TO haue and endure calamities, and not to feele them, is a mortall infirmitie, seeing that feeling is an affectiō of Life. To feele aduersities, and dare not complaine, is a cruell respect, & an enemye to nature, see­ing that griefe & sorow is eased by teares, and asswaged by complaints; we endure calamities at this present, and yet haue not hearts of Brasse or Steele to feele our owne miseries, nor yet so soft nor faynt, that we dare not complaine: Seeing then that all other remedies at this present are taken from vs, let vs fill our eyes with teares, the Ayre with our sighes, and this Paper with the true recitall of the miseries that we endure; And so at the least we shall reape that contentment to make our griefe knowne to our bre­theren, & letting them vnderstand our troubles, we shall moue them to compassion with vs, it being a iust thing, that as we are vnited togither by one selfe-same Religion, and hated for one cause, we should be touched with one selfe-same and the like feeling.

It is plaine and manifest to all the Realme of France, that there was a Sentence giuen, & Iudgement sent forth vpon the same, for the attachment of the spirituall Land in the country of Bearn (so much spoken of) which Sentence and Decree was giuen, without hearing or permitting those of the reformed Churches of this Soueraigntie, against all order of Iustice, to [Page 2]be heard speake in their onwe cause: And there are but fewe men, to whom it is not known, that for the space of 51. yeares, our Ministers (the Colledge and Garison of Nauerreux) had their maintenance and entertainment onely, out of the same. No man likewise is ignorant of the iust Complaints that our Churches haue made, not onely against that Decree and Edict made thereupon, but also against an other Edict cald the Sup­ply; wherby we were sent out of the Country, to seeke that en­tertainment. All those that haue vnderstood our cause, may easilye iudge of the equity of our Complaints, seeing that the soueraigne Court of Bearn, by two Decrees made at the pre­sentation of those Edicts (and of a Commission) had declared, That there was no cause to iustifie the said Edicts, which oght to be acknowledged for iust, seeing that the generall Assembly of the Churches of the Religion in France, holden at Loudun with so great affection & zeale, craued and pursued the reuo­cation of that Arrest and Edicts: The said complaints & pur­suits likewise were iust, for that the King (by the aduice of his Counsell) granted the said Assembly seauen monthes time, to begin, from the seauenth of Aprill last, wherein the Churches of Bearn should be heard, and might make their complaints & declarations vnto his Maiestie, touching the said Decree and Edicts. And let vs adde hereunto, for the better Instruction & satisfaction of those that know it not, That the generall Depu­ties of the reformed Churches in France, during that time, seeking and soliciting the said reuocation, Answer was giuen them by the Kings Counsell, that they must stay the comming of the Churches of Bearn, And his Maiestie him selfe being at Bourdeaux, wrote vnto the Iudges of the Parliament of Pau, that he did not dislike, that the said Churches should haue the aduantage of the said moneths, in their sauour graunted vnto the said generall Assembly, The Tenor of which Letter folow­eth in this Discourse: To distrust the Royall worde of a King, [Page 3]no man could doe it without offending his Maiestie: to con­ceiue, that during the time graunted, his Maiestie would com­mand the verification of his Edicts, had bene a crime meriting great punishment; neuertheles, beholde we beseech you, what hapned vnto vs during the said time.

The King hauing appeased the troubles that began to arise in the State of France, resolued to diuert his victorious Armes into Guyenne, and being at Bourdeaux, nothing was spoken of in the Court but of Bearn: Bearn was the onely sub­iect of the discourses, and the obiect of the animosity of those, that long time had practised and sought our ruyne and ouer­throwe. The Romish Prelates kindled those coales, to cause a great fire to burst forth, vsing all the meanes they could to in­flame the Kings wrath against vs, specially employing those meanes that are most ordinary with them, that is, slaunders & euill wordes, describing vs to be Rebels and I disobedient, pub­likely saying, that all the Country was in Armes, and that we spake not of the Kings sacred person, but iniuriously and with great despight. These impostures being continually hangd at the eares of the Ministers of the State, more and more en­creasing the hatred of the Religion, and the desire vtterly to extirpe it. And knowing that the execution of the Edict of sea­zing vpon the Eccleasticall Lands, would be a meanes to dis­grace and dishonour the Churches of this Country, & to cast them into a pittious & lamentable estate; and to the contrary raise the Romish Church to a prodigious greatnes, and the height of riches; did most industriously employe all the artifi­ciall meanes & practices that they could deuise, to effect their designes, and thereby with them to make a hole in the treasure of worldly dignities, and to play fast and loose with them that drew no other breath then that of the earth. The Kings Coun­sell composde of Cardinals, Bishops, and Iesuites, that were sure not to stop their eares against their solicitations, but rather [Page 4]had an instrest in their demaunds, perswaded the King that it was a meanes to diminish his authorities, and that the cause was his and not the Bishops.

Vpon the report that the King came into Guyenne the Par­liament of Pau appointed two Deputies to goe to the King wheresouer he was, and to assure his Maiestie of their most humble and obedient seruice, which the said Deputies with great dilligence speedily performed, finding the King at Bour­deaux, where nothing was said vnto them, but onely touching the veryfication of the Edict of the sensure of the spirituall Lawes, whereby the King had fully resolued to content the Pope, and to further and aduance the Romish Church. And to that end his Maiestie had already commanded Monsieur dela Force Gouernour & Lieutenant Generall of these Coun­tries, and Monsieur de Casaux chiefe President in the sayd Par­liament, to repaire to him at Bourdeaux; who being come to the Court; they kneeled downe before the King, not onely in their owne names, but also in all the names of those of the Country, to renew the assurances of their subiection, obedi­ence and most humble fidelitie, who after audience had, he commanded them to returne to Bearn againe, thererin to pro­cure the execution of his will and pleasure, and to cause the Edict for the seazing vpon the Ecclesiasticall lands, made in fa­uour of the Bishop of Rome, and that of the supply made in fa­uour of our Churches to be verified. After them, about the be­ginning of October, he sent a second commission into Bearn by Mounsieur de la Chesnay, to solicite the Iudges, and to make them capable of the impressions, which the King counsell in­tended to giue them: he threatned them with the comming of the King; assuring them, if they refuse the same, he had resol­ued to turne his forces against them.

The Parliament knew not what to resolue: on the one side being abashed by his menaces; and a feare to draw vpon the [Page 5]Country a totall and an ineuitable ruyne, knowing that the wrath of a King is death: On the other side, considering the Kings Edict, finding it to be contrary to so many other Edicts, Proclamations and Declarations, made aswell by his Maiestie (now raigning) as by the Kings his predecessors, contrary to the graunt of the aforesaid tearmes of seauen monthes, made to our Churches, contrarie to the peace and assurance of the state, and which is worst of all: The ruine of the sayd Chur­ches, as bereauing them of the land that were alotted vnto them for the maintenance of their Ministers, and making them tri­butants to the Popes officers. What should they doe, should they breake, and annihilate so many Edicts, to iustifie, and al­low one? Should they be constrained to disobay the King, to yeild obedience vnto him? He that in all things ought to pro­cure the good of the state and to be a tutor to the people; shall he doe a thing that is contrarie to the good of the state; and disturbe the peoples peace? He that make profession of the true religion, shall he be cause of the losse of his religion? He that was borne in the Church, fed & nourished in her bosome, shall he be constrained (Oh hard and heauie condition) for sauing of his owne body to pierce his mother the Churches Brest?

At last, hauing long waighed this case in the ballance of vn­certainty, he determined to vse an indifferent course betweene two extreamities, & therevpon ordained, seeing it had pleased his Maiestie, by the intercession of those of the assembly gene­rall holden in Loudum, to grant his subiects of Bearn, making profession of the reformed religiō the space of seuen moneths, to present their most humble supplications and declarations, seeing also that not long before his Maiestie had vouchsafed to write to the Parliament, that his intent was that the Churches of Bearn should haue the aduantage of the said time, which as thē was not expired, he ordained (I say) that humble suplicatiō shold be made vnto the King to beseech him to hear & giue au­dience [Page 6]vnto the said Churches within a month, whom he com­manded by decree to go thither, within the time that yet rested vnexpired, to prostrate themselues at his feete, to present their humble supplications and requests vnto his Maiestie, and in de­fault thereof, the Parliament would binde it selfe, to verifie the Edict without moderation or reseruation, according to his Maiesties commandement. To beare this decree to the King, and to informe him of the equitie thereof; two Counsellors of the sayd Court of Parliamēt were deputed. But all they could doe, they could not obtaine the effect of this so iust a demand: And who would euer haue thought that the King would haue refused to heare the most humble supplications of his faithfull Subiects, desiting to prostrate themselues at his feet in all hu­mility, seeing also that he had so solemnly promised by his an­swers giuen to the motions made by those of the assembly at Loundun, Is not the King as able to will, as puissant to holde his worde & to accomplish his promises? Shall we complain, surely not of the Kings bountie (so iust and curteous a Prince) but of the malice of this world and the euill dispositions of the spirits of the Court, dispitefull against vs, and resolute to seeke our distruction.

The King hauing heard the Tenor of this Deeree, roughly sent the Deputies away, and thereupon determined and fully resolued to goe into Bearne: whereupon, the Parliament being aduertised of his designe, to appease the Kings wrath, and to diuert the effect of his seuere threatnings, determined to verifie his Edict, without moderation or restraint whatsoeuer: What should it haue done, should it haue resisted a King that came with a wrathfull spirit, accompanied with a puisant & fearfull Army, to abate, cast downe & breake in pieces, all those that should resist and withstand? The Edict being iustified, the Kings Attourney generall had charge to beare the verification of the same to the King, as a testimony of our obedience and [Page 7]submission: who found the King all ready on his iourney to Bearn, & shewing himself before him as he was on the way, he presented the verificatiō of the Edict vnto him, which was ac­cording to his pleasure: But he being resolutely determined to make the Bernois feele the effect and rigor of his wrath, staide not therefore, but went forward. Most puissant Prince, will not your grace be pleased, in some measure to moderate your wrath? will you not at this present shew your selfe as gra­cious and gentle vnto your Subiects, as you are terrible and redoubted of your enemies? shall that Country that hath had the glory to haue borne, nourished in her bosome, and finally giuen France that great Herculee, the terror of the world: Hen­ry the great your Father, sooner feele the arrowes of your in­dignation, then the effects of your fauour and being presence?

The nearer that the King approached to Bearne, the Court of Parliament attended and expected nothing but threatnings against this poore Countrey: it was already ordained to the pillage, and those of the religion to the slaughter, as an offe­ring to be made to appease the Kings wrath. The papisticall Edict of the Towne of Morla'as (presented some dangerous accidents against vs) who to defend themselues from the crosse, marked their houses with a crosse; It was against the Pastors particularly that their malice extended, and specially against those, who being imployed shewed some rigor in maintaining the Churches cause, all their names were knowne at the Court; they were noted and marked by their faces: on all sides they were counselled to flie into Rockes and holes in mountaines and Caues. In the meane time the King entred into the Countrey; accompanied with terror and feare. The Soldiers tooke, pilled, ransacked, and hardly vsed their Hostes, with immeasurable insolency, their hands were imployed a­bout nothing but extortion and violence: Their mouthes ne­uer opened, but to blaspheme and curse God, and to threaten [Page 8]iniurious bloody perseeutions, against those of the Religion; whom they called rebels, traytors, bougers, olde sorcerers, and an accursed race; speaking of nothing but fire, gibbits, and gallowes. They entred forcibly into the Churches, and being therein, brake and cast downe the Pulpits and seates. In the meane time the Papists in the Countrey tryumphed and auda­ciously bragged, whose laughters and insolent behauiours, were, as many arrowes that pierced into the hearts of those of the Religion, so much astonished for the present euils, and the feare of future perils, that it seemed, that all thinges conspired and contributed with enuy to perswade them, that they had met with another St. Bartholomewes.

The King comming to Pau, would accept of no tryumph, nor ioyfull welcome or receiuing into the Towne; he would show himselfe to be armed with wrath and displeasure; and like a blazing Starre, which fore-sheweth the death of some great Prince, and the ruyne of an Estate. Neuerthelesse the Consuls of the Towne went in their Liueries out into the sub­urbs to receiue him; presenting the keyes of the Towne, toge­ther with the testimony of the obedience and fidelitie of all the inhabitants vnto his Maiesty. The Iudge and others of the Court of Parliament, in scarlet robes, fell downe at his feet to yeeld vnto him the assurance of subiection and fidelity: but the King lookt on them with a countenance full of indignati­on, and sent them away with this answer in fewe words, which entring into their eares, pierced their hearts: Saying, (when you serue me better, I will be a good Prince vnto you) and in the meane time while they kneeled at his feet, presenting their affections and liues in quality of most humble, most faithfull, and most obedient Subiects & seruants, some spake aloude and saith, that they were worthy to be hangd vp, as traitors & rebels.

The Church for her part, and the consergerie of Pau also did their duties, and went to the King being in his chamber, where [Page 9]kneeling downe before him, & speaking by the mouth of Mon­sieur Pefarre one of their Ministers, they presented vnto his Maiesty the fidelity of their hearts, consecrated to his most humble seruice, as his most faithfull seruants and subiects, pro­testing, that what slaunders and calumniations soeuer were im­posed vpon vs, by our euill willers, our Religion commanded vs, to serue, honor, obey and respect his Maiesty as our King; not only for feare, but specially for Conscience sake. The King made him answer and said, Serue me well and I will loue you. This contentment was a comfort vnto us, against all the ca­lumniations, and insolent speeches vsed against vs, that it was reported vnto vs, that by the mouths of the Cardinals and Bi­shops that then were present, and by the generall consent of all that heard vs, being no small number: The Church receiued this testimony, that our Minister had spoken worthily and most Christianlike.

While his Maiesty stayad in Pau, who is able to rehearse all the excesses committed against those of the Religion? If a Mi­nister spake, he was pointed at with their singers; he was reui­led, and laden with iniuries: how many of them receiued dis­grace, were beaten, and hardly vsed openly in the streets, for making open confession that they professed the reformed Re­ligion; how many for feare of blowes, were constrained to make the signe of the crosse? how many vpon the generall day of Procession were forced with blowes of staues, to kneele downe on the ground to adore the host, which with so great pompe was caryed vnder a Cannopy to blinde the common peoples eyes? But what shall I say, touching the prophanati­ons committed in Pauls Church? The King contrary to that which he had ordained by his answers, to the assemblies of the Bishops, gaue the Church of those of the Religion to the Pa­pists, and caused Masse to be said therein before he went from Pau: Those that first entred into it, polluted that place by so [Page 10]many abhominable blasphemies, that it is mauaile, that the earth did not tremble, & the roofe of the Church fell not down to destroy them. But what other thing could they doe, to witnesse, that from that place they banished the purity of Gods seruice, and the inuocation of his name, then by casting forth such execrable blasphemies against the holy and venerable name of God? being not content therewith, they went vp in­to the Pulpit, and there sung impudent and villanous songs, and after that filthily eased their bodyes therein, casting the Bible that they found in the Church foure times on the ground: and tare and puld in peeces the table of Gods Commandements that hung on the walles, to witnesse that they draue the truth of the word of God, and the obseruations of his commandements out of the Church.

But this is not all; for I must tell you of a most abhominable act which deserueth to bee punished with a thousand Tor­ments, and yet the Cardinals and Bishops that heard thereof, laughed at it, and the discourse made thereof, serued in the Court for a matter of sport and pastime. One of those abho­minable rascals, who in that matter handled the sacred Com­mandements of God, hauing therein read, Hearken Israel, with horrible blasphemies cryed out and said, that Israel was some deuill whom those Buggerers the Hagonites adored: and so reiterating both that name and those blasphemous words, fu­riously fell vpon the table of those diuine Commandements; and thereupon tooke occasion to teare them in many peeces. What saidst thou blasphemous villaine, That Israell is the name of a Deuill? Oh little flocke (in the Scriptures called the Israel of God) is it possible that thy enemies should giue thee the name of Belial? Oh holy Angell of God, hast thou permit­ted that good Patriarch Iacob, to hate the name of Sathan, for the price and reward of his holy and constant wrastling, but rather oh thou the most faithfull watchman ouer Israel, that [Page 11]neuer sleepest; be thou iealious of the honour of thy name: thou hast heard this blasphemous word, and hast seene this prophane villaine, and heard his execrable speaches, that are made a iest and laughter to the world. Oh God of vengeance, suffer them not long to goe vnpunished, least they should say, where is their God?

To report all the indignities done and offered to those of the Religion, during the time of the Kings being in this Coun­trey, were a matter that requireth a long subiect and great lea­sure; some other will shortly vndertake to declare them seue­rally: it shall suffice for this present time to shew, that in the same time, they fully witnessed and make knowne what hatred against Religion, and what choller against those that make profession thereof, they haue conceiued; for their is no word that issueth from their mouths, nor action nor motion of their bodies, which tendeth not thereunto, so farre, that Monsieur de Paulo President of the Court of Parliament in Thoulouse; speaking to the Earle de Chambrot, touching the strange altera­tions that had bin made in Bearne, eapable, as he said, to trou­ble the peace and tranquility of France, and to reduce matters to extremities, he made answer with a loude voyce (whereby many men of good quallity heard him, saying) you deceiue your selfe Sir: The Hugonites haue the quarterne ague; They haue bin sicke a great time, you shall see other thinges within these few dayes, for the King is resolued to take all their places from them, either by force or willingly: take, and boldly take our Fortresses from vs, pull downe the walles of our Townes, beat downe our defences, but yet you cannot bereaue vs of that heauenly retract, and most impugnable fortresse of the power of God, which appeareth and sheweth it selfe in the conseruation and defence of his Church.

All these, most insupportable things, haue bin followed and had their course with many preiudiciall alterations aswell in [Page 12]the Church, as in the common Wealth: which might suffici­ently exagerate the losse of the Ecclesiastical possessions of the Churches lands, possessed and inioyed by them for the space of 51. yeares. by good and auaileable Titles, as Edicts, letters Patents, and Decrees of Kings: and now what a pittifull thing it is, that two Bishops, that liue idlely, in delights & pleasures of the world, should swallow vp and encroach vpon all the possessions of the Church, and that our Ministers who inces­santly labour in the Ministrie of the word of God, to teach the people to feare God, and to obey the King, should be constrai­ned, to seeke for their maintenance else where? what griefe of hart is it, that those that neuer are in rest, but when they labour and striue against vs, should draw & receiue a recompence and reward from vs? that they that make warre against vs, should be payd by vs? That wolues should cloth themselues with the wooll, and nourish their bodies with the milke of the flocke? a pittious and lamentable condition; we shall see two Bishops abounding in riches, eleuated in Honours & Dignities, and fil­led with delights, march in Royall māner; but what say I, that we shall see them? yea, and that we shall bee constrained to contribute the Tenths of our reuenewes to entertaine these flashes of lightning, and this worldly pompe and magnificence? a hard seruitude: we shall be compelled to giue our bracelets, our eare-rings, to be molten, to make an Image, and shall haue no meanes to contribute any thing towards the building, and preparing of the Tabernacle: and to imploy our goods, for on ornament and beautifying of Babilon, while Ie­rusalem remaineth desolate, and her gates burnt down by fire: can wee indure to see Idolatry get the vpper hand, and seaze vpon our Churches, while for the pure seruice of God, and for the Preaching of his word, we haue no other couerture then the Skies, nor receptacle but the mountaines? In our Chur­ches where long time, so many good and sacred Psalmes haue [Page 13]bin sung, we shall heare a strange and barbarous sound, and a company of babling Priests, exclaime against vs, and make our miseries the subiect of their pleasures?

The state ought to serue for a support and protection of the Church, and those that are aduanced to be Officers in the State, ought to vse their authority of the conseruation & main­tenance thereof, our ill willers iealous of the peace and quiet­nesse of the same, and impatient to see it flourish and prosper, know that well, and therefore haue effected so much, that the Offices and authorities of those of the Religion are taken away from them, and giuen vnto Papists; to the end, that the Church holding no more by any branch, may by the least shake be borne downe to the ground. The gouernment of Nauarreux, hauing bin 51. yeares in the hands of Monsieur de Sales a Gen­tleman, on whom the eyes of enuy or hatted neuer so sharpely piercing, could neuer note nor perceiue the least shadow what soeuer of infidelity towards his Prince, who perceiuing him­selfe to be very olde, and without Children, certain yeares past, obtained the reuersion of his gouernment for Monsieur de Laur his Cousen, who in all his actions sheweth the foot-steps and degrees of a rare & singular piety, and in his body beareth the markes of his courage, hauing (in the Kings presence at the siege of Amiens) receiued a shot with a Musket in his right shoulder, which hath bereft him of the free vse of his Arme.

Monsieur de Sales sent him to Bourdeaux, with Monsieur de la Force, to assure his Maiesty of the continuation of his sideli­ty, who being at the Court, he found that the enemies of the Religion had dispersed some report abroad that tended to the preiudice of the sincerity of his affections, which had pierced euen vnto the cares, and almost into the thought of his Maie­sty, but comming into the Kings presence, he dispersed those shadowes, and made the King plainely to see and perceiue, that his actions were able to indure the tryall: Whereupon the [Page 14]King, sheweth him the honour to assure him, that he was per­swaded of his innocencie, exhorting him, to persist in seruing him faithfully, and withall commaunded him to assure Mon­sieur de Sales of his fauour and good will. The King approach­ing to the Frontiers of this Country; Monsieur de Laur pre­sented himselfe once againe vnto him, to reiterate the prote­stations of his most humble and most faithfull seruice; not on­ly in his owne, but also in the name of Monsieur de Sales, most humbly beseeching his Maiestie to beare with his great age, that would not permit him to present his body laden with yeares at his graces feet. The King receiuing those words of obedience and fidelity from Monsieur de Laur, commaunded him to continue and goe forward in imploying his time for the benefit of his seruice. Wherewith hee returned well con­tented in minde, but vpon the report that was spread abroad, of the Kings intent to see Nauarreuz, he went againe to speake with him at Pau, where Monsieur de Luines told him, and the King confirmed it with his owne mouth, that he had no other intent nor meaning but to see Nauarreuz, and that hee should assure Monsieur de Sales, that nothing should be altered nor changed in the state of that place. Monsieur de Laur assuring himselfe vpon that promise, which he thought to be inuiola­ble, contented himselfe, and sought to settle and assure Mon­sieur de Sales minde and conceite to the contrary, being moued thereunto by diuers aduices giuen him from all places, that his gouernment would be taken from him.

The King comming to Nauarreux, at his entry into the Towne, Monsieur de Sales presented the keyes thereof, and speaking vnto him, said: Sir, it is now aboue fifty yeares that I haue had the honour to be gouernor of this place; God hath giuen me the grace alwaies to haue kept it well, not only in the raigne of the King your Father deceased, but also in yours: and I am assured, that if in your Court there be any of the King [Page 15]your Fathers old seruants; they will witnesse that his Maiestie was well contented with my seruice, and assured himselfe of my fidelity, I neuer had a better desire to serue, then I haue at this present: if your Maiestie will accept thereof, as I most hum­bly beseech you, and in signe of my obedience here are the keyes of the Towne, which I present vnto you. The King made him answere, that he alwayes was assured, and still did assure himselfe more and more of his good seruice, willing him to continue and profit in seruing him well, and he would be his good Master, and acknowledge his seruice in time and place when occasion fell out, commaunding him to giue the keyes of the Towne to Monsieur le Marquis de la Force Captaine of his guards, and so he did.

Those pleasing and agreeable vvords of the King reioyced and comforted Monsieur de Sales, and vvith the same he began to be somewhat comforted: but an houre after the King entred into the Towne, he sent him word, that he would haue no more of his seruice, and gaue the gouernment to Monsieur de Puyane a Papist, and a Stranger, contrary to the lawes of the Country, whereby Strangers are excluded from those char­ges; presently thereupon all the inhabitants were disarmed, all the Garrison was discharged, that is 120. Souldiers: Their Lieutenant and Ensigne beard, sixe Captaines, the Commis­sary, the Controller, the Keeper of the Munition: The Doctor and the Apothicarie all of the religion, and foure Companies of the Regiment of Picardie were brought in vntill Monsieur de Ruyane had gathered his composed of 300. men, Strangers and Papists.

A most pittifull and lamentable desolation! how could they deale roughlier with that venerable old Gentleman, whō the most impudent calumniation durst not accuse them after 50. yeares and vpwards of his seruice, shamefully to displace him of his gouernment, and thereby layd his gray and weake [Page 16]age, with so sensible an affliction: What pittie is it, that he who all his life time had liued in honour and authority, he that by the length and fidelity of his seruices, perswaded himselfe that he had setled that charge in his owne house, now in his la­ter daies, should see him selfe laden with shame, and from so eminent a place, reduced to a priuate state, while a stranger layd hold on his spoiles, and walked like a peacocke vpon the rampers and walls of Nauarreux, which his father and he at other times couragiously defended, against the inuasion of strangers. It is certaine that the hatred against religion is ex­cessiue great, seeing that neither the long seruice, of that anci­ent Knight, his fidelity without reproch; nor his teares could mollifie the hearts of those that had induced and incited the King, to such a seuere resolution.

How hard and troublesome it was to Monsieur de Laur that had the reuersion of that his Vncles gouernment, was recei­ued therein, and had taken his oath accordingly, that had ser­ued the King commanding with honour aboue 25. yeares ouer a company of the regimēt of Nauarre, lamed in the Kings seruice, & one that could not be accused of infidelity or diso­bedience, and for a recompence of all his seruices to see him­selfe in the face of all the Court put from his charge, and made the subiect and matter of the scoffings, workes and iests of our enemies. What griping griefe must it needes be, vnto a gene­nerous heart, sencible of the force of honor: poore and deso­late inhabitants of the towne, that are all of the religion, vn­lesse it be one Apostate? what comfort and consolation can mitigate your griefe in this feeling of so whot in affliction, but with what words, and mourning weeds, can or may we set forth and shew that the deplorable state and miserable con­dition of six score Souldiers, most of them inhabitants of the Towne; hauing wiues and children, and such as for the most part succeeded their fathers, whose fidelity was manifest in the [Page 17]defence of the Towne assiged by the Kings enemies? What griefe is it, at this day to see them, (without any offence by them committed) dispossessed of their places, and disarmed, and thereby with their wiues & children, brought into shame­full pouerty? What burning words might their hearts feele, on the one side, to see strangers in their houses brag and braue it out in their armes, & on the other to heare the sighes and con­tinuall complaints of their wiues & children, ready to famish? But by what counsell was it done, that our ill willers seeke (by making vs lose this place) to giue vs so great a subiect com­plaint? haue not we defended the same with the price of our blood, against the audatious enterprise of the Papists, that had driuen Queene Ioane out of the Countrie, and by treason, re­bellion, and reuolting, had gotten all the rest of this state into their hands? Is it not we, who in recompence of our fidelity, haue possessed the same 60. yeares vnder the Kings seruice? These Titles onely were sufficient and authentique seeing they were grounded vpon so long a possession, signed and sealed with the fidelity and blood of our fathers: and yet this is not all. By the Edict of Nantes it was agreed, that all the places and Garrisons, which were in possession of those of the Religion, and not in time to come to be taken from them, and at the same time more were giuen them, which after that by many Edicts and Declarations, hath bin confirmed, after that our Churches by the Kings permission, were vnited with those of France, as all the world knoweth; this graunt made by the Edict of Nantes in fauour of the Churches of France, was inlarged in our sauour by the expresse Declaration made by his Maiestie to the supplication presented by the last generall assembly held in Rochell; who then would bee so obstinate to doubt whether Nauarreux so long time holden by vs, in the time of peace, and many yeares before, should not still be kept by vs? What manner of malice is this? [Page 18]who would maintaine and affirme that it could be taken away from vs, without ouerthrowing of so many Edicts, and decla­rations, which ought to be firme and inuiolable?

But now againe see how farre they proceed to the supreame degree of stubbornnesse and malice, and yet after all that, the most bitterrest persons must holde their tongues, and make no answer. The King and his Counsell, knowing that out of the Ecclesiasticall lands of the Churches or Ministers Colledge and Garrison of Nauarreux and other charges were maintai­ned & vpholden, ordained by his Decree, that another meanes should be assigned vnto vs, for the supplying therof, and name­ly for the entertainment of the Garrison of Nauarreux, which afterward was more expresly declared in the Edict of supply; verified in the Parliament of Pau. What more formall procee­ding could be desired then this Edict, which was made in our fauour: then this Edict I say, which was onely a meanes for our assurance? his Maiesty there assigned a meanes for the Gar­rison of Nauarreux; was not that a witnesse confirmable to so many other Edicts and declaritions, to shew that this place ought not to be taken away from vs? Puissant King, is it possi­ble that within 4. dayes after the verification of this Edict, a­gainst so many other reasons, and so many other Edicts, that ought to assure this place vnto vs: you would take it away from vs? Alas, we haue said it, and are againe constrained to reiterate the same; pardon vs noble Prince, it is not against your royall Maiesty, that our clamours and complaints are made, but against the rage and malice of our enemies, which haue done you that wrong, not to permit your promises to be inuiolable. Hauing taken Nauarreux from vs, they began to turne the State vpside downe, and therein to make alterations preiudiciall to the Religion: Garrisons were put into all the Townes, to oppresse the liberty of the Countrey, besides the 4. Companies that are in Nauarreux, in Orthes they put 6. Com­panies [Page 19]of the regiment of Picardie: in Sanueterre 4. Compa­nies of the regiment of Champaigne: as many in Oloron of the same regiment: and a company of light Horsemen in Nay. Who can sufficiently declare the great excesses and disorders which those people vndertake in a Countrey, where they are as it were animated by the hope of pillage? Who can without horror tell and speake of the horrible blasphemies that they belch forth against God, and the iests and scornfull brauadoes which they vomit out of their mouths against those of the Re­ligion? what a seruitude it is to liue like slaues at home in our owne houses, and as strangers in the Towne? to see our streets full of Corcelets, Pikes and Muskatiers; our meanes, and our liues, in the power of the enemies of our Religion; ready, if God did not restraine their impetuositie by his prouidence: assaile vs, and to put their tyrannous intents in execution.

All the Countrey concerning Martiall gouernment is diui­ded into 6. parts, which are called Parsans: euery Parsan alwaies had a Captaine that commanded ouer the Souldiers vnder the Kings Lieutenant, most ancient Officers; and as it were ordained at the first beginning of the State: all those 6. Cap­taines were of the Religion, but what fell out? Enuy could not endure that, that remnant of authoritie should continue in the hands of those of the religion; but rather to weaken them all together, and onely to let them goe and scape away with their liues, the sayd 6. Captaines were discharged, without any crime or offence imposed vpon them, and in their places, there was a new Officer made in the Countrie, that is, a Prouost Marshall with certaine Archers to attend him; and that Office giuen to a Papist: What an alteration of affaires is this, To suppresse the auncient Officers, and to make new, onely to ad­uance the Papists, and to raise them to a formall greatnes, and to imbace those of the religion, and reduce them to a pittifull and lamentable condition?

And further, Monsieur de Bernac the chiefe Baron of Bearn, (whose auncesters haue made themselues famous, in respect of their sincere affection, and loyalty to the Kings seruice, and the conseruation of the Countries liberty,) had a grant in posses­sion, from father to sonne of the chiefe Precedence in the State: But enuy could not endure that a most affectioned fa­mily to the religion, should be in possession of that dignity, and therefore sought to dispossesse him thereof, to inuest the Bishops with the same; and the better to bring their desiring to effect, a bruit was spread abroad in the Court, that it was not good for Monsieur de Bernac to stay in Pau, and that if he presented him selfe, he should serue for an offering to redeeme and recompence the disobedience of Bearn: aduice was giuen him from all places, by men of greatest quality in the Court, that he was appointed to be an example, and an abashment to the rebells: he chusing rather to loose his estate, then his head in Court, resolued to keepe himselfe secretly in one of his hou­ses, and in his absence, the Bishops were instabled, without any contradiction, in the Precedence of the States, and by that meanes, they had places in the Counsell or Parliament next to the Presidents, and free voyces therein to Iudge of all affaires, specially of those of the religion, although one of the Bishops had a Cousin that sate in the same Parliament, and that by the law of the Country, the Vncle and the Cousin cannot be Iud­ges in one cause and company. But when there is any thing to be done that may disaduantage those of the religion, there is no law which they will not violate, nor custome which they care not to breake.

But this is not all, Bearn is vnited vnto France, and by this Vnion the whole estare thereof is turned vpside downeward: We haue two kinds of lawes, the one is the lawe of the Soue­ueraigne, which may be altered, changed or disanulled as occa­sions fall out: the other is the Lawes of the Soueraignetie, [Page 21]whereby the Prince is aduanced to the Soueraigne estate, and are as it were the Articles and causes of the contract made betwene the Soueraigne and the Countrie. Those are inuio­lable, and cannot be changed, vnlesse the state be changed, as being the props whereupon it holy stayeth and dependeth. The principallest of those lawes being that which bindeth the Soueraigne to maintaine the state in the Title of Soueraigne­tie, and to defend the same from allienaton, and transporta­tion else where. Now by incorporating Bearn with France, the Title of Soueraignetie is taken from it, and carried else where, seeing that the King endoweth the Crowne of France there­with, and by consequent ouerthroweth the estate, by the which intrusion an infinite number of mischiefes are introdu­ced. By the same meanes Nauarre is ioyned to Bearn, making the Chancerie of Nauarre and the Counsell of Pau one Parli­ament, by that coniunction to introduce a great number of Papists into the body thereof, and so much the more to wea­ken those of the religion, Monsieur de Lescun the Kings Coun­cellor, would neuer consent vnto the verification of the Kings Edict touching the Spiritull liuings, but still in the Countrie, in the Court, and in the generall assembly did maintaine Gods cause, and the Churches right with an inuincible and impene­cable vigure and constancie, he was hated in the Court, and diligently sought for, and being not found, he was summoned to appeare within twice 24. houres, and failing therein, he was prohibited from executing his charges Most braue and gene­rous wrastler, receiue, I pray thee, this prohibition for an ho­norable reputation, and a glorious marke of thy incompara­ble zeale for the conseruation of the Church, and in the meane time expect most greene Garlands of Laurell, and im­mortall Crowne from him, whose cause thou hast defended with so great constancy.

And you poore and desolate Churches, which in times past [Page 22]were like to the land of Goshen; onely light, while all the Countrey about it was obscure and darke, and which at this present perceiue and behold darknesse to get the vpperhand and to preuaile against you, to extinguish our light, you that haue seene the purity of Gods seruice planted & reestablished in enery place, and Idolatry wholy banished out of the Coun­trey; and now behold it to be spread abroad in all the quarters thereof, to ouerwhelme both the Townes and fields, and to build her nest in your Churches, & already behold squadrons of wormes and grashoppers rise out of the bottomlesse pit of hell, to gather your grapes and mowe your fields, in danger of prohibition not to enter into the house of God: reioyce and comfort your selues, God at this time calleth you to endure persecutions, why are you abashed and astonished thereat? it is your condition, it is the liuery of your head and comman­der, whose head being Crowned with Thornes, why should the Church dreame of dignities, & earthly Crownes? you see the world rise vp against you: Why should you be dismayed? it is the ordinarie course thereof, it is the enemy of the truth of the Gospell, which is not of this world but of heauen: an ene­mie of the Church, which hath withdrawne it selfe from the world, to be transported & planted in an other Territorie and place of aboad: your places of defence are taken from you, and are not you lodged in the closet of the Soueraigne God, and vnder the shadow of the wings of the most Mighty? and who can pull you out from thence? is that Fortresse to be bat­red? is it to be taken by men? The liuing destined and appoin­ted for your Ministers are taken from you. And hee that in times past commanded the Crowes to be Puruoirs and victu­allers for the Prophet Elias, he that commanded the oyle in the pitcher not to wast; and the oyle in the glasse not to decay or waxe nought, is not he at this day the same God? should his arme be shortned that he cannot, or the bowels of his mercy [Page 23]shut vp, that hee will not, haue a care of his Church, and prouide food for his Ministers? you haue the honour to suffer persecution for righteousnes sake, although your enemies seeke to imblemish the same with the Title of rebellion and disobedience: but where doe the effects, much lesse the proofes of this rebellion appeare? can they obiect, that you did euer at any time conspire against the Kings sacred person, or attempted any thing against his State? that the murtherers of Kinges, (infernall furies of hell) were found or came out from you? that your Ministers did euer goe vp into their pul­pits, to proclaime warre, to kindle a reuolt, or to sowe sedi­tion in your hearts? can you be reproched, that you are bound by oath of fidelity and obedience to any other, but vnto the King your Soueraigne? that you acknowledge any superiour power in the world, that can put downe or transport his Crowne to any other? haue your Ministers bookes bin con­demned to be burnt, as free of falsehood, and detestable pro­positions, tending to the subuertion of Soueraigne powers, and the rising vp of Subiects against their Princes, as the bookes of those that defame and slander you by iniuries, and violently pursue you, haue bin? then where is the rebellion and disobedience, that is improprietated vnto you? It is, (say they) because you did withstand the verification of the Kings Edict, and thereupon they exclaime, and crie out, saying, what audaciousnesse is this, what an attempt worthy of death is this? What consolation and comfort haue you, when you see and perceiue that they can not accuse you, but onely by changing the names of things, and by calling that rebel­lion, which is nothing but obedience.

The King hauing giuen the Ecclesiasticall liuings to the Bishops, you could neuer obtaine that fauour to be heard by the Kings Counsell, it being instantly sought for and desired; answer was made, that you should be fully heard before the [Page 24]Iudges, to whom the King would send his Edict or Commis­sions: You presented your selues before those Iudges, with re­spect and humility, you desired to be maintained in your pos­session of 51. yeares, grounded vpon Edicts, Decrees, and letters Patents of the King your Soueraigne. Is it cald rebel­lion with honor to solicite your cause to the Iudges appointed by the King, and to whom he sent you to be heard? rebellion to aske and demaund the obseruation of the Kings Edicts, and execution of his promises? What Title will they giue to Re­bellion and disobedience, if respectiue and humble requests and solicitations are qualified with the name of disobedience and rebellion? An ingenious age, wherein the names of things are changed, thereby afterward to haue the meanes to change and peruert all thinges.

And you Brethren, that by one selfe same band of Faith, and Religion are vnited, and strictly bound vnto vs: Behold in this sorowfull spectacle what hath bin done, and what more they will doe vnto you: Consider our calamities therein, and see­ing you are members of the same body, behold your owne therein: Make your selues sensible of our miseries, helpe vs to finde some remedies, either by your most humble prayers vnto God, that he will be pleased to appease his iust wrath and indignation inflamed against vs, because of our sinnes, and vn­thankfulnes, or else by your supplications to our good King, to be admitted and restored to our first estate, or by your good assistance against those, that doe nothing else but labour vtter­ly to root out and destroy vs, by these chollerous alterations.

In the meane time, God graunt that these strange alterati­ons, be not the causes of other as dangerous, and ominous al­terations. God graunt, that so often, striking against the hard­nesse of our patience, they doe not make some sparkles flie out, and that of those sparkles some great side should chance to burst forth: But before all thinges, God graunt that our good [Page 25]and debonarie King may be liuely touched with the pure zeale of his house, to the end that thinking vpon the greatnesse of the mischiefes, that he hath bin counselled to doe vnto vs, he will shew himselfe to be our restorer, and the nourisher of our Churches: And for our parts, attending that time, and happy motion, of changing, rechanging, and of turning all thinges vpside downward, wee are fully resolued neuer to change, our affections vnto God, as Christians, nor to the willes nor de­sires, not to honour the King as his faithfull Subiects: But ra­ther as we pray vnto God, to strengthen our patience, that it may not breake vnder the burthen of so many calamities, that are procured vnto vs, so wee beseech him to prosper the King, and to giue him long and many dayes, a flourishing Empire, and faithfull Subiects.