THE TOCSIN OR, WATCH-BELL.

FRance, it is high time (with­out delay) that this Tocsin (or Watch-bell) sound shrilly in the hearts of all thy people, to a­wake and giue the Alarum to all those which ought to de­fend thee; sith Cardinall Bel­larmine the Iesuite (as impu­dently as vniustly) hath chosen the right of thy Kings minority, to giue the assault to thy Soueraign­ty, and to fixe the Petard to the gates of thy Maiesty, hitherto inuiolated.

He hath watched the time that thy Hercules Hen­ry the great, was translated to a better Kingdome then thine, to leaue the Supreintendency thereof ill assured to the young King his heire, the Regency vncertaine to the Queene Regent, the succession doubtfull to the Princes of blood, the authority de­crepit [Page]and feeble to the Parliaments, the care voy de of honour to the Magistrates, the loyalty without assurance to the Officers, the obedience without fi­delity to the Subiects, and the peace without con­tinuance to our neighbours. For this booke publi­shed of late in Rome, vnder the title of The Popes Temporall power, hath performed all, yea farre worse then all this.

This proud Cardinall in his booke, depainteth vs Popes, as if each were a Cyrus, that is to say, inflamed with a desire, both to haue and to commaund all: but our Queene Mary shall be to them a Tomiris, which authorised and incouraged in the right of her sonne, shall not onely cut off the complots of those Vsurpers, but also the intrusion of all others whatsoeuer. An acte both iust and necessary, sith it is not done in contempt of the Apostolicke autho­ritie, but contrariwise, to exempt vs from that bon­dage whereunto this Cardinall through his booke would bring vs: yea, and which he would cause to steale in to the buddes of the Flower-deluces, there­by to yoke and curbe the free necks of the Kings of France, which more iustly then all other Kings of the world may say, ‘Filij Abrahae sumus & nemini seruiuimus vnquam.’ A iudicious personage of this Kingdome, as soone as he saw the diabolicall parricide committed and perpetrated vpon the sacred person of our late King Henry the Great, and the Queene mother de­clared Regent, he said, that shee would be vnto our [Page]yong King, as the branch of the Plane tree, or as the Storke is to yer young ones, from whom shee kee­peth off all infection and venome.

And now it is that France expecteth of the said Queene Regent, the fruits of the aforesaid predicti­on. For if euer deadly poyson spread it selfe ouer the Crowne of France, it is now through this Cardi­nals Booke, which endeuoureth that the Maiesty and soueraignty of the Flower-deluces, should tempo­rally be made subiect vnto Popes. But alas, great Queene, what pittie, nay what griefe would it be to you, (you being the Tutrixe both of King and Kingdome) negligently to permit all France to be impoysoned through one onely booke?

For may it please your Maiesty to consider, that in France there are a great number of false hearted French men, vnto whom the perusing of this booke is as dangerous as the fome of a mad dogge, when it falleth on any part of a mans body, being already either diseased or vlcerated.

But he which hath written it (Madam) is a Car­dinall: and if the consideration thereof take place in your generous heart, it will befall you as it did sometimes vnto King Demetrius, (whom Historians haue surnamed the indiscreet Prince) because after hauing a long time laide a siege, yea, sweated be­fore the towne of Rhodes, and imployed both his blood and treasure, to become Master thereof; hee neuerthelesse at last did lose both the honour and [Page]fruit of his victory; for the respect which he bare vnto a naked picture of Protogenes, which he very ar­dently loued, and desired to conserue; and so desi­sted from battering that part of the towne, where that table was: by which quarter of the towne he might easily haue surprised and taken it.

In the selfe same manner (you Madam) vnto whose children the precedent Kings of France haue (for the space of twelue hundred yeares) with much care and trauell, reduced the Crowne thereof to all Soueraignty, and acknowledging to hold it of none but of God (though otherwise most religious) haue both daunted and brought to reason, the Bonifaces and Iulies (authors of ambition, and bladders puft vp with the winde of vaine glorie) are now brought to lose the libertie of the King your sonne, if you incline and bend your selfe to admire the dignity of this Cardinall; who is to be esteemed no other then a vaine picture in respect of the matter whereof he treateth: vnlesse couragiously you sacrifice not to the fire, the rodde wherewith this impudent Cardi­nall doth imploy his best endeuours, to scourge the Soueraignty of France.

When question is to assault a strange Citie, or a Castle esteemed impregnable, none vndertake to attempt it without great and notable preparatiues: so this Cardinall hath long since both premeditated and propens'd to assault the soueraignty of the Crowne of France; which cannot be won without good & valable conditions. For it is a Cat that can­not be surprised without gloues: But sift we more narrowly their proceedings.

First at Rome they watered and mollified the Maiesty of his chiefe court of Parliament (esteemed at all times the Paladium of France) in the water of the pretext of Religion; contradicting & censuring his [...]rest, so religiously and iustly giuen against that Parricide Castell; and since perceiuing that France was thereof become insensible, and as it were sicke of a Lethargie, because she had swallowed downe this sweet and sugred pill of Respect and Piety, to­wards the See of Rome, (as the royal Dolphin, king of fishes, who hauing eaten the sweet fish Pompilia, doth with the sweetnes thereof become so drunke, that all his senses are benummed, and as it were sur­prised with a Lethargy; so as falling vpon the Sand of the shore, he there dieth, and is deuoured of the birds of the ayre) they resolue to aduance further, and continuing to allure him with the suger of the same deuotion, they definitiuely determine wholly to exterminate this independant Monarchy, there­by to make him the prey and benefice of all those Sophisters and flatterers, whom the Pope pleaseth to replenish and surfet.

But as the poore Dolphin amidst his pangs of death, (of all his naturall faculties) hath still his eyes open to behold his misery: right so, Lethargique France, at least before thou die, retaine thy sight that thou mayest see the misery wherinto the booke of this Cardinall will bring thee.

Cardinall, a splendant & glorious name: but vnto whō? why only vnto ignorant people, as the deceit of the Fowler dasleth the eyes of Larkes and Linits [Page]with the reflex of peeces of a Looking-glasse, which they represent them, but neuer dasleth the eyes of generous Lyons, which are not affrighted at the re­mouing shadow of a light Ensigne, nor at the appa­rition of a nocturnall Ghost.

And who will not repute thee feeble, and taxe thee of cowardise generous France, Lyon of all Crownes (as the Lyon is King of all beasts) if the respect of a Redde Hatte should haue power to stoppe the course of thy independency? It is repor­ted of the Lyon, that with the sound of his voyce he assembleth all beasts to appeare before him; and therefore thou French Lyon, assemble, require, and inuite all the Potentates and Princes of Christen­dome, to see the fraudulency of this second Menecli­des, who insensibly would throw effeminatnes into the spirits of Princes, of purpose to make them be­come, not tributaries, but subiects to a Priest: to a Priest worthy indeed to be beloued, as long as he maintaineth himselfe Priest of the world, and Lord or King of his owne territories, without extending his shooe in Idumea; and striuing that those which in temporall matters are but strangers to him, should neuerthelesse in that regard be as homagers and subiects vnto him.

We reade of the Trozenians, that in Hercules Clubbe they heretofore saw an Oliue branch mar­ked with repose and security: and France I say vnto [Page]thee, that out of thy resistance, as of a warlike wea­pon, wil spring vp thy conseruation and peace. And although at first it seeme somewhat strange vnto thee, to see a Cardinals booke publikely burnt by a common hang-man; I neuerthelesse aduertise thee, that this thy anger will proue vnto thee as the sweetnesse of most medicinall hearbs, as the taste of the most effectuall Antidots, which are sharp in the palate, and distastfull in the mouth; but worketh strongly with nature, and exceedingly nourisheth and comforteth the whole body.

Caesar, that renowned Caesar had neuer conseru'd his dignity, if he had not considered what it was to haue passed the riuer Rubicon with his Army.

And France thou shalt neuer vphold thy Soue­raignty, if thou found the passage of the profound Amelyte riuer of negligence; vpon the bankes of which thou hast a long time slept, and as it were thy selfe at ease, stretched to receiue the filth of the first which attempteth to blemish thy incomparable beauty.

And if the Naramones seeing the South winde had dried vp all their Cesternes (in battell array) re­solued to seeke out his Origine, thereby to fight and be reuenged of him: O France, France, what ough­test thou to do against the pestiferous winde of this Cardinals booke, which attempteth to drie vp the perpetuall source of thy Crowne and Kingdomes Soueraignty?

Steneleides Ephore of Lacedemonia counselled the Spartans, to beare to the gates both the wea­pons [Page]and wou [...]ds of those which violate their liber­ties: but at the [...]st I am not so bloudy, neuertheles did occasion require, I would not be the last for so good a subiect. But France, I with Publius the Syri­an content my selfe to aduertise thee, that the in­iurie first receiued and not reuenged, draweth on a second, and that this second will soone bring thee a third, if thou winke thereat and dissemble it vnder the cloake of Religion.

Briefly I tell thee, that this Cardinals booke is the same to thee that Epeus horse was to the Troians, that is to say in good French, he will be thy ruine: for in his entrailes he hideth a thousand sharpe wea­pons, to subuert the Maiesty of thy Kings, and con­sequently to metamorphose thy tranquility into a combustion. I haue read that Pythagoras adored the Altars of Apollos Temples in Delos, because they were neuer sacked nor ruinated: and I beleeue like­wise that the world will reuerence France, because she was neuer brought vnder the yoake of subiecti­on and slauerie.

But alas poore France, thou now remembrest not, that as aunciently for sacrifices the quietest beasts were soonest done to death and immolated: so likewise at present thy excessiue piety to the See of Rome, proueth to be the chiefest cause of thy de­struction.

Cardinall Bellarmine should haue addressed him­selfe to the King of Spaine, to haue practised these pranckes in his Dominions, for he hath shewed vs how we should beare ourselues. For when Baronius [Page](likewise Cardinall) wrote a Treatise of the Sicilian Monarchy: this King which for Sicilia is the elected and feuditorie heyre of the Popes, so well ordered his affaires, that the most audacious durst not pre­sume to publish what the said Baronius had written of that matter. Many countreys subiect to his obe­dience, yea, and his Officers bore themselues so brauely in the discharge, that neither the Pope nor Cardinall hath since reaped any benefite thereof; yea and will or nill, they were forced so to content themselues both within Italy, as also in Kingdomes which yearely contribute many hundreds to the Church of Rome And yet we in France are afraid of our shadowes. If there be replie made, that the king of Spaine hath as iust cause to except at this Booke, as the king of France; in a word, I answer, that the quality of the estates of these two king­domes are very much different, and that Rome hath not rounded France in the eare as she hath done Spaine. The wiser sort vnderstand me, Et ecce my­sterium quod vobis dico.

But now, what will the aduersaries of the Romane Religion say, seeing that the Sea of Rome, which was heretofore the tree of life, is now be­come an Oleander and a Vgh tree, whose conta­gious shadow killeth those which thinke to repose themselues vnder the sweetenesse of their bran­ches.

O deceitfull verdure of religion, which like that of the North Sea, dost couer by the faire greene passages of the holy Scriptures wrested, the shelues [Page]and rockie places where all the Lordships of the world ruine themselues, and suffer shipwracke.

No, no France, it is no longer time to dissemble: for as Pyndarus violated the peace contracted be­twixt the Greeks and Troians, through the leueling of one arrow at Menelaus, so this Cardinall through the arrow which he hath shot forth against the li­berty of France (the which he hath not exempted from the Popes bondage) induceth vs to esteeme the familiarity of the Sea of Rome, to be full of feare and suspition.

I haue heretofore heard the Abbot of Boys Oliuier report (being a person sufficiently knowne for the good offices which he daily performeth, both to the Church of Rome, and his King) that this present Pope Paulus Quintus, is very affectionately addicted to France, and that this Cardinall Bellarmine is a man very deuout, and of a most innocent life and con­uersation. But now I begin to suspect and doubt the fidelity of this Abbot; for the booke now pub­lished by Bellarmine, and approued and authorised by the Pope, doth apparantly testifie the contrary. For doth his Holinesse loue France? why then per­mitteth he that this Cardinals booke set it on fire? and if the Cardinall himselfe be a deuout and inno­cent man, why giueth he not to France that which he oweth? I meane by separating and distinguish­ing it from other kingdomes (which for the most part) are feuditory and tributary to Popes.

I will yet further tie my selfe to the relation of this Abbot (for he is knowne to be a Prelate so sin­cere [Page]and faithfull, that he will rather die then speake one thing and thinke another) and will rather be­leeue that a great part of this fault proceeded tho­rough the negligence of the kings intelligencers at Rome, and namely of Monsieur de Marquemont, Au­ditor of Rota, which hath yearely great pensions from the king, and neuerthelesse was not so well ad­uised to discouer the imprinting of this booke: whereof if he had certified Monsieur de Breues (his Maiesties Ambassadour) he would so powerfully and valably haue conferred with the Pope, that his Holinesse weighing his allegations and reasons (at least) if he had loued France, would haue preuented the impression therof; and the Cardinall, were he so deuout and innocent, would himselfe haue abhor­red the publishing thereof: especially sith both the one and the other well knew what trouble this vn­necessary booke would occasion in all Christen­dome. And as for vs (respecting our Kings minori­tie wherein it was published) we can say no other then ‘Scorpius insidias illa sub caute tetendit.’

Those amongst vs which esteeme themselues cleerer sighted then others, thinke that the publish­ing of this booke is a tricke meerely inuented by the society of Iesuites, purposely to replunge France in the miseries, from whence the late deceased King had miraculously withdrawen it: esteeming that sect to resemble frogges, which are neuer well be­fore they are in the mire. Which if it be so, the Iesu­ites [Page]may properly be parallel'd to the trees of the Forrest Lytania, which inuite trauellers to come and repose themselues vnder the delectable shad­dow of their branches, and then being set downe, in­stantly fall on them and kill them; for all their speeches are nothing but of peace, of matters of state, and of the dignitie of France, (which indeede draweth many of their side and faction) so as if in the meane time they sell vs, we shall be cunningly deceiued: but my comfort is, that there is a great difference and distance betwixt the sale and deliuery of vs.

I say if this come to passe, to auoyde their en­teprises it were better wee surprised them: for o­therwise it will befall vs, as it did the Marriners of the Lake of Laumont (in the Prouince of Es­couie) in Scotland, which as long as the said Lake was tempestuous they passe without danger, but being calme they alwayes endure shipwracke. And alas, who hath better and fitter meanes to annoy vs then the Iesuites, who confesse the King, impor­tunately solicite the Queene, liue as companions with Monsieur the Chancellor, and Monsieur Vil­leroy? of whom through their dexterity they may obtaine many things, which may tend to our ruine, as aduice and agents to those which employ them thereunto.

I am not ignorant that their speeches and bookes are more sweeter then the Syrens songs, and that many good spirits (pricked forwards with the spurre of Religion) throw themselues headlong [Page]into the Sea of their acquaintance, morefully to participate of their harmony: But I know likewise that as the winde sprong vp which conducted Butes out of danger, and saued him in Lybia: so the winde which at present bloweth against them in France, hath drawen many excellent spirits forth the Sea of their captiuity, and hath fortunately brought them to the port of happines.

For considering more narrowly why they are so applauded, and with a circumspectious eye behol­ding the forme of their comportments yea and not onely in their faces, but in their liues and doctrines, yea in their very hearts and actions; they affirme they haue found nothing but death for life, euill for good, the losse of the Church for her preser­uing, and the losse of the estate for his confer­uation.

As for me, if such they are, I am of opinion, that there was neuer spell nor charme more stronger and powerfull, then that wherewith they practise. For when I do see a Sillery and Villeroy, (both spirites shining with bright­nesse, and on all sides enuitoned with piercing sights, which as two Argus, haue rather their heads in their eyes, then their eyes in their heads) to be so inchanted and lulled asleepe with the dissem­bling songs of those treacherous Mercuries; which perceiue not that in shutting their eyes to their practises, they both close vp and finish the dayes of their own honor, and eclipse the splendor of the dignity of France their deere mother and sweete [Page]Countrey, which hath so honourably imparted them the choyce of her chiefest dignities, and yet of whom they will rauish her chiefest Iö (to wit) her independency and soueraignty, whereof this great Iupiter in Bellarmines booke doth demonstrate him­selfe desperatly enamoured.

I am besides my selfe, and beleeue all and more too, which antiquity hath reported of Circes the Magician.

This Capitolian Iupiter durst neuer haue assaulted our French Hercules in the face, but when he percei­ued his backe turned, then hesent this couragious canker Sophister Bellarmine, sweating with the blood of Princes, to wound him in the heele. But couragi­ous, couragious, the wound is not yet mortall: for ((Iolaus) the inflexible Parliament of Paris will cure him: yea and so manage and operate, that this Ixion which thought himselfe cock-sure, to haue embra­ced our French Iuno, shall in stead thereof onely em­brace a cloud, from whence shal issue Centaures, that shall go through all countries, blessing those which will receiue them, yet neuerthelesse shall not be en­tertained in France, which was neuer ordained to be Augeas stable.

And as Theron King of Spaine, knocking at the gate of Hercules Temple, was with his whole Fleete miraculously consumed by a clap of lightning from heauen: right so this booke beating at the Soue­raignty of France, shall iudicially be consumed to cynders, together with all his Sophisticall reasons. This being incident and fatall to France, that as ne­uer [Page]vitious person entred into the Temple of Vulcan on mount Aetna, but was by the guardians thereof destroyed and rent in pieces: so there was neuer any ill affected to the Flower-deluces, which heretofore hath published their impostures, but by the vigilan­cie of the Parliaments haue beene both defaced and burnt. And although the late troubles haue ope­ned the doores of France, and so let in some indis­creet and pernitious bookes: as sometimes forrai­ners came and cast ancre in Diomedes Ilands, wherein the habitation was onely permitted to the Greci­ans, because there were certaine birds which Dio­medes brought thither, which would not endure that any others should peaceably reside there, except those which were of Diomedes country: so as if they found any forrainers or strangers there, those care­full birds would violently fall on them, picking and tearing their faces, yea and biting their armes and breasts, and neuer forsake them vntill they had slaine them. In the same manner in this Kingdome are carefull and watchfull Parliaments and Magistrates, which our Kings haue established, that will neuer permit that the enemies of the state should violate their priuiledges, or infringe their authority. And although for a time either through importunity or protection of great personages, they winke as if they saw nothing, & so permit them to inhabite amongst vs: Neuerthelesse they will neuer tolerate themlong to dwell peaceably amongst vs, but vvill closely and violently pursue them, vntill they haue both exte­nuated and exterminated them, yea and neuer wea­rie [Page]themselues to bite and sting them continually, but proue as faithfull as the dogges being Porters of Mineruaes Iliadnes Temple in Dulia, which by a naturall instinct alwayes bit those which came to prophane the Temple: yea although they were brought in by her Priest, which vnder colour of re­ligion was deceiued by those detestable propha­ners.

It is reported that the Lisards crooked teeth, ha­uing once taken hold, cannot be remoued without breaking them. Let vs therefore breake the crooked teeth of this Lisard Bellarmine, to the end he leaue vs in our auncient liberty and freedome.

It agreeth well with Rome to haue a Pantheon wherein to adore the generality of Gods; but France can serue onely one Master. And to speake truely, the causes which concerne the Temporalitie of France ought not to be censured, much lesse de­cided in the Consistorie of Rome. For were that tolerated, it were the direct way to put in practise the cousenage of subtle Ithacus, who before the Grecian army, would pleade the processe of gene­rous and ingenious Palamedes, to the end the sub [...]l­ler to depose & stone this innocent Prince, and not­withstanding all this while to cloake treason with a dissembling shew of iustice and equity, resembling the Popes which oueruaile their vsurpation with the scarfe of Religion.

But if Iupiter inflamed with choler, commanded the Riuer Acheron to remoue and descend into hell, because the water therof refresht the Tytans his [Page]mortall enemies, which rebelled against him. So what Iudge is there in France which will not be cheerefull, yea willing to controlle, yea consound such Stationers Libraries, & running Book sellers, which cause seditious and pernitious pamphlets to alight on the hearts of those which are enemies and rebels, to their Prince and countrey, to incourage and harden them in the execution of their wicked plots and proiects?

Eneas (surnamed the Pious) threatned with a cru­ell death those Ruteloys, which furnished his ene­my Turnus with armor and weapons; and the Cor­cyriens burnt the citie of Cillena, because the Hele­nians being Lords thereof, had aided the Corinthi­ans their enemies: and shall our Iudges winke at the assistance and aide which these Booke-sellers giue the enemies of France, by dispersing and selling this booke of Bellarmine, which most secretly and dangerously they sow and distribute?

No France, no: if the Iesuites participate of this wickednesse, entertaine them no longer as compa­nions and friendes: for being aduanced and risen through the fauour which thou hast bestowed on them, they vse thee as the Scythian slaues did their Masters; esteeming themselues worthy to aspire to their nuptiall beddes: so the Iesuites beleeue they may both sport and doe what they please with the Soueraignty of France. But once curbe and correct them with the whip, and thou shalt see they will take heed to offend thee. For I cannot more pro­perly compare them then to the beasts Teuterydes, [Page]which feare and flie at those which assault them, and vehemently assault and follow those which permit them to repose and rest in peace.

Anciently, wise Vlisses conceiued an extreme horrour, when his seruant Eumenius informed him, what theft and ryot the louers of his wife Penelope committed and acted in his house. But now King, Queene Regent, Princes, Iudges, Magistrates, Offi­cers, and commons of France, would we might be showen the dangerous Maximes of this Cardinals booke, & the spoyle of subuersion, which it preten­deth to doe in France; if you, I say, foresee not and procure the suppression and extirpation therof: yea, be ye all inflamed thereat with iust anger; for there is therein included and comprehended such dange­rous positions and bloudy propositions, that it is to be feared, they will occasion the Kings Palaces and Cities to resemble the Cities and Palaces of A­donia, wherein was nothing heard but cryes and sighes, nothing seene but lamentations and teares.

Iudicious Queene, let not the apparent and dis­sembling remonstrances of a Nuncio, deceiue your vigilancy: For herein your Maiesty may please to remember the Egyptian fable of the Crocodile, who vpon the shores of Nylus hauing surprised a childe from his mother, cryed out as he bore him a­way, I will render him thee againe, if thou canst define what I thinke: the mother bitterly weeping, answe­red, I define thou wilt not render him me, therefore re­store him me, for I haue defined aright. The Croco­dile [Page]replied, If I restore him thee, then thou hast lied, I will therefore keepe him both for thee and me. So when the censure of the Arest of Parliament was com­plained of, and made knowne to our Bride and Lord the late King; what promises did the Popes Nuncio make him, that he would cause it to be both remedi­ed and reuoked? yea what sugred speeches gaue he to Monsieur Chancelier and Monsieur Villeroy, who onely hindred, and with-held that the Court of Parliament imposed and bent not their authority a­gainst it? and which of all those faire promises hath he since accomplished and performed? No, no, he well knoweth the humour of the French to be sen­sible in new wounds, and forgetfull when they are become more aged, and when they should seeke for reuenge thereof: he beleeueth that amongst vs hee which hath time, hath life: or to say more properly, He which is reprined is pardoned. And so much will he now likewise doe to preuent the burning of Bel­larmines booke: but when the shame and feare thereof is past, you shall neuer obtaine the honour of the libertie of France, whereof this booke will depriue you; yea his promises will vanish away as smoake, knowing well that as Denis the tyrant had rather permit himselfe to be pulled and drawne downe from his Throne, then to mount vpon a fu­rious and warlike horse: so the Popes (his Masters) haue determined neuer to abandon their pretensi­on, which they haue of the Soueraignty of France, or to see themselues reduced and brought to an au­thority purely Apostolike and Sacerdotall; except [Page]by meere force of the faithfull Officers of Kings, Po­tentates and Princes. It is an Axiome (Madam) in­cident to all Ambassadours, wheron dependeth ey­ther the glory or the interest of the Princes their Masters.

And to arriue to a Cardinalship, there is no di­recter way, then effectually to occasion Kings to submit themselues to the authority of Popes, which falsely apply and attribute to themselues this verse of Dauids Psalme: ‘Ador abunt eum omnes Reges terrae, omnes gentes seruient ei.’ Which neuertheles belongeth not properly to any of them, but on the contrary to Iesus Christ.

And for Cardinall Bellarmine, he well knoweth that he hath not alwaies taught that which in his booke hee now teacheth, concerning the Soue­raignty of Popes ouer Kings. For were not Sixtus the fift dead, hee would make him wedde the pri­son of the Inquisition, because hee then taught more conformable to the truth then he now doth.

But seeing this Cardinals booke now in the hangmans hand, ready to be conuerted into ashes; I would willingly demaund of him the sense of the same demaund which Cyrus made vnto Craesus, whom he had vanquished and taken in bat­taile.

Bellarmine, who hath called thee without reasonable motiues, to warre against the temporall Soueraignty of [Page]France? And I answere my selfe (if his booke could speake it would answere for him) The aduancement and security of the Soueraignty of France, the augmen­tation of her honour (but without thought thereof) and for euer the eclipsing of the renowne of my authour, with the eternall banishment of all his Aahaerents from the Territories of the Flower-de-Luce: of which saith the Euangelist, Salomon in all his maiesty was neuer so maiesticall as it is.

When Antipater would haue reduced the Lace­demonians to his subiection, they said vnto him, Vse vs as Citizens, worthy of Lacedemonia, and let our truce bee as preiudiciall vnto vs as it pleaseth thee, so f [...]rre forth as it redound not to our shame.

So France saith at present to the Pope: Vse me as France, which hath temporally made thee what thou art; and on that which is spirituall, extend thy authority as farre as thou canst: but beware, make not this Crowne thy slaue, which (in many partes of Italy) hath made thee King. Otherwise thou must needes beleeue, if thou durst vndertake it, that (as Augustus said to those which disswaded him from hating Cassius and Brutus, the murtherers of his adopted father Caesar) God which hath estee­med our King Lewes the twelfth, worthy the Scep­ter of great Henry his father, will make him as wor­thy a successor of his valour, to conserue the crown which he hath left him, free from all domination, except that of heauen.

For France resembleth pretious stones, the least [Page]cracke or haire which is in the lustre of her Soue­raignty causeth her to be no longer France, and maketh the valuation of her worth to be exceeding­ly debased and diminished.

Bellarmines booke for a time will be but a small pepin (or kernell) but with growth of yeares he will grow to be a very thicke Forrest, full of trees and branches; and if it be not in time lopped and prun'd, it will finally ouertop and beate downe the fruit of the French trees life, and infect it as the Salamander which lurketh in the hollow of some fruit tree; and so through his extreme coldenesse, doth by little and little cause him to wither and die.

When Iupiter gaue the marueilous rodde vnto Mercury his Messenger, he accompanied it with shame to beare it vnto human persons (immediatly after Epimetheus had framed man.) But I thinke that Iesus Christ the true God was no lesse careful when he gaue authority to Popes, to accompany them with modesty, in bearing themselues discreetly to­wards men.

I know well that as the Egyptians made Virgins to sit on Lyons, so the diuine prouidence of God hath placed Ecclesiasticall authority aboue tempo­rall: but so, as Popes ought alwayes to remem­ber that this spirituall authority is without issue or earthly production, as a Virgin which hath no children: yea and ought no more forget that Kings are Lions. And as it is easie for a Lyon at one faste­ning of his teeth to crush in sunder the bones of a Virgin, if she affright him: so it is easie for Princes [Page]to bound vp Popes in their limits, if they once pre­sume to anger them in any thing which concerneth their temp oraltie; for therein consisteth their force and power. A good Christian both indeede and name, named Prudence, said, ‘Non eripit mortalia, qui Regna dat caelestia.’

Would not Popes in these daies resemble Aae­rons rodde, which voide of leaues, moth eaten and drie, did neuerthesse in one night budde forth and become greene, in such sort, that the next morning the children of Israell perceiued not a branch with­out leaues, not a Troncke depriued of humidity, and separated from his sappe: but contratiwise a tree greenly flourishing and loden with fruit. This pre­sent time wherein we liue is not litterally the season of the Israelites; but spiritually of the Iewes, which miraculously retaine this rodde by miracle, but make no vse of the vertue thereof: since it was put into the Arke of the Couenant, as faith Sjt. Paul to the Hebrewes, chap. 9. it was neuer imployed nor vsed, that we reade of in Scriptures.

There are no more Predericks in the world: be­sides it is long since, that Iuno Nucerene was extin­guished, the which in the warres of the Cymbrians, in the turning of a hand made her withered rodde flourish.

And the Popes deceiue themselues, to thinke that they alone can make the harmony of the Church, wherein there must likewise be Kings and Princes; as said Zeno, hearing the Musitian Amebeus playing [Page]on his instruments, that the entrailes, sinewes, and bones of beasts, yea wood laid by, accordant num­ber, and arrang'd by equall proportion, make a plea­sant and compleat harmony.

It is reported of Dragons, that they rot by al­waies eating of their tailes, and yet without eating any other flesh then their owne, they cannot againe become yong. So who will beleeue that the Popes for feare of rotting will not circumference them­selues within the circle of their power, but to be­come againe young, they desire to eate the power of the Princes of the world?

Alas, must it so fall out, that I a Romane Catho­lique should see the Popes reproached, and that in permitting the publishing of this Cardinals booke, wherein France is vsed as the basest countrey of the world? They haue forgotten that it is that holy A­bicoboes and mountaine of refuge, that stone of de­fence, which Mahomet in his Alcoran, not knowing notwithstanding the sense of his word, said to be built by the hand of the Almighty, for the sure and inexpugnable guard of his Ierusalem, to wit the Church. Yea, yea, as said Hanniball to Antiochus (but to another purpose) speaking of the forces of Syria towards the Romanes: there are but too many Do­ctors in France, capable to resist Bellarmine, al­though copious and abundant in allegations; yea there are in France enough to feather him, and more then enough to feare him.

O wise Villeroy (vnder the branches of whose fa­nour and greatnesse, lurke all those of the Romane faction, which would wound our countrey) seest thou not that the confused light of this Bellarmine, sent amidst the cloud of the variablenesse of France doth presage our tempest? and that the fire of his breath, falling vpon the poopes of our vessels, is the prognostication of the turbulency of our waters? But I foresee that in the end, the tempestuous storm of these waters will beare downe the Arke of their irregular power of Rome, so farre, that it will finally fixe and establish it vpon the toppes of the moun­taines of Armenia, where it cannot possibly any longer annoy the Kings of the earth.

He which foundeth this Toosin (or Watch bell) wise Villeroy, is one which hath long admired thee, which knoweth very much of thy proceedings, and who daily weepeth at the diminution of the honor of our natiue countrey: to the security and preser­uation whereof, thy too too great inclination to Rome giueth terrible assaults and aduan­tage.

But wherof should we feare? the Clergy of France is rich. But now the question is of the dignity of the Crowne of France, which some endeuour to an­nihilate and extinguish: and therfore who can hin­der vs with Themistocles, neither to put distinction of wealth, places nor persons, against the rash asser­tions of Bellarmine, which seeke thereof to depriue vs? and who can iustly reproue vs, if with the Syracu­sans we holily vse our weapons, consecrated to the [Page]Temple of the Olympian Iupiter, especially sith it concerneth the defence of our liberty.

And if as said Publius Curulius, it was lawfull to sell those trees which were most deuoutly consecra­ted to Apollo in the Ile of Coee, to build shippes for the warres: doubt not Holy Father, but that the Church of France, vse both Fer feathers & her trea­sures to reuenge her selfe of the wrongs which Bel­larmine in his booke hath offered to the crowne of France: and as the Athenians saued themselues by the pretious stones of the monuments of their de­ceased: so we likewise will stone this Bellarmine to death with the stones of great Henry, our late Kings tombe; during whose life, if he had published that which he hath since written, that inuincible King would personally haue gone and fetched him out of Rome, and so in expiation of his irremissible of­fence, haue immolated and sacrificed him vpon the Altar of the Soueraignty of France.

O Bellarmine, the warre is now denounced be­twixt France and thee: and remember that we will vse thee as the Argeans did the Spartans: for whe­ther thou recant liuing, dead, or otherwise, as long as France is France, not such as thou wouldest haue it to be, but such as God hath established it: thy name amongst the French shall be as horrible and detestable as that of Erostratus in Ephesus, who en­deuoured in one houre to sacke and raze downe all which rich Asia had erected and built in two hun­dred yeares.

And if thou desirest that thy other books (indeed [Page]profitable) and thy name (formerly honourable) should remaine and liue with vs, we say vnto thee, as the Romanes said to Pyrrhus, which intreated them for truce: first forsake the liberty of France, wheron thou hast set foote and intruded, and then motion vs for peace. Otherwise nor thou, nor thine shall euer haue repose in France, sith thou hast watched the time of our mourning to make vs slaues, as did those wicked slips of warre (detested of olde Iacob) viz. Simeon and Leuy,) which destroyed the Siche­mites in their greatest miseries and calamities.

Cursed Tarentula, loe we denounce thee warre, and will no longer vse thee as a Cardinall, because thou hast not vsed vs as free French men, the first borne of the Church. Dost thou imagine to lull vs asleepe, thereby to bring our most sensible mem­bers into a Lethargy? But what speake I? thou art a Iesuite, and therefore canst not doe otherwise: ‘Simia semper Simia, etiam si paurpura vestiatur.’

O felonious Iesuites, which resemble the Nubi­an Marmorike, that groweth about the body of man purposely to destroy it. Sarcophanges of Troade, which will inhabite alone, and destroy all others that dwell neare you: Combustible Pyraustes which by the rayes of your bookes, dart forth a thousand incendies and fires into Kingdomes: enuious Dae­mons, Telcbnes or Alastors, which to deceiue the sim­ple Commons of France, couer your selues with the thicke cloude of religion, and exhausting the water of stinking Styx, powre it out on our heads; [Page]not onely of purpose to ingender a thousand mis­chiefes, but also to make vs forget the wholsome Antidots and remedies, which great Henry hath administred to our miseries. But alas, your water resembleth the water of the fountaine of Tellos, which is so thicke that it cannot bee intermixed with wine, no more then can your hellish and King-killing Doctrine agree with the French.

For although you seeme faire in your conuersati­ons and bookes, yet God preserue our Soueraigne Monarchie from being wraped and inuelloped, ey­ther in your positions, or in your exteriour appa­rence; as a Historian said, that the rich wals of Ba­bylon (that seuenth wonder of the world) were ne­uer ouerspread or touched with Iuy. For as an ex­pert Mason (of all things) ought not to beautifie his building with that ruinous herbe, because in stead of strengthening it, it will destroy it. So a politicke Prince ought in no wise permit or tollerate the sect and society of Iesuites to reside in his Domi­nions, what colour of Religion, of spirituall fruit, or of saluation of soules, soeuer they propose him; because it is to wedde his estate to the vtter ruine and manifest destruction thereof, in respect they vndertake too much, and busie themselues too much with the affaires of the State.

Know we not by experience, that as the most o­rientest pearles, by the long and often touching them with lead, are conuerted into dust and earth, so [Page]the soules of the most resolutest and purest subiect becommeth either silent, perfidious or disloyall through their long fequenting and familiarity with the Iesuites? which haue for their traditiue and rule (like vnto Philip King of Macedonia, who desi­rous to make peace with the Grecians, required their chiefest Orators to estrange them from them;) that immediatly as soone as they come neare great personages, they might by their tongue and art so contriue it, that their most loyall and faithfullest seruants should bee withdrawne from them, to the end that futurely without danger according to his desire, he might the better plot and manage his proiects, without being discoue­red.

For proofe whereof, how many excellent men hath father Cotton caused to be remoued from the Court, to the end hee might domineere alone? Great Cardinall Perron (the lampe of learning) speake and say freely, how often hath this Spar­row-Hauke assayed to out-soare you; yea to out­braue and eclipse you neere the deceased King? Renouned Portingall, how many elbow-thrusts hath this impudent giuen your reputation? there­by to separate you from your King, which neuer aduanced you because of the malicious importu­nity and importunate malice of this Harpy, which would ingrosse vp al for himselfe and his adherents. And thou, O sweet spirit, golden tongue, the orna­ment of our time Fenouillet, how many times haue you beene assaulted by this Ismaell, which could [Page]not endure that (neere the King) your pure clo­quence should obscure his Comedian stile, whom you being a Bishop (nay a worthy Bishop) esteeme no more then a poore ignorant Priest. And thou Coeffeteau, so neerely inward with this hunter of Benefices, Priories, and Court preferments, hath not the purity of thy pen beene so farre suspected and enuyed by him, that he sought to tye thee to liue by the price of bloud, which is established to purchase a field to bury and interre those pilgrims which concurre to the Church? And as for thee Valladter, with thy desultory method of writing, thou hast affrighted this Courtier, which hath brought thee to thy last extremity. As for the Bishoppes of France, he hath alwaies beene their plague, yea they know the complants which they haue made of him, so farre as in their Synod to suspend him à Diuinis. But there was none but the Abbot of Boys which hath repulsed and repelled his assaults; yea and for­ced him to hearken to reason, and become tracta­ble and conformable; seconded by the iudicious as­sistance of the Popes Nuncio, which soone perceiued that this masculine and vigorous spirit, was not of the minde nor mettall to adore Cotton, Belsabub, God of the flies of the Court; which hath alwaies his Altars imbrued and tainted, with the bloud of the Oxen and Bulles of the Church, to wit, of her most learned and excellentest Preachers. It is not long since, that to imprint in the heart of our yong King, he should make vse of none but the Iesuites, and reiect and cast off all others: this iugler reported [Page]his Maiesty, that the King of Polonia (being a magnanimious and heroycke Prince) had with his owne hand ouer throwne and slaine the great Duke of Muscouia, because, quoth this tale-teller, the said King had with him foure Iesuites, which neuer for­soke him: as if the shadow of these foure lesuites represented him the presence of Aymons foure sons, which heretofore made Charlemaine so renowned and feared. And yet notwithstanding this fable, it is apparantly knowne, that this aforesaid Polonian King (which by the meanes of these foure Iesuites, this lyer hath made so victorious) hath beene him­selfe both vanquished and slaine.

Briefly as we reade that Iupiter with one small chaine, very easily drew al the other Gods after him, and himselfe could bee drawen by none of them: so the Iesuites in their Troublexiue of Gretzerus, report and write (Being a barrell of wine, and a filthy lodge stinking of lyes and blasphemies) that this Cotton is the Kings Master; that his Maiestie heareth no o­ther Masses then his, and that hee gouerneth the Queene Regent; and yet the learned Prelates of France well know that he himselfe is a puny, and in effect nothing. For otherwise great Cardinall Per­ron the Kings spirituall Master, and great Almoner, and the prudent and graue Bishop of Bayone his first Almoner, and the rest of the kings Almoners, (amongst whom there are personages, alwaies rea­dy not onely to dispute, but conuict him, and ren­der him all the daies of his life their scholar) should be highly debased and blamed: and his Maiesties [Page]Chaplaines appeare not to be much imployed and busied.

But notwithstanding this, I see not that eyther the king or Queene gouerne or rule the Iesuites, and that for all the multitude of Benefices & fauors bestowed vpon them, they cannot yet draw them to loue them, much lesse to liue as good subiects, & containe themselues in peace, without innouating some things amongst vs: but rather I see they alone thinke to draw all France to them, and beleeue themselues able at one blow, yea and with high wrestling now in the kings minority, to obtaine that, whereof during the life of great Henry, they durst not presume to haue dream't. For hardly had this great king shut his eyes (and God knoweth if by their meanes, because he at Rome pursued the reparation of the iniury done to his Maiesty, in cen­suring the Arest of his Court of Parliament, and threatned Cotton, that vnlesse he changed maximes, he would dispatch him:) yea no sooner, I say, had great Henry giuen his last adiew to this world, but they built a Citadel in the suburbes of S^t. Germanes, (without that eyther the king or Queene knowing at whose expence and charge (whereunto some per­aduenture contributed, which were least doubted of) with strong and craftie force and policy ende­uouring to violate the authority of the Parliament of Paris, that thereby they might be permitted to o­pen their Colledge in despite, & maugre the whole body of the Vniuersity. As if to ouercome all, they thought it sufficient to alleadge they were Iesuites, [Page]as the Temple of Trophonius built in Mnatinea needed no other stay then the thread of a Spiders webbe.

Already through their confidents they inioy the principall offices both of the Parliament and poli­tike authority, esteeming by meanes hereof, during the Kings minority, so to secure and inuellop them­selues in the state, that through their intelligences it will be lawfull for them to diuert and turne it as they please. But I will giue them an aduice, which if they are wise, may perchance much steade them: and this it is; Vindekint Duke of Saxony, hereto­fore a sworne enemy to France, in the raigne of King Charllemaine, seeing the King to be gone in person to the wars of Spaine, addresses himselfe to a certaine Prince of Denmarke, and solicited him to inuade France, in respect the King was absent, and his kingdome left desolate for a prey. But the Da­nish Prince better instructed in the conduction of the affaires of France, replied, No, no; reiect (Sir) those simple opinions, and deceiue not your selfe: for the kingdome of France is neuer vnprouided of his guard. It is I confesse a prey; but (I assure you) a subtle dangerous prey, which destroyeth and rui­neth those which attempt to surprise it.

In like manner it is true, that our king is a Minor, yea I acknowledge it: but it is also true that the Ma­gistrates of France are very quick sighted, and mar­ueilous resolute and vigilant in his Maiesties affairs. And amongst these Magistrates there are ciuill Lieutenants, which cannot dissemble any thing [Page]indamageth or preiudiceth France: in respect wher­of the Iesuites are not yet arriued where they desire, nor haue not stroken the marke whereat they aime; yea I know a certaine Magistrate which heretofore reposed vpon the vigilancy of the late king, with­out remouing or stirring for any matter which past in Paris, that now watcheth day and night to keepe king Lewes the thirteenth from danger; whom God preserue and protect. Yea and I perswade my selfe, considering it was a Iaye, which by his cryes hath discouered the assault which Bellarmine hath giuen France: that it may likewise be true, that a Goose by his voyce hath heretofore saued the Capitoll of Rome, from the surprising of the French: and I be­leeue also that the Iesuites with all their snares and nets, shall neuer surprise this Iaye; to whom France ought to contribute and affoord an yearely memo­ry (as at Rome they yet remember the Geese which guarded and preserued the Capitoll:) because tho­rough his crie so effectually and fitly made, he hath awakened and aroused France from her slumber, wherein through this Cardinals wicked booke, she was on the point to lose the life of her liberty.

Ha ye Iesuites, what presage is this for you, that birdes picke and warre at you? Peruse, I say, the for­tieth chapter of Genesis, what was the dreame of Pharaohs Baker; and thereunto adde this other place of Scripture: Speake not euill of the King in secret, for the birds of the ayre will reueale it, and the newes therof: and so applying all this together, feare the discouery and torment thereof.

It may be you thinke that as Dragons cannot obtaine to be Dragons, before they haue caten a Snake; so likewise you cannot become the most furious and redoubtable of the world, before you haue swallowed downe and deuoured France. But let me certifie you, that this booke of Cardinall Bel­larmine hath awakened vs from our Lethargie, and hath brought vs to the knowlege why the Popes Nuncio fauored vs so much: and not many moneths since was so afraide, lest the Preachers would haue stirred vp the Parisians to haue expelled and banish­ed you the Citie. For as an Arest of the Court of Parliament is of small efficacy and power, without Serieants or Pursuyuants to execute him; so were Bellarmines booke of small or no vertue, were you not in France (vnder colour of religion and consci­ence) to put in practise the execution thereof. For the maske is taken off, and we are aduertised at our Ladies Church in Paris, if any one deceiue vs.

No, no France, thinke not that when question was to suppresse the sellers and distributers of Car­dinall Baronius his booke at Naples, written against the Sicilian Monarchy, that then the Popes Nuncio remayned silent or idle with his armes a crosse: for there are many hundreds now present, which then saw his goings and commings, yea which ouer­heard his threatnings. But as those which dwell at the foote of the mountaines of Egypt, are deafe by reason of the cataracts & sluces of Nylus; so the Ma­gistrates of Naples seemed to be deafe, and gaue no [Page]occasion of laughter to the Court of Rome, which triumph when they see people tremble, and feare at the threatnings of their Nuncios, and feede them selues with this vaine vanity, that they doe so stand in awe of them.

Ha, ha, Citizens of Paris, send your children to the Iesuites schooles to bee trayned vp by them for good French men, (as Archelaus, who sent Xe­nophons children to Lacedemonia to learne the Maiesty of Sparta) and you shall see what do­ctrine they will imprint in their hearts and spirits. And this is the lesson which came from Rome, that the youth of France should be taught by them at the opening of their schooles. But rush, this instruction came too soone in the morning: for it findeth the Colledge doores not yet open: where­fore it is pitty, being she was so lately borne (for the auncient Christians knew not the name of those Iesuites) lest before the Colledge bee open to couer, she should take some Rheume or Catarre, and so wee should haue neede to apply some vsti­ons and cupping to warrant her from all disea­ses, thereby to preuent that shee infect not o­thers.

You Sirs (to wit) you Iesuites, you haue beene principally assisted by women in the managing and conduction of all your actions, as also by those which haue finished the production thereof. For without the fauour and assistance of such peo­ple, your affaires had gone still backewards. But now since your maske is discouered, that by Bel­larmines [Page]booke you teach that France is no lon­ger France, to wit, Soueraigne and indepen­dant, the very women themselues will both ouerthrow and vanquish you, (as the women of Lacedemonia, who in battell array discomfited the Messenians, which came to sacke and raze their Citie) and if there were but the Marchio­nesse of Verneull, the Countesse of Moret, and the holy Beaue your Agent in the world, they haue too much tasted the odoriferous smell which the Flower-de-luces yeeldeth, to permit them to wither by your breathings (I say not contagious breathes) for the word had almost escaped my tongue. And you Lord of Varrane, and Ladies of Garenne: who had there beene of your trade if France had beene no Soueraignty? For had it pleased the Pope that you should haue beene banished the Court, and that it had not beene performed; the King then without the Soue­raignty of France was disposable to the Popes pleasure, and consequently then vnable to doe you good or assist you. Whereby it manifestly appeareth, that it is the Soueraignty of France, which hath assisted you, nay inriched you and placed you at your ease and pleasures. In respect where­of, you then ought and are bound to maintaine and defend it. I say further that the Marchio­nesses of Guerchuille, and Maignelet, Ladies of greater respect, and farre higher renowne then the former, would before the others, haue incited the very dogs against the Iesuites, as soone as they [Page]had heard the tenour of this Cardinall Bellarmines booke: and the Bishop of Paris, whom I beleeue to be a loyall French man, will die with griefe, if his approbation of their innocency, haue any way ad­uanced so infamous a crime, as to endeuour by wri­ting to rauish and depriue France of her indepen­dant soueraignty, vnto whom both he and his owe all, both their wealth and honour. And for the Duke of Espernon, he hath so farre experience in the destruction of King Henry the third, his most deare and debonaire master, what misery and de­solation this opinion and vniust position hath occa­sioned, that maketh Popes the Soueraignes of the kings of France; that I durst beleeue he wel acknow­ledgeth, that to be a true French man, he loseth not the essence of a good Catholique. I come now to Monsieur President Siguier, which notwithstanding he hath beene the kings Aduocat and Lieutenant ciuill of Paris: and therefore well knoweth with what ballances Magistrates ought to weigh such drugges: yet I most assuredly know, that of late he hath vowed to a man of good respect and fame, that it were profitable, if the Iesuites bee permitted to liue in France, they should sweare to obserue the French Maximes, or else that they should be exiled and banished France. But there is another scruple, to wit, that the Protestants will reioyce to see the Iesuites pursued: which neuertheles doth not asto­nish me, that we feare to annoy them which by their bookes and actions seeke to depriue vs of our liber­tie, and haue no compassion of vs, whilest the consi­derations [Page]which neerely concerne them, with-hold and restraine vs: but of two euils let vs alwaies chuse the least. The Protestants laugh to see the Iesuites pursued, and the Iesuites en deuour to make vs the Popes bond-slaues, who at their pleasures should lift vp and throw downe our Kings, when, and as often as they list. Let vs therefore giue the Protestants leaue to laugh, and in the meane time let vs defend our selues from the Iesuites: for the one importeth vs more then the other. And as for me, I had rather (because we cannot doe otherwise) that the Protestants should laugh to see Catholikes pursue the Iesuites, then that the Iesuites should triumph to haue the meanes and audacity (through one booke, yea and without shot of Musket or Pi­stol) to make the Crowne of France slaue and bond­man to the Pope.

And for you of the Clergy, you haue cause to reioyce, in that your pension is ill bestowed on the Neophyte Pelletier (for so Cotton stileth him) in respect thereby you entertaine him, which (to his power) endeuoureth with Rapsodies, and vnapt Apologies, to couer the shame of these Iesuites, being the ene­mies of your countrey: who was borne in Valoine in low Normandy, whereof (as some report) Iudas which betrayed his Master and our Sauiour Christ was natiue.

But father Coeffeteau (of the order of Iacobins) the once great Mynion of the Iesuites, hath reaped pro­fite thereby: who (as a second Themistocles, seeing that the loue which the Persians bore him, and all [Page]the royall entertainment which they shewed him, was but onely to serue themselues of him, to the o­uerthrow of the Athenians and Greekes: the which he at last perceiuing, made a shew to sacrifice to their victory, and so sacrificed himselfe for the good of his countrey, by excessiuely drinking of the blood of the Bull.) Right so I say this valiant Coeffeteau deep­ly conceiting and considering whereunto tended the courtesie, and intimate familiarity of the Iesu­ites, and at last perceiuing they meant to make vse of him, as the chiefe of the faction, against the liber­tie of France, he very wisely maketh semblance to sacrifice to the Roman victory, through his acquain­tance with the Popes Nuncio; hee discouered this Cardinals pernitious booke, and the authour there­of to the Commissioner L'Angloys, wherby he hath made himselfe both memorable and remarkable, and hath (vndoubtedly) approued himselfe to be a loyall hearted and true French man, contrary to the nature of the water of the Cephuscen fountaine, which no sooner is poured into a narrow vessell, and lost his running current, but is instantly transformed into greene yee, and so by little and lit­tle obdurating is changed into flint stones. For the inward friendship which since the Kings death the said Coeffeteau hath borne and vowed the Iesuites conditionally they should make him a Bishop, hath not made him insensible of his countreyes wound, but the loue thereof hath caused him to produce and bring to light the booke and the matter which it contained, as also those which had of them, which [Page]the politique Magistrate hath found out and seized; and so hath deliuered them vp to the Presidents of the high Court of Parliament, which wil soone per­ceiue that this detestable pamphlet is like those huge Pageants, erected at Rome against the Car­menien feasts, which represented Chariots of tri­umph, that withinside were onely full of straw and hay; being as combustible as the matter of this Car­dinals booke, which by his title vaunteth himselfe a Giant, but in effect (as will appeare by his refutati­on) will proue but a collection and heape of screeds and fragments of I know not what prophane au­thours vnbound and torne.

Now if France desire to know what I am that haue sounded this Tocsin, I answere I am Memnons Statue, erected not in Thebes of Egypt, but in Paris of France: and as Memnons olde Statue at the ri­sing of Apollo was no sooner warmed with his beames, but he gaue so marueilous a crie, as made the Citizens to concurre together: so at the rising and apparition of the least fire whatsoeuer, which pretendeth to burne France, I will no sooner bee therewith warmed and touched, but I will crie out Alarum to stirre vp all the world to the dispelling and extenuating thereof. And put the case I am therefore persecuted and tormented, I notwithstan­ding will neuer cease to sound and ring out my Toc­sin as loud as I can, no more then did Memnons Sta­tue when it was halfe dismembred, & rent in pieces by Cyrus.

Thus Reader, whatsoeuer thou art, thou seest [Page]what I am: but if thou art a loyall hearted French man (as Pythagoras by the measure of Hercules foote could imagine the greatenesse of his whole bodie) so by this small Treatise conceiue thou the greatnes of my loue to France: the which if it be eyther try­ed or prouoked by the King or Councell (without departing from my obedience, faith and communi­on of the Church of Rome) shall produce very ter­rible effects: not beleeuing neuerthelesse that which is reported at Rome, that they are eyther Lutherans or Caluinists, which giue vnto God that which is Gods, and will not also take away some things from Kings to giue to Popes, not yet to bow their knees, humbly to reuerence the Iesuites, ‘Reddite que sunt Caesaris Caesari, & quaesunt Dei Deo.’ Otherwise we must conclude, that all Magistrates of the Crowne of Spaine, and of the renowned Common-wealth of Venice, which diminish not a-any thing from their soueraignty to please the Pope were todos Lutheranos (all Lutherans:) which no man of iudgement will report, much lesse affirme. And so farewell without farewell.

AN EXTRACT OF THE REGIS­ters of the Court of PARLIAMENT.

SEene by the Court, the great chamber of the Tournelle and Edict, assembled, the booke intituled Tractatus de Potestate summi Pontificis in tem­poralib' aduersus Guilielmum Bar­claium, auctore Roberto Sanctae Ecclesiae Romane Cardinali Bel­larmino, imprinted in Rome by Bar­tholomew Sanet, the yeare 1610 the [Page]conclusions of the Kings Atturney Generall, all heard and considered.

The said Court hath and doth pro­hibite, and defend all maner of persons of what quality or condition soeuer, vpon paine of Crime De Laese Ma­iestie, not to receiue, retaine, commu­nicat, imprint, cause to be imprinted or solde the aforesaid booke, contayning a false and detestable opinion, tending to the subuersion of Soueraigne powers, ordained and established by God; stir­ring vp of subiects against their Prin­ces, withdrawing of their obedience, prouoking them to set violent handes vpon their royall persons and estates, and to trouble the repose and tranquil­lity of the VVeale publike. Inioyning and commanding also all those which haue copies of the aforesaid booke, or [Page]know who possesseth them, speedily to reueale and declare them to the Ordi­narie Judges; that according to the requests of the said Atturney Gene­rall, perqursition may be made, and ex­ecution done vpon the offendors, as rea­son shall require.

Also the said Court hath and doth make the like prohibition, and defence, vpon paine of the aforesaid penaltie, to all Doctors, Diuines, Schoole-masters or others, not to confer, dispute, write, or teach, eyther directly or indirectly in their Schooles, Colledges, or any other places, the aforesaid proposition.

Ordayned likewise by the said Court, that this present Arest shall be sent to the Bayliffes and Shrieffes of this Kingdome, to be read, published, inre­gistred, kept and obserued according [Page]to the tenour and forme thereof; inioy­ning also the substitutes of the said Kings Atturney Generall, to be care­full to see the execution therof: and to certifie the Court monthly of their di­ligence therein.

Giuen in Parliament the sixe and twentieth of Nouember. 1610.

THE EXTRACT OF AN AVTHOVR, which hath written the hi­story of our time.

A Great number of French were Leaguers, vnder co­lour of Religion, vntill the Duke of Feria (the Spanish Ambassadour) discouered and tooke off the King his Ma­sters Maske, when in the assembly of the pretended states in Paris, he demanded the Kingdome of Fraunce in propriety and succession for a daughter of Spaine; con­trary to that which is written in sacred Scripture, Let not the Lillies spinne. And then [Page]it was that the chiefe President (in danger of his life) pronounced that good and no­table Arest the eight and twentieth of Iuly, 1593, whereby vpon paine of death it was defended to mention or speak of transpor­ting the Crowne to any other vnlesse to the true heires thereof; declaring all mat­ters tending to the preiudice of the Salique law: and all other fundamentall lawes, appertaining to the crowne of France, to be of no power, value, force or vertue. And exhorting the Duke of Mayene, to imploy his authority of Lieuetenantship, that vn­der colour of Religion the Crowne of France might not fall into the possession of a stranger, contrary to the lawes of the Kingdome in that be­halfe extant and prouided.

THE APPLICATION thereof, made by MEM­NONS Statue.

A Great and notable number of Catholiques, vnder colour of re­ligion adhaered with the Iesuits vntill now Cardinal Bellarmine, taking off the maske and discouering the reason why the Pope his Master, so sharp­ly insisted for the reestablishment of the Iesuites in France, when thinking they had assuredly opened their Colledge in Paris, he vnder colour to answere a certaine per­son of Hercles, sent the forme of that which the said Iesuites should teach our youth concerning the Soueraignty of the Crowne of France, which hee brought in subiection to the Popes pleasure; against that which is written of the Lilleyes Quae non laborant, they are no villaines, hired ser­uants nor slaues. And then it was when (with danger of his life) the starue of Mem­non [Page]sounded, and rung out this shrill sounding Tocsin, being the seuenteenth of Nouember, 1610. Which vpon paine to be declared Felons and Traytors, disswaded al loyal hearted French men, neither to speak nor teach any way, or for any cause what­soeuer, that Popes can temporally dispose of the Soueraigntie of France: declaring all bookes tending to the preiudice of the French fundamentall Maximes, to be wic­ked and Diabolicall, and exhorting the Bishops of Paris, N.N.N. of Guerchville, Maignelet, the Marchionesse of Verneul, Countesse of Moret N. & others to whom it appertaineth, to imploy the honor which they enioy to be borne in France; as also their goods, to the end that vnder colour of Religion, the Soueraignty of France (a­gainst the laws of God and the kingdom) fall not into the hands of Priests: and par­ticularly admonishing the Sieurs N.N. no more to affright and daunt the Magistrates w^ch watch for the good of the French Mo­narchie: nor by artificiall impietie to a­buse the authoritie which they haue neere [Page]the person of the Queene Regent, to the great preiudice of the Princes of bloud, Lords, loyal Officers, and faithful subiects of the Crowne: which as much as in them lieth they disgrace and cast downe, to the end they may domineere and gouerne a­lone after their owne humours. Other­wise if after this admonition they neglect to take heede, the Statue of Memnon shall reueale many packets of secrets: and they shall see that Mordocheus although poorely apparelled in Canuasse, shal preserue both King and State, yea and discouer and re­ueale the treacherous complors of those two Teresh and Bigthon: For France is now wearie, and resolued no longer to endure their iugling trickes, and sleights of Legier Du. Main.