those that were stout of hand to lodge about him Now it was observed that armed men rambled up and down in the City every where and about the Louure also that the common people grumbled and gave forth threatning speeches The Admirall being informed of these things sent one to the King to tell him of it The King answered that there was no cause why Coligni should be affraid for that these things were done by his command to represse the motions of the people who were stirred up by the Guises and therefore bad him to rest assured It was also told Teligni that Porters were seen carrying Arms into the Louure but he slighted it saying that these were unnecessary suspitions the Arms being carried in for the winning of a Castle in the Louure that was built for sport Presently the Duke of Guise to whom the charge was chiefly committed to see the businesse executed calling together the Captains of the Popish Swissers and the Tribunes of the French bands late in the night he discovered to them what the will of the King was that the hour was come wherein by the Kings commandement punishments should be inflicted on the head and by consequence upon the whole faction of the Rebels that the beast was caught and entangled in the net and therefore they must do their endeavoer that he might not escape Be not therefore said he wanting to so fit an occasion of carrying home a most glorious triumph over the enemies of the Kingdom the victory is easie the spoils will be rich and great which you may obtain as the rewards of your good service without shedding your own blood Then were the Swissers placed about the Louure unto whom certain bands of French men were added and charge was given them that they should suffer none of the King of Navarrs nor of the Prince of Conde's men to come forth Cossen also was charged with his Harquibushiers to suffer none to come out of the Admirals house That evening Guercius with some others had profered Teligni to keep guard in the Admirals house suspecting danger but he told them that there was no need for them so to trouble themselves and so with gracious words dismissed them by which means it came to passe that none lodged in the Admirals house but Cornaton Labonnius Yolett the Master of his Horse Merlin his Chaplain Paraeus the Kings Chyrurgeon and some four or five Servants Teligni was gone to the next house where he lay with his Wife In the Admirals Court were the five Swissers whom the King of Navarr had sent him Then did the Duke of Guise send for John Caronius lately made Provost of Merchants whom he commanded to signifie to the Aldermen that they should bid those in their severall Wards to appear in Arms at the Town-house about midnight to understand the Kings pleasure He commanded also Macellus who was very gracious with the people to signifie to them that liberty was given them from the King to take arms to destroy Coligni and all the other Rebels that therefore they should see diligently that they spared none nor suffered them any where to be concealed That order should be taken to do the like in all other Cities of the Kingdom who would follow the example of Paris That the sign for the beginning the assualt should be the ringing of the little Bell in the Palace That the sign whereby they should know one another should be a white handkerchief about their left arm or a white crosse in their hats That therefore they should come armed in good numbers and with good courages taking care to have candles lighted in their windows that no tumult might arise before the sign was given And thus the Duke of Guise and the bastard of Engolisme did all they could that things might be effected according to the agreement At midnight the Queen-Mother fearing the Kings wavering who was somewhat startled at the horridnesse of the fact reproved him for it saying that by his delaies he would overslip so fair an occasion offered by God for the utter vanquishing of his enemies The King being netled with this which seemed to charge him with cowardlinesse commanded the matter to be put in execution which word the Queen-Mother speedily taking hold of caused the little Bell to be rung in St. Germanes Church about an hour before day Aug. 24. being St. Bartholmews day and on a Sabbath Presently the Duke of Guise with Engolisme and d' Aumal went to the Admirals house where Cossen watched and a noise being raised the Admirall was awakned with it and heard of a sedition yet rested secure relying upon the Kings word and favour But the tumult growing greater when he perceived a Gun to be discharged in his Court he then conjectured though too late that which was the truth and so rising out of his bed and putting on his night-gown he stood and prayed against the wall Then came a servant to Labonnius and told him that there was one at the door who by the command of the King desired to be brought to the Admirall Labonnius therefore taking the keys ran down and opened the door then did Cossen catch at him and stabbed him with his dagger and so with his Harquebushiers he set upon the rest killing some and chasing away others Thus all things were filled with noise and another door at the stair foot was easily broken open and one of the five Swissers sent by the King of Navarr was slain yet were the stairs so barricado'd with chests that he could not presently enter In the mean time Monsieur Merlin went to prayer with the Admirall and the rest and at the end thereof a servant coming in said to the Admirall Master It is God who calleth us to himself they have broken into the house neither is there any ability to resist Then said the Admirall I have prepared my self for death a good while ago shift you for yourselves if possibly you can for your endeavour to help me would be in vain I commend my soul into Gods hand It was observed that the Admirals countenance was no more troubled then if no danger were at hand Thuanus relates his words thus I perceive what is in doing I was never afraid of death and I am ready to undergo it patiently for which I have long since prepared my self I bless God that I shall die in the Lord through whose grace I am elected to an hope of everlasting life I now need no longer any help of man You therefore my Friends get ye hence so soon as ye can lest ye be involved in my calamity and your Wives hereafter say that I was the cause of your destruction The presence of God to whose goodness I commend my soul which will presently fly out of my body is aboundantly sufficient for me Then all his company gat up into an upper room and crept out at a window upon the tiles and by the
for their preferment So they returned to the old man and told him that the Fellows were all agreed and ready to do what he should prescribe and it rested now in him to prevent the danger that did threaten not only them in their particular concernments but the growing good and welfare also of the Colledge The poor man wist not what to do to out-live the Mastership he thought was to out-live himself and to go into his grave alive yet he honoured and loved Master Preston very much and could not answer that dilemma of the Colledge-safety therefore he told them he would not be wanting to the Colledge-good but it concerned them as well as himself to provide they were not cheated and another forced on them whether they would or not and therefore desired that Master Preston might be requested to deal with his Friends at Court and procure some promise that there should be no Mandate granted in case his resignation should be known he told them likewise how unprovided he was for maintenance when that was gone and how unseemly it would be for him now in his old age for to want and therefore desired he might be taken in this particular into consideration But Master Preston quickly eased the old man of all these fears by procuring a Letter from the Duke of Buckingham in these words Sir I Have moved his Majesty concerning Master Preston's succeeding of you in the Mastership of Emanuel Colledge who is not only willing but is also graciously pleased to recommend him to the place in especial manner before any other so that in making this way for him you shall do a very acceptable thing to his Majesty as also to the Prince his Master of which I am likewise to give you notice and to put you out of all doubt that another may be thrust upon you you shall not need to fear any thing in regard that from his Majesty there will be no hinderance to his succession and for that point of supply of maintenance I shall as I promised take care for to procure it when fit occasion shall be offered so taking kindly what you have done I rest Theobalds Sept. 20. 1622. Your very loving Friend G. Buckingham When the Doctor had received and read this Letter he was in all things satisfied as to the Court but they all knew that Doctor Traverse lay in wait for this preferment for being outed by the Statute at Emanuel Colledge he sojourned at Christs Colledge as Fellow-Commoner and presumed either by his Friends at Court to get a Mandate or be chosen in the Colledge by a party of the Fellows whom he thought his own therefore great care was taken to keep all secret and though the Statute do ordain a vacancy of seven daies and notice by a Schedule passed upon the Chappel-door yet such was the concurrent uniform agreement of all the Fellows that it was not discovered to any of the Scholars untill the day of Election and because there is a Sacrament to be immediately before it they were constrained to lock up all the gates that none might come in or go out till it was past and then two of the Fellows were dispatcht to Queens Colledge to acquaint Master Preston with what they had done and to desire that at two of the Clock he would repair unto the Colledge to be admitted and undertake the charge It was strange news at Queens and all the Colledge were much affected with it wondering extreamly that such a great transaction should be carried with so much secrecy and that amongst Master Prestons twelve Disciples as they called them there should be never a Judas but all concentre in it but there was order given presently that all the Scholars should be ready against two of the clock that day to attend Master Preston and the Fellows to Emanuel Colledge in habits suitable unto their several qualities which was done accordingly and a very goodly company attended him from Queens unto Emanuel where they were cheerfully received and entertained according to the custome with a generous and costly banquet and then returned unto Queens again but left Master Preston the prop and glory of it at Emanuel In the plantation of Emanuel Colledge at the first the godly Founder took great care to store his Colledge with godly and able Fellows from all the other Colledges and some were after added that were eminent but now a Master is bestowed God in mercy hath enabled that good society to pay their debts by sending not only Members but also Heads into very many of the other Colledges so as they may now well say Quae regio in terris nostri non plena laboris Sir Walter Mildmay their Noble and Religious Founder was wont to say unto his Friends that he had set an Acorn that might perhaps in time become an Oak blessed be God our eyes have seen it not only grown and flourishing but fruitfull seasonable showers a great promotion unto a new plantation and earnest Prayers unto God a special means to bring these down of which I think no Colledge ever had more which in these last years have returned a glorious Harvest to God be praise This news ran swiftly all the Kingdom over and was received as men were affected Good men were glad that honest men were not abhorred as they had been at the Court and presaged much of that inlargement and deliverance which we have lived to see The Courtiers made full account that he was theirs and would mount up from one step to another untill he were a prelate especially the Duke of Buckingham who from this time seemed sincerely to affect him Multum fuit ad amorem dedisse beneficium thought he had given earnest and could not be defrauded of the purchase The Earl of Pembroke and the Countesse of Bedford had a great interest in him and he in them and all men looked on him as upon a rising man and respected him accordingly As for Lincolns-Inne they made account they had a special influence into this honour as having first expressed their good opinion of him and there was an honest godly old man one of the Benchers Master Ayres that upon hearing of the news would needs be young again and make an Anagram upon his name though he was uncertain how he wrote it in Latine for he had seen it written divers waies Being therefore resolute and loath to misse it he resolves to write it both waies as he that used to say his Prayers in Latine and English that both might not fail and so first he wrote it Johannes Prestonius with this Anagram En stas pius in honore And this distitch Doctrina ingenium virtus tua praemia poscunt En dedit Emanuel stas in honore pius But lest this should be mistaken he writes it Johannes Prestonus with this Anagram Se nosse non tupiar And this distitch Turpia non novisse bonum se nosse beatum Ista doces
imperium adoptato nihil in vultu mutatum quasi magis imperare posset quam vellet His honours altered nothing in him but gave encouragement to all the godly Party and his Sermons at Lincolns-Inne much wrought upon the Parliament so that a bold Petition was contrived and presented to the King at Whitehall from both Houses of Parliament April 23. 1624. against the spreading and increase of Popery and the Indulgence given unto Priests and Jesuites King James was in the evening of his glory his Party in the Court under a cloud another Sun almost in view and the 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 or day-star already risen and accordingly he answered warily to their Petition bewails his want of information as the reall ground of this their trouble which otherwise he had prevented acknowledged that whilest the Treaties lasted with Spain and Austria he was obliged to comply but now both being broken off he would be rigid and severe against the Priests and Jesuites bids them find out a way for to restrain the growth of Popery and he would second them but resolves to pay the Duke of Buckingham for all this and gives order to the Earl of Bristol to prepare an information for that end but the Match with France and other intervenient accidents obstruct it for the present The Duke having told tales out of School and broken off the Match with Spain was much obliged to further and promote the French which he did seriously excuse to Doctor Preston upon this ground that there was not any Protestant for to be had and for to marry with a subject had alwaies been unlucky and fatal to the Kings of England that the French would not be ridged in religious observations but the Doctor constantly opposed only acknowledged this difference that Spanish Popery was an absolute ingredient to their intended Western Monarchy but French was not so and so this was lesse evil But the French found out this obligation and were untractable unlesse the Duke would aid the King of France against the Rochellers This was a hard chapter for one so much obliged unto the Puritans and Doctor Preston and he therefore declined all he could but nothing else would serve and he knew King James lay ready to take advantages so in Conclusion eight Ships were granted to oppose the Rochel-fleet and many colours sought to cloude it and hide it from the world but from that time Doctor Preston doubted of the Saint-ship of the Duke of Buckingham whom otherwise he honoured and loved very much But it was high time for the Duke to look about him King James was not to learn now how for to play his Game he was an old but not a foolish King Eccl. 4.13 and therefore failed not to make Provision and lay rods in pisse that he might use upon occasion Kings use for to account an ague in the Spring their Physick yet Physick till March be past is not good but this ague antidates the moneths and comes in February The King was then at Theobalds and the Ague was made but small account of He feared death but was the most impatient and disordered of any living what rules soever the Physicians gave he would observe none which intemperance might very well occasion the growing strength and vigour of the disease which howsoever more and more increased and at last began to be considerable then he began to take advice and to submit to rules but now it was too late for March 27. 1625. on the Lords day in the morning about ten of the clock at Theobalds the King dies Doctor Preston then attended in his moneth and was sometimes hastened to the Prince to comfort him and sometimes to the Duke and indeed it was a very mournfull morning Death is a serious thing and knocks alike at Pallaces as at the meanest Cottage King James was very much beloved of all his servants some of the Huntsmen could not be gotten from him the Prince and Duke were both of them retired and wept exceedingly But Sir Edward Conwey and some of the Lords drew up a Wiring and proclaimed Charles Steward King with all his Titles and hast was made to pack away to London The Prince and Duke and Doctor Preston in Coaches shut down hasten to White-hall and there he is proclaimed again with more formalities and the Lord Maior and the City sent to where it was done with much solemnity and great rejoycing of the people for the Prince had that exceeding happinesse to come upon the stage unprejudiced For he had never interposed nor acted but in the Spanish businesse and that succeeded to his great advantage so that if he listed he might have been as popular as ever any were This fall occasions many alterations in the Court the Bishops generally and Doctor Prestons enemies and all that had contended with the Duke were Crest-fallen King James was like enough to have out-lived the Duke of Buckingham who had been very sick since his return from Spain but all is altered and the Duke does all But he had many things to do the affronts received in Madrid and at the Counsel-table by the Agent were to be sent back by a puissant and mighty Navy and Provisions made accordingly King James to be interr'd a Parliament to be summoned the French Lady to be sent for and brought into England which the Duke especially intended and spake to all the Gallants of his Retinue to attend him and to many other of the Gentry and Nobility throughout the Kingdome But he found it hard thus in the morning of the Kings affairs to be abroad there being then a Parliament and the sicknesse much encreasing in the City so he was constrained to employ the Earl of Holland and attend himself at home All were not gratified in this great revolution and mutation of affairs and the discontented Party murmured and let flie at the Duke and the sicknesse much encreasing began to make a mutiny and it was much desired that the Parliament might be prorogued till some other more healthfull and lesse dangerous time But the Navy against the Spaniards and the pressing wants of all sorts that depended on the Court would not permit so it was only adjourned to Oxford yet there the sicknesse was as soon as they and some of their Members smarted for it but hast was made to gratifie the new King and the Provisions for the Navy went forward many men ingaged and the King resolved to attend that businesse as admitting no delay There was one thing that invited Doctor Preston to a journey that year and that was a strong suspition that the plague was in the town in which case there is a liberty to dissolve the Colledge without any detriment unto the Officers and Members of it He was not willing to omit the opportunity because he had many invitations into the West The Bishop of Salisbury he desired to consult withall about a Book of Master Montagues that was commended to him by
meeting of the godly where there was a Sermon and the Sacrament to be administred after Sermon he requested those that were present that they would not be offended at his weaknesse but that they would pray to the Lord for him and then requested the Minister that he would a little more explain himself about the Sacrament which he willingly did and having by sundry texts of Scripture shewed that Christ is received only Spiritually and Sacramentally therein he concluded with that of St. Augustine Manducare cibum qui non perit sed permanent ad vitam est credere in Christum Et Quid paras dentem ventrem crede manducasti Item Nolite parare fauces sed cor Christ is to be fed upon not with our mouths but with our faith c. Our Admirall being much satisfied with this discourse gave thanks first to God then to that Minister and Congregation and shortly after was himself partaker of that holy Sacrament the same whereof when it was once spread abroad in France it cannot be believed what joy and consolation it brought to the Churches of Christ for though till that time the true worshippers of God had many Laws made against them by the Kings and Parliaments though they were daily dragged to prisons torments and death so that they were forced to hold all their meetings in secret yet was true Religion after a wonderfull manner dispersed through all the Provinces of France and the Popish party found by experience that the more they sought to suppresse and extinguish the light of Gods Word and the Professors of it the more it daily encreased Not long after fell out the tumult at Amboise and the conspiracy of the Nobility against the Guises whose pride and insolency the Princes of France could no longer bear with Of this number was the Prince of Conde and the King of Navarre his Brother Whereupon the Guises procured an Edict from the King whereby a meeting of the Nobility was appointed at Fontainbleau especially to treat about matters of Religion and when the day came which was Aug. 24. 1560. the King requested those that were present to deliver their opinions Whereupon the Admirall rising out of his seat humbly presented the King with two Supplications under this title The humble Supplications of those who in severall parts of your Majesties Kingdom do truly and purely serve God These Supplications were delivered to Albespine the Kings Secretary who publiquely read them This bold fact of the Admirall was much wondered at considering the Kings bitter enmity against that Religion and the great power of the Guises The summe of those Petitions was this They which purely and sincerely serve God taking this fit opportunity do humbly beseech your Majesty that of your clemency you will be pleased to pity a great number of our Subjects who unto this day are miserably afflicted tormented and wasted for the cause of Religion in all your Provinces We humbly beg of you that you will not be grieved to take cognisance of our cause and to appoint that the Scripture may be the judge in these great controversies whereby it will easily appear how much we do abhor heresie which hitherto hath been laid to our charge as also how falsly we have been charged with sedition when we never used force or arms to defend our selves but ever thought it our duty in our greatest extremities only to have recourse to your Majesties clemency Our humble request therefore to your Majesty is that you would be pleased to restrain our persecutors by whose means there is no part of your Majesties Kingdom which in these late years hath not been defiled with the blood of your innocent Subjects Our case hath been miserable when we have been forced to plead our cause before the Popes Clients and Pensioners rather then before equall and indifferent Judges Our humble request therefore is that you would be pleased favourably to look upon so many Families who have alwaies acknowledged you for our gracious Lord and King and according to Gods command have honoured and obeyed you and shall be ready if occasion be offered to spend our lives for your dignity and service and therefore we think it but equal that our lives and welfare should be protected against the rage of our cruel and bloody adversaries We further pray that some publique places may be allowed us where our Ministers may Preach the Word of God sincerely and Administer the Sacraments truly that our Religion being no longer concealed we may be freed from those false calumnies which our adversaries have hitherto cast upon us And we shall ever pray c. After these Supplications were read there were great debates but little about Religion great complaints being made of the Kings debts and consideration had how the same might be discharged Hereupon our Admirall spake freely and boldly against the Forces raised by the Guises under the pretence of a guard for the King as if he needed such a guard in the heart of his own Kingdom whereas the Authority of the Kings name in France is so sacred and powerfull that thereby the meanest Constable is able to suppresse any tumult whatsoever This free speech of his extreamly vexed the Guises who hated him so much the more for it Some others propounded that there might be a publique Convention of the States called as the only means to cure the distempers of France which though some had laboured to discredit and so had caused an intermission of it for eighty seven years yet it had alwaies been exceeding advantagious to the Kingdom as the Parliaments in England consisting of three States had alwaies been there whereby the English Kings had been enabled to make such powerfull Invasions of France Shortly after King Francis the second dying his younger Brother Charles the ninth succeeded and thereupon the former request was renewed for calling a Convention of all the States At this time Catherine of Medice was the Queen Mother a Florentine by birth to whom the education of the young King and the care of his person was committed according to the ancient custom of France but she was not suffered to have any thing to do with the Government of the Kingdom and hereupon the Guises who for a long time had been powerfull at Court intruded themselves into that Office And at that time many of the Nobility proceeded cruelly to torment and afflict those of the Religion whereupon there was great fear lest some new Commotions should be raised in the Kingdom But the Queen Mother pretended favour towards them for which cause our Admirall endeavoured and at last effected that she should be joyned in Commission with Anthony King of Navarr who was made Protector during the Kings Minority This many wise men disliked and opposed saying that in the stories of former times it did appear that the Government was never committed to the Queen Mother especially
if she were a stranger but it redounded to the great hurt of France and was the cause of many Civil broils When the day of the publique Convention of the States came he which made the Speech in the behalf of the Nobility about the end of his Oration presented the King with a Supplication that they of the Reformed Religion might have publique places allowed them for the exercise of the service of God in To this one Quintin a Doctor of the Civil Law and Professor of Paris opposed himself and made a long Oration in the name of the Clergy which he rather read then pronounced by heart wherein he took the boldnesse to affirm That all they that moved for publique places for those of the Religion were guilty of Treason against the King and Kingdom the authors of sedition and bringers in of a new Religion and therefore ought severely to be punished Of which when the Admirall in the Kings Councel afterwards complained Quintin to excuse himself professed that he had spoken nothing of his own head but only had pronounced that Oration which was penned and put into his hand by the Clergy and that he was ready again in the Convention of States before the King and all the company to avow that in all that he had said he had no thoughts of hurt to the Admirall In conclusion there was an Edict sent forth in the Kings Name commanding and requiring all the Judges and Magistrates through France to release all those of the Religion that were in prison and it was forbidden them upon great penalties hereafter to meddle with or to trouble any for their Religion sake As for the businesse of allowing them publique places for worship that was put off to the next Generall meeting of the States which was appointed but held not to be at Ponthoise in Piccardy January following there was a meeting of all the Princes and Nobles of France appointed to be held at St. Germans whither also repaired the Deputies from all the Parliaments and there it was decreed that Churches should be allowed to the Protestants in the Suburbs belonging to each City Upon the publishing of which Edict the Peace of the Kingdom seemed to be setled and in the Suburbs of all the greater Cities yea of Paris it self those of the Religion met publiquely and had Sermons preached without the least disturbance But presently after was news brought that the D. of Guise in Campania had basely murthered about two hundred persons who were met together at Vassiac to hear a Sermon according to the power given them by the Kings Edict in a barn and it was conceived that the D. of Guise took this boldnesse relying upon the friendship of the K. of Navarr whose weak mind he had bowed and bound to himself by promising him the Kingdom of Sardinia and other favours and upon this confidence adjoyning his other Brethren to him with a great Army he went to the Court and there seized upon King and Queen Mother who seemed with many tears to bewail the violence profered to to them and carried them away to Paris Hereupon the Queen Mother sent divers messengers to the Admirall and writ with her own hand to the Prince of Conde requesting them to help her and to deliver the King out of this captivity This caused the Prince of Conde with many of the Nobility upon deliberation to resolve to raise an Army for the rescue of the King and to curb the insolency of the Guises often saying that he ought not to be deterred with reports as if he intended to propagate his Religion by arms or to offer violence to the Person of the young King For said he After such a publique Decree made by the King and all the States in favour of those of the Religion What had the D. of Guise who is a Lorrainer by extraction to do in France Or by what confidence doth he exercise such cruelty against the Kings faithfull Subjects And therefore he saw that there was no way left but to repell force with force and that he was not the author of the War but by War defended those that were unjustly oppressed by War There was also a publique report that the D. of Nemours had endeavoured by flatteries to perswade the young Prince Henry the Kings Brother who was afterwards chosen King of Poland to go with him out of the bounds of France which the young youth had declared to his Mother There was much speech also of the Massacre at Vassiac and of their leading the King and Queen Mother as their captives to Paris where they had a powerfull faction They had also sent to the German Princes desiring to be admitted into the league of the Protestants The Cardinall of Lorraine had also sent to Christopher Duke of Wirtzberge a prudent and valiant Prince pretending that both he and his Brethren would embrace the Protestant Religion and desired to be enrolled in the number of the Protestant Princes These things being publiquely divulged the resolution of the Prince of Conde to take Arms was generally approved of and in a few daies many Cities sided with and assisted him as Orleans Biturg Roan Lions Vienna Valentia Mont-alban c. And whereas by the common consent of all the Protestants in France the Prince of Conde was chosen Generall he prevailed so far with them that the managing of the War was conferred upon our Admirall to whom he also delegated his own power and interest for the opinion which he had of his excellent justice gravity and prudence This being generally taken notice of the Queen Mother interposeth as a Mediatrix for peace and sends for the Prince of Conde to come to their tents intreating him that for the convenient situation of it he would deliver up into their hands for a few daies as the fittest place for the Treaty the City of Boience where there is a bridge that passeth over the River Loir which bridge she affirmed to be the fittest of all other places for the Parlee The Prince of Conde upon the perswasions of his Brother the King of Navarr and of the Queen Mother and upon their faithfull promise that the Town should be delivered back to him again and that his person should be in safety during the Treaty without taking any further pledges delivers up Boience to them only desiring that whilst the Treaty lasted the Constable Guise and Saint Andrew who were called the Triumvirate for the ruine of France might be commanded to withdraw from the Camp When these things were done the Queen Mother and the Guises put a garrison into the Town of Bogener fortifie it strongly and keep the Prince of Conde prisoner The Admirall being justly incensed by this perfidiousnesse and resolving not to be wanting in his aid to the Prince of Conde he presently with all his Cavalry sets upon the enemies Camp which brought such a terrour amongst them
alwaies very studious of the Reformed Religion of an admirable courage and constancy in bearing the manifold afflictions which befell both her self and Husband and amongst her other excellent qualities and vertues she was alwaies very pitifull towards poor people and sick persons to whom she was very liberall in relieving and assisting of them and whereas many sick and wounded Souldiers were daily sent from the Camp to Orleance she frequently visited them so that the Physicians judged her disease to proceed from the stench of them Peace being proclaimed as is before specified in many places by the Kings Trumpeters the Admirall had scarce been three daies at his own house before Letters and Messengers came to him from many of his Friends signifying that instead of peace his enemies made great preparations for a more dangerous Warre for they observed that in every place such provision of War was made that if the Prince of Conde himself and the other associates did not timely prevent it they would be circumvented by their cruel enemies before they were aware and this they gathered from the Garrisons put into Orleance Altissiodore Blesa and other Cities surrendred to them as also by the Adversaries possessing themselves of all the Bridges and Passes over the Rivers keeping the Horse together in the heart of France and continuing two Regiments neer Paris under a pretence of a guard for the King Our Admirall finding these things to be true thought it most for his safety to retire into Tanlian to his Brother Andelot and from thence he shortly after removed to Nuceria a strong City under the Prince of Conde's Government whither formerly upon the like occasion he had carried his Wife and Family In his passage thither there fell out this memorable accident Near to the Town of Molinius there is a great Lake in the passage to Altissiodore when our Admirall came near it there was in his company an old man called Gripperius that had been a great traveller by sea and one that loved the Admirall very dearly this man observing a black cloud coming towards them carried with a violent wind he called to the Admirall desiring him to gallop to the next Town so fast as he could lest he should be oppressed with the violence of the storm approaching the Admirall hearkening to his counsell spurred on his Horse but before he had passed the narrow passages of the Lake there suddainly came such a violent tempest accompanied with a Whirlwind that many Horses and men were quite overthrown many were wounded with the great hailstones and almost quite slain The wind took off the Admirals hat which afterwards could never be found and one of his followers lent him his hat but herein the great mercy of God did appear that the Admirall scaped unhurt by the hail only one hailstone hit and hurt him about the ankle and had this storm taken him and his company a little sooner whilst they were upon the Lakes bank in all probability it had made an utter end of them The tempest being over our Admirall comforted his attendants and lifting up his eyes to Heaven he said O Almighty God I thank thee from whom I know this storm proceeds to warn us of the tempest of danger that is approaching by which we shall be sorely pressed but not oppressed When they were met together at Nuceria they sent divers Messengers with Letters to the King signifying that they had daily intelligence of the snares that were laid for their lives and therefore they beseeched his Majesty to pity his Kingdom wasted already with two Civil Warres and that he would not ruine his Kingdom but rather by his clemency and wisdom quench that fire that is kindled by the Guises Our Admirall also wrote to Margaret Daughter of King Francis and new Dutchesse of Savoy whom he believed to have great power with the Queen Mother intreating her to improve all her Authority and interest for the diverting of the storm that was approaching to the ruine of her Native Countrey But when he perceived that no arguments nor intreaty could prevail for peace and understood that Tavannius who was a little after made Marshall of the Kingdom was secretly drawing his Forces towards Nuceria there to compasse them in he advised the Prince of Conde that they should presently depart from thence and make all the hast that possibly they could to Rochel which by reason of their ancient priviledges had never hitherto admitted of any Garrison By the way they were to passe over the River Liger and in the train there was the Prince of Conde's Wife and six little Children whereof one was but a year old and two daies after followed the Admirall and Monsieur Andelots Children whom the Admirall had sent for to come to them At which time this strange Providence fell out When the Prince of Conde thought to transport his company in two or three little Ships privately over the River neer unto Sancerra it pleased God that a Foard was found whereby fifty Horsemen that were of the Princes train rode over and in the mean time the Ladies Women and Children were ferried over in Boats and no sooner were they gotten all over but though the day was fair the River suddainly rose so high that the Inhabitants of Sancerra took notice of the wonderfull Providence of God praying heartily for the safety and welfare of those little ones who had escaped such a danger The King hearing of this their going to Rochel by the advice of his Courtiers presently commanded all his Horse especially those that were in the Countries of Xantone and Poicters to hasten to Rochel He sent also his Brother Henry the Duke of Anjou to raise all the Forces he could and presently to march thitherwards In the mean time those of the Religion who relying upon the Kings promise and Proclamation of peace staied in their own Cities were every where basely murthered About this time Joane Queen of Navarr who in the former troubles had kept here own house abhorring such abominable treachery and perfidiousnesse after peace so often renewed getting what Forces she could together advanced with them to Rochel carrying with her her Son Henry who after her death was King of Navarr and her only Daughter These things being thus setled the Admirall drew some great Guns out of Rochel intending to besiege Niort and within a few daies had it surrendred to him Then he led his Forces to Engolisme which stands upon an high and steep hill having only one passage to it and therefore the enemies had a little before strongly fortified it but the Admirall planting his Ordinance on that side where it was saultable within a few daies space had it surrendred to him Presently after the Van of each Army met at Jasenullius and fought together the Admirall commanded that of the Protestants who charged the enemy so gallantly that they were presently broken
and Conduit-pipe of strength and power Act. 14.10 Joh. 5.8 9. as Lazarus Joh. 11.43 44. Thus God by bidding and commanding men to take grace doth thereby fit them and enable them to do it as that Creeple Act. 3.6 7 8. was by the command inabled so Saul Act. 22.13 being commanded to receive his fight was inabled the same moment to look upon him and so vers 16. being commanded to wash away his sins had the blood of Christ provided ready for to do it So these commands are not like those the Apostle speaks of Jam. 2.16 for here is something given when God bids he doth not Verba dare sed rem But it was further urged by the Doctor that God had no pleasure in the death of wicked men Ezek. 33.11 but that he would rather they should repent and leave their sins Ezek. 18.23 and vers 32. if therefore God were not ready to the utmost of his power to give them grace he could not be excused from dissembling and double-dealing But Dr. Preston answered That superiours may command unable persons for many reasons but cannot be said for to dissemble unless they refuse to give when the required condition is performed As if I bid one come unto me and I will give him six-pence if I refuse when he is come I did dissemble but if he comes not he cannot charge me for their not coming may be for want of will Joh. 5.40 as well as for want of power Joh. 6.44 Now if I know a Creeple will not come though he could I may punish him for it It 's true God delights in nothing but himself his joy and comfort is terminated only in himself not in the creature but as some way served and represented by it for God made all things for himself Prov. 16.4 yea for his pleasure Rev. 4.11 That is the exercise and illustration of some one of his attributes as his power Exod. 9.16 Rom. 9.17 his wrath Rom. 9.22 Never did strong man glory of his strength more then God doth of his Soveraignty and Omnipotency Job 40.9 10 11 12 13. Now if it fall out that in the illustration and exercise of these his glorious attributes and excellencies some creatures smart yet he delights not in their smart and sufferings but in the demonstration of his own Omnipotency Ahashuerus makes a Feast to all the States and Orders of his Kingdome to shew the riches of his glorious Kingdome and the Honour of his excellent Majesty Esth. 1.3 4. This was not done without the smart and suffering of many of the creatures yet he delights not in their sufferings but in his own magnificence and bounty When Christ was at the Feast Joh. 2.1 2. he doth not condole the death of all those innocents that went to make it up Qui fruitur poena ferus est but rejoyced in the good cheer and good will of the Friend that bade him There were few present of Doctor Prestons Friends and accordingly this conference was represented and reported with all the disadvantage that could be to him insomuch that many Parliament men that were his friends were much offended at it which occasioned him as soon as he came to Cambridge to write the several passages and send them to those friends that were unsatisfied But it was an evidence that the Duke and Dr. Preston were not so great but that he sticked to the Prelates and would in the issue leave Dr. Preston and the Puritans which much abated good mens affections to the Duke and it was believed that he had no such footing in the Kings affections as he did pretend unto Posteà Maecenas speciem potius quam vim tenuit in amicitia Principis They thought his greatnesse began to languish and it was believed in the University that there was another favourite in being though yet obscure for the Earl of Suffolke much about this time died who had been a long time Chancellor of the University of Cambridge and great meanes was used to set the Duke up for to succeed him but good men were fallen off because of his deserting Dr. Preston and others did believe his glory was departed and so the Earl of Berkshire the former Chancellors second Son was set up against the Duke and many visited for him that loved greatnesse and were servants good enough unto the times and it 's believed it had been carried for him against the Duke if the wisdome of Dr. Goffing then Vice-Chancellor and some others in the scrutiny had not prevented it but it was pronounced for the Duke and great care was taken for the investing of him in a very solemn manner A representative of the University is designed to attend him at York-house in their habits and a sumptuous Feast provided for their entertainment the Duke sate in the midst of the Table among the Doctors where by some body there was an health begun unto the King When it came to Dr. Preston for to pledge it he was uncovered and bowed as others had done but drank but very little and so delivered it unto the next but one of the Doctors took notice that he drank not all and told him he had seen him drink as great a glass of wine and did believe he could have drunk this if he would but that he loved to be singular The Dr. acknowledged he was not skilfull in the laws of drinking healths and therefore if he had offended he desired it might be imputed to his ignorance but he thought the end was to shew respect unto the persons named which was done best by the Ceremonies that preceded as being bare standing up and such like wherein he said he had not willingly offended but if it were an Engine to Court-intemperance and engage men unto greater quantities then themselves liked it fell short of that modesty and freedom of the Heathens Esth. 1.8 and was a sin in all but in men of their degree and rank and an abominable wickednesse The Duke misliked this incivility and frowned on the Doctor that occasioned it but it was believed it could not have been done without assurance that the Dukes affections were ebbing towards Dr. Preston And no wonder for his end being to make impressions of good upon the Court he could not but see if they did not succeed they would recoil If you manure and sow your land if the seeds subdues it not and conquers it it is enabled to bring forth the stronger weeds Heb. 6.7 8. If your Pearles be cast before swine they will also turn again and rend you Mat. 7.6 The Duke had now seen the worth and way of Dr. Preston he had found that he could not winne him and make him his he could not therefore in the way of policy but labour and resolve to wrack and sink him When Herod was convented by prevailing conquering Augustus for his great assistance of Mark Anthony his adversary and knew it would be in Augustus power to take his head off he setled his
him and that he had involved so good a man to whom he wrote But it pleased God to cut the Duke out other work for the cry of Rochel and the Protestants of France was so exceeding great and so much resented by the Parliament that the Duke resolves to vindicate his honour by relieving them And whilest he was busie to set that fleet out and furnish forces for surprizing the Isle of Rhees he could not undertake that work of revenge intended against Dr. Preston But the Doctor thought not that he had done enough unlesse he proclaimed in the Pulpit what he had often told the Duke in private according to that Command of Christ Mat. 6.27 What I tell you in darknesse that speak you in light and what you hear in the ear that preach on the house-tops As Chrysostome to his people Cum verum singuli audire non vultis publicè audietis When the French Match was concluded he preached that Sermon of the pillar and ground of truth against the mingling of Religions and mixing truth with falshood and shewed how impossible it was to mingle truth with errour or make up one Religion of theirs and ours For should they leave out any tenet of their Church it would follow that the Church in that before had erred and so that pillar would be overthrown on which have hanged so many necessary points of Popery Neither could we part with any one truth for Religion is of a brittle nature break it you may bend it you cannot It cannot be accommodated to respects of policy and interests of States and and Kingdomes but as Elements when mingled in a compound body do close their proper Formes So Religions when made ingredients and compounding parts of any other do lose their Formes and cease to be Religions in Gods account 2 Kings 17.33 34. Pillar and ground pag. 16. And when the Rochellers were in distresse and laid their ruine and disasters at our door fathered their losses and calamities on us he preached that Sermon of the new life where Page 48. we have these words We cannot stand alone what measure we mete to others in their distress men shall measure the same to us in our necessity Luk. 6.38 And how soon the fire may take here also we know not And pag. 52. If any be an impediment nay if any do not do their best I pronounce this in the Name of the most true God that shall make it good sooner or later that they and their houses shall perish Esth. 4.14 The Court was hood-wink't in all these Comminations for by Church they understood the Prelates and their Party and the King thought if he adhered to them and did their work he was absolved But those that read the Commentaries that have been written since in red letters will have occasion to believe the contrary And when the Duke was in the Isle of Rhees in which voyage he had engaged many of his very good Friends and much of the Nobility and Gentry of the Kingdom the Doctor preached that Sermon called the Demonstration of the Deity where Page 81. ye have these words It is certain that evil is intended against us and will come upon us except something be done for to prevent it for there is a Covenant between God and us and breach of Covenant causeth a quarrel now the quarrel of God shall not go unrevenged Lev. 26.25 I will send a sword upon you which shall avenge the quarrel of my Covenant Gods quarrels are not rash and passionate as mens are and therefore he will not lay them aside without some true and real satisfaction If we will not believe his Word yet will we not believe his Actions Are not our Allies wasted Are not many branches of the Church cut off already and more in hazard In a word have not our enterprizes been blasted and withered under our hands for the most part Have not things been long going down the hill and are even now hastning to a period This Sermon was preached to the King at Whitehall on the Lords day and on the Wednesday following the news came of the total routing of our Army in the Isle of Rhees which was such a ratification of his Prediction but the Sabbath day before as made many to believe he was a Prophet and they called him Micaiah because he seldome prophecied good unto them And Dr. Neal then Bishop of Winchester said That he talked like one that was familiar with God Almighty And they were the more affected with it because the Doctor had another course to preach before his moneth was out for every Chaplain was to preach twice once upon the Lords day and also upon the Tuesday but the Doctor was desirous to exchange his course upon the Tuesday for a Sabbath-day So Dr. Potter preached on the Tuesday and Dr. Preston was to preach upon the Lords day following and was resolved to proceed on the same text but to handle a point relating to the third verse For having shewed in this Sermon that things were not done by chance but by God he now resolved for to shew that God did things that men do not look for Which being known among the Bishops and they affrighted with that disaster at the Isle of Rhees they interceded with the Clerke of the Closet that seeing Dr. Prestons turn was past already and this was Dr. Pottors another might be put up and he deferred till another time which was consented and yeilded to and so upon the Friday before a Messenger was sent unto the Doctor to tell him that another was provided to preach for Dr. Potter and he might spare his pains The Dr. wondered at the Providence for he was resolved fully to have said that in that Sermon if he had been suffered that would in reason have deserved Micaiahs entertainment 1 Kings 22.27 but God was mercifull unto him and used his enemies as instruments to save him from the danger It would have damped some men to be thus refused He might have said with him Mat. 22.4 Behold I have prepared my Dinner my Oxen and my Fatlings are killed and all things are ready But he considered what he had preached before That a Sparrow fell not to the ground without Gods will That his Will and Resolution for to sacrifice his all was now accepted as Abrahams was that his Sermon whilest an Embryo and only in intention had an efficacious operation upon the Auditory For as they had shewed and discovered their fears so good men did their joys and the Sermon was more talked of at Court and in the City then any Sermon that ever he had preached before For all men enquired what the Sermon was that Dr. Preston was not suffered to preach and many wise men were perswaded that it did more good then it would have done in case it had been preached So that in stead of being damped and dejected at the affront he was enlivened and encouraged Repulsus generoso
the Kings Navy He was also made Governour of Picardy and of the Isle of France and Captain of a Troop of men at Arms and one of the Kings Councel Anno Christi 1554. Charles the fifth Emperour of Germany and Queen Mary of England raised great Armies against the King of France and to resist such potent Adversaries none was thought so fit by the suffrage of all as our Gaspar and therefore he was chosen by the King to that place who presently raising Forces hasted to the Confines of France towards the Belgick Provinces to secure them against the approach of their enemies At this time France was in great fear considering the conjunction of such potent adversaries and the King of France his want both of Money and Arms to resist them so that many thought that the ruine of France was approaching Whereupon our Admirall perswaded the King to treat of Peace which counsell was so gratefull both to the King and his Nobles that the charge of it was presently committed to the Admirall which within few daies he effected to the incredible joy and rejoycing of all the Orders of France and he was looked upon as an Instrument of saving his Countrey especially considering upon what honest honourable and profitable conditions he had concluded the Peace About this time it fell out that the Guises who were Lorrainers by extraction and pretended a Title to Sicily and Naples which they said the King of Spain had injuriously taken from their Ancestors perswaed King Henry of France that for divers years they had held correspondency with a great part of the Neapolitane Nobility so that if the King would but assist them with some competent Forces they doubted not to make an easie conquest of that Kingdom By this their counsell they violated the Peace which was made a little before with Spain and solemnly sworn to on both sides which was a great grief to our Admirall who sticked not to say that such perjury proved alwaies as dishonourable so fatall to Kingdoms and that God in all ages had been a severe revenger of it Yet the King would not hearken to him but commanded him to raise Forces in his Province This was the first cause of that deadly feud which arose between the Guises and him There were some other smaller causes which further kindled that fire which for brevity sake I omit The Emperour hearing of these preparations in France thought to be before hand with them and therefore raises an Army in the Low-Countries to invade France which the King being informed of and knowing that the first storm would fall upon Picardy he presently dispatched away the Admirall for the securing of it and before he he had marched two daies journey he was informed by his Scouts that the Spaniards intended to besiege San-Quintan in Picardy He also received Letters from one Captain Brullius that as soon as the Citizens of San-Quintan heard of the Spaniards intention they were seized with such a Pannick fear that many of them left their houses and fled into the woods with their Wives and Children Our Admirall hearing these things dissembled the matter before his Souldiers as well as he could and shewing much alacrity by great journeys hastened to San-Quintans Whereupon two of his Captains Gernacus and Lusarcius endeavoured by all means to disswade him from it telling him that the City was not fortified neither provided with food and other necessaries to sustain a siege and that the enemies would beleaguer it before he could furnish it with such things and therefore they told him that it was better and more for his honour to disturbe the enemy in the open fields then by shutting himself up within the Walls to expose himself to such danger But he considering of what consequence that place was and what advantage the getting of it would be to the Spaniards adhered to his first resolutions and having by the way adjoyned to himself about two hundred and fourty Souldiers he hastily flies to the City and sets all hands on work for the fortifying of it The Spaniards being informed hereof presently begirt the City with a siege and began to draw their Trenches about it and possessed themselves of the Suburbs whereby by rolling Trenches they approached the Wals. This our Admirall taking notice of Sallied out upon them and firing the Suburbs drave the enemies further off yet when he had throughly viewed the City and found the weaknesse of it he began to suspect that he could not long hold out against so potent an adversary Yet considering that Gods Providence had cast him upon these straits he resolved rather valiantly to die then to give the enemy so great an advantage against France by surrendring that Town to them And therefore he laid out all his care labour and industry for the defending of it and for the greater incouragement of the Citizens and Souldiers he laid his own hands to every work that was to be done Whilst he was thus busily imployed a Messenger brought him word that his Brother Andelot was gotten safe into the City with about five hundred Souldiers the remains of a greater Army which the King had sent under the Constable for the victualling and relieving the City which Army was encountred by a great party of German Horse and Foot who in the incounter had routed the French slain many and dispersed the rest only in the time of the medly Andelot with his five hundred men had slipped into the City As soon as this defeat of the French was known to the Souldiers and Citizens they were possessed with so great a fear that the incouragements of the Admirall were little regarded Hereupon he calls them all together makes a Speech to them and shewed them that the safety of their Countrey should be preserved before their lives and thereupon caused them all to take an Oath that if any one spake about the surrender of the City he should lose his head for it himself also took the same Oath In the mean time the Spaniards being elated with their former victory presse upon the City harder then before and for twenty daies together continue their battery against the Wals whereby they beat down a great part of them The Admirall seeing this and perceiving that they were approaching to give a generall storm he encouraged his Souldiers stoutly to make resistance telling them that if they did but withstand the first stroke the enemy would not be forward to attempt a second Where the greatest breach and danger was there himself stood armed to resist in the very face of danger Other places he commended to his Brother and his other Captains But whilest he was valiantly fighting in the breach word was brought him that the enemy was entred in two other places of the City Whereupon taking some of his trustiest Friends with him he ran thitherward to oppose them but before he came he found that
that thereupon the Queen Mother commanded the Prince of Conde to be set at liberty And a few daies after the Admirall assaulted Boience and at last took the Town though with some losse of his men About this very time the Admirals eldest Son called Gaspar being a youth of nine years old but of admirable towardnesse fell sick and died at Orleance which was an exceeding great grief to his Father In the mean time the Guises perceiving that they were forsaken by the greatest part of France which now adheared to and assisted Conde they resolved to call in forraign helps and thereupon sending much Money into Swisserland and Germany they hired from the former Foot and from the latter Horse to come in to their aid which the Admirall used often to say was a plain demonstration of their treacherous and hostile minds against France and therefore that he might not be wanting to himself and Friends who had committed so great a trust to him he resolved to oppose Forraign by Forraign forces And for this end he sent his Brother Andelot to the Protestant Princes in Germany of whose good will to the French Churches he had good assurance requesting aid from them who accordingly within three moneths space sent him three thousand Horse and six thousand Foot into France Whilst these things were transacting intelligence was given to the Admirall that some Cannons and a great quantity of Gunpowder was carrying to the Duke of Guise who now besieged Biturg guarded with six Troops of Horse and some Foot Hereupon the Admirall taking some Horse with him by long journeys hastened to meet the Convoy and coming up to them they scarce stood the first shock but throwing away their Arms fled and left the Booty to the Admirall who wanting Horses to draw them away by over-charging the Guns brake them and blew up the Gunpowder and so returned to his Camp Andelot returning out of Germany brought with him three thousand Horse and six thousand Foot so that the Prince of Conde having a good Army of French and Germans hasted to Paris which the Guises hearing of intended to meet him having gotten a Regiment of Swissers in whom they put most confidence and so the two Armies meeting a Battell was fought but with a doubtfull event for on the one side the Constable was taken prisoner by one Will. Steward a valiant Scots man and on the other side the Prince of Conde was taken prisoner which made many of his Foot to throw away their Arms and fly But the Admirall rallying the Horse and encouraging them to prefer their Religion Country and honour befor their lives he valiantly charged the Guisians in which medly he slew Marshall St. Andrew a potent man at Court and Prossaeus Collonel to the Duke of Guise and divers other Noble men The fight being ended the Admirall carried the Constable to Orleance where he made his abode for a while But shortly after came the Duke of Guise to besiege the City whereupon the Admirall leaving his Brother Andelot for the defence of it flies into Normandy and there besieged the Castle of Cadonius where the Marquesse of Elboeve one of the D. of Lorrains Brothers was and within a few daies had it with all the Arms and Ammunition surrendred to him About this time there was one John Poltrot a young man of a Noble Family in the Army of the Duke of Guise who having embraced the Reformed Religion and served for some moneths under the Prince of Conde took up privately with himself a resolution to kill the D. of Guise as a publique enemy to his Countrey and a cause of all the present calamities And said he If I had been bound to him by any oaths I must not have been perfidious but being free why should I not venture as Scaevola did for my Countries safety With this resolution he went to the Duke of Guises Camp and watching his opportunity shot him into the shoulder of which wound he died within a few daies after The very same day in the morning the Duke of Guise being ready to give an assault to Orleance wrote to the Queen Mother that within twenty four hours he would send her word of the taking of that City and that he would make the day very memorable by sparing neither sex nor age and that after he had kept his Shrovetide there he would extinguish the memory of the Town by utter subverting of it But man knows not his destiny nor what shall happen to him for that the same evening he was slain as you heard before Presently after which a Peace was concluded and the Edict renued for the free exercise of the Reformed Religion through all France as formerly Not many moneths after the Admirall being sent for to Court by the Queen Mother the Widow of the Duke of Guise comes in and falls down at the Kings feet crying out with many tears for revenge for her Husbands death charging the Admirall as the contriver and author of it The Admirall apprehending that this was but the device of others which set her on to seek his destruction by fraud which they could not effect by War before the King and all the Councel he clears himself shewing that Poltrot had at his death professed that he was set on by none but God neither did he doubt but that he had done God good service in it and freed his Countrey from a Tyrant that raged and thirsted after Christian blood and therefore he was not sorry for what he had done c. He also desired that if they questioned the death of the Duke of Guise he might have leave also to put in a Charge against him for that he doubted not but that he could easily prove the Duke of Guise guilty of murthering wickedly the Kings Subjects and of violating all the sacred Laws and Decrees of the King of taking up arms of his own head without Authority and thereby making himself guilty of Treason and of kindling those flames in France which had continued about thirteen moneths Notwithstanding this resolute speech of the Admirall his enemies ceased not for some years still to call upon the King for justice against him whereupon the King at last appointed a Convention of all the Peers of the Kingdom at the City of Molincum whither also he called his chiefest Senators and Counsellours commanding the Cardinall of Lorraine and the Widow of the Duke of Guise to produce what proofs they could and the Admirall to defend himself against them When both parties had pleaded their Cause the King told them that he had referred the judgment to his Counsellors and therefore asked them if they had any exceptions against any of them they answered No. Then he asked them if they would refer the determination of their Cause to him and would stand to his judgment They answered that they would willingly so do Whereupon Jan. 29. Anno
c. Having dispatched these things he resolved to march to Vivaret and to the bank of Rhodanus and understanding that some were up in Arms for him in the Delphinate who also had taken some Towns he sent part of his forces to them to assist them in taking in some Cities of greater consequence committing the government of them to Count Lodwick of Nassaw who arriving in the Delphinate struck such a terrour into the Inhabitants as caused them to fly into the Cities but he having no Guns for battery only wasted the enemies Countrey and so with honour returned within few daies to the Admirall Shortly after the Admirall worn out with cares watchings and incessant labours fell sick and though he was greatly afflicted with his disease yet conceiving that it was of great concernment for him to get to the River Liger he made no stay but in his Horselitter marched with his Army thitherward for he was informed that about La Charity and Sancerra there were about two hundred risen in Arms for him whom he thought to be of great concernment to adjoyn to his Army the rather because Cossaeus Marshall of the Kingdom after the Battell in Xantone by the King made Generall of the Army in the room of the Duke of Anjou as he understood advanced with his Army that way and began to approach near him And whereas there came a Trumpet from him to the Admirall about exchange of Prisoners the Admirall sent him word by his Trumpet that he should not need to be at so much pains to seek him for that he himself was hasting towards him so fast as he could When he was advanced so far as the Forrest behold new Ambassadors met him from the King about a Peace for when the Courtiers heard that the Admirall whom they thought to be utterly broken by his former overthrow had in so short a time gotten so gallant an Army together again they were extreamly terrified lest he should march directly towards Paris and there should plunder and destroy the brave Countrey Houses of the Courtiers Senators and rich Citizens of Paris the like whereunto they had heard that the Senators and Citizens of Tholouse had already felt The Admirall by his march though in his Horselitter had his disease much increased upon him and the Physicians gave their judgment that if he continued still to be pressed with so great cares and multiplicity of businesses he could not hold out long whereupon the Treaty with the Kings Ambassadours brake off for a time but some Nobles that were aweary of the Warres complained that there was no reason that the Treaty should cease because the Admirall could not be present at it affirming that though he should die yet there were men enough of honour and interest that could carry on the Treaty to the establishing of Peace The Ambassadors tnswered them We wonder thrt you do not consider of how great authority the Admirall is amongst you who if he should die to day we would not offer to any of you tomorrow so much as a cup of cold water What do you not yet know that the only name of the Admirall can prevail more for you then a great Army without him Within a few daies the Admirall being refreshed and in a good measure recovered the Treaty began again and at last it was concluded That certain Commissioners should go along with the Kings Ambassadours to signifie to his Majesty in the name of them all That they of the Religion desired nothing more then Peace neither was any thing more grievous to them then Warre yet was there none of them but would undergo greater miseries yea and death it self rather then to deny the truth which they had embraced That if the King pleased to grant them Peace and the exercise of their Religion upon the former conditions and to put some cautionary Towns into their power for their security they would willingly and for ever lay down their Arms. These Messengers being dispatched the Admirall advanced forward and in his way took in the Town of Reneducium to which some of the Vantcurriers of Cossaeus were come and from that day forwards there was no day passed without some skirmishes between the two Armies and one day the minds of the Souldiers on both parts were so far inflamed that it had near come to a generall Battell there being only a little Brook between the two Armies Monsieur Mongomry having already broken the first Battell of the adversaries wherein were Valetius and Vasco men of great authority amongst the Royalists But presently came new Messengers from the King desiring a cessation from arms till the Treaty was finished and after great debate an Edict was sent from the King by which certain places were allotted to the Protestants for the exercise of their Religion in for the performance whereof they had for two years four cautionary Towns put into their hands viz. Rochel Montalban Cognac and Charity and the Kings Proclamations hereof were sent all over the Kingdom and so an en end was put to the third Civil Warres The Admirall bringing the German Forces to the borders of their Countrey dismissed them courteously and so taking the two young Princes of Navarr and Conde he went with them to Rochel where the Queen of Navarr was purposing to stay there till the Peace was fully setled in every place and after a few Moneths trusting to the Kings promises and to the oaths of the Kings Brethren and Parliaments having been tired out with so many and great labours he betook himself to rest and at the intreaties and perswasions of his Friends inclined to dispose of himself again in Marriage the rather because he was earnestly solicited thereto by the kindred of Jacoba Monbella the widow of the L. Anthony Monbell who was Daughter of Count Intermontanus of whose modesty piety and wholly life he had heard much formerly She therefore being brought honourably to him to Rochel he solemnly married her and not long after he disposed his own Daughter Ludovica in Marriage to Monsieur Teligni a young man of great Nobility and vertue Of all the Nobility of France none seemed more acceptable and dearer to the King then this Teligni by reason of his admirall ingenuity and therefore being much about the King it was he that did afterwards perswade the Admirall of the great esteem and hearty good will of the King towards him But God quickly mixed sorrow with the joy of these Marriages news being brought about that time of the death of Odet Coligni Cardinall of Chattillion who had been some time in the Court of England as the Procurator for the cause of the Protestants with Queen Elizabeth who much favoured him for the amplitude of his Family and the opinion of his vertue and integrity But the Protestants affairs being composed in France his Brother Gaspar sent for him Whereupon coming to Queen Elizabeth he obtained leave for his departure
but being taken with a suddain disease he died Feb. 14. 1571. not without the suspition of poyson and was buried at Canterbury being about fifty years old He was a man of rare courage candor and faithfulnesse of a sharp judgment so that few were to be compared with him in managing great affairs Guillin his Chamberlain poysoned him with an Apple at the instigation of the Queen-Mother as he confessed at the time of his death when afterwards he was taken as a Spy at Rochel for which he was hanged But all this while the Duke of Anjou was a great enemy to the Protestants and boasted every where of his Victories against them yet the King did what he could to perswade the Queen of Navarr and the Admirall of his great good will towards them that they might be induced the more to confide in him Notwithstanding which the Papists in some places made slaughters of the Protestants As in Orenge whither all the Inhabitants returned who had been driven away in the time of the late Warres the Popish Souldiers made an assault upon them and slew them without regard of age or sex Also in Roan and other places they were slain in great number by the Popish rabble Whereupon the Queen of Navarr the Princes and other Protestant Nobles sent to the King to complain of the violation of the Edict and to require satisfaction for the same The King entertained them kindly protested that these things were done to his great grief and that he would so punish the Authors of these mischiefs as should be for the terrour of others Not long after viz. Anno Christi 1571. the King wrote very flattering Letters to the Admirall giving him very honourable tearmes inviting him to his Court at Blesa intreating him that he would be an instrument of concluding a Marriage between Henry Prince of Navarr and his Sister Margaret and to prevail the more with him he sent him word by his Messengers that no surer way could be found out for establishing the publique Peace of the Kingdom and for uniting all sorts of persons then by this Marriage And the better to delude him the Guises seemed to be every day lesse welcome to him then other and Monmorency the Admirals Sisters Son was used very familiarly by the King who often protested to him his good will towards the Admirall communicated to him the counsels of his greatest affairs for the managing whereof he told him that he had need of the Admirall for to be his Captain and Minister The Queen-Mother also according to her manner protested that she liked nothing better then that a certain Peace should be confirmed upon equal conditions the memory of former matters being blotted out By these means the Admirall was drawn to the Court where he was intertained extraordinary lovingly even beyond expectation so that when he fell down on his knees to do reverence the King took him up calling him his Father saying often and openly that a more desired day never shone unto him then that wherein he saw an end put to the Warre and a firm Peace setled in the whole Kingdom by his presence adding with a smiling countenance Now we have you with us you shall never depart from our side hereafter He was intertained with the same serenity of countenance by the Queen-Mother the Duke of Anjou but especially by the Duke of Alanson who much favoured him The King also seconded his words with deeds causing one hundred thousand Crowns to be paid him out of his Treasury for his private losses in the last Warres he gave him also the Revenues of the Cardinall his Brother which were very great for one year and also the furniture and houshold stuff of the said Cardinall A few daies after the Admirals return from the Court the young Duke of Guise by the instigation of the Cardinall of Lorraine his Uncle would have put in a new complaint against the Admirall for the death of his Father but the King interposing his Authority drew up a form of agreement which he made both of them to set their Seals to and to take their oaths for the keeping of it notwithstanding which the Duke of Guise shortly after entered Paris accompanied with many armed men which the Admirall hearing of being then at his House at Castellion he moved the King by his Son-in-law Monsieur Teligni that he might have leave to keep a small Guard for his own safety Whereupon the King wrote to him with his own hand and sent his Letter by Bricmald a man of great esteem for his vertue the tenour where of was this That it was most acceptable to him that the Admirall should be exceeding cautious and carefull of his own safety and therefore he gave him power to fortifie his Castle and to raise as great a Guard as he pleased desiring him to be confident without doubting of his good will towards him and that he would be as carefull of his safety as a Father of his Childes These Letters with many such like expressions of love being written with the Kings own hand many read with great delight and were now throughly perswaded that they ought no longer to doubt of the Kings good will and sincere affections to the Admirall Hereupon Count Lodwick of Nassaw whom we mentioned before thinking this a fit time and being secretly invited to the Court moved the King in the name of his Brother the Prince of Orenge for assistance telling him that there were many Cities in the Low Countries that being oppressed and tired out with the lust covetousnesse and cruelty of the Spaniards would willingly surrender themselves into his hands And after a few daies spent in debate about this businesse the King faithfully promised Count Lodwick that very shortly he would send a great Army under the command of the Admirall thither and it was further agreed upon betwixt them that if they succeeded in that War the King of France should have all the Countrey from Antwerp to Picardy and that the Prince of Orenge should have Holland Zeland and Frisland About this very time Letters were intercepted and sent to the Admirall written from the Cardinall Peleus to the Cardinall of Lorrain to this purpose That the King was never better affected then now and therefore because of his good affections together with the Queen-Mothers and the Duke of Anjou's he hoped there would be good issue of those affairs which were resolved on in the common Councel That the King at the Admirals coming to Court had carried himself more politickly then they could have expected whereupon the King believed that he had taken away all suspition from the Admirall and had left him no occasion of doubting of his love and good will towards him which Lorrain knew to be the basis by their joynt consent upon which their future proceedings did depend That some speech was indeed raised about warring upon the King
reverence of the affinity contracted with the King of Navarr That the King had entred into a league with the Queen of England and endeavoured to do the same with the Protestant Princes in Germany which sufficiently shews how he stands affected to the Protestants Moreover that Faith was given to the Prince of Orenge and to the E. of Nassaw his Brother to aid them against the Spaniards That the Kings Ambassadours did daily search into the Counsels of the Duke de Alva and acquainted the King therewith as the King daily informed him That the Navy under Strossius at Broag is rigged for no other end but to disturb the Spansh Fleet and to assist the Prince of Orenge That for himself they need not fear the King having made Friendship betwixt the Guises and him faith being mutually given that neither should injure other To conclude That the King doth all he can to have Peace at home and Warre abroad and to translate it into the Low Countries against the Spaniards wherefore he prayeth his Friends not to trouble his mind any more with suspitions which is now busied with weightier matters and to joyn with him in prayer to God that he would bring those things to a good issue which are well begun for his glory and the good both of Church and Kingdom A little before Count Lodwick with some others had Commissions from the King to surprize some Frontier Town in Flanders On the other side the Duke de Alva had intelligence of every step that Count Lodwick took yet such was his diligence that he surpriz'd Monts in Henault wherewith the Duke de Alva was so netled that he said The Queen-Mother had sent him the flowers of Florence but he would for them return her Spanish thistles but upon further intelligence he was soon pacified Many Lords and Gentlemen of the Religion accompanied the King of Navarr and Prince of Conde to Paris and the King drew many more of them thither who otherwise would have kept their houses under pretence of his Warres in Flanders Count Lodwick was presently besieged in Monts by de Alva whereupon the King gave Commission to Monsieur Jenlis to raise Horse and Foot for his succour but de Alva being acquainted with all his proceedings surprized him which the King seemed to be much grieved at and presently wrote to his Ambassadours in the Low Countries to procure the deliverance of the prisoners He also encouraged the Admirall to send all the help he could to the Rutters whom the Prince of Orenge had levied for the relief of his Brother causing monies to be delivered to him for their pay The Ambassadours of Spain also seemed to be very male-content because the King began Warre in Flanders and the Kings Mother played her part in this Tragedy pretending that she knew nothing of the Kings proceedings and now she did know them she would leave the Court. These juglings were carried so handsomly that the Admirall Teligni his Son-in-law and other Lords were confidently perswaded that the King was wholly guided by the Admirals advice July the last The Rochelers wrote to the Admirall that the Kings Army approached near them that from Xantone and Gascoine it daily wasted the Countrey about them using terrible threatnings against their Town and menacing to plunder it whereupon they intreated his advice especially about receiving eight hundred men which they sought to put as a Garrison into the Town The Admirall made them an honourable answer Aug. 7. assuring them of the care he had over them adding that he found the King so well disposed for Peace that all men had cause to commend him Yet the Rochelers neglected not to look to themselves and to fortifie their Town In other Towns many were the threats of the Papists against the Protestants which much terrified some others relied upon the Admirals presence and favour at Court and to such as suggested doubts to him he said that the King had reconciled the differences betwixt the Guises and him causing both Parties to swear friendship That the King gave his Sister in marriage not so much to the King of Navarr as to the whole Church of the Protestants to joyn with them thereby in an inviolable union and therefore he besought all them that either by writing or words advised him of the hatred of the King Queen-Mother the Duke of Anjou or the house of Guise no more to trouble him with those things but rather to commend all in their daily prayers to God and to give him thanks who of his infinite mercy had brought things to so good an end August 17. Henry King of Navarr and the Lady Margaret of France Sister to the King in the evening were conducted to the Louure and the next day were married by the Cardinall of Bourbon in the sight of all the people upon a great Scaffold made before the gate of the great Church in Paris which day was passed over in Banquets Dances and Masks and that very day the Admirall wrote a Letter to his Wife great with child in this tenour Most dear and desired Wife This day was celebrated the Marriage between the King of Navarr and the Kings Sister and these three or four ensuing daies will be spent in Feastings Maskings and Dancings The King hath promised me that after a few daies he will set time apart to hear the complaints which are brought from several parts of the Kingdom for violating the Edict of Peace for the prosecution whereof it 's very necessary that I should improve all my interest with the King For though I have an earnest desire to see thee yet it would be grievous to me and I suppose to thee also if I should be any waies deficient in a business of so great concernment neither will my stay here about it be such but that I hope to come to thee this next week If I should only respect my own content it would be much more pleasing to me to be with thee then to stay any longer at Court for sundry reasons which I may hereafter impart to thee but I must have more respect to the publique good then either to my own pleasure or profit I have some other things to impart to thee so soon as God shall bring us together which I much long for both day and night All that I have for the present to write to thee is only thus much at four a clock this afternoon was celebrated the Masse for the Marriage during which time the King of Navarr walked without the Church with some other Noble-men of our Religion Some other matters of smaller concernment I shall reserve till we have an opportunity to speak together in the mean time most dear and loving Wife I pray for thee that God will protect and keep thee Farewell Paris Aug. 18. 1572. Three daies since I was much tormented with the Stone and Cholick but through Gods mercy they held me not above eight
his Pancrestum or Physick for all diseases which greatly comforted his heart in all his afflictions By his first Wife he had five Children He left alive Lewis his eldest Daughter married to Monsieur Teligni who was murthered the same night with his Father-in-law then Francis Odet and Charles the two elder survived that furious Massacre the third being not eight years old in whom he took much delight for his prettinesse was taken by his enemies and taught to bear the Crosse of Christ in his tender years He left his second Wife great with child who was brought to bed four moneths after of a girl and returning to her native Countrey in the borders of Savoy was not long after committed to prison by the command of P. Philibert D. of Savoy for marrying against his consent The Life of Joane Queen of Navarr who was poisoned at Paris a few daies before the bloody Massacre Anno Christi 1572. IOane of Albert was daughter to Henry the second King of Navarr and to Margueret of Orleance Sister to Francis the first of that name King of France and by her Parents was carefully trained up in the Protestant Religion from her childhood which she constantly adhered to all the daies of her life She was married to Anthony of Bourbon Son to Charles Duke of Vendosme by whom she had Henry the fourth of that name King of France by his Fathers right and the second of that name King of Navarr by his Mothers This Anthony King of Navarr in the minority of Charles the ninth being the first Prince of the blood was to be his Protector but the Queen-Mother and the Guises seeking to draw all the power and management of affairs into their own hands laboured by all means to withdraw the King of Navarr from the Protestants that so by weakening them thereby they might rule the rost as they listed For which end they employed the Ambassadour of Spain the Cardinall of Tournon Escars and some other houshold flatterers to him who perswaded him that carrying himself a Neuter and causing the Prince his Son to go once to the Masse the King of Spain would give him the Realm of Sardinia in recompence for that of Navarr which he had lately taken from him The Pope likewise confirms him in this hope which indeed was but to take from him all means of recovering his Kingdom of Navarr when he should attempt it Yet he being drawn by those Spanish and Lorrain practises estrangeth himself by little and little from the Protestants sollicited the Queen his Wife to return into the bosome of the Romish Church and to draw her children thereunto But she being better grounded in the truth then so easily to forsake it refuseth whereupon a breach grew betwixt them and the King her Husband falls in love with one of the Queen-Mothers Maids The forenamed Guisian instruments seeing this perswade him that Heresie is a sufficient cause of dissolving marriage and that therefore he might be divorced from Joane Albert his Wife as being infected with the poison of Heresie They tell him also that notwithstanding his divorce he should retain to himself the possession of and interest in all the Dominions and Kingdoms belonging to her of which she should be deprived as unworthy of them by reason of her Heresie And instead of her he should marry Mary Queen of Scots whose Dowry say they is the Kingdom of England and as soon as the marriage is contracted the Pope would strip Elizabeth of it as unworthy thereof for the same cause and settle it upon them c. But the King of Navarr abhorring to be divorced from his Wife it remained that he should accept the conditions about the Kingdom of Sardinia for the effecting whereof they left no means unassaied and at last prevailed so far that they gulled the King of Navarr and set him at odds with his Brother the Prince of Conde Coligni the Admirall and the other Protestants The Queen his Wife distasting his change of Religion and adhering to the Popish party retired into Podium in the Countrey of Bearne where she kept her Court But it pleased God that shortly after in the siege of Orleance the King of Navarr was shot into the shoulder whereof he died about three weeks after The next design was to seize upon the Queen together with her Son Henry and her Daughter Katherine and to bring them before the judgment seat of the Inquisition of Spain and the Conspirators doubted not but that Philip King of Spain would more willingly hearken to this counsell for that this exploit would make for the advantage of his Religion the rescuer whereof he proudly boasted himself to be As also the businesse about the Kingdom of Navarr which he unjustly detained would be hereby dispatched by the taking away of the unlawfull heirs thereof They conceived also that the businesse might easily be effected by the means of the King of Spain's Souldiers that lay at Bacinona ready to be transported into Africk who by the waies of the mountains might come upon and surprize the Queen of Navarr and her Children at Podium before they were aware One Dominik a Captain born in the territories of Bearne was singled out to go to the Court of Spain to communicate these counsels with the King and to receive further instructions from him But it pleased God that this Dominik falling sick by the way Annas Hespius an honest man that tended on him smelt out the occasion of his journey and by giving timely notice prevented the effecting of it by which deliverance God shewed his watchfull providence over his handmaid this Religious Queen of Navarr Not long after in the time of the third Civil Warre for Religion this Queen having raised great Troops led them to Rochel together with her Son Henry and her Daughter Katherine from whence she wrote Letters to the King the Queen-Mother the Duke of Anjou and the Cardinall of Bourbon To the King she wrote That in the common Cause of Religion in regard of the duty which she owed to the King and the necessity of blood whereby she was joyned to the Prince of Conde she could not be wanting to him upon such an occasion having alwaies rejected the bloody counsels of the Guisian faction and especially the Ambition of the Cardinall of Lorrain from whose friendship she earnestly dehorted the Duke of Anjou beseeching him that he would not yield up himself a minister of his wicked will in cutting up the Royal stock by the roots In her Letter to the Cardinall of Bourbon she sharply chideth him for not being warned by his former danger For how long saith she will you be the Suffragan of the Cardinall of Lorrain Have you forgotten the treacherous plots that were laid by him for your Head and are you so credulous as to believe his oaths when he sweareth that he minded no treachery c. But these
Letters prevailing nothing the Warre went on and in the Battell of Bassac the Protestants were worsted and the Prince of Conde slain which news being carried to Rochel the Queen of Navarr posted to the Protestant Army where before a great Assembly of Nobles and Souldiers she made an Oration to confirm their mindes praising the vertue and constancy of the Prince of Conde who had employed his faithfull endeavours even unto death in defence of so just a Cause and thereupon she exhorted the rest to imitate his example and to persevere in maintaining the truth of Christ and the Liberty of their Countrey For saith she the good Cause is not dead with the Prince of Conde neither ought godly men to give way to despondency in such cases God having so provided for his Cause that he gave Conde companions whilst he lived that may succeed him now he is dead I have brought with me mine only Son Henry and Conde's own Son who as he is Heir of his name so is he of his vertues These with other Nobles besides I trust will never be wanting to so good a Cause And having thus spoken to the Nobles and Army and many things privately to her Son whetting his youthfull spirit she returned again to Rochel to provide new succours In the mean time a Commission was granted to Terride Governour of Quercie to summon the Queen of Navarr and the Prince her Son to leave the party of the Protestants and in case of refusal to invade the Countreys of Bearne Foix and Navarr in which he so prevailed that he reduced all to the Kings obedience but only Navaren which he besieged as the only strong place that remained to the Queen Hereupon the Queen and the Princes sent the Earl of Montgomery to encounter him who with a small Army of five hundred Horse and four thousand Foot forced Terride to raise his siege and retire himself to Ortheze His men were dispersed and to prevent his gathering them together again the Earl besieged him forced the Town and to beat Terride with his own weapons he turned his Cannons which ht found in the Town against the Castle whereupon it was surrendred to him after which all other places were suddainly reduced to the obedience of the Queen and the Earl having garrisoned the Towns of his new conquest speedily returned to the Princes Not long after Peace being concluded betwixt the King and the Protestants the King published an Edict wherein amongst other things he hath this passage Let it be lawfull for the Queen of Navarr the Kings Aunt besides the benefit which is common to all those which have the highest jurisdiction to enjoy the free exercise of her Religion in the Dukedom of Albert in the Earldoms of Armigniac Foix and Bigorre in one place of all those Dominions which she holdeth in her own possession or which may be consigned to her by the King so that all that will come to that place though she her self be absent may enjoy it without danger Moreover lest any doubt should arise concerning the right meaning of the Queen of Navarr the Kings Aunt as also of the Princes of Conde both Father and Son the King doth declare That he acknowledgeth them all for his faithfull Cosens and Subjects and that they and all that have managed the Warres under them shall be free and not bound to render an account for monies received or taken c. The Peace being concluded the malice of the Popish party was no whit abated whereupon they sought by Policy to effect that which they could not by power and for this end Biron was sent to Rochel in the Kings name to treat with the Queen of Navarr about the marriage between her Son Henry and the Kings Sister the Lady Margaret for which end he invited them to come to the Court where businesses might be fully debated and concluded He added also that hereby a fair occasion was offered from God to settle their affairs in peace c. The Queen of Navarr having returned thanks in a set Oration answered that the matter was of that importance that she would take time to her self in deliberating of it and albeit she did professe and acknowledge that that affinity would be a great ornament and profit to her yet she was for the present doubtfull what to do in regard of the near kindred betwixt her Son and the Lady and the difference in their Religions Wherefore saith she I will consult with my Divines and what I shall find to make for Gods glory and the good of the Kingdom and that may stand with a good conscience that I will readily and willingly imbrace being desirous in all that I may to satisfie the pleasure of the King and Queen to whom I owe all due observance Yet there remained two scruples which troubled the King and the Queen of Navarr in respect of the place and manner of celebrating the marriage For the Queen would not have it done at Paris which City being extreamly addicted to the Popish Religion she feared was long since an enemy to the Family of Navarr and therefore she judged it not safe to have it celebrated there The King on the contrary said That it would make for a certain sign of sure Peace to have the celebrity of the marriage seen in the Metropolis of the Kingdom as it were on a publique Theater The other doubt was about the manner of the celebration For the Queen of Navarr being most addicted to the reformed Religion would never endure that it should be contracted after the Popish manner nor the Queen-Mother after the fashion of the Protestants But the King prayed the Queen of Navarr to pardon him in that matter for that it would tend to his great dishonour if he should suffer the marriage of his Sister to be solemnized in any other form then according to that ancient Religion which he had received from his fore-fathers therefore to resolve this doubt there was time taken on both sides In the mean time the Queen of Navarr consulted with the Ministers of the Reformed Religion what might be done in this matter Some of them insisting upon the simplicity of Gods Word said that it was utterly unlawfull for such marriages to be contracted especially by illustrious Personages in whom it is more dangerous because of more publique concernment Others judging that this marriage would be a sure and as it were an everlasting foundation of a most happy Peace assented to it The Queen of Navarr and the Protestant Nobles striving to find out remedies both for the Kingdom which was grievously afflicted and for their own bruised estates liked these mens judgments best and so the businesse proceeded and the conditions of marriage were agreed upon between the parties The King was to give his Sister for her Dowry three hundred thousand Crowns each Crown being valued at four and fifty Shillings About this time the
of unbelief that I may not depart from thee the living God Deliver me from tentation Accept of Jesus Christ for me Teach me to improve all Providences To live upon the Promises Let Christ be my life O Lord let me never shrink from thee For the good of the publique Lord turn the heart of this Nation and all our hearts Turn the heart of the King Sanctifie the Parliament and make them faithfull Blesse the Assembly and make them faithful and upright with thee Let not the Army do unworthily but what thou would have them to do Blesse all the Ministers For other Nations Lord do good to Scotland and the Churches in France Blesse New-England and forrain plantations For the places to which he was related Lord provide a faithfull man for Queens-Colledge A faithfull man for this place New-Church in Westminster A faithfull Pastor for those in the Countrey For Friends and those about him Lord remember all those that have shewed kindnesse to me and have taken pains with me and recompence them Thou hast promised that he which giveth a Cup of water in the name of a Disciple and he that receiveth a Prophet in the name of a Prophet shall have a Prophets reward Afterwards having forgotten to crave a blessing upon somewhat given him to take he prayed Lord pardon my neglect and forgetfulnesse of thee and deliver from tentation and the evil of tentation Thou art holy if thou shouldst forsake us Our Fathers trusted in thee and were delivered Lord glorifie thy name in my poor spirit and let none of thy people ever see me shrink from thee for Jesus Christ his sake Being spoken to to cast the burden of his sicknesse and pain upon God he answered I should do very unworthily if when I have preached to others that they should cast their burdens upon God I should not do so my self In these and many other the like Christian expressions he did manifest the same savour of holinesse even to the time of his death which had been constantly discovered in the time of his life He departed this life Anno Christi 1647. and of his age 46. having served God faithfully and painfully in his generation being a very great Instrument of much good and an excellent pattern for imitation His body lieth interred in the New-Church at Westminster and his memory yet liveth in the minds of those that knew him The Life of Gaspar Colinius Great Admirall of France GAsppar Colinius or Coligni was descended of a very Ancient and Honourable Family his Predecessors had Kingly Priviledges in their own Country as the Power of Life and Death of Coining Money Imposing Taxes and Tributes c. His Father was Gaspar de Colonia or Colinius who lived under King Francis the first and had to Wife Ludovica Monmorancy the Sister of Annas Monmorancy Great Constable of France When in the year 1522. the Admirall Bonivet had taken Fontaraby in the Confines of Spain as soon as he was returned into France the Spaniards came and besieged it with a great Army The siege lasted twelve moneths whereby the Inhabitants suffered much extremity by reason of Famine King Francis hearing of it commanded this Gaspar to raise an Army and relieve Fontaraby which Army he presently Levied but in his march he fell sick and died at Ax August 4. Anno Christi 1522 leaving three Sons behind him Odet Gaspar and Francis Ludovica his Widow was made one of the Ladies of Honour to the Queen of France and was very carefull of the education of her Sons and lived a most chaste and vertuous life all the remainder of her daies dying in Paris Anno Christi 1547. Pope Clement the seventh seeking to increase his Authority in France made the elder Brother Odet a Cardinall knowing that by reason of the eminency of his Family he might be very usefull to him By which means the Inheritance fell to this our Gaspar the second Brother who was born Feb. 16. Anno Christi 1517. whose ingenuity and towardlinesse appearing in his childhood his Mother was very carefull of his education and for his Instruction in Learning she made choice of Nicholas Beraldus to be his Schoolmaster a man famous in those daies in France She also provided him Tutors to instruct him in Military Arts of such as were most skilfull therein This Gaspar being thus furnished both for Peace and Warre when he came to the age of twenty four the Dolphin of France the Kings eldest Son besieging Baion at that time Gaspar went to serve under him and to put in practice what he had before gotten in the Theory In which Service he shewed much alacrity and courage and in advancing near to the enemies Trenches he was wounded with a Bullet in his throat The same year also the King having intelligence that his and the enemies Army were ready to joyn battell in Insubria Gaspar obtaining leave hastened thither and in that battell gave great proof of his Valour and Prudence so that shortly after K. Francis dying and his Son Henry succeeding to the Crown he advanced him to great honour and whereas his Uncle Annas Monmorancy was Generall of the Horse he made this Gaspar Colonel of a Regiment of Foot In which Office he carried himself so well that in a little space he gat much repute for his Justice Valour and Prudence and thereby became very gratefull to the common people For whereas the Souldiers formerly by their rapines and plunderings used much to oppresse them this new Colonel kept them in awe by military Discipline especially he severely punished them for incontinency swearing and blasphemy and his Orders were so generally approved of that shortly after the King put them amongst his Military Laws The same King also advanced him to greater honour taking a great liking to him making him one of his own Horsemen which vulgarly are called of the Kings Order And whereas contention arose about that time between the King of France and King Henry the eighth of England about the Town of Bulloine which a little before upon conditions of peace had been pawned to the English the King of France distrusting the English made this Gaspar Governour of all that Countrey who presently going into Picardy whither King Henry of France had sent an Army to besiege Bulloine He with admirable art and diligence built a Castle near to it which was such a shelter to the French and did so hinder the Sallies of the English that in a short time they were forced to treat about surrendring of the City For the finishing of which Treaty the whole businesse was referred by the King of France to our Gaspar and his Uncle Rupipontius which being ended and the Town surrendred Gaspar returned to the King and was shortly after made the Great Admirall of France which amongst the French is counted the greatest honour in the Kingdom having the command of the Sea and