Selected quad for the lemma: religion_n

Word A	Word B	Word C	Word D	Occurrence	Frequency Band	MI	MI Band	Prominent
religion_n	king_n	majesty_n	parliament_n	3,897	5	6.3360	4	false

Text snippets containing the quad

ID	Title	Author	Corrected Date of Publication (TCP Date of Publication)	STC	Words	Pages
A02968	A declaration and protestation, published by the King of Nauarre, the L. Prince of Conde, and the L. Duke of Montmorency, concerning the peace concluded with the house of Lorrayn, the captaines and chiefe aucthors of the league, to the preiudice of the house of Fraunce. Also two letters written by the sayd King of Nauarre. The one to the Parliament, the other to the maisters of Sorbonne. More an epistle written by Phillipp de Morney to the French King: hereunto, for the playner declaration of the innocencie of the sayd princes, are inserted the articles agreed vpon betweene the King and the Lordes of Guyze. All faithfully translated out of French; Déclaration et protestacion du roy de Navarre, de M. le prince de Condé et M. le duc de Montmorency sur la paix faicte avec ceux de la maison de Lorraine. English.	Henry IV, King of France, 1553-1610.; Mornay, Philippe de, seigneur du Plessis-Marly, 1549-1623, attributed name.; Aggas, Edward, attributed name.; Condé, Henri I de Bourbon, prince de, 1552-1588.; Montmorency, Henri, duc de, 1534-1614.; Navarre (Kingdom). Sovereign (1572-1610 : Henry III) aut	1585 (1585)	STC 13109; ESTC S117933	30,651	88

bene brought vp in a Religion which I think holy and true neither need there any testimonie whether in hart I do professe the same For otherwise I could haue eschued so many mischiefes as I haue beene forced to suffer wherein naturally man can cōceiue no great delight I could otherwise also haue purchased the Kings fauour and loue of his people which next after Gods fauour I accompt most profitable and requisite for me The case being such it is ouer hard and so I suppose your selues will thinke to desire that without any other forme or order I should forsake my Religion force both my conscience and soule yea if I should bee so wretched as in such sort to offend your selues might iustly mistrust me in all other matters Me that shoulde sayle in that which in the iudgement of my owne soule I thinke to be my duetie to God a matter that reasonably none can require at my hands This is it that as I thinke I haue voluntarily offered and which daylie I doe still offer Namely to bee instructed in a free lawfull Counsell wherein the controuersies of religion may be thorowly dobated and decided so to yeeld to whatsoeuer shall be determined A way as your selues are not ignorant at all times practised in the Church in like cases and that by the wisest Kings and Emperours in the world A way whereunto you my Maisters haue often counsayled the Kings predecessors and whereby you haue alwaies bene able to maintaine the priuiledges and rightes of the French Church against many vsurpations To bee briefe such a waye as the Church in her greatest force neuer refused for reducing into her bosome euen meane persons yea sometimes one man onely And therfore much lesse ought she now to reiect or flee from the same now I say when it standeth vpon millions of soules vpon whole Tounes and large Prouinces vpon an infinite number of qualified persons euen of the chiefe Princes of the blood neerest to the Crowne who can not easely bee forced neither rooted out without subuertion of the estate and yet being by reason perswaded to chaunge may be a cause of firme peace in this land of a stedfast revniō of y e Catholick church with the foreiudgement of their persons and of a more happy worlde not to this Realme only which were an inestimable gayne but also to all Christendome and Europe which necessarily must haue some feeling of the miseries and calamities of so puissant an estate This my Maisters is the offer that I haue made to the King my Lord which now I doe repeate vnto you and whereof I call you to witnesse among all to whom it may appertaine to the end it may be manifest both to those that now liue and to the posteritie that I was not the cause of disquiet in this estate either any hinderance that the Church was not reduced into her former vnion peace and tranquilitie Where as it is obiected against me that I am an hereticke you are to shewe vnto the world of you haue I learned it that there is great difference betwixt heresie and error That al that hold an heresie are not neuerthelesse heretickes That heretickes are they who doe proceede either vpon ambition or obstinacie wherof neither can haue place in me whom no man euer went about to teach and whom contrariwise they haue by all meanes endeuoured to cast of alleadging no other reason then a strong ambition Besides that I haue renounced the large path to that greatnesse that by the Catholicke Romish Religion lay open vnto me and haue taken the contrary way viz. the way of persecution and contempt constantly perseuering in that which vsually is called and I doe accompt reformed But admit it were so It is against error and heresie that the Church calleth Cōsailes and consultations are houlden to cure the diseased the Surgeon vseth neither Iron nor fire but where his plaisters are to weake It it an euident argument of passion when they begin conuersion with subuersion and instruction with destruction With rooting out and Warre when they should begin with brotherly admonition and gentlenesse Neither is is enough to alledge the holding of the Counsaile of Trent wherein was condemned the religion which I professe and they tearme Heresie you all my my Masters doe knowe what maner of Counsaile that was neither did you euer allowe thereof yea there against haue the whole Estate Cleargie and Parliaments of this Realme often protested You knowe also that in case it had beene lawfully called and holden yet had that bene no preiudice to the summoning of an other Especially sith it concerneth the saluation and reestablishment of such persons and so great an estate Cōtrariwise I am giuen to vnderstand that in the generall Counsaile holden at Basill it was ordeined that from ten yere to ten yere there should be a Counsaile holden to the ende to cut off such errors as might spring in the church Much more needfull then were it for the rooting out such as alreadie are growne vp Iudge now therfore my Maisters which of vs is in the right whether of vs in this case is most to bee respected either who propoūdeth the meetest remedie for this estate The straūger craueth that the home borne childe bee cast out vnder colour of heresie Euen the straūger who long haue practised to haue his roome Mee truely notwithstāding farre vnequall with them vpon whose behauiours they can take no hold I neither haue nor doe desire but to haue my cause heard by a Counsaile to be taught the best way to doe better if I be better instructed Which then will you iudge most right either what neede the whole Realme to bee kindled herewith For who doubteth whether you will sooner choose either ciuill Warre or a Counsaile either the subuertion of the one half of this estate by the other or rather the reunion of both partes of this Realme into one which vndoubtedly wil be of great consequence to all Christiandome Now therfore I doe finally declare vnto you that I craue and am ready to yeeld to a Counsaile that I am readie to hearkē to the Church therein And therefore can you not accompt me either an Ethnicke or Publicane I doe moreouer giue you to 〈◊〉 that in default of a generall Counsalle for the pacifying of matters I do not refuse a nationall which often hath bene practised in this Realme yea and that by your owne counsaile and consent But if notwithstanding any these my offers and request they doe contrary to all order of the Church proceed by banishmēts murders and other rigorous barbarousnesse I am resolued to oppose my selfe in my iust defence against such horrible banishments and violences And the curse be vpon those that doe trouble this estate vnder the false pretence of the Church You therefore doe I call to witnesse of the reasonable conditions whereto I submit my selfe Also God for my defender who is able to debate my

enough to spread it selfe abroad Onely God giue vs grace to leaue all our passions at the threshold of the doore and to enter in in a ful desire to see finde the trueth as being freed from all particuler interest except of our soules Consider Sir what contentation your self in your life time shal reape what honor with the posteritie you shall atchieue if in your daies and through your wisdom and exaple you maye determine a Scisme of so many yeres continuaunce and procure throughout all Christendom the singing of that song of the Angles Glory be to God on high and in earth peace When in this duetie you haue preuēted the Popes Emperours and Catholick Kings yea euen exeded your most Christian forerunners therein shewing your selfe in deede most Christian for your self Christian for France Christian for the whole church God I take to witnesse that from my harte I doe write vnto you al that I seeke which is to see in our time the Church pourged and the Temple swept to the end we may be conuersant togither All men doe agree and long haue that there are abuses among vs. Let them be taken away and cleansed and let vs not set our selues against our selues neither let vs search starting holes to our losse or shewe our selues skilfull contrary to our saluation Way●ing for this benefite at your Maiesties hand let vs one beare with another in modestie gentlenesse suffering your Edicts of Peace to rule and mens consciences to be in rest and as for those which in the meane tyme doe counsaile to surcease or forbid the exercise of the soule they shewe them selues to haue no great feeling of their owne sith thei suppose the soules can liue without their action or foode yea those that thinke it so easie a matter for others to neglect the seruing of GOD according to their consciences doe by that lawe which they prescribe to others sufficiently shew what them selues are viz. of themselues cōtemners of God deuoyde of Religion and Conscience Sir your Maiestie are to excuse my boldnesse In great inconueniences great men haue not despised the meanest voices The barking of one Dog hath preserued many a house from spoyle and the gagling of one Goose was sufficient to keep the Capitoll Duetie and daunger must iustefie my presumption Duetie for it were an offence in daunger to hold my peace Daunger also for it is plaine deceipt in seeing to seeme not to see I beseech sir the Creator with his holy spirite to assist your Maiestie to giue you the same for counsayle and conduct and after so many trauayles to see his Realme florish in yours to prosper vnder his to his glorie your praise and the peace of your people So be it Your most humble and most obedient seruaunt and subiect P. D. M. A Declaration of the Articles agreed vpon betwene the King and the house of Guyze and their adherents commonly called The holy League THE Princes Officers of the Crowne Lordes Gentlemen townes comminalties other the Catholikes of this Realme vnited being the King most humble subiectes and seruants vnderstandihg by the Queene that his Maiesties entent is to embrace the cause of Religion as being holy and iust and to roote out all heresies out of this Realme praysing God for inspiring him with so good holy a mynd do most humbly beseech him to assist thē and the Queene to continue her wonted affection to whatsoeuer concerneth the benefite and preseruation of the state to the ende to prouide for the same They doe therefore desire his Maiestie to set forth an Edict which may be perpetuall and irreuocable wherby all exercize of the newe Religion may bee abolished and the Ministers expelled the Realme Also in asmuch as libertie of conscience tollerated among subiectes maye breede much contempt and 〈◊〉 against the seruice of God It may be enioyned to all his subiectes of whatsoeuer calling or condition to professe the Catholick Apostolike and Romish Religion within 〈…〉 after the publishing thereof otherwise to departe the Realme and no way to sell or dispose of their goodes 〈◊〉 the same to remaine to their Catholicke heires in direct line if they haue any p 〈…〉 ing the iust valewe and estimate of the ●owerth part of the sayd goodes But if their heires be other then in 〈◊〉 collaterall the to pay the estimate of the third parte according to the valewation that shall be● made by the Commissioners thereunto appointed and the money hereof arising to be committed into the handes of certaine persons thereto deputed to bee employed vpon the execution of this enterprize That all Heretickes of whatsoeuer state or condition may be declared according to the Canonicall Sanctions perpetually incapable of all publicke charges offices estates and dignities and those that now haue any to be forced to forgoe resigne the same vnto Catholicke persons such as are capable and not to keepe them notwithstanding they would abiure their error except for the space of three yeres after the sayd abiuration they continewe in Catholicke life so as there may be no further doubt of fayned repentaunce or dissimulation That his Maiestie declare al whatsoeuer haue bene done by the Catholick Princes and Lordes and all other as well particuler persons as Tounes and Communalties that haue taken their partes and suc 〈◊〉 oured and fauoured them either in the seazing vpon Townes fetching of Coyne out of his receiptes taking vp of victualles and Munition or leauying of Souldiers either within the Realme or without and generally all whatsoeuer haue bene done wrought or delt in vntill this present touching the effect and execution of the premises notwithstanding the same bee not particulerly specified or expressed to haue beene done for his seruice with the assuraunce of Religion to the preseruation whereof he acknowledgeth himself to b● bound both as a most Christian King and also by that solemne oath that hee tooke at his annoynting To the ende the Catholiques may not quaile or reenter into any feare iudging the sequel hereof by others that are already past that is that this enterprize should be but couldly prosecuted and finally determined by some other Edict contrary to this by meanes whereof there were no other fruict to be hoped for thē the common mischiefe and domages ensuing of Warre They do most humbly beseech his Maiestie to ordeyne that this sayde Edict may presently bee published without any restriction or qualification vppon the secrete recordes or otherwise It may also please his Maiestie with the Peeres and other officers of the Crowne to assist the publication therof in the Parliament of Paris and the same being read to declare that as a most Christian King being bound aswell by the othe that hee toooke at his Coronation as also by that zeale which alwayes hee hath borne to the seruice of GOD togither with the request and supplication to him made by the generall estates of his Realme assembled at Bloys he hath

A Declaration and Protestation published by the King of Nauarre the L. Prince of Conde and the L. Duke of Montmorency concerning the peace concluded with the house of Lorrayn the Captaines and chiefe aucthors of the league to the preiudice of the house of Fraunce Also two Letters written by the sayd King of Nauarre The one to the Parliament the other to the Maisters of Sorbonne More an Epistle written by Philipp de Morney to the French King Hereunto for the playner declaration of the innocencie of the sayd Princes are inserted the Articles agreed vpon betweene the King and the Lordes of Guyze All faithfully translated out of French Imprinted at London for Edward Aggas The Declaration and Protestation IT is not vnknowne to all men and they may soone call to minde in what estate the affaires of this Realme stoode and of what minde the King was when the house of Lorrayn vnder the title of a Holy league began to raise Wars against his Maiestie to trouble the quiet estate of this Realme For through Gods grace Peace began to take roote in the depth of mens hearts and thence to expell all hartburning and mistrust Iustice vnder the wings thereof gathered strength by the exerci●e of lawes Religion on both parts crept into credite in mens consciences whence the licencious libertie of warres had almost expelled it Nobilitie grewe into familiaritie gaue ouer partialities and factiōs The Cōmons after so many mischiefes and calamities began to enioye the fruites of their labours and through such good order as the King had taken were in possibilitie speedely to bee freed from the pillage and insolencie of the Souldier To be brief the miseries and calamities incident to warres grewe into obliuion and were almost buried vnder the commodities of peace which was mightily prosecuted and daylie cherished through the Kings wisedome to whom nothing was in such recommendation as the continuaunce and establishing of the same For if on either side there remained any scarre of the auncient miseries which the peace that yet had not beene of so long continuaunce or force as the warre could not cleerely deface the King who had both noted the mischiefe and founde out the remedie through that dayly care that he tooke for the affayres of his Realme was surely entred such a path as would not onely haue ended the calamities of this Realme but also in short tyme haue restored her to her auncient dignitie prosperitie and brightnesse But this necessarie path that should haue led al things to wealth quiet and ease is now broken vp and disturbed by the house of Lorrayn who are vtterly vnpatient and not able to abide the tranquilitie and peace of this Realme as finding the same repugnant to their purposes which they knowe them selues vtterly vnable to compasse by the prosperitie but rather through the confusion ruine and subertion of this estate It is needlesse here to rehearse such their purposes as by the effects are sufficiently discouered For it may be euidently knowen to all men what the pretences and practises of those of that house haue bene as also what meanes they haue from time to time vsed especially since the raigne of Francis the second for the contriuing of their deuises which to be brief do tēd to the extinguishing of the house of Fraunce and intruding of thē selues into the place thereof And for the easier atteyning to such their drifts and enterprises how they haue sought to set deuision in the Realm to nourish troubles to weaken the power of the Nobilitie by the losse and shedding of their bloud to abase vnder sundry pretēces the credite auctoritie of the Princes In the meane time themselues to take weapon in hand to gayne partakers to ouerthrowe all that stand in their way and finally so farre as in them lieth to encroch the strength and power of this Realm into their own hands This course haue they euer since the raigne of Frances the secōd taken still gathering ground by little and litle and employing euery occasion They layd to the Princes of the bloud that they had practized against the person of the young Prince and vnder pretence thereof procured the apprehēding and detaining of the chiefe Princes of the bloud sequestring the rest from about his Maiestie bringing into mislike the most auncient and faithfull officers of the Crowne yea euen then had not God preuented them they had set foote vpon the very throte of this estate This being most manifest can not be attributed other then to their ambicious practizes For at that time no Prince in Fraunce openly did professe any other then the Catholicke Romish Religion neither was there any such question of controuersie in Religion which as yet was not much spoken of in this Realme No the quarrell which the house of Lorrayne then had and yet hath against the house of Fraunce tended vnder shadow of the King to raigne vntill fitter oportunitie the whiles vnder his auctoritie and by his power to rid their hands of the chiefe Princes of the bloud who were any stumbling blockes in their way and of the officers of the Crowne as those that could not brooke their vsurped auctoritie Vpon these and such like beginnings we are to iudge of their actions ensuing according to these originalles must we consider of the effectes that since they haue endeuoured to disguize to the ende diuersly to procure them fauour as soone after they did stil they endeuour to do but the nature of water is neuer better knowne then at the Spring while it is yet pure and vnmingled as likewise all humaine actions are naturally discerned at their first beginnings before the inconueniences that wee finde haue gathered any sleights and learned to vse any cloked dissimulation This also was the reason that moued thē immediatly vpon the decease of King Francis vnder whose name they ruled because he had married the Scottish Queene their niece finding themselues thereby excluded from all meanes of gouernement to alter their former pretēce For when they perceyued that the generall estates lawfully summoned and assembled did call them to accoumpt for their administrations and dealings they began to cloke their ambition with the vayle of earnest zeale to the Catholick Romish religion They who but fower daies before had put the Germain Princes in such hope of ioyning with them in the confession of Ausbourg beginning with the murder of many persons of all sortes ages and kinds at Vassy did violate the lawes and infringe the peace and publicke tranquilitie of the Realme for the continuaunce whereof the said general estates had found it expedient to graunt the exercize of both Religions and to the same end had published a solemne edict verefied in all the Courtes of Parliament which could not bee attributed to force feare or other vnlawfull pursuite but onely to the sole consideration of the benefite tranquilitie of this estate With armes during the Kings minoritie they seazed vpon his

person together with the Queene his mother who in wisedome had consented to the sayed edict and through iust feare of their forces was compelled not without manifold reclayming the aide of the Princes of the bloud against their tyrannie to yeeld and in the ende to auctorize them for her patrons All this they did to the ende to entangle the Princes youth in mallice hatred and warres against his owne bloud therby to weaken the Realme and to lay it open to their inuasions to drawe to themselues both the auctoritie and force which indeede they brought to passe so liuing and raigning in and among armes which as opportunitie should serue they might abuse to their owne pretences This foundation did they lay so firme that for the space of these 25. yeres this Realme hath flowed with ciuill warres vnder the support whereof they haue exercized their mallice satisfied their reuenging affectiōs and laboured their ambition with the price of the King and his estate yea euen with the price through their accursed execrable counsayles of the honour of the French nation vnto whom are imputed al the mischiefes and calamities that thorowe the counsayle of this fatall house of Lorrayne hath beene contriued vntill the King now raigning by his wisedome foūd out that the zeale of Religion by thē published as a shield was but a pretence that the true spirite of Religion whereof him selfe hath more apprehension and feeling then they doth not perswade or counsaile the violation of publick lawes the breach of oath or the tainting of a whole estate with bloud and murder so that he perceiued that vndoubtedly it was but a practise to climbe higher for the preuenting whereof it was requisite to ende the troubles of his Realme by an equal and indifferent peace conuenient for the present time referring to God who only raigneth in the consciences all operation in the hearts of his subiects for the reuniting bringing them all to one Religion Howbeit this peace being made not by force but of the Kings meere motion and free consent which also in respect thereof he would haue called his peace this famely could not brooke it as men that could neuer finde any peace in peace and therfore did continually crosse it by al meanes and subtilties possible yea they procured their partakers by all kinde of iniuries violences and wrōgfull attempts to driue the professors of the Religiō into dispaire and impatiencie to force them to take armes whereby the King might iustly leauie warre against them Againe on the other side they sollicited the sayd professors of Religion to ioyne with them alleadging the benefite of the Common-wealth and promising them libertie of religion vnder whatsoeuer cautions or assurances that they could desire leauing no deuice or pollicie vnpractised that might returne this estate into trouble as knowing that the quiet and peace of the land fighteth against ouerthroweth all their deuises and purposes Finally finding the King more and more resolued to maintaine peace and the professors of the Religion crauing nothing more hartely thē quietnes vnder the benefite of the edicts Especially my Lord the Duke of Anieowe deceased and the King without issue whō by an imagination which cannot spring but out of desire they assure themselues to out li●e and vnto whome as all men knowe they haue prescribed and limited but a short time they resolued to rise in armes and to seaze vpon their Maiesties persons had they not beene discouered togither with the most part of the Realm so to bee the better prouided against the time of their imagined alteration Also for the drawing of the greater number of partakers to this conspiracie they haue published sundrie titles and pretences as true the one as the other therby to accomodate them selues to the diuers mindes and seuerall affections of men stil cloking their poyson and venome vnder a gorgeous title of a counter poyson the rather to abuse and confirme their adherents The pretences and titles published are these The Common wealth The discharge of the third estate The reintegration of the Nobilitie in their pristinate dignitie The reestablishing of the Church in her liberties and priuiledges The suppression of certaine persons Whom the King hath exalied The restitution of such as they pretend to haue beene euill en 〈…〉 and hardly dealt with The nominatiō of a Catholick Romish successor to the Crowne for the defence of the Romish Church The extirpation of heresie and rooting out of those whō they pretend to be heretickes All these things haue they promised to bring to passe before they cease and yet how they haue accomplished it I leaue to all mens consideration The true cause yet remaineth vnspoken of is the same that only hath already produced some effects Viz. To be armed to the end to prescribe lawes to the King vnder colour of rooting out of Heretikes and to make away the chiefe Princes of the blood and such as are their principall stumblingblockes that is those that professe the religion wherein they were borne and bread vp so the easelier to attaine to the rest and this hath the King very well marked euen from the beginning of their broyles hetherto For in sundry his Letters to the King of Nauarre he hath confessed that he knoweth well enough that this their zeale of Religion is but a pretence that their drifts do tend against his own person his house and estate And in the meane time because vnder this pretence they had abused many of his subiects he requireth the said king of Nauarre to haue pacience vntil he might euidently discipher the colors from the causes and the pretences from the purposes assuring him that hee findeth the enterprise directly against him selfe and so the offence to appertaine properly vnto him Moreouer vpon the same iudgement and foresight his Maiestie hath by his expresse Letters commaunded al gouernours and Lieutenants generall in their Prouinces and perticuler chardges to assaile their troopes and hath proclaimed and declared them Rebels Traytors perturbers of cōmon peace and enemies to the Estate Vpon the verfication of these his Maiesties commaundements in all the Courts of Parliament there haue ensued many decrees yea some haue bene executed besides that the like messages haue bin sent to all Princes allied and confederat to the Crowne with expresse commaundement to his Maiesties Embassadours to direct their speeches conformably thereunto Viz. That his Maiestie findeth by the effectes as well past as present and vnderstandeth by the demeanurs and testimonies aforesayde that the insurrection of those of this house notwithstāding whatsoeuer their pretences is one of the fruits of their first attempts that is of their conspiracie to roote out the house of France whereof none neede to plead ignoraunce that list but to looke backe vnto and call to minde their behauiours these 25. yeres and more and at once to consider well of the same At the same time also that his Maiestie proclaymed them Rebels

he reuiued the publication of his Edict of pacification throughout all partes of his Realme as a testimony to al but chiefly to those of the Religion that hee in no wise ment to encline to the demaunds of these men but did rather condemne them for that they sought to abolish the sayde Religion by force of armes his Maiestie knowing that to be no meet or lawfull meane as also by sundry letters he assured the King of Nauarre that he would do nothing preiudiciall either to the sayed Edict or him whose cause he acknowledged to be his owne All the premisses notwithstanding it so fell out that vpon a sudden a peace was concluded with those of this famely and league wherof proceeded an Edict wherby the former Edict of pacification so deliberatly confirmed so solemnly sworne vnto by their Maiesties the Princes of his blood all the Courtes of Parliament and the chiefe Lords officers of the crowne which also had bene so freshly reiterated and again confirmed was now vtterly reuoked all exercise of religion vnder paine of death prohibited all professors thereof condemned within the tearme of sixe months to depart the realme the townes for assurance which likewise of his owne accord and for diuers considerations concerning the welth and quiet of his estate he had proroged to those of the said religion they should now speedely habādon to the ende to buy peace at the hands of the sayed Rebels traitors so proclaymed and acknowledged by his Maiestie with the hinderance of his neerest kinsemen and which is worse the weapons committed to the hands of those men to the end to put the same in execution a matter vtterly repugnant to all lawes which doe meerly forbid the execution of any decree to be committed to the aduerse partie nay more that he shal not assist thereat notwithstanding it were to maintaine the execution of Iustice Hereupon therefore doth the King of Nauarre desire all good Frenche men in France to consider what cause he hath to to lament In their publike protestations the conspirators opposed themselues directly against him and yet he to the ende to satisfie the Kings minde and to auoyde all occasion of the peoples oppression remained peaceable and neuer would arme himselfe although he see them in armes round about him He see the Kings mind enclined to peace and that euil and ruine which they openly procured him might haue mooued him by all meanes to crosse them yet for the benefite of the realme he offered to the king some entrie to quietnesse by the declaration which expressely he published yea such as he trusteth all Christiandome will allowe of and the veriest barbarous nation would haue aceapted of They spake of the rooting out of heresie and the Christian authors fought against it with generall Counsels he submitted himselfe to a counsayle and declared himselfe to be ready to be enstructed therby and to yeeld thereto They craued reformation and alteration in some matters of estate such controuersies and differents are by the auncient statutes of the land to bee determined by the generall estates to the assembly whereof whensoeuer it should please the King to summon them hee offered to referre and submit himselfe They requested that the King of Nauarre and the professors of the Religion should immediatly habandon and depart the Townes of assurance notwithstanding the Kings prorogation of the tenour of the same to them graunted for the eschuing of al mistrust he offered without delay to yeeld thē yea which is more to dispossesse himselfe and to render into the Kings handes both he and the Lorde Prince of Conde al gouernments that they holde within this Realme conditionally that the others might doe the like notwithstanding such inequalitie as all men may easely perceiue for it is not meete to make straungers equall with the houshold children Moreouer if there were any further controuersie the decision whereof might touch or any way concerne him for the exempting of the King whose person would be too deare a price to this Realm from all daunger and care therof the sayd King of Nauarre besought his Maiestie not to mislike the determining of any such quarrell either by his power against theirs either els for the preuenting of publicke calamitie by his person against the Duke of Guyze or by more to more as he should think good within the realm or without in whatsoeuer place of free accesse adding moreouer that if his Maiestie could conceiue any more conueniēt remedie for the pacifying of the estate of the Realme the sayed King of Nauarre woulde gladly yeelde thereto and not to spare his life therein most humbly withal beseeching his Maiestie so farre to honor him as to let him vnderstande the same Howbeit nothing respecting all these his so reasonable offers thei haue in the mean time proceeded to a treaty of peace to the great preiudice of the estate and house of Fraunce yea of the King himselfe A peace to speake indifferently vnwoorthy any such title as beeing to bee rather accompted a summons of warre yea vnlesse God of his great mercie doe preuent it such a warre as will be an entry into the ruine and subuertion of the whole estate A peace made with straūgers for the rooting out of the home borne childrē with Traytors for the spoyle of the obedient Subiects with conspirators to the end to commit to their hands the sworde against himselfe to abuse at their pleasures A peace that hath not so much as the tast of any thing appertayning to peace A black peace A wofull and funerall peace and of an vnfortunate aspect A peace which the King signed not but with a quaking and shiuering hand A peace whereto the Princes of his bloud and Peers of this Realm yea the most Catholicke haue refused to sweare as being the decree of their deaths and the small ouerthrowe of the estate which moreouer procureth no comforte either to the Countrey or Townes but hath filled all the good Frenchmen of this Realme with horror and reioyced onely those that nourish them selues and feede vpō their deaths A peace to say the troth which the sayd Lord King of Nauarre acknowledgeth not to be imputed vnto the King a courteous and iust Prince from whose nature the same is too odious neither to the Queene his mother who in al her indeuours haue sought no other but the tranquilitie of the Realme but partly to the dastardlinesse of some of the Kings Counsayle and partly to the trecherie of other some who are either seruants or of kindred and alliaunce with those of this league who also as it is sufficiently knowen in the beginning lessened and deminished the mischiefe propounding it vnto him to be easely appeased least he should haue prouided remedies necessary there against But afterward euen at once when they see the power of the league waxe great did so enlarge it to his view that he was easely perswaded that himselfe might soone be by

the foundation of the Catholique Romish Religion was to prouide that the King should name a successor that professed the same and vnder that pretence as also vnder the former cōcerning the comon wealth they drew to their faction many of the Nobilitie which thought they had bene in earnest but their pretence was onely to atchieue that point which by this peace they haue obtayned which was the same onely that they were so earnest for viz. to sease vpon the Frontiers and Kayes of the Realme which had bene kept euen from the late Monsier also vnder shadowe of Religion to haue weapon in hand so to become arbitrators of the counsayles to prescribe Lawes to the king during his life to make away the Princes of his blood and loyall seruants of the house of France and after his decease which they imagine to bee at hand violētly to vsurpe this poore estate To thinke they either can or doe suppose them selues able to compasse the rooting out of Religion the proofe that for these 25. yeeres or more they haue made is quite repugnaunt thereto Our Kings haue not spared them selues either by pollicies of peace or rigors of Warres The authors of this league haue employed both force and craft The name League hath nothing encreased their meanes hath not bred vp any new souldiers in the Realme neither hath made them greater Captaines then afore they were still it is Fraunce part whereof yea the best part wil not helpe to spoyle and destroy Fraunce It is euen the house of Fraunce which the house of Lorrayn doth assayle for their pretences are sufficiently reuealed to all men This it is that will strengthē the K. of Nauarre with the auncient officers of the Crowne with the Princes of the blood with the wishes of the King with y e sighes and sobbes of all good Frenchmen without respect of Religion and so much diminish weaken the enemy Besides that it is no longer to any purpose herein as against the ould Albigeois to imagine the publication of a croysade for there is not one Towne of France that consenteth to this partie There is no member no part of the body no there is not scarce any one synew but complaineth hereof Neither is it Fraunce onely that hath prosecuted this reformation in Religion but it hath bene a cōmon motion in all Estates and nations of our Europe Hole kingdomes haue sequestred them selues from the Pope Empires haue bene more then halfe touched scarce is there any estate but haue stirred herein as all men know and doe graunt and feeling it can plainly find out and eschue their owne ruine by that of their neighbours On the other side there is no Prince in Europe of whatsoeuer Religion but thinketh it straunge to pretend the excluding of a Prince without audience or teaching no other trespasse against the lawes of the Countrey committed from an estate or succession vnto him due But in Histories it is euident what the effects of an ambicious or enuious passion can compasse euen vpon the least occasion to the vrging of an heresie as for example Philipp the fayre was denounced an heretick for that he would not hold this Realm in homage of the Pope and so was cut off from the Church but such Popes both before and since as haue pretended more modestie and were not led by the like passion haue held an other opinion and otherwise decided it A counsayle must order all and who so eschueth a counsaile eschueth the light and refuseth reason as shewing himselfe to seeke darknesse and to vse the title of Religion in vaine In the meane time such is the mischief the King our Soueraigne partly through the violence and conspiracie of his enemies and partly by the mallice and collusion of some of his Counsailors hath bene forced and brought to conclude a peace whereof vndoubtedly without speedy remedie will ensue his owne ouerthrowe the destruction of the house of Fraunce and the subuertion of this estate Wherefore the King of Nauarre as first Prince of the bloud chiefe Peere of this Realme the Lorde Prince of Conde his Cousine a Prince and Peere of Fraunce and the Lord Duke of Montmorency a Peere of Fraunce and the chiefe Officer of the Crowne together with the Lordes Knights Gentlemen Prouinces Townes and Communalties as well of the one as of the other Religion vnited for the preseruation of this estate doe protest and declare as ensueth First that their entent neither is neither euer was other then to see the King well serued and duetifully obeyed of all men euery one in his place according to his calling and estate and themselues to become an example to all which was to bee seene in these late dealings Namely that their desire tēdeth only to see the Realme peaceable and quiet as it was in a good forwardnesse at the beginning of these broyles and to the same end haue withall their heartes endeuoured them selues against such as sought to molest the prosperitie of the King and Estate and to the like entent will willingly employ whatsoeuer they are able in life or goods Also because heretofore there haue bin sundry meanes propounded vnto the King whether for deciding the controuersies in Religion or of the Estate which his enemies vsed for a pretence either 〈◊〉 for ending such quarrelles as particulerly they pretended against the Princes of Fraunce among whome the King of Nauarre hath the peeminence the sayd King of Nauarre doth most humbly desire his Maiestie to call to minde the aforesaid offers conteyned in his declaration bearing date the 10. of Iune 1585. which he sent to his Maiestie writtē and signed with his owne hand Also if himselfe haue conceiued or there be to him any other motion made for the contentation of his Maiestie and the wealth of the Realme the sayde Lord King of Nauarre would craue to vnderstand thereof and accompteth himself happy in cace it bee such as before God and man hee may accommodate himselfe vnto But perticulerly because these of the league to the ende to finde opportunitie presently to assault him haue for their argument thought good to require the deliuerie of the Townes of assuraunce and vpon refusall thereof with open force to set vpon him hee doth most humbly beseech his Maiestie to remember that in December last Anno 1584. it peased him during the full peace voluntarily to graūt the prorogation therūof at the humble petitions to him made in the behalfe of his subiects that then he so thought it most conuenient for the peace of the Realme that since by meere force of armes and vpon lesse occasiō he hath graūted greater and more Townes to those of the league who rise against his person against his house and against his estate as being content not onely to leaue to them such as they haue seazed vpō but also hath giuen them others yea more then in two yeeres Wars with prosperous successe they could haue gotten wherevpon the sayde Lorde

King of Nauarre as also al other the good subiects and seruaunts of this estate haue occasion to desire the King to graunt thē new assurāces against those of the league and that the rather because those men haue in their hands the chiefe frontiers as well on the Sea coasts as on the lād wherby to draw the straunger into the Realm All which notwithstanding the sayd Lord King of Nauarre once againe offereth to dispossesse himselfe of the sayd Townes of assuraunce vnto him by his Maiesties free consent proroged conditionally that the sayd house of Lorrayne and other their adherents of the league doe likewise effectually departe from those that they holde That all weapons may be layd aside That the straungers bee returned and themselues withdrawne into their owne houses That if notwithstanding so reasonable offers any forces do march against the K. of Nauarre the Lord Prince of Conde and the Lord Duke of Montmorency or any of them or their adherents they do most hūbly require his Maiestie not to mislike that they follow the counsaile both of nature and necessitie which do teach to repell force by force either that they employ whatsoeuer their frends or meanes therein and the rather because now they are not to fight in Guyen for Guyen in Languedock for Languedock in Daulphine Prouince and other places for the estate of the sayd Lo. K. of Nauarre the Lo Prince or the Lord Duke of Montmorency but vndoubtedly for the Estate and libertie of the King hymselfe with the Queene his Mother for the preseruatiō of the lawes and for the defence of the Estate as also they are assured which encreaseth their courage that though the enemy hath proceeded so farre as to seaze vppon his Maiesties Weapons yet he hath kept and reserued his harte for them They pray the Queene the Kings Mother to call againe to mynd how those of that famely entreated her when vnder K. Frances the second her Sonne they ruled all as also what from time to time she noted in them touching the driftes of their ambition Euen she who was the first that to the Kings her children displayed them for such as they are But chiefly that shee who hath wonne to her selfe the name of Mother of the Realme would not now leaue an opinion in the hearts of the posteritie of the leading of the same to ruine by deliuering it into the handes of straungers by enfringing the publicke peace for the contēting of the particuler desires of the publicke enemie and forcing her nearest and most obediēt subiects to encurre the paine due to the Rebelles and perturbers of the estate Whereas at the least there might be some generall peace concluded vpon if in her wisedome she iudgeth it expedient for the peace of this estate to abolish and pardon their offences The said Lo. K. of Nauarre Lord Prince of Conde and Lord Duke of Montmorency do adiure the Lords Princes of the blood earnestly to cōsider that the same importeth their house and blood The Peeres principall officers of this Realme that it cōcerneth the oth and duetie which they haue taken and owe to the Crowne All Parliaments that it toucheth the foundamental lawes of this estate whereof them selues are the preseruers and guardians Generally all estates and degrees of this Realme that it tendeth to the subuertion and confusion of their famelies For who can euer assure himselfe of a particuler quiet in a publicke vprore of a calme in a tempestious Sea of a certaine estate in an alteration of all estates or of a priuate assuraunce in an vniuersall spoyle Also all Princes and estates our neighbours being likewise in league and alliaunce with this estate to assist them in their vndertaken defence and not to suffer such a conspiracie to take effect in respect of the consequence wherinto it might draw all estates Christian They do declare before God who seeth their hearts and before men whom they chose Iudges of their actions that they doe bewaile the Kings estate who abroad is besieged and at home entangled by and in the practises of his enemies that their weapons are vowed onely to his libertie and seruice and would to GOD he had vouchsafed to haue employed their affections for so could they soone haue deliuered him out of all these perplexities Concerning Religion the sayd Lordes King of Nauarre and Prince of Conde doe from their hearts and on their faith and honor declare that they entende not any way to molest the Catholicks or preiudice their Religion which they doe professe as being alwaies of opinion that the conscience ought to be free and as concerning their owne that they are readie to submit themselues to a Counsayle That they doe accept of all good and true Frenchmen both temporall and spirituall and of al 〈◊〉 without acception or exeption of Religion equally taking into their protection and safegarde them their consciences honors and dignities their goods liues and famelies to the ende so farre as in them shall lye to warrant and defende them against all oppression and violence They doe exhort each one particulerly according to his habilitie and calling in token what they are to draw to them to succour and assist thē against those of this league whom the King hath opēly declared attēpters against his person Crowne and estate To the ende also to take from them all doubt and mistrust the Lorde Duke of Montmorency whose Religion was neuer mistrusted whose wisedome as sufficiently knowne to bee such as can well finde the entents of the sayd Lordes King of Nauarre and Prince of Conde shall bee their loadesman and serue them as a guyde Hee being a Peere of Fraunce and chief officer of the Crowne to whom belongeth the first place in leading of the armies Besides that through Gods grace they haue already the assistance and companie of a good number of Catholicke Lordes Knights Captaines and Gentlemen such as haue found out and perceiued their good right together with the necessitie of their defence As for the Captaines of the league and those who to the same entent shall sticke vnto them the sayd Lordes King of Nauarre Prince of Conde and Duke of Montmorency do declare acknowledge them to bee enemies to the King the house of Fraunce and the weale of this estate euen such as the King hath alreadie declared them and as his Courtes of Parliament in the verification of his letters haue aduouched them Also according to the tenour and contents of the sayd letters together with the Kings commaundements therein conteyned they will with their whole power prosecute warre against thē and by all meanes procure the rooting of them out Howbeit for asmuch as diuers there are that by the pretences of the league maye haue been deceiued and abused so many of them as shall within the space of this present yere departe therefro and withdrawe them selues to them or into their owne they will admit receiue into their protection and