the days aforesaid every year visit the said Altar in the said Church of St. Hilary of Chartres in France upon which the blessed Sacrament and precious body of Jesus Christ is placed Medard Thiersault Priest Licentiat in the Laws Chanon of Chartres Official and Vicar-General both in the Spiritualty and Temporalty of the Reverend Father in God Monsieur Lewes by the Grace of God Bishop of Chartres To all and singular the Parsons and Vicars of the Churches within the City of Chartres sendeth greeting c. Pope Paul the third did heretofore of his own proper motion for the honour of the blessed Sacrament grant unto the Brothers of the Fraternity of the blessed Body of Jesus Christ in the Minerva of Rome certain Indulgences plenary remission of sins and other graces the good devotion and upon petition of the faithful Christian Brothers Which Indulgences and plenary remission of Sins our holy Father Julius III. Pope to the end that all Christians might come devoutly and honour the blessed Sacrament of his own Authority hath willed and decreed that they be of perpetual force and efficacy And these Indulgences and other graces aforesaid at the instance of the most noble Personage Mr. Christopher de Herovard the Lieutenant General of the Most Christian King within the Bailiwick of Chartres hath granted them to the Brothers and Sisters of the Fraternity of the blessed Body of Jesus Christ heretofore erected and instituted in the Church of St. Hilary of Chartres always provided that like grace and gift was not formerly granted to any other Church of the said City of Chartres And forasmuch as we have viewed the contents of the said Indulgence in the publick Instrument out of the Copy of Dominick Bishop of Hostia Cardinal of the hâ—ly Church of Rome by Title Traven Dean of the sacred Apostolical Colâ—ege Protectour and Patron of the Fraternity of the blessed Body of our Saviour founded in the Church of our Lady of Minerva of the order of Fryars Predicants in the City of Rome in manner of an exemplification published drawn signed and sealed by Genese Bulter Secretary to the said Fraternity Given at Rome May 6. 1550. And furthermore whereas by a certain declaration made unto the Court of Rome by the command and with the leave of the Reverend Father in God the Lord Bishop of Chartres and as it seems to us truly and lawfulâ—y made that 't is certain the like grace was never granted to any other Church in the City of Chartres Wherefore we command you to publish and cause to be published in your Churches the said Indulgences and the exemplifications of the Letters aforesaid according to their form and tenure Giving leave to the said Christopher de Herovard to cause the said graces and Indulgences to be published within the City and Church of Chartres whether by Siguis's or otherwise the same Herovard shall think good Given at Chartres under the seal of the Chamber of the said Bishop of Chartres Anno 1550. July 31. Subscribed P. le Seneux Pope Pius IV. in his Bull of the publication of the Council of Trent which was for the continuation of it bearing date December 30. 1560. sheweth in effect that it was begun continued and ended among the troubles in France and Germany And as Sleidan saith Sleidan l. 16. as soon as new broils were raised in the neighbouring parts of Germany and a great war was kindled in Italy and France the Council was afterwards suspended and adjourned After the suppression of the Conspirators forementioned in a secret Council held in the Kings chamber it is resolved to punish the favourers of the Conspiracy And to get the Favourers of the Hugonots into their power it was resolved to call an Assembly of the States at which among others the Princes of the Blood are to assist But the Queen-Mother and the Guises doubting more than ever new Insurrections the Prince of Conde who was as a prisoner is discharged of his Guard and set at liberty He presently departed from Court and went into Bearn to the King of Navarre The Constable the Admiral of France and the rest were entertained with kind Letters and Commissions and Charges of trust The dissensions and suspicions of the Grandees in France encreasing on the 21. of August the King called a very great Assembly at Fountainbleau The Assembly at Fountainbleau in which the necessities of the Kingdom were declared by the Chancellour which he compared to a man sick of an unknown disease Afterwards Jasper Coligni gave the King some Petitions which he said were delivered to him by a multitude of people when he was in Normandy The summ of them was That the faithful Christians dispersed throughout the whole Kingdom did pray his Majesty to look on them with a favourable eye that they desired a moderation of their punishments until their cause were heard and that they might make publick profession of their Religion to avoid suspicion by private Assemblies Then John Monluc Bishop of Valence shewed That the principal remedy of these distempers was to flie unto God to assemble godly men out of the whole Kingdom to find a way to root out the vices of the Clergy to forbid infamous and immodest Songs and instead of them to command the singing of Psalms and holy hymns in the vulgar tongue and if the common interpretation be not good to take away the errours suffering that which is good to be used by all Another remedy was the General Council alwaies used to compose such differences saying That if a General Council could not be obtained they were to assemble a National that they did grievously err who troubled the publick quiet with Arms upon pretence of Religion that their errour was as great who condemned to death those who adhered to the new Doctrine only for the opinion of piety who dying constantly and contemning the loss of their goods stir up the minds of the multitude and make them desirous to know what Faith that is for which they endure so great punishment Charles Marillac Bishop of Vienna spake in the same manner adding That the disease of France was so sharp that there was no time to call a Physician from far therefore they were to call a National Council Coligni added that requiring those who gave him the Petitions to subscribe them he was answered That five thousand men would subscribe if there were occasion Francis of Guise concerning the point of Religion said he referred himself unto the judgement of learned men but protested that no Council should make him decline one jot from the old belief The Cardinal of Lorain said That the Petitions presented were most proud and that to grant the Orators publick Exercise were to approve their Doctrine he said that the greater part used Religion for a pretence and therefore his opinion was they should be proceeded against with more
Avergne by force where the blood of the Inhabitants shed without pity by the Duke of Anjou confirmed the Protestants in the bad opinion they had conceived of him The Duke of Mayenne sends forth a Navy to Sea under the Command of Lansac which coming before the Isle of Ré retired seeing the Islanders resolved to fight if they approached The Rochellers Arm seven Ships those of the Islands five entreating aid from Holland and Zealand to withstand the force of the Fleet. The Nobility invite all others to charge themselves willingly for the maintenance of this Army Mayenne assaulteth Brovage a little square Town built in a Marsh recovered out of the Sea fortified during the third Peace and after the Rochellers had cut off six hundred of his men the Town for want of victuals entred into Capitulation and departed August 28. 1577. with their Arms and Baggage leaving the place at the Duke's devotion But a Peace was concluded at Poictiers and was in the end of September Proclaimed with great joy of either party This last Edict cut off some Articles of the former made no mention of Strangers left their consciences free yet without exercise of Religion but in Towns and places where then it was publickly used in the houses of Gentlemen Feudataries or as they call them de Haute justice free admission was given to every body but in the houses of private Gentlemen not above the number of seven was allowed and in a prefixed place in every jurisdiction and Baily-wick except in Paris and ten Leagues about it and two Leagues compass from the Court wheresoever it should be But the Marshal D'anville who every day withdrew himself further from the Protestants ceased not to prosecute those by whom he pretended to be injuried in Languedoc under colour of reducing the places of his Government under his own Command Nor did the Sieur des Diguieres in Dolphinè dare to trust the Peace nor hazard himself upon the King's word remembring what had befallen Monbrun in whose company he had made War and therefore still continued Armed for his security And the Papists when they saw the Protestants meet at their Sermons could not suffer them without murmurings and detractions which occasioned many contentions and sometimes dangerous bloody accidents whereby a great part of France though the Peace was made continued still in broyls and insurrections About that time the King created two Mareschals men valiant in War and very prudent in Government viz. Armand Sieur de Byron and Jaques Sieur de Matignon men free from the Interests of the Duke of Guise depending wholly upon the King's will And Renato di Birago the High Chancellour being made Cardinal Philip Hurault Viscount de Chiverny is chosen in his place In the year 1579. the King shews himself in publick for a mirrour of Reformation and Piety he builds many Monasteries Chappels and Oratories undertakes many Pilgrimages on foot confirms the brotherhood of Penitents erects tne Order of Jeronomites is daily conversant with the Capuchins and Fucillans called Jesuites and by their instructions erects many Congregations He carrieth a Crucifix and Beads in Procession with a Whip at his Girdle He causeth many Books of Devotion to be Printed And leads a Life more befitting a Cloyster than a Court. He institutes the Order of The Knights of the Holy Ghost binding them to Conditions which carry a strict bond to the Church of Rome The Duke of Anjou dies and now the King of Navarre is by quality the first Prince of the Blood and first Peer of France and most part of France cast their eyes upon him as upon the Sun rising This amazeth the Duke of Guise and his adherents they assemble the Heads of their house at St. Dennis and endeavour to renew the Catholique League which before was almost laid aside for seeing that the King ballanced the forces very carefully with those of the Hugonot Lords and that he would not suppress that party which as they believed he might easily have done and that under several pretences he devested all the dependants of both Factions of their places and honours to bestow them upon such as should acknowledge them meerly from himself they were the more highly incensed Nor could it satisfie them to see the King taken up with Religious thoughts and addicted to a quiet unactive life for they knowing his nature wherewith they had been conversant from his very Childhood interpreted that course of life to subtil deep dissimulation Wherefore the Duke of Guise a man of a very quick insight discerning judgement and high thoughts determined to prevent and not stay to be prevented In which resolution he was seconded by his Brother Louis the Cardinal a man of an high spirit and great wit as also by Henry of Savoy Duke of Nemours and Charles Marquess of San-Sorlin both Sons of Anna d'Esté and therefore his Brothers by the Mother Charles of Lorain Duke of Aumale and Claude his Brother a Knight of Jerusalem Charles of Lorain Duke d'Elbeuf Emanuel Duke de Mercure and his Brothers Only Charles Duke of Mayenne proceeded more slowly than the rest who thinking how dangerous it would be to hazard their safety by rash resolutions advised them to proceed with more patience and more respect toward the Lawful possessour of the Crown But the Duke of Guise resolute in his thoughts by the Authority of his Person Vivacity of his courage and Eloquence of his Language drew all the rest to his Opinion and excluding his Brothers advice setled all his thoughts upon the machinations of the League for the establishment whereof dissembling his discontents no less than his jeolousies and private interests he made shew of stirring only for the respects of Religion and the general good making an ill interpretation of all the King's actions and with many arts and circumstances aggravating that danger which he pretended hung over the Catholick Religion in France He grounded his fears upon the death of the Duke of Alançon and the Queens barrenness which in the space of ten years had had no Son whereby the King dying without heirs of the house of Valois the Crown fell to the Princes of Bourbon and in the first place to the King of Navarre whom he termed a relapsed Heretick and an open enemy to the Roman Religion He urged that his coming to the Crown would be the universal ruine of Religion and the total Conversion of all France to the Doctrine and Rites of Calvin and therefore shewed how all good Catholicks were obliged to look to it in time Davil Hist of the Civil Wars of France lib. 7. and to prevent the terrible blow of that imminent subversion He shewed that when sometimes he had been constrained to make War against the King of Navarre he employed the Mareschal de Byron who though a Catholick in outward appearance was yet by many former proofs known to be a favourer of the Hugonots and interessed in their Factions that therefore he
time flourished Jacobus Sirmondus a Learned French Jesuite he was Confessour to King Lewes XIII Dallaeus saith he was a most Learned and most diligent man Natione Gallus Biblioth societ Jesu A Philip. Alegamb edit Rector olim Collegii Parisiensis vir totius antiquitatis curiosus investigator Latine Graecéque impensè doctus in omni penè literarum genere excultissimus qui humaniores literas theologicas admodum decore conjunxit As for his Works there are his Eucharisticon pro Adventoria de Regionibus Ecclesiis suburbicariis Censura conjecturae Anon. Scriptoris de suburbicariis Regionibus Ecclesiis Propempticum Cl. Salmasio adversum ejus Eucharisticon and other Works of his We owe unto him saith Dr. Du Moulin the Works of Facundus an African Bishop who lived in the time of the Emperour Justinian Claudius Salmasius was a Learned French Critick Vir incomparabilis maximus Salmasius de primatu Papae post quem Homerum siquis Iliada conscribere velit inutilem laborem suscipiet Rivet Grot. Discus Dial. Sect. 5. Vir nunquam satis laudatus nec temerè sine laude nominandus Claud. Salmasius Voss de Orig. progress idol li. 4. ca. 91. Nostri seculi miraculum antiquitatis promus condus Gul. Rivet Praefat. ad vindic Evang. Non Galliae suae duntaxat sed jam hujus Bataviae ingens decus atque adeo totius Reipublicae literariae praesidium Voss de anal li. 3. ca. 46. Clariss Salmasius notis ad Vopiscum ubi post Guilandinum Dalecampium in Plinium ac Scaligeri Diatribam adversus Guilandinum pulchrè indictaque aliis de hoc disserit argumento Voss de art Gram. li. 1. ca. 38. Vir alioquin ad literas summo honore tractandas illustrandas natus si modestiam adhibere arroâ—â—â—ti de se persuasione ac erga alios mdlignitate excussa mentem animi in iis sedulo occupare potuisset Herald animadvers in Salmas observat Ad jus Att. Rom. li. 2. ca. 7. Desiderius Heraldus a Learned French man hath written a Comment on Martial and the other Books forecited and other Learned Works Franciscus Vieta was a Learned French Mathematician There are his Opera Mathematica Vol. 2. Relatio Calendarii vere Gregoriani cum aliis opusc Vniversalium inspectionum ad Canonem Mathematicum lib. singularis De Aequatione recognitione emendatione Thuanus thus saith of him Vir ingeniosa profunda meditatione cujus vi nihil illi inaccessum in abstnusioribus scientiis nihil quod acumine mentis possit confici difficile confectus fuit Thuan. Hist Tom. 5. part 2. li. 129. Nicholas Vignerius was a Learned French Historiographer There are To. 3. de la bibliotheq Hist and other works of his vid. Thuan. Hist Tom. 5. li. 117. part 1. His Son Nicholas Vignerius was a Learned Divine He hath published an excellent Treatise in French styled Theatre de l'Antichrist and a Dissertation in Latine of the Excommunication of the Venetians against Cardinal Baronius And Theses of the satisfaction of Christ which Rivet highly commendeth and annexeth unto his own Disputations Benedict Turretine was also a Learned French man These Books of his are published in French Defense de la fidelité des traductions de la S. bible faictes a Geneve Recheute du Jesuite Plaigiaire Profit des Chastiments Quod adversus Petri Cottoni Jesuitae plagiariam Genevam manifestum fecit vir dum viveret doctissimus accuratissimus Benedictus Turretinus Andr. Rivet Apologet. pro vera pace Ecclesiae The Works of Cardinal David Du Perron are in four Volumes in Folio in French Replique A la Response du Serenissime Roy de la Grand Bretagne Les Diverses Oevres c. Du sainct sacrement de l'Eucharistie Les Ambassades Negotiations He is well answered by Du Moulin Rivet and Blondel The Jesuites seek to be incorporate in the University of Paris whom the University opposed by all means presenting a Petition unto the Queen Regent against them therein laying down at large their damnable Doctrine and strange Equivocations Hereupon Factions began in Paris some standing for others siding against the Jesuites But these Clouds were quickly dispersed and the State preserved for the continuance whereof Monsieuer Pasquier one of the Masters of Requests a man of great Learning and Judgement wrote unto her a Discourse of advice The Abbot of Bois in his Sermons treating of the Question Whether it be Lawful to kill a Tyrant and refuting Mariana's Book and others he made an exhortation to the Jesuites that they should hereafter have a great care that no Book should be published to the prejudice of France under the name of their Society nor with the approbation of their Superiour if they would not willingly expose themselves to those dangers which all their wisdoms fortified with the Authority of their confident friends could not avoid For this did the Jesuites complain and informed against him who answered for himself both wisely and discreetly October 17. the young King was Crowned at Rhemes by Cardinal Joyeuze On November 26. the Great Chamber the Turnelle and the Chamber of the Edict being assembled by a motion made by Monsieur Servin the King's first Advocate against Bellarmines Book touching the Pope's Temporal Power made a Decree against the same whereat the Pope's Nuncio did mightily storm On May 27. 1611. began the Assembly of the Reformed Churches at Saumur whereat many Dukes and Noblemen of the Reformed Religion were present where Du Plessis was chosen President Which Assembly was dissolved September 29. Monsieur de Bullion letting them understand that their Majesties had given him in charge to say that all their just requests should be favourably answered and whatsoever had been promised should be paid The Duke of Espernon to manifest his gratitude to King Henry III. his Master and Benefactor begged of the Queen Regent to give him leave to perform his Funeral Rites he having formerly after the death of the said King attended his Body to Compeigne where the misfortunes of War and the confusions of the times permitted not at that time the performance thereof The Queen readily consented to his request so that the Duke with a great company of Lords and Gentlemen went to fetch the body from Compeigne from whence he conveyed it to St. Dennis where it was deposited in the ancient Sepulchre of the Kings of France A little before his death the Duke caused a Marble Pillar one of the most excellent pieces of Architecture of these late times to be carried and set up in the Church of S. Clou wherein he was so curious as to make it to be wrought in his own house and almost in his own sight his design being to found a Revenue of a thousand Liuvres yearly for the service of the Chappel where it was erected which was also adorned with Pictures and paved with Marble at his own charge But some difficulties arising about the settlement of that foundation which