A declaration set forth by the Frenche kinge, shewing his pleasure concerning the new troubles in his realme. Translated out of French into English by E.A.

A Declaration of the cauſes that haue mooued the Cardinal of Bourbon, the Princes, Peeres, Gentlemen, Townes and Comminalties Catholike of this Realme of Fraunce, to oppoſe themſelues to thoſe which by all meanes do ſeeke to ſubuert the Catholike Religion and the Eſtate.

IN the name of God Almightie King of Kings: Be it manifeſt to all men, that the Realme of France hauing bin troubled and afflicted theſe foure and twentie yeres, with a peſtilent ſedition mooued and ſtirred to ſubuert the auncient Religion of our forefathers, which is the ſtrongeſt bande of the Eſtate, there haue bene remedies applied, the which contrary to the hope of their Maieſties, haue fallen out to be more apt to nouriſh the euill, then to quench the ſame, the which had nothyng of peace but the bare name, and haue not eſtabliſhed the quiet and weale of the Realme, but for their behoofe who troubled the ſame, leauing the honeſter ſort offended in their conſciences, and intereſſed in their goods.

And in ſtead of remedie, the which in tyme was hoped and looked for againſt theſe miſchiefs, ſuch hath bene the will of God, that our kings of latter time haue deceaſed in their yong yeeres, without leauing any children able to ſucceede to the crowne. And hitherto it hath not pleaſed him (to the great griefe of all good men) to graunt any iſſue to the king now raigning: although his ſubiectes haue not omitted (neither hereafter at any time will ceaſe) their moſt earneſt prayers to obtaine that fauour of the goodneſſe of God: In ſuch ſort, as remaining the laſt of ſo many children that God had giuen to the late King Henry, it is greatly to be feared (which God forbid) that this royall race through our euill happe, ſhall be quite extinguiſhed without any hope of iſſue: And that in the eſtabliſhing of a ſucceſſour in the royall eſtate, there will fall out great troubles throughout all Chriſtendome, and it may be the whole ſubuerſion of the Catholique and Apoſtolike religion in this moſt Chriſtian Realme, where an heretike ſhall neuer be ſuffered to beare rule, in ſo much as the ſubiects are not bound to acknowledge and ſuffer a Prince that is ſwarued and fallen from the Catholike faith: for that the firſt othe which our kings doe make when they are crowned, is to maintaine the Catholike, Apoſtolike, & Romaine Religion, vpō which othe they receiue that which their ſubiects doe make of fidelitie and allegiance, and not otherwiſe. Notwithſtanding, ſithence the death of my Lord the Kings brother, the purpoſes of thoſe which by open profeſſion haue ſhewed themſelues alwayes perſecuters of the Catholike Church, haue bene ſo bolſtered and fauoured, that it is very needefull to thinke of ſome ſpeedie and ſound remedy, thereby to auoide the inconueniences moſt apparant, whereof the calamities are already knowne to all men, the remedy to fewe, and the way how to apply the ſame almoſt to no man.

And ſo much the rather, that a man may eaſily iudge by the great preparations and practiſes which they make to leuie ſouldiers as well within as without the realme, & the detainyng of townes and ſtrong holdes, which long agoe they ſhould haue reſtored and yeelded vp into the Kinges handes, that we are very neere the effect of their euill intentions, beyng very certaine that they haue of late ſent to practiſe the Princes Proteſtants of Germanie, that they might haue forces in a readineſſe to ſuppreſſe at their pleaſure all good men, as it is very apparant that they entend nothing els but to aſſure themſelues, and ſeaſe of all neceſſary meanes to ouerthrow the Catholike religion, wherein euery man hath intereſt, and eſpecially the noble men and great perſonages which haue the honour to hold the firſt and principall charges in this common wealth, whom they doe goe about to vndermine and ouerthrowe, during the kings life and vnder his authoritie, to the ende that leauing no man which hereafter may be able to oppoſe himſelfe to their will, it may be more eaſie for them to bring to paſſe that change and alteration of the Catholike religion which they doe pretend, thereby to enrich themſelues with the patrimonie of the Church, following the example which was begun to them in England, eſpecially in that euery man doeth know ſufficiently, and ſeeth (as it were) with open eyes the behauiour & actions of ſome, which being crept into the fauour of the King our Soueraigne Lord (whoſe Maieſtie hath bene and alwayes ſhall be ſacred & redoubted vnto vs) they haue in a maner ſeaſed vpon his authoritie, to maintaine the greatneſſe which they haue vſurped, fauouring and aduauncing by all meanes the purpoſes of the aforeſayd. And ſuch hath bene their audacitie, to baniſh from about the King, not onely the Princes and the Nobilitie, but alſo thoſe that are moſt neereſt and deereſt vnto him, giuing acceſſe to none but to ſuch as depend vpon them.

Wherein they are alreadie ſo farre foorth, that there is no man which hath any part or doing in the adminiſtration of the gouernement of the Eſtate, or that is ſuffered to exerciſe entirely his charge: Some are bereft of the title of their dignities, other of the authoritie and execution of their offices, though they are ſuffered to enioy the vaine and fruiteles name.

In like maner, the like hath bene done in the behalfe of diuers Gouernours of Prouinces, and Captaines of ſtrong places, and to their Officers, who haue bene conſtrained to forgoe and yeelde vp their charges in reſpect of ſome recompence of money, which they haue receiued againſt their owne will and deſire, becauſe they durſt not ſay nay vnto them which haue power to compell thē: A newe example, and neuer heretofore practiſed within this Realme, for ſome peece of money to take away the offices and charges from thoſe to whom the ſame were giuen for recompence of their vertue and fidelitie. And by this meanes they are become maſters, and haue poſſeſſed them ſelues of the forces of the Realme, as well by ſea as by land, and doe goe about dayly to doe the like to others that are in office, ſo that there is no man can be aſſured, and that ſtandeth not in feare, and looketh that his office ſhall be taken from him: Howbeit the ſame hauing bene giuen him for deſert and ſeruice, hee ought not to bee depriued thereof by the auncient lawes of the Realme, vnleſſe it be for ſome iuſt and reaſonable conſiderations, or that he hath committed ſome fault in the execution of his charge. In like maner they haue emptied the Kings Cofers of his treaſure, where they cauſe the readie money of the generall receipts to be brought, and to be conuerted to their particular vſe, and hold at their deuotion all the chiefe reuenues, the which are the very wayes to diſpoſe of this Crowne, and to place the ſame on whoſe head they ſhall thinke good.

Moreouer, through their couetouſneſſe it is come to paſſe, that abuſing the gentleneſſe of the Subiects, they haue enhanced by litle and litle to moſt grieuous exactions, not only matching thoſe which the calamitie of warre had brought in (whereof in tyme of peace nothing was euer remitted and abated) but other infinite oppreſſions growen from day to day, at the appetite of their vnbrideled wils.

There was ſome hope, when through the often complaints and exclamations of the whole Realme, the conuocation of the generall Eſtates was publiſhed at Blois, which is the auncient remedy to heale theſe domeſticall woundes, and as it were a conference betweene the Princes and their ſubiectes, to enter into a reckoning together of the due obedience of the one part, and due preſeruation of the other, which is the groundworke and foundation of the ſtate of Fraunce: But of this troubleſome and great aſſembly, there ſprung nothing but the authorizing of the miſchieuous counſell of ſome, who fainyng themſelues to bee good Politikes, ſhewed themſelues in effect to bee euill affected to the ſeruice of God and of the weale publike, who were not contented to remoue the King (of his owne nature moſt enclined to godlineſſe) from that holy and moſt holeſome determination, which at the moſt humble requeſt of all the States he had made, to reunite all his ſubiects to one Catholike, Apoſtolike, and Romane religion, to the ende that they might liue together in the auncient faith wherein the Realme was eſtabliſhed, and tooke encreaſe to become the moſt flouriſhing of all Chriſtendome, which then might haue bene executed without any daunger, and in a maner without reſiſtance. Notwithſtanding, they to the contrary did perſwade him, that it was neceſſary for his ſeruice to abate and diminiſh the authoritie of the Princes and Catholike Lordes, which with great zeale had oftentimes put their liues in hazard vnder his enſigne for the defence of the ſayd Catholike religion, as though the reputation which they had gotten by their vertue & fidelitie, in ſtead of honour ſhould bring them in ſuſpition.

So likewiſe the abuſe which by litle and litle had taken hold and encreaſe, afterwardes is come vpon vs like a floud and downefall, with ſo violent a fall, that the poore Realme is euen at the point to be ouerwhelmed without any hope of helpe: For, the Eccleſiaſtical order, notwithſtanding the declarations and petitions which they haue exhibited, is at this day oppreſſed with tenthes and extreme exactions, to the deſpiſing and contempt of holy orders, and of the Church of God, wherein now all things are polde and pilde: The Nobilitie is greatly aggrieued, driuen to pay exactions in deſpite of their priuiledge, if that they will bee contented to liue, that is to ſay, if they will either eate, drinke, or apparell themſelues. The townes, Officers of the Crowne, and common people, ſhorne ſo neere by the daily paying of new impoſitions (which they doe terme inuention of Finances) that there remayneth nothing els, but to inuent ſome good way how to remedy this miſchief.

For theſe iuſt cauſes and conſiderations, Wee Charles Cardinall of Bourbon, the next Prince of blood to whome it belongeth eſpecially to take in hande the ſafegarde and protection of the Catholicke religion in this Realme, and the cōſeruation of the good and loyal ſeruants of his Maieſtie and the Eſtate, being aſſiſted with the Peeres, Cardinals, Princes, Prelates, officers of the Crowne, gouernours of Prouinces, Noble men, Gentlemen, captaines of Cities, and others, which make the beſt & ſoundeſt part of this Realme, hauing wiſely conſidered the cauſe mouing vs to vndertake this enterpriſe, and taken the aduiſe and counſell, as well of our good friends well affected to the weale and quiet of this Realme, as of learned and wiſe men and ſuch as feare God, whome wee woulde not off • nde heerein for all earthly treaſure: Wee declare and make it knowen, that wee haue all ſworne, and made a holy vowe to keepe our ſelues in armes, to the ende that the holy Church of GOD may bee reſtored to his former dignitie, and the true and Catholicke religion eſtabliſhed: that the Nobilitie may enioye (as they ought) their freedomes wholy and entirely: and that the people may be releaſed, the newe impoſitions aboliſhed, and all exactions taken away, which haue bene made ſince the reigne of Charles the ninth, whome God abſolue: That the Parliaments may be reſtored to the fulneſſe of their authoritie, & entier ſoueraintie of Iudgement, euery one for his iuriſdiction, and all the ſubiects of the Realme mainteyned in his gouernment, charge, and office, the which may not be taken from them but in ſuch caſe as by law is eſtabliſhed, and by ordinarie iudgemēt: that all ſuch money as is leuied of the people, may be employed to the defence of the Realme, and to ſuch purpoſes as is appointed: and that from hencefoorth the generall Eſtates may be aſſembled freely and without any practiſe, as oft as the ſtate of the Realme ſhall require the ſame, with free libertie to euery man to exhibite their complaints, as they ſhall finde themſelues agreeued.

Theſe things and others ſhall be more particularly prouided for at the aſſembly of the Eſtates, which ſhall be held in armes for the reformation of the whole Realme, for the maintenance of the good Subiects and puniſhment of the euil, and for the ſuretie of our perſons, who haue bene ſought, and namely within theſe few dayes thorow ſecret conſpiracies, ſhould haue bene made away & vtterly ouerthrowen, as though the ſafetie of the Eſtate did depend of the ruine of good men, and of thoſe which ſo often haue ventured their liues for the preſeruation of the ſame, hauing nothing left vnto vs more to warrant vs from hurt & to auoyde the ſword which alreadie hangeth ouer our heads, but to haue recourſe to thoſe remedies which wee haue alwayes abhorred. Whereto notwithſtāding we woulde not haue truſted for the onely perill of our liues, if the ſubuerſion of the Catholique Religion in this Realme had not bin vnſeparably ioyned withall: for the preſeruation & maintenance wherof, we would neuer feare nor refuſe any danger, making full reckoning that we cannot chuſe a more honorable Tombe, then to die for ſo iuſt and holy a quarrell, both to diſcharge our ſelues of the duetie & bond which we owe (as good Chriſtians) to the ſeruice of God, as alſo to auoide, as faithfull and good ſubiectes, the ouerthrowe of this Eſtate, which ordinarily doeth followe ſuch alteration: Proteſting that it is not againſt the King our Soueraigne Lord we doe take Armes, but for the defence of his perſon, his life, and his eſtate, for the which we doe ſweare all of vs to expoſe and ſpend our goods and liues to the laſt drop of our bloud, with the like fidelitie that we haue ſhewed heretofore: And to lay downe our weapons ſo ſone as it ſhall pleaſe his Maieſtie to cauſe the perill to ceaſe which doth threaten the ruine of the ſeruice of God and ſo many good men, the which we moſt humbly beſeeche to procure with al ſpeede, teſtifying to euery man by good and true effects, that he is a moſt chriſtian king, hauing the feare of God and the zeale of religion grauen in his ſoule, as alwaies we haue perceiued, and that like a good father and king he ſecketh the preſeruation of his ſubiectes, in doing whereof his Maieſtie ſhall be ſo much the more obeyed and honoured of vs, and of all his ancient ſubiectes, which we deſire aboue all things in the world.

And although that it be not a thing farre from reaſon, that the king ſhould be required to take order, that during his life, the people committed to his charge ſhould not be diuided into factions and partialities of the differēce of ſucceſſion: Notwithſtāding, ſo it is, that we are ſo litle mooued with any ſuch conſideration, that the ſlander of thoſe which doe reproche it vnto vs, ſhall not be founde to be grounded vpon any foundation. For, beſides that the lawes of the Realme are cleare inough in that behalfe, and ſufficiently knowen, the hazard whervnto we the Cardinall of Bourbon doe offer our ſelues in our olde daies and laſt yeeres, are proofe ſufficient, that we are not ſet a worke with any ſuch hope or deſire, but that we are only mooued with a true zeale of religion, whereby we pretende part to another maner of kingdome more aſſured, the enioying whereof is more to bee deſired, and of longer continuance.

Our intention being ſuch, we doe beſeeche all men, and moſt humbly the Queene mother of the king, our moſt redoubted Lady (without whoſe wiſdom and good aduiſe this realme ſhould haue bin piecemeale diſperſed and quite deſtroyed) for the faithful witnes, that ſhee is able, wil, & ought to afforde to our great ſeruice, namely in particular to vs the Cardinal of Bourbon, who haue alwaies honoured, aided, & aſſiſted her, in her moſt vrgent affaires, without the ſparing of our goods, liues, frēds and kinſfolks, together with her fortifying ye kings ſide, and vpholding the Catholike religion, that ſhe wil not at this inſtāt leaue vs in the open field, but rather employ all the credite, which her paines & laborſome trauaile haue deſerued of right, and of which credit with the king her ſonne, her enemies moſt vniuſtly ſeeke to bereaue her.

Alſo we beſeeche all the Princes of France, Officers appertaining to the king, Eccleſiaſticall perſons, Noblemen, Gentlemen, & others of what degree or calling ſo euer they be of, which are not as yet ioyned with vs, to helpe, aide and aſſiſt vs with their meanes & aduice in the execution of ſo good & holy a worke. And we doe exhort all townes and cōmunalties, euen as they do loue their owne preſeruation, to iudge ſoundly of our intentions, to acknowledge the comfort which hereby ſhall come vnto ye eſtate, as well publikely, as to their particular, & to put to their helping hand to this good enterpriſe, which can not but proſper with the grace of God to whom we do referre all things: Or at the leaſt, if their aduiſe & reſolutiō cannot ſo ſoone agree together (as their counſailes conſiſt of diuers & ſundry perſons,) we do admoniſh thē to haue an eye to thēſelues, & not to ſuffer any man to poſſeſſe thēſelues by any ſiniſter interpretation that they may ſurmiſe of our intentions, of their ſaid towns, & ſo place in them garniſon of ſouldiers, bringing them to the ſame ſlauery as the other townes be in which they do vſurpe.

We do declare to al men that we do not meane to vſe any acte of hoſtilitie, but againſt thoſe who with armes ſhall offer to oppoſe thēſelues vnto vs, and by other meanes ſhall fauour our aduerſaries, which ſeeke the ouerthrowe of the Church, and to deſtroy the eſtate: Aſſuring euery man, that theſe our taking of armes being holy & iuſt, ſhal offer no oppreſsiō to any, be it in paſſing & abiding in any place, but ſhal liue with good gouernment, & take nothing but that which they ſhal pay for, & receiue into their company al ſuch as are zealous of ye honor of God, & of the holy church, & to the weale & preſeruation of the moſt chriſtian French nation: with proteſtation notwithſtāding, not to leaue off their weapons till we ſee the full accompliſhment and execution of the things aforeſaide, and rather to die moſt willingly with a deſire to be heaped vp together in one ſepulchre conſecrated to the latter Frenchmen dead in armes for the cauſe of God and of their Countrey.

Laſt of all, for becauſe all ayde commeth from God, we doe beſeech all true Catholikes to ioyne with vs in this ſocietie, reconciling themſelues with his diuine Maieſtie, by an entire reformation of their liues, thereby to appeaſe his wrath, and to call vpon him in pureneſſe of conſcience, as well by publike prayers and holy proceſſions, as by priuate and particular deuotions: To the ende that all our actions may be referred to the honour and glory of him which is the God of armies, and of whom we doe looke for all our ſtrength & moſt aſſured helpe. Giuen at Shalous the of March, 1585. Signed. Charles Cardinal of Bourbon.

A Declaration ſet forth by the Frenche kinge, ſhewing his pleaſure concerning the new troubles in his Realme.

Tranſlated out of French into Engliſh by E. A.

LONDON Imprinted by Iohn Wolfe dwelling in Diſtaffe lane néere the ſigne of the Caſtell. 1585.

A declaration of the French kinges pleaſure, concerning the new troubles of his Realme.

NOtwithſtandinge the king by letters & precepts hath heretofore ſondry times admoniſhed hys Subiectes not to ſuffer themſelues to be led away with the perſuaſions and counſails of ſome who ſeeke to practiſe and aſſociate them vnto themſelues, whereby to fruſtrate them of their quiet: and withall haue offered and promiſed fauor to ſuch as being already entangled, ſhall vppon knowledge of his meaninge withdraw themſelues: yet his Maieſty to his great grief vnderſtanding that notwithſtanding his ſaide preceptes and fauorable admonitions, ſome of his ſaid ſubiectes vpon ſondry conſiderations, (but for the moſt part being trāſported & blinded with ſuch faire and beautifull ſhewes as the authors doe ſet vpon their enterpriſes,) do ſtil enter into the ſame. His ſaid Maieſty hath thought it requiſite for the vniuerſall weale of his ſaid ſubiectes, the diſcharge of his cōſcience toward God, & his reputation with the world to oppoſe againſt ſuch artificiall deuiſe. 〈◊〉 light of trueth, which is the true comfort of the good and mortall enemy to their aduerſaries, to the end his ſaid ſubiectes beinge conducted by the light thereof may in time and without let diſcerne and know the originall & entent of ſuch motions and ſo eſcew al both publike and priuate calamities that may grow thereof.

The pretenſes which the autors of the ſaid troubles do alleadge, are chiefly founded vpon The reſtoring of the Catholike, Apoſtolike & Romiſh religiō in this land: The diſtributing of the offices and dignities therof, to thoſe vnto whom iuſtly they may appertaine: & The wealth, honor, and reliefe of the Clergy, Nobility and Commons.

Theſe pointes al men haue manifeſtly knowen to haue bene alwaies ſo déere and in ſuch recommendation with his Maieſty that none can iuſtly doubt of his entent concerning the ſame: whereby it appeareth that they néeded not to haue practiſed his ſubiectes, gathered thē into armes, or leuied forein power wherwith to induce him to accepte of ſuch motions as they pretende to exhibite concerninge the ſame, in caſe they were iuſt, poſſible and commodious to his ſubiectes.

In reſpect of the ſaid religion, his ſaid Maieſty before his comminge to the crowne hath aduentured his owne life and with moſt happy ſucceſſe fought for the propagation of the ſame: alſo ſince that it pleaſed God to cal him to the gouernement of this realme, he hath oftentimes to ye like purpoſe hazarded his eſtate, and imployed his beſt meanes, together with the liues and wealth of his good ſubiectes and ſeruants, whereby they may preſently be perſuaded and beleue that no man who ſo euer either in this realme or els where, of whatſoeuer profeſſiō hath more harty care of religion and godlines, then alwaies he hath had which by Gods grace he will ſtill continue.

Moreouer although after the example of the late king his brother with diuers other Chriſtian Princes, whoſe Empires & dominions haue ben afflicted with ſondry opinions of the ſaid religion, his Maieſty by the prudent aduiſe of the Quéene his Mother, my Lord the Cardinall of Bourbon, with other the Princes, Officers of the Crowne, and Lords of his Counſaile who then were about him, hath pacified ſuch troubles as were amonge his ſubiectes by reaſon of the ſaide religion, vntill it might pleaſe God to revnite them into the boſome of the church: It doth not neuertheleſſe therefore follow that his zeale and deuotion ſo farre as concerneth the glory of God and perfect reſtoration of the Catholike, Apoſtolike & Romiſh Church ſhould bee any whit changed or diminiſhed rather now then he ſhewed it to be during the ſaid troubles: Yea ſo farre is he there froe, that his Maieſty wiſheth euery one to vnderſtand that he concluded the ſaid peace, purpoſedly to trye whether by the meanes therof he might revnite to the Church of God ſuch his ſubiectes as the iniquity and libertye of the time may haue ſeparated therefrom, as hauing ſo long founde euen with the daunger of his owne perſon and hazard of his eſtate, & price of the blood of ſo many Princes, Lordes, gentlemen, and other his ſubiectes, as haue died during the ſaid troubles and by reaſon of the ſame, ſince the originall of the diſcorde for matter of religion, moued & rooted in the ſayd realme during the minorities of the late kings his bretheren and his, to the great grief of the aforeſaid Lady the Quéene their Mother, cannot be determined by force of armes without the deſtruction of his ſubiectes and imminent daunger of his realme. A matter wherein hée was reſolued vppon notice giuen him that all ſortes of people were wearied and ouer toyled with the long courſe of the ſaid troubles, as alſo that he wanted meanes any longer to ſupply the charges of ſuch warre: which ſhoulde not haue happened if in the aſſembly of the generall eſtates of this realme holden at Bloys the deputies there preſent had aſwel prouided for a leuy of a ſtocke of quoyne wherewith to proſecute the ſaid warre to the end, as was requiſite. and his Maieſty did require, as (being induced through feruent zeale to the Catholike Religion) they could deſire him vtterly to prohibite the exerciſe of the ſaid Religion pretended reformed, whereof did enſue the reſolution there taken and ſworne vnto, which ſince his Maieſty did endeuour to put in execution: nether ſhould they now haue any pretence to complaine, no not they who neuertheles do publiſh abroad that euery man was ſone depriued of that gliſtering beame of good hope which before by reaſon of the reſolution taken in the ſaid eſtates did ſhine vpon them: Beſides that it is vnſéemely and not lawfull for the ſubiect to iudge of his kinges actions, were it but in reſpecte that many times he is ignorant of the motiue cauſes of his commandementes, which for the moſt parte are more pregnant then thoſe that are apparant & manifeſt to all men: neither is it for any to doe but onely God, the ſearcher and cleanſer of the harts and dealings of Princes, who knoweth the cauſes that did moſt enforce his ſaid Maieſty to the concluſion of the ſaid peace: As being certaine that if he had any longer deferred the doing thereof, this realme had bene repleniſhed with forreine power and diuers partialities and new diuiſions which would haue bene very preiuditiall to the eſtate.

His Maieſty did therefore graunt the ſayde peace to the end to withſtand all the aforeſaide inconueniences, to preuent the effectes therof and to try better remedies, and not as they alledge) to ground or eſtabliſh any hereſie in the realme, for ſuch a thoughte neuer entred into the hart of ſo Chriſtian and good a Prince as his Maieſty is: who hauing foreſéene, felte & found the difficulties aforeſaid, haue thought it his duety the rather to harken to the ſaid pacification, to the end by meanes thereof to bée the better able to graunt to his ſubiectes the enioying of that reliefe whervpon they hoped in other the articles propounded and required at the aſſembly of eſtates aforeſaid for the cō mon wealth of the ſaid realme, peace & vnion being a fore-running and neceſſary meane to the eſtabliſhing of good lawes and reformation of manners.

Herevnto hath his Maieſty continually euer ſince entended as is euident by the edictes and rules therevpon made, which he hath endeuored to put in effect and cauſe to bee obſerued: and although his entent hath not béene executed according to this deſire, the ſame hath redounded to his greater grief, and hath happened peraduenture aſmuch by the negligēce of ſome of his officers and ſleightes of his euill willers as alſo by ſuch footing and aduantage as impiety, corruption and diſobedience haue ſet in this realme during the ſaid warres.

Through this peace, diuers townes repleniſhed with Catholike Citizens & inhabitants are deliuered from the ſouldiers that had ſeazed vpon them. The exerciſe of the Catholike, Apoſtolicall and Romane religion is renewed in the ſame, as likewiſe through his Maieſties diligence and care it is in moſt townes of this realme, yea euen in thoſe wherein the profeſſors of the ſaide religion pretended reformed, haue euer ſince the troubles beene and yet are the ſtronger, and from whence both before and euer ſince his comming to the Crowne, the ſaid exerciſe hath beene baniſhed.

The face of iuſtice alſo hath thereby appeared though not altogether ſo fully and wholy as were to be wiſhed, yet at the leaſt in ſuch eſtate as for the moſt part it hath ſhewed force ſufficient to comfort the good and make the bad afraide. The Prelates & clergy are reentred into their Churches & the enioying of their goods whereof they had béene ſpoiled. The Nobilitie and Gentlemen might liue ſafe in their houſes and not be ſubiect to ſuch expenſes as in ye time of war they were forced to be at for preſeruing them ſelues from being ſurpriſed. The Citizen depriued of his owne and wandring ouer the countrey with his familie is by meanes of the ſaid peace reentred into his poſſeſſions. The Marchant likewiſe hath againe begunne his trade of trafficke which by the ſaide troubles was wholy interrupted. The poore huſbandmā groning vnder the weight of the ſupportable burden a riſing of the vnbridled licence of the ſouldier hath meanes to breath & haue recourſe to his ordinarie labor, for the ſuſtentation of his poore life. To be briefe there is no eſtate or perſon but doth effectually participate in the benefits of the ſaide pacification.

Moreouer as his Maieſtie hath alwaies béene moſt ielous of the honor of God, & carefull for the common wealth of his ſaid ſubiects, as much as in a Prince moſt Chriſtian & truly good, can, by acknowledging all euils and calamities of any eſtate to ariſe principally throgh want and default of true godlineſſe and iuſtice hath ſince the ſaid peace continually labored to raiſe vp two pillers, which the violence of the ſaide troubles had almoſt ſubuerted and laide along. For the compaſſing whereof, he hath begunne by naming méet & capable perſons ſuch as the holy decrees do appoint to eccleſiaſticall promotions, hauing charge of ſoules. He hath alſo by his owne example inuited his ſubiects to reformation of their manners, and to haue recourſe to the grace & mercy of God through prayer and auſteritie of life, which haue confirmed the Catholikes in the duetie to his deuine Maieſtie, and moued ſome of thoſe that were ſeperated from Gods Church to reconſiliation to the ſame.

He hath likewiſe entended greatly to giue eare to the declaration and complaintes of the Clergie, giuing them libertie to aſſemble them ſelues to that effect, and hauing largely & fauorably prouided for them, hath rather diſcharged then ouercharged them with extraordinarie tenthes, without reſpect to the neceſſitie of his owne affaires, notwithſtanding whatſoeuer is publiſhed to the contrarie: and is ſorie that hee can not likewiſe relieue them of the payment of their ordinarie, becauſe he found them at his comming to the crowne morgaged for the payment of the rents of the towne of Paris.

The ſaid Prelates and Clergie haue alſo through his ſaid Maieſties permiſſion had oportunity to call & hold their prouincial Councels, whereby they haue conſulted & prouided for the reformation of abuſes brought into the Church during the ſaide troubles, & made good and holy rules to the welth of the ſame, which his ſaide Maieſtie hath confirmed and authorized. Theſe are the fruites and common and generall commodities which Gods Church, & the Catholike, Apoſtoliike & Romiſh religion haue reaped of the ſaid pacification, beſides infinite other priuate & perticuler benefits which would be too long to rehearſe.

Concerning iuſtice euery man knoweth what paines his ſaid Maieſtie hath taken to withdraw the ſame out of darkneſſe wherein the troubles had plunged, to the end to reſtore the light thereof to his former force and auncient brightneſſe, hauing by death ſuppreſſed all ſuperfluous offices, and withall prohibited and ceaſed the ſale of the ſaid offices which ye want of money had forced his predeceſſors to bring in, nothing regarding his owne neede, which is nothing inferiour to his predeceſſors.

Beſides all this his Maieſtie hath excluded all remiſſions and euocations which aforetune were diſpatched of his proper motion, in conſideration that he perceaueth how great hope to attaine the ſame did autorize euil deedes, and the ſmall difficultie that was made in graunting others did bring confuſion into Iuſtice.

Moreouer ſince the ſaid pacification he hath had opportunitie to ſend into ſundry prouinces of his realme, ſundry chambers compoſed of officers of the parliament of Paris to miniſter iuſtice vnto his ſaid ſubiectes euen in the ſaide place, whereof is growne ſuch fruit as all men haue taſted, which yet would increaſe to the contentation of the good, if his good meaning had bene better aſſiſted by thoſe who naturally and by eſpeciall bond of their vocations were bound thereto. But as the iniquitie of the time hath emboldened ſome to burden his Maieſtie with other mens faultes, and that corruption & malice are ſo repleniſhed with boldnes and impudencie that many haue euen taken pleaſure in defacing his moſt holy & beſt actions, wherby to cauſe his ſubiectes to miſlike of them and ſo to get to them ſelues their good wils with the expenſe of his reputation: yea ſo farre as ſometimes to dare enterprete the moſt commendable zeale that he hath had to cauſe the decrees and ſentences of the ſaid chambers againſt euil doers to be executed, vnto ouer great rigor and ſeueritie.

His ſaid Maieſtie had therfore begun by the meanes aforeſaid to prouide for the erecting of theſe two true pillers, the onely foundations & preſeruation of euery Monarchy and had conceaued ſome aſſurance wholy to ſet them vp & reſtore them to their perfection through the cō tinuation of the peace if it had pleaſed God to haue giuen his grace to make his realme & ſubiectes worthy therof. This alſo it ſéemeth thoſe men which ſéeke to moue the ſubiects to take armes and yet vnder coulor of prouiding for both the one and the other, did as ſoone feare as foreſée.

They do alſo giue out that they take armes to the end to withſtād the troubles which they ſay they feare ſhould happē after his Maieſties deceaſe in the eſtabliſhing of a Royall ſucceſſor to the diſaduantage of the ſaid Catholique, Apoſtolique, and Romiſh religion. Being perſwaded, or at the leaſt ſo giuing forth that his ſaid Maieſtie, or they that are about him do fauor the pretences of thoſe yt haue ſhewed themſelues perſecuters of the ſaid religion.

A matter whereof his Maieſtie deſireth and warneth his ſubiects to beléeue that hee neuer thought, as being, thanks be to God, in the flower and ſtrength of his age and likewiſe the Queene his wife, and ſo hopeth that God will graunt them iſſue to the generall contentation of his good and loyal ſubiects: beſides it ſéemeth to him that they ſéeke to force both nature and time and withall doe to much miſtruſt the fauour and goodnes of God, the health and life of his Maieſty, and the faithfulnes of the ſaid Ladie Quéene his wife in motioning at this time any ſuch queſtion, but much more in proſecuting the deciſion therof by force of armes. For in liew of warranting and deliuering y• realme for the miſchiefe which they ſay they feare will one day enſue hereof, the entry into warre preſently for that cauſe is properly as much as to haſten the griefes of the ſame: as being aſſured ſhortly to repleniſh the realme with forraine power, partialities, and innumerable diſcords, beſides bloud, murther and infinite robberies & oppreſſions.

Here may you ſée how the Catholike religiō ſhall be reſtored, the Clergie diſcharged of their tenthes, the Gentlemen liue quietly and ſafe in his houſe and enioy his rightes & prerogatiues, ye Citizens inhabitants of townes exempt frō garriſons, and the poore townes eaſed of ſubſidies and impoſitions that it now beareth.

His maieſtie therefore warneth and exhorteth his ſubiectes in this caſe to look about them and not to perſwade themſelues that this war can be finiſhed ſo ſoone and eaſily as is giuē out, but rather to weigh and déepely to conſider the euent and ineuitable conſequence thereof: and not to ſuffer their reputations to be ſtained, & their weapons to ſeeme as an inſtrument to ye deſtruction of their countrie and to the increaſe of the power of the enimies fherof, who onely wil triumph and reape benefite by the miſeries & calamities of the ſame. For while we, blinded in our own benefit ſhall warre one vpon another and be ſuccoured in outward appearance, but in effect fed on by their aſſiſtaunce, they ſhall raigne proſperouſly and eſtabliſh their power.

They complaine alſo of the diuiſion of ye offices and houſes of this ſaid realme, ſaying that ſuch are put from them as haue better deſerued of the eſtate and his Maieſties ſeruice. A weak foundation and of no great honor to build the ruine and ſaluation of ſo floriſhing a realme whoſe kings were neuer bound to vſe the ſeruice of one more then of an other. For there is no law that bindeth him therto except as the benefite of his ſeruice requireth. Neuertheleſſe his ſaid Maieſtie hath at all times greatly honored and cheriſhed the princes of his bloud, as much as any of his predeceſſors, and hath ſhewē a will to preferre others into credit, honor and reputation by vſing their ſeruice: for ſo oft as his ſaid Maieſtie hath leuied any power or army, he hath ſtil by preferring them committed the charge and cōduct of the ſame vnto thē, and if we do cōſider who at this preſent haue the greateſt and moſt honorable roomes in the realme, we ſhal find that they ar ſaid to be the authors of ſuch cōplaints & haue cauſe rather to commend his maieſties goodneſſe and fauor then any way to complaine & depart frō him.

But ſay they, they haue but the name, and in effecte are depriued of the prerogatiues depending vpon their ſaide offices, which other men do vſurpe. Before we iudge of the merite of ſuch complainant it were good to ſée & déepely to looke into the rightes and preheminences to euery office attributed, and then to conſider how and by whome they haue bene adminiſtred in the time of the kinges predeceſſors.

A matter which his Maieſty hath often propounded, when he hath endeuored to ſet order in euery mans office, and had long ſince bene determined and decided if thoſe that haue intereſt therein had accordinge to their dueties aided and aſſiſted him as they ought. But ſhal it therefore be now ſaide and ſo left to the poſterity that priuate intereſts and diſcontentations ſhould be the cauſe of troubling a whole eſtate, and repleniſhing the ſame with bloud and deſolation?

This is not the way that ſhould bee taken in ſéeking to redreſſe thoſe abuſes which they complaine of, ſith they haue to do with ſo mercifull a Prince, who ſtill would preuente the inconuenience, and willingly would accept of all méete and cōuenient remedies which may be offered to him for the redreſſe of the ſame.

Let therfore the weapons be laide downe, forrein power countermanded & this Realme deliuered out of that daunger which now it is like to incur by this riſing & taking of armes, and in lieu of proceeding in this way which is full of ſtumblinge blockes, miſeries and both priuate and publike calamities, let the path of reaſon duely be ſought out, vndertaken & followed, whereby Gods holy Church, the enemy of all violence may more eaſily be reſtored to her power and beauty, and the Nobility ſatiſfyed and contented as it ought to be. For which of the kings his Maieſties predeceſſors haue in effect ſhewed any token of more loue or cheriſhing ye order thereof then his Maieſty hath done? as not being contented with preferring it before the aunciente and principall honors and degrées of this realme, but hath expreſly erected and made others new, which he hath conſecrated to the illuſtration of true nobility, as hauing excluded and depriued all other eſtates from the ſame.

His Maieſty will alſo effectually prouide with al ſpeede for the eaſe of his people, like as he hath already very well begon, and wiſheth to his power to continue.

Moreouer notwithſtanding the Captaines of this warre do promiſe that their power and forces ſhall liue ſo orderlye that all men ſhall like thereof, and withall that they exhorte the cities and towns not to admit any garriſons, yet doe wee ſée that the ſouldiours when they haue gathered together do already commit infinite oppreſſions and exceſſe, alſo that they haue placed forces in thoſe townes and holdes which they haue ſeiſed vpon, to the end to rule and keepe them in their obedience. Beſides al this it is euident that many vagabonds & idle perſons will as hath bene accuſtomed riſe vnder the name & coulor of either part who will commit infinite ſacrileges and miſchiefes. In ſuch ſort that in lieu of ſtopping the daunger which threatneth the deſtruction of Gods ſeruice and all good men as by this warre they do promiſe, it will repleniſh the whole realme withall impiety and vngodlines.

They doe alſo geue out that their liues are in daunger, and that that is one of the cauſes that moueth them to riſe, No man can thinke that this complaint any whit concerneth hys Maieſty, aſwell in reſpecte of the good and fauorable vſage that at all times they haue receiued at his hāds, as alſo in that his ſaid Maieſty is naturally ſo farre frō all ſort of reueng that the perſon is yet vnborne, that can iuſtly complaine of him for the ſame, notwithſtanding whatſoeuer offence againſt him committed, wheras contrarywiſe there are many that hauing proued his clemency may ſerue for a perpetuall remembrance to the poſterity.

In conſideration her of his ſaid Maieſty deſireth and exhorteth the Captaines of the ſayd riſings ſpéedely to diſperſe their bandes, countermaund the ſtraungers, and depart from al factions, and as his kinſmen and ſeruants, to repoſe aſſured confidence in his loue and good will, which in ſo doing he offereth to continue vnto them, by honoring them with his fauour and making thē partakers of ſuch honours as he is accuſtomed to beſtow vpon men of theyr calling: to ioyne and revnite themſelues vnto him, to the ende duely and effectually to prouide for the reſtoring of Gods ſeruice, and the common wealth of his ſaid ſubiectes in ſuche order as ſhal be thought méete and cōuenient, whereto his Maieſty is willing to herken.

He alſo warneth all Eccleſiaſticall perſons and gentlemen his ſubiectes wel to weigh the conſequence of theſe ſtirres, ſincerely to embrace his entent, and to beleue that his minde alwayes hath and ſtill ſhall tend to do good to all, and harme and diſpleaſure to none.

He doth therfore moſt ſtraightly command them and all other his ſubiectes to depart and withdraw themſelues from all leagues & aſſotiations, and to revnite themſelues vnto him, as nature, duety, and their owne wealth and health doth bind them, to the ende that if theſe commotions do procede any farther (which he beſeecheth the goodneſſe of allmighty God not to permit) he may haue aſſiſtaunce and ſuccor in their counſaile, weapons and commodities to the preſeruation of the Realme, wherevnto is linked the Catholike Apoſtolike & Romiſh Church therein, their honor, reputation, perſons, famelies, and goods.

Offering and promiſinge vnto them in ſo doing the continuance of his fauor with recō pence for their fidelity and ſeruice.

And vnderneath

Giuen at Paris in the moneth of Aprill 1585. Signed HENRY And vnderneath De Neu-fuille.