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
Offices ambitiously of the King which happily I might have obtained I retired my self to my own house and there even to this time have lived a quiet and private life But omitting these things and speaking to the present occasion Being sent for by Monmorancy I am come hither not to disturb the peace of the City or to innovate any thing but rather to preserve peace against the audaciousnesse of some that would disturb it It is not unknown unto you how much confidence those of the Religion do put in me These being stirred up with new rumours and terrified with the counsels and factions of the Guises do daily flock to me bring me intercepted Letters of the meetings of certain Captains who command their old Souldiers to be ready in arms that when they have occasion to use them they may be at hand What needs more words Letters are intercepted written into Normandy the originall whereof is sent to the Queen Mother and I will shew you a copy of them wherein amongst others there is this passage There is no readier means of restoring the Crown of France to those to whom it doth belong of old then by rooting out the house of Valois and by massacring all the Hugonots which are the chief upholders of it for this end their woods are to be sold that with the price thereof we may arm our selves and get money and if the Hugonots sue for them the businesse being once adjudged against them they will never move for their charges of the suit Now also what should I speak of the daily plunderings and murthers It 's sufficiently known that after the peace was published more then five hundred of those of the Religion were basely murthered in severall places and yet not one of the murtherers were ever punished by the Magistrates and they which have complained of these things to the King or Queen Mother have carried away either only words or some empty paper or parchment instead of satisfaction Who knows not that in the City of Turon lately and openly many of the Religion were cruelly massacred even under the Ensign and by the Souldiers of him who was sent thither by the Duke of Monpensier to settle the peace These things being so yet I hear that there are many of your Priests who are so terrified by my coming hither that they consult about leaving the City and yet there is no place in all France no City Town or Castle where the Priests live and attend their services with more freedom and safety then in my Town of Castelon The Admirall having ended his speech the company was dismissed and two daies after there came to Monmorancy about thirty Delegates from the Parisian Merchants and with them the Bishop and divers Priests to all whom the Admirall spake very Friendly bidding them be of good cheer and fear nothing and within few daies after going to the Court of Parliament he made a speech to them and told them That nothing was more desirable to him then the Peace and welfare of the City neither did he come to them with any other mind then to advance it and therefore he exhorted them that they also would do their endeavours that the Citizens might behave themselves peaceably and quietly and so shortly after he returned home At his return he was informed that there was one Maius who lived not far from him a famous thief that was hired by the Duke of Aumale the Brother of Guise to lie in wait for him when he should ride forth on hunting for which end he had given him an hundred pieces of gold and an excellent Horse many also complained to the Admirall against him for his thefts and robberies whereupon having gotten sufficient witnesses he complained of him to the Parliament at Paris and a few daies after having apprehended him he caused him to be carried to Paris but when he came before the Parliament this villain accused the Admirall as if he had dealt with him about killing the Queen Mother and had promised him a great reward for the same The Parliament after examination finding this to be but a Calumny and proving him guilty of many thefts condemned him to be broken upon the wheel which accordingly was effected Shortly after the Prince of Conde had a Sonne born to whom the King would be Godfather but because he could not himself be present by reason of his Religion he substituted the Admirall to supply his room which businesse was celebrated with very great pomp for at the Feast a Table was prepared as if it had been for the King himself at which the Admirall sat alone and was attended like a Viceroy which every one interpreted as a pledge of the Kings singular love and favour to him Not many daies after news was brought that the Duke de Alva had by the command of the King of Spain brought a great Army into the Low-Countries to suppresse and root out the Protestants and this Army being to passe by the borders of France the Admirall moved in the Kings Councel that Burgundy might be looked to and lest any tumults might arise about the difference in Religion he advised that a guard might rather be appointed of the Swissers then of the French men and it was commonly reported that six thousand Swissers should be ready to oppose the Duke de Alva in case he attempted any thing against Burgundy But a few daies after the Prince of Rupisurias of the royoll blood wrote to the Admirall to send him some trusty Person to whom he might communicate a secret which would much conduce to his safety he also being a Friend to the Prince of Conde by reason of their propinquity in blood told him that there was secret counsell taken at Baion for the utter extirpation of the Protestant Religion and all the Professors of it and for that end those six thousand Swissers were hired and brought into France under pretence of opposing the Duke de Alva the Admirall also was informed of the same by many Letters and Messengers from severall of his Friends These things coming forth first the Prince of Conde and presently after him the Admirall went to the Court and told the King the Queen Mother and all the Councel that they saw no sufficient reason why so many Swissers should be brought into France except it were to oppresse them and many other honest Families which embraced the Reformed Religion But they should find more that had devoted themselves to that Religion then commonly was thought of an experience whereof they had in the late Wars They told them also that if their adversaries attempted any innovations they would not be wanting to themselves nor like sheep would suffer their throats to be cut by murtherers They therefore earnestly intreat and beseech the Kings Majesty that he would be moved to pity so many honest Families and the afflicted condition of his Countrey and of the common people
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
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
place sometimes by slie and false informations against him sometimes by open railing and false libels sometimes by secret backbitings yea at last their malice proceeded so far that they practised his death by poysoning but by Gods good providence the snares were broken and he was delivered Having thus continued Bishop about three years it pleased God to take away that famous English Josiah King Edward and his sister Mary succeeding him the face of Religion was soon altered and this good Bishop amongst others was deprived and clapt up in Prison And though the malice of the then Prelates and Arch-Papists against him was very great who also had sworn his death yet it pleased God most miraculously to preserve and deliver him out of their hands which was effected by this meanes The good King Christian of Denmark having formerly known him at his being in Germany wrote divers times and sued so earnestly and effectually to Queen Mary for him that at last he was dismissed out of Prison and suffered to go over into Denmark There he staied a while and afterwards with the leave of the King went into Germany to his former worthy friend the noble Elector of the Rheine who most willingly received him and restored him to his former Benefice of Burghsaber The reason why he staied no longer with his deliverer the King of Denmark but chose rather to go into the Palatinate was because he could Preach in the Dutch language but not in the Danish Tongue At Burghsaber he remained a faithfull and painfull Preacher all Queen Maries daies till hearing of her death and of the change of Religion under Queen Elizabeth he once again returned into his native Country His Bishoprick was reserved for him till his return and then sundry times profered him but he would by no meanes accept thereof but chose rather to live a more private life yet not out of action for he continued in London teaching and preaching the Gospel so long as the strength of his body would permit and at length being very old and stricken in years he died comfortably and peaceably in the Lord being about eighty years old January 20. Anno Christi 1568. and was honourably buried under a fair Stone in the Chancel of Bartholomews Exchange in London upon which Stone is engraven this Epitaph In obitum Reverendissimi Patris Milonis Coverdale OGDO ASTICHON Hic tandem requiemque ferens finemque laborum Ossa Coverdali mortua Tumbus habet Exoniae qui Praesul erat dignissimus olim Insignis vitae vir probitate suae Octoginta annos grandaevus vixit unus Indignum passus saepius exilium Sic demum variis jactatum casibus ista Excepit gremio terra benigna suo Dr. SANDES The Life of Doctor Sands Archbishop of York who died Anno Christi 1588. EDwin Sands was born of an ancient and worthy Family about the year 1528. and being trained up in Learning he so profited therein both in the Countrey and University that he was chosen Master of Katharine Hall in Cambridge and having Commenced Doctor he was made Vice-Chancellor of that University at which time that blessed King Edward the sixth dying and the Lady Jane Grey being proclaimed Queen as we have heard before the Duke of Northumberland was sent with an Army to apprehend the Lady Mary And when he came to Cambridge he sent for Dr Sands the then Vicechancellor and some other Doctors to sup with him and at supper required Dr Sands to preach on the morrow The warning was short for such an occasion and Auditory yet he refused it not but went home and so to bed The next morning he arose at three a clock and having prayed a good while rose up took his Bible in his hand and closing his eyes earnestly prayed to God that it might fall open at a fit Text for the present occasion and accordingly it opened and the first Text that he cast his eye upon was Joshua 1.16 17 18. And they answered Joshua saying All that thou commandest us we will do and whithersoever thou sendest us we will go according as we hearkened to Moses in all things so will we hearken unto thee only the Lord thy God be with thee as he was with Moses Whosoever he be that doth rebel against thy commandment and will not hearken to thy words in all that thou commandest him he shall be put to death only be strong and of a good courage This Text he prosecuted with such prudence and affection as drew many tears from the eyes of his Auditors After Sermon the Duke and other Nobles desired him to Print his Sermon and he only required a day and an halfs time for the writing of it at the end whereof he delivered it to Mr Leaver who was presently to carry it to London to the Presse But just at that instant came one of the Beadles to him weeping and bad him shift for himself for said he the Duke is retired and Queen Mary is proclaimed Dr Sands was nothing troubled herewith but delivered his Sermon to Mr Leaver and so went to dinner to Mr Moores one of the Beadles his great Friend At dinner being of an undaunted courage and cheerfull disposition he was very merry Mistress Moore drinking to him said Mr Vicechancellor I drink to you this being the last time that ever I shall see you which accordingly proved true That night the Duke sent for him to joyn with him in proclaiming Queen Mary and then told him that the Queen was mercifull and that he hoped for a generall pardon to which Dr. Sands answered My life is not dear unto me neither have I done or said any thing that troubleth my conscience For what I spake of the State I have instructions signed by sixteen Counsellors to warrant me therein neither can speeches be treason nor yet have I spoken any thing but what the Word of God and the Lawes of the Land will bear me out in therefore the will of the Lord be done But be you assured my Lord you shall never escape death for if the Queen should spare you they that now shall rule will kill you That night the Duke was apprehended and some were as busie about Dr. Sands but Sir John Gates that lay in the Doctors house drave them away The next day Dr. Sands was walked into the fields when the University in an irregular manner meeting together ordered Dr. Mouse and Dr. Hatcher to go to Dr. Sands his house to fetch away the University Statutes the Keyes and such other things as were in his custody which accordingly they did and Dr. Mouse who the day before was an earnest Protestant was now turned a zealous Papist and a great enemy to Dr. Sands from whom he had received great curtesies That afternoon a Congregation was appointed by them and the bell rang to it when Dr. Sands coming out of the fields sent for the Beadles asking what
Bishoprick he would resolve on and told at Royston by the Duke of Buckingham that the Bishoprick of Glocester was then void contends with Master Middlethwite to be Lecturer at Trinity-Church for a stipend of fourscore pounds per annum as the upshot of all his hopes and fruit of all his great atchievments at the Court and the contention was so great on all sides that it could not be concluded by any mediation but was referred to an hearing at Royston before King James who was really against the Doctors preaching in the University the consequence whereof he well saw and was informed fully of I confesse I often wondered why Master Middlethwite an eminent Scholar and like enough to get preferment as afterwards it 's known he did should stickle for so small an opportunity to preach against the inclination and disposition of the Townsmen untill I understood that he was set on by the Prelatical Heads who told him that it was a service acceptable to the King and he should be rewarded for it At the time appointed it came unto an hearing and an Argument was urged against the Doctor namely that it was a Lecture maintained by six-pences a thing unseemly for a Master of a Colledge and the Prince his Chaplain but the Duke had taken care that nothing should be ordered and concluded against the Doctors mind for the Duke resolved not to lose him so the meeting was dissolved and nothing done but that night Sir Edward Contvey then Secretary invited Doctor Preston to supper and after supper told him that the King had ordered him to tell him that if he would give over his pursuance of that Lecture and let the Heads dispose of it he should make his choice of any other preferment that was more honourable and profitable for him but the Doctors end was to do good not to get good the Kings to make him uselesse and divide him from the Puritans The Duke was more indifferent who laboured in him to win and gratifie the Puritans whose power in Parliament was now grown very formidable therefore when nothing else would content him he was confirmed Lecturer at Trinity-Church the last preferment he ever had where he preached after all his time and did much good The Duke had now obliged Doctor Preston in the judgment and opinion of all the honest Party and much displeased the Prelatical and he saw apparently that King James approved not his siding with him yet he was more expresse then ever in his affections to him and freenesse with him He had indeed a very happy and rare composure of sweetnesse and solidity would play and dally with the King as if he were a woman and yet enquire and apprehend and argue counsels and debates of State as if a Burleigh or a Walsingham saw clearly the affections of the King were fading which the Puritans though never so much his Friends could not repair and therefore eyed and adored the rising Sun who now was grown and fit for marriage but no Preparatives to find a Consort for him He knew the Spanish match was but a colour and a Treaty dandled between Bristol and King James to fool the Prince off and shut his eares against the French proposals This he discovers to the Prince tels him Kings did not love an Heir apparent how near soever that the daughter of Spain was designed to a Monastery and kept for a reserve unto the house of Austria that in France there was a Lady much before her that if he pleased he would wait upon him into Spain in a disguise and take the French Court in their way and see that Lady and so discover Bristols and his fathers jugling the Prince resents and hugs this overture They tell King James the Earl of Bristol and the Spanish Ministers abused him that it was time to bring that Treaty to some Conclusion desire they might go into Spain and play the game out The King saw who had ploughed with his Heifer feared as he was apt to do a check-mate yet for the present urgeth only his affections to them both and asketh them how he should subsist so long without their companies But they persisting signes a Warrant with his own hand for Jack Smith and Tom Smith with each of them a servant and their horses to go beyond-Sea The Duke even now was not unmindfull of Doctor Preston but leaves order with the Dutchesse and Countesse of Denbigh to be carefull for him and Sir Ralph Freeman having a child to baptize Doctor Preston is intreated for to preach and the Dutchesse and Countesse were both Gossips who shewed to the Doctor very great respect and gave him hopes of doing good and some he did for he procured by their means Master Hildershams liberty and restitution to his place at Ashby de la zouch and gave great hopes unto good Ministers of fairer times then had been formerly only he would relate with much regret that he often found Doctor Laud then Bishop of Saint Davids with them and therefore doubted of the issue and event The Doctor saw by the debates about the Lecture that he had enemies as well as friends at Court that the Duke was mutable as well as mortal knew that the King abhorred that journey into Spain and would remember it if able Dulcis inexperto cultura potentis amici expertus metuit And therefore though now he were setled and assured in the University yet would not leave his Lecture at Lincolns-Inne but being still in London in the Tearm-time about the Colledge-businesse continued Preacher at Lincolns-Inne and thought it might be a good reserve in case the naughty Heads or Factions in the Court should fall upon him and it was well he did for the Prince and Duke returned the next October highly offended with the Spanish gravity and both they and all their train did nothing but tell stories of the Spanish basenesse so a Parliament was called and the Duke cryed up by all the godly Party in the Kingdome The Spanish Agent at the Court had order from his Master out of Spain for to defie him and protest against him at the Counsel-Table but seriously he could not have done him a greater courtesie for the people universally did hate the Spaniard and now the Duke became the peoples Martyr I have seen Verses made in his defence and commendation and Agents presently dispatched in France to treat of that Match King James liked not this stuff but the Prince was able now to go alone and especially when he had the Duke for one of his Supporters all things are fairly carried for Religion and the Duke of Buckhingham the Princes and peoples Favourite The people seemed now to have the better and the Court-affairs for to decline and droop Doctor Preston like another Mordecai was very great the Prince his Master and the Duke his Friend and the Courtiers eyes upon him because they saw he came not thither for preferment as all men else Pisoni in
that part of the City was filled with his armed enemies against whom whilest he opposed himself he was invironed by his adversaries and taken Prisoner who presently carried him away to Antwerp Whilst he was Prisoner there he fell dangerously sick and lay fourty daies tormented with a Fever and as soon as he began to recover he called for a Bible by reading whereof he much eased and refreshed his mind and body and by the diligent study thereof he began to embrace the reformed Religion and to have a tast of true Piety and the right manner of calling upon God Not long after he payed his Ransome which was fifty thousand Crowns and so returned home and being weary of the Factions and Affairs at Court and seriously thinking of his change of Religion he gat leave of the King to turn over his Regiment of Foot to his Brother Andelot and his Government of the Isle of France to his Brother-in law Marshall Monmorancy and shortly after he sent one of his intimate Friends to the King humbly to signifie to him that he intended also to lay down his Government of Picardy and therefore desired him to think of one to succeed him therein The King answered that he wondred at his resolution and scarce thought him wise to divest himself so suddainly of so many places of honour and profit and from that time he began generally to be suspected of his change in Religion shewing a minde so free from ambition and desire of rule Monsieur Andelot also discovering his resolution in Religion the Cardinall of Lorraine who hated the Family of Coligni with a deadly hatred as the greatest enemies to the greatnesse of his Family watched his opportunity and suggested to the King that all men took notice that many great men of France were infected with the poison of Calvinisme which they scattered amongst the inferiour sort of people and in particular that Monsieur Andelot had blabbed out many things to the dishonour of the solemn sacrifice of the Masse c. The King being incensed hereby commanded the Cardinall of Chattillion his Brother and Monmorancy his Cosen to send for Andelot and to admonish him to answer modestly to the questions which should be proposed to him When he came before the King he professed his great good will towarde him and spake many things of his great merits and then told him that he was sorry to hear that which was reported viz. that he thought ill of Religion and therefore he required him to tell him what he thought of the Mass which the Calvinists spake so much against Andelot being a man of great courage answered confidently according to the truth which the King being offended at exhorted him to look to himself and to prevent the danger before it were too late Whereunto Andelot with greater courage answered that he had hitherto shewed himself obedient in all things to his Majesty whom he had found alwaies bountifull to himself and his Family but in the cause of Religion he could neither daub nor dissemble with God That his Body Wealth and Dignity were in the Kings power of which he might dispose as he pleased but his Soul was subject to God only that gave it to whom therefore in this cause he must needs be obedient as to his greater Lord. At this the King was so inraged that snatching up a dish he therewith hurt his Son the Dolphin that sat next him and then he commanded one of his privy-chamber to carry Andelot to the City of Meaux where he remained a Prisoner in the Bishops house till he was removed to the Castle of Melodune Not long after King Henry the second dying his Son Francis succeeded him who was married to Mary Queen of Scotland the Daughter of the Duke of Guises Sister by which means the Guises ruled all at Court and they also boasted often of the Kingdom of England to which this Mary was Heir apparent as they said The Admirall knowing their cruel barbarous and bloody dispositions who would never be free from turbulent Counsels and especially from pesecuting those of the Religion he was now without further delay resolved to lay down his Government of Picardy and for that end acquainted Lewis of Bourbon Prince of Conde concerning his intention wishing him to beg that place of the King which accordingly he obtained Our Admirall being thus eased of these publique Burthens and the troubles of them which withdrew his mind from Religion he kept at home in his own Castle and the rather because of his Wife Carola Lavollia born of an Illustrious and Ancient Family which was wonderfully given to the study of Religion exhorting her Husband also that casting off the remainders of Idolatry and Superstition he should wholly betake himself to the true service of Christ. The Admirall having often heard her presse this upon him dealt seriously with her telling her that he never knew any either in France or Germany which embraced in truth this reformed Religion but that they were overwhelmed with manifold afflictions under which they almost perished He told her also that by the Laws of France which were confirmed by all the Parliaments Whosoever made profession of this Religion was to be burnt alive and all his estate to be forfeited to the King Yet saith he if you be so prepared with Faith and courage that you can be content to undergo the same lott with others you shall see that I will not be wanting to do my duty To this she answered That the condition of the Church at this day was no other then what it had been in former ages even from the beginning and she perswaded her self that it would be the same to the end of the world And thus each of them incouraging other the Admirall began to instruct his Family in the true knowledge and worship of God and gave them Bibles and other good Books to read for their furthtr edification Withall he stoutly forbad them those oaths and blasphemies which were common in France especially in the Court He provided also godly Governours and Schoolmasters for his Children so that in a short time there was a wonderfull change in his Family yea by his example his two Brethren Odet the Cardinall and Andelot were exceedingly stirred up to the study of Religion The Admirall from his childhood had been bred in the Court which did in those daies exceedingly abound with luxury and other vices from which he was not altogether free but so soon as he imbraced the true Religion there was such a strange alteration in his life and deportment that the powerfull work of Gods Spirit did wonderfully appear therein Before he durst come to the Sacrament of the Lords Supper he conferred with divers Godly Ministers both about Transubstantiation and Consubstantiation for the setling of his judgment in the truth and once being present in the Town of Vatevill at a private
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
Queen of Navarr being zealously carefull to propagate the Protestant Religion in Cantabria a Province of the Jurisdiction of Navarr she sent Pastors who had learned the Countrey language which is understood by almost none of the neighbours and was before believed that it could not be written She took care also that the New Testament the Catechism and the Prayers used in the Church of Geneva should be translated into the Gascoine or Cantabrian tongue which she caused to be printed at Rochel in a most fine letter and sent to them And so upon the earnest solicitation of the King she went the March following Anno Christi 1572. from Rochel to the Court which was then at Blois with great attendance where it is incredible to think what welcome she had on all sides especially from the King and his Brethren who yet when all was done could boastingly say to his Mother Now Madam have not I quit my self well Let me alone and I will bring them all into the net In April following were the Articles concluded concerning the marriage of the Prince of Navarr with the Kings Sister And in the beginning of May the King woed the Queen of Navarr again to come to Paris for preparing things fitting for the Marriage which she at last consented to and so May the 6. she took her journey from Blois and came to Paris May the 15. After which she went from place to place in the City into sundry houses and shops to find out such things as might tend to the adorning of the day of so great a solemnity The Queen-Mother in the mean time who could not endure this good Queen and yet not finding with what colour she could dispatch her with the rest though she feared the greatnesse of her spirit in case she should survive them and judged it impossible to work upon the flexibility of the young Prince her Son whilst she lived She therefore consulted with one Rene an Italian whose practice was to impoyson things by whose devilish help she brought her accursed purpose to passe This Rene sold the Queen of Navarr certain Perfumes whereby he found out the way to poyson her therewith and afterwards he was heard to make his brags of it saying also that he had the like in store for two or three more who suspected no such matter By this means June the 4. this good Queen fell sick of a continued Feavor and though others sleighted it yet she perceiving by the strength of her disease that she should not long continue prepared her self to receive from the hand of God her mercifull Father that which he had appointed concerning her And calling her Son Henry she commanded him above all things carefully to serve God according to the confession of Faith wherein he had been educated and not to suffer himself to be plucked or diverted from the same by the smoaky pleasures and delights of the world and other incentives unto vices and that he should take care that the Constitutions concerning the same which she had published in the Principality of Berne and the lower Navarr be inviolably kept That he should throughly purge his Family and cause all bad Counsellors to be gone from thence which thought ill concerning God As also all flatterers the abusers of Princes and all other vicious Persons That he should retain with him all good men as Bellovarius Francutius and Betulus who were men of an unblameable life That he should have a special care of his Sister Katherine using her gently and lovingly without bitternesse causing her to be brought up in the Town of Berne in the same School of godlinesse which himself had been trained up in and when she should grow marriagable that he should marry her to a Prince of equall dignity professing the same Religion That he should love Henry Bourbon his Cosen German as his Brother and also Francis Marquesse of Contium taking care that as great concord as may be be cherished betwixt them and the Admirall Coligni for the advancement and propagation of Gods glory Lastly she makes her Son her Heir intreating the King the Queen-Mother the Duke of Anjou and the Duke of Alenson the Kings Brethren to undertake the Protection of the Prince her Son and of Katherine his Sister and to permit them the free exercise of their Religion Then she requested that she might have such nigh about her as might comfort her in her sicknesse out of the Word of God as also to pray with her and for her according to that of Saint James Is any sick amongst you let him call for the Elders of the Church and let them pray over him knowing that the Prayers of a righteous man prevail much with God According to her desire a Minister resorted to her shewing out of the Scriptures that Christians ought in all things to submit to the will of God as to the Father of spirits that they may live and albeit by reason of the severity of his chastisements sometimes it may seem to our flesh as if they were sent for no other end but for our destruction yet ought we to consider that the just God can do nothing but justly and being withall a mercifull Father he cannot but therein seek the welfare of his afflicted Children To this she replied I take all this as sent from the hand of God my most mercifull Father Nor have I during this extremity feared to die much lesse murmured against God for inflicting this chastisement upon me knowing that whatsoever he doth he doth so order the same as that in the end it shall turn to my everlasting good Then said the Minister The causes of sicknesses and diseases must be sought beyond the course of Physick which alwaies looks to the corruption of the humours or of the distemper to the more noble parts of the body And though it be not amisse to have respect to these things as to secondary causes yet ought we to ascend higher namely to the first even to God himself who disposeth of all his creatures even as best pleaseth him He it is that makes the wound and heals that kils and makes alive Deut. 32.39 and therefore to him we ought to direct our Prayers for our comfort in all our griefs and sufferings and in the end to expect full deliverance seeing it's easie with him to restore our health if it stand with his his good pleasure To this she answered That she depended wholly upon Gods Providence knowing that all things are wisely disposed by him and therefore she besought him to furnish her with all such graces as he saw to be necessary for her salvation As for this life said she I am in a good measure weaned from it in regard of the afflictions which have followed me from my youth hitherto but especially because I cannot live without offending my good God with whom I desire to be with all my heart Then said the
explain himself more fully to them which afterwards he did accordingly And so after long communication and great promises of favour the King gently dismissed him with these words Let every man have his Doctor as himself best liketh this shall be my Doctor His adversaries seeing and hearing this dust never after that time molest him any further He did many excellent works of Piety and Charity and amongst the rest he erected that famous foundation of Pauls School London where one hundred fifty three poor mens sons should be taught freely and for this end he built a very convenient dwelling house for the Schoolmaster He assigned also a large annual stipend both for the Head-Master and Usher whom he willed rather to be chosen out of the number of married men then of single Priests with their suspected chastity He left sundry rents and houses for the payment of those stipends which he committed to the oversight of the Worshipfull company of Mercers in London He caused to be ingraven upon the School in Latine Schola Catechisationis puerorum in Christi Opt. Max. fide bonis literis Anno Christi M.D.X. The first Moderator of this School was Mr William Lilly a man no lesse eminent for his Learning then Dr Collet was for this Foundation he made the Latine Grammer which ever since by authority hath been used in all Schools Dr Collet was very expert in the Scriptures especially in Pauls Epistles which he hath illustrated by his Commentaries He held Justification freely by the merits of Christs and not by our own works He was an enemy to the idle and unchast life of the Popish Clergy He abhorred those that persecuted the Professors of the truth He died Anno Christi 1519. and was buried in Pauls Church upon whose Tomb Mr Lilly engraved this Motto Disce mori mundo vivere disce Deo The Life of Miles Coverdale sometimes Bishop of Exester who died Anno Christi 1568. MIles Coverdale was born in the North of England and from his childhood was much given to learning and by his diligence and industry profited exceedingly therein so that in the reign of King Henry the eighth he was one of the first that professed the Gospel in England He was very well skilled in the Hebrew and translated the Bible into English and wrote sundry Books upon the Scriptures which Doctrine being new and strange in those daies he was much hated and persecuted for it especially by the Bishops whereupon he was forced to fly into the Low-Countries There he printed the Bibles of his Translation and by sending them over and selling them in England he maintained himself But John Stokesly Bishop of London hearing thereof and minding to prevent their dispersing in England enquired diligently where they were to be sold and bought them all up supposing that by this means no Bibles would be had but contrary to his expectation it fell out otherwise for the same money which the Bishop gave for these Books the Merchant sent over to Miles Coverdale by which means he was enabled to Print as many more which he also sent into England This caused the Bishops to pursue him with such eagerness that he was forced to remove himself out of Flanders into Germany and to settle himself under the Palsgrave of the Rheine where he found much favour At first he taught children for his subsistence but having learned the Dutch language the Prince Elector Palatine gave him a Benefice at a place called Burghsaber where he did much good by his Ministry and holy life maintaining himself partly by his Living and partly by the liberality of Thomas Lord Cromwell who was his good Lord and relieved him very much At length when by the happy coming in of King Edward the sixth Religion was altered in England and the Gospel had a free passage he returned into his native Countrey where he did very much good by Preaching At the time of the commotion in Devonshire for Religion he was appointed to go down as Chaplain with the Lord Russell who was sent to suppresse the same and after the work was over for his excellent learning and godly life he was made Bishop of Exester being consecrated thereunto at Lambeth by Tho. Cranmer Archbishop of Canterbury Anno Christi 1550. He most worthily performed that Office that was committed to him He preached constantly every Sabbath and Holy day and most commonly twice in the week he read a Divinity Lecture in one Church or other within the City of Exester Considering his Means he was a great lover of Hospitality and kept a very good house He was sober and temperate in his diet holy and blamelesse in his life friendly to the godly liberall to the poor courteous to all men void of pride full of humility abhorring covetousnesse and an enemy to all wickednesse and wicked men whose society he shunned and whom he would in no wise intertain or keep in his house or company His Wife was a most sober chast and godly Matron His houshold another Church in which was exercised all godlinesse and Vertue He suffered no one person to abide in his house who could not give an account of his faith and Religion and who lived not accordingly And as he was very carefull to promote Religion in his Diocess so was he as ready to give direction for good Government in all Ecclesiasticall affairs And because himself was not skillfull therein neither would be hindred from his godly studies nor encumbred with worldly matters and yet judging it meet that the Government should be carried on with all uprightnesse Justice and Equity he sent to Oxford for a learned man to be his Chancellour and by the assistance of his Friends he obtained Mr Robert Weston Doctor of the Civil Law and afterwards Lord Chancellour in Ireland unto whose fidelity he committed his Consistory and the whole charge of his Ecclesiasticall jurisdiction allowing him not only all the Fees belonging thereto but also lodged and found him his Wife and Family horse and man within his own House and gave him a pension of 40lb lb per annum besides which was a very great matter in those daies so liberall was this good Bishop in the allowance which he made to this good Chancellor And surely the Bishop was no more godly and carefull in performing his Office of preaching then his Chancellor was diligent strict and just in doing of his Office without the reproach of partiality or bribery Yet notwithstanding that this godly Bishop lived most holily painfully and virtuously the common people whose old bottels were not capable of new wine could not brook nor digest him and when they could find no other cause this was judged a crime sufficient that he was a Preacher of the Gospel an enemy to Papistry and an honest married man Hereupon many devises were set on foot for his disgrace and removing him out of his
had many Communicants at which times Dr. Sands gave such exhortations as drew many teares from his Auditours and wrought in them an utter abhorrency of the Masse and all Popery When Sir Tho. Wyat with his Army came into Southwark he sent to Dr. Sands in prison desiring his company and advice telling him that the prison doors should be set open for him and the other Prisoners Dr. Sands bad the Messengers tell him that if his rising were of God he should stand otherwise he should fall and that for his own part he was committed by order and that he would never depart thence except he were discharged by the like order the like answer made Mr. Sanders and the other godly Ministers that were prisoners there Dr. Sands having thus lain there nine weeks at last by the mediation of Sr Tho. Holcraft then Knight Marshall he was set at liberty the manner of it was thus Sir Tho. Holcraft made great suit to the Bishop of Winchester in the behalf of Dr. Sands yet could get no grant from him except he would turn to their Religion which if he would do he should have great preferment yet at last by importunity he extorted from him that if the Queen would grant him his liberty he would not oppose it Then did Sir Thomas by two Ladies of Honour prevail with the Queen that he should have his liberty if Winchester liked of it Sir Thomas having this grant watched the Bishops next going to the Queen and then again moving the businesse he at last prevailed with them and gat a Warrant signed by them for his deliverance yet Winchester afterwards commanded him not to release him till two Gentlemen should give a thousand pound bond for him not to depart the Kingdom without License Sir Thomas seeing this procured two Gentlemen to be willing thus to be bound with him and then sending for Dr. Sands he imparted all the businesse to him to whom Dr. Sands said I give God thanks who hath moved your heart to be so carefull of me I think my self much bound to you for your love which God will requite and I will never prove ungratefull But as I came a free man into Prison so I will not go out a bond-man for as I cannot benefit my friends so neither will I hurt them and if I be set at liberty I will not stay six dayes in the Realm if I can get out Therefore if I may not go free send me back to prison where you shall be sure of me Sir Tho. Holcraft was much troubled at this answer yet seeing the Doctor immoveable in his resolution he said to him Since I cannot change you I will change my own mind and am resolved to set you at liberty come of it whatever will come therefore get you gone quickly over-sea and never write any thing back hither for so you may undo me and so friendly kissing him he bad him farewell and commanded his Keeper to take no fees of him Dr. Sands returning to the Marshalsey tarried all night and on the morrow gave his prison-fellows a dinner bad his bed-fellow and sworn stake-fellow if it had so pleased God Mr. Sanders farewell they kissing each other with many teares Then went he to the Kings bench to Mr. Bradford and Mr. Ferrar comforting them and they praising God for his happy deliverance and so he went into London to a private friend and the next night changed his lodging hearing that search was made after him For Dr. Watson and Christopherson went to the Bishop of Winchester and told him that he had set at liberty the greatest Heretick in England and one who had most corrupted the University whereupon the Bishop sent for all the Constables in London commanding them to make diligent search for him and promising five pound to him that could apprehend him Dr. Sands suspecting the matter shifted from place to place and appointed his man to provide him two Geldings purposing the next day to go into Essex to his Father-in-law Mr. Sands with whom his Wife was But that night having a pair of Hose too long for him which were made without measure whilst he was Prisoner in the Tower he then lodging in Cornhill requested the good Wife of the house to send them to the next Taylor to be cut shorter and it so fell out by Gods providence that the next Taylor was a Protestant and the man that made them he knowing the Hose went at midnight to the Doctors lodging and being admitted into his Chamber wished him not to be troubled at their unseasonable coming in to which he answered Nothing can be amisse what God will that shall come to passe then the Taylor told him of the Bishops sending for the Constables whereof he was one and of their hopes to find him for saith he it 's known that you have provided Geldings and that to morrow you are to go through Algate where you will certainly be taken therefore let your man walk booted and spurr'd to morrow neer where your horses stand and in the mean time they shall be conveyed privately to Bednal-green and at a fit season I will come and convey you thither also as you go along the streets look wildly and if you meet your Brother in the mouth know him not c. Accordingly Doctor Sands attired like a Gentleman and looking wildly went with the Taylor the next day who conveyed him through back lanes to Moore-gate and from thence to Bednal-green where having his horses ready he kissed the honest Taylor and would have given him the greatest part of that little which he had which yet he would not receive and so with teares they parted yet afterwards Doctor Sands requited him thankfully That night he rode to his Father-in-law and within two hours after his coming his Father was informed that that night two of the Guard would seek to apprehend him there whereupon he was presently conveyed to an honest Farmers house neer the Sea-side where he was locked up two dayes and two nights in a chamber all alone and then removed to one Mower a Master of a Ships house at Milton shore attending a wind for his departure and while he was there Mower brought forty or fifty mariners to him to whom he gave such an exhortation that they being taken with it resolved all of them to die rather then he should be apprehended May the sixth the wind served and he took his leave of his Host and Hostesse who had been married eight years and had no child and when he took his leave of the woman he thanked her kindly for his entertainment and gave her his handkerchief with an old royall of gold in it saying Ere a year be past be of good comfort God will give you a Sonne and accordingly it came to passe for when there lacked but one day of a twelvemoneth she was brought to bed of a fair Son Doctor Sands and Doctor Coxe were
the Duke of Buckingham to peruse and give his sense upon it Master Shervil the Recorder of Salisbury was a Bencher of Lincolns-Inne and a very good friend of his he had divers Friends at Dorchester and was desirous to be sea-sick and was still enticed forward and at last resolved to wait upon the King and Duke at Plimmouth whether they were gone to see the Navy set sayl Whilest he was there the Rochel fleet was broken by those ships the King lent and Mounsieur Sabeeza came into Falmouth with the remainder and thence to Plimmouth with most lamentable out-cries against the Duke who seemed to be very much affected with it and made mighty Promises of wonderfull repairs but Doctor Preston failed not to set that businesse home he did believe the Duke was over-ruled to lend them and sorry when he saw the sad effects But whilest the Duke was thus detained in the West the Earl of Bristol and the Lord Keeper Williams combined against him and drew in many to their Party among others the Earl of Pembroke and divers great ones in the House of Commons and was so incouraged and heartned in it that the Earl of Bristol May 1. 1626. preferred in the House of Lords twelve Articles against the Duke of Buckingham tending to prove That the Duke had promised unto the Pope and Ministers of Spain to make the King a Papist and over-ruled him against the judgment of the Earl of Bristol to write unto the Pope with the title of Sanctissime Pater That his carriage in the matters of Religion was so offensive that he stuck not to kneel before the Host as often as he met it That he was so licentious and unchast in his behaviour that the Spanish Ministers resolved not to have any thing to do with him That when he could not bring about the Match to his own particular advantage he used means to obstruct it and break it off That he had informed King James of all these things who promised to hear him and leave the offender unto Justice and that not many daies before his sicknesse The Duke had now reason to look about him and was very able so to do and first he labours to divide the Party by drawing off the Earl of Pembroke by promising his Daughter to the Earl of Mountgomeries Sonne which afterward he did accomplish then he endeavoured to oblige the Puritans by gratifying Doctor Preston all the waies he could and particularly in the businesse of the Colledge-suit by depriving Bishop Williams of the Seal and giving it to Sir Thomas Coventry who was one of the Colledge-counsel yea he went so far as to nominate the Doctor to the King to be Lord Keeper and the King was so firm to him that the Earl of Bristol could do no good and so withdrew his Articles Doctor Prestons Friends were Newters all this while and looked on neither engaged for him nor against him which was sadly represented to the Duke by the Bishops and that Party who wondered he should dote upon a man that either could not or would not own him in his need bad him consider whether Puritans were like to be his Friends whose waies were toto coelo different and told him plainly he could not have them both If he adhered to those that sought their ruine they must adhere to such as would support them so that the Duke was in a great strait and knew not what to do Doctor Preston also was importuned to put it to an issue and if he would not leave the rotten and corrupted Clergy then to leave him and because there had been informations against that Book of Master Mountagues they propounded it might come to a debate and not remain as now it it did unsetled The Doctor and the Duke were both of them unwilling to an open breach loved for to temporise and wait upon events But Doctor Prestons friends would not be satisfied but urged a conference whereunto they were incouraged by some Orthodox and very learned Bishops and at last it was concluded by two religious Noble-men that a conference there should be the Bishop of Rochester and Doctor White then Dean of Carlisle on the one side and the Bishop of Coventry and Litchfield and Doctor Preston on the other A day was set a Satturday in Hillary-Tearm at four of the clock in the afternoon the place was York-house and Doctor Preston sent to in the morning for to attend it The Noble-men came unto the Bishops lodgings about two of the clock and sent for Doctor Preston to them who gave many reasons why he could not go but they were resolute and taking the Bishop with them went without him but the Doctor considering and fearing his absence might betray the cause and give encouragement unto the other side went afterward himself unto the place and sate by as an hearer silent untill all was done but talking afterwards occasionally of falling from grace the Bishop shewed that a godly man might go far and yet return by the instance of the Prodigal Luk. 15. but Doctor White exclaimed against any that should think the Prodigal in acts of drunkennesse and whoredome not to be fallen from grace and urged that of the Apostle Rom. 1.32 That those that do such things are worthy of death that is said he in a state of everlasting death and therefore fallen from grace so 1 Cor. 6.9 10. shall not inherit the Kingdome of God that is are not sons for if sons then heirs Rom. 8.17 But Doctor Preston answered that these sins made indeed a forfeiture of all their interest into the hands of God and he might make the seisure if he pleased but did not unto those which were his children and in Covenant with him as two Tennants by not paying of their Rent or keeping Covenants forfeited their Leases yet the Lord might seize the one and not the other as he pleased But the Bishop and the Dean both cried out this was the way to all licentiousness and looseness To which the Doctor answered That the seed of God as the Apostle calls it 1 Joh. 3.9 remained in the sinning Saint or Sonne and would repair him as in water there remains a principle of cold even when it boyleth over that will undoubtedly reduce it when the heat and fire is removed as in Peter David Sampson and others was apparent so that they could not run out into all licentiousnesse for the spirit lusted against the flesh that they cannot do the things they would Gal. 5.17 and though he did not disinherit them and blot their names out of the Book of life Phil. 4.3 yet he might and would withdraw his favour imbitter all their comforts Mat. 26.75 raise trouble to them from their dearest interests 2 Sam. 12.11 fill them with anguish Psal. 38.3 4. which in reason will keep them from running out seeing the evil is commensurable unto that good of pleasure or profit their sinne afforded and if need be he can
him sweetly unfolded as may appear by those Sermons now in Print And therefore saith a Reverend Divine the noted humility of the Author I lesse wonder at finding how often his thoughts dwelt upon the humiliation of Christ. As for his Sermons upon Cant. 5. Reverend and holy Mr. Dod upon the perusall of the Manuscript was so taken with them that he professed that he found them so full of heavenly Treasure and containing such lively expressions of the unvaluable riches of the love of Christ towards all his poor servants that sue and seek unto him for it that by his great importunity he prevailed with Dr. Sibs otherwise much undervaluing his own meditations to commit the same to the Presse to which Mr. Dod gave this attestation I saith he judge it altogether unmeet that such precious matter should be concealed from the publick use I judge these Sermons a very profitable and excellent help both to the understanding of that dark and most Divine Scripture as also to kindle in the heart all heavenly affections towards Jesus Christ the whole frame whereof is carried with such Wisdom Gravity Piety Judgment and Experience that it commends it self to all that are godly wise and I doubt not but they shall find their temptations answered their fainting spirits revived their understandings enlightened and their graces confirmed so that they shall have cause to praise God for the worthy Authors godly and painfull labours Indeed he was throughly studied in the holy Scriptures which made him a man of God perfect throughly furnished unto every good work and as became a faithfull Steward of the manifold graces of God he endeavoured to teach to others the whole counsel of God and to store them with the knowledge of Gods will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding He was a man that enjoyed much communion with God walking in all the Laws of God blamelesse and like John the Baptist was a burning and shining light wasting and spending himself to enlighten others He was upon all occasions very charitable drawing forth not only his Purse in relieving but his very bowels in commiserating the wants and necessities of the poor Members of Christ. He used sometimes in the summer-time to go abroad to the houses of some worthy Personages where he was an Instrument of much good not only by his private labours but by his prudent counsell and advice that upon every occasion he was ready to minister unto them And thus having done his work on earth he went to receive his wages in heaven peaceably and comfortably resigning up his spirit unto God Anno Christi 1631. and of his age 58. The Life of Doctor Chaderton who died Anno Christi 1640. LAurence Chaderton was born of an ancient Family at Chatterton in Lancashire about the year 1546. and his Parents being both Papists they trained him up in that Religion yet bred him to learning and when he came to some maturity of years his Father sent him to the Inns of Court But he being not pleased with that kind of life through the motion of Gods holy Spirit who had a work for him to do in another Calling and place left the Inns of Court and went to Cambridge about the twentieth year of his age and the sixth year of Queen Elizabeth And getting some acquaintance in Christs Colledge it pleased God that the Master and Fellows took such a liking to him for his ingenuity and industry that they admitted him into a poor Scholars place Then did he write to his Father to acquaint him with his present condition and to request some means of maintenance from him But his Father disliking his change of place and studies but especially of Religion sent him a Poke with a groat in it to go a beggâ— withall further signifying to him that he was resolved to disinhâ—â—â—â— him which he also did Yet did the Lord support his spirit to preferre an heavenly before an earthly Inheritance and seeing that he had nothing else to trust to he fell close to his studies and through Gods blessing upon the same he so eminently profited in all sorts of Learning that Anno Christi 1567. being but yet Batchelour of Arts he was chosen Fellow of Christs Colledge Anno Christi 1578. he commenced Batchelour of Divinity and the same year October the 26. he preached a Sermon at Pauls Crosse which he also Printed He was chosen Lecturer at St. Clements Church in Cambridge which place he supplied about the space of sixteen years and by his Holy Learned and judicious Sermons did very much good and was succeeded therein by Mr. Michael Bentley Fellow of Christs Colledge a godly plain and profitable Preacher He was a man famous for Gravity Learning and Religion so that when Sir Walter Mildmay Counsellor of State to Queen Elizabeth Chancellor and under-Treasurer of the Exchequer Founded Emanuel Colledge Anno Christi 1584. he made choice of this man for the first Master and when Master Chaderton shewed himself not willing to undertake that great charge Sir Walter replied saying If you will not be the Master I will not be the Founder of it In the beginning of King James his reign he was one of the four Divines for the Conference at Hampton Court chosen by the Ministers that desired a Reformation in the Church Government and for his Learning and sufficiency was the same year chosen to be one of the Translators of the Bible Anno Christi 1612. when the Prince Elector Palatine came to visit Cambridge he would needs have Mr. Chaderton commence Doctor of Divinity which accordingly he did He deserved very well of Emanuel Colledge for whereas the Founder gave allowance for the maintenance of three Fellows only together with the Advouson of Stranground Rectory in Huntingtonshire near Peterburrough Dr. Chaderton procured by his friends and acquaintance allowance for twelve Fellows and above fourty Scholars of the House besides the Advousons of Auler and Northcudberry Rectories as also of the Vicaridge of Dulverton in Summersetshire Piddle-Hinton in Dorcetshire and Loughburrough in Leicestershire of the Noble Henry Hastings Earl of Huntington which Noble man was a great friend to godly Ministers After he was Master of Emanuel his manner was not to suffer any young Scholars to go into the Countrey to Preach till he had heard them first in the Colledge Chappel All his younger daies he used to expound a portion of Scripture twice a week in his Family He was married fifty three years and yet in all that time he never kept any of his Servants from Church to dresse his meat saying that he desired as much to have his servants know God as himself If at any time he had a Servant upon triall though they could do as much work as three others yet if they were given to lying or any other vice he would by no means suffer them to dwell in his house Towards his
after the seeking of spiritual illumination in hearing and reading c. and divine assistance in religious duties not contenting our selves with the use of parts and accomplishments or grace received but to look higher saying David that could preach excellently and had Nathan and Gad the Prophets also to preach yet cryes out for teaching thereby shewing that all that teaching would not do unlesse God teach also And Davids cryes Open mine eyes he had the light without but he must have light within viz. sight else he could not see the wonders of the Law though he had the Law He used to presse much to meeknesse and a sweet disposition to affability charity and cheerfulnesse not to be rigid sour tart nor sad least the world should think that we served an hard Master Being above eighty years old his pains were very great yet not painfull to him He preached almost all day long on the Lords day yet said it was no great matter to pay money when one had it all the labour was to get it He opened a Chapter and prayed in his Family after preached twice in publique and in the interim discoursed all dinner while but eat very little He brought in many with him to dinner besides his four or six constant Widows if his Wife began to doubt of her provision at sight of so many he would say Better want meat then good company but there is something in the house though cold This is not a day to feast the bodies but souls At first sitting down he would bid them help themselves and one another and see that none want Let me said he bid you but once for I would not speak a vain word to day After both Sermons the house would be filled and he being sate in his chair used to say if any have a good question or a hard place of Scripture to open let them say on and when he was faint he would call for a small glasse of Wine and Beer mixt and then to it again till night preach- He was excellent in preaching occasionally from the creatures as he walked or rode His Ministry was so spiritual and yet so plain that poor simple people that never knew what Religion meant when they had gone to hear him could not choose but talk of his Sermon It mightily affected poor creatures to hear the Mysteries of God by his excellent skill that way brought down to their own language and dialect He was so holy and spiritual both in life and doctrine that he silenced even desperate and devillish opposers of Religion It was a discredit for any to speak evil of him because it must needs expresse much malice and all men most generally in his latter time at least honoured him He was very successefull in making peace though between desperate and almost implacable adversaries and some of them wicked mightily convincing them with Gospel-arguments to the overcoming and quieting of their spirits He would answer any questions propounded that were but fit for a Divine to speak to yet shewing his approbation or dislike of the question according to the honesty and spiritualnesse or curiosity and lightnesse of it When mean inferiour people came to speak with him if he was walking in the Church where he used most to study that he might have room to walk in being troubled with the stone or elsewhere if he thought them bashfull he would meet them and say Would you speak with me And when he found them unable to state their question he would help them out with it taking care to find the sore but would answer and deal so compassionately and tenderly as not to discourage the poorest soul from coming again to him If any questioned him about Ceremonies about which many then suffered he was very wary in dealing not shy in speaking his judgment but carefull of advising them according to their strength He would bid them take heed of being led meerly by the imitation of any body 〈◊〉 other mens arguments but look to their Scripture-light and see 〈◊〉 â—â—guments they had to bear them out and whether they could 〈◊〉 alone in that case if they should survive their patterns He would not have them make a businesse about lesser things and then fall off from what they began to professe Being to advise a young man in his choice of a yokefellow he bad him look principally after Godlinesse Men talk of a portion grace is the bâ—st portion The wise woman buildeth up the house viz. The godly c. Not the rich Some use to say There is a portion and civility and we will hope for grace But saith he rather make sure grace and hope for riches There 's far greater reason for it For Godlinesse hath the Promises riches hath none A Sonne or Daughter of God shall be provided for He would say he that could answer two questions well might have comfort in any place or condition viz. Who am I and what do I here Am I a Child of God and am I in my calling or way He hath given his Angels charge to keep thee in all thy waies And that the knowledge of two things would make one willing to suffer or die viz. What Heaven is And that it 's mine I said one if a man were sure To whom he answered Truly Assurance is to be had and what have we been doing all this while He used to say they that hope to go to Heaven as most do and had not good evidence for it were like a man that passing by a great house and estate would say This is mine but being bid to shew his title would say some body must have it and why not I Such is most mens title for Heaven During the time of his last sicknesse it pleased the Lord to try him by grievous pains most bitter and sharp of the strangury but when he had any intermissions he was breathing out such speeches as tended to the praise of God and to the edification of those that attended him He slept little all the night or day long before his death in all which time he imployed his attendants which were about him to read the Scriptures which he expounded to them And when his strength was spent with speaking he retired himself to Prayer and Meditation When he felt his paines returning he would intreat those that were about him to pray to God for him either to give him deliverance or patience His tentation a little before his death and his wrestlings with Satan were great so were his victories He spake to one that did watch with him all night about two of the clock in the morning that he had been wrestling with Satan all that night who accused him that he neither preached nor prayed nor performed any duty as he should have done for manner or for end but he said I have answered him from the example of the Prodigal
where he continued his former diligence as well in the exercise of Religion as the improvement of his learning both in his private Study and in the performance of Exercises in the University and Colledge notwithstanding the exemption which Fellow-Commoners in Colledges are ready to plead from the performance of them After that he had there taken the degree of Master of Arts about the year 1622. he was in the year 1623. constituted Fellow of Queens Colledge in that University where although he were a Gentleman that beside his Fellowship had an estate of his own and so had the lesse need in point of maintenance to take that trouble of Pupils upon him yet not satisfying himself to take a place upon him without performing the Office thereunto belonging he took many Pupils of whom he was more then ordinarily carefull being very diligent both in praying with them in his Chamber and instructing them in the grounds of Religion as also keeping them to their studies and the performance of disputations and other exercises of learning privately in his Chamber beside the more publique exercises required of them by the Colledge to the great benefit of those that were his Pupils While he was Fellow of Queens Colledge about the year 1624. he was solemnly ordained to the work of the Ministry whereunto from a Child he had addicted himself And about the year 1626 was called to the publique exercise thereof as a Lecturer in the City of Canterbury where for divers years notwithstanding the great oppositions he there met with from such as were enemies to the power of godlinesse he did with much diligence and very great successe discharge that great work to the spiritual edification and comfort of many yet alive to whom his memory to this day is precious The occasion of his coming thither was this Coming from Cambridge to give a visit to his Brother Sir Thomas Palmer at Wingham he did at the intreaty of some Friends preach a Sermon at the Cathedral Church in Canterbury and that with so much true Zeal and reall savour of Piety as did much affect the godly hearers The report hereof coming to the knowledge of Master Delme a godly faithfull prudent and laborious Minister of the French Church in Canterbury he made a journey to Wingham on purpose to gain a further knowledge of him and acquaintance with him with whom he was already not a little in love from that good report he had heard of him though as yet by face unknown to him and hereby not only obtained the knowledge of the man but was also by his gracious and savoury discourse and carriage very much confirmed in that good opinion which he had before conceived of him And this was the first foundation of that intire and Christian friendship which with much spiritual advantage to them both was contracted between these two holy men which continued and increased daily to their mutual comfort and contentment while they were both living and the memory thereof is still precious to him that doth yet survive After this before his return to Cambridge having at the request of Master Delme preached a second Sermon at Saint Georges Church in Canterbury on a week day Lecture the most godly and best affected in the City were more and more taken with him and expressed great desires of enjoying his Ministry amongst them if it might be obtained Hereupon Master Delme with divers others of the most considerable Gentlemen and Citizens having earnestly sought direction from God in a matter of such concernment did seriously advise about it and being first assured of the concurrent desires of many others did by letters and messages to Cambridge signifie to him the desire of the godly in that City that he would undertake to preach a Lecture amongst them This invitation after mature deliberation he thought good to accept of preferring the opportunity and probability of doing good in that populous place before the hopes of preferment either in the University or elsewhere which by reason of his many Friends and acquaintance great at Court and otherwise he might likely have attained unto holding steady to that resolution which long before that time he had taken up so to imploy himself as might probably most promte the Work of God whatever became of his own advantages Whereupon a License being obtained for him from George Abbot then Arch-bishop of Canterbury authorizing him to preach a weekly Lecture on the Lords day in the afternoon at Alphage Church in that City He left his Fellowship in the University and undertook this work During his abode in this employment he did much edifie the people there both by sound doctrine and exemplary conversation His Sermons were altogether spiritual and heavenly full of solid explications and practicall applications of the Word of God whereby the City was well seasoned as with savoury salt and much preserved from those innovations and corruptions both in doctrine and Worship which in those dayes were creeping on apace by reason whereof that leven of formality which many of the Cathedralists were promoting who preferred pompous Ceremonies before the power of Godlinesse was stopped from spreading and corrupting so much as otherwise it might have done For although he was not then perswaded of the unlawfulnesse of the then Government and some Ceremonies then in use yet he could no way approve of the corrupt innovations coming on in those daies but did with all wisdome and zeal reprove them countenancing goodnesse and good men And by this means he was a great stay and comfort to the godly Ministers and People both in the City and Countrey thereabouts whom not only by his publique preaching but by many other Christian and Ministerial helps administred in his more private Converses he did very much incourage in true Piety Of this very many Families in that City had great experience even those of the meanest ranke whom he was wont often to visit as he had opportunity that he might the better understand their spiritual condition admitting also persons of all ranks freely to apply themselves unto him as they had occasion and to partake the benefit of private Conferences Prayers and other religious exercises as likewise affording his Christian advice and direction in cases of difficulty especially to distressed Consciences in which cases by most of his prudent and judicious resolutions he was frequently consulted with as a kind of Oracle And that not only during his abode at Canterbury but wherever else the Providence of God did cast him And herein he had an excellent ability and dexterity and took much delight in it And his assistance he afforded not only to those of that City but also to many of the most Religious Families of the Nobility and Gentry thereabouts to whom both by his personal Converses and his Christian letters of which there are great numbers yet to be seen he afforded frequent
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
Christ 1566. the King passed this sentence That having heard both parties and consulted with his Nobles and Counsellours who were all unanimously agreed in the same sentence he pronounced the Admirall clear and innocent from the murther of the Duke of Guise and therefore absolved him from that crime commanding his Proctor and all others that they should never dare hereafter accuse him for the same He commanded also that neither his present accusers nor any other of his Subjects should dare hereafter to make any mention of it Nor that any of his Judges or Parliaments should ever admit any plea against him for it He declared also that seeing both parties had freely referred themselves to him his will was that they should live lovingly and peaceably together never contriving any thing against each other and that if any of them their Friends Kindred of Partakers should violate this Decree that they should be held contemners of the Kings Majesty as guilty of Treason as disturbers of the publique peace and lastly that this his definitive sentence should be recorded in all the Parliaments of his Kingdom But to return to something that hapned before this the Admirall had in his Family one Hambervilleries born of a Noble house whom he made use of in his most weighty and honest affairs and it pleased God that some Letters of his being intercepted came to the Admirals hands wherein he wrote to some great Courtiers that he was ready to obey their commands in giving the Admirall a Soporiferous Potion Our Admirall having read these Letters called the man to him commanding him to write some verses in a paper that lay by which when he had done comparing both the writings together he asked him whether he would acknowledge his hand in those Letters which he looking upon being stricken with guilt for his wickednesse he presently fell upon the ground and begged his Masters pardon The Admirall told him that he was willing to pardon him but upon condition that he should presently depart out of his house nor should ever come into his sight again Not long after the aforementioned Edict of Peace was published the Queen Mother took counsell to go to Baion to meet her Son-in-law the King of Spain and to take her Children with her This afterwards proved the cause of many tragicall events though for the present things were kept very secret and first she ordered her journey to Lyons which hitherto had been in possession of those of the Religion because of the great number of them there and as soon as she came thither she presently set her Italian Artificers to work to build a Citadell upon a neighbouring hill which commanded all the City A little before this the plague began to be very hot and now it had seized upon the Court it self yet could not the Queen Mother be perswaded to remove her self and children from the danger till she had seen the foundations of the Castle laid At last making Lossius Governour of that City a cruel and barbarous man and and an implacable enemy to those of the Religion and adjoyning to him some insolent Souldiers that might daily vex the godly inhabitants she departed But this is very remarkable that whithersoever she removed the Court in Cities Towns Castles c. the plague still followed her so that for three moneths together the King was in continuall danger and was still forced to remove from place to place by reason of the infection At last they came to Baion where the Queen Mother met her Daughter the Q. of Spain and Embassadors from the King with whom she communicated her counsels In the mean time the Marshall Monmorancy whom the King had made Governour of Paris in his absence had certain intelligence brought him that the Guises had imployed their Agents to the common people of Paris to stir them up against those of the Religion in that City he heard also that the Cardinall of Lorraine intended suddainly to be there with a great number of armed attendants though the King by several Edicts had commanded that none in their journeys should carry Harquebushes or Pistols about them Therefore so soon as Monsieur Monmorancy heard that the Cardinall was entred Paris with his followers thus armed he presently taking his guard went to them commanding them to deliver up their Arms This the Cardinall and his Nephew the young Duke of Guise took as an intollerable affront to them and were often heard to say that that fact should cost Monmorancy his life The Cardinall was very potent in this City and could easily have raised sixty thousand armed men to have slain the Governour whereupon he resolved to call in some of his Friends to his aid and in the first place he wrote to the Admirall to hasten to him who accompanied with three hundred Horse entred Paris Jan. 22. which did so terrifie the multitude especially the Priests Monks and Canons of the great Church that they began to think of flying thence The day after Monsieur Monmorancy sent for the Presidents of the Parliament and the chief Magistrates of the City to come to his house to whom he complained before the Admirall of the audaciousnesse and factious counsels of the Cardinall of Lorrain as also of the seditious speeches cast abroad in the City as if the Admirall taking advantage of the Kings absence at so great a distance consulted about plundering that rich City and therefore he thought fit to call the Admirall before them that so he might clear himself from that aspersion Then said the Admirall I have long since found out what my malicious and implacable adversaries have aspersed me withall as if I intended to seize upon this City which is the Bullwark and Eye of France But such counsels as these are fit for those that claim an interest I know not how it comes in in the succession of the Kingdom and contend to have certain Dukedomes and Countries restored to them For my own part I neither challenge any right to the Kingdom nor to any part of it which yet if I should do I think there hath not been a Noble man in France these five hundred years which had the like opportunity to disturb the publique Peace as I. Ye remember after the Duke of Guise was slain that I had the Constable Prisoner in Orleans and what a great occasion I had thereby of doing greater things if I would have embraced it But on the contrary I was never more earnest with the King and Queen Mother for peace then at that time when our affairs prospered best Who can be ignorant how sollicitous and importunate I was for peace at that very time when many potent and flourishing Cities had delivered up themselves into my hands and divers other great Cities both of Normandy and Brittany sought my favour and protection Who knows not that after Peace was concluded instead of begging Honours and
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 scattered flying to Lusinian for safety leaving all their bag and baggage behind them so that the booty which the Admirall gat was estimated to be more worth then fifty thousand Crowns Two daies after they intercepted Letters from Fizius the Kings Secretary to the Queen-Mother much bewailing that losse Presently after the Admirall going to the Town of Jarnac fell into great danger and without a speciall providence had become a prey to his enemies For the enemy understanding that he purposed to transport his Forces over the River in that place by a bridge of boats they secretly laid an ambush on the other side and observing the Admirall where he was they let fly all their Harquebushes at him and others endeavoured to break the bridge of the Admirals side there was one Harquibushier that had often shot at the enemies and at last was by a bullet slain whereupon twelve more ran to his aid so that a tumult arising the Admirall ran with his naked Sword not having time to put on his arms and endeavoured to cut in sunder the cords wherewith the boats were fastened all which time the enemies ceased not continually to shoot at him yet God wonderfully preserved him and from that time forwards he resolved never to be without a Lifeguard for his assistance in such suddain accidents Two daies after the enemies having passed over the River Charenton the Prince of Conde feared lest they would compasse him about having lately joyned to them three thousand German horse and six thousand Swissers yet being of a very resolute and couragious mind he resolved to stop their course yet withall if possible to avoid a set Battell In the mean time word was brought to the Admirall that some of his Forces which were quartered in a neighbour village were circumvented by their enemies and yet valiantly defended themselves our Admirall hastened therefore upon the spur to their succour with some horse whom as soon as the enemies espied they compassed round about which being told to the Prince of Conde being more valiant then advised he brake into the midst of them where being oppressed with the multitude and his horse killed under him which also fell upon him he lifting up his beavour rendred himself to some of the Kings Captains who gave him their faith for his safety but presently after came Montisquius Captain of the Duke of Guise his guard not without the secret command of his Master as it was believed and setting upon Conde behinde his back as he was talking with the Captains dispatched him with a dagg shot into his neck He was a Prince inferiour to none that lived in that age for courage and courtesie he was eloquent in speech liberall affable to all and a most excellent Commander in Warre After his death his body was basely abused and at last in scorn laid upon a Shee-Asse and carried to Jarnac The Admirall being exceedingly grieved with this great losse and suspecting the issue made a retreat together with his Brother Andelot into the Town of St. Jan de Angeli and whereas he might have revenged the indignities done to the body of the Prince by shewing the like to the bodies of many of his great adversaries whom he had slain yet he would not do it but afforded them decent buriall which thing he also did during all the time of the Warres The Queen of Navarr being at Rochell and hearing of this great losse hastened to the Camp comforted the Captains and exhorted all the Souldiers not to be disheartned nor to forget their former valour telling them that she had brought her only Son Henry that was to succeed her in the Kingdom to be their Generall professing that she preferred the safety of the Army before the life of her Son To him was also Henry Prince of Conde Brother to Lewis that was lately slain adjoyned in this honour but the whole care for managing the Warre by the joynt consent of all the Commanders and Officers was wholly divolved upon the Admirall none having the like credit or authority amongst those of the Religion as he For it was well known that besides his singular skill in military affairs his justice and temperance there was none amongst all the Peers of France that had so openly embraced and professed the Religion as he He was the first that reformed his Family according to the Rule of Gods Word He was the man that presumed to prefer their Petition to King Francis the second that was nearly allied to the Guises by affinity He gave the first example to the Nobility of France of Piety who were grown extream loose by reason of the dissolutenesse of the Court and after he had once embraced the Reformed Religion he never gave the least occasion of scandall to the Churches And whereas many Delegates repaired often to him from the Churches he alwaies gave them wholsome and prudent counsell He first took up arms not to fight against the King as some misreported but at the request and Prayers of the Queen Mother Neither yet did he it either by his own private counsell or of the Queen Mother but by the Authority of the Parliament of Orleance the King being not yet twelve years old As also after the Kings Edict for Peace established and promulgated by the advice and consent of all the States of France because it was so notoriously violated by the Guises to the utter undoing of many honest Families and almost the ruine of many flourishing Cities and to the losse of the lives of many famous Captains to the great prejudice of the whole Kingdom and to the oppression of many flourishing Churches dispersed almost in every Town of France By all which that poor Kingdom was laid open to be a prey to any forreign Prince that should invade it After these things a grievous affliction befell the Admirall by the death of his Brother Andelot who in the City of Xantone died of a violent disease suddainly not without suspition of poison and the rather because it was a usuall saying of Biraguus shortly after made Chancellour That the War was not to be finished with so much hazard by armed men but rather by Cooks and Kitchin boyes Upon this occasion the Admirall wrote a Letter to his own and his Brother Andelot's sons who were with their Tutor at Rochel for comforting of them the tenour whereof was this Although I believe that the death of my Brother Andelot is very grievous unto you yet I thought fit to admonish you that you have great cause to rejoyce that you had so good a Father and Uncle of whom I dare affirm that he was truly Religious and eminent for his valour and skill in military affairs the remembrance of which vertues ought to be dear unto you that as much as may be you may be imitators of them yea I believe I may boldly affirm this of him that there is none in all
France more skilfull in warlike affairs then was he and I doubt not but even forreign Nations will subscribe to the truth hereof especially those which have had experience of his vertues and this credit he got to himself not by idleness and sluggishness but by undergoing the greatest labours for his Countries sake Truly I knew no man that was more devout to Godward nor more just to men then he Neither am I ignorant that it were unfit for me thus to boast of him to strangers but I mention them more freely to you because I would have you to be imitators of his vertues for I even propose him for my own imitation and I pray God from my heart that when I come to dye I may with the like piety and assurance resign up my spirit to God as I saw him to do And that my grief for him may be the more extenuated I earnestly desire that I may see his graces and vertues to live in you Which that it may be so I exhort you with all your hearts to embrace Piety and true Religion and wholly to apply your selves to your Books that thereby you may through Gods grace be led in the way of vertue and though I willingly allow you to recreate your selves in those hours which your Master allots you yet I charge you take heed that in your play you neither speak nor do any thing whereby you may offend God Be very carefull to reverence your Master and obey him no otherwise then you would obey me for I am perswaded that he will give you no other counsel then what may be for your honour and profit In short see that you love me or rather that you love your selves so that I may hear nothing of you but what I may rejoyce in and as you grow in years and body so you may grow in Piety and Vertue The Lord bless you all and the holy Spirit preserve you for ever From Xantone May 18. 1569 Castellonius The courage and magnanimity of our Admirall did exceedingly appear in this for that though he had lost such a Brother as was second to none in piety justice vertue and the glory of his military actions so that the Admirall called him his right arm yet he told his Friends often that he wholly relied upon the divine providence and knew assuredly that the Church of God was not administred by humane counsels nor this Christian Army led by the providence and valour of its Commanders but by God And speaking concerning his Brother to his Friends he brake out into this expression O blessed Andelot who hast finished the course of thy life so holily and happily About this time news was brought him that Wolfgang Duke of Bipont had brought a strong Army out of Germany into France for the aid of the Protestants and that he had already passed the Loir and had taken Charity where was a Bridge over that River and when he understood that they were advanced as farre as Chalons he intended to joyn his Forces with them and that very day on which he came to them D. Wolfgang died of a violent disease whereupon the German Army unanimously chose Wolradus Count Mansfield to be their Generall This conjunction of theirs exceedingly troubled their adversaries and every one deemed that the Kings Army would not be able to stand before them but that the Courtiers would hereby be brought to stoop to them Yea all good Patriots that studied the publique Peace did abominate the perfidious Authors of these Wars publiquely saying that God never suffered such perjury to escape long unpunished and it was verily believed that if the Admirall had led this gallant Army strait to Paris many great Cities would willingly have yielded and put themselves into the Admirals protection which opinion was much confirmed hereby for that the Duke of Anjou pitching his tents near to them and adventuring a Battell he was easily overthrown most of his foot being either slain or taken together with their Commander in chief Strossius cosen German to the Queen-Mother The Admirall having so brave an Army hoping that now at last the Kings heart would be inclined to Peace he sent an humble supplication to him the Duke of Anjou not suffering him to send Ambassadours in his own and the Armies name intreating and beseeching him no longer to harden his heart but to pity the afflicted condition of the common people and also to consider that if the Warre should be protracted it would turn to the great prejudice of all the States of France there being twenty thousand Auxiliary Souldiers of both parts and that things were brought to this passe that by these Civil Warres mens minds were so farre from union and love to their Countrey that every one sought the blood ruine and destruction each of other They therefore humbly intreated that he would spare his poor Subjects that had so long groaned under these heavy pressures and that he would no longer be led away by the Cardinals and Italians who had too much power over him and could not have the like fellow-feeling of the miseries of France as the French men themselves They suggested also that this was the fittest time for a Treaty when both parties were so confident of their own strength and that the conditions which he and his Army would propose were very easie viz. That they might enjoy that Peace and Liberty for the exercise of their Religion which was often confirmed to them by the Decrees of all the States and by the Kings own Proclamations That it was extream madnesse in those Italians and strangers to think that those of the Religion whereof there were at least two hundred thousand men could so easily be rooted out the truth whereof the experience of the former Warres might easily demonstrate The Duke of Anjou having received that disgrace which we spake of before by the advice of his Councel dismissed a great part of his Army especially of his Horse for a moneth or two bidding them go home and refresh their bodies Things standing thus the Admirall called a Councel wherein it was determined That seeing Rochel and divers other Maritine Cities and places were wholly in the power of the Protestants That therefore they should take care for the fortifying of them and then should attempt the taking in of the City of Poictiers which would be as a Bulwark to all that Countrey but to this there seemed a main impediment which was the taking in of the Castle of Lusiniac the strongest piece in all France yet after they had besieged it a few daies it was surrendred to them and so also was Castelheraut about the same time Then they proceeded to besiege and batter Poictiers but within a few daies the Admirall being quite tired with watchings and labours fell sick of a Flux which held him so violently for thirty daies together that he could neither assist them with his Counsels nor presence so
of Spain which the King made such use of that the Admirall thence collected arguments of his greater good will towards him That they must use such artifices whilst they expected an opportunity to effect what was resolved on That the King of Spain was throughly acquainted with all these proceedings that so he might suspect nothing by reason of those great preparations which were made for Warre for he was assured that this was done upon good grounds as subservient to the principal end That therefore he desired the Cardinall that whatsoever he had heard or should hear hereafter yet he should assure himself that the King would never depart from his first purpose and that whatsoever he did did but conduce to hasten the end of their Counsels and that both the King Queen-Mother and the Duke of Anjou were all very solicitous for this thing and that as soon as ever the businesse should be effected they would instantly send away Messengers to acquaint Lorraine with it And as for the businesse of the Prince of Navarrs marriage they hoped that it would quickly be effected for this was ro begin all their future designs c. He that sent these Letters to the Admirall hoped that he would have been warned by them to look to himself and his affairs but he had such a strong confidence of the Kings love and good will towards him which also was daily nourished in him by his Son-in-law Teligni that he which was most provident and sharp-sighted in all others businesses was fatally blind in this In the beginning of May 1571. the King desired the Queen of Navarr to go to Paris to provide all things necessary for the marriage where she arrived the fifteenth day of the same moneth and the fourth day of June she fell sick of a feavour whereof she died five daies after to the extream grief and sorrow of all her Servants and Friends Two daies before her death being in perfect memory she made a most Christian Testament and last Will finishing her course with singular piety and joy in God She was a Princesse of great experience by reason of her manifold adversities in all which she shewed an invincible constancy and heroicall greatnesse of courage most affectionate to her Religion very carefull of the education of her children training them up in the fear of God In her words most grave and full of motherly affections to them She had a ready and well advised wit was pitifull and easie to be intreated constantly maintained that which she judged to be good and agreeable to the will and good pleasure of God She had a great vivacity of spirit whereby she was able to comprehend all her affairs and had a lively grace in representing them either by word or writing She died June 9. 1572. and of her age 44. It was believed that she was poysoned by the smell of certain perfumes the Doctors and Chyrurgions which opened her were commanded not to open her brain where the mischief lay and therefore could not determine about the cause of her death The Admirrll in this time was at his house aa Castallion where he received many Letters and Messages from the King to come to him and because he stirred not the King sent Cavagnes and Briquemaud to fetch him that they might come to a conclusion about the Warres in Flanders and special commandment was given to the Provost of Merchants and other chief men that at the Admirals coming to Paris there should be no affronts done him About the same time the Admirall had many advertisements from his Friends both within and without the Realm that though he could not conceive any sinister opinion of the King his Mother or Brother that yet at least he would consider into what place he was about to thrust himself amongst so many implacable enemies But he resting upon the testimony of a good conscience and the providence of God rejected all those counsels as proceeding from mens covetousnesse or desire of new troubles which he abhorred worse then death and therefore taking a small train with him he went to Paris and was very honourably intertained by the King Queen-Mother the Kings Brethren and others to the great astonishment of the whole City At the Admirals coming to Paris amongst other Letters that were brought to him there was one that gave him these warnings Remember the Popish Maxime confirmed by the Authority of Councils That faith is not to be kept with Hereticks in which number the Protestants are accounted Remember the implacable spirits of the Papists at this time irritated by the last Warres There is no doubt but it is the fixed purpose of the Queen-Mother to destroy the Protestants by any means whatsoever Consider that she is an Italian of a most crafty wit born of the Progeny of Popes who contrives all extream things against her enemies Remember in what School the King hath been brought up from his childhood how he hath been taught to swear and forswear To pollute himself with whoredomes and adulteries To compose his countenance To counterfeit Faith and Religion How he hath been accustomed to cruelty and bloodshed How he hath been taught not to suffer above one Religion in his Kingdom How it hath been whispered into his ears That the Protestants seek to dispoil him of his life and Kingdom That he is not bound to keep Covenants made with armed Subjects That he is taught the Mysteries of State Policy Remember that Commodus caused Julianus to be slain whom he pretended to honour and imbrace as a Father That Antoninus Caracalla under the pretence of a Muster caused all the chief youths of the City to be slain That Lysander under the pretence of friendship commanded the throats of four hundred Milesians to be cut That lately Atonius Spinola invited all the chief men of Corsica to a Banquet where they were all slain That Christian King of Denmark used the same art to commit that horrid massacre at Stockholme c. That the Kings speech to his Mother at Blois was no secret when swearing fearfully he asked her whether he had not carried himself well at the coming of the Queen of Navarr To whom she answered That he had begun well but that would profit little unlesse he went on But I quoth he swearing often will bring them all into the net Wherefore if you be wise haste both out of the Court and City with all speed as out of a most impure sink The Admirall having read this Letter though he were offended yet lest he should seem to neglect the prayers and warnings of his Friends he returned this answer That there was no place left any longer for these suspitions That he was verily perswaded that so great perfidiousnesse could not enter into the heart of so good a King That indeed the Duke of Anjou was more estranged from the Protestants but that hatred would by degrees cease by
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
being certified that many things were done tumultuously in the City and that weapons were brought together in many places they thought fit that counsell should be taken betimes for that no good could be expected from those proceedings Hereupon one was sent to the King to certifie him of the commontion of the people and of their carrying of Arms and therefore to request him to charge certain of his guard to stand before the Admirals door for his better security The King seeming to be moved with this news began to demand of the Messenger who had told it him and whether the Admirall knew of it and withall he sent for the Queen-Mother who was scarce entred when the King with a disquiet mind as he seemed said What a mischief What is the matter He tels me that the common people are in a tumult and take Arms. She answered They are not in any tumult neither do they take Arms but you know that early in the morning you commanded that all should contain themselves in their own quarters lest any tumult might arise That is true said the King but I forbad them to take Arms. Then the Messenger again requested that he would send some of his Guard to the Admirals lodging The Duke of Anjou being by said Take Cossen to you with fifty Harquibushiers The other answered We desire only six of the Kings Guard for their Authority will more prevail with the people then many armed men Yea quoth the King and the Duke of Anjou take Cossens to you for you cannot have a fitter man which words were pronounced very imperiously The Messenger knowing Cossen to be a great enemy to the Admirall yet held his peace and not far from the Kings Chamber he met with Monsieur Thoree Brother to Marshall Monmorency who whispering in his ear said No greater enemy could be given us for our Keeper to whom the other answered Did you not observe how Imperiously the King decreed it but pray you remember what I answered to the King when he first commanded it A few hours after came Cossen with his fifty Harquibushiers to the Admirals house and chose two shops by to place his Guard in A little after Rambulet the Kings Camp-master followed who by the advice of the Duke of Anjou commanded all the Popish Nobility that lodged in that street to remove their quarters elsewhere that he might dispose of their lodgings to the friends and familiars of the Admirall then which no more crafty counsell could be devised for those matters which afterwards fell out Towards evening this hapned which gave to many no small occasion of suspition A Boy by the command of Teligni brought two hunting poles to the Admirals house but Cossen put him back and would not suffer them to be carried in This being told to the King of Navarr who was now with the Admirall he went down and asked Cossen upon what confidence he did it Cossen answered that he had done it at the command of the King but said he since you will have it so let them be brought in That day the King sent to all the Admirals familiar friends admonishing them to go near to the Admirals house and take up all those quarters But upon the former occurrences another Councel was called under the Admirals lodging wherein the Vidam of Chartres again urged his former opinion that the Admirall should presently be carried out of Paris and that his friends should go along with him That every hour they observed many things that justly increased their suspition But most were of the contrary opinion viz. That they were only to require justice of the King and to desire that the Guises and their Faction might be commanded out of the City as being too powerfull with the people of Paris and of this opinion was the King of Navarr the Prince of Conde and many others and the rather because Teligni urged that it would be a great injury to the King if any should call his faith and sincerity into question and that it would be sufficient if justice were meekly required of him At this debate there was one Bucavannius a Picard who never spake word he was a professor indeed of the true Religion but very gracious with the Queen-Mother and very frequent with her familiars which probably betraied all to her About three a clock in the night there fell out another thing which increased the suspition for one carrying to the Admirals house the Coats of Male of Teligni and Guercius Cossen turned him back again which man complaining to Guercius who was a stout and gallant man he went to Cossen and sharply taxed him for it so that they had well near fallen to blows but Teligni who was of a meek and quiet spirit with gentle words pacified them himself being so deluded with the fair and flattering words of the King that he never thought that he spake enough in his commendation In the mean time a Councell was held at Court where were present the King Queen-Mother Duke of Anjou Duke of Nevers the Bastard of Angolisme Birage Tavannius and Radesianus and it was concluded That seeing by the death of one the mischief diffused amongst so many could not be extinguished therefore all should be destroyed And that the wrath which God would not have fulfilled with the blood of Coligni alone should be poured out against all the Sectaries therefore say they the bridle is to be let loose to the common people who are stirred up enough of themselves and when the businesse is accomplished reasons will not be wanting whereby the deed may be excused the blame being laid upon the Guises who will willingly undergo the same So they all concluded that all the Protestants were to be destroyed even every Mothers child of them Concerning the King of Navarr and the Prince of Conde it was debated Whether they were to be exempted from the number of the rest and it was alleadged that the King of Navarr was to be spared because of his royall Dignity and his affinity newly contracted for it would be without all excuse if so great a Prince next to the King in blood conjoyned in fresh affinity should be slain in the Kings Castle between the arms as it were of the King his Brother-in-law and his Wives imbraces Concerning the Prince of Conde the contention was greater he was much envied for his Fathers sake yet the dignity of his person and the authority of the Duke of Nevers who became surety for him prevailed that he should be spared After this the King calling the King of Navarr told him that by reason of the violence and boldnesse of the Guises and the common people inclining to them he would advise him to command those of his houshold whom he knew most faithfull to him to come to him to the Louure to be at hand upon all occasions This the King of Navarr took in very good part sending for