THese three yeares and more hath France ben tormented with this war. The wiser sort did in their iudgements foresee the mishaps, and the foolish by the feeling thereof are waxen wise. As well the one as the other that do in­dure them doo complaine both of the tedi­ousnesse of the mischiefe, and of the slacke­nesse of the remedie: yea and which is more, weenning to haue succour at the Phisicians hande, they finde him intan­gled in the same disease, and so a patient himselfe. It is ex­pedient (as we see in this extremitie) that all good French­men shoulde gather their wits together, that the patient should helpe the Phisician, yea and in some sort become a Phisitian himselfe: That he should (I say) for the full attey­ning to the cure enter into perfect notice, not so much of the disease which he doth but too much feele, as of the true cause that breedeth it. But we can not iudge either better or more soundly than if we ascend to the originall of these troubles, and thence as it were with a full view set before the eyes of our mindes all that haue sence happened as well on the one side as on the other.

Truely it is euident, and all the world knoweth, that in the yeare 1585. about the month of March when the league be­gan to stirre, this realme was in tollerable estate, the king imagined onely how to establish peace more and more: his subiectes gathered the fruites thereof vnder his obedience: his Maiesties minde was busied, not so much about the con­solidating of the wounds of his realme, which the peace had alreadie reduced into scarres, as to restore it into the former dignitie, force and strength. The borderers began alreadie in part to respect her, and in part to feare her: and vndoub­tedly a few such yeares would haue reduced our France into a state rather to be enueied than enuious of the former.

The league which had long bin practising against the state of this realme did suddenly and to no purpose break off the [Page 4] happie course that we had taken, whereof the house of Guize procured themselues to be tearmed Captaines and leaders. A forreine house, neither was it meete (for it had beene a­gainst nature) that France should be molested or ouerthrowen by other then strangers, yea it seemes almost fatall that these men should do it, whose fathers and vnkles had stirred vp all the former mischieues in this Realme.

It may be that some bitter iniurie might heereafter haue brought the subiect out of his right byas and wrongfully ar­med him against his Prince or countrie: or a mans desperate estate, who willingly would amend himself with others losse. But these are vehement passions which do not alwaies har­ken vnto reason: howbeit in this case that was no such mat­ter. For those of this house helde and did possesse the grea­test benefits and chiefe dignities of this realme, and all this through the bountie of our kinges: and as for fauour, au­thoritie and credite about his maiestie, they had more than the princes of his bloud, how catholikes soeuer, who neuer­thelesse did in silence and patience beare therewith, prefer­ring, as alwaies they haue done, the least teare or griefe of the people before their owne iust sorrowes. These men (as all the world knowe) did enioy their soules in libertie, their honours in authoritie, their liues in safetie, and their goods in tranquillitie. All causes that might breed discontentment were farre from them: and all such as may make a subiect content, they had: yea they had them in such measure that they wanted no more, but to reigne: and indeede (to say the truth) that also rather in title than in power or effect.

Hereupon who so list well to consider what might mooue them to stirre vp our estate which was in quiet, or not to be able to beare their owne which was as good as might be wi­shed, shall bee forced in these men to confesse an vnbrideled and infinite ambition which cannot be tamed by any appre­hension of the ouerthrow of a state, together with the ex­treme miserie and calamitie of so many millions whom it entangleth, which likewise could neuer bee limited with so much authoritie, greatnesse, and honour, sufficient (as they were well diuided) to content all France.

It was (as it was very well noted euen at that time) corre­spondent [Page 5] to the auncient purpose of their predecessors who made themselues Charlemagnes heires, so to ground a pre­tence to this realme, and perceiuing that they could find no hope to come to their purpose so long as it cōtinued whole, endeuoured by the continuation of the troubles, to scatter and destroy it. And indeede these men a yeare or two before procured a booke to be printed purposely, which (though falsely) prooued them to be discended from thence, and so consequently true heires, and our kinges vsurpers of the crowne, for the which the auctor made amendes honorable in the kinges full counsaile. But when they see the Duke of Aniou deceased, the king to haue no children, and the king of Nauarre, chiefe Prince of the bloud, through his religion (as they thought) estranged from the peoples fauour, they imagined the way to be then open to their extreeme ambi­tion, and the season to growe fitte for the hatching of their driftes. Then beganne they afresh to kindle their practises and conuenticles to search out all malcontentes, whether iustly or wrongfully, to treat with the king of Spaine, and such other potentates as enuied our realme, wherof in short space sprong vp this curssed warre of the League, which since hath kindled and consumed our poore estate. Then by their pub­like protestation they required the king to name his heire, and the same a catholike prince, namely, the Cardinall of Bourbon, so to exclude the king of Nauarre. This did they, be­cause that they knew that they could not climbe so high but by degrees, and they would either gouerne or rule in France vnder the wings of the said Cardinall: and now imagine you what a presupposition this was, had there beene no deceit, that the said lord Cardinall a prince alreadie verie old, should suruiue our king being in the flower of his age. The king of Nauarre, whither by his right or by his vertue stopped their passage: hereupon they declare him to be an heretike, and so do pretend him to bee depriued of all the rights belonging to the blood of France: but note that the king of Nauarre al­waies protested that he submitted himselfe to a free counsell, offering thereby to be instructed, and protesting that vntill then he could not be deemed an heretike. They do so feare least hee shoulde returne into the Romish church, and thereby [Page 6] their practises be ouerthrowen, that whereas were they mo­ued by charitie or religion, they should open him the way, they do now shut the gate against him, denouncing him to be a relaps, & fallen againe into heresie, and so consequent­ly incapeable to holde any dignitie, much lesse to reigne in the Church. Also whereas he had pertinently answered, that whosoeuer is not first denounced an heretike can not be de­clared a relaps: that hauing submitted himselfe to a coun­saile, he can not, but by the same, be condemned: more­ouer, that whatsoeuer hee did being forced by extremi­tie can not bee so imputed vnto him as to make him a re­laps.

Contarie to all these so peremptorie reasons: contrary to all the doctors, and contrarie to all the Cannons of the Church, they doo stirre vp Pope Sixtus bull, the Popes (I say) whome they haue circumuented, as himselfe hath confessed, who without anie formalitie, and contrarie to all forme dooth at once declare the saide lorde king and the late lorde Prince, vncondemned, vnheard, yea vncal­led, to be heretikes, relapsed, and excommunicate, and so fallen from all rightes both present and to come. A bull whereby they pretende to haue a free iudgement to ex­clude these princes, who stopped them in the midde way: but indeede such a one as contrariwise is alreadie pre­iudged both by the kings and parliaments of this realme, who haue condemned and openly reiected it, as erring both in matter and forme.

Thus are they ridde, as they thinke, of these two the neerest princes, but nowe there rest the Catholike prin­ces of Bourbon, against whome these exceptions cannot be opposed: for as for the Cardinall of Bourbon, it is enough for them that hee liue so long, as for the nourishing of their authoritie they shall stande in neede of him, as be­ing past age and danger: thus thinke they to get them chil­dren: Then against the Catholike princes descended of the late lorde prince of Conde, they arme themselues with another exception brought into consequence out of the bull: That is, that the saide lorde prince their father died an heretike denounced, whereby hee had forfaited all his [Page 7] rights and actions both for himselfe and his: neither let the duke of Montpensier or his posteritie weene to escape, though being engendred of a father as deuout a Catholike prince as euer was, for hauing likewise followed their va­garies in this point. For they of the league doo thinke by their principles to haue well enough prouided for them: in that they write that the crowne is theirs before either Merouee, Charlemaine, or Capet: This is then long before Saint Lewes, from whome they are descended: when by their bookes, they pretende that beyonde the tenth de­gree, there is no longer succession neither in heritage, fees nor kingdomes, and so consequentlie wee must haue recourse to a newe election: for all the rest of the house of Bourbon are farre beyond that: When to the ende to raise vp the foundations of this estate they do by expresse bookes call into doubt the Salike law, whereby it hath so manie a­ges defended it selfe from strangers, to the ende that after this no alteration may seeme strange.

These were the discourses which they published in their writings scattered among the people at the beginning of this warre, whereby their drifts did euidently appeare to all wise men. The king had no children, neither was there any great hope, thought they, that euer he should get any. The Cardi­nall of Bourbon was vnmarried, and vnder his shadow their power might serue against the rest of the princes. The king of Nauarre, and late prince of Conde, were denounced here­tikes: the Lords princes of Contie, Cardinal of Ʋendosme and Earle of Soissons descended of a prince that fancied heresie, & so by vertue of the bull, entangled in the like degradation: The duke of Montpensier and princes of Ombes verie farre off, yea beyond the tenth degree, which (said they) stopped vp their gate to the succession, and opened another to the ele­ction of a newe prince. Thus you see, they haue ridde and swept the way to come to the crowne, neither is there anie other question but to imploy labour and force whereby to bring the state violently into their facultie.

The enterprise was high & difficult: for the Frenchmans nature still draweth to the right: It was a harde matter thus to exclude a prince in respect of some diuersitie in religion, [Page 8] yea such a one as craueth to bee instructed in a counsell: also the house of Bourbon hath so well these many ages deserued of the state, and that is so well imprinted in their minds, & as it were incorporate into all good Frenchmen, that they were in great doubt, lest the wrong that shoulde bee done thereto would bee verie sensible to all the degrees in France. It was therefore necessarie for them to be assisted by some forreine, rich & mighty prince, whō to that end they were to cal into part. Wherupō, before the blow they practised with the king of Spaine: they got great sums of mony from him, which they distributed among their partakers: they promised as a pledge of their faith to commit into his hands the best townes that they could take, namely Bourdeux and Marseil­les, which they made sure account of: farther alluring him with some hope to procure the crowne to fal into his daugh­ters hands, by abolishing the Salique law: and to begin with­all, they should bring him into Brittain. Matters discouered by their owne letters and remembrances: matters which the king and his especiall seruants know well enough: yea they had gone so farre that the said king of Spaine a while had his armie readie and vnder saile to fall thereupon, had he not in time beene preuented: yea hee had his reasons readie com­posed by the Spanish doctor, whereby he pretended to iusti­fie his discent in Britaine, as by right vnto him appertaining, euen as hee had made his vsurpation in Portugall. Their dis­course was (for they supposed thēselues to be craftie enough to cause all the ambition in the world to bow vnder theirs) that this prince was old and decrepit, and could not liue ma­nie yeares: that at his decease hee shoulde leaue his estates scattered and in danger of troubles, which woulde keepe his heires from looking any farther: and that in the meane time they should get helpe and succour in their present necessitie, and that it rested onelie hereafter to looke to that might happen.

But this prince, who is but too skilfull in his owne affaires was wise enough to take his time for the obteining from them as an earnest pennie, a great piece of seruice, yea such as peraduenture will boile for euer in this realme. For per­ceiuing that his states of the low countries had sent their de­puties [Page 9] to the king to yeeld themselues into his armes and to giue him their persons. For a first seruice that he demandeth of our masters of the League, he willeth them to take armes at the verie instant that his maiestie was to resolue vpon the propositiō of the said estates, otherwise he protesteth against them & meaneth not in time to come any way to assist them with his habilitie: whereby they were driuen to hasten their entering into armes certaine monethes before their time: whereof it insued that the state was troubled, the said depu­ties sent away without doing any thing, and the crowne fru­strate of that great and goodly increase that was then offe­red. Hereby therefore let all France iudge of the nature in­deed strange of the captaines of this League, who to the end to warrant the K. of Spaine from an vncertaine losse, doo cast this realme into an assured shipwracke: who do redeeme the Spaniards danger with the Frenchmans death and his dimi­nution, with the vtter subuersion of France.

But these their wicked intents did they cloake with verie beautifull pretences: for the vppermost painting was a cer­taine deuotion, a zeale to the church: as if the king, who was an example to all men, stoode in need of armed solliciters to bring him into the way: but this hypocrisie was likewise as soone descried through the visarde. And indeede the king by an expresse decree declared them to be rebels and guiltie of treason: and so would haue all his good subiectes to take them: yea, and to the same end he writ to his courts of Par­liaments, to all his bailifs and stewards, and to his principal townes: and aduertised his ambassadors resident with for­reine princes, charging them to lay open their conspiracie against his person and crowne, expreslie commanding all good Frenchmen to ouerrunne them and their adherents, and desiring all princes his neighbours, allies, and confe­derates to assist him against these with both men and mo­nie. These dispatches, I say, which his maiestie sent euerie way both within and without the realme, do faithfully shew what his iudgement was of them when he termed them Par­takers of a publike peace vnder a false shadow of religion: when in ex­presse termes he confesseth, that they shoot not at his crown onelie, but also at his person: likewise the speeches which [Page 10] with his own mouth, he vsed both in the Parliament & town house, which wee all may yet remember. And this profes­sion was neither suborned nor wrested by art or by sorce, but put foorth of his owne and the most inward motion of his minde: for, as it hath sufficientlie since appeared, what force or counsaile had hee about him to vrge him a­gainst the league, albeit contrariwise there were some neere to his maiestie that vsed violence in their behalfes.

And in deede his commandements were then so taken and construed, neither was there anie subtiltie sought out but according to the bare letter: for sundrie companies of those of the league that were in sundrie places defeated by the gouernors and the dukes of Ioieuse and Espernon, with his maiesties forces made open warre against them, as also the lord Marshall Matignon, with the aduise of the court of par­liament of Bourdeux imprisoned the lord of Ʋailac their par­taker, and thrust him foorth of Castle Trompet, and likewise the lord great prior gouernour of Prouence, apprehended those that had enterprised in the behalfe of the league a­gainst the towne of Marseilles, and were fauored with the suc­cour of sixe gallies of Florence ▪ which waited the execution of their purpose, to the ende, to take possession in the king of Spaines name, whose proces was made by the Parliament of Aix with great solemnitie, according to the tenure where­of they were put to death in Marseilles. These synodall te­stimonies and soueraigne decrees were sufficient interpre­ters of the kings intent against those of the league, and the rather because these witnesses, iudges and executioners were the verie same that sawe deepest into the kings in­ward minde, as hauing shewed greatest rigour to the Hu­guonets in the former warres, and were therefore to them suspected of stomacke in matter of their religion, but free from all suspition, or exception to those of the holy league.

Now let vs note the behauiours and actions of the king of Nauarre at the same time: hee see himselfe personallie assaulted, hee perceiued that hee was both the subiect and obiect of those of the league: The speech was of no [Page 11] lesse matter, then to take from him both his life and ho­nour, and to murther all that hee loued, or that ioued him. This had beene enough in some to haue bred a stupi­ditie rather then a patience: It was enough to haue mo­ued a warre abruptlie, much more to defend himselfe from that which was alreadie mooued. On the other side hee perceiued the King highlie offended against the league: hee sawe that hee daylie wrote vnto him, that hee tooke both the quarrell, and the warre to bee his owne: that hee perceiued that they shotte both at his estate and life: That his name and religion were but pretences: but with­all, that it was requisite to let his people vnderstande as much, whome vnder the false shadowe of religion they had miscaried from their dueties. This, besides the equi­tie of the cause, had also beene enough to arme him both with title and authoritie against the League: And had hee thus taken armes, no man woulde haue blamed him, where­as through want of dooing it in time, hee nowe findeth himselfe in trouble. In the meane time hee besides the right and naturall feeling, being neuerthelesse (as all men knowe) wise enough in each other thing, did yet re­solue himselfe from the Kings hande to waite for the re­medie for these mischieues. Hee conteineth all his friendes and seruaunts in patience, and the Protestant townes in peace and silence: hee disposeth himselfe to serue his ma­iestie vppon his token, and in time conuenient: hee will not for his owne part vndertake anie thing, which may either kindle this war (which seemed to happen fitlie for him against the League) or that anie way may bee a let to the quenching thereof.

Contrariwise (and indeede wee must needes remember it) these were the speeches which for the maintenance of peace hee then vsed. In matter of religion hee declared to the King, also to the states and all degrees of this realme that hee had beene therein euen from his youth brought vp: That after he came to yeares of discretion, he had nei­ther seene nor heard any thing that might turn him therfro, That he beleeued that hee was in the right way of saluation, [Page 12] wherein hee had perseuered in the midst of dangers, and maugre the intisements of the world: Neuerthelesse that he was readie to learne of the Church in a free Councell, whether hee would bring both aptnesse and attention to learne: for it did euidentlie enough appeare that his perseuerance in his religion was neither ambition, nor obstinacie: that ambiti­on, if he were therewith possessed, might be much better sa­tisfied on the other side: as for obstinacie, it was too preiudi­ciall vnto him, sith it consisted vpon his quietnes, honour and state. That at this day as well in this realme as through­out Christendom these matters were growne to these termes wherein euen the colledge of Sorbonne was wont to say, that either part shoulde beare with other, without taxing each other with heresie vntill a good counsell consented vnto and accepted by both partes had concluded and decreed therupon: that is a great number of learned men of either side, townes, prouinces, nations, common wealthes, & whole estates, holding as well for the one as for the other. A most certaine argument that all these will not of a iolitie damne themselues: Arguments likewise that the controuersie re­steth in matter disputable, sith that among all nations and so contrarie climats, all sortes of people doo cleaue thereto, yea after a thousand torments euen to the death. Wherefore Christiandome hath nowe as great neede as euer to haue a free and lawfull councell. That the coun­sell of Trent could not bee alledged to haue been such, wherein the parties were hearde: wherein also the par­tie most accused, and which needed greatest reformation sat as iudge: and against the which our most Christian kings immediatly after the battell of Dreux, togither with many wise Princes, expresly by their Embassadours protested nullitie, and namelie because therein they woulde not deale with reformation of doctrine to the rule of the holie scriptures, but onely in outward shewe. Whereupon euen in the most rigorous times, and after the bloodie Barthol­mew is was reiected both by the masters of Sorbonne and the courtes of paliament of this realme: that in matters of lesse consequence the primitiue Church neuer denied the reiterating of counsailes. That the councell of Basill had [Page 13] bound the Pope and the church of Roome to holde a coun­cell euerie tenne yeares, a tearme alreadie expired since that at Trent.

Againe howe farre more seemely it were for the Church, and with howe much lesse perill to this realme to reite­rate a councell than a ciuill warre, a conference in wordes, than a battaile? That particularly his person and dignitie were of such importance that they could not well denie him this path to iustice, considering that sometime there had bin three or foure Councels holden for the reclaiming of some one priuate person onely: considering also that the statutes of this realme, sworne vnto the king and his counsell, allow­ed by his courts of Parliament, &c. had foreiudged of this case, forbidding the title of heresie in both partes, and ex­pressely suspending it vntill the decision of some free and holy Councell.

Concerning their pretence of the state, the said lord King most humbly besought his Maiestie and admonished all the states of this realme to consider how vnfit a thing it were of it selfe, and principally for these men to intrude themselues into such nouelties: that the king was not of any such age, that with the knife at his throte he was to be forced to no­minate his successour to this Realme, especially considering what successour they pretended to force him to name, whom they ought not to presuppose to be able by the course of nature to out liue his Maiestie. Also that in case matters were at that point, yet were there other more practiseable meanes and such as time out of mind had beene put in pra­ctise in this estate: but to anticipate a danger to come with a present one, an vncertaine with by an vnfallble, a suite of a matter not yet fallen, by a ciuill warre, was as much as to preuent a feare with death it selfe and a sickenesse with a poyson. That of this warre begunne vppon a iolitie must needes ensue the ouerthrowe of the people, the diminishing of the nobilitie, the empouerishment of the clergie, the dis­anulling of all godlinesse, the bastardie of iustice, the abolish­ing of all good lawes, the totall corruption of manners: to be briefe, confusion in al things and desolation of the whole estate. So farre should we be from looking for that beautifull [Page 14] reestablishment and new golden world which they promise: for euerie warre is an instrument of destruction, but especial­ly the ciuill, which is a headlong desolation, as beeing the sharpest disease of a state. Moreouer albeit hee were of such calling in this realme that whatsoeuer concerned him ought throughly to be considered as touching his Maiestie and the common wealth, yet sith they had taken him for their aduer­sarie, hee most humbly besought his Maiestie, either to the end to eschew the danger of his person, to suffer him to end this warre with them, as being assured to finde friendes and seruants enough to compasse it, so as he should not neede to troble himself therabout, either else for auoyding the destru­ction of the people, to determine it by a combate of his persō against the D. of Guize & the late lord Prince against the D. of Maine the captaines of this conspiracie, as being assu­red that God who ruleth the weapons, is able enough to re­ueale his iudgementes in their punishment.

Neither propounded he these thinges in any flying pam­phlets subiect to disaduow, as many of theirs are, but in for­mall and authenticall manner, viz. by declaration written & signed with his owne hande bearing date the tenth of Iune 1585. and presented to his Maiestie by the lords of Clereuant and Chassincourt, and in a full assembly of the priuie Councell read word by word in his Maiesties presence, the said lords of Clereuant & Chassincourt requiring his Maiestie not to mislike that it were exhibited to our Masters of the court of Parlia­ment of Paris. As also to the same effect the said lord king of Nauarre did write to our Masters of the Court; whom he de­sired to iudge and beare witnes of his behauiour, to our Ma­sters of the three estates, each one seuerally foretelling the mischiefes that he foresaw and which themselues haue since seene: to our Masters of Sorbonne who iudged his submissions to be not pertinent, & contrariwise cōdemned the rashnes v­sed against him. To the Princes & common wealths, neigh­bours, & confederate with this estate, who partly by the suc­cour which they haue since sent him for his defence, & part­ly by their counsaile to the king, to minister iustice vnto him do sufficiently shew what their iudgements are, as being far frō our passions: of the ambitiō of the auctors of the league, [Page 15] of the king of Nauarres moderation and patience, of the good entertainement that the one deserueth at the kinges hands, and of the punishment due vnto the other.

Finally the fatalitie which seemeth to thrust forward this poore estate to her destruction: also the collusiō of bad coū ­sellers, who willingly do set to their shoulders, & are in troth fatalitie it selfe, caused that the king of Nauarre might not be heard in his iust declarations, caused peace to be made with the league to his cost, and caused that his patience was im­puted to him for a transgression, and contrariwise, the vio­lence of these of the league allowed and acknowledged for a notable seruice.

The king of Nauar did through his discretion, considering the constellation that then reigned together with the mutte­ring cōspiracies then practised, sufficiently foresee that they ment to dissolue the whole cloud vpon him, for the safetie of others. To hold the roome that he held in this realme, & to haue so great interest in all treaties thē made & not to be cal­led, neither so much as to be once spokē withal, was sufficiēt to make him beleeue that the tretie with those of the league was indeed a cōtract against him, & the cōcluding of a peace with thē, was a plain denoūcing of war against him. Neither wanted he aduise or perswasions from his partakers, who se­ing thēselues in euident danger reproued his ouerlong pati­ence, wherefore they saw well that they must suffer. Al which notwithstanding he neuer stirred: but reposed his confidence in God the protector of his right and innocencie, vpon the king & Queene mothers word, who had so often & expresly promised him that they would neither doo nor suffer to be done any thing to his harme or the preiudice of the edicts of peace. And indeed who would haue imagined that for stran­gers sakes they would haue sacrificed their own domesticals? or stanched the insatiable thirst of those of Loxraine with the shedding of the french bloud and losse of their owne?

Well, peace was concluded with those of the league: their edict of peace was a decree of banishment against the king of Nauarre, the late lorde Prince and their partakers. To be briefe, al the war was at once & without knowing any cause why, turned against this poore Prince and the french armies [Page 16] put into the hands of the house of Lorraine for the executing of this violent edict with all outrage. A matter neuer before heard of in any iustice: (but likewise who will seeke iustice a­mong so many iniustices) that the parties, considering their stomackes, should be made both commissioners and execu­tioners in their owne plea? But will you plainely see that the causes which in their writinges they alleage for their iustifi­cation, were but vaine pretences? They had promised reliefe to the people, reestablishment of dignitie to the Nobilitie, and the auncient authoritie and libertie to the Clergie, and to the same end of some they had gotten the persons & from others the coyne: howbeit when they came to treat, there is no speech of any such matter: they had sworne to the lord Cardinall of Burbon that they would cause him to be nomi­nated successour to the crowne: yea they would rather be buried then depart therefro; that likewise they had forgot­ten. Their onely drift was, to be still armed, vnder whatsoe­uer pretence, and to place all their family in good gouern­ments or in the strongest holdes: and hauing once wonne that point they presumed themselues to the arbitrators of France. And in deede, for the compassing thereof they re­nounce the rest, they renounce them to the people, to the Nobilitie and Clergie, to the eminencie of the state, and to the zeale of the Church. But al this is found to be swallowed and drowned in their particular ambition, and since that time wee haue seene no more of it, there hath beene (I say) no mention or memorie thereof.

Thus do we see on the one part these of the league tho­rough their violence armed with the kings name and armor, and on the other side, the king of Nauarre furnished with the kinges will, (but vnarmed) against the league. All that hee can get is certaine secret excuses: That they are verie sorrie for it: but they could not otherwise rid their handes: that they must needes yeeld to this rage, &c. In the meane time on euerie side they came vpon him: the edict of pacification is infringed in fa­uour of the league: throughout the realme are nothing but proscriptions and banishments: such as assisted the king a­gainst the league, being both sent for and commaunded by his Maiestie, of good seruants, euen in one day, are become [Page 17] offenders: yet can he not at once abandon all patience: hee will commune with the D. of Montmerencie, a peere of France, and chiefe officer of the crowne, one that is not suspected of religion. They meete at S. Paule of Cadeiouz in Alby: they re­maine there certaine dayes to conferre: his Maiesties depu­ties are heard giue out the speeches aforesaide, whereupon they resolue manfully to withstande the mischiefe, which o­therwise is remedilesse, the king of Nauarre: the late lorde Prince and the Duke of Montmorencie, neuertheles by an ex­presse protestation of the tenth of August declaring that to their great greife through this precipitation they are forced to haue recourse to weapons: that as all the world knoweth, they haue tollerated vntill all extremitie, but that seeing the enemie readie to fall vpon them they could doo no lesse, but take counsaile both of necessitie and nature. That they had offered and againe did offer in matter of religion to yeeld to a free counsell, and in matters of state to a lawfull conuoca­tion of the states, yea to submit themselues to the hazard of a combate, albeit with their inferiors, rather then to see the desolation of this state and calamitie of so much people: but if either violence or bad counsaile had stopped vp their eares to their iust reasons, that they declared before God and all the good subiects of this lande, that they had not taken armes but for the kinges authoritie and libertie manifestly oppressed, yea and that with his owne consent voluntarily testified by so many his declarations, letters, decrees and or­dinances: that they neither haue nor will haue for enimies any other then those whō of his owne meere motion he had denounced enemies to his life and the peace of his realme: that in respect of religion they would make no distinction of the kings subiectes, but would cherish and embrace them all with like affection and countenance, only requiring them to the end to be the better distinguished, to separate themselues both from the counsailes and dealings of the league: prote­sting all the miseries and calamities that this estate is to suf­fer to be vnto them both sensible and sorrowful, who are the bloud and members thereof, but not so to those that are but grafted in & that verie slightly, moreouer from the bottome of their soules calling for Gods wrath and curse against the [Page 18] authors of so many mischiefes and vpon their practises and enterprises, a vow which God hath in troth heard, if we list to see it throughout the whole progresse of this warre of the league.

Well, the war was earnestly begun, & see, we are now come to the third yeare: now let vs call to mind the goodly spee­ches they then vsed to bring vs in tast with it. The king Nauarre (saide they) within a fewe monthes would be shut vp in some one of his houldes without all hope of succour and forced to forsake the realme, & not to find any assured place where to soiourn. The Protestants hands within the first yere should in part yeelde for feare at the first brunt of their wea­pons, & in part be won by force if they obstinatly durst resist.

For the seconde yeare they should not haue past three or foure left, & those, by their saying, rather to practise then to trouble thē. As for their succour, it was but in vaine to speak of any: for they had taken so good order in Germany that there could be no leauie made for the king of Nauarre, and if there should, yet did they promise to fight with it, yea euen to go to seeke it to the verie borders of the Rhine.

The foolisher sort & such as with their passions were drun­ken, beleeued these things and felt euen to the bottomes of their purses to see these miracles, so stoutly affirmed by these triaclers. If wise men, & experienced captains purposed to declare all these things to be vaine. If they alleaged that our kings had employed 25. yeres in vaine: that there was neuer a sinew in this realme but had bin strained, or neuer a veine but had bin launced & drawen dry, then they said that these enterprisers were of a far other sort, & that they knew other secrets thē they found. So greatly doth the worlde delight to be deceiued at her own cost, yea so far doth this age (enimie of her felicity) delight to abandon her selfe to the first potti­cary. Now let vs see what this mountaine will bring forth.

The kinges armies are deliuered to the authors of the league: the king abandoneth all his force and authoritie in­to their hands: they also without sparing do put thereto as much as their credite wil reach. They haue Lancknights, Swit­zers and Reisters, the Clergie do endeuour themselues to pay these armies, euē with the sale of their temporalties, though [Page 19] not without repentance: the king and his people do spende foure yeares profit in one: the king of Spaine employeth one part of his Indies: to be briefe, in this realm we haue now that which was neuer seene before, viz. eight armies at once in the field, and euerie of them able to besiege, euerie of them painfully employed, each in his quarter.

In the meane time the king of Nauarre hath all this while neither succour nor assistance from any place: all his enimies haue condemned him to the death, and al that loued him do dispaire of him. What may a iust cause do in the assurance of a courage against all endeuors? this Prince was neuer seene stoupe lesse, & that doth euery one know, or set himself more stiftely against aduersity: but indeed, what is not the almigh­ty able to warrant those that walke vprightly? He breathed vpon all these armies, and they scattered of thēselues before they had doone any thing: sauing there was some sconce or village takē which cost vs millions, neither doth it appeare that euer they were, vnlesse by the destructiō of the countrey or desolatiō of the people. For in the weakening of the king of Nauarre, or of his partakers, nothing can be knowen.

Now let vs (I pray you) grow to account & leaue robbing of our owne purse. In the gouernment of Guyen they haue both employed and displayed all their miracles and powers: who then would not rather haue Taillebourg, Royan, Talmont and Fontenay then Monsegur S. Bazeile & Castillon? And Castil­lon I say, the labor & triumphes of the L. of Mayne, the sepul­chre of so many mē, & the bottomles gulph of so much coin, recouered againe by the L. of Turenne in one houre with ten shillings worth of ladders? In Languedocke who wold change S. Pons, Lodeue & Capestan for Marueiolz? or in Dauphine wher­with shall wee counterpeize Montlimar, Ambrun and Dic? And all this gotten in one night with ten pound of powder: whereas a small castle must cost vs both monethes, store hou­ses and armies: neither can we say that in recompence here­of they haue lost more men. For it is well enough knowen that the assailant alwaies looseth a hundred for tenne. The ouerthrow of the L. of Vius, the recouery of Montlimar & the battaile at Coutraz would say somewhat hereof where we lost so much nobility without any reciprocall losse on their side, [Page 20] where also so much good French bloud was prodigally spil­led, which might haue beene better employed else where, whereof also wee imagine our selues well comforted poore wretches that we are, when in the pallace they rore out vnto vs the ouerthrowe of the Switzers. And all this afore mentio­ned did he without any forreine succour, albeit both England and Germanie did in the beginning make sufficient shew there of their gooodwils to this prince and his affaires. Whome God thus guided through his wonderfull prouidence to the end euery man might well perceiue that the king of Nauarre and his alone & without any support might be able to main­taine themselues against the league: that the people likewise might note their fraude and boasting when they made this enterprise so easie, and so became wiser and lesse passionate hereafter: but especially that such as feare God and do assure themselues to march vnder the conduct of his prouidence might the more euidently perceiue his blessing ouer the iu­stice and innocencie of this prince, more euidently (I say) in his weakenesse then in his force, and contrariwise his wrath and curse ouer the violence & iniuries of those of the league in the greatnes of their power and vanitie of their effects.

But marke now I pray you. Now that they be recreant & able to do no more, the king of Nauarre whom they should haue chosen to the end of the world, doth in our view keepe the field, forceth out townes with the Canon, gathereth new strength, and before our noses in the middest of France dare giue vs battaile, and neuer vouchsafe to attende the succour that he is farre of. Beholde also on the other side the stran­gers came in with a mightie and terrible armie which these our masters should haue through their diligence choaked in Germanie, or at the least haue defeated vppon the border of Rhine: and yet euen in their presence it passeth the heart of Lorraine, goeth through all their gouernments without anie one alaram, and is felt euen in our bowels: and when these good marriners haue cast vs into the storme, or brought vs vpon the rocke, not knowing to what saint to vow thēselues, they leaue vs to the oare, and without any speech steale them selues into the skiffe, accounting themselues sufficiently dis­charged with a saue who saue can.

[Page 21]Truelie it is nowe therefore time for vs to thinke vpon our affaires, for we haue let our selues runne too farre after their wrongfull passions: Too late doo wee perceiue their malice and our rashnesse, for long since haue they purposed to take to themselues spoile of our owne wrecke. It is high time for vs all with like endeuours to set hande vnto that holy anker which is able to warrant our vessell from ship­wracke, and which onely in this perill may stand vs in steede of a hauen.

To what purpose, will yee say, is all this large discourse? Truelie to the end wee may rather late then neuer perceiue that we prosecute a wrongfull and vnprofitable warre, and therefore that by some end we shorten the course of our fol­lies. Wrongfull I say, and therefore we are assured of Gods cursse vpon our soules, vnprofitable also, for who can prosper against Gods will? And what haue wee in the course of these three parts seene, but a meere going backeward and fune­rals in liew of triumphes? But you will replie, In whome is the fault that we haue not peace? also howe often haue wee caused it to bee motioned? went not the queene into Poi­tou to the king of Nauarre? But this prince (men say) is shie, and will not easily bee handled: truely with all such as haue not haunted him he is to bee pardoned though they thinke him not tractable: for considering howe hee hath euer since his youth beene intreated, they may haue good cause so to beleeue, sith the most patient man in the world might haue growen out of patience, the most phlegmatike into choler, the easiest and most tractable, to bee distrustfull, backwarde and implacable.

But let vs iudge of his humors by his behauiours: he came to the warre vpon great extremitie and that as late as hee could: it is then to bee beleeued that he will not be slacke to come to peace: he saw himselfe and his partaker persecuted with all rigor, confiscate, banished, disgraded, condemned, executed, murdered, and all vnder colour of the religion which he professed: all which notwithstanding hee neuer al­tered his manner of proceedings: hee neuer molested anie for religion: hee kept their promised liberties and safetie: hee preserued vnder his protection such Catholikes as were [Page 22] not of the League, yea he pardoned euen those of the league and being taken after the heate of armes hee gratified them, and if he vsed a contrerigour wee could not tell what to say: for wee all doo sufficientlie knowe that the first is guiltie of the second. Wee must therefore confesse that hee hath a verie temperate minde, besides his nature: hee I say, whome so manie wronges, griefes and iniuries could neuer make passionate or to alter. It hath also beene sufficientlie noted that so long as there was anie hope to see him ouerthrowne: or that his enimies had anie aduantage of him, they were still assisted with all helpe, without anie spare: they ne­uer propounded vnto him anie meete condition: albeit the next daie after a victorie of his, hee sendeth to the King, hee bewaileth with him the shedding of so much blood as is spilt, hee offereth with all his heart to doo him seruice in the stanching thereof: hee returneth most of the prisoners of account, either infinitelie commending his curtesie, or if they conceale it, of all men condemned of in­gratitude.

Truelie he, who being rashlie delt with in so manie sack­ings, and yet was neuer seene out of course, no not being caused with full bridle, cannot but haue a sure heade and mouth, neither is there any let, but in our good helpe, that he may do verie well. To be briefe, in his aduersitie wee haue seene him victorious, in his prosperitie a conqueror of him­selfe: in the sorest smart of his iniuries cleane from all re­uenge, in the swiftest slidings of his good happe, void of in­solencie: alwaies readie to admit the reasons of such as haue offended him particularlie, and to giue ouer his most boy­ling passions to common benefite. Let vs then beleeue that hee flieth not from peace, but desireth it: and that he is not so shie and malitious as men make him. But indeed the Rose pricketh when we doo not take hold of it where we should, and if we consider well, we shall see that all that hath yet ben done, and as it seemeth of set purpose, hath tended onelie to driue him into dispaire.

To prooue this to bee so, let vs see howe they haue dealt with those of the League, and howe with the king of Nauarre: hee a household childe, they strangers, not [Page 23] so much as of the familie, though they bee of the realme. The Guizians are not so soone (though without cause) vp in armes, but the Queene, all thinges set aside, goeth to them, yea shee seeketh after them euen to the lands ende: them, who had they beene couragiouslie assailed were not able anie whit to abide it. Contrariwise the King of Na­uarre beeing for the safetie of his owne person, constrai­ned to take armes, is left alone fifteene whole monethes to drie vp the blowes, hee is on all sides shotte at, to make an ende of him: so long as they thinke to see him either besieged or beaten, they speake neuer a worde, but waite the ende: But when his enimies are no longer able to assaile him: when they haue discharged euen their last peece in vaine, when hauing long time fenced and borne off the blowes they see him sounde and safe readie to repay them, then beginne they to vouchsafe to speake vnto him, and that as it seemeth rather to hale the enimies out of the prease, then any way to content him.

The Queene comming neere to the Guizians for feare of scarring them, causeth all her power to depart, ceaseth all hostilitie, letteth scape all occasions to harme them, giueth them leasure to gather together both their spirits and helpes, yea, both Reistres and Suitzers: Contrariwise (and that was the good counsaile of the good French­men that assisted her) at the verie time of her comming to parley with the King of Nauarre, did the armie of the Lorde of Ioyeuse most force it selfe in Languedocke, where it put all that it coulde force to fire and sworde, as also did the armie of the Lord of Espernon in Prouence: yea hardlie will she permitte after manie formalities and iournies to and fro, that the Marshall Biron should staie beyond Loire.

The Queene, to content those of the league, promiseth that the Germaines that come to the Kings succour shoulde not enter, and suspendeth their leauie, albeit the issue of the negotiation were doubtfull: Contrariwise shee requi­reth the king of Nauarre for a preamble, first of al vnder the vncertaine hope of an vncertaine peace to suspende and stay his forreine armie.

But wil you see after so many ceremonies what conditions [Page 24] are propounded vnto him. That is, That all exercise of his reli­gion cease in al the townes within his authoritie and part. That himself and all his resolue with themselues vtterlie to renounce the same, and neuer more to speake of it, otherwise let him neuer looke for anie peace at the kings hands, whereas for satisfying those of the league al exercise was taken from those of the cōtrarie religi­on: that is, so far as might be, they had giuen them both their bodies and soules. These are the speeches which the queene verie earnestlie commanded the lord of Touraine to impart to the king of Nauarre, from the which shee neuer departed. And then thinke you what likelihood there was after fortie yeares fire, and fiue and twentie yeares warre that the Huguo­nets woulde suffer themselues to be brought backe to their A B C. yea imagine whether they whome so manie trou­bles, namely these last, had made cannon proofe, who durst abide the cannon in poore milnes rather then to force their consciences, were capable of this article, and that a hundred townes more, which their best armies durst not once looke vpon, would yeeld thereto. Thus was al broken off: and note in the inequalitie of the persons and causes the arsiuersie in­equalitie of the proceedings: that which ought to haue set forward this negotiation, was the cause to breake it off: For they of the league, who feare nothing so much as a peace feared also the shadow thereof: and indeede, to the ende to trouble it, the shuffeled they cardes anew, they procured the seising vpon some strong holdes in Picardie missed of others: places free from suspition, especially farre from religion, yea by practises they attempted against the kings person and life: matters knowne both to their maiesties and all others, wher­vpon the Queene founded an argument to returne to his maiestie to preuent it, and so did the negotiation resolue vp­on nothing, for feare of displeasing them: whereas truely it had been the meanes to reunite al France into one: to ioyne togither againe all the blood against the common enimie of this estate, and to giue the abused euidentlie to weet, that there was no longer question of religion, and that these men had bewrayed themselues in seising vppon the Catholike townes, and in opposing themselues against the king at that verie instant, when by their suggestion he warred most sharp­ly [Page 25] vpon the Protestants. Thus to the ende againe, to restore those of the league to the countrie, was the whole treatie of peace, begunne with the king of Nauarre, set aside, albeit the Queene had promised to sende passeports for the safetie of the deputies whom the saide king purposed to send for assi­stantes of that treatie, whereof we haue neuer since heard a­ny speech.

What then? must we, will you say, to the ende to obtaine peace, tollerate that religion? I would to God we were well so, and that we had no other matter then that to decide, We shall like wel enough that the Pope for a miserable gaine shal suffer the Iewes freely in Rome, and yet be tearmed Most holie. That the king of Spaine, to the end to be at rest with his Hol­landers, by expresse treatie shall not only graunt them their religion throughout their countrie, but also abolish his own, and yet be neuerthelesse Catholike: And yet our king must forfeit his name of Most Christian, because he suffereth the Christians that beleeue the same scriptures and beleefes that he doth: he may not forbeare, vntill the decision of a councell in consideration of the Princes of his bloud, who offer thereby to bee instructed and taught in consideration of so many thousandes of soules that haue tryed both fire and sworde, and that so manie yeares: not for the obtey­ning of some, I wot not what gaine, but for the redeeming of a totall losse: neither for the sauing of some corner of an estate farre off, but for the warranting of al his owne realme from vtter and ineuitable ruine: yea, to be briefe, euen all that he is and all that he hath? And while wee dispute and play the Sophisters about the difference betweene a knights fee and a simple tenure, or betweene the suburbes, the citie, and the shire towne: wee perceiue not, like doltes as we are, that al retayneth into one, by the confusion of the nobilitie fallen into villenage, the townes and suburbes into heapes of destruction, and this estate, if wee prouide not betimes, into peeces?

Let vs not flatter our selues in the state of our France, wee I say, who doo peraduenture corrupt our selues in her and with her can not well perceiue her diminution to be such as it is, so as if we had taken a nappe of fiue and twentie yeares [Page 26] long, at our waking wee should knowe neither her nor our selues. The manners dissolued and neere to a Gangrene: the lawes no lesse venall than the offices: the consciences more than the benefites: the riches which aforetime haue beene a good state of the bodie brought into a small number, and that by bad wayes, tumours properly against nature and ve­rie plagues to the bodie. The forces a token of weakenesse: our fathers regimentes thirtie yeares ago stronger than our armies: and their companies then our regiments: their cap­teines more presumpteous at their first issue out of their pageship then their fathers after three battailes: moreouer no respect either to labour, either to desert, or to yeares, nei­ther to degrees of either honour or nature: no more reue­rence to the name of God, loue to the Prince or dutie to the countrie. These are now the diseases sufficiently discerned in our estate, but who is he that careth for it? So farre is eue­rie one from setting to his hande earnestly, but euerie mans delight is priuately to discourse that the state is sicke, that it falleth into decay, that he must looke to his affaires, euerie man I say with his handes in his bosome standeth gasing vp­on the shipwrecke, giueth ouer his worke, looketh to cast aside some coffer or table for himselfe, and thence thinke vp­on our hereditarie gouernments, one of a castle, an other of a towne, an other of a whole prouince. The small wasters do march vnder the great, and the great for the atteyning to their purpose doe league themselues vnder one head. O mi­serable estate! O miserable king, when his owne either citi­zens or subiectes in lieu of dying for him, will abandon! O miserable both citizens and subiects that build your great­nesse vpon their destruction: a destruction vndoubted (and who can warrant you from it) that will oppresse you all vn­der it selfe.

Weene not that euer you, who vppon a rage rather then by discourse, doo wish for it, shall euer bee able to haue anie ioy of it, The vapours of your ambition doo ingender those dreames in you: kingdomes and mightie estates according to the proportion of their greatnesse, haue also their periods long, whereto mans age cannot reach: Their crises or iudg­ments are not gathered vpon odde daies as ours are, for their [Page 27] sharpest diseases doo outlast our whole dayes. After the phi­sitions haue giuen them ouer they burie them, yea before themselues doo, they burie those that are the causers of their death with all their ambition, vanitie and glorie. Marius and Cesar are downe, but the senate was at iarre long time after, and the common wealth which they had wounded did still pant. These changes are whole worlds. The fathers do die by the way: The sonnes after infinite calamities staie at the borders, yea the childrens children: when they weene to haue woone all, they are readie to be beaten from all, ac­cording to the prouerbe: To be at rest you thinke peraduen­ture that the vtter extinguishing of our race may breed your peace, and yet doo not marke that the eldest of them is yon­ger then you, and when you shall be stroken in age they shal­be yong. Or I pray you doo you thinke your selues onelie in this realme ambitious? Is there euer a gentleman in France but when you haue brought the crowne to spoile, will not thinke to haue as good right to it as you? hauing broken the lawes, as you goe about to doo the Salicke lawe, doo you not call in all the neighbours to eare France in peeces? euen those that first married the kings daughters, who will bee more fresh, mightie and rich then you to defend their titles? At whose hands when you haue done your best, and indured much mischiefe both you and your shalbe made bondmen, yea you shall become their mocking stocks, praie and spoile, and no man to mooue you. Howe many domages must this estate encurre during these alterations? how manie good families destroied, how manie good townes laid wast? howe manie widowes and orphanes? how much land be vntilled? & how many poore households must die for hunger? France through these long robberies will growe to a forest: The Gothes wil deuour the remainder of the Hunnes: and the Ʋan­dales of the Gothes. Vpon this miserable carreine will all the beasts of the earth feed: A thousand wormes, and a thousand serpents shall breed therein, and there ingender to gnaw it: pettie tyrants in a countrey, in a castle and in a towne. To be briefe in lieu of a scorpion, a Basilisque: and for an adder, a viper. But I feare, I preach theses curses to the deafe. The childes mother, when Salomon commanded it to be deuided, [Page 28] chose rather to lose it, yea to let her aduersarie haue it, then to see it cut in sunder: her blood was troubled as also were her bowels: the other respected not the diuiding of it: shee thought shee had enough if shee might haue her share, albeit bloodie and vnprofitable: so sensible are the naturall and liuelie affections, whereas contrariwise the strangers are dead vnsensible and obscure: yea so difficult is it for the French bloud to conceale her natural affection to France and for the stranger to borow, counterfeit or falsifie the same.

These mischiefes which the course of these warres do bring in are euident, neither was there euer other end seene: mis­chiefes, which if they be not speedily preuented will growe mortall and incurable: mischiefes which can not bee reme­died but by peace, by a sincere and faithfull peace, which hide not an other warre in her bosome, and is free from af­ter thoughtes, such a peace as may grant hart burnings time to quaile, and duetie and amitie to recouer, which also ta­keth all hope and appetite from our perturbers to stirre, as not able to infring it without loosing themselues. Such a one will it bee when the good frenchmen shall relie themselues and one beare out an other, when they shall either grant or suffer to each other what so euer shall be requisite to mutu­all rest, but why should they denie this one to an other, sith they all shoote at one cōmon marke of their saluation in the life to come? yea euerie of them for that hauing a common interest to liue or perish together. Such shall it be when eue­ry man shall in this realme be accounted as he is: the king obeyed, the princes cherished and honored, the householde loued, the strāgers in their places gratified, euery one paying & receuing both what he oweth & what is due to him, & that he also think it reasonable to preserue those whō god himself hath preferred by blood, by degree or by dignitie. God who in his councell hath fore iudged all this proces: God who doth al his works in order, and ministreth al his iudgements without passion, bring this to passe. Such, to be briefe shal it be when euerie man both for making and preseruing therof, shall bring whatsoeuer he is or hath. The prince his faith, the magistrates their autoritie, & the subiects each in his calling, their due obedience. God by his holy spirit grant vnto the [Page 29] king (for it is he onely that holdeth it in his hande) that hee may shortly finde both the meanes and way. God grant al­so (for him must we winne with heartie desire and humilitie) that the people may become easie and pliable to sollicite the same with heartie desire and burning zeale.

God likewise grant all and euerie of vs well to remember all the mischiefes that we haue indured, that wee may haue such a feeling as may neuer decay, to the end wee may detest all ciuill miseries, and no lesse abhorre the authors then the effects.

That also we may shortly in peace with one heart and mind in the vocation whereto God hath called vs, seeke the good and perfite health of this realme, the puritie and sinceritie of Gods seruice, and redresse of good manners and health some lawes, the perfite bonds of the king to the people and the superiours to the inferiours, whereof doo depend the weale, peace and prosperitie of the king, subiects and state. Amen.